Success Biographies

Remembering the truth of what it's like to be a kid is vital because most of us are stuck in some phase of arrested development, thanks to something traumatic that happened to us during our youth. Do you know what that trauma was and how it has affected who you are today? Understanding where you got stuck can free you to be the parent and adult you were meant to be.

Finally, a self-help book for the millennial party girl who hates bullshit advice from "experts" who know nothing about the trauma of drinking and sex, the acute pressure of keeping up with the rest of the Adderall poppin' world, and the insecurity that comes along with feeling like you have to be thin and gorgeous and sparkly in order to be seen.

When I was 13 months old, I sat in the backseat of my parents’ Chevy Impala, on the way to my father’s first of many stays in a mental institution. Soon after, he was diagnosed with Bi-Polar I disorder, a severe mental illness that would shape our family’s life. His outbursts were unpredictable, confusing, and often violent. As difficult as that was, it was only the beginning of my story.

Open a door into the complex and active mind of Sharper Image founder, Richard Thalheimer. This successful entrepreneur shares stories about creating his visions, taking risks, sharing rewards, cultivating generosity, and showing respect, as well as knowing there always is a way to solve every problem.

Health and wellness entrepreneur Peter Darrow thought he had life all figured out. A native of the posh and privileged Upper East Side, the young millennial lived large, attending elite schools, throwing lavish birthday parties, and spending summers in the Hamptons. Then one day, his seemingly perfect, polished life came crashing down. Over the course of three hellish years, his father died, he inherited and burned through a shit-ton of money, his girlfriend dumped him, and his first business floundered.

Case Keenum has traveled one of the most unique paths in the NFL. Recruited by just one college, undrafted, and released three times, Case has overcome every obstacle to become a successful starting quarterback. Keenum shares stories from every stage of his life, starting out as a ball boy for his father’s college team in West Texas, going on to win a state title in high school, and rewriting the NCAA record book at the University of Houston. A devastating knee injury almost derailed his football career, but helped him get closer to the woman who would soon become his wife.

CEO Lisa Messenger shares an insightful account of her rollercoaster ride as the creator and founder of the globally popular Collective Hub, the hip magazine of inspiration for disrupters and innovators of all stripes - with bold ideas on how you can stay on track and remain true to whatever your passion may be. Speaking to the new generation of innovators, this book is a personal and honest chronicle of Lisa Messenger's various business endeavors. Exuding honesty and energy, Lisa blends these wonderfully insightful stories with important business lessons.

For the first 16 years of his life, Michael Piraino considered the world a safe and compassionate place. Then, he encountered the deeply dark aspect of the world. This memoir describes the many people, places, and stories that helped him construct a life full of love, compassion, and caring. As the stories unfold, Michael invites the listener on a journey of discovery, mystery, and inspiration. By skillfully weaving fascinating coincidences and chance encounters with a deep understanding of neuroscience, he delves into the intricate puzzle of his life.

The Leadership Alchemist is your ultimate guide to mastering emotional intelligence (EQ) and turning uncertainty into opportunity. Whether you’re navigating workplace challenges, leading diverse teams, or striving for personal growth, this book equips you with the tools to thrive in today’s dynamic world.

Learn valuable lessons while Hollywood actors voice the parts in this entertaining and true story of Barefoot Wine. A Sherwood Players Production featuring a full ensemble cast ​including Hollywood Legends Ed Asner and Gigi Perreau​, an original cinematic score, sound effects, and behind the scenes interviews with the real Michael Houlihan and Bonnie Harvey (creators of Barefoot Wine) with author Rick Kushman. It is amazing that such an iconic brand as Barefoot Wines began as a startup in the laundry room of a rented farmhouse.

America knew George Zimmer for one of the most famous slogans in television advertising history: “I guarantee it.” Zimmer rode his promise to lead the Men’s Wearhouse to unimagined success as a retail giant. Now, years removed from his stunning dismissal as leader of the company he founded, I Guarantee It recounts the journey of Zimmer’s rise, the fall of the Men’s Wearhouse, and his personal renewal.

The trauma of abuse as a child. A hedonistic lifestyle in London and New York during the AIDS crisis. Sex and love. Addiction. Ecstasy. Despair. A skyrocketing international career that spirals out of control. And then, a chance encounter that changes everything.... Drawing on the ancient wisdom of the Lotus Sutra, Dragon King's Daughter is a 21st-century love story, a searingly honest memoir of addiction and recovery through a combination of 12-Step, intensive yoga, and Buddhist philosophy. It charts a journey of transformation from suffering to self-realization.

In Fully Alive, Tyler Gage shares his spiritual adventures and the business savvy that helped him create RUNA, a tea and energy drink company that collaborates with the indigenous people of Ecuador to harvest the "master plant" guayusa, revealing a centuries-old guiding philosophy for building a sacred way of living that he discovered through Amazonian shamanism. Following these teachings, what began as a humble start-up has now grown into a thriving multimillion-dollar company.

Tatyana Bakalchuk is a self-made Russian billionaire entrepreneur and the founder of Wildberries, Russia’s largest online retailer. Born in 1975 and originally a school teacher, she launched Wildberries from her Moscow apartment in 2004 while on maternity leave, aiming to simplify online shopping for Russian consumers. With no prior business background or outside investment, she built a retail empire rooted in customer trust, operational discipline, and quiet innovation. Known for her low profile and data-driven leadership, Tatyana has become one of the world’s richest women, and a ...

Cyrus Jaffery has been on the move for as long as he can remember, rarely pausing to reflect. As a child, he was forced into exile and had to learn his own way, first in Pakistan and then the United States. After college, he was swept up in the whirlwind of marriage, starting a family, forming a business, and ceaselessly working to grow his personal and professional endeavors. In the process of writing this book, Cyrus realized that what keeps him moving is a hunger to make a difference, to be counted, to be part of something bigger than himself.

Gary Lee Veale's memoir, "I Survived A Thousand Times", is a heart-wrenching and ultimately triumphant account of his journey from childhood abuse to successful adulthood. With unflinching honesty, Veale shares his story of physical and mental abuse, and the long and difficult path to recovery and healing.

Agatha Christie’s ‘most absorbing mystery’ – her own autobiography. Over the three decades since her death on 12 January 1976, many of Agatha Christie’s readers and reviewers have maintained that her most compelling book is probably still her least well-known. Her candid Autobiography, written mainly in the 1960s, modestly ignores the fact that Agatha had become the best-selling novelist in history and concentrates on her fascinating private life.

What’s Wrong With Your Dad is the true story of what it was like growing up and surviving a family with both alcoholism and Borderline Personality Disorder. It is told in the first person in a very conversational way, like the author and the reader are just sitting over coffee talking. It explains in clear layman’s terms the behaviors of both alcoholism and Borderline Personality Disorder and lets the reader know in no uncertain terms that the behavior was not in any way created by any adult child of either an alcoholic or BPD.

Here are 21 inspirational stories about role models and counting your blessings. The stories in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Think Positive will encourage listeners to stay upbeat, because there's always a brighter way to look at life. This book continues Chicken Soup for the Soul's focus on inspiration and hope, reminding us that each day holds something to be thankful for.

In It’s All in the Lyrics: How Music Helped Me Heal and Find My Voice, Tony Kessel invites you on a deeply personal journey where music becomes more than background noise—it’s a transformative force that shapes his life. From the echoes of his parents’ divorce to navigating his own mental health struggles, Tony’s story unfolds like the lyrics of a powerful song.