How to Go Softly into 2026: Your Goal-Setting Guide
Bri Books
Ready to set your goals for 2026 and go softly into the new year? In this episode of Bri Books, we're breaking down how to. create foundational goals, mindset, and changes in your thinking, to help you start 2026 on a strong (yet soft) note. Here's how to enter your soft era and how to execute your winter arc. I’m talking about how to go softly into the end of the year. This is a Winter Reset episode focused on gentleness, language shifts, and reassessing your life without urgency or self-judgment. We’re talking about how to go softly into the end of the year. We explore what it means to: ...
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Grieving the Holidays After Loss: Reflections on Christmas, Memory, and Making New Traditions
Bri Books
Merry Christmas! Today's episode of Bri Books 'BriCember' is an honest and loving reflection on the holiday season, grief, and where we meet in the middle. In this episode, we reflect on the experiences of people who are sitting with parental loss (or any loss TBH) during the holiday season. I'll be sharing my own reflections on my holiday memories with my mother, the feeling of an invisible missing 'seat at the table' that we may notice during this time of year, the power of reliving and remaking traditions, grieving the holidays and fantasies that never were, and the glimmer of light that's...
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Madeira Wine: How It’s Made & Three Bottles Worth Knowing
Bri Books
Episode Summary: Madeira wine is fortified, heat-aged, and famously long-lived. In this episode of Bri Books, we break down how Madeira is made, why it tastes the way it does, and explore tasting notes from three standout producers: Justino’s, Henriques & Henriques, and D’Oliveiras. Subscribe to Bri Books on and . In This Episode: What Madeira wine is and how it’s made Why heat and oxidation are intentional Tasting notes from three Madeira producers How to drink and pair Madeira wine Producers Discussed: Subscribe to Bri Books on and .
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The Magical World of Swiss Wine: Best Swiss Wines to Try
Bri Books
Welcome back to Bri Books 'BriCember' as we explore Switzerland’s secretive yet spectacular wine scene. From the herbaceous Chasselas grape to elegant Pinot Noir blends, discover the best , top wine regions, and NYC hotspots like for tasting Swiss wine. In this episode: Why 98% of Swiss wine stays in the country The six major Swiss wine regions: Geneva, Three Lakes, German Switzerland, Ticino, Vaud, Valais Spotlight on the Chasselas grape and why it pairs perfectly with raclette and fondue Swiss wines worth tasting: My NYC favorite: L, home of Swiss wine flights and...
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Orange Wine 101: What It Is, How It Tastes, and the Orange Wine Bottles to Know
Bri Books
Welcome back to ! In this episode, we’re diving deep into the world of orange wine, one of the oldest and most misunderstood wine styles in the world. Discover what orange wine really is, how it’s made, how it tastes, and why Austrian and Georgian producers excel at this method. I also share highlights from the , including some of my favorite importers and bottles: : : and Plus, we explore standout Austrian orange wines: Learn practical tips on how to taste, serve, and enjoy orange wine, and why it’s so food-friendly. Whether you’re new to orange wine...
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Austrian Wines 101: Blaufränkisch, Burgenland & the Hills of Steiermark
Bri Books
Welcome back to Wine Week on Bri Books: BriCember! In this episode, we dive into Austrian wine — one of Europe’s most exciting and under-discussed wine regions. From Burgenland’s signature red grape Blaufränkisch to the steep hillside vineyards of Steiermark, this episode explores what makes Austrian wine so distinctive, sustainable, and food-friendly. I shares firsthand experiences from a Wein Burgenland seminar, break down key regions, and highlight my favorite Austrian red and orange wines to know right now. We cover: Why Austria is one of Europe’s best-kept wine secrets ...
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How to Build a Wine Menu + Do an At-Home Wine Tasting
Bri Books
Welcome back to Bri Books! When you’re hosting, choosing wine can feel daunting. Whether it’s a dinner party, work event, last-minute gathering, or impromptu holiday shenanigans, here’s the simple framework I rely on that never fails. In this episode, we’ll cover: The three-bottle wine buying formula (red, white, wildcard) How to taste wine at home: My 4 Pillars of Place: Temperature, Terrain, Soil, and Touch How to build a wine list for parties or dinner How to Build a Wine Menu: Bri’s 3-Bottle Formula To avoid overwhelm at the wine shop, use this formula: One white wine ...
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What Makes a Wine “Good”? Understanding the Four Pillars of Place
Bri Books
Welcome back to Bri Books BriCember, and welcome to Wine Week! I'll be breaking down the age-old question: "What makes wine good?," and sharing my 'four pillars of place' to help you start to build your good wine vocabulary. 0:39: Breaking down 'good wine.' REmember, wine is an agricultural product. Let's set the stage for practical, place-based approach to wine. 1:12: Why 'terroir' matters + the 'pillars of place.' 1:51: Pillar 1: Soil type. Soil determines minerality, texture, and structural feel. 2:31: Pillar 2: Climate. Climate influences fruit ripeness, acidity, and...
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Welcome to BriCember: Where I've Been
Bri Books
Welcome back to Bri Books podcast! If this is your first time, WELCOME! And if you’re a return listener from the last 6 (!!!!!!) years, welcome back. Bri Books is now also on YouTube: watch here. Today is November 30th, marking not just the beginning of Advent season, but the beginning of BriCember! What is BriCember? BriCember is a personal project wherein I challenge myself to produce and publish a podcast episode a day in the month of December. Not only is December my birth month, it’s also the perfect time of the year to catch up on where you’ve been and where you’re going....
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Mother's Day, Year Two: A Reflection on Grief and Growth
Bri Books
Welcome to Bri Books, and Happy Mother's Day to the matriarchs out there. I'm excited to share this episode because I want to honor my own mother, I have so much gratitude and humility for my mother, her story and her life. I spent Mother's Day Weekend, the second since my mother's death, at a retreat in Morristown, NJ hosted by . The retreat was centered on the hart of christ, and it came down to: God is made to endure your suffering. He specializes in broken hearts. that’s where He shines. One poignant point that struck me during the retreat, was then when I’m rebellious in my...
info_outlineWelcome to Bri Books! Today I’m sharing my 8 tips and strategies for reading more books in 2024. Listen for reading hacks and tricks that'll help you make a daily habit of reading more books.
8 Ways to Read (A Lot) More Books in 2024
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1:30: Reframe your take on reading: Reframing isn't about tricking yourself into doing tasks, but reframing the nature of the task to wake own the dread and avoidance around them. So when it comes to reading, instead of, “I have to finish these pages,” refreame it as, “I get to expand my consciousness and knowledge. I get to work my muscle of curiosity.” Just this simple act of reframing alone can make it easier for you to get started with reading consistently.
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2:54: Set quarterly reading themes: Set quarterly reading themes, or "read with the seasons." Give each season a genre or theme, and focus on reading books within that realm.
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4:10: Set clear monthly reading goals: This part is important. Is your goal to finish 1 book a month? 2 books? More? Have a clear monthly reading objective, so you'll know when you’ve ‘accomplished’ your goal.
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5:00 Set a daily page count: This is the most important part of the plan to stick to your reading objectives. Set a daily page count! I recommend starting with 10 or 20 pages daily, and working your way up. A quick hack: If your goal is to read a book a week, divide the pages by 7. Boom. That’s your daily page count.
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5:45: Create a Goodreads or Pinterest for your TBR pile: It’s self-explainatory. If you’re visual, create a Pinterest board to keep track of your upcoming reads. If you like running lists, make a Goodreads account. This is a great way to stay accountable for your TBR pile without letting any books slip through the cracks.
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6:45: Keep a book/ reading journal: If you enjoy journaling, try keeping a book journal. I like to use Goodreads and the Bri Books podcast as a book journal of sorts.
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7:22: Choose books that activate your left brain, right brain, and a wildcard pick: : Your brain will crave diversity, so as part of your reading strategy, I recommend having 1 left-brain, 1 right-brain, and 1 wildcard pick.
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9:00: Attend monthly literary or book club gathering: Look up bookstores near you, follow them on social, and join the email newsletters. Find one monthly literary gathering, whether it’s a book club or an author talk or a Q&A. Anything! This is an excellent way to literally get out of the house and enjoy something literary with others.
EPISODES MENTIONED
Thank you for listening to this episode of Bri Books! Let what you’re reading, and listen to recent episodes about building (and keeping) your reading practice below. What are you reading? Let me know on Instagram! ! If you’re new to the show, leave a review of Bri Books on Apple Podcasts, and listen to Bri Books on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and SoundCloud! Please tell me where you’re traveling to by using #bribooks on Instagram and subscribe to the Bri Books newsletter at bribookspod.com/newsletter.