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Overview

In this episode of the Rocknecast, Rockne Cole explores the concept of utilizing the next 24 hours as a gift through the lens of mindfulness and the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh and his book The Heart of Buddha's Teaching. He discusses the importance of Right Diligence, living in the present, and the significance of identity in shaping habits through the work of James Clear and his book Atomic Habits.

The conversation emphasizes the need to cultivate happiness and purpose in life, encouraging listeners to reflect on their actions and choices to align with their desired identity.

Chapters

00:00 - The Gift of 24 Hours

06:12 - Mindfulness and Right Diligence

12:03 - Identity and Habits

18:01 - Living with Purpose

This is our second episode on Deep Listening. I absolutely love this topic, especially as an untapped, yet readily available resource to us all. So much bitterness occurs because we do not listen. Listen deeply, pay attention to the roots of suffering, and let understanding grow bringing the true source of healing: compassion.

To fully appreciate the fruits of this episode, you should buy Thich Nhat Hanh's book,The Heart of Buddha's Teaching.

Summary

In this episode, Rockne Cole explores the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, focusing on the transformative power of listening and the concept of Right Speech. He discusses the importance of deep listening as a superpower that can heal relationships and foster understanding. The conversation also introduces the Bodhisattvas Kwan Lin and Wondrous Sound, emphasizing their roles in compassionate listening and communication. Finally, the episode concludes with the significance of embracing silence to enhance mindfulness and communication skills.

Chapters

00:00 - The Power of Listening and Right Speech

12:10 - Deep Listening: The Superpower of Compassion

23:56 - The Bodhisattvas: Kwan Lin and Wondrous Sound

37:47 - The Thundering Silence: Embracing Mindfulness and Communication

Just read David Halberstam's 2005 book on Bill Belichick, "The Education of a Coach."

Through the lens of Halberstam's book, this episode explores the life and coaching philosophy of Bill Belichick, one of the greatest coaches in NFL history. The discussion delves into his early education, influences, and the lessons he learned from failures, particularly during his time with the Cleveland Browns. It emphasizes the importance of humility, teamwork, and mastering the details, while also highlighting translatable principles that can be applied to personal and professional success.

Takeaways

Bill Belichick's coaching philosophy is rooted in details and hard work.

Education at Andover Academy shaped Belichick's approach to football.

Failure in Cleveland taught Belichick valuable lessons for future success.

Humility is crucial; remember your failures as well as your successes.

Teamwork is paramount; individual egos must be submerged for the greater good.

Belichick's focus on the process over the results is a key principle.

Mastering the details is essential for success in any field.

Actions speak louder than words; let your work define you.

Life is unpredictable; savor each day as it could be your last.

The right mindset and attitude are critical for overcoming challenges.

Chapters

00:00

The Legacy of Bill Belichick

17:56

Education and Early Influences

29:47

Lessons from Failure

42:04

Philosophy of Teamwork and Humility

49:46

Translatable Principles for Succe

Summary

In this episode, Rockne Cole introduces the concept of the Mind Heart, drawing insights from three influential authors: Thich Nhat Hanh, Reuben Youngdahl, and James Clear. The discussion emphasizes the importance of mindfulness, the connection between mind and heart, and how listening to one's inner desires can lead to personal fulfillment and growth. The episode explores the significance of identity and belief, encouraging listeners to take actionable steps towards becoming their best selves by aligning their actions with their true aspirations.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Mind Heart Concept

02:30 Exploring Right Mindfulness

09:45 The Importance of Listening to Your Mind Heart

14:40 Belief and the Mind Heart Connection

19:51 Identity and Repeated Beingness

22:59 Conclusion and Call to Action

In this episode, I interviewed Dr. Wilfred Bunge, professor emeritus of religion at Luther College.

Dr. Bunge served as a professor of religion from 1962 to 1999 and was the co-author of Transformed by the Journey, a book covering 150 years of history from its founding through its sesquicentennial date of 2011.

Dr. Bunge discussed the writing of Transformed by the Journey and shared his own journey from a farm outside of Spring Grove, Minnesota to Luther College to Harvard and back to Decorah, Iowa serving over three decades in the religion department.

For those of you who love ideas, the liberal arts, and Luther College, this is the episode for you! In one hour, we covered all things Luther College from Wil's own journey at Luther and his observations about other leading lights in Luther history including Vilhelm and Elisabeth Koren, J.W. Ylvisaker, Elwin Farwell, and Weston Noble.

Much gratitude to Dr. Bunge for sharing his journey and for his service to Luther College!

I watched the Brett Baier interview with Kamala Harris last night. That interview was a train wreck on both sides.

In this episode, I identify some basic mistakes that Baier made related to follow up questions. Similar, it is quite clear to me that Kamala's communication team is completely incompetent in my opinion. They have providing horrible advice on how to persuade and making things 10 times worst. Her best decision at this point would be to ignore their advice, trust her gut, and state what she absolutely believes.

Finally, I identify an obvious solution. The yes/no pitch clock interview format. Clunky yes, but solves the problem of interruptions and non-responsive answers.

For this episode, we will cover the work of the Habit Buddha James Clear. In particular, we will explore the difference between motion and action as explained in Clear's book Atomic Habits.

Atomic Habits is the type of book you can read over, over, and over. It's a motion, but it will help you put ideas into action.

Wow, just finished my morning reading and came across two powerful pages from Thich Nhan Hanh's book, The Heart of Buddha's Teaching.

In this episode, we'll cover Thich's definitions of "suffering", "mindfulness", and the two kinds of mediations that Thich suggests.

Thich's work is mind blowing. I hope you have the chance to read his work and to share it with others.

Dr. David Coyle joins the RockneCast to discuss the joro spider, a venomous and invasive species that is currently spreading throughout the Southeastern United States. He is currently an Associate Professor of Entomology at Clemson University in the extension division.

Dr. Coyle will discuss the spiders, how venomous it is, how it got here, how it "flies", and its anticipated reach in the United States. We also discussed a possible entomological enemy that might reduce the populations, but more research its needed to determine that answer. Dr. Coyle is at the cutting edge of this area of research.

We'll also discussed his career path to becoming a PhD in Entomology along with his current research on the joro spider.

Dr. Coyle and I played football for one year at Luther College and we also graduated in 1997 from Luther College. Loved doing this one!!

Just went on two amazing hikes this past weekend and it reminded me about the powerful mental, physical and spiritual benefits of a nature hike.

What's the difference between a "hike" and a "walk"? Walking involves a paved surface while hiking involves walking on a unpaved trail out in nature.

In this episode, I explore the health benefits of hiking versus walking and also try to convince you that it surpassed running in terms of your health.

I also explore the cognitive benefits and share a book recommendation relating to intentionally creating "A-ha" moments of creative insight, The Eureka Factor: Aha Moments, Creative Insight, and the Brain." by Mark Beeman and John Kounious.

Get out there and hike!!

This past summer, I read Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey. In it he talked about the one sentence that changed its life and it was contained in the book Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Mandino.

That's quite a claim. So I ordered the book to see whether it is actually that good.

IT IS ACTUALLY THAT GOOD.

It might just be the greatest book in the world. Ok I might exagerating just a little bit, but it is a really good book that contains some timeless principles if you were willing to tap into them and apply them.

In this episode, I explore these timeless questions, share some quotes and share why this book is so awesome.

Good Energy is a shot across the bow of the conventional medical practice in the United States.

Dr. Means graduated from the Stanford Medical College and practiced traditional medicine until she realized a substantial part of the medical system is all wrong.

With the exception of treatment of acute medical condition Dr. Means challenges nearly the entire model of medicine in the United States as it relates to treatment of chronic medical conditions.

She is the modern Martin Luther seeking to knock down the walls of medical practice in the United States, but she's not only knocking down doors to bad practices, she's provide a key to unlock new doors to a healthier and happier you.

I think she's right on.

In this episode, I share my own good/bad energy story and also share some concepts from the book and tips and explain why Dr. Means may be one of the most important medical figures of the 21st century.

The Gospel lesson last Sunday focused on Mark 9:38-50. Loved the kernels of wisdom. So I thought some of those kernels with you.

We'll cover: salt, fire, and Jesus; the verse that Norman Vincent Peale liked; the virtues of discomfort, and Jesus' advice when someone else is offering to serve in an area that you currently are serving in.

"For everyone will be salted with fire." Mark 9:49

Can one sentence change your life?

In this episode, I share this sentence from the beginning of the Enchiridion by Epictetus, one of the founders of the Stoic philosophy.

I learned about this book in the Happiness Lab a podcast by Yale professor of positive pschology, Dr. Laurie Santos and her interview with Dr. William Irvine.

Irvine opened my eyes to the wonders of Stoic philosophy. If you are interested, you should buy his book: A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy.

In this episode, I explore how Geno Smith resurrected his career from a career backup to one of the top NFL quarterbacks.

How did he do it?

In this episode, I explore how and try to offer the Carolina Panthers can take the lessons learned to handle their Bryce Young situation.

Deep Listening is one of the greatest gifts that you can give or receive. This episode is about the art of Deep Listening.

This morning, I read Thich Nhat Hanh's book The Heart of Buddha's Teaching and learned about the concept of Deep Listening. Whoa this is something that we rarely do well, but when we do, it has the power to transform us in all sorts of different ways.

In this episode, I discuss the concept of Deep Listening, how to do it, and what it will do for you. I'll also introduce you to the great listener, Kwan Yin and share some awesome passages from the work of Thich.

We can't always control whether others will listen to us, but we can control whether we can listen. Listening is the first step to Deep Understanding, healing, and transformation.

This was probably one of my favorite episodes so far!

Deep gratitude to all of you for listening in.

I just finished Jesus is the Question by Martin Copenhaver. In this book, he addresses the questions of Jesus. In particular, Jesus asked 307 questions, was asked 186 questions, and he answered only 3.

In this episode, I cover how I learned about the questions of Jesus, the types of questions he asked, the three that he answered, and my favorite chapter of this book. I cover a little Slavoj Zizek, Elie Wiesel and the important of questions in a healthy religious practice.

Buy this book! Loved it!!

I am reading Martin Copenhaver's 2014 book Jesus is the Question the 307 Jesus Asked and the 3 He Answered. Chapter 8 covers the loaves and fish miracle covered in all of the Gospels. Copenhaver uses Mark 6:31-44 to explore this topic.

In this episode, I cover the story, its meaning, and the multiplier effect in action through the stories of Millard Fuller and Mother Theresa.

I also give you a take away.

Loved this one!!

It's fall in the Upper Midwest! I just finished hike that I have been wanting to do for a while, the Marching Bear trial near the Effigy Mounds National Monument, which is located just about 2 miles north of McGregor, Iowa.

The Marching Bears hike is about 1/4 mile south of the visitors center. I learned about it through the work of Lori Erickson, a travel writer who featured Marching Bears in her book called Every Step is Home: A Spiritual Geography from Appalachia to Alaska.

After your hike, you should visit McGregor, Iowa a short trip south from the Marching Bears trail head. McGregor has two awesome book stores: Paper Moon and Rivertown Fine Books. It also has a whole bowl of hoppy awesomeness called Old Man River Restaurant and Brewery. Check the hours before you go!

If you're like me, your knowledge of WWI was fairly shallow. It started in Sarajevo and ended on November 11, 1918 followed the Treaty of the Versailles. You probably know about the Western Front and the large number of casualties. That's about it.

If that's your knowledge level, you absolutely must read A World Undone, which provides a readable and in-depth analysis of WWI from its causes, to its tactics to its aftermath.

I loved this book! In this episode, I primarily focus on the why the lesson of Sarajevo is a much more apt precedent to govern US decision making rather than the lesson of Munich, the often cited lesson of appeasement that our inept leaders commons cite.

This is required reading for anyone who wants to really understand the world today. WWI, in my view, had a much greater impact upon our world than even WW2. Indeed, some of those battles are still being fought in Palestine for example. All of the conflict of today was set in motion by WWI and what happened in Sarajevo in 1914.

I also gained a new appreciation for Neville Chamberlain and do not think he has been given his due, in light of what had actually happened during the Great War, the war to end all wars. The decision to mobilize was not quite as easy as our modern leaders make it seam. He had his reasons for slowing the road to war and avoiding the mistakes of Sarajevo in 1914.

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In this episode we learn about the insight gained by stopping, calming, resting, and healing through the work of the great Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh and his book The Heart of Buddha's Teaching.

Mindfulness allows us to control and influence our positive and negative habit energies.

Thich teaches us how to do achieve this control through the practice of mindfulness.

I just finished Rest by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang.

I discovered this book while browsing at the Paper Moon bookstore in McGregor, Iowa.

Loved this book. He covers the work, wellness, routines, and exercises of some of the all time creatives in business, politics, and even War.

We focus on work and rest habits of two creatives: Scott Adams of the Dilbert comic strip and Earnest Hemingway.

Whoa, just did my first 4:00 morning in quite a while. Usually get up around 5, but this morning was incredible. So for this episode, I am going to focus on three things:

1. Why should do 4:00 mornings.

2. How you can do 4:00 mornings, and

3. What you should do during your first 4:00 morning.

Music and book recommendations.

1. Morning Light by Josh Garrells (music)

Books

2. Rest by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang

3. Heart of Buddhist Teaching - Thich Nhat Hanh

Rookie NFL Quarterback JJ McCarthy recently suffered a season ending injury, tearing his meniscus in a preseason game.

He responded with two words, "Amor Fati."

This comes straight out of the ancient philosophy of Stoicism.

In this episode, I cover those two words, McCarthy's response to the injury, Victor Frankel's book Man's Search for Meaning, and Meditations by Marcus Aurelius.

Will JJ McCarthy be a great quarterback? Who knows, but it if he succeeds, it will be because he focuses on what he can control.

Stoicism is a powerful philosophy whose timeless truths can completely transform your life.

Just finished Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey.

There's lots of lessons in this book, but I focus on the period while McConaaughey was at University of Texas Austin through his first major role Wooderson.

That's the key.

Whoa just watched the final Equalizer movie. It's a giant can of whoop ass! Makes a perfect dude movie.

I also a movie recommendation and book recommendation.

1. Book: Ta-Nehisi Coates - "Between the World and Me."

2. Movie - Tenet by Christopher Nolan

In this episode, we cover the the work of Thich Nhat Hanh and his transformative book "The Heart of Buddha's Teaching."

We explore the parable of the cow and explore whether you should let go of your sacred cows and whether those cows are actually serving you.

In this episode, I cover one of my favorite books, The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale. We cover its power, and the two verses that he focuses on throughout the book: Philippians 4:13 and Romans 8:31. Loved this book!

Philippians 4:13

13 I can do all things through [a]Christ who strengthens me.

Romans 8:31

31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in the United States in the lead up to the Civil War?

If so, read Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson, which chronicles the events between the election of Abraham Lincoln to the first shots of the Civil War Ft. Sumter.

Larson absolutely owns thriller non-fiction, a genre that he practically created by himself. He takes actual events and weaves them as if they were a pulse pounding thriller, excepts its not fiction. It's all real. All the quotes are true.

This book makes it seems like you are sitting with Abe Lincoln as he decides what to do relating to Ft. Sumter, the federal fort in Charleston's harbor.

You will experience the anxiety felt by the Ft. Sumter commander, Robert Anderson as he decided how he aggressively, he should act after receiving ambiguous orders from Washington. What should he do? How aggressively should he act?

Whoa, place this book on your summer reading list!!

This is a tough topic, but a conversation that we all need to be having. I understand the nuance and the infinitesimally small change of persuading you on this topic, but here goes...

I discuss therapeutic abortion and its impact on cultural decline.

Let's create a culture that affirms the next generation of moms and dads out there. Healthy families equal health culture.

In this episode, I cover why you should embrace the suck.

We'll explore the work of David Epstein and my Grandpa Cole's book, "Living with Yourself."

This one was fun to do!!

Everyone loves to be right about things, but what can we learn from being wrong?

In this episode, we discuss what we can mine from being wrong as well as the perils of not being able to admit that you... just... might be wrong. Yep, even Rockne Cole gets it wrong (occasionally).

We cover the work of sports commentator Colin Cowherd, the philosophy of Karl Popper, and a book recommendation, Kathryn Schultz's book "Being Wrong."

I also share an moment of vindication by ISU Nobel Laureate, Dan Shechtman, about proving another Nobel Laureate to be 100% wrong.

In this episode, I cover the parts of this podcast that absolutely suck and explain why it is important to examine what you suck at.

Embrace the suck.

I cover the work of James Clear and Ben Franklin.

Buy Clear's book Atomic Habits!

This is the first episode in a four part series. The next episodes cover (1) Being Wrong, (2) Affirmation and (3) Abortion. The third topic has no connection to the first two, but I feels it is time to cover this important topic.

I suppose the biggest connection is that I will discuss where I was wrong on abortion and where I still believe that I am right.

I just finished up Empire of the Summer Moon by SC Gwynne, a book describing the Comanche, the fiercest warrior tribe of the plains. Loved this book!!

In this episode, I cover how the horse transformed Comanche from the 98 pound weakling to the strongest, most militaristic tribe of the Southwest.

I also describe their diet, their horsemanship and the what made them such compelling warriors.

We also discuss a little US Grant, and I offer a travel tip on the Comanches' last redoubt, the Palo Duro Canyon in Northern Texas.

This is the reading from my church service this past Sunday.

Loved it!

In this episode, we'll cover.

1. The relationship between eagerness and gifts;

2. Gifts in service of others;

3. The true meaning of Shalom (hint it doesn't mean absence of conflict1);

4. My favorite Proverb - 13:12.

In this episode, I cover my review and results after 30 days on the BetterMe Workout App.

I review what I liked and disliked, my results, and compare the BetterMe App versus going to gym or the free tools out there.

Whoa, just went to the Normal Borlaug Boyhood Home in NE Iowa. If you are planning a trip to the Driftless Region, this should definitely be on your itinerary.

I explain what you can expect, how you can plan, offer some tips and explain a little bit about the man, Norman Borlaug, the Elvis of wheat research.

He is credited with saving over one billion lives through adoption of his farming methods and strains of wheat that it he developed.

Experience what made hom great!

Absolutely loved this trip to Normal Borlaug Boyhood Home!!

In this episode, I explain why Dr. James Dinicolantonio is my favorite health influencer.

This is my second episode on Steven Pressfield and his book the War of Art. This is about unlived life and the obstacles that stand in the way of that life.

Yesterday, after my three mile ruck, I stopped by KwikStar to pick up some milk.

I turned on a little Joe Rogan and listened to his interview of David Goggins, former Navy Seal and bad ass ultra-marathon runner.

Rogan's asked about Goggins' knees and recent surgeries on them. His knees are absolutely shot.

Goggins' method clearly works. He is famous, a world class ultra marathoner, and finished BUDs, one of the hardest military programs in the world. As I understand his method, it is to push through pain, work to the point of exhaustion, and work all the f'in time. It could be summed up as: "Don't be a pussy and get at it."

It works, but at what cost? Could he have reached the same result without destroying his body?

So this episode explores the virtues and vices of the Goggins Method and identifies an alternative approach.

I discuss my Mom's methods, my Grandpa Cole's unsuccessful tryout for the Yankees, the Whiplash movie, and Phil Jackson.

Loved doing this one!!

In this episode, I explain why fitness gyms suck to get into shape and offer a solution that is better than a gym to get in shape.

James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, sends a weekly email called the 3-2-1. In it, he identifies three quotes from him, two quotes from others, and a question for the reader to advance the theme.

Last week, he sent an email on four types of wealth: 1. Financial (money), 2. Social wealth (reputation), 3. Time wealth (freedom), and 4. Physical wealth (health).

Clear writes: "Be wary of jobs that lure you in with 1 and 2, but rob you of 3 and 4."

That really resonated with me. This happens with a lot of professions, but this is particularly true for lawyers.

So for this this episode, I discuss these four and offer three tips to advance: time wealth, and health wealth.

Should we play it safe or take some risks?

In this episode, I explore that question through the mega awesome Maze Runner Trilogy.

On Friday, I listened to Rogan interview Rizwan Virk, an MIT professor, entrepreneur and video game designer. Virk believes we may actually be, Matrix like, in a giant simulation and he explains why.

Virk talked about what made a good video game, which he learned from the Atari founder, Nolan Bushnell.

A good game is easy to play and hard to master. Virk emphasized that as you master levels, the game gets more difficult and more obstacles are presented.

Whoa, hadn't really made that comparison to life, but it's true. Mastery requires obstacles. Don't avoid them. Seek them.

So this episode, is about that.

Books by Virk.

1. Simulation Hypothesis.

2. The Simulated Multiverse

Book that inspired Matrix.

3. Simulacra and Simulation by Jean Robillard.

In this episode, we cover the work of author Steve Pressfield and his concept of the Resistance.

We explain what it is, how to overcome and it why should buy Pressfield's book, the War of Art.

Have you ever experienced a session with a shaman? If not, you should.

In this episode, I share my recent session with a shamanic healer. I explore what I thought it would be like before hand, how actually was and offer some tips so you can get more out of the experience.

In this episode, I explain why you should eat the whole lemon. The lemon peel contains some powerful benefits. In this episode, I'll cover the breadth of the health benefits, do a deep dive on oxidative stress, and share one powerful benefit that I've already experienced.

I am 49 years old and just learned about the Pentecost and its relationship to the Holy Spirit!

I also cover Romans 8:22-27.

Dads, I just solved your next three weekends as to what to watch with your family on Amazon.

The Divergent series! It's a Hunger Games like bowl of awesomeness and substance. (I think it is even better). I explain why and also mediate a little bit on the author Veronica Roth. She wrote this novel in a creative writing class at Northwestern her senior year. The movie rights were immediately purchased. I compare her as a shooting star with Steven Pressfield, the late bloomer.

Deep Work is an awesome book, almost as good as Atomic Habits. I discuss what it is, how to apply it and how I have used this book to change my creative habits.