The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk
Book Recommendations

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Leaders are learners. The best leaders never stop working to make themselves better. The Learning Leader Show Is series of conversations with the world's most thoughtful leaders. Entrepreneurs, CEO's, World-Class Athletes, Coaches, Best-Selling Authors, and much more.

Episodes 177
Books 219

Recently mentioned

Latest Recommendations

Trust: Knowing When to Give It, When to Withhold It, How to Earn It, and How to Fix It When It Gets Broken cover

Trust

Dr. Henry Cloud

Mentioned 2 months ago

688: Dr. Henry Cloud - The Difference Between a Dream & a Vision, Why Revenue Is Not a Goal, the 5-Step Model for Achieving Any Goal, and Why the Highest Performers Seek the Most Coaching

Henry Cloud highlighted his book Trust, noting that trust fuels investment and is essential for leadership.

One of the things that I would want them to do is I wrote a book called Trust. Now, trust fuels investment.

Buy on Amazon
Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life cover

Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition

Henry Cloud

Mentioned 2 months ago

688: Dr. Henry Cloud - The Difference Between a Dream & a Vision, Why Revenue Is Not a Goal, the 5-Step Model for Achieving Any Goal, and Why the Highest Performers Seek the Most Coaching

Ryan Hawk introduced Henry Cloud as the bestselling author of Boundaries among other titles.

Dr. Henry Cloud, a clinical psychologist and bestselling author of Boundaries, Necessary Endings, Integrity, and Trust.

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Integrity: The Courage to Meet the Demands of Reality cover

Integrity

Henry Cloud

Mentioned 2 months ago

688: Dr. Henry Cloud - The Difference Between a Dream & a Vision, Why Revenue Is Not a Goal, the 5-Step Model for Achieving Any Goal, and Why the Highest Performers Seek the Most Coaching

Henry Cloud explained that his book Integrity explores wholeness and character beyond simply not lying or cheating.

I wrote a book called Integrity, which comes from, and the whole thing was about integrity, is more than somebody doesn't lie, cheat, or steal. Or you can believe the numbers. Or they're the same person in the light they are in the dark, public or private.

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Necessary Endings: The Employees, Businesses, and Relationships That All of Us Have to Give Up in Order to Move Forward cover

Necessary Endings

Henry Cloud

Mentioned 2 months ago

688: Dr. Henry Cloud - The Difference Between a Dream & a Vision, Why Revenue Is Not a Goal, the 5-Step Model for Achieving Any Goal, and Why the Highest Performers Seek the Most Coaching

Ryan Hawk listed Necessary Endings as one of Henry Cloud's wellknown publications.

Dr. Henry Cloud, a clinical psychologist and bestselling author of Boundaries, Necessary Endings, Integrity, and Trust.

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The Price of Becoming: The Compounding Practices of High Performance cover

The Price of Becoming

Ryan Hawk

Mentioned 2 months ago

688: Dr. Henry Cloud - The Difference Between a Dream & a Vision, Why Revenue Is Not a Goal, the 5-Step Model for Achieving Any Goal, and Why the Highest Performers Seek the Most Coaching

Ryan Hawk announced his upcoming paperback/hardcover and Jack Carr praised it as a cleareyed look at transformation and the cost of change.

My next book, The Price of Becoming, will be out in a couple of months.

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Your Desired Future: The Five Essential Steps That Take You Where You Want to Go cover

Your Desired Future

Henry Cloud

Mentioned 2 months ago

688: Dr. Henry Cloud - The Difference Between a Dream & a Vision, Why Revenue Is Not a Goal, the 5-Step Model for Achieving Any Goal, and Why the Highest Performers Seek the Most Coaching

Henry Cloud introduced his newest paperback/hardcover, Your Desired Future, which outlines five essential steps to achieve a desired future state.

The book's called Your Desired Future, The Five Essential Steps That Take You Where You Want to Go.

Buy on Amazon
The Road to Character cover

The Road to Character

David Brooks

Mentioned 5 months ago

675: Tom Hardin (Tipper X) - The Largest Insider Trading Case, How Ambiguous Leadership Destroys Culture, Resume vs. Eulogy Virtues, Bad Decisions vs. Mistakes, and Building Psychological Safety

Tom Hardin read this book during his reflection period, which helped him realize he had been solely focused on resume virtues rather than the more important eulogy virtues.

And one of the most important books I read in this process was Road to Character by David Brooks. And he talks about eulogy virtues and resume virtues.

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Wired on Wall Street: The Rise and Fall of Tipper X, One of the FBI's Most Prolific Informants cover

Wired on Wall Street

Tom Hardin

Mentioned 5 months ago

675: Tom Hardin (Tipper X) - The Largest Insider Trading Case, How Ambiguous Leadership Destroys Culture, Resume vs. Eulogy Virtues, Bad Decisions vs. Mistakes, and Building Psychological Safety

Tom Hardin was the author of this book, which detailed his experience as the FBI informant 'Tipper X' during the largest insider trading investigation in history. The book helped him process his life decisions and provided insights into the rationalizations people make before crossing ethical lines.

The book is much longer than my keynote. And really, it's making decisions in isolation.

Buy on Amazon
The Talent Code: Greatness Isn't Born. It's Grown. Here's How. cover

The Talent Code

Daniel Coyle

Mentioned 5 months ago

673: Daniel Coyle - Opening Yellow Doors, Mastering Your Craft, World-Class Storytelling Techniques, Great Questions to Ask, Building Your Community, The Power of Curiosity, and How to Flourish in Life

It was mentioned as a bestselling book by Coyle that has shaped how millions think about skill development and team culture.

He wrote the talent code. The Culture Code and now Flourish.

Buy on Amazon
The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups cover

The Culture Code

Daniel Coyle

Mentioned 5 months ago

673: Daniel Coyle - Opening Yellow Doors, Mastering Your Craft, World-Class Storytelling Techniques, Great Questions to Ask, Building Your Community, The Power of Curiosity, and How to Flourish in Life

It was cited together with The Talent Code as another of Coyle's influential books on building great teams.

He wrote the talent code. The Culture Code and now Flourish.

Buy on Amazon
A Swim in a Pond in the Rain: In Which Four Russians Give a Master Class on Writing, Reading, and Life cover

A Swim in a Pond in the Rain

George Saunders

Mentioned 5 months ago

673: Daniel Coyle - Opening Yellow Doors, Mastering Your Craft, World-Class Storytelling Techniques, Great Questions to Ask, Building Your Community, The Power of Curiosity, and How to Flourish in Life

The book was identified as a nonfiction work by George Saunders that teaches writing and life lessons.

It's called A Swim in the Pond in the Rain. He teaches a class on writing, but it's really kind of about life. It's nonfiction.

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Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-being cover

Flourish

Martin E. P. Seligman

Mentioned 5 months ago

673: Daniel Coyle - Opening Yellow Doors, Mastering Your Craft, World-Class Storytelling Techniques, Great Questions to Ask, Building Your Community, The Power of Curiosity, and How to Flourish in Life

Coyle's newest book was praised, with the host receiving a copy and PDF and saying he devoured it.

So it was so cool to get this book from your team. I appreciate you sending it to me and they sent me the PDF too. So I was devouring it and taking so many notes.

Buy on Amazon

Most Recommended

Becoming You: The Proven Method for Crafting Your Authentic Life and Career―A Step-by-Step Journey To Uncovering Your Unique Path to Achieving Success Cover

Suzy Welch

Becoming You

The Proven Method for Crafting Your Authentic Life and Career―A Step-by-Step Journey To Uncovering Your Unique Path to Achieving Success

In the episode, Suzy Welch talked about her new title, describing it as a step‑by‑step journey that helps listeners uncover their unique path to success by identifying core values and closing the authenticity gap. She explained that the concepts originated from her classroom methodology and were adapted for an online format. The discussion highlighted the book’s practical approach to living with purpose, and the hosts conveyed strong enthusiasm for its insights.

Highly Recommended
Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 661: Suzy Welch - How to Identify Your Core Values...

Suzy Welch discussed her latest book, describing it as a stepbystep journey that helps people uncover their unique path to success. The conversation highlighted how the book grew out of her classroom methodology and was launched after the class went online.

"

Latest book is called Becoming You.

And then the book came along and we were off to the races.

The book that we're referencing is called Becoming You, a stepbystep journey to uncovering your unique path to achieving success.

So Good They Can't Ignore You: Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for Work You Love Cover

Cal Newport

So Good They Can't Ignore You

Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for Work You Love

Ryan Hawk cited the title as an example of advice that stresses becoming so skilled that you become impossible to overlook, linking it to the broader discussion on habit formation and skill mastery. He referenced Cal Newport's work to illustrate the principle that expertise, rather than passion, drives career success.

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Episode: 660: James Clear (Live at Ohio University!) - The...

Ryan mentioned Cal Newport's book as an example of advice about becoming so skilled that no one can overlook you.

"

I'm sure you probably had these conversations with Cal Newport, another guy who wrote a book called Be So Good They Can't Ignore You, which is off of a Steve Martin quote.

Anything You Want: 40 Lessons for a New Kind of Entrepreneur Cover

Derek Sivers

Anything You Want

40 Lessons for a New Kind of Entrepreneur

The title was briefly listed among Derek Sivers' published works during the episode introduction, with no further commentary or analysis provided. It was mentioned in passing as part of the guest's bibliography.

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Episode: 659: Derek Sivers - Not Waiting for Permission, He...

It was listed as one of Derek Sivers' published books during the introduction of the episode.

"

Books including Anything You Want, Hell Yeah or No and Useful Not True.

Hell Yeah Or No Cover

Derek Sivers

Hell Yeah Or No

In the episode, Derek Sivers introduced the book as a decision‑making framework that helped listeners choose a clear “hell yeah” or “no” when faced with too many options, urging them to raise the bar rather than say yes to everything early in their careers. Ryan Hawk highlighted it alongside other recommended titles, noting its practical usefulness. The discussion portrayed the title as a valuable tool for focused decision making.

Highly Recommended
Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 659: Derek Sivers - Not Waiting for Permission, He...

It was described as a decisionmaking tool that helps people say yes or no when overwhelmed with options.

"

Books including Anything You Want, Hell Yeah Or No and Useful Not True.

So Hell Yeah Or No is a tool for when you're overwhelmed with options and it's time to raise the bar all the way. It's the wrong strategy to be using straight out of college when you'd be smarter to say yes to everything because opportunities are like lottery tickets at that point.

Purple Cow, New Edition: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable Cover

Seth Godin

Purple Cow, New Edition

Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable

In episode 659, Derek Sivers noted that the book contained a chapter that referenced his viral shipping email example. He mentioned the author's discussion without elaborating, making it a brief, passing reference rather than a strong endorsement.

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 659: Derek Sivers - Not Waiting for Permission, He...

Derek referenced it as containing a chapter that discussed his viral shippingemail example.

"

Seth Godin had a chapter about it, I think, in The Purple Cow or a mention of it somewhere in Purple Cow.

The Need to Lead: A TOPGUN Instructor's Lessons on How Leadership Solves Every Challenge (Extreme Ownership Series, 3) Cover

Dave Berke

The Need to Lead

A TOPGUN Instructor's Lessons on How Leadership Solves Every Challenge (Extreme Ownership Series, 3)

Ryan Hawk introduced Dave Berke as the author and noted that the book presented a Top Gun instructor's lessons on how leadership can solve any challenge. The mention highlighted the title as part of Berke's broader work on leadership without offering a strong endorsement.

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 658: Dave Berke - From Top Gun to Extreme Ownershi...

Dave Berke was identified as the author of The Need to Lead, described as a Top Gun instructor's lessons on how leadership solves every challenge.

"

Also author of multiple books, including The Need to Lead, a Top Gun's Instructor's Lessons on How Leadership Solves Every Challenge.

The book is called The Need to Lead, a Top Gun Instructor's Lessons on How Leadership Solves Every Challenge.

Way of the Warrior Kid: From Wimpy to Warrior the Navy SEAL Way: A Novel Cover

Jocko Willink

Way of the Warrior Kid

From Wimpy to Warrior the Navy SEAL Way

The host highlighted the title as part of Jocko's impressive series of leadership books aimed at younger readers, noting its role in teaching core leadership principles in a kid-friendly format. He praised the author for creating an entire series that makes concepts like humility and teamwork accessible to children.

Highly Recommended
Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 658: Dave Berke - From Top Gun to Extreme Ownershi...

The Way of the Warrior Kid was mentioned as part of Jocko's series of leadership books for younger audiences.

"

Jocko has done this amazing job. He's got an entire kid series of leadership books called the Way of the Warrior Kid.

The Genius Myth Cover

Michael Meade

The Genius Myth

The episode highlighted the title as a bestselling exploration of how luck and social context undermine the notion of individual genius, framing it as an entertaining and insightful read that sparked practical ideas for listeners. The host praised it for being hard to put down and even reread while exercising, indicating strong enthusiasm for its concepts.

Highly Recommended
Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 657: Helen Lewis - Why Genius Is a Myth, Edison Ne...

Helen's new bestseller examined the dangerous idea of the genius myth, showing how luck and social context shape our view of great ideas. The book was described as entertaining, insightful and hard to put down.

"

She's the author of a new bestselling book called The Genius Myth, A Curious History of a Dangerous Idea.

The book is called The Genius Myth, A Curious History of a Dangerous Idea. It is entertaining and it's like I'm learning and I'm thinking of practical ways to use it.

I am on the elliptical rereading it this morning and I end up just being on there forever because I can't stop.

Fracture Cover

Rd Baker

Fracture

In the episode, Helen Lewis highlighted the book as the source of a key insight about the link between traumatic childhoods and later achievement, noting how many celebrated figures shared such hardships. She described the work as an exploration of how personal adversity can shape genius, and recommended it as essential reading for understanding this dynamic.

Highly Recommended
Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 657: Helen Lewis - Why Genius Is a Myth, Edison Ne...

Paris' book explored how many celebrated figures shared traumatic childhoods, linking personal hardship to later achievement. It was cited as the source of a key insight about genius and trauma.

"

He wrote a book called Fracture because he noticed quite how many of the people that were being nominated had some traumatic event in their childhood.

Genius: The Life and Science of Richard Feynman Cover

James Gleick

Genius

The Life and Science of Richard Feynman

During the episode, Ryan Hawk referred to the book as a quirky study that offered a portrait of genius, suggesting that true geniuses either die young or live exceptionally long. He cited it as an example of earlier research on creative life cycles, using it to frame the discussion about how genius is perceived. The mention was brief and neutral, indicating a casual reference rather than a strong endorsement.

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Episode: 657: Helen Lewis - Why Genius Is a Myth, Edison Ne...

Isaac's quirky book presented a portrait of the genius, proposing that true geniuses either die young or live exceptionally long, influencing the discussion of creative life cycles. It was mentioned as an example of past research on genius.

"

He wrote this very quirky book called Genius, in which he said he had a portrait of the Genius and all these things.

Into the Fire: Intimacy, Mission, and Miracles: The Life of Adventure in the Holy Spirit Cover

Patrick Gonyeau

Into the Fire

Intimacy, Mission, and Miracles

Ryan Hawk revisited the memoir and described the book as an insanely well‑written, cinematic account that feels like watching a movie of the author's own life. He highlighted its compelling storytelling and personal depth, indicating strong endorsement for listeners.

Highly Recommended
Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 656: Dakota Meyer - Medal of Honor, The Battle of...

He mentioned rereading his memoir, describing it as an insanely wellwritten book that reads like a movie because it recounts his own life.

"

I was rereading Into the Fire, which is an insanely wellwritten book that seems like a movie. The crazy thing is it's your life.

30 Lessons for Living: Tried and True Advice from the Wisest Americans Cover

Karl Pillemer Ph.D.

30 Lessons for Living

Tried and True Advice from the Wisest Americans

The host highlighted the title as a wonderful collection of life advice drawn from interviews with a thousand elderly Americans, noting its relevance for leaders seeking wisdom. He pointed out that the book offers tried‑and‑true lessons on happiness, purpose, and decision‑making. The overall tone was strongly positive, positioning the book as a valuable resource for personal growth.

Highly Recommended
Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 655: Morgan Housel - The Simple Formula For Happin...

It was referenced as a book by Carl Pillemer that contains interviews with elderly Americans about life advice.

"

He wrote a wonderful book called 30 Lessons for Living, where he interviewed a thousand elderly Americans.

Original Sin [New Printing] Cover

Jason Aaron

Original Sin [New Printing]

In the episode, Jake Tapper referenced the title as the Biden book he co‑authored, highlighting how it illustrated the idea of seeing what's right in front of you. He described its publishing journey and noted that it received overwhelmingly positive reviews, spending seven weeks on the bestseller list and topping nonfiction for the first two weeks. The discussion conveyed strong endorsement of the work.

Highly Recommended
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Episode: 654: Jake Tapper - The Most Important Leadership S...

Jake explained that Original Sin was the Biden book he cowrote with Alex Thompson, noting its role in illustrating the quote about seeing what's in front of you and describing its publishing journey and bestseller performance.

"

It was right there in the Biden book that I cowrote with Alex Thompson of Axios, Original Sin.

Original Sin got almost universally positive reviews, was on the bestseller list for seven weeks and was number one on the nonfiction list for the first two weeks.

Raise Your Hand Cover

Alice Paul Tapper

Raise Your Hand

In the episode, Jake shared that his daughter Alice noticed a gender gap in classroom hand‑raising, which inspired her to develop a Girl Scouts patch and eventually write a children's book titled Raise Your Hand after Penguin Books approached her. The discussion highlighted the book as a response to gender disparity rather than a formal recommendation.

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Episode: 654: Jake Tapper - The Most Important Leadership S...

Jake recounted how his daughter Alice created the Raise Your Hand book after noticing gender disparity in classroom handraising, leading to a Girl Scouts patch and a published children's book.

"

Alice noticed when she was eight that the girls weren't raising their hands and the boys were, so she wrote a book called Raise Your Hand.

Penguin Books saw the patch idea and asked her if she'd like to write a book called Raise Your Hand.

Use Your Voice Cover

Alice Paul Tapper

Use Your Voice

Jake Tapper mentioned the title as a follow‑up children’s book he and his daughter created, which focused on encouraging speaking up in a hospital setting. He referenced it while discussing the importance of voicing concerns and handling criticism. The mention was brief and informational rather than an endorsement.

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Episode: 654: Jake Tapper - The Most Important Leadership S...

Jake mentioned Use Your Voice as another children's book his daughter helped create, focusing on speaking up in a hospital setting.

"

There was a followup book called Use Your Voice about speaking up at the hospital.

Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier Cover

Arthur C. Brooks

Build the Life You Want

The Art and Science of Getting Happier

The host noted that the author had co‑written a New York Times bestseller with Oprah Winfrey, mentioning it as one of his thirteen published titles. No detailed evaluation of the content was provided, but the reference highlighted its prominence.

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 652: Arthur Brooks - The Power of Teaching, The Ar...

The host noted that Brooks coauthored this New York Times bestseller with Oprah Winfrey, highlighting it as one of his 13 published titles.

"

He's also the author of 13 books, including the number one New York Times bestseller, Build the Life You Want. His coauthor on that book, Oprah Winfrey.

From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life Cover

Arthur C. Brooks

From Strength to Strength

Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life

The episode referenced the title as one of the author's published works while discussing his ideas on success, happiness, and purpose in the later stages of life. No further commentary or recommendation was provided.

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 652: Arthur Brooks - The Power of Teaching, The Ar...

The episode listed this title as one of Brooks's published works.

"

He's also written From Strength to Strength, Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the second half of your life.

Deep Purpose: The Heart and Soul of High-Performance Companies Cover

Ranjay Gulati

Deep Purpose

The Heart and Soul of High-Performance Companies

The book was referenced as a resource on finding deep purpose in the second half of life during a discussion about Arthur Brooks's catalog, with Ryan Hawk noting its relevance to success and happiness. It was mentioned briefly without a detailed endorsement.

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 652: Arthur Brooks - The Power of Teaching, The Ar...

Brooks's catalog was said to include a book about deep purpose in the second half of life.

"

He's also written From Strength to Strength, Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the second half of your life.

Dopefiend Cover

Donald Goines

Dopefiend

In the episode, Shaka Senghor recalled reading the title while incarcerated, noting that it was one of the early books that opened his eyes to the power of literature and helped shift his perspective. He highlighted its impact as a transformative read during his time in prison.

Highly Recommended
Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 651: Shaka Senghor - From Prison to Purpose: Break...

Shaka mentioned Dope Fiend as another early title that opened his eyes to the power of books while he was in prison.

"

They were books with titles like Pimp by Iceberg Slim, Dope Fiend by Donald Goins, Black Gangster by Donald Goins.

Black Gangster Cover

Donald Goines

Black Gangster

In the episode, Shaka Senghor recalled reading the title among his first novels, saying it helped him view books as portals to other worlds. He listed it alongside other gritty works, indicating its impact on his early reading habits. The discussion highlighted the book as a formative influence without further recommendation.

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 651: Shaka Senghor - From Prison to Purpose: Break...

Shaka listed Black Gangster as one of the first novels he read, noting it helped him see books as portals to other worlds.

"

They were books with titles like Pimp by Iceberg Slim, Dope Fiend by Donald Goins, Black Gangster by Donald Goins.

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