Jon Favreau
The Catalyst
Ideas with a spark, energy, range and the ability to start things.
Jon Favreau is a prominent speechwriter who played a crucial role in shaping President Obama's messaging. This interview reveals his focus on mobilizing people through compelling narratives and his belief in the power of authenticity in communication.
“He's a director. Got it. He's the director of the film. But when I had met him, I was trying to set it up as a director. I was trying to direct it. And he had already done a film. He was just part of a circle of friends. I wasn't very close with him, but I knew him through somebody else. And he was somebody who had directed.”
“What was your go-to music? Let's see, I liked the earliest music I listened to. I can remember actually having an album of was soundtrack, all the old music like the 60s music. And then Billy Joel, I grew up in New York, so Billy Joel. My first rock album I ever bought was Led Zeppelin. But I was in high school already.”
“And then the one that I remarked at the most was the bus boy who knows just went to walk up to you with that deli container full of ice water. And it's the best water you've ever had. I didn't even know I was thirsty. And then this guy hands me this like 16 ounces, you know, the quartz size.”
“Of the car, yeah, would not recommend it, by the way, very dangerous. My buddy. Is in a wheelchair now who introduced me to it. It fits in really well with your sense of invulnerability that comes at that age. Not something I would do. I thought if I could afford one, I would.”
The Axe Files with David Axelrod — Ep. 11 - Jon Favreau
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