
Eleanor Roosevelt's timeless guide offers eleven keys to fulfillment that transcend generations. Published in 1960 yet "reads like it was written today," this beloved work has guided readers through fear, grief, and self-discovery - a grandmother's wisdom for navigating life's undiscovered countries.
Feel the book through the author's voice
Turn knowledge into engaging, example-rich insights
Capture key ideas in a flash for fast learning
Enjoy the book in a fun and engaging way
Life isn't something that happens to us - it's something we actively shape through our willingness to learn. Eleanor Roosevelt discovered this truth through decades of personal experience. Having faced extraordinary challenges - from crippling childhood fears to the pressures of public scrutiny - she developed a philosophy centered on approaching each day as an educational adventure. The essence of living well, she found, isn't about avoiding difficulties but about developing the courage to learn from them. The most valuable quality we can develop isn't intelligence or talent - it's curiosity. When we approach life with genuine wonder, every person becomes a potential teacher and every situation a learning opportunity. As a child, Roosevelt didn't just visit Venice; she absorbed its essence through wide-eyed exploration. She didn't merely tour Mount Vesuvius; she investigated it with the enthusiasm of a scientist. This approach was crystallized when her French teacher tore up a paper that merely regurgitated lecture notes, challenging her: "Why was your mind given you but to think things out for yourself?" Throughout her life, Roosevelt made a practice of drawing wisdom from everyone she met, keeping her mind perpetually elastic, growing in wisdom even as her body aged.
Break down key ideas from You Learn by Living into bite-sized takeaways to understand how innovative teams create, collaborate, and grow.
Distill You Learn by Living into rapid-fire memory cues that highlight Pixar’s principles of candor, teamwork, and creative resilience.

Experience You Learn by Living through vivid storytelling that turns Pixar’s innovation lessons into moments you’ll remember and apply.
Ask anything, pick the voice, and co-create insights that truly resonate with you.

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

Get the You Learn by Living summary as a free PDF or EPUB. Print it or read offline anytime.