E409 | Some of My Favorite Books of 2025 (And What Helped Me Learn the Most)

I get asked about books constantly—what I’m reading, what actually stuck, and what shaped the way I think about leadership, communication, and the world over the past year.   In this episode, I walk through some of my favorite books of 2025—a mix of fiction and nonfiction—and talk about why they mattered to me, not just what they were about.   Some influenced how I think about people and power. Some sharpened how I see leadership and decision-making. Some didn’t fit neatly into a category but stayed with me long after I finished them.   This isn’t a “you should read these because everyone else is” list. It’s a look at the books that genuinely helped me learn, reflect, and see things differently—and why pulling from a wide range of material (not just leadership or business books) makes you sharper overall.   You can find a full, continually updated reading list at: www.artofcoaching.com/reading-list   And if you want the complete list of books mentioned in this episode, you can get it by subscribing to our newsletter at: www.artofcoaching.com/begin   ⸻   What You’ll Learn in This Episode   •Which books actually stood out to me in 2025—and why they stuck   •How fiction has influenced the way I think about people, conflict, and leadership more than some “business” books   •Why reading outside your field makes you more interesting and more effective   •How I decide whether a book is worth my time (and when I abandon one)   ⸻   Follow Us: Website: ArtofCoaching.com Instagram: @coach_brettb X: @coach_brettb

The holidays are supposed to be relaxing. Instead, they tend to throw you into rooms full of tired people, loaded topics, and conversations that go sideways fast. Everyone’s heard the advice to “just avoid certain people.” That works until you can’t. In this episode, I break down real conversational situations people actually run into during the holidays—family dinners, extended relatives, friends-of-friends, awkward small talk, emotional dumping, political grenades—and give you specific, usable strategies to handle them without blowing things up or walking away drained.   ⸻     What You’ll Learn in This Episode   •How to deal with people who drop strong opinions at the table without turning dinner into a debate club   •What to say when someone starts emotionally unloading on you and you don’t want to fix, argue, or absorb it   •How to interrupt long-winded talkers without being rude or awkward   •What to do when someone makes passive-aggressive comments and you don’t want to take the bait   •How to carry a conversation with people you don’t naturally click with (without forcing fake enthusiasm)   •Simple ways to pivot conversations when they start heading somewhere messy   •A few clean exit lines you can use so you’re not trapped in conversations longer than you need to be   ⸻     Follow Us: Website: ArtofCoaching.com Instagram: @coach_brettb X: @coach_brettb

One thing we work with a lot of organizations on is communication issues related to different generations, conflict resolution, and mismatched communication styles.    In this episode, we dive into what actually sits underneath those blowups: the human nature piece most people never address.   We get into why certain leaders lean on directness, why others interpret that same directness as an attack, and how those reactions are rooted in identity, power dynamics, and people’s early experiences with conflict.    We also break down what teams have to understand if they want to stop tip-toeing around each other and actually work well together.   This isn’t a “be nicer” episode. It’s a breakdown of the patterns that quietly screw up trust, clarity, and execution inside organizations—especially when different leadership styles or generations collide.   ⸻   What You’ll Learn (Practical & To the Point)   •How different generations and leadership styles interpret the same message in completely different ways.   •The human-nature drivers behind “direct” vs “too direct,” and why some people shut down or misread tone instantly.   •The difference between discomfort and actual conflict—and how teams get that wrong.   •Why your intent doesn’t matter if the impact keeps landing wrong.   •What leaders can do to adjust their style without watering down their expectations.   •How to get teams to stop personalizing everything and start focusing on the work.   •The specific conversations organizations need to have if they want fewer misunderstandings and fewer emotional landmines.   If you want to build teams that can handle tension, give clear feedback, and stop spinning out over tone, this episode will give you the frameworks and first principles you need.   For more hands-on help; reach out to us at [email protected]   Follow Us: Website: ArtofCoaching.com Instagram: @coach_brettb X: @coach_brettb

Expectations are the backbone of any team that wants to function without drama, drift, or constant hand-holding. Clear expectations create alignment. Maintaining them creates culture. But what happens when standards start slipping, people get complacent, and the gap between “what we said” and “what’s happening” widens? This episode digs into a simple, practical framework leaders in any industry can use to reset standards without defaulting to motivational speeches, generic pep talks, or more carrot-and-stick nonsense. If you’ve ever felt like you’re repeating yourself, wasting time, or dealing with the same issues week after week, this one will save you a lot of headaches. What You’ll Learn 1.⁠ ⁠Why people actually fail to meet expectations Not the clichés—the real psychological and environmental roots. You’ll also learn the first thing you must do the moment you notice standards slipping. Miss this step and everything else becomes noise. 2.⁠ ⁠How to create real accountability that sticks A concrete way to stop the cycle of reminding, repeating, and re-explaining. This section gives you a process to prevent déjà-vu problems that drain time, energy, and morale. 3.⁠ ⁠Tactics for telling who needs coaching vs. who needs to go You’ll walk away with informal, easy-to-use techniques that reveal who’s capable of growth and who’s holding your team back—before the situation becomes a major personnel issue. ⸻ If you’re a leader who’s tired of the same conversations, or you want a straightforward way to steady the ship and raise the floor of performance, you’ll get a lot out of this. For mentoring or deeper guidance: artofcoaching.com/mentoring For team in-services or customized training: [email protected] Follow Us: Website: ArtofCoaching.com Instagram: @coach_brettb X: @coach_brettb

Listen, we all have a lot of information coming at us and limited time to process it. Most days it feels like the world is set up to keep you confused, reactive, and chasing your tail. Between research, social media, “thought leaders,” news, and whatever’s happening at work and home, it’s easy to either shut down or grab at the loudest voice in the room.   This episode is about pushing back on that. I walk through a clear framework you can use to make better sense of the information you already have, so you can stay centered, make sharper decisions, and avoid getting bogged down by bullshit. It’s less about hoarding more content and more about training how you think, what you pay attention to, and how you use what you learn.   In this episode, we get into: •How to decide what “job” a piece of information is supposed to do for you before you give it your attention •A simple relevance filter to separate what matters right now from what can wait—or be ignored •How to look at the source and the incentives behind the message so you’re less likely to get played •A quick way to separate facts, interpretations, and emotions so you don’t get swept up in spin •Turning something you read or hear into a clean, practical takeaway you can actually use •Getting comfortable with “I don’t know yet” instead of grabbing the first confident-sounding answer •Testing new ideas through small actions instead of endless debate or overthinking   If you want to go deeper and apply this in your own life and work: •Main site and resources: www.artofcoaching.com •Upcoming live events and seminars: www.artofcoaching.com/events •One-to-one mentoring and support: www.artofcoaching.com/mentoring   Follow Us: Website: ArtofCoaching.com Instagram: @coach_brettb X: @coach_brettb

This episode dives into one of the most personal and difficult conversations Brett’s ever had — not with a client, colleague, or friend, but with his son.   It started when Bronson said he felt lonely — that the kids around him didn’t like to do hard things, didn’t stick with commitments, and quit when things got tough. What followed was a raw conversation about what it really means to live with conviction, pursue mastery, and stay committed even when it feels isolating.   Brett unpacks how this moment with his son connects to leadership, resilience, and the reality that walking your own path often means walking it alone — at least for a while. This isn’t about parenting advice or some polished motivational talk. It’s about what happens when you realize that the same lessons we try to teach others are the ones we have to keep learning ourselves.   ⸻   What You’ll Learn: •Why loneliness isn’t always a bad sign — it’s often proof you’re growing •How to reframe discomfort and isolation as signals of progress •The link between conviction, curiosity, and finding your real tribe •How to talk about hard truths with kids — or anyone — without sugarcoating •What it means to model lifelong learning instead of preaching it   ⸻ Related Resources: •Want help improving your communication, leadership, and decision-making under pressure? Apply for our 1-to-1 or small-group mentoring programs at www.artofcoaching.com/mentoring. •Join us for our next live Apprenticeship Workshop in Phoenix, AZ – May 2026, where we’ll dig into influence, power dynamics, and the practical side of human behavior. Details and registration: www.artofcoaching.com/events.   Follow Us: Website: ArtofCoaching.com Instagram: @coach_brettb X: @coach_brettb

Ever had a discussion that felt like quicksand? You’re trying to solve one thing, but somehow you end up defending three other things that weren’t even part of the original issue. The topic shifts, the tone changes, and before you know it, you’re stuck in a loop.   In this episode, Brett breaks down why some people constantly derail conversations—whether by changing the subject, twisting words, or moving the goalposts—and how to stop that cycle before it eats away at your time, energy, and credibility.   This isn’t about learning debate tricks or “winning” arguments. It’s about keeping conversations grounded in reality, staying emotionally regulated, and getting back to the real point instead of getting baited into someone else’s chaos.   ⸻   You’ll Learn: •Why arguments loop in the first place — and the psychological drivers behind conversational derailment. •How to identify the real issue beneath the noise so you stop reacting to symptoms and address the actual source. •Three simple tactics to regain control mid-conversation without escalating the conflict or looking defensive. •How to spot conversational manipulation early and shut it down before it snowballs. •When to walk away — and how to end a circular argument cleanly, without guilt or drama.   ⸻   Who This Is For: •Leaders who keep having the same meetings that go nowhere. •Couples or parents tired of every discussion turning into a blame game. •Coaches, managers, and business owners who deal with emotionally charged people and high-stakes conversations.   If you’ve ever left a talk thinking, “We just went in circles again,” this one’s for you.   ⸻   Related Resources: •Want help improving your communication, leadership, and decision-making under pressure? Apply for our 1-to-1 or small-group mentoring programs at www.artofcoaching.com/mentoring. •Join us for our next live Apprenticeship Workshop in Phoenix, AZ – May 2026, where we’ll dig into influence, power dynamics, and the practical side of human behavior. Details and registration: www.artofcoaching.com/events.

At some point, every one of us becomes “the bad guy” — the person who says no, sets a line in the sand, or disappoints someone who wanted a little too much. And truthfully? That’s a good thing. In this episode, Brett breaks down why being willing to let people down is essential if you want to keep your sanity, your focus, and your self-respect. Because saying yes to everything doesn’t make you a better leader, coach, or friend — it just makes you a doormat. We’ve all seen how it happens: someone asks for a small favor here or there, and before you know it, your time, energy, and attention are getting siphoned off in a hundred directions that don’t serve your goals. This conversation is about drawing the line, protecting what actually matters, and remembering that you’re not supposed to serve everyone. Sometimes, being the “bad guy” is what keeps you effective, grounded, and able to keep doing the work that actually helps people long-term. If you found this helpful, check out:   •The Apprenticeship – our live workshop on communication and influence.   •Speaker School – for anyone who wants to present and persuade more effectively.   •Join our community at ArtofCoaching.com/community for bonus materials and episode breakdowns.   🎤 Art of Coaching Live Events Let’s be honest—most workshops leave you with a notebook full of tips and no real plan for change. Ours are built different. At Art of Coaching, you won’t just sit and take notes. You’ll engage in real scenarios—role-plays, peer feedback, video breakdowns, and live evaluations—designed to help you sharpen your communication, think on your feet, and handle tough conversations with more clarity and control. Whether you’re dealing with a passive-aggressive coworker, trying to be more assertive without burning bridges, stuck in tension at home, or just tired of second-guessing yourself socially or professionally—we can help. This is potent personal and professional development that actually sticks. No fluff. No filler. We offer multiple pricing tiers and discounts—reach out at [email protected] and we’ll help make it work for you. Upcoming Workshops: 📍 Charlestown, MA – Nov 15‑16  (The Apprenticeship™) 🔗 artofcoaching.com/events Real Coaching for Real Life Let’s be honest—everyone says they want growth, but putting in the work? That’s where most people just stick to what’s comfortable.. That’s why we created a mentoring service built for the real world. Whether you’re stuck on a professional decision, starting a business, writing a book, dealing with pressure at home, or just trying to get out of your own way—we can help. This isn’t therapy. And it’s not a rah-rah, feel-good session either. It’s direct, tailored coaching from people who’ve been in the trenches—leaders, operators, educators, business owners. Our team of 15 comes from a wide range of backgrounds, so you’re matched with someone who understands your world and knows how to push you forward. Everyone needs a coach. We’re here when you’re ready. 🔗 artofcoaching.com/mentoring Follow Us: Website: ArtofCoaching.com Instagram: @coach_brettb X: @coach_brettb

People pleasing -  we’ve all seen it before (whether we recognized it or not) - constantly being agreeable, always saying yes, never setting any boundaries - all to the point of self-destruction.  If you haven’t experienced it yourself, it’s likely you’ve witnessed someone else demonstrate these behaviors. And although it may have short-term benefits, we know that these self-destructive tendencies are not sustainable, and can lead to mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion and burnout. If this is something you think you might struggle with, or if you know someone who does, today’s episode provides a wide variety of perspectives on what “people pleasing” can look like in the day to day world, a number of root causes, and a handful of different solutions you can use to help you manage these behaviors. More specifically, I dive into: Quotes that hit - some of the most impactful sound bites I’ve heard on the topic What drives you?  How our drives can lead us into unhealthy people pleasing behaviors The downside to many of the mainstream self-help resources that address the topic The necessary self-reflection that has to take place before we can make long-lasting behavioral changes Referenced Resources: E210: Assertiveness: How To Ask For What You Want & Get What You Need E207: How Perception Impacts Communication & Relationships E208: Robert Greene: Mastering Human Nature and Facing Your Flaws E200: What To Do When Trying To Help Makes Stuff Worse E176: When Positive Thinking Doesn’t Work E22: The Value of Self-Doubt E130: How Understanding Drives Helps Build Buy-In Quiz: What Drives You? Online Course: Valued - mentioned in today’s episode regarding opportunity cost, this life-time access course help you to identify your values and take control of your career Other AoC Resources: 1:1 Virtual or Group Mentoring/ Staff Development Group Mentoring (The Coalition) Online Courses Live Events Request Us As a Speaker   If you found this helpful, check out:   •The Apprenticeship – our live workshop on communication and influence.   •Speaker School – for anyone who wants to present and persuade more effectively.   •Join our community at ArtofCoaching.com/community for bonus materials and episode breakdowns.   🎤 Art of Coaching Live Events Let’s be honest—most workshops leave you with a notebook full of tips and no real plan for change. Ours are built different. At Art of Coaching, you won’t just sit and take notes. You’ll engage in real scenarios—role-plays, peer feedback, video breakdowns, and live evaluations—designed to help you sharpen your communication, think on your feet, and handle tough conversations with more clarity and control. Whether you’re dealing with a passive-aggressive coworker, trying to be more assertive without burning bridges, stuck in tension at home, or just tired of second-guessing yourself socially or professionally—we can help. This is potent personal and professional development that actually sticks. No fluff. No filler. We offer multiple pricing tiers and discounts—reach out at [email protected] and we’ll help make it work for you. Upcoming Workshops: 📍 Charlestown, MA – Nov 15‑16  (The Apprenticeship™) 🔗 artofcoaching.com/events Real Coaching for Real Life Let’s be honest—everyone says they want growth, but putting in the work? That’s where most people just stick to what’s comfortable.. That’s why we created a mentoring service built for the real world. Whether you’re stuck on a professional decision, starting a business, writing a book, dealing with pressure at home, or just trying to get out of your own way—we can help. This isn’t therapy. And it’s not a rah-rah, feel-good session either. It’s direct, tailored coaching from people who’ve been in the trenches—leaders, operators, educators, business owners. Our team of 15 comes from a wide range of backgrounds, so you’re matched with someone who understands your world and knows how to push you forward. Everyone needs a coach. We’re here when you’re ready. 🔗 artofcoaching.com/mentoring Follow Us: Website: ArtofCoaching.com Instagram: @coach_brettb X: @coach_brettb

We all get busy. Work piles up, routines take over, and before you know it, years have gone by since you last checked in with people who actually mattered to you. This episode is a reminder — and a bit of a kick in the ass — that it doesn’t take much to change that. You don’t need a reason, a holiday, or the “right time.” Just reach out. Call someone you haven’t talked to in five or ten years. Shoot a text. Reconnect. The longer you wait, the harder it gets, and the truth is, life’s too unpredictable to assume you’ll always get another chance. This one’s short, direct, and human. No fluff. Just a practical reminder to stop overthinking it and make the damn call. The returns—personally and professionally—are worth it.   If you found this helpful, check out:   •The Apprenticeship – our live workshop on communication and influence.   •Speaker School – for anyone who wants to present and persuade more effectively.   •Join our community at ArtofCoaching.com/community for bonus materials and episode breakdowns.   🎤 Art of Coaching Live Events Let’s be honest—most workshops leave you with a notebook full of tips and no real plan for change. Ours are built different. At Art of Coaching, you won’t just sit and take notes. You’ll engage in real scenarios—role-plays, peer feedback, video breakdowns, and live evaluations—designed to help you sharpen your communication, think on your feet, and handle tough conversations with more clarity and control. Whether you’re dealing with a passive-aggressive coworker, trying to be more assertive without burning bridges, stuck in tension at home, or just tired of second-guessing yourself socially or professionally—we can help. This is potent personal and professional development that actually sticks. No fluff. No filler. We offer multiple pricing tiers and discounts—reach out at [email protected] and we’ll help make it work for you. Upcoming Workshops: 📍 Charlestown, MA – Nov 15‑16  (The Apprenticeship™) 🔗 artofcoaching.com/events Real Coaching for Real Life Let’s be honest—everyone says they want growth, but putting in the work? That’s where most people just stick to what’s comfortable.. That’s why we created a mentoring service built for the real world. Whether you’re stuck on a professional decision, starting a business, writing a book, dealing with pressure at home, or just trying to get out of your own way—we can help. This isn’t therapy. And it’s not a rah-rah, feel-good session either. It’s direct, tailored coaching from people who’ve been in the trenches—leaders, operators, educators, business owners. Our team of 15 comes from a wide range of backgrounds, so you’re matched with someone who understands your world and knows how to push you forward. Everyone needs a coach. We’re here when you’re ready. 🔗 artofcoaching.com/mentoring Follow Us: Website: ArtofCoaching.com Instagram: @coach_brettb X: @coach_brettb