21 wellbeing wisdom reads and listens for 2022
Your round-up of the best reading and listening recommendations from the Open Minded podcast in 2021.
Take a look at the top 21 reading and listening recommendations, straight from some of our incredible guests from the Open Minded podcast this year.
Recommendations come from a range of experts, including leadership coach and burnout expert Suzi McAlpine and mental health activist Jazz Thornton.
The main theme of these recommendations is (you guessed it) wellbeing but covers a huge range, including:
Novels and poetry
History and social issues
Workplace wellbeing
Leadership
Spirituality and philosophy
Mindfulness
Psychology and neuroscience
Who doesn’t love a good listen, too? If you’re looking for something to listen to this summer, there are also a few podcast recommendations. You can also find many of the reads below as audiobooks which are handy for chill summer listening.
There’s really something for everyone ⏤ so get stuck in below!
Jazz Thornton’s recommendations
Mental health activist, author, director and Voice of Groov
Read
Mental health and wellbeing: The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer. A best-selling guide to staying emotionally healthy and spiritually alive in the chaos of the modern world. Described as a “compelling emotional and spiritual case against hurry and in favor of a slower, simpler way of life”.
Personal growth: Learned Optimism by Martin E. P. Seligman. How to change your mind and your life, a book from “the faster of the new science of positive psychology” which is based on more than twenty years of clinical research to show how optimism enhances the quality of life, and how we can all learn to practice it.
Personal story: Stop Surviving Start Fighting by Jazz Thornton. Described as a hard-hitting, thought-provoking account of surviving suciide attempts and moving on to a better life, which provides practical help and inspiration to anyone affected by depression or suicide.
Listen to Jazz Thornton’s episode of Open Minded here.
Simon Mundie’s recommendations
Renowned UK journalist and host of globally successful podcast Don’t Tell Me The Score
Read
Personal growth: The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph By Ryan Holiday. A cult-classic, beloved by many globally, this book draws on ancient Greek philosophy around resilience to give modern advice on concentrating on things you can control, and learning to let go of everything else, to turn every new obstacle into an opportunity to get better and stronger.
Spirituality: The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle. Having sold over 2 million copies across the world, this highly popular book takes readers on an “inspiring spiritual journey to find their true and deepest self, and reach the ultimate in personal growth and spirituality: the discovery of truth and light.”.
Listen to Simone Mundie’s episode of Open Minded here.
Suzi McAlpine’s recommendations
Leadership coach and author of Beyond Burnout
Read
Leadership: Dare to Lead by Brené Brown. Touted as the ultimate playbook for developing brave leaders and courageous cultures, this book is a fantastic read for unlocking your career potential. It teaches the reader how to “dare greatly, rise strong, and brave the wilderness” and is packed with ideas that can be put into practice to learn how to step up and lead.
Workplace wellbeing: Beyond Burnout by Suzi McAlpine. Learn how to spot burnout, stop it, and stamp it out. If you’ve been feeling exhausted, depleted and deflated at work, or want to learn how to help others around you that could be on the brink, this is the book for you.
Listen to Suzi McAlpine’s episode of Open Minded here.
Dr. Tony Fernando’s recommendations
Sleep specialist, psychiatrist, and academic
Read
History: Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari. A renowned best-seller with 16 million copies sold worldwide, this is a fresh perspective on the history of our species, from the first human species on earth to examinations of capitalism and modern agriculture, and how the modern world affects our happiness. A vivid and captivating read, even beloved by teenagers!
Mindfulness: Mindfulness Pocketbook: Little Exercises for a Calmer Life by Gill Hasson. Perfect for those looking to learn more about mindfulness and start practising it daily, this little book has over 100 quick exercises to deal with different situations, with tips to help you get calm, collected and balanced.
Listen to Dr. Tony Fernando’s episode of Open Minded here.
Listen
Mindfulness: Insight Hour with Joseph Goldstein podcast. Tune in for essential mindfulness teachings that are delivered in a practical and down to earth way. Host Joseph Goldstein uses his own personal experiences and storytelling to bring mindfulness to life for listeners.
Steven Worrall’s recommendations
Managing Director at Microsoft Australia and passionate advocate for good mental health practices in the workplace.
Read
Psychology: Buddha’s Brain by Ph.D Rick Hansen. Did you know the flow of thoughts actually sculpts the brain? This book looks at how changing your brain can change your life, looking at breakthroughs in neuroscience combined with insights from thousands of years of mindfulness practice, and how people can use their minds to “shape your brain for greater happiness, love, and wisdom.”.
Productivity: Your Brain at Work by David Rock. A research and consultant looks at strategies for overcoming distraction, regaining focus, and working smarter all day long “revealing how a more nuanced understanding of the brain can allow us to better organise, prioritise, recall, and sort our daily lives.”.
Listen to Steven Worrall’s episode of Open Minded here.
Dr. Stephen Hinshaw’s recommendations
Renowned psychologist and expert on mental health
Read
Personal story: Another Kind of Madness: A Journey Through Stigma and Hope of Mental Illness by Dr. Stephen P. Hinshaw. A deeply personal memoir that aims to end the shame and stigma surrounding mental illness, Hinshaw shares how his fathers experience with serious mental illness changed his life forever.
Psychology: The Triple Bind: Saving Our Teenager Girls from Today's Pressures and Conflicting Expectations by Dr. Stephen P. Hinshaw and Rachel Kranz. The Triple Bind that girls face today is to act sweet and nice, be a star athlete and get straight A’s, and seem sexy and hot, even if you’re not. Hinshaw and Kranz examine how societal expectations, cultural trends, and conflicting messages are creating a modern crisis for young women and girls.
Novel: Beloved by Toni Morrison. A “spellbinding and dazzlingly innovative portrait of a woman haunted by the past”, this Pulitzer Prize winning novel combines the power of legend with the unassailable truth of history.
Psychology: Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers by Robert M. Sapolsky. A favourite of Sir John Kirwan, this acclaimed and successful book explains how our body reacts to stress and anxiety, and why over time the stress-response can make us literally sick.
Listen to Dr. Stephen Hinshaw’s episodes of Open Minded here and here.
Poppy Jaman’s recommendations
OBE and CEO of the City Mental Health Alliance
Read
Poetry: Home Body by Rupi Kuar. A reflective and intimate journey that “constantly embraces growth and the inhome body… visiting the past, the present, and the potential of the self”. This is a raw and honest conversation, and touches on themes of love, acceptance, community, family, and change.
Social issues: Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge. The #1 Sunday Times Bestseller, this book “sparked a national conversation” and explores everything from black history to the link between class and race. Described as an “essential handbook for anyone who wants to understand race relations in Britain today”.
Listen
Social issues: The Guilty Feminist podcast by Deborah Frances-White. An award-winning podcast which is a supportive forum to discuss “the big topics all 21st century feminists agree on” while also providing a space to confess insecurities, hypocrisies, and fears that sometimes undermine our principles.
Listen to Poppy Jaman’s episode of Open Minded here.
Dr. Kerry Spackman’s recommendations
Renowned psychologist and expert on mental health.
Read
Personal growth: The Winners Bible: Rewire your Brain for Permanent Change by Dr. Kerry Spackman. Learn how to permanently rewire your brain and transform your life with groundbreaking tools from neuroscientist, Dr. Kerry Spackman.
Philosophy: The Ant and the Ferrari: Lifting the Hood on Truth, Society, and the Universe by Dr. Kerry Spackman. This book tackles the big questions like is there life after death, and can we provide the Big Bang Theory? Packed with science and research, this book is engrossing and accessible, using everyday examples to answer these questions and other diverse issues.
Listen to Dr. Kerry Spackman’s episode of Open Minded here.
Getting stuck into a good book can be a great escape, inspiring journey, or the chance to learn something new to take with you into the coming year.
With all of those recommendations from people of all walks of life and areas of expertise, we hope you found something to enjoy. Or maybe you were inspired to gift a book to a friend or family member!
We look forward to bringing you more incredible insights, advice and recommendations on Open Minded in 2022.