This biography by Mark Harris provides a detailed and engaging account of Mike Nichols's life, from his early days as a refugee from Berlin to his rise as a renowned director in theater and film. Harris draws on interviews with over 250 people, including Elaine May, Meryl Streep, and Stephen Sondheim, to paint a vivid picture of Nichols's career and personal life. The book highlights Nichols's creative partnerships, his drive and ambition, and his struggles with depression and self-medication. It is praised for its balanced and insightful portrayal, making it a must-read for fans of Mike Nichols and the entertainment industry.
Building on years of international reporting, Max Fisher tells the gripping story of how Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and other social networks preyed on psychological frailties to create algorithms that drive users to extreme opinions and actions. The book explores how the companies' founding tenets and focus on maximizing engagement have led to a destabilized world, marked by increasing social and political polarization, misinformation, and violence. Fisher also highlights the stories of heroic outsiders and Silicon Valley defectors who raised alarms about these issues.
The book follows the story of Bernadette Fox, a former renowned architect and MacArthur Genius Grant recipient, who has become a recluse and suffers from severe agoraphobia. When her daughter Bee earns perfect grades, she claims her reward: a family trip to Antarctica. However, Bernadette's aversion to people and her increasing mental breakdown lead to her disappearance. Bee compiles a series of emails, documents, and secret correspondences to find her mother, revealing a complex web of family dynamics, social satire, and personal struggles. The novel pokes fun at Seattle's elite culture, private school parents, and the tech world, while exploring themes of creativity, mental health, and the bond between a mother and daughter.
In '10% Happier,' Dan Harris shares his personal journey of discovering the benefits of meditation. Initially a skeptic, Harris, a news anchor, found himself on a path of self-discovery after a nationally televised panic attack. He delves into the world of spirituality and self-help, encountering various figures including brain scientists, CEOs, and spiritual leaders. The book explores how meditation can reduce stress, improve focus, and enhance overall well-being without compromising one's ambition or edge. Harris emphasizes the importance of mindfulness in making one more resilient and better equipped to handle life's challenges, though it does not eliminate problems entirely[2][4][5].
Dope Sick is a harrowing story that combines elements of magical realism to explore themes of drug use, violence, and the possibility of redemption. The protagonist, Lil J, is on the run after a drug deal goes wrong, and he must confront his past and consider the consequences of his actions. The novel offers a vivid portrayal of life in Harlem and the struggles of its characters, inviting readers to reflect on the complexities of reality and the potential for change.
Mark Harris's 'Pictures at a Revolution' explores the pivotal year of 1967 in Hollywood through the lens of the five Best Picture nominees: 'Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner', 'The Graduate', 'In the Heat of the Night', 'Bonnie and Clyde', and 'Doctor Doolittle'. The book delves into the cultural and societal shifts that influenced these films, marking a significant transition from the traditional studio system to the innovative New Hollywood era. Harris provides detailed production histories and anecdotes, highlighting the impact of these films on American cinema and society.
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Today’s episode is a wide-ranging Interview with Zach Braff, one of those rare famous people who’s really willing to go there.
You may know Braff from the TV show Scrubs or the movie Garden State but Braff is actually a genuine multi-hyphenate; a true triple threat. He acts, writes and directs his own movies and other people’s TV shows including Ted Lasso on Apple TV. Relatively recently he put out a new movie that he both wrote and directed called A Good Person starring Florence Pugh and Morgan Freeman.
In this episode we talked about anxiety, depression, insomnia, addiction, grief, social media usage, and what he means by “learning to love your fate”—a notion that is literally tattooed on his wrist.
This Interview was conducted in person at the TED conference in Vancouver this past April.
Full Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/tph/podcast-episode/zach-braff
10% Happier with Dan Harris 
