2 Pages with MBS

This won’t, unfortunately, be news to you: Each year, we consume the resources of 1.6 planet earths. We’re diminishing the environment, exhausting biological capital … and heading towards, well, who really knows... Is there hope? Yes. Is it up to you? Yes, at least partially. And where do we begin? By understanding what it takes to be a good ancestor. Practical philosopher, Roman Krznaric, joins Michael Bungay Stanier for a conversation about preserving our planet by adopting a long-term way of thinking that will not only benefit us but succeeding generations as well. Get‌ ‌book‌ ‌links‌ ‌and‌ ‌resources‌ ‌at‌ https://www.mbs.works/2-pages-podcast/  

Roman reads pages from John McPhee’s book ‘Basin and Range.’ [reading begins at 6:22]        

Hear Michael and Roman talk about: 

Channeling your anger into constructive action. [11:28] | Being a ‘good ancestor.’ [14:03] | “We can change our habits,” Roman says. [21:10] | “Nothing in nature grows forever.” [24:27] | Activists’ responses to Roman’s book and the concept of long-term thinking. [25:49] | “Take care of the place that will take care of our offspring.” [30:00]

Have you ever felt like the only one? The outsider, alienated? In the workplace, women of color like Minda Harts are no strangers to feelings of isolation. Minda is the author of ‘The Memo: What Women of Colour Need to Know to Secure a Seat at the Table,’ a career guide for women of color. The advice she shares in the book is what she wished someone would have told her when she was younger. Before becoming an author, she spent fifteen years in corporate America where she often experienced racial aggression from her colleagues. In this episode of 2 Pages with MBS, Minda shares her story of turning trauma into triumph, emphasizing the importance of being a good ally. Get‌ ‌book‌ ‌links‌ ‌and‌ ‌resources‌ ‌at‌ https://www.mbs.works/2-pages-podcast/  

Minda reads from ‘Kindred,’ written by Octavia Butler. [reading begins at 8:05] 

Michael and Minda discuss: 

The importance of affording opportunities to women of color. [12:50] | How to be a good ally. [16:10] | “Listen, educate, activate.” [17:00] | “We all have the ability to speak someone else’s name in the room.” [17:48] | Rewriting your story and changing the narrative. [18:04] | “We are able to redefine what success means for us.” [19:15] | “In that moment, I was the handhold for myself.” [22:44]

What does it take to start working towards a worthy goal? A goal that’s thrilling, important and daunting. Author Mason Currey might have an answer. Actually, answers. Mason’s writing focuses on the lives and routines of many renowned, creative minds. As a creative mind himself, he shares with listeners his process and the many elements involved in producing ambitious and creative work. Get‌ ‌book‌ ‌links‌ ‌and‌ ‌resources‌ ‌at‌ https://www.mbs.works/2-pages-podcast/ 

Mason reads two pages from the book ‘The Magic Mountain’ by Thomas Mann. [reading begins at 4:23] 

Michael and Mason talk about: 

How mortality affects the way we show up in the world [10:53] | Transitioning into another world [13:48] | Rituals that allow creativity to flourish [16:30] | “Inspiration comes through your work rather than the other way around.” [17:38] | Sharing your work with others: how to be fragile but not shattered [18:29] | Art gets stronger when it’s beaten [20:15]

The pandemic has brought about an epidemic of loneliness. Human connection expert, Riaz Meghji is here to talk about fixing it. Riaz has 17 years of experience in broadcast television, covering current affairs, sports, entertainment, politics and business. In this episode, he shares insights he acquired along the way about retaining humility in an industry where big egos easily develop, and the importance of candid conversation. Get book links and resources at https://www.mbs.works/2-pages-podcast/ 

Riaz reads from the book ‘Everyone Communicates, Few Connect’ by John C. Maxwell, explaining that he has always been fascinated by the art of how and why we connect. [reading begins at 5:00] 

Furthermore, you’ll hear MBS and Riaz discuss: 

The book’s impact on Riaz [9:10] | Arrogance as an interviewer [10:39] | Establishing connection and trust [13:17] | Perfecting one’s craft while remaining humble [18:19] | Navigating and evoking emotion [25:20]

What does it take to be at the very top of your game? That’s something Octavia Goredema thinks about frequently. As the founder of Twenty Ten Agency, a media platform providing career coaching services, Octavia and her team strive to elevate career opportunities for under-represented professionals. She was also appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire by the Queen, and she is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, leading the Gender Equity Network in the United States of America. As a woman of colour, Octavia has firsthand experience with inequality in society and its emotional toll. In this episode of 2 Pages with MBS, she shares her story and how she attempts to make the world a more inclusive place through her work. Get book links and resources at https://www.mbs.works/2-pages-podcast/ 

The book Octavia reads from is titled ‘Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person,’ written by Shonda Rhimes. [reading begins at 4:15] 

You’ll hear MBS and Octavia discuss: 

Managing vulnerability when starting new projects [10:45] | Receiving validation [15:44] | What success means [19:41] | What Octavia aims to teach her readers [21:20] | Women of colour can’t fix all of the systemic issues alone [22:18] | Realising your worth [25:05]

Have you ever fallen down a rabbit hole? When something catches your eye and you just have to follow it, finding yourself in a new world? It happens in business like it does in life, and Monika Jiang spends most of her time in a brand new world of business. Monika is a Millennial Activist and Head of Content and Community for the House of Beautiful Business, a global platform and community for making humans more human and business more beautiful. She and Michael discuss the importance of expanding your views to continuously grow. Get book links and resources at https://www.mbs.works/2-pages-podcast/ 

Monika reads pages from ‘Sensuous Knowledge: A Black Feminist Approach for Everyone’ by Minna Salami. [reading begins at 5:44]

Michael and Monika also talk about:

The book’s impact on Monika [15:23] | What makes life so livable [17:03] | Our ongoing evolution as people [17:45] | Focusing less on passing the finish line [20:33] | Creating brave and safe spaces [21:34]

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be the CEO of a massive company? What do you do? What do you worry about? Michael Bungay Stanier is joined by his friend Dig Howitt, CEO and President of Cochlear, a medical device company that helps people hear and be heard. They have a conversation about modern business and what makes a company successful. Dig shares the responsibilities and difficulties that accompany his position as a high-ranking officer, and offers advice that he utilises to ensure he continues to grow and learn as a leader. Get book links and resources at https://www.mbs.works/2-pages-podcast/  

Dig selected the book ‘In Search of Excellence’ by Tom J. Peters and Robert H. Waterman Jr. [reading begins at 3:40] 

MBS and Dig Howitt discuss: 

The book’s impact on Dig [7:42] | Leadership versus management [10:03] | The relationship between strategy and culture [11:30] | Being a follower and a leader [13:25] | Improving failure capacity within a company [16:45] | Building a strong leadership team [20:15] | Diverse views within a team [22:30]

Which books are the true classics, the ones that change minds and shape lives? Authors, activitists, celebrities, entrepreneurs, and leaders read the best two pages of their favourite book ... and then dig in with MBS to the insights and ideas within.