---
title: Build a curated list
sidebarTitle: Build a curated list
description: >-
  Turn your favourite books, podcasts, teachers and places into a themed list
  your community comes back to.
audience: luminary
feature: recommendations
type: guide
availability: live
last_verified: '2026-10-13'
keywords:
  - reading list
  - resource list
  - curated list
  - book list
  - podcast list
  - referral directory
  - favorite things
url: >-
  https://help.bringsoul.life/luminaries/audience/recommendations/build-a-curated-list
---

# Build a curated list

> Turn your favourite books, podcasts, teachers and places into a themed list your community comes back to.

You'll end up with a set of recommendations around one theme, such as _"Books that changed how I grieve"_ or _"Teachers I trust"_, showing together on your portal.

## When to use this

- People keep asking you for the same resources.
- You want a starter kit for new clients or members.
- You refer clients on to other practitioners and want a list you can point to.
- You want something useful on your portal before you've built your own offerings.

## Plan the list

Pick a theme and a size. Five to ten good picks beat thirty links. A few list ideas:

| List                          | Types to use              |
| ----------------------------- | ------------------------- |
| Books for a hard season       | Book                      |
| Podcasts for the commute      | Podcast                   |
| Practitioners I refer to      | Practitioner              |
| Places to retreat             | Retreat Center, Place     |
| Daily practices to start with | Practice, Activity, Video |
| What to read before our work  | Article, Book             |

## Build it

**Step 1: Add the first one**

Go to [Audience → Recommendations](https://portal.bringsoul.life/recommendations), click Add
Recommendation and fill in the window. See [Add a
recommendation](https://help.bringsoul.life/luminaries/audience/recommendations/add-a-recommendation) for each field.

**Step 2: Give every pick a reason**

In each Description, name the theme and why this one belongs, for example *"For when the grief
is still raw: short chapters, gentle tone."* Members read the cards side by side, so the notes
are what tie the list together.

**Step 3: Keep types consistent**

Use the same Type for like things. On your Recommendations list, the type filters (All, Book,
Podcast…) then show one shelf at a time.

**Step 4: Add the rest**

Repeat for each pick. In your dashboard list, the newest recommendation appears first.

**Step 5: Put it on your portal**

Turn on the Recommendations section in [My Portal →
Design](https://portal.bringsoul.life/portal). See [Show recommendations on your
portal](https://help.bringsoul.life/luminaries/audience/recommendations/show-recommendations-on-your-portal).

**Step 6: Tell people**

Share the link to your portal's Recommendations page, or [send an
announcement](https://help.bringsoul.life/luminaries/audience/announcements) introducing the list.

## Faster with Soul AI

[Soul AI](https://help.bringsoul.life/luminaries/soul-ai) can add a whole list in one conversation. Give it the titles and why you love each, for example:

_"Add three book recommendations: Daring Greatly, because it gave me words for shame; The Body Keeps the Score, for anyone curious about trauma; and Braiding Sweetgrass, for slowing down."_

You'll confirm each recommendation before it's created. Have an image for each ready, or ask Soul AI to pick one from the built-in image gallery.

## Tips

- Your portal shows one Recommendations section, not one per theme. If you keep several themes, start each Description with the theme so members can tell them apart, or keep the strongest theme public and the rest [for members only](https://help.bringsoul.life/luminaries/audience/recommendations/members-only-recommendations).
- Refresh the list now and then. Delete links that no longer work and add what you're excited about now.
- Recommending another Luminary on Soul? Use the Practitioner type and link to their portal.

## Related

- [Add a recommendation](https://help.bringsoul.life/luminaries/audience/recommendations/add-a-recommendation): 
Every field, step by step.

- [Show them on your portal](https://help.bringsoul.life/luminaries/audience/recommendations/show-recommendations-on-your-portal): 
Turn on and place the section.

- [Move them into your Content Library](https://help.bringsoul.life/luminaries/audience/recommendations/move-to-content-library): 
If a list would work better as a collection.

- [Recommendations introduction](https://help.bringsoul.life/luminaries/audience/recommendations): 
What recommendations are for.