Library

Books & podcasts
worth your time

Carefully chosen. Practically useful. These are the resources that have genuinely helped men navigate the hard parts of fatherhood, relationships, and rebuilding.

March 2026 — Book of the month

The Body Keeps the Score

Bessel van der Kolk

This book changed the way we understand stress, trauma, and the physical toll of emotional pain. Van der Kolk makes a compelling case that the aftermath of difficult experiences — separation, conflict, the weight of trying to be present for your kids while falling apart inside — isn't just in your head. It lives in your body.

For dads who've been wondering why they feel so flat, so reactive, or so disconnected even when things are supposedly fine, this book is a revelation. It's not light reading, but it's honest and practical. The section on simple body-based practices is something we've drawn on directly in the Rebuild program.

Added March 2026
All books
Book01
The Body Keeps the Score
Bessel van der Kolk
How trauma lives in the body — and what we can do about it. Essential reading for anyone who's been through sustained stress or emotional disruption.
Mind & body
Book02
Atomic Habits
James Clear
The most practical guide to building habits that actually stick. Not about motivation — about designing a life where good behaviour is the path of least resistance.
Habits & routines
Book03
Man's Search for Meaning
Viktor Frankl
Written in a Nazi concentration camp, this short book is about finding purpose in even the most brutal circumstances. The most powerful case for meaning as the foundation of resilience.
Purpose & resilience
Book04
The Way of the Superior Man
David Deida
A challenging, honest look at masculine purpose, relationships, and what it means to live with full presence. Polarising but genuinely thought-provoking for men at a crossroads.
Masculinity & purpose
Book05
No More Mr Nice Guy
Robert Glover
Brutally honest about the patterns that make men resentful, passive, and disconnected. If you've ever put everyone else first and wondered why nothing felt right, this is for you.
Identity & self-respect
Book06
The Four Agreements
Don Miguel Ruiz
Four simple principles that, when genuinely applied, strip away unnecessary suffering and make relationships — especially with your kids — cleaner and more honest.
Mindset & clarity
Book07
Lost Connections
Johann Hari
A surprising investigation into the real causes of depression and anxiety — and why human connection, meaning, and belonging matter far more than we've been told.
Mental health
Book08
The Whole-Brain Child
Daniel J. Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson
Practical neuroscience for parents. Helps you understand why kids react the way they do — and gives you tools to stay calm and connected when things get hard.
Parenting
Book09
Can't Hurt Me
David Goggins
Raw, unfiltered, and confronting. Goggins shows what's possible when you stop making excuses and hold yourself to a higher standard. Not a comfortable read — and that's the point.
Discipline & grit
Book10
Attached
Amir Levine & Rachel Heller
Explains adult attachment styles and why relationships unfold the way they do. Genuinely useful for understanding what happened in your relationship and how to show up better going forward.
Relationships
March 2026 — Podcast of the month

The Huberman Lab

Andrew Huberman

We keep coming back to this one. Huberman is a Stanford neuroscientist who translates complex brain and body science into practical tools you can use today. Episodes on stress regulation, sleep, dopamine, and morning routines are particularly relevant for dads who want to get their baseline sorted.

The episode on NSDR (Non-Sleep Deep Rest) alone is worth an hour of your time. If you've been running on empty and wondering how to recover without eight perfect hours, this is genuinely useful science — not wellness fluff.

Added March 2026
All podcasts
Podcast01
Huberman Lab
Andrew Huberman
Neuroscience-backed tools for sleep, stress, focus, and physical performance. One of the most practically useful podcasts for men who want to understand and improve how they function.
Performance & wellbeing
Podcast02
The Tim Ferriss Show
Tim Ferriss
Long-form conversations with world-class performers. The episodes on mental health, depression, and psychedelics are particularly valuable for men who haven't talked openly about struggle before.
Life & performance
Podcast03
Unlocking Us
Brené Brown
Brené Brown unpacks vulnerability, courage, and human connection. Don't let the audience put you off — the research and insights apply directly to men trying to reconnect with their families.
Connection & vulnerability
Podcast04
The School of Greatness
Lewis Howes
Howes is a former professional athlete who openly shares his journey through trauma and identity. The episodes on fatherhood and masculinity are worth seeking out.
Masculinity & identity
Podcast05
On Purpose
Jay Shetty
Mindset, purpose, and how to live with more intention. Draws on Shetty's time as a monk to offer a calm, grounded perspective on the things that actually matter.
Purpose & mindset
Podcast06
Where Should We Begin?
Esther Perel
Real couples therapy sessions, made public. Even if your relationship is over, listening to how couples communicate — and fail to — changes how you approach co-parenting and future relationships.
Relationships
Podcast07
The Good Dad Project
Larry Hagner
Specifically for dads. Practical conversations about being present, staying connected to your kids, and doing the work to become the father you want to be.
Parenting
Podcast08
Modern Wisdom
Chris Williamson
Honest, wide-ranging conversations with psychologists, athletes, and thinkers. Chris asks the questions other hosts don't, particularly around men's mental health and modern masculinity.
Masculinity & culture
Podcast09
Feel Better, Live More
Dr Rangan Chatterjee
A GP's approach to genuine wellbeing — covering sleep, stress, food, and movement without being preachy. Practical and easy to listen to on a commute or walk.
Health & lifestyle
Podcast10
The Knowledge Project
Shane Parrish
Deep dives into how to think more clearly, make better decisions, and understand human nature. Particularly useful if you're trying to break patterns that aren't serving you or your kids.
Thinking & decision-making