Greatest Hits: 2024 Edition

It’s that time of year again—the wrap-up season! This year’s “greatest hits” list feels a little different, and that’s because 2024 was anything but ordinary. More on that in next week’s final Padkos of the year. For now, let’s dig into my personal highlights for 2024—a smorgasbord of favorites that made this year memorable.

Podcast Episode of the Year

Winner:?Making Sense?– Sam Harris' conversation with Sara Imari Walker on the scientific understanding of life. If you’re into big, mind-expanding ideas, this is a must-listen. (Side note: I’m a big fan of Sam Harris—I even use his meditation app,?Waking Up.)

Runner-Up:?Tetragrammaton?– Rick Rubin’s two-part interview with architect Bjarke Ingels. Bjarke’s vision and Rick’s insights make this a fascinating and thought-provoking listen.

Album of the Year

Winner:?Solid Jackson?– Brad Mehldau, Mark Turner, and Peter Bernstein This album hit all the right notes for me. Fun fact: I attended The New School Jazz program in the ’90s, where Brad and Peter were classmates (along with legends like Chris Potter and Roy Hargrove). Everyone knew back then that these artists were something special. Don’t miss Brad’s mesmerizing piano solo on the track “1946.”

Runner-Up:?Moon Dial?– Pat Metheny Metheny’s brilliance shines in this solo album. I often have it playing while I work—calm, inspiring, and genius all at once.

Top Mentor

Winner:?Bob Reynolds Bob’s hands-on, practical music workshops have been nothing short of transformational.

Runner-Up:?Ryan Holiday. Ryan’s wisdom on stoicism continues to guide me, even in unexpected ways.

Best Product

Winner:?Sleep 8 If we spend a third of our lives in bed, why not optimize it? Sleep 8’s adaptive temperature control has made restful nights the new normal. Thanks, Jake, for the game-changing recommendation!

Runner-Up:?Apple iWatch This wearable has freed me from constantly checking my phone. Its health tracking and multifunctionality make it more than just a gadget—it’s a lifestyle upgrade.

Real Estate Developer of the Year

Winner:?Josh Rabina Josh turned an impossible vision into a reality. His luxury residential project at?520 Fifth Avenuedefied all odds, becoming one of the year’s standout successes. A masterclass in conviction, courage, and execution.

Best Agent I Worked With This Year

Winner:?Deborah Kern. Deborah epitomizes professionalism. She knows her market and works without ego, making our deal smooth and seamless. An agent’s agent—thank you, Deborah!

Best Marketing Campaign

Winner:?GAP’s Holiday Campaign. Samuel Brady nailed it with a beautifully simple video featuring nine creators singing an acapella version of Janet Jackson’s “Together Again.” Pure magic.

Best Books of 2024

1. "Demon Copperhead" – Barbara Kingsolver
2. "James" – Percival Everett A reimagining of?Huckleberry Finn?that flips the script—this time, Jim takes the lead in a sharp, darkly funny, and thought-provoking tale.
3. "How to Know a Person" – David Brooks Brooks takes us on a deep dive into the art of truly connecting with others. It’s all about listening, empathy, and understanding in a world that desperately needs it.
4. "Deep Work" – Cal Newport Newport’s manifesto for a distraction-free life is a game-changer for anyone who wants to reclaim their focus and do meaningful, high-impact work.
5. "The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store" – James McBride A rich, multi-layered novel that peels back the secrets of a small Pennsylvania neighborhood, where themes of race, history, and community intertwine beautifully.
6. "Tunnel 29: The True Story of an Extraordinary Escape Beneath the Berlin Wall" – Helena Merriman Imagine risking everything to dig under the Berlin Wall. This thrilling true story of courage, resilience, and freedom is impossible to put down.
7. "Clementine: The Life of Mrs. Winston Churchill" – Sonia Purnell An intimate portrait of Clementine Churchill, the woman behind one of history’s great figures. Her story is as fascinating as the man she supported.
8. "Trust" – Hernan Diaz A layered, captivating exploration of wealth, deception, and the American Dream in the roaring ’20s. Every twist will leave you questioning who’s really telling the truth.
9. "The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt’s Darkest Journey" – Candice Millard Part adventure, part survival story, this account of Roosevelt’s Amazon expedition is as wild and unpredictable as the jungle itself.
10. "Effortless: Make It Easier to Do What Matters Most" – Greg McKeown McKeown offers up practical wisdom on making life’s essentials feel, well, effortless. It’s a book that truly lightens the load.

That’s it for now—this year’s hits in a nutshell. See you next week for the final Padkos of 2024, where I’ll reflect on the year that was and what’s ahead.?

Stay tuned and Let’s Do This!?

Shaun