13 Books Our Blush & Bloom Guests Recommend, and 3 They Wrote
The books that shaped how women's health founders, investors and experts think, picked by our Blush & Bloom podcast guests, plus three books they wrote.
Near the end of many Blush & Bloom episodes, Gigi Kenneth asks the same question: is there a book that shapes the way you think? The answers say a lot about the people building women's health. Some guests pick leadership books, some pick science, and a few pick the novel they keep coming back to.
Here are 13 books our guests have recommended on the podcast, with what they said about each one and a link to the full conversation. At the end, you'll find three books written by our guests themselves.
Books our guests recommend
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig
Recommended by Rachel Elsinga, gender lens impact investor, Ep. 63.
"It really made me think about how I wanted to live my life."
Rachel read it decades ago. On the surface it's about a man riding his motorcycle across the country. For her, it was about how to live, and today she combines her love of data with her values.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
Recommended by Rachel Elsinga, Ep. 63.
"Everyone has problems. The goal is to choose the set of problems you want to have."
Rachel calls it a more pragmatic, modern take on the same idea: live your own life rather than conform to expectations.
Moral Ambition by Rutger Bregman
Recommended by Amber Vodegel, founder of 28X, Ep. 52.
"The whole reason I didn't retire after my exit, but started this company, was because I read this book."
The Dutch historian argues that the biggest waste of our generation is a waste of talent. After selling Pregnancy+ to Philips, Amber took that as a reason to build again.
Build by Tony Fadell
Recommended by Rubén Molina, CEO and co-founder of Innitius, Ep. 48.
"How to build a startup from the ground up, with really practical advice from the founder's point of view."
Written by the founder of Nest, which Google acquired, it walks through building a company from the first idea to launch and acquisition.
The Menopause Manifesto by Dr. Jen Gunter
Recommended by Sandra Machoń, data scientist and co-founder of Femtech po Polsku, Ep. 43.
"Reading this book made me feel like I want to pursue women's health a bit more."
Sandra admits it's not the easiest read because it's dense with science. It's part of why she started a psychotherapy degree, so she can help women going through menopause.
Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez
Recommended by Sandra Machoń, Ep. 43.
"I absolutely love it."
Sandra started reading about how ideas about men and women had shaped her, and this book on the gender data gap is where it clicked. It fits the theme of her whole episode.
The XX Brain by Dr. Lisa Mosconi
Recommended by Melissa Wallace, CEO of Fierce Foundry, Ep. 55.
"It talks very specifically about the lack of research, and what they're learning."
The neuroscientist looks at women's brain health and how little of it has been studied.
The AI Mirror by Shannon Vallor
Recommended by Sara Roberts, founder of Well Purposed, Ep. 47.
"AI is only going to reflect back our positive and negative behaviors and biases, amplified."
Sara brought it up when talking about what worries her most about AI in health: data security, privacy and bias.
Leader as Healer by Nicholas Janni
Recommended by Karen Orton, founder of the Leading While Bleeding movement, Ep. 37.
"Leadership is about performance, well-being and identity. It deeply informs the work that I do."
For Karen, leadership has a human side that can't be skipped: connection, and looking after people's well-being, which then drives performance.
Shared Sisterhood by Tina Opie and Beth Livingston
Recommended by Karen Orton, Ep. 37.
"It's my DNA, in terms of who I am."
A book about collective action for racial and gender equity at work, which Karen ties to her work on diversity and inclusion.
The Mountain Is You by Brianna Wiest
Recommended by Sara Al-Dafaee, CEO and co-founder of Nordic Women's Health Hub, Ep. 60.
"At that time it was a lot about self-sabotaging."
Sara read it years ago, before most of her reading turned to women's health research.
Atonement by Ian McEwan
Recommended by Hannah Wrathall, founder of Wrapp Consulting, Ep. 61.
"Probably my favorite fiction book."
Hannah reads far more fiction than self-help, and this is the novel she names first.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Recommended by Angeley Mullins, Ep. 32.
"Nothing to do with business and everything to do with life and your own journey."
Angeley skips the latest business book on purpose. Business tactics change every year, she says, and the best leaders are the ones who understand themselves.
Books written by our guests
Firesoul Leadership by Ulla Sommerfelt
From Ulla Sommerfelt, CEO and founder of FemTech Studios, Ep. 49. A book about building culture and leadership, and going from founder to leader.
Marinating in Chaos by Megan Swan
From Megan Swan, wellness coach and co-founder of Alta Vita, Ep. 50. Part memoir and part health guide for women, about living intuitively and making bold decisions.
In the Making of My Baby by Marta Wadsworth
From Marta Wadsworth, founder of The Family Door, Ep. 59. A self-published, positive birth story that Marta started writing in the first months after her baby was born.
FAQ
What books do women's health founders recommend?
Our guests' picks range from science, like The Menopause Manifesto, Invisible Women and The XX Brain, to founder and leadership books like Build, Moral Ambition and Leader as Healer, plus personal favorites like The Alchemist and Atonement.
Which book comes up most on Blush & Bloom?
No single title repeats, but books about the gender data gap and women's under-researched bodies come up again and again, which matches what many of our guests are building.
Where can I hear the full recommendations?
Each recommendation links to its episode above. You can also listen to every episode of Blush & Bloom on the podcast page, or on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
Listen and add your pick
Which book would you add to this list? Tell us on Instagram or LinkedIn, and find every conversation on the Blush & Bloom podcast page.
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