111 | Books, Resources and Moon River

What are the most impactful books, podcasts, and resources for leadership, business, faith, and personal growth?

In this special Ask Chris episode, Craig asks a fantastic question:

“I spend about two hours a day in the car and use it as ‘Automobile University.’ What books and resources have impacted you the most?”

So we brought in the whole crew — Chris, Joel, and Keith — to share the books, podcasts, tools, and even movies that have shaped our thinking, leadership, and business growth.

If you’re transitioning careers, building a business, or just hungry to grow — this episode is packed with resources.

What You’ll Learn

• The business books that shaped Chris’s leadership philosophy
• The financial resource that completely changed Joel’s relationship with money
• How “start with why” transforms the way you sell, lead, and communicate
• Why organizational health matters more than strategy alone
• The mindset shift that separates growth-oriented leaders from stagnant ones
• How to transition careers wisely and intentionally
• Marketing podcasts that sharpen your online business skills
• Why productivity is about multiplication — not just prioritization
• The power of healthy boundaries in life and leadership
• Why accountability, mentorship, and community are non-negotiable for growth
• The importance of pouring knowledge out — not just consuming it
• A movie that will inspire you to stop letting life pass you by

Chris’s Picks:

• Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap…And Others Don’t
• The Advantage: Why Organizational Health Trumps Everything Else In Business
• Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done
• Business Secrets from the Bible: Spiritual Success Strategies for Financial Abundance
• Procrastinate on Purpose: 5 Permissions to Multiply Your Time
• The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
• Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action
• Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life

Chris shares leadership classics, organizational health must-reads, and powerful faith-based business principles that have shaped how he leads companies and coaches entrepreneurs.

Joel’s Picks:

• The Total Money Makeover: Classic Edition: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness
• Quitter: Closing the Gap Between Your Day Job & Your Dream Job
• WEIRD: Because Normal Isn’t Working
• https://ilovemarketing.com/
• Advanced Selling Podcast
• Amy Porterfield

Joel focuses heavily on financial health, marketing, and making intentional career transitions. If you’re switching paths or building something new, these are powerful resources.

Keith’s Picks:

• Business for the Glory of God: The Bible’s Teaching on the Moral Goodness of Business
• What’s Best Next: How the Gospel Transforms the Way You Get Things Done
• Mindset: The New Psychology of Success
• The Personal MBA: Master the Art of Business
• James Altucher
• Fizzle Show Podcast
• Traction: A Startup Guide to Getting Customers
• 80/20 Sales and Marketing: The Definitive Guide to Working Less and Making More
• Bryan Harris – VideoFruit Blog
• Noah Kagan – okdork Blog

Keith dives deep into faith-driven business thinking, productivity systems, growth mindset principles, and marketing traction strategies.

Bonus:

One More Thing: Inspiration

• The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Sometimes growth isn’t just about business — it’s about stepping into adventure.

This film is a reminder not to let life pass you by. Don’t live stuck in fear. Don’t stay in neutral. Build the business. Take the risk. Pursue the calling.

The Big Takeaway

Information alone doesn’t change your life.

• You must apply what you learn.
• You must build accountability and community.
• You must surround yourself with mentors and peers who challenge you.
• And you must pour knowledge back out into others.

Otherwise, you become a consumer instead of a leader.

If you’ve got drive time, use it. Build your own “Automobile University.” Grow intentionally.

Question for You:

What book, podcast, or resource has impacted your life the most?

Drop it in the comments — we’re always looking to add to the list.

Thanks for listening folks!

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