Episodes

  • 239: Proust and The Squid by Maryanne Wolf
    Jan 2 2026

    Today's author (and neuropsychologist) shows us how and why the human brain has adapted in order to read and write. Join Mike & Cory as they examine the past and consider the future of the reading brain.

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    New Bookworm website

    Mike’s Live Practical PKM Cohort

    Sublime

    Proust and The Squid by Maryanne Wolf

    Reader, Come Home by Maryanne Wolf

    #196: Focus & The Reading Life, with Maryanne Wolf

    Bandersnatch by Diana Glyer

    How to Read a Book by Mortimer Adler

    The Veldt by Ray Bradbury
    Hacking the Human Mind by Richard Shotton and MichaelAaron Flicker
    Intentional by Chris Bailey

    Ready Player One by Ernest Cline


    Mike's Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
    Cory's Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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    1 hr and 40 mins
  • 238: Sketch Your Mind by Zsolt Viczian
    Dec 19 2025

    Today's author promises to help us build a visual-first system to capture, connect, and use our ideas like never before. Join Mike & Cory as ponder the creative power of the visual zettelkasten.

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    Lazy.so
    Sketch Your Mind by Zsolt Viczian
    A System for Writing by Bob Doto
    Excalidraw
    Excalidraw Obsidian plugin
    Excalibrain Obsidian plugin
    GoodNotes
    MindNode
    Sublime
    The Sketchnote Workbook by Mike Rohde
    Rory's Story Cubes
    Prouse and The Squid by Maryanne Wolf
    Hacking the Human Mind by Richard Shotton and Michaelaaron Flicker
    Intentional by Chris Bailey

    Mike's Rating: 4.0
    Cory's Rating: 5.0

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    1 hr and 36 mins
  • 237: Toxic Grit by Amanda Goetz
    Dec 5 2025

    For years, we’ve been told the answer to burnout is better balance. Today’s author promises to show us a better way. Join Mike and Cory as they examine an alternative approach to ambition.

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    Recommend a Book
    Craft + Commerce
    Sponsor Games
    The Pathless Path Premium Hardcover Edition
    Otterpine Press
    Bookworm #208: Good Work
    Toxic Grit by Amanda Goetz
    Practical PKM Hybrid Cohort
    Bookworm 232: Published
    Bookworm #234: Sponsor Magnet
    Blanc Media 8-Week Sabbaticals
    The Second Mountain by David Brooks
    Focused 243: 243: The Single Source of Truth is On the Fridge, with Thom Gibson
    Sketch Your Mind by Zsolt Viczian
    The Proust & The Squid by Maryanne Wolf
    Bookworm Shirts


    Mike's Rating: 3.0
    Cory's Rating: 3.0

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    1 hr and 48 mins
  • 236: Wisdom Takes Work by Ryan Holiday
    Nov 21 2025

    Today’s author promises to teach us how to listen more than we talk, to think with nuance, to ruthlessly question our own beliefs, and to develop a method of self-education. Join Mike & Cory as they consider the virtue on which all other virtues depend.

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    Recommend a Book
    Personal Retreat Planner
    Bookworm #235: Made to Stick
    Sponsor Games
    Wisdom Takes Work by Ryan Holiday
    Bookworm #213: Meditations
    LifeHQ
    Scrivener
    Poor Charlie’s Almanack
    The Deep Life #371: Is It Finally Time to Leave Social Media?
    Bookworm #201: Right Thing, Right Now
    Bookworm #158: Discipline is Destiny
    Bookworm #130: Courage is Calling
    Focused #239: How to Focus Like a Roman Emperor, with Donald J. Robertson
    Toxic Grit by Amanda Goetz
    Sketch Your Mind by Zsolt Viczian
    Excalidraw plugin
    A System for Writing by Bob Doto
    Bookworm Shirts


    Mike's Rating: 5.0
    Cory's Rating: 4.0

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    1 hr and 38 mins
  • 234: Sponsor Magnet by Justin Moore
    Oct 24 2025

    Today’s author promises to give us the tools we need to turn influence into income. Join Mike & Cory as they consider building their own dream brand partnerships.

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    Recommend a Book
    FC26
    The Personal Retreat Planner
    Sponsor Magnet by Justin Moore
    Signature Framework
    Sponsor Games
    Creator Wizard
    Building a Second Brain book
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    Mike’s Morgen Video
    Creator Flywheels course
    Justin Welsch
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    Made to Stick by Chip & Dan Heath
    Wisdom Takes Work by Ryan Holiday
    Bookworm Shirts

    Mike's Rating: 5.0
    Cory's Rating: 5.0

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    1 hr and 31 mins
  • 233: Time Anxiety by Chris Guillebeau
    Oct 10 2025

    Today’s author promises to give us the antidote to deadline dread, time guilt, and chronic rushing. Join Mike & Cory as they attempt to redefine their relationships with the clock.

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    Recommend a Book
    Overcoming Procrastination (Chris Bailey’s course)
    The Personal Retreat Planner
    Mike’s Personal Retreat video
    Time Anxiety by Chris Guillebeau
    The Technological Society by Jacques Ellul
    Mike’s essay on cranking vs. creating
    Feel-Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal
    How to Read a Book by Mortimer Adler
    Sponsor Magnet by Justin Moore
    Made to Stick by Chip & Dan Heath
    Bookworm Shirts

    Mike's Rating: 4.0
    Cory's Rating: 3.5

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    1 hr and 28 mins
  • 232: Published by Chandler Bolt
    Sep 26 2025

    Today’s author promises to give us a map to go from blank page to published author as fast as possible. Join Mike & Cory as they consider what it takes to actually write a book.

    Support the Show
    Recommend a Book
    The Personal Retreat Planner
    Mike’s Book Notes
    Overcoming Procrastination (Chris Bailey’s course)
    The Productivity Project by Chris Bailey
    Hyperfocus by Chris Bailey
    How to Calm Your Mind by Chris Bailey
    Focused #238: Knitting Our Parachutes
    Published by Chandler Bolt
    Selfpublishing.com
    MindNode
    LifeHQ
    Senja
    Creator Science podcast with Jay Clouse & Justin Moore
    Sponsor Magnet by Justin Moore
    Building a Second Brain by Tiago Forte
    Time Anxiety by Chris Guillebeau
    Bookworm Shirts

    Mike's Rating: 4.0
    Cory's Rating: 5.0

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    1 hr and 34 mins