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On Books

83 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 2 years ago - ★★★★ - 39 ratings

On Books is a podcast about books. Think of it as a two-person book club — or a series of thirty-minute audiobooks. Each week on the show Chris Castiglione brings you a new book. Highlights include: Mating in Captivity, Sapiens, Sex at Dawn, Letters to a Young Poet, Educated, How Not to Die, Charles Duhigg’s The Power of Habit, Mark Manson’s The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, Zero Waste Home, The Artist's Way, Conscious Capitalism, Blink, as well as exclusive interviews with Neil Strauss, Haruki Murakami, Kevin Kelly, Peter Singer and more.

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Episodes

63: The Social Good Book Series: The Long Now Interview with Zander Rose (Part 4)

October 31, 2021 16:00 - 23 minutes - 36.9 MB

In this episode I talk with Zander Rose (Director of the Long Now Foundation) on long-term thinking, and building something that lasts longer than ourselves. This is the fourth episode in the series, but feel free to listen to them in any order you like. Books notes available at: http://www.on-books.com

62: Love Hurts: Buddhist Advice for the Heartbroken by Lordo Rinzler

October 25, 2021 16:00 - 24 minutes - 43.9 MB

Buddhism has a lot to say about suffering—and there are likely few times we suffer more intensely than when we break up with a romantic partner. It feels like you may never recover sometimes. But Lodro Rinzler has wonderfully good news for those suffering heartbreak: the 2,500-year-old teachings of the Buddha are the ultimate antidote for emotional pain. And you don’t need to be a Buddhist for them to apply to you. In this short and compact first-aid kit for a broken heart, he walks you th...

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari [Rebroadcast]

October 18, 2021 16:00 - 35 minutes - 57.3 MB

From a renowned historian comes a groundbreaking narrative of humanity’s creation and evolution—a #1 international bestseller—that explores the ways in which biology and history have defined us and enhanced our understanding of what it means to be “human.” One hundred thousand years ago, at least six different species of humans inhabited Earth. Yet today there is only one—homo sapiens. What happened to the others? And what may happen to us? Most books about the history of humanity pursue...

Buy the Change You Want to See

October 11, 2021 16:00 - 42 minutes - 76.8 MB

Buy the Change You Want to See is a new book that just came out, by Jane Mosbacher Morris. It's promoting the idea to “Vote with your dollar,” a concept that I love, and to the best of my extent, try to live by everyday. Vote with your dollar is more or less the idea that you, as the consumer, you have the power to change the world by influencing it with your buying decisions. If you use your money to support Patagonia or Whole Foods (they will benefit and survive longer). On the other han...

Educated by Tara Westover

October 04, 2021 16:00 - 27 minutes - 52.2 MB

Educated is the memoir about a girl who went from being homeschooled in rural Idaho, to receive her Ph.D. from Cambridge University. Along the way she confronts poverty, ignorance, violence, and a host of other challenges. It's the remarkable, true story of Westover's journey to find an education. Educated was on the top of Bill Gate's Book list of 2018, as well as Barak Obama, Oprah, and the New York Times. And now it's on the top of my list! This week I chat with Allison Goldberg (Blogolog...

How Not To Die

September 27, 2021 16:00 - 27 minutes - 44.7 MB

In How Not to Die, Dr. Michael Greger, the internationally-renowned nutrition expert, physician, and founder of NutritionFacts.org, examines the fifteen top causes of premature death in America--heart disease, various cancers, diabetes, Parkinson's, high blood pressure, and more--and explains how nutritional and lifestyle interventions can sometimes trump prescription pills and other pharmaceutical and surgical approaches to help prevent and reverse these diseases, freeing us to live healthi...

Conscious Capitalism with Corey Blake

September 20, 2021 16:00 - 49 minutes - 85.6 MB

Conscious Capitalism is a way of thinking about capitalism and business that better reflects where we are in the human journey, the state of our world today, and the innate potential of business to make a positive impact on the world. Started by Whole Foods co-founder John Mackey and professor Raj Sisodia, "conscious businesses" are galvanized by higher purposes that serve, align, and integrate the interests of all their major stakeholders. In this episode of On Books I discuss Conscious C...

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

September 13, 2021 16:00 - 23 minutes - 38.3 MB

In a profound work that pivots from the biggest questions about American history and ideals to the most intimate concerns of a father for his son, Ta-Nehisi Coates offers a powerful new framework for understanding our nation’s history and current crisis. Americans have built an empire on the idea of “race,” a falsehood that damages us all but falls most heavily on the bodies of black women and men—bodies exploited through slavery and segregation, and, today, threatened, locked up, and murder...

How Buildings Learn by Stewart Brand

September 13, 2021 16:00 - 12 minutes - 23.8 MB

I love this book because while the subject of is "buildings," it's really about time. What happens to the objects we create over time? Buildings inevitably change with time, but what makes some get better, while others get worse? To answer that question, Stewart Brand has organized hundreds of photos, and written a poetic narrative linking together decades of lessons learned from I. M. Pei's Media Lab, George Washington's Mount Vernon home, Greenwich Village brownstones, and many more exam...

50 Ways to Get a Job with Dev Aujla

September 06, 2021 16:00 - 42 minutes - 84.3 MB

50 Ways to Get a Job is a career book with fifty proven exercises you can use to find meaningful work. Last week I met with Dev Aujla to discuss his favorite takeaways from the book. One thing I have concluded after my chat with Dev: Resumes alone don’t work. How do most people apply for a job? Most people make a resume, apply to job boards, and then wait around hoping that someone, somewhere, will call, all the while becoming the most depressing person in history to hang out with.De...

Chuck Klosterman, "Thinking About the Present As If It Were the Past"

August 30, 2021 16:00 - 22 minutes - 36.6 MB

New York Times bestselling author Chuck Klosterman asks questions that are profound in their simplicity: How certain are we about our understanding of gravity? How certain are we about our understanding of time? What will be the defining memory of rock music, five hundred years from today? How seriously should we view the content of our dreams? How seriously should we view the content of television? Are all sports destined for extinction? Is it possible that the greatest artist of our era is...

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson

August 23, 2021 16:00 - 27 minutes - 44 MB

For decades, we’ve been told that positive thinking is the key to a happy, rich life. "F**k positivity," Mark Manson says. "Let’s be honest, shit is f**ked and we have to live with it." In his wildly popular Internet blog, Manson doesn’t sugarcoat or equivocate. He tells it like it is—a dose of raw, refreshing, honest truth that is sorely lacking today. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F**k is his antidote to the coddling, let’s-all-feel-good mindset that has infected modern society and spoile...

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott

August 23, 2021 16:00 - 15 minutes - 24.5 MB

Bird by Bird is one of my favorite books on writing, and life. In this episode I'll read from the book, and give you some key takeaways. For more info visit www.castig.org  Excerpt:  "Thirty years ago my older brother, who was ten years old at the time, was trying to get a report on birds written that he'd had three months to write. It was due the next day. We were out at our family cabin in Bolinas, and he was at the kitchen table close to tears, surrounded by binder paper and pencils a...

Mastering Bitcoin & The Internet of Money by Andreas M. Antonopoulos

August 16, 2021 16:00 - 27 minutes - 43.8 MB

While many books explain the how of bitcoin, The Internet of Money delves into the why of bitcoin. Acclaimed information-security expert and author of Mastering Bitcoin, Andreas M. Antonopoulos examines and contextualizes the significance of bitcoin through a series of essays spanning the exhilarating maturation of this technology.   In this episode Chris brings you his top highlights from The Internet of Money.    Learn more at www.on-books.com

Ego Is The Enemy by Ryan Holiday

July 26, 2021 16:00 - 24 minutes - 27.8 MB

Many of us insist the main impediment to a full, successful life is the outside world. In fact, the most common enemy lies within: our ego. Early in our careers, it impedes learning and the cultivation of talent. With success, it can blind us to our faults and sow future problems. In failure, it magnifies each blow and makes recovery more difficult. At every stage, ego holds us back.   In this episode of On Books, I'll read the introduction to Ego is the Enemy, as well as share my top 3 ...

Sam Arbesman on The Half-Life of Facts

July 19, 2021 16:00 - 38 minutes - 43.6 MB

Facts change all the time. Smoking has gone from doctor recommended to deadly. We used to think the Earth was the center of the universe and that the brontosaurus was a real dinosaur. In short, what we know about the world is constantly changing.   Samuel Arbesman is on the show today to help us understand how this evolution of facts unfolds in a fascinating way that can have a powerful impact on our lives. In this interview Sam and Chris discuss The Half-Life of Facts: Why Everything We K...

Interview: Bea Johnson on Zero Waste Home, Rapidfire Q&A, and inventing sustainable business models (Part 2) [The Social Good Book Series]

July 05, 2021 16:00 - 52 minutes - 84.7 MB

In Zero Waste Home, Bea Johnson shares the story of how she simplified her life by reducing her waste. The book is a how-to guide for reducing as much waste as possible from your life. In this episode of On Books, I interview Bea and discuss about how to reduce waste. 

Book Summary: Zero Waste Home by Bea Johnson (Part 1) [The Social Good Book Series]

June 21, 2021 16:00 - 12 minutes - 20.7 MB

In Zero Waste Home, Bea Johnson shares the story of how she simplified her life by reducing her waste. The book is a how-to guide for reducing as much waste as possible from your life. In this episode of On Books I share my favorite tips from Bea's book for reducing waste, as well as a reading from the chapter "The 5 Rs: Refuse" - which is the fundamental tenants of the Zero Waste movement.    Next week, Bea will be on the show. So if you have any questions you'd like to ask Bea send the...

On Reading Haruki Murakami: What does it mean to follow an author’s canon of work?

June 14, 2021 16:00 - 49 minutes - 79.8 MB

Haruki Murakami’s books are a blend of modern culture, and fantasy. Arguably, Murakami is Japan’s most famous author, his writing resonates on a frequency that is distinctly “Murakami.” Over the past 30 years, Murakami has written 13 novels including: Norwegian Wood (1987), Sputnik Sweetheart (1999), Kafka on the Shore (2002), 1Q84 (2009), and his most recent Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki (2013). In this episode I have a special guest! Lee Matos ("Murakami superfan", and philosopher of life) ...

Peter Singer on doing "The most good you can do", Rapidfire Q&A, and Social Good Startups

May 24, 2021 16:00 - 34 minutes - 55.1 MB

Peter Singer is a well known Australian philosopher and author. In 2005 Time magazine named Singer one of the top 100 most influential people of the year. His latest two books The Life You Can Save (2009), and The Most Good You Can Do (2015) explore how you can be a vehicle for change in the world - right now, and without giving up much. Both of which we’ve covered in previous episodes of On Books! In this episode we discuss: * What does it mean to do “the most good"? * Are startups imp...

Book Summary: The Inevitable by Kevin Kelly

April 26, 2021 16:00 - 24 minutes - 38.9 MB

In this episode of On Books, I discuss The Inevitable: Understanding the 12 Technological Forces That Will Shape Our Future, by Kevin Kelly.  The Inevitable is driven by the idea that the technological trends of the next 30 years can be predicted. Over 336 pages the book breaks down the Top 12 technological forces at work such as: "Becoming, Cognifying, Flowing, Screening, Accessing, Sharing, Filtering, Remixing, Interacting, Tracking, Questioning, and Beginning." The names themselves d...

Kevin Kelly on The Inevitable, 60s Counterculture, and How to Read Better

April 12, 2021 16:00 - 1 hour - 130 MB

This week I was lucky enough to interview one of my favorite people of all time: Kevin Kelly.   Tim Ferriss refers to Kevin as the real-life “Most Interesting Man In The World."    He is one of the co-founders of Wired Magazine, co-founder of the Quantified Self Movement, and serves on the board of The Long Now foundation. He's a prescient writer, inspiring photographer, and prolific traveler.    In this episode we talk about:  * The Counterculture movement of the 60s * Trave...

The Social Good Book Series: The Life You Can Save by Peter Singer

March 29, 2021 16:00 - 26 minutes - 42.6 MB

In this episode of On Books, we discuss The Life You Can Save, by Peter Singer.  Books notes available at: http://www.on-books.com

The Social Good Books Series: The Most Good You Can Do by Peter Singer

March 15, 2021 16:00 - 23 minutes - 37.3 MB

In this episode of On Books, we discuss The Most Good You Can Do: How Effective Altruism Is Changing Ideas About Living Ethically, by Peter Singer.  Books notes available at: http://www.on-books.com

The Social Good Books Series: The Long Now (Part 3)

February 08, 2021 17:00 - 16 minutes - 18.5 MB

How do you build something that will last 10,000 years? In this episode of On Books, we discuss The Clock of the Long Now by Stewart Brand. This is the third episode in the series, but feel free to listen to them in any order you like. Books notes available at: http://www.on-books.com

21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harari

February 08, 2021 17:00 - 35 minutes - 80.8 MB

Personally, I feel burdened by the daily overproduction of knowledge. My eyes are always bigger than my stomach: I consume countless articles and podcasts, but I can never fully digest it all. Can someone please just tell me what to pay attention to?   Enter Yuval Noah Harari's 21 Lessons for the 21st Century. I love the opening line of the book, “In a world deluged by irrelevant information, clarity is power.” Clarity, being able to think critically, and focus clearly on what's importan...

Kurt Vonnegut's A Man Without A Country (Part 2)

February 01, 2021 17:00 - 17 minutes - 20.4 MB

In this episode of On Books, we discuss Part 2 of Kurt Vonnegut's A Man Without A Country. Books notes available at: http://www.on-books.com Subscribe on iTunes! And follow On Books: Twitter: @onbooksshow (http://www.twitter.com/onbooksshow) Facebook: /onbooksshow (http://www.facebook.com/onbooksshow) Instagram: @castig (https://www.instagram.com/castig)

The Social Good Books Series: The Long Now (Part 2)

January 25, 2021 17:00 - 31 minutes - 36.1 MB

How does social change happen over time? What is more powerful nature or commerce? In this episode of On Books, we discuss The Clock of the Long Now by Stewart Brand. This is the second episode in the series, but feel free to listen to them in any order you like. Books notes available at: http://www.on-books.com

The Social Good Books Series: The Long Now (Part 1)

January 04, 2021 17:00 - 16 minutes - 19.1 MB

In this episode of On Books, we discuss The Clock of the Long Now by Stewart Brand. Books notes available at:http://www.on-books.com 

Leave The World Better Than How You Found It

December 28, 2020 17:00 - 20 minutes - 23.7 MB

In this episode of On Books, we discuss an idea I've been consumed by. This discussion will help set the stage for the next series of books coming up. This episode is called, "To Leave the World a Better Place Than How I Found it." Books notes available at: http://www.on-books.com Subscribe on iTunes! And follow On Books: Twitter: @onbooksshow (http://www.twitter.com/onbooksshow) Facebook: /onbooksshow (http://www.facebook.com/onbooksshow) Instagram: @castig (https://www.instagram.com/cast...

The Overstory by Richard Powers

December 21, 2020 17:00 - 1 hour - 170 MB

In this episode, I'm reading the entire first chapter of The Overstory (2018), the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Richard Powers.  The Overstory is a book about man's relationship to nature, as seen through the eyes of trees. In this reading, you'll hear the story of the Jorgen Hoel, who in the mid-1800s moves from Brooklyn to Iowa; starts a family, and happens to plant (what will become) one of the last remaining Chestnut Trees in America. Although the story is about Jorgen, as you'll se...

Kurt Vonnegut's A Man Without A Country (Part 1)

November 30, 2020 17:00 - 16 minutes - 19.4 MB

This episode of On Books brings you a reading from A Man Without A Country by Kurt Vonnegut. This is part 1 of a 2 part episode on this book. Books notes available at: http://www.on-books.com Subscribe on iTunes! And follow On Books: Twitter: @onbooksshow (http://www.twitter.com/onbooksshow) Facebook: /onbooksshow (http://www.facebook.com/onbooksshow) Instagram: @castig (https://www.instagram.com/castig)

So Good They Can't Ignore You by Cal Newport

November 16, 2020 17:00 - 26 minutes - 30.7 MB

In this episode of On Books, Chris brings you So Good They Can't Ignore You by Cal Newport Books notes available at: http://www.on-books.com Subscribe on iTunes! And follow On Books: Twitter: @onbooksshow (http://www.twitter.com/onbooksshow) Facebook: /onbooksshow (http://www.facebook.com/onbooksshow) Instagram: @castig (https://www.instagram.com/castig)

Aziz Ansari: On Modern Romance and Increasing Creative Output

November 09, 2020 17:00 - 28 minutes - 32.9 MB

In this episode of On Books, I take on Aziz Ansari's Modern Romance. It's a book about online dating, love, psychology and the cultural impacts of texting as a medium. It's going to be a great episode! So get ready, and I'll share with you stories of how Aziz's book (and standup) inspired me to take some action in my life. Enjoy! -Chris Visit www.on-books.com for book notes! Subscribe on iTunes!  Twitter: @onbooksshow (http://www.twitter.com/onbooksshow) Facebook: /onbooksshow (http:...

Writing Tools (50 Essential Strategies) by Roy Peter Clark

November 02, 2020 17:00 - 21 minutes - 24.5 MB

In this episode of On Books Chris brings you 50 Writing Tools by Roy Peter Clark.  Books notes available at: http://www.on-books.com Subscribe on iTunes! And follow On Books: Twitter: @onbooksshow (http://www.twitter.com/onbooksshow) Facebook: /onbooksshow (http://www.facebook.com/onbooksshow) Instagram: @castig (https://www.instagram.com/castig)

When do you quit? When do you stick? 5 Lessons from Seth Godin in The Dip

October 26, 2020 16:00 - 16 minutes - 18.9 MB

In this episode of On Books, Chris Castiglione shares lessons learned about quitting from The Dip by Seth Godin. You can find the complete interview, and show notes available @ http://www.on-books.com Subscribe on iTunes! And follow On Books: Twitter: @onbooksshow (http://www.twitter.com/onbooksshow) Facebook: /onbooksshow (http://www.facebook.com/onbooksshow) Instagram: @castig (https://www.instagram.com/castig) Music: The Smiths, Broken Social Scene, Birdstar

Say Hello to On Books!

October 19, 2020 16:00 - 5 minutes - 6 MB

Email me: [email protected]! Let me know: On a scale of 1 to 10 would you recommend the On Books podcast to a friend? Put the number 1-10 (in the subject), and WHY you gave that number (in the body). Thanks for listening!  Subscribe on iTunes! And follow On Books:   Website: http://www..on-books.com Twitter: @onbooksshow (http://www.twitter.com/onbooksshow) Facebook: /onbooksshow  (http://www.facebook.com/onbooksshow) Instagram: @castig (https://www.instagram.com/castig)  

10 Life-Changing Spring Cleaning Tips from The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up

October 12, 2020 16:00 - 24 minutes - 28.2 MB

In this episode of On Books, I bring you The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying by Marie Kondo. Visit www.on-books.com for book notes! Subscribe on iTunes! Twitter: @onbooksshow (http://www.twitter.com/onbooksshow) Facebook: /onbooksshow (http://www.facebook.com/onbooksshow) Instagram: @castig (https://www.instagram.com/castig)

Bringing up Bebe: Paris vs. New York City, on Raising Children, and Education

September 07, 2020 16:00 - 17 minutes - 20.3 MB

In this episode of On Books, Chris Castiglione chat about Bringing Up Bebe by Pamela Druckerman. Books notes are online @ http://www.on-books.com Subscribe on iTunes! And follow On Books: Twitter: @onbooksshow (http://www.twitter.com/onbooksshow) Facebook: /onbooksshow (http://www.facebook.com/onbooksshow) Instagram: @castig (https://www.instagram.com/castig)

Eric Fromm on The Art of Loving, Is Love an Art? Is your love Passive or Active?

August 24, 2020 16:00 - 29 minutes - 33.4 MB

In this episode of On Books, I'll ask, "Is Love an Art?". You learn about the book: The Art of Loving by Eric Fromm, and much more.  Subscribe on iTunes! And follow On Books: Website: www.on-books.com Twitter: @onbooksshow (http://www.twitter.com/onbooksshow) Facebook: /onbooksshow  (http://www.facebook.com/onbooksshow) Instagram: @castig (https://www.instagram.com/castig)

The Artist's Way, 2 big takeaways, and how to be creative 750 words at a time

August 10, 2020 16:00 - 21 minutes - 24.3 MB

In this episode of On Books, Chris Castiglione brings you his take on The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. You can find his complete notes and thoughts over at http://www..on-books.com Subscribe on iTunes! And follow On Books: Twitter: @onbooksshow (http://www.twitter.com/onbooksshow) Facebook: /onbooksshow  (http://www.facebook.com/onbooksshow) Instagram: @castig (https://www.instagram.com/castig) Blog: http://www..on-books.com

Episode 20 - David Bowie's Top 100 Books

July 13, 2020 16:00 - 14 minutes - 17 MB

This episode of On Books is dedicated to David Bowie. I'll read a piece from Sara Benincasa called "Thank You, David Bowie, From The Weird Kid", as well as share some highlights from David Bowie's Top 100 Books.  

The Neil Strauss Interview: on The Truth, and alternatives to monogamy

July 13, 2020 16:00 - 54 minutes - 62.7 MB

In this episode of On Books, Chris Castiglione chats with Neil Strauss about his latest book The Truth. You can find the complete interview, and show notes available @ www.on-books.com Subscribe on iTunes! And follow On Books:  Twitter: @onbooksshow Facebook: www.facebook.com/onbooksshow Instagram: @castig

Deep Work by Cal Newport

July 06, 2020 16:00 - 33 minutes - 53.1 MB

Deep work is the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task. It's a skill that allows you to quickly master complicated information and produce better results in less time. Deep work will make you better at what you do and provide the sense of true fulfillment that comes from craftsmanship. In short, deep work is like a super power in our increasingly competitive twenty-first century economy. And yet, most people have lost the ability to go deep-spending their days ...

Episode 19 - On Creating Big Hairy Audacious Life Goals, and the NPR Interview

June 29, 2020 16:00 - 27 minutes - 32 MB

In this episode of On Books, we’ll chat about creating goals and resolutions. We discuss my recent article on resolutions in the Huffington Post, and the details of the NPR interview. Read the book notes @ www.on-books.com

Episode 18 – New Year's Resolutions, Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset, How to Reframe Failure

June 15, 2020 16:00 - 16 minutes - 19 MB

In this episode of On Books, we’ll chat about New Year's Resolutions, and the concept of Growth vs. Fixed mindset from the book Mindset by Carol Dweck.  Read the book notes @ www.on-books.com

Episode 17 - John Keegan on the art of connection, dating in New York City and The Power of Now

May 25, 2020 16:00 - 38 minutes - 44.1 MB

In this episode of On Books, I chat with John Keegan (NYC Dating Coach) about the art of connection, dating in New York City, and The Power of Now.  Find the book notes @ www.on-books.com

Episode 16 - The Power of Now (Book Highlights! Ego at Burningman! and on "being alone")

May 18, 2020 16:00 - 23 minutes - 26.6 MB

In this episode of On Books, we’ll chat about The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle.  Read the book notes @ www.on-books.com

Episode 15 - How to Learn Anything Fast

May 04, 2020 16:00 - 27 minutes - 30.9 MB

In this episode of On Books, we’ll chat about The First 20 Hours by Josh Kaufman.   Read the book notes @ www.on-books.com

Episode 14 - Sex at Dawn by Christopher Ryan

April 27, 2020 16:00 - 34 minutes - 39.5 MB

The main idea of Sex at Dawn in less than 20 words: Humans beings were not always monogamous creatures. In this episode of On books we cover three of the main ideas in Sex at Dawn, as well as listen to excerpts from Christopher Ryan's TED Talk Read the book notes @ www.on-books.com

Guests

Daniel Kahneman
1 Episode

Books

The Art of Loving
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Twitter Mentions

@onbooksshow 17 Episodes
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