Random thought.

Something cool.

The quote says, "You are the average of the five people you hang out with most." (“The Success Principles” by Jack Canfield with Janet Switzer)

Let's assume that to be true.

What does hanging out with actually mean? Is a both-sided interaction necessary? Or is, let's say,  hearing or reading someone else's thoughts enough?

Let's assume the latter to be true.

Based on these three premises, a prediction can be made that reading books and listening to podcasts is, in fact, shaping who you are.

Let's also mention that people who read books or podcasts are there because they are interested in the topic or what the person has to say.  Definitely, far less of our day-to-day interactions/conversations are based on a reciprocal interest. If you actually listen, you'll absorb whatever the person has to say better. More, and on a deeper level.

Hence, if you frequently read and listen, you become the sum of the things you read and listen to. I don't know if that's obvious to everyone else, but I just now realized and thought, "That's cool."