From policy briefs and white papers as Speaker of the Florida House, to court cases and brutal police records as a former prosecutor, reading has always been a central part of Chris Sprowls’ mission to defend American values. This interest has expanded beyond his work and into a personal passion for reading books. Getting to know the authors behind the ideas on the page is one of his favorite pastimes. On Read, White, & Blue, hear fascinating interviews with some of the Speakers’ favorite authors and gain insight into the literary works that have shaped his world view, and sometimes, public policy, too.
A special message from Speaker Chris Sprowls as Season 2 comes to a close. Check out his recommended reading list below!
Speaker Sprowls' Recommended Reading List
Not in It to Win It - Andy Stanley (https://www.amazon.com/Not-Win-Andy-Stanley/dp/0310138922)
The Hundred-Year Marathon - Michael Pillsbury (https://www.amazon.com/Hundred-Year-Marathon-Strategy-Replace-Superpower/dp/1250081343)
Grit - Angela Duckworth (https://www.amazon.com/Grit-Passion-Perseverance-Angela-Duckworth/dp/1501111116/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=grit+angela+duckworth&qid=1664286859&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIxLjc0IiwicXNhIjoiMS4zMiIsInFzcCI6IjEuNTAifQ%3D%3D&s=books&sprefix=grit+%2Cstripbooks%2C82&sr=1-1)
Extreme Ownership - Jocko Willink and Leif Babin (https://www.amazon.com/Extreme-Ownership-U-S-Navy-SEALs/dp/1250183863/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1664286883&sr=1-1)
Democracy - Condoleezza Rice (https://www.amazon.com/Democracy-Stories-Long-Road-Freedom/dp/145554017X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1664286909&sr=8-1)
In the Blood - Jack Carr (https://www.amazon.com/In-the-Blood/dp/139850825X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1664286931&sr=8-1)
The Profession - Bill Bratton (https://www.amazon.com/Profession-Memoir-Community-Policing-America/dp/0525558195/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1664287018&sr=8-1)
The War on Cops - Heather Mac Donald (https://www.amazon.com/War-Cops-Attack-Order-Everyone/dp/1594039682/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+war+on+cops&qid=1664287041&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIxLjc5IiwicXNhIjoiMS40OCIsInFzcCI6IjEuNTkifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=the+war+on+cops%2Caps%2C84&sr=8-1)
The President and the Freedom Fighter - Brian Kilmeade (https://www.amazon.com/President-Freedom-Fighter-Frederick-Douglass/dp/0525540571/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+president+and+the+freedom+fighter+brian+kilmeade&qid=1664287064&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIxLjUwIiwicXNhIjoiMS4wNSIsInFzcCI6IjEuMTAifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=the+president+and+the%2Caps%2C88&sr=8-1)
Outliers - Malcolm Gladwell (https://www.amazon.com/Outliers-Story-Success-Malcolm-Gladwell/dp/0316017930/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1664287150&sr=8-1)
The Righteous Mind - Jonathan Haidt (https://www.amazon.com/Righteous-Mind-Divided-Politics-Religion/dp/0141039167/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1664287208&sr=8-1)
Liturgy of the Ordinary - Tish Harrison Warren (https://www.amazon.com/Liturgy-Ordinary-Sacred-Practices-Everyday/dp/0830846786/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=liturgy+of+the+ordinary&qid=1664287228&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIxLjY5IiwicXNhIjoiMS4yMiIsInFzcCI6IjEuMjgifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=liturgy%2Caps%2C91&sr=8-1)
Grant - Ron Chernow (https://www.amazon.com/Grant-Ron-Chernow/dp/0143110632/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1664287257&sr=8-1)
4 Oct 2022
Keepers of the Garden | Guest: Brant Hansen (The Men We Need)
In this special bonus episode, Speaker Sprowls talks with author and radio personality Brant Hansen about his book “The Men We Need: God's Purpose for the Manly Man, the Avid Indoorsman, or Any Man Willing to Show Up.” In a culture that portrays men as either dumb and weak or toxic and overbearing, Brant explains the real purpose men were designed to serve. This conversation will inspire men– young and old– to embrace their roles as protectors, charged with defending the vulnerable and creating secure places for others to thrive.
27 Sept 2022
Reading Makes Champions | Guest: Malcolm Mitchell (The Magician's Hat)
Super Bowl Champion and children’s book author Malcolm Mitchell joins Speaker Sprowls to talk about his book, “The Magician’s Hat,” and his work building up youth literacy across the country. After developing a life-changing passion for reading while in college, Malcolm made it his mission to inspire kids to read to a better future. Malcolm’s Share the Magic Foundation has served more than 421,000 kids with in-school programs, free books and virtual reading challenges that get kids excited about reading.
The READMarathon Virtual Reading Challenge begins Oct. 11, sign up here: https://www.readwithmalcolm.com/readmarathon/ (https://www.readwithmalcolm.com/readmarathon/)
Learn more about Malcolm’s literacy programs here: https://www.readwithmalcolm.com/ (https://www.readwithmalcolm.com/)
20 Sept 2022
Resilient Kids | Guest: Dr. Nicholas Kardaras (Glow Kids; Digital Madness)
Speaker Sprowls is joined by addiction expert and psychologist Dr. Nicholas Kardaras to discuss his two books, “Glow Kids” and “Digital Madness.” This conversation takes a deep dive into the toxic effects of excessive screen time and social media consumption on children, teens and young adults. The obsession with technology is driving a mental health and addiction crisis that can leave us feeling powerless. But Dr. Kardaras provides solutions that can help us break free from the gravitational pull of these toxins– solutions as simple and timeless as reading books and developing critical thinking skills.
13 Sept 2022
Reading Saves Lives | Guest: James Patterson (Run, Rose, Run)
The world’s bestselling author James Patterson joins Speaker Sprowls to discuss their shared passion for improving childhood literacy through programs like JIMMY Patterson Books and Speaker Sprowls’ New Worlds Reading Initiative. They also cover Patterson’s new novel “Run, Rose, Run,” a thriller about a singer-songwriter co-authored with fellow literacy champion, Dolly Parton. Patterson also gives listeners a look into his new autobiography.
6 Sept 2022
You Can Make a Difference | Guest: Tony Dungy (Uncommon Influence)
Speaker Sprowls talks with NFL Super Bowl Champion coach and fatherhood advocate Tony Dungy about his book, “Uncommon Influence: Saying Yes to a Purposeful Life.” Dungy shares how finding purpose in life does not come from fame and fortune, but on daily, intentional choices that make a positive impact. Dungy recounts how he and his wife, Lauren, navigated the call to serve the most vulnerable through fostering and adoption while juggling the demands of life in the NFL. From football to faith to fatherhood, this conversation will inspire you to step out of your comfort zone and dare to have uncommon influence in your life.
30 Aug 2022
“The Wildest Adventure” | Guest: Kellyanne Conway (Here’s the Deal)
Speaker Sprowls interviews former senior counselor to President Trump, Kellyanne Conway, about her memoir, “Here’s the Deal,” which takes readers on her journey from growing up in South Jersey all the way to the White House. A professional pollster and first woman to manage a winning presidential campaign, Conway shares about the challenges she’s faced working in male-dominated professions, the cheerful chaos of raising four children as a working mom, and why she’s excited about the future of the Republican Party. Her story is one of honesty, vulnerability and triumph – and it isn’t over yet.
23 Aug 2022
Standing Tall, Standing Alone | Guest: Jonathan Isaac (Why I Stand)
Jonathan Isaac, power forward for the Orlando Magic, talks about his new book, “Why I Stand,” a powerful story of hope for free speech and an inspirational example of standing firm for your beliefs when the world tries to knock you down. Isaac gained national attention when he stood during the National Anthem in the NBA bubble while each of his teammates kneeled. He made headlines again for eloquently explaining his decision to exercise his personal medical freedom during the COVID-19 pandemic. Isaac also shares about overcoming mental health challenges and how his faith journey has strengthened him along the way.
16 Aug 2022
Healing the Racial Divide | Guests: Will Ford & Matt Lockett (The Dream King)
Speaker Sprowls interviews co-authors and friends Will Ford and Matt Lockett about "The Dream King," their book that reveals their astonishing story of friendship and compelling vision for racial reconciliation in America. Ford and Lockett dive into how their dreams played a role in how they met at a prayer meeting and, ultimately, built a powerful ministry to heal deep racial divides and support the pro-life movement. In a stunning twist, after a decade of friendship, the two discovered a shocking, painful connection between their family trees they had to face head-on if they were to continue their work together. Tune in to hear this can't-miss-it conversation.
Bestselling author of “WOKE, INC.” Vivek Ramaswamy joins Speaker Chris Sprowls to discuss corporate America’s modern impulse to mix woke virtue with capitalism and how it’s threatening our Democracy. Ramaswamy outlines the dangers of these power players wielding woke political prowess and how Americans can use their voices and dollars to create a better way forward. They also cover Disney’s response to Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Bill as an example of woke capitalism. Ramaswamy is a successful entrepreneur, first-generation American, and leading voice on stakeholder capitalism and free speech.
15 Apr 2022
Season 1 Closing Message from Speaker Sprowls
A special message from Speaker Chris Sprowls as Season 1 comes to a close, including an exciting update for the future of “Read, White, & Blue!”
12 Apr 2022
The Long Road to Justice | Gilbert King (Devil in the Grove)
On the final episode of Season 1 of "Read, White, & Blue," Speaker Sprowls sits down with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Gilbert King to discuss his book, "Devil in the Grove," a tragic historical account of Jim Crow-era Florida and the false accusation and sentencing of the Groveland Four: Charles Greenlee, Walter Irvin, Samuel Shepherd, and Ernest Thomas. King recounts his research into the prejudice in rural Florida in the 1940s and 50s and the horrible miscarriage of justice that followed the false accusations against these four young Black men. Speaker Sprowls and King discuss how "Devil in the Grove" brought awareness to this tragedy and the instrumental role it played in the Florida Legislature's decision to pursue the long overdue pardon and exoneration of the Groveland Four beginning in 2017.
5 Apr 2022
Words Matter | Guest: Michael Knowles (Speechless)
This week, Speaker Sprowls interviews bestselling author and political commentator, Michael Knowles about his book, “Speechless: Controlling Words, Controlling Minds,” in which he tackles how free speech has been redefined by the left and what conservatives can do to take back the truth. They discuss how definitions and facts are foundational to moral standards and dive into how the media manipulated words to distort the truth about Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Bill, dubbed as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.
29 Mar 2022
It Takes a Man to Be a Dad | Guest: Dr. Warren Farrell (The Boy Crisis)
On this week's episode of "Read, White, & Blue," Speaker Sprowls is joined by Dr. Warren Farrell, author of "The Boy Crisis." When teachers in Dr. Farrell's circle began to share with him that boys in their classrooms were falling behind, Dr. Farrell set out to understand why; his research found that the common root cause was the lack of an involved father. In this conversation, Speaker Sprowls and Dr. Farrell dig into the research behind the importance of having two involved parents for many societal outcomes, and what community groups and the Florida Legislature are doing to reclaim responsible fatherhood for future generations.
22 Mar 2022
If These Waters Could Talk | Guest: Dr. Jack E. Davis (The Gulf)
Dr. Jack E. Davis, University of Florida professor and Pulitzer Prize Winner for his book “The Gulf: The Making of an American Sea,” joins the Speaker to discuss the history and impact of the Gulf of Mexico on Florida’s environment and economy. They talk about their shared optimism for Florida’s future thanks to the State Legislature’s efforts toward coastline restoration and resiliency. Dr. Davis also previews his newest book, “The Bald Eagle,” which tells the story of the heroic repopulation of bald eagles in the Southern United States in the 1980s and Florida's unique role in that effort.
15 Mar 2022
Solving the Perfect Murder | Guest: David Mearns (The Shipwreck Hunter)
David Mearns, Guinness World Records holder and award-winning author of "The Shipwreck Hunter," joins the Speaker to talk about some of Mearns' most notable deep-sea shipwreck discoveries and investigations. Mearns' expertise served in the historic conviction of an Austrian businessman who planted a time bomb on the Lucona, which killed half the crew, in a conspiracy to commit murder and collect millions in insurance. Mearns also shares how shipwreck hunting has allowed him to bring closure to families who have lost loved ones out at sea. Listen to the end of the episode for an exciting update about a famous shipwreck discussed in the conversation, Sir Ernest Shackleton's Endurance.
8 Mar 2022
Escaping the Echo Chamber | Guest: Amanda Ripley (High Conflict)
Speaker Sprowls sits down with New York Times bestselling author and renowned investigative journalist, Amanda Ripley. Discussing her latest book, "High Conflict: Why We Get Trapped and How We Get Out," the Speaker and Ripley explore how conflicts of opposite extremes extort the reality that lies somewhere in the middle of most situations. In a culture that rewards polarization, politicians and journalists alike could stand to escape the echo chamber of our own perspectives.
1 Mar 2022
Run Toward the Roar | Guest: Mark Batterson (Win the Day)
Today we're talking to Mark Batterson, DC pastor and author of 19 New York Times bestsellers, including "Win the Day." From getting in shape to getting out of debt to planting a church, achieving God-sized dreams starts with daily habits and building endurance. Speaker Sprowls and Batterson discuss how "running toward the roar" and embracing adversity lead to opportunities for greatness -- in faith, family and policy making.
23 Feb 2022
From High School Dropout to Harvard Grad | Guest: Todd Rose (End of Average)
Bestseller “End of Average” author Todd Rose dropped out of high school with a 0.9 GPA, struggled to pay the bills, and ended up on welfare before going to Harvard and changing the course of his life forever. On the inaugural episode of “Read, White and Blue,” Speaker Sprowls dives into Rose’s story and how his theories on how individualism in education ending “average” results helped inspire some of the Speaker’s landmark workforce revamp legislation for Florida.
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