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2021 Reading List

Exciting projects in the NFT world got the best of me at the end of 2021 and I didn't whip together a book reading list at the end of the year like I usually do. So here we are about halfway into 2022 and I'm finally compiling my reading list. It's no secret that books fuel creativity which is why every year I reflect on how I've incorporated books into my life. Here are the 50 books I read in 2018, the 11 books I read in 2019, and the 30 books I read in 2020.

Even though I wrote a book about “humanizing your brand,” I still sometimes feel like I have an image to maintain – and that I will be judged for not reading more books about business or marketing. A part of me is also hesitant to share just how fascinated I am about realms and energies unseen. The truth is that these books impact my work with my clients more so than any “marketing” book. Plus these are my interests and my fascinations and I'm not here to apologize.

As an ENFP I notice how I want to study the intuition and subjective nature of my left brain -but I analyze with my right brain. Both the right and left brain is needed for strategy and it's interesting that as an ENFP, it's a paradox in that we often try to understand something unexplainable through “logic.”

Anyway, here's my reading list for 2021:

1. The Book of Secrets by Osho

I read this on my Kindle in 2015 and didn't realize how big the book was until I saw it in a book store. It's enormous so I finally bought the hard copy and pick it up whenever I need a bit of inspiration.

2. The Alphabet vs. the Goddess: The Conflict Between Word and Image

by Leonard Shlain

This book explores the connections across brain function, myth, and anthropology. It explains why pre-literate cultures were mainly informed by holistic, right-brain modes that venerated the Goddess and feminine values. While writing drove cultures toward linear left-brain thinking. This shift upset the balance between men and women, initiating the decline of the feminine and ushering in patriarchal rule.

3. Digital Gold: Bitcoin and the Inside Story of the Misfits and Millionaires Trying to Reinvent Money

I've been immersed in decentralized finance world for the past decade. I got involved in projects before anyone even had the ability to write books about the topic. This book is a solid foundation on decentralization.

4. Recapture the Rapture: Rethinking God, Sex, and Death in a World That's Lost Its Mind

My friend Robbe gifted me this book and I'm so glad he did. In a world where nihilism is filling our void, what are the consequences that affect us all? How can we be at our best when despair, tribalism, and disaster fatigue are leaving us at our worst? This book has some of the answers.

5. The Art of Contemplation: A gentle path to wholeness and prosperity by Richard Rudd

I'm highly influenced by Richard's work. I interviewed Richard on my podcast in Episode 35. His other book, The Gene Keys, inspired me to become a Gene Keys facilitator.

6. Productivity is for Robots: How To (re)Connect, Get Creative, And Stay Human In The New World by my friend Corey McComb

He also has an amazing TedX talk. You're really not a productivity expert until you give a TedX talk about the downfalls of…productivity.

7. Future Poetry by Sri Aurobindo

I love everything Aurobindo wrote. This book explores futuristic architectures as well as poetic vistas of the past, present, and future.

8. The Hidden Forces of Life by Sri Aurobindo

I'm fascinated with Aurobindo's relationship with the Mother. This book is a compilation from the works of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother on hidden forces and how they influence our thoughts, feelings, and actions and determine the course of events in life.

9. Poetic Diction: A Study in Meaning by Owen Barfield

This book is dense and it's the only book on my list that I haven't read in its entirety. Maybe it'll resonate with me more in the future.

10. The Archaic Revival: Speculations on Psychedelic Mushrooms, the Amazon, Virtual Reality, UFOs, Evolution, Shamanism, the Rebirth of the Goddess, and the End of History by Terence McKenna

McKenna is one of my biggest inspirations and this book encapsulates the new wave of neo-shamanism.

11. Letting Go: The Pathway of Surrender by David Hawkins

Hawkins is one of my favorite spiritual teachers. This book is a classic.

12. The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran

A collection of poetic essays that are philosophical and spiritual.

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May 7, 2022 0 comment

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The 30 Books I Read in 2020

Every year I reflect on the books that I read and how I've incorporated them into my life. I read 50 books in 2018 and 11 Books in 2019.

In 2020, I read 30 books.

I have designed a life and business with the intention for time freedom to integrate my learnings follow my curiosities and interests.

Interesting to note that my two words for 2020 were Purity and Light, and many of the books I read are about darkness/shadow integration: Welcome to the Great Awakening!

Here are the books I read in 2020:

(Note: All links below are referral links. Please consider supporting my work by purchasing through these links. Thank you!)

Science and Quantum Physics:

1. The Invisible Rainbow: A History of Electricity and Life by Arthur Firstenberg. I spoke to neurosurgeon Dr. Jack Kruse in Episode 59 of my podcast (available here with an even deeper reading list on this topic in the Show Notes) about the central thesis of this book: How electricity has shaped the modern world and how it has affected our health and environment.

2. Dispelling Wetiko: Breaking the Curse of Evil by Paul Levy. This book couldn't more be relevant to the insanity that is currently playing out in the world right now (I interviewed Paul Levy on my podcast here).

3. Quantum Revelation: A Radical Synthesis of Science and Spirituality by Paul Levy. Season 6 of my podcast is all about Uncertainty, which is a large part of Quantum Physics and Paul dedicated a chapter to Uncertainty in his book, The Quantum Revelation. (I interviewed Paul Levy on my podcast here).

4. The DNA Field and the Law of Resonance: Creating Reality through Conscious Thought by Pierre Franckh

Science “Fiction” (if you have read any of these books, you will understand why the word “fiction” is in quotes!)

5. The Doors of Perception by Aldous Huxley

6. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley (re-read)

7. Ishmael by Daniel Quinn

8. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (re-read). Prescient in this new world of censorship.

Philosophy/Consciousness:

9. The Life Divine by Sri Aurobindo. Admittedly, I started reading this back in May and I am only on page 200 out of 1100. The book is so dynamic (and some would say “dense”) that it takes me days and sometimes weeks to process//integrate each page. This book helps you to realize that it is only your consciousness that will carry you through from one lifetime to the next.

10. The Listening Society: A Metamodern Guide to Politics by Hanzi Freinacht (I interviewed Hanzi on my podcast in Episode 67 here).

11. Trip: Psychedelics, Alienation and Change by Tao Lin (re-read).

12. Virtue Signaling: Essays on Darwinian Politics and Free Speech by Geoffrey Miller

13. Women Who Run With the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype by Clarissa Pinkola Estés (re-read)

14. The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell and Bill Moyers (re-read).

Humanity and Relationships:

15. The Golden Path: A Guide to Your Venus Sequence. The Venus Sequence is an extraordinary journey that teaches us ever so softly how to open our hearts and keep them open. This book has destroyed me in the best possible way. I have been working with The Gene Keys and The Venus Sequence for the past five years and I am endlessly in awe of the teachings. I interviewed Richard Rudd about The Gene Keys and The Venus Sequence here).

16. Comedy, Sex, and God by Pete Holmes (I interview comedian Pete on Episode 58 of my podcast, the Art of Humanity, here).

17. The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself by Michael Singer (re-read)

18. The Drama of the Gifted Child: The Search for the True Self by Alice Miller (shout out to this Tim Ferris and Gabor Mate interview for the referral).

19. When to Walk Away: Finding Freedom from Toxic People by Gary Thomas. It’s so easy to define ourselves by our relationships due to embedded ancestral patterns where we had to rely on the other for elements of survival. This books helps us unpack how we can let go of any toxic relationships and patterns so that we can enter more of an “interdependent” relationship not a codependent one – which was a big realization for me in 2020!

20. Heal Your Wounds and Find Your True Self by Lise Bourbeau

21. The Comprehensive ENFP Survival Guide by Heidi Priebe (re-read). I am an ENFP and self-knowledge is key to my personal growth!

Wellness/Mental Health:

22. Own Yourself: The Surprising Path Behind Depression, Anxiety and Fatigue to Reclaiming Your Authenticity, Vitality, and Freedom by Dr. Kelly Brogan. Dr. Brogan describes the “bait and switch” trap of the medical system, capturing highly sensitive people with medications that often turn situational pain into chronic illness. ⁠She argues that rather than suppressing our symptoms we can learn what they are here to teach us, we can see our vulnerability as a gift rather than a curse. Far from being trapped, we are emerging into a zeitgeist of reparenting and unconditional love for self. Note: I interviewed Dr. Kelly Brogan on my podcast and will be publishing her interview in Season 7.

23. It's Not Always Depression by Hilary Jacobs Hendel. I was told in college that I’d need medication for my anxiety for my entire life. Nine years ago I started the journey home to myself, by refusing to medicate my anxiety with a pill. By escaping the prison of scientific materialism, I broke free from how I “should live” and started to live without a crutch. Sometimes I need a reminder to keep going. This book has helped.

24. The Ayurvedic Guide to Fertility by Heather Grzych. Note: I am not trying to get pregnant! This book goes beyond just fertility and I read this to support my friend and client. She has an incredible podcast called Wisdom of the Body that she launched through my podcast program here).

Discrimination/Racism:

25. Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor by Layla F. Saad

26. Patriarchy Stress Disorder: The Invisible Inner Barrier to Women's Happiness and Fulfillment by Dr. Valerie Rein

Memoirs/Biographies:

27. A Room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf

28. A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers (re-read when I learned that Eggers was my neighbor).

Occult and Mysticism:

29. The Secret Influence of the Moon by Louis Proud

30. Cosmic Trigger by Robert Anton Wilson

Currently reading: On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

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January 3, 2021 1 comment

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The 11 Books I Read in 2019

photo captured from my treehouse in the Marin Headlands

These are the books that I read and integrated into my life in 2019. I spent most of this year Being less in my head and more in my body and for this reason, I read a lot less than the previous year. No regrets! My conscious decision to read less meant that I spent my time hiking, exploring my new city of San Francisco, writing my next book and meeting up with friends and colleagues (tldr; I was less of an introvert this year). For a more thorough list, check out the 50 books I read in 2018.

*Note: All links below are referral links. Please consider purchasing through these links. Thank you!)

Seeing Through the World: Jean Gebser and Integral Consciousness

I often talk about “time freedom” and it's not just New Age hippie hype. I often get my inspiration from philosophers, poets and mystics. Gebser’s insights on the phenomenology of human consciousness has brought profound intellectual depth and spiritual transmission to the field of integral philosophy and consciousness studies, influencing the work of philosopher Ken Wilber.

2. The Golden Path by Richard Rudd (I interview Richard Rudd here).

Richard's work, particularly the Gene Keys, has changed my life. This book is more of a contemplation than an academic knowing.

3. The Adventure of Consciousness by Sri Aurobindo (shout out to Bernhard Guenther who told me about this book). This book has been written from a Western point of view and for those who yearn for a truth of Life and not only a Truth with eyes closed.

4. The Illusion of Money by Kyle Cease

I winced at the awful writing. But I support his message.

5. Galileo's Error: Foundations for a New Science of Consciousness by Philip Goff (I interviewed Philip on my podcast, the Art of Humanity , here).

Goff makes the case for panpsychism, a theory which posits that consciousness is not confined to biological entities but is a fundamental feature of all physical matter—from subatomic particles to the human brain. Incredible book and looking forward to talking with him and publishing his episode.

6. High Weirdness by Erik Davis (I interviewed Erik on my podcast, the Art of Humanity, here).

Erik kicked off Season 5 on Consciousness. I read his books for the sheer joy of how he uses words #nerdalert. This book is a study of the spiritual provocations to be found in the work of Philip K. Dick, Terence McKenna, and Robert Anton Wilson, High Weirdness charts the emergence of a new psychedelic spirituality that arose from the American counterculture of the 1970s.

7. Company of One: Why Staying Small is the Next Big Thing for Business by Paul Jarvis

Refreshing take on an unconventional way to run business.

8. Grounded Spirituality by Jeff Brown (I interview Jeff here in 2020 and here back in Season 2).

9. The Miracle Club by Mitch Horowitz (I interview Mitch here)

10. The Power of Myth by Bill Moyers (blown away by the PBS documentary with Joseph Campbell and then randomly stumbled on this book in a bookstore).

11. Lucid Living: Experience Your Life Like a Lucid Dream by Tim Freke (I interview Tim here about the Evolutionary Jump in Humanity on my podcast, the Art of Humanity).

Edit: I also read The Way of Initiation by Rudolph Steiner (not pictured or not originally counted).

What did you read in 2019? Comment below!

Want to start your own podcast? My new podcast program is starting in February. Email me: jessica@jessicaannmedia.com to apply.

January 9, 2020 1 comment

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Humanize Your Brand is now available!

The future of business and marketing is something that I call Human Content. This is at the heart of my new book, Humanize Your Brand: How to Create Content that Connects with Your Customers.

humanize

It's now available on Amazon.

Here is the link:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BIA6C5M/

The print copy came in the mail last week, and I could not be more excited!

book

I'd like to extend a sincere THANK YOU for your support.

It has received glowing reviews from some incredible humans:

“This book reflects the next paradigm, one where we make a better living when we actually take off our masks and get real with our customers. Finally a book that invites us to make no distinction between our humanness and our marketing strategy.”
– Jeff Brown, author of Soulshaping and “An Uncommon Bond”

“This book does an outstanding job exploring how to find and build toward the core of what truly makes you a human brand. An authentic book written by an authentic author. Bravo!” – Bryan Kramer, CEO, TED Speaker, Author of Best Selling Book: Human to Human #H2H

“In a world full of bullshit artists, Jessica is zero bullshit and 100% artist.”
– Barry Feldman, Feldman Creative

“With wisdom, inspiration, and originality, Jessica provides great ideas for creating content that people WANT to share across multiple channels to develop genuine business relationships. I love her practical tips and to-the-point advice, especially her insights on slow media. Each chapter offers timely direction and thought-provoking understandings about how we use written content to further our business' values and objectives on a person-to-person level. A book to definitely keep handy if you ever feel stuck or need a fresh approach.”
– Molly McCord, Author, Entrepreneur, Intuitive Business Coach

“Enjoy this well-edited, fun read, and find your content creation skills reinvigorated and ready to excite your customers. Jessica has brought the secret sauce back to content creation.”
– Geoff Livingston, author, Welcome to the Fifth Estate

“One of the most dramatic changes in business over the last few decades is the fact that people don't buy from nameless, faceless corporations. They buy from brands they know, like,and trust. It can be a real challenge for business professionals and executives to communicate their personality, their sense of humor, even their weaknesses, with honesty to the customers they are seeking. But this is what separates the best brands from the rest. In this book, Jessica provides practical tips and inspiration for any business to learn how to be more human, and in return, attract more customers.”

– Michael Brenner, CEO Marketing Insider Group and Author, The Content Formula

And now for the fun news: You have the chance to win a copy! Please send an email to hello@jessicaannmedia.com with the subject line “I Want the Book!”

Please tell me if you want the paper version or Kindle version (and if you want a paper version I'll need your mailing address). Good luck!

February 16, 2016 0 comment

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Books to Change the Content of Your Life

Is there anything better than the smell of fresh books in the New Year? Books are one of the most transformative ways to and change the content of your life. Reading books can elevate your work in the world like no other medium. They're like having a dinner party with some of the most brilliant people on the planet (except you don't have to worry about where to place your bread plate. Oh, and you don't have to leave your house). A book suggested at the right time in your life can change your life (said in a Tony Robbins voice for full effect).

Here are a few of my favorite books that I read this year that I highly recommend:

Writing and Business:

X: The Experience When Business Meets Design by Brian Solis
Shareology by Bryan Kramer (I interview author Bryan Kramer here).
The Elements of Style. My favorite writing classic. And fun fact: This book was the fifth photo I ever Instagrammed. Good writing was my obsession when I launched my content marketing business a few years ago.
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King. Phenomenal insight into the mind of one of the most brilliant writers.
The Content Code by Mark Schaefer (My podcast interview with Mark is here).

Humanity and Relationships:

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari (mind blown from this book).
Your Awakening Self by Molly McCord (I chat with author Molly here).
An Uncommon Bond and Spiritual Graffiti by Jeff Brown.
A Brief History of Everything by Ken Wilber. Sound healer Asa Idoni and I discuss Ken Wilber in our conversation here).
Gene Keys by Richard Rudd. It's a huge textbook! And not one you'll want to put away. I interviewed the author, Richard Rudd, on Episode 35 of my podcast, the Art of Humanity.
Rising Strong by Brené Brown.

Personal Growth:

Choose Yourself by James Altucher. I still dig into this one when I need inspiration. You can listen to James and I chat here.
Procrastinate on Purpose by Rory Vaden.
The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do In Life and In Business by Charles Duhigg.
Confessions of a Public Speaker by Scott Berkun (I have a few exciting speaking gigs coming up this year. This book is helpful if you're looking to become a better speaker).

What books are you reading?

You can buy my book, Humanize Your Brand: How to Create Content that Connects with your Customers on Amazon here.

*Note: some of the links in this article are affiliates. I only recommend books that I love and that have transformed my mindset.

Happy reading!

January 5, 2016 0 comment

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