330 I 5 Books That Will Change Your Life

Apr 4, 2025

Dive into the world of transformative literature with a discussion on five life-changing books. Explore the power of fiction in understanding humanity, particularly through the lens of Matt Haig's 'The Humans.' Discover how physical health fosters creative excellence and the challenges of staying active over time. Uncover influential reads that blend marketing mastery with poetic insights, and learn to navigate uncertainty with an anti-fragile mindset, drawing practical applications for life and business.

15:22

forum

Ask episode

web_stories

AI Snips

view_agenda

Chapters

menu_book

Books

auto_awesome

Transcript

info_circle

Episode notes

volunteer_activism

ADVICE

Content Creation

Read "Snow Leopard" by Category Pirates to learn about content creation.
It teaches how to differentiate between obvious and non-obvious content.

insights

INSIGHT

Fiction's Value

Non-fiction books tend to be entry-level due to their broader appeal.
Deeper understanding can be found in fiction, which uses stories to convey complex truths.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

The Humans Recommendation

Jonathan Goodman recommends "The Humans" by Matt Haig.
An alien embodies a math professor and learns about humanity, offering humorous and profound observations.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

The Power of Fiction in Understanding Humanity

03:42 • 6min

chevron_right

The Vital Connection Between Physical Health and Creative Excellence

10:07 • 2min

chevron_right

Exploring Influential Reads: From Marketing Mastery to Poetic Prose

12:01 • 2min

chevron_right

Navigating Uncertainty: Building Anti-Fragile Systems

14:08 • 3min

chevron_right

The Obvious Choice

Timeless Lessons on Success, Profit, and Finding Your Way

Jonathan Goodman

Perennial seller

The Art of Making and Marketing Work that Lasts

Ryan Holiday

In 'Perennial Seller', Ryan Holiday explores the principles behind creating works that endure and thrive long after their initial release. He argues that these 'perennial sellers' are not flukes but are built to last from the outset. The book is divided into four parts: the creative process, positioning, marketing, and platform. Holiday uses examples from various industries, including music, restaurants, and literature, to illustrate how creators can ensure their work remains relevant and continues to attract new customers over time. He emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach to both the creation and marketing of the work, as well as the need for patience, dedication, and a strong platform of loyal supporters.

Snow Leopard

How Legendary Writers Create A Category Of One

Category Pirates

Snow Leopard is the first writing advice book written through a Category Design lens. It guides writers on how to frame their ideas, stories, and insights to resonate with the most people possible. The book, written by the Category Pirates (Christopher Lochhead, Eddie Yoon, and Nicolas Cole), focuses on creating a category of one, mastering Obvious and Non-Obvious content, and monetizing writing in new ways. It includes frameworks such as the 5 levels of content creation (Consumption, Curation, Obvious Connection, Non-Obvious Connection, and Category Creation) and how to apply these to achieve independence, creative freedom, and exponential financial upside.

Antifragile

Things That Gain from Disorder

Nassim Nicholas Taleb

Albino Santos Mosquera

Genís Sánchez Barberán

In 'Antifragile', Nassim Nicholas Taleb delves into the concept of antifragility, arguing that some systems not only withstand stress and disorder but actually benefit from them. The book builds on ideas from his previous works, such as 'Fooled by Randomness' and 'The Black Swan', and is part of his five-volume philosophical treatise on uncertainty, 'Incerto'. Taleb provides examples from various fields, including science, economics, and history, to illustrate how antifragility can be achieved and how it contrasts with fragility and robustness. He also discusses strategies like the barbell strategy and optionality, and critiques modern society's attempts to eliminate volatility, which he believes are harmful. The book is praised for its revolutionary ideas and multidisciplinary approach, though it has also received criticism for its style and some of the author's views on mental health and other topics.

What I Talk About When I Talk About Running

Haruki Murakami

In this memoir, Haruki Murakami reflects on his experiences with long-distance running and how it has influenced his writing. He started running in the early 1980s and has since completed over twenty marathons and an ultramarathon. The book delves into the parallels between running and writing, highlighting the discipline, perseverance, and mental fortitude required for both. Murakami shares his training regimens, memorable races, and the philosophical insights he has gained from his running experiences, which have significantly impacted his creative life.

The Human

Rene Descartes

Books I recommended in this video:

Snow Leopard by Category Pirates https://amzn.to/4ii8zBS

The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter https://amzn.to/3QHaKmS

Four Thousand Week by Oliver Burkeman https://amzn.to/4h2nxe3

Antifragile by Nassim Nicholas Taleb https://amzn.to/4hjOVVn

The Humans by Matt Haig https://amzn.to/41AicWR

Order my book "The Obvious Choice" here: https://amzn.to/4ghBzce

Not sure if you want to get my book, “The Obvious Choice”? Here’s a free sample to check out: https://www.theptdc.com/the-obvious-choice-free-chapter

Who Am I?

Jonathan Goodman is the creator of the Personal Trainer Development Center and host of the popular Obvious Choice podcast, a top show for coaches, entrepreneurs, and small business owners. Jon’s been featured in most major business and fitness publications including Men’s Health, Forbes, Entrepreneur, Robb Report, Inc., and many more. Over 200,000 coaches and small business owners in more than 120 countries have purchased business development materials from him.

Subscribe to my free weekly newsletter "5 Reps Friday" read by 73,000+ each week: https://www.theptdc.com/newsletter-subscribe

Get my FREE "Jacked Nerds Reading List" here: https://www.theptdc.com/11-best-books-for-jacked-nerds

Join my Online Trainer Mentorship program: https://onlinetrainermentorship.com/mentorship/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=OTMEvergreen

Follow me on social media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itscoachgoodman/

X: https://x.com/itscoachgoodman

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-goodman/

Home Top podcasts Popular guests