MY BRAIN TRUST

The Books, Thinkers & Pods That Keep Me (Mostly) Sane

And now for something really boring…and formulaic!

So, my apologies, but for the first time I figured I should put down some thoughts on what is regularly on my reading/listening list.

There are many more that i have left off, and the list changes all the time. For example i didn’t list Ben Wells of PTI, and yet his insight and reports the past couple of years have really impacted my thinking. Evan Shapiro, a monster in output on the media world…so i could draft a list that went on and on but its been a journey cutting it down. Please share your thoughts on who should join my rotation.

BOOKS

First the books that help give me my mental framework:

The future is faster than you think – This was an eye opener for me, it helped me really think about how technology is speeding up. It really brought practical use cases to mind for the way AI, Big Data, IoT, the Internet and other foundational technologies will impact the world and the way we live in it.

The Interaction Field – A bit like the human body…everything is interconnected. Don’t over complicate things but know that silos really don’t work.

Abundance – I always like a positive take on life. I really think this helps figure out a better framework (and the other Abundance, by Peter Diamandis is also worth a read)

Exponential Organizations 2.0 – I loved the first book, this was a useful update. Sports organizations are way, way too linear in their thinking and I would make this a prerequisite for all senior executives.

The Perfect Storm – I gave this a review when it came out. I think every Sports MBA course should have this as a part of their essential reading. Don’t miss it.

Secrets of Sand hill Road – I pass this to anyone I know who is looking to raise money. A really good insight into how Venture Capitalists invest

One to watch:

We Are as Gods, by Peter Diamandis. Out in April 2026, I have it on pre-order!

PEOPLE

People I follow on LinkedIn/Substack etc that I think are well worth a conversation

Berkida Brief / Massimo Marinelli – the new substack posts are really good. I love the fact they give the facts, and then a small opinion, but it gives real insight everytime.

Craig Hepburn – I click on every link/every story he posts. I learn something new about the space I need to know about all the time. Thankfully he has become more prolific and more insightful

Nick Meacham – last couple of years Nick has really stepped up.

John Kosner / Ed Desser – when they write, I read. Its not very often but they have been in the middle of the changing media world and have their finger on the pulse.

Tom Burwell – only had the pleasure of meeting him once, but I am loving what Bia Sports are up to.

Sandford Loudon – like the next one…he only posts after the fact, but watch carefully as you will learn about what the world is up to.

Headhunters – follow all of them, track who they are hiring and for where…that will give you a really interesting insight into where the world is focused.

Swiss Ramble & Greg Cordell – I don’t always read their work but the analysis is always top notch, and I have seen their work show up in presentations from established actors (properly referenced) which shows to me that their analysis is on point

Sports Pundit / Sporting Crypto – keeps me up to date on areas I wish I had the time to focus on! I use them to help me figure out where to dig in later.

Jo Redfern – keep me young! Its not all Roblox…but the youth act differently and if you don’t listen to the likes of Jo you likely are missing the point.

Paola Marinone – Like Jo, there is so much I learn about the You Tube world when I listed to her

A guy with a Scarf - Carlo de Marchis is packed with interesting insights and opinions.

PODS

And now for the Podcasts:

Sharp Tech with Ben Thompson – just a superb podcast and from the man who runs Stratechery. Always worth a listen.

Unofficial Partner – I’m partial to listening to Yannick, and the ‘Other People’s Money’ subsects of the main pod but its always fun.

Against the Rules – from Michael Lewis who is one of my favourite authors. More mainstream but useful context, and the broader interviews like with Michael Burry are really helpful macro views.

A16Z – my favourite VC fund, and they do a host of pods worth listening to.

Bill Simmons Podcast – my single biggest go to…but I’m a fan of Bill, the Red Sox and his interview style

The Rewatchables – if you love movies…then this is well worth the listen.

The Varsity – from the Puck network, if you want to follow the changing themes of US sports this is a must have.

Acquired – You need a long plane ride or road trip for this one but since Michael Sutherland introduced me to this I have loved learning the back story!

Streamtime – as mentioned above Nick Meacham has done an ever-improving job on analyzing the sports industry

AYNE – the original, and still a part of my rotation. It’s always entertaining and the trio play off one another superbly.

The rotation of non-sports – Joe Rogan, Scott Galloway, Trevor Noah, Modern Wisdom…but who has time for it all!!!