Bookworm

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 […]

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: […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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: […]

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 […]

For a long time, “procrastination” has been a four-letter in the productivity world. But today’s author attempts to turn it around by giving us five permissions in hopes of setting us free to do our best work. Join Joe & Mike as they consider yet another system designed to help clear the clutter and focus […]

We rely on body language to connect and build trust, but that can be difficult from behind a screen. Today’s author teaches us to decode and signals and use proper cues to make that a little bit easier. Join Joe & Mike as they seek to improve their own communication skills for the digital age. […]

Too many workplaces are driven by cynicism, paranoia, and self-interest. But today’s author shows us how the best ones foster trust and cooperation by separating the security inside the team from the challenges outside. Join Joe & Mike as they try to expand their own circles of safety. Links Support the Show Obsidian MacVoices Obsidian […]

Procrastination is a problem we all have to deal with. But today’s author promises a comprehensive plan to help us lower our stress and increase our time to enjoy guilt-free play. Join Joe & Mike as they consider how they can eliminate anxiety brought on by their own negative habits of procrastination and perfectionism. Links […]

High-achievers have been conditioned to believe that the path to success is paved with relentless work. But today’s author challenges us to stop pushing harder and find an easier path. Join Joe & Mike as they embark on a journey to make their most essential activities the easiest ones. Links Support the Show The Hitchhiker’s […]

Tired of playing Whac-a-Mole with todo lists that never seem to get any shorter? Today’s author says the real problem is our broken systems that consistently produce frustrating results. Join Joe & Mike as they embark on a journey to change their perspective and apply the systems mindset to their own lives. Links Support the […]

Most of us favor the comfort of conviction and avoid the discomfort of doubt. But today’s author invites us to let go of our firmly held beliefs and open up our minds through the process of unlearning rethinking. Join Joe & Mike as they embrace their own limitations and discover the joy in being wrong. […]

Goodbye awkward silence, hello conversational agility! Today’s author promises to teach you how to think quickly on your feet, be incredibly smooth, funny, and clever – all at once. Join Joe & Mike as they embark on their journey to discover the art, nuance, and mechanics of banter and charm. Links Support the Show Keychron […]

The modern knowledge worker is engaged in a constant battle against the hyperactive hive mind. While we’ve become so accustomed to an inbox-driven workday that it’s hard to imagine alternatives, today’s author argues that they do in fact exist. Join Joe & Mike as they consider the possibility of a future without email. Links Support […]

Even great decisions don’t always yield the best outcomes every time. Today’s author (and former World Series of Poker champion turned business consultant) teaches us how to make better decisions by embracing the element of luck and simply considering the odds. Links Support the Show Obsidian Obsidian-Git plugin 1Writer Pretext Joe’s webinar w/ Emma Bogdan’s […]

Mental models can help you make better decisions by changing how you see the world. In today’s book, Joe & Mike take a look at nine of the most versatile all-purpose mental models in an effort to make better decisions by seeing things more clearly. Links Support the Show Obsidian Obsidian-Git plugin Roam Research (ding?) […]

Writing is hard. But today’s author promises that if you take a weekend and set up the proper system, it can be made a lot easier. Join Joe & Mike as they consider what it means to be an organised writer. Links Support the Show NerdFitness Concept2 Model D Amazon Basics Kettlebell Iron Age Pullup […]

Many books promise to help you overcome obstacles and reach your goals. But it’s still up to you to take action – which is why they often don’t work. Today’s drill sergeant (er, author) put the the blame and power where it belongs – on you. Join & Mike as they report to boot camp […]

Throughout history, leaders have used solitude to make better decisions. Today’s book shares firsthand historical accounts in an effort to show how solitude can help gain clarity, spur creativity, sustain emotional balance, and generate moral courage for when it matters most. Join Joe & Mike as they explore the topic of solitude and all of […]

How we socialize has changed significantly. Today’s author has studied American social behavior over the decades, and shows how our shrinking social captial poses a serious threat to our civic and personal health. Join Joe & Mike as they consider the ways in which we connect, the role of technology, and how we can build […]

Creating can be hard. But a consistent practice can make it easier. Today’s author insists that writer’s block is a myth, that consistency is far more important than authenticity, and that experiencing the imposter syndrome is a sign that you’re a well-adjusted human. Join Joe & Mike as they explore the creative process, getting unstuck, […]

What drives us to unleash our best work? And how do we tap into that drive to get superior results? Today’s author explains how understanding our own motivational themes can help us have conversations, make decisions, and even choose better career paths. Join Joe & Mike as they attempt to understand what really makes them […]

Today’s authors argue that our modern culture is rewiring our brains and damaging our health. But today’s book promises to give us the tools we need to think more clearly, make better decisions, strengthen bonds with others, and develop healthier habits. Join Joe & Mike as they attempt to overcome the mental hijacking that can […]

The traditional idea of success means being always-on, never saying no, and outworking your peers. But what if there was another way? Today’s author shares how entrepreneurs and leaders all over the world have figured out how to shrink the workweek without cutting salaries or sacrificing productivity. Join Joe & Mike as they explore the […]

Today’s author takes us on a decluttering tour of our own houses and apartments, showing us how to decide what to get rid of and what to keep. Join Joe & Mike as they attempt to transform their homes into launching pads for a more fulfilling and productive life. Links Support the Show Bookworm 103: […]

If you dread answering the question “what do you do?” because you have trouble picking just one thing, you could be a multipotentialite. And you’re not alone. Today’s author says there’s nothing wrong with you if you too have difficulty picking one thing and sticking with it. Join Joe & Mike on their own multipotentialite […]

In an increasingly demanding world, we’ve been told that we can do everything—maintain friendships, devote ourselves to work, spend time with family, stay fit, and get enough sleep. Today’s author encourages us to come to grips with the fact that we can’t do it all – at least not every day. Join Joe & Mike […]

Life is negotiation. And today’s author (& former FBI hostage negotiator) teaches us how to use tactical empathy so it can help us get more of what we want out of life. Join Joe & Mike as they seek to develop their own communication skills in hopes of getting better results. LinksSupport the Show Video […]

After 100 episodes, Joe & Mike go back and fix a few of the ratings that don’t seem quite right. Mike also tests Joe knowledge recall with some impromptu Bookworm trivia.

It’s time for another Patrick Lencioni leadership fable! Join Joe & Mike as they consider the responsibility of leadership, take a look at the five omissions of reward-centered leaders, and consider why they want to be leaders in the first place.

Do you view your work as a job, a career, or a calling? Today’s author argues that the most life-affirming thing you can do is to honor the voice inside that says your have something special to give, and encourages us all to heed the call and act. Join Joe & Mike as they explore […]

In our digital age, it’s easy to stay connected. Emails, text messages, and social media allow us to share snippets of our lives with others- without really having to look, listen, or reveal ourselves. Today’s author argues that we have lost the art of conversation, and makes the case that now, more than ever, is […]

Do you ever find yourself reacting to something, then immediately saying something like, “I can’t believe I just did that?” It may not be your fault – at least, not entirely. Join Joe & Mike as they take a look at the triggers in their own environments and consider how to overcome them – without […]

More than ever, people are overwhelmed. Today’s author argues that what we really need is stillness – the ability to be steady while the world spins around you. Join Joe & Mike on their own journeys to achieve self-mastery, discipline, and focus.

When it comes to change, tiny is mighty. Today’s author (who also happens to be the world’s leading expert on habit formation) shows us how we can have a happier, healthier life: by starting small. Join Joe & Mike as they dive back down the habits rabbit hole and examine how these little changes lead […]

Whether it’s deciding what to eat for dinner or which investments to pick for our 401k, we humans have a track record of making poor choices. But is it really our fault? Today’s author argues that choice architecture is largely to blame, and explains how small nudges can help move us in a better direction. […]

Can pen & paper really cut it as a task manager in today’s fast-paced world? Today’s author makes a compelling argument that it can. Join Joe & Mike as they take a look at The Bullet Journal Method, and see if it’s enough to get these digital natives to get their heads out of their […]

If you find yourself repulsed by the blatant optimism espoused by most self-help gurus, then today’s book may just be a breath of fresh air for you. Join Joe & Mike as they consider stoicism, death, and the negative path to happiness.

What makes a successful business tick? Today’s author shares the results from a five-year study that “fly in the face of our modern business culture and will, quite frankly, upset some people.” Join Joe & Mike as they discover why some companies make the leap – and others don’t.

Today’s author takes us on a 17-day motorcycle ride from Minnesota to California. Join Joe and Mike on their journey to discover quality, truth, and what it means to get a real education.

Long hours, an excessive workload, and a lack of sleep have become a badge of honor for modern professionals. But the authors of today’s book argue that it’s actually a mark of stupidity. Join Joe & Mike as they examine what it means to run a calm company.

Nir Eyal joins us for our first author’s corner episode to talk about his book Indistractable, turning values into time, and building better relationships.