Summer Playlist: Resources that Spark Curiosity and Help You Recharge

Summer invites us to slow down, reflect, and explore ideas that inspire. This listen, watch, and read playlist offers a collection of books, podcasts, shows, and films designed to spark curiosity, stir creativity, and help you recharge — whether you're diving deep or just dipping in.

Curated by GOA faculty and staff, each recommendation reflects a shared love of learning and a belief in the power of stories to challenge, connect, and transform.

For expanding your mind, asking “what if,” and thinking differently

The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can't Stand Positive Thinking by Oliver Burkeman
A counterpoint to the overly feel-good tone of typical self-improvement books, embracing uncertainty, failure, and discomfort.

Brave New Words: How AI Will Revolutionize Education by Salman Khan
A forward-thinking look at AI’s role in learning and its ethical and societal impacts.

Innovation: Coming Up With New Ideas (podcast episode, Boss Class from The Economist)
A short, sharp dive into how creativity takes effort and persistence but the rewards can be spectacular.

Lights On (audio documentary by Annaka Harris)
Big, mind-expanding questions with experts across science and philosophy.

Monster (film by Kore-eda Hirokazu)
A haunting and beautifully crafted Japanese drama that challenges assumptions and invites deep perspective-building.

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
A gripping mystery, perfect for the curious science mind, about memory, survival, and problem-solving in space.

Explore how we create, reflect, and grow from the inside out

Amie McNee: The Case for Making Art When the World Is On Fire (TEDx Talk)
A rallying cry that creating art amid global crises is a deeply human act of rebellion, healing, and change.

Diary of a CEO (podcast by Steven Bartlett)
Candid, humanity-focused interviews with creators, leaders, and thinkers that inspire a more self-aware, fulfilled life.

Does Manifestation Really Work? Top Neuroscientist on the Power of Intention (podcast episode, Finding Mastery)
An interview with neurosurgeon Dr. James Doty on the relationship between compassion and peak performance.

Emotional Agility: Get Unstuck, Embrace Change, and Thrive in Work and Life by Dr. Susan David
A grounded, compassionate guide to facing life’s challenges with clarity and self-acceptance

Feel Better, Live More (podcast by Dr. Rangan Chatterjee)
Practical, science-backed tips on how to live a healthier, happier life with a focus on sustainable, meaningful change.

The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins
A mindset reset on boundaries and letting go of what you can’t control.

For rethinking how we talk, listen, and show up for others

Angel (The Moth)
The unforgettable story of Darryl McDaniels from Run DMC reveals how hearing a song at the height of his fame helped pull him out of a deep depression.

Communicate with Confidence: Communicate with Confidence: The Blueprint for Mastering Every Conversation (video by Mel Robbins)
Proven techniques to express yourself clearly, handle disrespect, and know what to say when someone challenges you, even in high-pressure situations.

Harvey Fierstein’s 2025 Tony Awards Acceptance Speech (video)
A moving tribute to the power of teachers, art, and self-discovery.

Normal People by Sally Rooney
A quietly powerful exploration of first love, class, and the invisible threads that bind two people over time.

Tell Me More: Stories About the 12 Hardest Things I'm Learning to Say by Kelly Corrigan
Short essays about 12 of the hardest (but most meaningful) things to say that  shift the tone in conversations and support life’s core relationships.

We Need to Talk (podcast episode, Hidden Brain)
Why social interactions are more complex than we think and how to have better conversations.

Examine the forces shaping our communities, politics, and planet

40 Years Later, Is This the End of Reaganomics? (podcast episode, Make Me Smart podcast)
A flashback to the ’80s that explores how Reaganomics was supposed to work and where we are now.

Defectors: The Rise of the Latino Far Right and What it Means for America by Paola Ramos
Vivid storytelling on the rise of the Latino far right and what it reveals about identity, trauma, and tradition.

The Echo Machine: How Right-Wing Extremism Created a Post Truth America by David Pakman
A critical look at misinformation, media literacy, and political polarization, inviting the reader to question the status quo and work toward a healthier democracy.

The Great Divide by Cristina Henríquez
Historical fiction set during the construction of the Panama Canal that captures the ambition and sacrifice behind one of history’s greatest engineering feats.

Join or Die (documentary by Rebecca and Pete Davis)
Social scientist Robert Putnam and other national voices and grassroots leaders discuss America’s 50-year civic decline, the importance of joining a club, why community connection matters, and what makes democracy work.

We the Owners: Employees Expanding the American Dream (documentary by David Romero)
Stories of employee-owned companies that reimagine a business culture of empowerment, innovative decision-making, and a balance of risk and reward.

The Wild World of Environmental Law (podcast episode, What If We Get It Right?)
Great for climate nerds who want more than doom and gloom, a conversation with climate law expert Michael Burger on real solutions.

For educators, parents, and lifelong learners interested in what’s next

Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport
A practical approach to using technology with intention — choosing tools that align with your values.

The Disengaged Teen: Helping Kids Learn Better, Feel Better, and Live Better by Jenny Anderson & Rebecca Winthrop
An exploration on why so many adolescents lose their love of learning and a powerful toolkit for helping students reengage with learning. You can also check out their Atlantic article, “The Teen-Disengagement Crisis.”

Education in a Time Between Worlds: Essays on the Future of Schools, Technology, and Society by Zachary Stein
Essays on transforming education to meet the challenges of a shifting global reality.

The Essential Ingredient We Don’t Talk About Enough: Intellectual Humility (blog post by Dave Hersh)
A call for humility and curiosity in leadership and an exploration on building with — not just for — young people to create more meaningful, lasting impact.

Pedagogies of Voice: Street Data and the Path to Student Agency by Shane Safir (coming late July)
A framework to reimagine classrooms as spaces that elevate student voice, foster belonging, and cultivate intellectual and personal growth.

Powerful biographies and films about creativity, resilience, and reinvention

The Elephant’s Journey by José Saramago
A witty, imaginative novel that turns history into parable with charm and humor.

Jiro Dreams of Sushi (documentary by David Gelb)
A quiet study of mastery, legacy, and generational tension, following 85-year-old Jiro Ono, a world-renowned sushi chef, in his relentless pursuit of perfection.

Pee-wee as Himself (documentary series by Matt Wolf)
A creative deep dive into the life and legacy of Paul Reubens and the creation of his iconic character, Pee-wee Herman.

Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius) (documentary by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson)
A portrait of Sly Stone, charting his rise and quiet retreat from the spotlight while examining the often-overlooked cost of fame for Black artists.

Things Don’t Break on Their Own by Sarah Easter Collins
A haunting mystery rooted in memory, family, and long-held secrets.

The Empress (series)
A sweeping period German drama about power, pressure, and personal growth.

Hacks (series)
A sharp, dark comedy about unlikely collaboration, reinvention, and redemption.

Pop Culture Happy Hour (NPR podcast)
Short, witty takes on current media trends to help you know what to try (or avoid) this summer.

The Residence (series)
A fast-paced Clue-style whodunit with a political twist and sharp dialogue.

Stick (series)
A feel-good, quirky sports comedy about mentorship and second chances.

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
A quirky, heartwarming novel about second chances, grief, and the magic of books.

Trout Fishing in America by Richard Brautigan
A playful, poetic American classic that blends levity and absurd humor with social critique, making it a uniquely offbeat yet grounding read.
 

What resonates with you here? What would you add? Let us know: hello@globalonlineacademy.org.

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