The Summer Challenge
Books, podcasts, and documentaries to spark your creativity
When I was a kid, a few things signaled the official start to summer. The ice cream truck driving around in the afternoons with the happy melody floating over the neighborhood. Running through sprinklers in our bathing suits while looking longingly at the house of our only friend with a pool, hoping they’d invite us over. And the local library launching their summer reading challenge. I loved presenting my map to get a stamp with each book I read. I was always done within a few weeks, and I’d start it over again.
As I got older, the summer reading challenge morphed into places I wanted to go with friends, movies I wanted to see, or new skills that I wanted to try. One summer, I set a goal to learn to play the Flight of the Bumblebee on my flute. I never did, but I did learn all the words to You Can Call Me Al.
This summer’s challenge list has a fun twist. My niece is a film student, and I’ve given her a list of movies to expand her appreciation for storytelling. Some movies are just pure joy from my youth (Space Camp anyone?). But I keep trying to entice her with documentaries. I think they are some of the best storytelling. She’s not a fan after seeing many that fall apart in the editing. Instead of mapping out a story, the filmmakers often piece together all their footage and end up with something repetitive, slow, and sluggish. I’m determined to show her great documentaries and wanted to share them with you.
Here are some book, documentaries, and podcasts to help as you seek inspiration or want to day dream this summary. Each is curated to help you tap into storytelling, creativity, and awe. I’ve included US links where possible (apologies to those outside of the US on different distribution services).
DOCUMENTARIES
Everything is Copy (HBO Max)
15 years ago, if you saw a romcom, it had Nora Ephron’s fingerprints on it. Her hits include Julie and Julia, You’ve Got Mail, Sleepless in Seattle, and When Harry Met Sally. Coming from a family of writers, Nora’s mother gave her the advice that helped shape her career: Everything is copy. All experiences can serve as inspiration for content and creativity. The documentary covers her career and approach to storytelling.
Jim Henson, Idea Man (Disney+ and YouTube)
The Muppets, created by Jim Henson, became popular because of Sesame Street and Saturday Night Live. Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzy, Animal, Big Bird, Cookie Monster, and Elmo are a part of our core memories. While Henson passed away over 30 years ago, the Muppets still have nostalgic hold. Directed by Ron Howard, this documentary chronicles Henson’s life, legacy, and creative process.
Spielberg (HBO Max)
Sticking in the genre of cinematic storytelling, this documentary explores the life, career, and cinematic evolution of director Steven Spielberg. It connects the dots throughout his massive filmography, showing how personal themes of fractured families, longing for belonging, and awe of the unknown are woven across his work. If you love behind-the-scenes stories of movie making, this is for you.
Music by John Williams (Disney+)
Another wonderful behind-the-scenes take of how John Williams composed some of the iconic pieces we love in movies, including his use of lietmotifs to signal specific characters in scenes. Come for the stories, stay for the emotions the music conjures up.
Helvetica (Apple TV)
When I start working with someone, one of my first questions is “What font do you prefer?” Most people feel there is a clear right and font. (Sidenote: change your font when editing something to find mistakes. Your brain treats it as though you’re reading it for the first time.)
This documentary digs into design, communication, and intention. It’s about how visual choices tell stories before a word is spoken, there is no neutral presentation, and every choice creates meaning.
Stories We Tell (Roku, YouTube)
This documentary unpacks the investigation of a family secret, and reveals how memory, point of view, editing, and narration shape our understanding of truth. This punctuates that stories are not simply records of what happened; they are interpretations shaped by who tells them.
PODCASTS
The Mind of a Storyteller: Why We Love Surprises, The Hidden Brain Podcast
Blending scientific research with engaging storytelling to explain the hidden mental processes that shape our everyday decisions, biases, and relationships. This episode interviews cognitive scientist Vera Tobin about why we’re captivated by stories.
The Wait: Everything is Alive Podcast
If you struggle with where to find ideas for stories, this podcast is for you. It demonstrates why details bring things to life. The premise of the podcast is that all the interview subjects are inanimate objects (I KNOW, just trust!) This episode is about a bike locked up to a rack too long.
Austin Kleon:Design Matters Podcast
The bestselling author of Steal Like an Artist talks about his approach to the creative process, where he uses analog creation, and how originality is a collaboration between past and present influences.
BOOKS
These fiction books chosen for their beautiful writing, creativity, and unique ideas
Sourdough, by Robin Sloan
Lois Clary is a software engineer who inherits a sourdough starter from two brothers where she orders dinner every evening. The brothers have to close up shop and ask Lois to keep their sourdough starter alive. It’s a discovery of how the recipe changes her life.
The Night Circus,by Erin Morgenstern
A magical circus that opens only at night and serves as the stage for a mysterious competition between two young magicians. Filled with romance, wonder, and unforgettable imagery, The Night Circus is a lush, dreamlike novel about love, fate, and the extraordinary worlds stories can create.
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
Piranesi feels like stepping into a dream. Read it knowing as little as possible. Half the magic of Piranesi is discovering where you are and why. It is one of those rare books that is impossible to describe fully and unforgettable once experienced.
Remarkably Bright Creatures, by Shelby Van Plat (also currently a film on Netflix)
Part of the story is narrated by an Octopus! Part mystery, part family story, and part love letter to friendship, it follows a widow whose life is changed by an unusually perceptive octopus. Charming, funny, and deeply compassionate, it's about connection, healing, and the surprising ways our lives intersect. Come for the Octopus, stay for the humanity.
Karen Eber is an author, TED and keynote speaker, and communication strategist who works with frontline leaders, senior executives, and C-suite teams at Fortune 500 companies. She specializes in breaking down the science of communication and decision making to influence outcomes. Karen partners with teams across sales, marketing, communications, HR, finance, operations, legal, and IT. She works across industries including healthcare, technology, financial services, manufacturing, energy, consumer goods, retail, professional services, education, and nonprofits — helping leaders turn complex information into clear, compelling stories that drive decisions and action. She is the author of The Perfect Story. Learn more about her keynotes and workshops at kareneber.com/speaking.
