Books to Better Your Life

Anne Brinkman
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Biweekly

Why do I feel stuck? Why can’t I seem to follow through? What’s wrong with me? How can I finally break free and move forward? Is real change even possible?   If you're not where you want to be or WHO you want to be, the Books to Better Your Life podcast is for you. Host Anne Brinkman, certified life coach and educator, brings you the key takeaways from classic personal growth, wellness, and psychology books – books that may expose you to new ideas or interpretations and inspire you to change your life.   If there’s a self-development book you've been meaning to read, but have never gotten around to, let Coach Anne do the heavy lifting for you!   Along with her book reviews, Coach Anne also interviews authors in the self-development and wellness field to get their take on the most important action-oriented and behavior change skills that you can use to tackle your challenges. In her coaching sessions, Coach Anne helps people take action by focusing on habit development and mindset, and helps them uncover their own answers, building confidence and self-acceptance. The Books to Better Your Life podcast is an additional resource for her clients and anyone looking for key strategies for brain, thought, or lifestyle change.

  1. Ep 15: Dr. Maria Cristina and You Are Not Too Old!

    Apr 29

    Ep 15: Dr. Maria Cristina and You Are Not Too Old!

    In this episode of Books to Better Your Life, host Anne Brinkman is joined by Dr. Maria Cristina Sheehan — health educator, author, speaker, and competitive natural bodybuilder — to discuss her book You Are Not Too Old and It's Not Too Late: The Revolutionary Guide to Reclaiming Your Strength After 50. Dr. Maria Cristina shares her remarkable story of beginning her fitness transformation at age 69, competing in bodybuilding in her 70’s, and now doing gymnastics at nearly 80. She challenges the cultural narrative that aging equals decline, offering a science-backed, practical roadmap for women who want to reclaim their strength, vitality, and confidence at any age. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: we don’t need to accept the decline that’s traditionally been considered a part of aging The science behind how your mindset directly affects how you age, including the groundbreaking "counterclockwise" study by Harvard researcher Dr. Ellen Langer Why muscle is "the organ of longevity" (according to Dr. Gabrielle Lyon) and why strength training — not just cardio — is essential for women over 50 Why starting small — even five minutes at a time — is the most effective strategy for lasting change Noteworthy quotes in this episode: "We expect decline and it accommodates us. It absolutely accommodates us because we then lean into 'I can't do, I can't do,' and then we don't do anything." — Dr. Maria Cristina Sheehan "The body that I had at 71 was a body I never had in my fifties, never had in my sixties." — Dr. Maria Cristina Sheehan "It's not gonna get worse if you keep at it — it gets better. It does not get worse. It's when you stop that your decline begins." — Dr. Maria Cristina Sheehan "If you keep telling yourself you're getting older, it's gonna progress faster. Our bodies listen to what we tell them." — Dr. Maria Cristina Sheehan "You are not too old, whatever age you are, and it's never too late. Start now." — Dr. Maria Cristina Sheehan Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode: You Are Not Too Old and It's Not Too Late: The Revolutionary Guide to Reclaiming Your Strength After 50 by Dr. Maria Cristina Sheehan Dr. Maria Cristina’s Website: dmariacristina.com(visit for a free first chapter download, the 6-week Stability Solution program, and to submit questions) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maria.sheehan.376 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheehanhealthandwellness/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mariasheehan9708 Connect with Anne Brinkman Website: www.betteryour.life LinkedIn:@coachannebrinkman Free confidence recordings: www.betteryour.life/audio Newsletter: get notified of new podcast episodes or blog posts https://better-your-life-coaching.ck.page/ Free discovery session: get support on your own personal growth journey http://www.betteryour.life/schedule

    38 min
  2. Ep 14: Sam Kabert & Overcome the Overwhelm

    Apr 1

    Ep 14: Sam Kabert & Overcome the Overwhelm

    In this episode, host Anne Brinkman sits down with Sam Kabert — emotional fitness trainer, former Silicon Valley entrepreneur, and three-time bestselling author. Sam shares the deeply personal story behind his latest book, Overcome the Overwhelm, and introduces his six-step breath method rooted in neuroscience and the 90-second rule. The conversation explores why so many high achievers burn out, how emotional avoidance drives chronic stress, and why reconnecting with our feelings — not just our thoughts — is the next frontier of mental health. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 1. The 90-Second Rule: How any heavy emotion can move through your body in under 90 seconds — if you let it. 2. Breathe, Feel, Think: The three themes of Sam's breath method and how to apply them in two minutes. 3. The Ninja Breath: A subtle, real-time breathing technique you can use mid-conversation to regulate your nervous system without anyone noticing. 4. Allostatic Load: The scientific term for emotional baggage — and how bottling up feelings leads to chronic stress and burnout. Noteworthy quotes in this episode: "There is a certain archetype of person that gets into spirituality because they have been chasing success, and then they finally get there and realize it was never about the end destination. And all that workaholism was to avoid the inner feeling of not feeling worthy enough." "We make decisions based off of how we feel. Then with logic afterwards, we justify it with logic." "Your unconscious mind will remember that the 90-second rule means you can move through heavy, dense emotions in less than 90 seconds." "Emotional fitness is the next wave of mental health. It's about feeling first so that our thoughts naturally clear so that we can lead with strength and confidence." Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode: Book: Overcome the Overwhelm: The 6-Step B.R.E.A.T.H. Process to Access Inner Peace (available on Amazon) Sam Kabert’s website: www.samkabert.com Sam on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/kabert/ , Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Kabert/ , Instagram https://www.instagram.com/samkabert‍ ‍ Soul Seekr Podcast https://samkabert.com/podcast/ Breath Club https://samkabert.com/breathclub/ Connect with Anne Brinkman Website: www.betteryour.life LinkedIn: @coachannebrinkman Free confidence recordings: www.betteryour.life/audio Newsletter: get notified of new podcast episodes or blog posts https://better-your-life-coaching.ck.page/ Free discovery session: get support on your own personal growth journey http://www.betteryour.life/schedule

    41 min
  3. Ep 13: Nic Collins & Advance

    Feb 13

    Ep 13: Nic Collins & Advance

    Episode 13: Nic Collins & Advance In this powerful episode, Anne Brinkman sits down with Nic Collins, author of Advance: Discover Alignment and Authenticity by Living in Concert with Your Situation. Nick shares his transformative journey from wearing masks in every aspect of his life to living authentically. The conversation explores his cross-country van trip that sparked deep self-reflection, his decade-long therapy journey, his decision to stop drinking, and the importance of meeting people where they are in their struggles. Nick's message is clear: we already have the answers within us—we just need permission to trust ourselves and live life on our own terms. Find the transcript here What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 1. The Power of Solitude for Self-Discovery How disconnecting from daily distractions through experiences like Nick's cross-country van trip can lead to profound personal insights. 2. Reframing Therapy and Mental Health Why seeking help isn't weakness—it's a tool for growth—and how to overcome the stigma around mental health support. 3. Meeting People Where They Are Why presence matters more than advice, and how to support others without trying to "fix" them. 4. The Real Story Behind Sobriety How years of internal work prepared Nick for lasting change, and why overnight success is rarely overnight. 5. Advancing vs. Retreating Redefining progress on your own terms and creating intentional space for what truly matters in life. Noteworthy quotes in this episode: On Authenticity: > "I wore a mask in every aspect of my life for a long time, and that wasn't working. And so how can I …make that into something that worked? And so that was showing up as myself." On Meeting People Where They Are: > "We have to meet ourself where we are, and if we're the helper, we also have to meet that person where they are... Your presence is all that's required. We don't have to fix it." On Survival: > "Whatever gets you to tomorrow, do that thing. Whatever that is... We gotta meet ourself where we are and start at that place, and sometimes it's a really, really bad place." On Retreat vs. Advance: > "I go there to get to reality... My time in the mountains by myself, that's what life is about. My interaction with these men that we create connection and community and growth, that's life. Not all this other stuff that we fill our head with—that's distraction." On Internal Answers: > "We all have our own makeup, our own skills, personality sets. We also have our own challenges... I think we go in search of people to tell us what to do or where to go... but we already have so many of the answers within us. And we don't trust that a lot of times." Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode: Book: Advance: Discover Alignment and Authenticity by Living in Concert with Your Situation (available on Amazon) or on Audible Nic Collin’s website: NicCollinsAuthentic.com Nic on Instagram: @nic_collins_authentic, Tiktok: @niccollins22, Facebook: nic.collins.714 The Constant Quest Podcast Podcast Editor Lisa Ferguson Connect with Anne Brinkman Website: www.betteryour.life LinkedIn: @coachannebrinkman Free confidence recordings: www.betteryour.life/audio Newsletter: get notified of new podcast episodes or blog posts Free discovery session: get support on your own personal growth journey

    45 min
  4. Ep 12: The Five Second Rule

    Jan 21

    Ep 12: The Five Second Rule

    In this episode of Books To Better Your Life, we’re dving into Mel Robbins' transformative book, 'The Five Second Rule: Transform Your Life, Work, and Confidence With Everyday Courage.' Find the transcript here What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How this strategy was instrumental in Mel Robbin’s being a household name today The basic five second rule strategy Variations you can try out for the five second rule Noteworthy quotes in this episode:  “I think those challenges are the hardest to get over because we don't think they should be a big deal. “  “5, 4, 3, 2, 1, Blast off!” “ what I think is genius about this technique is that it stops you from considering the thoughts your brain might offer. The countdown shifts from thinking, feeling to just doing, because where we can get stuck is in that thinking.” Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode: Book: The Five Second Rule: Transform Your Life, Work, and Confidence With Everyday Courage.' (available on Amazon) Book: The Let Them Theory (available on Amazon) Connect with Anne Brinkman Website: www.betteryour.life LinkedIn: @coachannebrinkman Free confidence recordings: www.betteryour.life/audio Newsletter: get notified of new podcast episodes or blog posts Free discovery session: get support on your own personal growth journey: http://www.betteryour.life/schedule

    11 min
  5. Ep 11: Chu Tang & Finding Real Friends

    11/12/2025

    Ep 11: Chu Tang & Finding Real Friends

    In this episode, Chu Tang opens up about how friendship has shaped her journey from refugee camps to thriving as a creative artist and entrepreneur. Along the way, she found that friendship — real, unconditional friendship — was the thread that held her life together. Chu shares how her second book, Finding Real Friends, was born out of gratitude for the support she received while writing her first. She hopes it helps young adults rediscover the meaning of friendship in an age of social media, where connection can often feel superficial. Throughout the episode, Chu and I explore how friendship shapes identity, provides healing where family might not, and teaches us forgiveness and empathy. Chu’s stories — from childhood friends to creative collaborators to new business allies — show how authentic relationships help us grow into the best versions of ourselves. As Chu says, friendship is both simple and sacred: it’s about trust, love without judgment, and choosing people who help you see your potential. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why true friendship requires trust, action, and acceptance How friendships can fill roles that even family can’t Why some friendships are “seasonal” — and how to let go with grace How to build genuine friendships in a social-media-driven world Noteworthy quotes from Chu in this episode:  “I think if we come from that space [ what’s in it for me], it's very hard to find true friends because we will tend to attract people with agenda.” “And then also we have to forgive our friend because it's like us forgiving ourselves.... No, we don't go to school to learn how to be a good friend….So sometimes friend[s], they make mistakes and then so do we.” “A true friend is someone that I could totally depend on…without them prejudging…someone who allows me to be who I am…no judgment…love who I am.” Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode: Website: www.allhealth.info Book: Finding Real Friends: Stay by My Side (available on Amazon) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chu.tang.7 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chu_muy_tang/# LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/health-wellness-consultant/ Connect with Anne Brinkman Website: www.betteryour.life LinkedIn: @coachannebrinkman Free confidence recordings: www.betteryour.life/audio Newsletter: get notified of new podcast episodes or blog posts: https://better-your-life-coaching.ck.page/ Free discovery session: get support on your own personal growth journey: http://www.betteryour.life/schedule

    27 min
  6. Ep 10: Marie O'Neill & and the Lotus Opened

    10/29/2025

    Ep 10: Marie O'Neill & and the Lotus Opened

    Episode 10: Marie O’Neill: And the Lotus Opened In this episode, Anne Brinkman talks with Marie O’Neill, a dynamic coach, author, astrologer, and Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at Kepler College. Marie shares insights from her powerful memoir And the Lotus Opened—a story of trauma, transformation, and spiritual awakening. Through her lens of astrology, Native American teachings, and deep reverence for nature, Marie explores how healing often begins in the “mud and muck” of life—just like the lotus that blooms from it. She and Anne discuss finding one’s plant totem, reconnecting with the Great Mother energy, and learning to reclaim personal power after pain. Find the transcript here What You’ll Learn in This Episode: The symbolism of the lotus and how it mirrors our life’s unfolding How to discover your plant totem and what it reveals about you Understanding the Great Mother energy and its role in healing Reclaiming personal power after trauma and finding true freedom Noteworthy quotes from Marie in this episode:  “One of the biggest things that I learned is to take my power back from others and to keep it and to not give it away. Because so many of us give our power away, whether it's to our parents or our mate or our job or whatever. And we feel that we are weak and we're not. We just need to take our power back. And no matter who I am in front of talking to, no matter how much money they have or power that they think they have, I have my own power.”  “I want people to know that they need to be curious about their own life and that they can thrive. And I don't see most people thriving. I see most people existing. And it doesn't matter how much money they have. I see them exist because they don't know who they are.” “I am free. The trauma didn’t do that—I chose to go down the road to find me so that I could be free.” “…the lotus grows in mud and muck. It can't grow in clean water, it can't grow in beauty. It ends up being beautiful when it opens, but it has to start in the mud and muck.” Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode: Website: Padma Life Coaching Book Website: https://andthelotusopened.com/ Book: And the Lotus Opened (available on Amazon and major retailers) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marieoneillauthor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marie.oneill.1023 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/marieoneill Connect with Anne Brinkman Website: www.betteryour.life LinkedIn: @coachannebrinkman Free confidence recordings: www.betteryour.life/audio Newsletter: get notified of new podcast episodes or blog posts Free discovery session: get support on your own personal growth journey

    51 min
  7. Ep 9: Sandy Johnson & Experience Not Required

    10/08/2025

    Ep 9: Sandy Johnson & Experience Not Required

    In this episode of Books to Better Your Life, Anne Brinkman sits down with author and career coach Sandy Johnson to discuss her inspiring new book Experience Not Required. Part memoir, part self-help, and part adventure story, Sandy’s book encourages readers to embrace the freedom of being a “rookie” and step into new experiences—even when they don’t know how to begin. Sandy shares the sparks that led her to writing, from childhood inspiration with Harriet the Spy to publishing her first articles, and ultimately to embarking on adventures like climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and running a race in the Sahara Desert. She opens up about the discomfort of learning something new, the power of recommitting when doubt sets in, and how confidence grows not before action, but because of it. Together, Anne and Sandy explore themes of adventure, belonging, confidence, and possibility—reminding us that trying something new doesn’t require expertise, only a willingness to begin. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why embracing the role of “rookie” can be freeing rather than embarrassing The connection between discomfort, persistence, and growing confidence How sharing your dreams out loud invites support, resources, and new opportunities Noteworthy quotes from this episode: “Confidence isn't something that you just decide you're going to feel. I need to feel more confident. It's a result of actually doing.” “When we're little kids, we just say out loud, oh, “I want to be an astronaut,” “I want to be the president.” We say things because we have no idea about what's required to get there. And as adults we know what's required. So we just shut things down as that's not possible. That's the problem.” “Everybody that ever tried something new or invented something didn't know anything, we are figuring it out as we go along.”  “I find that a lot of us, when we get to a certain stage of life we are afraid to admit that we haven't done something before. We want to appear capable and experienced and even experts. And it can be embarrassing to say “I don't know how” or “I haven't done this before” “ Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode: Experience Not Required by Sandy Johnson — Available on Amazon (Kindle & paperback) Visit Sandy’s website: experiencenotrequired.ca Connect with Anne Brinkman Website: www.betteryour.life LinkedIn: @coachannebrinkman Free confidence recordings: www.betteryour.life/audio Newsletter: get notified of new podcast episodes or blog posts Free discovery session: get support on your own personal growth journey

    37 min
  8. Ep 8: Heather Haigh & Living By Heart

    07/09/2025

    Ep 8: Heather Haigh & Living By Heart

    In this episode, you’ll learn about: What brought Heather to write this book What Living By Heart really means Some simple starting steps to try out living by heart yourself The challenges and discoveries Heather had along the way How to make sure this book is not shelf-help but enables your self-coaching Noteworthy quotes from this episode  “I think when we believe that our emotions are information, and we stop assigning good, bad, right, wrong, those sort of black and white labels to it, we will recognize how much wisdom and insights come from our body." “ Accepting emotions and acknowledging emotions is not permission for bad behavior.” “ But sometimes, when we work so hard to try and manage our emotions, we get caught in them, and we can't actually move forward from them.” “Leaders are being told that they need to come to the table with more empathy. Leaders are being told they need to come with with more active listening, with more awareness and concern for well being of their employees, like there's so much that's really heart centered in the underlying of those skills” “Especially in the corporate world of North America, we've been very programmed to listen mostly to our heads. What's the logic, what's the facts, where's the evidence, right? So so much of what we're doing is operating in that above the neck, in the head space, for validation and confirmation and expertise, right?” Resources and links mentioned in this episode: Buy Living By Heart on amazon.com or livingbyheart.ca Visit Heather Haigh’s business website.  Follow Heather at https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathermhaigh/ Connect with Anne Brinkman Website: www.betteryour.life LinkedIn: @coachannebrinkman Free confidence recordings: www.betteryour.life/audio Newsletter: get notified of new podcast episodes or blog posts https://better-your-life-coaching.ck.page/ Free discovery session: get support on your own personal growth journey http://www.betteryour.life/schedule

    43 min
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Why do I feel stuck? Why can’t I seem to follow through? What’s wrong with me? How can I finally break free and move forward? Is real change even possible?   If you're not where you want to be or WHO you want to be, the Books to Better Your Life podcast is for you. Host Anne Brinkman, certified life coach and educator, brings you the key takeaways from classic personal growth, wellness, and psychology books – books that may expose you to new ideas or interpretations and inspire you to change your life.   If there’s a self-development book you've been meaning to read, but have never gotten around to, let Coach Anne do the heavy lifting for you!   Along with her book reviews, Coach Anne also interviews authors in the self-development and wellness field to get their take on the most important action-oriented and behavior change skills that you can use to tackle your challenges. In her coaching sessions, Coach Anne helps people take action by focusing on habit development and mindset, and helps them uncover their own answers, building confidence and self-acceptance. The Books to Better Your Life podcast is an additional resource for her clients and anyone looking for key strategies for brain, thought, or lifestyle change.

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