The Nerdist Way

How to Reach the Next Level (In Real Life)

By: Chris Hardwick

Narrated by: Chris Hardwick

Length: 6 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

Nerds: Once a tormented subrace of humans... Now captains of industry! You don’t have to be a stereotypical geekwad to appreciate the tenets of Nerdism and to make your innate talents for overanalysis and hyper-self-awareness work for you instead of against you. Join Nerd superstar Chris Hardwick as he offers his fellow “creative-obsessives” the crucial information needed to come out on top in the current Nerd uprising.

Nerds subsist on the minutiae of their chosen passions. As a lifelong member of “The Nerd Herd,” as he calls it, Chris Hardwick has learned all there is to know about Nerds. He’s studied them, lived with them, and has endeavored to milk their knowledge nectar and isolate its curative powers for what ails you. Thus, he has founded a philosophical system (and blog) called The Nerdist, and here he shares his hard-earned wisdom about turning seeming weaknesses into world-dominating strengths. From keeping your heart rate below hummingbird levels to managing the avalanche of sadness that is your inbox, from ignoring your brain to attracting wealth by turning down work, Hardwick reveals the secrets that can help you accomplish what you want by tapping into your true nerdtastic self. The Nerdist Way shows how to focus your mind, body, and time into an unstoppable laser of goodness. Don’t wait for another social tragedy. Don’t resort to cheap “mass murder” tactics to exact your revenge on society. Success is the most satisfying - and legal - form of vengeance there is. And you can achieve it when you follow the Nerdist Way.

©2011 Chris Hardwick (P)2011 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Pass the cup I'm drinking the Nerdist kool aid.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I listen to audio books while driving or mindlessly coding websites. I bought this one for laughs and was not expecting that I would be genuinely inspired. At one point Hardwick mentions how he was getting self help audio books to listen to while he drove in his car. Very meta.

Great self motivation book

What made the experience of listening to The Nerdist Way the most enjoyable?

Hardwick covers several great areas of self help to encourage nerds to get off the couch and keep themselves motivated and healthy. Since he comes from the same place as his intended audience there's a true sense of honesty and authenticity to his message.

Must read for any nerd languishing in couch-dom.

Amazingly Insightful

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this book to any one I know that was 1 a nerd and 2 liked comedy. This book was fantastic. I laughed at times, rolled my eyes at times, listened attentively almost the entire time and walked away learning something new and felt like Chris Hardwick really had helped me. I felt like he understood me as a "nerd" on that level and his words really reached me.

What did you like best about this story?

I really felt Chris was right across from me talking to me about how he changed his life and as a result I could also change mine. Even though he was not there.

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite section was YOU ARE WORTH IT! it's hard for me to remember that sometimes.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I would have listened to this book in one sitting if time had allowed. There were times I cursed arriving to work or home because I wanted to keep listening.

Any additional comments?

IT was funny and insightful. I had a lot of good Ah Ha moments. well worth my 1 credit.

Build your character - literally

What made the experience of listening to The Nerdist Way the most enjoyable?

I listen to this over and over when I need a lift. Chris's high energy rubs off on me and his ideas filp over and over in my head. Chris uses catchy phrases like "lizard almonds" which refers to ancient fear inducing nodules in the brain. And just calling them that somehow does help knock them down to a more manageable size when those nodules are kicking me all over the map, wreaking havoc with my stress levels and anxiety. He tells a first person journey of someone who's been through rough mental times that is very relatable, and shares his unique frame of reference and techniques he used to wiggle out of being a slave to lesser urges, lesser thoughts and lesser behaviors. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Even enjoyed the rant about his super upbeat personal trainer, which would normally make me want to put my fist through a wall. All very fun and enlightening. I really appreciate that Chris shared his story and ideas in this way.

Loved it!

Really hit home with me. Will listen to it again, & take notes. Highly recommend!

Inspired again

Chris is awesome. Met him twice and he’s the best. I read this book before starting Display Geek. It really motivated me back in 2015. Now it is 2021 and I am listening to it again. My god, it has more meaning now! This is extra kick I needed. Thanks again and again sir Hardwick.

Beyond Fantastic!! Beats every "Self Help" book!

My specialty during graduate school was dissecting and writing about "Self Help" books, especially a field known as "Emotional Intelligence" or "EQ", which emotionally offsets your better known "IQ".

I have read Covey, Goldman, you name it, I have not only read it, but have written lectures for my professors as part of how I paid for graduate school.

That said, this book is by far the most applicable, most real world, and by God, most enjoyable "Self Help" book as well as a great case study on taking a human being from the edge of failure to massive success I have ever had the joy to read. And of course, getting to hear Chris Hardwick read it to you with added notes for the audio version is a true gift.

I would put this book and director Kevin Smith's "Tough Shit" together as a companion set of great, inspirational, self help books that are true to life with what we face today. While Smith's book is more life story, "The Nerdist Way" is not only Hardwick's life story, but is literally a checklist of what you can do to better any part of your life.

Anyone who knows the current success level of Chris Hardwick circa 2017 (work, marriage, memorabilia collection, etc, etc) you know that Chris has what appears to be a blessed life. As this book will tell you, it is not just a blessed life, it is a hard earned life based on changes he made and things he did to come back from the brink of obscurity.

I cannot stress this enough. I have literally spent years of my life reading and dissecting self help books. If you are going to read any book in that genre and expect it to actually do you any good, it is this book. Absolutely love that after all these years I could find a refreshing and very applicable book on this topic.

Thank you Chris Hardwick and we will see you on the 472 shows that you host!!! (Oh, 471, they cancelled "Talking Oprah" when it went off national tv).

This is a must hear!

Self help with the enthusiasm and humor of Chris Hardwick. .. it doesn't get any better than this!

great self-help advice for nerds

I bought this book in hopes to be able to relay to my teenage son some self-help practices in words that he would accept and understand. IT WAS AWESOME. I love being able to recognize his personality in this book. The only thing that I would change is the raunchiness of some of it. I don't mind the swearing necessarily, however, it does get a bit raunchy at times and I think it would have been better off without it. I am debating on whether I let my son read the book or if I somehow sensor out those parts for him. Yes, I know I'm a mother and most people would say that a teenage boy already has access to this stuff. however, my son just happens to be one who gets uncomfortable with it. I'm not kidding. He actually wrote a letter to the superintendent about why health class was not appropriate place in high school to discuss sex ed. Anyway, this is a really great book for nerds and parents of nerds who are proud of their kids but might not be able to speak their language.

Funny and effective Nerdist advice

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, I would recommend The Nerdist Way audiobook to a friend. Chris Hardwick includes a lot of great information about creativity, time management, mental management and life management, and he does it in such an entertaining way that it was a joy to hear. His delivery of his material made it that much more entertaining and meaningful.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Nerdist Way?

I can't think of just one moment that is most memorable. There were many moments when Chris Hardwick shares things that he's overcome and problems he's solved in his own life and he shares what worked for him. He doesn't judge the way other people choose to solve their issues, but just shares his own in a matter-of-fact and often entertaining way.

Which scene was your favorite?

The book really isn't set up in scenes, but I enjoyed many of the stories about his quest for changes in his life and how he tried different things before arriving at solutions that were effective for him.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed through a great deal of the book, and I don't recommend listening to it while drinking or eating anything because it would be dangerous or at least messy. I was also touched at the very personal stories Chris Hardwick shared, and I'm sure I won't be the only one identifying with some of what he's done and thought. I know I won't be the only one feeling hope of solving some of my own organizational, motivational and creative issues after hearing/reading his book.

Any additional comments?

Highly recommended book - especially in Chris Hardwick's voice! If you love any of his work, like the Nerdist Podcast, you're going to enjoy the book too.