Following in the footsteps of eight previous series where thought leaders responded to questions on my blog over the last several years to discuss leadership, marketing, reading, and the Olympics, I'm thrilled to announce that it's time for my 9th series!
During the Fall season (each Monday from September 28th through December 20th), I'm welcoming a dozen thought leaders to share their insights about reading, books, personal branding, and leadership. Today, Joseph Lalonde is my featured expert. Based in Michigan, Joe is experienced in all aspects of IT, leadership, project/sales, and design with a history of working with small businesses and individuals. He is also an award-winning leadership blogger ranked in the top 40 leadership blogs in the world, and his book "Reel Leadership" showcases the intersection of leadership and entertainment. As Joe says, "I love great stories and feel we all have a great story to tell."
Before we begin, I'd like to share my two favorite reading quotes to set the stage:
"If you give a person a book, you give him the world." ~New York Times bestselling author Kristin Harmel (from her work of historical fiction, "The Paris Daughter")
"For you unlock magic that is hidden within, and opening the cover is how you begin. Oh, all the worlds and the places you'll see; when you hold a book, you hold the key." ~Caroline Derlatka
And now, let's begin.
QUESTION: What was the last book (fiction or non-fiction) you read? What stood out as memorable, and would you recommend it?
JOSEPH LALONDE: The last book I read was "The Hoarder In You" by Robin Zasio. Zasio is a psychologist and has been featured on the show Hoarders. It's helped me understand why some of us collect and hoard items while others don't have the same compulsion.
QUESTION: Which book (fiction or non-fiction) is on the top of your to-be-read pile (or first in your digital reader), and why?
JOSEPH LALONDE: I'm really excited to read "X-Men: Elsewhen" by John Byrne. It's a graphic novel that revisits the X-Men after the Phoenix Saga. It's an alternative timeline and one Byrne had wanted originally, but his vision had been nixed by Marvel's leadership.
QUESTION: With all the streaming services available, many works of fiction are now adapted into films or TV series. During the last year, have you watched a film or TV show and been impressed and/or inspired by the adaptation? (If you haven't watched any adaptations, are you looking forward to any currently in the planning or production phases?)
JOSEPH LALONDE: I watched "Project Hail Mary" when it was released in theaters. The film was adapted from the book of the same name by Andy Weir. The story was fun and engaging. It was a blast seeing the book brought to life.
QUESTION: If you're a fan of the TED LASSO series on Apple TV, have you watched the new season (that returned on August 5th)? If yes, what stands out about Ted's leadership lessons or leadership style from the new season? Alternatively, if you're not a fan of the show or have not yet watched it, is there another CURRENT TV show that showcases inspiring leadership?
JOSEPH LALONDE: As you mentioned, there are so many streaming services available to viewers today. Apple TV is not a service I subscribe to currently, so I'm missing out on the current Ted Lasso series. I have watched previous seasons and enjoyed them. I did notice quite a few leadership lessons from Ted. Here's one from a previous season: There's a team relationship between two players, Jamie and Roy. Roy is frustrated with Jamie because he's the hotshot, up-and-coming football player with a lot of attitude. He's good, great, in fact. However, he brings the team down because of his actions and attitude. Through the episodes so far, there's a great scene where Roy realizes he's been the Jamie of the team. He had the same type of attitude and opinion that he's seeing in the younger player.
QUESTION: Which author (either from history or currently writing) would you choose to have dinner with, and what would you discuss?
JOSEPH LALONDE: I'd choose to have dinner with Dan Miller (1947-2024). He's the author who really set me on the path of personal development and self-improvement. He literally changed the course of my life. I'd love to have the opportunity to sit down and chat with him about his personal faith, how he overcame so many obstacles, and how he feels, knowing that he's impacted so many lives.
SHARE THIS: I've found so many books to be powerful, impactful, and life-changing. ~@josephlalonde #FallBacktoReadingSeries2026 #DebbieLaskeysBlog
My gratitude to Joe for participating in this year's fall back to reading series and for sharing inspiring recommendations! Until next time, happy reading!
SHARE THIS: If you give a person a book, you give him the world. ~@KristinHarmel #ReadingOpensMinds #FallBacktoReadingSeries2026 #DebbieLaskeysBlog
SHARE THIS: A bibliophile is a lover of books, while a lectiophile is a lover of reading. The distinction is due to the object versus the activity. #FunFact #ReadingIsMySuperPower #FallBacktoReadingSeries2026 #DebbieLaskeysBlog
Image Credit: Mariana Serdynska/Shutterstock via Portland Monthly.
Meet Joe at this link:
Read Joe's previous appearance here on my Blog:
WINTER OLYMPICS LEADERSHIP SERIES 2026 - Featuring Joseph Lalonde (February 13, 2026):
https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2026/02/winter-olympics-leadership-series-2026_01510336309.html
Check out these related recaps here on my Blog:
Highlights of My #FallBacktoReadingSeries2025 (December 21, 2025):
https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2025/12/highlights-of-fallbacktoreadingseries20.html
Highlights of My #FallBacktoReadingSeries2023 (January 31, 2024):
https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2024/01/highlights-of-my-fallbacktoreadingseries.html
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