Hey friend,
Spring has officially sprung, which means it’s time for another round-up of recommendations.
Below you’ll find a compilation of resources recommended by members of the paid community. This list reflects the books, essays, podcasts, shows, and videos that had a positive impact on us in the winter of 2022-2023. A loving Thank you for sharing your favorite recs with me.
A couple of things about formatting before we jump in…
Each recommendation will have a brief description and link to access it.
If a recommendation has a “*” next to it, it means it has been recommended before. One “*” for every issue it has appeared in before today.
That’s it, that’s all. Have fun browsing and enjoy whatever jumps out at you. 🥂
~ L
🎧 Listening Recommendations
Podcasts
1) Anna Kendrick by Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard
A breathtakingly honest interview about Kendrick’s experience being in a toxic relationship with someone she had intended to share her life with. Introspective. Raw. It has all the accountability and self-reflection. A great listen for a long car ride or walk.
2) Stephen Colbert: Grateful for Grief by All There Is with Anderson Cooper
I listened to this after my Papa passed, and it felt like a breath of cold, fresh air. It’s deeply moving, thought-provoking, and at times funny. Perfect if you’re in the throes of grief.
3) You, But Better by Hidden Brain
This episode involves a behavioral therapist sharing how we can better structure our lives to do what we know is good for us. A great listen if you’re in a resetting/resolution-esque mood.
📖 Reading Recommendations
Books
1) Burnout by Emily Nagoski, PhD and Amelia Nagoski, DMA
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/burnout
Recommended and described as a book for those that feel they have so much to do, but still don't feel "enough," this book explains why women experience burnout differently than men—and provides a simple, science-based plan to help women minimize stress, manage emotions, and live a more joyful life.
2) Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl
https://www.amazon.com/Mans-Search-Meaning-Viktor-Frankl
One of those books I’ve seen recommended a thousand times, but finally got around to reading it. Lives up to the hype and then some. Great if you’re in the mood for a grounding and inspiring read.
3) Solito by Javier Zamora
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/solito-by-javier-zamora/
A great memoir for those craving a story with bravery, hope, and finding family. This book is written by a young poet who tells the story of his migration from El Salvador to the United States at the age of nine.
4) Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez
https://carolinecriadoperez.com/book/invisible-women/
A data-driven deep dive into the disparity between the female experience and male-centric culture. Perez brings together a range of case studies, stories, and new research from across the world to illustrate the hidden ways in which women are excluded from the building blocks of the world, and the impact this has on their health and well-being.
5) The Family Game by Catherine Steadman
https://www.amazon.com/Family-Game-Novel-Catherine-Steadman
A fun lightweight thriller for those interested in a fiction read. This book is filled with ingenious twists and brilliant characters. Be prepared for a roller coaster of a ride.
Essays
1) Worden’s Four Tasks of Mourning by Our House
https://www.ourhouse-grief.org/grief-pages/grieving-adults/four-tasks-of-mourning/
We’ve all heard of the five stages of grief, however, I found this framework about the four tasks necessary to journey through grief after losing someone to be really helpful.
2) How the Menstrual Cycle Affects Our Mental Health by CORA
https://cora.life/how-the-menstrual-cycle-affects-our-mental-health
This article helped me get a grasp on what is going on with my mood during my cycle every month. Great as a resource for anyone wanting to understand themselves or someone they love on a deeper level.
3) The Passive — Assertive — Aggressive Continuum
https://boisestate.pressbooks.pub/makingconflictsuckless/passive-assertive-aggressive
An informative article breaking down the three main ways people tend to relate to communication (spoiler alert.. one is passive, one is assertive, and one is aggressive). Quick and enjoyable if you’d like to learn more about yourself.
4) The Mindf*ck of Midlife by Amil Niazi
https://www.thecut.com/2022/12/on-approaching-midlife
An insightful look at how midlife is portrayed and what questions people in midlife are actually asking themselves. My favorite excerpt: I don’t want glossy affirmations about how I can still look good at 40; I want to know how to navigate a career change without spending another decade in school while caring for school-age kids and still paying my steadily mounting bills. I want to have conversations that contend with the loneliness that sometimes comes with this stage of life and how to make friends when you’re starting over. I want someone to admit out loud how much of our culture and society is geared toward the pursuit and presentation of youth and how that maybe kinda sorta fucks with your head a little the older you get.
📺 Viewing Recommendations
YouTube
1) Timbaland & Justin Timberlake Discuss Their Most Iconic Songs by Beatclub
I loooooove Justin Timberlake. I love him. And Timbaland may just be my favorite producer of all time. This interview was a delight for my soul. FutureSex/LoveSounds was on repeat for a few days after this (..and it still slaps).
Streaming
1) Mission: Joy - Finding Happiness in Troubled Times on Netflix
https://www.netflix.com/missionjoy
A beautiful look into the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s friendship with an illuminating dive into their collective wisdom. This is documentary footage that was used to create The Book of Joy. Great if you want to believe in the good of humanity again.
2) Shrinking on Apple TV+
https://tv.apple.com/us/show/shrinking
I’m ending our time together with this. If you haven’t watched it already, please, please give it a shot. A brilliant, heartfelt, laugh-out-loud, deep, comedy/drama featuring Jason Segel as a therapist who is trying to piece his life back together after losing his wife. If you love to laugh and bittersweet cry, it’s for you. Segel-isms like this included: