Just The Good STuff is a succinct and inspiring guide for anyone seeking clarity and focus in a cluttered world. VandeHei cuts through the noise with practical insights and actionable advice, delivering exactly what the title promises—no fluff, just value. The book is packed with lessons on productivity, leadership, and living a meaningful life, all presented in a straightforward and digestible format.

Stripped-down life advice in bullet points with all the BS cut out from a top news executive. It’s solid info that would be helpful to any young person who is just starting in the world of work. The author comes across sometimes as a wise uncle who knows all from years working his way up the ladder to the top.

Thanks to Harmony and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

The author offers advice on how to create a successful and fulfilling life, while suggesting how to use the book and advising readers to take their time to process what they learn. Life, work, leadership, communication, and what brings you joy are covered in the title’s six parts. Each topic emphasizes why it matters, how it relates to the big picture, and how and why readers should act for change. The book is user-friendly and lends itself to repeated reading. The book is a worthwhile read. I could see myself going back and reading thr book. It’s very informative and practical. It is a book that will cause one to think about what was just read. It’s very straight forward. I’m so glad I got to read it. No matter where you are in your life, it will add to your life and hopefully make you happy.

Not 100% my style, but I would definitely recommend this to someone wanting a short and to the point self-help book. There's not a lot of advanced content, but the writing style is concise and easy to read.

Jame VandeHei’s Good Stuff is a total game-changer. The book is super engaging and offers some seriously fresh takes on today’s big topics. VandeHei knows how to mix smart insights with a killer writing style that keeps you hooked.

The best part? VandeHei makes complex stuff feel easy to get, without dumbing it down. His writing is sharp and to the point, which makes the whole read feel both enlightening and fun.

If you’re into books that are both informative and entertaining, Good Stuff is a must-read. It’s packed with value and is definitely worth adding to your reading list.

This version maintains a casual and energetic tone while highlighting the book’s appeal.

Just the Good Stuff is pretty good. Things are easy to digest and it very helpful to get moving forward. While there is a Boomer idea here and there most is more progressive (when I say progressive, I mean treating people right). The only real issue is that to keep things short and digestible, some things turn into clickbait ("Don't Listen to Your Parents"). Vandehei has enough experience with media how people don't read and just make negative assumptions. But if people actually read what is written under the heading, they will get good information (i.e. your parents shouldn't be the deciders od what you do for work).
Overall, a great guide.

Lots of practical advice, lots of topics. The best part for me was how he started by talking about how unmotivated he was in school and then did a turnaround because he found something he was interested in. A lot of the advice was good, but this is what really stuck with me: maybe we all need to find what we love and pursue it, like this guy did, and not worry about what people think we should want.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this.

Wow is this book powerful. From the organization the the chapter points, I thought this book did a spectacular job showing not only how to be successful professionally, but also as a human. There was large emphasis on the importance of others- not in the sense that you should abuse your relationships, but that helping others in turn will help you later. Being a good person is fundamental to a fulfilling and happy life, as well as reaching professional goals. Sometimes self help books feel impractical in actual use, but this book seems easily transferable to regular life. Would really recommend this book!

Insights gained through experience are often the best kind and here VandeHei shares his. The chapters are short and easy to read and digest. Part of his philosophy is brevity and he does a good job of it in this book. He includes bullet points to clarify chapter main ideas and why they matter.

My favorite chapter was on simplicity. He suggests regularly doing a simplicity audit of life and work. We would all have less stuff and more efficient work forces if we followed his advice.

VandeHei's goal is not to help readers cure their deficiencies. His writing on insecurity, for example, is how to spot it and crush it. He spent years believing he could change insecure people, finally realizing it can't be done. On how not to be insecure, he says take it up with a therapist. (1723/2669)

There is nothing I found earth shaking in this book. It does contained insights into leadership honed by years of making good and bad decisions. VandeHei is not shy in admitting his own errors and what he learned from them. This is a good book for those desiring to be the best leaders possible, learning from one who has had much experience.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

If you’re looking for practical advice without feeling preached at, this is the book for you! Written in an easygoing manner, author Jim VandeHei shares his experiences and insights into navigating the challenges facing us today. So much of what he wrote makes sense. Nothing is really new, but the way the author writes makes it seem that way. I appreciated the short chapters, filled with ponderings and possibilities. This is one I will keep coming back to. Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and author, for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

Quick read with good advice, nothing earthshattering however. My biggest love of this book was in the beginning when Jim clearly articulated a need for short business books! YES! More of these! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free advance copy.

While I knew about Axios and Politico, though can’t claim that I’ve visited either site often, and wasn’t at all familiar with Jim Vandehei, his blurb for Just the Good Stuff most definitely caught my attention. I just had to know how this man who was all but flunking out of school managed to achieve such massive success. First and foremost I loved his writing style. The short chapters, the easy going, easy to understand, conversational tone makes this a book that can be read and understand by anyone. He weaves is own story, his own life lessons, seamlessly into the narrative, covering a wide range of topics. I will say I’d have liked to have had something like this when I was much younger. Some of his advice would really have served me well, especially his advice on being a quitter. Yes, you read that correct. Be a quitter, lol. Trust me it’s not what you think but you’ll understand when you read it. It’s sound advice and something I wished I’d have understood when I was just starting out. I’m now quite interested in checking out Jim’s other book. This is a book I can see myself dipping back into again every so often. I’d like to thank Rodale Inc. | Harmony, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an eARC of Just the Good Stuff: No-BS Secrets to Success.

An accessible and reader-friendly life and career advice from the founder of Politico and Axios.

The book is divided into six parts "life stuff", "work stuff", "boss stuff", "tough stuff", "small stuff", and "good stuff". Each chapter includes a handy overview and bullet points for putting these considerations/guidance into practice.

While none of the advice is groundbreaking, the way it is presented makes it digestible and entertaining. Would recommend this for people early in their career and for anyone else in the mood to pause and reflect.

Thank you to Rodale and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.

"Just the Good Stuff" by Jim VandeHei is a concise and well-organized read. It'd make a great stocking stuffer or graduation gift that a reader will come back to every now and again.. Its format lends itself well to quick skimming, making it accessible even for the busiest of readers. VandeHei's personal anecdotes offer valuable insights, though they may not always apply universally. Personally, I didn't find enough to keep me interested for the long haul. While younger individuals embarking on their careers will find the advice particularly relevant and actionable, established professionals might find the content less applicable to their stage of life. Overall, a worthwhile read for young people and those navigating the early stages of their professional journey.

Jim VandeHei wastes nothing: not dreams, not words, not a reader's time in the remarkable JUST THE GOOD STUFF. Following on the heels of SMART BREVITY -- another fantastic read -- VandeHei shares pithy lessons, stories, and insights in meaningful, short passages with highlights and callouts, conclusions, and possibilities suggested for the reader to ponder, take to heart, or change around to suit themselves. I deeply appreciated his straight talk, the candor with which he admits less than admirable qualities (having an award made up for him so he wouldn't be the only graduate in the school who hadn't done or been remarkable in any way), and the driving passion to help others learn and master the lessons it took him years to bring to life. I received a copy of this book and these opinions are my own, unbiased thoughts.

Part old school self help book, part spot on insight. Do what you love, work harder
Than everyone else, anyone can do this, even a guy who almost flunked out of school!!

It’s not deep, it’s literally a bullet point book. With a wrap up at the end of each chapter. He waffles a bit on work/family balance and is keen on working out and healthy eating.

The most helpful sections were on work from home and handling remote work situations. His insights are excellent here.

Well written, an easy read, and very interesting.

I received an advanced reader’s copy for review purposes.

I have mixed feelings about this book. To get the most out of it, you definitely have to do as the author suggests: take time away from the book after each chapter to reflect and think of how to apply the lesson to your own life, possibly even writing it down. Otherwise - and this is how unfortunately many people will go about this book - if you read it in one sitting, it feels more like a list of cliches and list of suggestions you coud find online. The author made this book concise on purpose, not to be read quickly, but not to waste your time with stories and rambling examples. However, this puts the burden on the reader to get the most out of it. One other slightly confusing aspect was that many of these apply to business and work, but not all. So it's a bit confusing whether the book wants to be holistic (in which case it focuses too much on work), or mostly work (in which case the other aspects are out of scope).
Regardless, I am very thankful to have been given the ARC from NetGalley; and thank you Rondale Books.

Practical advice delivered in a quick and easy-to-read format. While the core takeaways might not be new, the author's behind-the-scenes stories on running start-ups make for a fascinating read. You'll find valuable insights on navigating life, family, relationships, and career. This book would be a good pick-me-up for young professionals starting out in the corporate world.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

I appreciated this book mostly for its organization and presentation of information, very digestible and reader friendly. But it was in the end mostly information I already know or material that is less relevant to me as someone not working in the same sphere as the author. Will be great for someone still starting out in that sphere though.

Hmm some good stuff in here and it wasn’t my style. Life lessons, work and leadership advice. Very informal and some elements did not fit my experience. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.