10 good books now on my Kindle.

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

Streetwise: Getting to and Through Goldman Sachs | Lloyd Blankfein

From early days in Brooklyn public housing to the head of Goldman Sachs, Lloyd Blankfein’s life and career trajectory is inspiration for education, social mobility, and strategic leadership at times of uncertainty and disruption.

How to Rule the World: An Education in Power at Stanford Univeristy | Theo Baker

From Theo Baker, winner of the George Polk Award for his investigation that brought down Stanford’s president, comes a revelatory and gripping account of Silicon Valley hubris. An instant NYT Bestseller and consensus Best Book of the Year (so far).

The Lost Voices of Pompeii: Life and Death on Pompeii’s Final Day | Dr. Jess Venner

A page-turning chronicle of Pompeii in the hours before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius that honors the lives of ordinary citizens, from tavern owners and politicians to newly freed slaves, in a diverse, vibrant, doomed ancient Roman city.

Thinking Sideways: How to Think Like a Chess Player and Win at Life | Jennifer Shahade

Master real-world decision making and outmaneuver daily stress using the flexible strategic mindset of a chess champion. No chess background required!♚

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.

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.

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.

Another Kind of Freedom: A Student’s Commentary on The Myth of Freedom by Chogyam Trungpa | Pema Chodron

Drawing from the writing of her beloved teacher Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, legendary Buddhist nun Pema Chödrön shares the essential Buddhist teachings that have shaped her life and enabled her to transform struggle and pain through meditation, mindfulness, and radical self-acceptance.

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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As a Captain, I know a GPS screen tells us where we are right now. It tracks our current position, coordinates, and speed.

But our current position is a lagging indicator. It is the result of piloting decisions we made hours ago.

If we navigate solely by data on a digital dashboard, we may be endangered by an unseen hazard or miss a favorable change in weather.

Look up from your screen. Step outside and scan the horizon.

Safe and speedy ventures are more likely when we see the big picture. 🌊

Nine of the most striking images of 2026 so far | BBC

BBC Culture highlights nine striking photographs that capture major global events, defining moments, and inspirational images that showcase 2026 at midyear. 📷

Inside the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles | Vogue

An exclusive look at George Lucas and Mellody Hobson’s highly anticipated museum. The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles represents an ambitious vision for broad, emotional storytelling, comics, and film art that will encourage and inspire creativity and community. 🖼️

Great Americans: A conversation with Ruby Bridges | NBC News

At six years old, Ruby Bridges walked past screaming crowds and into history as the first Black child to integrate an all-white Southern elementary school. Backed by a teacher who taught Ruby alone in an empty classroom, this candid NBC interview revisits America in 1960 with inspiration for navigating resistance and teaching the next generation. 🏫

Blue Angels Candor Builds Trust, Teamwork & Relationships | Admired Leadership

The Blue Angels prove trust and peak performance require candor that transcends ego or rank. In daily life, this level of direct personal communication deepens trust and strengthens relationships. 🔊

The Career Bets That Compound (And the Ones That Don’t) | Karan Dhir on Substack

Engineer a successful career by growing and compounding income through skills, network, reputation, and optionality. Beware of lateral job-hopping. Optimize for a ten-year vision that leverages potential for bigger, long term gain. 📈

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

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

• Gaza residents find joy (beyond war) in a beautiful game ⚽ | AP Archive (2026) via YouTube

• Hate The Bite | Harrell “Young Rell” Davenport (2025) via YouTube

• Niccolò Paganini: Caprice No. 24 In A Minor | María Dueñas violin (2025) plays Paganini (1830) via YouTube

• Stargazing (Take My Heart Don’t Break It | Myles Smith (2024) via YouTube

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Read. Think. Lead to Serve.

Let’s GO! 🚀

Intentions are powerful.

Ask for what you truly want.

Aim for a worthy prize.

Be sure your words align with your daily practice.

True wealth is treasure money cannot buy. 🌱

Christopher Nolan’s IMAX Odyssey: A Masterclass in Vision | Sixty Minutes (2026) via YouTube

Christopher Nolan previews his most ambitious project yet: a 100% IMAX adaptation of The Odyssey. Pushing cinema (actors and production team) to the absolute physical limit, this massive undertaking was filmed entirely on 70mm film across five countries. 🎥

Every Yes Has a Cost | Darius Foroux at Wise & Wealthy

Every time you say “yes” to something you don’t want to do, you are saying “no” to your own goals, focus, and time. True success does not require aggressive boundaries, it simply requires honesty to prioritize your commitments and communicate them clearly.

Your Brand Arrived Before You Did | Deb Liu, Perspectives via Substack

Your personal brand speaks for you long before you make a pitch or step into a room. Ask trusted people what stories they tell about you when you are not there. Some of what they say will feel accurate, some will not, and that gap is worth understanding.

How to Master Prompt Engineering Like an Expert | Opinion AI via Substack

A simple guide to ask better questions, establish clearer context, and get AI answers that are more on-target with your purpose or project. 🛠️

You have the money. Find the courage to reimagine your next chapter. | Dan Haylett via Substack

While most people focus on building a large nest egg for retirement, a surprising challenge for many leaders is loss of their professional identity, routine, and relevance when they retire. Read on to discover the emotional costs of leaving the workforce and practical steps to build a fulfilling life on the other side.

Oxford University Library Cat Comforts Students | Nice News

Move over traditional study guides, Oxford students have found a much fluffier way to cope with exam stress. Meet the bus-riding library cat who is redefining school spirit and saving dissertations one purr at a time.🐱

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

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

• Fareed Zakaria: Commencement Address at Bard College | Fareed Zakaria at Bard College (2026) via YouTube

• Biji | Sonny Rollins (RIP) at the 50th Monterey Jazz Festival (2007) via YouTube

• Mr. Tambourine Man | John Scofield Trio @ Spoleto Jazz (2023) play Bob Dylan (1964) via YouTube

• Superstition | Stevie Wonder (1972) via YouTube

Thank you for reading BCedX.

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Forwarded from a friend? Subscribe here 😎

Read. Think. Lead to Serve.

Let’s GO! 🚀

The surest way I know to begin something new is to stack it next to a healthy practice I already count on.

By habit stacking, we engineer our daily routine. We anchor one new intention to an establish…

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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, …

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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…

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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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