Podcast Summary: Going Big! with Kevin Gentry
Episode Title: Going Big in France: How Alexandre Pessy Sparked a National Movement
Release Date: June 9, 2025

Introduction

In this compelling episode of Going Big!, host Kevin Gentry engages in an insightful conversation with Alexandre Pessy, the founder and executive director of the Institut de Formation Politique (Institute for Political Training) in Paris, France. Over the span of 25 years, Alexandre has been a pivotal figure in establishing and nurturing the conservative movement in France, mirroring successful strategies from the United States. This episode delves deep into Alexandre’s journey, the evolution of the conservative landscape in France, and his impactful initiatives in political training, journalism, and economic advocacy.

Building the Foundation for Change

Starting from Scratch in a Dominated Landscape

Alexandre begins by painting a vivid picture of the political climate in France around the year 2000, highlighting the absence of a robust conservative movement. He recounts his formative experiences in the United States, where he interned with the Leadership Institute under Morton Blackwell in Washington, D.C. This exposure to the American conservative infrastructure, including think tanks and pressure groups, inspired him to replicate similar structures in France.

“Seeing that went back to France and like, okay, our American friends did big. Why not doing that in France?”
— Alexandre Pessy [04:12]

Overcoming Doubts and Initial Challenges

Kevin acknowledges the courage it took for Alexandre to embark on this mission, especially given the skepticism surrounding the viability of such initiatives in France. Alexandre shares anecdotes about early doubts and the humorous yet serious concerns from both American and French conservatives about the sustainability of their efforts.

“Today, 25 years later, it totally changed. I'm not going to tell you that we now have controlling all the institutions...”
— Alexandre Pessy [06:46]

Evolving the Conservative Movement in France

Transformation Over 25 Years

Alexandre emphasizes the significant strides made in the French conservative movement over the past quarter-century. From a fragmented and unorganized right to a more cohesive and influential force, the journey has been marked by the establishment of multiple think tanks, media outlets, and civil society organizations that champion conservative values.

“We see this virtuous circle happen in France when the right was very divided. Now, many in the newspaper say we were one of the key organizations to gather the right...”
— Alexandre Pessy [09:50]

Media and Cultural Shifts

A crucial aspect of Alexandre’s strategy involved transforming the media landscape. With the introduction of conservative media figures and outlets, such as those led by Vincent Boulaut, the movement gained a platform to disseminate its message effectively. Additionally, Alexandre spearheaded initiatives in the arts, fostering the production of movies and other cultural content that align with conservative principles.

“We start not listening too much to people who didn't believe in our project... but all that actually work...”
— Alexandre Pessy [06:46]

Mentorship and Fundraising: Lessons from Morton Blackwell

Influence of Morton Blackwell

Meeting Morton Blackwell was a turning point for Alexandre. Blackwell’s principles on leadership, independence, and effective fundraising profoundly impacted Alexandre’s approach to building and sustaining the conservative movement in France.

“The meeting of Morton Blackwell was really a turning point... He had so many principles, I cannot give them all.”
— Alexandre Pessy [11:05]

Implementing Proven Strategies

Following Blackwell’s advice, Alexandre focused on building a diverse donor base using direct mail techniques, despite initial skepticism about their effectiveness in France. This strategy proved successful, growing their donor base to over 5,000 supporters.

“We implement direct mail techniques and we were told it's not going to work in France. It worked.”
— Alexandre Pessy [11:05]

Expanding Influence: Journalism and Economic Advocacy

Institute Libre de Journalistes

Recognizing the left-leaning bias in French journalism, Alexandre established the Institut Libre de Journalistes, a training institute dedicated to fostering responsible and conservative journalism. Over seven years, the institute trained 200 students, with 120 pursuing careers in journalism. This success led to the acquisition of the oldest journalism school in the world, UHG Paris, enabling the training of up to 400 journalists annually.

“We create the Institute Libre de Journalistes... now next year we won't train 40 students a year, but 400 journalists a year...”
— Alexandre Pessy [15:59]

French Taxpayers Association

As the head of the French Taxpayers Association, Alexandre leads advocacy for sound monetary policies and reduced public expenditure. Under his leadership, the association has significantly expanded its reach, boasting over 350,000 members and producing impactful media content, such as a widely viewed documentary on national debt.

“We are the only lobby for less public expenditure. So big, big fight.”
— Alexandre Pessy [19:05]

Team Building and Personal Insights

Assembling a Dedicated Team

Alexandre attributes much of his success to building a strong, committed team. He emphasizes the importance of having trusted friends on the board, a supportive family, and team members who share a genuine dedication to the cause. Many of his team members emerged from his training programs, ensuring they were both competent and passionate.

“It's having your family align with your project is such an asset and key.”
— Alexandre Pessy [22:42]

Balancing Personal Life and Leadership

Balancing a demanding leadership role with a large family, Alexandre shares insights into maintaining personal relationships while driving a national movement. His partner, Kate, plays a crucial role as his teammate, and their six children are actively involved in their initiatives.

“We have six children from 17. Six children, six. From 17 to 3 years old... our eldest daughter, who's 17, is already very involved today.”
— Alexandre Pessy [24:44]

Navigating the Current Political Landscape

Optimism Amid Challenges

Despite acknowledging the significant challenges facing France and Europe, Alexandre remains optimistic. He notes the increasing visibility and success of young conservative leaders and the changing attitudes towards conservatism in public discourse.

“Today you can clearly come out as a conservative and be successful in politics... it's actually encouraged people who want to serve to come.”
— Alexandre Pessy [28:23]

Confronting Authoritarian Trends

Alexandre also discusses the recent authoritarian measures taken against conservative media and figures in France, drawing parallels to actions typically associated with communist regimes. These include the shutdown of prominent conservative TV channels and the banning of potential presidential candidates, underscoring the urgent need for organized conservative leadership.

“You may have heard a few days ago, the favorite for the presidential election in 2027... was banned for being a candidate...”
— Alexandre Pessy [31:07]

Advice and Final Thoughts

Guidance for Aspiring Leaders

Reflecting on his journey, Alexandre offers invaluable advice for those looking to initiate similar movements. He underscores the importance of building a solid foundation, staying determined, and thinking big. He encourages aspiring leaders to seek mentorship, learn from successful models abroad, and focus on expanding the movement rather than viewing resources as limited.

“First, I would say build your base. Make sure your family is aligned and solid and to go forward... keep your past, have your solid base and think big.”
— Alexandre Pessy [31:49]

Encouragement to Take Action

In his closing remarks, Alexandre passionately urges listeners to join the movement, emphasizing the collective effort needed to uphold and advance conservative principles globally.

“Join us for the ones who are hesitating and listening to the podcast, we need you. We need each of you to be in the movement to make our principles prevail.”
— Alexandre Pessy [33:18]

Conclusion

This episode of Going Big! offers a profound exploration of Alexandre Pessy’s remarkable efforts to transform the political and media landscape in France. From establishing foundational institutions to advocating for economic prudence and fostering responsible journalism, Alexandre’s journey is a testament to the power of vision, perseverance, and strategic leadership. His insights not only shed light on the successes and challenges of building a national movement but also provide actionable advice for aspiring changemakers worldwide.

Listeners are encouraged to watch Alexandre’s impactful speech at the ARC conference on YouTube for a deeper understanding of his strategies and vision. As Alexandre aptly puts it, “The only limits are the ones you don't challenge.”

Notable Quotes:

• Alexandre Pessy [04:12]: “Seeing that went back to France and like, okay, our American friends did big. Why not doing that in France?”

• Alexandre Pessy [06:46]: “We see this virtuous circle happen in France when the right was very divided. Now, many in the newspaper say we were one of the key organizations to gather the right...”

• Alexandre Pessy [11:05]: “We implement direct mail techniques and we were told it's not going to work in France. It worked.”

• Alexandre Pessy [15:59]: “We start not listening too much to people who didn't believe in our project... but all that actually work...”

• Alexandre Pessy [19:05]: “We are the only lobby for less public expenditure. So big, big fight.”

• Alexandre Pessy [22:42]: “It's having your family align with your project is such an asset and key.”

• Alexandre Pessy [24:44]: “We have six children from 17. Six children, six. From 17 to 3 years old... our eldest daughter, who's 17, is already very involved today.”

• Alexandre Pessy [28:23]: “Today you can clearly come out as a conservative and be successful in politics... it's actually encouraged people who want to serve to come.”

• Alexandre Pessy [31:49]: “First, I would say build your base. Make sure your family is aligned and solid and to go forward... keep your past, have your solid base and think big.”

• Alexandre Pessy [33:18]: “Join us for the ones who are hesitating and listening to the podcast, we need you. We need each of you to be in the movement to make our principles prevail.”

Tune In:
To gain a more comprehensive understanding of Alexandre Pessy’s strategies and experiences, listeners are encouraged to watch his speech at the ARC conference available on YouTube. For more inspiring stories and resources, visit TenXStrategies.com and follow Going Big! on Spotify, iTunes, Amazon, iHeart Radio, Pandora, and YouTube.

This summary captures the essence of the conversation between Kevin Gentry and Alexandre Pessy, highlighting the key themes, strategies, and personal insights that have fueled a national conservative movement in France.