Conan O'Brien Dartmouth Commencement Address (2011)

Delivered at Dartmouth College in 2011, Conan O'Brien's address blends dazzling stand-up comedy with a remarkably candid exploration of public career heartbreak. Speaking barely a year after losing The Tonight Show, O'Brien confronts the terror of watching a lifelong dream crumble in full view of the public. He argues that having your worst fear realized can be unexpectedly liberating, forcing you to shed expectations and discover who you really are when stripped of your perceived status. His central thesis that our failure to become our idealized self is precisely what makes us original and interesting culminates in an unforgettable, timeless piece of advice: work hard, be kind, and amazing things will happen.