Solo Take Podcast
A bite-sized entrepreneurial book club for solo founders, marketers, and professionals building impactful careers
Hi, I’m Shannon Simcox, and this is Solo Take, a podcast dedicated to one entrepreneur’s curious quest to create community and, ultimately, read more books. From the creators of Bookfluencer, each episode of Solo Take features a book about owning a business, leading others, and working with humans. Whether you are a solo founder seeking clarity, a strategic leader navigating growth, or an empowered woman looking to expand your perspective, Solo Take is your short, smart, and grounded companion.
What is Solo Take?
Solo Take is a weekly podcast that breaks down actionable insights from 10 business and leadership books in about 15 minutes. Every episode bridges:
- Ideas grounded in lived experience
- Concepts applied to systems, teams, and outcomes
- A practical framework to use today
Think of Solo Take as part book club, part strategy session, and part reflective journal, all designed to make big ideas digestible, practical, and human.
Why Solo Take Matters?
Readers gonna read! Solo Take is a method not only for reading but also for extracting and applying the information from books to drive professional and personal growth. Solo Take is designed to help you:
- Turn lessons into daily practices
- Build communication confidence
- Grow your business with clarity
- Expand your thinking
We’re moving from theory to application.
How the Podcast Works
Each episode follows a simple, structured flow:
- Introduction: background on the book, author, and premise
- Reflective insight from my journey
- Strategic communications takeaways
- Tactical tool to apply today
2026 Reading List and Schedule
This season, we explore 10 transformative books on leadership, systems, communication, growth, and impact. Each book is selected for solo entrepreneurs and strategic thinkers alike.
- Dare to Lead by Brené Brown
- Atomic Habits by James Clear
- Shoe Dog by Phil Knight
- Grit by Angela Duckworth
- The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber
- Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller
- Profit First by Mike Michalowicz
- How Women Rise by Salley Helgesen & Marshall Goldsmith
- Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez
- Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes
Solo Take is available wherever you listen to podcasts, including: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Google Podcasts, and Amazon Music. Receive new episodes directly to your inbox by subscribing.
Join the Community
Sign up here to:
- Get episode notes
- Receive bonus reading resources
- Join early discussions of upcoming books
- Access exclusive email reflections from Shannon
About the Host
Shannon Simcox is a founder, marketer, and community builder who helps mission-driven entrepreneurs articulate their stories with clarity and confidence. Her work applying strategic communication frameworks and insights from leading a business come together for your consumption in Solo Take. Shannon also shares the how and why of strategic marketing in Ideal Audience, which you can subscribe to and read more about here. Looking for a strategic marketing partner to better offer, position, and connect with clients, take a look at some of the ways you can work with me and schedule your commitment-free consultation.