103 episodes

Discovering what makes us human, exploring important life hacks, and "how to be", whilst highlighting the most important intersectional nonfiction books our there. The How To Be...Books Podcast looks at improving mental health and wellbeing, as well as creating social change through reading and interviewing mind-blowing authors.

Have you ever thought why is it that my friends, colleagues, and acquaintances can do so much more than me? Well if you have, you're not alone. From confidence, persistence, motivation, to resilience - these life skills can help us go a long way in believing in ourselves. Not to mention, we live in a polarised world where conversations have broken down, so we've opened a space for those difficult chats.

We will try examine the tips and guides out there to see if it can help. Whilst I am no expert by any means, I have lived experience of feeling different and misunderstood, so hopefully we can take this path of enhancement together. PS. I do not receive commission for the books and guides reviewed.

Hit subscribe if you like it!

How To Be...Books Podcast Suswati Basu

    • Education
    • 5.0 • 41 Ratings

Discovering what makes us human, exploring important life hacks, and "how to be", whilst highlighting the most important intersectional nonfiction books our there. The How To Be...Books Podcast looks at improving mental health and wellbeing, as well as creating social change through reading and interviewing mind-blowing authors.

Have you ever thought why is it that my friends, colleagues, and acquaintances can do so much more than me? Well if you have, you're not alone. From confidence, persistence, motivation, to resilience - these life skills can help us go a long way in believing in ourselves. Not to mention, we live in a polarised world where conversations have broken down, so we've opened a space for those difficult chats.

We will try examine the tips and guides out there to see if it can help. Whilst I am no expert by any means, I have lived experience of feeling different and misunderstood, so hopefully we can take this path of enhancement together. PS. I do not receive commission for the books and guides reviewed.

Hit subscribe if you like it!

    How to achieve clarity with author Jamie Smart

    How to achieve clarity with author Jamie Smart

    Our minds work best when they feel clear, but it's surprising how many things can get in the way - something that Clarity author Jamie Smart knows a lot about. He spoke to the "How To Be Books Podcast" for the final episode of the season.

    Please hit subscribe to hear the whole series on life skills and social change! It should be short and sweet. I look forward to journeying with you through this maze of hacks.

    Other wonderful guests who took part:
    Dr Hafeez Ahmed is a married dentist with three kids, former whistleblower, survivor of CSE, and author of "The Philosophy Fridge."Mahati Singh is a tech recruiter, career mentor, content creator and founder of CodiesAlert.
    Other books/articles looked at:

    Rolf Dobelli: The Art of Thinking Clearly: The Secrets of Perfect Decision-Making

    Keep following How To Be Books at www.howtobe247.com, and @howtobe247 on socials for future updates about the podcast. In the meantime, see you next season!

    This episode was sponsored by Zencastr. Use my special link to save 30% off your first month of any Zencastr paid plan or the code "HowToBeBooks."

    • 50 min
    How to process grief with Totally Fine author Tiffany Philippou

    How to process grief with Totally Fine author Tiffany Philippou

    People who have recently experienced the loss of a loved one or any kind of grief, often struggle to process this new reality, as Totally Fine author Tiffany Philippou explained to us on the "How To Be Books Podcast."

    Please hit subscribe to hear the whole series on life skills and social change! It should be short and sweet. I look forward to journeying with you through this maze of hacks.

    Trigger warning: This episode contains themes related to suicide.

    Other wonderful guests who took part:
    Mary Lamia, Ph.D., is a Psychology Today grief columnist teaching at college level and also in private practice. She is also the author of "Grief Isn't Something to Get Over."
    Other books/articles looked at:

    Joan Didion: The Year of Magical Thinking

    If you or anyone you know needs to speak to someone, you can phone the Samaritans in the UK at 116 123. For more information, visit the Samaritans website at www.samaritans.org. If you’re in the US, The National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1-800-273-8255. CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) is leading a movement against suicide. You can find the website at www.thecalmzone.net.

    This episode was sponsored by Zencastr. Use my special link to save 30% off your first month of any Zencastr paid plan or the code "HowToBeBooks."

    • 37 min
    Taking shame out of female anatomy with Vagina Obscura author Rachel E. Gross

    Taking shame out of female anatomy with Vagina Obscura author Rachel E. Gross

    The sense of shame surrounding female anatomy is a complex and deeply rooted social and cultural issue that has evolved over centuries, which is what Vagina Obscura author Rachel E. Gross discussed with us on the "How To Be Books Podcast."

    Please hit subscribe to hear the whole series on life skills and social change! It should be short and sweet. I look forward to journeying with you through this maze of hacks.

    Other books/articles looked at:

    Dr. Jennifer Gunter: The Vagina Bible: The Vulva and The Vagina - Separating The Myth from The Medicine

    This episode was sponsored by Zencastr. Use my special link to save 30% off your first month of any Zencastr paid plan or the code "HowToBeBooks."

    • 45 min
    Extraordinary life lessons with Climb Your Mountain author Sir Ranulph Fiennes

    Extraordinary life lessons with Climb Your Mountain author Sir Ranulph Fiennes

    Life is a remarkable adventure filled with highs, lows, and lessons, and fully accepting its every aspect can be tough, which is an important subject we discussed with legendary explorer and Climb Your Mountain author Sir Ranulph Fiennes on the "How To Be Books Podcast."

    Please hit subscribe to hear the whole series on life skills and social change! It should be short and sweet. I look forward to journeying with you through this maze of hacks.

    Other wonderful guests who took part:
    Master Certified Coach, coaching psychologist, consultant, trainer and speaker Ruth Kudzi, is also the author of the bestselling book "How To Feel Better."Mindful Frontiers LLC creative director and founder Anne-Marie Emanuelli.Georgie Shears, a Life Design Strategist and founder of the SHIFT Life Transformation System™.Steven Hesketh, the Hospitality Hero.
    Other books/articles looked at:

    Richard Wiseman: Shoot for the Moon: How the Moon Landings Taught us the 8 Secrets of Success

    This episode was sponsored by Zencastr. Use my special link to save 30% off your first month of any Zencastr paid plan or the code "HowToBeBooks."

    • 54 min
    How the law works - Unlawful Killings author Wendy Joseph KC

    How the law works - Unlawful Killings author Wendy Joseph KC

    The legal system is a complex and multifaceted institution that plays a fundamental role in maintaining order and justice in society, which Unlawful Killings author Her Honour Wendy Joseph KC knows a lot about and spoke to us on the "How To Be Books Podcast."

    Trigger warning: This episode contains themes related to homicide, physical, sexual, and child abuse.

    Please hit subscribe to hear the whole series on life skills and social change! It should be short and sweet. I look forward to journeying with you through this maze of hacks.

    Other books/articles looked at:
    Preet Bharara: Doing Justice: A Prosecutor's Thoughts on Crime, Punishment and the Rule of Law

    This episode was sponsored by Zencastr. Use my special link to save 30% off your first month of any Zencastr paid plan or the code "HowToBeBooks."

    • 47 min
    How to talk about death - With The End in Mind author Dr Kathryn Mannix

    How to talk about death - With The End in Mind author Dr Kathryn Mannix

    We talk about death for various reasons, and the way we discuss it can depend on cultural, social, and personal factors, which is what With The End in Mind author Dr Kathryn Mannix told us at "How To Be Books Podcast."

    Please hit subscribe to hear the whole series on life skills and social change! It should be short and sweet. I look forward to journeying with you through this maze of hacks.

    Other wonderful guests who took part:
    Rupert Callender, an undertaker and author of the book "What Remains?: Life, Death and the Human Art of Undertaking."Susan Leigh, counsellor and hypnotherapist from lifestyletherapy.net.
    Other books/articles looked at:

    Dr Atul Gawande: Being Mortal: Illness, Medicine and What Matters in the End

    • 48 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
41 Ratings

41 Ratings

Paul Zakrzewski ,

Great new discovery!

I just discovered Suswati's podcast and love it. Her show reminds me of true classics like "On Being," where books & authors are just a jumping-off point to wonderfully open and alive conversations about what it means to be human. I love the way she uses her background as a journalist and perspective as a feminist, as British & South Asian to ask important questions. Great job :)

Yanira Puy ,

I love how you make information digestible!!

I love this podcast and being part in one of them. We need more people that help us make wellbeing viral. Thanks for being part of the change.

LSK2023 ,

Enjoying

Really enjoying this podcast.

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