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Avi Hakhamanesh
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Avi Hakhamanesh
6

SAVVY Discoveries

Insights. Inspiration. Resources.

Inject a dose of inspiration into your every day life

Curated Content Collections

(The below buttons will take you to each section directly)
Videos

Videos

Resources

Books


In the age of information and content overload, it’s hard to figure out what is actually worth our time.

We compile lists of books, articles, TV shows and podcasts to check out. But when then can’t find or recall our lists when we need them.

Most of us also tend to search for new stuff even when we haven’t yet made it through what’s on our lists.

I mean, can you tell me that Mos Def’s Miss Fat Booty isn’t still up there as one of your top jams?

Or that Goodfellas isn’t worth watching at least once a year? Well, I’m biased since its my favorite movie of all time.

The Great Gatsby has new nuggets in store every time I read it. And although I was introduced to Cialdini’s Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion in business school, it remains my go-to book on persuasive communication.

So, on this page you’ll find a personally curated collection of books, websites, videos, blogs/articles, resources and tools I have personally loved, find valuable and relevant, and believe are worth sharing.

It is a collection I will continue to expand, so drop by from time to time for new additions.

  • An image of Mos Def Record with the single Miss Fat Booty
    Come on people. Tell me this is not still one of your top jams!
  • Goodfellas Movie Poster
  • The Great Gatsby Book Cover
  • Influence The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini Book Cover 2

Videos

If you only have 20 minutes or less, I recommend checking out one of the videos below. You can scroll through the orange dots to see the full collection.

Business, Brand and Inspiration

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Marketing author Seth Godin discusses five of his most well-known books + more: Permission Marketing Purple Cow All Marketers Are Liars Tribes Linchpin The Icarus Deception Read the full story on Nordic Business Report: http://www.nbforum.com/nbreport/the-brief-history-of-set …
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View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/malcolm-gladwell-on-spaghetti-sauce Tipping Point author Malcolm Gladwell gets inside the food industry’s pursuit of the perfect spaghetti sauce — and makes a larger argument about the nature of choice and happiness. Talk by Malc …
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Seth Godin explains How to Use Soft Skills in Business to Gain New Customers and Attract Amazing Employees with Bryan Elliott, host of Behind the Brand. Get Behind the Brand and Subscribe! http://bit.ly/GetBehindtheBrand What’s in My Gear Bag? Btw – When you purchase via my …
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Seth Godin breaks down the brilliance of Nike’s brand strategy. Seth is a bestselling author, teacher and speaker. His new book, This is Marketing is probably the first and last book you’ll ever need to buy on marketing. Hope you enjoy this Behind the Brand look with Seth. TH …
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New Yorker staff writer and best-selling author Malcolm Gladwell talks to Inc.’s Issie Lapowsky about business lessons from his latest book, David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants. Watch more of our conversation with Malcolm Gladwell here http:/ …
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Malcolm Gladwell is the author of five New York Times bestsellers — «The Tipping Point», «Blink», «Outliers», «What the Dog Saw», and now, his latest, «David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits and the Art of Battling Giants». He has been named one of the 100 most influential peop …

Practical Psychology

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Highlights from a PopTech Talk by Sociologist Malcolm Gladwell, author of “Outliers: The Story of Success.” “When we observe differences in how individuals succeed in the world our initial thought is always to say, to argue that that is the result of some kind of innate diffe …
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Never miss a talk! SUBSCRIBE to the TEDx channel: http://bit.ly/1FAg8hB In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combi …
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An inspirational and profound speech from the late philosopher Alan Watts. Original Audio sourced from: “Alan Watts – ‘On Yoga’ from Ways of Liberation” Produced and Edited by T&H Inspiration Follow the Alan Watts Organization: Speech courtesy of alanwatts.org Instagram: h …
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Tim Urban knows that procrastination doesn’t make sense, but he’s never been able to shake his habit of waiting until the last minute to get things done. In this hilarious and insightful talk, Urban takes us on a journey through YouTube binges, Wikipedia rabbit holes and bouts …
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If you enjoyed the video please leave a like, comment and share it to help support the channel. Also SUBSCRIBE for more content… Speaker: Alan Watts Full lectures: https://www.alanwatts.com/ Learn more: https://www.alanwatts.org/ 👍Follow the Alan Watts Organization: https …
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Having a nervous breakdown could seem like the ultimate calamity. Far from it. Handled correctly, it can be a unique opportunity to learn – and to get properly well. For books and more from The School of Life, visit our online shop: https://goo.gl/xQbjf7 Join our mailing list: …
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Visit http://TED.com to get our entire library of TED Talks, subtitles, translations, personalized Talk recommendations and more. In a moving talk, journalist Johann Hari shares fresh insights on the causes of depression and anxiety from experts around the world — as well as …
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Alan Wilson Watts (6 January 1915 – 16 November 1973) was a well-known British philosopher, writer and speaker, best known for his interpretation of Eastern philosophy for Western audiences. He left behind more than 25 books and an audio library of nearly 400 talks, which are …
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Gabor Maté CM (born January 6, 1944) is a Hungarian-born Canadian physician. He has a background in family practice and a special interest in childhood development and trauma, and in their potential lifelong impacts on physical and mental health, including on autoimmune diseas …
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There is a widespread tendency to assume that others must know what we mean and want without us having actually told them clearly. We assume that if they don’t, then it must be a sign that they are being wicked or deliberately obtuse. The truth is we have forgotten the funda …
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There are few more important tasks for parents than to be able to listen properly to their children. It’s on the basis of having been listened to with close sympathy and imagination that a child will later on be able to accept themselves. Sign up to our new newsletter and get …
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We often say we ‘didn’t get on too well’ with our father or that our mother was ‘slightly neglectful’ thinking we have a solid grip on events. However it is these compressed, ready-made, affectless accounts that stand in the way of properly connecting with our past and thereby …

Creativity

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Find an accurate transcript (and subtitles in 46 languages) on ted.com: http://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius/transcript?language=en “Eat, Pray, Love” author Elizabeth Gilbert muses on the impossible things we expect from artists and geniuses — and shares the …
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Watch with subtitles in 30 languages on ted.com: http://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_gilbert_success_failure_and_the_drive_to_keep_creating/ Elizabeth Gilbert was once an “unpublished diner waitress,” devastated by rejection letters. And yet, in the wake of the success of ‘Eat …
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Visit http://TED.com to get our entire library of TED Talks, transcripts, translations, personalized talk recommendations and more. How do creative people come up with great ideas? Organizational psychologist Adam Grant studies “originals”: thinkers who dream up new ideas and …
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What can we learn from the world’s most enduringly creative people? They “slow-motion multitask,” actively juggling multiple projects and moving between topics as the mood strikes — without feeling hurried. Author Tim Harford shares how innovators like Einstein, Darwin, Twyla …
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This video is filmed and edited by Università Telematica Internazionale UNINETTUNO www.uninettunouniversity.net. Corazza is a full-time professor at the Alma Mater Studiorum at the University of Bologna, a member of the Executive Council, and the founder of the Marconi Instit …
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A few of the most impactful ideas from this wonderful book. Show notes for this video: https://geni.us/hv8ii An Introduction To Visual Note-Taking: http://geni.us/DFJw0 My name is Doug Neill and I’m passionate about helping others reach their full creative potential. I teach …

Connection, Relationships & Sex

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Visit http://TED.com to get our entire library of TED Talks, transcripts, translations, personalized Talk recommendations and more. Infidelity is the ultimate betrayal. But does it have to be? Relationship therapist Esther Perel examines why people cheat, and unpacks why affa …
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In long-term relationships, we often expect our beloved to be both best friend and erotic partner. But as Esther Perel argues, good and committed sex draws on two conflicting needs: our need for security and our need for surprise. So how do you sustain desire? With wit and elo …
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We’re given very little guidance on how to choose our partners and tend to leave it to that mysterious force we know as ‘instinct’. However, it truly pays to be a little more rational in this area and work out how our instincts operate and why they push us towards some people …
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Paradoxically, one of the signs of a ‘mature’ relationship is a willingness to be infantile with one’s partner. Sign up to our new newsletter and get 10% off your first online order of a book, product or class: https://bit.ly/3HpVdSa For books and more from The School of Life …
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Visit http://TED.com to get our entire library of TED Talks, subtitles, translations, personalized Talk recommendations and more. As a sex educator, Emily Nagoski is often asked: How do couples sustain a strong sexual connection over the long term? In this funny, insightful t …
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Watch my full interview with iconic therapist Dr. Sue Johnson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyN-HCmAKRo | Brought to you by Laird Superfood plant-based creamers (http://lairdsuperfood.com/tim), Headspace easy-to-use app with guided meditations (http://headspace.com/tim), an …

Life Skills

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What many of us long for more than anything else is a simpler life; we feel overwhelmed by our responsibilities, schedules, commitments and obligations. This is a film about how to create the simpler life we deserve. Sign up to our new newsletter and get 10% off your first on …
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Have you had your daily dose of fun? It’s not just enjoyable, it’s also essential for your health and happiness, says science journalist Catherine Price. She proposes a new definition of fun — what she calls “true fun” — and shares easy, evidence-backed ways to weave playful …
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How can you have more fun and joy in life? Watch! Join Brendon’s 1MIL FB fans: http://FB.com/BrendonBurchardFan MP3/summary of this episode: http://tmblr.co/ZTb1Dv1SR-_IH Tweet Brendon: https://twitter.com/brendonburchard Get Brendon’s book free: http://thechargebook.com/yt I …
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Why do some gatherings take off and others don’t? Author Priya Parker shares three easy steps to turn your parties, dinners, meetings and holidays into meaningful, transformative gatherings. Get TED Talks recommended just for you! Learn more at https://www.ted.com/signup. Th …
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Interesting Stuff

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It’s a classic underdog tale: David, a young shepherd armed only with a sling, beats Goliath, the mighty warrior. The story has transcended its biblical origins to become a common shorthand for unlikely victory. But, asks Malcolm Gladwell, is that really what the David and Gol …
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Watch four more talks by Malcolm Gladwell here! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFIigLLitqDnA-v1mjS-F7y9OzNZrAeG4 In this short keynote from How To Academy’s How to Change the World 2019 conference, internationally bestselling author, podcaster and New Yorker staff writer …
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Who is Gabor Maté? A renowned speaker, and bestselling author, Dr. Gabor Maté is highly sought after for his expertise on a range of topics including addiction, stress and childhood development. ★ Get Gabor Maté’s book: In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts https://amzn.to/3IzTA3Q …
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Alan Watts discusses choice and the thoughts process behind it. Our choices are fundamentally what shape our character, and more importantly our life as a whole. (remember to subscribe and like the video please!) “The data for any situation is infinite. So what you do is, yo …
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http://www.ted.com Master storyteller Malcolm Gladwell tells the tale of the Norden bombsight, a groundbreaking piece of World War II technology with a deeply unexpected result. TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, wh …
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Watch my interview with Quirkology’s Richard Wiseman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVAhvpkEskU | Brought to you by UCAN endurance products powered by SuperStarch® (http://ucan.co/tim), Headspace easy-to-use app with guided meditations (http://headspace.com/tim), and Helix S …
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An inspirational and profound speech from the late philosopher Alan Watts. Original Audio sourced from: “Alan Watts – ‘On Yoga’ from Ways of Liberation” Produced and Edited by T&H Inspiration Follow the Alan Watts Organization: Speech courtesy of alanwatts.org Instagram: h …
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Malcolm Gladwell explains how certain obstacles that seem undesirable at first may ultimately help you get ahead. Share this video on Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1itoSrj Share this video on Twitter: http://bit.ly/PML47z Share this video on G+: http://bit.ly/1qlDLPf Share this v …
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►Follow the Alan Watts Organization: Speech courtesy of alanwatts.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alanwattsorg/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlanWattsAuthor/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AlanWattsOrg Speech licensed from https://mindsetdrm.com Music by Wo …
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Highlights from a PopTech Talk by Sociologist Malcolm Gladwell, author of “Outliers: The Story of Success.” “When we observe differences in how individuals succeed in the world our initial thought is always to say, to argue that that is the result of some kind of innate diffe …
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Alan Wilson Watts (6 January 1915 – 16 November 1973) was a British philosopher, writer, and speaker, best known as an interpreter and populariser of Eastern philosophy for a Western audience. His philosophies seem to transcend ego, politics and limitations. His monologues hav …
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Nothing but good vibes.
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Why do some gatherings take off and others don’t? Author Priya Parker shares three easy steps to turn your parties, dinners, meetings and holidays into meaningful, transformative gatherings. Get TED Talks recommended just for you! Learn more at https://www.ted.com/signup. Th …
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Could it be that our culture of consumerism has it all wrong? Could it be that our ongoing pursuits of pleasure send us in the wrong direction? Do we want what we want or not? And, if not, does wanting the things we don’t want remove us further from what we actually want? Vid …

Curated Resources

Here you’ll find some of my favorite resources by category.

Branding

Copywriting

I’m obsessed with Margo Aaron and her writing. Because of her background, she has a deep understanding of psychology and marketing. And she teaches copywriting – a highly undervalued skill for all – in the most practical and entertaining ways. Below are a few of my favorite blogs. Check our her website, if you like what you read here. She’s one of my best internet discoveries to date.

How I turned my wedding into an email marketing case study (with a slightly epic mistake)
Why People Who Go To Therapy Become Better Copywriters

I also love Anne Handley, and found her approach to newsletters really helpful so you can find it here. I also enjoy her newsletter which you an find on her site.

Web3 / Crypto / NFTs

I know, I know, I know this world is polarizing. But it’s also fascinating, and has invaded finance, technology and our culture. In the past 14 years, crypto has built an entire financial system from scratch. And Web3 promises a decentralized version of the internet where users have more control than big tech companies.

We can’t be sure where all of this will lead, but some of these concepts are likely to endure.  So, it’s important to understand the basics.

Below are some of my favorite resources to do just that.

The Crypto Story: Where it came from, what it all means, and why it still matters.

By Matt Levine

If you want a grounded and clean take on crypto, without judgement or agenda, and rooted in a deep understanding of financial systems, look no further. This is 172 pages and behind the Bloomberg pay wall, but definitely worth your time and money (Bloomberg is running a $2/month subscription for the first 3 months.)

White background with the text: The Crypto Story: Where it came from, what it all means, and why it still matters."

A Beginner’s Guide to DAOs

By Linda Xie

A DAO refers to a decentralized autonomous organization. This is a group organized around a mission that coordinates through a shared set of rules enforced on a blockchain. For me, DAOs are one of the most promising ideas in Web3 culture. If you want to know more, this piece is a great place to start.

Blue background with the text: "A beginner’s guide to DAOs by Linda Xie."

Why Web3 Matters

By Chris Dixon

Web3 is the trendy name for the decentralized web. It is a reaction to big tech companies and social networks such as Google, Facebook, and Amazon controlling the internet and selling our data for their profit.

What excites me the most about this idea isn’t the underlying tech, but the culture of building and owning together possible.

Blue background with the text: "A beginner’s guide to DAOs by Linda Xie."

Life Stuff

More from Margo Aaron. I love her insights and writing regardless of topic, and below is a piece about what the concept of friendship really means that truly resonated. .

We’re Connected But Not Connecting

Books

Below you’ll find a list of books that I believe are worth your time. I’ve just started adding to this list list and hope to have the entire collection added soon.

outliers malcolm gladwell book cover
big magic elizabeth gilbert cover image
Mating in Captivity
Everybody Writes Anne Handley 1
Shameless Parenting Everything You Need to Raise Shame free Confident Kids and Heal Your Shame Too 2
art of gathering book

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