I'd Rather Be Reading

Today’s episode is truly a dream come true—I get to chat with one of my heroes in the magazine industry, Jean Godfrey-June, current beauty editor at Goop, former beauty editor at Lucky, a writer for Elle and Vanity Fair, and the author of today’s throwback pick, 2006’s Free Gift with Purchase: My Improbable Career in Magazines and Makeup—her memoir. I am happy to tell you that, even though she’s interviewed everyone and seen everything, she is so down to earth and relatable—the ultimate cool girl. A legend in the beauty space and in the magazine industry (and she is currently cringing as she reads this), Jean takes us inside the golden era of magazines, what its like to be inside the beauty closet at one of the world’s biggest fashion magazines, and we pay very much due homage to the dearly departed Lucky magazine. This is a conversation not to be missed, my friends. Free Gift with Purchase: My Improbable Career in Magazines and Makeup by Jean Godfrey-June

When we think of famous pairs, we’ve got Beyoncé and Jay-Z, Thelma and Louise, Bonnie and Clyde, and, per the topic of today’s discussion, Siskel and Ebert. These two film critics were fierce rivals working for competing newspapers in Chicago and never envisioned working together—when I say they were bitter rivals, put some emphasis on the bitter—but ended up uniting to form a partnership that changed the way we see movies forever. Here to talk about it all is Matt Singer, whose new book explores the team of Siskel and Ebert, how they changed the game, and what their legacy is, 25 years after Gene Siskel unexpectedly passed away in early 1999.   Opposable Thumbs: How Siskel & Ebert Changed Movies Forever by Matt Singer

Here’s the thing: whether we claim it or not, we all have a personal style. So why not take control of it and leverage it for the good? Our guest today, Allison Bornstein, will teach you how to do just that. There are so many quantifiable tips on this episode -- The AB Closet Editing System! The Three Word Method! The Nine Universal Pieces! -- that the only way you won’t learn something is if you don’t listen. When you look good, you feel good, and, as Allison will teach us, fashion is a tool for self-expression and overall wellness. Let’s lean into it! Wear it Well: Reclaim Your Closet and Rediscover the Joy of Getting Dressed by Allison Bornstein

The 1970s was a pivotal decade in the wide world of sports: Title IX and women and sports; widespread racial integration across athletics; athletes taking their power back and taking ownership of their careers; sports shifting to primetime television; and so much more. I don’t think any of us realize until author Michael MacCambridge put it all in writing just how much the 1970s changed sports forever. He is here to talk about it all with me today—and stick around until the end of the episode, where two Kansas City Chiefs aficionados shoot the breeze about the infiltration of Taylor Swift into our city. It’s a great listen. The Big Time: How the 1970s Transformed Sports in America by Michael MacCambridge

Just when you think you know everything there is to know about the Beatles, the most famous group in history—you’re wrong. Today on the show we have the Beatles expert himself, Philip Norman, here to break down George Harrison, as complex and complicated a character as they come. Just about as antithetical to fame as it gets, George never saw his talent like the rest of the world did, and his contributions to music are vast: “Something.” “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” “Here Comes the Sun.” “My Sweet Lord.” In addition to his professional life, his personal life is compelling too. (Four words—Pattie Boyd. Eric Clapton.) He left us far too soon nearly 22 years ago, and I am excited to bring you part of his story through this conversation.

As ever in Hollywood, there are so many movies set to be released by the end of the year that are based on books, both nonfiction and fiction. Take a listen to what to expect when it comes to movie adaptations of fantastic memoirs, biographies, works of nonfiction, novels, and more -- and see which ones sound appealing to you.

If you’ve been looking for a book that clearly and concisely lays out how to live your best life—your happiest, healthiest life—you’re in luck, because this episode is about just that! Liz Moody’s latest book, 100 Ways to Change Your Life: The Science of Leveling Up Health, Happiness, Relationships, and Success, came out this week and offers up 100 easily implementable tips to live a full life. As I start to implement some of the 100 tips into my own life, I am already noticing a difference, and I know you will, too. My favorite part about this show is, ultimately, improving our lives together, so take a listen to but a sampling of how to do just that through our conversation.   100 Ways to Change Your Life: The Science of Leveling Up Health, Happiness, Relationships, and Success by Liz Moody

What a powerful episode we have for you today, listeners -- on the program we have former U.S. Ambassador to the Bahamas Nicole Avant, whose new book talks about working through grief after the murder of her mother, Jacqueline Avant, in December 2021, and the loss of her father, Clarence Avant, this past August. Grief is certainly not something any of us want to face, but when it's here, it helps to follow the lead of others who have navigated it and are navigating it, too, and the lessons and wisdom in this book are ones I'll keep in my heart forever. Think You'll Be Happy: Moving Through Grief with Grit, Grace, and Gratitude by Nicole Avant

Talk about feeling seen—when I read Alicia Menendez’s book The Likeability Trap: How to Break Free and Succeed As You Are four years ago, I thought, “Finally. Someone gets me.” And, listeners, I believe you will feel seen too through this conversation, though I wish that wasn’t so. So often women in particular have to choose between being successful and likeable. Why is it so difficult to like a successful woman? And why do we care if we are liked at all? We dig into everything in this Throwback Pick conversation—one of many this season. The Likeability Trap: How to Break Free and Succeed As You Are by Alicia Menendez

What are you most afraid of? Chances are, it's one of the nine fears that personal finance expert Farnoosh Torabi encourages readers to face head on in her latest book, "A Healthy State of Panic." Instead of attempting to become fearless, she encourages us to stare fear in the face and embrace it as a gift. We are used to hearing from Farnoosh sound advice about all things money -- and while that component is in the book, too, the book is so, so much more than that. It destigmatizes fear and, once we confront it, we can conquet it. A Healthy State of Panic: Follow Your Fears to Build Wealth, Crush Your Career, and Win at Life by Farnoosh Torabi