2 Books mentioned in
"Dr. Maya Shankar: How to Shape Your Identity & Goals"
of Huberman Lab
Podcast: Huberman Lab
Episode: Dr. Maya Shankar: How to Shape Your Identity & Goals
Published on July 24, 2023
Here’s a list of all the books mentioned in this episode. Click on the links to watch specific excerpts on YouTube and feel free to purchase the books if they caught your interest!
The Black Poets
Buy The Black Poets by Dudley Randall on Amazon
So one day he gets a book called The Black Poets. And in the book, he read a poem by Etheridge Knight, who had also spent time in prison and had written this incredibly stirring poem about the criminal justice system.
Dr. Maya Shankar discusses how the book 'The Black Poets' inspired a man named Dwayne to write hundreds of poems during his time in prison, highlighting a significant transformation in his identity and sense of purpose as a result of this inspiration.
The Language Instinct
Buy The Language Instinct by Steven Pinker on Amazon
So I started looking at their bookshelf and came across a pop science book called 'The Language Instinct' by Stephen Pinker. That was a turning point for me.
Dr. Maya Shankar recalls how discovering 'The Language Instinct' by Stephen Pinker on her parents' bookshelf ignited her passion for cognitive science. This influential book inspired her to pursue a Ph.D. in the field, particularly after a wrist injury shifted her career away from her original path as a professional violinist. It was a pivotal moment that guided her academic journey.