Mindful Reading

James de Klerk & Peter Banda
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Monthly

An unashamedly self-help podcast where we go through interesting self-help books, and discuss the nuggets of wisdom in them. Once a month, we'll discuss our latest read, exploring its teachings and learning how we can apply its principles to our lives. mindfulreading.substack.com

  1. 4 Jul

    #39 - Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson

    A discussion on the Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson. Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson is a fable that teaches us, the subtitle suggests, “An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life”. The story is about four characters in a maze, and how they navigate the maze to find their cheese. There are two mice, Sniff and Scurry, who act instinctively without overanalyzing the situation, and then there are the two littlepeople, Hem and Haw, who are slow to act and overanalyze situations. We see how the different characters handle changing circumstances, and along with the main character Haw, we learn the lessons of how to better handle change. Hosted by Peter Banda & James de Klerk This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mindfulreading.substack.com

    #39 - Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson

  2. 18 Jun

    #38 - The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle

    A discussion on the book The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle explains that much of human suffering comes from how we relate to our own thoughts and identify with them. Most people spend a large part of their time thinking about the past and future. Over time, this creates a constant mental “story” about who we are, what is wrong, and what needs to change. Tolle calls this mental identity the ego. The ego is not a separate thing inside us, but the sense of self that arises through identification with thoughts, memories, opinions, and personal history. When we believe this mental story is who we are, we become emotionally affected by it and often experience stress, fear, or dissatisfaction. Tolle contrasts this with what he calls “Being”, a deeper sense of awareness that is present when we are not lost in thought. This awareness is realized in the Now - the present moment that is always already here. The book presents the Now not as an idea to believe in, but as the only place where life is actually experienced, and the doorway to what Tolle calls inner peace or enlightenment. Hosted by Peter Banda & James de Klerk This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mindfulreading.substack.com

    #38 - The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle

  3. 7 May

    #37 - The Enchiridion by Epictetus

    A discussion on the book The Enchiridion by Epictetus. The Enchiridion, often translated as The Handbook, is a collection of teachings by Epictetus recorded and compiled by Arrian, one of Epictetus’s students. Epictetus was born a slave, his Greek name roughly meaning “acquired one.” After gaining his freedom, he became a well-known Stoic philosopher and teacher. One of the main themes of the Handbook is the distinction between what is “up to us” and what is not - often called the dichotomy of control. Epictetus teaches that understanding this difference, acting accordingly, and not being ruled by things outside our control are essential to a good life. Hosted by Peter Banda & James de Klerk This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mindfulreading.substack.com

    #37 - The Enchiridion by Epictetus

  4. 12 Apr

    #36 - The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday

    A discussion on the book The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday. The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday explores how adversity can be transformed into opportunity. Structured around three disciplines - perception, action, and will - it draws on Stoic philosophy and historical examples to illustrate how great figures have faced challenges and turned them into a path forward. Hosted by Peter Banda & James de Klerk This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mindfulreading.substack.com

    #36 - The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday

  5. 12 Mar

    #35 - The Practice by Seth Godin

    A discussion on the book The Practice by Seth Godin. The Practice by Seth Godin is a book about shipping creative work. It argues that creativity is not something you’re born with but rather it’s something that comes from having a consistent disciplined practice, with a focus on generously shipping the work rather than keeping it to ones self. Elements of a healthy practice include trusting yourself, embracing constraints, creating for someone rather than everyone, and contributing rather than competing - all while accepting that certainty is a trap, creativity is a choice, and the outcome is merely a by-product of a practice that is, in itself, the reward. As Seth says, “The magic of the creative process is that there is no magic.” Hosted by Peter Banda & James de Klerk This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mindfulreading.substack.com

    #35 - The Practice by Seth Godin

  6. 5 Feb

    #34 - The Lessons of History by Ariel Durant and Will Durant

    A discussion on the book The Lessons of History by Ariel Durant and Will Durant. The Lessons of History by the historians Ariel Durant and Will Durant. These lessons of history range from morals and character to religion and economics, put together by reflecting on their larger work, a series of books called “The Story of Civilization”. Hosted by Peter Banda & James de Klerk This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mindfulreading.substack.com

  7. 17/12/2025

    #33 - Rework by Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson

    A discussion on the book Rework by Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson. Rework by Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson is written in the style where each chapter is made up of a handful of mini articles, with the articles being about one and a half pages on average. There are about 90 of these mini articles, with each being a nugget of wisdom on how to rework work and run a business. Hosted by Peter Banda & James de Klerk This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mindfulreading.substack.com

  8. 06/11/2025

    #32 - Start With Why by Simon Sinek

    A discussion on the book Start With Why by Simon Sinek. Start With Why by Simon Sinek introduces The Golden Circle, an idea he developed while trying to understand why some marketing worked better than others. Over time, he realized the concept explained not just effective marketing, but how great leaders and organizations inspire action. The Golden Circle consists of three layers - Why, How, and What - with “why” at the center representing purpose or belief. Sinek illustrates the idea with examples from companies like Apple and Harley-Davidson, showing how those that “start with why” inspire loyalty and success. The book’s central message, reflected in its subtitle, is that great leaders inspire everyone to take action by starting with why. Hosted by Peter Banda & James de Klerk This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mindfulreading.substack.com

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

An unashamedly self-help podcast where we go through interesting self-help books, and discuss the nuggets of wisdom in them. Once a month, we'll discuss our latest read, exploring its teachings and learning how we can apply its principles to our lives. mindfulreading.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    James de Klerk & Peter Banda
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © James de Klerk & Peter Banda
  • Show Website
    Mindful Reading

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