The Fire Starter Sessions

A Soulful + Practical Guide to Creating Success on Your Own Terms

By: Danielle LaPorte

Narrated by: Danielle LaPorte

Length: 7 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's Summary

The Fire Starter Sessions is an apathy-kicking, integrity-infusing guide to defining success on your own terms. 

As the creator of DanielleLaPorte.com - deemed "the best place online for kick-ass spirituality", Danielle LaPorte’s straight-talk life-and-livelihood sermons have inspired over one million people. Bold but empathetic, she reframes popular self-help and success concepts: 

• Life balance is a myth, and the pursuit of it is causing us more stress then the craving for balance itself. 
• Being well-rounded is overrated. When you focus on developing your true strengths, you enter your mastery zone. 
• Screw your principles (they might be holding you back). 

We have ambition backwards. Getting clear on how you want to feel in your life + work is more important than setting goals. It's the most potent form of clarity that you can have, and it's what leads to true fulfillment. 

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2012 Danielle LaPorte (P)2012 Random House

Critic Reviews

"Danielle LaPorte is scary smart, yet so kind and practical that she kindles the fire in you without causing you to feel consumed by the flames. She has the knowledge you need to succeed. Lean in and listen close. What she has to say is what our spirits need to hear." (Martha Beck, author of Steering by Starlight)

"The revolution you’ve been waiting for, it will shake up and wake up every aspect of your life. Danielle LaPorte offers soulful wisdom to create a blueprint for moguls, spiritual rock stars, and lovers of life. Skinny-dip headfirst into this hot and fabulous book. I dare you." (Kris Carr, author of Crazy Sexy Diet)

"Danielle’s passion leaps off the page, and reading a few chapters of this book will ignite you into action.” (Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project)

Confusing Contrast

If you're in the market for some sugar-coated rags to riches fairy tale kind of motivation and inspiration then add Fire Starter Sessions to your shopping cart. This book wasn't for me.... so little content, so much confetti...

Call me bitter and twisted (I won't deny I experience feelings and emotions along these lines) but the integrity of the rags to riches story didn't stand up for me. You don't get to be a White House Think Tank consultant (or whatever it was DLaP. was) without first having money and/or connections. Try telling someone from the 'burbs with no degree in anything and no connections they can do anything "'cause I did" and you just do more harm than good and create more dissatisfaction than good feeling.

One thing I really didn't get was the confusing contrast between Danielle's bring it on, bad-ass blog and her breathy sultry-soft reading voice. It just didn't gel for me. D LaP sounded like she should be reading erotic fiction not 'Kick Ass' motivation / inspiration which is what I understood her market was. Although with her burgeoning success she now seems to be turning more towards a 'be kind and gentle to yourself' persona. DLaP pays lip service to 'it's not about money' all the while peddling the 'you can have it all' brand of prosperity theology. What she does succeed in doing is creating a new generation of cliches which ultimately becomes- well- cliched and tiresome.

I bought this with my audible credit and as an initial investment to see if it gave any indication her Big Beautiful Book Plan was worth the $150 investment- From listening to Fire Starter Sessions I've decided Probably Not. Not enough practical advice or strategy in FSS to indicate you would get anything different in BBBP.

If anyone has any concrete evidence I'm wrong- please let me know.

A must read.....liberating!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Fire Starter Sessions to be better than the print version?

Although I have not "read" the book, I think having the author recite the book is a huge reason why I love, love, love this book.

What other book might you compare The Fire Starter Sessions to and why?

Excuses Begone by Wayne Dyer, The Magic of Believing by Claude Bristol, and Start Something that Matters by Blake Mycoskie all come to mind. I received the same type of message from all of these books: Love, be kind, be true to yourself, find your passion, folllow your dreams, and...live.

What does Danielle LaPorte bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Life...she brings life to the story. She is witty, to the point, honest, funny, bold and sarcastic all at the same time. She is a joy to listen to....very refreshing compared to some of the other narrators I listen to.

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

I did have an extreme reaction to the book. I could not stop listening. I couldn't wait for the morning commute to arrive (this is when I listen to my audio books). It made me both laugh and cry. They crying however, was for the "aha!" moments that I experienced. Danielle is naturally funny, so, yes, laughing is definitely in order.

Loved idea but some of the "passion" was "cheesy"

I really liked and agreed with a lot of what she said. Some of the ideas were dead-on. The problem for me was that it often felt a little forced. Some of her pseudo quirky asides were majorly annoying. I wanted to love all of it. I would have loved to give the concepts 4 stars but their execution a 3 1/2. It's like a Forever 21, or Wet Seal version of a cool outfit that you might see. It felt a little budget in places.

She's a wise woman but it's just a little annoying to hear a little canadian girl say stuff like " mamma you treat yo' self real fine" and then say "about" in that canadian way that sounds like " a boot." I cringed too many times to count. It would be like Oprah doing a hip-hop review. Not quite what I wanted to hear.

The ideas were pretty good and most of it was fine but those random " I think I'm so hip" moments were like fingernails on a blackboard for me. I would recommend it to a friend but warn her that it might be better to read it in paperback rather than listen to it.

What's really funny about that is a friend told me about this same book but almost begrudgingly. She'd read it in paperback and while it sounded interesting, something about it made her almost not want to recommend it. ( I had to pull the title out of her.) When I got it as an audio book and commented to her about the author's little quips trying a little "too cool" she said " I had a hard time finishing certain sections because of it." I don't just mean the writing either.

At times, the author's unnecessarily breathy delivery make it sound as though she may have just taken a puff from a clove cigarette while doing a reading at a coffee house open mic.

Some suburban folks who like Harlequin romances and only listen to top 40 will probably not even pick it up. These are the folks that can hear the words " passion" and "uh-mazing" a million times and not want to puke. If my comments make no sense to you, then you will probably ADORE the PASSION ignited by this AMAZING book.

Worth reading, but just keep these comments as a warning label.

Subconscious

This is a very "right brain" type of book that has a thousand jewels scattered throughout a lot of rambling. If you are an intuitive person then you will likely rate this book higher. Im a very linear thinker so it's very difficult for me to process so many thoughts scattered throughout the book.

This is a book that will speak to your intuitive subconscious. I was inspired several times while listening by the core principles that were being outlined. I would likely gain a lot if I were able to spend time with the author but my serial processing left brain couldn't absorb this many thoughts at once.

This is the kind of book that can unlock your intuitive and creative mind. It's like one of those pictures that you can't see until you concentrate on letting your eyes unfocus.

I may come back to it but if I do I'll make sure I'm listening while laying down with zero distractions. I think I could absorb the core principles much better that way.

Engaging & Intoxicatingly Brilliant

Danielle's voice is one that engaged me to listen intently and truly hear her, and listen to her words. Her format in order to start your fire is one that is rooted in your soul, and she invites you to Feel, and stoke your inner fire.
I think this book is for anyone who is looking to feel differently about their lives, their contributions to the world and is relevant in all ways, not just for building a business.
I value and appreciate her personal collection of teachers in books and in person. She depicts a well read, curious about life and openness that grants this book a more personal feel.

This is a good book, but be careful.

In short: if you feel you lack inspiration, seek visit a psychologist instead. This book will inspire you but most likely in a wrong direction and you will come back to where you are with just another pile of things you didn’t need.

In details: Apply sparingly. The book is good at inspiring, but what you get inspired about matters. What happened to me is I was in the place in my life where I was looking for happiness and was looking for myself. This book almost inspired me to change my life drastically, but I wouldn’t find what I was looking for. I would just change my life and end up on the same spot. Instead you need to determine what is it that you actually want. And if you are at the stage you need inspiring, you probably need help of a professional psychologist to uncover what you actually want.

While the book inspires you to make changes to your life, sometimes, or most of the time we are not aware of what exactly that needs to change. And so in search of a better place in life start to do drastic things like the ones author describes as part of her story including leaving your spouse and travelling to India. While inspiring it came to me like a blind search for satisfaction and happiness which often lies in simple things we don’t admit to ourselves like some things we wanted to express to our family or things we want to do on a daily basis that are not even close to forming a million dollar company.

I ditched the book and instead visited a psychologist. Explained that I lack motivation and after a few sessions I am full of energy, full of motivation and my life has changed. Only because I figured out what I want actually.

Good but effort seemed forced

I feel the author truly believes and lives by the words written; however, the book didn't feel like a natural form of communication for the writer. There were places where I felt it was obvious she used a type of writing structure or strategy.

In this kind of book, and the aura I think she was going for, it should feel a bit more free-flowing.

Good if you are revisiting your purpose

This is a good book if you are reviewing what your vision and purpose is. Some good questions posed.

pretty touchy-feely kind of Read from my perspect

pretty touchy-feely almost juvenile book from my perspective anyway. I'm sure somebody else would read it and feel very inspired but the approach just didn't sync with my personality....

Great advice. Unnecessary Vulgar.

Would you listen to The Fire Starter Sessions again? Why?

Yes, it was good advice.

Would you be willing to try another book from Danielle LaPorte? Why or why not?

Not sure, she seems to try to hard to be 'edgy.'

Any additional comments?

Less swearing. The F bombs made it unappealing to me, long term.

Very powerful book

If you could sum up The Fire Starter Sessions in three words, what would they be?

Inspiring, powerful, encouraging

Any additional comments?

I love Danielle's no-messing approach that really encourages you to take action in your life. I've listened to this book about 3 times now and hear something different from her to take away every time. Thank you Danielle.
Zoe

Dear Dani

I love you,
This book has helped me on so many levels that I never thought it would.
My sister gave this to me and I am so grateful to have her in my life.
I am going to invite everyone at my work place over the next couple of weeks to take 15 minutes in the morning to listen to these wise words. Followed by some reflection to give us some fire in our souls for the day.

So inspired right now! 🔥🔥🔥

Namaste 🙏🏽

JUST WOW!

I have been aware of Danielle for years but not managed to get around to reading/doing the work with her.

she is great. her wisdom is deep. she is a mentor.

I cant recommend this book enough. It is fabulous.

Can't recommend this book enough

This book is just amazing. I am in awe of it and can't recommend it highly enough. It's so easy to listen to just out it in while driving/ commuting or working and you will feel so blessed you discovered this book :)

Blindingly good

Totally set me on fire from the inside. It's a keeper. Right up there with Gabby Bernstein. Only with an even more beautiful voice. It's a total keeper. Will listen again and again. Frankly... I have a bit of a girl crush. It's useful, soulful and inspiring.

Mesmerising, hot stuff, soothing electric voice

Diving into the audio, being fascinated by the empowering summary on how to rock your own world successfully, in style, with charm and full throttle connected to the soul, was like a linguistic fireworks for me.
Much love to Danielle.
And thanks for the recommendation Louise.
Julia xx

I love you, Danielle!

Wonderful book. I keep returning to it frequently and always find something new to lean on! Thank you!

A must read

I got this book after Marie Forleo's recommendation. It really impacted my life and it really is a fire starter, looove it!

true self support!!

the best voice ever dispensing practical wisdom, support and humour - the best friend you need!

Amazing book where have I been without you!

Danielle la Porte rocks! This has confirmed for me a lot of what I thought I knew but had doubts. Trust your instinct, passion, gut and work it hard, keep going, never give up!
You are a saint Danielle, thanks