Read to Lead Podcast

Today, I’m delighted to bring to you the 5 podcasts I believe you must listen to if personal and professional growth are important to you.

As I finished putting this list together, I realized all five happen to be hosted by authors. Go figure. It honestly wasn’t intentional on my part, but it doesn’t surprise me one bit. As you probably know, I consider today’s business book authors to be among our brightest minds.

So, in no particular order, here are five podcasts I strongly believe to be worthy of your time especially if you consider personal and professional growth a priority.

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48 Days Online Radio Show – Hosted by New York Times bestselling author Dan Miller

Dan has appeared twice on my show, most recently on episode #067. His first appearance was in our very first episode ever.

He has authored several books, his most popular no doubt is 48 Days to the Work You Love. Each and every week on The 48 Days Online Radio Show, which releases every Friday morning, Dan spends much of the show answering questions sent in via e-mail from listeners about, of course, finding the work you love.

If that’s something  you’re attempting to do – and maybe struggling with a bit – I highly recommend Dan’s podcast.

This is Your Life – Hosted by New York Times bestselling author Michael Hyatt with Michelle Cushatt

I’ve listened to This is Your Life since it first launched over three years ago. Michael desire is to help “high achievers acquire the leadership skills necessary to win at work, succeed in life, and reach their potential.” He is also the former Chairman and CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers, and now writes, speaks, and coaches full-time.

On the show, and his blog, Michael talks about topics related to personal development, productivity, leadership, platform-building, publishing and more. If Michael’s 500,000+ subscribers are any indication, his content is well worth your time.

The Portfolio Life – Hosted by bestselling author Jeff Goins with Andy Traub

My guest today is one half of the Olsen team otherwise known as Derek and Carrie.

These two have a very unique story; one that includes going through a short sale on a house in order to avoid foreclosure, while at the same time planning their wedding. Yikes!

Just a few years removed from that experience they are celebrating parenthood (their daughter is one year old), enjoying the distinction of having written a book together and –  having sold nearly all their possessions to purchase a travel trailer – roaming the country hosting meet ups with fans of their podcast and holding book signing events at local stores.

They are a couple that truly understands what it means to live life in the moment.

In One Bed, One Bank Account: Better Conversations on Money and Marriage, Derek and Carrie share their belief in open, honest and transparent communication on finances in marriage. It was this belief that equipped them to survive, among other things, that short sell.

They share their message of hope in their book, their podcast, and at live speaking engagements around the country.

Subscribe: iTunes | Stitcher | RSS

In today’s episode, Derek and I chat about:

Why he believes that talking about money can bring couples together in ways nothing else can

How restrictions and boundaries work to actually facilitate more freedom

Why it’s important to talk about talking about money before actually talking about money

And much more!

Announcing – Blinkist 3 Now with Audio Summaries [Sponsor]

Tired of unfinished books on your shelf? Wanna read more books in less time? Like, say, as many as four of your favorite business books in an hour?

With Blinkist, glean the main ideas and key insights from some of your favorite business books in just 15 minutes. To start your free trial today, just click our special Blinkist link.

With Blinkist 3, they’ve added audio versions of many of their written summaries, with new ones being added each week. Plus, sync your highlights to Evernote and send unlimited summaries to your Kindle.

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Try Lynda.com FREE for 10 Days [Sponsor]

Kickstart your new year and challenge yourself to learn something new with a free 10-day trial to

The new book from today’s guest is one of my favorite to come along in a while. I honestly had no idea I would enjoy it as much as I did.

It wasn’t until after I’d read Smartcuts: How Hackers, Innovators and Icons Accelerate Success, the first but most certainly not the last book from Shane Snow, that I realized I was far from alone. Bestselling author Adam Grant calls it, “One of the most entertaining and thought-provoking books of the year.”

David Carr of the New York Times calls Shane, “A clear, beautiful writer who does not succumb to aphorism and business gobbledygook.”

In short, this is a narrative adventure that bucks common sense about success. Like computer hackers, a handful of innovators in every era use lateral thinking to find better routes to stunning accomplishments. Shane tells the stories of innovators who dared to work differently and lays out practical takeaways for the rest of us.

If you’re ready to “make a dent in the universe” and buck the norms doing it, this is  your book.

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In today’s episode, Shane and I chat about:

Why the old mantra – if you work hard something good will eventually happen – is a delusion

The role of mentors and what the research says about formal versus informal mentoring

What Shane believes is wrong with the idea of “fail fast, fail often”

And much more!

Announcing – Blinkist 3 Now with Audio Summaries [Sponsor]

Tired of unfinished books on your shelf? Wanna read more books in less time? Like, say, as many as four of your favorite business books in an hour?

With Blinkist, glean the main ideas and key insights from some of your favorite business books in just 15 minutes. To start your free trial today, just click our special Blinkist link.

With Blinkist 3, they’ve added audio versions of many of their written summaries, with new ones being added each week. Plus, sync your highlights to Evernote and send unlimited summaries to your Kindle.

***********

Try Lynda.com FREE for 10 Days [Sponsor]

Kickstart your new year and challenge yourself to learn something new with a free 10-day trial to lynda.com!

lynda.com is used by millions of people around the world and has over 3,000 courses on topics like web development, photography, visual design and business, as well as software training like Excel, WordPress, and Photoshop.

All of their courses are taught by experts and new courses are added to the site every week.

Whether you want to set new financial goals, find work/life balance, invest in a new hobby, ask your boss for a raise,

For about as long as I can remember, I’ve been an early adopter.

Remember those things called PDAs? No, not that kind of PDA. Personal Digital Assistants. I was one of the first people I knew who had one. I got the strangest looks when I came into meetings tapping away on my new toy with that stylus thingy. But boy did I love it. Now, in a world of smartphones and apps, the PDA seems quite quaint.

It seems nearly everyone, myself included, wen all digital long ago. In fact, not since the year 2000 have I used an analogue system to keep track of appointments and to-dos. But, I must admit, not since the year 2000 have I felt truly organized. Mind you I’ve experimented with just about every productivity app there is. I’ve even tried to adopt iPad apps that mimic the appearance and feel of a traditional day planner. No matter what I’ve tried, I’ve eventually stopped using it. Every. Single. Time.

So, after finishing Time Management Magic: How to Get More Done Every Day and Move from Surviving to Thriving, the new book from today’s guest Lee Cockerell, I’ve decided to go back to using a traditional day planner for my day-to-day schedule, to-do list, notes, and more. I’m not foregoing digital systems entirely. My online calendars will continue to be central to my system. However, for me, and maybe for you, there’s just something about writing things down that makes a huge difference.

Subscribe: iTunes | Stitcher | RSS

In today’s episode, Lee and I chat about:

His insistence on using a traditional day planner in conjunction with your smart phone

The keys to eliminating time-wasters in our lives

The dangers of preoccupation

And much more!

Announcing – Blinkist 3 Now with Audio Summaries [Sponsor]

Tired of unfinished books on your shelf? Wanna read more books in less time? Like, say, as many as four of your favorite business books in an hour?

With Blinkist, glean the main ideas and key insights from some of your favorite business books in just 15 minutes. To start your free trial today, just click our special Blinkist link.

With Blinkist 3, they’ve added audio versions of many of their written summaries, with new ones being added each week. Plus, sync your highlights to Evernote and send unlimited summaries to your Kindle.

***********

Try Lynda.com FREE for 10 Days [Sponsor]

Kickstart your new year and challenge yourself to learn something new with a free 10-day trial to lynda.com!

Is it true? Could Do Over, Jon Acuff’s new book, indeed be the best book ever written on the topic of careers? Popular author and blogger Seth Godin says it is.

Seth goes on to say, “I’m not even sure what book comes in second. This is practical, human, touching, urgent, vulnerable, universal, actionable truth, all in a well-written, handy package. Go!”

To say that Jon Acuff pee’d a little when he received word Seth would be blurbing his latest book would be a colossal understatement. There were parties, dancing, drinking and, okay, so I don’t know all that happened when Jon got the news, but we can assume it was celebratory.

In Do Over, Jon says when you leverage what he calls your Career Savings Account – which is a combination of Relationships + Skills + Character x Hustle – you’ll be perfectly positioned to respond to any one of the four major career transitions that come your way: Career Ceiling, Career Bump, Career Jump or Career Opportunity.

So, is this the best career book ever written? Who am I to argue with Seth Godin?

Subscribe: iTunes | Stitcher | RSS

In today’s episode, Jon and I chat about:

Addressing the two things that, if we’re not careful, will ruin our career Do Over

The idea that giving a relationship what it needs starts with identifying the type of relationship it is

Walking you through the two-step process of uncovering skills you didn’t know you had

And much more!

Announcing – Blinkist 3 Now with Audio Summaries [Sponsor]

Tired of unfinished books on your shelf? Wanna read more books in less time? Like, say, as many as four of your favorite business books in an hour?

With Blinkist, glean the main ideas and key insights from some of your favorite business books in just 15 minutes. To start your free trial today, just click our special Blinkist link.

With Blinkist 3, they’ve added audio versions of many of their written summaries, with new ones being added each week. Plus, sync your highlights to Evernote and send unlimited summaries to your Kindle.

***********

Try Lynda.com FREE for 10 Days [Sponsor]

Kickstart your new year and challenge yourself to learn something new with a free 10-day trial to lynda.com!

lynda.com is used by millions of people around the world and has over 3,000 courses on topics like web development, photography,

Ever since I launched the Read to Lead Podcast, I’ve wanted to have Michael Port on the show to talk about his latest book.

The original version of Book Yourself Solid was first released in 2006. Then, in 2010, it was updated with additional content. However, it was the illustrated version – released in 2013 – that convinced me to buy it.

Supposedly, 84% of us prefer to learn visually. I can certainly say I’m in that camp. Along with books like Dan Roam’s Back of the Napkin (and subsequent Show and Tell), and Sunni Brown’s The Doodle Revolution, I found Book Yourself Solid Illustrated an easily digestible read. And, it’s not only be packed with amazing insights and strategies, but it’s just downright fun to read.

What’s more, it’s essentially an entire service business coaching program wrapped up in a single book. A very cool, and hip book.

Subscribe: iTunes | Stitcher | RSS

In today’s episode, Michael will share:

The thought process behind Michael’s Red Velvet Rope Policy and why it might make sense for your business

What to do about it if you struggle articulating the solutions and benefits you offer in a clear and compelling way

The 6 Core Self-Promotion Strategies

And much more!

Announcing – Blinkist 3 Now with Audio Summaries [Sponsor]

Tired of unfinished books on your shelf? Wanna read more books in less time? Like, say, as many as four of your favorite business books in an hour?

With Blinkist, glean the main ideas and key insights from some of your favorite business books in just 15 minutes.

Today, my guest is author and popular speaker Tom Asacker.

Tom writes and teaches about radically new practices and ideas for marketplace success in times of uncertainty and change. He has lectured on marketing, innovation, and marketplace trends to corporate, association, and  university audiences around the world.

He’s written six groundbreaking books that redefine business for the new millennium, the latest of which is The Business of Belief: How the World’s Best Marketers, Designers, Salespeople, Coaches, Fundraisers, Educators, Entrepreneurs and Other Leaders Get Us to Believe.

Tom’s book will challenge your assumptions about leadership and the art of influence, and give you invaluable insights required to understand and move others.

Subscribe: iTunes | Stitcher | RSS

In today’s episode, Tom will share:

The two realities that have redefined the nature of influence in today’s marketplace

Why buying into “the human brain is like a computer” metaphor is off base

The importance of understanding the thinking mind versus the feeling mind

And much more!

Announcing – Blinkist 3 Now with Audio Summaries [Sponsor]

Tired of unfinished books on your shelf? Wanna read more books in less time? Like, say, as many as four of your favorite business books in an hour?

With Blinkist, glean the main ideas and key insights from some of your favorite business books in just 15 minutes. To start your free trial today, just click our special Blinkist link.

With Blinkist 3, they’ve added audio versions of many of their written summaries, with new ones being added each week. Plus, sync your highlights to Evernote and send unlimited summaries to your Kindle.

***********

Try Lynda.com FREE for 10 Days [Sponsor]

Kickstart your new year and challenge yourself to learn something new with a free 10-day trial to lynda.com!

lynda.com is used by millions of people around the world and has over 3,000 courses on topics like web development, photography, visual design and business, as well as software training like Excel, WordPress, and Photoshop.

All of their courses are taught by experts and new courses are added to the site every week.

Whether you want to set new financial goals, find work/life balance, invest in a new hobby, ask your boss for a raise, find a new job or improve upon your current job skills in 2015, lynda.com has something for everyone!

Tom Asacker’s New Book

You can order your copy of

It’s only been a few weeks since he was last here and he just won’t leave us alone. But seriously…

After his guest spot on Episode #071, Jeff Goins asked if there was anything he could do especially for you as a listener and fan of the Read to Lead Podcast.

Well, after seeking feedback on the show, as well as from newsletter readers and members of our Facebook group, the answer was obvious: bring Jeff back to answer questions submitted by you.

I’ve curated some of my favorites. If you submitted a question, be sure a take a peek below to see if yours made the cut.

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Oh, and you still have a few days left to pick up Jeff’s upcoming book The Art of Work absolutely free (ends March 23rd).

Announcing – Blinkist 3 Now with Audio Summaries [Sponsor]

Tired of unfinished books on your shelf? Wanna read more books in less time? Like, say, as many as four of your favorite business books in an hour?

With Blinkist, glean the main ideas and key insights from some of your favorite business books in just 15 minutes. To start your free trial today, just click our special Blinkist link.

With Blinkist 3, they’ve added audio versions of many of their written summaries, with new ones being added each week. Plus, sync your highlights to Evernote and send unlimited summaries to your Kindle.

***********

Try Lynda.com FREE for 10 Days [Sponsor]

Kickstart your new year and challenge yourself to learn something new with a free 10-day trial to lynda.com!

lynda.com is used by millions of people around the world and has over 3,000 courses on topics like web development, photography, visual design and business, as well as software training like Excel, WordPress, and Photoshop.

All of their courses are taught by experts and new courses are added to the site every week.

Whether you want to set new financial goals, find work/life balance, invest in a new hobby, ask your boss for a raise, find a new job or improve upon your current job skills in 2015, lynda.com has something for everyone!

Jeff Goins’ New Book

You can order your copy of The Art of Work: A Proven Path to Discovering What You Were Meant To Do right now!

The Art of Work Book Trailer

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My guest today says loyal customers are the beating heart of of every great business.

In his book Evergreen: Cultivate the Enduring Customer Loyalty That Keeps Your Business Thriving, Noah Fleming asks why so many companies act like adrenalin junkies, chasing after new customers at the expense of creating deeper, more profitable relationships with the ones they already have?

Evergreen exposes the mad pursuit for what it is: a brief spike in metrics and an ongoing revenue drain, as one-time customers fail to return. A better solution is to shift resources from attracting new customers to engaging the base–the path to stable growth, season after season.

I found Noah’s book fascinating, and I think you will too!

Subscribe: iTunes | Stitcher | RSS

In today’s episode, Noah will share:

His belief that new customers are not the answer to your company’s problems

The 3 essential components of any Evergreen organization

How to determine which customers you should fire

And much more!

Announcing – Blinkist 3 Now with Audio Summaries [Sponsor]

Tired of unfinished books on your shelf? Wanna read more books in less time? Like, say, as many as four of your favorite business books in an hour?

With Blinkist, glean the main ideas and key insights from some of your favorite business books in just 15 minutes. To start your free trial today, just click our special Blinkist link.

With Blinkist 3, they’ve added audio versions of many of their written summaries, with new ones being added each week. Plus, sync your highlights to Evernote and send unlimited summaries to your Kindle.

***********

Try Lynda.com FREE for 10 Days [Sponsor]

Kickstart your new year and challenge yourself to learn something new with a free 10-day trial to lynda.com!

lynda.com is used by millions of people around the world and has over 3,000 courses on topics like web development, photography, visual design and business, as well as software training like Excel, WordPress, and Photoshop.

All of their courses are taught by experts and new courses are added to the site every week.

Whether you want to set new financial goals, find work/life balance, invest in a new hobby, ask your boss for a raise, find a new job or improve upon your current job skills in 2015, lynda.com has something for everyone!

Noah Fleming’s New Book

You can order your copy of

If you’ve ever assumed, as I once did, that the best ideas are meant for those who get the breaks, who are smarter than you, have more money than you, or attended better schools than you did, then my guest today is about to challenge those assumptions.

In her second book called, Stand Out: How to Find Your Breakthrough Idea and Build a Following Around It, Dorie asserts that the idea that you can keep your head down, work hard, and expect to be recognized as an expert on the merits of your work, is an outdated one.

She says that to make a name for yourself, you have to be able to leverage what makes you unique; to capitalize on your own perspective and knowledge and, then, inspire those around you to listen and take action.

But figuring out how to go about this is often a difficult process. But that’s where Dorie comes in. Stand Out will not only shed light on finding the ideas that you can best speak to, but also how you can successfully build a loyal tribe to help you spread your message.

Subscribe: iTunes | Stitcher | RSS

In today’s episode, Dorie will share:

Why she and I believe that standing out is no longer optional

Getting past the assumption that you’re not capable of big ideas

Effective ways to distinguish yourself in your niche

And much more!

Announcing – Blinkist 3 Now with Audio Summaries [Sponsor]

Tired of unfinished books on your shelf? Wanna read more books in less time? Like, say, as many as four of your favorite business books in an hour?

With Blinkist, glean the main ideas and key insights from some of your favorite business books in just 15 minutes. To start your free trial today, just click our special Blinkist link.

With Blinkist 3, they’ve added audio versions of many of their written summaries, with new ones being added each week. Plus, sync your highlights to Evernote and send unlimited summaries to your Kindle.

***********

Try Lynda.com FREE for 10 Days [Sponsor]

Kickstart your new year and challenge yourself to learn something new with a free 10-day trial to lynda.com!

lynda.com is used by millions of people around the world and has over 3,000 courses on topics like web development, photography, visual design and business, as well as software training like Excel, WordPress, and Photoshop.

All of their courses are taught by experts and new courses are added to the site every week.