Reading for Your Life
Modern Polymaths
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Join host Alex Acton as he shares books with lessons to live a better life. From philosophy to theology and science to biographies, we learn the lessons that help us live the best life imaginable.
Available episodes
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Jan 17, 2021
Profiles in Courage by John F. Kennedy
With a capital invasion, inauguration, and impeachment in the news, Alex begins 2021 with John F. Kennedy's Profiles in Courage, a book about political courage at important moments in U.S. History.
You can purchase Profiles in Courage on Amazon.
Contact Alex Acton on Twitter @alexpacton or find more Modern Polymaths at modernpolymaths.com, on Twitter @modernpolymaths, or on Facebook at Modern Polymaths Media.
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Dec 12, 2020
The Return of the Light by Carolyn McVickar Edwards
This month, Alex shares The Return of the Light: Twelve Tales from Around the World for the Winter Solstice by Carolyn McVickar Edwards. We share three traditional stories about coming together to bring more light into the world.
You can purchase The Return of the Light on Amazon.
Contact Alex Acton on Twitter @alexpacton or find more Modern Polymaths at modernpolymaths.com, on Twitter @modernpolymaths, or on Facebook at Modern Polymaths Media.
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May 14, 2020
The Singularity is Near by Ray Kurzweil
This month, Alex shares The Singularity is Near by Ray Kurzweil. We take look at what the future may hold and how soon it may arrive.
You can purchase The Singularity is Near on Amazon. And keep up with advances towards the singularity on Kurzweil's personal website and on Singularity Hub.
Explore further with the Janelle Shane's Ted Talk titled The danger of AI is weirder than you think.
Contact Alex Acton on Twitter @alexpacton or find more Modern Polymaths at modernpolymaths.com, on twitter @modernpolymaths, or on Facebook at Modern Polymaths Media.
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Mar 29, 2020
Being Mortal By Atul Gawande
Alex shares Dr. Atul Gawande's Being Mortal and considers big questions about aging and how we can create a meaningful life even at the end.
You can purchase Being Mortal through Dr. Gawande's website.
Explore further with the Hidden Brain's episode The Ventilator.
Contact Alex Acton on Twitter @alexpacton or find more Modern Polymaths at modernpolymaths.com, on twitter @modernpolymaths, or on Facebook at Modern Polymaths Media.
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Feb 2, 2020
21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Hararri
It's 2020 and time for episode #4 of the Reading for Your Life podcast. Alex shares Yuval Noah Hararri's 21 Lessons for the 21st Century. We look at big challenges that face the world, how we build communities and what you and I can do personally to face the future.
You can purchase 21 Lessons for the 21st Century through Hararri's website.
Contact Alex Acton on Twitter @alexpacton or find more Modern Polymaths at modernpolymaths.com, on twitter @modernpolymaths, or on Facebook at Modern Polymaths Media.
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Dec 19, 2019
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch & Jeffrey Zaslow
In episode number 3 of the Reading for Your Life podcast. Alex shares Randy Pausch's The Last Lecture. Both the lecture itself and the book that followed are about chasing your dreams and cherishing the time that we have.
You can find The Last Lecture in print on Amazon.
Or you can watch Randy Pausch's Last Lecture on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo
Contact Alex Acton on Twitter @alexpacton or find more Modern Polymaths at modernpolymaths.com, on twitter @modernpolymaths, or on Facebook at Modern Polymaths Media.
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Nov 12, 2019
First We Make the Beast Beautiful by Sarah Wilson
In episode number 2 of the Reading for Your Life podcast. Alex shares Sarah Wilson's First We Make the Beast Beautiful: A New Journey Through Anxiety. This month is about understanding what causes anxiety and how to live with it.
You can buy a copy of First We Make the Beast Beautiful from Sarah's website here: http://www.sarahwilson.com/books/
If you find yourself struggling with anxiety and want to find some help, you can find a local therapist or a telemental service provider in your state here: https://adaa.org/finding-help
Contact Alex Acton on Twitter @alexpacton or find more Modern Polymaths at modernpolymaths.com, on twitter @modernpolymaths, or on Facebook at Modern Polymaths Media.
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Oct 12, 2019
Lose Well by Chris Gethard
Check out the first episode of the Reading for Your Life podcast. Alex shares Chris Gethard's Lose Well and advice about hard work, powering through failure and living your best life.
You can buy a copy of Lose Well from Chris's website here: https://chrisgeth.com/lose-well/
Contact Alex Acton on Twitter @alexpacton or find more Modern Polymaths at modernpolymaths.com, on twitter @modernpolymaths, or on Facebook at Modern Polymaths Media.
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