Sounds About Right: Audiobooks to Help Us Understand the World

Nicolas Humphrey has been  studying the evolution of intelligence and consciousness for over 50 years. He has been a Lecturer in Psychology at Oxford, Assistant Director of the Subdepartment of Animal Behaviour at Cambridge, Senior Research Fellow in Parapsychology at Cambridge, Professor of Psychology at the New School for Social Research, New York, and School Professor at the London School of Economics.I had the pleasure of discussing with him his book titled: Sentience: The Invention of Consciousness.Some of the topics we discussed in this episode includes:What sparked Nick's interest in exploring the evolutionary history of consciousness ?What has Nick seen thats changed his perspective from his research in animal science and behaviour?Phenomenal ConsciousnessDo animals have Phenomenal Consciousness?What is the criteria for a machine to possess Phenomenal Consciousness and does the rise of Artificial Intelligence, make this a possibility ?What are the most pressing areas of research for consciousness in the future?The Book and Audiobook: Sentience: The Invention of Consciousness is out now.You can also find out more about Nick on his website https://www.humphrey.org.ukAs of now, my podcast is biweekly and prior to an episode I’ll let you know what book/audiobook I’ll be listening to before the next show so we can delve into it together!Please don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast so you’re in the loop whenever a new episode comes out.www.instagram.com/SoundsAboutPodwww.twitter.com/SoundsAboutPodAre you an author that will like to be  on the next episode of the podcast?Listeners: Did I cover a book you read or listened to? Did I discuss the things which also stuck out to you? Or did I miss it out?..... get in touch, and let me know what your experience was or to give me audiobook recommendations: soundsaboutpod@gmail.com

I had a fascinating  conversation with John-Paul (@jpreads6. His TikTok account is one of the most prominent in an engaging  and community focused niche, black literary fiction. The books mentioned in the episodes are:Honey and Spice, by Bolu BabalolaThe Sex Lives of African Women by Nana Darkoa SekyiamahOpen Water by Caleb Azumah NelsonSmall World by Caleb Azumah NelsonIn Every Mirror She's Black by Lola Akinmade ÅkerströmEverything is Not Enough by Lola Akinmade ÅkerströmLight Seekers by Femi KayodeThe Perfect Find by Tia WilliamsPercy Jackson by Rick RiordanBlessings by Chukwuebuka IbehSome of our topics discussed were:What inspired John-Paul on showcasing authors from black authors and how he chooses the books to reviewHow are social media platforms changing the ways books are discussed and discovered How does John-Paul feel about the responsibility and influence that comes with his reviewsBooks that had a profound impact on his perspective and emotionsHow do the books on the black experience contribute towards a better understanding of diverse narratives? Are there any trends he has noticed in the portrayal of black characters in the stories he's read?John-Pauls recommendation of an authors that deserves more recognition TV adaptations of booksUpcoming books that he's excited about

Shane O'Mara is a Professor of Experimental Brain Research in Trinity College Dublin, and am a Principal Investigator in, and currently the Director of, the Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience and a member of the academic staff of the School of Psychology.I had the please of discussing with him, his latest book titled: Talking Heads: The New Science of How Conversation Shapes Our WorldsSome of the topics discussed includes:How our memories influence our conversations and the importance of group conversationsWhat happens when our mind wonders?The role of conversations in shaping societiesThe potential for conversation to build a better future and how it can contribute to positive social and societal change.The Book and Audiobook: Talking Heads: The New Science of How Conversation Shapes Our Worlds is out now.You can also find out more about Shane via his instagram https://www.instagram.com/shanewriteror his substack https://brainpizza.substack.com/

I had a lovely conversation with Costa (@NotThatCosta) about all things books. His TikTok account is one of my favourite to follow to hear some fascinating book reviews and recommendations.  Fair to say that after this episode, my 'to be read list' has grown much larger! The books mentioned in this episode includes:1984, by George OrwellWhy Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?  by Beverley TatumNatives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire by AkalaUnorthodox: The Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots by Deborah Feldman  Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women White Feminists Forgotby Mikki Kendall Black Boy by Richard Wright On Connection by Kae Tempest  Don't Touch My Hair by Emma Dabiri Municipal Dreams: The Rise and Fall of Council Housing by John Boughton The Extreme Centre by Tariq Ali Crying in H Mart: A Memoir by Michelle Zauner  black girl, no magic: essays and reflections on living whilst black by Kimberly McIntosh Some of our topics discussed were:How did he get into reading books and if there was any book that ignited  his interest?Deciding on the next book to read.Preferring to read books that are under 400 pagesHow has some of the books he's read, contributed to a broader understanding of cultural and social issues?Has been a book thats challenged his preconceived notions or reconsider a particular topicThe topic of 'Self Help Books'Is there a book he finds himself referencing or mentioning to others to others?A book he would recommend for anyone who wants to get into reading?

Patrick Fagan is a Sunday Times bestselling author, and public speaker, and consults for brands and political campaigns around the world.I had the please of discussing with him, his latest book which he co-authored with journalist Laura Dodsworth titled: Free Your Mind: The New World of Manipulation and How to Resist It.Some of the topics discussed includes:How he came up with the idea of putting the book togetherWhy when it comes to freeing our mind, must we compare ourselves to soldiers on a battlefield How effective have governmental nudge units been?How being smart, or having a high level of intellect, doesn't immune  you from being brainwashed or manipulated.Do social media platforms keep us from being politically informed? and why must we practice social media distancingThe importance of readingHow changing our own information space, means we change our environment Did Patrick's life change after writing the book?The Book and Audiobook: Free Your Mind: The New World of Manipulation and How to Resist It is out now.You can also find out more about Pat via his twitter @PFagan87or his website https://www.patrickfagan.co.uk/  

Dr Phil Whitaker  has lived in a variety of locations around the UK including Nottingham, where he studied in medicine, and Oxford, where he undertook postgraduate training in general practice.I had the please of discussing with him, his latest book titled: What Is a Doctor?: A GP's Prescription for the Future. Using stories and case studies from across his thirty-year career as a GP,  Dr Phil Whitaker offers insight into the medical movements, political interference and societal changes that have transformed the role of doctor over the past three decades.Some of the topics discussed includes:How 'Evidence Based Medicine' has been hijacked by 'Evidence Dictated Medicine'What has changed the two way relationship between a doctor and a patient?Is it still an attractive job to be GP?How reliable are algorithmic softwares such as'GP at Hand' and is it helping or hurting the role of being a GP?Phil's thoughts on patient centred consulting in the form of: Ideas Concerns & Expectations (ICE)What concepts that should be introduced to undergraduate medicine education, and is Phil optimistic for the future?The Book and Audiobook: What Is a Doctor?: A GP's Prescription for the Future is out now.You can also find out more about Phil via his twitter @pwhitakerwriteror his website https://philwhitaker.co.uk

Arianne Shahvisi is a Kurdish-British writer and academic philosopher. Raised in Lancashire and Essex, she studied astrophysics and philosophy at the universities of Cambridge and Oxford, and now teaches applied philosophy at the Brighton and Sussex Medical School, where her research focusses on gender, race, migration, and health. She writes regularly for the London Review of Books, and her essays have also appeared in the Guardian, Prospect, the Independent, and the Economist.I had the pleasure of speaking with Arianne about her book titled, Arguing for a Better World: How to talk about the issues that divide us.Some of the topics discussed includes:How Arianne picked the topics discussed in the book, and the importance of 'showing her working' How the tools of philosophy are useful in uncovering the topics discussed in the book.How 'freedom of speech' often clashes with other rights we think are important to ourselves. How saying 'not all men are trash' trivialises and derails the conversation What is meant by ‘wokeness’ and ‘political correctness’?How credibility deficits arises from stereotypesDid any of Arianne's opinions change whilst writing the book or did the process reinforce her prior held beliefs? The Book and Audiobook: Arguing for a Better World: How to talk about the issues that divide us is out now.You can also find out more about Arianne via her twitter @ArianneShahvisi

Professor Sean F. Ennis is an economist, author and expert. He focuses on company behavior, competition and regulation.  He has developed economic market analysis for governments, academia and the private sector. After receiving a BA Hons from King’s College, Cambridge and a PhD from the University of California at Berkeley, he spent more than two decades working on economic and regulatory topics at the OECD, the European Commission and the US Department of Justice. He is now a Professor at the University of East Anglia in England. He has advised and given seminars in more than 25 countries.Sean has written technical articles published in academic journals, reports released by government institutions, and, most recently, the book Internet Empire: The Hidden Digital War, a lively examination of how the internet expansion of US companies has achieved consequences like those of traditional war.I had the pleasure of discussing this book with Sean and some of the topics we discussed in this episode includes:How does the internet allow the objectives of war to be achieved ?Why we should think about 'Empire building' as an economic activity What is the irony in the United States victory in the internet war for control of economic activity?Why has Europe lagged behind in comparison to the United States?How companies such as Google has used acquisitions and mergers to maintain its dominance and minimalise competitionThe possible government and individual responsesThe Book and Audiobook: Internet Empire: The Hidden Digital War is out now.You can also find out more about Sean on his website https://www.seanennis.comAs of now, my podcast is biweekly and prior to an episode I’ll let you know what book/audiobook I’ll be listening to before the next show so we can delve into it together!Please don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast so you’re in the loop whenever a new episode comes out.www.instagram.com/SoundsAboutPodwww.twitter.com/SoundsAboutPodAre you an author that will like to be  on the next episode of the podcast?Listeners: Did I cover a book you read or listened to? Did I discuss the things which also stuck out to you? Or did I miss it out?..... get in touch, and let me know what your experience was or to give me audiobook recommendations: soundsaboutpod@gmail.com

Bart Elmore is an award-winning professor and writer who investigates the impact of big business on our environment.I had the pleasure of speaking with Bart about his latest book titled: Country Capitalism: How Corporations from the American South Remade Our Economy and the Planet. Where in the book, he uses the histories of five southern firms―Coca-Cola, Delta Airlines, Walmart, FedEx, and Bank of America―to investigate the environmental impact of our have-it-now, fly-by-night, buy-on-credit economy.Some of the topics we discussed in this episode includes:How did Bart choose the five companies the  in the book and what were the things about the companies he wanted to examine?We discuss the term 'commercial ecology'How did government spending have so much of an impact on how these companies managed to grow so big?Delta Airlines and what were the ecological issues as a result of its growthWhen did Banks start to become the target of environmental activism?How is The Bank of America accredited as a sustainability leader but also dubbed 'The Bank of Coal?'Will there be further urbanisation of the Southern landscape or has this time passed?The Book and Audiobook: Country Capitalism: How Corporations from the American South Remade Our Economy and the Planet is out now.You can also find out more about Bart on his website https://www.bartelmore.com/As of now, my podcast is biweekly and prior to an episode I’ll let you know what book/audiobook I’ll be listening to before the next show so we can delve into it together!Please don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast so you’re in the loop whenever a new episode comes out.www.instagram.com/SoundsAboutPodwww.twitter.com/SoundsAboutPodAre you an author that will like to be  on the next episode of the podcast?Listeners: Did I cover a book you read or listened to? Did I discuss the things which also stuck out to you? Or did I miss it out?..... get in touch, and let me know what your experience was or to give me audiobook recommendations: soundsaboutpod@gmail.com

Dr. Marcus Collins is an award-winning marketer and cultural translator with one foot in the world of practice--as the head of strategy at Wieden+Kennedy, NY--and one foot in the world of academia--as a clinical assistant professor of marketing at the Ross School of Business, University of Michigan. His deep understanding of brand strategy and consumer behavior has helped him bridge the academic-practitioner gap for blue-chip brands and startups alike. Over the course of his career, Marcus has developed a practice for creating culturally contagious ideas that inspire people to take action. His strategies and creative contributions have led to the launch and success of Google’s “Real Tone” technology, the “Made In America” music festival, and the Brooklyn Nets–among others.I had the pleasure of speaking to Marcus about his latest book titled: For the Culture: The Power Behind the World's Most Successful Brands, from Apple to Beyoncé Some of the topics we discussed includes: Why is Culture a word that is often used, but misunderstood and what are the systems that make it up?The ways brands can tap into culture and how they find their 'congregation'  rather than  'audience'How can brands identify with people and align their message with ones beliefs.Evaluation & Legitimisation: how this taps into the idea of giving something meaning.Meaning Incongruence: and why is this something that often happens with brands who are trying to get a message across. The Book and Audiobook: For the Culture: The Power Behind the World's Most Successful Brands, from Apple to Beyoncé  is out now.You can also find out more about Marcus on his website http://marctothec.comAs of now, my podcast is biweekly and prior to an episode I’ll let you know what book/audiobook I’ll be listening to before the next show so we can delve into it together!Please don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast so you’re in the loop whenever a new episode comes out.www.instagram.com/SoundsAboutPodwww.twitter.com/SoundsAboutPodAre you an author that will like to be  on the next episode of the podcast?Listeners: Did I cover a book you read or listened to? Did I discuss the things which also stuck out to you? Or did I miss it out?..... get in touch, and let me know what your experience was or to give me audiobook recommendations: soundsaboutpod@gmail.com

Prof. Lewis Dartnell is a research scientist, presenter and author based in London, UK.He graduated from Oxford University with a First Class degree in Biological Sciences and completed his PhD at University College London in 2007. He now holds the Professorship in Science Communication at the University of Westminster.He has also published five books: THE KNOWLEDGE was the Sunday Times ‘New Thinking’ Book of the Year and international bestseller, and ORIGINS: How the Earth Made Us is a Sunday Times top History book of 2019. I had the pleasure of speaking to Lewis about his latest book titled: BEING HUMAN: How our Biology shaped World History Some of the topics we discussed includes: The process of deciding which topics Lewis wanted to focus on in each chapter.Family: How did we through evolution come up with 'pair bonding' and what did it help solve?Endemic diseases & Pandemic diseases - and the link between how some of them has has changed the worldExploring the argument that  agriculture  is 'the worst mistake in human history'Cognitive biases and why being aware of them alone, still doesn't allow us to stop them.The Book and Audiobook: BEING HUMAN: How our Biology shaped World History is out now.You can also find out more about Lewis on his website http://lewisdartnell.comAs of now, my podcast is biweekly and prior to an episode I’ll let you know what book/audiobook I’ll be listening to before the next show so we can delve into it together!Please don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast so you’re in the loop whenever a new episode comes out.www.instagram.com/SoundsAboutPodwww.twitter.com/SoundsAboutPodAre you an author that will like to be  on the next episode of the podcast?Listeners: Did I cover a book you read or listened to? Did I discuss the things which also stuck out to you? Or did I miss it out?..... get in touch, and let me know what your experience was or to give me audiobook recommendations: soundsaboutpod@gmail.com

Mary-Jane Rubenstein is Professor of Religion and Science in Society at Wesleyan University, and is affiliated with the Philosophy Department and the Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program. She holds a B.A. from Williams College, an M.Phil. from The University of Cambridge, and a Ph.D. in from Columbia University. Her research unearths the philosophies and histories of religion and science, especially in relation to cosmology, ecology, and space travel.I spoke to Mary-Jane about her latest book Astrotopia: The Dangerous Religion of the Corporate Space RaceSome of the topics we discussed includes: Why should we care about bible stories, in a book about out of space? How integral the Christian victory over paganism  was in transforming a world full of living things to objects for us to consume and absorb Should we be wary that the space race will be any different from how the West's exploration of new frontiers in the past has always been at the expense of a people or group? Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos space race ideologies and how they differ from one another.Will the space race be beneficial for everyone on earth or just a select few?Is there a better way to go about space exploration than the way its been so far? The Book and Audiobook:  Astrotopia: The Dangerous Religion of the Corporate Space Race is out now.As of now, my podcast is biweekly and prior to an episode I’ll let you know what book/audiobook I’ll be listening to before the next show so we can delve into it together!Please don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast so you’re in the loop whenever a new episode comes out.www.instagram.com/SoundsAboutPodwww.twitter.com/SoundsAboutPodAre you an author that will like to be  on the next episode of the podcast?Listeners: Did I cover a book you read or listened to? Did I discuss the things which also stuck out to you? Or did I miss it out?..... get in touch, and let me know what your experience was or to give me audiobook recommendations: soundsaboutpod@gmail.com

She studied at Oxford and Manchester, gaining her PhD in 2000. Postdoctoral research and teaching followed, including a prestigious Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council Fellowship, before she was appointed to a lectureship at Birkbeck in 2004. She became Professor of Mathematics there in 2013, and served in various management roles including as Head of Mathematics and Statistics, Assistant Dean, and Programme Director for the MSc Mathematics.Her academic publications have been mainly in the area of pure mathematics known as group theory, which has many applications both inside and outside of mathematics, for example in coding theory and cryptography. She is actively involved in the British Society for the History of Mathematics, and has served a three-year term as President of the Society from 2021-2023.Her book Once Upon a Prime: the Wondrous Connections between Mathematics and Literature, was published in 2023, and has been positively reviewed in the press, including The Sunday Times, The Observer, The Economist, The New York Times, The Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal.I had the pleasure of discussing the book with her, some of the talking points include:How Sarah first made the link between literature & mathematics and the perceived disassociation between the two.The structure of the book being in three parts and whether the significance of the number '3' has anything to do with it!How maths, structures stories in poetry and literature Numbers in literature- is there a hidden maths in the symbolic numbers in literature and biblical textsThe mathematical references in the book Moby Dick by Herman Melville  The Book and Audiobook:  Once Upon a Prime: the Wondrous Connections between Mathematics and Literature is out now.As of now, my podcast is biweekly and prior to an episode I’ll let you know what book/audiobook I’ll be listening to before the next show so we can delve into it together!Please don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast so you’re in the loop whenever a new episode comes out.www.instagram.com/SoundsAboutPodwww.twitter.com/SoundsAboutPodAre you an author that will like to be  on the next episode of the podcast?Listeners: Did I cover a book you read or listened to? Did I discuss the things which also stuck out to you? Or did I miss it out?..... get in touch, and let me know what your experience was or to give me audiobook recommendations: soundsaboutpod@gmail.com

William D. Eggers is the Executive Director of Deloitte’s Center for Government Insights where he is responsible for the firm’s public sector thought leadership. He also serves as a fellow at the National Academy of Public Administration, a governance futures council member at the World Economic Forum, an advisory board member at What Works Cities and chairs the Leadership Council for New America.He is the author of numerous books including his newest Bridgebuilders: How Government Can Transcend Boundaries to Solve Big Problems. Which I had the pleasure of discussing with himSome of the topics we discussed includes: The vending machine form of government and why this no longer works.The 10 Key areas for Bridgebuilding.The power of collaboration between government and multi-sector organisation'sExpanding on some of the key areasThe process of writing the book for William & Donald and whether their perspectives changed during it.While putting the book together, who did he have in mind to read it? The Book and Audiobook:  Bridgebuilders: How Government Can Transcend Boundaries to Solve Big Problems is out now.As of now, my podcast is biweekly and prior to an episode I’ll let you know what book/audiobook I’ll be listening to before the next show so we can delve into it together!Please don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast so you’re in the loop whenever a new episode comes out.www.instagram.com/SoundsAboutPodwww.twitter.com/SoundsAboutPodAre you an author that will like to be  on the next episode of the podcast?Listeners: Did I cover a book you read or listened to? Did I discuss the things which also stuck out to you? Or did I miss it out?..... get in touch, and let me know what your experience was or to give me audiobook recommendations: soundsaboutpod@gmail.com

Dr. Rank is widely recognized as one of the foremost experts and speakers in the country on issues of poverty, inequality, and social justice. His research and teaching have focused on poverty, social welfare, economic inequality, and social policy. Dr. Rank has published numerous scholarly articles. His first book, Living on the Edge: The Realities of Welfare in America, explored the conditions of surviving on public assistance and achieved widespread critical acclaim. His 2004 book, One Nation, Underprivileged: Why American Poverty Affects Us All, provided a new understanding of poverty in America. I spoke to him about his latest book The Poverty Paradox: Understanding Economic Hardship Amid American ProsperitySome of the topics we discussed includes: The main viewpoint of poverty and why its something Mark has argued against it in the bookThe different ways 'poverty' has been defined.The forces behind poverty:  The failure at structural rather than individual level.How the system is designed for everyone to buy into the American Dream, rags to riches story despite the low levels of economic mobility. Human Capital  Investing on children on the front end,  (reducing childhood poverty) rather than on the back end (spending  in the future due).How compared to other developed nations the US assist and spend the least on the vulnerable.Why has government programmes so far not really worked?Are there reasons to be optimistic for the future?  The Book and Audiobook:  The Poverty Paradox: Understanding Economic Hardship Amid American Prosperity is out now.As of now, my podcast is biweekly and prior to an episode I’ll let you know what book/audiobook I’ll be listening to before the next show so we can delve into it together!Please don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast so you’re in the loop whenever a new episode comes out.www.instagram.com/SoundsAboutPodwww.twitter.com/SoundsAboutPodAre you an author that will like to be  on the next episode of the podcast?Listeners: Did I cover a book you read or listened to? Did I discuss the things which also stuck out to you? Or did I miss it out?..... get in touch, and let me know what your experience was or to give me audiobook recommendations: soundsaboutpod@gmail.com

Steven H. Miles is Professor Emeritus of Medicine and Bioethics. His medical career was in Internal Medicine and Geriatrics. He is a former Maas Family Endowed Chair in Bioethics at the University of Minnesota Medical School in Minneapolis.Dr. Miles has published thirty chapters and more than 200 medical articles on medical ethics, human rights, tropical medicine, end of life care, and medical torture. He has extensive international experience including global work with refugees and work on behalf of victims of torture. He currently serves on the board of the Minnesota ACLU Foundation, the editorial board of Torture Journal (Denmark) and is a Master Gardener.I spoke to him about his latest book The Torture Doctors: Human Rights Crimes and the Road to Justice. Some of the topics we discussed includes: Understanding what a torture doctor is and do they take part in it?The role of a physician when it comes to torture.Some of the  physician supervised  practices that has taken placeWhy it was important for the UK to be highlighted in the bookHow impactful Human Rights Organisations have been in bringing about change.How  Medical Associations have been complicitHow rare it is for a country to take accountability for its torture doctors.What more can medical licensing boards and associations can do in promoting more accountability around this. The Book and Audiobook:  The Torture Doctors: Human Rights Crimes and the Road to Justice  is out now.As of now, my podcast is biweekly and prior to an episode I’ll let you know what book/audiobook I’ll be listening to before the next show so we can delve into it together!Please don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast so you’re in the loop whenever a new episode comes out.www.instagram.com/SoundsAboutPodwww.twitter.com/SoundsAboutPodAre you an author that will like to be  on the next episode of the podcast?Listeners: Did I cover a book you read or listened to? Did I discuss the things which also stuck out to you? Or did I miss it out?..... get in touch, and let me know what your experience was or to give me audiobook recommendations: soundsaboutpod@gmail.com

Jeff Maynard is an author and documentary maker specialising in historical subjects. Jeff is renowned for uncovering little-known, or long forgotten historical events. His research is undertaken over many years, and he uses that research to reveal character driven stories.I spoke to him about his latest book The Frontier Below: The Past, Present and Future of Our Quest to Go Deeper UnderwaterSome of the topics we discussed includes: Why Jeff divided the book into 4 understandable ocean zones, and why illustrations of this in the past has been misleading.The diving bellThe Epipelagic Zone and the first known why that people used to dive The creation of the diving helmet and how the compressed air led to its success.Is it fair to say that the ship wreckage  revival business led to the exploration and the development of going deeper under waterThe creation of the bathyscaphe The mixed gas air system and what it helped achieveWhat does the future hold regarding our quest to go deeper? The Book and Audiobook:  The Frontier Below: The Past, Present and Future of Our Quest to Go Deeper Underwater is out now.You can also  find out more about Jeff and his projects  via his website: https://www.jeffmaynard.net/As of now, my podcast is biweekly and prior to an episode I’ll let you know what book/audiobook I’ll be listening to before the next show so we can delve into it together!Please don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast so you’re in the loop whenever a new episode comes out.www.instagram.com/SoundsAboutPodwww.twitter.com/SoundsAboutPodAre you an author that will like to be  on the next episode of the podcast?Listeners: Did I cover a book you read or listened to? Did I discuss the things which also stuck out to you? Or did I miss it out?..... get in touch, and let me know what your experience was or to give me audiobook recommendations: soundsaboutpod@gmail.com

David Delmar Sentíes is a professional designer and interface developer with experience working with award-winning startups, as well as established brands. Before founding Resilient Coders, he was at PayPal, leading a cross-disciplinary team of designers and coders.He helped set up PayPal's startup incubator, Start Tank, and served as its UX subject matter expert. David believes in technology as an opportunity for real meritocracy. And he believes in the resilience of Boston's youth.I spoke to him about his book What We Build with Power: The Fight for Economic Justice in TechSome of the topics we discussed includes: His reasoning for founding Resilient CodersIs meritocracy in tech a myth?The impact of policy: and comparison of opportunity between older and younger generations. The foundation of culture and what can be done for tech to be inclusionary rather than exclusionary.Do you really need to go to college to learn how to code?Self directed learning, how effective it can be and its dichotomy with having the time.The concept of Liberty: and the importance of not just 'having freedom from' but 'having freedom to'David's thoughts on the effectiveness of 'Diversity Training' within tech organisationsThe future of coding and Resilient Coders. The Book and Audiobook:  What We Build with Power: The Fight for Economic Justice in Tech is out now.You can also  find out more about David and his projects  via his website: https://delmarsenties.comResilient Coders website: http://www.resilientcoders.orgAs of now, my podcast is biweekly and prior to an episode I’ll let you know what book/audiobook I’ll be listening to before the next show so we can delve into it together!Please don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast so you’re in the loop whenever a new episode comes out.www.instagram.com/SoundsAboutPodwww.twitter.com/SoundsAboutPodAre you an author that will like to be  on the next episode of the podcast?Listeners: Did I cover a book you read or listened to? Did I discuss the things which also stuck out to you? Or did I miss it out?..... get in touch, and let me know what your experience was or to give me audiobook recommendations: soundsaboutpod@gmail.com

Bruce Schneier is an internationally renowned security technologist, called a “security guru” by The Economist. He is the author of over one dozen books—including his latest, A Hacker’s Mind—as well as hundreds of articles, essays, and academic papers. His influential newsletter “Crypto-Gram” and his blog “Schneier on Security” are read by over 250,000 people. He has testified before Congress, is a frequent guest on television and radio, has served on several government committees, and is regularly quoted in the press. Schneier is a fellow at the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University; a Lecturer in Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School; a board member of the Electronic Frontier Foundation and AccessNow; and an Advisory Board Member of the Electronic Privacy Information Center and VerifiedVoting.org. I spoke to Him about his latest book A Hacker's Mind: How the Powerful Bend Society's Rules, and How to Bend them BackSome of the topics we discussed includes: How does hacking reinforce expositing power structures?What is the difference between hacking and cheating?How 'Societal Hacks Are Often Normalized' and how big financial companies often look for hacks.How do the rich and powerful use luxury real estate as a hack?When does being 'Too Big To Fail' also become a hack?How do companies such as Uber and Wework benefit from Venture Capitalism as a hack?Hacking political systems: money & politics.Cognitive Hacks and will Artificial Intelligence  be able to hack our minds? The Book and Audiobook:  A Hacker's Mind: How the Powerful Bend Society's Rules, and How to Bend them Back is out now.You can also  find out more about Bruce and his projects  via his website: https://www.schneier.com/blog/about/As of now, my podcast is biweekly and prior to an episode I’ll let you know what book/audiobook I’ll be listening to before the next show so we can delve into it together!Please don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast so you’re in the loop whenever a new episode comes out.www.instagram.com/SoundsAboutPodwww.twitter.com/SoundsAboutPodAre you an author that will like to be  on the next episode of the podcast?Listeners: Did I cover a book you read or listened to? Did I discuss the things which also stuck out to you? Or did I miss it out?..... get in touch, and let me know what your experience was or to give me audiobook recommendations: soundsaboutpod@gmail.com

Eleanor's current research focuses on the conceptualisation of sex and its influence on society in the medieval and early modern period.She speacialises in sexuality, propaganda, apocalypticism, urbanity, and empire, in the late medieval and early modern periods, with a particular emphasis on Bohemia and the Holy Roman Empire. She holds a PhD in History and an MA in Medieval Studies from University College London, and a BA in History from Loyola University Chicago.I spoke to her about her latest book The Once and Future Sex: Going Medieval on Women’s Roles in Society  Some of the topics we discussed includes: How heavily has the medieval period influenced societies ideas of women today?How the medievals were influenced by ancient Greece?  and what were the similarities between medieval and Christian textThe influence of literature, most notably: The Canterbury Tales and Courtly LoveWhy were the medievals so vague when describing woman's beauty?The medieval theologians thoughts on sex and how at the time the common belief was that women had an insatiable desire for it.Do we still have a long way to go when it comes to breaking down barriers of objectifying women?  The Book and Audiobook:  The Once and Future Sex: Going Medieval on Women’s Roles in Society is out now.You can also  find out more about Eleanor and her projects via her linktree:  https://linktr.ee/EleanorJanega Or follow her on twitter @GoingMedievalAs of now, my podcast is biweekly and prior to an episode I’ll let you know what book/audiobook I’ll be listening to before the next show so we can delve into it together!Please don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast so you’re in the loop whenever a new episode comes out.www.instagram.com/SoundsAboutPodwww.twitter.com/SoundsAboutPodAre you an author that will like to be  on the next episode of the podcast?Listeners: Did I cover a book you read or listened to? Did I discuss the things which also stuck out to you? Or did I miss it out?..... get in touch, and let me know what your experience was or to give me audiobook recommendations: soundsaboutpod@gmail.com