Who doesn’t love a curated list of book or podcast recommendations? We definitely do! That’s why we asked our team to share the books, audiobooks and podcasts that inspired, comforted or stayed with them – the stories and conversations we loved most. From historical fiction and mysteries to psychology podcasts and curious deep dives, here’s what shaped our year.
We hope something here sparks curiosity, joy, or reflection for you too.
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Podcasts That Sparked Curiosity
Generation Exceptional – Hosted by Bev Thorogood
Recommended by Dr. Kerris Oates, PhD, C.Psych – Psychologist
“I’m loving this podcast, which happens to be ADHD-related but also explores menopause, mid-life for Gen X women and the experiences of entrepreneurial women. It’s encouraging, funny and inspiring to not see mid-life as a negative turning point, but one of excitement with lots of life’s twists and turns still ahead!”
🎧 Listen to Generation Exceptional on Spotify or Podchaser.
Cultivating Place – Hosted by Jennifer Jewell
Recommended by Dr. Chris Richards-Bentley, MEd, MD, FRCPF – Director of Medical Education & Adult Services
“A philosophy of gardening podcast that talks about people’s connections to the places where they grow. It makes me think of my mom’s garden and the roots we all have to where we came from and where we find ourselves now.”
🎧 Listen to Cultivating Place here.
The Ezra Klein Show –"Patti Smith on the One Desire That Lasts Forever"
Recommended by Merav Gilboa, MA, OATR, RP, Art Therapist – Director of Treatment
“Patti Smith is such an inspiring person, woman and artist. With so much talent, wisdom, and humility. Moving conversation.”
🎧 Listen to “Patti Smith on the One Desire That Lasts Forever” here.
Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens and Teens
Recommended by Liz Goldstein, MSW, RSW – Supervising Psychotherapist
“I really enjoy listening to this. It is a weekly 30-minute podcast that focuses on the current challenges that families (with teens) face. I enjoy the dialogue between Dr. Lisa Damour and Reena Ninan. I find that the topics are always current and relatable. Dr Lisa offers practical strategies, thoughts and insights that are based on her years of clinical experience and science-based research.”
🎧 Listen to Ask Lisa here.
Wiser World
Recommended by Douglas Jew, MS, Marriage and Family Therapist, RP – Supervising Psychotherapist
“I am currently listening to Wiser World which was recommended to me by a client. It is an educational series podcast whose content focuses on world history. Imagine condensed history lessons on different parts of the world of content that we got in high school, but now for adults who are actually interested in it. It is done by a teacher and refreshing for those of us who don’t know some basic world history and need a crash course to better understand world politics, cultural nuances, and just general history.”
🎧 Listen to Wiser World here.
Huberman Lab – Hosted by Andrew Huberman
Recommended by Aviva Altschuler, MBA, MA, PMP – CEO
“Andrew Huberman has a remarkable ability to translate complex science into practical insights and everyday actions. Functional medicine has always interested me, so Episode 224—his conversation with Dr. Mark Hyman, a leading voice in the field—stood out. The discussion centers on how to identify the root causes of disease through a systems-based lens, the emerging science reshaping our understanding of health, the value of being truly data-driven, and what it means to take ownership of your personal health journey.”
🎧 Listen to Huberman Lab here.
The Telepathy Tapes – Hosted by Ky Dickens
Recommended by Joanna Martin – Director of People & Culture
“It’s about non-speaking individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the different ways they communicate with the world. You hear from lots of kids and families, all at different stages of their journey, and the stories are honestly pretty mind-blowing. The part that stuck with me most was something called ‘the Hill,’ which isn’t a physical place, but more like a telepathic chat room where multiple non-speaking autistic individuals (who have never met) say they “meet” and communicate with one another. Whether you believe in telepathy or not, it’s a really interesting listen!”
🎧 Listen to the Telepathy Tapes here.
Many Minds: "How Nature Restores the Mind"
Recommended by Merav Gilboa, MA, OATR, RP, Art Therapist – Director of Treatment
“This is an interesting science-related podcast that provides evidence on how exposure to nature influences our mental well-being and cognitive functioning.”
🎧 Listen to “How Nature Restores the Mind” here.
Books and Audiobooks We Loved
The Creative Act: A Way Being by Rick Rubin
Recommended by Laura MacNiven, MEd – ADHD Coach & Co-Founder
“This book has become a weekly ritual for me. I open it at random, and there’s always a line or idea that shifts my mindset—sometimes it reshapes how I parent, sometimes how I show up in my everyday life, and sometimes it gives me a fresh spark for coaching.
Creativity has become one of my core values, and coaching is a creativity practice for me—one I feel lucky to share with our thoughtful, engaged community. What I appreciate about Rick Rubin’s approach is how easy it is to find the piece that meets you where you are. The short, ADHD-friendly excerpts make it simple to get a quick spark or a bigger reset, depending on the day.
It’s a reminder that creativity is everywhere—in the obvious moments and in the more nuanced ways we move through the world.”
👉 Learn more about The Creative Act here.
101 Quotes that Will Change the Way You Think and 101 Essays that Will Change the Way You Think by Briana Wiest
Recommended by Dr. Paula Conforti, DCS, C. Psych. Assoc., RP, PhD – Director of Clinical Services, Oakville
“Briana Wiest’s books are not something you would actually sit down with and spend a long time reading. They are thought-provoking quotes and essays that permit one to take space and reflect on something that resonates with them. A quick short read that can pack a punch. As an example: The reality is that you exist in so many different forms and images and beliefs and stories – and yet, the only one that is ever really going to matter is the one you tell yourself.”
👉 Learn more about Briana Wiest’s books here.
"Oh, The Places You'll Go" by Dr. Seuss
Recommended by Dr. Chris Richards-Bentley, MEd, MD, FRCPF – Director of Medical Education & Adult Services
“As a parent of a 7-month-old, I’m now reading Dr. Seuss constantly. I thought I’d tire of it, but it’s been fun to read the rhythm and to see how much a baby loves each of the fantastical pictures. Dr. Seuss’ last book, a swan song to his life’s work, was ‘The Places You’ll Go’ and it’s profound to see him welcoming a baby to the world as he readies to say goodbye.”
👉 Learn more about “The Places You’ll Go” here.
Subtract: The Untapped Science of Less by Leidy Klotz
Recommended by Diana Kinslikh-Mohamed, MSc, OT Reg. (Ont.) – Occupational Therapist, Psychotherapist / ADHD Coach / Team Lead
“This book talks about how we as humans tend to gravitate toward adding more when we think of improving something rather than subtracting and the many amazing innovations that came about when people thought to subtract vs add. I liked the way that it highlighted how we have increasingly made our lives much more complicated than our ancestors due to our blindness to solutions that require subtracting.”
👉 Learn more about Subtract: The Untapped Science of Less here.
Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner & That Summer by Lauren Willig
Good Inside: A Practical Guide to Becoming the Parent You Want to Be by Dr. Becky Kennedy
Recommended by Kim Abramowitz, DTATI, RP, Art Therapist – Supervising Psychotherapist
“I recently purchased this book and it’s on my reading list. I follow Dr. Kennedy’s online content and incorporate some of her ideas into my work like the “most generous interpretation” which is a tool for viewing behavior by assuming positive intent and separating a person from their actions.”
👉 Learn more about Good Inside here.
The Maid by Nita Prose
Recommended by Julia Nanfara, BHS, MPA – Community Relations Lead
“It was a thrilling murder-mystery that had been on my list for a long time, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. I loved following Molly, the quirky and endearing main character whose unique perspective made every clue feel fresh and unpredictable. I found myself constantly trying to figure something out — the book always kept me on edge, fully engaged, and completely entertained from start to finish.”
👉 Learn more about The Maid here.
Glorious Exploits by Ferdia Lennon
Recommended by Claire Phillipson, BA (Hons) – Director of Administration & Performance Reporting
“Set during the Peloponnesian War, Glorious Exploits tells the tale of two potters in Syracuse who decide to stage a production of Medea. The catch? Their cast is comprised of Athenian POWs, who have been imprisoned in an abandoned quarry for months, and are slowly dying of starvation. Oh, and it’s a comedy. But somehow, in spite of the grim subject matter and somewhat unlikeable narrator, this book works.”
👉 Learn more about Glorious Exploits here.
Homeseeking by Karissa Chen
Recommended by Alexie Brown, MI, MMSt – Digital Media & Special Projects Coordinator
“A powerful historical fiction following separated childhood sweethearts, Haiwen and Suchi, across seventy years (1930s to 2000s). I wasn’t familiar with the Chinese diaspora before reading it, so I appreciated how much I learned along the way. It’s a heartbreaking, beautiful story about home, belonging, and how one choice can have far-reaching effects on so many lives. The dual timelines — Haiwen’s told in reverse and Suchi’s moving forward — mirror how each character moves through the story and deepens the themes in a subtle, meaningful way. It’s one of those books that stays with you long after you finish it.”
👉 Learn more about Homeseeking here.
Closing Thoughts
We hope these recommendations bring you a moment of inspiration, curiosity or comfort – whether you’re exploring something new for yourself or sharing them with someone you care about.
