Skip to content

Think & Explore

Welcome to a list of books and podcasts that make us think, spark ideas, change the way we think, and read and listen to again (and again).

Rick’s Bookshelf

It's Easier Than You think Book Cover

It’s Easier Than You Think: The Buddhist Way to Happiness | By Sylvia Boorstein

A quick read that hits at the center of many of modern life’s worries and toils that offers ways to navigate them and life in general.

Indian Summer Book Cover

Indian Summer: The Secret History of the End of an Empire | By Alex Von Tunzelmann

A tragic history of colonization and the intractable ramifications left behind by the hubris of the British Empire.

The Abandonment of the West Book Cover

The Abandonment of the West | By Michael Kimmage

A critical review of history of American foreign policy and the steady decay of tenets of Western/liberal democracy.

The Magnificant Bastard Tongue Book Cover

Our Magnificent Bastard Tongue, The Untold History of English | By John McWhorter

A quick read on why the English language is such a fun, confusing hot mess.

The Man Who Made Vermeers Book Cover

The Man Who Made Vermeers: Unvarnishing the Legend of Master Forger | By Han Van Meegeren

A fascinating, true story I recommend for any art lover.

Heart of Darkness Book Cover

Heart of Darkness | By Joseph Conrad

A classic novella that I re-visited 30 years after my first read and that I appreciated even more now with greater maturity.

Tom’s Bookshelf

the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Book Cover

THE SEVEN HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE

This has been my top recommendation for 20 years. It addresses the ethos questions of “How should I live?” and “How can I have the best life possible?”

The Dichotomy of Leadership Book Cover

THE DICHOTOMY OF LEADERSHIP

Written by highly successful Navy SEALs, the concept of servant leadership is a core focus as is how to attack problems with a warrior mindset.

The Fifth Risk Book Cover

THE FIFTH RISK: UNDOING DEMOCRACY

This book offers insight into how the government really works and why much of the work it does do is falsely maligned. A lot of very good information.

The Art of Power Book Cover

THOMAS JEFFERSON: THE ART OF POWER

Do you want to understand how our country was formed? This read is critical to understanding this!

Alexander Hamilton Book Cover

ALEXANDER HAMILTON

This is an amazing book, one that offers an insightful take on a man who was often misunderstood but whose contributions to the foundations of America’s prosperity and power cannot be understated.

Zen Jui Jitsu Book Cover

ZEN JIUJITSU

This is a great read and while it focuses specifically on Jiu Jitsu, the concept of how to succeed at a physical sport when your body is aging can be applied across a variety of sport-related pursuits.

Thinking Fast and Slow Book Cover

THINKING: FAST AND SLOW

A fascinating story about a friendship that introduced behavioral finance to the world. You will better understand how your brain processes information after reading this. Incredible details on the formation of Israel as well.

The Power of Habit Book Cover

THE POWER OF HABIT: WHY WE WHAT WE DO IN LIFE AND BUSINESS

Thoughtful read that helps you understand how habits are at the core of everything you do and how to manage them to our benefit. Favorite quote from the book:
“The difference between who you are and who you want to be is what you do.”

Blink Book Cover

BLINK: THE POWER OF THINKING WITHOUT THINKING

I’m a fan of Malcolm Gladwell. This is a great read that provides compelling information on our instinctive decision-making process, specifically how and when to trust your gut in areas where you have expertise.

The Undoing Project Book Cover

THE UNDOING PROJECT: A FRIENDSHIP THAT CHANGED OUR MINDS

An outsider looks at the lives of Daniel Kahneman (Think Fast and Slow) and Amos Tversky, his professional partner. A fascinating book that shares insights into the personalities and life experiences of these two researchers.

Outliers Book Cover

OUTLIERS: THE STORY OF SUCCESS

Have you heard of the theory that it takes 10,000 hours to master something? Outliers looks at success as it relates to opportunity and time on task, as well as a variety of other factors that contribute to a person’s success. Easy to read and thought provoking!

That Used To Be Us Book Cover

THAT USED TO BE US: HOW AMERICA FELL BEHIND IN THE WORLD IT INVENTED AND HOW WE CAN COME BACK

One of the key books Rick and I have read which helped to guide us in our charitable focus. An eye-opening analysis of America’s malaise with solutions for how to best address our problems and once again become the nation we were in decades gone by.

Tom’s love of podcasts runs deep, and his favorites are as intimate as a conversation with a good friend, as engaging as a good read, and as informative as the news. In our world of nonstop information, podcasts are unique because they don’t seek to overload the brain or force our attention.

TED Talks Daily Logo

Ted Talks Daily

Thought-provoking ideas on every subject imaginable, given by the world's leading thinkers and creators.

The Daily Logo

The Daily (New York Times)

The Daily is a daily news podcast and radio show by The New York Times and based on reporting of the day.

Planet Money Logo

Planet Money

The economy explained. Imagine you could call up a friend and say, "Meet me at the bar and tell me what's going on with the economy."

Masters in Business Logo

Masters in Business (Bloomberg)

Looks at the people and ideas that shape markets, investing, and business.

The Argument Logo

The Argument (NYT)

The news tells you what's going on, but not what to make of it. Every week New York Times Opinion columnists Frank Bruni, Ross Douthat and Michelle Goldberg explain the argument from each side of the political spectrum, so you can decide where you stand and how to persuade the opposition.

Freakonomics Logo

Freakonomics Radio

Discover the hidden side of everything! Each week, Freakonomics Radio tells you things you always thought you knew (but didn’t) and things you never thought you wanted to know (but do) — from the economics of sleep to how to become great at just about anything.

In Our Time Logo

in our time (bbc)

Our Time is a live BBC radio discussion series and podcast. Each program explores a specific historical, philosophical, religious, cultural, or scientific topic.

Valente Brothers Podcast

Valente Brothers Podcast

Born into the jiu-jitsu tradition, brothers Pedro, Gui, and Joaquim share their commitment to the technical and philosophical roots as imparted to them by Grandmasters Helio Gracie and Dr. Pedro Valente Sr.