Rowena and Shelley are delving into a book that's likely on many of your must-read lists if you're on a quest to improve your daily life: "Better Than Before" by Gretchen Rubin.

The book focuses on habits—how we form them, why we break them, and how we can use them to create a more fulfilling life. As busy working parents and business owners, finding ways to make our lives smoother and more efficient is always a priority, making this book particularly intriguing to us.

We'll also share personal stories of how we've applied (or struggled to apply) Gretchen’s insights in our own lives.

Plus, as always, we'll provide you with a couple of easy, actionable steps to apply to your own life. Having previously discussed "The Four Tendencies" and "Life in Five Senses," we're excited to tackle the topic of habits.

• Two Booked Up Episode 1: The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin
• Two Booked Up Episode 2: Personal Life and The Four Tendencies
• Two Booked Up Episode 3: Running your own business using The Four Tendencies
• Two Booked Up Episode 4: Take yourself on a date
• Two Booked Up Episode 10: How to find the time to read
• Two Booked Up Episode 23: What’s the big deal about Atomic Habits?
• Two Booked Up Episode 42: Embrace Your Five Senses… a chat about Life in Five Senses by Gretchen Rubin.
• Two Booked Up Episode 45: Can Good Feelings = Good Productivity?
• Two Booked Up Episode 54: Defining success in the second phase of life, From Strength to Strength by Arthur C Brooks

• Better than Before by Gretchen Rubin
• Life In Five Senses

In this new episode of Two Booked Up, Rowena and Shelley discuss Arthur C. Brooks's bestseller, "From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life."

Once again, Shelley dons the interviewer’s hat, and Rowena is in the hot seat. Together, they discuss the book's focus on finding true happiness and satisfaction as we navigate the second half of life, emphasising the importance of shifting our focus from the relentless pursuit of success to building a life rich in relationships, meaning, and contentment.

While the book is primarily aimed at those in the second half of life, Rowena and Shelley are convinced that its wisdom is relevant to listeners of all ages.

Stay tuned to gain valuable insights into making the most of the second stage of your career and living a successful, fulfilling, and happier life, as Rowena and Shelley discuss the book From Strength to Strength.

• Two Booked Up Episode 25: Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals - Overview and Top Takeaways
• Two Booked Up Episode 45: Can Good Feelings = Good Productivity?
• Two Booked Up Episode 48: Why start with why? A discussion about Start with Why by Simon Sinek
• Two Booked Up Episode 50: Fan Fave Revisited: Essentialism by Greg McKeown
• Two Booked Up Episode 52: Organising Your Books (with Lazy Genius Kitchen inspiration)
• Two Booked Up Episode 53: Organising your Kid's books (with Lazy Genius Kitchen inspiration)

• From Strength to Strength by Arthur C Brooks
• Feel Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal

• Start with...

In this new Two Booked Up podcast episode, Rowena and Shelley discuss the challenging task of organizing kids' books. Shelley, a homeschooling mom and our resident expert in this field shares her insights into managing a home filled with books.

They introduce the Lazy Genius Process from The Lazy Genius Kitchen, focusing on five key steps: prioritise, essentialize, organize, personalize, and systemize. This practical process is applicable not only to parents but also to anyone looking to tackle a project.

Despite their different locations (Sydney, Australia, and Joburg, South Africa) and their children being in different age groups, Rowena's high school-aged boys and Shelley's primary-school-aged boys, both find common ground in applying this process to their respective contexts.

Tune in to gain valuable inspiration on how to personalize the organization of your kids' books, as Rowena and Shelley share their unique perspectives and approaches. Whether you're a parent or simply aiming to create a system for your home library, this episode offers practical insights tailored to your individual needs.

Stay tuned for a wealth of ideas on perfecting the organization of your kids' books!

• Two Booked Up Episode 6: The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi
• Two Booked Up Episode 7: How we are Lazy Geniusing our lives and how you can too
• Two Booked Up Episode 8: Our best tips to “Lazy Genius” your business
• Two Booked Up Episode 9: Naming What Matters
• Two Booked Up Episode 37: Holiday Reads and Bookish Traditions

• The Lazy Genius Kitchen: Have What You Need, Use What You Have, and Enjoy It Like Never Before by Kendra Adachi
• Julia Donaldson
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by JK Rowling
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series by Jeff Kinney
• Lonely Planet Kids books
• ...

In this episode of Two Booked Up, Shelley and Rowena tackle the challenging task of organizing your book collection. If you're tired of having books scattered around your home, this episode is for you! They take a break from their usual book discussions to delve into practical strategies for reining in those unruly bookshelves.

Using Kendra Adachi's The Lazy Genius Kitchen as a guide, Shelley and Rowena discuss prioritizing, essentializing, organizing, personalizing, and systemizing book organization. They emphasize the importance of individual choice, tailored to what best suits each person's needs and preferences.

Tune in to discover how Shelley and Rowena each approach the Lazy Genius process to transform their book organization. Whether you're a book lover looking to streamline your collection or just seeking inspiration for a more enjoyable reading experience, this episode is packed with valuable tips and ideas. Don't miss out on making your book storage and reading habits a whole lot more fun!

• Two Booked Up Episode 6: The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi
• Two Booked Up Episode 7: How we are Lazy Geniusing our lives and how you can too
• Two Booked Up Episode 8: Our best tips to “Lazy Genius” your business
• Two Booked Up Episode 9: Naming What Matters
• Two Booked Up Episode 37: Holiday Reads and Bookish Traditions

• The Lazy Genius Kitchen: Have What You Need, Use What You Have, and Enjoy It Like Never Before by Kendra Adachi
• Managing Humans by Michael Lopp

• Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster by Jonathan Auxier

• Library Thing App
• Book Apps - Audible, Kindle, Libby

In this episode, Shelley and Rowena celebrate the launch of Season 4 of the Two Booked Up podcast and two years of literary love, laughter, and friendship!

Shelley and Rowena are thrilled to have reached this incredible milestone and want to take you behind the scenes of their journey over the past year. From the ups to the downs, they’re sharing all the insights and reflections gathered from their time hosting the Two Booked Up podcast.

Whether you're a fellow podcaster, an avid reader, or an honorary member of their Two Booked Up book club, they can't wait to share this celebratory moment with you. So, grab a refreshing drink, settle in, and join us as they raise a glass to the past two years of Two Booked Up!

Thank you for being a part of our incredible community. Here's to many more seasons of literary adventures and meaningful conversations. Cheers!

• Two Booked Up Episode 36: Behind the scenes of Rowena’s novel — out now!
• Two Booked Up Episode 37: Holiday Reads and Bookish Traditions
• Two Booked Up Episode 38: Resolution Overwhelm? Try a Guiding Word Instead
• Two Booked Up Episode 39: Read More in ‘24! Announcing the 2024 Reading Challenge
• Two Booked Up Episode 40: How to Find Tranquility in the Turbulence
• Two Booked Up Episode 41: How to Become Indistractable
• Two Booked Up Episode 42: Embrace Your Five Senses… a chat about Life in Five Senses by Gretchen Rubin
• Two Booked Up Episode 43: How to Run a Chill Business: Chill and Prosper by Denise Duffield-Thomas
• Two Booked Up Episode 44: Could Harnessing Your Regrets Change Your Life?
• Two Booked Up Episode 45: Can Good Feelings = Good Productivity?<...

In this special between-seasons episode, Shelley and Rowena delve back into one of their most downloaded episodes, discussing the unique principles of Essentialism presented by Greg McKeown in his widely acclaimed book.

And it’s no wonder why. The principles of Essentialism, as shared by Greg McKeown, have a profound impact on our businesses and personal lives. We believe revisiting this topic will spark a renewed interest and inspire you to apply these principles in your own life.

Essentialism is not just a philosophy; it's a practical approach to life and work. It's about focusing on the few things that genuinely matter and eliminating the rest. By adopting this mindset, you can make the most of your time and energy and operate at your highest level of productivity.

If you love this idea, the good news is that there are three more episodes (episodes 12, 13, and 14) you can listen to if you want to learn more and hear all the insights gleaned from this book!

It’s a listener favourite, so stay tuned to enjoy revisiting the discussion of Essentialism by Greg McKeown.

• Two Booked Up Episode 11 - Essentialism by Greg McKeown - Overview and Top Takeaways
• Two Booked Up Episode 12 - How to Live the Essentialist Life (inspired by Greg McKeown’s Essentialism)
• Two Booked Up Episode 13 - Play your own game, Essentialists! A deep dive into PLAY, inspired by Essentialism by Greg McKeown
• Two Booked Up Episode 14 - Boost your confidence and get paid to be YOU (inspired by Essentialism by Greg McKeown)

• Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown
• Effortless: Make It Easier To Do What Matters Most by Greg McKeown

Find us online at twobookedup.com and keep in touch with Two Booked Up via email by signing up for the Two Booked Up Bookclub and receive your FREE ‘Read More in ‘24’ Book checklist.

Connect with Rowena @rowenamabbott on IG and at

In this episode, as Rowena and Shelley gear up for season four, they revisit a fan favourite and one of their most referenced books and episodes: Gretchen Rubin's The Four Tendencies.

This book has been a game changer for both of them—in the way they run their businesses, understand themselves, and even interpret the books and ideas discussed on this podcast!

Are you like Rowena, self-directed and on top of deadlines but uneasy with changes? Or are you more like Shelley, spontaneous and bold but struggle with schedules and rules?

According to Gretchen Rubin, these behaviours occur as a result of our tendencies — whether you’re an Upholder, Obliger, Questioner, or Rebel.

In this episode, Rowena and Shelley revisit their first discussion of the book, covering its key themes and providing an overview. But that's not all—in addition to this episode, there are three more in the archive, delving deeper into The Four Tendencies. Be sure to check out episodes 2, 3, and 4 to hear all the insights!

If you love The Four Tendencies or if you're curious to learn more, stick around as they revisit the magic of Gretchen Rubin's groundbreaking work and episode one of the podcast.

• Two Booked Up Episode 1 - The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin
• Two Booked Up Episode 2 - Personal Life and The Four Tendencies
• Two Booked Up Episode 3 - Running Your Own Business Using The Four Tendencies
• Two Booked Up Episode 4 - Take Yourself on a Date

• The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin

Other Links Mentioned

• Do the quiz at: quiz.gretchenrubin.com

Find us online at twobookedup.com and keep in touch with Two Booked Up via email by signing up for the Two Booked Up Bookclub and receive your FREE ‘Read More in ‘24’ Book checklist.

Connect with Rowena @rowenamabbott on IG and at rowenamabbott.com to learn mo...

️ Shelley shares a few spicy takes in her discussion with Rowena about the classic business book, Start with Why by Simon Sinek.

Rowena is in the interviewer’s chair this time and Shelley’s mission is to fast-forward you to the best parts of Start with Why, while calling out a few other parts that left her frowning.

It’s a pivotal book, but it’s also a bit dated and limited in its examples, so Shelley and Rowena extend the conversation, taking some of the big ideas in the book and talking about how you could apply them in your own business, career, or your personal life.

Join Shelley and Rowena as they start with why (without the overwhelm!).

03:12 Overview of Start with Why

06:22 Why start with Why?

09:28 How to apply the Golden Circle in your small business

13:57 When "finding your why" feels overwhelming

20:39 Why people and how people…?

25:32 Would a company's Why change over time?

• Two Booked Up Episode 6: The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi
• Two Booked Up Episode 7: How we are Lazy Geniusing our lives and how you can too
• Two Booked Up Episode 8: Our best tips to “Lazy Genius” your business
• Two Booked Up Episode 9: Naming What Matters
• Two Booked Up Episode 45: Can Good Feelings = Good Productivity?
• Two Booked Up Episode 47: Interview with Mel Daniels, author of The Power of Content.

• Start With Why by Simon Sinek
• Feel Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal
• The Lazy Genius Way