Welcome to a special episode of Startup Dad! It’s the holiday time again when the list of responsibilities, performances, potlucks and gifts goes through the roof for already busy parents. To help you navigate the chaos I’ve asked many of my past guests to share with me their favorite books from the past year – those they’d gift to another person and those they’d tell parents to get for their kids. I’ve also highlighted parent’s favorite meals to make with and for their kids.

I'm joined by Alex Cohen, Andrew Capland, Brian Balfour, Adam Nash, Adam Grenier, Will Rocklin, Rob Schutz, Casey Handmer, Tye DeGrange, Josh Herzig-Marx, Carla Naumburg, and Michael Perry.

In this episode we discuss:

- Top book recommendations from 2024 for adults

- Their top book recommendations for kids of all ages

- A favorite recipe to make with your kids

Where to find Adam Fishman

- Newsletter: FishmanAFNewsletter.com

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/

- X: https://twitter.com/fishmanaf

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/

Timestamps:

[00:41] Favorite book to gift this holiday season?

[14:27] Favorite book that you’d recommend to another parent for their kids?

[28:52] What recipe do you like to get your kids involved in at the holiday time?

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Show References

A full list of ALL references in this show can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/17eDnhGaRWvCqBl0RmM746Je7Ovpt7qL-14TNzQS4DUg/edit?tab=t.0

Nick Soman’s Episode: https://startupdadpod.substack.com/p/building-a-company-and-family-nick-soman-decent

Founding Sales, The Founder Led Sales & Early Stage Go-to-Market Handbook by Pete Kazanjy: https://www.foundingsales.com/

Decent: https://www.decent.com/

Casey Handmer’s Episode: https://startupdadpod.substack.com/p/astrophysics-saving-the-planet-and-three-kids

Poor Charlie's Almanack: The Essential Wit and Wisdom of Charles T. Munger

by Charles T. Munger: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/poor-charlies-almanack-charles-t-munger/1142619102

Eric Bahn’s Episode: https://startupdadpod.substack.com/p/integration-over-balance-and-hustling-with-kids

Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as if Your Life Depended on It by Chris Voss: https://www.amazon.com/Never-Split-Difference-audiobook/dp/B01COR1GM2/

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/demon-copperhead-barbara-kingsolver/1140860121

Eric Mauskopf Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOkHqWbJI1c

Will Rocklin Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnPwKjSosyM

A Swim in a Pond in the Rain: In Which Four Russians Give a Master Class on Writing, Reading, and Life by George Saunders: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-swim-in-a-pond-in-the-rain-george-saunders/1137150630

Michael Perry’s Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AP6JJhiFfK4

Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman:https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/four-thousand-weeks-oliver-burkeman/1137427241

Tye DeGrange Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVs8FnMNIQI

Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lonesome-dove-larry-mcmurtry/1001920809

Adam Nash’s Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaOCL5WSzhc

When the Heavens Went on Sale: The Misfits and Geniuses Racing to Put Space Within Reach

by Ashlee Vance: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/when-the-heavens-went-on-sale-ashlee-vance/1142161472

Liftoff: Elon Musk and the Desperate Early Days That Launched SpaceX by Eric Berger: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/liftoff-eric-berger/1137428010

Reentry: SpaceX, Elon Musk, and the Reusable Rockets that Launched a Second Space Age

by Eric Berger: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/reentry-eric-berger/1144620800

Brian Balfour’s Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiQ_wAwfv5s

100% Unofficial AB to Jay-Z by Jessica Chiha: https://www.amazon.com/100-Unofficial-Jay-Z-Jessica-Chiha/dp/0648073912/

Andrew Capland’s Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1p-4ir53gZc

The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level by Gay Hendricks:https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-big-leap-gay-hendricks/1102667522

Rob Schutz’s Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g611gCs4g0A

The Ferryman by Justin Cronin: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-ferryman-justin-cronin/1141941765

Carla Naumburg’s Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcrzFhbeIVs

Case Histories (Jackson Brodie Series #1) by Kate Atkinson: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/case-histories-kate-atkinson/1100163888

Josh Herzig-Marx’s Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiaE6ZmaOIQ

Gnomon by Nick Harkaway: https://www.amazon.com/Gnomon-Nick-Harkaway/dp/0525432930

The Gone-Away World by Nick Harkaway: https://www.amazon.com/Gone-Away-World-Nick-Harkaway-ebook/dp/B001EL6R9W/

Adam Grenier’s Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoOXR_3dnLU

Faster Than Normal: Turbocharge Your Focus, Productivity, and Success with the Secrets of the ADHD Brain by Peter Shankman:https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/faster-than-normal-peter-shankman/1125456961

Alex Cohen’s Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOa9mS-CIuQ

Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity by Peter Attia: https://www.amazon.com/Outlive-Longevity-Peter-Attia-MD/dp/0593236599

Lloyed Lobo’s Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRuVbAHaUb0

Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future by Peter Thiel and Blake Masters: https://www.amazon.com/Zero-One-Notes-Startups-Future/dp/0804139296

Masters of Scale: Surprising Truths from the World's Most Successful Entrepreneurs by Reid Hoffman: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/masters-of-scale-reid-hoffman/1138865531

Penguin Problems by Jory John: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/penguin-problems-jory-john/1123199367Red Mars (Book #1) by Kim Stanley Robinson: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/red-mars-kim-stanley-robinson/1100623050

The Cat Kid Comic Club Collection: From the Creator of Dog Man (Cat Kid Comic Club #1-3 Boxed Set) by Dav Pilkey: https://www.amazon.com/Cat-Kid-Comic-Club-Collection/dp/1338864394/

Pig the Pug (Pig the Pug Series) by Aaron Blabey: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pig-the-pug-aaron-blabey/1123894006?

Du Iz Tak? by Carson Ellis: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/du-iz-tak-carson-ellis/1123161884

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Full Color Edition by Dr. Seuss: https://www.amazon.com/How-Grinch-Stole-Christmas-Jacketed/dp/0593434382

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-polar-express-chris-van-allsburg/1100303321

The Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-pout-pout-fish-deborah-diesen/1100935993

Tickle Monster by Josie Bissett: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tickle-monster-josie-bissett/1009267028

The Hunger Games (Hunger Games Series #1) by Suzanne Collins: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-hunger-games-suzanne-collins/1100171585

Teach Your Giraffe to Ski by Viviane Elbee: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/teach-your-giraffe-to-ski-viviane-elbee/1128007314

Little Blue Truck Makes a Friend: A Friendship Book for Kids by Alice Schertle: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/little-blue-truck-makes-a-friend-alice-schertle/1142263535

The Book with No Pictures by B. J. Novak: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-book-with-no-pictures-b-j-novak/1118663264

How to Stop Freaking Out: The Ultimate Guide to Keeping Cool When Life Feels Chaotic

by Carla Naumburg: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/how-to-stop-freaking-out-carla-naumburg/1145065982

Someday a Bird Will Poop on You: A Life Lesson by Sue Salvi: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/someday-a-bird-will-poop-on-you-sue-salvi/1128829321

The Spooky Wheels on the Bus: (A Holiday Wheels on the Bus Book) by J. Elizabeth Mills: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-spooky-wheels-on-the-bus-j-elizabeth-mills/1019165966

From Grassroots to Greatness: 13 Rules to Build Iconic Brands with Community Led Growth

by Lloyed Lobo: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/from-grassroots-to-greatness-lloyed-lobo/1143861087

Ninja Life Hacks Mindsets 8 Book Box Set (Books 65-72: Accountable, Respectful, Flexible Thinking, Consent, Entrepreneur, Healthy, Negative, Adaptable) by Mary Nhin: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1637316976

Improvise. Scene from the Inside Out by Mick Napier: https://www.amazon.com/Improvise-Scene-Inside-Mick-Napier/dp/156608198X

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