Books for Men

In this episode of the Books for Men podcast, host Douglas Vigliotti discusses the book Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin. He praises the book for its effortless read and immersive storytelling. The book is a love story that follows the lives of Sam and Sadie over 30 years (but not the kind of love story you think it is.) It’s about friendship and partnership. Vigliotti highl...

In this episode of the Books for Men podcast, host Douglas Vigliotti discusses the book The Paradox of Choice by Barry Schwartz. He explains that the book argues that while having more choices may seem like a good thing, it can actually be detrimental to our psychological and emotional well-being. The author contends that increased choice leads to increased paralysis and decreased satisfaction. Vi...

In this episode of the Books for Men podcast, host Douglas Vigliotti expresses gratitude to listeners and highlights the one-year anniversary of the podcast. He shares the top three most downloaded episodes, which are all book episodes, mentioning he plans to focus on more book episodes moving forward. Vigliotti discusses the intimate nature of podcasting and the global reach it provides. He then...

This episode of Books for Men features Bright Lights, Big City by Jay McInerney. A literary novel about a twenty-something writer who resorts to the hedonism of 1980's Manhattan—cocaine, nightclubs, etc—to cope with his hapless life. It's told using a second-person point of view, placing you in the shoes of the unnamed protagonist. Listen for more! If you enjoyed this episode, please consider supp...

This episode of Books for Men features an edition of "From the Vault." It’s the second great chat I had on my previous pod, It's Not What It Seems , with Annie Duke, author of Thinking in Bets , How to Decide , and most recently, Quit . Listen for more! (Original publish date: 10/14/18.)  If you enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting the podcast. Any of the three things below will help p...

This episode of Books for Men features an edition of "From the Vault." It’s part one of a great chat I had on my previous pod, It's Not What It Seems , with Annie Duke, author of Thinking in Bets , How to Decide , and most recently, Quit . Listen for more! (Original publish date: 8/26/18.)  If you enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting the podcast. Any of the three things below will help...

This episode of Books for Men features The Poet by Michael Connelly. A crime novel about a small-time reporter trying to solve the murder of his homicide detective twin brother. It turns into a secret FBI hunt for a serial killer who always leaves a line or two from Edgar Allen Poe with each of his victims. It's dark and propulsive. Listen for more! If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sup...

This episode of Books for Men is a short recap of all the episodes from June '23. There was (1) nonfiction book, (1) work of fiction, and (1) edition of From the Vault. I also share my current vision for the podcast. Listen for more! If you enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting the podcast. Any of the three things below will help provide awareness for the initiative—inspiring (more) men...

This episode of Books for Men features The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz. A psychological thriller about a sputtering mid-list novelist who embarks on a wild goose chase to discover the truth behind a plot he stole from one of his deceased MFA students. It doubles as a satire on writing and the publishing world. Listen for more! If you enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting the podcast. An...

This episode of Books for Men features another edition of “From the Vault.” It's a short essay from an Instagram series I wrote called “Pop-up Writing.” The pieces lived for only 24 hours on my Instagram story. It was fun and unbridled. This one deserved an official home. I think you’ll agree. Listen for more! (Original pub date: July 11, 2021.) If you enjoyed this episode, please consider support...

This episode of Books for Men features Page Fright by Harry Bruce. A fun read about the fetishes and foibles of famous writers. The book will remind you of the many (often conflicting) ways writers write. Where to write? When to write? What tools to use? How fast to write? Alcohol? Good luck charms? And, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Listen for more! If you enjoyed this episode, please consi...

This episode of Books for Men is a short recap of all the episodes from May '23. There was (1) nonfiction book, (1) work of fiction, and (1) edition of From the Vault. I also share some big updates for BooksforMen.org, like full episode transcripts, new tabs, etc. Listen for more! If you enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting the podcast. Any of the three things below will help provide a...

This episode of Books for Men features The Godfather by Mario Puzo. An epic novel about a 1940s Italian crime family spearheaded by Vito Corleone. It documents the succession of the family business to his son Michael. It's an examination of power, influence, honor, family, and “making it” as an immigrant. Listen for more! If you enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting the podcast. Any of...

This episode of Books for Men features an edition of “From the Vault”—a segment where I share an episode from my previous podcast, It's Not What It Seems . This is a great chat I had with Tyler Cowen, author of Stubborn Attachments , The Complacent Class , Talent , and many more. Listen for more! (Original publish date: 11/11/18.)  If you enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting the podcas...

This episode of Books for Men features How to Tell a Story by Aristotle. A new translation (by Philip Freeman) of Poetics —Aristotle’s classic surviving text on the art of storytelling. Maybe the most important work ever written on the subject matter. Quite simply, what makes one story better than another story? Listen for more! If you enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting the podcast....

This episode of Books for Men is a short recap of all the episodes from April '23. It was a full month—(2) book episodes, (1) Bad Advice episode, and (1) From the Vault episode. All super solid. Listen for more! If you enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting the podcast. Any of the three things below will help provide awareness for the initiative—inspiring (more) men to read and bringing...

This episode of Books for Men features an edition of “From the Vault”—a new segment where I share an episode from my previous podcast, It's Not What It Seems. This is an audio article that rethinks competition and offers a subtle nuance that might help you. It's equal parts challenging and inspirational. Listen for more! (Original publish date: 11/15/18. Read it here .) If you enjoyed this episode...

This episode of Books for Men features The Son by Philipp Meyer. An epic historical fiction novel about the rise of a Texas oil dynasty that spans from 1836 to the 2010s. It's a story of power, family, self-discovery, and perhaps most importantly, the brutal past that birthed America. Listen for more! If you enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting the podcast. Any of the three things belo...

This episode of Books for Men features another edition of Bad Advice which speaks to a well-trodden (oft-given) piece of advice to "work on your weakness" or “improve in areas you’re not so great.” In general, I think (most of the time) the exact opposite is probably better advice. Ooh, dicey, but hear me out. Listen for more! If you enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting the podcast. An...

This episode of Books for Men features Is This Anything? by Jerry Seinfeld. A book that comprises the comedian's best material (self-selected) over five decades—70s, 80s, 90s, 00s, and 10s. Pretty cool. It's a love letter to the lifelong commitment to process, craft, and comedy. Listen for more! If you enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting the podcast. Any of the three things below will...

This episode of Books for Men is a short recap of all the episodes from March '23. It was a fun month—we shared some great books and added a brand new segment called "From the Vault." Listen for more! If you enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting the podcast. Any of the three things below will help provide awareness for the initiative—inspiring (more) men to read and bringing together me...

This episode of Books for Men features an edition of “From the Vault”—a new segment where I share an episode from my previous podcast, It's Not What It Seems. This is a great chat I had with Greg McKeown, author of Essentialism , a book featured on the pod earlier this month. So much gold here. Listen for more! (Original publish date: 10/7/18.)  If you enjoyed this episode, please consider support...

This episode of Books for Men features Heat 2 by Michael Mann & Meg Gardiner. A novel sequel to one of the greatest crime movies of all time. Pretty unique. I think it's safe to say that if you like the movie, you'll like the novel. It doesn't violate the film—it deepens it. Listen for more! If you enjoyed this episode, please consider showing your support for the podcast. Any of the three things...

This episode of Books for Men features another edition of “Bad Advice”—a new segment where I debunk advice that (I think) is given far too often. This edition speaks to all those "shortcuts" people are hawking. Do you really need it to be easier and faster? Listen for more! If you enjoyed this episode, please consider showing your support for the podcast. Any of the three things below will help to...

This episode of Books for Men features Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown. A book about doing less but better. What are the truly essential things in your life? Do those. Remove the rest. Full stop. (Not easy, but doable.) Listen for more! If you enjoyed this episode, please consider showing your support for the podcast. Any of the three things below will help to provide...