The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin is unlike any of the other books our hosts have reviewed on the podcast.  The focus on creativity, and the structure of the book as a series of meditations, set it apart from most of the books in the personal growth genre.  But music producer Rick Rubin has a unique perspective when it comes to creativity and decades creating and working with creators to produce epic works. This book has surprisingly broad application when it comes to creating anything, from music to sales pitches.  Join Jason and Dylan as they discuss this unique read.

Systems.  They are all around us and often taken for granted.  Your household, your family, your neighborhood, your workplace and grocery store are all systems.  When systems break down, become inefficient, or fail in some way, they need a reset, and that is what this book is all about.  Reset by Dan Heath is a step-by-step guide for identifying problems in a system, finding leverage points that will achieve big results, and deploying resources properly to support change.  Many of the ideas in the book are as applicable to businesses as they are to a family or even your own personal growth.  Join Jason and Dylan as we discuss Reset by Dan Heath.

Jason and Dylan review Happy Money: The Science of Happier Spending by Elizabeth Dunn and Dr. Michael Norton. This book contains many science-backed insights about how to spend your money to maximize happiness. Some of the results are very counter-intuitive! Many people think they want more choices or that they will be happier if they get to enjoy something right after they pay for it, but that is not what the science tells us. Join our hosts Jason and Dylan as they talk through the tips in the book and find out what success or failures our hosts have when it comes to their own Happy Money.

The Author of The Next Conversation, Lawyer Jefferson Fisher, does not use all the latest in research psychology to analyze and perfect his conversational technique and advice.  Instead, he uses his years of experience as a litigator and presents his lessons from the school of hard knocks in a heartfelt and interesting way.  He presents plenty of personal examples and stories to go along with excellent tips and techniques you can use in your next conversation.  Join us a we check it out!

This book has some surprising ways of linking Stoic Philosophy back to how we can live the good life in the modern era.  The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins is a great take on an ancient idea: people will sometimes do things you do not like.  Why not just let them?  Most of the things that happen around us, including the actions of other people, are outside our control.  The Let Them Theory helps us identify those things and put them in the proper perspective so we can let them make their mistakes while we let ourselves be the best we can be.  Join us!

Jason and Dylan review a book from Ryan Holiday's Virtue Series: Right Thing Right Now: Justice in an Unjust World.  Among other things, this book examines how the blurring of the line between what is legal and what is right is contributing to the erosion of society.  But is also brings hope by highlighting what we can do ourselves to bring just a little justice to a world that sometimes seems to care so little about it.  Join us!

Jason and Dylan review a book with a surprisingly strong connection to education.  Culture By Design walk us through the process of establishing a culture in any organization, from our families to workplaces and beyond,  Join us as we discuss the process!

Jason and Dylan review the 2020 edition of Berne Brown's The Gifts of Imperfection.  The book examines how accepting ourselves and being authentic can lead us away from shame and into a more fulfilling life through a series of guideposts.  Join us!

Jason and Dylan take a bit of a break from self-help and Stoicism to review What If?  This book explores important questions about living a fulfilling life, such as can a steak be properly cooked by re-entering the atmosphere like a meteorite?  Could you make a functional jetpack from an AK-47?  If everyone has a single soulmate, what are the chances that you would find them?  These and many other critical questions await in What If? by Randall Munroe.  Join us!

What does "leaders eat last" even mean?  It's a concept in the military where military leaders put themselves at the end of the chow line to ensure those under their command get properly fed.  Leaders who do this embody the notion that leadership comes with responsibility to take care of those under their command.  Simon Sinek unpacks this and other leadership attitudes and practices which ensure members of an organization or group feel safe and able to be highly productive. Jason and Dylan review Simon Sinek's book, Leaders Eat Last.