A Coney Island of the Mind is a celebrated collection of poetry by Lawrence Ferlinghetti, published in 1958. It captures the vibrant yet chaotic life of the era, blending themes of love, existence, and societal critique. The book is divided into three sections, each exploring different aspects of life and culture, often incorporating jazz rhythms and imagery reminiscent of Coney Island.
James McBride's "Kill Him and Leave" is a biography of the iconic soul singer James Brown. The book delves into Brown's complex life, exploring his musical genius, his turbulent personal relationships, and his impact on American culture. McBride uses a combination of meticulous research and vivid storytelling to paint a portrait of a man who was both a revolutionary performer and a deeply flawed individual. The biography offers insights into Brown's creative process, his struggles with fame and fortune, and his enduring legacy. It's a compelling read for music lovers and anyone interested in the intersection of race, music, and American history.
The Good Lord Bird is an absorbing mixture of history and imagination, told through the meticulous eye for detail and character of James McBride. The novel follows Henry Shackleford, a young slave living in the Kansas Territory in 1857, who is forced to leave town with the legendary abolitionist John Brown after a violent encounter. Believing Henry to be a girl, Brown nicknames him 'Little Onion.' Over the ensuing months, Henry conceals his true identity as he struggles to stay alive and eventually finds himself involved in the historic raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859, a pivotal event leading to the American Civil War. The book is a rousing adventure and a moving exploration of identity, survival, and the complexities of John Brown's character, portrayed with both sympathy and realism.
This book delves into the purpose and power of sleep, explaining how it affects every aspect of our physical and mental well-being. Walker discusses how sleep enriches our ability to learn, memorize, and make logical decisions, recalibrates our emotions, restocks our immune system, fine-tunes our metabolism, and regulates our appetite. He also explores the consequences of sleep deprivation and provides actionable steps to improve sleep quality, including ways to prevent cancer, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes, slow the effects of aging, and increase longevity.
In this memoir, James McBride recounts his own experiences as a mixed-race child growing up in poverty, while also telling the story of his mother, Ruth McBride Jordan. Born Rachel Shilsky in Poland, Ruth was the daughter of an Orthodox Jewish rabbi who fled pogroms and settled in America. She later married a black minister and founded a church in Brooklyn, raising twelve children despite facing significant racial and economic challenges. The book explores themes of race, identity, family, and the universal love that transcends these boundaries, as encapsulated in Ruth's phrase, 'God is the color of water.'
Published in 1956, 'Howl and Other Poems' is a seminal work of American literature. The collection includes Ginsberg's most famous poem, 'Howl,' which is a powerful critique of modern society and a celebration of the Beat Generation's values of nonconformity and creative expression. The book also features other notable poems that reflect Ginsberg's unique voice and poetic style.
This book, part of the Save the Cat series, applies the popular screenwriting methodology to novel writing. Jessica Brody demystifies the 15 essential plot points, or 'beats,' that are common in successful stories across various genres. The guide includes easy-to-follow templates, sample 'beat sheets' from popular novels, and advice on pitching and revising novels. It also covers the ten universal story genres and offers practical tips to enhance the writing process for both plotters and pantsers. The book is designed to help writers create engaging stories with well-structured plots and memorable characters[1][2][5].
Voicing Change is a culmination of Rich Roll's eight-year journey of interviewing unique thinkers and visionaries on his acclaimed podcast. The book distills the collective wisdom from these conversations into thoughtful essays and first-person wisdom, focusing on themes of intentional living, life lessons, and enduring inspiration.
In 'Can't Hurt Me,' David Goggins shares his astonishing life story, from a childhood marred by poverty, prejudice, and physical abuse to becoming a U.S. Armed Forces icon and one of the world's top endurance athletes. The book reveals Goggins' philosophy, known as the '40% Rule,' which suggests that most people only tap into 40% of their capabilities. He provides a wealth of practical strategies and principles for personal development, emphasizing self-discipline, accountability, and the necessity of embracing discomfort to unlock personal transformation. Goggins' story and advice serve as a blueprint for readers to push past their perceived limits, confront their fears, and unleash their full potential.
In 'Think Again', Adam Grant argues that the ability to rethink at personal, interpersonal, and collective levels is crucial in today's polarized world. He uses scientific research, personal anecdotes, and engaging stories to illustrate how people can find joy in being wrong, leverage the benefits of impostor syndrome, and cultivate environments of lifelong learning. Grant emphasizes the need to challenge our convictions, adopt a scientific mindset, and foster curiosity and humility. He provides examples of individuals who have successfully rethought their approaches, from firefighters to business leaders, and offers practical exercises for improving rethinking skills[2][4][5].
This is a story of spiritual swindlers. Sober living scammers. Underground insurance fraud. And widespread institutional neglect.
In today’s edition of ‘Roll On’, Adam Skolnick and I discuss the rampant corruption incident to unregulated addiction treatment centers—brutal truths brought to light by the new independent film Body Brokers. We share good news and bad. We perform a bit of show and tell. And as always, we answer listener questions.
For those new to the podcast, Adam Skolnick is an activist and veteran journalist best known as David Goggins’ Can’t Hurt Me, co-author. Adam has written about adventure sports, environmental issues, and civil rights for outlets such as The New York Times, Outside, ESPN, BBC, and Men’s Health. He is the author of One Breath and is currently hard at work on a novel.
Some of the many other topics explored in today’s conversation include:
- an update on Adam’s preparation for the Goggins’ 4 x 4 x 48 challenge;
- the Iron Cowboy’s ‘Conquer 100’ challenge;
- gravel cycling & Rich’s Specialized ambassadorship;
- the new documentary ‘Diving Deep’ and the life of activist Mike deGruy;
- Barack Obama’s new podcast and the future of the podcasting;
- the recent rise in Asian hate crime; and
- Lawrence Ferlinghetti’s impact on free speech—and what it means today.
In addition, we answer the following listener questions:
- If you could have a conversation with three luminaries living or dead, who would you choose?
- How do you make time to pursue ultra-running without disrupting work and family balance?
- What books, podcasts, and other types of media do you consume?
Thank you to Josh from North Carolina, Tara from Long Beach, and Emily from Minneapolis for your questions. If you want your query discussed, drop it on our Facebook Page, or better yet leave a voicemail at (424) 235-4626.
FULL BLOG & SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/richroll585
YouTube: bit.ly/rollon585
Peace + Plants,
Rich