Best Jake Sacks Podcasts (2025)

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761 The Story of the Nativity (with Stephen Mitchell) | The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger (#4 Greatest Book of All Time) 1:17:45

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1d ago1:17:45

1:17:45

Stephen Mitchell has translated or adapted some of the world's most beautiful and spiritually rich texts, including The Gospel According to Jesus, The Book of Job, Gilgamesh, Tao Te Ching, Bhagavad Gita, The Iliad, The Odyssey, Beowulf, The Selected Poetry of Rainer Maria Rilke, Rilke's Letters to a Young Poet, and The Way of Forgiveness. In his la…

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Ep 464 - Jaw Break for Jake Paul, Leg Break for Alex Isak and the Title Race Continues 1:33:05

3d ago1:33:05

1:33:05

PLENTY to get into this week. We talk a little about our weekends before getting into the Jake Paul/Anthony Joshua fight and the Premier League action. Indulge! Hosted by Luke Byron. Joined by Tom Kennett.

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760 Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol, and Ebeneezer Scrooge 1:13:57

4d ago1:13:57

1:13:57

In this holiday-themed episode, a sentimental Jacke takes a look at Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol (1843), and the creation of Ebeneezer Scrooge. A version of this episode first aired in December 2020. That episode has not been available in our archives for several years. Join Jacke on a trip through literary England! Join Jacke and fellow lite…

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End of Year Review: Our Most Impactful Conversations & Our Biggest Guest Responds! 45:42

4d ago45:42

45:42

As High Performance wraps up its sixth year, Jake Humphrey, Damian Hughes and producer Will sit down to reflect on the moments, conversations, and lessons that defined 2025. In this special end-of-year episode, they revisit the guests and ideas that resonated most, not just in downloads and views, but in lasting impact. From the strategic thinking …

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Why Your Brain Feels Overloaded and How to Fix It, with Dr Tara Swart 47:44

7d ago47:44

47:44

World’s leading neuroscientists Dr Tara Swart explains why so many high-functioning people feel exhausted, stressed, and out of balance, even when they’re doing everything “right.” She breaks down the hidden cost of being constantly switched on, how chronic stress rewires the brain, and why late-night scrolling is quietly sabotaging your energy, fo…

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759 The Godfather (with Karen Spence) | My Last Book with Elyse Graham 1:04:39

8d ago1:04:39

1:04:39

Francis Ford Coppola's masterpiece The Godfather routinely tops lists of the greatest films ever made - and when it doesn't, it's often because its sequel, The Godfather II, has replaced it. In this episode, Jacke talks to author Karen Spence about her new book, The Companion Guide to the Godfather Trilogy: Betrayal, Loyalty, and Family. PLUS Elyse…

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Is This the WORST League Two Ever?! 1:01:38

7d ago1:01:38

1:01:38

It’s the final preview show of the year! Join Jordan Richards and Luke Payne on the League Two Lowdown as we react to the massive managerial news at Bristol Rovers and look ahead to a packed Christmas schedule.First on the agenda: The return of Steve Evans! We break down his appointment at the Memorial Stadium following Daryl Clarke's departure. Is…

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Why You Keep Misreading People | Surrounded By Idiots Author 36:23

9d ago36:23

36:23

Win a behind-the-scenes experience at a High Performance record day! Pre-order our brand new book Micro-Habits and use code MICROHABITS26 for 25% off before the launch on 1st January to be in with a chance of winning: https://hppod.co/HPComp Most communication fails for a simple reason: we talk to people the way we want to be talked to. In this epi…

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Ep 463 - Salah versus Slot, Struggling Arsenal, Super City, Scared Newcastle and AJ vs Jake Paul 1:53:43

10d ago1:53:43

1:53:43

PLENTY to get into this week. We tackle all of the weekend's action and look ahead to AJ versus Jake Paul. Indulge! Hosted by Luke Byron. Joined by Tom Kennett and Jack Harper

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League Two Chaos: 7-Goal THRILLER, Rovers Meltdown Sacking, Holloway Genius & Gills Bottle It! 50:39

11d ago50:39

50:39

ANDY WHING SACKED last week... and now DARRELL CLARKE SACKED! 🚨 The Memorial Stadium has turned toxic as Bristol Rovers lose their 10th game in a row—a new club record. Harry and Luke break down the inevitable decision, the fan protests, and whether anyone can save the Gas from a double relegation.Plus, we review the absolute chaos at Salford City …

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758 Jane Austen in 41 Objects (with Kathryn Sutherland) | 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez (#5 Greatest Book of All Time) 57:21

11d ago57:21

57:21

How well can we know someone through the objects they encountered? In this episode, Jacke talks to Kathryn Sutherland, Senior Research fellow at St. Anne's College, Oxford, about her new book Jane Austen in 41 Objects, which examines the objects Jane Austen encountered during her life alongside newer memorabilia inspired by the life she lived. PLUS…

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Jacques Villeneuve | Papaya Team Politics & Hamilton's Next Chapter (E383) 1:07:08

11d ago1:07:08

1:07:08

Jacques Villeneuve is a Formula One World Champion, a racing icon, and one of the sport’s most candid, uncompromising thinkers. Known for his fearless honesty and unique path to the top, Jacques brings a perspective shaped by triumph, loss, and a lifelong obsession with competition. In this episode, Jake sits down with Jacques to explore what truly…

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How Liverpool Used Data to Sign Mo Salah, Allison, and Van Dijk | Dr Ian Graham 44:21

14d ago44:21

44:21

In football, we often obsess over the goals, the trophies, the star players. But for Dr Ian Graham, the real story sits in the unseen decisions and quiet calculations that shape everything a club becomes. In this episode, Ian pulls back the curtain on Liverpool’s transformation, revealing how data challenged old assumptions and opened the door to o…

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EFL League Two Review: Barrow Sack Whing, Rovers Crisis & Week 20 Predictions 59:24

15d ago59:24

59:24

ANDY WHING SACKED! 🚨 The managerial merry-go-round spins again in League Two as Barrow part ways with their manager. Jordan Richards and Luke Payne break down the shock decision, the statement from the chairman, and who could be next.Is this the end for Darrell Clarke? 📉 Bristol Rovers suffer their 9th straight defeat in a 4-0 hammering by Barnet. …

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757 George Orwell's 1984 (#6 Greatest Book of All Time) 1:07:22

15d ago1:07:22

1:07:22

In 1949, American critic Lionel Trilling, writing in the New Yorker, was quick to recognize the achievement of George Orwell's new novel. "[P]rofound, terrifying, and wholly fascinating," he said. 1984 "confirms its author in the special, honorable place he holds in our intellectual life." And while the Cold War and the book's primary satirical tar…

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John Legend: Why He Chose an 'Audacious' Name And How It Changed Him 32:40

16d ago32:40

32:40

Win a behind-the-scenes experience at a High Performance record day! Pre-order our brand new book Micro-Habits and use code MICROHABITS26 for 25% off and to be in with a chance of winning: https://hppod.co/HPComp John Legend didn’t set out to become “Legend.” The name found him long before the world did. In this episode Damian is joined by EGOT win…

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SWINDON TOWN DESTROY BOLTON WANDERERS! 🤯 EFL League Two Sides RUN RIOT in FA Cup! + Midweek Preview 58:31

18d ago58:31

58:31

Visit The Deck https://thedeck.newsFind us on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/0f1N2Pvmptmbor9mFUDhQo Find us on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZ8hRFbs0-UWhat a weekend for EFL League Two! The FA Cup Second Round saw the fourth tier absolutely batter League One opposition. In this episode of League Two Lowdown, Jordan Richards and Lu…

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Top Gear Boss On Show's Meteoric Rise, BBC Exit & Clarkson Sacking | Andy Wilman (E382) 1:22:06

18d ago1:22:06

1:22:06

Andy Wilman is the legendary executive producer behind Top Gear and The Grand Tour, the creative force who helped turn a small, ageing motoring show into one of the most-watched programmes on the planet. In this revealing conversation, Andy sits down with Jake to open up about the chaotic, brilliant, and often bruising journey behind the scenes. Fr…

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756 Newly Discovered Stories by Virginia Woolf (with Urmila Seshagiri) | My Last Book with Jake Poller 58:07

18d ago58:07

58:07

Did you think we already knew everything there was to know about Virginia Woolf? Think again! In this episode, Jacke talks to scholar and editor Urmila Seshagiri about The Life of Violet: Three Early Stories, which presents three interconnected comic stories chronicling the adventures of a giantess named Violet, which Woolf wrote in 1907, eight yea…

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Ep 462 - The 12 Drinks of Christmas 3:08:59

18d ago3:08:59

3:08:59

You'll get to a point in this episode where you feel like you're just listening to 3 drunk people talking nonsense like nobody else is listening and you'd be absolutely right. We've done just about every Christmas gimmick there is, so we spiced this one up by having 12 drinks each and seeing where we ended up. We hope you enjoy it. Hosted by Luke B…

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Every EFL League Two Club's Season RANKED 55:32

20d ago55:32

55:32

Check out The Deck Football News and Stats https://thedeck.news Watch out League One Channel @LeagueOneLowdown Watch our National League Channel @NLLowdown Exclusive Andy Woodman Interview https://youtu.be/E8JEp9yulfI?si=_5dnnPJnoyOs-tAP Connect with us! Our Twitter https://x.com/TheDeckEFL TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@leaguetwolowdown Instagram …

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The Secret to Feeling Calm When Out of Your Depth 29:58

21d ago29:58

29:58

We all feel out of our depth, but the real secret is learning to stay calm anyway. In this episode, Jake and Damian explore a universal human experience, the moments when we feel completely out of our depth, and reveal why calmness, clarity, and growth often begin right there. Drawing on powerful lessons from guests like Tom Aspinall, Petr Čech, Al…

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755 The Chinese Tragedy of King Lear (with Nan Z. Da) | My Last Book with Iris Jamahl Dunkle 42:51

22d ago42:51

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At the start of Shakespeare's famous tragedy, King Lear promises to divide his kingdom based on his daughters’ professions of love, but he portions it out before hearing all of their answers. For Nan Da, a professor of English literature who emigrated from China to the United States as a child in the 1990s, this startling opening scene sparked a re…

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How Changing Shoes Got Me Gold! Olympic Champion Denise Lewis 29:52

23d ago29:52

29:52

Win a behind-the-scenes experience at a High Performance record day! Pre-order our brand new book Micro-Habits and use code MICROHABITS26 for 25% off before the launch on 1st January to be in with a chance of winning: https://hppod.co/HPComp Denise Lewis knows what it feels like to stand on the biggest stage in the world with everything on the line…

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Ep 461 - Caicedo Costs Chelsea, Isak Finally Scores and Vicario Gets Booed 1:48:42

24d ago1:48:42

1:48:42

We start with Arsenal versus Chelsea (without Jack) and then move onto Frank's comments on 'true' Spurs fans, Liverpool beating West Ham, City's win over Leeds, and comments from both Glasner and Moyes. Indulge! Hosted by Luke Byron. Joined by Tom Kennett

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Promotion Confirmed?! - League Two Review 51:45

24d ago51:45

51:45

Harry Gunn and Luke Payne return to cover a wild week of League Two results. The hosts discuss the progress of Cambridge United and address their latest concerns on Newport County. Harry hypes up Walsall’s promotion prospects and Luke credits Swindon Town for defeating Chesterfield. All that, and more, in this episode! Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 01:…

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754 Christopher Marlowe (with Stephen Greenblatt) | My Last Book with Eric White 55:43

25d ago55:43

55:43

Christopher Marlowe (1564-1593) was born into relative obscurity and died in mysterious circumstances at the age of 29. And yet, somehow this ambitious cobbler's son brought about a spectacular explosion of English literature, language, and culture. In this episode, Jacke talks to Stephen Greenblatt about his book Dark Renaissance: The Dangerous Ti…

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Why Your Gut Controls Your Mood, Energy, and Performance: Prof. Tim Spector (E381) 59:18

25d ago59:18

59:18

We welcome back world-leading gut health expert Tim Spector to unpack the simple, science-backed shifts that can dramatically transform your wellbeing. Tim explains why the gut sits at the centre of immunity, energy, mood, and long-term health, and why modern diets have quietly broken the delicate ecosystem our bodies rely on. He reveals the overlo…

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Barry Hearn: How I Still Wake Up Every Day Hungry to Win 41:58

28d ago41:58

41:58

Barry Hearn joins Jake and Damian for a no-nonsense masterclass in ambition, resilience, and the mindset that turned a kid from a council estate into one of the most influential figures in global sport. The legendary Matchroom founder opens up about the work ethic shaped by his formidable mother, the chip on his shoulder that fuelled his rise, and …

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The Battle of Styles, Turgid Form and the BEST Team of the League?! - League Two Preview 53:01

29d ago53:01

53:01

Jordan Richards is joined by the returning Jake Quellin to take a look ahead of the upcoming fixtures in League Two. The hosts talk about a top of the table battle between Walsall and Bromley, alongside Bristol Rovers’ worrying form. They also look at Crewe Alexandra’s recent resurgence, and discuss whether Colchester United are the best team in th…

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753 Tenth-Anniversary Special (with Mike Palindrome and Laurie Frankel) | Giving Thanks | My Last Book with Eve Dunbar 1:17:22

1M ago1:17:22

1:17:22

When Jacke started the podcast in 2015, he decided to privilege books that were at least fifty years old. (Longtime listeners will know he's made a few exceptions, but for the most part, that's been the policy.) Last month, the History of Literature Podcast celebrated its tenth anniversary - which means there are ten years' worth of books that are …

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The Training That Changed Cristiano Ronaldo’s Game | Rene Meulensteen 36:27

1M ago36:27

36:27

Win a behind-the-scenes experience at a High Performance record day! Pre-order our brand new book Micro-Habits and use code MICROHABITS26 for 25% off before the launch on 1st January to be in with a chance of winning: https://hppod.co/HPComp What if one word could unlock potential, or shut it down completely? When Rene Meulensteen coached Cristiano…