What causes us to act the way we do? Today’s book offers a comprehensive look into the depths of behavioral science. Join Joe & Mike as they examine their own cognitive biases in an effort to understand why they have a tendency to make dumb decisions.
86: The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker
Today’s author argues that the lackluster and unproductive gatherings in our lives don’t have to be that way. Join Joe & Mike as they consider how to bring a more human-centered approach to gathering in an effort create meaningful, memorable experiences for everyone involved.
85: Making It All Work by David Allen
In today’s episode, Joe & Mike revisit the topic of Getting Things Done (GTD). Join them as they take a closer look at the mother of all productivity systems and discover all the things that they’re doing wrong.
84: Indistractable by Nir Eyal
In a world of distraction, focus is a superpower. In today’s book, Joe and Mike look at how to channel their attention in a quest to become indistractable.
83: The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek
How do we win a game that has no end? In today’s book, author Simon Sinek explains how an infinite mindset helps overcome the letdown that typically comes shortly after achieving a goal by commiting to a just cause that inspires us to show up day after day, week after week, and year after year.
82: Margin by Richard Swenson
Do you ever feel overhwelmed? Today’s book by Dr. Richard Swenson has the prescription for anyone who yearns for relief from the pressures of overload. Join Joe & Mike as they investigate the topic of margin, reevaluate their priorities, and attempt to simplify their lives.
81: You Are Awesome by Neil Pasricha
Bad things happen, but they don’t have to keep you realizing your dreams. Today’s author shares 9 secrets from his own experience of overcoming negative circumstances by changing his perspective. Join Joe and Mike as they examine the mindsets that make people like Neil so resilient, even in the face of personal tragedy and failure.
80: Principles by Ray Dalio
What does radical truth and radical transparency have to do with personal and professional success? Everything, argues today’s author. Join Joe & Mike as they dive deep on the systems and principles of life and business in their quest to understand the idea meritocracy.
79: SuperBetter by Jane McGonigal
Reality is broken. In today’s book, author Jane McGonigal attempts a fix by applying a gameful approach to personal growth. Join Mike & Joe as they examine the idea that playing games can make us better.
78: Ultralearning by Scott Young
Lifelong learning is a noble goal – but is ultralearning really the best approach? Today’s book aims to help you achieve your goals faster, future-proof your career, and maximize your competitive advantage. Join Joe & Mike as they unpack the principles the author promises can help you learn anything deeply and quickly, without teachers or […]
77: Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull
Pixar has inspired the creative world for over 20 years with iconic films like Toy Story, The Incredibles, and WALL-E, just to name a few. Today’s book gives us an inside look at the meetings, postmortems, and Braintrust sessions that have produced some of the most successful animated films in history. Join Joe & Mike […]
76: Range by David Epstein
We’ve all heard stories of famous people who knew what they were born to do from a young age. But should we really be trying to follow in their narrow-focused footsteps? Today’s author challenges the traditional idea that 10,000 hours of deliberate practice is what it takes to become an expert, explains why specializing early […]
75: Getting Results the Agile Way by J.D. Meier
Lots of books teach systems to help you achieve more, but the problem is that they are usually very strict and rigid. Today’s book promises to deliver a simple system that is flexible and adaptable so you can change course as needed without sacrificing meaningful results.
74: The Second Mountain by David Brooks
In today’s book, Joe and Mike embark on a journey from self-centered individualism to others-centered relationalism in pursuit of discovering just what exactly a life worth living looks like. Join these fellow travelers on their quest for a moral life as they examine the 4 commitments that today’s author uses to define a life of […]
73: The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss
Today’s book promises to help you escape the 9-5, live anywhere, and join the new rich. But is it really that simple? Join Joe & Mike as they examine what a millionarie lifestyle looks like (with or without the millions) and unpack the concept of lifestyle design in creating a life worth living.
72: Make Time by Jake Knapp & John Zeratsky
True productivity is not about crushing your to-do list or optimizing every hour – it’s about intentionalliy focusing on what really matters. Join Joe & Mike as they rethink their own defaults, drain the infinity pools, and make time for the things that are truly important.
71: Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
For many writers, few things are as intimidating as staring at a blank page – but it doesn’t have to be this way. If you’re looking for some solid writing advice, today’s book is for you. Join Joe & Mike as they confront perfectionism, shine the light on the monsters within, learn to quiet the […]
70: Free to Focus by Michael Hyatt
A system to help you achieve more *and* do less? It may sound too good to be true, but that’s exactly what today’s book promises to deliver. Join Joe & Mike as they take a closer look at Michael Hyatt’s approach to the topic of focus.
69: Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman
It can be difficult to measure, but the topic of emotional intelligence is a worthwhile study for anyone with a desire to reach their full potential. In today’s episode, Joe & Mike take a deep look at a different way to be smart.
68: How to Take Smart Notes by Sönke Ahrens
It’s been said that for a writer, nothing is as intimidating as a blank page. But the author of today’s book says that doesn’t have to be the case. Join Joe & Mike as they look at how to take better notes and automate the writing process.
67: Quiet by Susan Cain
The rise of the Extroverted Ideal has led to a world that can’t stop talking. But where does that leave you if you find groups exhausting or prefer to work alone? Join Joe & Mike as they discover the soft power introverts possess and why understanding it is so important.
66: Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink & Leif Babin
We can’t control everything that happens to us, but how might our lives look different if we assumed ownership for them anyway? That’s the topic Joe & Mike examine in today’s book. Tune in to find out why “responsibility” is not a dirty word.
65: Drunk Tank Pink by Adam Alter
Our environment shapes our thoughts and actions in myriad ways, without our permission or even our knowledge. In today’s episode, Joe & Mike discover the subtle but substantial ways in which outside forces influence our everyday behavior.
64: Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport
Few things have impacted our everyday lives as much as the smartphone. In today’s episode, Joe & Mike discuss the fallout from our digital addictions and contemplate Cal Newport’s radical approach as a potential cure in the war for our attention.
63: Atomic Habits by James Clear
Can small habits really transform your life and deliver amazing results? Author James Clear believes they can. In today’s episode, Joe and Mike revisit a familiar topic to tackle one of Bookworm’s most requested books and see if it lives up to the hype.
62: The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin
Have you ever struggled to achieve a goal, even though you were fully committed to and believed in it? Today’s book gives you a simple framework to help you understand why. Join Joe & Mike as they try to understand themselves a little bit better.
61: Blink by Malcolm Gladwell
Your brain is an incredibly powerful computer, rapidly processing information to help you make better decisions – except when it doesn’t. Should you really trust your first impressions? Join Joe & Mike as they dive into the world of rapid cognition and thinking without thinking.
60: The One Thing by Gary Keller & Jay Papasan
Is it true that less is more? When it comes to goal achievement, Gary Keller & Jay Papasan say, “Aboslutely!” In today’s episode, Joe & Mike dive into the surprisingly simple truth behind extraordinary results to see if the answer really is that profound or if Mike is just remembering one of his favorite books […]
59: Being Mortal by Atul Gawande
No matter how careful we are or how healthy our habits, one day we will all die. In this episode, Joe & Mike tackle their most uncomfortable topic yet as they consider how to bring meaning and purpose to end of life care.
58: Scrum by Jeff & J.J. Sutherland
Is Scrum really the magical project finishing formula that author Jeff Sutherland says it is? Joe & Mike share their own Scrum stories and point out the pitfalls in this episode covering Bookworm’s most requested book.
57: Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely
When it comes to making decisions, we like to think we’re capable of making smart, rational choices. But are we? Tune in to find out why Dan Ariely believe our irrational behavior is completely predictable – and what you can do about it.
56: Hyperfocus by (and with) Chris Bailey
Focus is a hot topic, but there’s more to it then just turning off Twitter and blocking out distractions. Today’s book shows us how to manage our focus, helps us understand how it works, and shows us how to recharge it when it gets low. Author Chris Bailey joins us at the end to talk […]
55: The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor
Happy people are productive people, but can you really choose to be happy? Things may not always happen for the best, but in today’s episode Mike & Joe figure out how and why some people are able to make the best of the things that happen.
54: Work Clean by Dan Charnas
Can the world of professional chefs teach us anything about productivity? Joe and Mike seem to agree with Dan Charnas and say, yes. Mis-en-place!
53: Boundaries by Henry Cloud
Should you set limits on what you’ll do with and for other people? And if so, what should those lines be? And do those limits have a place in the church?
52: The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
Up to 40% of our daily actions are influenced by our habits, but how do you actually influence them? In this episode, Joe & Mike dive into The Power of Habit and discover the secret to lasting positive change.
51: Great at Work by Morten Hansen
There is a myth in the workplace that says we need to work longer hours to achieve more and do so with higher quality. But this is purely a myth and there’s a lot of science to prove it.
50: 2018 Bookworm Draft
If you listen to Bookworm as a way to filter your book list, then this episode will blow your mind. Joe and Mike pick their top ten books draft-style. They’re not necessarily Bookworm books either. Also included: a special surprise.
49: Peak by Anders Ericsson
What does it take to become the best? And what do the world’s greatest do that puts them at the top? And how does that translate into our day to day lives?
48: How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
It’s time for another classic that both Mike and Joe are a bit embarrassed they haven’t read previously. And it turns out to be a book where the title doesn’t do it justice.
47: The Three Big Questions for a Frantic Family by Patrick Lencioni
Should you think about your family in the same way you think about an organization? And what are the ramifications of the answer to that question?
46: Busy by Tony Crabbe
Don’t have time to read books? Then listen to this! Joe and Mike jump into the topic of a busy culture and what we can do about it.
45: What’s Best Next by Matt Perman
What does the Bible say about productivity? And how does this book compare to other productivity books?
44: Man’s Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl
Knowing your purpose and finding meaning in life can save your life. This episode covers the challenging topic of World War II and escaping concentration camps alive.
43: Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
Mike and Joe have mentioned Mihaly way too often. So it’s about time they covered his book and discussed it directly.
42: How to Read a Book by Mortimer Adler
It’s finally here. An episode about how to read a book. And what better way to cover the topic than to read a book about it.
41: 168 Hours by Laura Vanderkam
Where does your time go? And do you actually spend it where you think you do? These are tough questions when you dive into it, which is exactly what Mike and Joe do.
40: The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
Morning Pages has been an intriguing concept to both Mike and Joe. So they finally jump into the source of the practice. There’s a time commitment involved but they both seem okay with that.
39: The 4 Disciplines of Execution by Chris McChesney, Jim Huling, Sean Covey
This round we learn why Mike doesn’t care for this book. Joe picked it only because it’s been popular and it was a listener recommendation. But that doesn’t affect their ratings at all.
38: Mindset by Carol Dweck
Your mindset can change how you respond to pretty much everything. The question is whether or not yours is a good one or a bad one. But there are also ways to change them, which is what Mike and Joe go over this week.