SandRose Reviews

By Yazeed Aldugahtither, Editor-in-Chief

For this edition of SandRose Reviews, we bring you a diverse collection of media to explore our physiology, our planet, and the inspiring people that live in it. Whether you’re reading a book, watching a documentary, or listening to a podcast, we hope you discover new aspects of our natural and built environments as well as yourself with your preferred immersive storytelling experience. Check out our top picks below!

RECS FROM OUR READERS

We’re delighted to share an assortment of mixed-media submissions from our SandRose community; delve into the fantastic selections from our readers in this edition below!

Podcast

Abdullah Alzahrani

Petroleum Engineer

Finjan Thmanyah:

Professional Development

Explore this episode of the “Finjan Thmanyah” podcast with Naif Alfaheid, a veteran Human Resources manager with 25 years of experience. In this episode, gain invaluable advice of effective colleague interactions, essential skills for success, and the significance of continual skill refinement in your career. Ultimately, this episode’s discussion is tailored for those aspiring for lasting excellence in their careers, delivering insights for continual growth and success.

Parking might not be on the top of your list of most interesting topics to read about, but Paved Paradise is likely to transform how you think about the spaces in which we store our ubiquitous vehicles. More than a book on storage or transportation, this work is a fascinating and witty exploration of how parking shapes cities, and the lives of their inhabitants.

While the book primarily focuses on the US, it reveals surprising trends, consequences, and realizations about how one of humanity’s most primary forms of mobility deeply affects our societies. The book tackles controversial case studies on garages and innovative solutions to the parking problem while insightfully linking them to profound matters such as urban design, climate change, housing affordability, and social justice. This book promises to challenge your preconceived notions not only on parking and transportation, but also about how we choose to live and what we choose to value.

Did you know that we have barely explored 20% of the deep ocean, and mapped even less of it? As much of an enigma as it is a source of inspiration, the ocean’s ecosystems are such an integral part of life on earth, and yet we know comparatively so little about it. In comes Mr. Cousteau, a man who has dedicated his life to exploring and protecting the ocean. In this captivating documentary, you will be lured into the world of this iconic explorer, inventor, filmmaker, and conservationist.

This film depicts the enthralling experience of the man behind the invention of the aqualung (the first scuba tank) from his early career as a naval officer, all through his ascent to global recognition, and up to his visionary perspectives on the importance of protecting our environment. Becoming Cousteau features stunning never-before-seen archival footage, including everything from the depths of the ocean wilderness to interviews with Cousteau’s colleagues, family, and friends. His legacy is a tapestry of both struggles and milestones in a journey that has impacted millions and continues to do so.  It is a work that promises to inspire you to reflect on both the beauty and the fragility of the marine world, and what it meant for a man who was driven by burning passion and a childlike curiosity that we can all relate to.

Dr. Andrew Huberman is a neuroscientist and professor at Stanford University, although you are far more likely to know him through his podcast Huberman Lab. Beyond the man himself, this podcast regularly features subject matter experts at the very cutting edge of their respective fields for frank, science-driven discussions to help you learn how to aid your mind and body in working together for the betterment of your wellbeing as well as your physical and mental performance.

Beyond neuroscience, this weekly show covers topics as varied as physiology, biomechanics, and nutrition. As a scientist and academic, Dr. Huberman consistently leads with evidence-based arguments from pioneering research and packages it in a way that is digestible to the layperson (i.e. us). Listening in will aid your understanding of just how comprehensively your nervous system controls our behaviors, choices, and perceptions and how to regulate it for our own improvement. This podcast stands out not only in the caliber of its guests, but also in the accessibility and actionability of its content despite its highly technical grounding. You can expect to learn helpful insights and advice towards optimizing your fitness, mobility, and overall well-being.