Expanding horizons - Summer reads, summer experiences, summer thoughts

This months’ Biased Brain is our traditional?Summer Special?filled to the brim with inspiration for?expanding your horizon?or just be entertained. And with some?exciting?(at least to us)?news?

One way of expanding your horizon is just to stare at it. No purpose,?no doing, just staring. So that’s what we’re going to do this summer.

Oh, and also we’re going to read and listen to all sorts of interesting stuff on the rather long drive towards?Lofoten, Norway…?

Here's a selection of what we'll be listening to:

1. Audiobook: A new perspective

David Graeber and David Wengrow: The Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity.

We are listening to this because of Nanna’s father. He is a historian and recommended this book with the words:?

“I wish this had been written when I studied. It has changed my perspective fundamentally - from linear to circular and I will never look at history the same again.”?

This from a man that reads at least 100 books pr. year, both fiction and non-fiction. This is a recommendation one ignores and ones’s own peril…

2. Podcasts - from optimal eating to the taming of humans

We are also going to listen to some podcasts:?The Huberman Lab, Lone Frank and perhaps a dash of "Hjerne-Madsen"...

Huberman Lab with Dr. Andrew Huberman.

It could be the episode with Dr. Gabrielle Lyon: How to Exercise & Eat for Optimal Health. It is two fabulous nerds talking for 3 hours - we love it, but it is perhaps not for everyone…?

Lone Frank

For our Danish speaking readers, we will recommend Lone Frank’s podcast. She is a splendid conveyor of scientific content, often with a personal twist (but never private). Hugely enjoyable.

Hjerne-Madsen i Hjernekassen

Last, but not least, we are going to listen to a couple of episodes of "Hjernekassen" with Peter Lund Madsen, starting with episode about how we, as humans, have tamed ourselves.?

3. Books - old-school adventure, a classic and steampunk

Old-school adventure

Bruce Chatwin's "In Patagonia" was an instant classic?upon its publication in 1977. An exhilarating look at a place that still retains the?exotic mystery?of a far-off, unseen land.

Chatwin’s exquisite account of his journey through Patagonia is full of epic descriptions, remarkable bits of history, and anecdotes.?

Fuelled by an unmistakable lust for?adventure?and a singular gift for?storytelling, Chatwin treks through the stretch of land at the southern tip of South America, where bandits were once made welcome—in search of almost?forgotten legends, the descendants of Welsh immigrants, and the log cabin built by?Butch Cassidy. History and adventure mixed into one, worth a read.

A Norwegian classic

Since we're going to Norway, Tarjei Vesaas is an excellent choise for a classic.?

His?enchanted and?deadly spring night?is a wonderful place to be - capturing the Nordic light and dark in his close, often?allegoric prose.

The novel takes place over the course of a single night. Two siblings?alone at homeare suddenly visited by a small group of people whose car has crashed in front of the house. It's?a psychological primal scene?with a touch of horror: home alone, strangers knocking...

Steampunk by a favourite of ours

Jim Butcher is?a house favourite. His urban fantasy?series about wizard private eye Harry Dresden of Chicago is brilliant entertainment in the style of Chandler and Hammet.

This, however, is a wonderful,?action-packed?mix of steampunk and fantasy, set ind a world of airships,?swashbuckling?swordfights?and magic.

We expect to be?thoroughly and happily entertained?for many hours.

“YOU CANNOT SWIM FOR NEW HORIZONS UNTIL YOU HAVE COURAGE TO LOSE SIGHT OF THE SHORE.” William Faulkner

Oh, and our news...

We're writing a book. And have secured the help of a fantastic publisher, Content Publishing. It will be about the hugely powerful strategic advantage of the top leadership team?being an actual team - and how to become that. There will be cases. And interviews. And theory. And experience. And questions. And some answers, but likely not to all the questions. And quotes. And recommendations.

And it will be in Danish. At least at first, but hopefully in English later on. And it will come out in 2025, which seems like a very long time from now, but we are told to be patient...

We wish you all a happy summer!!

HEXES, Nanna & Janus

About HEXES

Supporting Leaders & Teams

We help implement changes in culture and behaviour. We are experienced consultants with a non- reverent approach to theories and methods. We address both human and organisational dynamics that supports authentic leadership and collaboration in a way that has the power to inspire real, sustainable change. Years of work in complex settings have shown us what works and what doesn't while supporting leaders and teams in their environment.