Book Review - Thinking at the Speed of Bias

About the Book
In Thinking at the Speed of Bias respected DEI expert Sara Taylor presents a down-to-earth guide on how to tackle unconscious biases and foster true equity in our rapidly changing world. Through relatable examples and practical strategies, readers learn to deliberately slow down their thought processes and become aware of their filters in various situations. Taylor encourages readers to question their own assumptions by asking, "Do I know that what I'm thinking is actually true?" and "Why might I be reacting this way?"

 
The book demonstrates the importance of a clear set of competencies, skills, and strategies for addressing unconscious bias. By developing a culturally competent mindset and using a shared, holistic language to discuss these issues, readers gain the tools to understand, discuss, and implement change both at home and in the workplace. This approach avoids blame or shame, making it accessible and empowering for everyone.

 

The book's insights extend beyond individuals; it demonstrates how organizations can scale up cultural competence to transform their structures and systems. With a strong sense of hope, readers are empowered to make a difference, creating a more just and equitable world for all. 

My Take on the Book
"Thinking at the Speed of Bias" by Sara Taylor is a transformative guide for individuals and organizations eager to address unconscious bias. Taylor's engaging style makes complex ideas accessible, allowing readers to understand and challenge their internal biases. The book emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and offers practical tools for promoting equity and inclusion.

Having examined my biases and actively worked toward equality for nearly a decade, I found Taylor's insights invaluable. Her focus on the need for personal responsibility rather than relying on marginalized groups for education is a powerful reminder of the ongoing effort required for genuine change. Taylor's detailed stages of filter shift development are particularly helpful for understanding the gradual nature of this journey.

While some chapters discuss influence on larger systems, which felt beyond my immediate impact, I realized the significance of my contributions within my community. My involvement in a church that recently became a Creation Justice Church and continues to grow in diversity highlights the importance of grassroots change. Spending time with diverse families at church and community events has enriched my understanding and commitment to equity.

Each chapter concludes with a Reflection and Action section, encouraging practical application of the concepts discussed. The inclusion of a Discussion Guide enhances the book's utility for group study, making it an excellent resource for both personal and collective growth. "Thinking at the Speed of Bias" is essential for anyone committed to fostering a more just and inclusive world.



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Book Review - The Art of Inside Out 2

About the Book

In The Art of Inside Out 2 you get a stunning book showcases the art, behind-the-scenes details, and making of the Disney and Pixar animated feature film Inside Out 2.

The next in the fan-favorite, collectible Art of series, The Art of Inside Out 2 presents the story behind the newest film from Pixar Animation Studios and the sequel to the beloved blockbuster Inside Out. It highlights the stunning artwork from the film's creation—including character designs, storyboards, color scripts, and much more—and features exclusive interviews with the creative team along with behind-the-scenes details. This book is the perfect gift for aspiring artists, animators, film buffs, and fans.

My Take on the Book
This was a fantastic book that really captured the artwork of this emotional and poignant film. The book walks you through the movie and allows you to go behind the scenes to better understand the artwork and the craft of animation. My whole family loved this film and they loved going deeper into the film with this book and you will too!

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Book Review - Feeling Feelings: Inside Out: A Guided Emotions Journal

About the Book

In Feeling Feelings: Inside Out: A Guided Emotions Journal, you can write down your thoughts and feelings with the help of Joy, Sadness, and the rest of the Emotions from Disney and Pixar’s Inside Out films.

This mindfulness journal is just the thing to encourage you to check in with yourself and manage your feelings throughout the day. With journaling space for goal setting in the morning and reflection in the evening, this simple mood tracker journal uses the films’ characters to help you express your emotions and jot down your feelings in an approachable, Pixar-inspired way.


My Take on the Book

Have you ever felt like your emotions were a bit of a mystery? Like you needed a little help understanding what was going on inside your head? Well, Disney and Pixar have come to the rescue with their delightful guided emotions journal, "Feeling Feelings: Inside Out: A Guided Emotions Journal."

In this wonderful journal, you'll find yourself guided though your own emotions from characters from the film. The journal is designed to encourage mindfulness and self-awareness, offering a gentle nudge to check in with yourself and manage your feelings throughout the day.

There is plenty of room in the book to set goals for yourself as well as track your mood and better understand ways to express your own emotions to others.

Overall, the book allows you to better connect to your own emotions by being honest about how you are truly feeling. I gave this to my own daughter and she absolutely adored it! With the release of the new Inside Out movie, her interest in understanding her emotions has only grown. The book has helped her to better explain her emotions. 

This is a great book that will really help your kids with understanding and expressing their emotions!

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Book Review - Dad Truths: The Good, the Bad, and the Exhausting from the Frontlines of Parenting

About the Book
Dad Truths is your antidote to the aspirational parenting craze; this collection of laugh-out-loud stories and non-advice provides much needed real talk and commiseration for parents everywhere. 

You’ve read every other parenting guide, and you still don’t know whether you’re a good parent. Mike Julianelle, the Brooklyn-based dad and founder of Dad and Buried, is here to tell you exactly what you want to hear—that you’re already great and the kids are the problem. Jokes aside, this book provides the help that every fed-up and exhausted parent needs to survive another day, including short essays, funny illustrations, and jokes on topic such as: 

• You Can’t Handle the Baby-Proof 
• We’re All Mad Here—Well, Mostly the Toddler 
• Stay at Home Dad Trial 
• Surviving Disney World 
• The Ultimate Dad Pep Talk 

In this hilarious book, Mike Julianelle will remind you to cut yourself some slack. Parenting is no easy feat and if you’re here, you’re already a pretty great dad.

My Take on the Book
Get ready to laugh, but also learn in this great new book. The book really touches on a ton of topics that every father will relate to as they go through different phases of fatherhood. The book provides a realistic view of parenting and does not hold back the truth, but the author does this in a fun way. If you know a dad, especially one with young kids, this is great book and a great gift!

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Book Review - Elevate Your Emotional Intelligence: A Parable That Reveals the Path to Better Relationships and a Happier Life

About the Book

Did you know that Emotional Intelligence is a better predictor of success than IQ?

Cultivating emotional intelligence is central to achieving lasting success, whether you're navigating personal relationships, progressing in your career, or striving for personal growth.

The great news is - you CAN RAISE your level of emotional intelligence. AND it's not that difficult!

As a leadership coach, trainer, and speaker, In Elevate Your Emotional Intelligence Kathy Stoddard Torrey takes us on a five-step journey into the fascinating realm of Emotional Intelligence. This insightful and compelling parable provides practical strategies and tools for self-discovery and transformation.

You'll follow the story of Maria, a life and leadership coach who passed away unexpectedly and returns post-death to help her husband, John, navigate the complexities of human emotions. You'll watch John's progress as he ultimately transforms himself, his family, and his workplace through simple exercises that Maria suggests.

My Take on the Book
In this book you get a story that allows you to truly see the impact that we have on other people and the impact that they have on as too. The author does a great job of creating a story that really allows you to better understand emotional intelligence and the need for this in your personal and professional lives. The book provides actionable lessons in a parable format that make the concepts easy to understand and incorporate into your life. I found the book to be something that I kept thinking about after reading it and I am already seeing myself incorporate the lessons into my life and you will find this to be the case too!

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Book Review - Name, Claim & Reframe Workbook: Your Companion Guide to a Well-Lived Life

About the Book
Take a deeper dive into self-discovery with this new workbook offeringa revolutionary pathway designed to better help and guide people to handle stress, distress and life's turbulent plot twists.

Selected as the Best Motivational Read of 2023 on the Today Show, Andrea Mein DeWitt's book Name, Claim & Reframe presented a simple yet powerful strategy to help one navigate life's challenges through her breakthrough 3-way model which guides people to:

• NAME the source of your pain point; your triggers and limiting beliefs.
• CLAIM resonant actions that align with your core values.
• REFRAME your thinking so you can proceed with strategic and visionary optimism.

The Name Claim & Reframe Workbook goes deeper into this model by breaking it up into smaller, interactive modules that allows readers to experiment with new approaches to deepen their understanding about what works best for them.

With each consecutive module, readers will find prompts and exercises to help them to process what they are learning and to better understand how this model applies to them and the life they hope create.

The Name, Claim & Reframe Workbook gives readers the opportunity to call up a more responsive mindset so they can navigate dissonate interactions and plot twists with more attuned awareness. They will feel more balanced emotionally because they are leading from the inside, by choosing to listen first to their truth so they can approach adversity with a calm, cool and collected mindset.

My Take on the Book
I love practical books that allow you to really step up your own game when it comes to being better personally and professionally. This book does just that. As a workbook, it challenges you to take actionable steps that will help you identify, name, and externally express the things standing in your way so that you can take the next step in removing the challenges and barriers. The book allows you to face the challenges head-on, and in the end, you leave with a plan of attack to help you be your whole self regarding your life journey. This powerful book will move you positively in the right direction!

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Book Review - Aliveness Mindset: Lead and Live with More Passion, Purpose, and Joy

About the Book
Jack Craven’s Aliveness Mindset is an invitation for anyone feeling stuck to awaken to a life of renewed passion, greater purpose, and authentic joy.

When did you last feel truly alive? What if you could experience that feeling not just once in a while but every single day?

That is the promise and goal of an Aliveness Mindset. You are fully capable of bringing the best, most vibrantly alive version of yourself into the world day after day. Aliveness is already within you, but you have to define it and find it, guard it and grow it. It must be discovered because you are unique and so is your experience of aliveness.

In Aliveness Mindset, executive coach Jack Craven shares the principles and strategies he has used to lead countless CEOs and high-level business leaders into a more fulfilling, authentic life. His practices are not a series of impersonal steps or a formula to blindly follow but rather an organic process of self-understanding and personal growth.

In Aliveness Mindset, you will:

1. Create your own Aliveness Mindset.
2. Learn the simple yet powerful components of the Circle of Aliveness.
3. Discover the unique way you experience aliveness and how to remain in this “Optimal State” despite the ups and downs of life.
4. Understand the seven components of an Aliveness Mindset and how they work together to power your aliveness journey.
5. Receive practical, proven strategies to restore and expand your experience of aliveness.

My Take on the Book
What I loved about this book is that it allows you to work on yourself on a much deeper level and create a better version of yourself both personally and professionally. The book allows you to see that you cannot always control everything in your life but that there are things that you can do to take control of your mindset to be able to better align all aspects to create a better you. The book is easy to read and the author is very transparent on his own journey and things that have worked well for him as well. The framework is one that you can start implementing right away which makes this book one that I plan to keep using for years to come!  

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