Books That Changed My Life: Brand New Espionage Memoir! THE SHADOW CELL with Andrew & Jihi Bustamante
Release Date: 09/16/2025
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 the last episode, former CIA officer Andrew Bustamante shared two books that changed his life—Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card and Thou Shall Prosper by Rabbi Daniel Lapin. Today, we’re doing something brand new.
In this special episode of Books That Changed My Life, host Chris Collins welcomes Andrew back—this time alongside his wife and partner, Jihi Bustamante. Like Andrew, Jihi is a veteran of the CIA and co-founder of EverydaySpy. Together, they’ve co-authored a powerful new spy thriller called Shadow Cell, and they’re here to talk about the book, the writing process, and the real-life experiences that inspired it.
This conversation goes beyond just the story on the page. Andrew and Jihi open up about what it was like to write a novel together while balancing their personal history in covert operations, their business, and their marriage. You'll hear how Shadow Cell became more than just a book—it became a reflection of their shared values, experiences, and the life they’ve built after intelligence work.
It’s a candid and captivating look into the minds of two people who’ve lived lives most of us can only imagine—and chose to tell a story together.
Want to learn more from Andrew?
Find your Spy Superpower: https://yt.everydayspy.com/42dDXMc
Read Andrew’s CIA book ‘Shadow Cell’: https://geni.us/ShadowCellBook
Follow Andy on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Andrew-Bustamante
Explore Spy School: https://everydayspy.com/
Support Andy's sponsor Axolt Brain: https://axoltbrain.com/andy
Listen to the podcast: https://youtube.com/@UCpuzFvHij2JVyMq1CX1qyQQ
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