Bookworms, Rowena Mabbott and Shelley Tonkin Smith share their top takeaways from their latest read — curated especially for you mums and business owners.

Then, the magic begins as they add to the conversation that the book has ignited and apply its principles.

Take inspired action in your business and take intentional steps to design a life you love — through the power of books!

Rowena brings her expertise as a career and life confidence coach and her background in positive psychology. She’s also a mum of two teenage boys. Find her on Substack and at rowenamabbott.com.

Shelley brings her passion for lifelong learning, technology, and running a small freelance business. She’s homeschooling her two boys and writes the publication, Infinitely Interesting.

We're excited to explore the intriguing concept of the "anti-library," a space filled with books we haven't read yet, and discuss how it can inspire our future reading adventures. Plus, we'll reveal our wishlist of titles we're eager to dive into over the holiday season and share a fond farewell as we say goodbye to the Two Booked Up podcast for now.

Whether you're looking for your next great read or thoughtful gift ideas for fellow book lovers, this episode is packed with inspiration and engaging conversations. Grab a notebook, tune in, and let the bookish chat begin!

Episode Links Mentioned

• Two Booked Up Episode 17: What’s On Our Summer Reading List?

• Two Booked Up Episode 37: Holiday Reads and Bookish Traditions

• Two Booked Up Episode 58: How are we tracking? Our reading in the 24 for 2024 Challenge

Book Links Mentioned 

• Atomic Habits by James Clear

• Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman

• Meditations for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman

• The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi

• The Plan: Manage Your Time Like a Lazy Genius by Kendra Adachi

• Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

• The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin

• Avoiding the Friend Zone by Rowena Mabbott 

• No More Simon Says by Rowena Mabbott 

• Funny Story by Emily Henry

• Breathing While Drowning by Veronica Strachan

• Best Wishes: Making the World a Better, Less Annoying Place–One Wish at a Time by Richard Glover.

• Weyward by Emila Hart

• The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley

• Come As You Are by Amelia Nagoski

• Come Together by Amelia Nagoski

• We Solve Murders by Richard Osman

• The Healthy Hundred: 100 Ways to a Healthier, Happier and Longer Life by Dr Peter Larkins. 

• Here One Moment by Liane Moriarity. 

• Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors. 

• Molly: A Prequel to the Dressmaker by Rosalie Ham. 

• How to Have an Epic Retirement by Bec Wilson.

• The Good Life: Lessons From The World’s Longest Study On Happiness by Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz

• Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

• Slow Productivity by Cal Newport

• Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport

• The Invention of Nature: Alexander von Humboldt’s New World by Andrea Wulf. 

• Explorers: A New History by Matthew Lockwood

• 11/22/63 by Stephen King

• The Penderwicks (5-book Series) by Jeanne Birdsall

• The Blue Machine by Helen Czerski 

• Learning in Depth by Kieran Egan

• A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, read by Faith Moore on Storytime for Grownups. 

• Storm in a Teacup by Helen Czerski

• Nexus by Yuval Noah Harari

• An Imaginative Approach to Teaching by Kieran Egan

Others Links Mentioned 

• Ness Labs on the Anti-Library

• Storytime for Grownups Podcast 

• Shelley’s New Substack called Infinitely Interesting

Connect with us:

Find us online at twobookedup.com and keep in touch with Two Booked Up via email by signing up for the Two Booked Up Bookclub and receive your FREE ‘Read More in ‘24’ Book checklist.

Connect with Rowena @rowenamabbott on IG and at rowenamabbott.com to learn more about coaching with her, including how you can identify and embrace your strengths. You can access her books here, including her new short murder mystery story and her new novel, No More Simon Says, and get Rowena’s new FREE guide, 3 Steps to Fall Back in Love with Your Job, here.

Connect with Shelley on Substack at Infinitely Interesting or @ShelleyTonkinSmith or LinkedIn at Shelley Tonkin Smith. Her copywriting business is at shelleysmithcreative.com.

Prepare for a heartfelt exploration as we uncover the five common regrets that surfaced during her time with individuals in their final weeks. These regrets are not just for the dying; they resonate deeply with all of us, reflecting universal feelings that are often left unaddressed.

Join us as we discuss how these regrets might manifest in our own lives and, more importantly, how we can implement meaningful changes now—before it’s too late. This episode is not just a reflection but a rallying cry to embrace life fully and avoid the regrets that so many carry with them. 

Stay tuned for a thought-provoking conversation that aims to inspire action in our everyday lives!

Episode Links Mentioned

• Two Booked Up Episode 1: The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin

• Two Booked Up Episode 2: Personal Life and The Four Tendencies

• Two Booked Up Episode 3: Running your own business using The Four Tendencies

• Two Booked Up Episode 4: Take yourself on a date

• Two Booked Up Episode 6: The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi

• Two Booked Up Episode 7: How we are Lazy Geniusing our lives and how you can too

• Two Booked Up Episode 8: Our best tips to “Lazy Genius” your business

• Two Booked Up Episode 9: Naming What Matters 

• Two Booked Up Episode 25: Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals - Overview and Top Takeaways.

• Two Booked Up Episode 26: How to become a better procrastinator - inspired by Oliver Burkeman's Four Thousand Weeks.

• Two Booked Up Episode 27: How to Use Your Time with Intention: Insights from Oliver Burkeman’s Four Thousand Weeks

• Two Booked Up Episode 40: How to Find Tranquility in the Turbulence

• Two Booked Up Episode 42: Embrace Your Five Senses… a chat about Life in Five Senses by Gretchen Rubin.

• Two Booked Up Episode 44: Could Harnessing Your Regrets Change Your Life? 

• Two Booked Up Episode 45: Can Good Feelings = Good Productivity?

• Two Booked Up Episode 54: Defining success in the second phase of life, From Strength to Strength by Arthur C Brooks.

• Two Booked Up Episode 56: What Motivates Us? Drive by Daniel Pink (link to be added)

Book Links Mentioned 

• The Top Five Regrets of the Dying by Bronnie Ware

• Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman

• Meditations for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman

• The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi

• The Power of Regret by Daniel Pink

• Tranquillity by Tuesday by Laura Vanderkam

• Life In Five Senses by Gretchen Rubin

• The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin

• The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin

• From Strength to Strength by Arthur C Brooks

• Feel Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal

• Drive by Daniel Pink

• Avoiding the Friend Zone by Rowena Mabbott 

• No More Simon Says by Rowena Mabbott 

Others Links Mentioned 

• Bronnie Ware’s Website 

• Crucial Conversations (read as part of the Leaders’ Library)

• Kendra Adachi’s Lazy Genius podcast episode on the two things that make friendship easier.

Connect with us:

Find us online at twobookedup.com and keep in touch with Two Booked Up via email by signing up for the Two Booked Up Bookclub and receive your FREE ‘Read More in ‘24’ Book checklist.

Connect with Rowena @rowenamabbott on IG and at rowenamabbott.com to learn more about coaching with her, including how you can identify and embrace your strengths. You can access her books here, including her new short murder mystery story and her new novel, and get Rowena’s new FREE guide, 3 Steps to Fall Back in Love with Your Job, here.

Connect with Shelley on LinkedIn at Shelley Tonkin Smith. Her copywriting business is at shelleysmithcreative.com.

Quick recap: The 24 for 2024 Reading Challenge is designed to elevate our nonfiction reading experience by infusing purpose and diversity into our selections. 

There's still time to join the challenge, but our main goal remains: (1) to ignite your passion for reading and (2) to broaden your literary horizons.

Prepare for a delightful discussion as we share our non-fiction challenge reads since our last update in May and our favourite fiction reads. Stay tuned for a dose of inspiration and captivating book talk coming your way!

Episode Links Mentioned

• Two Booked Up Episode 25: Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals - Overview and Top Takeaways.

• Two Booked Up Episode 26: How to become a better procrastinator - inspired by Oliver Burkeman's Four Thousand Weeks.

• Two Booked Up Episode 27: How to Use Your Time with Intention: Insights from Oliver Burkeman’s Four Thousand Weeks

• Two Booked Up Episode 39: Read More in ‘24! Announcing the 2024 Reading Challenge

• Two Booked Up Episode 46: What we’ve been reading in the 24 for 2024 Challenge

• Two Booked Up Episode 47: The Power of Content: Author Interview with Mel Daniels

• Two Booked Up Episode 56: What Motivates Us? Drive by Daniel Pink (link to be added)

Book Links Mentioned 

Rowena’s List

• Come Together by Emily Nagoski

• Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott

• The Confidence Myth: Why Women Undervalue Their Skills, and How to Get Over It by Helene Lerner

• Life Skills for a Broken World by Dr Ahona Guha

• The Mask of Masculinity by Lewis Howes

• Ikigai by Hector García and Francesc Miralles

• Dear Dolly: On Love, Life and Friendship by Dolly Alderton

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

• Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert

• The Husbands by Holly Gramazio

• Avoiding the Friend Zone by Rowena Mabbott 

• No More Simon Says by Rowena Mabbott 

Shelley’s List

• Finding Endurance; Shackleton, My Father, and a World Without End by Darrel Bristow-Bovey.

• Ocean Speaks: How Marie Tharp Revealed the Ocean’s Biggest Secret by Jess Keating and Katie Hickey.

• The Plan: Manage Your Time Like A Lazy Genius by Kendra Adachi.

• Place: A Collection of South African Travel Writing by Justin Fox.

• The Blue Machine: How the Ocean Shapes Our World by Helen Czerski.

• Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel Pink

• The Power of Content: A Simple Framework to Achieve Content Clarity and Confidence by Mel Daniels. 

• Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman

• The Lazy Genius Way

• The Lazy Genius Kitchen

• Tranquility by Tuesday

• Penderwicks At Last by Jeanne Birdsall (Book 5)

• Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince by JK Rowling (Book 6)

• Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Others Links Mentioned 

• Storytime for Grownups Podcast 

Connect with us:

Find us online at twobookedup.com and keep in touch with Two Booked Up via email by signing up for the Two Booked Up Bookclub and receive your FREE ‘Read More in ‘24’ Book checklist.

Connect with Rowena @rowenamabbott on IG and at rowenamabbott.com to learn more about coaching with her, including how you can identify and embrace your strengths. You can access her books here, including her new short murder mystery story, and get Rowena’s new FREE guide, 3 Steps to Fall Back in Love with Your Job, here.

Connect with Shelley on LinkedIn at Shelley Tonkin Smith. Her copywriting business is at shelleysmithcreative.com.

In this week's ‘side-bar’ episode, they discuss whether the ideas around human behaviour and motivation presented in "Drive" by Daniel Pink can work with "The Four Tendencies" by Gretchen Rubin. 

Both books offer unique insights into what drives our actions and decisions. "Drive" emphasises the importance of intrinsic motivation and the three elements of true motivation: autonomy, mastery, and purpose. 

Conversely, "The Four Tendencies" presents a framework for understanding how individuals respond to inner and outer expectations. 

While both books share the common theme of understanding human behaviour, they offer distinct perspectives and approaches!

Join us as we consider these thought-provoking works and add our views to further the conversation! 

Episode Links Mentioned

• Two Booked Up Episode 1: The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin

• Two Booked Up Episode 2: Personal Life and The Four Tendencies

• Two Booked Up Episode 3: Running your own business using The Four Tendencies

• Two Booked Up Episode 4: Take yourself on a date

• Two Booked Up Episode 11 - Essentialism by Greg McKeown - Overview and Top Takeaways

• Two Booked Up Episode 12 - How to Live the Essentialist Life (inspired by Greg McKeown’s Essentialism)

• Two Booked Up Episode 13 - Play your own game, Essentialists! A deep dive into PLAY, inspired by Essentialism by Greg McKeown

• Two Booked Up Episode 14 - Boost your confidence and get paid to be YOU (inspired by Essentialism by Greg McKeown)

• Two Booked Up Episode 25: Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals - Overview and Top Takeaways

• Two Booked Up Episode 26: How to become a better procrastinator - inspired by Oliver Burkeman's Four Thousand Weeks.

•  Two Booked Up Episode 27: How to use your time with Intention: Insights from Oliver Burkeman’s Four Thousand Weeks.

• Two Booked Up Episode 54: Defining success in the second phase of life, From Strength to Strength by Arthur C Brooks.

Book Links Mentioned 

• Drive by Daniel Pink

• The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin

• Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown

• Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman

• From Strength to Strength by Arthur C Brooks

Connect with us:

Find us online at twobookedup.com and keep in touch with Two Booked Up via email by signing up for the Two Booked Up Bookclub and receive your FREE ‘Read More in ‘24’ Book checklist.

Connect with Rowena @rowenamabbott on IG and at rowenamabbott.com to learn more about coaching with her, including how you can identify and embrace your strengths. You can access her books here and get Rowena’s new FREE guide, 3 Steps to Fall Back in Love with Your Job, here.

Connect with Shelley on LinkedIn at Shelley Tonkin Smith. Her copywriting business is at shelleysmithcreative.com.

Shelley reflects on how the book's message about motivation, centred on autonomy, mastery, and purpose, has left a lasting impact since its publication in 2009. 

Together, Rowena and Shelley then explore the relevance of these concepts in the modern world, especially in the context of our professional and personal lives. 

Join them as they uncover the profound implications of autonomy, mastery, and purpose and discover how these ideas can revitalise our respective approaches to work, parenting, relationships, and leisure activities. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion about the true drivers of motivation!

Episode Links Mentioned

• Two Booked Up Episode 1: The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin

• Two Booked Up Episode 29: Workstyle Overview

• Two Booked Up Episode 30: Shelley and Rowena share their own Workstyle Stories

• Two Booked Up Episode 31: In conversation with Lizzie Penny and Alex Hirst about the Workstyle Revolution

• Two Booked Up Episode 36: Behind the scenes of Rowena’s novel — out now!

• Two Booked Up Episode 43: How to Run a Chill Business: Chill and Prosper by Denise Duffield-Thomas  

• Two Booked Up Episode 48: Why start with why? A discussion about Start with Why by Simon Sinek

Book Links Mentioned 

• Drive by Daniel Pink

• The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin

• Workstyle by Lizzie Penny and Alex Hirst

• Chill and Prosper by Denise Duffield Thomas

• Start with Why by Simon Sinek

• Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Others Links Mentioned 

• Learn more about the Workstyle Revolution

• Storytime for Grownups Podcast 

Connect with us:

Find us online at twobookedup.com and keep in touch with Two Booked Up via email by signing up for the Two Booked Up Bookclub and receive your FREE ‘Read More in ‘24’ Book checklist.

Connect with Rowena @rowenamabbott on IG and at rowenamabbott.com to learn more about coaching with her, including how you can identify and embrace your strengths. You can access her books here and get Rowena’s new FREE guide, 3 Steps to Fall Back in Love with Your Job, here.

Connect with Shelley on LinkedIn at Shelley Tonkin Smith. Her copywriting business is at shelleysmithcreative.com.

The book focuses on habits—how we form them, why we break them, and how we can use them to create a more fulfilling life. As busy working parents and business owners, finding ways to make our lives smoother and more efficient is always a priority, making this book particularly intriguing to us. 

We'll also share personal stories of how we've applied (or struggled to apply) Gretchen’s insights in our own lives. 

Plus, as always, we'll provide you with a couple of easy, actionable steps to apply to your own life. Having previously discussed "The Four Tendencies" and "Life in Five Senses," we're excited to tackle the topic of habits. 

Episode Links Mentioned

• Two Booked Up Episode 1: The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin

• Two Booked Up Episode 2: Personal Life and The Four Tendencies

• Two Booked Up Episode 3: Running your own business using The Four Tendencies

• Two Booked Up Episode 4: Take yourself on a date

• Two Booked Up Episode 10: How to find the time to read

• Two Booked Up Episode 23: What’s the big deal about Atomic Habits?

• Two Booked Up Episode 42: Embrace Your Five Senses… a chat about Life in Five Senses by Gretchen Rubin.

• Two Booked Up Episode 45: Can Good Feelings = Good Productivity?

• Two Booked Up Episode 54: Defining success in the second phase of life, From Strength to Strength by Arthur C Brooks

Book Links Mentioned 

• Better than Before by Gretchen Rubin

• Life In Five Senses by Gretchen Rubin

• The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin

• From Strength to Strength by Arthur C Brooks

• Atomic Habits by James Clear

• Feel Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal

• Drive by Daniel Pink

• The Hospital by the River by Dr Catherine Hamlin

• Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

Others Links Mentioned 

• Difference between habits, routines, and rituals https://nesslabs.com/habits-routines-rituals-intentionality-curve 

Connect with us:

Find us online at twobookedup.com and keep in touch with Two Booked Up via email by signing up for the Two Booked Up Bookclub and receive your FREE ‘Read More in ‘24’ Book checklist.

Connect with Rowena @rowenamabbott on IG and at rowenamabbott.com to learn more about coaching with her, including how you can identify and embrace your strengths. You can access her books here and get Rowena’s new FREE guide, 3 Steps to Fall Back in Love with Your Job, here.

Connect with Shelley on LinkedIn at Shelley Tonkin Smith. Her copywriting business is at shelleysmithcreative.com.

Once again, Shelley dons the interviewer’s hat, and Rowena is in the hot seat. Together, they discuss the book's focus on finding true happiness and satisfaction as we navigate the second half of life, emphasising the importance of shifting our focus from the relentless pursuit of success to building a life rich in relationships, meaning, and contentment. 

While the book is primarily aimed at those in the second half of life, Rowena and Shelley are convinced that its wisdom is relevant to listeners of all ages.

Stay tuned to gain valuable insights into making the most of the second stage of your career and living a successful, fulfilling, and happier life, as Rowena and Shelley discuss the book From Strength to Strength.

Episode Links Mentioned

• Two Booked Up Episode 25: Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals - Overview and Top Takeaways

• Two Booked Up Episode 45: Can Good Feelings = Good Productivity?

• Two Booked Up Episode 48: Why start with why? A discussion about Start with Why by Simon Sinek

• Two Booked Up Episode 50: Fan Fave Revisited: Essentialism by Greg McKeown

• Two Booked Up Episode 52: Organising Your Books (with Lazy Genius Kitchen inspiration)

• Two Booked Up Episode 53: Organising your Kid's books (with Lazy Genius Kitchen inspiration)

Book Links Mentioned 

• From Strength to Strength by Arthur C Brooks

• Feel Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal

• Start with Why by Simon Sinek

• Build the Life You Want by Arthur C Brooks with Oprah Winfrey

• The Blue Machine: How the Ocean Works by Helen Czerski

Others Links Mentioned 

• Jackson Pollock Artwork - example

• YouTube Video of Arthur C Brooks Summary of Key Ideas

• Arthur Brook’s TED talk video 

Connect with us:

Find us online at twobookedup.com and keep in touch with Two Booked Up via email by signing up for the Two Booked Up Bookclub and receive your FREE ‘Read More in ‘24’ Book checklist.

Connect with Rowena @rowenamabbott on IG and at rowenamabbott.com to learn more about coaching with her, including how you can identify and embrace your strengths. You can access her books here and get Rowena’s new FREE guide, 3 Steps to Fall Back in Love with Your Job, here.

Connect with Shelley on LinkedIn at Shelley Tonkin Smith. Her copywriting business is at shelleysmithcreative.com. And check out all her other links, as well as her new Substack here.

They introduce the Lazy Genius Process from The Lazy Genius Kitchen, focusing on five key steps: prioritise, essentialize, organize, personalize, and systemize. This practical process is applicable not only to parents but also to anyone looking to tackle a project.

Despite their different locations (Sydney, Australia, and Joburg, South Africa) and their children being in different age groups, Rowena's high school-aged boys and Shelley's primary-school-aged boys, both find common ground in applying this process to their respective contexts.

Tune in to gain valuable inspiration on how to personalize the organization of your kids' books, as Rowena and Shelley share their unique perspectives and approaches. Whether you're a parent or simply aiming to create a system for your home library, this episode offers practical insights tailored to your individual needs. 

Stay tuned for a wealth of ideas on perfecting the organization of your kids' books!

Episode Links Mentioned

• Two Booked Up Episode 6: The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi

• Two Booked Up Episode 7: How we are Lazy Geniusing our lives and how you can too

• Two Booked Up Episode 8: Our best tips to “Lazy Genius” your business

• Two Booked Up Episode 9: Naming What Matters 

• Two Booked Up Episode 37: Holiday Reads and Bookish Traditions

Book Links Mentioned 

• The Lazy Genius Kitchen: Have What You Need, Use What You Have, and Enjoy It Like Never Before by Kendra Adachi

• Julia Donaldson

• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by JK Rowling

• Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series by Jeff Kinney

• Lonely Planet Kids books

• The Adventures of Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey

• The Treehouse Series by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton

• Catching Teller Crow by Ambelin and Ezekiel Kwaymullina 

Others Links Mentioned 

• Kendra’s Lazy Genius Podcast Episode #379: How to help kids clean their room

• Library Thing App

• Book Apps - Audible, Kindle, Libby

• Australian Only Book Apps - Hoopla, IndyReads, BorrowBox, 

Connect with us:

Find us online at twobookedup.com and keep in touch with Two Booked Up via email by signing up for the Two Booked Up Bookclub and receive your FREE ‘Read More in ‘24’ Book checklist.

Connect with Rowena @rowenamabbott on IG and at rowenamabbott.com to learn more about coaching with her, including how you can identify and embrace your strengths.

Get Rowena's new FREE resource, 3 Steps to Fall Back in Love with your Job. This is ideal if you used to love what you do, but the spark has gone, and now you feel like you’re just going through the motions. 

You can also get Rowena’s FREE e-books, The A to Z of Career and Life Confidence and The Criteria List here.

Connect with Shelley on LinkedIn at Shelley Tonkin Smith. Her copywriting business is at shelleysmithcreative.com.

Using Kendra Adachi's The Lazy Genius Kitchen as a guide, Shelley and Rowena discuss prioritizing, essentializing, organizing, personalizing, and systemizing book organization. They emphasize the importance of individual choice, tailored to what best suits each person's needs and preferences.

Tune in to discover how Shelley and Rowena each approach the Lazy Genius process to transform their book organization. Whether you're a book lover looking to streamline your collection or just seeking inspiration for a more enjoyable reading experience, this episode is packed with valuable tips and ideas. Don't miss out on making your book storage and reading habits a whole lot more fun!

Episode Links Mentioned

• Two Booked Up Episode 6: The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi

• Two Booked Up Episode 7: How we are Lazy Geniusing our lives and how you can too

• Two Booked Up Episode 8: Our best tips to “Lazy Genius” your business

• Two Booked Up Episode 9: Naming What Matters 

• Two Booked Up Episode 37: Holiday Reads and Bookish Traditions

Book Links Mentioned 

• The Lazy Genius Kitchen: Have What You Need, Use What You Have, and Enjoy It Like Never Before by Kendra Adachi

• Managing Humans by Michael Lopp 

• Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster by Jonathan Auxier

Others Links Mentioned 

• Library Thing App

• Book Apps - Audible, Kindle, Libby

• Australian Only Book Apps - Hoopla, IndyReads, BorrowBox, 

Connect with us:

Find us online at twobookedup.com and keep in touch with Two Booked Up via email by signing up for the Two Booked Up Bookclub and receive your FREE ‘Read More in ‘24’ Book checklist.

Connect with Rowena @rowenamabbott on IG and at rowenamabbott.com to learn more about coaching with her, including how you can identify and embrace your strengths. You can also get Rowena’s FREE e-books, The A to Z of Career and Life Confidence and The Criteria List here.

Connect with Shelley on LinkedIn at Shelley Tonkin Smith. Her copywriting business is at shelleysmithcreative.com. 

Shelley and Rowena are thrilled to have reached this incredible milestone and want to take you behind the scenes of their journey over the past year. From the ups to the downs, they’re sharing all the insights and reflections gathered from their time hosting the Two Booked Up podcast.

Whether you're a fellow podcaster, an avid reader, or an honorary member of their Two Booked Up book club, they can't wait to share this celebratory moment with you. So, grab a refreshing drink, settle in, and join us as they raise a glass to the past two years of Two Booked Up!

Thank you for being a part of our incredible community. Here's to many more seasons of literary adventures and meaningful conversations. Cheers!

Episode Links Mentioned

• Two Booked Up Episode 36: Behind the scenes of Rowena’s novel — out now!

• Two Booked Up Episode 37: Holiday Reads and Bookish Traditions

• Two Booked Up Episode 38: Resolution Overwhelm? Try a Guiding Word Instead

• Two Booked Up Episode 39: Read More in ‘24! Announcing the 2024 Reading Challenge

• Two Booked Up Episode 40: How to Find Tranquility in the Turbulence

• Two Booked Up Episode 41: How to Become Indistractable

• Two Booked Up Episode 42: Embrace Your Five Senses… a chat about Life in Five Senses by Gretchen Rubin

• Two Booked Up Episode 43: How to Run a Chill Business: Chill and Prosper by Denise Duffield-Thomas  

• Two Booked Up Episode 44: Could Harnessing Your Regrets Change Your Life? 

• Two Booked Up Episode 45: Can Good Feelings = Good Productivity?

• Two Booked Up Episode 46: What we’ve been reading in the 24 for 2024 Challenge

• Two Booked Up Episode 47: The Power of Content: Author Interview with Mel Daniels

• Two Booked Up Episode 48: Why start with why? A discussion about Start with Why by Simon Sinek

• Two Booked Up Episode 49: Fan Fave Revisited: The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin

Book Links Mentioned 

• Avoiding the Friend Zone by Rowena Mabbott

• The Power of Regret by Daniel Pink

• Tranquility by Tuesday by Laura Vanderkam

• Life In Five Senses by Gretchen Rubin

• The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin

• Chill and Prosper by Denise Duffield Thomas

• Indistractable by Nir Eyal

• Feel Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal

• The Power of Content: A simple framework to achieve content clarity and confidence by Mel Daniels

• Start with Why by Simon Sinek

Others Links Mentioned 

• Shelley’s Descript Affiliate Link: https://get.descript.com/5ojtigdyrsn3 

Connect with us:

Find us online at twobookedup.com and keep in touch with Two Booked Up via email by signing up for the Two Booked Up Bookclub and receive your FREE ‘Read More in ‘24’ Book checklist.

Connect with Rowena @rowenamabbott on IG and at rowenamabbott.com to learn more about coaching with her, including how you can identify and embrace your strengths. You can also get Rowena’s FREE e-books, The A to Z of Career and Life Confidence and The Criteria List here.

Connect with Shelley on LinkedIn at Shelley Tonkin Smith. Her copywriting business is at shelleysmithcreative.com.

And it’s no wonder why.  The principles of Essentialism, as shared by Greg McKeown, have a profound impact on our businesses and personal lives. We believe revisiting this topic will spark a renewed interest and inspire you to apply these principles in your own life. 

Essentialism is not just a philosophy; it's a practical approach to life and work. It's about focusing on the few things that genuinely matter and eliminating the rest. By adopting this mindset, you can make the most of your time and energy and operate at your highest level of productivity. 

If you love this idea, the good news is that there are three more episodes (episodes 12, 13, and 14) you can listen to if you want to learn more and hear all the insights gleaned from this book! 

It’s a listener favourite, so stay tuned to enjoy revisiting the discussion of Essentialism by Greg McKeown.

Episode Links Mentioned

• Two Booked Up Episode 11 - Essentialism by Greg McKeown - Overview and Top Takeaways

• Two Booked Up Episode 12 - How to Live the Essentialist Life (inspired by Greg McKeown’s Essentialism)

• Two Booked Up Episode 13 - Play your own game, Essentialists! A deep dive into PLAY, inspired by Essentialism by Greg McKeown

• Two Booked Up Episode 14 - Boost your confidence and get paid to be YOU (inspired by Essentialism by Greg McKeown)

Book Links Mentioned 

• Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown

• Effortless: Make It Easier To Do What Matters Most by Greg McKeown 

Connect with us:

Find us online at twobookedup.com and keep in touch with Two Booked Up via email by signing up for the Two Booked Up Bookclub and receive your FREE ‘Read More in ‘24’ Book checklist.

Connect with Rowena @rowenamabbott on IG and at rowenamabbott.com to learn more about coaching with her, including how you can identify and embrace your strengths. You can also get Rowena’s FREE e-books, The A to Z of Career and Life Confidence and The Criteria List here.

Connect with Shelley on LinkedIn at Shelley Tonkin Smith. Her copywriting business is at shelleysmithcreative.com.

This book has been a game changer for both of them—in the way they run their businesses, understand themselves, and even interpret the books and ideas discussed on this podcast!

Are you like Rowena, self-directed and on top of deadlines but uneasy with changes? Or are you more like Shelley, spontaneous and bold but struggle with schedules and rules?

According to Gretchen Rubin, these behaviours occur as a result of our tendencies — whether you’re an Upholder, Obliger, Questioner, or Rebel.

In this episode, Rowena and Shelley revisit their first discussion of the book, covering its key themes and providing an overview. But that's not all—in addition to this episode, there are three more in the archive, delving deeper into The Four Tendencies. Be sure to check out episodes 2, 3, and 4 to hear all the insights!

If you love The Four Tendencies or if you're curious to learn more, stick around as they revisit the magic of Gretchen Rubin's groundbreaking work and episode one of the podcast. 

Episode Links Mentioned

• Two Booked Up Episode 1 - The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin

• Two Booked Up Episode 2 - Personal Life and The Four Tendencies

• Two Booked Up Episode 3 - Running Your Own Business Using The Four Tendencies

• Two Booked Up Episode 4 - Take Yourself on a Date

Book Links Mentioned 

• The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin

Other Links Mentioned

• Do the quiz at: quiz.gretchenrubin.com

Connect with us:

Find us online at twobookedup.com and keep in touch with Two Booked Up via email by signing up for the Two Booked Up Bookclub and receive your FREE ‘Read More in ‘24’ Book checklist.

Connect with Rowena @rowenamabbott on IG and at rowenamabbott.com to learn more about coaching with her, including how you can identify and embrace your strengths. You can also get Rowena’s FREE e-books, The A to Z of Career and Life Confidence and The Criteria List here.

Connect with Shelley on LinkedIn at Shelley Tonkin Smith. Her copywriting business is at shelleysmithcreative.com.

If you want to write and develop your own website with Shelley’s help, get on the waitlist for the next run of Shelley's Words, Web, and Wisdom Program. Learn how to write and develop your own website in 6 intensive, but highly-supportive weeks.

For more information and to apply, go to: https://wordswebwisdom.carrd.co/.

Rowena is in the interviewer’s chair this time and Shelley’s mission is to fast-forward you to the best parts of Start with Why, while calling out a few other parts that left her frowning.

It’s a pivotal book, but it’s also a bit dated and limited in its examples, so Shelley and Rowena extend the conversation, taking some of the big ideas in the book and talking about how you could apply them in your own business, career, or your personal life.

Join Shelley and Rowena as they start with why (without the overwhelm!).

03:12 Overview of Start with Why

06:22 Why start with Why?

09:28 How to apply the Golden Circle in your small business

13:57 When "finding your why" feels overwhelming

20:39 Why people and how people…?

25:32 Would a company's Why change over time?

Episode Links Mentioned

• Two Booked Up Episode 6: The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi

• Two Booked Up Episode 7: How we are Lazy Geniusing our lives and how you can too

• Two Booked Up Episode 8: Our best tips to “Lazy Genius” your business

• Two Booked Up Episode 9: Naming What Matters 

• Two Booked Up Episode 45: Can Good Feelings = Good Productivity?

• Two Booked Up Episode 47: Interview with Mel Daniels, author of The Power of Content.

Book Links Mentioned 

• Start With Why by Simon Sinek

• Feel Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal

• The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi

• The Party Crasher by Sophie Kinsella

Other Links Mentioned

• Simon Sinek’s Start with Why TEDTalk

• Free VIA Strengths Survey

Connect with us:

Find us online at twobookedup.com and keep in touch with Two Booked Up via email by signing up for the Two Booked Up Bookclub and receive your FREE ‘Read More in ‘24’ Book checklist.

Connect with Rowena @rowenamabbott on IG and at rowenamabbott.com to learn more about coaching with her, including how you can identify and embrace your strengths. You can also get Rowena’s FREE e-books, The A to Z of Career and Life Confidence and The Criteria List here.

There are a few more days left to book a Clarity Kickstart session with Rowena at a 24% discount (You need to book and pay for your session by the end of June 2024 to get this special offer — the session can be held at a later date). Book your session at: https://www.rowenamabbott.com/clarity.  

Connect with Shelley on LinkedIn at Shelley Tonkin Smith. Her copywriting business is at shelleysmithcreative.com.

If you want to write and develop your own website with Shelley’s help, you’re warmly invited to apply for the Words, Web, and Wisdom Program. Shelley's beta run of WWW starts on 8 July 2024 (so time is of the essence!). Learn how to write and develop your own website in 6 intensive, but highly-supportive weeks.

For more information and to apply, go to: https://wordswebwisdom.carrd.co/.

This is a fantastic episode for business owners who may be feeling a bit stuck with content creation and marketing. Mel has a refreshing new take on content that will help you tap into your content superpowers rather than getting overwhelmed trying to follow a bunch of made-up formulas.

Not a business owner? No worries—this episode is for everyone. Mel’s message resonates across all aspects of life, encouraging you to infuse more of your unique self into your reading, hobbies, career, family, or any project you undertake.

Join Rowena and Shelley as they chat with Mel about her new book, the behind-the-scenes of her writing process and the inside scoop on her launch and marketing strategies.

Connect with Mel Daniels

• LinkedIn  

• Instagram 

• Facebook 

• Facebook Group: The Content Project

• Website

Book Links Mentioned 

• The Power of Content: A simple framework to achieve content clarity and confidence by Mel Daniels

• What Great Storytellers Know: Seven Skills to Become Your Most Influential and Inspiring Self by Bernadette Jiwa.

• Avoiding The Friend Zone by Rowena Mabbott

Other Links Mentioned

• Free VIA Strengths Survey

Connect with us:

Find us online at twobookedup.com and keep in touch with Two Booked Up via email by signing up for the Two Booked Up Bookclub and receive your FREE ‘Read More in ‘24’ Book checklist.

Connect with Rowena @rowenamabbott on IG and at rowenamabbott.com.

Grab Rowena’s FREE e-books, The A to Z of Career and Life Confidence and The Criteria List here.

And you can buy Rowena's novel, Avoiding the Friend Zone on Amazon.

Connect with Shelley on LinkedIn at Shelley Tonkin Smith.

Her copywriting business is at shelleysmithcreative.com, and check out The Word Nerd Store at learn.shelleysmithcreative.com to get Shelley’s Sales Page Step-by-Step Template + Video. There’s also Podcast Jumpstart, a workshop on getting your podcast onto the air, quickly and sustainably.

The Challenge adds more purpose and variety to non-fiction reading choices and aims to inspire them and you to read more and read more widely, perhaps even trying out authors of genres you wouldn’t normally read.  Also, as you’ll hear in this episode, you can make the challenge your own, including how to squeeze more reading into your busy life! 

Join Shelley and Rowena to hear their non-fiction reads, what they recommendation and what they don’t, as well as a few of their favourite fiction reads from the last few months. Listen in for plenty of inspiration to add to your TBR list! 

Episode Links Mentioned

• Two Booked Up Episode 10 - How to find the time to read 

• Two Booked Up Episode 39 - Read More in ‘24! Announcing the 2024 Reading Challenge

• Two Booked Up Episode 40 - How to Find Tranquility in the Turbulence

• Two Booked Up Episode 45 - 

Book Links Mentioned 

Rowena’s List

• Tell Me Again by Amy Thunig

• Build The Life You Want by Arthur C Brooks and Oprah Winfrey

• The House That Joy Built by Holly Ringland

• Love The Home You Have by Melissa Michaels

• Feel Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal

• Come As You Are: Revised and Updated by Emily Nagoksi

• The Minimalist Home by Joshua Becker

• 4AM: Answers to the conundrums that keep you up at night by Michelle Andrew and Zara McDonald

• Sustainable Minimalism by Stephanie Marie Seferian

• The Year of Less by Cait Flanders

• The Curated Closet by Anuschka Rees

• For Women Only by Shaunti Feldhahn

• This Year Will Be Different by Dominque Bertolucci

• Wear It Well by Allison Bornstein

• The Power of Content: A simple framework to achieve content clarity and confidence by Mel Daniels

• Burnout by Emily and Amelia Nagoski

• Weyward by Emilia Hart

• Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

Shelley’s List

• Make Your Own Rules: Stories and Hard-Earned Advice from a Creator in the Digital Age by Andrew Huang

• Start with Why by Simon Sinek

• How to Grow Your Small Business: A 6-Step Plan to Help Your Business Take Off by Donald Miller

• Think Faster Talk Smarter: How To Speak Successfully When You’re Put On The Spot by Matt Abrahams

• Profit First: Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine by Mike Michalowicz

• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by JK Rowling (Book 5 of the 7-book series)

• The Penderwicks at Point Mouette (Book 3 of 5) by Jeanne Birdsall; and 

• Odder by Katherine Applegate

Other Links Mentioned

• The Egan Pattern Language (on The Lost Tools of Learning) by Brandon Hendrickson.

• The Evolve Your Style 31-Day Challenge

Connect with us:

Find us online at twobookedup.com and keep in touch with Two Booked Up via email by signing up for the Two Booked Up Bookclub and receive your FREE ‘Read More in ‘24’ Book checklist.

Connect with Rowena @rowenamabbott on IG and at rowenamabbott.com.

Grab Rowena’s FREE e-books, The A to Z of Career and Life Confidence and The Criteria List here.

And you can buy Rowena's novel, Avoiding the Friend Zone on Amazon.

Connect with Shelley on LinkedIn at Shelley Tonkin Smith.

Her copywriting business is at shelleysmithcreative.com, and check out The Word Nerd Store at learn.shelleysmithcreative.com to get Shelley’s Sales Page Step-by-Step Template + Video. There’s also Podcast Jumpstart, a workshop on getting your podcast onto the air, quickly and sustainably.

Use the code: TWOBOOKEDUP or use this link for 50% all products in The Word Nerd Store through 31 May 2024.

Productivity books are often full of tips for working harder, hustling longer and hacks to make the most of your time. This book is completely different! Instead, Ali Abdaal puts forth the idea that instead of more discipline, we can accomplish more by focusing on our well-being and embracing joy! 

Specifically, Ali discusses that having more fun can make us more productive, which is something we strongly believe in here at Two Booked Up. And, in this episode, we are walking the talk! For a fun change, Shelley dons her interviewer hat and interviews Rowena about the book.

Join Shelley and Rowena as they discuss key ideas and top takeaways, sharing how you can be productive and feel good, too!

Episode Links Mentioned

• Two Booked Up Episode 6: The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi

• Two Booked Up Episode 7: How we are Lazy Geniusing our lives and how you can too

• Two Booked Up Episode 8: Our best tips to “Lazy Genius” your business

• Two Booked Up Episode 9: Naming What Matters 

• Two Booked Up Episode 11: Essentialism by Greg McKeown

• Two Booked Up Episode 12: How to Live the Essentialist Life

• Two Booked Up Episode 13: Play Your Own Game

• Two Booked Up Episode 14: Boost Your Confidence and Get Paid to Be You

• Two Booked Up Episode 23: What’s the big deal about Atomic Habits?

• Two Booked Up Episode 24: Supportive Habits

• Two Booked Up Episode 25: Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman  

• Two Booked Up Episode 26: How to become a better procrastinator 

• Two Booked Up Episode 27: How to use your time with intention

• Two Booked Up Episode 40: How To Find Tranquility in the Turbulence

• Two Booked Up Episode 41: How to Become Indistactable

Book Links Mentioned 

• Feel Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal

• The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi

• Essentialism by Greg McKeown

• Atomic Habits by James Clear

• Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman

• Tranquility by Tuesday by Laura Vanderkam

• Indistractable by Nir Eyal

• Think Faster, Talk Smarter by Matt Abrahams 

Other Links Mentioned

• Ali Abdaal’s YouTube Channel

Connect with us:

Find us online at twobookedup.com and keep in touch with Two Booked Up via email by signing up for the Two Booked Up Bookclub and receive your FREE ‘Read More in ‘24’ Book checklist.

Connect with Rowena @rowenamabbott on IG and at rowenamabbott.com.

Grab Rowena’s FREE e-books, The A to Z of Career and Life Confidence and The Criteria List here.

And you can buy Rowena's novel, Avoiding the Friend Zone on Amazon.

Connect with Shelley on LinkedIn at Shelley Tonkin Smith.

Her copywriting business is at shelleysmithcreative.com, and check out The Word Nerd Store at learn.shelleysmithcreative.com to get Shelley’s Sales Page Step-by-Step Template + Video. There’s also Podcast Jumpstart, a workshop on getting your podcast onto the air, quickly and sustainably.

Use the code: TWOBOOKEDUP or use this link for 50% all products in The Word Nerd Store through 31 May 2024.

Do you ever find yourself dwelling on past mistakes or missed opportunities, feeling regretful and wishing you could go back in time to do things differently? Living with regret can be a painful experience, but what if those regrets could actually serve a positive purpose in your life? 

In the book, Daniel Pink argues that reflecting on our regrets can help us make better decisions and become better people. By acknowledging and learning from our past mistakes, we can move forward with greater wisdom and confidence and use our regrets as a tool for personal growth and positive change. Sounds good, right?

So, join Rowena and Shelley as they discuss their favourite insights from the book and their top takeaways. Listen in to learn how harnessing your regrets can change your life.

Book Links Mentioned 

• The Power of Regret by Daniel Pink

• Women of Good Fortune by Sophie Wan

Connect with us:

Find us online at twobookedup.com and keep in touch with Two Booked Up via email by signing up for the Two Booked Up Bookclub and receive your FREE ‘Read More in ‘24’ Book checklist.

Connect with Rowena @rowenamabbott on IG and at rowenamabbott.com. You can also get Rowena’s FREE e-books, The A to Z of Career and Life Confidence and The Criteria List here.

Connect with Shelley on LinkedIn at Shelley Tonkin Smith. Her copywriting business is at shelleysmithcreative.com, and check out learn.shelleysmithcreative.com to get Shelley’s Sales Page Step-by-Step Template + Video. There’s also Podcast Jumpstart, a workshop on getting your podcast onto the air, quickly and sustainably.

Use the code: TWOBOOKEDUP or use this link for 50% all products through 31 May 2024.

If you’re interested in running your own business but feel it's too hard, or perhaps you are running a business but find you’re frequently overwhelmed by the need to do all the things, then this book and episode are for you!

Denise is an author, coach, and self-proclaimed "Chillpreneur" from Australia. ("Chillpreneur" was the original title of this book). Denise's strategy is centred around discovering a simpler path, and as a highly successful money mindset coach who has reached millionaire status, she knows her stuff! Listen to Denise’s podcast, Chill & Prosper here. 

Join Rowena and Shelley as they discuss their favourite insights from the book and their top takeaways. Tune in to learn how you can Chill and Prosper!

Episode Links Mentioned

• Two Booked Up Episode 6: The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi

• Two Booked Up Episode 7: How we are Lazy Geniusing our lives and how you can too

• Two Booked Up Episode 8: Our best tips to “Lazy Genius” your business

• Two Booked Up Episode 9: Naming What Matters 

Book Links Mentioned 

• Chill and Prosper by Denise Duffield Thomas

• The Penderwicks Series by Jeanne Birdsall

• Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series by Jeff Kinney

• Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling

• Avoiding the Friend Zone by Rowena Mabbott

Other Links Mentioned

• Chill and Prosper Podcast

• NEW! Get Shelley’s Step-by-Step Sales Page Template

Connect with us:

Find us online at twobookedup.com and keep in touch with Two Booked Up via email by signing up for the Two Booked Up Bookclub and receive your FREE ‘Read More in ‘24’ Book checklist.

Connect with Rowena @rowenamabbott on IG and at rowenamabbott.com. You can also get Rowena’s FREE e-books, The A to Z of Career and Life Confidence and The Criteria List here.

Connect with Shelley on LinkedIn at Shelley Tonkin Smith. Her copywriting business is at shelleysmithcreative.com, and her new template and course hub is at learn.shelleysmithcreative.com.

(And a note from Rowena and Shelley, we just hit record on this episode and CHATTED about the book. Would you mind letting us know what you think about this more casual and slightly more raw format...? podcast@shelleysmithcreative.com or check out our links below.) 

If you're looking for some fun ideas to improve your self-knowledge, creativity, and productivity, enhance your relationships with loved ones, and boost your happiness, this is the episode for you!

In the book, Gretchen Rubin explains that embracing your five senses leads to a richer, more meaningful engagement with life. As part of this, she reminds us that by understanding our own tendencies and those of the people around us, we can better appreciate and nurture the diverse ways we all experience and interpret sensory information.

Rowena and Shelley discuss their favourite stories from the book and their top takeaways. Tune in to learn how embracing your five senses can improve your life!

Episode Links Mentioned

• Two Booked Up Episode 1: The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin

• Two Booked Up Episode 2: Personal Life and The Four Tendencies

• Two Booked Up Episode 3: Running Your Own Business Using The Four Tendencies

• Two Booked Up Episode 4: Take Yourself on a Date 

• Two Booked Up Episode 10: How to find the time to read — and why it’s a fabulous idea to do so! (Inspiration is everywhere)

Book Links Mentioned 

• Life In Five Senses by Gretchen Rubin

• The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin

• The House That Joy Built by Holly Ringland

• Avoiding the Friend Zone by Rowena Mabbott

Other Links Mentioned

• Rowena’s Avoiding The Friend Zone Spotify Playlist

• Gretchen Rubin’s Life in Five Senses Quiz

Connect with us:

Find us online at twobookedup.com and keep in touch with Two Booked Up via email by signing up for the Two Booked Up Bookclub and receive your FREE ‘Read More in ‘24’ Book checklist.

Connect with Rowena @rowenamabbott on IG and at rowenamabbott.com. You can also get Rowena’s FREE e-books, The A to Z of Career and Life Confidence and The Criteria List here.

Connect with Shelley on LinkedIn at Shelley Tonkin Smith. Her copywriting business is at shelleysmithcreative.com, and her writing and other musings are at shelleytonkinsmith.com.