Shortform Books

Just Listen: Book Overview (Mark Goulston)

What is Mark Goulston’s book Just Listen about? What’s the key message to take away from the book? In his book Just Listen, Mark Goulston explains that if you want to change someone’s mind or behavior, listening is the most important step. When you listen effectively, the person you’re trying to connect with feels heard, understood, and valuable, and it motivates them to open up to you in return. Below is a brief overview of Mark Goulston’s book Just Listen: Discover the Secret to Getting Through to Absolutely Anyone.

Shortform Reads: Where Witchcraft, Ecology, and Psychology Collide

What book acts as a portal to another realm? What lesser-known book inspired some of the Harry Potter series? Lauren is a Shortform guide writer from Colorado. She’ll read pretty much anything (unless it has to do with money).

Chatter by Ethan Kross: Book Overview

What is Ethan Kross’s Chatter about? What is the key message to take away from the book? In his book Chatter, neuroscientist and experimental psychologist Ethan Kross explores the private conversations we have with ourselves and how they impact our well-being and life outcomes. Further, he lays out practical strategies to help you silence your inner critic and rewire your mind for more positivity. Keep reading for a brief overview of Ethan Kross’s book The Voice in Our Head, Why It Matters, and How to Harness It.

Traits of Anti-Seducers: Don’t Be a Turn-Off

What does Robert Greene mean by anti-seduction? What qualities does Greene describe as anti-seductive? As the name suggests, anti-seduction is the opposite of seduction—it’s behavior that people find repellent or off-putting. In other words, anti-seduction is being what people call a “turn-off.” Keep reading to learn about the major qualities of anti-seducers, according to Robert Greene.

Open Awareness: Letting Your Attention Run Free

What’s open awareness? What is it good for? Does it have a downside? When your brain isn’t using selective attention—choosing where you direct your attention—it’s using open awareness. This is a passive, rather than deliberate, state of attention. Continue reading to learn more about open awareness, including its benefits and drawbacks.

How Old Is the Planet, and How Do We Know?

How old is the planet? How do scientists estimate the age of the earth? What assumptions are part of the calculation? In the middle of the twentieth century, scientists developed a system to help them determine the age of rocks. This, along with an assumption about the formation of the solar system, allowed them to estimate the age of the Earth. Keep reading for an exposition of the Earth’s age.

Informed Decision-Making in Healthcare: How to Assess Outcomes

When you’re making medical decisions, what do you consider? How do you evaluate your options? Medical decisions are some of the most important decisions you make. Neuroscientist Daniel J. Levitin argues that you shouldn’t try to intuit such decisions because your brain just isn’t good at it. He recommends using a fourfold table to analyze the information you’re working with. Continue reading to learn how to use this process for informed decision-making in healthcare.

Challenging Negative Self-Talk: Strategies and Tips

Is your mind overwhelmed by negativity? How can you stop negative self-talk and train yourself to think more positively? According to neuroscientist and psychologist Ethan Kross, we can’t stop negative self-talk completely, but we can quiet it and therefore reduce its power over us. In his book Chatter, he shares five research-based strategies for challenging negative self-talk. Here’s how we can prevent our negative self-talk from interfering with our success, happiness, and health.

4 Myths About Abuse: Debunking the Lies

What are some myths about abuse? Is domestic abuse intentional or are abusers victims as well? Domestic abuse is a serious issue that many people don’t know they’re a victim of. In Why Does He Do That?, Lundy Bancroft dispels common misconceptions about abuse that people should be aware of. Continue reading to learn the myths people believe about domestic abuse and why they’re not real.

The Human Connection: What We All Have in Common

What is the center point of the human connection? What do all humans have in common? In Self-Compassion, Kristin Neff says that engaging in self-compassion means being aware that the pain you feel is the same pain others feel during hard times. Recognizing suffering as a connection point bonds you to all human beings. Keep reading to learn what connects human beings on a grounded level.