We Can Do Hard Things

Black AF History

Michael Harriot

This book was mentioned as an example of material people were reading and discussing online, leading to broader engagement with history.

“

There are people who bought Michael Harriot's Black AF history, right, and said, oh, this is interesting. Let me talk to my audience about it.

The Condemnation of Blackness

Khalil Gibran Muhammad

This book was referenced to explain how European immigrant groups gradually integrated into the umbrella of 'whiteness' over generations by forming political power and protection, often involving anti-miscegenation laws to maintain racial distinction.

“

If you read The Condemnation of Blackness by Khalil Muhammad, he talks about how each European immigrant group took a generation or two to be pulled into the umbrella that is whiteness, right?

A People's History of the United States

Howard Zinn

The proper history presented in this book has rarely been taught to most people, which is why spaces like TikTok are becoming important for sharing the real history.

“

But the proper people's history of the United States, to borrow Zen's phrase, has rarely been taught to most people.

The Sum of Us

Heather McGhee

This book was highly recommended, particularly for its concept of 'drained pool politics,' which illustrated how systemic oppression ultimately harms everyone, even those who benefit from the system.

“

I think all the time of Heather McGee's book, The Sum of Us, which everybody should read.

High Conflict

Amanda Ripley

This book details how people become trapped in conflicts and offers ways to escape them; the discussion focused on how to move from high conflict to good conflict.

“

when I started working on high conflict, I was following people who were trapped in really ugly dysfunctional conflicts of all kinds, all around the world. And I was asking them, how did you get out? And it turned out that's the wrong question because we need conflict.

The Unthinkable

Amanda Ripley

This book was mentioned as one of the author's previous works, but no details of its content were discussed during the podcast.

The Smartest Kids in the World

Amanda Ripley

This New York Times bestseller was mentioned as a previous work by the author; it was also adapted into a documentary film, but no specific details about the book were discussed in the podcast.

The Way of Integrity

Martha Beck

This was Martha Beck's newest book at the time of the recording, and it was an instant New York Times bestseller. One speaker mentioned that when they read it, the principle that every truth makes one relaxed and every lie makes one tense felt warm to them.

“

Her published works include the New York Times international bestsellers Finding Your Own North Star, I've read it. The Joy Diet, I've read it. Expecting Adam, I've read it. Martha's newest book, The Way of Integrity. I've read it twice. Finding the Path to Your True Self was obviously an instant New York Times bestseller.

Finding Your Own North Star

Martha Beck

This book was mentioned as one of Martha Beck's New York Times international bestsellers that one of the hosts had read.

“

Her published works include the New York Times international bestsellers Finding Your Own North Star, I've read it.

Expecting Adam

Martha Beck

One speaker read this book while pregnant with her first child, who was initially diagnosed with markers for Down syndrome; the book brought her great joy and peace during that uncertain time. The author later explained the book related to her own experience of receiving a Down syndrome diagnosis for her second child, Adam, while in her PhD program and choosing to keep him despite advice to terminate.

“

So I read Expecting Adam during that time. And that book, more than anything else, just set me at such joy and peace during that time.

The Joy Diet

Martha Beck

This book was mentioned as one of Martha Beck's New York Times international bestsellers that one of the hosts had read.

“

The Joy Diet, I've read it.

Be Ready When the Luck Happens

Ina Garten

Ina Garten's new memoir, released on the day of the podcast recording, was discussed. The podcast hosts and Garten talked about its themes of overcoming challenges and following one's passions.

“

Her new memoir, Be Ready When the Luck Happens, is available today.