Subversive | Sacred Clown | Reflector | Sweet | Burner (as in Burning Man | A Little Shit |
Andres Schabelman
A successful tech entrepreneur, ANDRES SCHABELMAN was one of the first thirty Airbnb employees. He built a successful career helping expand businesses internationally, culminating with him being on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange as the VP of International Expansion at Fiverr when they went public in 2019. He has a master’s degree in public policy from the Harvard Kennedy School and a BA from Williams College. These accolades, among others, matter less to him now than his current dream of showing the magic and power of human connection around the world. Born and raised in New Orleans to Argentine-Jewish parents and within a broader Colombian immigrant community, Andreas currently travels the world nomadically with a base in Mexico.
https://schabelman.com
My 10 Best
(In no particular order)
Siddhartha
This book reminds me that the path to enlightenment is not linear, nor does it adhere to others’ timelines or expectations. Siddhartha’s journey mirrors the necessity of experiencing life’s contradictions to move toward unity within myself and with the world around me. His journey also reminds me that life’s wisdom often comes through direct experience, urging me to let go of overthinking and embrace action as a way to truly learn and grow.
The Alchemist
Through Santiago’s quest for his “Personal Legend,” I am reminded that my life has a unique rhythm, and trusting my instincts—even when the path is uncertain—is a radical act of self-sovereignty. The Alchemist also reiterates the truth that the pursuit of a dream isn’t just about achieving a goal—it’s about learning to see opportunities and lessons in the unexpected, making even the detours essential to personal transformation.
One Hundred Years of Solitude
The cyclical nature of the Buendía family’s story reveals how personal and collective histories intertwine, teaching me that breaking generational patterns begins with self-awareness and a willingness to step into the unknown and uncomfortable. Another aspect of these cycles within the Buendía family are important as a reminder to recognize patterns in my own life, empowering me to break free from unproductive habits and create new paths forward.
The Ocean at the End of the Lane
This book is a reminder that childhood holds the blueprint for my inner world, and facing those deep, forgotten parts of myself is a courageous way to reclaim my narrative. I think you couple this book with parts therapy or internal family systems, and you’ve got a nice path toward way more balance and gentleness in life. That’s certainly what they have done for me.
Kafka on the Shore
In Murakami’s surreal landscapes, I see how the boundaries between reality and dreams blur, echoing my own desire to embrace contradictions and trust the unknown forces shaping my growth. You can see these themes throughout Captains Wanted.
The Left Hand of Darkness
Le Guin’s exploration of duality in gender and culture forces me to rethink the boxes I put myself in and embrace the fluidity of existence—a powerful act of spiritual liberation.
The Book Thief
The omnipresence of death as a narrator challenges me to value the fleeting moments of life, reminding me that stories—both mine and others’—are not only acts of defiance against the void, but a necessary act of literal creation. Death’s perspective also reminds me that every moment is an opportunity to create meaning and beauty, no matter how ordinary or difficult it may seem. This is obviously pertinent against the backdrop of Captains Wanted being written somewhat as an homage to my best friend, Pinsky, who was taken from us far too early.
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
Pirsig’s blending of a deeply philosophical narrative with a personal journey inspired me to consider how unconventional structures—interweaving memoir with intellectual exploration—can create a book that not only tells a story but invites readers to question their own frameworks of thought. It showed me that a book can be both deeply personal and universally resonant without adhering to traditional formats.
The House of the Spirits
The generations of the Trueba family show me how memory, trauma, and resilience shape identity, teaching me that true sovereignty lies in weaving those threads into a coherent story of my own. The book shows me the importance of embracing my roots while also carving my own path—learning from the past but not being bound by it.
Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself
Dr. Joe’s teachings remind me that my thoughts and emotions shape my reality, empowering me to rewire my beliefs and embody a version of myself that transcends old patterns and limitations. I eventually became an Advanced Master student of his and even though I don’t consistently meditate using is recordings, his presence in my life serves as a necessary wake-up call from time to time, to nudge me back to a place where I remember that anything is possible.