The Great Believers follows two intertwining storylines. The first is set in 1980s and '90s Chicago, where Yale Tishman, an art gallery acquisitions manager, navigates the devastating effects of the AIDS epidemic on his community. The second storyline takes place in Paris in 2015, where Fiona Marcus, a secondary character from the first storyline, searches for her estranged daughter and grapples with the long-term consequences of the epidemic on her life. The novel explores themes of loss, betrayal, friendship, and survival, and it is known for its detailed portrayal of the emotional and social impacts of the AIDS crisis[2][4][5].
In 'Daring Greatly,' Brené Brown delves into the topics of vulnerability, shame, and courage. The book, inspired by a quote from Theodore Roosevelt's 'Citizenship in a Republic' speech, argues that vulnerability is essential for living a wholehearted life. Brown discusses how vulnerability is often misunderstood as weakness, but it is actually a sign of courage. She provides insights from her research on how vulnerability affects men and women differently and offers practical advice on overcoming shame and embracing vulnerability in personal and professional life. The book emphasizes the importance of connection, shame resilience, and the distinction between guilt and shame[3][4][5].
This book surveys the history of humankind from the Stone Age to the 21st century, focusing on Homo sapiens. It divides human history into four major parts: the Cognitive Revolution, the Agricultural Revolution, the Unification of Humankind, and the Scientific Revolution. Harari argues that Homo sapiens dominate the world due to their unique ability to cooperate in large numbers through beliefs in imagined realities such as gods, nations, money, and human rights. The book also examines the impact of human activities on the global ecosystem and speculates on the future of humanity, including the potential for genetic engineering and non-organic life.
This play, adapted by Jeremy Sams from the original sitcom by John Esmonde and Bob Larbey, follows Tom and Barbara Good as they transform their suburban home in Surbiton into a model of self-sufficiency. They grow their own food, keep livestock, make their own clothes, and generate electricity from manure. The play reunites the beloved characters, including Geraldine the goat, and explores issues of sustainability and community, blending old and new comedic elements.
In this book, Robert M. Sapolsky delves into the fascinating world of stress and its impact on our bodies. He explains why zebras, unlike humans, rarely suffer from stress-related illnesses. Sapolsky combines cutting-edge research with practical advice and engaging anecdotes to illustrate how prolonged stress can cause or intensify a range of physical and mental afflictions, including depression, ulcers, colitis, and heart disease. The book also provides essential guidance on managing stress responses and offers new insights into how stress affects sleep, addiction, anxiety, and personality disorders[3][4][5].
In 'Rest,' Alex Soojung-Kim Pang challenges the myth that harder work leads to better outcomes. He combines scientific research with historical examples of writers, painters, and thinkers to demonstrate the importance of 'deliberate rest' in enhancing productivity and creativity. The book emphasizes the need to treat rest as an active and essential part of a balanced life, highlighting practices such as daily naps, long walks, and deep play to achieve fulfillment and success.
In 'Keep Sharp', Dr. Sanjay Gupta offers insights from top scientists to help heighten and protect brain function. The book debunks myths about aging, explores optimal diets and exercises for brain health, and provides a 12-week program to strengthen cognitive abilities. It also addresses Alzheimer's disease and offers strategies for caregivers.
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Dr. Sanjay Gupta is the multiple Emmy Award-winning chief medical correspondent for CNN and host of the CNN podcast Chasing Life. Gupta, a practicing neurosurgeon, plays an integral role in CNN’s reporting on health and medical news for all of CNN’s shows domestically and internationally. In addition to his work for CNN, Gupta is an associate professor of neurosurgery at Emory University Hospital and associate chief of neurosurgery at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta. He is the author of four New York Times best-selling books, “Chasing Life” (2007), “Cheating Death” (2009), “Monday Mornings” (2012), and “Keep Sharp: Building a Better Brain” (2020).
In this episode we talk about:
- Sanjay’s origin story and how he got interested in the brain in the first place
- The mysteries of consciousness
- We dive into his five pillars of brain health
- How you can grow new brain cells by moving the body (but in certain ways)
- Key skills for challenging your brain
- We hear about some meditation tips Sanjay picked up from the Dalai Lama
- Whether we should worry alone or with other people
- And lastly, why it’s so important for men to have vulnerable conversations with each other
Related Episodes:
The Dalai Lama’s Guide to Happiness
#230: The Power of Rest | Alex Soojung-Kim Pang
#614. Your Brain on Food | Dr. Uma Naidoo
The Science Of Memory: How To Get Better At Remembering And Be Okay With Forgetting | Charan Ranganath
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Full Shownotes: https://happierapp.com/podcast/tph/sanjay-gupta-836
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