Two Booked Up

In this special between-seasons episode, Shelley and Rowena delve back into one of their most downloaded episodes, discussing the unique principles of Essentialism presented by Greg McKeown in his widely acclaimed book.

And it’s no wonder why.  The principles of Essentialism, as shared by Greg McKeown, have a profound impact on our businesses and personal lives. We believe revisiting this topic will spark a renewed interest and inspire you to apply these principles in your own life. 

Essentialism is not just a philosophy; it's a practical approach to life and work. It's about focusing on the few things that genuinely matter and eliminating the rest. By adopting this mindset, you can make the most of your time and energy and operate at your highest level of productivity. 

If you love this idea, the good news is that there are three more episodes (episodes 12, 13, and 14) you can listen to if you want to learn more and hear all the insights gleaned from this book! 

It’s a listener favourite, so stay tuned to enjoy revisiting the discussion of Essentialism by Greg McKeown.

• Two Booked Up Episode 11 - Essentialism by Greg McKeown - Overview and Top Takeaways


• Two Booked Up Episode 12 - How to Live the Essentialist Life (inspired by Greg McKeown’s Essentialism)


• Two Booked Up Episode 13 - Play your own game, Essentialists! A deep dive into PLAY, inspired by Essentialism by Greg McKeown


• Two Booked Up Episode 14 - Boost your confidence and get paid to be YOU (inspired by Essentialism by Greg McKeown)

• Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown


• Effortless: Make It Easier To Do What Matters Most by Greg McKeown 

Find us online at twobookedup.com and keep in touch with Two Booked Up via email by signing up for the Two Booked Up Bookclub and receive your FREE ‘Read More in ‘24’ Book checklist.

Connect with Rowena @rowenamabbott on IG and at

In this episode, as Rowena and Shelley gear up for season four, they revisit a fan favourite and one of their most referenced books and episodes: Gretchen Rubin's The Four Tendencies. 

This book has been a game changer for both of them—in the way they run their businesses, understand themselves, and even interpret the books and ideas discussed on this podcast!

Are you like Rowena, self-directed and on top of deadlines but uneasy with changes? Or are you more like Shelley, spontaneous and bold but struggle with schedules and rules?

According to Gretchen Rubin, these behaviours occur as a result of our tendencies — whether you’re an Upholder, Obliger, Questioner, or Rebel.

In this episode, Rowena and Shelley revisit their first discussion of the book, covering its key themes and providing an overview. But that's not all—in addition to this episode, there are three more in the archive, delving deeper into The Four Tendencies. Be sure to check out episodes 2, 3, and 4 to hear all the insights!

If you love The Four Tendencies or if you're curious to learn more, stick around as they revisit the magic of Gretchen Rubin's groundbreaking work and episode one of the podcast. 

• Two Booked Up Episode 1 - The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin


• Two Booked Up Episode 2 - Personal Life and The Four Tendencies


• Two Booked Up Episode 3 - Running Your Own Business Using The Four Tendencies


• Two Booked Up Episode 4 - Take Yourself on a Date

• The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin

Other Links Mentioned

• Do the quiz at: quiz.gretchenrubin.com

Find us online at twobookedup.com and keep in touch with Two Booked Up via email by signing up for the Two Booked Up Bookclub and receive your FREE ‘Read More in ‘24’ Book checklist.

Connect with Rowena @rowenamabbott on IG and at rowenamabbott.com to learn mo...

️ Shelley shares a few spicy takes in her discussion with Rowena about the classic business book, Start with Why by Simon Sinek. 

Rowena is in the interviewer’s chair this time and Shelley’s mission is to fast-forward you to the best parts of Start with Why, while calling out a few other parts that left her frowning.

It’s a pivotal book, but it’s also a bit dated and limited in its examples, so Shelley and Rowena extend the conversation, taking some of the big ideas in the book and talking about how you could apply them in your own business, career, or your personal life.

Join Shelley and Rowena as they start with why (without the overwhelm!).

03:12 Overview of Start with Why

06:22 Why start with Why?

09:28 How to apply the Golden Circle in your small business

13:57 When "finding your why" feels overwhelming

20:39 Why people and how people…?

25:32 Would a company's Why change over time?

• Two Booked Up Episode 6: The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi


• Two Booked Up Episode 7: How we are Lazy Geniusing our lives and how you can too


• Two Booked Up Episode 8: Our best tips to “Lazy Genius” your business


• Two Booked Up Episode 9: Naming What Matters 


• Two Booked Up Episode 45: Can Good Feelings = Good Productivity?


• Two Booked Up Episode 47: Interview with Mel Daniels, author of The Power of Content.

• Start With Why by Simon Sinek


• Feel Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal


• The Lazy Genius Way

In this special episode, Rowena and Shelley interview Mel Daniels, author of The Power of Content. 

This is a fantastic episode for business owners who may be feeling a bit stuck with content creation and marketing. Mel has a refreshing new take on content that will help you tap into your content superpowers rather than getting overwhelmed trying to follow a bunch of made-up formulas.

Not a business owner? No worries—this episode is for everyone. Mel’s message resonates across all aspects of life, encouraging you to infuse more of your unique self into your reading, hobbies, career, family, or any project you undertake.

Join Rowena and Shelley as they chat with Mel about her new book, the behind-the-scenes of her writing process and the inside scoop on her launch and marketing strategies.

Connect with Mel Daniels

• LinkedIn  


• Instagram 


• Facebook 


• Facebook Group: The Content Project


• Website

• The Power of Content: A simple framework to achieve content clarity and confidence by Mel Daniels

• What Great Storytellers Know: Seven Skills to Become Your Most Influential and Inspiring Self by Bernadette Jiwa.


• Avoiding The Friend Zone by Rowena Mabbott

Other Links Mentioned

• Free VIA Strengths Survey

Find us online at twobookedup.com and keep in touch with Two Booked Up via email by signing up for the Two Booked Up Bookclub and receive your FREE ‘Read More in ‘24’ Book checklist.

Connect with Rowena @rowenamabbott on IG and at 

In this episode, Rowena and Shelley are discussing the books they’ve been reading, and checking in on their progress for the 24 for 2024 Reading Challenge.

The Challenge adds more purpose and variety to non-fiction reading choices and aims to inspire them and you to read more and read more widely, perhaps even trying out authors of genres you wouldn’t normally read.  Also, as you’ll hear in this episode, you can make the challenge your own, including how to squeeze more reading into your busy life! 

Join Shelley and Rowena to hear their non-fiction reads, what they recommendation and what they don’t, as well as a few of their favourite fiction reads from the last few months. Listen in for plenty of inspiration to add to your TBR list! 

• Two Booked Up Episode 10 - How to find the time to read 


• Two Booked Up Episode 39 - Read More in ‘24! Announcing the 2024 Reading Challenge


• Two Booked Up Episode 40 - How to Find Tranquility in the Turbulence


• Two Booked Up Episode 45 - 

Rowena’s List

• Tell Me Again by Amy Thunig


• Build The Life You Want by Arthur C Brooks and Oprah Winfrey


• The House That Joy Built by Holly Ringland


• Love The Home You Have by Melissa Michaels


• Feel Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal

• Come As You Are: Revised and Updated by Emily Nagoksi

In this episode, Rowena and Shelley discuss Ali Abdaal's book Feel Good Productivity. 

Productivity books are often full of tips for working harder, hustling longer and hacks to make the most of your time. This book is completely different! Instead, Ali Abdaal puts forth the idea that instead of more discipline, we can accomplish more by focusing on our well-being and embracing joy! 

Specifically, Ali discusses that having more fun can make us more productive, which is something we strongly believe in here at Two Booked Up. And, in this episode, we are walking the talk! For a fun change, Shelley dons her interviewer hat and interviews Rowena about the book.

Join Shelley and Rowena as they discuss key ideas and top takeaways, sharing how you can be productive and feel good, too!

• Two Booked Up Episode 6: The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi


• Two Booked Up Episode 7: How we are Lazy Geniusing our lives and how you can too


• Two Booked Up Episode 8: Our best tips to “Lazy Genius” your business


• Two Booked Up Episode 9: Naming What Matters 


• Two Booked Up Episode 11: Essentialism by Greg McKeown


• Two Booked Up Episode 12: How to Live the Essentialist Life

• Two Booked Up Episode 13: Play Your Own Game


• Two Booked Up Episode 14: Boost Your Confidence and Get Paid to Be You


• Two Booked Up Episode 23: What’s the big deal about Atomic Habits?


• Two Booked Up Episode 24: Supportive Habits

Today, Rowena and Shelley are talking about regrets, specifically The Power of Regret: How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward — which is today’s book by Daniel Pink.

Do you ever find yourself dwelling on past mistakes or missed opportunities, feeling regretful and wishing you could go back in time to do things differently? Living with regret can be a painful experience, but what if those regrets could actually serve a positive purpose in your life? 

In the book, Daniel Pink argues that reflecting on our regrets can help us make better decisions and become better people. By acknowledging and learning from our past mistakes, we can move forward with greater wisdom and confidence and use our regrets as a tool for personal growth and positive change. Sounds good, right?

So, join Rowena and Shelley as they discuss their favourite insights from the book and their top takeaways. Listen in to learn how harnessing your regrets can change your life.

• The Power of Regret by Daniel Pink


• Women of Good Fortune by Sophie Wan

Find us online at twobookedup.com and keep in touch with Two Booked Up via email by signing up for the Two Booked Up Bookclub and receive your FREE ‘Read More in ‘24’ Book checklist.

Connect with Rowena @rowenamabbott on IG and at rowenamabbott.com. You can also get Rowena’s FREE e-books, The A to Z of Career and Life Confidence and The Criteria List here.

Connect with Shelley on LinkedIn at Shelley Tonkin Smith. Her copywriting business is at shelleysmithcreative.com, and check out learn.shelleysmithcreative.com to get Shelley’s Sales Page Step-by-Step Template + Video. There’s also Podcast Jumpstart, a workshop on getting your podcast onto the air, quickly and sustainably.

Use the code: TWOBOOKEDUP or use this link for 50% all products through 31 May 2024.

Today, Rowena and Shelley are tapping into their inner chill and discussing Denise Duffield Thomas's book Chill and Prosper: The New Way to Grow Your Business, Make Millions, and Change the World.

If you’re interested in running your own business but feel it's too hard, or perhaps you are running a business but find you’re frequently overwhelmed by the need to do all the things, then this book and episode are for you!

Denise is an author, coach, and self-proclaimed "Chillpreneur" from Australia. ("Chillpreneur" was the original title of this book). Denise's strategy is centred around discovering a simpler path, and as a highly successful money mindset coach who has reached millionaire status, she knows her stuff! Listen to Denise’s podcast, Chill & Prosper here. 

Join Rowena and Shelley as they discuss their favourite insights from the book and their top takeaways. Tune in to learn how you can Chill and Prosper!

• Two Booked Up Episode 6: The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi


• Two Booked Up Episode 7: How we are Lazy Geniusing our lives and how you can too


• Two Booked Up Episode 8: Our best tips to “Lazy Genius” your business


• Two Booked Up Episode 9: Naming What Matters 

• Chill and Prosper by Denise Duffield Thomas


• The Penderwicks Series by Jeanne Birdsall


• Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series by Jeff Kinney


• Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling


• Avoiding the Friend Zone by Rowena Mabbott

Other Links Mentioned

• Chill and Prosper Podcast


• NEW! Get Shelley’s...

In this episode, Shelley and Rowena discuss Gretchen Rubin’s latest book, Life In Five Senses: How Exploring the Senses Got Me Out of My Head and Into the World.

(And a note from Rowena and Shelley, we just hit record on this episode and CHATTED about the book. Would you mind letting us know what you think about this more casual and slightly more raw format...? [email protected] or check out our links below.) 

If you're looking for some fun ideas to improve your self-knowledge, creativity, and productivity, enhance your relationships with loved ones, and boost your happiness, this is the episode for you!

In the book, Gretchen Rubin explains that embracing your five senses leads to a richer, more meaningful engagement with life. As part of this, she reminds us that by understanding our own tendencies and those of the people around us, we can better appreciate and nurture the diverse ways we all experience and interpret sensory information.

Rowena and Shelley discuss their favourite stories from the book and their top takeaways. Tune in to learn how embracing your five senses can improve your life!

• Two Booked Up Episode 1: The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin


• Two Booked Up Episode 2: Personal Life and The Four Tendencies


• Two Booked Up Episode 3: Running Your Own Business Using The Four Tendencies


• Two Booked Up Episode 4: Take Yourself on a Date 


• Two Booked Up Episode 10: How to find the time to read — and why it’s a fabulous idea to do so! (Inspiration is everywhere)

• Life In Five Senses by Gretchen Rubin


• The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin


• The House That Joy Built by Holly Ringland

In this episode, Shelley and Rowena discuss Nir Eyal's book Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life.

Perhaps you find yourself checking emails and replying to messages, and before you know it, hours have passed, and the work you were meant to complete is still waiting for you. If you’re tired of feeling like you're not making progress on your goals because of constant distractions, this episode is for you. 

Rowena and Shelley discuss their top takeaways to help you become Indistractable. They offer insights and practical solutions and share their aha moments to help you manage your attention and achieve your goals. 

If you're looking for ways to stay focused, intentional, and, yes, become Indistractable, join Shelley and Rowena for this must-listen episode.

• Two Booked Up Episode 1: The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin


• Two Booked Up Episode 26: How to become a better procrastinator 


• Two Booked Up Episode 38: Resolution Overwhelm? Try a Guiding Word Instead

• Two Booked Up Episode 40: How To Find Tranquility in the Turbulence

• Tranquility by Tuesday by Laura Vanderkam


• The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin


• Profit First by Mike Michalowicz


• Coffee and Eclairs by Clara Conrad


• Avoiding the Friend Zone by Rowena Mabbott

Other Li...