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In Remember the Times, Teddy Riley chronicles his remarkable journey from a young musician in Harlem to one of the most influential producers in music history. The memoir traces his early breakthrough producing for Kool Moe Dee, a pivotal opportunity that introduced his innovative production style to the industry and laid the foundation for what would become the revolutionary New Jack Swing sound. Riley explains how blending hip-hop’s hard-hitting rhythms with the soul of R&B transformed popular music and opened doors to collaborations with artists such as Keith Sweat, Guy, Bobby Brown, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, and eventually Blackstreet.
 

As Riley’s career evolved, so did his influence. The book provides a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of timeless records, culminating in one of his biggest achievements—“No Diggity” by Blackstreet. Rather than presenting success as an overnight phenomenon, Riley illustrates how years of experimentation, persistence, and continuous refinement of his craft ultimately led to some of the most recognizable music of the 1980s and 1990s. His story demonstrates that innovation often comes from building upon previous opportunities rather than chasing trends.
 

Equally compelling are Riley’s candid reflections on the business side of the music industry. He recounts his tumultuous relationship with his longtime manager, Gene, describing how misplaced trust, financial mismanagement, and the theft of earnings threatened both his career and his legacy. These experiences serve as a powerful reminder that creative talent alone is not enough; artists must also understand contracts, publishing, ownership, and financial management to protect what they create.

Ultimately, Remember the Times is more than the autobiography of a legendary producer—it is a blueprint for creative excellence and business wisdom. Teddy Riley’s journey reminds readers that lasting success is built through innovation, resilience, collaboration, and ownership. Whether you’re an artist, entrepreneur, producer, or creative professional, the memoir offers valuable lessons about mastering your craft while safeguarding your legacy.
 

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In Designing the Mind, Ryan A. Bush introduces a powerful idea: your mind is not something you simply “have” — it’s something you can intentionally design. He calls this process psychitecture, the architecture of the psyche. Just like a building is constructed from beams, pillars, and blueprints, your thoughts, beliefs, and values form a mental structure. When parts of that structure are weak, outdated, or contradictory, you experience anxiety, procrastination, confusion, or internal conflict. The key is not to suppress emotions — it’s to redesign the structure underneath them.

Bush explains that emotions are not random. They’re responses to the beliefs you hold — often beliefs you’ve never examined. If you believe failure defines your worth, you’ll fear taking risks. If you believe success will isolate you, you’ll subconsciously sabotage growth. Many of our mental struggles come from hidden contradictions inside our belief system. Psychitecture teaches you how to surface those contradictions, question them, and replace them with more coherent, reality-aligned beliefs.

Another major theme is values. Most people inherit their values from culture, family, or circumstance without consciously choosing them. Bush argues that clearly defining your values is like installing load-bearing pillars in your mental structure. When your goals, identity, and daily actions align with chosen values, your mind becomes stable and resilient. Without that alignment, you feel scattered and reactive.

Ultimately, the book reframes personal development. It’s not about “finding yourself.” It’s about designing yourself. You are both the architect and the building. And if you’re willing to examine your mental blueprint, you can intentionally construct a mind that supports clarity, purpose, and long-term flourishing.

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In Moses and Monotheism, Sigmund Freud presents one of his most provocative theories: that Moses, the foundational figure of Judaism, was not Hebrew but an Egyptian noble who followed the monotheistic reforms of Pharaoh Akhenaten. Freud argues that the strict, abstract monotheism Moses taught—centered on a single, invisible God—bears closer resemblance to Egyptian Aten worship than to the surrounding Semitic religions of the time. According to Freud, Moses selected a Semitic group, led them out of Egypt, and imposed this austere religious system on them.

Freud then advances a controversial psychohistorical claim: the Israelites eventually rebelled against Moses’ authoritarian leadership and killed him. This collective act of violence, he argues, was repressed and buried within the group’s cultural memory, much like traumatic events are repressed within individuals. Over generations, however, the memory of Moses and his strict monotheism returned in symbolic form, resurfacing through prophetic traditions and later religious reforms. For Freud, the eventual triumph of monotheism was a delayed reawakening of Moses’ original message.
 

Drawing on psychoanalytic concepts, Freud interprets religious development as a process shaped by repression, guilt, and the longing for a powerful father figure. He argues that God functions psychologically as an internalized father, and that Judaism’s moral demands reflect an inherited sense of obligation rooted in the repressed trauma of killing Moses. This dynamic, he claims, also influenced the emergence of Christianity, which further transformed the relationship between guilt, redemption, and the father figure.

Ultimately, Freud positions monotheism not simply as a religious evolution but as a psychological one. He suggests that the origins of Judaism—and by extension Western religious thought—can be understood through the mechanisms of cultural memory and collective trauma. Although heavily speculative, Moses and Monotheism remains significant for its attempt to merge psychoanalysis with religious history, challenging traditional narratives and proposing a radical reinterpretation of one of the world’s most influential faith traditions.
 

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When we think about inequality, we often jump straight to race or gender. But in Facing Social Class, Susan Fiske and Hazel Rose Markus remind us that social class is just as powerful in shaping people’s lives. Class isn’t just about how much money you make—it affects your values, your behaviors, and even how you see yourself and others. The book gives us a clear lens to understand how class operates as a hidden force in everyday life.

One of the key points they make is that class differences show up in how people communicate and relate. Folks from working-class backgrounds often emphasize community and “we,” while middle- and upper-class individuals tend to highlight independence and “me.” Neither is better or worse, but when these values clash—whether in schools, workplaces, or health care—they can create misunderstandings that reinforce stereotypes and widen divides.i

The authors also show how institutions often reflect upper-class norms, which makes it harder for working-class individuals to feel included or to succeed. Think about how schools reward certain types of speech, or how corporations expect certain “professional” behaviors. These aren’t neutral—they reflect cultural values of higher social classes. To create fairness, institutions have to adapt and recognize the strengths of different class perspectives instead of forcing everyone into one mold.

In the end, Facing Social Class isn’t just a critique—it’s a call to action. By paying attention to class, we can better understand how opportunity is distributed, challenge our own assumptions, and work to bridge divides. Fiske and Markus encourage us to build empathy across class lines and push for structures that allow everyone—not just the privileged few—to thrive.

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In The Human Brand, Chris Malone and Susan T. Fiske reveal a timeless truth: people judge companies and brands the same way they judge other people — through the lens of warmth and competence. Warmth shows customers you care about their well-being and have good intentions; competence shows you can actually deliver on what you promise. Just like the old saying goes, “People don’t care what you know until they know that you care.” Without warmth, even the most skilled company can feel cold and transactional, driving customers away instead of drawing them in.

The authors share vivid examples of brands that get this balance right, like Zappos, Starbucks, and Amazon — companies that show up consistently, do what they say they will do, and treat customers like human beings, not just dollar signs. In our digital age, customers have more power than ever to hold companies accountable. A lack of genuine care is hard to hide and quick to backfire. But when brands act with authenticity and empathy, they spark the kind of trust and loyalty that traditional marketing alone can’t buy.

Reading this really hits home because it reminds us to look at our own businesses and ask: Do my customers feel like I genuinely care? The warmth-and-competence lens can be a simple but powerful gut check. It’s not about grand gestures — it’s often the little things: listening more, being honest when things go wrong, and treating people like people. Those small moments add up to relationships that last.

Ultimately, The Human Brand is a call to remember that business, at its core, is human. Technology may change how we connect, but trust is still built the old-fashioned way — by showing you care and following through on your word. Brands that embrace this simple truth won’t just survive; they’ll stand out and thrive.

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In Jesus and the Disinherited, Howard Thurman offers a powerful meditation on what the life and teachings of Jesus mean for people who live with their backs against the wall—the poor, the oppressed, and the excluded. Thurman doesn’t just present Jesus as a religious figure; he frames Him as a poor, brown-skinned Jew living under Roman occupation. In doing so, he reclaims Jesus as someone who intimately understood what it meant to be disinherited.

Thurman digs into the core issues that the oppressed face: fear, deception, and hate. Fear is used to keep people in their place. Deception is often a tool for survival but can erode the soul. And hate, while understandable, ultimately dehumanizes both the oppressed and the oppressor. Thurman challenges the disinherited to rise above these forces through the radical practice of love—not soft or passive, but disciplined, courageous, and deeply rooted in dignity and spiritual strength.

This book didn’t just speak to the soul—it stirred a movement. Jesus and the Disinherited helped lay the foundation for the Social Gospel movement, which in turn became the spiritual backbone of the Civil Rights Movement. Martin Luther King Jr. carried this book with him and drew heavily on its message of nonviolent resistance, spiritual integrity, and the revolutionary love of Jesus.

At its heart, Thurman’s message is clear: the gospel is not just good news for the privileged—it’s liberation for the oppressed. It’s a call to reclaim faith as a force for justice, courage, and hope in the face of systemic injustice.

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In Brainwashed, veteran advertising executive Tom Burrell confronts one of the most damaging lies in American history: the myth of Black inferiority. Drawing from his background in media and marketing, Burrell argues that centuries of racist messaging—delivered through advertising, entertainment, education, and religion—have conditioned both Black and non-Black people to subconsciously accept this falsehood as truth. He contends that this psychological programming has had long-lasting effects on Black identity, behavior, and self-worth.

A key focus of the book is how music, movies, and pop culture reinforce harmful stereotypes and normalize dysfunction within Black communities. Burrell explains how these messages often glorify violence, hypersexuality, and materialism—contributing to internalized self-hate and destructive behaviors. He makes the case that these portrayals not only shape how others view Black people, but more dangerously, how Black people see themselves. This internalization leads to cycles of self-sabotage, fractured families, and even violence within the community.

Burrell challenges the idea that these behaviors are not natural or cultural, insisting instead that they are learned responses to centuries of psychological warfare. He describes this condition as a kind of mental enslavement—rooted not in biology or personal failure, but in a deliberate system of manipulation that spans generations.

Brainwashed is not just an exposé but a call to action. Burrell encourages listeners to become aware of the programming, reject negative narratives, and reclaim their cultural identity. He advocates for healing through education, critical thinking, and conscious media consumption, offering a path toward liberation from the lies that have long distorted the Black experience.

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Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude is a self-help and personal development classic that builds on the foundational ideas of Napoleon Hill’s earlier work, Think and Grow Rich. Co-authored with W. Clement Stone, a successful businessman and believer in the power of mindset, the book centers on one core principle: a Positive Mental Attitude (PMA) which is the key to unlocking success, happiness, and fulfillment in any area of life.

The authors argue that every person has a “talent or gift” that can be used to achieve success, but only if they maintain the right mental attitude. PMA is described as a way of thinking that focuses on solutions rather than problems, sees opportunity in adversity, and believes in the power of persistence, faith, and action. The opposite—Negative Mental Attitude (NMA)—leads to defeat, stagnation, and unhappiness.

The book outlines 17 success principles, including:

• Definiteness of purpose: Knowing exactly what you want.

• Applied faith: Believing in your ability and your goals, and taking action based on that belief.

• Going the extra mile: Always doing more than you’re paid for to create added value.

• Self-discipline: Mastering your emotions, habits, and desires.

• Personal initiative: Taking proactive steps rather than waiting for things to happen.

Throughout the book, Hill and Stone share inspirational stories of people who overcame incredible odds by applying these principles. From underprivileged individuals to entrepreneurs and inventors, the examples reinforce the idea that success is not limited by background or resources, but by mindset and effort.

A key takeaway is the idea that “every adversity carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit.” This encourages readers to reframe challenges as opportunities for growth and transformation.

Ultimately, Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude is both a philosophy and a call to action. It challenges readers to take control of their thoughts, believe in their potential, and build a life of purpose, abundance, and resilience through the power of a positive attitude.

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Pawns in the Game is a provocative exposé by former Canadian naval officer William Guy Carr, who presents a sweeping and conspiratorial interpretation of global history. Carr argues that world events—especially revolutions, economic collapses, and wars—have been deliberately orchestrated by a clandestine group of international financiers, secret societies, and ideological operatives working toward the establishment of a One World Government.

Central to Carr’s thesis is the idea that major wars in history were not spontaneous or inevitable, but were carefully engineered to destabilize nations, destroy traditional institutions, and push the world closer to centralized global control. He claims:

• World War I was used to dismantle monarchies (especially the Russian Empire), spread communism, and weaken national sovereignty.

• World War II further entrenched communism, led to the creation of the State of Israel, and birthed the United Nations, which Carr sees as a foundational step toward a global government.

• A Third World War, according to alleged long-term plans, would exploit tensions between political Zionism and the Islamic world to produce global chaos and justify the final push toward a unified world order.

Carr blames these developments on what he calls the Synagogue of Satan—a network of elite conspirators, including members of the Illuminati, Freemasons, and international banking families, who manipulate political ideologies like communism, fascism, and capitalism not as ends in themselves, but as means of control.

Throughout the book, Carr warns that the public are mere pawns in a grand geopolitical chess game, used and discarded by forces seeking total dominance. He views this as not just a political scheme, but a spiritual war between good and evil, urging listeners to awaken morally and resist being deceived by false promises of peace and progress.

While Pawns in the Game is influential in conspiracy theory circles, it has been widely criticized for its speculative claims, lack of credible evidence, and antisemitic undertones. Nevertheless, it remains a cornerstone text for those who believe that hidden powers shape world events behind the scenes.

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Media Psychology: Understanding & Navigating the Media’s Unconscious Influence

This audiobook consists of multiple lectures that address different forms of media and how they affect those who consume them. The author, Douglas Gentile, is a professor and developmental psychologist.

A majority of the lectures dive into how different media sources affect developmental processes in adults and children. For example, there’s a strong relationship between children who consume violent media (video games, movies, etc) and criminal records in adulthood. I’m sure that’s no shocker…lol

However, another study found that children who watched Sesame Street in their youth earned higher grades in high school. This indicates that positive media can have a positive long term influence on society as a whole. But why is it that we tend to be attracted to more negative media??

He breaks this phenomenon down along with many more gems for you. If that sounds intriguing, this is the audiobook for you.

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A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle

Awakening Your Life’s Purpose

In this book, the author elaborates on a point he expressed in his previous book, The Power of Now, which focused on the idea of being present in the now. As he delved deeper into the topic of presence, he taps into the idea of consciousness and how ego driven desires are related.

We all have been influenced by our egos at some point in life. According to the author, most individuals spend a majority of their lives in an unconscious state, not realizing just how much their egos are guiding the choices we make and our overall life’s direction. By staying present, we’re able to be more aware, thus tapping into a deeper purpose that is meant for our lives.

One of the techniques he offers for embracing the present is simply focusing on your breathing. Shifting your focus to breathing more deeply can have an amazing impact on your mental health, stress levels and overall relaxation. So, if you’re interested in learning more about this subject, this would be a good read for you…

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The Music Therapy Profession

In this audiobook, the author introduced the listener to the burgeoning field of music therapy. Along with a detailed explanation of the profession, she also included several essays from different music therapists in the field.

A common theme in those essays was the fact that each of the therapists found music to have a healing effect on them and therefore wanted to use music to helps others. This derail really struck a nerve with me and reignited my desire to learn more.

This is an excellent introduction into the profession for those who want to know more…

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