Amy DuBois Barnett shares the moment she realized no one was coming to save her. That realization pushed her to stop playing it safe and start building a life on her own terms.

From grief and fear to ambition, books, and self-determination, this conversation explores how finding your voice can change everything.

In this episode of Books That Changed My Life, host Chris Collins sits down with Kisa Heyer to explore how one book reshaped the way she thinks about living well, control, and what truly matters.

Kisa shares insights from Being Mortal by Dr. Atul Gawande, reflecting on independence, purpose, perspective, and why the questions we ask ourselves can matter more than the answers.

It's a thoughtful, human conversation about meaning, choice, and how our priorities shift over time. This episode isn't about having all the answer. It's about learning how to ask better questions.

Johnny Knoxville reflects on a life lived outside the rules and the book that helped him understand why. In this episode of Books That Changed My Life, he talks about failure, defiance, and the cost of never fitting neatly into society's expectations.

Knoxville shares how You Can't Win by Jack Black gave him a moral framework rooted in experience rather than authority. It's a conversation about building your own code, finding belonging without conformity, and making peace with who you are.

In this episode of Books That Changed My Life, host Chris Collins sits down with Nicole Cooke Johnson, CEO of Royalty Firm LLC and granddaughter of music legend Sam Cooke. Nicole reflects on growing up under the weight of an iconic legacy, navigating a dog-eat-dog industry with no clear rules, and learning how to make decisions when there was little guidance on how to do business with integrity.

She shares how The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey gave her a framework rooted in character, helping her lead with intention, say no without regret, and steward her grandfather's estate with care. This conversation is about pressure, responsibility, and finding direction when the stakes are high and the roadmap is unclear.

In this episode of Books That Changed My Life, host Chris "Bulldog" Collins sits down with actor, singer, and author Chris Colfer to discuss the book that changed his life: Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher.

We chart Chris's career, from his early success on Glee to the dozens of books he's authored. He speaks candidly about the impact of fame, dealing with rampant homophobia, and navigating the anxieties of public life. Through it all, Carrie Fisher's comedy set-turned-memoir served as a reminder to find levity in the darkness.

This heartfelt conversation between two Chrises serves as a how-to guide for conquering anxiety.

Check out Chris's latest book, Roswell Johnson Saves the Galaxy, the sequel to his bestselling Roswell Johnson Saves the World.

Actress, writer, and producer Nikki DeLoach sits down with Chris Collins for one of the most powerful and vulnerable conversations ever featured on Books That Changed My Life. In this episode, Nikki opens up about the book that transformed everything for her, Untamed by Glennon Doyle, and how its message helped her confront childhood trauma, reclaim her voice, and navigate some of the most intense moments of her life.

This episode blends courage, healing, faith, and the power of books to wake us up to our truest selves. If you've ever felt lost, silenced, or unsure of who you're supposed to be, Nikki's story will stay with you long after the conversation ends.

#booksthatchangedmylife #books #library #bookrecs #bookreport #interview #podcast #chrisbulldogcollins 🚨 Grab the coolest book & library tees, socks, hoodies & more! https://booksthatchangedmylife.org/collections/all

In this episode of Books That Changed My Life, host Chris Collins sits down with global pop icon and fearless Iranian artist Googoosh to explore the book that profoundly shaped her life.

With a legendary career spanning six decades — from Madison Square Garden to the Royal Albert Hall — Googoosh opens up about the unimaginable: being banned from singing for 21 years after the Iranian Revolution, losing her identity, and fighting to reclaim her voice.

Now, with the release of her memoir Googoosh: A Sinful Voice, she reflects on the book that guided her through her darkest years… and shares an exclusive personal revelation she has never told publicly until this interview.

In this episode of Books That Changed My Life, host Chris Collins sits down with CC Rice, a classically trained actor, voice and dialect coach, body language analyst, producer, communication expert, and author of the new book The Root of Awareness. CC shares how The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison profoundly shaped her understanding of herself and her place in the world.

Through an honest and powerful conversation, Chris and CC explore how Morrison's storytelling reflects the experiences of young Black girls, how trauma and identity shape the voice and the body, and why The Bluest Eye remains one of the most influential novels about beauty, belonging, and the inner lives we carry.

If you're interested in how a single book can leave a lifelong impact, this episode offers a meaningful and deeply human perspective on the power of literature.

#booksthatchangedmylife #books #library #bookrecs #bookreport #interview #podcast #chrisbulldogcollins

🚨 Grab the coolest book & library tees, socks, hoodies & more! https://booksthatchangedmylife.org/collections/all