Person
Every book Todd Rose recommended on podcasts
Across 2 podcasts. Every show Todd Rose appears on, in one place — not just one.
Dr. Todd Rose is a researcher, author, and speaker who studies human behavior, societal systems, and individuality. On podcasts, Rose has recommended and discussed several impactful works that address human psychology and collective beliefs. He recommended René Girard's work on mimetic desire, highlighting its insights into how humans imitate one another and share desires. Rose also enthusiastically recommended Václav Havel's manifesto The Power of the Powerless, noting that it illustrates how everyday people can recognize collective illusions and spark genuine change through personal responsibility. To examine how technological changes can outpace traditional mindsets and lead to disastrous outcomes, Rose brought up Barbara Tuchman's history book The Guns of August, comparing its themes to modern issues with propaganda and misinformation. Furthermore, he discussed finding Nathaniel Branden's Six Pillars of Self-Esteem during his youth, explaining how the book fundamentally changed his perspective on self-esteem and beliefs by showing that it is not something one can act on directly.
Books recommended by Todd Rose
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The Power of the Powerless
The Power of the Powerless by Václav Havel is a profound anti-communist manifesto exploring how everyday individuals can challenge collective illusions and overcome oppression through personal truth and responsibility.
Recommended“And he wrote this phenomenal um manifesto called The Power of the Powerless, which you can get for free and download. It's like worth reading. Where he realizes the problem's an illusion.”
Where to get it
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To Honor René Girard
To Honor René Girard is a collection of essays and scholarly writings dedicated to the French polymath's theories on human culture, violence, and religion, particularly his foundational concept of mimetic desire.
Recommended“I don't know how much you've read like René Girard which on mimetic desire, worth reading. It is so good. So, he he basically showed that like as humans we we we copy, right? We imitate, including what other people desire.”
Where to get it
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Six Pillars of Self-Esteem
Six Pillars of Self-Esteem is a comprehensive self-help book by Nathaniel Branden that outlines core practices for building and maintaining personal self-worth.
Discussed“And I happened upon a book called the six pillars of self-esteem by Nathaniel Brandon said self-esteem is not something you can directly act on.”
Where to get it
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The Guns of August
The Guns of August by Barbara Tuchman is a classic historical account detailing the diplomatic failures and human miscalculations that led to the outbreak of World War I.
Discussed“You know, there's a not to be too wonky, but there's a book about World War I called Guns of August. Oh, I've heard of this. Yeah, yeah. So good. Uh so Barbara Tuchman, she uh an historian, her thesis was I'll butcher it a little bit, but basically that the reason that war was so bloody and awful was”
Where to get it
Books Todd Rose wrote
Appearances
| Episode | Podcast | Date | Books |
|---|---|---|---|
| This is Proof That We Are All Living a Lie | The Jordan Harbinger Show | 2026-05-29 | 3 |
| This Shocking Truth About Other People Will Change Your Life | The Mel Robbins Podcast | 2025-09-29 | 2 |