Read: Supercommunicators, by Charles Duhigg

As comms professionals, how could we resist a book called Supercommunicators?

But this exploration, by Charles Duhigg, of what it takes to connect better with our fellow human beings, and the influence this can bring, isn’t just for PR and marketing types.

The book helps us understand a lot of surprising detail about how and why we communicate, how to spot those who do it most effectively (including why those quick to laugh make better astronauts), and how we can emulate these so-called “supercommunicators” in our own daily lives, whether at work or at home.

A particularly useful insight is Duhigg’s observation that most conversations fall into one of three categories, and that most communication issues come from not recognising which one is in play at a given moment.

These are:

1. What is this really about? (problem-solving, planning, making decisions)
2. How do we feel? (sharing feelings, seeking empathy, building emotional connections)
3. Who are we? (building relationships, navigating social dynamics, and exploring shared identities)

With some simple but powerful ideas that are easy to implement straight away, this is really our kind of book!

Get the book here.

 Listen: Founders

We’ve only just discovered David Senra’s podcast Founders, but it’s already a regular fixture on the daily commute.

Each week, David tackles the biography of an entrepreneur, hurtling through the origin stories of many of the biggest businesses we see around us today.

Whether it’s the obsessive chocolate genius who built Ferrero, or the sex (and the City), drugs and betrayal history of Jimmy Choo; Jeff Bezos’ shareholder letters, or the unlikely success of the Michelin brothers, there really is something for everyone here.

What makes Founders unmissable is how Senra connects historical lessons to modern challenges, making each story feel remarkably relevant.

Essential listening for entrepreneurs, dreamers, and story lovers alike.

Listen here.

 Eat: Barrafina, Covent Garden

If you’re near Covent Garden and want a lunch that feels a bit special, Barrafina is a great pick. It is one of those rare restaurants where counter dining feels like a front-row seat, watching the chefs cook everything right in front of you. Lively, casual, and full of great smells and flavours, it draws you in from the moment you sit down.

It specialises in Spanish tapas, small plates that are perfect for sharing. We keep coming back because the food is always excellent, the atmosphere is relaxed, and there’s something nice about sharing plates together. It’s a reminder that a good lunch doesn’t have to be fancy or long to feel like a proper break. It’s the kind of place that reminds us why eating well, and sharing it, is one of the simplest joys.

We tend to go for the same favourites. We usually start with anchovy tostadas, pan con tomate, and jamón croquetas, then share a mix of seafood and meat, like chipirones, gambas rojas, or chicken thigh with romesco. The baked rice with mackerel and paletilla ibérica are standouts, rich, smoky, and full of flavour.

Visit Barrafina.