Lucinda Holdforth, a Sydney-based author and speechwriter, critiques our modern obsession with authenticity, vulnerability, and empathy. She explores how these traits, while positive, can undermine rational public discourse. Delving into Jane Austen's insights, Holdforth contrasts reason with emotion, revealing the tension in leaders showcasing personal narratives. The discussion touches on the dangers of prioritizing feelings over facts in politics, especially during turbulent times, and warns against the seductive pull of conspiracy theories in a disillusioned society.