Approval Junkie: Adventures in Caring Too Much by Faith Salie

In this sharp, hilarious, and heartfelt memoir, Emmy Award–winning broadcaster Faith Salie explores her lifelong pursuit of validation — from childhood competitions to television fame and motherhood. Through a series of witty, confessional essays, she unpacks the joys and pitfalls of people-pleasing, revealing how the desire for approval can both drive and distort a person’s life. Approval Junkie is an honest, funny, and deeply relatable reflection on ambition, vulnerability, and learning to find worth beyond applause.