Street art installation depicting a large animal face composed of scrap materials on the corner of a weathered building with orange walls.

Culture

Calling all lovers of art, book, & music

If you're anything like me, you have that expansive, never-ending kind of taste. You crave depth, richness, and charm in everything you experience. That's what culture is all about for me – the things that move us, inspire us and make life a little more interesting.

WokenHeart Book Club

Shonda Rhimes, the brilliant woman behind Grey's Anatomy, Scandal, How to Get Away with Murder, and so many shows that have shaped our cultural conversations, was terrified. Not of writing, nor of running a media empire. But of showing up as herself.

Public speaking? No. Social events? Absolutely not. Anything that required her to step out from behind her work and be seen? Hard pass.

So when her sister challenged her with a simple observation ("You never say yes to anything"), Shonda made a decision: for one year, she would say yes to everything that scared her.

I first heard about this book years ago, but I wasn't ready for it at the time. Now, as someone who's realizing how often I don't follow through for myself, how easily I say yes to everyone else but no to the things that would actually move me forward, this book hit differently. It's about what happens when you stop hiding and start showing up, when you choose courage over comfort. When you finally say yes to the things that scare you and discover who you become on the other side.

Why I'm Recommending It:

This book isn't about becoming fearless. It's about doing it scared.

Shonda doesn't sugarcoat the discomfort or pretend that transformation is easy. She talks about the panic, the doubt, the moments where saying yes felt impossible. But she also shows what's possible when you trust that growth lives on the other side of fear.

What I love most is how honest she is about the process. This isn't a "I said yes, and everything was perfect" story. It's a "I said yes, and it was messy and uncomfortable and changed everything" story. And that feels so much more real.

If you're someone who tends to play it safe, shrink yourself to make others comfortable, or wait for permission to take up space—this book will give you the permission you've been waiting for. Not to be fearless, but to be brave anyway.

Perfect For:

  • Anyone standing at the edge of something that scares them

  • Women are ready to stop apologizing for taking up space

  • People who are tired of playing small

  • Anyone who needs a reminder that doing it scared still counts

Interior of a bookstore featuring bookshelves, a table with books, a hanging black lamp, a t-shirt with black and white artwork hanging on a rack, and a large leafy plant in the foreground. The floor has patterned tiles, and there are chalkboard signs with handwritten instructions above the bookshelves.
  • Year of Yes Book

    January 2026

    Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes

  • An illustration of a large brown question mark on a light beige background.

    Calling All Readers

    What Should We Read Next?

A group of people socializing at a lively nightclub with colorful lights and energetic atmosphere. A woman in a black dress is talking, while another person in a leather jacket is holding a drink.
White over-ear headphones with a wired connection on a light background.

WokenHeart Sounds

Person holding a "Hamilton" theater program with theater stage in the background at Victoria Palace Theatre.
Woman in gray dress standing in front of colorful abstract paintings
Pena Palace in Sintra, Portugal, featuring colorful architecture and surrounding lush green landscape. Tourists are visible on the terrace under a blue sky with few clouds.
Silver mosaic sculpture with sun motif against brick building
A painting of three people with cloths wrapped around their heads and eyes on a pink wall.
Colorful hot air balloons in the sky during a festival, with trees and distant hills in the background.
Historic stone cathedral with tall towers against a bright blue sky and scattered clouds, sunlight streaming through.
Person standing in front of a stepped pyramid on a sunny day, wearing a white top and tan pants.
A wall decorated with an eclectic mix of framed paintings, photographs, and art prints, featuring diverse subjects such as portraits, landscapes, and historical scenes. Below, a table is filled with vintage items including a typewriter, bottles, cand
Colorful mural on a building wall featuring a portrait of a person surrounded by vibrant birds, flowers, and foliage. The design includes geometric patterns and a variety of colors, creating a nature-inspired theme with a surreal and artistic style.
Orange fruits on a tree with green leaves, possibly persimmons.
Ancient, twisted olive tree with lush green leaves in a stone planter, surrounded by grass under a partly cloudy blue sky.
Stone statue of a seated woman in a classical style surrounded by lush green palm leaves.
Reclining Buddha statue with intricate patterns on walls, Wat Pho, Bangkok.
Woman posing in front of ornate Buddhist temple spires.
A person sitting on a stone ledge, surrounded by lush greenery and rocky cliffs, with a misty sky overhead. The view includes thick foliage and rugged terrain, creating a serene and natural setting.
Person on a bicycle passing through a traditional Asian-style stone gate with carvings and statues on either side, surrounded by trees and a wet stone path.
Buddhist shrine with statues and decorative elements under a tree at sunset.
Silhouette of a person in white clothing standing by a window with hanging bells and heart shapes, overlooking a cityscape at sunset.
Colorful lanterns hanging from strings at a festival, with lights illuminating the scene against a dark evening sky.
Ancient temple ruins in Ayutthaya, Thailand, featuring tall stupas and brick structures under a blue sky.
Buddha head entwined in tree roots at Wat Mahathat, Ayutthaya, Thailand.
Angkor Wat temple with palm tree at sunset, featuring stone architecture and a serene sky.
Stone statue head near a river with a small boat and lush green trees under a clear blue sky.
Night view of a modern cityscape with illuminated skyscrapers and a park in the foreground. The tallest building is lit with purple and yellow lights.
Front view of a historic post office building with a large clock and decorative architectural details.
People paddling on a narrow boat through a lush, green palm-fringed waterway, with floral hats visible in the foreground.
A woman wearing a traditional Asian conical hat sits in a boat on a river surrounded by lush greenery. She is wearing a white top and jean shorts.
Blue tourist boat on a river near lush greenery, clear sky.
Dimly lit alleyway with a "LIVE JAZZ" sign and a poster promoting a Roy Hargrove tribute session. The silhouette of a person making a peace sign gesture appears on the wall.
A dimly lit room with shelves displaying various classic jazz vinyl records. The records include "Miles & Monk at Newport," "Cannonball Adderley," and "Trane's Giant Steps." A turntable with a vinyl record is visible below the shelves. The ambiance i
Jazz club stage with musical instruments including a grand piano, double bass, and Yamaha drum set. Wooden floor and red walls create an intimate ambiance.
Woman in floral dress standing on a balcony overlooking a vineyard and mountains.
Gothic-style cathedral with twin towers, clock, cross, and arched windows.
Wooden shelves filled with potted indoor plants, arranged neatly against a plain wall; various types of greenery are displayed.
Abstract painting featuring three stylized, elongated figures in dynamic poses, with bold colors and geometric shapes. The background includes star-like motifs and a window scene, creating a sense of movement and interaction.
Woman smiling and holding a drink in a vibrant dining area with a neon "PRAD THAI" sign.

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