Take a Break: Sip, Read, Relax: Introducing 'The Coffee Break Newsletter'

Plus, personal recommendations: the book I read twice so far this year, Ryan Gosling, and a podcast you need to listen to if you're writing on Substack.

Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

As promised last week, I wanted to share with you the motivation behind my new project. I've decided to delete TWD and rename my publication to ‘The Coffee Break Newsletter’. 

This is not to proclaim my love and enjoyment of coffee since I was 14. Yep, you read it right. I’ve been hooked on this “devil’s cup” since spending Saturday mornings with my dad in his office. Don’t feel bad for me; I was not doing much work. Since then, I’ve admired my dad, who built his own business from absolutely nothing. My dad was the type of person who refused to work for anyone else but himself—I should have walked in his steps—but that’s a story for another day. 

In some sense, this publication brings me closer to the Saturdays we spent together in his office or on the road, checking the progress of some of the development buildings he was overseeing. 

Another way to think about it is that my dad worked too much. Seriously, we would go on holiday, and he’d stay behind to work. Not because he did not have money to pay for it; he preferred not to. He chose work over taking breaks. He built his own business, accomplished tremendous success, and piled a good wealth. He died young (55). I love you, Dad, always.

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I want the coffee break newsletter to be a reminder that it’s okay to take a break no matter how much you adore your work or how devoted you are. 

It's your weekly permission slip to pause, breathe, and remember that life is more than your job description. It's a reminder that it's not just okay to take a break – it's absolutely necessary for your sanity, your creativity, and yes, your eventual escape plan. 

It’s okay to slow down and read something you’d normally not come across—consider it a recommendation and chat with your good friend over a cup of coffee. 

Where you share tips, get into a deeper passion-fueled discussion and gain a fresh perspective as a result of it. 

How often can you expect the recommendations + recap edition?

Once a month. I'll be sliding into your inbox with a mix of curated recommendations and recaps.

Think of it as your literary espresso shot. A jolt of inspiration to get you through the week. A place to discover new books, podcasts, and ideas that'll fuel your writing and remind you why you started down this path in the first place. 

But you know the old saying: “Actions speak louder than words”. With that said, let me give you a taste of what Sunday’s newsletter will look like. 

BOOK: "Hidden Potential" by Adam Grant

The best book I read so far this year¹ whilst sipping my coffee (yes, I know it’s a bit dramatic since we are only 6 months in)-well, I found this particular book to be just the right type of book for the right time. 

Grant explores: Do you have to be born with a talent to achieve success? Spoiler–Nope. There’s another way for those of us with less talent to nurture and develop our potential. 

Grant believes that we can achieve far beyond our initial capabilities with the right strategies, support, and mindset. He backs up this idea with a mix of research, case studies, and personal stories that show how people, often underdogs, discovered their hidden potential and accomplished remarkable outcomes.

The key points to remember, highlight and underline:

• Believe that with dedication and hard work, your abilities can grow.

• Work hard and stay committed to your goals, even when faced with challenges.

• Embracing failure helps you grow stronger and better prepared for future obstacles.

• Find mentors who can guide and support you, providing constructive feedback.

• Stay curious and open to new experiences, always seeking to learn and grow.

• Develop effective strategies and approaches to reach your goals.

• Surround yourself with people who believe in your potential and encourage you.

Have you read it yet? What were your key takeaways? Also, if you’re a fan, you can find him here on Substack, too, at

Granted

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MOVIES: “The Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” vs. “Fall Guy”

I’ve been waiting for the Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes release day for months. To my disappointment, it was a good movie to fall asleep to after being up since 4:00 a.m. On the other hand, Fall Guy, I managed to watch twice in three weeks before it disappeared from normal viewing hours in cinemas. So, you make your judgement between the two. 

"Fall Guy" is an action-comedy with my recent fav Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt. The film celebrates the daring and often underappreciated world of stunts while delivering an engaging and fun storyline.

I am going to stop here because I don’t want to spoil it for you.

But I will leave you with this memorable line:

"You don't need to be a superhero to do super things."

And because no good coffee break is complete without a little gossip, I’ve got a couple of podcast suggestions for you.

PODCASTS: “Active Voice” and “Rotten Mango”

Morning podcast: Active voice—Substack’s own podcast. I know what you’re thinking — Have I been living under the rock? Sorry, there are as many podcasts piled up waiting to be listened to on my iPhone as there are stacks of books on my bedside table waiting to be read. 

"Active Voice"² is a podcast focused on exploring the world of Substack. Hosted by journalist and author Hamish McKenzie, who is also, by no coincidence, a co-founder of Substack.

Listening to the Active Voice will help you get the inside scoop on how big-name writers are making it work on Substack. (They're just like us, only with better time management skills and possibly fancier coffee makers.)

Afternoon podcast, which I would not recommend to listen to in the morning. Never, ever!

"Rotten Mango" is a captivating podcast that delves into the depths of true crime and mystery. It is hosted by Stephanie Soo, who is incredibly engaging and empathetic.

Each episode takes you on a thrilling journey through some of the darkest corners of human nature, exploring chilling cases, unsolved mysteries, and the psychology behind some of the most infamous crimes.

I adore Soo's approach to storytelling; it’s informative and compassionate, and her research is meticulously combined into a thought-provoking exploration of the darker aspects of human behaviour.

Whether you're a true crime fan or simply curious about the world's darker stories, I’d say give it a go.

And we will wrap up here. Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed the new format.

1. Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things by Adam Grant

2. Introducing The Active Voice, a new podcast about writing and the internet