The Read Well Podcast

In today's episode, I sit down with Dr. Martin Jacobsen to explore what elevates a book from good to great. We discuss how the best authors infuse every sentence with purpose beyond mere entertainment, aiming to provoke thought and convey deeper truths. Join us to uncover the layers of meaning and the craft behind writing that resonates across generations. Send Me a Text Message with Your Que...

In this episode, I explore what a memoir is and why it's a valuable genre to include in your reading list. I discuss how memoirs offer unique insights into personal experiences and can provide profound lessons on life. I also recommend my favorite memoir, sharing why it has had such a significant impact on me. This episode will show that reading memoirs helps us understand the human condition...

In this episode, I explore the concept of allegory in literature, revealing how authors embed deeper meanings within their stories. I also dive into magical realism, a fascinating literary tool that blends reality with fantasy. I'll recommend a book that beautifully illustrates these techniques, showing how they enhance our reading experience. Send Me a Text Message with Your Questions 👋📚Ta...

Join me as I break down the five pivotal plot points that structure every compelling story—from exposition to resolution. Learn how these elements craft the narrative arc and enhance your reading experience. This episode not only deepens your appreciation for literature but also recommends a masterpiece, 'The Grapes of Wrath', to see theory in action. Send Me a Text Message with Your Que...

Why invest time in reading literature? This episode answers just that, highlighting how stories enrich our lives, teach us empathy, and offer experiences that facts alone cannot. I'll discuss the dynamic relationship between reader and text, and how this interaction brings new meanings each time. Featuring Ralph Ellison's 'King of the Bingo Game,' I explore the transformative p...

Today, I dive into a comparative analysis of two of Russia’s literary titans: Leo Tolstoy and Fyodor Dostoyevsky. I'll explore their unique styles, themes, and contributions to literature and philosophy. This discussion will not only highlight their differences but also their shared insights into the human condition, making it a must-listen for those who wish to deepen their understanding of...

Welcome to season 2 of The Read Well Book Club! I’ve carefully selected a series of powerful works, starting with Thoreau's inspiring essay 'Walking' and culminating with Sapolsky's scientific 'Behave'. In between, we’ll explore the stoic wisdom, poetry, and psychological fiction. In this episode, I share with you the 10 books we’ll be reading in season 2 (2024/2025)....

In this episode, I dive into how the right book club can transform your reading habits and keep you intellectually engaged. I’ll guide you through selecting a book club that suits your reading style and introduce you to three groups that are ideal for diving into deeper discussions. Plus, don't miss our community announcements segment for local reading events! Send Me a Text Message with Your...

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Martin Jacobsen, Associate Professor of English at West Texas A&M, to explore how a deeper understanding of linguistics can transform your reading skills. Dr. Jacobsen shares his method for diagramming important sentences and provides unconventional tips that promise to elevate your reading experience. If you're someone who enjoys unraveling the philos...

In today’s episode, I’m sharing a significant update about a tough decision I’ve made: to shut down Highlightish, the book note software I’ve been passionately working on. I’ll discuss the reasons behind this decision, primarily focusing on my desire to dedicate more time and resources to enriching this podcast. Expect to hear about the exciting plans I have to bring you more compelling guests and...

In this episode, I explore Samuel Coleridge's breakdown of the four types of readers. I then share some of my favorite takeaways from "First We Read, Then We Write" by Robert Richardson that have transformed my own reading habits. To cap it off, I’ll recommend a book that not only challenges your mind but also guides you in refining your reading skills. Join me to discover which rea...

In today's episode, I'm tackling a challenge every passionate reader faces at some point: the reading slump. It's that frustrating period where every book seems to lack luster, and your once beloved hobby feels like a chore. I'll explore 7 common reasons why you might find yourself in this predicament and, more importantly, how you can break free. Whether it's a lack of va...

In this episode, I explore why so many of us struggle to retain the valuable information we read every day. I introduce a simple yet effective learning framework called D-I-R-T: Decide, Internalize, Revisit, and Teach. By the end of this episode, you'll understand not just the importance of each step but also how to apply them to any book you pick up. This is about building a system that move...

In this episode, I explore how poetry, especially Walt Whitman's 'Song of Myself,' can make us feel more alive by connecting us with the universal human experience. I delve into Emily Dickinson's 'Tell All the Truth' to demonstrate how poetry not only makes us think but also enables us to see the world in new ways. Plus, I share a personal poem to show how poetry can...

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Liza Jacob, an experienced audiobook narrator, to explore why rushing through books might actually be hindering your reading experience. Liza shares invaluable insights on how adopting a narrator's approach to reading—focusing on character, setting, and mood—can profoundly enrich your understanding of both fiction and non-fiction. If you love diving int...

Welcome to another episode of The Read Well Podcast. Today, we're tackling something that's been bothering me: "How to Think (and Read) for Yourself." It's a nod to Nietzsche, who was big on the idea of ruminating on thoughts, not just inhaling them. He argued that his concepts weren’t the kind you could just breeze through; they required time, like mentally chewing on a t...

In this episode, I explore the connection between the authors we love and the way we view the world. I'll share a personal anecdote about a moment of insight from my child's principal, revealing a powerful message through a simple sticker: 'Show me your five closest friends, and I'll show you your future.' This episode will unveil how this principle extends beyond our soci...

Philosophy is hard to grasp, especially in the beginning. The ideas feel heavy in your brain and there are words like Martin Heidegger’s Dasien that will mean nothing to you. Hannah Arendt’s take on totalitarianism requires real work on your part to understand. But as you mentally push against this giant and cumbersome wheel, it begins to turn. Each philosophical idea builds on the next, creating...

I have a friend who wants to be a reader. He’s a great father, and he maintains a career. But at the end of the day, after all the paperwork is filed and the piggybacks are done, he has just enough energy to sleep. That’s why I think his reading system is brilliant. In this week’s episode, we’re going to look at what he’s doing to make sure he gets his reading time in. This plan is simple, but it...

In this episode, I share my recent experience of leaving the Mormon church and the ensuing quest to redefine my own beliefs. I explore 3 different books offering a philosophical perspective on dealing with internal conflicts and the pursuit of truth. Join me as I navigate these waters and share exciting updates like the launch of my local bookstore page and a special reading challenge for our comm...

In this week's episode of The Read Well Podcast, titled "Why Are You Trying So Hard to Impress Everyone? (Let’s Ask Plato)", I'm excited to take you on a philosophical journey back to ancient Greece, exploring Plato's "The Republic." Our main focus is on the compelling concept of moral motivation, as vividly illustrated through the story of the Ring of Gyges. Thi...

Tune in to this week's episode of The Read Well Podcast where I dissect the famous trolley problem. I'll explore the ethical quandaries it poses and examine how it continues to influence contemporary moral philosophy. This episode is not just about hypotheticals; it's a deep dive into how we make decisions, the value we place on human life, and the reasoning behind our moral judgmen...

In this episode, I discuss Greg McKeown's 'Essentialism', a book that challenges the status quo of busyness by advocating for a more deliberate way of living. I'll explore how its principles can be applied to reading and learning, offering strategies for those looking to deepen their intellectual pursuits. By focusing on what is truly essential, I aim to enrich our understandin...

I’ve recently experienced some major changes in my life, notably the fact that I’ve stepped away from a high-demand religion (Mormonism) recently. While I feel a wave of several emotions, I’m mainly excited for the rest of my life and the opportunity I have to question things for myself. I’m starting with this course because I hope that it will give me a chance to look outside of the bubble. The c...

Booktube has gotten itself into a bit of a jam. In order to stay relevant (and clickable), booktube creators feel like they have to make videos showcasing that they read large quantities of books. While I love this idea, and I love that booktube is promoting the art of reading, I am worried about how this makes you view your own reading habits. Have you ever gone to social media to see an image of...