Blog Archives
Tech Confidential: The Insider’s Playbook for Daring Entrepreneurs
Tech Confidential by Denise Koessler Gosnell and Kathryn Erickson is part memoir, part survival guide, and part no-nonsense startup playbook. Structured in four “levels,” it blends personal war stories from Silicon Valley with lessons on leadership, resilience, and strategy. The authors pull back the curtain on the tech industry’s chaos, highlighting ego traps, toxic culture, funding realities, and the gritty human side of innovation. It’s blunt, funny, and practical, written to prepare readers for the messy reality of building a career and company in tech without losing their health or their soul.
The writing has a raw and punchy style that keeps you hooked, moving from hard-earned truths to ridiculous anecdotes without losing momentum. I loved that they owned their mistakes as openly as they exposed bad actors. It made the lessons feel earned rather than preached. Some of the analogies are wild, dumpster phoenix and gladiator arena, and yet they stick with you because they capture the absurdity of working in high-stakes tech. It’s not polished in the corporate sense, and that’s exactly why it works.
I enjoyed the balance between cynicism and hope. The authors don’t whitewash the burnout, politics, and plain bad behavior that plague the industry, but they never let it slip into pure bitterness. There’s a steady thread of belief in people’s ability to change, to lead better, and to protect their own boundaries. At times, the bluntness hits hard, and at others it feels like a pep talk you didn’t know you needed. I also appreciated how they mixed in concrete, tactical advice, like how to spot ego traps, how to build real teams, and how to survive acquisitions, without burying you in jargon or theory. It’s written for people, not for résumés.
I’d recommend Tech Confidential to anyone considering a leap into the startup world, to mid-career tech leaders wondering if the next rung up the ladder is worth it, and to anyone who’s ever felt like an outsider in the industry. It’s a book for people who can laugh at the chaos while still wanting to make something meaningful out of it. If you’re looking for a glossy playbook with neat frameworks, this isn’t it. But if you want the messy, funny, and often sobering truth, and a reminder that you’re not alone in the madness, you’ll get a lot out of this.
Pages: 203 | ASIN : B0FM4DZHCR
Mental Health Crisis
The Stress is Gone Method helps readers navigate stress, anxiety, and trauma via emotional awareness and exercises centered around self-reflection. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I feel this material is so important right now because effective mental health care is so hard to find. The mental health crisis is compounded by stigmas, waiting until the last minute to ask for help, long wait times before appointments are available, etc. Personally, I have seen thousands of clients quickly improve their mental health by learning how to address problems from the inside, as opposed to searching for solutions on the outside.
How much research did you undertake for this book, and how much time did it take to put it all together?
This book is a culmination of the past 25 years of professional experience in the field. The techniques are time tested; first by myself, and second by my clients and students. I now train a broad range of mental health professionals, school guidance counselors, and suicide prevention specialists in my methods. The reach of these techniques continues to grow.
Why was it important for you to include a workbook for your readers?
Often I’m asked, “Why did you write a workbook?” It’s because the human race has a lot of work to do. Another book to read and not interact with, not engage with, that doesn’t help you explore yourself, would be just another book on the shelf. But something that causes a person to look deep inside themselves, and then guides them through practical steps to reduce their stress and anxiety, I felt would be my best service to humanity.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from the advice you offer in The Stress is Gone Method?
I hope readers take away a few things; (1) they can take control back from stress if they focus on what’s happening inside their body, (2) they can release anxiety and emotional pain, and heal traumatic memories, and (3) they can find all the answers they seek inside themselves in deep meditation.
Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram | Facebook | Website | Amazon
• Traumatic Events
• Caring for Elderly Parents
• Work, Finances, or School
• Caring for a Child with Special Needs
• Out-of-Control Family Situations
• Abusive or Narcissistic Relationships
• Personal or Family Health Crises
• Generational or Ancestral Trauma
• Loss of a Loved One
• Legal System or Medical Trauma
• Exhaustion from Placing Everyone Else’s Needs Before Yours
• Being Raised by Abusive, Addicted, or Neglectful Parents
This book allows stress to enlighten us as triggers become teachers and self-love fills the hole that trauma left in our soul.
Your Definition of Success
In One Woman’s Guide to Life, you offer readers a mix of humorous anecdotes and actionable insights on life’s challenges. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I had a manager for a few years who really helped me to come out of my shell. I remember her telling me once “I want you to be able to say what you think, and sleep like a baby afterwards”. While that ethos is still a work in progress for me, she helped me to speak up and be more confident. Her style of encouragement is something I applied to my own team, and in turn, I’ve seen them sharing it with more colleagues. That was a rather long-winded way of saying that I wanted that very positive experience to ripple outwards to more people.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
That we’re here to live, learn, and be happy – as happy, peaceful, and content as we can be. That modern life is fast-moving, we’re inundated with information from multiple sources and details of other people’s lives. I think it’s important to be able to step out of that river of information sometimes, slow down, take stock, and remember that you’re more than enough just the way you are and it’s your definition of success that matters.
What is one piece of advice you wish someone had given you when you were younger?
You get one body. Look after it, listen to it, and don’t let stress get out of control. Your health and your relationship with yourself and others is what’s really important.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your experiences?
Don’t just be a passenger on the bus of your life. Get into the driver’s seat. And build in some fun stops along the way.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
This is one woman’s life lessons in short(ish), bite-sized nuggets. Everything from defining your version of success, understanding your fellow humans, reducing your bills, knowing how to ace interviews, right through to financing your retirement.
Whether you’re just starting your adult life, or you’re an experienced pro, there should be something that resonates.
Ultimately, it’s about being kinder to yourself, getting more out of life and cutting the rest of humanity some slack while you’re at it.
One Woman’s Guide To Life
One Woman’s Guide to Life is a warm and practical manual that feels like a heart-to-heart with a wise friend. Spanning topics from personal growth to finances and travel, the book offers readers an empowering mix of anecdotes, advice, and actionable insights. Taylor’s voice is clear and conversational, making even the most challenging life advice seem approachable. It’s less about lofty philosophies and more about real experiences with a dash of humor and charm.
What stood out to me immediately was Taylor’s chapter, “Stop Waiting to Live.” She challenges the common habit of postponing happiness for an uncertain future, urging readers to seize small joys today. Her practical suggestions like building regular “nice things” into your routine resonated deeply with me. It reminded me of how often I’ve delayed simple pleasures, waiting for the “right moment.”
The section on managing relationships, especially “It’s Okay That Not All Friendships Last a Lifetime,” felt refreshingly honest. Taylor acknowledges the bittersweet reality of outgrowing people and normalizes the necessity of letting go. It’s not a revolutionary idea, but the way she frames it makes it feel like a revelation. Her advice to assess whether a friendship is draining or enriching hit home for me and I found myself reflecting on some of my own connections with new clarity.
On a lighter note, her chapter, “The Art of a Good Conversation,” made me smile. Taylor likens a great chat to a tennis match, with an easy back-and-forth. Her advice to aim for a 50/50 split in talking and listening is golden, and it reminded me of my own habit of either dominating conversations or staying too quiet. This blend of practical tips and personal charm is what makes Taylor’s book such a gem.
One Woman’s Guide to Life is a delightful companion for anyone seeking guidance on living authentically. Whether you’re looking for strategies to streamline your daily routine, connect meaningfully with others, or embrace the beauty of aging, this book delivers. I’d recommend it to women at any stage of life who enjoy practical wisdom sprinkled with humor and heartfelt sincerity. Taylor’s reflections are bound to leave readers feeling seen, inspired, and just a little bit braver.
Pages: 225 | ASIN : B0CZ5LJ8KT
Universal Truths
Taming the Fetal Tyrant, and Its Ancestral Delusional Love Stories is an exploration of human nature, consciousness, and the cultural delusions that shape our beliefs and behaviors. What made you write a book about this topic? Anything pulled from your life experiences?
My interest began about 66 years ago but I had, upon reflection, an epigenetic experience at age 5. Of course, I had no idea what it was then. Today, with my observations and research I now know that ALL LIFE has such experiences and the importance of it needs to be known by all on this planet.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
As a doctor I wanted to know the person behind the health history form they filled out. Specifically, I wanted to know how the thoughts of life became manifested as real biological molecules in people. When I combined the sciences of biology, chemistry, and physics and added a spell of my own making, that was in line with the three sciences, I had achieved a life’s goal and had to tell people how to use their minds in a modern way as opposed to the cave way that places us all 90 seconds from doom on the doomsday clock. No scat, lady, NONE. This vindicated me and I’m now ready to be pummeled mercilessly.
What is one thing that people point out after reading your book that surprises you?
Not many have read it but it has been professionally reviewed.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Taming the Fetal Tyrant, and Its Ancestral Delusional Love Stories?
To think in terms of universal truth and not to confuse it with personal truths I call opinion, bias, prejudice, and faith. We kill each other over the latter, never the former.
Author Links: Website | Book Review
Socrates: “Employ your time in improving yourself by other men’s writings, so that you shall gain easily what others have labored hard for.”
Taming The Fetal Tyrant And Its Ancestral Delusional Love Stories
Taming the Fetal Tyrant is an ambitious exploration of human nature, consciousness, and the cultural delusions that shape our beliefs and behaviors. It delves into the concept of megalomania starting in the womb, where author Steve Pasin posits that the fetus develops a tyrannical sense of self, believing it is in control of the entire world. This notion serves as a foundation for the book’s broader discussions, which blend epigenetics, human psychology, and culture. The book is a critique of how culture, religion, and societal structures nurture and perpetuate delusions, often in ways that undermine our health and well-being.
Reading this book is a wild ride. Pasin’s style is unapologetically direct and often combative, which makes it both challenging and refreshing. He doesn’t shy away from taking aim at cultural sacred cows, from religion to the human ego. One of the most striking parts of the book is his discussion on epigenetics and how our thoughts and beliefs, largely shaped by our environment, have tangible effects on our genes and health. This idea is explored in Chapter 6, where Pasin introduces stress and its role in shaping not just individual well-being but the health of future generations. While the writing is dense at times, the ideas are compelling, and Pasin’s passion for his subject shines through.
I particularly enjoyed the chapter on megalomania. It was eye-opening and unsettling to consider the idea that we’re all born with a megalomaniacal view of the world, only to have it stripped away by society. Pasin’s descriptions of how culture imposes itself on us, turning us into people obsessed with winning, control, and domination, hit hard. His examples of historical figures like Mother Teresa and Hitler having the same underlying human nature were provocative and, honestly, a bit hard to swallow at first, but it made sense in the context of his argument.
Taming the Fetal Tyrant, and Its Ancestral Delusional Love Stories is a book for thinkers, those who aren’t afraid to have their ideas about life, religion, and culture shaken up. I think it is best suited for readers with a deep interest in psychology, philosophy, and biology who want to challenge their worldview. If you’re looking for light reading or are easily offended by critiques of cultural norms, this might not be for you. But if you’re up for a mental workout and ready to question some deep-rooted beliefs, this book will have an impact.
Pages: 238 | ASIN : B0DJPQYMH8
The Keys to Charisma : The Elements of True Connection, Genuine Relationships, and Irresistible Charm
Charisma is often the word we associate with strong leaders and magnetic personalities, but what about those who don’t seem to possess it naturally? In The Keys to Charisma, Laurette Paquet presents charisma not as an elusive, innate trait but as a skill set that anyone can develop. Through practice, self-awareness, and refinement, she argues, charisma can be cultivated. Paquet unpacks the mystery behind this magnetic quality, breaking down the behaviors and traits that define it in a way that makes it accessible to all.
The book delves into both the theory and practice of charisma. Paquet expertly weaves together psychological insights, the science of body language, and conversational strategies to provide a comprehensive guide. She organizes her teachings around fundamental pillars: mastering body language, harnessing the power of storytelling, and making a lasting first impression. Drawing on well-researched examples of charismatic individuals, she demonstrates how universal traits like generosity, confidence, and emotional intelligence are within reach for anyone willing to work on them. One of the book’s most reassuring messages is its attention to introverts. Paquet makes it clear that charisma isn’t reserved for extroverts alone. In fact, she argues that introverts, with their natural empathy and listening skills, are uniquely positioned to form deeper, more meaningful connections. This approach is both encouraging and empowering for those who feel lacking in social charm, offering practical advice on how to leverage their strengths to exude confidence and warmth.
Paquet’s writing is not only clear but also highly relatable. She fills the book with real-world examples and practical exercises that readers can immediately apply. Her chapters on non-verbal communication, like perfecting the “Duchenne smile” or maintaining effective eye contact, stand out for their scientific backing, which adds credibility to her advice. Moreover, she reframes how we think about influence and leadership, explaining that charisma is just as much about making others feel valued as it is about standing out in a crowd.
What distinguishes The Keys to Charisma from many other self-help books is Paquet’s approach. She doesn’t just tell you what to do—she explains why it works, diving into the psychology behind successful social interactions. Whether she’s discussing tone of voice, small talk, or the art of asking the right questions, Paquet offers a deep understanding of each strategy, ensuring readers know how to apply these techniques in their everyday lives. The book strikes a fine balance between introspection and outward action, making it as much about personal growth as it is about improving your interactions with others.
The Keys to Charisma is a book for anyone looking to enhance their interpersonal skills, whether in social settings, the workplace, or personal relationships. Paquet offers a masterclass in charisma, providing a valuable guide for those who want to boost their social influence, become more captivating, or simply feel more confident in their own skin.
Page: 221 | ASIN : B0D216DNX8
Fierce Resilience: Combatting Workplace Stress One Conversation at a Time
Fierce Resilience by Edward J. Beltran is a refreshing and insightful exploration of resilience, offering a blend of practical advice and personal reflection. The book is divided into two sections: the first focuses on understanding the roots of stress and developing strategies to address them, while the second provides realistic scenarios and examples to help readers apply these concepts in real life.
Beltran redefines resilience not as a passive ability to endure challenges, but as an active, intentional process of understanding and overcoming the sources of stress. His method of incorporating biometric intelligence with traditional resilience strategies is particularly innovative, making the book not just informative, but also enormously impactful. Beltran doesn’t just tell readers to be strong—he shows them how to build genuine, lasting resilience. One of the book’s strengths is its personal touch. Beltran frequently references his grandmother’s experiences, which adds depth and a relatable dimension to his discussion. This personal connection grounds the abstract concept of resilience in real-life examples, making the content more accessible and meaningful. His use of real-world stories, like Bethany Hamilton’s recovery after a shark attack, further enriches the book, showing how the principles he outlines are applied in extraordinary circumstances.
The biggest takeaway from Fierce Resilience is that resilience is not merely about bouncing back from adversity; it’s about moving forward, growing stronger, and becoming more adaptable. Beltran has written a powerful guide that encourages readers to take a proactive approach to building their resilience. The book excels in its practical application, offering readers a comprehensive roadmap to navigate the challenges of today’s world. Whether you’re facing personal or professional stress, this book provides the tools and inspiration needed to cultivate fierce resilience.
Pages: 240 | ASIN : B0CTC87SJH
LITERARY TITAN 