At this time of year, I ask my clients to step back, relax, reflect, and re-fuel. Here are some of the best resources I used in 2019 to do just that. Enjoy!
BOOKS & AUDIBLE:
How Music Works By David Byrne
This book teaches you all about BUSINESS. It’s an enthusiastic look at the musical art form — Byrne taps deeply into his lifetime of knowledge to explore the elements of music, how it shapes the human experience, and reveals the impetus behind how we create, consume, distribute, and enjoy the songs, symphonies, and rhythms that provide the backbeat of life. Byrne’s magnum opus uncovers ever-new and thrilling realizations about the redemptive liberation that music brings us all.
12 Rules For Life By Jordan Peterson
Humorous, surprising and informative, Dr. Peterson tells us why skateboarding boys and girls must be left alone, what terrible fate awaits those who criticize too easily, and why you should always pet a cat when you meet one on the street. What does the nervous system of the lowly lobster have to tell us about standing up straight (with our shoulders back) and about success in life? Why did ancient Egyptians worship the capacity to pay careful attention as the highest of gods? What dreadful paths do people tread when they become resentful, arrogant and vengeful? Dr. Peterson journeys broadly, discussing discipline, freedom, adventure and responsibility, distilling the world's wisdom into 12 practical and profound rules for life.
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones By James Clear
No matter your goals, Atomic Habits offers a proven framework for improving--every day. Clear reveals practical strategies that will teach you exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results. If you're having trouble changing your habits, the problem isn't you. The problem is your system. Bad habits repeat themselves again and again not because you don't want to change, but because you have the wrong system for change. You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems. Here, you'll get a proven system that can take you to new heights.
How to Be a No-Limit Person By Dr. Wayne Dyer
One of my favorite audible books, I’ve been listening to it since I graduated from college. It is also one of those rare programs that have universal relevance and appeal. No matter what age you are, what you do, or where your interests lie, Dr. Dyer will have you nodding your head in recognition and laughing out loud even as you feel your outlook changing, your options multiplying, and your capacity for living positively and purposefully expanding by leaps and bounds.
PODCASTS:
The Knowledge Project with Shane Parrish
Powerful topics every week. Named by Apple as one of the best listens of 2019, the Knowledge Project has garnered the attention of those who want to better understand themselves, others, and the world around them. Together with host Shane Parrish, you’ll uncover the timeless ideas, mental models, stories, and life lessons that help you master the best of what other people have already figured out.
Pivot with Scott Galloway & Kara Swisher
My favorite podcast. Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway offer sharp, unfiltered insights into the biggest stories in tech, business, and politics. They make bold predictions, pick winners and losers, and bicker and banter like no one else. After all, with great power comes great scrutiny.
The Portal with Eric Weinstein
Eric brings life to subjects that would be a complete bore in most academic settings. I love that he challenges his audience with material depth. Eric has brilliant guests and is devastatingly intelligent. Listening to his podcast is a good reminder of how much smarter than me many people are — I am always blown away by the new things I learn. Eric is promoting something crucially lacking from the world of today, intellectually honest conversation of the highest quality.
The Joe Rogan Podcast
With over 1400 episodes and counting, the JRE has been running for almost 10 years and is one of the most listened-to contemporary podcasts. The majority of the episodes have a long — up to 3 hours — continuous live-streamed format which enables an in-depth conversation with wide variety of topics and guests, ranging from celebrities and entertainers to scientists and athletes covering everything from existence of aliens to psychedelics — each episode having multiple millions of listeners worldwide and offering an alternative and competitive program to the mainstream media.
Two Heads: Brand Marketing & Strategic Coaching for Today’s Marketplace
You need to listen to this podcast because . . . it’s mine. BJ Flagg and I have over 118 podcasts covering many timely issues impacting your career and business every day. The best part? Each episode is only 12-15 minutes long. We’d love to hear from you.