Hello, friends, and happy New Year.
Welcome to the Playing Books Podcast. We thank you for your goodwill, attention, follow, comments, and feedback. We will continue to create engaging, thought-provoking episodes based on best-selling books that are both interesting and eye-opening.
This new episode is about work. Securing a job is challenging in this era of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and massive layoffs worldwide.
This means that both maintaining a job and enjoying it are extra challenging and nearly impossible, as well as being promoted and earning more on the job. This episode addresses various aspects of work, career, colleagues, bosses, communication, and more. We discuss Richard Templar’s The Rules of Work in this first episode of the year 2026.
You are about to join those who enjoy their job, are adept at dealing with people at work, get promoted, respect boundaries, and accomplish a lot personally and professionally.
The Rules of Work is a top bestseller. Richard Templar is a specialist career, life, and psychological coach; his objective knowledge, keen observation, and expertise continue to provide the professional edge needed in the competitive world of careers.
There are many insights and secrets that successful workers know, which many career men, women, and millennials don’t even think of, let alone apply. To succeed in these times of AI and unemployment, you need to learn, understand, think, and apply the Rules of Work. Working should be a breeze and enjoyable.
It is 2026, a New Year, and it’s time to learn the principles that will improve what you do and how you do it. These rules will give you the unmistakable air of confidence that will win you admiration, respect, and help you towards your next promotion. Templar’s The Rules of Work should be one of the books you read regularly. Consider purchasing a copy on Amazon or from your favorite bookstore. In this new edition of the international bestseller, Richard Templar has added 10 new Rules to help professionals get heard, noticed, acknowledged, and followed at work, even in their respective industry.
This episode is highly recommended for sharing with your siblings, colleagues, friends, and other significant individuals in your life. We would appreciate your feedback, as well as your support by following, subscribing, and listening to the Playing Books podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon, iHeartRadio, and other platforms where you listen to podcasts.
Thank you so much, and have an interesting and literary 2026.
Hello, booklovers and lifelong readers.
You have searched for jobs and attempted to change career the wrong way enough.
In this episode, you are going to get some practical, tested, and valuable knowledge about getting a job. Layoffs affect every professional and industry, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is only becoming formidable and the next professional. This is why the proper know-how of getting hired is key.
Getting hired starts with persistent hope and a strong belief that you have the personality, skills, education, experience, and team spirit that are unique and valuable to many companies and industries. They need to take a chance on you.
Learn the core of landing your dream job in this episode. 2026 is less than three weeks away; this episode should enliven, challenge, teach, and guide you in your job search endeavor.
This episode is only for those who urgently need to change their job search approach. It is not junk; it is based on Richard Lathrop's Who's Hiring Who. Stop wasting time, effort, and frustration. This episode will help you escape the high levels of negative emotions that often follow job search disappointments.
It is available on Amazon and at your local bookstores.
Please share your feedback, follow, and subscribe to the Playing Books podcast. We are excited for your next job and this literary incentive for your career.
Thank you.
Hello, friends.
Welcome to the Playing Books Podcast. This episode is practical and applicable, yet enjoyable. You will learn, relearn, or reinforce a pivotal habit that many great people
credit to their accomplishments. Lee Iacocca recalls the importance of this habit in living with integrity with oneself and others. Iacocca was an executive at Ford and later President and CEO of Chrysler. He writes about how Robert McNamara challenges him to always write down what he wants to accomplish or pursue. It should be specific and dated. This episode is about the underrated art of writing down goals, activities, expectations, commitments, achievements, and other important information.
Do you write things down? Have you noticed any power from writing things down? Have you kept up this habit?
True joy follows the act of writing down goals, especially when the goals are accomplished. Besides this, writing things down is a needful exercise for the brain. Writing can be the first phase of cognitive exercise, which follows reading and remembering what was written down, which can nourish the brain more than anything else over time. It tricks or empowers the brain to augment the writer’s identity to that of an achiever.
Our episode aims to encourage listeners to read, think, recall, and apply the knowledge from great books, as a way to contribute to a better world through individual positive changes and success. This episode is based on Allison Fallon’s, ’The Power of Writing It Down: A Simple Habit to Unlock Your Brain and Reimagine Your Life.’ You shared that the art of writing it down has many useful applications and benefits.
Identify your ruts and create new neurological grooves toward better habits
Find fresh motivation and take ownership of your life
Heal from past pain and trauma
Relieve anxiety and depression
Contextualize life's setbacks and minor frustrations
Live a more confident, balanced, and healthy life … and so much more.
Are you ready for this regular cognitive exercise? Consider purchasing a copy of Allison Fallon’s The Power of Writing It Down: A Simple Habit to Unlock Your Brain and Reimagine Your Life on Amazon or at your favorite bookstore.Please give feedback, tell us your favorite takeaway, and let us know how this episode challenges you. Please comment on any books you'd like us to discuss next.Follow, subscribe, and share the Playing Books Podcast — where you listen to bestselling books and learn on the go.
Thank you.
Hello, curious friends.
Thank you for your time and for tuning in to this revealing episode. It’s Kamala Harris’s 107 Days. It is now a historical fact. Kamala is the first female U.S. Vice President.
The U.S. is often seen as a shining example of democracy, but in reality, many challenges, contradictions, and unfair treatment of women and minorities coexist with this supposed fairness, openness, equality, and justice. Many people face immense difficulties in U.S. politics. Serving in the U.S. Congress isn’t bread and butter; it is tough, cutthroat, competitive, and dominating. And, writing about it comes with its own price, because the public shouldn’t have to know about the struggles, embarrassment, racism, caricatures, mockery, and hostility that come with representing the people at that level.
We’ll be discussing Kamala Harris and how she navigates this hostile political environment, including the events, expectations, debates, setbacks, media scrutiny, unexpected moments of humor, and spite she experienced while running to become the first female U.S. President. You will hear how she decided to select Tim Walz as her running mate, and other similar critical decisions.
Does this sound familiar to you, in your life, workplace, community, and everyday experiences? Are you dealing with this kind of hostility, or are you able to find ways to address it in a positive manner? Are you succeeding amid the hostility? You might be a woman facing unfair treatment, domination, and harassment. This episode is here to offer you encouragement. You’ll get to hear what Kamala went through, which should give you hope and understanding that these challenges are shared and universal. Then, you’ll learn how to anticipate and effectively handle such domination.
Did you think Kamala Harris was well-prepared for the responsibilities of being Vice President before stepping into the role of U.S. President? What impact did having or not having a supportive team have on her journey to becoming the first female U.S. President? Does her book, 107 Days, answer some of the big questions you were hoping to find answers to, and does she have a good chance of becoming the U.S. President and succeeding in the future?
Do you want to know Kamala Harris’s Secret Service Code Name? Read the book in full yourself to find out, and share your feedback, please. Kamala Harris’s 107 Days is available on Amazon and most standard bookstores worldwide. It is now a Number 1 New York Times Bestseller.
Please share, follow, and subscribe to the Playing Books podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts.
Thank you.
In today’s episode, we will discuss how to discover your strengths. You have likely felt unhappy, stuck, frustrated, unappreciated, and unfulfilled, and these feelings may persist until you find a functional way to find your strengths or live like you’re a big weakling.
Those tons of questions were not indicative that something was wrong with you. You just knew there was something more grand, impactful, and memorable about you and your talents. You are about to get rewarded for not giving up and settling for a mediocre life, but that burning desire was there to urge you to pursue a fulfilling life. You already possess the tenacity to find, develop, and grow your strengths. Learn not only how to leverage your strengths, but also how to maximize them, and even create a lasting legacy of your strengths.
This episode draws inspiration from Tom Rath’s StrengthsFinder 2.0, a bestselling book published by Gallup. StrengthsFinder has empowered individuals worldwide to discover and optimize their talents, especially in competitive environments.
We encourage you to leverage your strengths to fully develop your talents and lead the life you’ve always dreamed of and talked about to yourself and others. Consequently, join those making a difference in tackling global challenges, both locally, nationally, and internationally, using your newfound strengths.
Discovering and developing strengths requires continuous reading and learning. Consider purchasing Tom Rath’s StrengthsFinder 2.0 on Amazon, or at your preferred bookstore.
What a decisive journey you are about to begin. It is worthwhile to identify your strengths before someone else convinces you of your inadequacies and concludes you are a lifelong weakling.
Please leave us your feedback, and share, follow, and subscribe to the Playing Books podcast.
Thank you once again for tuning in.
Hello, lifelong learners and booklovers.
Do you budget for hospitality? Is generosity that important to you? That sounds unreasonable, right?
We are absolutely thrilled to have you tune in to another game-changing episode of Worthscope’s Playing Books podcast.
Today, we explore a book that doesn’t just change how you do business; it changes how you treat people. We are discussing the transformative surprises of “Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect” by Will Guidara.
Will Guidara took Eleven Madison Park from a struggling, middling brasserie to the #1 Best Restaurant in the World. How? Not just by serving better food, but by serving people in a way that was so over-the-top, so thoughtful, and so "unreasonable," that it became legendary.
In this episode, you will learn:
The difference between Service and Hospitality: Service is getting the right plate to the right person (Black & White). Hospitality is how you make them feel while doing it (Color).
The Legend of the Hot Dog: The iconic story of how a cheap street hot dog served on fine china changed the trajectory of a business forever.
The Rule of 95/5: How to manage 95% of your budget down to the penny so you can spend the last 5% "foolishly" on creating hospitality.
Improvisational Hospitality: How to stop treating customers like transactions and start treating them like VIPs in your own home.
As a CEO, a freelancer, parent, athlete, entrepreneur, delivery driver, teacher, or just someone who wants to build better relationships, this episode is your masterclass in the power of human connection.
We know life moves fast. You want the knowledge, but you don’t always have the time to sit down with a book. The Playing Books Podcast bridges that gap. We curate and deliver audio versions of the world’s most impactful and best-selling books for demanding professionals, students, young people, leaders, lifelong learners, and anyone looking to learn on the go.
However, nothing beats reading the actual book. We encourage you to purchase a copy of this practical book for your library. It is available on Amazon and at your local independent bookstores.
Please, share your feedback. What was your favorite "unreasonable" takeaway? Follow and subscribe, please.
Thank you.
Hello, curious bookworms. Welcome to another eye-opening episode of Worthscope’s Playing Books Podcast🎙️.
History! History! History! This is a fascinating piece on history. Formative, interesting history at that. You are about to discover the origins of civilization, core creativity, language, culture, prescience, science, art, and music in one of the world’s oldest places, Ethiopia, East Africa. Whatever assumptions you hold dear about the past, this episode will challenge and even shake them off with accurate knowledge and first-hand accounts.
Ethiopia is one of the places on Earth with numerous traces and evidence of a complex and enduring civilization. We explore Steven Kaplan’s The Ethiopians: Lost Civilizations in this episode. Biased historians often portray Ethiopia as the ultimate geographical and cultural conundrum as far as history is concerned. However, substantial historical evidence suggests that it is far from the reality. Mentioned forty-five times in the Hebrew Bibe, Ethiopia, and Ethiopians pioneered many positive inventions, including mechanical agriculture, writing, and knowing the time. Did you know what Ethiopia means? Burnt face. You don’t want to miss this interesting podcast episode. It is complex, revealing, suspenseful, fun, and palpable. We don’t yet know how Ethiopia came to be such a key hub of a rich and intriguing past. Do you know? Do you know any studies, books, or research that unveil this? Ethiopians and Ethiopia will continue to puzzle many, such as how they successfully withstood European colonialism, and the beginning of Christianity.
Take your curiosity beyond this episode. Consider purchasing a copy of The Ethiopians: Lost Civilizations by Steven Kaplan on Amazon or at your favorite bookstore.
Please share your feedback, tell us your favorite takeaway, and let us know how this episode resonates with you.
Follow, subscribe, and share the Playing Books podcast, where every story becomes an audiobook for the on-the-go learner.
Thank you.
Hello bookworms and history buffs. Welcome to another practical episode of Worthscope’s Playing Books Podcast🎙️.
We discuss living long and enjoying it right now based on “Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity” by Peter Attia, MD, and Bill Gifford. Longevity with hearing difficulty, arthritis, long or short-sightedness, loneliness, loss of memory, and being on medication is the norm in many societies. Why is that? We attempt to answer it in this episode as well. Since nothing happens suddenly, leading a sickly life later is largely because of the failure to decide and choose the type of old age that is fun, energetic, meaningful, and healthy in advance.
We didn’t proactively choose a healthy lifestyle. We only go for a checkup when the condition has become a part of our lives. We discard exercises until the doctor recommends them, and we actively eat healthy until a particular sickness or disease forces us to adjust our diets.
Listen and learn from this applicable episode. We can’t change our chronological age, but we can absolutely change our biological age. This is a comprehensive and strategic blueprint for leading a better, healthier life from now till the lifespan you desire. First, you need to make an immediate shift in your mindset, backed by serious action and adjustments to your habits. Begin to think about your healthspan, or the quality of your life in everything you do. Pursue a personalized, proactive strategy for longevity, with formidable action now. Waiting till you have become weak is largely what paralyzes your health and life later.
Start your “biohacking,” the science of taking a calculated and preventive strategic and tactical approach to extending your lifespan while also improving your physical, cognitive, and emotional health. You can do it, and it will impact more than just yourself - your family, friends, colleagues, and others in your life.
If you want more than this episode, you can purchase your copy of “Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity" by Peter Attia, MD, and Bill Gifford from Amazon or at your favorite bookstore.
Please share your feedback, tell us your favorite takeaway, and let us know how this episode resonates with you.Follow, subscribe, and share Playing Books, where every story becomes an audiobook for the on-the-go learner.
Thank you.
Hello bookworms and history buffs. Welcome to another thrilling episode of Worthscope’s Playing Books Podcast🎙️.
Today’s episode dives into a modern gentleman’s guide for mastering life’s unspoken rules — “Essential Manners for Men: What to Do, When to Do It, and Why” by Peter Post. Whether you’re stepping into a boardroom, a first date, or your best friend’s wedding, this episode helps you handle every moment with confidence, class, and character.
In this insightful and practical listen, we unpack timeless etiquette for modern men — from introductions and dressing right to handling digital communication and everyday interactions. Peter Post, the great-grandson of etiquette icon Emily Post, brings wisdom that turns politeness into power and respect into everyday practice.
Perfect for on-demand people and audiobook lovers, Worthscope’s Playing Books brings you the lessons and life-changing insights from great books — to listen, learn, and grow on the go.
Purchase your copy of Essential Manners for Men on Amazon or at your favorite bookstore.Please, give your feedback, tell us your favorite takeaway, and share your thoughts, rate this episode, and let us know how this episode reveals and challenges you.Follow, subscribe, and share Playing Books — where every story becomes an audiobook for the on-the-go learner.
Thank you.
Hello bookworms and history buffs. Welcome to another thrilling episode of Worthscope’s Playing Books Podcast🎙️. Where we bring the world’s most transformative books straight to your ears — made for busy thinkers, dreamers, and doers who love to listen and learn on the go.
Today, we dive into Malcolm Gladwell’s groundbreaking masterpiece, David and Goliath, a book that redefines what it means to face impossible odds. Have you ever wondered why the underdog sometimes wins? Gladwell flips the classic Bible story on its head and uncovers how weakness can become strength, and disadvantage can turn into destiny.
Join us as we explore:
The hidden power behind being underestimated
Why apparent disadvantages often lead to innovation and resilience
Real-life “Davids” who transformed challenges into triumphs across history, business, and sports
This isn’t just a story about underdogs, but it’s a lesson in rethinking power, strategy, and success. Whether you’re a student, entrepreneur, or leader, this episode will help you see your obstacles in a whole new light.
Purchase your copy of David and Goliath on Amazon or at other major bookstores.Please, share your thoughts, rate this episode, and let us know your favorite “David vs. Goliath” moment.Follow, subscribe, and share Playing Books — where every story becomes an audiobook for the on-the-go learner.
Thank you.
Hello bookworms and history buffs. Get ready to learn more on the go. The Playing Books podcast is back, and we're bringing you an episode that's going to blow your mind.
In this episode, we're discussing "Anna Louise Strong: Three Interviews with Chairman Mao Zedong." Prepare to be captivated as we dissect the groundbreaking conversations between the American journalist Anna Louise Strong and the enigmatic leader of Communist China, Chairman Mao Zedong.
This isn't just a history lesson; it's a thrilling journey into the heart of power, ideology, and the clash of cultures.
Purchase your copy of "Right in Her Soul: The Life of Anna Louise Strong on Amazon and at your local bookstore.
Please, share this episode with your friends and fellow history enthusiasts. Follow and subscribe to the Playing Books podcast, leave us a review, and let us know what you thought, please.
You can share your thoughts on social media using #PlayingBooks and #AnnaLouiseStrong.
Let's explore the world, one book at a time.
Thank you.
Hey everyone — welcome back to Worthscope’s Playing Books! We’ve got an unmissable episode for you today. Get ready for a deep, emotional, and patriotic ride as we open the pages of Under Siege: My Family’s Fight to Save Our Nation by Eric Trump, with a foreword from President Donald J. Trump.
This isn’t just another political memoir — it’s the raw, human story of what it’s like to grow up in a household that has lived every headline, every accusation, and every moment of triumph and fear under the brightest and often harshest spotlight in America. Eric Trump takes us behind the scenes — from his childhood memories at Mar-a-Lago to standing shoulder to shoulder with his father through two presidential campaigns and unprecedented battles for the truth.
You’ll hear about raids, courtroom drama, the chaos of fake news, and even moments when their own safety was at risk. But through it all, one message rings loud and clear: the fight wasn’t just for their family — it was for America itself.
If you’ve ever wondered what really happens when a family takes on the full force of politics, power, and the media, this episode pulls no punches. It’s emotional, revealing, and deeply personal.
Grab your copy of Under Siege on Amazon today at https://amzn.to/4o3hzhl or pick it up at your favorite bookstore. Trust us, you’ll want to read along as we break down this remarkable story.
We’d love to know what you think. Please, share your thoughts, tell us what moments moved you the most, and don’t forget to share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.
Please follow and subscribe to the Playing Books podcast for more powerful stories, moving discussions, and unforgettable insights that connect today’s reads to tomorrow’s conversations, action, and outcomes.
Thank you.
Welcome back to another exciting episode of Worthscope’s Playing Books—the show where we don’t just read books, we live them! 🎙️
In this episode, we’re diving deep into Nick Maggiulli’s NEW YORK TIMES bestseller, The Wealth Ladder: Proven Strategies for Every Step of Your Financial Life. From the mastermind behind Just Keep Buying, this isn’t your average money manual. It’s your roadmap to financial freedom, no matter where you are on your journey.
Are you hustling harder but barely moving up the financial ladder? You’re not alone—and this book has the answer. Maggiulli breaks down wealth into six strategic levels, each with unique mindsets, tools, and tactics to help you grow your income, invest smarter, and stress less. Because true wealth-building isn’t about working endlessly—it’s about working intelligently, one level at a time.
We’ll unpack practical lessons from each level so you’ll know exactly how to navigate your next move. Whether you’re just getting started or optimizing your investments, you’ll walk away knowing how to make every dollar count toward your goals.
Ready to take the next step on your financial journey? Grab your copy of The Wealth Ladder on Amazon https://amzn.to/4oCBq7g or at your favorite local bookstore.
If this episode helps you rethink your financial strategy, share it with a friend, drop us your thoughts, and don’t forget to follow and subscribe to Playing Books—your personal guide to learning from the world’s best ideas, one book at a time.
Welcome, Playing Books listeners. Prepare to have your mind blown about the very language you are reading this in.
You think English is just a blend of German and French words? Think again. It's a glorious, chaotic mutt—a linguistic Frankenstein stitched together by invading armies, lazy speakers, and historical accidents.
Join us for an exhilarating ride through John McWhorter’s brilliant and irreverent book, Our Magnificent Bastard Tongue: The Untold History of English.
McWhorter, a world-class linguist, unearths the shocking truth: English is structurally bizarre. We're talking weird on a global scale. We're going to pull back the curtain on the linguistic crime scenes that gave us:
The Viking Vandalism: How Norse invaders didn't just add words, they smashed our sophisticated Old English grammar, leaving us with shockingly simple verbs. Did the Vikings ruin English, or save it?
The Celtic Curveball: That tiny word 'do' that we use constantly ("Do you like it? I do not.")? It's a bizarre feature almost unique to English, and we owe it all to the influence of low-status Celtic speakers.
The Magnificent Mess: Why the things that make English hard to learn for non-native speakers are exactly what prove its wild, untamed, and truly magnificent history.
If you love history, language, etymology, or just a good intellectual thrill ride, you cannot miss this episode. Find out why your everyday vocabulary is a constant reminder of invasions, chaos, and linguistic evolution.
Ready to argue with your high school English teacher? Purchase your copy of Our Magnificent Bastard Tongue today. Please, support the author and the podcast, purchase the book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3KWyWlo, or find it at your favorite local bookstore.
Please, follow and subscribe to the Playing Books podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts. Did this episode change how you think about the English language? Share this episode with a friend and send us your feedback—we love to hear your linguistic 'A-HA!' moments, please.
Thank you.
Welcome back to Worthscope’s Playing Books, the podcast where we turn powerful reads into lifelong challenge and practical action.
Are you reading this later when you know you should have done it sooner? You’re in the right place. This week, we are joyfully exploring a book that will change your relationship with deadlines forever: ‘Procrastination: Why You Do It, What to Do About It Now’ by psychologists Jane B. Burka and Lenora M. Yuen.
Forget the guilt and the "I'm just lazy" excuses. We’re unpacking the fascinating psychology behind why we put things off—from the fear of failure to the surprising fear of success. This isn't just a discussion; it's a toolkit. We explore the book's tested strategies to manage time, handle stress, achieve your goals, and even live peacefully with the other procrastinators in your life. It's time to stop letting "tomorrow" steal your success.
Ready to reclaim your time and finally get things done?
Please, purchase your copy of Jane Burka and Lenora M. Yuen’s Procrastination: Why You Do It, What to Do About It Now on Amazon at https://amzn.to/4ndr2lg or from your favorite local or online bookstore.
Does this episode challenge you to overcome putting important things off till later, consequently wasting your time and putting your life on hold? Let your loved ones, colleagues, classmates, and others get help. Please share this episode and the podcast with them.
Follow and subscribe to Playing Books so you never miss an episode, and leave a review and tell us what book we should play next, please.
Thank you.
Welcome to the Playing Books Podcast — where great reads spark even greater conversations.
In this episode, we cue up a fascinating journey through one of the most captivating sports in British history with David Hendon’s Pots of Gold: A History of Snooker. This isn’t just a book about snooker—it’s about the people, passions, and cultural moments that turned a quiet cue sport into a global phenomenon.
From smoky halls and television triumphs to legends like Steve Davis, Ronnie O’Sullivan, and the unforgettable characters who shaped the game, Hendon brings the story to life with wit, depth, and drama. You’ll hear about snooker’s golden eras, its surprising origins, and how it mirrors class, ambition, and even politics over the decades.
Whether you’re a lifelong fan, a casual player, or simply curious about how snooker captured the hearts of millions, this episode reveals the real stories behind the green baize — stories of brilliance, rivalry, resilience, and reinvention.
Purchase your copy of Pots of Gold: A History of Snooker by David Hendon on Amazon or at your favorite local bookstore.
If you enjoy this episode, please share your feedback, tell a friend, and don’t forget to follow and subscribe to the Playing Books Podcast for more inspiring journeys through remarkable books and ideas.
Thank you.
What if the difference between success and failure isn’t talent, luck, or intelligence—but your mindset?
In this episode of Playing Books, we dive deep into Carol S. Dweck, PhD’s, groundbreaking bestseller, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. This book has transformed how millions of people approach learning, leadership, parenting, and personal growth.
You’ll discover:
The two mindsets that shape your future: fixed vs. growth
Why embracing challenges and failures is the secret to long-term success
How leaders, teachers, parents, and entrepreneurs can use the growth mindset to inspire others
The hidden trap of the “false growth mindset”—and how to avoid it
Practical ways to shift your thinking and unlock your full potential
Whether you’re building a business, raising kids, coaching a team, or simply striving to become your best self, this episode will give you the tools to think differently and achieve more.
Purchase your copy of Carol S. Dweck, PhD’s Mindset: The New Psychology of Success on Amazon or at your favorite bookstore. It’s a must-read for anyone serious about growth and achievement.
Please, share it with a friend who needs a mindset shift. Follow and subscribe to the Playing Books podcast for more practical, useful episodes.
Thank you.
Hello, our bookish friends.
Are you tired of following recipes perfectly, only to end up with a meal that tastes… just okay? What if you could unlock the secret to making anything delicious, without needing a recipe at all? 👩🍳✨
This week on Playing Books, we're diving into Samin Nosrat's revolutionary culinary guide, 'Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking.' This isn't just a cookbook; it's a masterclass that will fundamentally change your relationship with food. We break down the four foundational pillars that determine flavor and texture:
🧂 Salt: Learn why it's the single most important ingredient for enhancing flavor.
🥑 Fat: Discover how it delivers flavor and creates luscious textures.
🍋 Acid: Uncover the secret to balancing and brightening every dish.
🔥 Heat: Master the techniques to control the final texture of your food.
Whether you're a kitchen novice or a seasoned home cook, this episode will empower you to cook with confidence, trust your taste, and create incredible meals from scratch. It's time to stop just following instructions and start understanding why great food tastes great.
Ready to transform your cooking? We highly encourage you to grab a copy of this essential book. You can purchase it on Amazon (https://amzn.to/4ofOFdU) or support your local bookstore.
We'd love to hear about your culinary adventures! Please send us your feedback, share this episode with a food-loving friend, and be sure to follow and subscribe to the Playing Books podcast for more deep dives into life-changing books.
Thank you.
Welcome to the Playing Books Podcast, where we turn extraordinary reads into unforgettable conversations. In this episode, we dive deep into “A Very Dangerous Woman: The Lives, Loves, and Lies of Russia's Most Seductive Spy” by Deborah McDonald and Jeremy Dronfield — a mesmerizing tale of love, betrayal, and political intrigue that blurs the line between devotion and deception.
Meet Moura Budberg — a woman so captivating that she became the lover of British spy R.H. Bruce Lockhart, the friend of Maxim Gorky, and the rumored muse of H.G. Wells. But who was she, really? A romantic heroine? A double agent? A survivor? Or perhaps, all of the above.
Join your hosts as they explore Moura’s tangled web of seduction and survival — from revolutionary Russia to the glittering salons of Europe — revealing how one woman’s allure could sway the course of nations. Expect fiery insights, haunting questions, and real talk about how charm and danger often walk hand in hand.
Purchase your copy of A Very Dangerous Woman today on Amazon or at your favorite bookstore — and experience the story that history tried to hide.
After listening, share your thoughts, please.
We love hearing from you — tell us what you think, share this episode with a friend, and don’t forget to follow, rate, and subscribe to the Playing Books Podcast for more riveting literary deep dives into the books that move, provoke, and inspire.
Thank you.
Ever met that insufferably lucky colleague who thinks they're a genius? Or maybe you've beaten yourself up over a decision that went wrong, even though it was the right call at the time? What if almost everything we call 'skill' is just luck in disguise, and what we dismiss as 'bad luck' is often a predictable failure to understand probability?
In this episode of Playing Books, we're cracking open the modern classic that will change how you see the world: 'Fooled by Randomness' by Nassim Nicholas Taleb. We're diving into the hidden engine that drives our lives and our markets: pure, unadulterated chance."
We'll break down Taleb's brilliant and often provocative ideas, including:
The Scary Truth About Your Success: How we mistakenly worship "lucky fools" in the stock market and in business, and why their strategies are destined to blow up.
Survivorship Bias: Why you only see the winners and how that warps your perception of reality (hint: for every billionaire, there are a million bankruptcies you never hear about).
The Narrative Fallacy: Our dangerous addiction to creating simple stories to explain random events, and how it makes us terrible forecasters.
How to Be "Antifragile": We'll touch on the concept Taleb would later expand on—how to not just survive randomness, but to actually benefit from it.
This isn't just a book for finance bros; it's for anyone who makes decisions, has a career, invests money, or simply tries to navigate a messy and unpredictable world. We'll make Taleb's sometimes-complex concepts incredibly practical and engaging.
If you're ready to have your mind blown and your perspective permanently shifted, you need to read this book for yourself.
Purchase your copy of 'Fooled by Randomness' on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/4o8cALU
It's also available at all major bookstores.
Did this episode change how you view your own successes and failures? We want to hear from you. Please, share your feedback, questions, or your own stories of being 'fooled by randomness.’ DM us on social media or leave a voice message.
If you found this enlightening, please share this episode with a friend or colleague who needs to hear it. Don't forget to follow or subscribe to the Playing Books podcast for more deep dives into the books that can change your life and mindset.
Thank you.