Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States and author of A Promised Land, joins Conan for a candid and humorous chat. They dive into the ambivalence of friendship within the political sphere and share lighthearted parenting anecdotes. Obama reflects on his writing journey as a tool for introspection and discusses the intricate balance between ambition and integrity in leadership. Their conversation touches on the comedic absurdities of life and politics, reminding us that humor is essential even amidst serious challenges.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Christmas in Washington
Conan recalls hosting Christmas in Washington, which he found to be a tough comedic environment.
Obama was present and laughed hard at Psy's Gangnam Style performance with reindeer-dressed women.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Son's Meltdown
Conan's son had a meltdown before meeting the Obamas and refused to stand up.
Justin Bieber tried to comfort him, but the son told him to leave him alone.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Parenting Advice
Obama advises young parents to ensure their children are well-fed and get enough naps.
These two factors solve a significant chunk of child behavior problems.
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In 'Gilead', Marilynne Robinson crafts a deeply personal and introspective narrative through the eyes of John Ames, a 76-year-old pastor writing to his seven-year-old son in 1956. The novel explores themes of faith, forgiveness, and redemption as Ames recounts his life, his family's history, and the tensions between his abolitionist grandfather and his pacifist father. The book is a meditation on the human condition, highlighting the beauty in everyday moments and the profound bond between fathers and sons. It won the 2005 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the National Book Critics Circle Award.
My promised land
The Triumph and Tragedy of Israel
Ari Shavit
My Promised Land is a comprehensive and personal narrative history of Israel, written by Ari Shavit. The book combines family history, memoir, archival research, and interviews to provide a rich and nuanced account of Israel’s history from the late 19th century to the present. Shavit examines the complexities and contradictions of the Israeli condition, asking crucial questions about the origins, survival, and future of Israel. The book is praised for its balanced and empathetic portrayal of both Jewish and Palestinian experiences, although some critics have noted its controversial handling of certain historical events. It is a landmark work that brings to life epic history without being a conventional history book, deepening contemporary political understanding without being a one-sided polemic[2][4][5].
Song of Solomon
A. C. Crist
The Song of Solomon is a lyric poem that extols the virtues of love between a husband and his wife. It presents marriage as God's design, emphasizing care, commitment, and delight within the marital relationship. The book is divided into three main sections: courtship, the wedding, and the maturing marriage. It also contains themes of physical and spiritual love, and some interpretations see it as an allegory for Christ's love for the Church[1][4][5].
President Barack Obama feels ambivalent about being Conan O’Brien’s friend.
The 44th President of the United States sits down with Conan to discuss making the decision to enter public service, his lifelong love of writing and latest book A Promised Land, why it’s not as hard as it looks to be funny as the president, and persevering with optimism in the 21st century.
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Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend 
