Celebrating this past year, and contemplating what’s next
36 stories with impact in 2021, and implications for 2022.
2021 was a year of reckoning and redemption. Looking back on this year means reflecting on the good, the bad, and the uncanny—and as we get ready for a new year and a new start, we’ve prepared a roundup of some of the most compelling and relevant content that we consumed in 2021.
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To curate our roundup, we did what we do best: we looked at the data. After a holistic review of 2021’s most talked-about topics, we landed on six categories:
A planet on the precipice
From greenhouse gases to Glasgow conferences, global climate change has dominated the news cycle in 2021—and for good reason. With record-shattering heatwaves and extreme weather, almost everyone on earth has now experienced its incredible and sometimes devastating effects firsthand. Here are six pieces of content that held the world accountable in 2021, and are helping prepare us for a future where the environment, finally, is front and center.
Who: Peter Wohlleben
What: Having spent 20 years in the forestry industry, Peter Wohlleben understands trees like few others, and invites his readers to witness the life, death, and regeneration of these majestic beings up close. With beautiful prose and deep scientific insight, Wohlleben forces us to confront our own anthropocentric assumptions about the consciousness of forests, what they provide for us, and what we owe them in return.
Why: Because we all need a fresh perspective.
Who: Paul Hawken
What: A writer, speaker, thinker, journalist, and activist, Paul Hawken has been working for decades to bridge the divide between economy and ecology, and help companies understand the urgency of embracing sustainability. This book is both a roadmap and a manifesto for our current moment. In the author’s own words, “regeneration is not only about bringing the world back to life; it is about bringing each of us back to life.”
Why: Because the time to take action was yesterday.
Who: Ali Tabrizi
What: This documentary is as riveting as it is revealing. British filmmaker Ali Tabirizi takes us on a harrowing tour of the many marine calamities our society would rather not see—ghost nets, plastic debris, overfishing, and numerous other crises happening just below the surface. With a strong critique of some of the largest industries and corporations, the film argues that drastic action is needed in order to save our oceans.
Why: Because there’s no such thing as an expendable ecosystem.
Who: David Attenborough
What: World-renowned environmentalist David Attenborough is most acclaimed for his nature documentaries—but with biodiversity in steep decline, the iconic broadcaster decided it would be disingenuous to continue painting a blissful portrait of wildlife in their pristine habitats. Instead, his latest work examines how dramatically the world has changed in 50 years, and offers a profound and personal plea for humans to change their ways.
Why: Because we only have one Earth.
Who: Media Indigena
What: Imagine an immersive soundscape that takes you into untamed and unfamiliar worlds, but also doubles as a podcast. That’s precisely what you’ll find here. Each episode combines sonorous nature recordings and captivating original scores, while featuring diverse experts—described as “knowledge holders”—who encourage listeners to contemplate the interwoven webs that connect humanity, wildlife, and the environment.
Why: Because we could all use a wake-up call.
Who: Michael Morange
What: The title of this book is perfectly on-point. Taking the reader on a journey through history and culture, world-renowned historian Michael Morange provides a thorough, accessible, and inspiring account of the scientific breakthroughs that have brought us from the first cell theory to our present understanding of fields like ecology, ethology, and botany. It’s amazing how far we’ve come, and how much we still have to discover.
Why: Because progress is something we can all be proud of.
Innovating through adversity
In some ways, 2021 felt like a long Thanksgiving. We shared genuine gratitude for things that were taken from us in 2020: hanging out with friends, spending time with family, going to a show, or simply going to the store. But we’re still finding our way out of the pandemic, and are striving to apply the lessons learned in the past to the situation unfolding in the present. That’s why these six stories, and the insights they provide, are so important.
Who: Michael Lewis
What: For most of us, it feels like COVID-19 came out of nowhere, but that’s not the case. It started with a trickle of misinformation, then cascaded into a pandemic that transformed the world. This is the cautionary tale of the people who tried valiantly to pierce the fog of ignorance, incompetence, and inaction so they could contain the virus before it was too late, and the geopolitical forces that got in their way.
Why: Because we have to hold power to account.
Who: Paul Offit
What: The rapid development and deployment of COVID-19 vaccines has been nothing short of miraculous—but those who remember the Cutter incident may have felt wary. In 1955, failures in manufacturing and testing meant that thousands were injected with live polio, sparking an epidemic that should never have happened. We’re fortunate today’s vaccines are safe, but this is a story we can’t afford to forget.
Why: Because if we don’t learn from mistakes, we repeat them.
Who: Jeremy Rifkin
What: Late capitalism has been an era of spectacular excesses—but what could be more excessive than self-annihilation? That’s the very real scenario that visionary economist Jeremy Rifkin explores in this book, where he demonstrates how technology infrastructure—and increasingly, the Internet of Things—is reducing the marginal costs of producing goods and services to near zero, ushering in an unprecedented reimagining of global markets.
Why: Because it’s a lot more complex than Fully Automated Luxury Communism.
Who: David McCandless
What: At first glance, it looks like a series of vibrant abstracts—the sort you might find mounted on a gallery wall or in a private collection—but when you look closer, you discover that they’re actually data visualizations, gorgeously rendered and conveying fascinating, relevant facts about the world today. Art and science meld in this immaculately designed compilation, synthesizing mind-blowing truths in surprising and inspiring ways.
Why: Because education can be an aesthetic experience.
Who: Nanfu Wang
What: It takes a director of great talent, tenacity, and courage to turn the camera on the world’s most powerful governments—and Nanfu Wang does it with aplomb. In this trenchant documentary where the personal feels inherently political, she follows the spread of COVID-19 from its first outbreaks in Wuhan to its global proliferation, chronicling how leaders in China and the USA used it to firm up their own power.
Why: Because when there’s no accountability, there’s corruption.
Who: Daniel Defoe
What: Daniel Defoe was five years old when the bubonic plague struck London, England, in 1665. Decades later, in 1722, he authored this fictional narrative—meticulously researched and highly accurate—that follows the experiences of one man navigating a crisis that felt as real to readers in the eighteenth century as it does today. Available both in print and as an audiobook, this is a tale of astute observation and canny survival.
Why: Because some stories are as timely as they are timeless.
Health matters,
a lot
For years, activists, advocates, and healthcare providers have been challenging society to speak openly about mental health—and it looks like they’re being heard. Health, both physical and psychological, has been top-of-mind in 2021, sparking much-needed dialogue, engagement, and empathy. With big names like Simone Biles and Carey Price taking a step back for their own wellbeing, and powerful stories like the six listed here, it feels like the re-evaluation of how we care for ourselves and others is underway.
Who: Judson Brewer
What: Anxiety has always been a universal human experience, but the last two years kicked it up a notch—or several. The uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, even for those lucky enough not to contract the disease, exerted a pressure that was oftentimes overwhelming and debilitating, and people are still coping with it. Judson Brewer comes to the rescue with this book, helping readers discover what anxiety is, why we have it, and how to beat it.
Why: Because we all deserve a break.
Who: Emily and Amelia Nagoski
What: Twin sisters Emily Nagoski, Ph.D., and Amelia Nagoski, D.M.A., changed the game—and the conversation—around burnout with the publication of this groundbreaking bestseller. Part scientific exploration, part practical workbook, the authors set out to help women overcome the stresses of everyday life. In doing so, they’ve created a text that speaks to the times, and anyone can learn and benefit from it.
Why: Because it’s time to take a sledgehammer to barriers.
Who: Bessel van der Kolk
What: Trauma is an affliction—and like any disease, it can linger, fester, leave physical scars, and be passed on to others. This is a reality that all of us in Canada need to be aware of, living in a country whose Indigenous population has endured a genocide spanning generations; but on a smaller scale, it’s also important to realize that personal trauma can have long-term—but reversable—impacts on our brains, bodies, and biochemistry.
Why: Because the hardest conversations are the ones we need to have.
Who: Wendy Suzuki
What: Ever heard of runner’s high? You can be tired, sweaty, and down to your last drop of energy, yet you experience a rush of relaxation and euphoria. In this acclaimed TED talk, neuroscientist Wendy Suzuki explains the science behind what exercise does to our brains; even better, she walks you through actionable lifestyle changes that can help boost everything from your metabolism to your memory.
Why: Because “mind” and “body” is a false dichotomy.
Who: Morgan Neville
What: Mental health challenges can affect anyone, no matter how satisfied or successful they may seem on the surface. So when celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain took his own life in 2018, the world was stunned; few knew just how much he was struggling. As a society, we need to be more candid about these issues—and that’s what Morgan Neville does so well in this documentary, which offers a nuanced account of Bourdain’s hidden battles and iconic career.
Why: Because you can’t put a price on health and happiness.
Who: Wondery
What: Having a therapist can be life changing. It certainly was for Joe Nocera—though not in a good way. For three decades, he leaned on his neighbor, an esteemed therapist named Ike, for help and guidance. But then one day Ike was gone, and Nocera realized he didn’t know his friend at all. Don’t let this award-winning podcast turn you off psychiatrists—they’re great—but enjoy its ten episodes as the twisted plot unravels.
Why: Because true crime is our guilty pleasure.
Frontiers of fiction
Fiction is so much more than frivolous escapism. Sci-fi and fantasy aren’t just flights of fancy. By making the familiar feel strange and the strange feel familiar, these works enable us to see our own world in bold and exciting ways. Oftentimes, the most surreal adventures are the most meaningful, and otherworldly tales are the most honest. Through their imagery and imagination, here are six creations that tell unique and unvarnished truths.
Who: Kawai Strong Washburn
What: Seven-year-old Nainoa “Noa” Flores falls overboard a cruise ship and is immediately swarmed by sharks. Instead of eating him, they rescue him and return him to his family unharmed—and in the years to follow, he develops miraculous powers. Of course, these powers come at a cost; and in this breathtaking debut novel, Kawai Strong Washburn blends realistic settings, relatable characters, and Polynesian mythology to tell a family epic like no other.
Why: Because the unexpected is thrilling.
Who: Haruki Murakami
What: The publisher put it perfectly—this book is “by turns haunting and hilarious”. If surreal visions and uncanny visitations thrill you, and if utter randomness makes you laugh, then you’ll love Haruki Murakami’s masterpiece. Written as a series of 17 short stories, this spellbinding anthology raises meditative questions about bewilderment and oblivion—but then there are also disappearing elephants and late-night McDonald’s raids, so...
Why: Because literature does what reality cannot.
Who: Matt Haig
What: Imagine if purgatory was a library where the shelves are never ending, and each book shows you another life you could have lived. This is where Nora Seed finds herself—and naturally, she wonders how her life would have been different if she had chosen a different career, or never broke up with her ex-partner. By looking at life from a distance, Nora and the reader foster a brilliant new understanding of how wondrous it is.
Why: Because there are things we all would have done differently.
Who: James Clavell
What: The third installment in James Clavell’s “Asian Saga”, this novel became a sensation when it was published 1975, selling six million copies by 1980 and 15 million by 1990. As a work of historical fiction, it stands the test of time. The action takes place in seventeenth century Japan, where John Blackthorne—based loosely on the real-life William Adams—witnesses the months leading to the Battle of Sekigahara in the year 1600.
Why: Because there are some stories you just can’t make up.
Who: Blur Studio
What: With different episodes animated by different studios all over the world, this truly is a global anthology series dedicated to steampunk, cyberpunk, and sci-fi aficionados. Each standalone story explores the themes explicitly suggested in the title—love, death, and robots—and does so with dystopian extravagance. Get ready for humour and horror, logos and pathos, and a good deal of mind-bending action sequences.
Why: Because Netflix original animations don’t disappoint.
Who: Aaron Guzikowski
What: Set on the distant planet of Kepler-22b, this show has the strangely allegorical allure of an ancient cosmogony, or a creation legend for a far-flung future, while indulging many of the themes and motifs familiar to science fiction. In this world, the children are raised not by wolves, like Remus and Romulus, but by the androids Mother and Father; but ultimately, that doesn’t make them any less feral.
Why: Because the keenest observers of the human condition aren’t always human.
Experience and experiment
As the saying goes, “if you want something done, you have to do it yourself”—and the DIY spirit has never been stronger. Many employers are offering their teams greater flexibility, employees are spending more of their time at home, and people’s curiosity to learn new skills and interests has peaked. There’s no better form of self-care than learning a skill or subject that fascinates you—and you might just find your next passion project through one of these six talented creators.
Who: Caitlin French
What: It’s one thing to take up painting as a hobby, but something else entirely to make your own pigments using natural materials you find on a hike in the woods. That’s precisely what Caitlin French does. The Canadian indie artist provides advice on how you can turn items from your own backyard into watercolours worthy of a masterpiece, and offers online workshops to her loyal following of aspiring painters.
Why: Because getting in touch with nature means getting your hands dirty.
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Who: Matt Davies and Pieter-Paul von Weiler
What: If you’re looking for a way to build professional capabilities or streamline business processes, you might want to check out BetterBriefs. What began as a sweeping study of marketing briefs by Matt Davies and Pieter-Paul von Weiler has become a treasure trove of insights, reports, templates, tools, and training opportunities all aimed at helping you minimize the time and costs of briefing, while maximizing impact.
Why: Because brevity is the soul of efficiency.
Who: Don Norman and Karel Vredenburg
What: If you’re an aspiring or amateur designer, you’ve probably taken courses that help you craft objects and create spaces—at least, on the surface level. But are you truly envisioning them? In other words, are you aware of the issues, impacts, and implications that factor into everything you produce? Focusing on a new, socially-conscious cohort of designers, this program will help you see and do things differently.
Why: Because it’s time to build sustainability, accessibility, and equity into everyday life.
Who: Seb Murray (BBC)
What: You’ve definitely heard of IQ, and certainly EQ—but what about AQ? This is the so-called “adversity quotient”, which measures the amount of turmoil, upheaval, and disruption an individual or organization can endure. And in a world of rapidly-evolving technology, ever-changing regulatory requirements, and public health protocols that demand resilience and pandemic-proofing, it may just become the key metric of business success.
Why: Because intelligence comes in many forms.
Who: Tori Dunlap
What: Managing money isn’t easy. There are a lot of numbers, percentages, products, and services to navigate, and only an accountant could do it alone. That’s why Tori Dunlap is a revelation. Her podcast—as well as her brand, known as Her First $100K—is focused on helping women achieve financial equity and self-sufficiency, but her spot-on tips can change anyone’s relationship to their bank account.
Why: Because why should someone else plan your finances for you?
Who: Adam “Smiley” Poswolsky
What: This past year, the world witnessed the “Great Resignation” as thousands quit their jobs in order to re-evaluate their priorities. Some realized life is too precious to spend in a place that doesn’t excite or fulfil them; others realized it was time to find flexible employment, or relocate to the spot they thought they’d one day retire. All of them are looking for happiness—and that’s the theme of this refreshingly honest book.
Why: Because to heck with the pursuit of happiness—let’s catch it already.
Who: Brené Brown
What: Are “innate” leadership qualities a real thing? For some people, maybe—but for others, it’s possible to learn them, nurture them, and make the most of them. That’s the thesis put forward by Brené Brown, and she supports it with research, case studies, and personal stories. In doing so, she challenges the prevailing narrative of the “natural” leader, and shows that all it takes is courage, curiosity, and kindness.
Why: Because leaders are made, not born.
The world is changing
Positive social change is happening, momentum for progressive causes is building, and advances are being made—and it’s amazing. Sometimes you really have to look hard to see it, but it’s there; and we’re willing to bet that in the months and years ahead, it’s only going to become more vocal, more visible, and more visionary. From Black Lives Matter to Every Child Matters, awareness is growing, and these six works are a great way to have a better understanding of these important movements.
Who: Deesha Filyaw
What: Nine separate stories take the readers into heads, hearts, bodies, and souls of nine different characters. Each one is Black, each is female, each is a force of nature, and each chooses to break away from their community’s traditions, expectations, and dogmas in order to follow their hearts’ desires. Seductive and vulnerable, Deesha Filyaw gives her characters the joy of being as exposed as they dare, and as free as they deserve to be.
Why: Because some secrets aren’t meant to be kept.
Who: Michelle Good
What: This book has already won several awards, and rightly so. For too long, the hideous history of Canada’s residential schools has remained in the shadows—but Good casts a searing light on it as she introduces her readers to her unforgettable protagonists: five teenaged survivors, left to fend for themselves and find their way in the world after leaving the institution that robbed them of their language, culture, identity, and family ties.
Why: Because history is only helpful when it’s true.
Who: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
What: Two young Nigerians, Ifemelu and Obinze, fall in love, but the future doesn’t turn out how they had imagined. With their country under a military dictatorship, both emigrate—Ifemelu to the United States, Obinze to England—where their divergent experiences are nonetheless shaped by racism, stereotypes, and the fraught post-9/11 landscape. It’s a story that tackles immense issues with unflinching bravery and sincerity.
Why: Because we should all take a walk in someone else’s shoes.
Who: Robin DiAngelo
What: While this book has attracted both praise and controversy, it asks—and makes a genuine attempt to answer—a complex question that desperately needs to be raised: why is it so hard for white people to address racism? When confronted with the realities of their systemic privilege, many individuals get defensive, and Robin DiAngelo has made it her goal to facilitate a more productive, meaningful dialogue.
Why: Because there are worse things than a shattered ego.
Who: Michelle Alexander
What: Picture a world where the Jim Crow laws were never abolished. At first, you might think this is the teaser for an upcoming work of speculative fiction—but according to Michelle Alexander, this is the current American reality. She makes a compelling case that state-sanctioned segregation still thrives today, with the US justice system operating as the apparatus of racial control, and Jim Crow surviving through mass incarceration.
Why: Because the data doesn’t lie.
Who: Caitlin Durante and Jamie Loftus
What: The Bechdel test has become a cornerstone of cultural criticism. The rules are simple: for a work of fiction to pass the test, two named female characters need to talk about something other than a man—and it’s amazing how many movies and novels fail. Comedians Caitlin Durante and Jamie Loftus have made this a central premise of their podcast, which reflects on the representation of women in film and in society as a whole.
Why: Because the fight for women’s rights is far from over.
