I had a lot of time in my car this past week and listened to my favorite podcasts and finished listening to the book “The Art of Racing in the Rain” by Garth Stein.  They were so great, that I thought it would be fun to share with you some of my favorite things that I have been recently reading and listening to!  

Stay tuned next week for an exciting announcement coming up this January!  Here is a sneak peek! 

Here are my favorites podcasts, books, and posts that I am loving.

Books I am Reading Now:

The Artist’s Journey by Steven Pressfield – A calling to express oneself through writing, music, and artistic ways in the pursuit of a passionate and meaningful life.

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein –  I listened to this book on Audible and watched the movie this past weekend.  A heart-warming story told through the experience of a dog who wants to be a race car driver, like his master, in his next life.  So many great life lessons and even performance psychology references written within this story. 

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens –  This book is a haunting tale of a young woman who lives alone in the marshlands of North Carolina and becomes involved in a murder mystery.  A beautifully written book that I can hardly put down!  

Super Attractor by Gabrielle Bernstein – This author offers tangible and lovely ways to access the power within to energize and manifest the important things that you desire for your life. 

Podcast Favorite:

I absolutely love this podcast!  The last two I listened to with Edward Norton and siblings, Kate and Oliver Hudson were particularly captivating.  The conversations are smart, honest and insightful.  Actor and podcast founder Dax Shepard is funny and vulnerable in his interviews and celebrates the challenges and setbacks that ultimately lead to growth and betterment.  You will laugh, but mostly you will learn something about yourself within these conversations.   Here are the two podcasts:  Kate & Oliver Hudson – Hilarious and yet moving stories of their childhood and close relationship as adults. (listen for the Kurt Russell and OJ chase story!!) Edward Norton –  Edward is incredibly brilliant.  Dax and Edward discuss their insecurities even when they have so much.  A very interesting and honest conversation between two friends.   There are other fantastic interviews, search and explore the many topics that he and his guests discuss!  Armchair Expert website link.

If you have not heard of Brendon Burchard, here is my introduction for you!  He is a prolific personal development trainer who is very skillful at communicating how to live a successful and super-charged life.   I subscribe to his weekly newsletters and this past week’s Vlog (video blog) was particularly great.  He discusses how to design your destiny by:

• Deciding who you are going to be.
• Deciding how you will design your day. 
• How will you respond to fate?  Eventually, fate will introduce us to struggle and suffering.  So when it comes, how will you decide who you are going to be and how your days will be in response to this fate? 

Essentially it is about controlling the only thing we can, yourself, to determine your destiny.  Listen to Brendon’s, Deciding on Destiny Vlog here.

Great Mindful Article for the Holidays:

Instagram Fav:

This came through my Instagram feed this week and it is so perfect.  A really amazing thing happens when we give up the need to control people or situations that cannot be changed.  It frees up space to unconditionally support others from where they are so that we can develop a deeper connection and healthy interactions from a place of kindness and compassion.