Helpful Stuff – April 2026
WHAT TO READ
Runnin’ Down a Dream: How to Thrive in a Career You Actually Love
By Bill Gurley
Nobody wants to end up in a job they dislike or career that feels like a chore. How do you find your dream gig? It starts with the desire and passion to figure out what you love and then do it. Many young people today might see the path to success like a conveyor belt—the next test, the next application, the next college, the next opportunity—without stopping to ask what they actually want to do. After college, Bill Gurley landed a job at a famous tech company, and found he was bored. He leapt into the unknown, eventually finding his place in the world of venture capital, the beginning of a remarkable investing career. His happily-ever-after is rare. Nearly six in 10 people would do things differently if they could start over. This book helps you identify the six principles to help you flourish in your chosen career. With a straight-forward style and stories from industry titans, this is a playbook not just for success, but for a purpose-filled life.
Tell Me Everything: A Secret Service Agent’s Proven Strategies for Earning Trust, Revealing the Truth, and Communicating with Anyone
By Brad Beeler
Imagine if you were able to connect with anyone. Now imagine if your conversations left them feeling valued, understood and willing to open up. This is a skill that needs to be mastered. Brad Beeler, a retired Special Agent with 25 years in the U.S. Secret Service, is one of the agency’s most experienced and decorated polygraph examiners. Over decades, he honed his communication expertise in high-stakes environments, extracting confessions and fostering trust in delicate interactions. Beeler blends field-tested strategies from years of real-world, high-pressure scenarios with practical tools that you can use in everyday conversations. Learn how to master body language, tone and the full spectrum of senses to build trust. Learn how to spot deception and respond effectively, and how to resolve conflicts with both confidence and empathy. Whether you are a vice president, sales rep, installer, parent, or friend, this book equips you with the tools for creating meaningful connections, navigating conflicts and achieving better outcomes in all interactions.
The Common Sense Cowboy’s Guide to Life: Stories from the Old Guy at the End of the Bar
By Patrick Dorinson and Matthew Klickstein
Forget Chicken Soup for The Soul! Learn how to deal with life from The Common Sense Cowboy. Dorinson is a writer, speaker and Newsmax and Fox News contributor who, for nearly a decade, was host of The Cowboy Libertarian radio show on iHeart media’s Sacramento-based KFBK. He sheds new light on the ups and downs we all go through together and hopefully lends a little extra guidance during these tumultuous times to those seeking it. You’ll find relatable tales of faith, failure, redemption and enduring passion for being the best possible version of oneself. Learn some of the Cowboy’s rules for life—like rule #3: Everything breaks sooner or later. So, learn how to fix it.
WHAT TO LISTEN TO:
Oprah’s Super Soul Conversations
Available on Apple Podcasts
This lady doesn’t mess around, so you can be sure you won’t waste a moment of your time tuning into her chats with thought-leaders, best-selling authors, spiritual luminaries and health and wellness experts. If you need a spark to help you find meaning in life, this is a great start. The sessions encourage you to search within yourself for what motivates you while also offering guidance to improve your wellbeing. Episodes average between 30 and 40 minutes so you can get one in on the drive to or from work.
