Narrator: Imagine standing just feet away from the President of the United States during a press conference in a Baghdad palace. The air is thick with tension. Suddenly, an Iraqi journalist leaps to his feet, screams an insult, and hurls a shoe directly at the President's head. He ducks. The journalist throws his other shoe. In the ensuing chaos, a Secret Service agent lunges forward, knocking over a heavy microphone stand that smashes into your face, leaving you with a black eye that would soon be seen around the world. This wasn't a hypothetical scenario; it was a real and painful moment for Dana Perino, the White House Press Secretary. Yet, her first instinct wasn't panic or self-pity. It was to ensure the President was okay and could continue his interview. This shocking event serves as the dramatic entry point into her memoir, And the Good News Is...: Lessons and Advice from the Bright Side. The book reveals how a life of optimism, resilience, and a firm belief in civility can equip anyone to handle not just flying shoes, but the immense pressures of work, politics, and life itself.

Narrator: The infamous shoe-throwing incident in Baghdad in 2008 is more than just a startling anecdote; it's a case study in leadership and composure. While the world saw President George W. Bush deftly dodge two shoes, Perino provides a behind-the-scenes look at what happened next. Despite the chaos and the very real threat, Bush’s immediate response was to calm the room, saying, "Don’t worry, it’s fine. Everyone calm down. We’re going to finish this." He even joked about the journalist's poor aim.

This wasn't just a reflex; it was a demonstration of a core principle that Perino admired and adopted: the ability to remain focused on the mission despite personal attacks or unexpected crises. Even after being struck and injured, Perino’s priority was her duty. She got medical attention, but quickly returned to prepare the President for his next interview, demonstrating a dedication that she frames as "taking black eyes for the boss." The book argues that this level of resilience isn't an innate trait but a cultivated one, built on a foundation of optimism and a commitment to one's responsibilities over personal comfort. It’s the belief that even in the most chaotic moments, one can find the good news—in this case, the President was unharmed and the mission continued.

Narrator: Perino’s unshakeable optimism wasn't forged in the polished halls of the White House but in the rugged landscapes of Wyoming and Colorado. She traces her core values—independence, self-reliance, and patriotism—back to her upbringing on a ranch and her family's history. Her great-grandparents were Italian immigrants who arrived at Ellis Island with almost nothing and built a life through sheer grit, homesteading land in Wyoming. Their story of achieving the American Dream instilled in Perino a profound appreciation for the opportunities America offers.

Life on the ranch taught her hard, practical lessons. She shares a poignant story of her grandfather, a man of few words, having to shoot one of his beloved horses after it broke its leg. As a child, she stole a glance and saw a tear roll down his cheek before he did what was necessary. In that moment, she learned that true strength and gentleness go hand in hand. These formative experiences—from dealing with rattlesnakes to navigating the social challenges of school busing—created a foundation of resilience. They taught her to face adversity with a practical, head-on approach, a skill that would prove invaluable in the high-pressure environment of Washington, D.C.

Narrator: At age 25, Perino found herself in a "quarter-life crisis." She had a good job as a press secretary on Capitol Hill, but felt stagnant and anxious about the future. Dissatisfied with her career and dating life, she longed for spontaneity and adventure. It was in this state of mind that she boarded a flight from Denver to Chicago, an ordinary trip that would irrevocably change her life.

She was seated next to a British businessman named Peter McMahon. They struck up a conversation and felt an immediate connection. Despite the eighteen-year age difference and the fact that he lived on another continent, they embarked on a whirlwind long-distance romance. Perino ultimately took a massive leap of faith, quitting her job and moving to England to be with him. This decision to embrace an unplanned, unconventional path is a central theme of the book. It led her on a journey from England to San Diego and, eventually, back to Washington D.C. after the 9/11 attacks reignited her desire to serve. The story of meeting her husband illustrates her belief that resisting the pressure to have everything figured out can lead to the most profound and unexpected opportunities for happiness and growth.

Narrator: Throughout the book, Perino emphasizes that her success was not achieved in a vacuum. It was built on the advice, support, and mentorship of others. She shares practical wisdom she collected along the way, framing it as a guide for others to follow. One of the most memorable pieces of advice came from Margaret Spellings, then Secretary of Education, on Perino’s first day as White House Press Secretary. Feeling nervous, Perino received a call from Spellings, who told her bluntly, "Well, you’re gonna have to put your big girl panties on and deal with it!" This tough-love encouragement snapped her out of her anxiety and into action.

Another powerful lesson came directly from President Bush. After former colleague Scott McClellan published a critical book, Perino was consumed with anger and frustration. The President pulled her aside and advised her to forgive him, saying, "I don’t want you to live bitterly like he is." This lesson in forgiveness and perspective freed her from the negativity. Perino argues that these moments of guidance are critical. She also stresses the importance of "reverse mentoring," where she learned about social media from a young assistant, and "paying it forward" through initiatives like the "Minute Mentoring" events she co-founded to help young women advance their careers.

Narrator: Perino makes a passionate case for the restoration of civility in public and private life. She argues that the decline in respectful discourse is at the heart of many of America's problems, leading to gridlock and division. She points to the tradition of respect among presidents as a model. In a powerful story, she describes President Bush hosting President-elect Obama and all living former presidents for lunch in the Oval Office in 2009. Despite their vast political differences, the five men came together to ensure a smooth transition of power, bonded by a shared respect for the office they held.

Perino contrasts this with her own experiences of incivility, such as being insulted by a university president during a commencement speech simply because of her party affiliation. She advocates for creating "politics-free zones" in life, like the dog park, where people can connect on a human level without ideological conflict. She believes civility is not about avoiding disagreement, but about handling it with respect, arguing vehemently for one's position but then finding a way to move forward without personal contempt. It is a choice, she insists, and one that is essential for progress.

Narrator: The single most important takeaway from And the Good News Is... is that optimism is not a passive hope, but an active strategy for success. Dana Perino's journey from a Wyoming ranch to the White House podium demonstrates that a positive outlook, combined with resilience and a commitment to civility, provides the strength to navigate immense challenges. It is the conscious decision to look for the good, to learn from setbacks, and to treat others with respect, even in the face of hostility.

The book leaves us with a challenging question in an era of deep polarization: What would happen if we chose to practice "productive serenity"—a state of being calm, generous, and gracious, even while holding firm to our principles? It challenges us not just to find the good news, but to be the good news in our own spheres of influence, one civil conversation and one optimistic step at a time.