Shortform Books

Charlie Ledley and Jamie Mai: Bit Players to Millionaires (Cornwall Capital)

Who are Charlie Ledley and Jamie Mai? And how did they turn $110,000 into $80 million? Charlie Ledley and Jamie Mai are the founders of Cornwall Capital, a New York City investment corporation. They shorted the housing market before the 2008 financial crisis and were featured in the book and movie The Big Short. We’ll cover how Charlie Ledley and Jamie Mai got their start in investing and how they went from second-class citizens in the financial world to major Wall Street players.

Prioritize and Execute (from Jocko’s Extreme Ownership)

There are times when it feels like everything goes wrong at once, and that there is no way to accomplish everything at the same time. In these situations, a leader has to be able to calmly take stock of the situation, decide what needs to happen first, and carry it out; this Law of Combat is called Prioritize and Execute. Trying to address several issues at the same time is overwhelming and inefficient. Most likely, you are only dividing your attention and won’t be able to tackle any of them effectively. Instead — even when it feels like five fires

Weight Gain During Pregnancy: What’s Normal?

Weight gain is a top topic for your prenatal care visits. Gain too much or too little weight, and the child is at risk (and your doctor will probably complain). Even more, the concept of “eating for two” may stimulate pregnant women to overeat. We’ll cover what the normal weight gain during pregnancy is, and how much exceeds the expected weight gain.

What Is a Subprime Mortgage? How It Works, Who It’s For

Suburban Flight and The Role of The Government

What is a subprime mortgage? How did subprime lending contribute to the 2008 financial crisis? A subprime mortgage is a home loan given to someone with a low credit score, indicating there’s a higher risk the borrower might default on the loan. Learn why subprime mortgages are risky and how subprime loans contributed to the 2008 financial crisis.

Chances of Going Into Labor at 35, 36, 37, 38+ Weeks

As you cross the 36th week of pregnancy, you’re past the preterm period (hooray!) but then you start worrying the baby will never come out. The baby is normally due at 40 weeks. What are the chances of going into labor slightly early, at 36 weeks, 37 weeks, or 38 weeks? Find out here.

Can I Drink Coffee When Pregnant? What Science Says

There’s a lot of stigma and confusion around the use of substances in pregnancy. In perhaps the most provocative part of Expecting Better, Oster argues that caffeine and alcohol, in moderation, show no evidence of being harmful to the child.

Buck’s Peak: Why Tara Westover Escaped the Mountain

Where is Buck’s Peak? What was Educated author Tara Westover’s life there like? Buck’s Peak is a remote mountain in Franklin County, Idaho and childhood home of author Tara Westover. Growing up in Buck’s Peak, Westover experienced more than just ideological extremism. Her parents’ beliefs had real-world consequences for the children, which frequently put Tara and her siblings in grave danger. Whether it was through near-death experiences in car crashes or maimings in the junkyard where her father Gene forced his children to work, it was a constant struggle for survival on Buck’s Peak.

Zulu & Xhosa Rivalry—How It Almost Killed Trevor Noah

Who are the Zulu and Xhosa? What is the history of the tension between the two communities? When comedian Trevor Noah was growing up in South Africa, the Zulu and Xhosa rivalry was strong and potentially deadly. We’ll briefly cover the history of the Zulu-Xhosa feud and look at how it affected Noah’s childhood.

Food and Politics: Don’t Trust U.S. Dietary Guidelines

“Big Food” is an influential industry–their positions as key economic players in the U.S. gives them influence in the government. But how closely tied are food and politics? And how does it affect American citizens? We’ll look at extended examples of ways the food industry influences policy, and we’ll cover how this affects you.

Decentralized Command (from Jocko’s Extreme Ownership)

You can be the best leader in the world, but you’re still human and you simply can’t do everything yourself. Decentralized Command is a form of delegating that allows leaders to stay focused on their unique job — leading the overall team in pursuit of the larger goal — by allowing each junior leader and team member under them to carry out her own unique job.