Episodes

  • #213 | September 2024 Recap: Novel to Film Adaptations, Ancient Japanese Literature, and a Memoir on the Meaning of Life
    Sep 30 2024

    🎙 Douglas Vigliotti recaps the month of September 2024, discussing the emotional crime novel "Mystic River" by Dennis Lehane, the philosophical work "The Book of Five Rings" by Miyamoto Musashi, the novel and film adaptation of "Fight Club" by Chuck Palahniuk, and the memoir "When Breath Becomes Air" by Paul Kalanithi. With quick summaries, insights, and key quotes from the episodes, this recap is a great starter episode for new listeners and readers seeking inspiration. Good books await!

    ✓ Sign up for the monthly newsletter at BooksforMen.org.

    ⚡️ Connect with the host on Instagram @douglasvigliotti or learn more about him at DouglasVigliotti.com.

    ⭐️ Please consider sharing "Books for Men" with other men who enjoy reading, or subscribing and rating on your favorite podcast platform. Either goes a long way in helping new listeners find the show and inspire (more) men to read!

    🎧 Listen to Douglas Vigliotti's other podcast: Slightly Crooked: Good Stories, Told Well.

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    9 mins
  • #212 | The Limits of Science in Grasping the Human Condition—a Young Doctor on Facing His Own Mortality
    Sep 23 2024

    🎙 Douglas Vigliotti discusses the thought-provoking memoir “When Breath Becomes Air” by Paul Kalanithi, a neurosurgeon who powerfully explores the profound questions of meaning, purpose, and mortality that arise when the young doctor faces his own terminal illness. Through Kalanithi's deeply personal and eloquent writing, listeners are confronted with the existential challenges of what it means to be human in the face of life's fragility. This book is a poignant meditation on one of life's most challenging questions: what makes a life worth living?

    ✓ Sign up for the monthly newsletter at BooksforMen.org.

    ⚡️ Connect with the host on Instagram @douglasvigliotti or learn more about him at DouglasVigliotti.com.

    ⭐️ Please consider sharing "Books for Men" with other men who enjoy reading, or subscribing and rating on your favorite podcast platform. Either goes a long way in helping new listeners find the show and inspire (more) men to read!

    🎧 Listen to Douglas Vigliotti's other podcast: Slightly Crooked: Good Stories, Told Well.

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    13 mins
  • #211 | From Page to Screen: How ‘Fight Club’ Pushed the Boundaries of Storytelling and Why It Endures
    Sep 16 2024

    🎙 Douglas Vigliotti dives into the cult classic "Fight Club" by Chuck Palahniuk, a transgressive, minimalistic literary novel that inspired the now-iconic film of the same name. Discover how this story of an unnamed protagonist battling himself and societal norms became a defining work of 90s art and literature. Delve into the book's enduring themes of masculinity, mental health, loneliness, and disenchantment—all of which seem even more applicable today than when the book was originally published.

    ✓ Sign up for the monthly newsletter at BooksforMen.org.

    ⚡️ Connect with the host on Instagram @douglasvigliotti or learn more about him at DouglasVigliotti.com.

    ⭐️ Please consider sharing "Books for Men" with other men who enjoy reading, or subscribing and rating on your favorite podcast platform. Either goes a long way in helping new listeners find the show and inspire (more) men to read!

    🎧 Listen to Douglas Vigliotti's other podcast: Slightly Crooked: Good Stories, Told Well.

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    14 mins
  • #210 | Life Lessons from a Japanese Samurai Who Never Lost a Duel in over 60 Battles
    Sep 9 2024

    🎙 Douglas Vigliotti explores the powerful wisdom of legendary samurai Miyamoto Musashi in “The Book of Five Rings," a philosophical work on combat strategy that offers profound insights applicable to life beyond the battlefield. Uncover Musashi's teachings on both the physical and mental aspects of swordsmanship and discover how his Zen-like approach to understanding one's opponents can unlock new levels of empathy in your life. Prepare to be inspired as this ancient Japanese text unveils timeless lessons on efficiency, adaptability, perspective, and the power of unlearning.

    ✓ Sign up for the monthly newsletter at BooksforMen.org.

    ⚡️ Connect with the host on Instagram @douglasvigliotti or learn more about him at DouglasVigliotti.com.

    ⭐️ Please consider sharing "Books for Men" with other men who enjoy reading, or subscribing and rating on your favorite podcast platform. Either goes a long way in helping new listeners find the show and inspire (more) men to read!

    🎧 Listen to Douglas Vigliotti's other podcast: Slightly Crooked: Good Stories, Told Well.

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    14 mins
  • #209 | Mystic River: Why This Dennis Lehane Classic Deserves a Spot on Your Reading List
    Sep 2 2024

    🎙 Douglas Vigliotti dives into the gritty, emotional world of “Mystic River” by Dennis Lehane, a Boston crime novel about friendship, loyalty, and trauma that seamlessly blends drama and mystery. Learn why the adaptation to film was so successful, and why Lehane's distinctive "crime with heart" style is a rarity in today's literary landscape. “Mystic River” is a masterclass in storytelling and a must-read for fans who enjoy thoughtful yet tragic crime fiction.

    ✓ Sign up for the monthly newsletter at BooksforMen.org.

    ⚡️ Connect with the host on Instagram @douglasvigliotti or learn more about him at DouglasVigliotti.com.

    ⭐️ Please consider sharing "Books for Men" with other men who enjoy reading, or subscribing and rating on your favorite podcast platform. Either goes a long way in helping new listeners find the show and inspire (more) men to read!

    🎧 Listen to Douglas Vigliotti's other podcast: Slightly Crooked: Good Stories, Told Well.

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    13 mins
  • #208 | August 2024 Recap: Stoicism, Buddhism, and a Literary Novel for the Ages
    Aug 26 2024

    🎙 Douglas Vigliotti recaps the month of August 2024, discussing the Stoic classic "Meditations" by Marcus Aurelius, the literary novel "A Visit from the Goon Squad" by Jennifer Egan, and the foundational Buddhist text “The Dhammapada” translated by Eknath Easwaran. With quick summaries, insights, and key quotes from the episodes, this recap is a great starter for new listeners and readers seeking inspiration. Good books await!

    ✓ Sign up for the monthly newsletter at BooksforMen.org.

    ⚡️ Connect with the host on Instagram @douglasvigliotti or learn more about him at DouglasVigliotti.com.

    ⭐️ Please consider sharing "Books for Men" with other men who enjoy reading, or subscribing and rating on your favorite podcast platform. Either goes a long way in helping new listeners find the show and inspire (more) men to read!

    🎧 Listen to Douglas Vigliotti's other podcast: Slightly Crooked: Good Stories, Told Well.

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    8 mins
  • #207 | From Suffering to Serenity: What Is Buddhism, Really? Philosophy or Religion?
    Aug 19 2024

    🎙 Douglas Vigliotti explores the spiritual and philosophical work, "The Dhammapada," translated by Eknath Easwaran. He delves into the core teachings of Buddhism, including the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path (aka The Dharma Wheel), offering insights into the myth of Siddhartha and the applicability of Buddhist principles for anyone. With thought-provoking quotes from Buddha, this episode provides a glimpse into the path of Dharma and the pursuit of wisdom and inner peace.

    ✓ Sign up for the monthly newsletter at BooksforMen.org.

    ⚡️ Connect with the host on Instagram @douglasvigliotti or learn more about him at DouglasVigliotti.com.

    ⭐️ Please consider sharing "Books for Men" with other men who enjoy reading, or subscribing and rating on your favorite podcast platform. Either goes a long way in helping new listeners find the show and inspire (more) men to read!

    🎧 Listen to Douglas Vigliotti's other podcast: Slightly Crooked: Good Stories, Told Well.

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    17 mins
  • #206 | Time’s a Goon, Right?—Jennifer Egan Explores Impermanence and the Passing of Time in Her 2011 Masterpiece
    Aug 12 2024

    🎙 Douglas Vigliotti discusses the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel "A Visit from the Goon Squad" by Jennifer Egan. Through 13 interconnected stories (mostly) centered around New York City and rock and roll, the book explores the themes of lost innocence, change, and impermanence. Vigliotti praises Egan's ability to weave together different voices, perspectives, and timelines, creating a compelling and emotionally resonant exploration of the passing of time.

    ✓ Sign up for the monthly newsletter at BooksforMen.org.

    ⚡️ Connect with the host on Instagram @douglasvigliotti or learn more about him at DouglasVigliotti.com.

    ⭐️ Please consider sharing "Books for Men" with other men who enjoy reading, or subscribing and rating on your favorite podcast platform. Either goes a long way in helping new listeners find the show and inspire (more) men to read!

    🎧 Listen to Douglas Vigliotti's other podcast: Slightly Crooked: Good Stories, Told Well.

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    11 mins