Something for the long weekend

What I’ve been watching, reading, & listening to

Jul 03, 2026

Hey Leaders,

It’s a holiday weekend over here in the US, so people are getting together with friends or family, watching fireworks, and taking a few extra days off to rest.

So I thought this would be a good time to share what I’ve been watching, reading, and listening to recently, in case you were looking for recommendations.

What I’m reading:

Kin by Tayari Jones - A beautifully written novel on friendship, sisterhood and womanhood set in the American South. Jones is my favorite kind of writer, warm and lyrical in her prose, and astute in her character development. LOVED.

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke - A biting satire about a social media “tradwife”influencer who wakes up trapped in 1855 . I was late to the party on this book and so missed all the debates and conversation. But it was a good read and utterly unhinged in certain places. I can see why the book clubs were set alight by this one.

Never Tell a Black Girl How to Black Girl by Amena Brown - A warm and funny essay collection on growing up in the South, on date night and love, and hair, and family. It’s a beautiful collection on life, all the while reminding us that Black women are not a monolith and encouraging us to be all that we fully are.

A Quiet No - A powerful short essay for Austin Channing Brown reminding us that the world is often changed in our quiet consistency.

What I’m watching:

Voicemails for Isabelle - Rom Coms are SOOOOO back you guys. I know that technically they never left, but still. This is a good one.

The Bear - It’s the final season for The Bear, and it’s lovely in that angsty, tender, gorgeous looking food that I could never cook, but would very willingly eat, kind of a way.

Podcasts I listened to:

The Diary of A Ceo: Steven Bartlett talks with Professor John Lennox

Popular podcaster & entrepreneur Steven Bartlett talks with Professor John Lennox. John Lennox is Professor of Mathematics at Oxford University (emeritus) and a Christian Apologist. They discuss faith, truth, and what it means to be human in the age of AI. A moving conversation.

Why Leadership is Designed to Kill You: Carey Niewhof talks with Nicole Martin

Carey Niewhof interviews Nicole Martin, the first Black female CEO of Christianity Today. They discuss the challenges of being the first, the pressures of organizational leadership, leadership and suffering, leading through division and more. A fantastic conversation!

Finally, one to watch and revel in: THE WORLD CUP

Call it soccer if you want and need to. The important thing is to watch it and enjoy the fun, the fans and yes… the football!

Have a great weekend,