I always tell myself to keep it to one or two books. It never works. Every shelf seems to offer another subject, another idea, another reason to keep reading.
This time I came home with books about U.S. presidents, pilgrimage, communication, symbolism, happiness and a little more besides.
So once again, the bicycle basket is full.
I continue to build my ultimate ranking of U.S. presidents, and after a day of reading, James K. Polk is moving rapidly up the list.
Polk entered the presidency with a remarkably clear ideas of what he wanted to accomplish. He announced early that he would serve only one term, then did exactly that. During those four years, he pursued his agenda with determination, expanded the United States dramatically, and delivered on many of the objectives he had set himself.
What strikes me most is the focus. One term, a defined programme, then action and results. A rather different approach from the political careerism we often see today.
Polk was also a relatively low-profile president. It was during his presidency that “Hail to the Chief” became closely associated with the president’s entrance, reportedly because his wife Sarah wanted people to notice when he entered the room.
Only a few months after leaving office, exhausted after years of hard work, James K. Polk died at the age of 53.
I’m reading a book about every President of the United States and creating my own ultimate ranking. I haven’t made my way through all of them yet, as I’m reading the chapters in random order.
So far, President Ronald Reagan remains the undisputed champion of my list. But President Lyndon B. Johnson is a fast mover, climbing the rankings with every chapter.
When the weekend comes, I move into my podcast mode. This is my list at the moment.
This is not casual listening. It is how I stay structured, informed and connected to what actually drives business, markets and decision-making.
Global affairs and geopolitics
I follow the world through formats like The World, Radio Correspondents: China, Radio Correspondents: Middle East, The USA Podcast, and The Middle East Podcast. This gives me context behind the headlines – how regions move, how power shifts, and what it means in practice.
Markets, macro and business
There is a clear financial layer in Unhedged, WSJ Take On the Week, Macro Podcast, Swedbank Macro Talk, and The Day with Di. This is where I track sentiment, capital flows and positioning – how the market is actually interpreting reality.
Daily intelligence and briefing
The Daily, Bloomberg Daybreak Europe, Monocle The Briefing, and The Morning Report keep me in sync on a daily basis. Short, focused, high signal – a continuous update loop.
Technology and structural shifts
Through WSJ Tech News Briefing, Hard Fork, and Bloomberg Tech, I follow the underlying shifts – AI, platforms, infrastructure – the forces that reshape industries over time.
Opinion, ideology and strategic perspective
I include formats like The Spectator podcasts and similar long-form commentary. This is where different perspectives are tested, narratives are challenged, and positioning becomes clearer over time.
Perspective and strategic thinking
Formats like Monocle on Design, Momentum, and Nextconomy add a broader layer. This is where business, leadership and communication are put into a longer-term context.
Thanks to the special one. Without her support in business, I would be nothing.
You lift me up
To the crucial top, so I can see
When Saturday arrives in Frankfurt and the big corporations slip into the weekend, we’re met with an open invitation to the outdoor wine market by the market hall, where the local vineyards present their latest bottles.
