Even though the Read to Lead Podcast is less than six months old, we’ve already been fortunate to welcome as many as eight New York Times bestselling authors into the guest chair.

It seemed fitting then, on this Christmas Eve edition, to take a look back at what we’ve learned and the ground we’ve been able to cover. The Best of 2013 Volume 1 spans the first twelve episodes of the show.

Hear The Conversations Now

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Today, I get to share with you some of my favorite moments from these first few months and, I gotta say, it was extremely difficult to narrow down. For a list of each author highlighted, along with a link to their original episode and a link to the latest book, just scroll down to the bottom of this post. But, before you do, be sure to enter for your chance to win one of three free books!

Win an Autographed Book!

Today’s episode also brings with it a chance to win one of three different books! They include:

Wisdom Meets Passion: When Generations Collide and Collaborate (autographed) by Dan Miller and his son Jared Angaza

Discover Your Sweet Spot: The 7 Steps to Create a Life of Success and Significance (autographed) by Scott M. Fay

Fire Your Excuses (personalized autograph: especially appropriate if your name is also Jeff) by Dr. Bill Dyment and Dr. Marcus Dayhoff

To win one of these gems, you need to take ALL of the following three actions:

1. Leave a comment on this post stating which book you hope to win and why (scroll down to comment). Be creative!
2. Fill out this special form with your name and address (if you don’t hear from me, you can assume you didn’t win)
3. Tweet this sentence (just click on it): Win 1 of 3 books from the #ReadtoLead Podcast with @THEjeffbrown! Find out more here: http://ctt.ec/I5Non+

Yes, I realize tweeting this lessens your chances of winning – as more people are likely to enter – but I hope you’ll agree that potentially providing you with a free book is a fair exchange. I will choose the winners and notify each via e-mail by Saturday morning, December 28th.

I hope you win. Good luck!

Attend Podcaster Academy FREE When You Join Podcasters’ Paradise

I’d like to invite you to a special webinar on January 15 that I will be co-hosting with John Lee Dumas, host of EOF.

John has recently launched Podcasters’ Paradise, an online community for podcasters complete with tutorial videos, various templates and other how-tos. In fact, right now there are over 300 hundred podcasters already participating.

If you’ve listened to my podcast recently, you might be saying to yourself, “But wait Jeff. Don’t you offer an online course for podcasters yourself called Podcaster Academy?” I do indeed and…

I think it makes a great compliment to Podcasters’ Paradise, in that the focus of my course is on, not so much launching your podcast and understanding the technology, but sharpening your communication skills by helping you sound more confident and conversational and raising your interviewing skills to a whole new level.

Here’s the best part: When you sign up for Podcasters’ Paradise either now or during the webinar, you’ll get my month-long course, complete with one-on-one personalized sessions, absolutely FREE!

I hope you’ll agree this is a great deal. And whether you’ve recently launched a podcast or are going to soon, I think this is the perfect combo for you. Podcasters’ Paradise and Podcaster Academy: two programs for the price of one.

Today’s Featured Authors and Their Latest Books

Now, for that list I promised. Here, in the order of their appearance, is each author featured in our Best of 2013 Volume 1 episode, and a link to the latest book from each.

From Episode #001 – Dan Miller, Author of Wisdom Meets Passion: When Generations Collide and Collaborate

From Episode #002 – Robert D. Smith, Author of 20,000 Days and Counting: The Crash Course for Mastering Your Life Right Now

From Episode #003 – John Lee Dumas, Author of Podcast Launch: How to Podcast; a complete guide. Includes 15 Video Tutorials!

From Episode #004 – Jeff Goins, Author of The In-Between: Embracing the Tension Between Now and the Next Big Thing

From Episode #005 – Jay Baeer, Author of Youtility: Why Smart Marketing Is about Help Not Hype

From Episode #007 – Pat Flynn, Author of Let Go by Pat Flynn

From Episode #008 – G. Richard Shell, Author of Springboard: Launching Your Personal Search for Success

From Episode #011 – Erik J. Fisher, Author of Beyond The To-Do List: Goals

From Episode #012 – Jon Acuff, Author of Start: Punch Fear in the Face, Escape Average and Do Work that Matters

Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes.  This helps tremendously in bringing the podcast to the attention of others. I am mentioning the names of all who rate the podcast with 5 stars in future episodes. You can also rate and review the podcast on Stitcher.

We encourage you to join the Read to Lead Nation on Facebook.  It’s a community of like-minded leaders and leader-to-be, as well as fans of the Read to Lead Podcast.

You can tell your friends on Twitter about your love of reading and our new podcast by simply clicking this link and sharing the tweet you’ll find at the other end.

And, by all means, if you know someone you think would benefit, please spread the word by using the share buttons below and up top.

Finally, thanks for listening and remember, “Leaders read and readers lead.”

Hear Our Conversation Now

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