Let's Talk About Hard Things

By: Anna Sale

Narrated by: Anna Sale

Length: 8 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's Summary

From the host of the popular WNYC podcast Death, Sex, & Money, Let’s Talk About Hard Things is “like a good conversation with a friend” (The New Yorker) where “no topic is off-limits when it comes to creating meaningful connection” (Lori Gottlieb, author of Maybe You Should Talk to Someone).

Anna Sale wants you to have that conversation. You know the one. The one that you’ve been avoiding or putting off, maybe for years. The one that you’ve thought “they’ll never understand” or “do I really want to bring that up?” or “it’s not going to go well, so why even try?”

Sale is the founder and host of WNYC’s popular, award-winning podcast Death, Sex, & Money or as the New York Times dubbed her “a therapist at happy hour.” She and her guests have direct and thought-provoking conversations, discussing topics that most of us are too squeamish, polite, or nervous to bring up. But Sale argues that we all experience these hard things, and by not talking to one another, we cut ourselves off, leading us to feel isolated and disconnected from people who can help us most.

In Let’s Talk About Hard Things, Sale uses the best of what she’s learned from her podcast to reveal that when we dare to talk about hard things, we learn about ourselves, others, and the world that we make together. Diving into five of the most fraught conversation topics - death, sex, money, family, and identity - she moves between memoir, fascinating snapshots of a variety of Americans opening up about their lives, and expert opinions to show why having tough conversations is important and how to do them in a thoughtful and generous way. She uncovers that listening may be the most important part of a tough conversation, that the end goal should be understanding without the pressure of reconciliation, and that there are some things that words can’t fix (and why that’s actually okay).

©2021 Ann Sale. All rights reserved. (P)2021 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

Incredible

Anna is my favorite narrator. This is one of the best books I’ve read in years! I stayed up late listening because I just couldn’t turn off Anna’s voice. Her voice is calm and soothing and makes me feel at ease. Write more books Anna!

Overall, Really Liked it

I LOVE Anna Sale and the podcast! Not sure I had the stamina for a book length version of those kind of talks- because they are so complicated and need a lot of what I call “therapy words” - I found I couldn t listen to this audible book for prolonged periods of time. But love Anna’s voice and style.

Anna Sale is a treasure

This book is so good, and it’s even better being read by Anna. Her voice is soothing and calm, and the reading is pitch perfect.

Every day, in every possible way

When you read a book that will change every conversation you ever have, or have ever had… that’s one worth sharing as far and wide as possible. Work, home, friends, community… there’s nowhere you won’t be thinking back to passages and people in this book as you ponder and explore how to listen, nurture belonging, and honor the dignity of those closest to you in space and in your networks of relationship. Grateful for the book!

Anna Sale does it again.

I love listening to Anna’s podcast. Her style and rich conversations remind me we are all humans trying to figure it all out. Every topic in this book is so thoughtfully explored and written. Thank you Anna. I need this.

Great Analysis with actionable items

What makes this book great is the ability to put analysis to work. Often people are easy to analyze things without suggesting action. This book has a great format of analyzing and then suggesting actions.

Lots of self promotion and name dropping.

Lots of self promotion by the author and nothing new. Boring. Try something else but pass on this.

Phenomenal reflective piece

This book is a phenomenal piece that gives both insight and provides space for you to reflect on your own conversations. I am always impressed by the neutral and empathetic reporting Anna Sale does, and this book is an extension of the immense skill she has an interviewer, story teller and writer. I hope she writes another book in the future.

Inspiration to start having conversations you're

Rethink your conversations and inspire you to start having deeper conversations or stop avoiding.

short but great

i could listen to hear read for hours on end. I love the parts were she shares her experiences. if you have never listened to the podcast, this is a great intro to what the show is all about.