Modern Wisdom
Book Recommendations

Modern Wisdom

Life is hard. This podcast will help. Lessons from the greatest thinkers on the planet with Chris Williamson. Including guests like David Goggins, Dr Jordan Peterson, Naval Ravikant, Sam Harris, Jocko Willink, Dr Andrew Huberman, Dr Julie Smith, Steven Bartlett, Ryan Holiday, Robert Greene, Matthew...

Episodes 547
Books 625

Recently mentioned

Latest Recommendations

Transcend: The New Science of Self-Actualization cover

Transcend

Scott Barry Kaufman

Mentioned 5 months ago

#1062 - Dave Evans - It’s time to rethink your entire life plan

This book was mentioned as being a nice work by Scott Barry Kaufman, who is noted for being big into Maslow's stuff.

Scott Barry Kaufman did a good job on that. His book, Transcend, was real nice. And he's big into Maslow's stuff.

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How to Live a Meaningful Life: Using Design Thinking to Unlock Purpose, Joy, and Flow Every Day cover

How to Live a Meaningful Life

Bill Burnett

Mentioned 5 months ago

#1062 - Dave Evans - It’s time to rethink your entire life plan

Dave Evans mentioned that he and his partner wrote this book as a direct response to what people meant when they talked about lacking meaning, primarily focusing on impact and fulfillment.

Get Dave Evans' new Book - 'How to Live A Meaningful Life' here: https://designingyourlife.link/how-to-live-a-meaningful-life/chris

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Transitions (40th Anniversary Edition): Making Sense of Life's Changes cover

Transitions (40th Anniversary Edition)

William Bridges

Mentioned 5 months ago

#1062 - Dave Evans - It’s time to rethink your entire life plan

This book was mentioned as an eighties self-help classic explaining that transitions are three steps: an ending, a neutral zone, and then a new beginning.

William Bridges wrote the book, transitions, making life, making sense of life's big changes. So he posits years ago is an eighties self-help classic. It's a good book. Um, based on Erickson's work that, um, uh, changes are outside in realities that happen to you. Transitions are the internal experience of managing them.

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If You're In My Office, It's Already Too Late: A Divorce Lawyer's Guide to Staying Together cover

If You're In My Office, It's Already Too Late

James J. Sexton

Mentioned 5 months ago

#1059 - James Sexton - Divorce Lawyer: “Give her a prenup on the 3rd date”

The book was mentioned as the speaker's work, providing advice on how to be good at love and stay in a relationship. It was suggested that seeing this book in someone's home might indicate things are going well, unlike books focused solely on self-improvement or business.

You can get How to Stay in Love anywhere where fine books are sold. You can listen to it on Audible or download that.

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The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: 30th Anniversary Edition (The Covey Habits Series) cover

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Stephen R. Covey

Mentioned 5 months ago

#1059 - James Sexton - Divorce Lawyer: “Give her a prenup on the 3rd date”

This book was mentioned as an example of something one might see in the home of a successful person who seems to be 'crushing it,' implying it's associated with high achievement.

If you walk into Galloway's home and you see Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, you would go, look at this guy.

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The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business cover

The Power of Habit

Charles Duhigg

Mentioned 5 months ago

#1059 - James Sexton - Divorce Lawyer: “Give her a prenup on the 3rd date”

This book was mentioned alongside 'Seven Habits of Highly Effective People' as something associated with someone who is highly successful and disciplined.

you see Power of Habit by Dering, you see, you would go, look at this guy.

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Notes on Being a Man cover

Notes on Being a Man

Scott Galloway

Mentioned 5 months ago

#1059 - James Sexton - Divorce Lawyer: “Give her a prenup on the 3rd date”

The speaker noted that he liked this book but felt it could have been half the length if the author had omitted the 'throat clearing and land acknowledgements' from every chapter.

I loved Notes on Being a Man. Like, I think it's a great book. But I said that if you removed the throat clearing and land acknowledgements from every chapter, it would have been like half the length.

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Anxiously Attached: Becoming More Secure in Life and Love cover

Anxiously Attached

Jessica Baum LMHC

Mentioned 5 months ago

#1057 - Matthew Hussey - How to Know When to Leave a Relationship

It was mentioned as Jessica Baum's first book, in the context of her having a new book out called 'Safe'.

I learned from Jessica Baum's first book, Anxiously Attached. She's got a new one out called Safe.

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Safe: An Attachment-Informed Guide to Building More Secure Relationships cover

Safe

Jessica Baum LMHC

Mentioned 5 months ago

#1057 - Matthew Hussey - How to Know When to Leave a Relationship

This was mentioned as Jessica Baum's new book, following her first one, 'Anxiously Attached'.

She's got a new one out called Safe. You should bring her on the show.

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Hacking the Human Mind: The behavioral science secrets behind 17 of the world's best brands cover

Hacking the Human Mind

Richard Shotton

Mentioned 5 months ago

#1053 - Richard Shotton - 11 Psychology Tricks From the World’s Best Brands

This book co-authored by Richard Shotton and Michael Aaron Flickr examined 17 different brands, with each chapter dedicated to one brand and the behavioral science principles it utilized for success.

A new book, yeah. So co-authored with Michael Aaron Flickr, it's called Hacking the Human Mind. 17 brands, each chapter is about a brand. And then we look at two, maybe three behavioral science principles that brand has used to power its success.

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Junglekeeper: What It Takes to Change the World cover

Junglekeeper

Paul Rosolie

Mentioned 5 months ago

#1052 - Paul Rosolie - Uncontacted Tribes, Jungle Warfare & Being Eaten Alive

The speaker mentioned this book detailed his entire journey, from being a frustrated kid to achieving massive conservation goals, including meeting uncontacted tribes and protecting large tracts of rainforest. He shared how Jane Goodall endorsed the book, which he felt helped launch his career and his conservation organization.

This is the whole story. This is from the frustrated kid to... And it's crazy because I wish I had a time machine now to go back because, you know, 18 years old, getting on the plane for the first time, leaving for the Amazon, never in a million years would I imagine that we would have, you know, caught the biggest anaconda and met the uncontacted tribes.

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What We Owe the Future cover

What We Owe the Future

William MacAskill

Mentioned 5 months ago

#1052 - Paul Rosolie - Uncontacted Tribes, Jungle Warfare & Being Eaten Alive

The speaker mentioned this book by William McCaskill discusses the philosophy of long-termism and an ethical inheritance owed to unborn humans, noting the author is perhaps the youngest tenured philosophy professor.

William McCaskill, who was the youngest tenured philosophy professor in history, I think. He's a Scottish guy. Youngest maybe that was alive right now. He wrote a book called What We Owe the Future.

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Most Recommended

Exhausted Wives, Bewildered Husbands: Why your marriage is hurting, and how to blossom as a couple Cover

Adam Smith

Exhausted Wives, Bewildered Husbands

Why your marriage is hurting, and how to blossom as a couple

It was mentioned as a book written to explain why many divorces are initiated by women after years of a husband not taking the relationship seriously.

"

I wrote this book right up here above my head, Exhausted Wives, Bewildered Husbands, for this reason is women as man as much as crap as women get on the internet about no women are lo...

— Episode: #674 - Adam Lane Smith - 17 Ugly Psychol...

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Episode: #674 - Adam Lane Smith - 17 Ugly Psychology Truths...

It was mentioned as a book written to explain why many divorces are initiated by women after years of a husband not taking the relationship seriously.

"

I wrote this book right up here above my head, Exhausted Wives, Bewildered Husbands, for this reason is women as man as much as crap as women get on the internet about no women are loyal, they're all faithless creatures, man they will stay.

Anabolics 2000 Cover

William Llewellyn

Anabolics 2000

He referenced his knowledge from the book about the good, bad, and ugly of anabolic steroids.

"

Do you own anabolic 2000 book? Do you own these different ebooks that tell you the good the bad the ugly with it? I studied all this shit.

— Episode: #673 - Phil Heath - Elite Performance Se...

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Episode: #673 - Phil Heath - Elite Performance Secrets Of A...

He referenced his knowledge from the book about the good, bad, and ugly of anabolic steroids.

"

Do you own anabolic 2000 book? Do you own these different ebooks that tell you the good the bad the ugly with it? I studied all this shit.

The Chimp Paradox: The Mind Management Program to Help You Achieve Success, Confidence, and Happiness Cover

Prof Steve Peters

The Chimp Paradox

The Mind Management Program to Help You Achieve Success, Confidence, and Happiness

It was originally published in 2005 and was intended to explain how the human brain works and why it sometimes behaves irrationally, as if a chimp were in control. It was later revised and updated to include more evidence-based information in a book called 'The Path Through the Jungle'.

"

If people aren't familiar with the chimp model how do you introduce them to that?

— Episode: #671 - Dr Steve Peters - The Science Of...

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Episode: #671 - Dr Steve Peters - The Science Of Reducing S...

It was originally published in 2005 and was intended to explain how the human brain works and why it sometimes behaves irrationally, as if a chimp were in control. It was later revised and updated to include more evidence-based information in a book called 'The Path Through the Jungle'.

"

If people aren't familiar with the chimp model how do you introduce them to that?

I wrote The Chimp Paradox probably over about 4 years trying to refine it I didn't want to get it wrong so I put out when I thought as close I can get it to explain this is your brain and how it works

so I rewrote effectively and called it a path through the jungle so a path through the jungle is more it's got the evidence base, the research behind it I know in America The Chimp Paradox didn't take off and I was criticized because there was no evidence

it was assessed by Cambridge Neuroscience Department and they said spot on so there is a right upon Cambridge University's website for those who are academically interested to say that they were saying that yeah this is an amazing model and it's very detailed to link it to neuroscience

that's why I called it The Chimp Paradox

$100M Offers: How To Make Offers So Good People Feel Stupid Saying No (Acquisition.com $100M Series) Cover

Alex Hormozi

$100M Offers

How To Make Offers So Good People Feel Stupid Saying No (Acquisition.com $100M Series)

The book, "100 Million Offer" was written by Alex Hormozi. It was meant to answer the question, "What should I sell?" and walks through the step-by-step process for setting up a successful offer. Alex spent six hours a day, from 6 am to 12 pm, for two years writing the book, which resulted in 19 drafts and 106 hand-drawn images. He describes the book as a "grand slam offer" that's accessible for everyone. It includes worksheets and a free course.

"

100 Million Offer is what's interested the question what should I sell so a lot of people are like what should I sell it tells you step by step everything you do like worksheets I have a free course t...

— Episode: #670 - Alex Hormozi - 23 Controversial T...

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Episode: #670 - Alex Hormozi - 23 Controversial Truths Abou...

The book, "100 Million Offer" was written by Alex Hormozi. It was meant to answer the question, "What should I sell?" and walks through the step-by-step process for setting up a successful offer. Alex spent six hours a day, from 6 am to 12 pm, for two years writing the book, which resulted in 19 drafts and 106 hand-drawn images. He describes the book as a "grand slam offer" that's accessible for everyone. It includes worksheets and a free course.

"

100 Million Offer is what's interested the question what should I sell so a lot of people are like what should I sell it tells you step by step everything you do like worksheets I have a free course that goes with it you don't even have to opt in it's on my site acquisition.com you can just start watching it I think the kindle for offers is a dollar 99 cents like try to make I mean our mission is to make real business education accessible for everyone

100 Million leads has been six hours a day 6 a.m to 12 12 p.m every day for the last two years so the first six hours of every day has been dedicated to writing that book which is why I have 19 drafts for four four four rewrites there's 106 hand drawn images um that went in the book that I put in there um and I'm going to be releasing it at this event that chris and I were talking about um so you're going to be listening to this after that event um and so you can go on amazon it'll be available there or you can look at acquisition.com because they'll be a course and things that you can go through free materials and that the the 100 million dollar leads answers the question who do I sell it to and so you need leads right so you're like okay great I have the thing I'm going to sell how do I go get people to find out about it and so a lot of the things that I have in the book are defining some of the terms that people hear a lot which is like what is a lead what is advertising right advertising is the process of making known and so if no one knows about your stuff no one can buy it and so the reverse of that is everyone knows about your stuff and that book will show you how to get everyone to know about your stuff and the reason I made the event as big as I did was because I used every advertising method in the book to advertise the book itself so offers was an example of a grand slam offer is how do you make something so good everyone feels stupid saying no which is the sub headline of the book and so offers in and of itself was a grand slam offer which is what I argued that everyone should have it was a two dollar book that it comes with a course it comes with worksheets all these things and 100 million dollar leads the way that I wanted to exemplify and meta show demonstrate that the concepts of the book work today and will work tomorrow and will work in a hundred years is because humans haven't changed and so the process of making known remains the same because our hard wiring is the same so you don't need to know the instagram hack because my first ever advertisement was on facebook and I don't do anything on facebook now and it doesn't matter and as soon as youtube and podcast and all those things die the principles remain the same despite the platforms changing and so that is what I wrote each of these books because I want them to be around in a hundred years and that's why I spent so long on them but I'm very proud of the book and I think it's my best work to date

Order out of Chaos: Win Every Negotiation, Thrive in Adversity, and Become a World-Class Communicator Cover

Scott Walker

Order out of Chaos

Win Every Negotiation, Thrive in Adversity, and Become a World-Class Communicator

It was mentioned as a book written by Scott Walker about mastering communication and negotiating in high-pressure situations, helping people bring order to chaos.

"

I call it all out of chaos because that's ultimately what this is is we want to bring some order out of what is a very chaotic and stressful circumstances

— Episode: #669 - Scott Walker - A Hostage Negotiat...

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Episode: #669 - Scott Walker - A Hostage Negotiator’s Hacks...

It was mentioned as a book written by Scott Walker about mastering communication and negotiating in high-pressure situations, helping people bring order to chaos.

"

I call it all out of chaos because that's ultimately what this is is we want to bring some order out of what is a very chaotic and stressful circumstances

Capital in the Twenty First Century Cover

Thomas Piketty

Capital in the Twenty First Century

It was cited as an example of a book that can be used to signal intelligence and membership within a specific social group, excluding those deemed less intelligent or cool.

"

Like, oh, capital in the 21st century, only really smart members of the intelligentsia will know that one.

— Episode: #668 - David Pinsof - How To Leverage Th...

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Episode: #668 - David Pinsof - How To Leverage The Psycholo...

It was cited as an example of a book that can be used to signal intelligence and membership within a specific social group, excluding those deemed less intelligent or cool.

"

Like, oh, capital in the 21st century, only really smart members of the intelligentsia will know that one.

Gay Fathers, Twin Sons: The Citizenship Case That Captured the World Cover

Nancy L. Segal

Gay Fathers, Twin Sons

The Citizenship Case That Captured the World

It was mentioned that the author has a book coming out about a case where two gay fathers who were married had twins with two different fathers through artificial reproduction, and one twin was nearly denied citizenship.

"

As you know, and I've told you, I have a book that's coming out August 8th called Gay Father's Twin Sons, The Citizenship Case to Capture the World.

— Episode: #667 - Nancy Segal - What Twins Separate...

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Episode: #667 - Nancy Segal - What Twins Separated At Birth...

It was mentioned that the author has a book coming out about a case where two gay fathers who were married had twins with two different fathers through artificial reproduction, and one twin was nearly denied citizenship.

"

As you know, and I've told you, I have a book that's coming out August 8th called Gay Father's Twin Sons, The Citizenship Case to Capture the World.

Natural Consequences (Good Intentions Book 2) Cover

Elliott Kay

Natural Consequences (Good Intentions Book 2)

It was discussed as a book by the guest containing an in-depth analysis of the Louise-wise adoption agency and their misguided approach to raising identical twins apart.

"

And in my 2021 book, The Liberally Divided, I go into that a great deal.

— Episode: #667 - Nancy Segal - What Twins Separate...

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Episode: #667 - Nancy Segal - What Twins Separated At Birth...

It was discussed as a book by the guest containing an in-depth analysis of the Louise-wise adoption agency and their misguided approach to raising identical twins apart.

"

And in my 2021 book, The Liberally Divided, I go into that a great deal.

Born Together―Reared Apart: The Landmark Minnesota Twin Study Cover

Nancy L. Segal

Born Together―Reared Apart

The Landmark Minnesota Twin Study

It was referred to as the Minnesota study of twins raised apart, the book containing information from various twin studies around the world.

"

In my book 2012 where I give a whole overview of Born Together Reared Apart which is the Minnesota study, I reprint from one of our papers a graph showing the IQ correlation from four or five differen...

— Episode: #667 - Nancy Segal - What Twins Separate...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: #667 - Nancy Segal - What Twins Separated At Birth...

It was referred to as the Minnesota study of twins raised apart, the book containing information from various twin studies around the world.

"

In my book 2012 where I give a whole overview of Born Together Reared Apart which is the Minnesota study, I reprint from one of our papers a graph showing the IQ correlation from four or five different reared apart twin studies.

Entwined Lives: Twins and What They Tell Us About Human Behavior Cover

Nancy L. Segal

Entwined Lives

Twins and What They Tell Us About Human Behavior

It was suggested as a good introduction to twin studies, covering topics such as the biology, psychology, reproduction, legal cases, and instances where the guest has acted as an expert witness.

"

But if you're really really new to twin studies you might want to check my 1999 book called Entwined Lives where I cover many many different topics on twins I cover the biology the ps...

— Episode: #667 - Nancy Segal - What Twins Separate...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: #667 - Nancy Segal - What Twins Separated At Birth...

It was suggested as a good introduction to twin studies, covering topics such as the biology, psychology, reproduction, legal cases, and instances where the guest has acted as an expert witness.

"

But if you're really really new to twin studies you might want to check my 1999 book called Entwined Lives where I cover many many different topics on twins I cover the biology the psychology reproductive interests legal cases I work as an expert witness on legal cases, lawful death, injury custody all kinds of things like that very very fascinating

The Warrior Poet Way: A Guide to Living Free and Dying Well Cover

John Lovell

The Warrior Poet Way

A Guide to Living Free and Dying Well

It was discussed as a book where John shares his personal journey, including stories of near-death experiences, and offers insights into developing a warrior and poet mindset.

"

The Warrior Poet Way dot com uh that's going to land you on our website too so you can kind of hunt around but our website is warrior poet society dot com from there you can find our...

— Episode: #666 - John Lovell - How To Defeat Your...

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Episode: #666 - John Lovell - How To Defeat Your Inner Cowa...

It was discussed as a book where John shares his personal journey, including stories of near-death experiences, and offers insights into developing a warrior and poet mindset.

"

The Warrior Poet Way dot com uh that's going to land you on our website too so you can kind of hunt around but our website is warrior poet society dot com from there you can find our youtube stuff and our social media

I have a quick story because there is a gal I talk about her husband or um her late husband in the book um The Warrior Potway um he'd become one of my first mentors in range of battalion and he was he was into the Jesus stuff before I was and so I didn't really understand much of that

The World Behind the World: Consciousness, Free Will, and the Limits of Science Cover

Erik Hoel

The World Behind the World

Consciousness, Free Will, and the Limits of Science

It was discussed as Erik Hoel's first non-fiction book that explores the intrinsic and extrinsic perspectives on the world and how consciousness relates to neuroscience.

"

if you type in the intrinsic perspective Eric into Google uh Eric of the K it'll find it or just the intrinsic perspective Google will find it as well um and my my my first nonfiction book is actually...

— Episode: #663 - Erik Hoel - A Guide To The Fundam...

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Episode: #663 - Erik Hoel - A Guide To The Fundamental Myst...

It was discussed as Erik Hoel's first non-fiction book that explores the intrinsic and extrinsic perspectives on the world and how consciousness relates to neuroscience.

"

if you type in the intrinsic perspective Eric into Google uh Eric of the K it'll find it or just the intrinsic perspective Google will find it as well um and my my my first nonfiction book is actually my second book but my first nonfiction book is out July 25th it's called The World Behind the World you can also google that and it will come up with my name

Bronze Age Mindset Cover

Bronze Age Pervert

Bronze Age Mindset

This is the book that the 'Bronze Age Pervert' (real name Amaru), a far-right neo-reactionary figure, wrote. It is about being strong, working out, and having a massive physique. He believes that the strongest should rule and the weak should perish.

"

He's got his whole thing is basically about being strong.

— Episode: #662 - Gurwinder Bhogal - 18 Psychology...

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Episode: #662 - Gurwinder Bhogal - 18 Psychology Lessons To...

This is the book that the 'Bronze Age Pervert' (real name Amaru), a far-right neo-reactionary figure, wrote. It is about being strong, working out, and having a massive physique. He believes that the strongest should rule and the weak should perish.

"

He's got his whole thing is basically about being strong.

It's about working out and having a massive physique like his avatar on Twitter is this hench, like jacked guy basically.

He's all about cultivating physical strength and basically the strongest should rule and the weak should perish and all this.

He used to pass out, pass around his book, Bronze Age Mindset.

A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy Cover

William B. Irvine

A Guide to the Good Life

The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy

Bill Irvine, a philosophy professor, wrote a great book "The Guide to the Good Life" that had a great series on the Waking Up app.

"

Bill Irvin this philosophy professor who wrote a great book "The Guide to the Good Life" has a series on Waking Up that is really great

— Episode: #661 - Sam Harris - How To Take Control...

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Episode: #661 - Sam Harris - How To Take Control Of Your Mi...

Bill Irvine, a philosophy professor, wrote a great book "The Guide to the Good Life" that had a great series on the Waking Up app.

"

Bill Irvin this philosophy professor who wrote a great book "The Guide to the Good Life" has a series on Waking Up that is really great

Artificial Intimacy: Virtual Friends, Digital Lovers, and Algorithmic Matchmakers Cover

Rob Brooks

Artificial Intimacy

Virtual Friends, Digital Lovers, and Algorithmic Matchmakers

Rob Brooks's book, written in 2019 and 2020, was discussed as a foundation for the podcast episode. It explores the emerging field of artificial intimacy and its potential impact on human relationships.

"

Yeah, I do feel a little bit vindicated in that this my book came out in 2021.

— Episode: #659 - Rob Brooks - Why Are People Falli...

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Episode: #659 - Rob Brooks - Why Are People Falling In Love...

Rob Brooks's book, written in 2019 and 2020, was discussed as a foundation for the podcast episode. It explores the emerging field of artificial intimacy and its potential impact on human relationships.

"

Yeah, I do feel a little bit vindicated in that this my book came out in 2021.

So I was writing it in 2019, 2020 really.

Free to Choose: A Personal Statement Cover

Milton Friedman

Free to Choose

A Personal Statement

The host referenced "Free to Choose," noting it as a notable work on economics and liberty.

"

I think that... Free to Choose.

— Episode: #845 - Ben Shapiro - Has America Complet...

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Episode: #845 - Ben Shapiro - Has America Completely Lost I...

The host referenced "Free to Choose," noting it as a notable work on economics and liberty.

"

I think that... Free to Choose.

Happier Hour: How to Beat Distraction, Expand Your Time, and Focus on What Matters Most Cover

Cassie Holmes

Happier Hour

How to Beat Distraction, Expand Your Time, and Focus on What Matters Most

The book was inspired by the author's experience of time poverty and explains how to make the limited time we have feel richer by focusing on meaningful activities and using practical exercises.

"

time poverty is what actually drove me to write the book.

— Episode: #547 - Dr Cassie Holmes - How To Manage...

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Episode: #547 - Dr Cassie Holmes - How To Manage Your Time...

The book was inspired by the author's experience of time poverty and explains how to make the limited time we have feel richer by focusing on meaningful activities and using practical exercises.

"

time poverty is what actually drove me to write the book.

in Happier Hour, I have a few exercises that do encourage not just counting times left, but to take this broader life perspective.

my book, I mean, it pulls it all together.

It's not about how much time you have. It's about how you spend the time that you have available.

when I'm saying time rich, it's about looking back on your day and feeling fulfilled, not about not being busy.

Note: The book recommendations on this page are discovered automatically from podcast transcripts, and may be incorrect or incomplete.