The Fire Starter Sessions

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)

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.

8 of 9 people found this review helpful

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.

24 of 29 people found this review helpful

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.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

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.

14 of 17 people found this review helpful

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.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Truly "Fire Starting". Clever and well written.

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

I have listened and read this book again and again. Danielle, is intelligent, experienced, well versed, and inspiring.

What did you like best about this story?

Fire Starter Sessions is empowering. Danielle, brings forth what those of us have been feeling for years; the "model" isn't one size fits all. It is so refreshing to hear someone say that it's okay to do it my way and that's the way I should do it. I have been a student of self-help books for over a decade and I am so thankful to have read this book. This book is full of passion, vision, and brings tremendous clarity.

What about Danielle LaPorte’s performance did you like?

Danielle, reads this book with passion and fire. She is edgy and refreshing.

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

There were MANY moments in the book that moved me. Particularly, the part that she reveals that "life balance is a myth". What a relief to hear that prospective! I consistently felt like I was chasing my tail trying to achieve a so-called balance in my life. I always felt like I was missing the piece that would help bring my life into balance, like I was lacking. I am really enjoying this new paradigm.

"Striving for balance will derail your plans for greatness."

I love how she refers to life being like a symphony; "Great music has dimension and layers that compose the overall harmony. It's not about making sure each instrument is played at the same volume all at once - that would be droning. There is a time for the strings to carry it all, and for the drums to take it in a new direction, and for the trumpets to punctuate. There is a time when your relationships matter more than your job. There will be months when your career set the pace of your entire life. There will be passages when your focus in inward and you retreat from the surface of your life to tend to your body and soul."

"BALANCE DOESN'T EXIST, BUT PROPORTION AND HARMONY DO."

Such amazing truth! This isn't necessarily a new concept. It is the way that, Danielle, paints the visual and sums it up so poetically that resonates with me so well.

Any additional comments?

This book is great for anyone in any walk of life. Especially, those that are seeking greater understanding about themselves, how to fully analyse what rocks their soul, and how to reach their FULL potential; whatever it may be.

Happy reading!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Really worth while listening to

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

Well narrated by the author and sounds so "honest", it is also very expressive

What did you like best about this story?

It's so original and very well written

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Everything you dread about a self help book

Would you try another book from Danielle LaPorte and/or Danielle LaPorte?

No. The author gives a pretty clear picture of herself in the book, and I don't think she has anything relevant to say.

Has The Fire Starter Sessions turned you off from other books in this genre?

Yes and No. I love books in this genre, but only when they are actually insightful, original, or well structured. This book was none of these. I will continue to seek out books like Rework, the Four Hour Work Week, and Happiness Advantage, but be more wary of "Soulful" works that just string together cute contemporary sayings.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The narrator was the author, which has generally (but not always) been a bad idea. The narrator's voice and tone are sappy from beginning to end. But then again, the material is totally sappy, so I guess it fits in that sense.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Fire Starter Sessions?

I would not have allowed myself to be an editor to this book. I would have told the publisher that it's not fit to print.

Any additional comments?

Self help books are often seen by close-minded people as an amalgamation of pop psychology, teaching goofy and cliche lessons like "believe in yourself" and "define your life on your own terms." That's too bad since there is a growing number of books that can truly empower the reader to effect positive change in his or her life and community. This book enforces the mistaken notion that self help books are written for flakes and by flakes. This is absolutely the flakiest, most cliche, bad advice I've ever been exposed to. Bad, bad, bad... and this coming from a guy who loved The Happiness Advantage and Outliers.

3 of 5 people found this review helpful

pretty touchy-feely kind of Read from my perspect<br />

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....

Absolute LOVE it!

This book definitely started a fire within me! I will be sharing this book for a long time to come.

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

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

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

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 :)

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!

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.

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

fire starter

I really enjoyed this and even though it's geared towards business, you can use a lot of the advice in general life.

Fire-powered kick up the bum

Where does The Fire Starter Sessions rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Easily one of the best books I've ever bought.

What did you like best about this story?

It brings about some real home-truths, and encourages you to go for the things you REALLY want in life, not just the fundamental every-day crap, but the stuff of your true dreams.

Have you listened to any of Danielle LaPorte’s other performances? How does this one compare?

This performance is as great as all the others, if not better.

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

I wouldn't be able to listen to it in one sitting, as there's so much to absorb. However, I can happily listen to several chapters whilst I'm driving or working at my desk.

Any additional comments?

If you're looking for some direction in life, and want support that goes with it, this is a great place to start!