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172: The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down by Haemin Sunim

June 9, 2023 • 1 hour 30 minutes

The world moves fast, but that doesn’t mean we have to. Today’s author promises to illuminate a path to inner peace and balance amid the overwhelming demands of everyday life. Links Support the Show Obsidian University (Mike’s Obsidian cohort) Farnam Street membership Bookworm #171: The Gap and The Gain The Things You Can Only See […]

171: The Gap and The Gain by Dan Sullivan & Dr. Benjamin Hardy

May 26, 2023 • 1 hour 34 minutes

Today’s authors argue that many highly ambitious people are unhappy because of how they measure their progress. Join Joe and Mike as they attempt to focus on progress, not perfection. Links Support the Show Obsidian University (Mike’s Obsidian cohort) Farnam Street membership The Gap and The Gain by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy Who […]

170: The Almanack of Naval Ravikant by Eric Jorgensen

May 12, 2023 • 1 hour 29 minutes

This episode of Bookworm is sponsored by: Today’s author promises to deliver us a guide to wealth and happiness by sharing wisdom from entrepreneur, philosopher, and investor Naval Ravikant. Join Joe & Mike as they attempt to discover what it really means to live a rich life. Links Support the Show April 2023 LifeTheme cohort […]

169: The Pathless Path by Paul Millerd

April 28, 2023 • 1 hour 38 minutes

This episode of Bookworm is sponsored by: Today’s author shares a personal journey that led him to leave a prestigious consulting firm and find his own pathless path. Join Joe & Mike as they consider what it really means to live the good life. Links Support the Show Disneyland Field Guide Yes Day | IMDb […]

168: 12 Rules for Life by Jordan B. Peterson

April 14, 2023 • 1 hour 37 minutes

This episode of Bookworm is sponsored by: Today’s author (and clinical psychologist) promises to help us combine the hard-won truths of ancient tradition with the surprising revelations of cutting-edge scientific research. Join Joe & Mike as they attempt to navigate the essence of what those of us in the modern world need to know. Links […]

167: Master Your Motivation by Susan Fowler

March 31, 2023 • 1 hour 30 minutes

Relying on willpower isn’t enough for us to reliably achieve our goals. But what are we supposed to use instead? Today’s author argues that motivation is energy, and what matters is the quality, not the quantity. Join Joe & Mike as they attempt to increase their choice, connection, and competence in a quest for optimal […]

166: The Future is Analog by David Sax

March 17, 2023 • 1 hour 37 minutes

Today’s author argues that the pandemic taught us that the future we were promised wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. Join Joe & Mike as they consider the role of analog in today’s digital world. Links Support the Show Acorn Ridge – Leather Goods Antinet Zettelkasten by Scott Scheper The Future is Analog […]

165: The Creative Act by Rick Rubin

March 3, 2023 • 1 hour 36 minutes

Today’s author argues that creativity has a place in everyone’s life and that we all have the potential to make that place larger. Join Joe & Mike as they endeavor to live a little more creatively. Links Support the Show Maslach Burnout Inventory Personal Retreat Handbook (Code HELPJOEOUT for 50% off) The Creative Act: A […]

164: Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? by Dr. Julie Smith

February 17, 2023 • 1 hour 36 minutes

Today’s author (and clinical psychologist) promises to help us fortify and maintain our mental health, even in the most trying of times. Join Joe & Mike as they explore the depths of the human mind and consider their own mental well-being. Links Support the Show Bookworm Stats Bookworm #163: How to Calm Your Mind Maslach […]

163: How to Calm Your Mind by Chris Bailey

February 3, 2023 • 1 hour 41 minutes

Today’s author promises to help us find the missing piece to the productivity puzzle that leads our efforts to become sustainable over time. Join Joe & Mike as they embark to find presence and productivity in these anxious times. Links Support the Show Mike’s Digital Journaling in Obsidian course (code BOOKWORM for $5 off) Faith-Based […]

162: Ikigai by Héctor García & Francesc Miralles

January 20, 2023 • 1 hour 52 minutes

According to the Japanese, everyone has an ikigai — a reason for living. Join Joe & Mike as they embark on a journey to find theirs. Links Support the Show Onyx Boox Tab Ultra 2023 Focused Calendar Mike’s Journaling Bootcamp video course Bookworm #161: The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership Ikigai by Héctor García & Francesc […]

161: The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell

January 6, 2023 • 1 hour 55 minutes

Leadership is complex, but the need for it has never been greater. Join Joe & Mike as they embark on a journey to reach their full potential by helping others reach theirs. Links Support the Show Bookworm #160: 48 Laws of Power The Focus Course The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell The […]

160: 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene

December 23, 2022 • 1 hour 49 minutes

Today’s author promises to distill three thousand years of human history into a single definitive manual for anyone interested in gaining, observing, or defending against ultimate control. Join Joe & Mike as they venture into the amoral topic of power and attempt to better understand the “rules of the game.” Links Support the Show The […]

159: Mind Management, Not Time Management by David Kadavy

December 9, 2022 • 1 hour 50 minutes

Do you ever feel like the more time you save, the less time you have? Today’s author promises to help us stop struggling to get more out of our time and start effortlessly getting more out of our minds. Join Joe & Mike as they attempt to tune their work habits to maximize their creative […]

158: Discipline is Destiny by Ryan Holiday

November 25, 2022 • 1 hour 45 minutes

To master anything, we must first learn to master ourselves. Today’s author promises to teach us the power of self-discipline and balance and cautions us against the perils of extravagance and hedonism. Join Joe & Mike as they embark on their own journeys toward self-mastery. Links Support the Show Raycast FBP Community 2023 Focused NeuYear […]

157: The Laws of Creativity by Joey Cofone

November 11, 2022 • 1 hour 43 minutes

Today’s author attempts to help demystify the creative process by uncovering the thinking and science behind it. Join Joe & Mike as they attempt to unlock their creative potential. Links Support the Show Apple Watch Series 8 Raycast Paste app Focused #163: The Laws of Creativity, with Joey Cofone The Laws of Creativity by Joey […]

156: Ritual by Dimitris Xygalatas

October 28, 2022 • 1 hour 37 minutes

Have you ever paused to think about why we participate in communal ceremonies? Today’s author attempts to explain the subtle mechanics that bind us together. Join Joe & Mike as they consider the role of rituals in human life. Links Support the Show Apple Watch Series 8 Linking Your Thinking Mastering ConvertKit Ritual by Dimitris […]

155: Where Good Ideas Come From by Stephen Johnson

October 14, 2022 • 1 hour 49 minutes

Ever wonder what sparks a flash of brilliance or what kind of environment creates eureka moments? Today’s author dissects the science of breakthroughs and identifies seven key patterns behind genuine innovation. Join Joe & Mike as they consider the question: where do good ideas come from? Links Support the Show Mike’s Daily Questions Video Where […]

154: The Great Mental Models Volume 2 by Rhiannon Beaubien and Shane Parrish

September 30, 2022 • 1 hour 49 minutes

Today’s book revisits the topic of mental models by examining cognitive tools from the domains of chemistry, biology, and physics. Join Joe & Mike as they continue to develop their mental toolboxes. Links Support the Show The Great Mental Models, Volume 2 Bookworm #113: The Great Mental Models, Volume 1 Bookworm #124: Liminal Thinking Bookworm […]

153: I Didn’t Do the Thing Today by Madeline Dore

September 16, 2022 • 1 hour 40 minutes

If you’ve ever been frustrated with the endless pursuit of productivity perfection, today’s episode is for you. Join Joe & Mike as they embrace the joyful messiness and unpredictability of life. Links Support the Show Bookworm iPhone cases Intentional Family #64: Meet The Buhligs MindNode Bookworm #135: Four Thousand Weeks Acorn Ridge I Didn’t Do […]

152: Mind Map Mastery by Tony Buzan

September 2, 2022 • 1 hour 40 minutes

Can using mind maps really help you get more organized, improve your memory, or plan your business strategy? Today’s author (and self-professed mind map inventor) promises to help us take our thinking to the next level. Join Joe & Mike as they consider the role of mind mapping as a creative thinking tool. Links Support […]

151: The Story of You by Ian Morgan Cron

August 19, 2022 • 1 hour 33 minutes

Today’s author (and licensed psychotherapist) promises to help us break free from our self-defeating patterns of behavior and write a new story for ourselves. Join Joe & Mike as they examine the Enneagram in an effort to become who they were truly meant to be. Links Support the Show Tracker plugin for Obsidian Bookworm #80: […]

150: Do the Hard Things First by Scott Allan

August 5, 2022 • 1 hour 31 minutes

Today’s author promises to help us end self-sabotage and rewire our habits for doing difficult work now. Join Joe & Mike as they attempt to beat procrastination once and for all. Links Support the Show StandOut assessment Bookworm #149: Work + Love Unique Ability 2.0 Kolbe Type A StrengthsFinder Joe’s wood pile sorter Do the […]

149: Love + Work by Marcus Buckingham

July 22, 2022 • 1 hour 44 minutes

Today’s author promises to help us break free from conformity to discover what engages us and makes us thrive. Join Joe & Mike as they consider the role of love through creativity, collaboration, and excellence in the workplace and beyond. Links Support the Show Obsidian Quick Note Shortcut Bookworm #148: Building a Second Brain Daily […]

148: Building a Second Brain by Tiago Forte

July 8, 2022 • 1 hour 57 minutes

We live in the information age, but it often leaves us feeling overwhelmed. Today’s author promises to help us develop a system for personal knowledge management that enables us to make sense of it all. Join Joe & Mike as they embark on a journey to build their second brains. Links Support the Show Building […]

147: Hero on a Mission by Donald Miller

June 24, 2022 • 1 hour 48 minutes

Do you know your life purpose? Today’s author promises to help us find it and bring fulfillment through our life and work. Join Joe & Mike as they embark on a journey to live more meaningful lives. Links Support the Show Bookworm Stats Hero on a Mission by Donald Miller Blue Like Jazz by Donald […]

146: Bittersweet by Susan Cain

June 10, 2022 • 1 hour 34 minutes

Today’s author argues that a melancholic outlook on life can be the key to creativity, con­nection, and transcendence. Join Joe & Mike as they explore what bittersweetness can teach us about compassion, leadership, spirituality, mortality, and love. Links Support the Show Bittersweet by Susan Cain Bookworm #67: Quiet Why You Will Marry the Wrong Person […]

145: Things That Matter by Joshua Becker

May 27, 2022 • 1 hour 46 minutes

Everyone wants to live a meaningful life. Today’s author promises to help us identify the obstacles that keep us from living with intention so we can focus on what matters most. Join Joe & Mike as they embark on a quest to identify their purpose and find lasting meaning. Links Support the Show Joe’s Live […]

144: Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon

May 13, 2022 • 1 hour 47 minutes

Everything is a remix. Today’s author encourages us to embrace our influences to discover our own paths. Join Joe & Mike as they attempt to get in touch with their artistic side and build a more creative life. Links Support the Show Obsidian Multiplayer plugin How to Read People Like a Book by Patrick King […]

143: The Messy Middle by Scott Belsky

April 29, 2022 • 1 hour 45 minutes

Everyone loves talking about starts and finishes, but no one likes talking about the hard part in-between. Join Joe as they embrace the messy middle and attempt to find their way on their own creative projects. Links Support the Show Joe’s Working with OmniFocus course Part-Time YouTuber Academy Ship 30 for 30 Pencil Pirates Bookworm […]

142: Yes to Life by Victor Frankl

April 15, 2022 • 1 hour 27 minutes

Joe & Mike tackle another Victor Frankl book as they consider purpose, value, and the meaning of life. Links Support the Show Bookworm #44: Man’s Search for Meaning Mike’s Newsletter Part-Time YouTuber Academy Ship 30 for 30 signup You Can Learn the Bible Yes to Life by Victor Frankl Bookworm #69: Emotional Intelligence Bookworm #74: […]

141: Creative Calling by Chase Jarvis

April 1, 2022 • 1 hour 43 minutes

Do you consider yourself to be “creative?” Whether you’re an artist or an engineer, today’s author argues that creativity isn’t a skill—it’s a habit available to everyone. Join Joe & Mike as they seek to establish their own creative practices. Links Support the Show Bookworm #140: Unwinding Anxiety Bookworm #89: Zen & The Art of […]

140: Unwinding Anxiety by Judson Brewer

March 18, 2022 • 1 hour 16 minutes

The world has never been more anxious. But today’s author promises to help us uproot anxiety at its source using brain-based techniques. Join Joe & Mike as they fight their own sense overwhelm with mindfulness and curiosity. Links Support the Show Keyboard Maestro Stream Deck Bookworm #139: Personal Socrates Unwinding Anxiety by Judson Brewer Bookworm […]

Quick Update

March 4, 2022 • 1 minute

This is a first. We need to skip a release week due to health and vacation. We’ll be back on schedule in two weeks with our next episode. Links Support the Show Unwinding Anxiety by Judson Brewer Creative Calling by Chase Jarvis Bookworm YouTube channel Join the Club Recommend a Book Book List Leave a […]

139: Personal Socrates by Marc Champagne

February 18, 2022 • 1 hour 41 minutes

At any point, we are one question away from a different life. And today’s author gives us 100+ questions from 40+ profiles of legendary achievers to help bring clarity, intentionality, and possibility to every aspect of our lives. Links Support the Show 20 Podcasts That Made Me a Millionaire | Ali Abdaal My Best Podcasts […]

138: How to Change by Katy Milkman

February 4, 2022 • 1 hour 40 minutes

Do you know what’s standing between you and success? Today’s author promises to help us overcome common barriers to change like impulsivity, procrastination, and forgetfulness. Join Joe & Mike as they take yet another look at the science of behavioral change. Links Support the Show Joe’s Task Management Diagram Bookworm #137: Atlas of the Heart […]

137: Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown

January 21, 2022 • 1 hour 44 minutes

Today’s author condenses two decades worth of research into a comprehensive guide for mapping meaningful connections. Join Joe & Mike as they consider emotions and explore the language of human experience. Links Support the Show 2022: The Year of Recalibration The 5am Club by Robin Sharma Concept 2 Model D Atlas of the Heart by […]

136: Thinking in Systems by Donella Meadows

January 7, 2022 • 1 hour 33 minutes

Systems are all around us. Many of the problems we face every day (big & small) are simply systems failures. Today’s author attempts to help us develop the systems-thinking skills we need to avoid confusion find more effective solutions. Links Support the Show Bookworm #135: Four Thousand Weeks Thining in Systems by Donella Meadows Mike’s […]

135: Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman

December 24, 2021 • 1 hour 52 minutes

Nobody needs telling there isn’t enough time. Today’s author encourages us to reject the idea of getting everything done by recognizing our time on earth is short. Join Joe & Mike as they embark on a journey to embrace their own finitude. Links Support the Show Remarkable Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman Bookworm #91: […]

134: Self Control – It’s Kingship and Majesty by William George Jordan

December 10, 2021 • 1 hour 38 minutes

What can we learn about productivity from a book written over 100 years ago? Turns out, quite a lot. Join Joe & Mike as they examine the oldest Bookworm book yet. Links Support the Show Bookworm #34: Think & Grow Rich Bookworm #133: Soundtracks Bookworm #38: Mindset Self Control – It’s Kingship & Majesty by […]

133: Soundtracks by Jon Acuff

November 26, 2021 • 1 hour 48 minutes

Today’s author promises to help change overthinking from a super problem into a superpower. Join Joe & Mike as they attempt to change their thoughts as they DJ their own mental soundtracks. Links Support the Show Bookworm Sweatshirt The Focused calendar Daily Content Machine Focused 134: Finding Space with Sean McCabe Overlap by Sean McCabe […]

132: So Good They Can’t Ignore You by Cal Newport

November 12, 2021 • 1 hour 36 minutes

If you’re trying to live a remarkable life, today’s author argues that “follow your passion” is terrible advice. Join Joe & Mike as they consider the craftsman mindset in an effort to collect their own career capital. Links Support the Show Focused #138: Hyper-Scheduling Revisited Email Lessons from Napoleon Bonaparte So Good They Can’t Ignore […]

131: A Minute to Think by Juliet Funt

October 29, 2021 • 1 hour 29 minutes

Do you yearn for freedom from the constant reactivity? Today’s author promises to show us how to reclaim time for thinking and make room for what truly matters. Join Joe & Mike as they fight their own battles against busyness. Links Support the Show Bookworm #43: Flow Bookworm #25: Grit Creativity by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi Keychron […]

130: Courage is Calling by Ryan Holiday

October 15, 2021 • 1 hour 37 minutes

Today’s author promises to show us how to conquer our fear and practice courage in our daily lives. Join Joe & Mike as they wrestle with what it means to live a heroic, courageous life. Links Support the Show Bookworm #129: The Extended Mind Focused Personal Retreat Handbook Obsidian (DING!) GoodNotes Courage by Ryan Holiday […]

129: The Extended Mind by Annie Murphy Paul

October 1, 2021 • 1 hour 46 minutes

Today’s author teaches us how to employ a host of “extra-neural” resources — the feelings and movements of our bodies, the physical spaces in which we learn and work, and the minds of those around us — to focus more intently, comprehend more deeply, and create more imaginatively. Join Joe & Mike as they attempt […]

128: Daily Rituals by Mason Currey

September 17, 2021 • 1 hour 28 minutes

Today’s author takes us on a tour of daily rituals from inspired novelists, poets, playwrights, painters, philosophers, scientists, and mathematicians to describe how they live and work. Join Joe & Mike as they consider their own routines in an effort to become just a little more productive and creative. Links Support the Show Relay FM […]

127: The Art of the Idea by John Hunt

September 3, 2021 • 1 hour 43 minutes

Today’s author attempts to teach us to redefine our world through the power of original thinking. Join Joe & Mike as they consider the creative process in an effort to make the most of their own ideas. Links Support the Show Elgato LP Wave Boom Arm meross Smart Power Strip 23andMe DNA Testing Kit Obsidian […]

126: The Mountain is You by Brianna Wiest

August 20, 2021 • 1 hour 30 minutes

Today’s author promises to help us act as our highest potential selves by extracting crucial insight from our most damaging habits, building emotional intelligence by better understanding our brains and bodies, and releasing past experiences at a cellular level. Join Joe & Mike as they embark on a journey to figure out why we as […]

125: Willpower Doesn’t Work by Benjamin Hardy

August 6, 2021 • 1 hour 49 minutes

We rely on willpower to create change in our lives… but what if we’re thinking about it all wrong? Join Joe & Mike as they consider their environments and the impact they have on their productivity. Links Support the Show To Obsidian and Beyond Liminal Thinking website Willpower Doesn’t Work by Benjamin Hardy Bookworm #121: […]

124: Liminal Thinking by Dave Gray

July 23, 2021 • 1 hour 47 minutes

Our beliefs form the basis of everything we say, think, and do. Modifying them can be hard, but today’s author tries to teach us how to make it easier. Join Joe & Mike as they attempt to change their minds – and their behavior. Links Support the Show Obsidian Mobile The Sweet Setup Obsidian Course […]

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Bookworm is dedicated to doing more than just reading books. Mike Schmitz and Cory Hixson read a book every two weeks and discuss ways to apply the authors lessons to their lives.

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