In this podcast interview, Richard Lucas hosts Ben Bradbury, founder of Reading Rhythms, to discuss the back story leading to founding Ben's his unique reading-themed events. Ben sharing his entrepreneurial journey, including early influences and the inspiration behind Reading Rhythms, which aims to reduce loneliness through shared reading experiences. We learn about the early role model and nudges Ben had from his mother and uncle, his first steps in entrepreneurship and work as a teenager. We hear about the positive and importantly negative lessons he learned from those experiences. We hear how Reading Rhythms emerged from Ben solving a problem he had in his own life, of finding time to read, and making connections with other readers in New York, and their “breakthrough moment when the New York Times published an article about what Reading Rhythms/Richard and Ben explore the operational aspects of the business, highlighting its growth, revenue model, and the implementation of a management structure to address coordination challenges across multiple chapters, and work on efficiency and processes. We learn about their use of the Clifton Strengths assessment process, their rigorous and demanding approach to taking on and supporting new Group leaders and Ambassadors, and discuss similarities between Reading Rhythms, the TED-TEDx network and the NBN.The NBN as an organisation and Richard as the host of this channel, and very aligned with what RR is doing, and their enthusiasm is clear for the tone of the podcastLinks: 3 steps to turn everyday get-togethers into transformative gatherings - Priya Parker Mark McKergow Host Leadership - book Host Leadership - why "hosting" is an important type of leadership | Mark McKergow  How Village-in-the-City builds micro-local communities worldwide | Mark McKergow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/literary-studies