The Mindfulness Book Club is a simple, human-centered initiative designed for the natural rhythms of a film set. During technical setups, actors often have downtime; during takes, some crew members do too. Instead of those moments being filled only with phones, Manfred curates a small, rotating library of mindfulness books that cast and crew can access right on set — a quiet invitation to pause, reflect, and recharge.

The collection features accessible, impactful works by authors such as Thich Nhat Hanh, Brené Brown, Robin Sharma, Deepak Chopra, and Eckhart Tolle. The intention is practical: offer meaningful reads that help deepen understanding of mindfulness and support emotional balance during the intensity of production.

There’s also something special about physical books. They invite presence and spark connection. It’s generally considered intrusive to look at someone’s phone or tablet, but it’s perfectly natural to ask, “What are you reading?” That small social opening turns a private moment into a shared one — creating conversation, curiosity, and a culture of mindful connection on set.