CNN special correspondent Frank Sesno leaned back in his chair and said, "All I have done in my career can be explained in two words: Ted Turner."

The media mogul who founded CNN, Turner returned to Monterey April 2, 2007 as a guest of the Monterey Institute to address an informed audience on the relevance of nonproliferation, global warming, the war in Iraq and who should run for president. Sesno was on hand to moderate the discussion.

A Middlebury graduate, honorary degree recipient from the Monterey Institute, and Emmy award-winning journalist, Sesno, during his 17-year tenure on staff at CNN, served as news anchor, analyst and reporter.

The pairing proved provocative.

Sesno asked Turner why he had accepted an invitation by the Monterey Institute to return to town. "Last year," he said, "I spoke to city officials and members of the community. I came back to speak to the students, who are studying nonproliferation, terrorism, environmental policy, trade. I am at home here. This is the next generation who, in the next 25 years, will make it or break it. The world is worth saving, and they’re the ones to do it."

Streaming video: A Conversation with Ted Turner