The Third Perspective

March 11, 2024
Executive coach Brooke debuts with a galvanizing guide to breaking from the “societal pressures have been boxing in your thoughts and opinions.” In 2021, after the author noticed a widespread “aversion to questions” that “brought up psychological discomfort” in online discussions of social justice issues, she realized that she herself had become an “insufferable, self-righteous” manifestation of “the intolerance I claimed to oppose” and posted an open letter online (“Why I’m Leaving the Cult of Wokeness”). In it, she wondered if there was “still room for us as human beings to stumble, fuck up, learn and grow.” Drawing on subsequent observations of society’s “culture of fear,” as well as her coaching experience, Brooke invites readers to examine “limiting beliefs and fears” that impede expression, adopt an “ownership mindset” of their opinions, and cultivate a “do-it-your-own-way attitude” and “bounce-back toughness.” In the process, readers can develop the “maverick mindset” to express themselves more bravely online and in person and calmly receive opinions with which they disagree, whether the topic is personal, political, social, or religious (she mentions as examples vaccines, parenting choices, and immigration). Brooke’s tone is refreshingly candid throughout, and her personal coaching background shines in varied, pragmatic exercises (readers can investigate their self-policing “inner mob” or perform a risk analysis for bringing up dicey topics). It’s an invigorating invitation to speak one’s mind.

April 1, 2024
A London-based life developmental coach and consultant shares her experiences in learning to live fearlessly and authentically. After a "disastrous life" struggling with alcohol addiction and a crippling identity crisis, Brooke, a sober Black woman and social justice awareness advocate, writes about recognizing personal inconsistencies in her self-expressions and behavior. Throughout the process of correcting these contradictions, she learned important lessons about the damaging effects of close-mindedness and unaddressed internal intolerance. "I had unknowingly neglected my innate curiosity, empathy and understanding--especially when it meant understanding viewpoints that didn't align with my agenda," she writes. Her three-part narrative addresses how cultivating sincere beliefs, responsibility, and expression can encourage participation in difficult conversations, cultivate mutual respect and connection with others, and show us ways to "laugh at our own absurdity." Brooke uses her real-world experiences as a former "blackout drinker" as an example of how powerful self-deception can be and how she overcame fear and denial. She discusses the importance of standing one's ground and taking responsibility for actions, opinions, and behaviors amid phenomenon like cancel culture and online mob mentalities. The harmony achieved through speaking your mind and active listening is precarious, she writes, but it is achievable with mindfulness and practicing the situational exercises she presents throughout the guidebook. The author encourages readers to find their voices, and while noting that speaking one's mind may not always result in a positive reaction, she shows how it frees the speaker from destructive cycles of self-censorship, self-sabotage, and social repression. To create a springboard for positive open-minded change in the world around us, Brooke advises readers to commit to looking inward and, most importantly, to do the work on ourselves first. Her bold book, though overstuffed with advice, effectively introduces the steps (and the risks) involved in achieving those goals. Empowering self-improvement guidance geared toward active seekers.

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June 21, 2024

Consultant and accredited coach Brooke's (host of the podcast Beyond the Self) guide to better communication contains well-researched and cogently analyzed observations about historical, scientific, and psychological factors that affecting people's belief systems, carefully interspersed with clear, actionable prompts that recall her social media posts. She posits that when people become aware of and responsible for how they self-actualize, they can (and should) express themselves in ways that may not conform to the expectations of groups they belong to. Brooke envisions this book as a training space for the mind, where readers will learn how to stop playing it safe and practice being brave. She challenges readers to look at why and how they self-censor and breaks down some of the biological and social roots of conformity, offering new ways of looking at the reasoning behind the choices people make to fit into the discourses, communities, and systems they value. VERDICT A valuable guidebook for navigating discomfort with a sense of safety and strength that defies binary thinking and encourages readers to express themselves in authentic yet circumspect ways.--Emily Bowles

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