The clearest way to understand Ronald Reagan’s leadership may not be from a podium, but from a saddle, a woodpile, and a quiet table where he worked through the ideas that shaped an era.

In this on-location episode of The TechEd Podcast, host Matt Kirchner sits down with former Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker inside the Reagan Ranch Center, recorded at the same table and microphones Reagan used for his radio addresses. The conversation moves beyond “Reagan the icon” and into Reagan at Rancho del Cielo, the place Ed Meese famously pointed to as the best window into Reagan the man. 

You’ll hear how the ranch functioned as Reagan’s “open air cathedral,” where he worked the land, cleared brush, and rode horses to clear his mind before returning to the weight of world events.  You’ll also hear the personal stories that make Reagan feel three-dimensional again, including the extraordinary bond he formed on horseback with Secret Service agent John Barletta, and the deeply human way Nancy Reagan talked about letting the ranch go.

Matt and the Governor also discuss timeless values that define Reagan's legacy. Walker frames Reagan’s optimism as more than tone, because it was paired with firm beliefs, disciplined preparation, and a sustained message about freedom as something fragile that must be defended and passed on.   

Listen to learn:

• How Reagan’s time at Rancho del Cielo shaped the way he thought, reset, and led
• Why Reagan’s optimistic “happy warrior” tone worked because it was anchored in uncompromising conviction
• How Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) reframed the Cold War, and how we're seeing that technology in play today
• The short list of speeches that best capture Reagan’s worldview, from “A Time for Choosing” to Brandenburg Gate to Pointe du Hoc

3 Big Takeaways from this Episode:

1. Reagan’s optimism was anchored in conviction. Walker points to Reagan as a “happy warrior” who appealed to people’s better nature while staying strong in his positions. These timeless values are why he had such strong support, even in a divided government.

2. Reagan treated freedom as a generational responsibility, not a permanent condition. Walker highlights Reagan’s repeated warning that freedom is “never more than one generation away from extinction,” and that it must be defended and passed on.  He ties that message to Reagan’s Cold War moral clarity, including the belief that if freedom is lost here, “there’s nowhere else in the world left,” and the urgency behind “tear down this wall.” 

3. Reagan’s legacy is a case study in the long-term impacts of a great leader. Great American Presidents like Washington, Lincoln and Kennedy are remembered more for their character than their politics. This podcast is an exploration into the character of Ronald Reagan, another great leader who is remembered for his optimism, conviction and humility.

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