Nature, Nurture, and Overcoming Hardship | Rob Henderson and Richard Hanania on "Troubled"
May 6, 2024
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Rob Henderson discusses his memoir 'Troubled,' sharing insights on his upbringing in foster care and military experiences. He delves into family reflections, genetic discoveries, navigating success as a foster kid, political evolution, and international experiences. The conversation also explores future creative projects and potential adaptations in Hollywood.
Reflection on diverse family backgrounds and political evolution of friends.
Deep dives
Book Launch Challenges and Unexpected Venues
Despite initial plans for book launch events in New York, San Francisco, and LA, multiple bookstores in these cities showed no interest. A last-minute event at a comedy club organized by Jesse Single turned out to be a success, drawing around 170 attendees. The author also spoke at AEI and VC offices in SF due to impromptu invitations from fans, highlighting the support received for the book in alternative event spaces.
Challenges in Engaging Bookstores and Authorial Endorsements
The author expressed surprise at the difficulty of securing book events at various upscale bookstores despite having a considerable following. Comparing his book's success to authors with fewer followers but more positive media buzz, discussions arose about potential political or affiliative influences affecting bookstore decisions. The author's perceived lack of emotional writing in the book was also examined in light of personal and storytelling attributes.
Exploring Family Backgrounds, Cultural Gaps, and Foster Care Successes
The podcast delved into the author's unique family background, including insights into his Korean birth mother's experiences and her struggles in the US. The author's reflections on his success as a foster child and comparisons to other foster care narratives provided a glance into the challenges and opportunities faced by individuals from varied family setups. Additionally, the discussion touched on the author's contact with childhood friends, their evolving political views, and the impact of differing backgrounds on their perspectives.
Varied Interpretations of Trump's Base Among Blue Collar Voters
Blue collar Trump voters show a diversity of attitudes towards Trump beyond the stereotype of being rabid supporters. Older blue collar voters prioritize Trump's governing over his controversial behavior, while younger voters appreciate his provocative style. Despite initial disgust, some individuals came to accept and support Trump due to influences like radicalization by the far left.
Navigating Elite Environments Post-Military Service
Transitioning from the military to elite institutions like Yale provided exposure to intellectually engaged individuals, contrasting previous experiences of limited intellectual stimulation. Despite differences in political ideologies, interactions with Yale graduates showcased their talents and ambitions. Observations revealed a shift towards prestigious job paths in tech and finance, reflecting both lucrative opportunities and a degree of risk aversion among Yale alumni.
Rob Henderson joins the podcast to talk about his book Troubled: A Memoir of Foster Care, Family, and Social Class. The conversation starts with a discussion about the recent controversy in which Rob was unable to find a book store that would host his launch. Rob also shares insights into his writing style, which focuses on conveying his experiences in a matter-of-fact way rather than dwelling on his internal emotional state. Richard then questions him about the story of his biological parents, and whether he would ever want to reconnect with them, particularly the Korean grandfather who started out as a police detective and then struck it rich as the owner of a fertilizer company. The two go on to discuss other aspects of Rob’s life story, including what the friends he grew up with think of his success, what it was like in the military, including stints in Qatar and Kyrgyzstan, and when he began questioning elite narratives surrounding issues like the importance of family stability and personal responsibility. Finally, Rob talks about what is next for him now that the book promotion tour is winding down.
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