The Knot
Problems Can Be Solved
with Seth Godin (Narrator)
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Pub Date Sep 22 2026 | Archive Date Not set
AE Titles / S&S Audio | Simon & Schuster Audio
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Description
You’re not stuck because the problem is too hard.
You’re stuck because something invisible is holding it in place.
Most persistent problems—at work, in organizations, and in our own lives—aren’t unsolvable. We’ve tried harder. We’ve optimized. We’ve worried about it.
And nothing changes.
This is the kind of stuckness that shows up for people who lead, create, and build—for those who care deeply, think clearly, and still find themselves going in circles.
Some challenges are situations outside our control, best met with acceptance. But others are real problems, capable of being changed. The trouble is, we often can’t tell the difference.
That’s because we’re entangled.
An entanglement is a hidden commitment that creates conflict beneath the surface: wanting progress without risk, change without loss, or forward motion without letting go of who we were—or who we promised to become. When we want two incompatible things at the same time, effort doesn’t help. We stay stuck.
In The Knot, Seth Godin offers a clear, practical framework:
- How to tell the difference between problems you can solve and situations you need to accept
- How to see systems, understand what people actually want, and create conditions for change rather than simply hoping for it
- A practical guide to entanglements—time-based (sunk costs, premature optimization), social (phantom audiences, borrowed scorecards), and identity-based (who we were, who we promised to become)—each named, examined, and shown to be removable
The book leaves readers with a simple mantra for meaningful work:
Name the baggage.
Drop the baggage.
Ship the work.
If you’ve been pushing without progress, this book helps you see what’s really in the way—and finally remove it.
Available Editions
| EDITION | Audiobook, Unabridged |
| ISBN | 9781668189139 |
| PRICE | $14.99 (USD) |
| DURATION | 2 Hours, 45 Minutes |
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Buy on Audible Buy on Kobo Buy on Libro.fmAverage rating from 21 members
Featured Reviews
There's something so refreshing about a book that trusts you to just get it without over-explaining. Seth Godin's newest does exactly that. The whole idea sits on this simple, almost obvious once you hear it truth: some problems can actually be solved, and some situations just need to be accepted, and most of our stuckness comes from not knowing which one we're dealing with.
What really stuck with me was the reminder that sometimes not choosing is still a choice. I read that line and had to put the book down for a second. It's one of those small shifts in perspective that quietly rearranges how you think about the things you've been avoiding, whether that's a work decision or something way more personal.
I will say, it's a quick read and I found myself wanting a bit more meat on the bones when it comes to actually applying the concept. The first half hit harder for me than the back half, which felt like it could have gone deeper into the how instead of just the what. But even with that, the core message is strong enough to carry the whole thing. This is the kind of book you finish in an afternoon and then find yourself thinking about for weeks.
Nora M, Librarian
This book by Seth Godin is fast and furious with info: just 2 hrs and 45 minutes including an intro and appendixes. It’s a rare book that sticks to its topic without getting precious about the author’s own politics. I appreciated the “fat free”
writing style, and will definitely keep my eye on this author.
You’ll be disappointed if you’re hoping he will lead you directly to your “how to.” Instead, this is a broader picture look at who, what, and why. It’s a helpful look at how to step back from your locked mindset about a problem, and rethink it to find a new and effective approach. Excellent examples were illustrated. I found it very interesting, and have already worked through a nagging ongoing issue in my life that I’d previously found inescapable (turns out it was solvable).
The author himself narrates, and production quality is terrific. No weird gaps or repeats of sentences. I may end up purchasing a physical copy upon release, but only because I’d like to revisit certain information as needed.
Thanks to AE Titles/ S&S Audio via NetGalley for granting access to an early digital audio release upon my request.
The Knot: Problems Can Be Solved
This book was so great!
I am so glad I checked out this book.
I got a lot of actionable and valuable business and leadership knowledge from this book.
As a big problem solver myself, I found this book gave me a lot more information on how to practically solve business and strategy problems - some that I didn't even think of.
The book is filled with a lot of really solid examples of companies that Godin has researched, and I really enjoyed the way the chapters were laid out.
Being a big Godin fan for years (I have read 10+ of his books already, with Linchpin: Are You Indispensable? and This is Marketing: You Can't Be Seen Until You Learn To See being some of my favorites of his), I knew I was in for a treat!
Definitely check out this book if it sounds up your alley, and you could use some untangling!
Thanks to Netgalley for the review copy.
4.2/5
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