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What's on Your Bookshelf?

What's on Your Bookshelf?

By: Denise Russo and Zach Elliott
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“What’s On Your Bookshelf” is a personal and professional growth podcast exploring the intersections of passion, potential, and purpose - featuring multi-certified coach and leadership development consultant Denise R. Russo alongside Sam Powell, Zach Elliott, Tom Schweizer, Dennis LaRue, and Michelle King.

© 2025 What's on Your Bookshelf?
Career Success Economics Management Management & Leadership Personal Development Personal Success
Episodes
  • 125: Un-F-Yourself: Intro-Get Out of Your Head and Into Your Life
    Jul 23 2025

    We introduce a book that's new to both of our bookshelves: Gary John Bishop's "Un-F-Yourself: Get Out of Your Head and Into Your Life." Unlike previous episodes where at least one of us had read the book before, we're both diving into this one together, exploring its no-nonsense approach to personal development.

    • "Un-F-Yourself" offers a wake-up call about how we often block our own progress
    • The book's main premise: you are the problem standing in your own way
    • Contrasting with stoic philosophy from "The Obstacle is the Way," this book takes a more direct approach
    • Sam shares how taking imperfect action with her Substack newsletter led to growth and development
    • We discuss how many of us have dreams we don't act on, from writing books to other personal goals
    • The importance of messy action over perfect planning
    • This book speaks to those feeling resigned or defeated about their circumstances
    • We'll explore the book chapter by chapter in upcoming episodes

    If you get value from these episodes, please share them with others and let us know what you're thinking.


    Connect with us on our LinkedIn page School of Thoughts . We also value your reviews, subscribing, and sharing our podcast "What's On Your Bookshelf?" on Apple and Spotify.

    Subscribe to our new YouTube channel.

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    24 mins
  • 124-The Obstacle Is The Way: Part 3-Final Episode; The Art of Beginning Again
    Jul 2 2025

    We explore the final chapter of Ryan Holiday's "The Obstacle is the Way," focusing on how life requires us to continuously begin again and view obstacles as opportunities rather than barriers.

    • The cycle of obstacles never ends - when we navigate one, another emerges
    • Mountains behind mountains - life presents continuous challenges requiring perpetual readiness
    • Obstacles become opportunities when we change our perspective and approach
    • Success comes from seeing clearly, acting correctly, and enduring what we must
    • Growth doesn't mean obstacles shrink, but that we develop greater capacity to hold them
    • What once blocked our path can become the path itself
    • The three disciplines: perception (see clearly), action (act correctly), will (endure and accept)
    • Personal stories of transforming job loss into new opportunities through mindset shifts

    If you're getting value from our episodes, we'd love it if you would share them with others. Send us a note about what's resonated for you and how you've applied these principles to overcome obstacles in your own life.


    Connect with us on our LinkedIn page School of Thoughts . We also value your reviews, subscribing, and sharing our podcast "What's On Your Bookshelf?" on Apple and Spotify.

    Subscribe to our new YouTube channel.

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    32 mins
  • 123-The Obstacle Is The Way: Part 3-Episode 3; Finding Strength Through Life's Challenges: Edison, Perseverance, and the Path Forward
    Jun 25 2025

    We explore two powerful concepts from Ryan Holiday's "The Obstacle Is The Way" that can transform how we approach life's challenges: loving everything that happens and cultivating perseverance.

    • Thomas Edison's warehouse fire destroyed $23 million worth of inventions, yet he watched with wonder and returned to work the next day
    • Shifting from "have to" to "get to" perspective reconnects us with gratitude and excitement
    • The story of Olivia, who transformed flood devastation into an organization that's collected over 110,000 pairs of shoes for those in need
    • Persistence is an action (hammering at a problem), while perseverance is a matter of will (staying in the game long-term)
    • Professional athletes demonstrate perseverance by investing more hours and maintaining focus longer than competitors
    • Our greatest obstacles are often self-created through doubt, fear, and hesitation
    • When we live out wisdom actively rather than just collecting it, our lives become richer and more meaningful

    We'd love to hear from you about ways we could make this experience better! Reach out to us about joining a book club or participating in live events as we continue this journey together.


    Connect with us on our LinkedIn page School of Thoughts . We also value your reviews, subscribing, and sharing our podcast "What's On Your Bookshelf?" on Apple and Spotify.

    Subscribe to our new YouTube channel.

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    34 mins

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