---
title: Essays (2)
description: Essays on brands, psychology, and human behavior - exploring how people make meaning, build identity, choose brands, and tell their stories. (2)
---

# Essays

Reflections on narrative psychology, decision making, and the strategic tensions shaping brands today.

Filter by Tag Show All Book Review Brand Relationships Decisions & Behavior Narrative & Meaning Point-of-View Research & Insight Strategy & Positioning Travel & Hospitality

[![](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/sapienscover-2.png?width=1280&height=720&name=sapienscover-2.png) ](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/blog/book-review/review-sapiens-a-brief-history-of-humankind-by-yuval-noah-harari)

 3 min read

#### [Review: “Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind” by Yuval Noah Harari](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/blog/book-review/review-sapiens-a-brief-history-of-humankind-by-yuval-noah-harari)

May 17, 2024 6:02:00 AM

Yuval Noah Harari’s Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind is an expansive narrative that traverses the breadth of human history, from the earliest...

[Book Review](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/tag/book-review) [Decisions & Behavior](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/tag/decisions-behavior) [Narrative & Meaning](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/tag/narrative-meaning) 

[Read More](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/blog/book-review/review-sapiens-a-brief-history-of-humankind-by-yuval-noah-harari)

[![](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/656a4ba15e37c06a1b2d1006_Higher-Ground-Cover-Mockup-2_2-Height-1280-and-Up-Extra-Wide-2.webp?width=2160&height=933&name=656a4ba15e37c06a1b2d1006_Higher-Ground-Cover-Mockup-2_2-Height-1280-and-Up-Extra-Wide-2.webp) ](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/blog/universal-insights/higher-ground-by-alison-taylor)

 3 min read

#### [Navigating Purpose as a Business: A Deep Dive into ‘Higher Ground’ by Alison Taylor](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/blog/universal-insights/higher-ground-by-alison-taylor)

May 1, 2024 11:15:11 AM

In today’s rapidly shifting corporate landscape, where the expectation that businesses serve a greater purpose is growing, Alison Taylor’s Higher...

[Book Review](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/tag/book-review) [Strategy & Positioning](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/tag/strategy-positioning) [Brand Relationships](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/tag/brand-relationships) 

[Read More](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/blog/universal-insights/higher-ground-by-alison-taylor)

[![](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/bookshelf-2.jpg?width=1200&height=627&name=bookshelf-2.jpg) ](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/blog/book-review/13-books-that-belong-in-your-library)

 10 min read

#### [13 Books That Belong in Your Library](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/blog/book-review/13-books-that-belong-in-your-library)

Apr 20, 2024 7:57:42 AM

If you’re like us, you jot down book titles to look up later. You take pictures of covers at the airport bookstore. Then, you buy them thinking...

[Book Review](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/tag/book-review) [Narrative & Meaning](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/tag/narrative-meaning) [Research & Insight](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/tag/research-insight) 

[Read More](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/blog/book-review/13-books-that-belong-in-your-library)

[![](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/joshua-rodriguez-f7zm5TDOi4g-unsplash-2.jpg?width=1920&height=1280&name=joshua-rodriguez-f7zm5TDOi4g-unsplash-2.jpg) ](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/blog/universal-insights/building-brands-in-the-narrative-economy-a-guide-for-modern-marketers)

 5 min read

#### [Building Brands in the Narrative Economy: A Guide for Modern Marketers](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/blog/universal-insights/building-brands-in-the-narrative-economy-a-guide-for-modern-marketers)

Apr 2, 2024 3:10:24 PM

The age-old paradigms of feature-focused advertising will no longer serve brands today or into the future. To succeed, marketers must embrace what we...

[Strategy & Positioning](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/tag/strategy-positioning) [Narrative & Meaning](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/tag/narrative-meaning) 

[Read More](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/blog/universal-insights/building-brands-in-the-narrative-economy-a-guide-for-modern-marketers)

[![](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/startend-1.png?width=1280&height=720&name=startend-1.png) ](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/blog/book-review/review-start-at-the-end-how-to-build-products-that-create-change-by-matt-wallaert)

 2 min read

#### [Review: “Start at the End: How to Build Products That Create Change” by Matt Wallaert](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/blog/book-review/review-start-at-the-end-how-to-build-products-that-create-change-by-matt-wallaert)

Mar 20, 2024 4:58:00 AM

Matt Wallaert’s Start at the End: How to Build Products That Create Change is a compelling guide that distills the author’s extensive experience in...

[Book Review](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/tag/book-review) [Decisions & Behavior](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/tag/decisions-behavior) [Strategy & Positioning](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/tag/strategy-positioning) 

[Read More](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/blog/book-review/review-start-at-the-end-how-to-build-products-that-create-change-by-matt-wallaert)

[![](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/questioncover-2.png?width=1280&height=720&name=questioncover-2.png) ](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/review-a-more-beautiful-question-the-power-of-inquiry-to-spark-breakthrough-ideas-by-warren-berger)

 3 min read

#### [Review: “A More Beautiful Question: The Power of Inquiry to Spark Breakthrough Ideas” by Warren Berger](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/review-a-more-beautiful-question-the-power-of-inquiry-to-spark-breakthrough-ideas-by-warren-berger)

Feb 8, 2024 5:18:00 AM

Warren Berger’s A More Beautiful Question is a thought-provoking exploration into the power of inquiry to drive innovation and change. As a guidebook...

[Book Review](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/tag/book-review) [Decisions & Behavior](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/tag/decisions-behavior) [Research & Insight](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/tag/research-insight) 

[Read More](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/review-a-more-beautiful-question-the-power-of-inquiry-to-spark-breakthrough-ideas-by-warren-berger)

[![](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/beginnerscover-1.png?width=1280&height=720&name=beginnerscover-1.png) ](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/blog/book-review/review-beginners-the-joy-and-transformative-power-of-lifelong-learning-by-tom-vanderbilt)

 2 min read

#### [Review: “Beginners: The Joy and Transformative Power of Lifelong Learning” by Tom Vanderbilt](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/blog/book-review/review-beginners-the-joy-and-transformative-power-of-lifelong-learning-by-tom-vanderbilt)

Jan 21, 2024 5:05:00 AM

Tom Vanderbilt’s Beginners: The Joy and Transformative Power of Lifelong Learning is a compelling blend of autobiography, self-help, and psychology...

[Book Review](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/tag/book-review) [Decisions & Behavior](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/tag/decisions-behavior) 

[Read More](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/blog/book-review/review-beginners-the-joy-and-transformative-power-of-lifelong-learning-by-tom-vanderbilt)

[![](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/influence-1.png?width=1280&height=720&name=influence-1.png) ](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/blog/book-review/review-influence-the-psychology-of-persuasion-by-robert-b-cialdini-phd)

 2 min read

#### [Review: “Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion” by Robert B. Cialdini, PhD](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/blog/book-review/review-influence-the-psychology-of-persuasion-by-robert-b-cialdini-phd)

Dec 15, 2023 4:46:00 AM

Robert B. Cialdini’s book, Influence, considered a seminal work in the field of persuasion, meticulously explores how certain psychological...

[Book Review](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/tag/book-review) [Decisions & Behavior](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/tag/decisions-behavior) [Strategy & Positioning](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/tag/strategy-positioning) 

[Read More](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/blog/book-review/review-influence-the-psychology-of-persuasion-by-robert-b-cialdini-phd)

[![](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Yourenotlistening-2.png?width=1280&height=720&name=Yourenotlistening-2.png) ](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/blog/book-review/review-youre-not-listening-what-youre-missing-and-why-it-matters-by-kate-murphy)

 3 min read

#### [Review: “You’re Not Listening: What You’re Missing and Why It Matters” by Kate Murphy](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/blog/book-review/review-youre-not-listening-what-youre-missing-and-why-it-matters-by-kate-murphy)

Nov 21, 2023 4:32:00 AM

In her insightful book, You’re Not Listening, Kate Murphy brings to light a growing concern in today’s fast-paced, digitally-driven world: the fear...

[Book Review](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/tag/book-review) [Decisions & Behavior](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/tag/decisions-behavior) [Research & Insight](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/tag/research-insight) 

[Read More](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/blog/book-review/review-youre-not-listening-what-youre-missing-and-why-it-matters-by-kate-murphy)

[![](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Presentation3-2.png?width=1280&height=720&name=Presentation3-2.png) ](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/blog/book-review/review-think-again-the-power-of-knowing-what-you-dont-know-by-adam-grant)

 3 min read

#### [Review: “Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know” by Adam Grant](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/blog/book-review/review-think-again-the-power-of-knowing-what-you-dont-know-by-adam-grant)

Oct 21, 2023 5:21:00 PM

Adam Grant’s Think Again is a compelling exploration into the dynamism of human intellect and the transformative power of reevaluating what we...

[Book Review](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/tag/book-review) [Decisions & Behavior](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/tag/decisions-behavior) [Research & Insight](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/tag/research-insight) 

[Read More](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/blog/book-review/review-think-again-the-power-of-knowing-what-you-dont-know-by-adam-grant)

[![](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Slide1-2.png?width=1280&height=720&name=Slide1-2.png) ](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/blog/book-review/review-anthro-vision-a-new-way-to-see-in-business-and-life-by-gillian-tett)

 3 min read

#### [Review: “Anthro-Vision: A New Way to See in Business and Life” by Gillian Tett](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/blog/book-review/review-anthro-vision-a-new-way-to-see-in-business-and-life-by-gillian-tett)

Sep 21, 2023 3:52:00 AM

What if the Kit Kat were not just a chocolate indulgence but a ritualized good luck charm for Japanese students? Or, perhaps more significantly, what...

[Book Review](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/tag/book-review) [Decisions & Behavior](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/tag/decisions-behavior) [Research & Insight](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/tag/research-insight) 

[Read More](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/blog/book-review/review-anthro-vision-a-new-way-to-see-in-business-and-life-by-gillian-tett)

[![](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/tosellishumancover-1.png?width=1280&height=720&name=tosellishumancover-1.png) ](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/blog/book-review/review-to-sell-is-human-the-surprising-truth-about-moving-others-by-daniel-h-pink)

 2 min read

#### [Review: “To Sell Is Human: The Surprising Truth About Moving Others” by Daniel H. Pink](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/blog/book-review/review-to-sell-is-human-the-surprising-truth-about-moving-others-by-daniel-h-pink)

Aug 22, 2023 4:59:00 AM

Daniel H. Pink’s To Sell is Human: The Surprising Truth About Moving Others offers a refreshing look at the art of selling in a world where everyone,...

[Book Review](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/tag/book-review) [Decisions & Behavior](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/tag/decisions-behavior) [Strategy & Positioning](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/tag/strategy-positioning) 

[Read More](https://www.threadlinebranding.com/en-us/essays/blog/book-review/review-to-sell-is-human-the-surprising-truth-about-moving-others-by-daniel-h-pink)

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