Looking for some poolside/bedside/deskside motivation to shake up your perspective this summer? Or just need something entertaining to pass the time? We've got you! T-Mobile leaders sharing their Summer Binge Lists: the things they are listening to, reading, watching and playing that have helped shape their Un-carrier outlook. Turns out it takes more than business savvy to continue shaking up an industry-sometimes it's a little dose of inspiration from a classic novel, a solid podcast or even reality TV! Dive in!
Mike Sievert, President and Chief Operating Officer
From Jared Diamond’s sweeping social history to A Game of Thrones’ dragon-swag fantasy to Trevor Noah’s globe-spanning memoir, T-Mobile President and COO Mike Sievert spends his summer bingeing on big ideas.
Born a Crime Audiobook by Trevor Noah
Part comedy, part tragedy, party commentary, Noah’s story of his upbringing in South Africa is a fascinating and fast-paced read. And it’s even more fun if you hear it in his own voice. Like they say, I laughed and I cried. This one has been on my list for a while and I’m glad I caught up. Now I’m an even bigger fan of Noah than before.
Upheaval: Turning Points for Nations in Crisis by Jared Diamond
Diamond’s Collapse and Guns, Germs, and Steel changed how I view history and even shaped my views of some of our current challenges. In Upheaval, he tackles the dynamics of societal change and crisis. As always, he draws lessons from pivotal moments in the history of societies across a wide span of time. This time, he looks at how those societies dealt with massive challenges. We’re in a time of real change, and so as usual, his book isn’t just about the distant past, but has thought-provoking implications for our present and future.
A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
Sad the show is over? So was I. You sure get to know and love—and hate and fear—those characters through a span of eight seasons of, well, the best show ever. What are we to do? Here’s what: Experience it all again by jumping into the books! I’m loving A Game of Thrones—the first book of the A Song of Ice and Fire book series that the show is based on—even though I know exactly what’s going to happen ud83dude0a. You get more detail, more character development and more place descriptions than in the show. And it turns out, Martin isn’t just a good storyteller—he’s a good writer, too. A fast-paced and fun summer read.
Billions
Want an escape from everyday life? Step into the shoes of billionaire hedge fund manager Bobby Axelrod (Damian Lewis of Homeland fame) and U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of NY, Chuck Rhoades (Paul Giamatti! Who doesn’t love Paul Giamatti?). Everyone is corrupt. Everyone is out for themselves and out to get everyone else. But somehow this Showtime original series manages to be fun at the same time, with great characters who are more complex than the typical good guys vs. bad guys drama. The best part? You’re four seasons behind now—so get to it!
Big Little Lies Season 2
I don’t watch much TV in the summer—that’s my winter thing. But my wife Suzanne and I haven’t been able to resist HBO’s Big Little Lies. How could you not love a show with this cast? Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Laura Dern, Zoë Kravitz (did you know she’s Lenny’s daughter? And a great actress!), Shailene Woodley and, in Season 2, the Queen herself, Meryl Streep! So, the show’s got acting covered. But what’s even better is the humanity and the storytelling. You never know what’s about to happen. Can’t wait for each week’s episode. I recommend starting at Season 1, of course.