*Aristotle’s relentless quest to categorize everything has had a massive impact on philosophical and scientific thinking over the last 2,000 years.

*His very rational, left-brain way of seeing is the essence of Western civilization.

*The Nicomachean Ethics (dedicated to his son, Nicomachus) is the best expression of Aristotle’s moral philosophy. It provides a recipe for the good life that is still discussed and applied today.

*The good life is one where reason is taken into account at all levels. One should act with the appropriate balance, rather than live a life of unrestrained action or bland asceticism.

*Pleasures should not be ignored, nor should they control one’s life entirely. A person should be brave when necessary, but should not put themselves into pointless danger.

*Happiness is not pleasure, but a by-product of a meaningful life, and meaning tends to come from striving and self-discipline.

*By carefully weighing each decision with the end of a good life in mind, we can all live in a way that brings the highest goal and reward: happiness.

Theme 1: Defining Goodness - 0:29

Theme 2: The Unvirtuous Life -10:14

Theme 3: The Golden Mean - 19:12

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HEAR THE FULL INTERVIEWS MENTIONED IN TODAYS' EPISODE HERE:

ARI Campus. (2019). Aristotle’s Ethics and Politics: Happiness, Reason and the Ideal Society - ARI Campus. [online] Available at: https://courses.aynrand.org/campus-courses/history-of-philosophy/aristotles-ethics-and-politics-happiness-reason-and-the-ideal-society/.

Full Title: Nicomachean Ethics

Year of Publication: 4th century BC

Book Author: Aristotle

To purchase the complete edition of this book click here: https://a.co/d/1g3gx0K

Book Insight Writer: Joe Aitken

Editor: Tom Butler-Bowden

Producer: Daniel Gonzalez

Production Manager: Karin Richey

Curator: Tom Butler-Bowden

Narrator: Elliott Schiff

*Through his discussion of his early life and studies, his long career in law enforcement and role in the spotlight of various Clinton and Trump controversies, ex-FBI head James Comey examines what it takes to be an effective, ethical leader.

*Comey led the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s emails that some believe tipped the 2016 election result in Donald Trump’s favor.

*Getting to the truth was crucial, but so too was running the investigation independently from the inevitable political pressures.

*After Trump was elected, Comey battled to maintain the independence of the FBI. He describes his encounters with the president and the difficult legal and moral situations he was placed in.

*A Higher Loyalty provides a gripping insider’s look into the highest echelons of American government and the personal dilemmas Comey faced in upholding the FBI’s – and his own – integrity.

Theme 1: The value of truth & the toxic effect of lies - 0:29

Theme 2: Rule of Law & Political Pressure -9:50

Theme 3: Ethical Leadership - 19:32

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HEAR THE FULL INTERVIEWS MENTIONED IN TODAYS' EPISODE HERE:

"James Comey Interview Part 2: The Hillary Clinton Email Investigation". Youtube, 2019, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvS67LEId7Y. Accessed 19 Apr 2019.
News, ABC. "Video: James Comey Part 1: Telling Trump About The 'Dossier'". ABC News, 2019, https://abcnews.go.com/2020/video/james-comey-part-telling-trump-dossier-54492017. Accessed 19 Apr 2019.

Full Title: A Higher Loyalty

Year of Publication: 2018

Book Author: James Comey

To purchase the complete edition of this book click here: https://a.co/d/fnu1x7U

Book Insight Writer: Alice Park

Editor: Tom Butler-Bowden

Producer: Gabe Mara

Production Manager: Karin Richey

Curator: Tom Butler-Bowden

Narrator: Kristi Burns

*In Shoe Dog, the famously reticent founder of Nike opens up to tell the story of how he transformed a $50 loan into a multibillion-dollar business.

*Opening with Knight on a brisk morning run, aged 24, we’re treated to a description of the almost divine manner in which the idea for starting a shoe company first strikes.

*Yet the actual making of the future megabrand was founded on Knight’s own athletic prowess and business acumen, not to mention his dogged determination.

*While his college friends secured “proper jobs” and his father scolded him for “jackassing around” with sports shoes, Knight persevered. By selling shoes from the boot of his car, he managed to turnover $8,000 in his first year.

*At the heart of his burgeoning business was a desire to capture the thrill of competition, to do work that didn’t feel like working.

*As well as providing insights into the highs and lows of running a newly formed company, Shoe Dog shows what happens when you stop playing by society’s rules and decide to follow your heart.

Theme 1: Knight’s Crazy Idea - 0:29

Theme 2: Knight’s Entrepreneurial Journey & Purpose -11:55

Theme 3: The Buttfaces - 26:06

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HEAR THE FULL INTERVIEWS MENTIONED IN TODAYS' EPISODE HERE:

Archive, Investors. “Billionaire Phil Knight: Starting Nike, Life and Shoes (2017).” YouTube, YouTube, 12 Sept. 2017, www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQvhAkLF7t0.

Bloomberg Markets and Finance, Bloomberg Markets and. “The David Rubenstein Show: Phil Knight.” YouTube, YouTube, 28 June 2017, www.youtube.com/watch?v=brkdw_5umYY.

Carmichael, Evan. “Chris Guillebeau's Top 10 Rules For Success (@Chrisguillebeau).” YouTube, YouTube, 26 May 2016, www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDEksMt3S9s.

Chapters, Indigo |. “In Conversation: Phil Knight and Indigo CEO Heather Reisman.” YouTube, YouTube, 24 May 2016, www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EhX62tPsGw.

Institute of Passion. “Steve Jobs Talking about Passion in Work at D5 Conference 2007.” YouTube, YouTube, 6 Jan. 2017, www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_SKFUHlW9Y.

Morning, CBS Sunday. “How Phil Knight's ‘Crazy Idea’ Conquers the Sporting World.” YouTube, YouTube, 24 Apr. 2016, www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxWJTo-0eyk.

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. “Phil Knight Made A Pair Of Nikes Just For Stephen.” YouTube, YouTube, 29 Apr. 2016, www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTQMi-CBcMg.

Full Title: Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creating of Nike

Year of Publication: 2016

Book Author: Phil Knight

To purchase the complete edition of this book click here: https://a.co/d/1g3gx0K

Book Insight Writer: Joe Barnes

Editor: Tom Butler-Bowden

Producer: Daniel Gonzalez

Production Manager: Karin Richey

Curator: Tom Butler-Bowden

Narrator: Robin Gabrielli

*Despite the attention-grabbing title, this isn’t a guide for rebels without a cause, keen to flip the middle finger at society and authority. Instead, it’s an unusually deep and thought-provoking look into the human experience.

*Mining his own memories of being expelled from school for drug possession, travelling around the world seducing women, coming to terms with his parents’ divorce, and struggling to forge a career as a blogger, Manson presents a unique and intriguing life philosophy that cuts through the empty promises of clichéd self-help manuals.

*The “subtle art” of the title poses a challenge: stop chasing other people’s visions of happiness, identify your personal “things to give a fuck about” and stick to them.

*Manson doesn’t pretend this counterintuitive approach guarantees eternal wealth and happiness – this is not that kind of book –  but he’s convinced it will give you a shot at a pretty good life.

Theme 1: Pain is Important - 0:29

Theme 2: Shitty Values - 8:00

Theme 3: Take Responsibility - 20:05

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HEAR THE FULL INTERVIEWS MENTIONED IN TODAYS' EPISODE HERE:

“The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*Ck with Mark Manson.” The Science of Success Podcast, The Science of Success Podcast, 14 Sept. 2016, www.successpodcast.com/show-notes/2016/9/14/the-subtle-art-of-not-giving-a-fck-with-mark-manson.

Full Title: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life

Year of Publication: 2016

Book Author: Mark Manson

To purchase the complete edition of this book click here: https://a.co/d/a1TJo7J

Book Insight Writer: Joe Barnes

Editor: Tom Butler-Bowden

Producer: Gabe Mara

Production Manager: Karin Richey

Curator: Tom Butler-Bowden

Narrator: Kristi Burns

*Banned from elite schools due to the circumstances of his birth, Leonardo propelled his own education through endless reading, observation and experimentation.

*He found refuge in the world of art, where his paintings of sacred dramas and Earth-based beauty astonished contemporaries.

*Today, most of us know the name Leonardo da Vinci and something of his genius, but little of the full breadth of his creative impact and achievements.

*Acclaimed biographer Walter Isaacson’s richly illustrated book, published ahead of the fifth centenary of Leonardo’s death, fills the gaps. He uses as his primary source material the extant notebooks – 7,200 pages survive, scattered in collections across the world, teeming with sketches and jottings – which demonstrate Leonardo’s insatiable curiosity about the world and his understanding of the interconnectedness of nature.

*The book tracks da Vinci’s astonishing advances in art and technology which helped power Europe’s cultural rebirth. It also brings alive da Vinci the man, the original Renaissance man, revealing the ways he was both ahead of his time, and of his time.

Theme 1: Light/Dark - 0:29

Theme 2: The Schematics - 9:19

Theme 3: Salvator Mundi - 19:27

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HEAR THE FULL INTERVIEWS MENTIONED IN TODAYS' EPISODE HERE:

YouTube. (2019). Walter Isaacson Compares Leonardo Da Vinci To Modern Geniuses. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqTHpgONMIM].

YouTube. (2019). Lessons from Leonardo. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkm-gW_ANio.

YouTube. (2019). Leonardo's Salvator Mundi: Scholarship, Science and Skulduggery. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIUP8l7HUWI [Accessed 2 Jul. 2019].

Full Title: Leonardo da Vinci

Year of Publication: 2017

Book Author: Walter Isaacson

To purchase the complete edition of this book click here: https://tinyurl.com/2p9c4v75

Book Insight Writer: Kevin Holden

Editor: Monica Woods

Producer: Daniel Gonzalez

Production Manager: Karin Richey

Curator: Tom Butler-Bowden

Narrator: Kristi Burns

*Countless books have been written about him, but The Essays of Warren Buffett (first published in 1997) is the only edited compendium of writings from the ‘Sage of Omaha’ himself.

*Buffett’s eagerly anticipated annual letters to shareholders of Berkshire Hathaway contain valuable insights into his philosophy and idiosyncratic investing style, plus many simple nuggets of wisdom that everyone – multimillionaire or not – can benefit from.

*Despite their age, the basic lessons in these essays have not dated. His overarching message, unusual yet undeniably successful, is that if you work with people you like and trust, and the financial fundamentals are sound, prosperity will take care of itself.

*The example set by the esteemed CEO himself, who still lives in his birthplace, Omaha, Nebraska, in the house he bought in the 1950s, remains a truly inspiring one.

Theme 1: Underlying Value - 0:29

Theme 2: Buying for Keeps & Legacy - 9:49

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HEAR THE FULL INTERVIEWS MENTIONED IN TODAYS' EPISODE HERE:

Business, Fox. “Warren Buffett on Apple Investing in Tesla: It Would Be a Poor Idea.” YouTube, YouTube, 30 Aug. 2018, www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJp-gKJ1pQs.

CNBC. “Warren Buffett: Bitcoin Is An Asset That Creates Nothing | CNBC.” YouTube, YouTube, 7 May 2018, www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtITDtZPYEw.
CNBC. “Warren Buffett: Just Looking At The Price Is Not Investing | CNBC.” YouTube, YouTube, 26 Feb. 2018, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qm0jktMIYlk.

Full Title: The Essays of Warren Buffett: Lessons for Corporate America

Year of Publication: 1997

Book Author: Warren Buffett

To purchase the complete edition of this book click here: https://tinyurl.com/ydkpx9ba

Book Insight Writer: Tom Butler-Bowden

Editor: Tom Butler-Bowden

Producer: Daniel Gonzalez

Production Manager: Karin Richey

Curator: Tom Butler-Bowden

Narrator: Carrie Steele

*The twelve chapters of The Meditations, the personal writings of Emperor Marcus Aurelius (121–180 AD), offers modern audiences a clear understanding of Stoic philosophy.

*The ancient Greek school of Stoicism hails from the 3rd century BC and was a flourishing movement in ancient Greece and Rome for some four hundred years.

*It was used to build strength of character and emotional resilience in order to live wisely and cope well with life’s misfortunes.

*Many of its principles remain highly relevant today, especially its call for calm and courage in the face of chaos and anxiety.

*Written in Greek, as a personal journal, many centuries ago, The Meditations has been admired through the ages and is hailed as one of the world’s greatest works of philosophy.

Theme 1: Judgment - 0:29

Theme 2: Evil - 6:47

Theme 3: Love & View from Above - 13:43

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HEAR THE FULL INTERVIEWS MENTIONED IN TODAYS' EPISODE HERE:

TM, Pinnacle Of Man. “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Simply Explained.” YouTube, YouTube, 11 Sept. 2016, www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhMmZJ3H1E8.

xlTH4REMEDYlx. “Death Smiles at Us All.” YouTube, YouTube, 22 Aug. 2009, www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgKUBnoO39I.

Full Title: The Meditations

Year of Publication: 161 to 180 AD

Book Author: Marcus Aurelius

To purchase the complete edition of this book click here: https://tinyurl.com/2kmxcar2

Book Insight Writer: Donald Robertson

Editor: Tom Butler-Bowden

Producer: Daniel Gonzalez

Production Manager: Karin Richey

Curator: Tom Butler-Bowden

Narrator: Kristi Burns

*Admiral William McRaven belongs to the US military elite, a Four-Star Admiral who was tasked with some of the country’s most crucial missions.

*He hopes his true stories of perseverance, determination, and valor against all odds during his time as a United States Navy SEAL will inspire others to overcome their own challenges.

*McRaven came face to face with high-profile war criminals such as Saddam Hussein, and inevitably lost friends and brothers-in-arms in the line of duty.

*Through his strict principles of self-discipline, grit, and a stubborn refusal to quit, McRaven advanced and succeeded. His stories encourage us to keep going no matter what and find new power in ourselves.

Theme 1: Self-Discipline & Attention to Detail  - 0:29

Theme 2: Facing Failure and Building Resistance - 7:43

Theme 3: Never Give Up - 17:59

Like what you hear? Be sure to like & subscribe to support this podcast! Also leave a comment and let us know your thoughts on the episode.

You can also get a free weekly email about the Book Insight of the week. Subscribe at memod.com/insights

Want quick save-able, share-able bullet points on this book? Check out the Memo: https://memod.com/WorkingOnWellness/how-can-i-make-a-difference-in-life-294

HEAR THE FULL INTERVIEWS MENTIONED IN TODAYS' EPISODE HERE:

"University Of Texas At Austin 2014 Commencement Address - Admiral William H. Mcraven". Youtube, 2019, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxBQLFLei70. Accessed 18 June 2019.

Full Title: Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life... and Maybe the World

Year of Publication: 2017

Book Author: Admirable William H. McRaven

To purchase the complete edition of this book click here: https://tinyurl.com/3yp9hdrm

Book Insight Writer: Cesare Manansala

Editor: Monica Woods

Producer: Gabe Mara

Production Manager: Karin Richey

Curator: Tom Butler-Bowden

Narrator: Laura Faye Smith

*Sebastian Junger’s work as a journalist and film-maker in war zones led him to some startling facts about conflict and hardship: people are often happier in times of war than in peace; disasters are sometimes recalled more fondly than vacations or weddings; and mental illness increases the richer a society becomes. 

*Rather than hardship, what people cannot bear is the feeling that they are unnecessary, not part of some tight group that needs them and looks out for them. 

*History bears this out: in the early days of North America’s settlement by Europeans, many white captives of American Indians, once freed, chose to go back to tribal life. 

*And many of the soldiers who Junger met admitted they didn’t just struggle to find civilian life meaningful, they actually missed the war experience. 

*Junger pulls these facts together into a compelling argument about the intrinsically tribal nature of human beings and the dreadful cost of the de-tribalization of modern life.

Theme 1: History of Tribalism  - 0:29

Theme 2: Tribal War - 7:50

Theme 3: Tribalism & America - 16:05

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HEAR THE FULL INTERVIEWS MENTIONED IN TODAYS' EPISODE HERE:

ABC News. “Bowe Bergdahl Responds to Those Who Called Him a Traitor.” YouTube, YouTube, 17 Oct. 2017, www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyvcY2DH4fg.

Full Title: Tribe: On Homecoming & Belonging

Year of Publication: 2016

Book Author: Sebastian Junger

To purchase the complete edition of this book click here: https://tinyurl.com/2jzb5ezv

Book Insight Writer: Tom Butler-Bowden

Editor: Tom Butler-Bowden

Producer: Daniel Gonzalez

Production Manager: Karin Richey

Curator: Tom Butler-Bowden

Narrator: Patrick Chou

*Katharine Graham had an image as a cultured society hostess who held court from a grand Washington residence, and as the friend of US presidents and their wives. 

*But this image omits the less fabulous details of her life and the decades of hard work to make The Washington Post into the institution it became. 

*Personal History is partly the story of the building of that enterprise, but it’s also a leadership book. 

*Graham never intended or wanted to lead, but she became one of the most powerful media figures in America, with an inside view into some of the biggest events in 20th-century history, from John F Kennedy’s death to Watergate. 

*Her story tells us that not only are there no born leaders, but all of us can be transformed by situations thrust upon us.

Theme 1: Marriage: to a man, to a company  - 0:29

Theme 2: Entering the corporate arena - 11:26

Theme 3: Production Hell - 22:15

Like what you hear? Be sure to like & subscribe to support this podcast! Also leave a comment and let us know your thoughts on the episode.

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Full Title: Personal History

Year of Publication: 1996

Book Author: Katherine Graham

To purchase the complete edition of this book click here: https://tinyurl.com/5t3bhnyh 

Book Insight Writer: Tom Butler-Bowden

Editor: Tom Butler-Bowden

Producer: Gabe Mara

Production Manager: Karin Richey

Curator: Tom Butler-Bowden

Narrator: Kristi Burns