This Week: How to Live on Fire
Michael Lewis's favorite stories, Angela Duckworth's favorite coach, Sharon McMahon's favorite tips, and more brain fuel from this week.
Ignition has long been a metaphor for what happens in the brain when a powerful new idea takes hold. This week, we’re leaning into that concept by spotlighting books that lit us up—books that sparked curiosity, fired up passion, and left us energized. Let’s kindle some fresh thinking together by reading or listening to our top ideas of the week:
This Week on the Next Big Idea Podcast
Michael Lewis is drawn to pleasure, like a moth to a flame.
This is one of our favorite conversations from the last year. On the surface, it's an interview
did with Michael Lewis to coincide with the paperback release of Going Infinite, Michael’s book about Sam Bankman-Fried and the collapse of FTX. But what we love about this episode is that it's not only about the rise and fall of one crypto-bro. It's also about Michael's approach to writing — and living. He opens up about losing his daughter, shares what draws him to a story, and explains how taking pleasure in the world produces his best work. Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.Book Bite of the Week
Get fired up.
How would you like to start a fire? Not the literal kind, but the kind that burns inside you when you stop asking for permission and start living on purpose? That’s the kind of fire
discovered in 2012. She wasn’t a polished public speaker or a seasoned activist—in fact, she was battling ADHD and a serious case of imposter syndrome. But when she launched Moms Demand Action, Shannon lit a spark that turned into a nationwide movement. In her new book Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age (just released this week!), Shannon shares what she calls the “fire formula”—a simple mindset shift that can help anyone find their voice and pursue what truly matters. Listen in the Next Big Idea app.This Week on Author Insider
We just hosted an incredible conversation with
. A former high school civics teacher, Sharon built an audience of 1.3 million Instagram followers and 360,000 Substack subscribers, launched a hit podcast, and wrote a #1 New York Times bestseller — all in five years. How'd she manage that? Find out—and get other insights to help launch or build your own writing career by joining our growing community at Author Insider.
This Week on the Next Big Idea Daily Podcast
Speaking well is a superpower. Here’s how to get it.
Bestselling author and speaker Angela Duckworth calls it “the best book on public speaking I've ever read by the best public speaking coach in the world!!!” (exclamation marks hers!) She’s talking about Emmy-winning correspondent-turned-corporate trainer Bill McGowan. Bill has teamed up with communication coach Juliana Silva to deliver a smart, practical guide to becoming unforgettable: Speak, Memorably: The Art of Captivating an Audience. Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Happy Pub Week!
Ok, gang, get fired up for some new reads like Invisible Rivals by Jonathan R. Goodman, The Gift of Not Belonging by Rami Kaminski, Lift by
, Human Nature by Kate Marvel, The Genius Myth by The Atlantic’s , and the aforementioned Fired Up by . Pick them up wherever you buy your books, and help us pass the torch of great ideas.