Review of We Can Do Hard Things
by Johny McFliggen, PhD Literature & Business, Oxford
Ah, the elusive "We Can Do Hard Things," a book that doesn't quite exist but echoes through the digital airwaves as a podcast hosted by the indomitable Glennon Doyle, alongside her partners in conversation, Abby Wambach and Amanda Doyle. In this review, we shall embark on an intellectual odyssey, not bound by the constraints of tangible pages but rather inspired by the ethos of Doyle's literary journey and her spoken-word foray.
First, let us address the cornerstone of this creative triad: Glennon Doyle's "Untamed," a memoir that has woven itself into the cultural zeitgeist much like a Taylor Swift anthem at a millennial's wedding. "Untamed" is a clarion call for authenticity, a manifesto urging us to cast off the shackles of societal expectations. Doyle's narrative is akin to that of a modern-day Joan of Arc, wielding her prose as both sword and shield in the battle for self-liberation.
The podcast "We Can Do Hard Things" extends this narrative terrain into the auditory realm. With each episode, Doyle and her co-hosts dissect the complexities of human experience with the precision of a surgeon who's also read too much Nietzsche. Here, we are invited into conversations that challenge superficial engagement and demand introspection. Much like listening to an episode of "The West Wing," one feels both intellectually stimulated and emotionally enriched.
Comparisons to Brené Brown’s "Daring Greatly" or Elizabeth Gilbert’s "Eat Pray Love" are inevitable yet not entirely adequate. While Brown and Gilbert provide a similar roadmap to self-discovery, Doyle's work and podcast transcend mere guidance; they are a call to arms for the soul. They challenge us to not only discover our truths but to live them audaciously.
Abby Wambach and Amanda Doyle bring their own flair to this endeavor. Wambach, with her Olympian gravitas and advocacy acumen, adds depth that resonates like an echo in a vast canyon of gender equality discourse. Amanda Doyle, with her legal mind and sisterly rapport, provides a grounding balance to Glennon's effervescent musings—a yin to her yang, if you will.
The reception of this podcast mirrors that of "Untamed": widespread acclaim and a devoted following reminiscent of Beatlemania but with more existential angst and fewer screaming teenagers. It is not just content; it is a movement—an Oprah’s Book Club for the podcast era.
To conclude, while "We Can Do Hard Things" may not yet grace our bookshelves in hardcover form, its thematic essence is alive and well in both the podcast and Doyle's preceding works. They serve as vital compasses for navigating life's tumultuous seas with resilience and authenticity. For those willing to do their own hard things, these discussions offer not mere solace but empowerment—a torch guiding us through our own untamed wilderness.
Purchase Link: We Can Do Hard Things on Amazon
