What we’re about
This group is for people who like nonfiction book club style discussions, but don’t always have the time to read all the books on their list.
Each meeting will have topic typically inspired by a nonfiction book or occasionally something else. Instead of reading the entire book, we’ll focus on a short excerpt or related media that captures the core ideas. These will be shared directly in the event description ahead of time.
Our goal is to enjoy meaningful, idea-driven discussions without the pressure of finishing a full book.
Upcoming events (3)
See all- The Alter Ego EffectChocolati Greenwood, Seattle, WA
This one is inspired by Todd Herman’s book The Alter Ego Effect. It’s a great read for anyone who is interested but it’s not required for this meetup. Below is a summary (prepared by Gemini) and links to some articles and podcast episodes about the book/topic. You can choose which ones you want to read/listen to.
The Alter Ego Effect: The Power of Secret Identities to Transform Your Life" by Todd Herman is a popular self-help book that explores the concept of using an alter ego to overcome self-doubt, enhance performance, and achieve goals. The book's core idea is that we all have a "trapped self" that is held back by negative thoughts and fears, and a "heroic self" that is capable of extraordinary things. By creating a separate identity—an alter ego—you can tap into your heroic self and perform at a higher level, especially in high-pressure situations.
Here is a summary of key concepts:- The Heroic Self vs. The Trapped Self: The book distinguishes between the person we are in our day-to-day life ("The Trapped Self") and the person who is capable of peak performance ("The Heroic Self"). The alter ego acts as a bridge to activate the heroic self when needed. (Source: SoBrief, Sketchy Ideas)
- The "Field of Play": Herman encourages readers to identify specific areas of their lives where they want to improve their performance, such as a business meeting, a sports game, or even a difficult conversation with a family member. This is the "Field of Play" where the alter ego will be activated. (Source: Alter Ego Effect website)
- The "Enemy": The book personifies negative self-talk, fear, and limiting beliefs as "The Enemy." By naming and externalizing these internal forces, you can create psychological distance and combat them more effectively. (Source: SoBrief, Sketchy Ideas)
- Activating Your Alter Ego: The book provides a practical guide for creating and activating your alter ego. This can be done by defining its name, character traits, and origin story, and then using a physical "totem" or "artifact" (like a pair of glasses, a specific piece of clothing, or a ritual) to signal the shift in identity. (Source: Sketchy Ideas)
- Examples of Alter Egos: The book uses real-world examples of successful people who have used alter egos, such as Beyoncé (Sasha Fierce), Bo Jackson (who adopted the persona of Jason Voorhees on the football field), and Todd Herman himself (who uses a pair of glasses to activate a more focused persona). (Source: Blinkist, Afford Anything)
Four Minute Books: A summary that highlights the book's practical, four-step approach to creating and using an alter ego. It emphasizes the emotional resonance required to make the alter ego effective. (Source: Four Minute Books)
The Jordan Harbinger Show: An article and podcast summary featuring an interview with Todd Herman. This source dives into the core idea that an alter ego is not about being "fake," but rather about intentionally and strategically channeling facets of yourself that already exist. (Source: The Jordan Harbinger Show)
Afford Anything: Another podcast summary that emphasizes the naturalness of alter egos, noting that we've been using them since childhood (e.g., pretending to be a superhero). It also includes six key takeaways from the conversation with Herman. (Source: Afford Anything)
Vanessa Van Edwards: The Alter Ego Effect Can Change Your Life podcast episode: https://youtu.be/zxqyVsg52yw?si=NUSSVzPrt9hkjioK
- Brain Loops & Backaches: A New Understanding of Chronic PainCafe Hagen (Bellevue) , Bellevue, WA
What if chronic pain isn't always what it seems?
Inspired by The Way Out by Alan Gordon, let’s take a fresh look at the surprising role the brain can play in long-term pain—and how shifting our relationship with pain might create room for real change. The book explains how fear, stress, and past experiences can keep the brain “stuck” in protective patterns, even after the body has healed.
No pressure to read the full book—just check out the short article and video below for context.
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Article: A personal and insightful review of The Way Out, including key takeaways and real-life examples of how pain can shift when we change how we relate to it.
Read the article -
Video: In this episode of Mayim Bialik's Breakdown, Alan Gordon breaks down the connection between pain, fear, and the brain—and shares simple tools that can make a big difference.
Watch on YouTube
Possible Discussion Starters
- Did anything in the article or video surprise you or shift how you think about pain?
- Have you ever noticed a connection between stress, fear, or tension and physical discomfort?
- What do you think it means for the brain to “get stuck” in pain—and does that idea resonate with any of your experiences?
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- Hooked! Stories, Offers, and Why We Say Yes4th Ave Espresso Bar, Seattle, WA
This is a short-form book club where we explore big ideas through bite-sized reads, short videos, or quick listens — and relaxed, open conversation.
Why do some messages grab our attention instantly while others barely register? Inspired by the Hook, Story, Offer framework from Dotcom Secrets by Russell Brunson, we’ll explore how this simple pattern shows up everywhere—from ads and social media to movies, politics, and even everyday conversations.
- You can go as deep or as shallow in reading/watching/listening about this, just as long as you know a little for context. There’s a couple of resources below and a ton online. No need to go down the rabbit hole just for the purposes of this meeting.
** I am NOT affiliated with Russell Brunson or trying to sell you anything! Just wanted to mention that because the article, the video, and any googling of this will inevitably lead to his funnels where you will be hooked, storied, and offered… LOL
Video — What Is Hook Story Offer? (Russell Brunson)
A quick explainer on how this framework influences what we click, buy, and believe.
Watch on YouTubeArticle: "Hook, Story, Offer: The 3‑Step Method for Selling Online"
A clear, non-technical breakdown of the framework—perfect for spotting hooks, stories, and offers in everyday messaging.
Read Article
