
The Read Well Podcast
Welcome to The Read Well Podcast, a weekly show dedicated to building a strong reading habit, improving research strategies, and learning intellectual ideas from the books you love. Your passion may be the wisdom of Plato, how to cook a curry, or the complex ideas hidden in Dostoevsky’s fiction. Whatever you’re researching today, this show is about helping you master the topic. You’ll find practical advice on how to take effective book notes, develop your annotation skills, and benefit from tools like a Zettelkasten or a second brain. So grab your favorite book, and let's get started.
Latest episodes

Nov 1, 2023 • 21min
Build a Reading Room | EP 22
In this video, I’m finally taking the plunge to build a reading room where I can dig into the books I love, think, and write. If you’ve been thinking about building your own reading room, follow along as I figure out paint, furniture, and more in this two-part series.Send Me a Text Message with Your QuestionsIMPORTANT LINKS:🛍️ - Visit my Bookstore Online - https://edgewaterbookstore.com/ 📝 - Join my Newsletter Letter for weekly tips on reading deeply - https://www.thereadwellpodcast.com/newsletter 📚 - Join The Read Well Book Club: https://thereadwellpodcast.com/book-club/

Oct 27, 2023 • 13min
Hard Books vs Boring Books | EP 21
Reading should not be a painful experience. In this video, I talk about the difference between hard books that challenge you and boring books that put you to sleep. Send Me a Text Message with Your QuestionsIMPORTANT LINKS:🛍️ - Visit my Bookstore Online - https://edgewaterbookstore.com/ 📝 - Join my Newsletter Letter for weekly tips on reading deeply - https://www.thereadwellpodcast.com/newsletter 📚 - Join The Read Well Book Club: https://thereadwellpodcast.com/book-club/

Oct 23, 2023 • 18min
5 Lessons I Learned Reading The Intellectual Life | EP 20
The Intellectual Life by A. G. Sertillanges is for anyone interested in becoming a better reader, writer, and thinker. In this video, I talk about five of the most important lessons from the book and why I think it’s a read worth adding to your list. The Intellectual Life is a philosophical work that explores what it means to be an intellectual. It was written in the 1920s, but most of its wisdom is still relevant today. Note - This book was written by a Catholic friar and does have a religious element to it. Along with that, some of the context is misogynistic due to the way the church saw a woman’s role in serving her husband. While I do not support these views, I do encourage the reader to see the underlying philosophical value in the rest of the text which is immense. Send Me a Text Message with Your QuestionsIMPORTANT LINKS:🛍️ - Visit my Bookstore Online - https://edgewaterbookstore.com/ 📝 - Join my Newsletter Letter for weekly tips on reading deeply - https://www.thereadwellpodcast.com/newsletter 📚 - Join The Read Well Book Club: https://thereadwellpodcast.com/book-club/

Oct 10, 2023 • 13min
The 3 Reading Habits that Waste Time | EP 19
I’ve wasted a lot of time reading books because I’ve been doing several things wrong as a reader. In this episode, I’ll show you how to avoid some of the most common pitfalls of reading. Honestly, I’ve committed many of these reading sins myself, so let’s call these life’s reading lessons learned. Send Me a Text Message with Your QuestionsIMPORTANT LINKS:🛍️ - Visit my Bookstore Online - https://edgewaterbookstore.com/ 📝 - Join my Newsletter Letter for weekly tips on reading deeply - https://www.thereadwellpodcast.com/newsletter 📚 - Join The Read Well Book Club: https://thereadwellpodcast.com/book-club/

17 snips
Oct 3, 2023 • 21min
Learning How to Write (Well) Changes Everything | EP 18
Learning "how to write an essay" goes beyond a typical school task. 📝💡 It's about shaping your thoughts, communicating clearly, and connecting with your audience effectively. A well-crafted essay isn't just ink on paper; it's a message that resonates and stays with its reader. Though essay writing can be challenging, the skills you gain are truly valuable. If you're aiming to enhance your communication or simply make an impact, understanding the ins and outs of essay writing can be a game-changer. 🚀Get the full essay at: https://www.thereadwellpodcast.com/essays/learning-to-write-well-changes-everythingSend Me a Text Message with Your QuestionsIMPORTANT LINKS:🛍️ - Visit my Bookstore Online - https://edgewaterbookstore.com/ 📝 - Join my Newsletter Letter for weekly tips on reading deeply - https://www.thereadwellpodcast.com/newsletter 📚 - Join The Read Well Book Club: https://thereadwellpodcast.com/book-club/

Sep 26, 2023 • 20min
Habit Stacking for Readers: Find More Time for Books | EP 17
Ever feel like there's just not enough time in the day to read? I get it – life is busy. But what if I told you there's a simple strategy to sneak in more reading without overhauling your schedule? Enter Habit Stacking, the game-changing technique tailored specifically for book lovers like you.In this video, I’ll share:📚 The science behind habit stacking and why it's the secret sauce for readers.📚 Practical ways to seamlessly integrate reading into your daily routines.📚 Tips and tricks to make the most of every reading opportunity, no matter how short.Whether you're looking to dive deeper into novels, explore new genres, or just want to make consistent reading a part of your life, this video is for you. 🔗 **Links & Resources**:Blog Post - Why are More People Reading Books in 2023? - Read the articleRecommended Reading - Top Books on Building Habits: Habit Stacking: 97 Small Life Changes That Take Five Minutes or LessThe Power of HabitAtomic Habits3. Join Our Book Club - Connect with fellow book lovers and share your habit stacking journey at https://highlightish.com/book-club👍 **Like** the video if you found it helpful and **share** it with fellow readers.🔔 **Subscribe** for more reading strategies, book reviews, and literary discussions.Send Me a Text Message with Your QuestionsIMPORTANT LINKS:🛍️ - Visit my Bookstore Online - https://edgewaterbookstore.com/ 📝 - Join my Newsletter Letter for weekly tips on reading deeply - https://www.thereadwellpodcast.com/newsletter 📚 - Join The Read Well Book Club: https://thereadwellpodcast.com/book-club/

Sep 19, 2023 • 25min
Maximizing Your Experience in a Book Club | EP 16
Looking to get more from your book club sessions? This guide offers practical advice on preparing for and engaging in discussions - especially when tackling classic literature and philosophy.In this week’s podcast, I cover tips on reading, research, and active participation to help you better understand and appreciate each book. Additionally, I touch upon the importance of reflection after each meeting. The goal is to help improve your reading experience and make the most of your time in The Read Well Book Club. JOIN THE BOOK CLUB:Affordable at just $4.99 a monthIncludes FULL membership to Highlightish for book notes and writingLive Session Every Tuesday at 8:30 EST in your Highlightish accountRead the kinds of books that will impact your lifeWeekly reading assignments to keep you on trackStay accountable to your reading goalsEnjoy deep, weekly conversation with other adults on an intellectual levelGet started at: https://highlightish.com/book-clubThanks for watching, listening, and MOST IMPORTANTLY → Reading.Send Me a Text Message with Your QuestionsThe Write NoteExploring the craft of writing and its impact on pop culture.Listen on: SpotifyIMPORTANT LINKS:🛍️ - Visit my Bookstore Online - https://edgewaterbookstore.com/ 📝 - Join my Newsletter Letter for weekly tips on reading deeply - https://www.thereadwellpodcast.com/newsletter 📚 - Join The Read Well Book Club: https://thereadwellpodcast.com/book-club/

Sep 12, 2023 • 19min
How to Read (Like a Philosopher) | EP 15
The art of reading must be learned and then practiced on a daily basis. Socrates the philosopher had a complicated relationship with the written word. He neither fully dismissed its value nor embraced it. Instead, he was worried that writing things down (and reading them) would weaken your memory. In Plato’s “Phaedrus”, he describes the conversation between Socrates and Phaedrus. It’s a fascinating read because Socrates uses an ancient Egyptian myth to point out that we will use writing, not as a tool for learning, but a tool for forgetting.Why remember if you can write something down, right? The most relevant passage from that dialogue is: "For this invention will produce forgetfulness in the minds of those who learn to use it, because they will not practice their memory. Their trust in writing, produced by external characters which are no part of themselves, will discourage the use of their own memory within them. You have invented an elixir not of memory, but of reminding; and you offer your pupils the appearance of wisdom, not true wisdom, for they will read many things without instruction and will therefore seem to know many things, when they are for the most part ignorant and hard to get along with, since they are not wise, but only appear wise."It underscores the idea that reading in itself isn’t enough. You need to internalize, reflect on, and truly understand the content for it to be of genuine value. That’s why, in this week’s podcast episode, we’re talking about how to read like a philosopher. How does one approach the reading experience so that it’s not superficial? IMPORTANT SHOW NOTES: As mentioned in the video, I want to give a huge shout-out to a YouTube channel that has inspired me to start this very podcast. Check out his channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@_jaredJOIN THE BOOK CLUB:Affordable at just $4.99 a monthIncludes FULL membership to Highlightish for book notes and writingLive Session Every Tuesday at 8:30 EST in your Highlightish accountRead the kinds of books that will impact your lifeWeekly reading assignments to keep you on trackStay accountable to your reading goalsEnjoy deep, weekly conversation with other adults on an intellectual levelGet started at: https://highlightish.com/book-clubThanks for watching, listening, and MOST IMPORTANTLY → Reading.Send Me a Text Message with Your QuestionsIMPORTANT LINKS:🛍️ - Visit my Bookstore Online - https://edgewaterbookstore.com/ 📝 - Join my Newsletter Letter for weekly tips on reading deeply - https://www.thereadwellpodcast.com/newsletter 📚 - Join The Read Well Book Club: https://thereadwellpodcast.com/book-club/

Sep 5, 2023 • 30min
Book Club Schedule for Season 1 (2023 - 2024) | EP 14
I’m so excited to announce that I’m launching a live online book club for the 2023 - 2024 year. This is the first season of the book club and we’re going to dive head-first into some incredible works that will move you, challenge you, and enrich your life. Benefits of joining: Facebook live sessions every Tuesday at 8:30 EST with the groupYour monthly fee covers the cost of highlightish.com giving you full access to annotate your books and write essaysRead the kinds of books that will impact your lifeWeekly reading assignments to keep you motivatedStat accountable to your reading goalsWeekly conversion with other adults on an intellectual levelThere are three qualifications to join: Cover the cost of membership to keep the club running. It’s just $4.99 a month or you can pay for the whole year at $49 and save a few bucks. When you create an account at highlightish.com, upgrade to a paid membership and you’ll be invited to the book club!You must love literature.You must be respectful. No trolls allowed. To get started, sign up for a paid membership at highlightish.com/book-clubThanks for the support. I can’t wait to see you there. Send Me a Text Message with Your QuestionsThe Write NoteExploring the craft of writing and its impact on pop culture.Listen on: SpotifyIMPORTANT LINKS:🛍️ - Visit my Bookstore Online - https://edgewaterbookstore.com/ 📝 - Join my Newsletter Letter for weekly tips on reading deeply - https://www.thereadwellpodcast.com/newsletter 📚 - Join The Read Well Book Club: https://thereadwellpodcast.com/book-club/

Aug 29, 2023 • 6min
Improve Your Reading Focus | EP 13
For this week’s podcast, I share a simple strategy to improve focus while reading. Learn how to transition from a distracted mindset to being fully immersed in your book. By applying these tips, you can gradually enhance your concentration, allowing you to read for an uninterrupted hour, free from the pull of daily tasks and distractions.Send Me a Text Message with Your QuestionsIMPORTANT LINKS:🛍️ - Visit my Bookstore Online - https://edgewaterbookstore.com/ 📝 - Join my Newsletter Letter for weekly tips on reading deeply - https://www.thereadwellpodcast.com/newsletter 📚 - Join The Read Well Book Club: https://thereadwellpodcast.com/book-club/