In his new book, 100 Best Books for Work and Life: What They Say, Why They Matter, and How They Can Help You, author and publisher Todd Sattersten distills decades of reading, publishing, and advising authors into a carefully curated list of self-improvement titles.
Unlike typical summaries or “listicles,” 100 Best Books for Work and Life dives deeper, offering practical guidance on why each selection matters and how readers can apply its lessons today.
Todd’s recommendations include well-known volumes and far less-well-known titles. And you might be surprised at which books he decided to leave out.
Divided into 25 chapters, each featuring three to five books, Todd covers topics such as Purpose, Relationships, Teams, Mindfulness, and Influence.
One of the most striking aspects of Todd’s approach is his belief that professional development cannot be separated from personal growth. A book on building better relationships, for instance, is just as valuable at home as it is in the office.
Todd is the publisher of Bard Press, the boutique publishing house — founded by the incomparable Ray Bard — best known for business classics such as The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan and Jeffrey Gitomer’s Little Red Book of Selling.
Since taking the reins in 2021, Todd has continued Bard’s tradition of releasing one (sometimes two) carefully chosen books each year. His expertise bridges both the editorial and business sides of publishing, giving him a unique vantage point on what makes a book impactful.
Monday Morning Radio is hosted by the father-son duo of Dean and Maxwell Rotbart.
Photo: Todd Sattersten, Bard Press
Posted: October 13, 2025
Monday Morning Run Time: 42:20
Episode: 14.19
RECOMMENDED BARD PRESS BOOKS:
Popular Podcasts
CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist
It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.