Deep Thoughts From The Shallow End: Sample the book, explore bonus content

Find clarity, purpose and meaning in everyday life 

Before we can teach, we must learn. Before we can grow, we must reflect. Deep Thoughts from the Shallow End is an invitation to challenge the way you think about life, success, relationships, and the legacies we leave behind. Through personal stories, humor, and unfiltered honesty, Alan Hoffler explores the deep truths hidden in the ordinary.

📖 Curious? Scroll down to sample excerpts and discover behind-the-scenes insights.
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Cover image for Alan Hoffler's Deep Thoughts From The Shallow End book, released in 2025

 

▶️ Watch: Alan Hoffler on the Inspiration Behind His Latest Book

 

 

📖 Excerpts: Deep Thoughts from the Shallow End

Life’s biggest lessons don’t always come from profound moments—they’re often found in the everyday. Below are a few snippets from Deep Thoughts from the Shallow End—short, thought-provoking reflections on relationships, time, faith, and what truly matters.

Swipe through these excerpts and see where they take you.

Snippet from Deep Thoughts From The Shallow End: "We can't see things for what they are."

You can’t read the label from inside the can

“We are the world’s worst judge of ourselves.” We can’t see ourselves the way others do—our intentions don’t always match reality. Read this excerpt from Deep Thoughts from the Shallow End by Alan Hoffler.

Snippet from Deep Thoughts From The Shallow End: "Good relationships can power through observations"

We broke up

“Good relationships can handle observations and grow from them.” A speech tic ended one relationship and strengthened another. Read this thought-provoking excerpt from Deep Thoughts from the Shallow End by Alan Hoffler.

 📖 Extras: More Thoughts from the Shallow End

Additional reflections from Alan Hoffler—new thoughts, fresh stories, and additional insights related to speaking, communication and themes discussed in his book, Deep Thoughts From the Shallow End.

Scroll through these extra thoughts and see what sparks your curiosity.

Always On YouTube Thumbnail

Always On

  Video Transcript:   In the video that won't age well, it's three weeks from today that I'll drop my youngest child off on the steps of a dormitory. It's bittersweet. I'm super proud of her, but I'm going to miss her. As a dad, I'm pondering in my mind -...
SpeakerChat 09: Becoming Comfortable With the Uncomfortable

Becoming Comfortable With the Uncomfortable

  Video Transcript   Probably the greatest barrier for a speaker to overcome is the internal voice inside their head. We joke in our workshops that it's the little voice on our shoulder. Often it sounds like one of our parents, or maybe an early teacher, or...
The Importance of Video

The Importance of Video

  Video Transcript   Due to the pandemic quarantines, live audiences have kind of been on hold for awhile. I've gotten very comfortable at looking at this video set up that we've got doing zoom recordings. Last week, I had one of my very first live...
How Do I Get My Audience To Remember?

How Do I Get My Audience To Remember?

  Video Transcript   One of my favorite questions, which I shamelessly stole from Joe Ehrmann in my work with youth sports is the question, “What's your definition of success?” As that applies to speaking or communicating, I've adopted this definition -...
How do I make eye contact in an online meeting?

How do I make Eye Contact in an online meeting?

  Video Transcript:   I was asked recently in an online seminar, “what's the most difficult thing you've had to adjust to in the new online world?”   The answer was easy. The most difficult thing for most of us to do is to change a habit. That's the...
Find your one thing and have a repeatable message

Find Your One Thing and Have a Repeatable Message

  Video Transcript:   When experts come to me after being asked to speak or to teach about what they're an expert in, they often have the feeling, “how on earth am I going to fill a whole hour?”   I just laugh at them. You're an expert, you've got...
How can you make me a more confident speaker?

Can you make me a more CONFIDENT Speaker?

  Video Transcript:   It's the most common inquiry we get here at MillsWyck Communications, a weekly occurrence by phone or email.   “Hey, can you make me a more confident speaker? I get really nervous when I have to speak.”   Before we give them...
How to write effective emails that get results video

Write Effective Emails That Get Results

    Video Transcript:   In my dealings with people in the business world. I have never, not once, heard anybody say, “Oh, I wish I just got more emails” or, “Oh, if that email had been just a little bit longer it would've made it so much more...
Virtual Presenting: Camera Selection

Virtual Presenting: Camera Selection

  Video Transcript:   When I advise friends and clients about their online setup as they transition to their home studios and online world, my reputation for being cheap comes into play. My usual advice is that you don't need to spend really any money to...
Virtual Presenting: Lighting

Virtual Presenting: Lighting

  Video Transcript:   As we transitioned to this new online world of zoom meetings and online videos, I get asked a lot about the equipment that I use to create this studio look, which is far from a studio.    What I tell most people is right out of the...

Get your Deep Thoughts discussion guide here

Deep Thoughts from the Shallow End was never meant to be read and forgotten. It was written to challenge the way we think, live, and interact with the world. Each chapter explores different themes— relationships, time, habits, purpose, faith, and beyond—inviting us to wrestle with the ideas that shape our daily lives.

The questions in this guide are here to spark meaningful discussions, push you toward self-reflection, and inspire action. Sign up for your copy now!