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
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
2
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
3
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
4
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
5
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
6
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
7
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
8
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
9
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
10
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
11
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
12
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
13
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
14
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
15
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
16
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
17
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
18
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
19
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
20
172. How to Notice Magic: Miranda Keeling [read...
Miranda Keeling reading from Charlotte Zolotow’s Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present,’ and discussing the art of slowing down as a writer and elevating the ordinary.
42 min
21
171. How to Rewild the Future: Tom Fletcher, au...
Tom Fletcher reading from Kim Stanley Robinson’s The Ministry for the Future, and discussing diplomacy and essential skills for the future.
41 min
22
170. How to be a Light in the Darkness: Sarah L...
Sarah Lewis reading from James Baldwin’s The Artist’s Struggle for Integrity, and discussing things that last; traditions, teachings, and creations.
46 min
23
169. How to Keep Going When It's Hard: Tony Stu...
Tony Stubblebine reading from John L. Parker, Jr.'s Once A Runner, and discussing strategies to motivate yourself to win without making excuses.
56 min
24
168. Hearing the Whisper of Your Emotions: Hila...
Reading from Diana Fosha’s The Transforming Power of Affect: A Model for Accelerated Change, and discussing strategies to better navigate the emotional tides of change.
45 min
25
167. How to Both 'Be' and 'Do': Suneel Gupta, A...
Suneel Gupta reading from Rodolfo Scarfalloto’s The Alchemy of Opposites, and discussing why failure is a necessary step to success.
32 min