Books4Guys

Books4Guys
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Self-Improvement

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

    The Wolves of K Street | Brody Mullins on Power, Lobbying, and Corporate Influence

    Chris sits down with award winning investigative journalist, author, and longtime Wall Street Journal reporter Brody Mullins to discuss politics, lobbying, corporate influence, journalism, government power, media, and the inspiration behind his bestselling book The Wolves of K Street: The Secret History of How Big Money Took Over Big Government. Brody shares his fascinating journey growing up in Washington DC, becoming interested in political journalism at a young age, and eventually spending decades covering lobbying, corporate influence, and the intersection of money and power inside the nation’s capital. The conversation dives deep into how corporations gained influence in Washington over the last fifty years, the changing political landscape in America, and why the current moment may represent another major shift in the balance between government, business, and populism. Throughout the episode, Brody discusses:  • The inspiration behind writing The Wolves of K Street  • The seven year process of researching and writing the book  • How corporations rebuilt political influence beginning in the 1970s  • The history of lobbying and corporate power in Washington  • Why businesses once had far less influence than they do today  • The growing populist movement inside both political parties  • Why politics and media are changing rapidly in America  • The role journalism plays in uncovering stories and accountability  • Building trust and credibility as an investigative reporter  • Why human connection and trust still matter deeply in journalism Chris and Brody also explore:  • Donald Trump, Elizabeth Warren, and surprising political alliances  • Corporate America versus anti establishment politics  • Why compromise in Washington has become increasingly difficult  • The role media plays in political division  • Artificial intelligence and the future of journalism  • Why deeply reported investigative journalism still matters  • The difference between quick AI generated content and meaningful reporting One of the most interesting parts of the conversation comes when Brody explains how many Americans assume corporations have always dominated Washington politics, when in reality there was nearly a century where corporate influence was dramatically reduced before businesses rebuilt their political power beginning in the 1970s. Books discussed during the episode include:  • The Wolves of K Street  • What It Takes by Richard Ben Cramer https://amzn.to/3Q8IaOm If you are interested in politics, journalism, government, media, lobbying, corporate influence, investigative reporting, leadership, American history, or understanding how power and money shape modern Washington, this episode is packed with insight and perspective. Subscribe to Books4Guys for conversations focused on books, leadership, entrepreneurship, storytelling, politics, wellness, mindset, and helping people become better readers, thinkers, leaders, and professionals.

    29 min

  2. 2d ago

    Give a Damn | Justin Ricklefs on Leadership, Human Connection, and Caring Companies

    Chris sits down with entrepreneur, branding strategist, leadership consultant, speaker, and author Justin Ricklefs to discuss leadership, company culture, human connection, workplace engagement, artificial intelligence, personal growth, and the inspiration behind his book Give a Damn: The Catalyst for Caring Companies. Justin shares his incredible career journey from cooking at a fraternity after college to working with Learfield Sports and the Kansas City Chiefs before eventually launching his own branding and leadership company, Guild Collective. The conversation dives deep into the idea that care and commerce can coexist and why companies that genuinely care about people often build stronger cultures, deeper loyalty, and long term business success. Throughout the episode, Justin discusses:  • The inspiration behind writing Give a Damn  • Why caring leadership is a competitive advantage  • Lessons learned from leaders who shaped his career  • The difference between transactional versus human centered leadership  • How company culture impacts employee performance and retention  • Why people want to feel seen, valued, and known  • Leadership accountability and telling people the truth with care  • The balance between kindness, clarity, and challenge  • How AI can enhance human connection instead of replacing it  • The importance of curiosity, empathy, and intentional leadership Chris and Justin also explore:  • Sports leadership and coaching parallels in business  • The future of work and evolving workplace expectations  • Why many companies struggle to build healthy cultures  • The role fear and control play inside organizations  • Human connection in the age of artificial intelligence  • Burnout, pressure, and leadership responsibility  • Why simple actions can deeply impact employees and teams One of the most powerful moments of the conversation comes when Justin shares the story behind the matchbook symbol connected to his book. He explains how every person carries the ability to either create warmth, encouragement, light, and connection or cause harm depending on how they use their influence, words, and leadership in everyday interactions. Books and authors discussed during the episode include:  • Give a Damn: The Catalyst for Caring Companies  • Radical Candor by Kim Scott  • Theo of Golden by Allen Levi  • Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert https://www.justinricklefs.com/ https://guildcollective.com/ If you are interested in leadership, workplace culture, business growth, branding, entrepreneurship, emotional intelligence, human connection, artificial intelligence, team development, or learning how to build organizations where people genuinely care and thrive, this episode is packed with wisdom and perspective. Subscribe to Books4Guys for conversations focused on books, leadership, mindset, entrepreneurship, wellness, storytelling, workplace culture, and helping people become better readers, thinkers, leaders, and professionals.

    32 min

  3. 3d ago

    It’s Not Too Late | Wendy Bounds on Reinvention, Resilience, and Doing Hard Things

    Chris sits down with journalist, author, endurance athlete, and Spartan racing champion Wendy Bounds to discuss personal growth, reinvention, aging, obstacle course racing, resilience, discomfort, mindset, and the inspiration behind her book Not Too Late: The Power of Pushing Limits at Any Age. Wendy shares her incredible journey from self described “bookworm” and longtime Wall Street Journal journalist to becoming a competitive obstacle course racer in her forties and eventually winning the 2024 Spartan Race US National Series championship in her age group. The conversation dives deep into what happens when people become stuck in routines, why discomfort is necessary for growth, and how intentionally doing hard things can completely reshape confidence, identity, and purpose. Throughout the episode, Wendy discusses:  • How a Google search after a dinner party changed her life  • Why she decided to pursue obstacle course racing in her forties  • The danger of falling into a “cycle of sameness”  • Why humans are wired to seek challenge and discomfort  • The mental and physical benefits of doing hard things  • The importance of movement, fitness, and human connection  • Why people often avoid looking foolish when trying something new  • The relationship between discomfort and personal growth  • How obstacle racing transformed her mindset beyond fitness  • Why aging does not mean stopping growth and adventure Chris and Wendy also explore:  • AI, technology, and the growing need for authentic human experiences  • The difference between existing versus truly living  • Why physical accomplishment feels different than mental achievement  • The importance of community, accountability, and shared struggle  • Learning to become comfortable being uncomfortable  • Travel, adventure, and using sports to experience the world  • How consistency and lifestyle matter more than short term hacks One of the most powerful moments of the conversation comes when Wendy explains that one of the greatest barriers people face is the fear of looking foolish. She believes learning to let go of perfectionism and being willing to struggle publicly is often the first real step toward growth, reinvention, and building a more meaningful life. Books discussed during the episode include:  • Not Too Late  • Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman  • The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter  • The Attributes by Rich Diviney https://nottoolate.substack.com/ If you are interested in personal growth, fitness, resilience, aging well, mindset, obstacle course racing, health, wellness, motivation, adventure, or learning how to push beyond comfort zones and rediscover purpose, this episode is packed with wisdom and inspiration. Subscribe to Books4Guys for conversations focused on books, leadership, mindset, wellness, entrepreneurship, storytelling, resilience, and helping people become better readers, thinkers, leaders, and professionals.

    32 min

  4. 4d ago

    AI Reimagined | Charlie Apigian on Leadership, Strategy, and the Future of Work

    Chris sits down with data scientist, AI strategist, professor, consultant, and author Charlie Apigian to discuss artificial intelligence, business strategy, leadership, technology, workplace transformation, human connection, and the inspiration behind his book AI Reimagined: A Leader’s Guide to Thinking Different with Data. Charlie shares his fascinating journey from working in his family’s automotive business to becoming a professor, data scientist, and AI strategist helping organizations rethink how they approach technology, people, and business processes in the age of AI. The conversation dives deep into the rapid acceleration of artificial intelligence, the fear many professionals feel surrounding workplace change, and why leaders must think strategically instead of simply rushing to adopt every new tool available. Throughout the episode, Charlie discusses:  • Why AI strategy is about people and processes first  • The danger of implementing AI into broken systems  • How organizations should rethink workflows and operations  • The similarities between the AI boom and the early internet era  • Why curiosity and adaptability matter more than ever  • The fear many professionals feel around job replacement and change  • The future of AI driven work and evolving career paths  • Why leaders need to intentionally slow down and think strategically  • How AI can create more meaningful human connection instead of less  • Using AI to eliminate low value tasks and reclaim time for life Chris and Charlie also explore:  • The importance of staying human in a rapidly changing world  • Why deeper relationships and experiences matter more than productivity alone  • The rise of new careers and industries being created by AI  • How leaders can reduce fear and increase clarity inside organizations  • The role intentionality plays in both personal and professional growth  • Why many people are craving more authentic human interaction  • The balance between embracing technology while protecting humanity One of the most powerful moments of the conversation comes when Charlie explains that AI should not simply be used to make people work faster and harder. Instead, he believes the real opportunity is using technology to remove low value tasks so people can spend more time building relationships, creating experiences, and focusing on the uniquely human skills that technology cannot replace. Books discussed during the episode include:  • AI Reimagined  • QBQ! The Question Behind the Question by John Miller  • Walt Disney biographies and leadership lessons  • Historical fiction and learning through storytelling https://www.datainspire.io/ If you are interested in artificial intelligence, leadership, workplace strategy, technology, business growth, entrepreneurship, personal growth, data science, innovation, or learning how to navigate the future of work while remaining human and intentional, this episode is packed with insight and perspective. Subscribe to Books4Guys for conversations focused on books, leadership, mindset, entrepreneurship, wellness, technology, storytelling, and helping people become better readers, thinkers, leaders, and professionals.

    32 min

  5. 5d ago

    Still Human | Bonnie Davis on AI, Leadership, and the Future of Work

    Chris sits down with leadership consultant, executive coach, organizational psychologist, speaker, and author Bonnie Davis to discuss artificial intelligence, workplace culture, leadership, emotional intelligence, organizational psychology, human connection, personal growth, and the inspiration behind her book Still Human: How to Build Organizations Where Leaders and Teams Thrive with AI. Bonnie shares her fascinating career journey from consulting at Deloitte to leading HR teams and eventually launching her own coaching and consulting business focused on helping organizations navigate change, leadership development, and workplace transformation. The conversation dives deep into the rapid rise of AI, how technology is reshaping work and relationships, and why maintaining our humanity may become the most important skill of all. Throughout the episode, Bonnie discusses:  • The inspiration behind writing Still Human  • Why organizations must intentionally protect human connection  • The growing role of AI in leadership and workplace culture  • Emotional intelligence and organizational psychology  • Why curiosity and continuous learning matter more than ever  • The danger of over automating relationships and communication  • How AI is impacting attention spans and critical thinking  • Why friction and challenges are essential for growth  • The importance of vulnerability, relationships, and authentic communication  • How leaders can thoughtfully integrate AI without losing their culture Chris and Bonnie also explore:  • The difference between managing versus fixing problems  • Why younger generations are becoming more cautious about technology overload  • AI adoption challenges inside organizations  • The future of teamwork, leadership, and communication  • Why many people feel overwhelmed by constant technological change  • How small habits and intentional pauses improve well being  • The importance of balancing productivity with humanity One of the most impactful moments of the conversation comes when Bonnie explains that while AI can dramatically improve efficiency and productivity, humans still have agency and control over what truly matters. She encourages listeners to intentionally protect the relationships, values, and experiences that make life meaningful before technology slowly replaces those moments without people even realizing it. Books and authors discussed during the episode include:  • Still Human  • Brené Brown’s work on vulnerability and leadership  • Adam Grant’s books and research on workplace culture and organizational behavior https://huworkteam.com/ If you are interested in artificial intelligence, leadership, workplace culture, organizational psychology, emotional intelligence, personal growth, technology, communication, team development, or learning how to stay human in a rapidly changing world, this episode is packed with insight and perspective. Subscribe to Books4Guys for conversations focused on books, leadership, mindset, entrepreneurship, wellness, technology, storytelling, and helping people become better readers, thinkers, leaders, and professionals.

    30 min

  6. Jun 19

    The Soft Skills Crisis | Nada Nasserdeen on Leadership, Confidence, and Emotional Intelligence

    Chris sits down with entrepreneur, TEDx speaker, leadership trainer, bestselling author, and founder of Rise Up For You Nada Nasserdeen to discuss emotional intelligence, self confidence, transformational leadership, communication, entrepreneurship, soft skills, and the inspiration behind her four book leadership series. Nada shares her incredible journey from performing internationally in musical theater to becoming an executive in education and eventually building a global leadership development company focused on helping individuals and organizations strengthen the human skills that truly drive success. Throughout the episode, Nada discusses:  • Why soft skills are the real differentiator in today’s workforce  • The growing importance of emotional intelligence and communication  • How self confidence impacts performance and leadership  • Why highly educated people still struggle professionally  • The difference between being technically skilled versus being an effective leader  • Building transformational leaders instead of transactional managers  • Why communication is one of the hardest skills to master  • The role emotional intelligence plays in leadership and relationships  • How organizations can reduce turnover and improve culture  • The inspiration behind her four pillar leadership book series Chris and Nada also explore:  • Entrepreneurship and building Rise Up For You  • The impact of grief, adversity, and hardship on personal growth  • Why confidence and emotional intelligence can both be developed  • The importance of relationships and human connection in leadership  • Why organizations often promote people without leadership training  • How ego can hold people back from growth  • Creating systems that help companies transfer knowledge effectively One of the most powerful moments of the conversation comes when Nada shares how losing both of her parents, going through divorce, financial hardship, and rebuilding her life from the ground up ultimately became the catalyst for building Rise Up For You and dedicating her life to helping others unlock their full potential. https://www.nadalena.com/ https://www.riseupforyou.com/ Books discussed during the episode include:  • Rise Up For You leadership series  • A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle If you are interested in leadership, emotional intelligence, entrepreneurship, communication, self confidence, workplace culture, personal growth, coaching, team development, or learning how soft skills impact every area of life and business, this episode is packed with wisdom and practical insight. Subscribe to Books4Guys for conversations focused on books, leadership, mindset, entrepreneurship, wellness, storytelling, emotional intelligence, and helping people become better readers, thinkers, leaders, and professionals.

    30 min

  7. Jun 18

    Would You Hire You? | Chris Flakus on Career Reinvention and Continuous Learning

    Chris sits down with staffing industry executive, CEO, board member, and author Chris Flakus to discuss leadership, career growth, workplace change, artificial intelligence, staffing, recruiting, lifelong learning, and the inspiration behind his book Stay Relevant: Conquer Workplace Change at Every Phase of Your Career. Chris shares his fascinating journey from originally pursuing a career in education and counseling to unexpectedly entering the staffing and recruiting industry and eventually helping lead one of the country’s top staffing organizations. The conversation dives deep into career adaptability, maintaining relevance in a rapidly changing workplace, and why curiosity and continuous learning are more important now than ever before. Throughout the episode, Chris discusses:  • His path into staffing and recruiting  • Building a career through hard work and curiosity  • Why so many professionals become complacent over time  • The importance of staying coachable and open minded  • How AI and technology are changing the workplace  • Why networking and relationships still matter deeply  • The danger of self limiting beliefs in job searching  • Why many experienced professionals struggle to stay relevant  • The importance of lifelong learning and self assessment  • The inspiration behind his book Stay Relevant Chris and Chris also explore:  • The future of recruiting and staffing  • Why employers care more about solving problems than age  • How people can position themselves for long term career success  • Executive coaching and personal development  • Building confidence through learning and preparation  • Leadership, mentorship, and helping others grow  • Why curiosity may be the most important career skill of all One of the most impactful moments of the conversation comes when Chris explains that people often become “self limiting” by convincing themselves they are too old, too far behind, or incapable of adapting to change. Instead of viewing technology and workplace evolution as threats, he encourages people to approach them with curiosity and intentional growth. Books discussed during the episode include:  • Stay Relevant  • Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins  • Living With a SEAL by Jesse Itzler  • Tribe of Mentors by Tim Ferriss  • Tools of Titans by Tim Ferriss If you are interested in leadership, recruiting, staffing, career growth, artificial intelligence, networking, workplace development, personal growth, entrepreneurship, or learning how to stay adaptable and valuable in a changing world, this episode is packed with insight and practical advice. Subscribe to Books4Guys for conversations focused on books, leadership, entrepreneurship, mindset, wellness, career development, storytelling, and helping people become better readers, thinkers, leaders, and professionals.

    29 min

  8. Jun 17

    Digital Kaizen | Christopher Hensley on AI, Voice Capture, and Continuous Growth

    Chris sits down with financial advisor, podcaster, entrepreneur, and author Christopher Hensley to discuss artificial intelligence, productivity, voice first thinking, continuous improvement, creativity, digital tools, personal growth, and the inspiration behind his new book Digital Kaizen: Voice First Thinking and AI Systems for Continuous Improvement. Christopher shares his fascinating journey from years in financial services and podcasting into becoming an early adopter of AI systems and voice capture tools to improve both business and personal life. The conversation dives deep into the future of AI, maintaining authenticity in a rapidly changing digital world, and how people can use technology without losing their creativity, meaning, and humanity in the process. Throughout the episode, Christopher discusses:  • The meaning behind “Kaizen” and continuous improvement  • Why voice capture is more powerful than typing for creativity  • Using AI as a co pilot instead of a replacement for human thinking  • Voice journaling and capturing ideas in real time  • AI note takers and productivity systems  • How AI can recognize patterns humans often miss  • The importance of preserving authenticity and personal voice  • The future of AI in business and financial services  • Why people should actively engage with AI instead of avoiding it  • The dangers of over reliance on AI and losing critical thinking skills Chris and Christopher also explore:  • Podcasting and content creation using AI tools  • AI ethics and concerns surrounding rapid technological growth  • Human relationships versus automation  • Creativity, cognition, and “extended mind” thinking  • Why many people feel overwhelmed by AI advancement  • Financial advising and the evolving role of technology  • Capturing thoughts, conversations, and moments for future reflection and legacy One of the most interesting moments of the conversation comes when Christopher explains how simply recording thoughts, conversations, and ideas throughout the day can unlock deeper creativity and personal growth over time. Instead of using AI to replace thinking, he encourages people to use it as a tool to better understand themselves and preserve meaningful insights that would otherwise be forgotten. Books discussed during the episode include:  • Digital Kaizen  • The Extended Mind by Annie Murphy Paul  • Building a Second Brain by Tiago Forte https://www.moneymatterspodcast.com/ If you are interested in artificial intelligence, productivity, creativity, personal growth, voice capture, entrepreneurship, technology, podcasting, leadership, digital systems, or learning how to use AI without losing your authenticity, this episode is packed with insight and perspective. Subscribe to Books4Guys for conversations focused on books, leadership, entrepreneurship, mindset, wellness, creativity, technology, and helping people become better readers, thinkers, leaders, and professionals.

    30 min
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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
    157
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Books4Guys
  • Show Website
    Books4Guys