Reading List
this is a list of books in the human connection realm. every book on this list has been read by at least one member of the team, and would recommend to anyone interested in diving deeper into everything human connection.
Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win
This book is an absolute masterclass on self development and working well with others. The principles that Jocko teaches not only help us get more done, but the idea of extreme ownership is something that’s literally re-shaped our tiny idiot brains. Jocko is a legend (and we’re not just saying that because Liam used to work for him and is now legally required to go around promoting how much of a legend Jocko is, so get that out of your mind).
In the end, this book really comes down to “How to Be a Good Person”.
The Coddling of the American Mind
This book attempts to explain why things have felt so polarized between people in North America recently.
The authors set up 3 ideas that they call the “Great Untruths” - basically ideas that seem to have become prevalent lately but that make your life, and in turn everybody else’s life, worse.
- untruth of fragility - what doesn’t kill you makes you weaker
- untruth of emotional reasoning - always trust your feelings
- untruth of us vs. them - life is a battle between good and evil people
The 3 solutions they pitch are basically the opposite of the problems themselves.
- seek out challenges - stressors and challenges help us grow, learn, and adapt
- free yourself from cognitive distortions - detach, take a step back, look at the whole picture
- find nuance - take a generous view of other people, search for the nuance
Obviously they dive into how these ideas became mainstream, why they’re bad for societies, and more practical ways of implementing solutions. But it was a super good book overall.
We especially find that 3rd untruth (life is a battle between good and evil people) to be something that gets in the way of connection quite a bit, and searching for more nuance and reasons why people are they way that they are, is something we’re trying to explore in more videos.
The Village Effect
This book is a very scientific look at the real importance of in-person human connection. Susan unpacks a ton of research and studies that dive into the actual neuroscience of connection, and ultimately comes to the conclusion that “we are happier, healthier, and more resistant to disease and despair if we satisfy the need for meaningful human contact.” Yeah.. what she said. We couldn’t agree more.
She breaks down the dangers and health risks of loneliness, the real life benefits of having social support, and provides a good amount of practical tips on how to build and nurture a personal “village” of connections.
An absolutely awesome read, that I definitely learned a lot from. Good starting place for anyone interested in fostering more human connection.
Belong
This one’s a guidebook for anyone who’s ever looked around and thought, “Where are *my* people?” Radha doesn’t just explore the idea of belonging—she gets into the real, practical work of how to *create* it. Not by luck, not by waiting—but by intentionally building it, from the inside out.
She talks a lot about how we’ve confused being around people with actually feeling connected. And honestly, that hit. This book breaks down why we feel disconnected in the first place, how to get clear on who we are and what we value, and how to start forming real community—one that actually feels good to be in.
It’s part story, part workbook, and part kick in the ass. There’s exercises, prompts, and tools for figuring out your social circle, filtering out energy-drainers, and showing up for people in a way that builds something real.
We liked this one because it doesn’t pretend that finding connection is easy—but it makes it feel possible. If you’re in a season of wanting deeper friendships, more aligned community, or you’re just tired of surface-level stuff, Belong is a solid place to start.
The Art of Gathering
We spend a lot of time with people—but that doesn’t always mean we’re connecting.
This book breaks down why most group hangs—dinners, meetings, events—end up feeling kind of forgettable. And how just a few intentional choices can turn them into something way more meaningful.
Priya doesn’t overcomplicate it. She just points out that most gatherings follow scripts we never question. And by asking better questions—like why are we doing this? and who actually needs to be here?—you start to create spaces where people actually show up as themselves.
What stuck with us was the idea that people come together around shared emotion—joy, pain, excitement, even awkwardness. The feeling doesn’t have to be deep. But if it’s real, and if it's shared, that’s what makes it stick.
If you care about hosting anything—from a dinner to a full-on event—this book helps you cut the noise and create something people actually remember.
The Gifts of Imperfection
This book hits deep. Brené Brown takes everything we think we know about vulnerability, connection, and belonging—and flips it upside down. Through powerful research and storytelling, she shows that living a full life isn’t about being perfect or having it all together—it’s about owning your story and choosing courage over comfort.
At its core, this book is about real connection. Not the filtered, highlight-reel version. The kind that happens when we let ourselves be seen—flaws, fears, dreams and all. Brené unpacks how shame keeps us silent, how perfectionism holds us back, and how compassion (for ourselves and others) is the key to true belonging. She dives into the ways we numb out to avoid pain, and the cultural myths that convince us to "hustle for our worth."
It’s the kind of book that doesn’t just inspire you—it confronts you. But in the best way. If you’ve ever struggled with feeling “not enough” or wondered why it’s so hard to just be yourself in a world full of comparison, this book is a must. Vulnerability, it turns out, is not weakness—it’s where all the good stuff lives: joy, love, creativity, and real human connection.
Overall great read!
The Courage to be Disliked
This is one of Brad’s favourite books,
Written as a dialogue between a philosopher and a skeptical student, it’s simple on the surface, but the ideas cut deep. It challenges everything we’ve been taught about success, approval, and what it means to live a good life. And it does it without fluff or self-help clichés.
The big idea: you are not a product of your past. You are not defined by your trauma, your reputation, or how others see you. You are free—to choose, to change, to live a life aligned with who you actually are. But that freedom comes with a cost: you have to be okay with not being liked by everyone.
It’s not about being reckless or abrasive—it’s about having the courage to live without constantly performing for approval. And from that place, connection actually becomes more honest. More human.
This book doesn’t pump you up. It humbles you. And if you let it, it will absolutely rewire the way you think about yourself, your relationships, and the story you’re telling with your life.
Rejection Proof
This book is about building the courage to ask—and realizing how much fear of rejection quietly controls our lives.
After a tough “no” shook his confidence, Jia Jiang challenged himself to get rejected every day for 100 days. Not to toughen up for the sake of it, but to understand the fear, take the sting out of it, and see what’s actually possible when you stop letting rejection define you.
What he found was that rejection isn’t nearly as scary—or as final—as we make it out to be. And the more honest, curious, and bold he got, the more he opened himself up to real moments of connection.
This isn’t about becoming bulletproof. It’s about learning to lean in when most people shut down. If fear of what others might say has ever held you back from reaching out, creating something, or showing up fully—this book helps flip that script.
Tribes
This book is basically a reminder that you don’t need a million followers or a big platform to lead—you just need a point of view and the courage to say, “Hey, I think there’s a better way to do this. Who’s in?”
Godin makes the case that humans are wired for tribes—small groups built around shared ideas, values, or missions. And in a world full of noise, what people are really looking for is someone willing to go first.
It’s not about being an expert or building a cult following. It’s about creating space for people who believe in the same thing you do, and helping them find each other.
If you're trying to rally people around a mission—or you’ve got something to say but keep waiting for the “right time”—this book is a good kick in the ass.
Lost Connections
This book makes you rethink everything you’ve been told about depression and loneliness.
Hari argues that feeling disconnected isn’t a personal flaw—it’s a natural response to a world that’s stripped away the things we need most: purpose, people, meaning, and real community. He breaks down nine forms of disconnection, from the loss of meaningful work to the breakdown of relationships, and shows how these hidden forces shape how we feel every day.
It’s not self-help. It’s not “think positive.” It’s just an honest look at what happens when we stop living in ways that actually fulfill us—and how we might start rebuilding.
If you’ve ever felt off but couldn’t explain why, this book gives language to that—and a way forward that’s actually grounded in connection.