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

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.

Nikki and Ron are totally focused on establishing who has the has the best China policy, but in my view, they are totally wasting their time and will not win themselves any votes!

They either need to resign or get new political campaign managers.

In this episode, I explain why.

Legendary basketball coach Bob Knight passed away on November 1. In this episode, I try to answer the question: did his methods justify the results?

I also cover college basketball in the 80's during the peak of the Knight Era.

Hanging out in the Bible Belt this week and was reminded of an awesome sermon by my pastor about a month ago. I learned an interesting fact about how infrequently Jesus actually answered questions about his spiritual teachings. Jesus was asked questions 183 times, but only directly answered three questions. He often responded to a question with another question or a parable. In this episode, I explore questioning as a sacred act in our relationships and in our spiritual lives.

In this episode, I explore the incompetence of Joe Biden and his propaganda outlet, the NY Times, as they lead the USA into an unwise and unnecessary war.

This episode explores whether US Senator Lindsey Graham should back up the threats that he asks others to enforce.

Whoa, go watch the sci-fi movie, The Creator. In this episode, I explain why.

It's official. The New York Times has fallen on hard times. It's become nothing more than a propoganda outlet for war loving Dems.

In this episode, I explain why Paul Krugman, Nobel laureate, deserves an F for his incoherent column on the Ukraine War. He failed to address the big issues, ignored gigantic weakness in the Biden's current Ukraine policy, used mathematical tricks that a second grader could spot, and could only resort to sophomoric ad hominem attacks on people opposing US military aid to Ukraine.

Whoa, Krugman represents a new low in the value of a Nobel prize.

Ruck Here, Ruck Now. In this episode, I cover my results after 45 days of rucking, identify the benefits, bash jogging, and offer you a suggestion for your first ruck!!

Dudes and dudettes!! Put some unsweetened cocoa powder into coffee.

In this episode, I cover some of the amazing health benefits of cocoa powder.

Be happy this fall friends!

It looks like Scott Pelley and 60 Minutes have joined the Ukraine Propaganda War Machine! Pelley recently interviewed Vladimir Zelensky about the Ukraine War. Pelley lobbed one softball after another and let Zelensky brazenly lie without any hard hitting questions.

60 Minutes has fallen on hard times. It's become the Sunday edition of The View, mostly opinion and infotainment.

In this episode, I explain why.

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.

This one might seem a little dull, but I love this particular topic, identifying things we can control or influence that can have a profound impact on our life.

I briefly discuss the work of Amy Wrzesniewski, a Yale professor of management, who came up with the concept of "job crafting". I expand on this and discuss the concept of "life crafting", and the great stoic philosopher, Epictetus.

I share three life crafting examples in my own life relating to adding, reorganizing, and subtracting.

In this episode, I'll discuss my reaction to an interview that American Stoic Ryan Holliday had with James Clear. They discussed connecting yes with no when deciding whether to commit to an activity. I call it yes/no coupling, but I doubt this original with me.

You'll probably think this episode will suck, but I think mind will be blown if you actually listen. Love me some James Clear!!

You'll just have to listen!

This episode sounds super boring, but I think it's one of my best episodes.

I came across a passage in Marcus Aurelius' - Meditations on virtues that everyone can demonstrate.

We cover Tom Brady, a little politics, and even a little discussion on virtues of not drinking alcohol. Loved this one!

Let's ruck! I am in the second day of a 30 day rucking experiment. I'd love to have you join me. This episode covers rucking versus running and the stand alone benefits of rucking.

What is rucking?

To "ruck," you just need to place a heavy object in your backpack. Most rucking websites recommend starting off with 20 pounds.

Friends of the RockneCast, I am challenging you to ruck at least 30 minutes each day for the next 30 days.

I am just using a 25 pound stone and in a backup. You don't have to buy an expensive rucksack. Any weight will do.

Report back to me how much weight you've lost and any other results after 30 days: rocknecole@gmail.com or rocknecast@gmail.com.

West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin recently announced that he is considering leaving what he describes as the "toxic" Democratic Party and running for the Presidency under the No Labels Party banner.

Whoa, after decades of Democratic Party and first hand observation of today's national Dems, Manchin has had enough, even though he is currently one of the most powerful Dems in the United States.

Machin would rather give up power and save his last ounce of self respect rather than serve under the amoral antagonists of the working class, the Democratic Party.

I say leave 'em and run Joe run!!

In this episode, I explore the Egyptian archer proverb: "An archer hits its target partly by pulling and partly by letting go."

NFL Commanders Offensive Coordinator Eric Bieniemy has been subject of blowback by his players complaining that he's yelling too much at them.

Is he pulling too hard or should he let go more?

I explore that question in this episode. By the way, if you know Eric, please pass this along to him!

What do you really need to learn in college?

In this episode, I explore this question through the philosophers Mike Tyson and Aristotle.

In this episode, I respond to a New York Times Op-Ed by David Brooks piece, "What if We're the Bad Guys Here?"

I like Brooks, especially some of his early books like Bobos in Paradise and The Social Animal, but his thesis here in the "Bad Guys" piece is flat wrong, ie that grass roots Republicans vote the way they do out of ignorance and resentment rather than a rational appraisal of incompetence of the self referring Democratic "elites."

Rather that look down at the uneducated masses, commentators like Brooks should reflect and ask themselves... If we're so smart, why are our polices result in such bad outcomes?

I really like Brooks, but the article should have been called, "What if Ivy League Grads are the Dumb Guys?" In this episode, I explain why that more accurately reflects what's happening in terms of accurately explaining the grass roots rational revolt against Democratic incompetence.

In this episode, I explore Cornell West and his recent entry into the presidential race. Love his Ukraine Policy. Rest of polices are ok, but not my cup of tea anymore. Sound good, but won't work.

That said, I love his authenticity and his willingness to question the Ukraine War.

We need to debate this war and his voice provides an important contribution to the Ukraine War debate.

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

In this episode, Vivek Ramaswamy, the rising star of the Republican presidential field and the qualities that make him so appealing.

In this episode, I explore why two men, Will Hurd and Asa Hutchinson, are running for the president, an office they have zero chance of winning.

Asa polls at .7% and Will polls at .3%. A plumber from New Haven would likely have better numbers or at least almost as good. They are basically 0!

Will and Asa aren't dumb. They know they cannot win or even get close.

They also know that no one cares if they run and no want wanted them to run.

So why are they running?

In this episode, I don't provide answers, but simply raise questions.

It starts with Will's nine years of experience as a clandestine CIA agent....

Just saw the Oppenheimer, a Christopher Nolan directed biopic featuring Cillian Murphy as Robert Oppenheimer and Robert Downer, Jr as primary antagonist, Lewis Strauss.

It was fantastic, but I think they made one gigantic mistake relating to plot. I also would have cut a specific story thread of the film.

In this episode, I explain how the film and screenplay could have been significantly improved.

The movie is still great though. Go see it.

It's probably going to win best picture, best screenplay and best actor. So I am probably going to be a candle in the wind on this, but I would love to sequel taking into consideration my recommendations. Not holding my breath, but we will see!

I recently watched an excellent documentary on the peace movement and its role in stopping US escalation in the Vietnam War in 1969, the first year of Richard Nixon presidency.

It's an American Experience documentary called the Movement and the "Madman". You can see it on PBS.

After occurred to me, where is the peace movement on the Ukraine War?

Why is the Left so silent as Joe Biden pursues his own reckless "Madman" strategy?

Who's worse? Joe Biden or Richard Nixon?

In this episode, I explore all of those questions.

Whoa, just watched the 2019 Midway movie on Amazon Prime. Loved it! It's gotten middling reviews, but I loved it and in this episode, explain why Midway was so important and why should pay 3.99 to rent this movies on Prime.

We cover Dick Best, Jimmy Doolittle, code breaking, and broad overview of events leading up to this history turning event during WW2.

One gesture tells it all and you can spot it within 14 seconds. Ron knows people think he's a phony, i.e. that he is just not authentic and doesn't have the political charisma to be a national leader. With his money, it looks like he has hired some charisma coaches and they suck!!

While watching his interview by Tucker Carlson on the recent Family Leadership Conference, I saw a rhetorical technique by Ron and it is clear to me, he just doesn't get it.

One gesture says it all.

I noticed this within the first 14 seconds of the Tucker interview and it tells you every reason why Ron sucks as a national political candidate. He's clearly hired the wrong charisma coaches. In this episode, I explain why.

It's summer! You can't always listen to Kid Rock when you're cranking the stereo with the windows down on those long dusty roads.

Consider Hardy to broaden your repertoire of crank it up loud songs.

In this episode, I discuss my three favorite Hardy songs, the awesome redneck hipster leading the Redneck Renaissance. I also have a bonus song to inspire your summer workouts!

I recently watched Stutz, a Jonah Hill Netflix documentary about his relationship with his therapist, Phil Stutz!

After watching it, I bought his book, "Tools", that he co-authored with Barry Michels.

Loved the Stutz documentary and the book!

This my review of Stutz, and particular, his tools to address pain and unlock your life force.

It's graduation season!

No one asked me to speak at any graduation ceremonies.

So here's my advice to the next generation of leaders!

I cover the concept of calling, my two favorite books, career advice from a philosopher, and how to use your valuable asset.

Congratulation seniors and to all of your parents that made your success possible!!

Canadian folk singer Gordon Lightfoot recently passed away at the age of 84 in Toronto, Canada.

Lightfoot represents the best of musical super studs of the 1970s. He also wrote and performed The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald's one of the best pop country songs of all time.

This episode is a tribute to my hero, Gordon Lightfoot.

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.

Just watched the "Air" movie on Amazon Prime. Loved it!!

In this Episode, I shared what I think recent high school and college graduates can learn from the movie.

We'll cover George Raveling, Sonny Vaccaro, Phil Knight, David Falk, Deloris Jordan, my favorite RFK quote, MLK, and even my favorite Proverb.

This was all about turning your dreams into reality.

Watch the movie! It was awesome.

In Episode 124, I covered Malcolm Gladwell's disastrous performance in the Munk Debates along with his debating partner, Michelle Goldberg.

In a recent Gladwell's podcast, Revisionist History, he acknowledges how poorly he did and recruited three top debating debating experts to explain why he did so poorly.

After consulting with the experts, Gladwell identifies some things he learned to improve the debating skills, but he still doesn't get it. His poor debate was just than just poor debating technique.

In this episode, I explore the debate, Gladwell's performance, the Hunter Biden laptop and unfortunate debating techniques of the Left.

In this episode, I discuss a recent weekend discussion with some friends about the Ukraine War. I was the lone voice relating to my position and I attempt to identify some of their responses to my concerns in previous podcasts. We had a great discussion and we're still friends!!

I'll identify some of the arguments and my counter arguments. And through that discussion, I'll discuss George Ball, the Undersecretary State during the Kennedy and Johnson Administrations. Ball was one of the lone dissenting voices within the Johnson Administration who accurately predicted all of the subsequent problems that actually occurred in US-Vietnam Foreign Policy.

Who will be the next George Ball? And why aren't there more "George Ball" type dissenters in the media?

I also discuss a segment on Colin Cowherd and relate it to Ukraine: "Where Colin was Right and Where Colin was Wrong."

Who's engaging in that exercise within the current Administration?

In this episode, I explain why I think we're already engaged in a hot war with Russia.

Why are we risking WW3 or a nuclear exchange with Russia over a regional border conflict with Ukraine?

How does engaging in a war with Russia make us safer?

How does it benefit the USA?

With the exception of Tucker Carlson, I have seen virtually no debate by national media, by Republicans or Democrats.

Why aren't we even debating this? This is a huge issue and we are completely asleep at the wheel.

I will be meeting with a friend this weekend who disagrees with me and will do a follow up episode as to whether he changed my mind.

I hope I am wrong!!

Duh. See above. I predict Douglas Murray replaces Tucker.

In this episode, the departing Mad Men, Tucker and Don.  You all know who they are. 

 

I don’t discuss the why they were fired. Instead, I focus on the more important issue of how they debated political issues and the modern Left’s typical toolbox to attack both men. 

I also do a deeper dive into the tipping point reason as to why Lemon was fired: his discussion with presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy about Reconstruction Civil Rights laws and the right to bear arms.  It provides a near perfect example of the dysfunctional and ineffective debating techniques of Left.

 

Et tu New York Times? Et tu?

Did the New York Times merely publish first the name of Jack Teixeira after the Government was already going to arrest him?

Or did it reveal his identity to the Government?

Did it plug the leak?

In this episode, I explore whether the New York Times worked too closely with the US Government and thereby betrayed basic journalism standards.

For more information, listen to the BBC interview of a New York Times Reporter on its investigation.

In this episode, I discuss Jack Teixeira, the identified source for classified military and diplomatic records.

Is he a hero or traitor?

In this episode, I discuss: Pentagon Papers leaker, Daniel Ellsberg; the Vietnam War and the Ukraine; the pending hot war between Russia and United States; whether the documents should have been secret in the first place; and yes, I answer whether Teixeira is hero, traitor, or just a dude gamer.

I have been a registered Republican for about a year now and am coming out of the closet. This episode explains why...

I also explain more about why I am going to be doing more political podcasts.

In this episode, I cover Malcolm Gladwell and his horrible performance at a Munk Debate in Toronto, Canada. This was a debate about whether mainstream media was biased or not. Malcolm Gladwell and New York Times Reporter Michelle Goldberg defended main stream media as essentially unbiased. On the other side, Matt Taibbi and Douglas Murray argued that main stream media outlets like the New York Times and Washington Post were absolutely biased.

I still love Malcolm Gladwell as a writer, and will continue to buy his books. He is fantastic at his craft, but this debate showed his absolute weakness as a debater and why so many people can't stand and don't trust weak kneed liberals. Instead of arguing facts, they insult, misrepresent and humiliate.

This is not about the debate topic, but how Murray and Taibbi crushed Gladwell and Goldberg. It was a virtuoso performance by Murray and Taibbi, but this is more about how and why Gladwell lost. This is a master class in how to lose a debate, and a textbook example of techniques that so many so called progressives use on campus and in the public realm.

Whoa, every single high school and college debating class should watch the debate. This was a fun one to do!! I'll be doing more on politics!!!

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.

Just watched the Ken Burns PBS documentary on Ernest Hemingway. In this episode, I cover the book that started it all, WH Hudson's "Purple Land", carpe diem, Robin Williams, Joseph Cambell, following your bliss, and Hemingway's great breakout novel, The Sun Also Rises.

All topics relate back to the big kahuna: Ernest Hemingway.

This is first episode, post-reset of the theme for the RockneCast: A podcast for men of all ages and the women who love them.

Whoa just heard the most life changing Bible verses this morning at church. 

 It's on the glory of suffering.

And yes, it is incredibly good news.   In this episode, I explain why.

 

Just watched Kinnick - The Documentary by Iowa filmmaker, Scott Siepker, the Iowa Nice Guy.  

Kinnick remains the University of Iowa's only Heisman Trophy winner.  He is one of the most famous and well known Iowans.  

In this episode, I focus on my three favorite aspects of the Documentary: the poem Excelsior,  his Heisman Trophy speech, and what made Nile Kinnick such an inspiring Iowa figure.

Loved the documentary.  Go see it!!