2 Pages with MBS
Discover the best bits of the best books read by people you admire. Michael Bungay Stanier hosts the podcast where brilliant people read the best two pages of a favourite book. Listen as authors, leaders, activists, academics, celebrities, and entrepreneurs dig in with MBS to explore the insights and ideas within. Whether it’s books that inspire leadership, change, self-development and growth, power, strategy, ambition, productivity, or creativity and innovation - this is hand-curated wisdom from people who know. These are the books that change minds, shape lives, and inspire great work and worthy goals.
1
197. The Outsider on the Inside: Marcus Collins...
Marcus Collins reading from Dan Ariely's "Predictably Irrational."
49 min
2
196. Seeking Home: Kassia St. Clair [reads] ‘Ho...
Kassia St. Clair reading from John Day’s “Homing: On Pigeons, Dwellings and Why We Return,” and discussing the tension between putting down roots and being tied down and the fundamental dance between freedom and commitment.
40 min
3
195. Seeking the Story Behind the Story: Lauren...
Lauren Crux reading from Mary Ruefle’s The Book, and discussing the concept of home, finding it in oneself, and the importance of nurturing friendships.
42 min
4
194. From the Vault: The Light and the Dark of ...
W. David reading from Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s Ulysses, and discussing the anxiety of feeling like you peaked early in life and how to ensure that doesn’t become your reality.
48 min
5
193. How to be Radically Generous: Vicki Saunde...
Vicki Saunders reads from "Astonishing the Gods" by Ben Okri, and discusses the importance of radical generosity, building new systems, and the power of dreaming and intention in creating a better world.
39 min
6
192. Learn Faster, Learn Better: Scott Young, A...
Scott Young reads from "The Principles of Teaching Based on Psychology" by Edward Thorndike, and discusses what it is to learn, how our understanding of the process has changed over the years, and how you can learn more deeply, faster.
47 min
7
191. Obsessed (in a good way): Kaya Thomas [rea...
Kaya Thomas reads from Octavia Butler's essay "Positive Obsession" and discusses sustaining passion projects, staying true to your purpose, and the power of positive obsession.
36 min
8
190. How Empathy Calms Anxiety: Marc Brackett, ...
Marc Brackett reads from Lisa Feldman Barrett’s “7 ½ Lessons about the Brain,” and discusses the importance of recognizing and understanding emotions, as well as the role of emotional intelligence in navigating feelings and interactions with others.
41 min
9
189. Beware Your Shadow Career: Jay Papasan, au...
Jay Papasan reading from Steven Pressfield’s “Turning Pro,” and discussing the concept of transitioning from an amateur to a professional in one's craft, the sacrifices and mindset shifts required, and the importance of being deeply committed to one's true calling.
56 min
10
188. Frailty, Strength, and Leadership: Amy Eli...
Amy Elizabeth Fox reading from "Attuned: Practicing Interdependence to Heal Our Trauma and Our World" by Thomas Hübl and discussing how to address trauma, both personal and collective, in leadership development.
44 min
11
187. The Hardest & Best Creative Question: Aust...
Austin Kleon reading from Lynda Barry’s “What It Is,” and discussing the unique perspective of where words and images intersect.
77 min
12
186. New Year, New News, New Cow: MBS [reads] P...
With the new year, we’re doing something new with 2 Pages with MBS.
9 min
13
185. The Power of Dreams and Authentic Leadersh...
Modupe Akinola reading Genesis, Chapter 37, of the Bible, and discussing the importance of bringing your full self to work, embracing vulnerability, and building authentic relationships.
44 min
14
184. Better Life Vault: Who do you serve?: Dave...
Dave Stachowiak reading from Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People and discussing being a student, rather than a teacher.
49 min
15
183. Better Life Vault: How to be *Really* Happ...
Stephanie Harrison reading from Śāntideva’s The Way of the Bodhisattva and discussing the pursuit of happiness.
43 min
16
182. Better Life Vault: Getting Better at Falli...
Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe reading from Viktor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning, and discussing everyday resiliency.
39 min
17
181. How to be An (Effective) Hedonist: Charlie...
Charlie Bresler reading from Peter Singer’s The Life You Can Save, and discussing how saving the lives of others can actually save your own.
46 min
18
180. Realizing Your Potential: Jonathan Brill [...
Jonathan Brill reading from Marshall McLuhan’s The Medium Is the Massage, and discussing inventing your future by increasing both your optionality and your potential.
43 min
19
179. Influence + Failure = Originality: Geoff D...
Geoff Dyer reading from Raymond Williams’ The Country and the City, and discussing how to find your own distinct voice.
44 min
20
178. Imagine Winning: Rob Hopkins [reads] ‘We D...
Rob Hopkins reading from Mariame Kaba’s, We Do This ‘Til We Free Us, and discussing how to be an activist.
44 min
21
177. How to be a Bigger Person: Tiziana Casciar...
Tiziana Casciaro reading from Ogyen Trinley Dorje’s The Heart is Noble, and discussing a more interdependent reality.
57 min
22
176. What Beckons to You? Olatunde Sobomehin [r...
Olatunde Sobomehin reading from Andy Crouch’s The Life We’re Looking For, and discussing personhood, vulnerability, and community.
40 min
23
175. Strength in Fragile Times: Susan Collett [...
Susan Collett reading from Twyla Tharp’s The Creative Habit and discussing the variety of a creative life.
40 min
24
174. The Art of Disruption: Stefan Bucher, auth...
Stefan Bucher reading from Douglas Adams’ The Salmon of Doubt, and discussing how beautiful it is to be an outsider.
42 min
25
173. What Reconciliation Means: Bob Joseph, aut...
Bob Joseph reading from Roy Osing’s BE DiFFERENT or be dead, and sharing his long-term view of working towards reconciliation between people everywhere.
54 min