If you don’t know 
Josh Shipp yet, you should.
He is the author of “The Teen’s Guide to World Domination: Advice on Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Awesomeness.”
He is also an advice columnist at Heyjosh.com, host of his own TV show and a true inspiration. AND HE’S ENTERTAINING.
I can’t tell you how many people I have shamelessly given advice books to, only to have them say they were boring and they didn’t finish them.
Well excuuuuuuuuse me, Prince William! I thought you knew the Wii controller was sold separately.
(Note to self: Look into making an advice video game)
Anyway, this book is not boring. It is hilarious. We laughed, and even teared up in places. Granted the pollen count is really high this time of the year, and the fall winds are raging. But let’s just say everyone is getting IDENTICAL CHRISTMAS PRESENTS!! (Cut to: confetti shooting out of a cannon and the ballistic audience at Oprah).
Josh talks about all the Villians holding you back in your quest to world domination and how to deal with them. Some villians include: Ghosts (fears and limitations), Ninjas (Bullies), Zombies (Negative Neds and Nancies), Robots, Pirates, Puppies and so on. When you read it, you’ll be nodding your head in agreement saying, “OMG I totally know those kind of people! And OMG they ARE holding me back!”
We could not recommend this book more.
We’d love to take up more of your time, but you’ve got a world to dominate and a book to read. And you’re in luck- we are giving away a free copy! Just send a question for our blog to stopbeingaloserblog@gmail.com. The best question wins! (Flattery helps)
Onto the interview.
1 What made you want to write this book? Or as a smart person might say, what was the catalyst?
Hey Sweetie! I got you a cool book to read...!
I wanted to create a quote “self-help book for teens” that teens would actually like. Not one of those your Mom buys for you and you say “oh yeah sure I’ll read it” and then you eventually end up burning it, E-baying it, or giving it to your worst enemy.
I liked the challenge of creating a book that would actually help people but also be entertaining and interesting to read. I think you can talk about serious topics – without taking yourself too seriously.
Which leads to the title. I believe it’s not WHAT you say – it’s HOW you say it.
Option A. “The 5 pragmatic steps to becoming a successful teen” <== Makes me wanna throw up in my mouth.
Option B. “The Teen’s Guide to World Domination” <== Alright, I’ll give that a try.
2. How did you come up with the villians and world domination angle because it’s genius. We would love if your terms became common vernacular. For instance, when someone meets a bully they would roll their eyes and say “Ugh, SUCH a pirate.”
Vernacular = 7 Fancy word points. Ummm, I think it’s important to have mile markers in a book. I’m not delusional, people are busy…there is no way someone is going to memorize all 250 pages of the book. So I wanted to create something that you could easily reference in your mind when your faced with a difficult situation. The “Seven Villains Keeping You From Awesomeness” does that. Tomorrow: you interact with someone who sucks the life out of you – you know they are a Vampire and you know exactly how to deal with them.
3. What are some of your favorite books?
Since I write non-fiction, I’m a big fan of non-fiction books. Anything that has a unique angle to it, that isn’t what you’d expect. A few I really like are “Blue Like Jazz”, “Purple Cow“, and “Love is Greater Than Hate”.
4. You’re funny. Who or what makes you laugh?
Thanks. Random situations
make me laugh. Seeing people in awkward situations and not rescuing them from it makes me weep with joy. Let’s say you’re on a double date, your friend says the most awkward thing imaginable. You could rescue them…and change the subject. I prefer to sit in it, look at them lovingly, let out a “huh, interesting” and then ask follow-up questions.
That makes me laugh or maybe I’m just a jerk.
5. Extra credit question: Any advice for the teen girls of the world? I think Title IX requires we include boys too, so answer as you wish.
Indeed.
#1 – You are prettier than you think you are. Yes, you. Stop being so hard on yourself, stop comparing yourself to fake photoshopped images, and rock your own beauty and personality. That is incredibly hot.
#2 – It’s good to have role models, people you look up to. But DO NOT study their end result, study their first steps. When you study the end result- you go “oh their so awesome – no way I could be like them”
When you study their first steps, you realize they were just as freaked out, scared, insecure and unsure of their ability as you are right now.
#3 – When possible, whip your hair back and forth.
Stop Being a Loser 