208. Gift Guide for the Heart & Mind: Top Reads from Girl, Take the Lead!

[00:00:06] Welcome to episode 208, which is a Girl, Take the Lead soundbite, which is a shorter episode that may be a bit more about a topic we've covered, or quick inspiration, like our episode today. And I'm your host, Yolanda Canny.

[00:00:20] We have been so blessed to have had some amazing authors as guests. As a way to celebrate this, we wanted to highlight them in this episode as a gift guide that touches both heart and our mind.

[00:00:37] According to a recent survey, around 54% of people planning to exchange gifts during the holidays intend to give a book as a present, indicating a significant portion of the population chooses books as gifts.

[00:00:54] While not definitive, some data suggests younger generations may be slightly more open to giving used books as gifts, contributing to the overall book gifting trend. How terrific is that?

[00:01:12] Books make incredibly meaningful gifts for a variety of reasons. They're thoughtful.

[00:01:19] Each selection reflects an understanding of what the recipient values, which builds trust and connection.

[00:01:29] They're personal. Unlike generic gifts, a book is unique because it gives the givers insight, making it unlikely. Anyone else will gift the same title.

[00:01:44] And they're lasting. Long after the holidays are over, a good book can continue to inspire, entertain, and remind the recipient of your thoughtfulness.

[00:01:59] As Neil Gaim beautifully said, quote, books make great gifts because they have the whole worlds inside of them.

[00:02:10] Another favorite quote captures the magic books. Quote, that's the thing about books. They let you travel without moving your feet.

[00:02:22] And I'd add, books also open doors to learning about ourselves as authors often reflect their truths, insights, and possibilities that resonate deeply.

[00:02:37] To make things a little easier.

[00:02:39] To make things a little easier, I've grouped the 16 books that guest authors shared with us into four sections.

[00:02:45] Section one, empowering leadership and career growth.

[00:02:51] Section two, self-discovery and personal growth.

[00:02:55] Section three, business and inclusiveness practices.

[00:03:00] And section four, personal stories and inspiration.

[00:03:05] By the way, all these books will be in the show notes along with the episode number in case you'd like to hear the episode again.

[00:03:14] Let's start with books that empower leadership and career growth.

[00:03:19] First up is Fearless Female Leaders by Kathy McAfee and Rosemary Paytow, who tackled the question, what obstacles relegate women to underdog status in the working world?

[00:03:35] And how can these obstacles be overcome?

[00:03:38] Their powerful book delves deeply into the stories of remarkable women who share a common struggle against external and internal barriers to leadership advancement.

[00:03:51] We featured three of these fearless female women leaders who shared their incredible stories with us.

[00:04:01] And there's Lady Shark by Chrissy Grigaropoulos Esquire.

[00:04:07] Oh, I so love the name of this book.

[00:04:11] Lady Shark.

[00:04:13] Chrissy is a self-made millionaire and legal powerhouse.

[00:04:18] She is a bold spirit that carves her own path and thrives on her own terms.

[00:04:24] Chrissy is a lady shark and she believes we can all become one too.

[00:04:29] And this book is perfect for that entrepreneur, you know, or looking to grow their career.

[00:04:36] The next is the new rules of influence by Lita Citron.

[00:04:42] Lita described a new type of leader that's emerging one with a bold mission who empowers others through transparency and unwavering passion.

[00:04:54] Modern day executive presence.

[00:04:57] Modern day executive presence.

[00:04:58] Mandates levels of authenticity and honesty.

[00:05:01] Never before seen in the C-suite.

[00:05:05] And there's Pioneer Your Own Career Change by Lata Hamilton.

[00:05:11] Lata provides us an essential guide to navigating a transformative journey and confidently carving our own transition in a way that is authentic to us.

[00:05:22] She provides a proven strategy, real life success stories and practical step-by-step exercises and tools to identify our ideal career path.

[00:05:35] Hmm.

[00:05:36] And I wish I'd had this book when I was developing my career.

[00:05:40] She gives us the roadmap to build unshakable confidence so we can overcome our fears and self-doubt and make that career change we dream and deserve.

[00:05:54] And there was escaping the career trap by Tammy Alvarez.

[00:05:59] The subtitle is transform your apathy into ambition and never hate Mondays again.

[00:06:07] Whoa.

[00:06:08] Right.

[00:06:09] Tammy tells us it's time to say hell no to the status quo.

[00:06:14] Gotta love that.

[00:06:16] Gotta love that.

[00:06:16] And if you know someone that feels like a zombie and someone's invaded their career, this book is perfect for them.

[00:06:26] Our next section is self-discovery and personal growth.

[00:06:30] Let's start with listening for candor by Peter Yalkosky.

[00:06:35] Peter shared how rapid technological and social changes have led to division and mistrust.

[00:06:43] He emphasizes the importance of truly listening to what matters, which allows us to care for each other without getting caught up in arguments or shallow agreements.

[00:06:56] By focusing on what truly matters, we can build a better future together.

[00:07:03] This book is very important.

[00:07:05] And so is the next one name claim and reframe workbook by Andrea main de witt, which took a deeper dive into self-discovery.

[00:07:18] And her new workbook offered a revolutionary pathway designed to better help and guide us to handle our stress, distress and life's turbulent plot twists.

[00:07:32] Her book was selected as the best motivational read of 2023 on the today show.

[00:07:38] All right, Andrea, you go girl.

[00:07:43] Oh, and there was heal the four woundings by Amber on to various.

[00:07:49] Amber as a Latina woman who served in both Bush and Obama administrations offered us a unique insight into complex issues of discord and discrimination that defined our era.

[00:08:05] Amber story isn't just about problems.

[00:08:07] It's about powerful solutions, the potential of human connection and a peek inside her near death experience.

[00:08:17] She makes the point that to make our world better, we must start by understanding ourselves and the wounds we all share.

[00:08:27] These wounds affect how we perpetuate harm and respond to each other.

[00:08:32] But they also hold the key to healing.

[00:08:36] There's also burned by Julie B.

[00:08:41] Which addressed overcoming burnout in life and work.

[00:08:46] Julie reminded us that burnout is an epidemic in the business owner community.

[00:08:52] And the guidance to overcome it by taking a vacation, getting more exercise and incorporating meditation into our days.

[00:09:01] This isn't the advice we need.

[00:09:03] We need to send this book to anybody as a lifeline.

[00:09:07] You know who is burning out.

[00:09:11] And last in this group was happiness is a habit by Michelle Phillips.

[00:09:17] Boy, what a great title, right?

[00:09:19] Michelle offered small daily habits for long lasting happiness.

[00:09:24] Fun stuff.

[00:09:26] Fun stuff.

[00:09:26] You may remember from the episode like listening to audio books in the shower and I'd make it listening to podcasts in the shower.

[00:09:36] Spending time with nature.

[00:09:38] Establishing bad day emergency plans.

[00:09:41] So that was a good one.

[00:09:44] Our next section are books about business and inclusive practices.

[00:09:49] This included all up in your business by Julianna Newland, who offered us a cheeky look at the interplay of men and women employees in the workplace while they deal with problems.

[00:10:02] And for those inclined after a hard day at the office, she offers original cocktail recipes in her book.

[00:10:11] And there was Tread Loudly by Christine Jerick, who encouraged to all of us to call out the BS and fight for equality in the workplace.

[00:10:22] And also inclusive 360 by Bernadette Smith.

[00:10:27] And she provided the strategies for creating inclusive work environments because we all know millennials and Gen Zers, the largest generations in the workplace, want to work for and do business with organizations that promote equity and inclusion.

[00:10:45] And she helps us address the question.

[00:10:49] How does any organization or individual move from good intentions to meaningful action?

[00:10:58] Oh, so good.

[00:10:59] Our last section, section four are books that are personal stories and inspiration, and they featured two not for profit organizations.

[00:11:09] The first was the organization thread, and that was started by Lane Gardner and her book was called lifeline.

[00:11:18] And it was a deeply personal account of navigating life's changes.

[00:11:23] This book felt like I was talking to a girlfriend.

[00:11:26] Really, it was just so, so easy.

[00:11:29] And then there was, I'd rather be dead than deaf by Andrea Wilson Woods from the blue fairy foundation.

[00:11:37] And if you remember, it was an amazing memoir of resilience and advocacy and her sister's battle with cancer.

[00:11:48] There's also, well, shoot, that's not exactly the title, but I need to keep this podcast episode clean by Hannah McDonald Daniker, which is not the basis of any nonprofit, but included her personal story to inspire us.

[00:12:05] And if you remember, she was a Gen Z-er and she was just had great, great insight into what we needed to be in the future, what kind of career path we needed to take.

[00:12:19] And in her book, she talks about how we can turn setbacks into triumphs.

[00:12:26] So I'd like to end our episode with sincere thanks to all of these authors and their great books and the stories they gave us.

[00:12:35] They courageously shared their vulnerability with all of us as examples of what it is to be brave.

[00:12:45] So thank you very much, guests, for coming on the show.

[00:12:51] Here's some words I've written to reflect the gift they've given all of us called a gift that lasts.

[00:13:15] A gift that lasts.

[00:13:28] A gift that shares a gift that shares a gift that loves you for the world, and our love to be a gift that allows us to really enjoy.

[00:13:30] And we get many others to show how much we care.

[00:13:33] through words we wander hearts take flight across the day and throughout the night

[00:13:42] with every chapter a seed takes root a journey's end a lasting truth

[00:13:52] so as we give let's keep in mind the magic in each book we find for long after the wrappings torn

[00:14:01] a story's gift is ever born thank you for listening today and we sure hope you enjoyed this episode

[00:14:11] and if you did please leave a comment wherever you listen to your podcasts tell a friend about us

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[00:14:35] where you can find a video of this episode and you can also see a video on spotify

[00:14:42] our next episode will be about traditions and some of those celebrated around the world this time of

[00:14:49] year we'll cover five topics one rituals create connection two the sacredness

[00:14:59] in the everyday three the four pillars of ritual practice four modernizing ancient practices

[00:15:09] and five building your own rituals and oh i wrote another poem for the episode

[00:15:18] so please join us again so grateful you're here and so appreciate you listening or watching us

[00:15:28] talk to you soon bye

[00:15:31] you