Nonfiction4Life

SHOW NOTES: Dr. Alan Briskin co-wrote The Power of Collective Wisdom: And the Trap of Collective Folly with Sheryl Erickson, John Ott, and Tom Callanan. Together, the authors seek to answer the key question, “How does magic happen in groups?” With the encouragement and support of The Fetzer Institute, they combine their own research, theory, and practice with that of hundreds of others, as noted in the Acknowledgments. In short, they teach how to maximize the best in us.  “Collective wisdom,"" says Briskin, is about how we come to make sound judgments with others, touched by what is common and decent in all of us.”

But leveraging this wisdom, or finding a new joint perspective, requires deep connection with others and our surroundings. Briskin's multiple examples of both positive and negative group participation illustrate the urgent need for “large-scale change efforts in business, health care, education, mental health, criminal justice, conflict resolution, and global initiatives.”

To increase the likelihood of collective wisdom emerging, Briskin proposes six “stances” or attitudes. The first is “Deep Listening.” To illustrate, Briskin introduces us to Paula Underwood, a Turtle clan mother of the Iroquois nation. Taught by her father to listen to people’s hearts and to read between the lines, she learned both emotional and cognitive empathy. As a tribal leader, she uses these skills while anticipating life seven generations into the future. Such foresight or concern for the future, which Briskin calls “the DNA of wisdom,” can be adopted by any culture. In fact, today we see it often in environmental groups.

A similar stance is “Seeing whole systems/Seeking diverse perspectives.” This attitude is what we hope will frame robust political debates, which have long been part of our nation’s history. For example, in Benjamin Franklin’s final speech at the Constitutional Convention, he champions individuals who engage in vigorous discourse with the express purpose of moving group goals forward.

Humility is another key component to collective wisdom. Cesar Chavez, the leader of the United Farm Workers, openly admitted he did not have all the solutions to organize his little band of grape harvesters. And, by publicly confessing he lacked answers, the group helped him find a way to unite and galvanize others.

Without building deep relationships, we can fall into “the trap of collective folly,” Briskin warns. This folly may begin as mere separation and fragmentation. However, if we don't take precautions against polarizing, accusing, blaming, and talking past each other, then collective folly can lead to dysfunction and even evil. For example, the “not me” or “not us” attitude can devolve into “confirmation bias,” with members welcoming only data confirming what they already believe or know. Another form of collective folly is false agreement and the (outward) appearance of unity. To illustrate, Briskin shares the true story of the disastrous, deadly failure of the Challenger Space Shuttle mission. In the end, the book can help immunize us against such dangerous folly.

BUY The Power of Collective Wisdom: And the Trap of Collective Folly by Briskin (1-Oct-2009) Paperback

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SHOW NOTES: Located in the heart of downtown Oakland, California, Berrett-Koehler Publishing is fiercely true to its mission: “Connecting people and ideas to create a world that works for all.” Built on democracy, BK gives every employee—veteran or brand new-- an equal vote in decisions. And all staff members operate in open spaces, including Founder and President Steve Piersanti who has a cubicle like the rest.

Profitable for over a decade, Berrett-Koehler has been publishing nonfiction books for more than 25 years. Through the years, selections have evolved into four categories: “Life,” “Currents,” “Business,” and, most recently, “Professional.”

Industry challenges, such as the market disruption of self-publishing and e-book proliferation, has demanded Berrett-Koehler continually adapt. So, led and inspired by Piersanti, BK employees work hard to stay relevant. Now, to keep the company afloat, they release every book in several formats while penetrating international markets, and they sponsor media events around big topics.

Part of the Berrett-Koehler “secret sauce” is “Author Day.” Several months before a book goes to market, BK invites each author to spend a full day on-site for meetings with several departments and a presentation luncheon with the entire staff. Most recently, Parker J. Palmer, author, activist, and speaker, visited to discuss plans for his upcoming book, On the Brink of Everything: Grace, Gravity, and Getting Old, scheduled to be published in June 2018. (Although Palmer has published nine other books, this will be his first with BK.) Almost an octogenarian, he feels particularly qualified to write a book about aging. His audience? “Everyone,” he says, “since everyone is getting old.” 

Although creating personal connections with authors limits Berrett-Koehler to about 40 publications a year, the relationships pay off. Their authors become “scouts,” referring writers likely to fit the BK business model. These recommendations help the company sort through 1000 book proposals every year. Then, once accepted by BK, every author (known or unknown) receives a $5,000 advance and coaching from Katie Sheehan, Senior Communications Manager. 

Read Piersanti’s take on challenges the publishing industry is facing.  

Find out more about Berrett-Koehler’s secrets for success.

Check out books published by Berrett-Koehler.

Learn about Parker J. Palmer, Founder and Senior Partner Emeritus of the Center for Courage & Renewal and world-renowned writer, speaker, and activist.

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SHOW NOTES: Located in the heart of downtown Oakland, California, Berrett-Koehler Publishing is fiercely true to its mission: “Connecting people and ideas to create a world that works for all.” Built on democracy, BK gives every employee—veteran or brand new-- an equal vote in decisions. And all staff members operate in open spaces, including Founder and President Steve Piersanti who has a cubicle like the rest.

Profitable for over a decade, Berrett-Koehler has been publishing nonfiction books for more than 25 years. Through the years, selections have evolved into four categories: “Life,” “Currents,” “Business,” and, most recently, “Professional.”

Industry challenges, such as the market disruption of self-publishing and e-book proliferation, has demanded Berrett-Koehler continually adapt. So, led and inspired by Piersanti, BK employees work hard to stay relevant. Now, to keep the company afloat, they release every book in several formats while penetrating international markets, and they sponsor media events around big topics.

Part of the Berrett-Koehler “secret sauce” is “Author Day.” Several months before a book goes to market, BK invites each author to spend a full day on-site for meetings with several departments and a presentation luncheon with the entire staff. Most recently, Parker J. Palmer, author, activist, and speaker, visited to discuss plans for his upcoming book, On the Brink of Everything: Grace, Gravity, and Getting Old, scheduled to be published in June 2018. (Although Palmer has published nine other books, this will be his first with BK.) Almost an octogenarian, he feels particularly qualified to write a book about aging. His audience? “Everyone,” he says, “since everyone is getting old.” 

Although creating personal connections with authors limits Berrett-Koehler to about 40 publications a year, the relationships pay off. Their authors become “scouts,” referring writers likely to fit the BK business model. These recommendations help the company sort through 1000 book proposals every year. Then, once accepted by BK, every author (known or unknown) receives a $5,000 advance and coaching from Katie Sheehan, Senior Communications Manager. 

Read Piersanti’s take on challenges the publishing industry is facing.  

Find out more about Berrett-Koehler’s secrets for success.

Check out books published by Berrett-Koehler.

Learn about Parker J. Palmer, Founder and Senior Partner Emeritus of the Center for Courage & Renewal and world-renowned writer, speaker, and activist.

Find Nonfiction for life everywhere:

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• Twitter
• Website

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Dr. Jess P. Shatkin, nationally acclaimed psychiatrist, unveils truths about adolescents in his latest book, Born to Be Wild: Why Teens Take Risks, and How We Can Help Keep Them Safe. Decoding the adolescent brain (ages 12-26), Shatkin walks us through science, stories, analogies, clinical anecdotes, and research-based observations. The bad news is teens are actually hard-wired to take risks; the good news is we can still raise safe, resilient kids.

Drawing on decades of medical and sociological research, Dr. Shatkin offers a surprising finding: teens know they are not invincible. In fact, they often overestimate their chances of being harmed while engaged in risky behavior. So, rather than telling them of what they already know (risky behavior is dangerous), we’re better off telling them “One time is all it takes.”

Drinking, driving, and drugs are just three of many dangers that panic parents of teens. To deal appropriately with risky behaviors, adults need to understand the adolescent brain, which is not fully developed until the mid-20s. The upside: during those formative years, teens are highly creative. The downside: adolescents are genetically engineered to prioritize emotions over logic. Consequently, they often make risky choices to be socially accepted or to avoid emotional pain. In such circumstances, peers can trump parents. In fact, if a peer is watching—even a peer they don’t know—adolescents are more likely to take risks.

So, what can parents do to help halt high-risk behaviors? Begin by improving their own parenting practices. Dr. Shatkin recommends using any version of Parent Management Training (PMT) to learn effective techniques. Giving tactful praise, for example, is far better than objecting to negative behavior. Another strategy is increasing parental monitoring by simply spending time with teens. Being together helps open communication and also lowers the chances of risky behavior. In addition, when parents create homes with low-level conflict, raise teenagers whose brains are driven by less demanding reward centers. In short, youth with warm and rewarding interpersonal relationships engage in fewer risk-taking behaviors.

Dr. Shatkin prevails upon teachers and schools to help, too. Promoting character education, having later start times for high schools, and providing healthy lunches are a few remedies with long-lasting positive effects. In the end, the best intervention is prevention.

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BUY Born to Be Wild: Why Teens Take Risks, and How We Can Help Keep Them Safe

Learn more about Dr. Shatkin

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Dr. Jess P. Shatkin, nationally acclaimed psychiatrist, unveils truths about adolescents in his latest book, Born to Be Wild: Why Teens Take Risks, and How We Can Help Keep Them Safe. Decoding the adolescent brain (ages 12-26), Shatkin walks us through science, stories, analogies, clinical anecdotes, and research-based observations. The bad news is teens are actually hard-wired to take risks; the good news is we can still raise safe, resilient kids.

Drawing on decades of medical and sociological research, Dr. Shatkin offers a surprising finding: teens know they are not invincible. In fact, they often overestimate their chances of being harmed while engaged in risky behavior. So, rather than telling them of what they already know (risky behavior is dangerous), we’re better off telling them “One time is all it takes.”

Drinking, driving, and drugs are just three of many dangers that panic parents of teens. To deal appropriately with risky behaviors, adults need to understand the adolescent brain, which is not fully developed until the mid-20s. The upside: during those formative years, teens are highly creative. The downside: adolescents are genetically engineered to prioritize emotions over logic. Consequently, they often make risky choices to be socially accepted or to avoid emotional pain. In such circumstances, peers can trump parents. In fact, if a peer is watching—even a peer they don’t know—adolescents are more likely to take risks.

So, what can parents do to help halt high-risk behaviors? Begin by improving their own parenting practices. Dr. Shatkin recommends using any version of Parent Management Training (PMT) to learn effective techniques. Giving tactful praise, for example, is far better than objecting to negative behavior. Another strategy is increasing parental monitoring by simply spending time with teens. Being together helps open communication and also lowers the chances of risky behavior. In addition, when parents create homes with low-level conflict, raise teenagers whose brains are driven by less demanding reward centers. In short, youth with warm and rewarding interpersonal relationships engage in fewer risk-taking behaviors.

Dr. Shatkin prevails upon teachers and schools to help, too. Promoting character education, having later start times for high schools, and providing healthy lunches are a few remedies with long-lasting positive effects. In the end, the best intervention is prevention.

Connect with Nonfiction4Life: 

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• Website

BUY Born to Be Wild: Why Teens Take Risks, and How We Can Help Keep Them Safe

Learn more about Dr. Shatkin

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Courtney Carver teaches us how to declutter as well as make space for joy. The book "Soulful Simplicity" is an extension of her minimalist blog, BeMoreWithLess.com, where she continues to chronicle her journey of living with less.

The book was born of Carver’s own painful wakeup call being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (M.S.).  Forced to slow down, she began digging herself out of debt while also letting go of stuff. Now, years later, she recognizes decluttering was only the beginning of letting go.With every item she releases, she also lets go of guilt, frustration, and exhaustion. 

Carver overhauled her closet and her shopping patterns with Project 333, her brainchild for paring down her wardrobe. Now, she invites others to join her in limiting apparel to 33 items for a 3-month period. Meanwhile, she cautions against substituting shopping for unmet emotional needs. Instead, she suggests we avoid over-purchasing by trading shopping habits for self-care practices. For example, getting massages or taking walks can satisfy our souls far more than making a trip to the mall.

Carver sets an example of how to stay in close contact with our authentic selves. She begins each day with a mindful morning routine of breathing slowly and holding her hands over her heart. Then, before connecting with technology, she commits to connecting with people she truly cares about.

To resist being swept up in the daily rat race, she proposes we adopt a “Busy Boycott.” For 21 days, we agree not to mention how busy we are, then we do less and say no. In the same vein, she encourages us to reclaim the lost art of “Lingering Longer.”

As Carver says, “We don’t remove clutter, reduce the stress, and boycott busyness to have a simple life. We do it have a life.”

BUY Soulful Simplicity: How Living with Less Can Lead to So Much More

Go to Carver's blog

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Courtney Carver teaches us how to declutter as well as make space for joy. The book "Soulful Simplicity" is an extension of her minimalist blog, BeMoreWithLess.com, where she continues to chronicle her journey of living with less.

The book was born of Carver’s own painful wakeup call being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (M.S.).  Forced to slow down, she began digging herself out of debt while also letting go of stuff. Now, years later, she recognizes decluttering was only the beginning of letting go.With every item she releases, she also lets go of guilt, frustration, and exhaustion. 

Carver overhauled her closet and her shopping patterns with Project 333, her brainchild for paring down her wardrobe. Now, she invites others to join her in limiting apparel to 33 items for a 3-month period. Meanwhile, she cautions against substituting shopping for unmet emotional needs. Instead, she suggests we avoid over-purchasing by trading shopping habits for self-care practices. For example, getting massages or taking walks can satisfy our souls far more than making a trip to the mall.

Carver sets an example of how to stay in close contact with our authentic selves. She begins each day with a mindful morning routine of breathing slowly and holding her hands over her heart. Then, before connecting with technology, she commits to connecting with people she truly cares about.

To resist being swept up in the daily rat race, she proposes we adopt a “Busy Boycott.” For 21 days, we agree not to mention how busy we are, then we do less and say no. In the same vein, she encourages us to reclaim the lost art of “Lingering Longer.”

As Carver says, “We don’t remove clutter, reduce the stress, and boycott busyness to have a simple life. We do it have a life.”

BUY Soulful Simplicity: How Living with Less Can Lead to So Much More

Go to Carver's blog

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Joël Glenn Brenner, the only journalist to gain full access to candymaker Mars, uncovers the story of chocolate rivals in The Emperors of Chocolate: Inside the Secret World of Hershey & Mars. The tale is not far off from Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which mirrors the epic rivalry between British candy companies Cadbury and Roundtree.

The extraordinary relationship between main characters Forrest Mars and Milton Hershey makes for a true story almost stranger than fiction. Polar opposites yet great foils, the two men vigorously pursued success for different reasons. While Mars sought to build empires, Hershey aimed to make the world a better place. The Mars family fiercely held sole ownership and Milton Hershey gave away all his wealth during his lifetime. Mars maniacally guarded company secrets, whereas Hershey opened doors to employ virtually every member his utopian community.

Mars has been notoriously tight-lipped about its efficiency of operations, putting Hershey to shame. But it was Nestle then Hershey that cracked the code for blending milk and cocoa butter. This jockeying for the top between the two behemoth chocolate makers has continued for more than a century.

Although candy ingredients are limited, occasionally new candies result from fortunate accidents. Such is the story behind Reese's Peanut Butter Cup.

During wartime, candy manufacturers are often given special license to make even more products to include in soldiers' rations. This creates an opportunity to do big business worldwide.

Nutrition researcher Michael Levine says, “Chemically speaking, chocolate really is the world’s perfect food.” American and European chocolate differ in the process and taste. Yet, people the world over continue to consume tons of chocolate. Americans love M&Ms, the all-time best-selling candy.

When Mars declined the offer to showcase M&Ms in Steven Spielberg's E.T., Hershey stepped in with Reese's Pieces. This debut of "product placement" jettisoned Hershey to the top spot once again. Both companies continue to gobble up little candy companies and fight for rack space. Globally, Mars dominates the marketplace, but in America, the two firms manage to remain neck and neck.

BUY The Emperors of Chocolate: Inside the Secret World of Hershey and Mars

Joël Glenn Brenner, the only journalist to gain full access to candymaker Mars, uncovers the story of chocolate rivals in The Emperors of Chocolate: Inside the Secret World of Hershey & Mars. The tale is not far off from Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which mirrors the epic rivalry between British candy companies Cadbury and Roundtree.

The extraordinary relationship between main characters Forrest Mars and Milton Hershey makes for a true story almost stranger than fiction. Polar opposites yet great foils, the two men vigorously pursued success for different reasons. While Mars sought to build empires, Hershey aimed to make the world a better place. The Mars family fiercely held sole ownership and Milton Hershey gave away all his wealth during his lifetime. Mars maniacally guarded company secrets, whereas Hershey opened doors to employ virtually every member his utopian community.

Mars has been notoriously tight-lipped about its efficiency of operations, putting Hershey to shame. But it was Nestle then Hershey that cracked the code for blending milk and cocoa butter. This jockeying for the top between the two behemoth chocolate makers has continued for more than a century.

Although candy ingredients are limited, occasionally new candies result from fortunate accidents. Such is the story behind Reese's Peanut Butter Cup.

During wartime, candy manufacturers are often given special license to make even more products to include in soldiers' rations. This creates an opportunity to do big business worldwide.

Nutrition researcher Michael Levine says, “Chemically speaking, chocolate really is the world’s perfect food.” American and European chocolate differ in the process and taste. Yet, people the world over continue to consume tons of chocolate. Americans love M&Ms, the all-time best-selling candy.

When Mars declined the offer to showcase M&Ms in Steven Spielberg's E.T., Hershey stepped in with Reese's Pieces. This debut of "product placement" jettisoned Hershey to the top spot once again. Both companies continue to gobble up little candy companies and fight for rack space. Globally, Mars dominates the marketplace, but in America, the two firms manage to remain neck and neck.

BUY The Emperors of Chocolate: Inside the Secret World of Hershey and Mars

For the Nonfiction4Life Editor’s Picks debut, we used your recommendations to share just three books in the Home & Family category. While none is a new release, they all fit nicely in this category, especially during this time of year.

1. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo (recommended by KaRynn). In her New York Times bestseller, Kondo puts magic in decluttering. For instance, she teaches us to fold every clothing item into a perfect rectangle. Then, when stacking them on their side (instead of on top of each other), we can look in our drawers and see everything at once. Kondo also takes a unique approach to helping clients get rid of things. She begins by greeting the house. That is, she literally kneels, bows, and formally introduces herself. After this ritual, she continues to show respect for the people, things, and the house itself by dressing professionally. So, while she declutters, she wears either a dress or slacks and a blazer.
2. My Grandfather's Blessings: Stories of Strength, Refuge, and Belonging by Rachel Naomi Remen (recommended by Carolee). The author, a cancer physician entrenched in the art of healing, hearkens back to times with her grandfather. An orthodox rabbi and friend to all, he taught Remen that “blessing one another is what heals the isolation and loneliness in us all.” Blessings can be small acts of service for even the strangers along our way, and through such service, we connect ourselves to the human race. Creating these connections and belonging to each other is most important in families. Remen recounts a story of listening to a well-known rabbi speak of forgiveness. At the beginning of his sermon, to illustrate how forgiving God is, he took his own infant daughter from his wife’s arms. Naturally, the child began to grab her father’s nose and glasses, as babies do, but nothing the child could do would be unforgiveable—ever. For the first time, Remen saw forgiveness not only as the work of God but also an essential element to strong family relationships.
3. The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living by Meik Wiking (recommended by Alexis Tanner). Wiking, CEO of the Happiness Research Institute (a Copenhagen think tank), is turning hygge (pronounced “HOO-guh”) into a household word. Defined as a Danish quality of “coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being,” hygge is not just a thing. Hygge is also something we can do. In fact, the true expression of hygge is joining with loved ones in a relaxed and intimate atmosphere. It’s is about slowing down with those you love the most and to appreciate the simple pleasures of life. Joined now by several other hygge books, this one recommends families embrace hygge…together. 

BUY The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo (2014-10-14)

BUY My Grandfather's Blessings: Stories of Strength, Refuge, and Belonging by Rachel Naomi Remen (2001-04-01)

BUY The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living