Claim OwnershipWhat's on Your Bookshelf?
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“What’s On Your Bookshelf” is a personal and professional growth podcast exploring the intersections of passion, potential, and purpose - featuring multi-certified coach and leadership development consultant Denise R. Russo alongside Sam Powell, Zach Elliott, Tom Schweizer, Dennis LaRue, and Michelle King.
135 Episodes
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We explore how “expect nothing, accept everything” shifts us from rumination to action, drawing on Stoic ideas, happiness research, and candid stories from work and home. The theme is simple: lower the grip of outcomes, raise ownership in the present, and move. • why hidden expectations derail progress and mood • solving the reality–expectation gap without toxic positivity • Inside Out as a model for reframing and presence • attention bias and choosing what to notice • work examples where ti...
We unpack Chapter 7—“I am relentless”—and connect mantras to motion, turning obstacles, doubt, and even well-meaning advice into fuel for consistent action. We share stories about evolving dreams, identity shifts, and practical ways to align emotion with execution. • recap of key mantras and why action matters • obstacles and discomfort as raw material for growth • rivers and water as a metaphor for persistence • loved ones’ advice as resistance and how to filter it • identity, judgment, and...
We explore Chapter Six of Gary John Bishop's "Un-F Yourself," challenging the notion that we are defined by our thoughts and asserting that our actions ultimately determine our reality and results. • Your thoughts influence what you do, but you are defined by your actions, not what's in your head • Breaking through belief barriers requires focusing on the next small step rather than getting overwhelmed by the entire journey • Small, consistent actions compound over time to create significant...
We explore embracing uncertainty as the pathway to growth and transformation in our lives, examining how our natural addiction to prediction often keeps us stuck in the past rather than moving forward. • Uncertainty is where new happens, but humans are wired to avoid it as a survival mechanism • What you want in life exists outside your comfort zone - if it were inside, you'd already have it • The most successful people doubted themselves daily but acted despite their fears • Theodore Roosev...
We explore Gary John Bishop's powerful message that no matter what obstacles we face, we already possess the inner strength to overcome them, though this doesn't mean we have perfect solutions or easy paths forward. • Negative experiences rarely stay contained – they spread like toxic chemicals into all aspects of our lives • There's no such thing as work-life balance because we have one integrated life where everything bleeds together • Reflecting on past challenges helps us recognize our r...
We dive into Chapter 3 of "Un**** Yourself" by Gary John Bishop, exploring the concept that we are all "wired to win" - sometimes at things we don't consciously want. • 95% of our daily actions are controlled by our subconscious mind • Your brain is constantly pushing you toward goals, even when you don't realize what those goals are • We can be "winning" at negative behaviors or situations like unhealthy relationships or unfulfilling jobs • Running away from something shouldn't be the path ...
We explore Gary John Bishop's concept that you have the life you're willing to put up with, challenging readers to stop blaming external circumstances and take ownership of their responses to life's events. • The crucial difference between being willing and unwilling to accept your current circumstances • How willingness is defined as "the quality or state of being prepared" – readiness for action • The paradox that sometimes becoming unwilling to tolerate your situation is the catalyst for ...
We explore how negative self-talk holds us back and dive into practical ways to break free from limiting thought patterns. Neuroscience research shows we have over 50,000 thoughts daily, and the quality of these thoughts profoundly impacts our lives. • Feelings from negative thoughts are exponentially stronger than positive ones • Being stuck on a mental "hamster wheel" prevents forward progress • The key is recognizing that "you are the answer" to your own problems • Negative thoughts often...
We introduce a book that's new to both of our bookshelves: Gary John Bishop's "Un-F-Yourself: Get Out of Your Head and Into Your Life." Unlike previous episodes where at least one of us had read the book before, we're both diving into this one together, exploring its no-nonsense approach to personal development. • "Un-F-Yourself" offers a wake-up call about how we often block our own progress • The book's main premise: you are the problem standing in your own way • Contrasting with stoic phi...
We explore the final chapter of Ryan Holiday's "The Obstacle is the Way," focusing on how life requires us to continuously begin again and view obstacles as opportunities rather than barriers. • The cycle of obstacles never ends - when we navigate one, another emerges • Mountains behind mountains - life presents continuous challenges requiring perpetual readiness • Obstacles become opportunities when we change our perspective and approach • Success comes from seeing clearly, acting correctly...
We explore two powerful concepts from Ryan Holiday's "The Obstacle Is The Way" that can transform how we approach life's challenges: loving everything that happens and cultivating perseverance. • Thomas Edison's warehouse fire destroyed $23 million worth of inventions, yet he watched with wonder and returned to work the next day • Shifting from "have to" to "get to" perspective reconnects us with gratitude and excitement • The story of Olivia, who transformed flood devastation into an organi...
We dive into Ryan Holiday's exploration of "Anticipation" and "The Art of Acquiescence" from his bestseller "The Obstacle is the Way," revealing how planning for failure can actually set you up for success. • Exploring the concept of the "pre-mortem" – envisioning potential failures before they happen • Building resilience through anticipating obstacles rather than being blindsided by them • Using the "What if?" exercise to prepare contingency plans for potential challenges • Learning to sep...
We delve into the final section of Ryan Holiday's "The Obstacle is the Way," exploring how will—the discipline of the heart and soul—creates an inner fortress that no external adversity can break. • Will represents quiet humility, resilience, and flexibility rather than forceful determination • Abraham Lincoln's depression became his strength, teaching him to lead with dignity during America's Civil War • The "inner citadel" concept describes the core part of ourselves that remains untouchab...
Denise and Sam explore the "Action" section of Ryan Holiday's book "The Obstacle is the Way," focusing on how to seize opportunities in crisis and transform obstacles into advantages. • The Japanese art of Kintsugi illuminates how broken pottery repaired with gold becomes more valuable than before • Taking swift action when opportunities arise separates successful people from those who merely dream • Preparation must happen before opportunities present themselves - when the moment comes, it'...
Sam and Denise explore how to transform obstacles into opportunities by approaching challenges with strategic patience and focused energy rather than immediate reaction. • Using obstacles against themselves requires stepping back and allowing some problems to "fizzle out" on their own • Non-action can be a powerful form of action when dealing with emotional situations or seemingly immovable obstacles • Channeling frustration into focused energy creates more sustainable results than emotional...
We explore two key chapters from Ryan Holiday's "The Obstacle is the Way" about taking action when faced with obstacles through creative problem-solving and finding alternative paths forward. • Discussing how "what's right is what works" encourages flexible, goal-oriented thinking over rigid adherence to conventional methods • Exploring Marcus Aurelius's simple wisdom: "The cucumber is bitter? Then throw it out" as a guide to avoiding unnecessary complications • Sharing real-life examples of...
We delve deep into the concept of "following the process" from Ryan Holiday's book The Obstacle Is the Way, exploring how Nick Saban's coaching philosophy offers valuable lessons for life and leadership. • Process-oriented thinking keeps us in the present moment rather than fixating on end goals • Creating systems provides a relaxing framework that reduces decision fatigue • Figures like Obama, Zuckerberg and Jobs simplified their wardrobes to preserve mental energy • Effective personal syst...
Welcome, listeners, to what might just be the lost episode of our podcast! We were ready to share it with you before, but let’s just say, technology and timing had a little bit of an adventure of their own. So, here we are, presenting it to you a little later than expected—but hey, it’s like a fine wine, right? Sometimes it just needs a bit more time to age. Now, don’t worry about the fact that we’re jumping in at what feels like the middle. Our podcast is designed so that you don’t have to f...
We explore the concept of persistence from Ryan Holiday's "The Obstacle is the Way" and discover how persisting through challenges is the key to effective action in life and leadership. • The best way out of any challenge is always through, not around • Persistence and pertinacity are key assets demonstrated by historical leaders like General Grant • Uphill goals require uphill habits and relentless determination • Having a clear "why" statement fuels persistence when motivation naturally wa...
Have you ever felt stuck when facing an obstacle, unsure how to move forward? The key to transformation lies not in your perception alone, but in what you do next. Continuing our journey through Ryan Holiday's "The Obstacle is the Way," we explore Part Two – the critical transition from perception to action. Theodore Roosevelt's wisdom frames our discussion perfectly: "We must either wear out or rust out. Every one of us." This choice between meaningful movement and stagnation lies at the he...
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This is really thought provoking and excellent content that helps you understand more about yourself and leadership. The content is well thought out and worth the investment of time. Really love the discussion and the weekly actions/accountability that shows that the people making these podcasts live what they say. I have loved them all! Keep up the great work!