An Insanely Delayed Recap of Our Favorite Books From 2021

A gas leak explosion in a tiny house derailed the original schedule to get this podcast episode posted, but it’s finally here! 🎊

📚 “The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why it Matters” by Priya Parker

Alex loves gathering. "We spend all this time thinking about the beginning of events and we don’t spend time thinking about the end. This book talks about how we intentionally gather...including the beginning and the closing." Parker has encouraged us to think more deeply about how our Collective members can feel connected! ✨

📚 “Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art” by James Nestor

We have Alex’s husband to thank for this! Stand out stat: you get 18% more oxygen into your body when you breathe through your nose versus your mouth. #gains 💪

Alex always opens up our coaching calls in the Collective with a breathing meditation. Breathing in shorter on the inhale and longer on the exhale allows you to get out of fight or flight and into a space where you can be present.

📚 “Decolonizing Wealth: Indigenous Wisdom to Heal Divides and Restore Balance” by Edgar Villanueva

For Meredith, this book was eye opening to the colonial, saviorism type narrative that is very common in foundation funding. This is a very important trend for modern grant writers to be tracking as the most progressive and interesting foundations are going in this direction. 🧭

Curious how you could get into grant writing and build a career in it? Here is a free training on how to do that without volunteering or having prior experience: https://www.learngrantwriting.org/webinar-videos/discover-grant-writing

📚 “Crazy Brave” by Joy Harjo

One of Alex’s picks: “The writing is gorgeous!” Joy’s autobiography, but written through time and space as if it’s not linear.

📚 “We Should All Be Millionaires: A Woman’s Guide to Earning More, Building Wealth, and Gaining Economic Power” by Rachel Rodgers

A book that arrived to us through the Unicorn led Book Club in the Collective. Meredith goes to money church 💰 every Wednesday morning because of this book!

Rodgers talks a lot about the time buy back principle and how that can apply in multiple areas of your life. Alex’s time buy back: paying someone to handle snow ❄️ removal. Meredith’s time buy back: hiring a local woman to prepare healthy lunches!

📚 “Pussy Pedia: A Comprehensive Guide” by Zoe Mendelson

Don’t freak out about the title! This book is packed with fascinating research and beautiful graphics.

📚 “How to Write a Grant: Become a Grant Writing Unicorn” by Meredith Noble

This book is a distillation of the most important information you need to know about grant writing. There’s now a hardcover available! Alex also wrote two chapters in this edition. 🪄 If you read it, would you please leave a review?

Like audiobooks and podcasts? Listen to Meredith’s book, “How to Write a Grant: Become a Grant Writing Unicorn” for free here: https://www.learngrantwriting.org/free-audiobook

Books next up on the list include:

🔸 “Me and White Supremacy” by Layla Saad

🔸 “All Over Creation: A Novel” by Ruth Ozeki
🔸 “You Are a Badass” by Jen Sincero

🔸 “Coming Into the Country” by John McPhee

Resources and links:

• Video walk through of the house that exploded
• Listen to the podcast episode of the gas leak explosion
• “The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why it Matters” by Priya Parker
• Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art” by James Nestor
• “Decolonizing Wealth: Indigenous Wisdom to Heal Divides and Restore Balance” by Edgar Villanueva
• “Crazy Brave” by Joy Harjo
• “We Should All Be Millionaires: A Woman’s Guide to Earning More, Building Wealth, and Gaining Economic Power” by Rachel Rodgers
• “Pussy Pedia: A Comprehensive Guide” by Zoe Mendelson
• “How to Write a Grant: Become a Grant Writing Unicorn” by Meredith Noble
• “Me and White Supremacy” by Layla Saad
• “All Over Creation: A Novel” by Ruth Ozeki
• “You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life” by Jen Sincero
• “Coming Into the Country” by John McPhee

Want to learn more about the Grant Writing Unicorn Collective? DM us on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/learngrantwriting/

While you’re at it, let us know what books you’re reading!

Timestamps

00:00 Intro An Insanely Delayed Recap of Our Favorite Books From 2021

01:22 Book #1: “The Art of Gathering” by Priya ...