Your New Playlist

by Jon Acuff, L.E. Acuff, McRae Acuff

When Jon Acuff's book Soundtracks, came out, one reaction surprised him. Parents across the country all said the same thing: "Do you have a version for teenagers? If I knew how to change my mindset when I was that age, my entire life would have been different." Why did they say that? Because truth grows like compound interest. Saving money when you're young has a bigger impact than it does when you save in your 40s. A single new soundtrack--Acuff's phrase for a repetitive thought--believed when you're 14 or 18 can change your whole life in the same way. In response, Acuff tagged his two daughters to help him create an honest, actionable guide to mindset for teenagers.

Your thoughts can work for you or against you, but the good news is you get a choice. The even better news is when you're young, your entire world is made of new. You're a movie that's barely started, a notebook with blank pages to fill, a song that hasn't hit the chorus. You have your whole life ahead of you. When you learn to create new thoughts, those thoughts lead to actions, and those actions lead to new results. Are you ready to tap into the superpower of mindset? Just hit play.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Parenting, Psychology, Leadership, Childrens

192 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2022

About the author

Jon Acuff is the New York Times Bestselling author of eight books, including Soundtracks, Your New Playlist, and the Wall Street Journal #1 bestseller Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done.

When he’s not writing or recording his popular podcast, All It Takes Is a Goal, Acuff can be found on a stage, as one of INC's Top 100 Leadership Speakers. He's spoken to hundreds of thousands of people at conferences, colleges and companies around the world including FedEx, Nissan, Microsoft, Lockheed Martin, Chick-fil-A, Nokia and Comedy Central.

For over 20 years he's also helped some of the biggest brands tell their story, including The Home Depot, Bose, Staples, and the Dave Ramsey Team.

Jon lives outside of Nashville, TN with his wife Jenny and two teenage daughters.

Reviews

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book lots, and I read it with my class, which was really fun! I think all teenagers should read this book to learn how to keep good thoughts in your head and keep the bad ones out! I would recommend this book to anyone struggling with life, and anyone who wants to learn how to help your brain think good things!

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently read Jon Acuff’s book “Soundtracks” and it has helped me tremendously with my own “adult” overthinking . I was so excited to see this version for my teenage daughters. I have one daughter that is a freshman in high school and one that just started in middle school and I am excited to share this with them once released (currently on pre order and reading advanced copy - see Jon Acuff’s social media if you want in). In reading this book ahead of release, there are so many things that I hear my daughters saying that are similar to thoughts in the book. I know this will relate to their lives and help guide them in their thoughts so that broken soundtracks will not dominate their future. I’m excited to share this with them. The Acuff family has come together on this and you can see the power of Jon’s influence on his own children’s lives by reading through this book. I highly recommend parents purchasing this book for their teens.
It is a very easy read and written at a level where teenagers will enjoy it. Plenty of humor and great examples that will relate to their lives. I also recommend parents read Jon’s book “Soundtracks” prior to reading this book.

[Adam Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

About a year ago I thoroughly enjoyed and benefited from reading Jon Acuff's Soundtracks: The Surprising Solution to Overthinking. When I heard that Acuff was co-authoring a new book with his teenage daughters repackaging the general concepts in Soundtracks for a teenage audience I perked up, as I know my own teen daughter could really benefit from this - and it's more likely that I could get her to read this book specifically targeting teens (and co-authored by 2 teens) than the original Soundtracks.

I was surprised to find that this book was mainly written by 19 year old L.E. Acuff & 16 year old McRae Acuff (Jon assisted with the editing & contributed the foreword & afterword), and I think they did a fine job of adapting the ideas of their father's 2021 book for a teen reader. Since it's been a year since I read Soundtracks some of the ideas had faded from memory, and I felt like reading Your New Playlist was a refreshing reminder of the helpful concepts I'd learned previously.

To say that this is a book about the power of positive thinking would be an oversimplified & hackneyed take. It's easy to tritely tell someone to be more positive, or to "think happy thoughts", but it's harder to teach someone to identify and take captive the harmful thoughts - thoughts which, on the surface, you might not even realize are harmful - and to disregard them in favor of thoughts that are simultaneously true, helpful, and kind. L.E. & McRae Acuff speak to the hearts of teens (and their parents who read the book) & help them learn how to do this, giving real-life examples of how this works. The apple has not fallen far from the tree - the girls' writing is conversational and it's as entertaining as it is enlightening - much like their father's writing.

Overthinking & obsessing over negative thoughts is a fairly common problem for teens and adults alike, and as such I think that Your New Playlist is a great book for teens to read - and for parents to read along with their teens. If you're not a parent, or if your kids are grown, you'd likely benefit more from reading Soundtracks.

DISCLOSURE: As part of the advance team I was able to read an advance digital copy via NetGalley, but I received no compensation for my review - one of the requirements to even be on the advance team was to show proof of purchase on a preorder of the paperback. My reviews are not bought and paid for ;)

[Evan Shaw-Mumford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book about overthinking. “What if your thoughts could work for you, not against you?” Authors McRae and L.E. Acuff take turns sharing studies, ways overthinking can get you stuck, and methods we can use to create a healthier mindset. The book is honest, it’s funny, there are a lot of great takeaways, and the chapters are well paced. My favorite takeaway was ‘The Dial and the Switch,’ and their dad’s bonus chapter “6 Things Parents Never Tell You” is heartwarming.

This is a great read for high school and college students, and those who are fortunate to work with that demographic. It’ll help you realize that you are not alone in your overthinking and there are ways to effectively navigate though the negative thoughts our minds can throw our way.

[M. Boyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked the concept of this book, that our thoughts play on repeat in our minds and that we need to rewrite the "broken soundtracks" that aren't true, helpful, or kind. Being the student edition of this book, it was a very simple, quick read. My family read it together and it launched many discussions about how our mindset affects our ability to persevere and achieve goals (or face rejection with more confidence!). I recommend "Your New Playlist" for teens and young adults, and now I'd be very interested in reading the original edition, "Soundtracks."

[Grady Camp · Rating 5 out of 5]

if i had to describe this book with 3 adjectives and 3 adverbs, it would be this:

“very good, very short, very funny”

i finished reading in one day and had a pleasant time throughout.

if in high school, you should read, especially if you like harry potter

if in college, you should read, regardless of your love for harry potter

[Carol Marks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic short read for teens and adults alike. Already implementing these questions with my 10-year-old to filter her thoughts through:
- is it true?
- is it helpful?
- is it kind?
Our negative thoughts/soundtrack often seem real because they sound like our own voice, but they are not and just like an annoying song stuck in your head, you have to intentionally choose another soundtrack to play in your mind.

[J Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

With humor and conversational tone, the Acuff family’s teen version of Jon’s Soundtracks is a great tool for any teenager. LE and McRae unpack how teens repeat “soundtracks” to themselves which keep them from truly growing and exploring the person they are becoming. Simple ideas like “I can’t do math” become self-fulfilling prophecies, but those ideas can be changed by “turning down the dial” and replacing them with new soundtracks.

The principle is great for everyone, but this book really plays to its teenage audience by using examples from the girls’ lives as well as that of those teens who shared their thoughts. What’s most helpful are the practical solutions for changing your playlist: asking the right questions, flipping the song, and writing new playlists are all explained in a tangible and applicable way.

Chapters are short and several encourage readers to take action like writing notes, making lists, or finding physical objects to remind them of their new soundtracks. It’s easily readable for a busy teen. It would also make a great discussion for a book group (with or without adult facilitators).

The only thing the book is really missing is the outsider kid. The Acuff girls come across as atheistic, friendly kids who have great family support - which is awesome! The book lacks examples for the kids who literally don’t have friend groups, participate in sports, pass their classes, or even those whose harmful soundtracks may have been written by bad family situations. These kids can ABSOLUTELY benefit from this book, but it will be tough to find examples to which they can relate in it and they might feel even more discouraged.

I’ll be buying copies to give as gifts to my own teenager as well as my nieces.

(After pre-ordering my copy of the book, I was given the opportunity to read an online version before the release date. The idea in this review are completely my own.)

[Jessica Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book I wish I could have read as a teenager, it would have prevented some heartache and bad habits. Now I am a mom with tweens, this is the book our kids need and I'm grateful to read it and have them read it too. I love the relatable (and often hilarious) stories and practical tips to navigate daily life. Thank you to the Acuff family for writing "Your New Playlist" - I will be recommending it to everyone that has kids or works with teens - teachers, youth leaders, parents, grandparents - so many ah-ha moments. I've been using the JEEPS acronym from the Turn-Down techniques! Jon Acuff's book, Soundtracks, truly changed my life and I was thrilled to get an advanced copy of this book specifically for teens written with his daughters.

p.s. Even if your teen doesn't want to read it, you should read it and get a glimpse into what they are really thinking. And slide in a $20 bookmark! Great graduation gift!

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book may have been written by young people, for young people, but I needed to read this just as much! That said, I'll gladly bribe my child to read it too (just following suggestions). The new soundtracks they offered are simple and helpful. I know Jon wrote a "grown up" version, which I will be reading next!

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this very inspiring book by Jon Acuff and his daughters. If you have a teenager, this is a MUST buy. I gained so much from this book. I plan to read again & again!! Can’t wait for my kids to read it too.

[vana ★ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

thank you jenna, my small group leader, for this book. it felt good to have people that were my age to give me advice bc when it’s an adult or my mom or someone else the inner monologue starts coming in like “you don’t know what i go through”

[Shauna Rumbaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Your New Playlist covers the mindset strategies Jon Acuff discussed in his previous book Soundtracks. With his daughters, L.E. and McRae, he expands on principles of overcoming overthinking and directs the material to a younger audience. Throughout the book, L.E. and McRae each write in a conversational style, providing real-life examples from their own lives and sharing their perspectives on situations at home and school to highlight how adjusting their mindsets—or soundtracks—improved their outlook and helped them achieve their goals.

Younger readers will be able to relate to their struggles with math, trying out for athletic teams, and relationships. They candidly share their struggles and their successes as they talk about how they reshaped negative, destructive self-talk into constructive soundtracks. The book’s playlist includes seven soundtracks that readers can start applying immediately, such as I’m Capable of More Than I Think and Be Brave Enough to Be Bad at Something New. The authors also provide suggestions for creating your own playlist of positive soundtracks.

Teens and even adults who struggle with overthinking and find themselves regularly getting caught in a downward spiral of repetitive negative thoughts and self-criticism will find good information here. I recommend this book and plan to share it with my own teen daughter.

[jo ୨୧ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the father daughter writing aspect. Really interesting/insightful book! While I couldn't get anything out of everything, I did find some points really good!

[•becca• · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great! This book should help a lot!!

[Jill Udey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kid version of Soundtracks. Planning to have our kids read this! So so so good.

[Michael Gowin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the student’s version of Jon Acuff’s excellent “Soundtracks.” It was insightful to see the topic adapted for young adults—and fun to hear the audiobook read by Jon’s daughters.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a pre-read for my high schooler, and it was a awesome. I read Soundtracks last year and was excited to hear that there was a follow-up for teens. Very helpful, practical advice for positive mindset.

[Samantha_D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read if you work with young people or have them in your life period. It really shows what they’re dealing with, from their side of things. Even as an adult, I found it encouraging!

[Adrian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book on the power of mindset, specifically written for older teens. The audio book is narrated by two teenagers and although I liked the concept of that, it wasn’t the best narrated book.

[Photios Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this Book if:
- You have a teenager or ‘tween in your house
- You have a persistent inner voice of self-doubt, regardless of your age
- You like finishing a book in a day
- You could use simple, quick, actionable tips for navigating self-doubt

Synopsis
Jon Acuff and his two high school-age daughters share tips on how high schoolers can identify and overcome their inner “broken soundtrack,” that stubborn voice telling them they’re not good enough, popular enough, rich enough, or smart enough.

This Book is for Everyone
I read this book to help my 11-year-old transition into his teenage years, but I found its lessons just as practical for adult life. Your New Playlist underscores what mindfulness practitioners know — overcoming your inner self-doubt requires first being aware of the doubts and observing them dispassionately. As you get better at recognizing these “soundtracks,” you can replace them with a “new playlist” grounded in optimism, pragmatism, and encouragement.

My 8-year-old daughter, who is too young to read the whole book, enjoyed the call-outs in each chapter that capture each key lesson. She made artwork featuring those lessons and now hangs them on her wall.

We’ll encourage my 11-year-old to read the book when he returns from sleepaway camp.

Your New Playlist is an Actionable Guide
Acuff and his daughters offer the reader actionable tips for navigating self-doubt, such as:

- Fear Gets a Voice, Not a Vote
- Be Brave Enough to be Bad at Something New
- Fear Doesn’t Get to Choose Your Actions or Adventures

There are many more tips, some more resonant for me than others. I enjoyed the contributions for Acuff’s daughters, who give it the authenticity of real teenagers opening up about their struggles with doubt and the mental prompts they used to work through them.

⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
Your New Playlist is a quick, breezy, useful guide for spotting the broken soundtrack in your mind and minimizing its role in your day-to-day life. It is akin to a creative, extended version of a high-school essay, written with a Dad with a fun sense of humor. Few readers wouldn’t benefit from being reminded that fear gets a voice, but not a vote in life. Your New Playlist is that reminder.

[Rachel Kuehn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very practical. All of it can easily be applied right away. Each chapter is short and takes on a bite sized concept with a related action step. Very accessible to Gen. Z audience with a lot of cultural references, ie: “the story you tell yourself about yourself is the story you’ll hear more than any other in your entire life. Even more than Harry Potter”. (I read my daughter that line. She laughed. And then was on me to finish up reading this so she could read the book)

One critique: both authors are girls. I think it would all be applicable and accessible to teenage boys, but I wish they would have had a teenage boy a part of the writing team. Jon Acuff’s influence is throughout the book, but the examples and the voices are all the daughters’, and so I would be a like bit more hesitant to recommend it to a teenage boy…But that said, I’d be curious to hear the opinion from a boy who has read it.

I also think many of the concepts in it could save kids years of counseling if they actually take them to heart and put them into practice. Understanding the concept of a “dial” of slow change and lessening of bad soundtracks/habits rather than trying to find the right switch/magic bullet. Or asking ourself if what we’re telling ourselves is “true, helpful, kind?”. And then several chapters on soundtracks/phrases we all should be telling ourselves daily.

I’m excited to dig deeper with the book Soundtracks, but this one was short, easily read, fun and applicable, and seemed a great accessible summary of the main points and ideas most relevant to any child old enough to begin having louder internal thoughts and processing of life and their experiences.

Lastly, I do think it will be very applicable for my 12 year old daughter. Some of the cultural references she’s not going to understand because she isn’t old enough to watch or experience them (Stranger Things, Social Media and memes). Also, some of the examples won’t apply yet because she hasn’t dealt with high school level courses, Team try outs, dating, etc, but I think she’ll still gain from the concepts and be able to adjust and apply it to her specific context

[Brad Hough · Rating 5 out of 5]

5.0 // Fantastic. Short and sweet, this pared-down version of John Acuff’s book Soundtracks is geared specifically for teenagers, and it makes the transition perfectly, in my opinion. It keeps the essentials, breaks them up so that the chapters are shorter, and manages to do it in a way that doesn’t feel like it panders to the younger target audience. I anticipated that this might feel like a cash-grab, but Your New Playlist honestly does what it says it set out to accomplish. Much of this is because Acuff’s daughters, L.E. and McRae, were co-authors. They narrate the audiobook (only about 3 hours long), which I highly recommend, and they bring fresh relevance to the topic of overthinking and its solutions for teenagers. I also laughed out loud several times.

In part because of its brevity and in part because it’s geared towards teens, one of my main caveats when recommending Soundtracks no longer applies: the focus on “success” as the highest purpose for changing one’s soundtracks. There is little mention of rest in Your New Playlist, but I was encouraged that there was no touting of how these new soundtracks would make you get into that college and get a great job and make you a lot of money. Teens have too many voices lauding those as the Most Important Thing these days.

For Christian parents and teens (those with whom I work most frequently), I would counsel to frame any affirmations in terms of what God says is true of us (or not true of us) versus what we ourselves decide is true and/or the lies we believe about ourselves. So many of our broken soundtracks are just lies that God would have us reject. L.E. and McRae helpfully acknowledge that our feelings are not always reliable, but this is not a Christian living book, and so of course they aren’t seeking to root their argument in an explicitly Christian worldview (though I believe they are Christians).

All that said, I am eager to recommend this book to teens and parents alike.

[Dean Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a long-time fan of Jon Acuff. I read his book "Soundtracks" and realized how much baggage I have created over the years for myself that I keep lugging around and didn't really even realize I was being weighted down by it as much as I was. "Soundtracks" really helped me gain insight into how I could change my mindset and get out of nasty patterns of self-talk (obvious or not) and really reverse the idea to make it more of a superpower for good thoughts...leading to better actions. After I read it, I sent an email to Jon asking if he had planned to write a kid's version because my kids were struggling (like all kids do at one point or another), one in particular, and I knew this concept could help - for sure- but they were really not going to listen to me (if we're all being honest here parents). I think the fact that Jon wrote this with his two daughters, L.E. & McRae, will have a big impact on my kids. L.E. and McRae are writers, no doubt. It was written from a kid's perspective and they are hilarious. A few memorable lines I read were... "Fear gets a voice, not a vote", "Broken soundtracks don't fight fair, and neither will we.", "meet sized fears (which sounds like I am afraid of hamburgers)". It is written in a way that is insightful, funny, kind, respectful, exciting, honest, and practical. It doesn't complicate and I think my kids will love it and relate to it a lot better than they will to me. Since I know the concept from Jon's book (I highly recommend Jon's book too) I can help guide my kids with it instead of lecturing them about it. This book would be good for preteens, tweens, teens and 20-somethings (there really isn't an age limit...it's a goodread). I really enjoyed reading it myself.

[Bobby Pugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine being given a book as a teen that could help you understand some of the science behind the way our minds work while also giving you practical tools you can use to overcome overthinking and negative self-talk. What if you really could improve the way you think? What if you learned how to harness the power of your mind from a young age to work for you and not against you? What if you could radically transform your mindset so that you could treat yourself with kindness while still being brave to tackle the daily challenges of life?

Whether you’re eight or you’re 80, this book can have an impact on your life and your mindset. It’s an honest look for teens and adults into the struggles that we all face at some point in our lives and how we can in spite of the obstacles use these simple tools to better shape how we think.

Surprisingly for a book to do all that you would think it would be a hard read, but quite the opposite. The book outlines three easy questions to help you identify and replace the broken soundtracks that are so prevalent in our minds. These repetitive thoughts that steal our joy, rob us of our productivity and hold us back from achieving goals that we value have far too strong of a hold on too many teens and adults today.

Too many of us from a young age ignored or were unaware of just how devastating a damaging mindset could be. Do yourself, your kids and your kids kids a favor and help them break the cycle. As an adult, you should read this first so you’ll be prepared to discuss it with and encourage your teen. It’s honest, authentic and I think it will have a major impact for those who not just read the book but put this tools into practice.

[Ankia Von · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heirloom: a valuable object that has been given by older members of a family to younger members of the same family over many years. This book will without a doubt become one of the most gifted books from parents to teenagers. If ever such a thing can happen, the legacy it leaves will become the very heirloom that transcends generations.

13 September 2022 marks the day that the most powerful parenting tool I have ever laid my hands or eyes on, was launched. Your New Playlist is a book for teenagers, written by teenagers. Even the funky cover was voted for by teenagers across the world. The book reveals the everyday truths our teens believe; the broken soundtracks that they play about themselves. Using real teenage lingo L.E. and McRae Acuff presents ideas on how to create new soundtracks in a very honest and humoristic way that resonates with all teens.

The plans they present are simple (McRae’s “I do brave things” symbol, chapter 9), and yet so profound that, as a parent, I was sometimes stunned at how such a small change in mindset could have altered my own broken soundtracks. How it could literally have changed the paths I chose in life. The book was edited by their dad, New York Times Bestselling Author Jon Acuff, who also wrote the last chapter who had me in tears with 6 truths that every parent carries with them.

Thanks, McRae, L.E. and Jon for this book to help my children create a new playlist for every broken one they encounter. “Broken soundtracks erase past success and promise future failure.” (L.E. chapter 22). So go ahead, get this book and help your children and grandchildren to change their tune and create a new playlist.

[Stephanie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s rare for a book to qualify for the “Everyone Should Read This” sticker in its target demographic. Your New Playlist: The Student’s Guide to Tapping into the Power of Mindset does. A gold star read for every (yes, every) teen. Why? Nothing influences a person’s life more than their thoughts.

Given the physiological changes during adolescence, teens who read and apply this information will be hiring a “baggage bouncer” for life: practices which will throw out existing mental baggage and kick out new mindsets swaggering or sidling into the thoughts club that are only there to beat up people.

After decades of young people being crippled by popular parenting methods and social messages which implied self-esteem resulted from external forces, it’s exciting to see teens equipped to take ownership of their well-being.

Explaining a crucial core concept through the switch and dial metaphor empowers readers with an easy way to recall “Ah, this is what’s happening” and choose an appropriate response. The three key questions are memory friendly and enable someone to assess their thinking efficiently and not get drug into the alleyway of rumination.

I love the blend of research-informed data and personal stories. Oh, and the humor keeps it upbeat and enjoyable. The positivity isn’t melt-in-the-heat-of-real-life fluff. It’s mold-in-the-heat-of-real-life stuff. And the best part? The practices are truly life-long. They won’t age out and no longer apply. Instead, like great investments, the earnings will compound and produce huge payoffs.

If you have, know, work with, hire, or encounter an adolescent, gift them this transformative volume!

[Melody Dalgleish · Rating 5 out of 5]

There have been a handful of books that I have finished reading and thought, "I wish I had read this before I __________________" Things like; before I got married, before I had kids, before I took that job, etc. But this book is one you might just wish you had read before, well...anything.

As a follow-up to Jon Acuff's best-selling book, Soundtracks, he and his two daughters have written a version of that book specifically for teenagers and young adults. Acuff's two daughters mainly author the book; he edits and provides an introduction and the wrap-up at the end. The girls, one a college freshman and the other a high-school junior, write an excellent handbook for changing the thought patterns that constantly run through our minds to be positive and empowering rather than negative and debilitating. And they do it with engaging stories and humor that made me want to lean in and learn more.

I was so impressed by the writing and content of this book that I had my 17-year-old son and my 21-year-old daughter listen to the audiobook with me in the car. Both had moments where they laughed out loud, and my son asked to listen to the rest of the book because, as he says, "That's one book I can actually learn something from."

So yes, I highly recommend that everyone read this book. But I especially want to encourage parents to read it themselves before giving it to their kids so they can have some really good conversations about the concepts and principles shared in the book. And if I were still leading my group of preteens and middle-schoolers, I would 100 percent be using this book as a group study!

[Joy Erickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing.

I am personally a huge Jon Acuff fan. I have read all of his books and been personally encouraged and challenged by all of them. His book Soudtracks was no different and when I heard that he and his daughters had written a version for teens I was THRILLED.

This book is as I said above AMAZING. Thinking back to myself as a high schooler it is something I so could have used. L.E. and McRae hit it out of the park with their wisdom and encouragement. Their personal stories are so relevant and they present it well. I also am a fan of the slipped in dad jokes by Jon.

McRae’s JEEPS acronym was one of the first things that stuck out to me. I will not spoil it for anyone but it is such a simple and profound thing. I loved L.E.‘s portion about symbols without spoiling it for everyone it was something I have/had done for years without even really knowing I was.

Overall, I am so excited for my kids to read this book. To talk it over with them and to together as a family change our mindsets and get stronger together. I cannot wait to see my kids in a few years after practicing things like this they have a big “cheat code” for life now.

Thank you Acuff family. You have blessed mine in more ways than one. And a big shout out to Jenny who I just know is behind the scenes truly making it all happen. You have raised som tremendous kids and we are all so blessed.

[MBNA America · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last year I read Jon Acuff’s book “Soundtracks,” and I’m not exaggerating when I say it changed my life. We all overthink, and that book took a problem I had with overthinking and changed it into a real benefit for me. I had never read a book like it before, full of practical help that makes a difference almost immediately.

And then, because I’m a teacher, I desperately wished there was a version of the book for teenagers. Teenagers might just overthink things more than adults do, and I wanted the ideas of the “Soundtracks” book but written by and for teenagers, specifically.

With the book “Your New Playlist,” my wish was granted. And I couldn’t be more excited for teens to get their hands on this book.

Written by Jon Acuff’s two teenage daughters (with some help from their dad), this book takes the life-changing concepts from “Soundtracks” and puts them into the language and context of teenagers. It’s an incredibly valuable resource that, I believe, will eventually be used in some schools to help teens change the soundtracks of their negative thoughts and turn down their dials when things get overwhelming. If you’re a teacher, parent, or friend of a teenager, or if you’re a teen yourself, this is a book you need to read. I really believe that you’ll like the sounds of the new soundtracks you’ll soon be listening to.