The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett

Episode: Kamala Harris – America Is At Breaking Point & I'm Deeply Concerned About The State Of The Country!

Original Air Date: October 30, 2025
Guest: Kamala Harris
Host: Steven Bartlett (DOAC)

Episode Overview

This episode of "The Diary Of A CEO" features Kamala Harris, former Vice President of the United States, in an intimate, wide-ranging, and candid conversation with Steven Bartlett. Harris addresses the tumultuous aftermath of the 2024 US presidential election, reflects on her upbringing and career, gives honest insights into her relationship with Joe Biden and US political power structures, and shares her pain and concern about the current state of America. The conversation is marked by rare emotional honesty, tough self-reflection, and a behind-the-scenes look at US governance and campaign life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening Reflections on Disappointment and Power (00:00–01:01)

• Harris opens with unflinching honesty about her disappointment and occasional anger toward President Joe Biden, especially recalling a phone call from him just before her debate with Donald Trump.
  • Quote: “I'm going to just be honest. There were times where Joe Biden greatly disappointed me and frankly … angered me.” (00:00)
• She reflects on the self-motivation she perceived behind Biden's actions.
  • Quote: “His motivation was all about himself.” (00:20)
• Harris draws a powerful emotional parallel between the feeling of loss on election night and the grief experienced after her mother died.
  • Quote: “Like, I haven't felt anything similar to the emotion I felt that day, other than the grief I felt when my mother died.” (01:01)

2. The Emotional Toll of Political Life & America’s Anxiety (02:22–04:17)

• Harris describes a mix of gratitude and deep anxiety about the state of the country.
  • Quote: “Everything from grateful and feeling very blessed to extremely troubled, disappointed, concerned of the state of our country and ... the world ... there’s a state of anxiety. What will happen next?” (02:44)
• A persistent sense that things may worsen before they improve.
  • Quote: “It may get worse before it gets better. And so the knowledge of that ... keeps me and many others on edge.” (02:59)

3. Sense of Responsibility & Living with “What Ifs” (04:17–05:11)

• Harris openly contemplates the impact her 2024 campaign could have had and reflects on the responsibility she bears.
  • Quote: “I do think about how different it could have been. I do think about it in the context of the number of people who are being impacted in such a horrible way.” (04:17)
• She stresses the importance of staying present, even when grappling with regret.

4. Upbringing, Family, and DNA of Service (05:11–09:19)

• Harris recounts her civil rights-involved upbringing as the child of Indian and Jamaican immigrants, shaped fundamentally by messages of dignity, duty, and service.
  • Quote: “My mother arrived from India ... became aligned with the civil rights movement ... and we were born in an environment where everyone was fighting for justice and freedom and for equality.” (05:28)
• Chronicles her rapid career ascent—from Deputy DA to California AG, outlining key reforms and her restless, problem-solving drive.
  • Quote: “There's so much more to be done. I think one of my strengths and weaknesses is I like to solve problems.” (08:54)

5. Dealing with Trauma, Stress, and Responsibility (09:19–12:39)

• Harris speaks candidly about the darkest corners of her legal work—child sexual abuse cases and homicide.
  • Quote: “For a while, I specialized in child sexual assault ... I mean, I remember going into the bathroom of the courthouse and crying because I knew a jury would not have enough to convict. And it broke my heart.” (09:34)
• Discusses the necessity of physical discipline (daily workouts) and the evolution of pressure as her responsibilities increased.
• Lifelong perfectionism and high self-imposed standards are revealed.

6. Changing Over Time & Imposter Syndrome (12:39–19:13)

• Harris compares herself at 24 to her current self—greater realism, but undiminished fearlessness.
  • Quote: “She was fearless. She didn't hear, no, it can’t be done.” (13:10)
• They discuss imposter syndrome as both humility and recognition of responsibility.
  • Quote: “There's nothing wrong with having ... a certain level of humility. ... In particular, when the people have vested you with great power. Right. To understand it's not about you.” (17:15)

7. Representation, Breaking Barriers, and Self-Image (19:13–27:54)

• On being “the only one in the room”: Harris describes both the challenges (others’ limited perceptions) and her learned strategies for occupying space confidently.
  • Quote: “When you walk in that room, walk in that room, chin up, shoulders back, knowing there are so many people who are not in that room who are so proud of you.” (21:47)
• Keeping mentors and affirming figures (her mother, Mrs. Wilson) present in her mind.
  • Quote: “There has been someone ... who convinced you you were special. You may not have been particularly special, but they told you you were, and you believed them. I know that's true for me.” (23:50)
• Appearance still matters: maintains that presence and pride in oneself still impact perceptions, whether we like it or not.

8. Deciding to Run for President – Process and Motivation (27:54–34:39)

• Harris shares the unglamorous reality behind her 2019 campaign dropout (money), the secretive vetting process for VP, and her eventual partnership with Biden.
• She never originally saw herself running for President, but grew into the possibility through her work.
  • Quote: “There are people who look in the mirror every day and see a president. I was not one of those people.” (15:25)
• Reveals how dynamic and human the VP interview process is at the highest level: “It really, as much as anything, comes down to chemistry.” (30:58)

9. The Vice Presidency: Loyalty, Suppression, and Challenges (34:18–38:46)

• Harris frankly discusses the historical suspicion between presidents and VPs, the zero-sum dynamics, the lack of staff support, and how her own accomplishments were not broadcasted.
  • Quote: “The President’s staff was adding fuel to negative narratives that sprung up about me ... it seemed as if they decided I should be knocked down a little bit more.” (34:53)
• The relationship with Biden is affectionate but “complicated.”
  • Quote: “I have a great deal of affection for him and there were times that ... he greatly disappointed me and frankly, you know, angered me.” (39:00)

10. The 2024 Election, Debates, and Feelings of Shock (43:33–73:53)

• Harris is deeply honest about debate camp, debate strategy (“the person who's having fun wins”), and the power of emotional manipulation in political marketing.
• Confronted the infamous "cats and dogs" rumor, using it as a teaching moment on misdirection and gaslighting in politics.
• On information warfare: discusses the amplified role of affects-based (emotional) appeals, the vulnerability of human brains to stories/fear, and the uphill battle of fact-based campaigning.
  • Quote: “Trying to stay in front of that with fact, much less ... practical messaging and logic, it is a real challenge.” (55:24)
• Recognizes the complicated role podcasts/independent media play in shaping public opinion.
• Frank regret over not appearing on Joe Rogan’s podcast—wishes she had pushed harder.
  • Quote: “I regret that we didn’t do it. I definitely regret that we didn’t do it.” (66:45)
• On election night, Harris describes being in profound shock and feeling a depth of loss she only otherwise experienced in bereavement.
  • Quote: “I was in a state of shock. ... I haven't felt that emotion, anything similar to the emotion I felt that day ... other than the grief I felt when my mother died.” (72:13)

11. The Democratic Party, Strategy, and Learning from Loss (77:20–83:32)

• Harris accepts that Democrats bear responsibility for “losing the game.”
  • Quote: “I agree.” (77:51)
• Openness to past errors: She wishes the administration had prioritized direct policies to help families (e.g., child tax credits, affordable childcare).
• Asserts that the left needs to be bolder, acknowledge entrepreneurship, and include innovators (like Elon Musk) even when there’s disagreement.

12. Looking Ahead – 2028, Potential Candidacy, and Personal Motives (83:34–94:07)

• Harris is non-committal on 2028 but open, stating that making a difference would be her only motivator.
  • Quote: “I think the case for running again is if I can make a difference. Honestly, if I can make a difference, you know, if I feel that I can offer something as President of the United States that would be ... about, you know, getting us on a correct trajectory.” (68:45)
• She discusses the toll of running on family and deeply dislikes being idle, transactional, or self-promoting for power’s sake.
• Insists that her drive is for “something bigger than yourself.”

13. Grief, Family, and Resilience (94:07–104:43)

• Candidly shares how her husband Doug provides fundamental support, and how, for months, they didn’t even talk about election night trauma until she wrote her book.
• Draws poignant parallels between the pain of electoral defeat and losing her mother—acknowledging both as profound, but not regretting the love or fight.
  • Quote: “Would we ever say because we've experienced the loss of someone we love that we would not have loved? Never. Right? Never.” (103:53)

14. Closing Thoughts – On Regret, Transparency, and the Ongoing Fight (104:45–105:42)

• Harris ultimately does not regret running in 2024—citing the impact and activation her candidacy had on others’ hopes and ambitions.
  • Quote: “I absolutely believe that we turned something on. ... Please don't let your spirit be defeated. We may not have won the election, but our spirit can't be defeated because then they really win. And sometimes the fight takes a while.” (89:58)

Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• Kamala Harris on Disappointment with Biden: “I'm going to just be honest. There were times where Joe Biden greatly disappointed me and frankly … angered me.” (00:00)
• On the Shock of Election Loss: “I was in a state of shock ... other than the grief I felt when my mother died.” (01:01)
• On Representation: “When you walk in that room, walk in that room, chin up, shoulders back, knowing there are so many people who are not in that room who are so proud of you.” (21:47)
• On Imposter Syndrome & Humility: “There's nothing wrong with having ... a certain level of humility. ... In particular, when the people have vested you with great power.” (17:15)
• On the Painful Aftermath of Campaign: “It was never about winning versus losing. It was ... I knew the consequence of the outcome of that election, and that pained me so.” (73:53)
• On Being Dimmed for the President’s Sake: “If you were shining, then Joe Biden was dimmed.” (38:24)
• On Lessons for Democrats: “The left lost, they played it wrong ... the Democratic Party needs to get their shit together so they don't lose the game again.” (77:51)
• On Regret (or Not) for 2024: “No, I don't regret running. I wish we had more time. I truly wish we had more time.” (89:45)
• On Endurance of the Fight: “Please don't let your spirit be defeated. We may not have won the election, but our spirit can't be defeated because then they really win. And sometimes the fight takes a while.” (91:37)

Major Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00 – Opening honesty: Biden’s disappointments
• 02:22 – Harris on emotional state & American anxiety
• 05:11 – Upbringing & service “DNA”
• 09:19 – Dealing with the stresses and trauma of legal work
• 15:25 – Deciding to run for president
• 30:58 – On the VP vetting/interview process
• 34:53 – Staff undercutting VP’s image and accomplishments
• 43:33 – Personal relationships, anger toward Biden
• 50:00 – Debate strategy and “having fun” with Trump
• 55:24 – Emotion vs. logic in politics; media manipulation
• 63:03 – Not going on Joe Rogan: regrets and logic
• 72:13 – Election night: feelings of shock and grief
• 77:51 – Democrats’ responsibility for electoral loss
• 83:34 – On running again, motivations and constraints
• 94:07 – Family support and shared grief
• 104:45 – Final word on regret and the ongoing fight

Tone & Final Thoughts

Throughout the episode, Harris is simultaneously earnest, reflective, and unguarded; her tone alternates between intimate vulnerability and quietly steely resolve. She is direct about policy, power, gender, and race, never romanticizing her experiences. The conversation is remarkable not just for its breadth, but for its rare honesty—a resounding call to resilience, reform, and boldly confronting uncomfortable truths.

For Listeners Who Haven't Tuned In

This extended interview is both a portrait of a leader grappling with profound challenges and disappointments, and an invaluable masterclass on resilience, leadership, and the complex humanity of public figures. Kamala Harris discusses her pain, her pride, and her hopes for America with authenticity and gravity. Whether you’re interested in US politics, leadership under pressure, or the lessons of personal and societal change, this episode delivers candor, wisdom, and much food for thought.