As one of the world’s best podcasts, The Diary of a CEO has introduced millions of people to the thought leaders shaping how we live and work. We went through the podcast’s most-talked-about episodes and chose 10 titles recommended by the majority of listeners, guests, and Steven Bartlett himself.
1. James Clear — Atomic Habits
James Clear appeared on DOAC to talk about the science of behavior change, and the episode became one of the podcast’s most shared. It’s easy to see why. His book Atomic Habits, for example, distills decades of psychology research into ideas you can actually use on Monday morning. James Clear argues that willpower often fails, which is why your focus should be on systems rather than goals. Want to understand the full system behind behavior change? Read our summary of Atomic Habits.
Interesting fact: Atomic Habits has sold over 25 million copies worldwide, making it one of the bestselling nonfiction books ever written.
2. Amy Cuddy — Presence
Social psychologist Amy Cuddy joined DOAC to discuss the gap between how capable we are and how capable we feel in the moment. Her research on body language and confidence has influenced many leaders and public speakers worldwide. Presence teaches you how to walk into any high-stakes situation, such as a job interview, feeling grounded and fully yourself.
Presence
Interesting fact: Cuddy’s TED Talk on power posing is among the most-watched TED Talks of all time, with over 70 million views. Presence was her answer to the millions of people who wrote to her asking what to do next.
3. Morgan Housel — The Psychology of Money
Morgan Housel is one of the most frequently cited guests in the DOAC universe. Steven Bartlett has explicitly called Housel’s book, The Psychology of Money, “the best book about money ever written.”Read our summary of The Psychology of Money if you’re looking for timeless lessons on wealth.
Interesting fact: The Psychology of Money has sold over 10 million copies worldwide and been translated into more than 50 languages, but the book itself started as a 3,600-word blog post.
4. Bessel van der Kolk — The Body Keeps the Score
This book has been mentioned across dozens of DOAC episodes and has become the go-to reference whenever the podcast explores mental health. Bessel van der Kolk’s central insight is that trauma isn’t just a mental experience, but can live in the body, shaping our breathing and reactions. To understand how trauma shapes the mind and body, check out our summary of this work.
Interesting fact: Originally published in 2014, the book quietly built a readership through word of mouth over the years. It exploded during the COVID-19 pandemic, when millions of people found themselves struggling to explain how they felt. It has since sold millions of copies and spent years on bestseller lists.
5. Chris Voss — Never Split the Difference
A former hostage negotiator reveals the secrets of effective negotiation tactics. Fascinating, right? It’s no wonder that Chris Voss is one of DOAC’s most memorable guests. The tactics he shares are immediately applicable to all types of negotiations and even everyday conversations. To learn how to negotiate anything, read our summary of Never Split the Difference.
Interesting fact: Voss was the FBI’s lead international kidnapping negotiator before writing this book. He later taught negotiation at Harvard, Georgetown, and USC business schools.
6. Mo Gawdat — Solve for Happy
Mo Gawdat is a frequent presence in the DOAC universe and has returned to the podcast multiple times. He is known as a former Google executive who used engineering thinking to understand happiness. He argues that happiness is a calculation you can solve for — and the variables are more within your control than you think.
Solve for Happy
Interesting fact: Gawdat wrote Solve for Happy after his 21-year-old son Ali died from medical complications following routine surgery. He promised Ali he would share the happiness model they had built together with millions of people.
“Life, however, sometimes needs to give you a nudge in order to alter your path. It uses a bit of hardship to lead you to something good.”
— Mo Gawdat, Solve for Happy
7. Brené Brown — Daring Greatly
Brené Brown’s DOAC appearance became one of the podcast’s most-shared recent episodes. She explored the themes of shame and perfectionism, and what she called a growing spiritual crisis. Daring Greatly is her most famous and foundational work that reframes vulnerability as a leadership skill. Read our summary of Daring Greatly to understand the foundation of great leadership and connection
Interesting fact: Brené Brown is a research professor who spent 12 years studying shame and vulnerability before writing this book. She is also the author of 6 #1 New York Times bestsellers, such as The Gifts of Imperfection, Daring Greatly, Rising Strong, Braving the Wilderness, Dare to Lead, and Atlas of the Heart.
8. Matthew Walker — Why We Sleep
Sleep scientist Dr. Matthew Walker has appeared on DOAC multiple times — and each time, the episode goes viral. His central message is that sleep is the single most important thing you can do for your physical and mental health. In his book Why We Sleep, he covers the science of sleep and its impact on everything from sex hormones and immunity to memory. To understand the key ideas of the science of sleep, read our summary of Why We Sleep
Interesting fact: Matthew Walker said he is personally terrified by his own findings, and rarely sleeps less than 8 hours a night.
9. Simon Sinek — Start With Why
Simon Sinek appeared on DOAC to discuss what separates the leaders and companies that inspire us from those that simply perform. Essentially, great leaders and companies inspire others by starting with purpose, not product. Sinek’s concept, called the Golden Circle, has become one of the most widely used frameworks in business strategy and leadership. Do you want to build a clearer sense of purpose in your work and leadership? Read our summary!
Interesting fact: Simon Sinek developed the Golden Circle concept after what he describes as a period of complete professional disillusionment. He was going through the motions in his business consulting career, feeling uninspired — until he asked himself why.
10. Jay Shetty — Think Like a Monk
Jay Shetty is one of the most prominent voices in the DOAC universe (he even blurbed Bartlett’s own book, The Diary of a CEO). Shetty spent years training as a monk in India before becoming one of the world’s most listened-to voices on purpose and mental clarity. Ancient wisdom can transform modern life. Discover how with our summary.
Interesting fact: Jay Shetty gave up a high-paying corporate career at 22 to become a monk. Three years later, he returned to the “real world.” He found that the clarity and discipline he’d developed made him extraordinarily effective.
While listening to a podcast is already quite informative, you can go even further by reading the books written by the guests. Summaries created by the AdvanceMe team focus on the most insightful ideas and popular concepts that everyone talks about. Start with the one that speaks to where you are right now.
