8 episodes

Join host Alex Acton as he shares books with lessons to live a better life. From philosophy to theology and science to biographies, we learn the lessons that help us live the best life imaginable.

Reading for Your Life Modern Polymaths

    • Arts

Join host Alex Acton as he shares books with lessons to live a better life. From philosophy to theology and science to biographies, we learn the lessons that help us live the best life imaginable.

    Profiles in Courage by John F. Kennedy

    Profiles in Courage by John F. Kennedy

    With a capital invasion, inauguration, and impeachment in the news, Alex begins 2021 with John F. Kennedy's Profiles in Courage, a book about political courage at important moments in U.S. History. 
    You can purchase Profiles in Courage on Amazon.
    Contact Alex Acton on Twitter @alexpacton or find more Modern Polymaths at modernpolymaths.com, on Twitter @modernpolymaths, or on Facebook at Modern Polymaths Media.

    • 16 min
    The Return of the Light by Carolyn McVickar Edwards

    The Return of the Light by Carolyn McVickar Edwards

    This month, Alex shares The Return of the Light: Twelve Tales from Around the World for the Winter Solstice by Carolyn McVickar Edwards. We share three traditional stories about coming together to bring more light into the world. 
    You can purchase The Return of the Light on Amazon.
    Contact Alex Acton on Twitter @alexpacton or find more Modern Polymaths at modernpolymaths.com, on Twitter @modernpolymaths, or on Facebook at Modern Polymaths Media.

    • 13 min
    The Singularity is Near by Ray Kurzweil

    The Singularity is Near by Ray Kurzweil

    This month, Alex shares The Singularity is Near by Ray Kurzweil. We take look at what the future may hold and how soon it may arrive. 
    You can purchase The Singularity is Near on Amazon. And keep up with advances towards the singularity on Kurzweil's personal website and on Singularity Hub. 
    Explore further with the Janelle Shane's Ted Talk titled The danger of AI is weirder than you think.
    Contact Alex Acton on Twitter @alexpacton or find more Modern Polymaths at modernpolymaths.com, on twitter @modernpolymaths, or on Facebook at Modern Polymaths Media.

    • 29 min
    Being Mortal By Atul Gawande

    Being Mortal By Atul Gawande

    Alex shares Dr. Atul Gawande's Being Mortal and considers big questions about aging and how we can create a meaningful life even at the end. 
    You can purchase Being Mortal through Dr. Gawande's website.
    Explore further with the Hidden Brain's episode The Ventilator. 
    Contact Alex Acton on Twitter @alexpacton or find more Modern Polymaths at modernpolymaths.com, on twitter @modernpolymaths, or on Facebook at Modern Polymaths Media.

    • 26 min
    21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Hararri

    21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Hararri

    It's 2020 and time for episode #4 of the Reading for Your Life podcast. Alex shares Yuval Noah Hararri's 21 Lessons for the 21st Century.  We look at big challenges that face the world, how we build communities and what you and I can do personally to face the future. 
    You can purchase 21 Lessons for the 21st Century through Hararri's website.
    Contact Alex Acton on Twitter @alexpacton or find more Modern Polymaths at modernpolymaths.com, on twitter @modernpolymaths, or on Facebook at Modern Polymaths Media.

    • 25 min
    The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch & Jeffrey Zaslow

    The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch & Jeffrey Zaslow

    In episode number 3 of the Reading for Your Life podcast. Alex shares Randy Pausch's The Last Lecture. Both the lecture itself and the book that followed are about chasing your dreams and cherishing the time that we have. 
    You can find The Last Lecture in print on Amazon. 
    Or you can watch Randy Pausch's Last Lecture on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo
    Contact Alex Acton on Twitter @alexpacton or find more Modern Polymaths at modernpolymaths.com, on twitter @modernpolymaths, or on Facebook at Modern Polymaths Media.

    • 22 min

Top Podcasts In Arts

Fresh Air
NPR
The Moth
The Moth
Snap Judgment Presents: Spooked
Snap Judgment
99% Invisible
Roman Mars
The Magnus Archives
Rusty Quill
Snap Judgment
Snap Judgment and PRX