Shortform Books

The Importance of Fiber in the Diet (+ How to Get Enough)

How does fiber break down in the body? Why is it important to ensure you’re getting enough fiber? Because we cannot break down fiber, it retains its structure while moving through our digestive system. This means that it doesn’t provide us with energy from glucose molecules. However, it does help keep our gut microbiome (the bacteria living in our digestive system) healthy. Keep reading to learn about the importance of fiber in the diet and what happens in your body when you eat fiber.

How Matthew Perry’s Childhood Paved His Future

What was Matthew Perry’s childhood like? When did the actor have his first experience with drugs? In Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, actor Matthew Perry recounts his life’s ups and downs, from his childhood to adulthood. His childhood is what shaped many of the struggles he had in later life, and is key to understanding his life’s journey. Let’s dive into Matthew Perry’s childhood and what led him to drugs.

Susan Cain’s Bittersweet: Book Overview & Key Takeaways

What is Susan Cain’s Bittersweet about? Do you have a bittersweet personality? How can we embrace the bittersweetness of life? In her book Bittersweet, Susan Cain explores the bittersweet temperament, which involves experiencing joy, sadness, and yearning simultaneously. Cain argues that we can embrace bittersweetness to find greater meaning and wisdom in life, even if we don’t have a naturally bittersweet disposition. Read on for a brief overview of Susan Cain’s book Bittersweet.

Joe Navarro: What Every Body Is Saying (Book Overview)

What is Joe Navarro’s What Every Body Is Saying about? What is the key message to take away from the book? In What Every Body Is Saying, former FBI agent Joe Navarro provides expert insights into how to decipher body language. He argues that by practicing good observation skills and learning to decode universal patterns of behavior, you can master the language of nonverbal communication, gain access to people’s true thoughts and feelings, and detect signs of deception. Below is a brief overview of What Every Body Is Saying by Joe Navarro.

The Strauss-Howe Generational Theory (From The Fourth Turning)

Which generation are you? What role do you play in society right now? Do you fit the archetype? According to historian William Strauss and consultant Neil Howe, each generation in society fits into one of four different archetypes: the Prophet, the Nomad, the Hero, and the Artist. In The Fourth Turning, they discuss the role the generations play in each cycle of history. Read on to learn about the Strauss-Howe generational theory, its applications, and its implications.

How Much Has the Earth Warmed? A Deeper Investigation

How much has Earth warmed in the last couple of hundred years? What constitutes an actual change in climate? Former energy industry scientist Steven E. Koonin contends that the Earth’s temperature has warmed since 1900. However, he says that we need to consider two more patterns that contribute to our overall understanding of the matter. Continue reading for Koonin’s assessment of the global temperature increase.

The Psychedelic Revolution: Main Barriers to Success

What is the psychedelic revolution? How is today’s revolution being challenged? What are the main obstacles? In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in higher states of consciousness and some say we’re in a new psychedelic revolution. In their book Stealing Fire, Stephen Kotler and Jamie Wheal explain the main challenges to the success of the revolution. Read on to learn about the psychedelic revolution and the challenges it faces, according to Kotler and Wheal.

How to Confront Your Fears & Accept Challenges

Do you want to live to your fullest potential? How do you confront your fears to do so? Your fears may be holding you back in life, but you can overcome them. The Way of the SEAL by Mark Divine guides you through confronting your fears so you can reach your potential. Here’s how to confront your fears and be the person you’re meant to be.

The Health Benefits of Hot and Cold Therapy

What are the benefits of hot and cold therapy? How does exposing your body to extreme temperatures help you increase your immunity and ward off disease? Hot therapy and cold therapy are often used to treat sports injuries, but you don’t need to be injured to reap their health benefits. Research shows that exposing your body to extreme heat and cold can help prevent the onset of disease and improve your immunity. Keep reading to learn about the health benefits and hot and cold therapy.

Debate: Is Natural Gas “Green Energy” or a Fossil Fuel?

Is natural gas “green energy” or a fossil fuel? Does natural gas harm the environment? On January 6, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed a bill into law classifying natural gas as “green energy.” Tying the “green” label to a fossil fuel that drives global warming has created some confusion, but it’s a potentially powerful branding tool for U.S. leaders seeking to advance their respective causes. Read on to learn about the debate surrounding natural gas and the “green energy” label.