Barack Obama

After the second term.

Yeah, in 2017, 2018.

And I thought I was going to be able to remove myself more from

being out there in public and was going to be able to concentrate on what I really wanted to do, which was coach the next generation of leadership.

Sure.

Yeah, move from player to coach, essentially.

And I kept on being asked to comment on news of the day and look at this outrage and why aren't you out there more and that kind of thing.

And look, that's flattering.

And, you know, it's an indication that you made a connection with people.

Sure.

But I tried to be a little bit disciplined about recognizing that.

I'd moved on to a new phase where I did not have formal power.

I have some hopefully moral suasion, some credibility.

But I didn't have formal power.

And so more than anything, for the long term, what I could do that would be most helpful would be to start promoting, lifting up, shining a spotlight on

That next generation of leadership and talent, new voices.

Because part of what also happens is as you get older – Michelle and I joke about this – no matter how much you want to pretend otherwise –

you're starting to get a little out of touch.

You're not completely, you know, plugged into the zeitgeist.

It just happens.