Books4Guys

Books4Guys
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The Books4Guys Podcast is where books meet real talk — featuring conversations with authors, athletes, and everyday leaders to spark curiosity and help more men discover the power of reading. It’s not just about books — it’s about growth, grit, and becoming better every single day. 

  1. 1d ago

    Why So Many Parents Feel Burned Out (And What to Do About It) | Melissa Corkum

    Why do so many parents feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and emotionally drained—even when they deeply love their children? In this episode of Books4Guys, Chris sits down with TEDx speaker, founder of Rise to Regulation, parent coach, and author Melissa Corkum to discuss parenting burnout, nervous system regulation, and the science behind Blocked Care—a little-known condition that affects countless parents experiencing chronic stress. Melissa shares how her own journey through adoption, parenting, and years of supporting families led her to discover that many struggling parents aren't failing—they're simply operating from a nervous system that's stuck in survival mode. Chris and Melissa explore why chronic stress changes the way we connect with our children, how burnout impacts compassion, and why understanding the nervous system can completely transform the way parents view themselves and their families. The conversation also dives into emotional regulation, mental health, social media, self-care, parenting expectations, and practical strategies for creating more margin in everyday life. Melissa explains why small habits—like proper sleep, hydration, movement, and learning to complete the stress cycle—can have a profound impact on a parent's ability to show up with patience and compassion. Whether you're a parent, teacher, social worker, counselor, or simply someone interested in understanding stress and human behavior, this episode offers practical insights that can improve not only your parenting but every important relationship in your life.  In this episode, you'll learn:  What "Blocked Care" is and why so many parents experience it  How chronic stress changes the way we connect with our children  Why burnout isn't a character flaw—it's a nervous system response  How regulating your nervous system improves parenting and relationships  The importance of completing the stress cycle  Why comparison and social media increase parenting stress  Practical ways to create more emotional margin every day  Books and resources that have shaped Melissa's work

  2. 3d ago

    I Gave Up My Cell Phone for One Year (Here's What Changed) | Tommy Short

    What would happen if you put your cell phone away for an entire year? In this episode of Books4Guys, Chris sits down with former Division I basketball referee, Olympic official, executive coach, keynote speaker, and author Tommy Short to discuss his remarkable experiment of living 365 days without a cell phone and the life-changing lessons that followed. After spending nearly two decades officiating Division I college basketball and working on the international stage with FIBA and Team USA Basketball, Tommy realized the pursuit of excellence had come with a cost. Constant travel, endless connectivity, and always feeling "on call" were pulling him away from the people and moments that mattered most. That realization inspired an experiment that challenged nearly every modern habit—and ultimately became his book, The Call I Almost Missed: 365 Days Without a Cell Phone and What It Taught Me About Love, Presence, and the Lies We Live. Chris and Tommy discuss presence, technology, ambition, family, purpose, success, and why so many of us spend our lives chasing someone else's definition of achievement. Tommy also shares the unexpected lessons he learned during his year offline, the importance of embracing boredom, how removing constant distraction unlocked greater creativity, and why identifying what truly matters is one of the most important exercises anyone can do. Whether you're constantly attached to your phone, trying to create healthier boundaries, or simply looking to become more intentional with your time, this conversation will challenge the way you think about technology, relationships, and living a meaningful life.  In this episode, you'll learn:  Why Tommy chose to live an entire year without a cell phone  How technology quietly steals our attention and presence  Why defining success for yourself is essential to living a fulfilled life  The surprising benefits of boredom and uninterrupted thinking  How removing distractions improved creativity and relationships  The importance of identifying what truly matters before it's too late  Why being fully present is one of the greatest gifts you can give someone  The books that have had the biggest impact on Tommy's life https://tommyshort.com/

  3. 5d ago

    Brian Fielkow | Building Better Leaders, Stronger Cultures & Why Safety Drives Business Success

    Can focusing on safety actually transform an organization's culture and improve business performance? In this episode of Books4Guys, Chris sits down with entrepreneur, CEO, keynote speaker, and bestselling author Brian Fielkow to discuss his book, Making Safety Happen, and why the strongest organizations don't view safety as a policy—they make it a core value that shapes every decision they make. Brian shares his unique career journey from practicing corporate law to leading recycling, logistics, and transportation companies before becoming a nationally recognized speaker and consultant. Along the way, he discovered that organizations with the healthiest cultures consistently outperform those focused solely on profits. Chris and Brian explore how leadership, accountability, trust, and employee engagement create environments where people thrive, and why investing in your people ultimately drives better business results. The conversation also dives into organizational culture, leadership, continuous improvement, frontline employees, process management, psychological safety, and why great leaders create systems that help people succeed rather than simply blaming individuals when mistakes happen. Whether you lead a Fortune 500 company, own a small business, or manage a team of five people, this episode offers practical leadership lessons that can strengthen your culture and improve performance across every area of your organization.  In this episode, you'll learn:  Why safety should be a core value instead of just another workplace priority  How great leaders build cultures based on trust and accountability  Why employee engagement starts with leadership  The importance of creating simple, repeatable systems and processes  How psychological safety improves communication and performance  Why frontline employees often hold the key to organizational improvement  How continuous improvement creates long-term business success  The books and leadership principles that have influenced Brian throughout his career https://brianfielkow.com/

  4. Aug 7

    How to Find Your Purpose, Build Your Personal Brand & Create Value | Colby Jubenville

    How do you discover your purpose and build a life that creates lasting value? In this episode of Books4Guys, Chris sits down with speaker, executive coach, educator, consultant, and author Dr. Colby Jubenville to discuss purpose, personal branding, leadership, resilience, and why every person has the ability to create meaningful impact. Drawing from decades of experience coaching students, athletes, executives, and organizations, Colby shares the lessons that shaped his life—from growing up in Mobile, Alabama, to playing college football, building leadership programs at Middle Tennessee State University, and helping thousands of people identify their unique talents and direction. Chris and Colby discuss why adversity often becomes our greatest teacher, how coaches and mentors can change the trajectory of a person's life, and why developing yourself is one of the greatest investments you'll ever make. The conversation also explores the importance of taking action, building confidence, creating your personal brand, finding work that aligns with your strengths, and learning to create value for others before expecting success for yourself. Whether you're a student trying to find your path, a professional considering your next move, or a leader investing in others, this episode is packed with practical wisdom that will challenge you to think bigger and live more intentionally.  In this episode, you'll learn:  Why adversity can become your greatest competitive advantage  How coaches and mentors shape successful people  The importance of discovering your purpose early in life  What personal branding really means  How to identify and develop your unique talents  Why confidence is built through action  How creating value for others leads to long-term success  The books and life lessons that have influenced Colby's journeyhttps://drjubenville.com/books/

  5. Aug 5

    How to Lead High Performers Without Destroying Your Culture | Diana Lowe

    Can one difficult employee—or one toxic leader—impact an entire organization's culture? In this episode of Books4Guys, Chris sits down with leadership consultant, CEO, Chief Happiness Officer of Blue Light Leadership, and author Diana Lowe to discuss her book Hard to Handle and why emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and healthy leadership have never been more important. Drawing from her own experiences working in toxic workplaces around the world, Diana shares how years of difficult leadership inspired her mission to help organizations build healthier cultures without sacrificing performance. Chris and Diana explore why high performers often receive a pass for damaging behaviors, how poor leadership impacts mental health, and why today's leaders must develop emotional intelligence if they want to attract, retain, and inspire great people. The conversation also dives into feedback, self-awareness, workplace culture, resilience, mental health, and practical ways leaders can create environments where both individuals and teams can thrive. Whether you're leading a company, managing a team, or simply looking to become a better leader, this episode offers practical wisdom that can change the way you approach leadership and relationships.  In this episode, you'll learn:  Why toxic leadership affects far more than productivity  How emotional intelligence improves leadership and culture  Why high performers shouldn't get a free pass for poor behavior  The importance of self-awareness in leadership  How leaders can give and receive meaningful feedback  Why mental health belongs in leadership conversations  How Diana helps organizations transform difficult workplace dynamics  The books that have shaped Diana's thinking on leadership and personal growthhttps://bluelightleadership.com/

  6. Aug 3

    Why Success Isn't Enough: Craig Robinson on Happiness, Purpose & Living a Meaningful Life

    What if the success you've been chasing isn't actually leading you toward happiness? In this episode of Books4Guys, Chris sits down with entrepreneur, former CEO, MIT graduate, Harvard Business School alumnus, keynote speaker, and author Craig Robinson to discuss his new book, The Happiness Reboot, and why so many high achievers reach success only to discover something is still missing. Craig shares his personal journey from growing up in a difficult household in Atlanta to building a successful career in business and leadership. Along the way, he realized that achievement alone doesn't create fulfillment. Chris and Craig explore why purpose must come before happiness, how our mindset shapes the way we experience life, and why many people unknowingly spend years chasing goals that ultimately leave them feeling empty. The conversation also dives into the science of happiness, the importance of meaningful relationships, how social media has changed the way we compare ourselves to others, and practical frameworks from The Happiness Reboot that help readers identify what truly matters. Whether you're climbing the corporate ladder, building a business, or simply trying to create a more meaningful life, this episode offers practical wisdom for finding fulfillment without waiting for "someday."  In this episode, you'll learn:  Why success doesn't automatically lead to happiness  How to identify the "life wobbles" that often become turning points  Why purpose should come before the pursuit of happiness  The role mindset plays in long-term fulfillment  How comparison and social media affect our well-being  Practical frameworks for creating a more meaningful life  Why relationships and community matter more than achievements  The books and mentors that have shaped Craig's life and careerhttps://www.craigmrobinson.com/

  7. Jul 29

    David Pollack | Faith, Leadership, Adversity & Why Every Day Counts

    In this episode of Books4Guys, Chris sits down with former Georgia All-American, NFL first-round draft pick, ESPN College GameDay analyst, entrepreneur, and bestselling author David Pollack to discuss resilience, faith, leadership, discipline, and his new book, Every Day Counts: Start Where You Are. Use What You Have. Do What You Can. David shares the highs and lows of his remarkable journey—from overcoming adversity in high school and becoming one of college football's most dominant defensive players, to seeing his NFL career end unexpectedly because of a neck injury. Rather than allowing setbacks to define him, David explains how those difficult moments became opportunities for growth and ultimately led him to a successful broadcasting career with ESPN, entrepreneurship, podcasting, and now becoming an author. Throughout the conversation, Chris and David discuss why adversity is often life's greatest teacher, how discipline creates freedom, the importance of living in the present instead of dwelling on the past or worrying about the future, and why taking action is more important than waiting until everything feels perfect. David also shares how his Christian faith transformed his life, the mentors who shaped his career, what he learned during his years on College GameDay, and why developing daily habits is one of the most important investments anyone can make. Whether you're an athlete, entrepreneur, leader, or simply someone navigating a challenging season of life, this episode is filled with practical wisdom about perseverance, purpose, personal growth, and becoming the person you're called to be.  In this episode, you'll learn:  Why hard times are designed to refine us, not define us  The mindset that helped David overcome career-ending adversity  How faith became the foundation of his life and leadership  Why discipline and daily habits determine long-term success  The importance of staying present and controlling what you can control  Lessons learned from Georgia Football, the NFL, and ESPN College GameDay  Why taking action beats waiting for the "perfect" opportunity  David's favorite books and why reading is one of the greatest competitive advantages

  8. Jul 27

    The Explorer's Gene: Alex Hutchinson on Endurance, Curiosity, Mental Limits, and Unlocking Human Potential

    What if your greatest limits aren't physical, but the stories your mind tells you? In this episode of Books4Guys, Chris sits down with award-winning journalist, endurance expert, and New York Times bestselling author Alex Hutchinson to discuss human performance, endurance, curiosity, exploration, mindset, and the ideas behind his books Endure and The Explorer's Gene. Drawing on his unique background as both a physicist and journalist, Alex explains how studying the science of performance led him to one of the most fascinating discoveries in sports psychology: our minds often determine our limits long before our bodies do.  Throughout the conversation, Alex shares lessons from decades of interviewing world-renowned scientists, elite athletes, and researchers studying endurance, motivation, and human behavior. Chris and Alex explore the relationship between the mind and body, why positive self-talk can dramatically improve performance, and how curiosity may be one of humanity's greatest evolutionary advantages. They also discuss why people are naturally driven to explore the unknown, embrace new challenges, and continually seek growth—even after achieving major goals.  The discussion also covers resilience, motivation, sports psychology, lifelong learning, entrepreneurship, parenting, career transitions, and the importance of enjoying the journey rather than constantly chasing the next milestone. Whether you're an athlete, entrepreneur, leader, or simply someone looking to push beyond self-imposed limitations, this episode offers practical insights into developing greater mental toughness, embracing curiosity, and unlocking more of your potential.  Key Discussion Topics  The science behind Endure and why the mind often determines physical limits  The inspiration behind The Explorer's Gene How positive self-talk influences performance and resilience  Why curiosity is hardwired into human nature  The relationship between endurance, mindset, and motivation  Career transitions, taking risks, and betting on yourself  Why success alone doesn't create lasting fulfillment  Learning to enjoy the process instead of chasing the destination  Parenting, growth mindset, and embracing failure as part of learning  Book recommendations including The Sports Gene and Inside the Box by David Epstein Executive Development Parter: https://www.standardpursuit.com/

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About

The Books4Guys Podcast is where books meet real talk — featuring conversations with authors, athletes, and everyday leaders to spark curiosity and help more men discover the power of reading. It’s not just about books — it’s about growth, grit, and becoming better every single day. 

Information

  • Creator
    Books4Guys
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    184
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Books4Guys
  • Show Website
    Books4Guys

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