Peace of mind compounds.

What do we keep? What do we let go?

How much do we really need? How much are we obligated to carry?

We live in an era of unprecedented earning potential. Even at a modest wage, we command tools, information, and comforts today that would have amazed kings not so long ago.

Earn and invest in healthy things and relationships that grow quietly.

A king with a smartphone and a high-speed connection is still a peasant if he is a slave to his notifications.

Tap the brakes. Be kind. Serve somebody.🌱

Something to Believe In | Gary Burnison, Korn Ferry CEO

We rarely achieve more than we believe is possible. Korn Ferry CEO Gary Burnison notes the essence of leadership is inspiring others to believe and work together to achieve a purposeful goal.

Functional AGI is Here - Let’s GO! | NFX

Waymo is delivering more rides than Lyft in San Francisco. Like it or not, customers are not only accepting but preferring AI enabled solutions and services. Time to engage and leverage AGI while there is still an early mover advantage.⏰

What British people really mean when they say ‘sorry’ | BBC

"Sorry" is one of the UK's most overused and misunderstood words – here's how to decode the politeness minefield. Oh, Sorry.😉

A Lesson from Chess Masters: Play the Intermezzo | Big Think

Life is more than action and reaction. Stop playing the expected move. Turn reactive moments into strategic advantages. Don’t just move forward; consider moving sideways.♚

Japan’s 3-Minute Wellness Secret: Radio Taiso | The Japan Society via YouTube

Every day, Japan starts the day with Radio Taiso. No gym, no gear, and no excuses. Here’s a Radio Taiso broadcast to help you wake up and begin the day with energy and intention.⛩️

Here are books, media, and music influencing my coaching:

• 10 Good Books on my Kindle | May 2026 | Brian Cooke

• Michael Tilson Thomas on his love of music | MTT and Morley Safer (2000) 60 Minutes Archive via YouTube

• Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 18 in E flat major “The Hunt” | Yuja Wang at “The Vienna Recital” (2022) plays Beethoven (1802) via YouTube

• Canta, Canta Minha Gente | Varios Artistas (2017) sing Martinho da Vila samba (1974) via YouTube

• Mr. Jones | Counting Crows (1993) via YouTube

Read. Think. Lead to Serve.

Let’s GO! 🚀

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Thank you for reading BCedX.

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Beauty rarely shouts.

It doesn’t have a marketing budget or viral algorithm. It waits and welcomes those who are ready to find it.

Beyond the noise and discord, this is a remarkable time to be alive.

Be kind. Seek peace.

Look for the light. 🌔

Artemis II crew describes moon mission, wild re-entry ride | CBC video

Vision, ambition, practice, learning, discipline, character, courage, trust, collaboration, leadership, communication, teamwork - wtg Artemis II crew!🚀

The 1 Big Regret Steve Jobs Shared with His Coach | Inc.

John Mattone had five coaching sessions with Steve Jobs before he died of pancreatic cancer. John Mattone didn’t go looking for Steve Jobs. Steve Jobs found him. Who do you call when you are worried or questioning?☎️

Why You Should Build a Personal Brand | Wise and Wealthy by Darius Foroux

Stop trading time for money. Build and grow an authentic personal brand that gives you leverage and recurring income!

A college instructor turns to typewriters to curb AI and teach life lessons | AP News

Typewriters are making a comeback! This revival at Cornell University is part of a trend toward old-school testing methods like in-class pen-and-paper exams and oral tests.

It’s OK to Outgrow Situations and Relationships | Wiser Newsletter

A healthy plant cannot grow in a pot that is too small. Sometimes environments that once supported us no longer sustain our growth.🌱

The 5 Rules of Every British Pub | Wolter’s World via YouTube

Whether you’re heading to London, Manchester, Edinburgh, or a small village pub, this video will help you pub like a pro in Britain and enjoy your pint like a local.🍺

Here are books, media, and music influencing my coaching:

• 10 Good Books on my Kindle | May 2026 | Brian Cooke

• Relive Artemis II moon flyby with these epic photos | Space.com

• Capriccio diabolico, Op. 85a | Laura Lootens (2025) plays Castelnuovo-Tedesco classical guitar (1935) via YouTube

• Tico Tico - New Orleans piano I 16 year old River Eckert (2025) plays James Booker (1977) via YouTube

• Big Time | Peter Gabriel (1986) via YouTube

I coach leaders and teams who do big things.

Let’s GO! 🚀

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Thanks for reading BCedX.

Share and discuss this post with a friend or colleague.

Share

Forwarded from a friend? You can subscribe here 😎

10 good books now on my Kindle.

I receive a small commission for links to these books. Thank you for supporting my coaching!

Jolted: Why We Quit, When to Stay, and Why It Matters | Anthony Klotz

This book explores the new science of why we quit, whether we should, and how to transform personal and collective “shocks” into catalysts for a more resilient, purposeful life.

What to Make of a Life: Cliffs, Fog, Fire and the Self-Knowledge Imperative | Jim Collins

Jim Collins, bestselling author of Good to Great, presents a compelling framework for understanding and navigating life transitions and setbacks. This study follows lives of people facing similar challenges and analyzes how different choices lead to divergent paths for reinvention and renewal.

Primal Intelligence: You Are Smarter Than You Know | Angus Fletcher

Drawing on neuroscientific research and work with U.S. Army Special Operations, Primal Intelligence is a practical guide to tapping your intuition, imagination, emotion, and commonsense at moments of uncertainty that defy logic and stump Artificial Intelligence.

The Last Kings of Hollywood: Coppola, Lucas, Spielberg—and the Battle for the Soul of American Cinema | Paul Fischer

The untold story of three friends and visionaries—Francis Ford Coppola, George Lucas, and Steven Spielberg—who revolutionized American cinema and transformed Hollywood with their bold, high-stakes bets on The Godfather, Star Wars, and Jaws.

1929: Inside the Greatest Crash in Wall Street History - and How It Shattered a Nation | Andrew Ross Sorkin

In 1929, the Wall Street bull market crashed in a freefall that wiped out families and fortunes while igniting a global crisis and World War. This riveting story highlights the human drama, cycles of speculation, and warning signs in financial markets that we ignore at our peril.

Twice: A Novel | Mitch Albom

What if you got to do everything in your life - twice? This novel is a page-turning love story that explores how impulsive desires sometimes threaten our most precious relationships. A Good Morning America pick that will soon be adapted for streaming on Netflix.

Vigil: A Novel | George Saunders

After his spectacular Lincoln in the Bardo, Saunders returns with a new novel some consider more riveting than the last. This #1 NYT best seller explores the twilight hours of an oil tycoon as he is ferried by ghosts from this world to the next.

Son of Nobody: A Novel | Yann Martel

From the author of the international bestseller Life of Pi, a brilliant retelling of the Trojan War from the perspective of two commoners: an ancient soldier and a modern scholar.

The Sea Captain’s Wife: A True Story of Mutiny, Love, and Adventure at the Bottom of the World | Tilar Mazzeo

Set against the backdrop of the California Gold Rush and the glorious age of sail, this is the true story of a female captain who took command of her husband’s ship and its mutinous crew as it neared Antarctica and entered the Southern Ocean in a brutal storm.

There Is No Other: The Way to Harmony and Wholeness | Ram Dass, Parvati Markus

In our increasingly angry and divided world, this wonderful collection of teachings from Ram Dass along with insightful commentary from esteemed colleagues encourages and guides us toward greater understanding and appreciation for each other. Sub Ek - all is one!☮️

More good books:

• 2025 | Brian’s Ten Favorite Books

• 2024 | Brian’s Ten Favorite Books

• Brian Cooke | Amazon Author

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Master gardeners don’t just plant. They cut.

By deadheading spent blooms and trimming old growth, skillful gardeners create space, guide, and enable a plant to grow new flowers.

Spring is arriving in t…

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Working hard no doubt is essential to do good work.

But hard work does not guarantee success in a competitive field of hard workers.

At the highest level, leaders and teams know enjoyment while working…

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The rewards for action today are high. The cost of delay is higher.

What is one big thing you want to do that you have been putting off?

The most expensive thing you may own is a plan you never execute.

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Working hard is not a competitive advantage if you are working on the wrong thing.

As the world changes, it is wise to assess and adjust our work to assure alignment with projects, purpose, and relati…

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All moments matter and some matter more than others.

Today, our world, work, and lives are changing at remarkable scale and speed.

Amidst this change and disruption, there are big opportunities for lea…

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It’s easy to make short term choices that deliver quick results.

It’s harder to commit to longer term ventures that produce steady outcomes with manageable risk and suitable ongoing rewards.

There are …

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Celebrating the teaching and influence of Monica Cyrino’s readings of “Big Screen Rome”, this conference explores ongoing representation of the ancient world in cinema. Organized by A. Bakogianni and…

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In a world where our lives and work are driven by technology, we scroll, we like, and we Zoom. And yet, too often we become less connected.

It’s time to prioritize meeting and connecting in real life.

…

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As we step into the new year, here are three top BCedX posts and three new notes to help you be your best in 2026.

While we tend to set New Year’s goals for our own lives, I encourage you to consider …

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Happy Holidays!

Here are three new notes and the posts you enjoyed most this year. Thank you for following, encouraging, and supporting my work.

Peace! 🎅☮️

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Let’s recognize our blessings and appreciate people who believe in and encourage us to aim high and be healthy, happy, and successful!

Thank YOU for supporting my teaching and coaching.🌟

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10 good books now on my Kindle.

I receive a small commission for links to these books. Thank you for supporting my coaching!

The Happiness Files: Insights on Work and Life | Arthur C. Brooks

Building on his Harvard Business School course “Leadership and Happiness,” bestselling author Arthur C. Brooks offers science-based insights on work and life in this collection of articles curated from his popular column in The Atlantic.

The Art of Spending Money: Simple Choices for a Richer Life | Morgan Housel

From the bestselling author of The Psychology of Money, this book isn’t about getting rich. It’s about being happy getting the most out of what you already have - and learning to want what’s worth wanting.

Read Your Mind: Proven Habits for Success from the World’s Greatest Mentalist | Oz Pearlman

A powerful, modern twist on “How To Win Friends and Influence People” that blends the intrigue of mentalism with practical strategies for success. This playbook will help you read and connect with people, build trust, gain confidence, bounceback from rejection, and negotiate deals with favorable outcomes.

Always Remember: The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, the Horse and the Storm | Charles Mackesy

This beautifully illustrated best-selling book is a gentle reminder when weathering any storm to recall how well we’ve done so far while counting on people we trust and love.

Every Day Is Sunday: How Jerry Jones, Robert Kraft, and Roger Goodell Turned the NFL into a Cultural & Economic Juggernaut | Ken Belson

From a veteran New York Times Business & NFL reporter, this is a definitive, inside look at the rise, growth, leadership, and operation of the sports and entertainment superpower.

1929: Inside the Greatest Crash in Wall Street History - and How It Shattered a Nation | Andrew Ross Sorkin

In 1929, the formidable Wall Street bull market crashed in a freefall that wiped out families and fortunes while igniting a global and World War. This riveting true story told with expert attention to detail highlights the human drama, cycles of speculation, and warning signs in financial markets that we ignore at our peril.

This Is for Everyone: The Unfinished Story of the World Wide Web | Tim Berners-Lee

The inventor of the World Wide Web, Tim Berners-Lee tells the back story of the iconic invention that transformed our lives and work. A personal, engaging look at engineering the internet with hopeful and practical insight for developing and using new technology in ways that benefit humanity.

The Thinking Machine: Jensen Huang, Nvidia, and the World’s Most Coveted Microchip | Stephen Witt

In 2024, thirty-one years after its founding in a Denny’s restaurant, Nvidia became the most valuable corporation on Earth. This is a brilliant and riveting account of Jensen Huang’s improbable quest to create and conquer the market for AI hardware that is transforming our world.

Conquering Crisis: Ten Lessons to Learn Before You Need Them | Admiral William H. McRaven

#1 New York Times bestselling author Admiral McRaven tells stories from his life and career that illustrate the principles of effective leadership during times of crisis.

Big Ideas, Little Pictures: Explaining the world one sketch at a time | Jono Hey

A beautiful book that explains complex concepts through simple sketches and straightforward, easy-to-understand text. Big Ideas, Little Pictures illustrates a world of fascinating, significant, and fun facts that are sure to pique your interest and encourage rich discussion with family, friends, or colleagues.

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