Why Hitchhiker’s Guide Inspired the Mind Behind Bone Lake
This time on Books That Changed My Life, director Mercedes Bryce Morgan joins Chris Collins to discuss The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Mercedes is among the most highly regarded directors working in horror today, so it may surprise some to learn that her favorite book is a comedy. But in this in-depth conversation, Mercedes […]
Jason Mewes on Deadshot, Literacy, and the Power of Escape
We often assume that a passion for reading starts in a quiet classroom. However, for some, the most vital education happens between the panels of a comic book. In this episode of Books That Changed My Life, actor and comedian Jason Mewes reflects on Deadshot: Beginnings by Kim Yale and John Ostrander. This book did […]
Tembi Locke Finds Comfort in The Sum of Our Days by Allende
In this episode of Books That Changed My Life, host Chris Collins sits down with the extraordinary Tembi Locke — actor, author, TV writer and producer, host of the podcast LIFTED, and now, narrator of her brand-new audiobook memoir Someday, Now, available starting today. Tembi is also an amateur herbalist, photographer, and passionate collector of […]
Rob Riggle Talks Manners, Character, and Dale Carnegie
We often think of the path to the top as a solo trek defined by sheer willpower. However, this conversation reveals a more collaborative truth: Your trajectory is actually determined by the bridges you build with others. In this episode of Books That Changed My Life, actor and retired Marine Lt. Col. Rob Riggle reflects […]
How Raegan Revord Found Freedom Through One Book She Loves
In this inspiring episode of Books That Changed My Life, host Chris Collins sits down with actor, author, and book club founder Raegan Revord. Known for their award-winning role on Young Sheldon and their debut novel Rules for Fake Girlfriends, published at just 15, Raegan brings a fresh, thoughtful perspective to how stories shape us. […]
Inside The Power Broker and the Systems That Shape Cities
We often view power as a matter of personality or elective office. However, this conversation reveals a more structural reality. True power lies in the systems that build our world—and the people who learn how to manipulate them. In this episode of Books That Changed My Life, comedian Adam Conover discusses how The Power Broker […]
Adam Conover Breaks Down Robert Moses’ Political Power System
Adam Conover built a career on dismantling popular misconceptions. However, his own worldview shifted radically after he read The Power Broker by Robert Caro. Before discovering this biography of Robert Moses, Conover viewed politics as simple electoral theater. The book revealed a hidden reality instead. It showed that true authority often resides in “unelected” infrastructure […]
Why BookTok Influences Reading Trends in 2026
BookTok has fundamentally changed how readers in the United States discover and consume literature. By 2026, the platform will have surpassed traditional marketing. Consequently, it is now the primary driver of the domestic publishing industry. This digital community turns obscure titles into viral sensations overnight. This influence stems from emotional storytelling and a sophisticated recommendation […]
The Story That Helped Me Embrace My True Self
When a book changes how you see yourself — and where you come from. In this episode of Books That Changed My Life, host Chris Collins talks with Kimberly Ann Harrison — executive producer and showrunner (Friends, Law & Order, Criminal Minds, The Crossover). Kimberly shares how Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred […]
What Yertle the Turtle Teaches About Power and Grief Today
Success is often framed as an upward climb toward a better view. However, this conversation reveals a more complex reality: True leadership is defined by empathy, not height. In this episode of Books That Changed My Life, Valerie Bertinelli reflects on how Yertle the Turtle by Dr. Seuss reshaped her understanding of authority, personal responsibility, […]