From Financial Independence to Radical Simplicity: Lessons on Wealth and Power
Books that changed my thinking, my behaviors, and my life
Hello all!
Welcome to the 57th edition of Three Book Thursday. You blink and a year goes by! Wait, has it really been a year since the last 3BT post? Just about. So…what’s changed for you in the past year? Did you read any of the books you said you would? Did the inspiration from one of 3BT’s 168 book reviews motivate you to take action or make a change?
If not, that’s okay. Lifelong learning is a process. Sometimes we’re up, sometimes we’re down. I hit a few ruts this past year myself. At one point, I was eating a pint of Häagen-Dazs Vanilla Swiss Almond ice cream daily. Yup, daily. That’s 980 calories, 67 grams of fat, and 53 grams of added sugar—every single day. I knew it wasn’t the healthiest choice, but it was just so good (if you haven’t tried it, at least taste a spoonful—but let it melt slightly first to really enjoy it). Eventually, I had my blood work checked, and sure enough, my cholesterol hit an all-time high (I’ve been tracking it since starting medical school in 2000, so that’s 24 years of data!). My weight peaked at 235 pounds (baseline is 218), and the pain in my lower back became unbearable—It was difficult to stand after sitting for five minutes. Things weren’t going great.
Then I had my Harajuku moment.
The cold water doesn't get warmer if you jump late.
So, I put on my jogging shoes and ran. And ran.
Since that day, I’ve been exercising almost daily, started rucking after reading an article, and haven’t had even a spoonful of Häagen-Dazs (though let’s be real, this can’t last forever). And guess what? My cholesterol significantly improved, my weight dropped back down to 215 pounds, and my back feels like a slinky going down the stairs—nimble, loose, and perfectly in sync.
You are what you do, not what you say you will do.
I had told myself for long enough that I needed to get into shape. The time had come to actually do it. We can come back to what “getting into shape” actually means. For me, it was about being more active, eating less (I wasn’t pregnant, after all), drinking less, spending less time on devices, cutting out social media, choosing books over Netflix, and reconnecting with friends and family.
Intensity is overrated. Consistency is underrated.
It takes me almost 12 min to run a mile (in ‘93 it was 5m 30s) and the weight of the dumbells I use are half my age. Just doing is the best place to start. Walk before running. I’m not training for the over-40 Olympics. All I really wanted was to change my habits. As James Clear said, “Habits are the compound interest of self-improvement.”
But something was still missing.
I needed to build. To create. To engage.
This is why 3BT is back.
My hope is that we can engage with this content, share our ideas, and positively impact our lives. Together.
And perhaps you’ll join me in a deeper dive by becoming a Lincoln Club member (more on this later).
Welcome to this week’s Three Book Thursday.
1. Personal Finance
The Algebra of Wealth: A Simple Formula for Financial Security
Summary
Shout out to my friend David Mishkin (who is also an incredible emergency medicine physician) for suggesting I read this one. The Algebra of Wealth by Scott Galloway breaks down what it takes to achieve financial success in a way that’s both clear and direct. Galloway doesn’t just talk about getting rich—he talks about building wealth that lasts. At its core, the book focuses on four key factors: focus, risk, time, and hard work, and how these come together to create long-term financial independence. What sets this book apart is Galloway’s no-nonsense approach. He lays out a formula for wealth that’s not based on luck but on disciplined, smart decisions.
This book is motivating because it cuts through the noise of get-rich-quick schemes and instead offers practical steps that anyone can take, no matter where they’re starting from. Whether you’re just beginning your financial journey or looking to sharpen your strategy, The Algebra of Wealth provides a clear path forward. Galloway’s insights on risk-taking and focus make this book especially useful for those who want to turn ambition into real, actionable results. It’s not just a book about money—it’s a guide to living a life of purpose, security, and freedom. I’ve read my share of personal finance books and this one stands out.
Favorite Quotes, Insights, & Principles
Quote: You are what you do, not what you say you will do.
Insight: One of history’s few iron laws is that luxuries tend to become necessities and to spawn new obligations.
Principle: Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.
Author: Scott Galloway
Themes: Personal finance, Wealth creation, personal development, Entrepreneurship
2. Living a full life
The Man Who Quit Money
Summary
The Man Who Quit Money tells the true story of Daniel Suelo, a man who made the radical decision to live without money. One day, he left his life savings in a phone booth (yes, his entire savings) and walked away from the financial system completely. Suelo didn’t just survive—he found a deeper sense of purpose, living off the land and relying on the kindness of others. At its core, this book is about questioning the role of money in our lives and finding meaning beyond material wealth.
What makes this book unique is its challenge to the assumption that money equals security or happiness. Suelo’s journey is a bold experiment in freedom—he breaks from societal norms and finds a different kind of richness in simplicity. It’s a powerful reminder that there are alternative ways to live, and for anyone feeling weighed down by financial pressure or consumer culture, Suelo’s story is both eye-opening and inspiring. This is one of those books that will push you to think about what truly matters in your life.
Favorite Quotes, Insights, & Principles
Quote: Embracing simplicity can lead to a profound sense of contentment and freedom.
Insight: Credit and debt keep us fixated on the past and the future.
Principle: I’m employed by the universe. Since everywhere I go is the universe, I am always secure. Life has flourished for billions of years like this. I never knew such security before I gave up money. Wealth is what we are dependent upon for security. My wealth never leaves me. Do you think Bill Gates is more secure than I?
Author: Mark Sundeen
Themes: Living a full life, Health and wellness, Human psychology
3. Fiction
The President is Missing: A Novel
Summary
The President is Missing is a fast-paced political thriller that dives into the heart of a national crisis. The story follows a U.S. president who goes missing in order to stop a devastating cyberattack that threatens the entire country. At its core, it’s about the tension between personal responsibility and the weight of protecting a nation, with political intrigue and action driving the plot forward.
What makes this book unique is its insider perspective, with Clinton’s knowledge of presidential life bringing authenticity to the high-stakes drama. This thriller offers a behind-the-scenes look at the complexity of leadership under pressure while delivering the suspense and pace Patterson is known for. It’s a compelling read for those who enjoy political intrigue, complex moral dilemmas, and a story that feels all too real in today’s digital age.
Favorite Quotes, Insights, & Principles
Quote: I’m out of rabbits and hats to pull them out of.
Insight: The media knows what sells—conflict and division. It’s also quick and easy. All too often anger works better than answers; resentment better than reason; emotion trumps evidence. A sanctimonious, sneering one-liner, no matter how bogus, is seen as straight talk, while a calm, well-argued response is seen as canned and phony.
Principle: Do as much as you can for as many as you can, every day. Even on the bad days, there’s always something good you can do.
Author: Bill Clinton and James Patterson
Themes: Fiction, Politics, History
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