RockneCAST (Rockne Cole)

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.

In this second episode on a landmark 16:8 fasting study, we cover another significant deficiency of the New England Journal of Medicine 16:8 fasting article, "Calorie Restriction with or without Time Restricted Eating in Weight Loss" (April 22, 2022). It omits any discussion of the controversy surrounding "statistical significance", a topic that is hotly debated within the professional statistics community.    

The study clearly showed a weight loss difference between the fasting group and the control group, but the difference was reported as "no difference" because the difference was not "statistically significant".  

So, in this episode, we cover the seemingly boring, but actually very interesting topic of "statistical significance", a topic which has generated significant controversy in the professional statistics community.  From drugs to mask policy, this concept affects nearly public policy and consumer  science policy decision.    

How do we determine whether variable x actually causes Y or is at least associated with Y to such a degree that we can actually make policy on that basis?    

For a long time, the statistics community has identified "statistical significance" as a way to make such decisions, but more and more professionals are questioning not the underlying methodology, but the language statistical significant to determine what is important and not important.   We cover this issue more broadly and as it relates to this "study".    

Fasting works!  This study sucks!!  Toss it!!  Reach out with comments and feedback at either rocknecast@gmail.com or rocknecole@gmail.com.

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!!

Rockne explores the surprisingly powerful role that habits play on our daily lives through the lens of two best sellers Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg and Atomic Habits by James Clear. He will also discuss the habits that Luther College choir director Weston to build a nationally known choral program.  Finally he will feature song by singer songwriter Cory Grimm. (Episode #8, 8 Aug 2020)

In this episode, I explain why Paul Ryan and Mitt Romney absolutely suck at making arguments to support Ukraine War propaganda.

Finally, I challenge them to answer one question that they have never answered relating to this supposed existential threat posed by Russia.

That failure dramatically demonstrates why they are just con men seeking to make a buck.

High school debate team could crush these guys!!

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 second episode on Stoicism, Rockne explores the art of Stoic joy via the philosophers Epictetus, Musonius Rufus, and Marcus Aurelius.    He will cover voluntary discomfort, the trichotomy of control, and living a life of service to others.   

Whoa... I just finished Last Kingdom, one of the best television series I have ever seen.  Based upon the Saxon Stories by Bernard Cornwell, Last Kingdom covers the Viking invasion and occupation of England from roughly mid 8th to 9th century AD.  I won't give any details of plot.  Instead, I focus on why you should watch it and what makes it so good.  

If you haven't seen it yet, watch it.  It is really, really good.  

Wow it's good.

Hope you all had a great New Year!!

I am looking forward to another year on the RockneCast!!

I had a ton of fun on this episode.  I interviewed award winning playwright Levy Lee Simon.  Currently, an actor and playwright in Los Angeles, California, Simon received his MFA from the University of Iowa Theater Program in the late 90's.  During that time, he finished a play on the great Haitian revolutionary Toussaint Louverture, who led the only successful slave revolt in the Western Hemisphere.  We also discuss how he became interested in Toussaint Louverture and the other Big Three of the Haitian Revolution, Jean Dessalines and Henry Christophe.

I also was intrigued by Defile (Marie Sainte Dédé Bazile), one of the key women warriors of the Haitian Revolution.  Her story will make you wanting to learn more.  

I am absolutely fascinated Haiti and this interview made me even more interested in traveling to Haiti someday.  I learned so much about Haiti, Louverture, and why this revolution resonates so strongly even 230 years later.  

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 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!

Building upon the work of James Clear, I'll discuss the surprising benefits of the after dinner walk, a short 20-30 minute walk following dinner.  This is the first on several Atomic Habits that I have added, and some bad Atomic Habits that I've subtracted.   

All of the additions are free.  The subtractions will save you money and improve your well being.  The after dinner walk is has been a big one for me, but it's not just me.  Peer reviewed studies back up its many health benefits, including most significantly potentially lowering the after dinner blood sugar spike you get following a meal.

Could it really be that simple? 

Sometimes it is.  Make small, consistent changes and reap the benefits.

in this episode, I cover the last year of US Grant's life.  To me, his last year was one of the heroic chapters in his inspiring life.   Faced with terminal throat cancer, and financially destitute, Grant spent his his hours writing his memoir so that he could leave a financial legacy to his wife and family.  That last year truly demonstrated his character and qualities that made him such a central figure in our Nation's history.  

His last year is one of many reasons why I have such a man crush on US Grant.  Listen more to see why.

Also, check out the most excellent biography of US Grant: Grant by Jean Edward Smith.   It's by far one of the best biographies on Grant.  

My sister, Susie, introduced me to the work of Dr. Henry Cloud, the most awesome and wise Christian psychologist.  He consults, writes, teaches, and has his own podcast.  In his book "Necessary Endings", he quoted the following proverb, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life." Proverbs 13:12.  This podcast is a meditation on that proverb.  Whoa, love that verse!!

Friends, what an honor to interview, Joe Blair, HVAC repairman, UI Non-Fiction Writer's Workshop grad, husband, dad, and author of the one of the best books that I have read, "By the Iowa Sea".  The term "memoir" doesn't do this book justice.  It a meditation on hopes, dreams, marriage, being a dad, suffering, and renewal.  This is a book that you will want to read four or five times.  The whole book is a pure, intense, powerful and poetic.  It'll light your soul.

Originally from Westford, Massachusetts, Joe and his new wife, Deb, went on a cross country adventure throughout the United States on a motorcycle in the early 90's.  They ran out of money, got stranded in Iowa, and decided to make a life here.  This begins that incredible true life story that Joe tells in "By the Iowa Sea".  

They had kids, got jobs, a mortgage, and then life happened. Taking place during the Great Flood of 2008, Blair describes in poignant detail the dreams of a young couple, their hopes, their dashed dreams, Joe's affair, and a marriage on the rocks.  To find out what happens, you need to buy the book.  

Joe also shares what next in his writing career, and his awesome son, Michael, made a short cameo appearance.  

Whoa, this was a fun one to do.  Hope you have as much listening to this one and I had interviewing Joe.  Joe is part of the large constellation of literary stars graduating from the Writer's Workshop.  It was a true honor to interview him.

In this Episode, Rockne discusses the insights of the Roman philosopher Epictetus and his lessons on the trichotomy of control over our most valuable asset: time.  This is the key to finding exuberance and improving your life.   The philosophy of Epictetus will make you say, "Whoa, that's really awesome!"

In this episode, we will explore why "following the science" as a kind of mantra actually inhibits science.  While I mention the mask debate relating to COVID, I do not attempt to resolve that debate here (or even discuss it very much), but rather, we'll explore how the inane "follow the science" mantra actually inhibits science, and why "experts" should not be the final arbiter on public policy questions or even on all "scientific" questions.

This was a fun one to prepare.  We'll discuss Thomas Kuhn's work, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, Karl Popper, Nassim Taleb, Socrates, Plato, Woody Allen, Albert Einstein, and Iowa State researcher, Danny Shechtman, who won the Nobel Laureate in 2011. 

Rather than "following the science", we should always embrace questioning the science, welcoming dissent, challenging the science, and listening to the rebels.  The "following the science" mantra has led to some extremely poor public policy decisions and clouded, uncritical thinking.  

In the case of mask COVID policy, "following the science" to justify masks has in fact, become a blindfold.

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.

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....

Get outside and walk after dinner. In this episode, I identify the five benefits of the after dinner walk!

In this episode, I interview my brother in law Cory Grimm about his year of transformation in Haiti.  We discuss the sun, the sounds, water, Haitian recipes, books, and music from this inspiring culture.  

Finally, we feature a new release from Cory Grimm!

Check out books and music at rocknecole.com.

Coming up on my one year anniversary of making the decision to leave the 300 pound club, a club that took nearly 20 years to get into and one year to get out of.  I'm now down to 245 and feel great! Proud of it and love to celebrate that with you the listeners.

In this episode, I outline obvious mistakes that I made to arrive at 300 pounds and simple steps that I took to get out of the 300 club. And, yes, it does involve fasting, but not only that.  

I hope you'll learn from my mistakes and reflect on the simple steps I took to leave it.  It wasn't nearly as hard as I thought it would be.   These reflections are all simple and obvious, but easy to forget in the moment.  They are all very "duh" solutions, but solutions that I didn't apply for nearly 20 years.  

Just finished reading Last of the Mohicans, one of the great early American novels.

In this episode, I discuss my favorite part of the book.

Read this book! Then watch the movie!!

Here, I explain why Nikki Haley is such a horrible candidate.

I also reveal at end my endorsement for President.

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.

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!

This is the follow up to my recent podcast on Lincoln's favorite poem, "Oh why should the mortals by proud" by William Knox.  Zachary Taylor, our Nation's 11th president, died on July 9, 1850, only one year and four months into his presidency.  I came across this eulogy while reading Lincoln's Speeches and Writings.  I learned that Lincoln absolutely adored Zachary Taylor and strongly supported him, campaigning vigorously for him in Taylor's run for president.  My mancrush, US Grant, also loved Taylor too.  This got me interested in Taylor and the following paradox: why did two men most responsible for the destruction of slavery, Abe and US, embrace a slaving holding Southern president?  

Whoa, I don't know whether I answered that question in this podcast, but I tried to exploring what made Taylor so compelling to both Grant and Lincoln.  In his encomium to Taylor, Lincoln's admiration of Taylor's leadership qualities demonstrates what he liked, what drove him, and what made him great.  So if nothing else, regardless of whether I rescued Taylor from the ignominy of slavery, I hope you share my view that we must not ignore, but explore the dark side to our human character, and our infinite capacity to be renewed through the eternal waters of forgiveness.

Taylor, the slaver holder, inspired the two men who crushed slavery,  perhaps, equivalent to Saul becoming Paul.  Creation and history work in mysterious ways. 

This was a fun one.  Keep living inspired and productive lives.  Be you.  Do you.  Live your life's purpose.

This podcast was recorded on February 12, 2022, Abe Lincoln's birthday.  

Why do we all love Lincoln so much?  What made him our number 1 president?

Through the lens of his Second Inaugural speech, we explore what made Lincoln so... fricking... awesome.  

We see two characteristics that are rarely possessed in one person: absolute, stone cold toughness in battle, coupled with total forgiveness after the battle was over.  He was a nice guy, tough guy.  

In this speech given just weeks before he died, he essentially gave an ultimatum to the South:

Option 1 - Keep fighting, and you will be crushed.  All chips in.  All in.  No compromise on the question of slavery.  You're going down.  In his beautiful words:

"Yet, if God wills that it continue, until all the wealth piled by the bond-man's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash, shall be paid by another drawn with the sword."  Get chills reading that with Lincoln pressaging Samuel L. Jackson in Pulp Fiction, going all Old Testament on the South.  

Option 2 - Lay down your arms.  Recognize federal sovereignty.  Accept that slavery will be abolished.  And you will be forgiven, allowed to return home, and welcomed back.  

"With malice toward none, with charity for all..."  

This was a hella fun episode to do.  I am going to do a second one on the Gettysburg Address for Part 2.   Like US Grant, I have Mega Man Crush on Abe Lincoln.  I actually like US Grant better, but along with MLK, and US Grant, they are easily top 3 for me in terms of my favorite American Heroes.  TR is not far behind, but that will bee subject of another episode...

It's official. I am coming out of the closet and voting for Donald J. Trump.

In this episode, I explain my journey from fear to courage to publicly support Trump. I also explain the policy justification Trump, and I respond to the common personal attacks that are used against Trump supporters.

Finally, I explain why Trump, rather than being the next Harold Hill, is actually one of the most authentic and towering presidents of the last 200 years, rivaling FDF, Reagan, and Lincoln.

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

This is a season for giving thanks.   I give thanks that I had the opportunity to study with and sing under the direction of Weston Noble.  Weston lived in total alignment in mind, soul, and spirit.  When I sang in Nordic Choir in the mid-90's, I experienced moments of pure bliss, or what Joseph Campbell would call, my "ananda."  I experienced that without fully realizing how Weston created those moments.  In his book, Creating the Special World, Weston outlines how how he used the spirit to channel mind and body, creating moments of pure transcendence (check out link at www.rocknecole.com).  This episode is a mediation on Weston's first chapter in that book Bring the Special World into Reality.  May you listen to your inner voice and align your mind, soul, and spirit.  This was a fun one to do and I also outline my new theme for this podcast, a liberal arts podcast focused on strengthening mind, body, and spirit.  Grateful that I studied under Weston and that we can also continue to experience life through the wisdom of Weston Noble.  

Hope you all have an awesome Thanksgiving!!

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!!

In this episode, I share one atomic habit that I applied to lose 70 pounds, skipping breakfast.  Yep, mom, and Judy, that dietician gives you sugary juice, cornflakes, and a muffin at the hospital are wrong.  You don't need breakfast, at least just 6 hours after you gorged yourself while watching your latest Netflix binge series.  Move it back 16 hours after your 6:00 dinner the night before.  

In this episode, I discuss my experience with the 16/8 intermittent fasting protocol and explain why it works using the work of Dr. Jason Fung and his book the Obesity Code.  I am going to be doing a separate cast on his work, but you really need to read that book along with Atomic Habits by James Clear. 

Combine the two, and you will change your life.  

In Clear's book, he discusses identify and tiny steps reinforcing that identity.  I am an intermittent faster and I'll share with you the tiny wins that reinforced that identity.  70 pounds later.  I now have a lot of proof to reinforce that identity.

And I'm no longer dadbod guy.  

Bye-bye Dadbod!!

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.

Here, we explore Sisu, which is a Finnish concept roughly meaning toughness or courage. We rely heavily on the work of Joanna Nyland's book, Sisu - The Finnish Art of Courage.  I discuss five key concepts from Pata Degerman the Finnish Antarctic explorer relating to Sisu.

Finally, I share the most awesome music of Finnish techno stud, Darude, and his techno instrumental Sandstorm, which I believe perfectly captures Sisu.  Try some power pushups with Sandstorm, and you will be on your way to developing your own inner Sisu.

This is a book that I came across repeatedly by various influencers such as Tony Robbins and Tim Ferris.  I kept on holding off on reading it, but it kept on popping up on top 10 lists.  So I finally gave in and read it.  I am glad that I did.  

In this episode, I cover introduce Frankl, how I learned about the book, and my two key take aways from this book.

This book should be on everyone's list at any stage of life.

In this caffeinated episode, I explain why we should stop using WW2 as the ONLY argument to support Ukraine war funding.

I recently saw a Youtube video of Brian Kilmeade, of Fox New and Vivek. In that episode, Kilmeade pulled out the WW2 trump card, and in this episode, I explain with great clarity why Kilmeade is wrong and why we need a new framework for advocating or opposing Ukraine War funding.

Whoa, I just discovered the awesomeness of matcha green tea, a tasty caffeinated beverage that is even better than ordinary green tea in a bag, which is ok, but kind of tastes like like grass.  Matcha is way better, and much more pleasant to consume.   I'm talking about the matcha powder and not the green tea you find in a tea bag.   

In this episode, I describe two key health benefits relating to weight loss and the cognitive enhancement.  Matcha is so awesome that you may well want to consider starting your own matcha smoothie shop.  it is seriously that good.  There is a reason that monks take it before mediation and Samurai warriors consumed it before battle.  It brings relaxed, focused alertness and definitely a life changer.  

Seriously love me some matcha tea!

Geopolitical Expert and Hipster Peter Zeihan is seemingly everywhere relating to U.S. Foreign Policy on the Russia-Ukraine War.

He has an interesting take on nukes: yes, the risk of nukes is there, but only if Russian wins and defeats Ukraine.

Then, since Russia, knowing its conventional forces are inferior, will then attack Poland and Romania and use nukes.

Is Zeihan right on that?

This episode explores that question.

In this episode, Rockne discusses some of what’s missing from the  Democrat message and what needs to be done to regain rural voters. (Episode #2, 14 Apr 2020)

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.

In this episode, I review the book The Circadian Code, a 2018 book by Dr. Satchin Panda, Director of Center for Circadian Biology at the University of California San Diego.  I'll discuss his super simple recommendations to turbocharge your energy, lose weight, and to get jacked!  Best yet, it's all free!  You just need the knowledge.

Together you and I will explore his three key take recommendations relating to when we sleep, eat and move.  To optimize all three, you'll need to understand the relationship to light and its relationship to sleep.  

This is covered in depth in this book and in this episode: how to align your circadian biology with the sun, a process resulting from over one billion years of evolution.  

Align with the sun and get, healthy, happy, and fit.  Fight it and you'll likely get sick, tired and depressed.

Even though its a billion years in the making, the key findings of this field have only emerged within the last 30 to 40 years, and some of those were only made in 2002 by scientists like Dr. Panda.  I learned about Dr. Panda through my man-crush, Dr. Andrew Huberman, a fellow professor who actually believes, like Dr. Panda, that his research should be accessible to a larger audience (in contrast to many academics).  Dr. Huberman discussed Dr. Panda's work in his episode on time restricted eating, a key interest of mine, and I really wanted to learn more in depth about optimizing food intake based upon a daily circadian sleep/wake cycle. 

I also share my own story when I was 300 pounds.  Though  I largely ate a healthy diet, my circadian biology was all out of whack, leading to being fat, stressed, and unfocused.  That all changed when I started aligning my circadian biology with the timing of when I ate, or time restricted eating as Dr. Panda calls it.

This book lived up to its promise of losing weight, supercharging energy, and transforming health.  Whoa... this one was super fun to do and I can't wait to start doing regular weekly podcasts again!!

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.

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.

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

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.

Happy President's Day! This my second episode relating to the awesomeness of Abe Lincoln.

We'll cover two addresses at Gettysburg, the famous one by Abe, and the long winded version Edward Everett, the featured speaker, who is typically glossed over as the long winded two hour speech prior to Lincoln's speech.

Here I give Everett his due.  Yes, he was a little bit of a windbag, but there's some good stuff in the speech too.  It's kind of a little history lesson on Greece, England, Germany, Rome, a description of Gettysburg itself, the reasons for the war and the South's bs arguments for waging the Civil War.

So, yes, in compared to Lincoln, yes, the speech kind of sucked, but it had some good kernels of wisdom too that I cover.

I'll also give Abe's Gettysburg his due at the end of this podcast as well.

This was a fun one to do.  My last episode on Abe kind of bombed, but such is the nature of this podcast.  I'll do stuff that interests the few and the many.  You guys seems to like the fasting episodes the most, but I am going to continue to do history episodes too because that's my true love.

Would love to hear your feedback on this podcast and on future topics that you would like to explore: rocknecole@gmail.com or rocknecast@gmail.com.

Whoa.  I just experienced an incredible moment based upon Vince Lombardi's favorite Bible verse.  I was going to do an episode Lombardi and the Jesuits, but I had to audible based upon what happened this morning.

In this episode, I share his favorite verse, define synchronicity, and share its impact on me.  I have zero idea whether this will resonate with you in the way that it did with me, but I just had to get this one out, the authentic expression of who I am and my intention of whom I am destined to become.  After today, I am all in, letting that inner voice out 100%.  I certainly never expected to experience such a spiritual moment involving Coach Lombardi, but that is what happened today.

Let go.  Find your purpose.  Listen to your inner voice.  Work as a team.  Serve the common good.

And Run to Win.  

Mega gratitude to Vince Lombardi, and to David Maraniss for his life changing book on the legendary football coach. 

My friend Brad Lund and I have a conversation about the past, present, and future of liberal arts.  Brad and I graduated in the 90's from Luther College, a small liberal arts college in NE Iowa.  Brad and I met about a month ago in Decorah as his son was visiting Luther College.  I thought it would be fun to have him on the RockneCast.  Brad is a good vibe dude!  We discuss our experience at Luther, his son's current search for post-secondary college, and whether the liberal arts remains relevant amidst the increasing specialization in the modern world.  

This is a great episode for all, but especially for those with high school kids trying to figure out whether a small liberal arts college makes sense for them.

This is the second episode in a four part series on the Obesity Code by Dr. Jason Fung, a book that changed my life.  What makes Dr. Fung so awesome as a source on fasting?

In the diet and nutrition space, it is so hard to figure out what to believe and who you should trust.  There are a cacophony of voices out there each hawking their own method, their own theories, their own approach.  Some of that advice runs counter to conventional medical wisdom and trends seem be constantly reversing and changing.  Salt good or bad?  High fat good or bad?  Pills or no pills?  Fasting just a fad or something deeper and more powerful?  When do you accept conventional wisdom?  When should you challenge it?

The work of Dr. Jason Fung has completely transformed my life, helping me to easily lose 70 pounds.   This is a longer podcast on what makes him so effective as a source on fasting.  He is a conventionally trained doctor, but willing to challenge conventional training, especially when the theories did not match what he was seeing in his own practice.  We also explore some limitations on doctors, i.e. why smart people can get it wrong.  Some doctors suck, even when they follow their training without questioning whether it is actually right or the best approach.  

While other doctors out there are just as smart and talented, what makes Dr. Fung so effective is his seamless integration of theory, practice, peer reviewed studies, and the ability communicate to a broader audience.  

Whoa, I have mega gratitude to Dr. Fung.  

Prior to Dr. Fung, Dad Bod, fat, and sick.  After Dr. Fung, fit, six pack, and healthy.  

This podcast is a discussion on why he is so effective and hopefully, you will find your own Dr. Fung.

In this episode, I cover Romans 12:11, Weston Noble, a tiny moment of synchronicity, and what I learned from mom.

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!

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!!

One of saddest moments of American History is the Hayes-Tilden Compromise of 1877.  In that Compromise, Southern Democrats agreed to accept Rutherford Hayes as President in exchange for Republicans agreeing to withdraw troops from the South.  US Grant historian, Jean Edward Smith described the Compromise this way: "The rights of African Americans were sacrificed at the altar of national reconciliation."  We are still reaping the bitter fruit from that backroom deal.  In this Episode, I explore the events leading up to that Compromise, why it happened, and why we still feel its effects even today.  I also discuss some possible solutions to finally address the failures of Reconstruction: reparations and reconciliation.   

In this episode, I cover the Huberman Sigh, a breath work technique popularized by Dr. Andrew Huberman, a Stanford professor of Neuroscience. It's an ancient technique to act as a kill switch for stress, especially when you're feeling totally overwhelmed or anxious. Huberman did not invent this nor did he do the first research, but he popularized this through his excellent Huberman Lab Podcast.

Hence, I am coining this as Huberman Sigh.

Tune in dudes!!

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 explore what traits Alexander the Great and Donald Trump share in common.

Both were "great" men and in this episode, I explore how and why they became great.

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

This is my last episode on the late great Vince Lombardi, and David Maraniss' awesome book on his amazing purpose driven life.

In this episode, I riff on the gap, that is the where you are and where you could be given your existing talent, resources, and opportunities.  So many of us get in our own way, blocking the best version of ourselves.  We'll discuss Angus MacGyver and opportunities, things that block the and unlock the gap, the best version of ourselves.

How do we get to the other side?   What prevents us from getting there?

Lombardi took a team, bordering on the verge collapse, and transformed it into a champion within three years.  He had the same resources, location, and even many of the same players that the previous coach, Scooter Maclean had, but like US Grant before him, rather than lamenting what he didn't have, Lombardi focused on what he did have, taking the Packers across the gap from oblivion to legend.

We'll discuss his stump speech after he won, my favorite Lombardi quote, and some of the principles behind Lombardi's success.  

Given where you are, are you using the most of what you've been given?  If not, I hope you'll join me on this journey as to discuss how to cross the gap from where are to where we should be, the best version of ourselves.  

Major gratitude to David Maraniss for writing this book and to Vince for showing us how to become the best version of ourselves.  

The United States is one step or miscalculation from a hot war in Europe.

There a lot of reasons US Policy makers have used to provide military support to Ukraine, but by far, the most prominent is the Munich Peace Settlement of 1938.

Largely viewed now as a disaster, in the Munich Peace Conference, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain made a peace deal with the devil himself, Adolf Hitler.  In exchange for an agreement not to invade other countries, France and Britain coerced Czechoslovakia to concede its Sudetenland territory to Germany.

We all know what happened after that.  It's now criticized as naive, idealistic, and bolstering aggression.  

It is now used as the primary precedent to arm Ukraine.  If they are not armed, and our defeated,  Russia will invade Europe and be on our doorsteps next.

Is the situation now similarly similar to 1938?  Is it even relevant?  Or it a giant red herring?  

In this episode, I explore that issue.

In this episode, I am discussing two great habit books Atomic Habits by James Clear, and The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg.    

Resolutions are hard to  keep.  Clear is probably the best habit author that I have read in terms of actually implementing powerful life changing behaviors.  He actually shows you how.  Duhigg shows us why habits are so important and introduced the world to keystone habits, those habits that affect so many different domains.  I am combining the two and calling them Micro-Keystone Habits.  

We will also discuss Chris Rock's habits for prepping for comedy tours as well as discussing one Anti-Keystone habit in my life.

These are powerful life changing books that you all should be reading.  I provide links to both at: https://rocknecole.com/2021/01/03/in-2021-consider-micro-keystone-habits-instead-of-resolutions.

In this first in our series on the Teachings of Bruce Lee, we explore the seemingly obvious concept of the virtue of keeping an open mind through the Parable of the Empty Cup.  Whoa, Shannon and Bruce have such an intriguing way of teaching simple, yet profound concepts that we think we know, but so often ignore in our own lives.  Bruce's power arose from his ability to self examine and opening his mind up to the powers the Universe while also drilling down and mastering what he really did know.  This yin yang of knowledge and unknowledge is one of the many things that made him such a powerful, charismatic, and transformational figure.

For those who want to learn more, buy Be Water, My Friend - The Teachings of Bruce Lee by his daughter Shannon Lee.  A portion of your purchase will help fund the show through the Amazon Associates program.  

in this episode, I share one of the most awesome self care practices that I've learned this past year, Wim Hof Breathing.  In particular, I share with you what I've learned from the book, "The Way of the Iceman - How The Wim Hof Method Creates, Radiant Longterm Health".   We'll explore what it is, why it works, and how can it change your life.  

Wim's breathings techniques activate the mind, body and spirit.  Also, you can purchase by checking out www.rocknecole.com.

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 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 I explore how Brian and Kirk Ferentz can learn from a chimpanzee named pork pie and the king, Alexander the Great.

I discuss cautionary tale of Pork Pie and how Brian and Kirk can learn from the sad plight of Pork Pie.

I explore these topics through two great documentaries on Netflix: Chimp Empire and a recent docudrama on Alexander the Great.

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.

In this episode, you and I will explore the conditions under which stress will make you or break you.

Stress is something that I have struggled, but now I embrace it as a catalyst to being the best version of myself.

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!!

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!!

In this episode, I share my one day overnight trip to the Melleray Abbey outside of Dubuque, Iowa.

I offer tips if you go, share what I learned, and explore the value of practicing silence, something the monks do very well.

I also share how you can bring the silence back with you to restore balance to your hectic lives.

Whoa... This was probably one of my best podcasts so far.  I interviewed one of the most delightful, balanced, and wise people that I personally know, Mary Elizabeth Williams.  We discuss in depth, her career as an opera star, the obstacles, the triumphs, and the wisdom that she has acquired along the way.

Mary and I attended Luther College together in the mid-90s.  I got to know her because we were both in Nordic Choir together for two years.  At the time, she seemed destined to become an opera star, but as we discussed during this episode, that destiny wasn't always so sure.  There were moments when it didn't appear so inevitable.

Gulp, at one point, she even considered becoming a lawyer!

I love being a lawyer, but the world would have lost an incredible treasure if she didn't align with her life's purpose, to impart beauty and passion to the world through charismatic personality and voice.  This would have been roughly akin to Einstein considering becoming an insurance salesman prior to discovering relativity.  Thank goodness she chose opera!

In addition to opera, we discussed a self care strategy, book recommendation, and we even discuss an intriguing aspect of her father's life in France during WWII, a life so interesting that I think Mary should write an inspired by real life novel about that part of her father's life.

This cast was a delightful journey for me, learning from such an intriguing and passionate soul.  This was a fun one!!

As many of you know, I have been fasting for about a year.  I've lost 60 pounds, feel great, off high blood pressure pills, and the Type II diabetes track, but there are some side effects and critiques.  I'll go over ones that I've experienced and ones that I think are completely bs critiques by people that I have never done fasting.  

Yeah, yeah, I get it.  Everyone's different.  I agree with that, but as a general principle, I think humans have more in common that the genetic variability arising from the slow gradual process of human evolution.  And most of what I have experienced is confirmation of what the true experts on fasting have indicated would happen.  Lot of the critics clearly have not tried it.  So I agree that you could experience something different, but I am betting you will experience what I have experienced, especially if you're an overweight dude like I was.  

Tune in and let me know what you think at rockneccast@gmail.com.  With gratitude for each and everyone of you who tune in regularly.  We're building something together!!

I was recently in Rochester, Minnesota hanging out with my dad, Richard G. Cole.  My mom was getting her eyes checked at the Mayo Clinic, and while we were waiting at the Soldier's Field Hotel (which is mega-awesome by the way), I thought it would be a good opportunity to interview my dad about his experiences as a professor at Luther College from 1964-2005.  This will be of interest to people interested in Luther College and its history.  

We discuss how he arrived at Luther,  former Luther professors, a major controversy in the early 1960's, former Luther presidents, Elwin Farwell, and H. George Anderson, and other topics such as the founding of the Center for Faith and Life.  And, of course, we also had to discuss my hero, Weston Noble, too.

I suppose a few of my family members might find this interesting too.

For those of you who don't know Luther, what the heck do you have to lose?  Just listen.  Its just 40 minutes of your life.  

Wartburg College people may not like this one.  So you might want to skip if this one if you went to Wartburg.  So Wartburg people ... that's my trigger warning for you.

This was a fun one to do.  

Stay tuned for future episodes!!

We recently celebrated the 77th anniversary of the D-Day Invasion, paving the way for the defeat of Facism and liberating Germany for subsequent Euro Hipsters.  

I recently watched a documentary called "Normandy: Surviving D-Day".   It is free on YouTube.  Great documentary!  Very polished and substantive, but that's not the reason I liked it so much. 

While not the focus of the documentary, it did discuss the impact of the huge breakfast that the troops had before the invasion consisting of bacon, eggs, toast and other heavy breakfast foods.  Allied planners thought a hearty breakfast would boost morale and help the young men be ready to defeat Nazi's.  

In this episode, I discuss why that was such a bad idea and how that big breakfast nearly cost the Allies dearly on D-Day.  I also cover a majorly cool Jewish guy named Hal Baumgarten, a tough guy who sought revenge against Nazi's and we discuss what he ate before D-Day.  We also discuss another Jewish tough guy, Ori Hofmekler, author of the Warrior Diet, one of the first books advocating one meal a day.  

Let's just say Hal chose a different path.  Whoa this was a fun one to do.  

Check this episode out and send me feedback at rocknecast@gmail.com

In episode, I explore the relationship between alcohol and a red face, how I learned about it, and what I did to reverse it.

Appearance is one of the many things people don't think about in connection with alcohol consumption. It's nearly guaranteed. If you drink every day or heavily on weekends, it'll make you look like crap!!

The good news is that you can reverse this by stop drinking alcohol or severely limiting your intake to once or twice a quarter.

In this episode, I share my path from being a supporter of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to being a supporter of Marjorie Taylor Greene, the uber mama bear congresswoman from Georgia.

AOC polices lead to a disordered hell scape and MTG's policies lead to a healthy patriotic republic.

How in the heck did I go from AOC to MTC?

In this episode, I explain how.

Grandpa Earl and Grandma Ethel all used to do 12 and 13 hour daily fasts, which is better than snacking throughout the day and night, but to get some of the true benefits of intermittent fasting, you need to get to 16 hours.   Some very important metabolic transformations happen in the 14, 15, and 16 hours of fasting.  In this episode, I cover how Grandpa Earl and Grandma Ethel will help you easily get to a 16 hour fast, even though they don't have the slightest clue what fasting is or how it works. It sounds hard, but you just need to visit Grandpa Earl and Grandma Ethel to show you how to do your first 16 hours fast.     

In this episode, I interview Iowa City Councilor John Thomas.  We discuss a recent proposal to convert Market and Jefferson Streets from one way to two ways, and also, discuss some larger urban planning trends in the late 20th and 21 centuries through the lens of Iowa City, including historic neighborhoods, walkability, neighborhood commercial, and suburban development.

We also discussed several book recommendations, all of which can be found in John Thomas Show Notes at rocknecole.com.

John is an incredibly engaging personality with a clear, elegant mind.   Iowa City is fortunate to have him on our Council.  We had a really fun conversation!  Plug this one for your weekend walk!

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.

Happy Presidents Day!  In this episode, I discuss fasting and the holidays.  I also discuss two upcoming monk fasts that I will be doing.

This episode is a short one!

Through the lens of a recent PBS Frontline Documentary, The Discord Leaks, which examines how 21 years told Air Force Guardsman Jack Teixeira leaked national security secrets, I argue that the Washington Post and PBS are gaslighting the American people about the impact of those leaks on national security.

I also argue that the Washington Post's tagline "Democracy Dies in Darkness" is just gaslighting. Indeed, the opposite is true.

In this episode, I discuss my recent 44 hour fast: how much weight I lost, my hunger, my mental state, whether I should be proud of my results, and how I ate after the 44 hour fast.

In this episode, I travel from Dr. Drew to Eudaimonia to a chicken curry recipe.

This is the Rubin Report video with Dr. Drew that inspired this episode.

This is the TedTalk video by Jay Kannaiyan I discussed and this is this the chicken curry recipe.

Early mornings.  Simple. Free. Abundant.  Perpetual.  And if tapped into as part of routine, transformative.  I'm obviously not the first nor the last that will discuss the virtues of tapping into power of early mornings.  But, for me, it's a truth that I ignored for far too long, but never late than never.  Waking to the dawn and possibilities each new day is one of life's greatest gifts.  

In this episode, we tap into the wisdom and prose of Henry David Thoreau and Marcus Aurelius.  

if you're stressed, time starved, or feeling out of balance, find your footing in the early morning hours, the time of renewal and coming alive to the possibilities of each day.  

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.

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.

I am a white rural Trump voter. In this episode, I respond to the book White Rural Rage: The Threat to American Democracy by Paul Waldman and Tom Schaller.

Does any of it ring true for me?

Just finished Elon Musk biography by Walter Isaacson.

In this episode, I focus on the five step optimization algorithm that Musk uses for all his factories and businesses.

I also address the two corollaries that accompany the five step optimization process.

Whoa, hitting the final stretch on my series on James Clear's awesome book Atomic Habits. I've been covering five free Atomic Habits that will transform your life.  In this episode, we're covering fasting.   I'll explain why it works so well to lose weight and improve your health. I'll also provide a tip as to whether you can lose more weight skipping breakfast or dinner.  The timing of when you eat matters a great deal!

I also use a Bible verse on fasting and cover a critique that Jesus had on fasting that is a common misperception relating to fasting as it relates to your the impact of fasting on your appearance.

In the next episode, I'll cover why it works, provide a tip, and a Bible verse.   In the final final episode, we'll be focusing on time, the greatest gift of all.

Betty the nutritionist has given you bad advice.  Calorie counting is not a great way to lose weight.  Sure, in the short term, with great pain, sacrifice, and peer support, you can lose weight adopting the standard model - high carb/low fat coupled with calorie counting, but in the long term you will likely rebound.  Betty is right in the abstract, but she's wrong about why you are eating too much.  It's not your will power.  It's not your weakness.  It's your model.  Your don't understand hunger and satiety hormones.

In this episode, we explore the awesomeness of Dr. Jason Fung and his ground breaking book, The Obesity Code.  After reading his book, I have easily lost 70 pounds, painlessly, effortlessly, and without any concerns about a food bender rebound.  It's easy because, with the help of Dr. Fung, and the app, Fastic, I know what makes me hungry, what makes me full, and more importantly, how to eat consistently with our shared ancestral wiring of 3.5 million years of human evolution.  After you understand that, weight loss is easy.

In this episode, we explore why Betty is soooo wrong through an exploration of the hunger hormone, ghrelin, and satiety hormone leptin.  I share some studies from the Obesity Code and my own personal experience relating to the power of intermittent fasting and ketogenic diets.  Keto and fasting will help you master what makes you hungry and what makes you full, resulting in you stuffing your pie hole less, losing weight, and getting ripped.  A six pack is not far away!!

This episode was fun to do!! 

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.

In this episode, I explain, in my opinion, why Special Counsel Jack Smith' s Motion to Expedite US Supreme Court review in the DC Jan. 6 case demonstrates that he may be a Sith Lord, and that he well be Count Dooku's errant son, Darth Tyrannis.

All statements made herein are based upon good faith opinion based upon perceptions only and are intended as political parody.

In this episode, Rockne discusses Moby Dick by Herman Melville, sharing how it has been one of the great texts that have impacted his life. (Episode #3, 18 Apr 2020)

My response on the recent Supreme Court case addressing whether state can bar President Trump from running for President under the 14th Amendment rebellion or insurrection clause.

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!!

Episode #9 is about the power of intermittent fasting. This is a special installment in a series of Life Hack insights from Rockne Cole. (2 Oct 2020)

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

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!

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.