Bookworm is dedicated to doing more than just reading books. Mike Schmitz & Cory Hixson read a book every two weeks and discuss ways to apply the author's lessons to their lives.
Last refreshed: ⓘ
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more
Today's authors promise to help you build purpose, clarity, and connection without quitting your job, blowing up your life, or starting from scratch. Join Mike & Cory as they consider how to use design thinking to craft lives and careers they love. Support the Show Nathan Barry Show with Bill Burnett & Dave Evans Current Reader app The Library How to Live a Meaningful Life by Bill Burnett & Dave Evans Design Your Life by Bill Burnett & Dave Evans Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi F...
This episode is sponsored by: St Louis Pen Show : Join us June 25-28. Tickets on sale now! Today's author promises to give us a guide to creating, contributing, and actualizing our potential amid the craziness of modern life. Join Mike & Cory as they embark on a journey to rediscover excellence in their own lives. Support the Show Nathan Barry Show episode with Bill Burnett & Dave Evans Bookworm #180: Master of Change by Brad Stulberg Discipline Equals Freedom by Jocko Willink Bookworm #...
This episode of Bookworm is sponsored by: Vitally : Your Copilot for AI-Powered Customer Success. Get a free pair of AirPods Pro when you book a qualified meeting. Today's author promises to teach us a framework that will change the way we think about work and teams forever. Join Mike & Cory as they attempt to identify the type of work that brings them joy and energy, and avoid work that leads to frustration and burnout. Support the Show MacSparky's Robot Assistant Field Guide The Library Li...
This episode of Bookworm is sponsored by: Vitally : Your Copilot for AI-Powered Customer Success. Get a free pair of AirPods Pro when you book a qualified meeting. Today's author (and acclaimed storytelling teacher) promises to teach us how our brains create worlds by being attuned to moments of unexpected change. Join Mike & Cory as they embark on a journey to master the science of storytelling. LifeTheme Cohort Bookworm 244: The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier The Science of Story...
Today's author promises to transform the way we coach others by offering us seven simple questions. Join Mike & Cory as they attempt to level up their own coaching habits. New Media Summit The Library The Coaching Habit Box of Crayons Mike’s YouTube channel Obsidian Starter Vault Free Time by Jenny Blake Jenny’s Free Time Toolkit Essentialism by Greg McKeown Playing to Win by A. G. Lafley & Roger Martin The Science of Storytelling by Will Storr 6 Types of Working Genius by Patrick Lencio...
Have you ever felt "burnt out?" Burnout has become our go-to term for talking about the pressure and dissatisfaction we experience. Today's author shares his own experience and proposes an alternative to our cultural obsession with work. Join Mike & Cory as they explore a new way to think about work, ideals, and dignity. The End of Burnout by Jonathan Malesic Burnout by Christina Maslach Intentional by Chris Bailey Master Your Motivation by Susan Fowler The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay S...
Today's author promises to teach us frameworks and principles to help us stop overthinking when trying to decide. Join Mike and Cory as they attempt to escape the endless "what if" loops in their brains and make better (and more intuitive) decisions. Intentional by Chris Bailey Claude Just Game My Obsidian Journaling Workflow a HUGE Upgrade Mike’s PKM Quiz Mike’s Obsidian Report Card Form The Overthinker’s Guide to Making Decisions by Joseph Nguyen Don’t Believe Everything You Think by Joseph Ng...
Today's author promises to distill a decade of deep research on productivity to deliver a profound, practical, and counterintuitive road map to getting things done. Join Mike & Cory as they embark on a journey to live a more intentional life. Support the Show Intentional by Chris Bailey The Productivity Project by Chris Bailey The Library Community Hyper Focus by Chris Bailey How to Calm Your Mind by Chris Bailey How to Train Your Mind by Chris Bailey Overcoming Procrastination Course The Ov...
Note: If you're only hearing Mike, delete and redownload the file. Today's authors promise to teach us the behavioral science secrets behind 17 of the world's best brands. Join Mike & Cory as they consider the marketing of the world's biggest brands. Support the Show NeuYear Focused Calendar Craft + Commerce Bandersnatch by Diana Pavloc Glyer Hacking the Human Mind by Richard Shotton & Michaelaaron Flicker Ruby coffee roasters Snickers Feast ad The Social Dilemma Bookworm #198: Scarcity ...
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. Support the show 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 Bra...
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. Support the Show 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 Min...
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. Support the Show 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 b...
Mike and Cory delve into Ryan Holiday's "Wisdom Takes Work," the final book in his Stoic Virtue series, discussing its structure, core themes, and practical applications. They explore the importance of diverse learning environments, critical information consumption, and the power of personal knowledge management, while also reflecting on Holiday's controversial critiques of public figures like Elon Musk and Trump. The hosts share their personal takeaways, ratings, and thoughts on Holiday's impact and future direction.
Today’s authors promise to help us transform the way we communicate our ideas. Join Mike & Cory as they dive into what makes an idea sticky. Support the Show Recommend a Book Mike’s Personal Retreat video NaNoWriMo The Library Sponsor Games Bookworm 234: Sponsor Magnet by Justin Moore Made to Stick by Chip and Dan Heath Storyworth by Matthew Dicks Mike’s 20 Obsidian Quality of Life Tips video Decisive by Chip and Dan Heath Switch by Chip and Dan Heath Wisdom Takes Work by Ryan Holiday Toxic ...
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. Support the Show Recommend a Book FC26 The Personal Retreat Planner Sponsor Magnet by Justin Moore Signature Framework Sponsor Games Creator Wizard Building a Second Brain book Building a Second brain course Morgen Mike’s Morgen Video Creator Flywheels course Justin Welsch Creator MBA Made to Stick by Chip & Dan Heath Wisdom Ta...
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. Support the Show 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 b...
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....
Today’s author promises to give us tactics we can use to overcome procrastination and take action on what’s really important. Join Mike & Cory as they attempt to seize the day with decision, discipline, and determination. Support the Show Recommend a Book The Personal Retreat Planner Zapier Numerics Eat That Frog! Fourth Edition by Brian Tracy Focused podcast Atomic Habits by James Clear LifeHQ Getting Things Done by David Allen Published by Chandler Bolt Time Anxiety by Chris Guillebeau Del...
Today’s authors promise to teach us a framework for helping us view business through a whole new lens. Join Mike & Cory as they consider what it means to set impossible goals with impossible timelines. Support the Show Recommend a Book WavePal Extra Focus by Jesse J. Anderson The Science of Scaling by Dr. Benjamin Hardy & Blake Erickson The Gap & The Gain by Dan Sullivan & Dr. Benjamin Hardy Scaling.com 10x Is Easier Than 2x by Dan Sullivan & Dr. Benjamin Hardy Scrum by Jeff ...
Today’s author promises to help us find success, happiness, and deep purpose in the second half of life. Join Mike & Cory as they attempt to navigate some of life’s toughest transitions. Support the Show Recommend a Book Ecamm Live Doc Rock | YouTube Opus Pro No Dumb Questions From Strength to Strength by Arthur Brooks The Second Mountain by David Brooks Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman How Will You Measure Your Life? by Clayton Christensen Mike’s Personal Retreat Livestream Personal R...
Today’s authors (and two of Time’s 100 Most Influential People in AI) promise to help us navigate the often misleading claims about the real capabilities of Artificial Intelligence. Join Mike & Cory as they consider what AI can do, what it can’t, and how to tell the difference. Support the Show Recommend a Book The Library Typefully Lean Learning companion course AI Snake Oil by Arvid Narayanan & Sayash Kapoor Delphi AI & I podcast Co-Intelligence by Ethan Mollick Tools & Weapons...
Today’s author promises to help us identify what’s essential for our growth and eliminate all the distractions that tend to bog us down. Join Mike & Cory as they attempt to navigate the chaos of information overload. Support the Show Recommend a Book Craft + Commerce CEX Newsletter Marketing Summit The Library Macstock Lean Learning by Pat Flynn Smart Passive Income Deep Pocket Monster The $100 MBA DEVONthink Focused podcast Read Between the Lynes AI Snake Oil by Arvid Narayanan & Sayash...
Today’s author is a Harvard stress expert who promises to help us overcome our stress using five small but mighty mindset shifts. Join Mike & Cory as they attempt to rewire their brains and achieve balance in their battle with burnout. Support the Show Recommend a Book The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins The 5 Resets by Dr. Aditi Nerurkar Extra Focus by Jesse J. Anderson Don’t Eat the Frog First July 2025 Ship30 Cohort Link (Save $100) The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt Lean Learning by...
Today’s author promises to teach us how to stop wasting energy on what we can’t control and start focusing on what truly matters. Join Mike & Cory as they embark on a journey to discover how much power they truly have. Support the Show Craft + Commerce The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins Mel Robbins Podcast The 5 Resets by Dr. Aditi Nerurkar Lean Learning by Pat Flynn Recommend a Book Bookworm Shirts Mike's Rating: 5.0 Cory's Rating: 4.0...
Mike and Cory dive into "The Confident Mind" by Dr. Nate Zinsser, director of West Point's performance psychology program. They discuss Zinsser's battle-tested guide to unshakable performance, covering concepts like building confidence through mental filters and affirmations, protecting it from setbacks, and utilizing it in high-stakes situations. The hosts evaluate the book's structure, reliance on elite examples, and practical applicability for everyday life.
Today’s author promises to help us understand how considering when can help us live richer, more engaged lives. Join Mike & Cory as they attempt to decipher the scientific secrets of perfect timing. Support the Show Mike’s Newsletter poll When by Daniel Pink Dead Wake by Erik Larson Daily Rituals by Mason Currey Fear Setting Poor Charlie’s Almanack Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman Door County Half Marathon The Confident Mind by Nate Zinser Inner Excellence by Jim Murphy The Let The...
This episode of Bookworm is brought to you by: The Saint Louis Pen Show – Join us June 26-29. Tickets on sale now! Today’s author promises to help us overcome our fear by giving us the courage to go after what we really want. Join Mike & Cory as they attempt to embrace the boldest versions of themselves. Support the Show Mike’s 3 Levels of Knowledge post (+ Practical PKM podcast) Transistor.fm Practical PKM Hybrid Cohort Mike’s LifeTheme Live Event The 5 Types of Wealth Quiz Wild Courage by ...
Today’s author promises to help us reject the default path, define our priorities, and achieve lasting happiness. Join Mike & Cory as they attempt to design their dream lives. Support the Show The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer I’ve Got Time by Paul Loomans Focused #228: Time Surfing, with Paul Loomans The Library (Mike’s community) Mike’s Plus Minus Next YouTube video Micro.blog Cory’s website MarsEdit The 5 Types of Wealth by Sahil Bloom Sahil’s newsletter The 5 Types of ...
Today’s author promises to help us train our minds for extraordinary performance in every aspect of our lives. Join Mike & Cory as they attempt to move beyond the pursuit of happiness and embark on a journey toward a life of purpose and fulfillment. Support the Show The Library (Mike’s community) Bookworm #219: Tiny Experiments Mike’s Plus Minus Next Shortcut (requires Actions for Obsidian) Actions for Obsidian Micro.blog Cory’s website Inner Excellence by Jim Murphy Chop Wood Carry Water by...
This episode dives into Tiny Experiments by Anne-Laure Le Cunff, a book that challenges traditional goal-setting and productivity. The discussion covers the author's unique framework of designing small, time-bound experiments (PACT) focused on outputs, escaping the tyranny of purpose, practicing mindful productivity (Chronos vs. Kairos), analyzing procrastination not as a moral failure but a listening one, embracing intentional imperfection, and fostering growth through community and learning in public. The hosts share their personal takeaways, including action items to implement the book's principles and a glowing five-star review, highlighting its broad applicability and refreshing approach.
