praise for

FIELD NOTES FROM LIFE

  • “Field Notes from Life examines the traumas of life in a raw and honest way and shows how you can come to the other side—knowing you are worthy, not alone, and no longer on the outside looking in. Field Notes will move you. I highly recommend it.”

    — Everett Stone, Ph.D.

  • “In Field Notes From Life, the author traces his path from trauma to peace with honesty and clarity. At times difficult, this story offers something rare—a way through addiction, painful relationships, and the patterns that keep us stuck. With thoughtful reflections throughout, it invites readers to look at their own lives with honesty, assemble their own team of supporters, and consider what might be possible on the other side.

    — Jocelyn Ring, Creator of "The Ring Effect"
    A masterclass in executive leadership

  • “Well-written, smooth, and in an easy style, Mike’s story shows what happens when we ignore trauma—scar tissue grows that eventually needs to be cut away. Raw, filled with emotion, and even funny, Field Notes from Life is a must-read for anyone who wants not just to survive life but to thrive.”

    — Grant Phillips

  • “This book is a great gift to the world.”

    — James Harrah, Musician

  • "Field Notes from Life is the book I didn't know I needed. Mike offers the wisdom of a survivor who has walked through Hell and come out stronger and a better person because of it. He writes not from the perspective of an expert who tells you what you need to change in your life. There are plenty of other books for that. What Field Notes offers, instead, is the rawness of the human experience we can all relate to and the reflections of a generous man who nudges readers to consider what we can change and improve in our own lives. Reading this book and engaging with it is a transformative experience."

    — Heidi Scott Guisto, Ph.D.

  • “Mike Yost is a wonderful human being, his story of a journey from trauma to peace is an honest reflection of realizing one's current untenable situation needs modification. Mike's enthusiasm for experimentation has allowed him to build skills to live a centered life, at peace with nature and humanity. His story resonated with me, I felt a kinship with a fellow traveler that has wandered rocky paths and found a beautiful vista on the other side.

    — Jessica Momb, Ph.D.

  • "As an award-winning academic and scientist, Dr. Michael Yost’s career connects science and discovery to human needs and frailties. Drawing on his unique perspective, Dr. Yost overlays his story of trauma and triumph, inviting the reader to connect their own experience to a deeply personal narrative that intuitively weaves together the intellectual endeavor of behavioral analysis and the internal, profoundly human process of coping with suffering and finding hope through recovery."

    — Naomi Lett

  • "It's a book not just for those who love the outdoors, but for anyone looking to benefit from the experiences and lessons of a gifted teacher."

    — Michael Powell

  • “Field Notes from Life is honest, humble, and insightful. It explores how far away we can get from the peace we really crave in life—and it offers a model of how to return. A powerful read.”

    — Lesley S. Curtis, Ph.D, Sagely

  • "Mike presents an honest and vulnerable personal account of his journey taking the reader from storm and darkness through introspection, curiosity and finally finding peace - enticing the reader to pause and consider one's life as an outside observer. As nonscientists, we appreciated this approach that prompted good conversation."

    — Pat and Deb Sammon

  • "Field Notes from Life is the kind of book you don't want to put down. Mike has a gift for telling his story in a way that somehow becomes your story too, opening your eyes to your own life journey and helping you better understand those you love."

    — Elle Jackson

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