Category Archives: Personal Development

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248: 3 Books You Must Read to Make the Most of 2019

Grab free summaries of all three!

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Today’s episode, the first of 2019, is special. I’ll be sharing three books I believe you must read if you want to make the most of 2019.

All three of these books have been featured selections in my members-only online book club – more on that later.

Two of these books have been featured right here on the podcast.

And one of them is my favorite book of 2018

jeff brown

Just for you, I’ve created written summaries of each of these books and am making them available to you absolutely free.

If you’re on my mailing list, they should already be in your email inbox. If you’re not on my list currently and you’d like to grab these free summaries, you can get them right now by entering your first name and email address below. 

Before we get to these special books, I want to give you a chance to try my online book club for just $1.

When you take me up on this you’re going to get access to all our content from the last two years – including many more book summaries and our virtual book chat recordings – and, you’ll have the chance to attend our January chat LIVE where we’ll be visited by the author of the book we’re reading together this month called Clarity Wins (which, by the way, deserves an honorable mention as a book you should read for a productive 2019).

Get access for 30 days for just $1 by clicking here. Then, at checkout, enter the discount code JAN19.

If after 30 days you don’t think it’s awesome, you can cancel – at which point me and all our current members will mourn your departure. 🙁

Keep reading for more on these important books, or click “play” below

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247: Hospitable Leadership with Terry A. Smith

Author of The Hospitable Leader

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When I agreed to interview today’s guest, there were two key things I didn’t know about him and his new book.

As I cracked it open I learned that not only was he the pastor of a large church in a suburb of New York City, but that Jesus (yes, that Jesus) would be at the center of this idea of hospitable leadership.

Terry A. Smith

How appropriate, then, that our chat with him drops on Christmas Day? Sometimes, things just seem to come together perfectly.

This mystery man is Terry A. Smith, and he’s here today to share from his new book called The Hospitable Leader: Create Environments Where People and Dreams Flourish.

Practicing leadership with a hospitality mindset is the right way – the moral way – to lead people. But when understood properly, hospitable leadership has a radical edge.

And, it brings revolutionary results!

NOTE: Terry is offering the audio version of his book for 50% off, just for listeners of Read to Lead.

Join in on our chat below

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246: Leader by Choice? Yes, says Andres Valdes

7 Decisions That Spark Your Purpose, Passion, and Perseverance

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Imagine growing up and being surrounded by more negative influences than you can count. Do you resign yourself to your circumstances or do you believe you have the power to change your life’s trajectory?

Today’s guest is the perfect example of someone who defied the odds mostly by choosing a different story for his future.

andres valdes

His name is Andres Valdes and he’s here today to share his experiences, both on the show, and in his new book called Leader by Choice: 7 Decisions That Spark Your Purpose, Passion, and Perseverance.

If you’re not happy with the “cards you’ve been dealt,” then this episode is especially for you. Scroll down for more.

Join in on our chat below

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245: The Path to Mastery with Thane Marcus Ringler

Author of From Here to There

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I tend to approach personal growth books written by 20-somethings with a fair amount of skepticism.

My thinking is, what could someone who’s spent less than half as much time on earth as me possibly have to teach me, much less the rest of the world?

thane marcus ringler

Well, while I can begin my journey as a skeptic, I’m open-minded enough not to stay there too long should the situation warrant.

Such is the case with today’s guest, Thane Marcus Ringler.

Let me just say that Thane is wise beyond his years. I mean that. I was taken aback by the way this guy thinks as I read his new book.

That new book, by the way, is From Here to There: A Quarter-Life Perspective on the Path to Mastery.

If I’d had Thane’s level of self-awareness when I was his age, I’d probably already have served my two terms as president. 😉

Seriously, do yourself a favor and read this book (and check out today’s episode).

Join in on our chat below

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244: Building a Successful Business Through Faith in People and a Culture of Hospitality

With Author Cameron Mitchell

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I was reluctant at first when I became aware of the book I’m featuring on today’s show.

I wasn’t convinced there was much for me to learn about business from someone running a successful restaurant company.

cameron mitchell

Call me narrow-minded, but I had doubts about whether the success traits in what I see as a cutthroat industry could possibly be universal. Boy, was I wrong.

Today, author and restaurant success story, Cameron Mitchell, visits the guest chair to discuss his brand new book Yes is the Answer. What is the Question?: How Faith in People and a Culture of Hospitality Built a Modern American Restaurant Company.

Cameron succeeded against all odds, having dropped out of school and run away from home as a teenager. His story is truly a “dish room to boardroom” tale.

Join in on our chat below

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