Ep. #643: Greg Lukianoff, Jane Ferguson, John Avlon

No Ordinary Assignment chronicles Jane Ferguson's unlikely journey from a childhood in Northern Ireland during The Troubles to becoming an intrepid war correspondent. The memoir offers a vivid and honest portrayal of her experiences in war zones, including Yemen, Syria, and Afghanistan, highlighting the impact of conflict on civilians. Ferguson's story is a testament to building an authentic career against the odds.

This book examines the final weeks of Abraham Lincoln's life, focusing on his plan to achieve a nonpunitive peace following the Civil War. Avlon details Lincoln's principles, which included unconditional surrender, the restoration of the Union, and the end of slavery. The book highlights Lincoln's personal example, his relationship with Ulysses S. Grant, and his efforts to reconcile the nation. It also explores how Lincoln's vision influenced future generations, including peacemakers like Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, and Martin Luther King, Jr.

The book explores how the ideas 'what doesn’t kill you makes you weaker,' 'always trust your feelings,' and 'life is a battle between good people and evil people' have become embedded in American culture. These 'Great Untruths' contradict basic psychological principles and ancient wisdom, leading to a culture of safetyism that interferes with young people’s social, emotional, and intellectual development. The authors investigate various social trends, including fearful parenting, the decline of unsupervised play, and the impact of social media, as well as changes on college campuses and the broader context of political polarization in America.