Books That Changed My Life: Michele Wong McSween & The Joy Luck Club
Release Date: 07/25/2025
Books That Changed My Life: Mikki Daughtry & Wuthering Heights
Books That Changed My Life
In this episode of Books That Changed My Life, host Chris Collins is joined by author and screenwriter Mikki Daughtry to discuss the Book That Changed Her Life: Wuthering Heights. With Emerald Fennel’s Hollywood adaptation—starring Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie—around the corner, there’s never been a better time to revisit the classic work. Mikki and Chris reflect on love, romance, and obsession in a sprawling conversation guaranteed to provide useful context for moviegoers and literature fans alike. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, this conversation helps to answer a big question:...
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Why Playing It Safe Was Never an Option for Her
Books That Changed My Life
Amy DuBois Barnett shares the moment she realized no one was coming to save her. That realization pushed her to stop playing it safe and start building a life on her own terms. From grief and fear to ambition, books, and self-determination, this conversation explores how finding your voice can change everything.
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This Book Changed How She Thinks About Living
Books That Changed My Life
In this episode of Books That Changed My Life, host Chris Collins sits down with Kisa Heyer to explore how one book reshaped the way she thinks about living well, control, and what truly matters. Kisa shares insights from Being Mortal by Dr. Atul Gawande, reflecting on independence, purpose, perspective, and why the questions we ask ourselves can matter more than the answers. It’s a thoughtful, human conversation about meaning, choice, and how our priorities shift over time. This episode isn’t about having all the answer. It’s about learning how to ask better questions.
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Johnny Knoxville: “I Made a Career Out of Failing”
Books That Changed My Life
Johnny Knoxville reflects on a life lived outside the rules and the book that helped him understand why. In this episode of Books That Changed My Life, he talks about failure, defiance, and the cost of never fitting neatly into society’s expectations. Knoxville shares how You Can’t Win by Jack Black gave him a moral framework rooted in experience rather than authority. It’s a conversation about building your own code, finding belonging without conformity, and making peace with who you are.
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What Nobody Tells You About Inheriting a Famous Name
Books That Changed My Life
In this episode of Books That Changed My Life, host Chris Collins sits down with Nicole Cooke Johnson, CEO of Royalty Firm LLC and granddaughter of music legend Sam Cooke. Nicole reflects on growing up under the weight of an iconic legacy, navigating a dog-eat-dog industry with no clear rules, and learning how to make decisions when there was little guidance on how to do business with integrity. She shares how The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey gave her a framework rooted in character, helping her lead with intention, say no without regret, and steward her...
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Chris Colfer Wasn’t Ready for Fame. Carrie Fisher Saved Him.
Books That Changed My Life
In this episode of Books That Changed My Life, host Chris “Bulldog” Collins sits down with actor, singer, and author Chris Colfer to discuss the book that changed his life: Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher. We chart Chris’s career, from his early success on Glee to the dozens of books he’s authored. He speaks candidly about the impact of fame, dealing with rampant homophobia, and navigating the anxieties of public life. Through it all, Carrie Fisher’s comedy set-turned-memoir served as a reminder to find levity in the darkness. This heartfelt conversation between two Chrises serves...
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The Book That Helped Nikki DeLoach Take Back Her Life
Books That Changed My Life
Actress, writer, and producer Nikki DeLoach sits down with Chris Collins for one of the most powerful and vulnerable conversations ever featured on Books That Changed My Life. In this episode, Nikki opens up about the book that transformed everything for her, Untamed by Glennon Doyle, and how its message helped her confront childhood trauma, reclaim her voice, and navigate some of the most intense moments of her life. This episode blends courage, healing, faith, and the power of books to wake us up to our truest selves. If you’ve ever felt lost, silenced, or unsure of who you’re supposed...
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Googoosh: Iran's Biggest Pop Star Banned for 21 Years
Books That Changed My Life
In this episode of Books That Changed My Life, host Chris Collins sits down with global pop icon and fearless Iranian artist Googoosh to explore the book that profoundly shaped her life. With a legendary career spanning six decades — from Madison Square Garden to the Royal Albert Hall — Googoosh opens up about the unimaginable: being banned from singing for 21 years after the Iranian Revolution, losing her identity, and fighting to reclaim her voice. Now, with the release of her memoir Googoosh: A Sinful Voice, she reflects on the book that guided her through her darkest years… and...
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She Read “The Bluest Eye” at 11 — And It Changed Everything
Books That Changed My Life
In this episode of Books That Changed My Life, host Chris Collins sits down with CC Rice, a classically trained actor, voice and dialect coach, body language analyst, producer, communication expert, and author of the new book The Root of Awareness. CC shares how The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison profoundly shaped her understanding of herself and her place in the world. Through an honest and powerful conversation, Chris and CC explore how Morrison’s storytelling reflects the experiences of young Black girls, how trauma and identity shape the voice and the body, and why The Bluest Eye remains...
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“He Made a Drum Machine Sound Human” – How Dilla Time Changed Morgan Cooper’s Life
Books That Changed My Life
In this episode, host Chris Collins sits down with Morgan Stevenson Cooper — writer, director, and creator of Bel-Air, the reimagining of the iconic Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. A passionate storyteller and now the author of I CAN MAKE A MOVIE! (out this November), Morgan joins us to talk about the book that changed his life: Dilla Time by Dan Charnas. They dive deep into the genius of J Dilla, how he “made a drum machine sound human,” and why his story became a creative compass for Morgan — shaping his art, his mindset, and even his healing. From discovering Madvillainy at age 12 to...
info_outlineIn this episode of Books That Changed My Life, host Chris Collins sits down with Michele Wong McSween — 4th generation Chinese American, FIDM graduate, and former Old Navy designer — to talk about the book that deeply shaped her perspective: The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan.
Michele shares how Tan’s groundbreaking novel helped her reconnect with her cultural identity and inspired her to create Gordon & Li Li, a bilingual Mandarin-English children’s book series.
Through her work, Michele is helping families embrace language and culture with joy and curiosity.
From her fashion career in New York to her mission of preserving heritage for the next generation, Michele’s story is one of creative reinvention, deep family roots, and the transformative power of storytelling.
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