That's a Wrap: Our Favorite Resources from 2023

One of my more recent end-of-the-year enjoyments is scrolling through social media to see people post their “Spotify Wrapped” lists. If you’re unfamiliar, people who use Spotify to stream their music are given an at-a-glance look at their most played music and podcasts from the past year. It’s a way to see what you were listening to most throughout the year and the opportunity to share it with others on your social media pages.

Now, I have to admit that these lists are a bit of a guilty pleasure for me. Particularly because my favorite lists are those that feel a bit unexpected: the middle-aged mom who fancies Harry Styles, the heavy metal music choices for the office shy guy, or the grown man who publicly reveals that the Moana soundtrack was his most played album. For me, these bite-sized bits of honesty are both refreshing and endearing. 

I also love seeing people’s podcast choices and discovering their hidden interests: comedy, true crime, sports, or fitness. When made public, these interests become opportunities for me to connect with others. I love listening to a new album I found on someone’s “wrapped” list and then thanking that person for introducing me to it. I also enjoy discovering that a friend and I share a love for the same podcast and then bonding over it. Learning what people listen to when alone and what captures their interests most make these “wrapped” lists a fascinating insight into people’s interests and loves, and therefore into themselves.

Here at De Pree Center, we want to offer you a glimpse into who we are as a center and as a team by giving you our version of “Wrapped.” And while you won’t find any guilty pleasures listed below, you will find a reflection of our staff’s interests and loves—our personal lists of the work-related resources that influenced and inspired us most over this past year. These lists are a mixture of books, podcasts, assessments, and even apps that have helped us grow in our work, life, and leadership throughout 2023. 

We hope we can expose you to new resources and connect with you over shared loves. And of course, please reach out if something we shared served you in your work and leadership formation. We’d love to hear from you!

Michaela O’Donnell, Executive Director:

• Imaginable: How to See the Future Coming and Feel Ready for Anything—Even Things That Seem Impossible Today by Jane McGonigal 
• Healing through the Dark Emotions: The Wisdom of Grief, Fear, and Despair by Miriam Greenspan 
• Smart Brevity: The Power of Saying More with Less by Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen, and Roy Schwartz 

Meryl Herr, Director of Research and Resources:

• Brené Brown’s Unlocking Us podcast
• Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High by Joseph Grenny, Kerry Patterson, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler, and Emily Gregory
• The Book of Psalms

Paul Matsushima, Director of Operations:

• Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans
• Building a Second Brain: A Proven Method to Organize Your Digital Life and Unlock Your Creative Potential by Tiago Forte
• YNAB (You Need a Budget) Budgeting App

Mark D. Roberts, Senior Strategist:

• Into the Heart of Romans: A Deep Dive Into Paul’s Greatest Letter by N.T. Wright
• Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity by Peter Attia, MD
• “Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones” by Dan Buettner and Netflix

Jessica Fregoe, Administrative Coordinator:

• Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself by Kristin Neff
• People Fuel: Fill Your Tank for Life, Love, and Leadership by John Townsend
• CliftonStrengths Online Talent Assessment 

Raven Carey-James, Marketing and Communications Specialist:

• De Pree Center’s Go the Distance Cohort 
• Smart Brevity: The Power of Saying More with Less by Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen, and Roy Schwartz 
• The Bible in a Year Podcast with Jack Graham

Ryan Gutierrez, Program Specialist:

• Smart Brevity: The Power of Saying More with Less by Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen, and Roy Schwartz 
• The Six Types of Working Genius Online Assessment Tool created by Patrick Lencioni
• Boomerang for Gmail

Suzie Sang, Research Associate:

• Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself by Nedra Glover Tawwab
• The Six Types of Working Genius Online Assessment Tool created by Patrick Lencioni 
• Spiritual Direction

Chelsea Logan, Content and Production Lead:

• Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High by Joseph Grenny, Kerry Patterson, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler, and Emily Gregory
• The Gift of Being Yourself: The Sacred Call to Self-Discovery by David G. Benner
• Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott

Banner image by fauxels on Pexels.