Top 10, Part 1

I don't know what sparked this idea. I don't remember why I started this list of people. And I'm not entirely certain how to classify this list of people that I've created.

Nonetheless, this is a list of people who inspire me. It is a list of people who are sharing ideas and messages that excite me. This is a list of people who are creating content - articles, books, podcasts, videos, articles - that I am pushing to the top of my reading/listening/watching lists upon publication.

• Brene Brown - First I watched her TED Talk, "The Power of Vulnerability." Then I read her book, Dare to Lead. And now I'm listening to her podcast (her voice is one of the ultimate voices for narrating a podcast), Unlocking Us. As I'm writing this, I'm questioning why have I only read one of her books?
  
  
• Pete Carroll and Steve Kerr - I am combining these two names to take-up one spot due to their partnership on the podcast that they co-host, Flying Coach. I love learning about leadership from sports. These two coaches are two of the very best in their respective sports.
  
  
• James Clear - He only has one book, Atomic Habits, but it's a great one. He has also made the rounds on the podcast circuit as an excellent guest; two that I'd highly recommend are Ten Percent Happier with Dan Harris, "194 Atomic Habits,  James Clear," and The Rich Roll Podcast, "Episode 401 James Clear." His 3-2-1 Thursday (3 ideas, 2 quotes, and 1 question) newsletter is one that I subscribe to and read regularly. And the one thing that distinguishes Clear from every other person on this list is the Clear Habit Journal that he has created and I use, daily.
  
  
• Tim Ferris - He is an author, but I've never read any of his books. He has a newsletter, 5-Bullet Friday that I subscribe to and a podcast, The Tim Ferris Show that I love. His podcast is on the lengthier side (almost always over an hour, and sometime beyond two hours), but his guest list and the content discussed is exceptional. Worth noting about the guest list for his podcast seems to be the diverse areas of expertise that they bring to each episode. He may have Jamie Foxx or Arnold Schwarzenegger one episode, Dr. Jane Goodall the next, and either Ryan Holiday or Jocko Willink to follow
  
  
• Malcolm Gladwell - He has a podcast, Revisionist History, which is good. It's his books, however, which are great and why he has a spot on my list. If you're looking for one to introduce yourself to Gladwell, my favorite is David and Goliath.
  
  
• David Goggins - The only member of the U.S. armed forces to ever to complete training as an Air Force Tactical Air Controller, Army Ranger, and Navy Seal. He is also considered to be one of the world's best ultra-endurance athletes. I highly recommend that you listen to the audio-book version Can't Hurt Me, which is the book that he wrote. His message motivates. 
  
  
• Jon Gordon - I had the pleasure of listening to Gordon speak during a School Administrators of Iowa conference some years ago. Positivity is his platform. He's written numerous books that are quick and easy reads; they are written as stories to give insight that will allow us to better ourselves as individuals. Recently, I was introduced to his Positive University Podcast where he interviews guests - many of whom are coaches.
  
  
• Ryan Holiday - The writer who turned-me on to the teachings of stoicism. Holiday's books include a stoic influenced trilogy of The Obstacle is the Way, Ego is the Enemy, and Stillness is the Key (my personal favorite). He also has a podcast, The Daily Stoic with is definitely worth a listen (episodes range from a couple of minutes to under an hour).
  
  
• Joshua Medcalf - I've read one of his books, Chop Wood Carry Water, and listened to another, Pound the Stone. Chop Wood Carry Water is easily in the conversation for books that earn a spot on my Mt. Rushmore of books. Medcalf preaches process, which is a message that has me all ears. I'm counting down the days until his next book, Win in the Dark, is released.
  
  
• Jocko Willink - A retired officer of the United States Navy who also served in the Navy SEAL teams, has become one of my favorite authors and podcasters. His content is geared towards leadership and discipline, and it is great. As a Dad, I am especially fond of his Way of the Warrior Kid book series and the message that it conveys to kids.
  

None of the people on this list work in schools, but they are teachers. None of the content that the people on this list share is in regards to school, yet it is has value in education. You see, I strongly believe in personal development over professional development. And the ideas and messages that these 10 people share will undoubtedly make us better people, which in-turn makes us better educators, principals, teachers, etc.

So this is my list. It certainly doesn't end at 10 names, but for the sake of this post that is where I decided to draw the line. I'm curious to know, who would you make a case for me to add to my list?  Please share with me. And also, if you took the time to read this post, I hope that I've made a strong enough case that you're now motivated to explore at least one of the names that I've mentioned. It will be worth your time.