Episodes

  • #33 - Rework by Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson
    Dec 17 2025

    A discussion on the book Rework by Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson.

    Rework by Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson is written in the style where each chapter is made up of a handful of mini articles, with the articles being about one and a half pages on average. There are about 90 of these mini articles, with each being a nugget of wisdom on how to rework work and run a business.

    Hosted by Peter Banda & James de Klerk



    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mindfulreading.substack.com
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    1 hr and 42 mins
  • #32 - Start With Why by Simon Sinek
    Nov 6 2025

    A discussion on the book Start With Why by Simon Sinek.

    Start With Why by Simon Sinek introduces The Golden Circle, an idea he developed while trying to understand why some marketing worked better than others. Over time, he realized the concept explained not just effective marketing, but how great leaders and organizations inspire action. The Golden Circle consists of three layers - Why, How, and What - with “why” at the center representing purpose or belief. Sinek illustrates the idea with examples from companies like Apple and Harley-Davidson, showing how those that “start with why” inspire loyalty and success. The book’s central message, reflected in its subtitle, is that great leaders inspire everyone to take action by starting with why.

    Hosted by Peter Banda & James de Klerk



    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mindfulreading.substack.com
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    1 hr and 56 mins
  • #31 - All About Love by bell hooks
    Sep 27 2025

    A discussion on the book All About Love by bell hooks.

    All About Love by bell hooks is a call to return to love in a culture of lovelessness. It digs in to the difficulties of life and love through the lens of feminism. Touching on the importance of defining love clearly, on the importance of a love ethic, and how love is found in community and communion with others. She urges readers to forgo the alure of materialism, and rather to live simply, and by doing so, take a step forward in art of loving.

    Hosted by Peter Banda & James de Klerk



    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mindfulreading.substack.com
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    2 hrs and 7 mins
  • #30 - The Courage to be Disliked by Fumitake Koga and Ichiro Kishimi
    Sep 6 2025

    A discussion on the book The Courage to be Disliked by Fumitake Koga and Ichiro Kishimi

    The Courage to be Disliked by Fumitake Koga and Ichiro Kishimi, is written as a Greek style dialog between a young man and a philosopher. The young man, dissatisfied with life, went to the philosopher to learn how, or even if, he could ever be happy. Over the course of five nights the philosopher walks the young man through the philosophy of Alfred Adler, a present-future goal oriented philosophy, referred to as teleology, and contrasts it with Sigmund Freud's philosophy, which he says is past oriented, referred to as aetiology.

    Hosted by Peter Banda & James de Klerk



    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mindfulreading.substack.com
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    1 hr and 46 mins
  • #29 - The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy
    Aug 10 2025

    A discussion of the book The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy.

    The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy is a classic type of self-help book, being a mixture of motivational stories and a collection of Darren's techniques for achieving consistent success in work and life. The focus of the book is on how, if you apply his tips and techniques, you can achieve consistent progress, which will compound and end up in orders of magnitude better results. As he writes, "Nothing works like the power of the Compound Effect of simple actions done right over time. That is it."

    Hosted by Peter Banda & James de Klerk



    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mindfulreading.substack.com
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    1 hr and 58 mins
  • #28 - The Art of Loving by Erich Fromm
    Jul 5 2025

    A discussion of the book The Art of Loving by Erich Fromm.

    The Art of Loving by Erich Fromm argues that one of the core problems we face as humans is that of separateness. The solution, he suggests, is unity, achieved through love - not merely a feeling, but an art, the result of the active, productive orientation of one’s whole character. Fromm suggests that, as with any art, learning to love begins with understanding the theory, followed by mastering the practice. The book starts with the theory of love and concludes with steps toward mastering its practice.

    Hosted by Peter Banda & James de Klerk



    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mindfulreading.substack.com
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    1 hr and 35 mins
  • #27 - As a Man Thinketh by James Allen
    Jun 5 2025

    A discussion of the book As a Man Thinketh by James Allen.

    As a Man Thinketh by James Allen is a book about how our thoughts shape our reality. To quote from the book, "This little volume...its object being to stimulate men and women to the discovery and perception of the truth that - *They themselves are makers of themselves* by virtue of the thoughts which they choose and encourage; that mind is the master-weaver, both of the inner garment of character and the outer garment of circumstance"

    Hosted by Peter Banda & James de Klerk



    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mindfulreading.substack.com
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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • #26 - Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman
    May 7 2025

    A discussion of the book Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman.

    Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman challenges the conventional approach to productivity and time management, arguing that the modern obsession with "getting everything done" is an attempt to control the uncontrollable. Instead, the book encourages readers to embrace their finitude. Burkeman suggests that much of our anxiety and feeling of being overwhelmed comes from our resistance to the fact that we can't do it all - we are limited by our finitude. Drawing on philosophical insights, the book advocates for a shift in perspective, urging us to prioritize what truly matters, accept that we cannot do everything, and find meaning in the present moment and in activities themselves, rather than solely in their outcomes. It's a call to move beyond the efficiency trap and build a more meaningful life by consciously choosing how to spend our limited time.

    Hosted by Peter Banda & James de Klerk



    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mindfulreading.substack.com
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    2 hrs and 35 mins