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Great Books Distilled: Summaries of Bestselling Business and Investing Books

Listen as we decode bestselling books across disciplines with their authors — distilling hours of reading into a short, definitive conversation. We break down the big ideas, how to apply them, and take you behind the scenes into the process of writing the book. Past guests include Yale professor Verlyn Klinkenborg (Several Short Sentences About Writing), polar explorer Erling Kagge (In Praise of Silence and Philosophy for Polar Explorers), survival expert Laurence Gonzales (Deep Survival), geopolitical expert Jacob Halberg (The Wires of Ware), 1-800-GOT-JUNK founder Brian Scudamore (WTF?! - Willing To Fail), and renowned investor Sir Ronald Cohen (IMPACT). Visit Ou...

"To Pixar And Beyond: My Unlikely Journey with Steve Jobs to Make Entertainment History" by Lawrence Levy

62 hours 44 mins; January 31, 2024

Trailer - "To Pixar And Beyond: My Unlikely Journey with Steve Jobs to Make Entertainment History" by Lawrence Levy

2 mins; January 31, 2024

Part 2 of 2: "Insanely Simple: The Obsession That Drives Apple's Success"

43 mins; January 25, 2024

Trailer - Part 2 of 2: "Insanely Simple: The Obsession That Drives Apple's Success"

1 min; January 25, 2024

Part 1 of 2: "Insanely Simple: The Obsession That Drives Apple's Success"

57 mins; January 23, 2024

Trailer - Part 1 of 2: "Insanely Simple: The Obsession That Drives Apple's Success"

2 mins; January 23, 2024

"Turning the Flywheel: Why Some Companies Build Momentum and Others Don't" by Jim Collins

68 hours 10 mins; January 17, 2024

Trailer - "Turning the Flywheel: Why Some Companies Build Momentum and Others Don't" by Jim Collins

3 mins; January 17, 2024

"The Tao of Charlie Munger: Wisdom on Life, Business, and the Pursuit of Wealth" by David Clark

23 mins; January 10, 2024

Trailer - "The Tao of Charlie Munger: Wisdom on Life, Business, and the Pursuit of Wealth" by David Clark

1 min; January 10, 2024

Part 2 of 2: “The Essays of Warren Buffett: Warren's Shareholder Letters from 50+ Years Grouped by Topic” by Lawrence Cunningham

95 hours 22 mins; January 04, 2024

Trailer - Part 2 of 2: “The Essays of Warren Buffett: Warren's Shareholder Letters from 50+ Years Grouped by Topic” by Lawrence Cunningham

1 min; January 04, 2024

Part 1 of 2: “The Essays of Warren Buffett: Warren's Shareholder Letters from 50+ Years Grouped by Topic” by Lawrence Cunningham

97 hours 54 mins; January 02, 2024

Trailer - Part 1 of 2: “The Essays of Warren Buffett: Warren's Shareholder Letters from 50+ Years Grouped by Topic” by Lawrence Cunningham

1 min; January 02, 2024

Essay Breakdown: Jony Ive's Dedication to Steve Jobs in "Designed by Apple in California"

11 mins; November 27, 2023

Trailer: Essay Breakdown: Jony Ive's Dedication to Steve Jobs in "Designed by Apple in California"

2 mins; November 27, 2023

Bonus: Founder Profile - Forward: Bringing Healthcare as a Product to a Billion People | Adrian Aoun, CEO and Founder

63 hours 48 mins; November 26, 2023

Trailer – Bonus: Founder Profile - Forward: Bringing Healthcare as a Product to a Billion People | Adrian Aoun, CEO and Founder

4 mins; November 26, 2023

Friday 5: Five Lessons on Simplicity from Steve Jobs

17 mins; November 24, 2023

(2 of 2) Book Breakdown: "Insanely Simple: The Obsession That Drives Apple's Success" by Ken Segall, Creator of the iMac name and Think Different campaign

43 mins; November 23, 2023

Trailer: (2 of 2) Book Breakdown: "Insanely Simple: The Obsession That Drives Apple's Success" by Ken Segall, Creator of the iMac name and Think Different campaign

1 min; November 23, 2023

(1 of 2) Book Breakdown: "Insanely Simple: The Obsession That Drives Apple's Success" by Ken Segall, Creator of the iMac name and Think Different campaign

56 mins; November 22, 2023

Trailer: (1 of 2) Book Breakdown: "Insanely Simple: The Obsession That Drives Apple's Success" by Ken Segall, Creator of the iMac name and Think Different campaign

2 mins; November 22, 2023

Essay Breakdown: "Imitators take note — Steve Jobs was more than a showman" by Michael Moritz, Author of "Inside the Little Kingdom" and Partner at Sequoia Capital

13 mins; November 20, 2023

Trailer: Essay Breakdown - "Imitators take note — Steve Jobs was more than a showman" by Michael Moritz, Author of "Inside the Little Kingdom" and Partner at Sequoia Capital

3 mins; November 20, 2023

Book Breadown: "I, Steve: Steve Jobs in his Own Words" by George Beahm

41 mins; October 23, 2023

Book Breadown: "I, Steve: Steve Jobs in his Own Words" by George Beahm

2 mins; October 23, 2023

Bonus Breakdown: "Several Short Sentences About Writing" - A Masterclass on Becoming a Better Writer with Verlyn Klinkenborg, Author & Yale Professor

74 hours 0 mins; October 07, 2023

Friday 5: Timeless vs Time-Bound Knowledge, Your Inner Scorecard, and The Recipe for Breakthroughs

9 mins; October 06, 2023

Book Breakdown (1 of 2): “The Essays of Warren Buffett: Lessons for Corporate America” by Lawrence Cunningham

95 hours 54 mins; October 03, 2023

Trailer - Book Breakdown (Part 1 of 2): “The Essays of Warren Buffett: Lessons for Corporate America” by Lawrence Cunningham

1 min; October 03, 2023

Investor Letter Breakdown: “The Anxieties of Business Change” by Warren Buffett

22 mins; October 02, 2023

Trailer: Investor Letter Breakdown - “The Anxieties of Business Change” by Warren Buffett

2 mins; October 02, 2023

Snow Leopard: How Legendary Writers Create a Category Of One | Nicolas Cole, Author and Co-Founder of Category Pirates

82 hours 0 mins; September 09, 2023

Friday 5: Being larger than the situation, loving the work, and the problem you face when your dreams come true

6 mins; September 08, 2023

Book Breakdown: “Turning the Flywheel” by Jim Collins

66 hours 10 mins; August 30, 2023

Trailer - Book Breakdown: “Turning the Flywheel” by Jim Collins

3 mins; August 30, 2023

Essay Breakdown: “How To Do Great Work” by Paul Graham

100 hours 19 mins; August 28, 2023

Trailer - Essay Breakdown: “How To Do Great Work” by Paul Graham

2 mins; August 28, 2023

Friday 5: Timeless vs Time-Bound Knowledge, Your Inner Scorecard, and The Recipe for Breakthroughs

10 mins; August 04, 2023

Book Breakdown (2 of 2): “The Essays of Warren Buffett: Lessons for Corporate America” by Lawrence Cunningham

93 hours 22 mins; August 03, 2023

Trailer - Book Breakdown (Part 2 of 2): “The Essays of Warren Buffett: Lessons for Corporate America” by Lawrence Cunningham

1 min; August 03, 2023

Book Breakdown (1 of 2): “The Essays of Warren Buffett: Lessons for Corporate America” by Lawrence Cunningham

95 hours 54 mins; August 01, 2023

Trailer - Book Breakdown (Part 1 of 2): “The Essays of Warren Buffett: Lessons for Corporate America” by Lawrence Cunningham

1 min; August 01, 2023

Essay Breakdown: “The Playing Field” by Graham Duncan | Outliers with Daniel Scrivner

43 mins; July 31, 2023

Trailer - Essay Breakdown: “The Playing Field” by Graham Duncan

1 min; July 30, 2023

The Founders (Book Summary): The Story of Paypal and the Entrepreneurs Who Shaped Silicon Valley from Elon Musk to Reid Hoffman to Peter Thiel | Jimmy Soni, Bestselling Author & Former Huffington Post Managing Editor

71 hours 22 mins; March 28, 2023

The Laws of Creativity: How to Unlock Your Originality and Awaken Your Creative Genius | Joey Cofone, Author & Founder of Baronfig

75 hours 25 mins; March 07, 2023

Trailer – The Laws of Creativity: How to Unlock Your Originality and Awaken Your Creative Genius | Joey Cofone, Author & Founder of Baronfig

5 mins; March 06, 2023

All-Time Top Guests – Verlyn Klinkenborg (Several Short Sentences About Writing: A Masterclass on Becoming a Better Writer)

74 hours 0 mins; December 28, 2022

All-Time Top Guests – Laurence Gonzales (Deep Survival: The Incredible Neuroscience of Survival, Who Lives, and Who Dies)

83 hours 38 mins; December 23, 2022

All-Time Top Guests – Laurence Gonzales (The Chemistry of Fire: Stories from the Top of Mount Washington to 12,000 Feet Beneath the Ocean to Night Assaults with the 82nd Airborne Division)

42 mins; December 23, 2022

All-Time Top Guests – Kevin Kelly (On Technology's Origins, What Technology Wants, and Advising Steven Speilberg on Minority Report)

48 mins; December 19, 2022

All-Time Top Guests – #Kevin Kelly (Vanishing Asia: A Masterclass on the Past, Present, and Future of Asia)

74 hours 56 mins; December 19, 2022

Best Books & Authors in 2022 – Joey Cofone (The Laws of Creativity: How to Unlock Your Originality and Awaken Your Creative Genius)

75 hours 25 mins; December 09, 2022

Best Books & Authors in 2022 – Marc Champagne (Personal Socrates: On Self-Reflection, Self Improvement, and the Socratic Method)

45 mins; December 08, 2022

Best Books & Authors in 2022 – Brian Scudamore (Willing to Fail [WTF]: How Failure Can Be Your Key to Success)

51 mins; December 07, 2022

Best Books & Authors in 2022 – Jacob Helberg (The Wires of War: The Fight Between Democracy and Autocracy for the Future of the Internet)

55 mins; December 06, 2022

Best Books & Authors in 2022 – Jason Crawford (Roots of Progress: On Technological Progress and How Innovation and Invention Happens)

61 hours 29 mins; December 05, 2022

“The Warrior Ethos” by Steven Pressfield: A Deep Historical Examination of the Values and Ethics of Warriors Throughout History

41 mins; November 28, 2022

Trailer → “The Warrior Ethos” by Steven Pressfield: A Deep Historical Examination of the Values and Ethics of Warriors Throughout History

3 mins; November 27, 2022

Several Short Sentences About Writing: A Masterclass on Becoming a Better Writer | Verlyn Klinkenborg, Author & Yale Professor

74 hours 0 mins; November 23, 2022

The Laws of Creativity: How to Unlock Your Originality and Awaken Your Creative Genius | Joey Cofone, Author & Founder of Baronfig

75 hours 25 mins; October 19, 2022

Trailer – The Laws of Creativity: How to Unlock Your Originality and Awaken Your Creative Genius

5 mins; October 17, 2022

Snow Leopard: How Legendary Writers Create a Category Of One | Nicolas Cole, Author and Co-Founder of Category Pirates

82 hours 0 mins; October 12, 2022

Trailer – Snow Leopard: How Legendary Writers Create A Category Of One | Nicolas Cole, Author and Co-Founder of Category Pirates

5 mins; October 11, 2022

Experiment Without Limits: Achieving Peak Performance Through Experimentation | Chris Sparks, Author & Founder of Forcing Function

93 hours 47 mins; September 14, 2022

Willing to Fail (WTF): How Failure Can Be Your Key to Success | Brian Scudamore, Author & Founder of 1-800-GOT-JUNK

51 mins; March 23, 2022

Roots of Progress: On Technological Progress and How Innovation and Invention Happens | Jason Crawford, Founder

61 hours 29 mins; December 15, 2021

The Wires of War: The Fight Between Democracy and Autocracy for the Future of the Internet | Jacob Helberg, Author

55 mins; November 17, 2021

Personal Socrates: On Self-Reflection, Self Improvement, and the Socratic Method | Marc Champagne, Author

45 mins; October 20, 2021

Impact: Optimizing Risk, Return, and Impact in Investing | Sir Ronald Cohen, Author

56 mins; September 01, 2021

The New Consumer: On The Future of Consumer Brands and What The Best Ones Get Right | Dan Frommer, Founder

63 hours 35 mins; August 25, 2021

The Messy Middle: Lessons Learned as a Founder, Investor, and Bestselling Author | Scott Belsky, Author & Venture Capitalist

55 mins; May 12, 2021

Vanishing Asia: A Masterclass on the Past, Present, and Future of Asia | Kevin Kelly, Author

74 hours 56 mins; April 27, 2021

Several Short Sentences About Writing: A Masterclass on Becoming a Better Writer | Verlyn Klinkenborg, Author & Yale Professor

74 hours 0 mins; February 10, 2021

The Chemistry of Fire: Stories from the Top of Mount Washington to 12,000 Feet Beneath the Ocean to Night Assaults with the 82nd Airborne Divison | Laurence Gonzales, Author

42 mins; January 29, 2021

The Art and Business of Online Writing: On Data Driven Writing and How to Reach 100 Million People | Nicolas Cole, Author

87 hours 2 mins; December 09, 2020

Erling Kagge: The Famed Norwegian Explorer on Silence, Philosophy, and Summiting Mount Everest

70 hours 45 mins; December 02, 2020

WIRED: On Technology's Origins, What Technology Wants, and Advising Steven Speilberg on Minority Report | Kevin Kelly, Founding Executive Editor

48 mins; November 18, 2020

Called Out: Fear, Faith, and Finding Your Calling | Paula Faris, Author & Emmy-Nominated Journalist

73 hours 29 mins; November 11, 2020

Deep Survival: The Incredible Neuroscience of Survival, Who Lives, and Who Dies | Laurence Gonzales, Author

83 hours 38 mins; October 14, 2020

NPR: On Finding, Owning, and Loving Your Voice | Jessica Hansen, In-House Voice Coach

63 hours 3 mins; September 24, 2020

Every: Business Strategy and Building the World's Best Writing Bundle | Nathan Baschez, Co-Founder & CEO

68 hours 33 mins; September 10, 2020

Great Books Distilled: Summaries of Bestselling Business and Investing Books

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