"I've said before that my job-and my unique opportunity as a successful businessman-is to reach back and pull as many people out of poverty as I can. Pat has a similar mission. He wants the next generation to have it better: a better education, a better balance, better opportunities. Maybe it's because we both came from challenging circumstances, but I see that same drive in him. Notes for the Children is a great playbook for the next generation. Pat's a leader in the business community for a reason." -Wes Hall, Canadian businessman and entrepreneur, best known as a "Dragon" investor in the reality television series Dragons' Den
"This is a book about how to be wildly successful in a hugely competitive business while moving through the world with the utmost integrity, kindness, and compassion. I've read countless books filled with profound life wisdom, but I have never encountered a voice as captivating and down-to-earth as Patrick Priestner's. He is a fascinating blend of spiritual seeker, CEO billionaire, devoted husband, father, and grandfather, all rooted in a hardscrabble life and a restless rock 'n' roll angst. His unconventional and remarkably successful business and life wisdom contained in these 'Notes' was hard-earned, and his humility and integrity are unquestionable. Notes for the Children may have started off as a gift from a father and grandfather to the children he loves, but along the way, it became a gift to us all." -Gail Hudson, New York Times bestselling co-author with Jane Goodall, of The Book of Hope, A Survival Guide for Trying Times and Seeds of Hope: Wisdom and Wonder from the World of Plants
"I've always been an outspoken advocate for fearless candor, for making real connections, for active listening-and so many of the other skills that go into a healthy life and healthy relationships. We need those skills now more than ever because too many people have found themselves lost and suffering. Notes for the Children is a great read if you want to see what can happen when you choose to think and act more positively and what effect mindfulness and a healthy awareness of your inner voices can have on your life. Pat does a great job of showing us how it's done." -Dr. David Baum, organizational psychologist, consultant, coach and speaker.
"Fueled by a brave accounting of his hard-won wisdom, Pat Priestner's Notes for the Children hews closely to the divine principle that what is most personal is also most universal. An infinitely readable and powerful call to mindfulness, Notes for the Children is a scrapbook of quotes, lyrics, and teachings, interwoven with intimate reflections on life. The result is not only a compelling narrative about finding purpose, success, and compassion in one's journey, but a workbook for lifelong learners about how to live in integrity with oneself and the world at large." -Stephen Kunken, actor, known for the roles of Ari Spyros on Billions and Commander Putnam on The Handmaid's Tale
"Notes for the Children is a courageous exploration of Pat's personal struggles and triumphs. His candidness is both heart-wrenching and inspiring and creates a bond with readers who might see their own struggles mirrored. Beyond just sharing, the book is a beacon of hope, offering practical, actionable advice for reshaping one's mindset and managing emotions. It bridges the gap between raw confession and a self-help guide. Anyone seeking understanding or tools to navigate similar challenges will find this work invaluable. It's more than a book; it's a lifeline to tranquility." -Gerry Connelly, former Director of Education of the Toronto District School Board, Director of the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Branch in the Ontario Ministry of Education, and adjunct professor, York University