458: Over 10MM Copies Sold: My Summary of Atomic Habits by James Clear

Just over four years ago, I interviewed my friend James Clear about his, then, new book Atomic Habits. Little did I know then that this book would rock the publishing world and become a worldwide bestseller.

Jeff Brown

I call it a modern-day 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, or How to Win Friends and Influence People, or Think and Grow Rich.

I had the chance to exchange messages with James over the weekend, and took the opportunity to congratulate him on his incredible milestone (I’d seen a recent post of his on Facebook about it). That milestone is 10MM+ copies sold.

In his post, James was quick to credit everyone else. More than anything he did, James said, it was simple, consistent, and passionate word-of-mouth by us, his readers, that was responsible for his book’s success.

Our exchange inspired me to honor this incredible milestone by revisiting the book in this episode.

This go ’round, I’m sharing an audio summary of Atomic Habits, the audio version of the same written summary I share with my members inside the Read to Lead Community.

By the way, if you’d like to receive a new written book summary every week, jump on over to my Community page and sign up for free. You get access to the Read to Lead Community, the chance to interact with other readers, and a new book summary each and every week.

And, if you’d like to check out my audio summary of Atomic Habits, just hit the play button below.

Join in on our chat below

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS

Continue Reading »

457: The Proven Path for Building a Rewarding Online Business with Matt McWilliams

I’m excited this week for lots of reasons. First, I celebrate my birthday is this week (tomorrow if you’re keeping score)! Second, I get to welcome onto the show a longtime friend and fellow entrepreneur Matt McWillams, whose dream of traditionally publishing a book is finally being realized!

matt mcwilliams

That book is called Turning Your Passions Into Profits: The Proven Path to Building a Rewarding Online Business. And I’m predicting it’s going to debut on a few bestseller lists. Yep, you heard it hear first.

Let me ask you a question: Would you enjoy creating a lifestyle you love by pursuing your passions and turning profits in the process?

Well, you’re in luck, because Matt’s book outlines step-by-step guidance for turning your passions into a profitable and lasting business.

He details how to find and attract your audience, build a following, and ultimately how to monetize your venture quickly and sustainably.

Turn Your Passions into Profits will help you:

  • Gain clarity on the exact steps it takes to start, grow, and monetize your online platform
  • Build up the confidence necessary to share your message with the world
  • Realize that you deserve to create a good income doing what you love
  • Acquire the tools and strategies needed to succeed with an online business and compete against established platforms

So many entrepreneurs either run a profitable business but hate their work or run a business they love, with a message they’re proud of, without making any money. There’s a better way to build a business, one that helps you wake up every day excited and full of purpose and make a profit.

Intrigued? Click the play button below to learn more about Matt and his new book.

Join in on our chat below

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS

Continue Reading »

456: The 6 Books I’m Most Excited About Coming Out in the First Half of 2023

Today, I share my research on the books coming out in the first half of 2023, and I’ve narrowed the ones you should have on your radar to six.

Jeff Brown

Based on their titles, descriptions, the author’s background, and their research, these are the books that I”m really excited about reading. Just yesterday I reached out to the first two authors on this list to invite them on to the show (the first of which has already responded with a “yes”). Hopefully we’ll accomplish getting all six on the show.

Perhaps I’ll do a similar episode in early July to cover books I’m jazzed about coming out in the second half of the year. We’ll see.

For a full list of the books I feature, as well as a brief summary of each, simply scroll down.

By the way, if you’d like to receive a new book summary every week, jump on over to my Community page and sign up for free. You get access to the Read to Lead Community, the chance to interact with other readers, and a new book summary each and every week.

Finally, if you’d rather hear about the books I feature in today’s episode, just hit the play button below.

Join in on our chat below

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS

Continue Reading »

454: Eliminate Difficult Conversations Using the Disconnect Principle with Ann Latham

Last year when my book was released, I was invited shortly after to speak to a group at LinkedIn. LinkedIn staff were kicking off year two of their book club, and had chosen to do so with Read to Lead.

ann latham

My invitation to join that group came from Dan Horowitz, LinkedIn’s senior director of LinkedIn ads. It was a great experience.

Recently, Dan reached out and introduced me to author Ann Latham. Ann has written several books and hundreds of articles over the years.

I soon dove into her new book called The Disconnect Principle: Eliminate Difficult Conversations with Clarity and Empathy.

The Disconnect Principle provides the missing link that will change the way you think about feedback, accountability, and performance management forever. This is the approach that will allow you to be the empathic and effective manager, employee, or peer that you would like to be. 

Intrigued? Click the play button below to learn more about Ann and her book.

Join in on our chat below

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS

Continue Reading »

453: How to Trade Shame, Guilt, and Fear for a More Fulfilling Life with Neal Samudre

Today’s guest has been a friend for several years. I was incredibly excited to learn a couple of years ago that he was working on a book. In fact, we even share the same literary agent.

Neal Samudre

That friend is Neal Samudre, and that book is about to become a reality (January 3, 2023).

It’s co-written with his wife, Carly, and is called Start From Joy: Trade Shame, Guilt, and Fear for Lasting Change, a Lighter Spirit, and a More Fulfilling Life.

Neal and Carly Samudre believe that joy is what’s missing from our ability to make lasting change in our lives.

Building on biblical insights and the latest findings in positive psychology, their new book outlines an emotionally healthy approach to change―one where joy leads the way.

This doesn’t mean we choose happiness, become blindly optimistic, or force ourselves to have a positive mindset. Instead, we discover that real, lasting transformation can come free of shame, guilt, and fear.

It can be fun.

Intrigued? Click the play button below to learn more Neal, Carly, and their book.

Join in on our chat below

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS

Continue Reading »