bruce feiler joins me now. he's the author of six consecutive new york times best sellers. "life is in the transitions." bruce, begin by telling us why you wrote this book, what inspired you. it has something to do with your father. >> that's exactly right, fareed. first of all, thank you for having me. as you said, we're all in this lifequake, which is a massive change that has aftershocks that last for years. and i got interested in these events because i went through one a few years ago, as you know. i just got walloped by life. first i got cancer, as a new dad, then i almost went bankrupt. and my dad, who has parkinson's, tried to take his own life, six times, actually, in 12 weeks. there wasn't really a book i could find that helps you in these moments when life seems to come at you from all directions. and i thought there must be some wisdom out there. i set out on this journey, crisscrossing the country, collecting what became hundreds of life stories of americans in all 50 states. people who lost limbs, lost homes, changed careers, changed religions, got sober, got o