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Live a More Informed & Enriched Life
Down to Earth: Demystify Intuition to Upgrade Your Life is a thoughtful blend of personal stories, practical exercises, and scientific studies showing readers that intuition is not a mystical talent, but an everyday skill that can be honed. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I am convinced that tapping into intuition can help us live more informed and enriched lives. I developed simple ways to tap into intuition and wanted to share these with as many people as possible. Intuition always held a special place in my life, and became more important after a life-altering event that brought moments of deep mental and emotional peace. I talk about this in the Introduction of my book. I often came up with creative ideas and solutions to long-standing problems while I was in this mentally and emotionally calm state which activated my intuition. Curious about this process, I began researching intuition. I studied with various teachers, completed an apprenticeship, and read every book and scientific study on intuition I could find. I started offering intuitive guidance sessions and eventually developed my own approach to help clients access their intuition more effectively. As more people joined as students, I created a curriculum that later became the foundation of my book, Down to Earth: Demystify Intuition to Upgrade Your Life, published on September 15, 2025.
What is a common misconception you feel people have about intuition and a person’s ability to develop it as a life skill?
Some people think that intuition is a special skill that only highly intuitive people have. In reality, it is a readily available skill that we all have and even use without realizing it. Intuition is a form of knowing or a sensation we get about something or someone without any prior conscious thought process. It draws on the knowledge and experiences we accumulate throughout our lives. There are many activities that we engage in without consciously thinking about every move and every step such as playing a sport or cooking. There may be some parts of these activities that require conscious analysis but for the most part, we just go with what we sense and muscle memory. We also use our intuition a lot socially. We sense if someone is tense or relaxed just by noticing their posture or the pace of their breath. All of this is intuition in action. It gives us useful information that can help guide our decisions and actions when we learn how to interpret and combine it with logic and other inputs such as research for due diligence.
I loved that you used neuroscience and psychology research as well as provided readers with examples and exercises to gain a better understanding of intuition. Did you find anything in your research of this book that surprised you?
In many cases, my exercises and guided meditations were inspired by students and clients based on what they needed to figure out. I tried these exercises with others, and if they worked, I included them in my book. I also used slow intuition. This type of intuition is activated when you take a break from trying to solve a problem and do something that calms your mind and emotions. Researchers such as Kenneth Gilhooly have described how nonconscious processing occurs during these break periods as intuition gets activated. It was surprising for me to learn that stepping away for such a break right after being introduced to a problem results in more creative solutions compared to working on the problem for a while then taking such a break when you get stuck. For example, you look at what the problem is, then go for a quiet walk in nature even before making your first attempt at solving it. I talk about this in the last chapter of my book.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Down to Earth?
I hope that readers discover ways to tap into intuition that work well for them and combine their intuition with logic and other inputs to make more grounded decisions, improve relationships, and take better care of themselves. As people connect more with their intuition, they can understand themselves and each other more deeply. This can cultivate greater compassion for themselves and others making the world a better place for all of us.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
If you’ve ever wondered how to harness your intuition to make better, more informed decisions, this is the practical guide you need. In Down to Earth, intuition teacher Nil Demircubuk guides you in understanding how to distinguish your conscious thoughts from your intuition, then intentionally combine it with your intellect for everyday decision-making and personal growth.
The book introduces “priming,” a method for tapping into intuition by achieving mental and emotional calmness, offering several techniques tailored to different learning styles. As you practice reaching this state and tuning in, you’ll also learn what makes your intuition come alive through a non-conscious process.
Through easy-to-follow exercises, real-life applications, and client stories, Down to Earth helps you use your intuition to make better decisions, improve relationships, navigate challenges, and enhance self-care.
Illuminating Human Connection
Navigate Family Technology explores the modern family’s dilemma of how to help children thrive without letting technology consume them, focusing on topics such as communication struggles, social media traps, empathy loss, anxiety, and sleep disruption. Did you find anything in your research of this story that surprised you?
I learned so much while researching the book, I’ll try to narrow the answer down to a few!
- That most Modern Tech executives strictly limit their family’s tech-use time and send the kids to low-tech schools
- The number of online predators actively working every day
- The amount of information we take in daily compared to 20 years ago
- The staggering number of hours of screen time displaces connection and well-being activities
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
My mission is about illuminating human connection in a disconnected modern world. Technology is one of the key drivers of this. We are often alone together on individual devices.
I also found it important to cover technology’s impact on empathy and distress tolerance.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Navigate Family Technology?
That overuse of technology is not our fault. Or our kids’ fault. But now that we understand the problem, it’s our responsibility to be intentional about it. And that we can do it – we have so much living to do and real-world connections to make.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Website | Amazon
Modern tech is an invaluable resource though its rapid development has created downsides. Nora provides accessible strategies to live our tech lives with intention rather than constant reaction mode. The content inspires hope for connection and comfort in knowing we do not face tech challenges alone.
Entertain a quest to level up your knowledge of modern tech’s influence and explore how to navigate its challenges
Navigate Family Technology: A technology roadmap for families with ideas to navigate uncharted waters
Navigate Family Technology is a clear-eyed, heartfelt guide to raising kids in a world ruled by screens. Author Nora Duncan O’Brien lays out the modern family’s digital dilemma: how to help children thrive without letting technology consume them. Through chapters that blend research, personal stories, and practical advice, she explores everything from communication struggles and social media traps to empathy loss, anxiety, and sleep disruption. The book reads like a roadmap for parents who feel lost in the constant hum of notifications and the tug-of-war between connection and control. It’s as much about reclaiming calm as it is about setting boundaries.
I found myself nodding along at every mention of the “magnetic pull” of devices. O’Brien doesn’t wag her finger or preach, she levels with you like a friend who’s been there. I appreciated how she backed her advice with science but kept her tone real and warm. Her writing has rhythm and heart, and you can feel her genuine concern for kids and families in every line. Some chapters, especially those about online predators and the permanence of digital mistakes, made me pause and feel a lump in my throat. She’s not just talking about technology, she’s talking about childhood, safety, and the kind of presence that screens quietly steal from us if we’re not careful.
There’s something brave about the way O’Brien admits she’s learning right alongside us. She owns her mistakes and turns them into lessons without ego. I loved how she weaves humor into serious topics, it makes the heavy stuff easier to sit with. Her practical ideas for setting boundaries, encouraging empathy, and helping kids “embrace boredom” actually feel doable. The mirror she holds up to our tech habits is unflinching.
I’d recommend Navigate Family Technology to any parent, teacher, or even older teen who’s trying to understand why screens feel so irresistible. It’s a wake-up call for families trying to find balance in a hyperconnected world. If you’ve ever found yourself scrolling through your phone while your child talks to you, this book will make you want to put it down and really listen. It’s wise, gentle, and full of heart, a rare mix in a world that’s usually shouting advice at us from every glowing screen.
Pages: 222 | ASIN : B0DZF9VL27
Be Clear and Intentional
Communicate Like a Champion provides straightforward advice for enhancing professional communication, along with strategies that emphasize clarity and empathy. Why was this an important book for you to write?
This book was important for me to write because I’ve seen time and again that the success or failure of projects, teams, and even careers often comes down to communication. As a leader in telecommunications and during my doctoral studies, I recognized how often components of communications, such as clarity and empathy, were missing in professional exchanges. I wanted to create something concise, practical, and easy to use, something people could apply immediately in their workplace, whether they’re leading teams, collaborating across departments, or simply trying to be better understood.
What is one misconception you believe many people may have regarding effective communication in the workplace?
One of the biggest misconceptions is that communication means more words. People often think that long emails or detailed presentations equal effectiveness. In reality, effective communication is about being clear and intentional, saying the right thing, not everything. Another misconception is assuming silence means agreement. “No questions” doesn’t always mean understanding or alignment, and that’s where leaders need to confirm, follow up, and create space for feedback.
Did you learn anything that surprised you while you were researching and writing Communicate Like a Champion?
What surprised me most was how consistently small actions can create significant results. It wasn’t the grand speeches or high-stakes presentations that made the most significant difference; it was the everyday habits that mattered most. Things like summarizing a meeting in a single clear sentence, asking one good clarifying question, or pausing to reflect before responding. Those small, consistent habits are what transform someone into a “champion communicator.”
What is one thing you hope readers take away from this book?
If there’s one thing I want readers to take away, it’s that communication is a skill you can practice and improve. It’s not just for extroverts, executives, or “natural speakers.” With small, intentional steps clarifying intent, listening actively, and following up, you can become the kind of communicator who builds trust, fosters collaboration, and leads with confidence. That’s what “communicating like a champion” is all about.
Whether you’re a new professional, a seasoned leader, or someone navigating the complexities of hybrid teams, Communicate Like a Champion offers practical, proven strategies for improving your connection, leadership, and collaboration in the workplace.
This concise and actionable guide walks you through the core elements of strong communication—from clarifying your intentions to using empathy and follow-up effectively. With relatable examples, reflection prompts, and a 28-day challenge to build habits over time, this book helps you go beyond just “getting your point across.”
You’ll learn how to:
Communicate clearly across departments, hierarchies, and mediums
Recognize internal and external factors that influence every message
Use tone, clarity, and follow-up to earn trust and foster collaboration
Apply tools and tech that elevate your tone and clarity
Lead conversations with empathy, even when conflict is unavoidable
Whether you’re sending an email, running a meeting, or managing change, this book provides a reliable framework for ensuring your message lands and builds stronger relationships.
Down to Earth: Demystify Intuition to Upgrade Your Life
Down to Earth: Demystify Intuition to Upgrade Your Life is a thoughtful blend of personal stories, practical exercises, and scientific studies. Author Nil Demircubuk lays out intuition not as a mystical talent but as an everyday skill, one that we all carry yet often forget to use. The book moves step by step, first explaining what intuition is and how it shows up in daily life, then offering exercises to tune into it more deliberately. She mixes neuroscience and psychology research with approachable examples and even playful assignments, which makes the book read less like a lecture and more like a conversation with a wise friend.
Reading this book, I felt both reassured and challenged. I liked the way Demircubuk stripped intuition of its usual mysticism and treated it as something practical. Her writing has warmth, and the personal stories sprinkled throughout made the concepts come alive. I found myself nodding when she talked about ignoring gut feelings and regretting it later, because who hasn’t done that? At times, the research examples slowed me down, yet I appreciated that she backed up her claims with evidence rather than relying only on personal testimony. The mix of science and storytelling struck a nice balance, though occasionally I wished she had leaned harder into her own experiences, which were some of the most compelling parts.
What really surprised me was how usable the exercises were. I tried a couple of her journaling prompts, and to my surprise, they worked. I caught small flashes of intuition that I usually dismiss. The tone of the book is encouraging without being pushy, and it never once felt like she was talking down to me. The book reiterates the idea that intuition is accessible to everyone. The honesty of her voice and her clear care for the reader softened the delivery. It felt less like she was preaching and more like she was reminding me of something I already knew but had buried.
I’d recommend Down to Earth to anyone who feels stuck in overthinking or who second-guesses every decision. It’s especially suited for people who like a mix of science and spirituality but don’t want anything too airy. If you’re curious about intuition yet skeptical of mysticism, this book bridges the gap with warmth, practicality, and an open mind. It’s not a book to skim. It’s one to sit with, dog-ear, and revisit when you need a nudge back to yourself.
Pages: 205 | ASIN : B0FHX85T4J
Communicate Like a Champion
Eli Champion’s Communicate Like a Champion is a straightforward, practical guide to improving professional communication. The book breaks down why communication matters, how intentions shape interactions, what factors influence the way messages are received, and how to put strategies into practice with clarity and empathy. It’s full of simple, actionable steps, like clarifying your purpose before a meeting, checking tone in emails, and following up after conversations, that aim to make anyone a more confident and respected communicator.
What stood out to me initially was the book’s emphasis on practical application rather than abstract theory. Champion illustrates this with the example of a manager calling for “a quick meeting” without providing context. As he explains, such ambiguity often leaves employees uncertain and anxious, unsure whether they have erred or whether the meeting is merely routine. I found this example particularly resonant, having experienced the situation from both perspectives as the uneasy employee and as the manager who failed to provide sufficient clarity. The recommended adjustments, such as stating the purpose of the meeting at the outset or clarifying next steps before closing, are deceptively simple yet highly effective. I could immediately envision how these practices would have alleviated unnecessary tension and improved understanding. This emphasis on directness and transparency exemplifies the book’s core message: communicate with precision to minimize confusion and foster confidence.
I found the chapter on the “7 Components of Communication” particularly instructive. While the framework, clarity, confidence, respect, listening, tone, empathy, and follow-up may appear familiar, Champion’s illustrations prompted meaningful reflection on my own communication practices. One example contrasted the response “I don’t think that will work” with the more considerate phrasing, “I see your point, but can I offer another perspective?” The distinction is subtle yet powerful, highlighting how word choice and tone can determine whether a message is received as dismissive or constructive. Confronted with this comparison, I recognized moments when I have defaulted to the blunt response, often unintentionally undermining collaboration. The example served as a useful reminder of the value of consistently striving for a more respectful approach.
Another notable feature of the book is the 28-day communication challenge. Organized around weekly themes, such as clarity, listening, empathy, and follow-up, it provides daily prompts that encourage practical application, including exercises like restating a colleague’s point to confirm understanding or sending a follow-up email after a meeting. I appreciated that this section moves beyond theory to establish a structured practice routine. When I applied one of the suggested exercises, clarifying my intention at the beginning of a meeting, I was struck by how much more effectively the conversation unfolded. The challenge, paired with the book’s approachable tone, created the sense of being guided by a mentor offering encouragement, rather than being instructed by a prescriptive voice.
I found Communicate Like a Champion to be highly practical and accessible. Rather than relying on jargon or overly complex frameworks, it presents straightforward tools and encourages consistent application. I would recommend this book to early-career professionals seeking to develop confidence, to managers aiming to strengthen their leadership presence, and to anyone who has left a conversation feeling uncertain about its outcome. With reflection and deliberate practice, the strategies outlined here have the potential to significantly improve the way one engages in meetings, correspondence, and professional interactions more broadly.
Pages: 65 | ASIN : B0FG71T9MZ
Your Road to Yes!: How to Build Trust in Yourself and with Others
Your Road to Yes! is a heartfelt and gutsy exploration of what it really takes to build trust—within yourself and with others. This book isn’t just about professional growth; it’s about personal healing too. Author Justin Patton breaks down trust into its moving parts, then rebuilds it with fierce honesty, storytelling, and practical advice. From everyday situations to life-changing revelations, he guides readers through what trust looks like in action, why it fails, and how to rebuild it. If Leadership Presence was about how to show up, Your Road to Yes! is about why showing up matters in the first place.
I liked how deeply personal this book is. Patton doesn’t just teach trust—he lays bare his own journey. In the first chapter, he shares a story about crashing his bike as a kid and how his tough Air Force dad gently carried him home and bandaged his toe. That moment, he writes, was his first real memory of trust. It got me thinking about those rare times in life when someone showed up for me with zero judgment. It’s this emotional openness that gives the book its power. Another example that resonated with me was the anecdote about his mom—how she never gave up on their relationship, even when things weren’t perfect. It made me reflect on how many times I’ve let silence kill trust in my own life because I didn’t want to rock the boat. Patton flips that idea. He says silence is our biggest threat, and that message echoed throughout the whole book like a wake-up call.
From a practical standpoint, this book is a toolbox. Patton outlines what erodes trust (like emotional exhaustion and fear-based leadership), and how to repair it with consistent action, transparency, and tact. I really appreciated how he framed trust as something both given from the heart and earned through the head. That balance stuck with me. He’s not shy about calling out performative leadership or the culture of busyness that drowns real connection. He talks about managers needing to stop hiding behind productivity metrics and actually invest in their people. I especially loved the chapter on trust being your “biggest competitive advantage.” It’s not just a nice idea—he backs it up with research and real-world coaching stories. And yet, it’s written in such a warm, down-to-earth tone.
Your Road to Yes! is equal parts pep talk and soul check. It’s a tough but loving reminder that trust doesn’t just happen—it’s built moment by moment, conversation by conversation. If you’ve ever felt like you were walking on eggshells in a relationship, or like your voice didn’t matter at work, this book will crack something open for you. I’d recommend it for leaders, parents, partners—honestly, anyone who wants deeper, healthier relationships. It’s also perfect for folks feeling stuck or burned out, looking for a more grounded way to lead and live.
Pages: 164 | ASIN : B0B4PFGPJD
Receptive and Ready – How to Thrive on Developmental Input
Receptive and Ready delivers a compelling exploration of a critical yet often overlooked skill: the art of receiving feedback. Artell Smith and Betsy Hagan present a practical guide for transforming feedback into a tool for self-improvement, equipping readers with the mindset and methods to thrive in professional environments. The book distills decades of combined experience into actionable insights, creating a resource that resonates with anyone eager to grow and succeed. Smith and Hagan empower readers to approach feedback with confidence and curiosity. They offer strategies for managing emotional responses, fostering productive dialogue, and embracing growth opportunities.
The book’s strength lies in its multidimensional approach. It blends technical guidance with thoughtful exploration of the emotional and psychological aspects of feedback reception. Interactive elements, such as discussion questions at the end of each chapter, prompt readers to engage deeply with the material and relate it to their own experiences. Real-world examples, like the case study of Rose, demonstrate how to apply feedback analysis tools in practical scenarios, bringing abstract concepts to life. The authors draw inspiration from thought leaders like Stephen Covey, Carol Dweck, and Brené Brown, integrating these foundational theories with their own insights. This synthesis results in a cohesive narrative that balances intellectual rigor with practical relevance. The book’s frameworks are versatile and adaptable, making them applicable across industries and roles, which broadens its appeal to a wide professional audience. Written in a clear, conversational style, Receptive and Ready communicates complex ideas in an accessible way. The tone is empathetic and motivational, reflecting the authors’ genuine desire to help readers unlock their potential. By blending theory with actionable advice, the book strikes a balance that is both thought-provoking and immediately applicable. Although it covers a broad range of topics, the content remains focused and digestible, avoiding the pitfall of overwhelming readers with excessive information. The depth of research and detail in the book underscores the authors’ expertise and dedication. Drawing on established theories while introducing fresh perspectives, Smith and Hagan provide a well-rounded exploration of feedback dynamics. Their guidance extends beyond workplace interactions, offering valuable insights for leaders, professionals, and lifelong learners striving for personal growth.
Receptive and Ready is a standout contribution to self-improvement and leadership literature. Its actionable strategies, relatable anecdotes, and empathetic tone make it an invaluable resource for mastering the transformative power of feedback. Smith and Hagan deliver a clear and engaging guide that inspires readers to embrace feedback as a catalyst for growth.
Pages: 117 | ASIN : B0DNNY3XQ5
LITERARY TITAN 