A Note from That KEVIN - 05/09/26

A Note From That Kevin

Audio By Carbonatix

Washington this week felt like the center of gravity for just about everything shaping the American conversation.

The Editor in Chief of CestSiBon.org and I began the week honored to receive an invitation to participate in the Independent Women’s Forum 2026 Summit and Gala in our nation’s capital. The gathering brought together some of the most influential voices in media, policy, national security, and culture today.

Among those in attendance: Mike Rowe of Dirty Jobs, Secretary of War Peter Hegseth, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, FBI Director Kash Patel, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Advisor to the President Dr. Sebastian Gorka, and fellow TALKERS hosts Buck Sexton and Larry O’Connor.

But the emotional centerpiece of the evening belonged to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.

Introduced by President Trump himself, Wiles spoke candidly about the pressures, challenges, memories, strategy sessions, and victories her team has experienced over the past several years. Yet what struck me most was this: despite all the history surrounding her, she made the night about her team. Again and again she redirected praise toward the people around her. Leadership with humility still matters. And seeing it up close was refreshing.

Earlier that same day, I had the privilege of hosting nearly ten IWF directors backstage at our live broadcast position from the Summit floor. Programming note: expect more of this. One of the things we’re building toward is giving you genuine behind-the-scenes access to major cultural and political events as they happen in real time. Celebrate 250, TALKERS 2026, and Sing are all already taking shape.

Special thanks to Carrie Lukas, Heather Higgins, Hadley Manning, Amie Ichikawa, Soren Alvaro, Carrie Sheffield, Patrice Onwuka, Dr. Meaghan Mobbs, and Dr. Monique Yohanon for helping brief us on the ways IWF is working to improve the lives of women — and by extension, families and Americans everywhere.

The Waldorf Astoria DC, formerly the Trump International Hotel, also reminded everyone why it remains one of the great properties in the country. Welcoming what felt like a thousand guests for the Gala and hundreds more throughout the Summit, the hospitality, cuisine, elegance, and sheer beauty of the property provided the perfect backdrop for such a significant gathering.

Meanwhile all week long on the show, in my columns, and through the music of the TEA Collective, we celebrated moms.

One conversation from the Gala stayed with me. A reporter from USA Today admitted that Mother’s Day is difficult for her because of a fractured relationship with her own mother. I shared with her something I’ve come to believe deeply: that motherhood often extends beyond biology. Teachers. Mentors. Grandmothers. Spiritual guides. Women who help shape us with wisdom, sacrifice, and care — they too deserve honor.

Her entire perspective shifted in that moment.

And honestly, maybe that’s part of what this weekend is really about.

You can read all of my Mother’s Day columns here: https://townhall.com/columnists/kevinmccullough

Listen to the radio shows celebrating moms here: https://salempodcastnetwork.com/podcasts/that-kevin-show

And stream/save our deeply personal musical tribute to mothers here: https://open.spotify.com/album/4zhLW5FSxhDSqzsuuQgW9C?si=Q1EUhIP4TkCBKyRV2B4mHg

Elsewhere in this issue of That Passport Life, we continue our America 250 journey, feature new podcasts, and bring you more stories worth discovering.

And one final note:

Italy Unfiltered 2026 is now down to just 16 seats remaining.

If you’re even considering joining us for this unforgettable journey through Rome, Sorrento, Capri, Positano, and Amalfi — now is the moment.

👉 Italy2026.info

All for now… signing off from our nation’s capital, just a few hundred feet from the Oval Office.

— @ItsThatKEVIN