Why people recommend it
The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama is a reflective memoir offering practical wisdom and personal insights for navigating challenging times and societal expectations. On the podcast On Purpose with Jay Shetty, host Jay Shetty discussed the title, noting that both this book and Becoming beautifully illustrate the numerous trials, challenges, and setbacks that the author has successfully overcome with extraordinary elegance, determination, and grace. Later, on No Stupid Questions, co-host Angela Duckworth brought up the work during a conversation about impostor syndrome and professional pressure. Duckworth and the host explored how Obama examines the unique experience of being an only child and a first-time trailblazer in various spaces. They highlighted how such a position carries a massive additional burden, as individuals in these pioneering roles are essentially laying the groundwork and setting the stage for those who will follow them in the future. The speakers emphasized how Obama articulates these burdens with remarkable clarity, providing validation and guidance for readers who might find themselves in similar isolating or high-pressure circumstances. Through these podcast appearances, commentators underscored the book's profound utility as both a comforting personal narrative and a practical manual for enduring systemic pressures while maintaining inner resilience and authenticity.
Who recommended it
- Jay Shetty Discussed
- Angela Duckworth Discussed
Jay Shetty — 1 mention
“Absolutely I think what's beautiful about this book, 'The Light We Carry' and 'Becoming', is it shows us just how many trials, challenges, and setbacks that you've had to overcome in your life So elegantly, gracefully, tactfully You know, with so much determination and drive And I'm intrigued that after having overcome so much, like you said, climbing Mount Everest”
Angela Duckworth — 1 mention
“and you know Michelle Obama in her book The Light we carry talks a lot about being an only and being a first”
Mentioned on the show without a named speaker — 1
“Right, and you know, Michelle Obama in her book, 'The Light We Carry,' talks a lot about being an only and being a first. And when you're an only, you carry this massive additional burden because you are sort of the person laying the groundwork and setting the stage for what this is like.”
Also mentioned in the same episodes
Other mentions (5: passing, ad reads, own books)
“And as I said in in in my book, The Light, you know, I cultivated those tables throughout my life.”
“Building, creating, painting, drawing, fixing, putting something real into the world that came from your own hands Yes, something small You know, that’s why I talk about the power of small in the light we carry Because a lot of times our brains are trying to do the big fix and that’s when we feel hopeless and we’re tired Because”
“You know, I talk about in the light when I think about kids from communities that are under-invested in their anger, their lack of like, I don't, none of this belongs to me. So why would I protect it? Why wouldn't I break down your house or rob you or try to take your car because I don't own any”
“It was a product of one of the hardest moments that I had on the campaign trail, but one of the best growth moments, and I write about this in the light.”
“uh and then he's sitting there holding a Michelle Obama book and so it's like him with his box just holding this Michelle Obama book”