BenBella Books

The city of Detroit and its football team have been a punchline since the 1960s - the Same Old Lions seem to have losing baked into their DNA. Joel Walkowski is a poor kid from the Midwest, cut from the same cloth as his loveable, eccentric father, Banjo Bob, who pushes forward down the field amidst his autism, alcoholism, and severe childhood trauma. They see each other most clearly on Sundays, coming together as the twelfth man on the sidelines of a team whose history looks a lot like theirs - seasons full of promise upended by a penchant for falling short. In Honolulu Blues Joel intertwines the fate of two losers - the Detroit Lions and himself - to explore the broader impact a city''s football team can have on its residents, proving that you can overcome anything if you can learn to love what disappoints you. Born and raised to be an addict, Joel is hooked on Adderall by seven and hops on the fast track to a life of alcoholism, homelessness, and - worst of all - a career in stand-up comedy. He holds his head high because he, like his family and their beloved team, is supposed to lose. Learning from the Lions what his father couldn''t teach him, Joel charts his journey to sobriety while caring for his dying father, coming to terms with the fact that there''s a difference between failing and never having been set up for success. Honolulu Blues proves the Lions story is the story of being human - carving your own path out of the ruts of the past and accepting that you don''t have to win to be worth rooting for.

Life is not a solo performance. Whether personal, professional, or aspirational, our best relationships are the ones that generate resonance - that electric feeling of connecting on a profound level. From Michael Trainer, co-founder of Global Citizen and creator of the Peak Mind podcast, Resonance reveals why your next level isn''t about doing more - it''s about being more. Drawing on Trainer''s experiences collaborating with luminaries from Neil Young to the Dalai Lama, as well as important sociological research, Resonance offers a comprehensive framework for building person-to-person connections that will enhance your life. Inside, you''ll discover: The neuroscience of connection - and why a single conversation can change your life; The ''More'' method for awakening the authentic life force that''s been buried under your professional persona; Why vulnerability is your competitive advantage in an AI world that can replicate everything except genuine human connection; The invisible patterns that turn everyday encounters into soul-shifting experiences; How to stop networking and start creating a constellation of relationships that amplify your deepest gifts. This isn''t just about adding another strategy to your toolkit. It''s about discovering that your greatest contribution isn''t just what you achieve - it''s what you awaken in others. Because when you learn to truly resonate, you don''t just change your relationships. You change your destiny.

For some, moms are their bestie, their bedrock, and their first call when things go wrong (or right). Meanwhile, the rest of us send our moms to voicemail more often than not and maybe even dread Mother''s Day weekend. Whether your mom is absent, too present, or sometimes just tough to be around, Motherf*cked empowers you to move safely through the maternal minefield. Drawing on interviews with licensed mental health experts and her own perfect attendance in therapy, mental health and wellness journalist Ashley Oerman digs into the repercussions of these painful dynamics. She offers tried-and-true tips for coming to terms with - and taking control of - your relationship with your mom. In Motherf*cked you''ll find expert-backed tips and tools to... ; Understand why and how your relationship with your mom impacts your mental health, attachment style, and adult relationships; Spot signs of dysfunction, like generational trauma, narcissism, and emotional immaturity; Productively process feelings through light-hearted, helpful tools like ''Choose Your Own Sadventure'' '' ; Set healthy boundaries (the book''s ''Boundary Concierge'' can help!) and decide if going low- or no-contact is right for you; Prepare for the drama that comes with breaking unhealthy patterns or ending a problematic relationship with your mom. Validating and darkly funny, Motherf*cked creates space to sort through the mess, drama, and trauma of your maternal history, so you can finally find some motherf*cking peace.

Soccer is the most popular game in the world, but does it truly belong in the heart of American sports culture? The answer is a resounding yes - and the 150-year journey of elite men''s soccer in the US is filled with drama, surprises, reversals, and triumphs that rival any world-class match. With meticulous research and lifelong passion, Mark C Franek delivers a fast-paced, foundational soccer book that also serves as a celebration of American soccer. This book is a must-have for all fans, players, parents, coaches, and professionals across the sport. In brisk, punchy prose that moves in a confident tiki-taka style, Franek explores The soccer-like games played by Native Americans long before the arrival of Europeans; How organized soccer predates gridiron football, started in American colleges, and was carried forward by immigrant communities; Why soccer has always been more inclusive and immigrant-friendly than other professional sports; The rise and fall of the original ASL and the Golden Age of American soccer; America''s Olympic and World Cup highs and lows dating back to the early 20th century; Soccer''s growing popularity today, from MLS and USL to elite youth academies; The accordion-like journey of the USMNT over the past 40 years, leading to the USA''s co-hosting of the 2026 World Cup; A roadmap for how the US can go from good to great on the international stage - based on firsthand accounts from professional athletes and experts in the sport. With forewords by Cavan Sullivan and Tim Howard, American Soccer Nation is the definitive text affirming that the US really is a soccer nation.

When eleven-year-old inventor Ava takes a wrong turn after school, she stumbles into a mysterious building that just happens to be run by an evil (and deeply odd) scientist named Dr. Heynis. Before she can say ''bacon and cheese,'' Ava is locked in a cage, surrounded by strange traps, creepy clones, and a whole lot of questionable artifacts. To escape, she''ll have to outwit Dr. Heynis and his trio of not-so-bright henchmen using nothing but her imagination, her emergency BLT sandwich, and the lessons her parents taught her. Luckily, she is not alone. With the help of two new friends and Rocco, a magic chicken with great dance moves, Ava tries to make her way out of the facility filled with riddles, laser traps, time machines, a vicious puppy, and the occasional shark pool. Fast-paced, hilarious, and packed with imagination, Trapped is the debut novel from eleven-year-old Bella Olson, featuring illustrations by Disney''s youngest art director, Matt Fiuza. Along the way, readers will find valuable lessons that parents will love and kids will enjoy - like how bravery doesn''t always mean being fearless, how doing things while scared still counts, and best of all that weird is the new cool. Ava''s not just fighting for her freedom. She is discovering that being herself, quirks and all, is the most powerful escape of all.

Dr. Scott Eilers began his career by seeking to treat his own disabling depression and self-isolation, and was disappointed to find no relief in today''s popular methodologies. Instead, Eilers found his peace of mind only when he reconnected with nature in the area where he was raised. As he grew up geographically isolated and immersed in the wild tapestry of the lakes region, he observed patterns of the natural world that eventually transformed his understanding of how we view and preserve mental well-being. From the mysterious depths of a lake to the pivotal roles of plants in an ecosystem, Eilers''s observations formed the seeds of unconventional yet commonsense strategies for coping with the symptoms of depression, anxiety, and trauma. Philosophical and powerfully empathetic, The Light Between the Leaves shares Eilers''s therapeutic tools for building a worthwhile life around pain. Learn how to: Identify essential self-care practices and weed out invasive behaviors; Set boundaries to allow time and space for inner healing; Avoid stagnation through meaningful direction, momentum, and steady work; Engage deeply with the present moment and the complex pains and joys of living. A judgement- and jargon-free guide for those whose needs cut deeper than most, The Light Between the Leaves is a love letter to life that invites you to explore clear glacial lakes, sprawling northern forests, and surprising detours through darkness and wonder on the road to improved mental health and reconnecting with the world.

Are you tired of feeling like you''re doing all the emotional heavy lifting in your relationship? Ever wonder why men pull away just when things seem to be going great? Cracking the Man Code is the relationship guide every woman who longs to build a more solid bond with her man has been waiting for. In this relatable and modern guide, relationship expert Mat Boggs shares the key behind how men think, love, and communicate - so you can spark romance, pave a path to long-lasting harmony, and solve future challenges as a team. With a mix of real stories, science, and step-by-step strategies, this book takes you inside the masculine mind so you can: Understand what fuels men''s love and devotion - and how to inspire more of it; Harness feminine and masculine energies (everyone has both!) to build intimacy, trust, and respect; Stop over-giving and finally feel equally partnered; Communicate in ways that create closeness, not conflict; Restore lost attraction and keep the spark alive for years to come. If you''ve ever asked yourself, ''Why does love feel so hard?'' or ''How do I fix my relationship?'' then this book is your answer. Full of humor and heart, Cracking the Man Code is the ultimate relationship guide every woman needs to create the life she wants - with the man she loves.

A tumultuous childhood and intense fear of thunderstorms couldn''t dampen Nick Pittman''s zeal for weather. He first gained recognition in elementary school, winning CBS 3 Philadelphia''s regional weather forecast competition. Soon after, ''Nor''Easter Nick'' was born, launching his career in meteorology. He found he could quell his weather anxiety by teaching himself how to forecast approaching systems. Now, as founder of Norcast Media - a 24/7 streaming weather channel - he reaches millions of viewers a month, educating the public so that their weather fears, too, might be allayed. Nick helps his followers learn to embrace the seemingly unpredictable by uncovering the order in the chaos. In Rain Date, Nick shares the powerful lessons from his life in weather that have helped him navigate the stormier parts of life, including starting his own business when his career in broadcast meteorology hit a wall and returning to live with his mentally ill and abusive mother after his beloved grandmother, Bebe, who had raised him, succumbed to dementia. Rain Date is a triumphant story of finding the light when the clouds roll in rather than becoming lost in their shadows, and a call to anyone fighting against the odds to chart their own course for sunnier days ahead.

Research shows that most people on weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound quickly regain their weight when they stop taking medication. Whether you end treatment due to not feeling great, undesirable side effects, loss of insurance coverage, or you just want to keep your weight off without medication, without a plan in place when your body''s natural hunger returns, you risk regaining it all. Leading weight loss maintenance researchers Holly Wyatt, MD, and James Hill, PhD, share key strategies for using food, movement, and mindset to replace the medication and support long-term weight loss maintenance through an adaptable 10-week transition plan. Chock-full of specific, actionable strategies for sustainable, lasting success, Losing the Weight Loss Meds offers everything you need to: Develop an eating plan that maximizes satiety and minimizes ''food noise''; Use movement to restore your metabolism to one that is more flexible and that burns more calories; Adjust your mindstate to become more resilient to better overcome obstacles and find joy in the weight loss maintenance process; Effectively troubleshoot weight fluctuations before they result in significant regain; Create and maintain a life you love. By embracing the journey and having a strategic plan, you can maintain your new healthier weight with ease - so you never have to worry about weight loss again.

Award-winning Army Strategist, top West Point professor, and living kidney donor Matt Cavanaugh shares the lessons from his 25-year military career that enabled him to turn pain to power, scars to strength, and become great by doing good. For Matt Cavanaugh, nothing worked. He couldn’t help the ones he loved the most, his marriage was on the rocks. Inspired by a near-death combat experience, Cavanaugh transformed himself from failure to fit with an act of radical generosity. He donated a kidney to a stranger, an act that also helped save the lives of seven others dying of kidney failure. Then, just months after surgery, Cavanaugh became the only living kidney donor and fastest American ever to run the toughest self-supported ultramarathon series in the world—RacingThePlanet’s 4 Deserts Grand Slam—twice counted among the world’s greatest endurance races by Time. Best Scar Wins follows Cavanaugh as he uses every lesson and experience, slogan and saying he picked up from his military career to navigate the world’s worst deserts across four continents—from scorpions to penguins—on a mission to save lives. The eleven lessons in this astonishing adventure story—including how to expand your endurability—illuminate a path that anyone can follow to become more than they were before. In a call to live generously in support of others, Best Scar Wins shows you how to embrace your scars as triumphs—not as experiences that hold you back but as lessons that empower you to achieve more than you ever thought possible.

In the summer of 2023, the entire world fixated on a single news story that captured every headline on every media outlet: the search and rescue operation for OceanGate''s Titan research submersible, and the ultimate tragic fate of its five crew members. The media frenzy was fueled by many captivating storylines, but its primary focus was the villain at the center of it all, Stockton Rush: cofounder and CEO of OceanGate, and the ill-fated vessel''s pilot and designer. But was Stockton Rush truly the arrogant, rule-breaking, risk-taking con man the media insisted he was? Or was he a visionary altruistic technologist, philanthropist, and investor, someone willing to put his own personal wealth and life on the line in the name of exploring our planet''s deep oceans? Titan Unfinished is more than a recounting of the events that led to the tragedy-it''s an up-close, personal account of Stockton''s journey, from the conception of OceanGate to his sudden death, told by one of the few people who was with Rush from the very start. Fellow cofounder Guillermo Sohnlein examines the full humanity of the man behind OceanGate''s ambitious mission and offers insights extending far beyond the attention-grabbing headlines, detailing Rush''s temperament, motivations, and tendencies, as well as the technology, operations, and key events at play in a story that has thus far been massively oversimplified. Told by an insider with the deepest knowledge, and honoring the legacies of all those involved in the fatal accident, Titan Unfinished paints the full picture of an important but deeply misunderstood story. Proceeds from book sales will benefit The Explorers Club Titan Memorial Fund.

WWE Superstar Natalya “Nattie” Neidhart—the longest-serving female wrestler in WWE history—invites readers inside her extraordinary journey, from her upbringing in the legendary Hart family home through her more than two decades in wrestlingWhile most children grow up running around with their friends, Nattie Neidhart was schooled in the Hart family Dungeon, in the shadow of her grandfather Stu Hart, father Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart, and legendary uncles Bret and Owen Hart. With every body slam and piledriver, Nattie fought her own way into pro wrestling—the first and only woman in her family to do so—to become a two-time women’s world champion and one of the most visible, titled, and world record-holding Superstars in WWE. In this raw, unwaveringly honest memoir, Nattie opens up for the first time about her life as the legacy of the Hart family dynasty, candidly sharing untold details on: Her chaotic childhood in the boom-and-bust world of professional wrestling, including her family’s brush with homelessness Her father’s battles with addiction and other effects of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, leading to his eventual sudden death, and how they shaped her Her struggle to navigate the complex dynamics between the Hart family and WWE in the aftermath of the Montreal Screwjob, Owen Hart''s tragic death, and her husband TJ Wilson’s near-fatal, career-ending, in-ring injury Her front-row seat to the rise of women’s wrestling and the resilience it took to thrive as a female wrestler at a time when what you looked like on screen was more important than how talented you were between the ropes From heart-pounding glory to devastating loss, The Last Hart Beating pulls no punches when it comes to the drama, hilarity, and outright mayhem of life inside the ring and out.

From USA Today bestselling author Kelly Cervantes, this deeply personal memoir explores the growth and perspective gained while navigating life’s unexpected asteroids and the craters they leave behind. After moving from a conservative Midwestern suburb to New York City to pursue an acting career, Kelly never could have imagined what life had in store for her—or how much she would fundamentally change along the way. The Luckiest is her emotional journey through the pain of unrealized dreams, navigating her husband’s Broadway spotlight, fighting for her child’s life, finding purpose after loss, and rebuilding her life and marriage. Inspired by author and poet Maggie Smith’s quote, “We are all nesting dolls, carrying the earlier iterations of ourselves inside,” Kelly shares the many layers that shaped who she is today. But how many of those layers were shaped through the control she desperately sought versus the luck she struggled to reconcile? Are we lucky if we escape life with soft skin and minimal layers? Or are we lucky to have the battle scars that show a life of survival—of fullness, and meaning? The Luckiest is a tale of motherhood, in all its heartbreak, joy, fits, and false starts. It follows Kelly’s wildly unpredictable journey and allows her to reflect on the role luck has played in her life, both good and bad. It is one woman’s ongoing quest for self-discovery that is beautiful and complicated, and hopefully always becoming the next spectacularly painted wooden doll in the series of her life.

The Onion’s longtime co-owner and longest-serving editor-in-chief Scott Dikkers regales readers with never-before-told anecdotes from the beloved satiric newsroom in this celebration of creativity, resilience, and the transformative power of jokes delivered in AP style.In this laugh-out-loud origin story of a world-renowned satirist and “America’s Finest News Source” Scott Dikkers treats you to a rollicking trip through the 80s, 90s, and 00s, chronicling the inception, evolution, and success of The Onion from his view at the helm. With his famous wit and wisdom Dikkers chronicles the paper’s founding, run-ins with the law, scrapes with death, and raving-mad antics of its staff in chapters like: Childhood Trauma Mined for Cheap Laugh Hurriedly Collected Life Savings Invested Wisely Stop Put to All This Horseplay Award-winning Local Author Inspired, Drunk Look, Area Man on TV Office Internet Briefly Used for Work If you’ve ever been duped into believing an Onion headline, or simply laughed to avoid crying at how closely its fake news articles resembled reality, get a first-person view from the mastermind himself of the publication’s unparalleled legacy as the world’s most trusted news source, celebrated for its fearless commitment to truth-telling under the guise of satire.

Developed for women with busy schedules, discover a truly achievable daily routine to boost energy and motivation—and make you unstoppable.Feeling frazzled or frustrated? Caught in a feedback loop of scrolling and anxiety? Do you have a sense of longing that’s growing more and more urgent as time passes? What if the way to get unstuck and reshape your life into something more fulfilling is to do . . . less? Celebrity trainer, motivational coach, and founder of Xtend Barre, Andrea Leigh Rogers’ solution is to think small. Her 7 tried-and-true practices—adding up to an easy 30-minute routine spread throughout your day—are proven to improve mobility, strength, emotional resilience, self-esteem, and even help you get the best sleep of your life. An upbeat, often humorous how-to guide backed by modern science, Small Moves, Big Life will help you set consistent habits to transform your life as you: Super-charge your energy for the day through morning breathwork and stretching. Upgrade stamina, strength, and mobility with impactful, easy to schedule mini workouts (and become one of those exercise-every-day people). Achieve healthy, intentional eating with a breakfast routine that transforms your relationship with food. Throw out the endless to-do list and embrace a new strategy for action and real progress. Learn a sleep strategy to overcome anxiety and overwhelm and prep you for the best sleep of your life. Drawing on contemporary research behind habit formation, Small Moves, Big Life distills essential self-care practices for optimal physical and mental health to help women find energy and calm in the chaos. Feel empowered to crush challenges with confidence while reserving space (and time!) to care for the people in your life who matter most—especially yourself.

Discover a revolutionary and evidence-based method to treat alcohol use disorder—that doesn’t require abstinence.After 20 years of fighting and failing to get sober using abstinence-based methods, journalist Katie Herzog found a simple, inexpensive, and effective way to take control over alcohol. Part memoir, part guidebook, Drink Your Way Sober shares Herzog’s recovery journey as well her keen observations of drinking and life. She dives into the science and history of addiction treatment to discover why we treat alcohol use disorder the way we do—and why abstinence-based programs like Alcohol Anonymous don’t always work. Through candid first-person reporting, Herzog outlines a simple guide for others to: Use an evidence-based protocol to take control of their drinking and break free from cravings Explore alternatives to AA and other abstinence-based programs Gain support from family and friends Reap the benefits of a low-alcohol or sober lifestyle, including improved health, relationships, and mental well-being Blending humor, heartbreak, and refreshing honesty, Drink Your Way Sober offers a relatable and exhaustively researched account of a transformative approach to recovery with tips on how you can drink yourself sober too.