348. Family History and the Search for Meaning with Stephen Riggio

The Greg McKeown Podcast

Greg McKeown

Education, Business, Self-improvement

4.8 • 1.1K Ratings

🗓️ 4 November 2024

⏱️ 50 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

About the Guest: Stephen Riggio is a visionary leader and former CEO of Barnes & Noble, where he played a crucial role in its transformation into the largest bookselling chain in the United States. His extensive career in the book industry, spanning over four decades, includes pioneering work in e-commerce and publishing. Beyond corporate endeavors, Riggio is deeply engaged in philanthropy, working with organizations like the National Book Foundation and the National Down Syndrome Society. In recent years, Riggio has turned his focus to translating and promoting classic Sicilian literature, especially the "Sicilian Avengers" series. Episode Summary: Greg hosts Stephen Riggio, former Barnes & Noble CEO, as they explore the transformative power of literature and the significance of connecting with one's heritage. Riggio shares his journey in translating "Sicilian Avengers," a historical epic rooted in his Sicilian ancestry, and how this project intertwined with personal tragedy and discovery. The conversation covers themes of intergenerational legacy, resilience, and finding purpose through challenging times. Key Takeaways: Legacy of Literature: Books are powerful portals that connect us to different cultures and eras, enriching our understanding and empathy. Intergenerational Connection: Exploring family history can provide insights into personal identity and resilience, bridging the past and future. Personal Healing: Transforming personal tragedy into purpose by engaging in meaningful projects like translating significant literary works. Cultural Appreciation: The translation of "Sicilian Avengers" unveils the diverse and multicultural history of Sicily, challenging common stereotypes. Future Endeavors: Taking on translation as an epic adventure, paralleling personal journeys of self-discovery and cultural preservation. Notable Quotes: "Books are more than paper and ink. They are a portal through which we can experience places and times and people we otherwise wouldn't." – Greg McKeown "Raising a child with a disability is a challenge... our deepest wish is that this book didn't exist. However, our daughter's presence in it is undeniable." – Stephen Riggio "It gives me a great deal of satisfaction to know that I've arrived here... It was my destiny." – Stephen Riggio "The best historical fiction... is that people would prefer to be given a compelling narrative that is rooted in history." – Stephen Riggio Resources: Stephen's book: "Sicilian Avengers" Affiliate links are used where appropriate. We earn from qualifying purchases, thank you for supporting Greg! Join my weekly newsletter. Learn more about my books and courses. Join The Essentialism Academy. Follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, X, Facebook, and YouTube.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome back, everybody. I'm your host, Greg McEwen, and this is the Greg McKeown podcast, where we focus on what's essential so that we can live a life that really matters. And part of that, of course, is to stretch our minds, to break through the assumptions and the ways that we see
0:25.6	the world. And one of the best ways that I know is to read the classic literature, to discover
0:31.9	things that a world beyond your own, to, books are more than paper and ink.
0:39.3	They are a portal through which we can experience places and times and people we otherwise
0:44.9	wouldn't.
0:45.4	And in the process, our minds are stretched.
0:48.2	Our lives are developed and our empathy increases.
0:51.1	The research is very clear on this.
0:52.7	And so it's with pleasure then that I have
0:56.0	Stephen Reggio, who is an accomplished leader, a visionary, and the former CEO of Barnes & Noble,
1:04.9	which is to say he has spent more time thinking about books than the average person. He played a pivotal role in transitioning
1:13.7	the iconic New York bookstore into the nation's largest bookseller. From 2002 to 2012,
1:20.6	he guided the company through a dynamic period of growth and innovation, expanding the e-commerce
1:26.0	and publishing platforms.
1:28.3	The company still exists, which is not nothing, in a world of constant change and transformation.
1:35.3	With over 40 years of experience in the industry, Ruggio's influence has been instrumental in shaping the future of book selling in America.
1:43.3	Beyond his corporate achievements, though, he's deeply committed to philanthropy, serving on the future of book selling in America. Beyond his corporate achievements,
1:44.9	though, he's deeply committed to philanthropy serving on the boards of the National Book Foundation
1:49.5	and the National Down Syndrome Society. And as a founding member of the AHR's New York Foundation,
1:56.0	Stevens' leadership and dedication to fostering accessibility, education, and beyond has made a lasting impact.
2:02.6	But right now, and for the last several years, one of the prime project that he has devoted considerable personal time to achieving is the translation of two volumes, each significant,
2:21.8	of a book called, in English at least, Sicilian Avengers.
	...

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