In this episode, I review the book Masters of Uncertainty - The Navy Seal Way to Turn Stress into Success for You and Your Team by Rich Diviney.

If you think about it, stress is one of the most powerful assets and liabilities in each one of our lives. It can cause us to focus and be the best version of ourselves. Left unfocused or uncontrolled, it can devastate us or even lead to premature death.

In the military, panic is not an option. Panic rarely serves us well, but that is precisely what happens if we cannot control our stress. Acute stress leads to panic. By definition, the military knows that they are putting their men and women in acutely stressful situations. So they have developed a series of techniques to allow there troops to be as calm and as possible to achieve the mission.

Diviney shares what he learned in his SEAL training, outlining a series of concrete steps to turn negative stress into an asset to achieve your mission.

In this episode, we focus on one part of the book relating to controlling your response in the midst of uncertain and unexpected events.

We cover: duration, pathway, and outcome DPO); what is known and controllable in unexpected events; and breathwork to immediately calm the mind when an unexpected event occurs.

This is book short; however, its impact is powerful. It has the potential to change your life.

Control your stress. Turn it an asset. Optimize the result. Just like the Navy SEALS do. This was a good book!!

In this episode, I outline the joys of intentional ideation, i.e. intentionally setting aside quiet time to sit and just think. It's not rumination though. The goal is to intentionally set aisde quiet time so that you can think, your mind wander to tap the power of the subconscious. The pen makes all of the difference. This will allow you to capture those ideas as they pop up.

That's what life is all about... making the abstract concrete, manifesting and bringing into form all of the powerful ideas resting within the subconscious.

We all have these amazing ideas down there. The purpose of the intentional ideation is to make those ideas come to life.

We'll also formally define ideation, the concept of an "idea", and how the Taoist philosophy book of wisdom, The I-Ching, describes the creative.

This was a fun one to do.

The audio quality on this episode kind of sucks, but I wanted to get this one out!!

Shalom, that beautiful Hebrew word meaning peace. But its meaning is much deeper than simple absence of conflict. It's more active and intentional than that.

As I learned from a sermon last year, Shalom is a earned harmony, resulting from the intentional resolution of difficult conflicts in our personal, professional and spiritual lives.

One thing is certain: you will not gain shalom by avoiding conflict.

This has taken a lifetime for me to figure out with significant consequences flowing from that avoidance.

Here's the thing about conflict. We don't do it because its uncomfortable and we fear the consequences of daylighting the conflict? What will happen if we raise this as an issue?

Here's what I've learned. Whether you address it or not, the thing you fear will happen, whether you raise the conflict or not, but if you don't do it earlier, the thing you fear will be 10 times worse. Being proactive early means you have a chance to solve it while the conflict is manageable.

So just do it.

Address it now or face the consequences later. In the early stages, you at least have a chance to heal it rather facing a much worse problem later on.

If you are a conflict avoider like I am, I offer some suggestions based upon the Biblical story of Jacob and Esau.

This episode is important. These are all critical skills that we must learn to develop!!

I woke up this morning with a feeling of peace, an emotion that I have not experienced much lately. One word popped into my head... gratitude.

And I thought about all of the people who showed me unconditional love these last several weeks.

With gratitude to everyone single one of you who shared your presence with me and showed me unconditional love.

This episode is dedicated to all of you.

Rockne

Can too much wellness be a bad thing?

Yes, even wellness can turn into badness. Like everything else, wellness has its limits.

Of course, well practices like exercise, meditation, prayer, journaling, and eating well can be essential to transform you into the best version of you. And no, I am not asserting that you should start smoking cigarettes and eating potato chips.

Make sure that your paying attention to you intention.

Who's it all for?

Because life is not just about you. It's about the people that you love and care about. Sometimes, too much wellness blinds us to our loved one's suffering hiding in plain sight.

Make sure that, in focusing on your wellness journey, you're putting as much time in your loved one's wellness as you are on your own.

With gratitude to all you who frequently tune in.

Have you ever thought about the difference between persistence and perseverance? Through the lens of the American Stoic, Ryan Holiday, we'll focus on how he distinguishes the two concepts. This episode bookends my previous episode on US Grant.

In this episode, I dive into the stories of resilience and grit that shape true greatness. Today, we’re talking about Ulysses S. Grant—not for his battlefield victories, his presidency, or his legendary autobiography, but for his unshakable spirit in the face of life’s toughest blows.

Grant faced countless valleys, yet his indomitable will carried him through. In this episode, we’ll explore Grant’s response to the pressure cooker of Shiloh, where his vision, courage, and determination turned the tide.

We’ll also reflect on the ultimate valley-walking wisdom from Psalm 23:1-4. L

I recently met with my cousin Tom at Klunder's Cafe. As we talked, Jelly Roll’s song “I Am Not Okay” came on, a track I hadn’t heard before but instantly connected with. Its raw message—that it’s okay to not be okay during tough times, yet hope assures us things will be alright—struck a deep chord. I’m grateful for the wisdom and connection found in that moment with Tom.

It's ok to not be ok, but soon its going to be alright.

While preparing for our discussion on Stoic encouragement, I came across two profound sentences from Marcus Aurelius that could truly transform your life. They emphasize the art of listening—truly understanding and connecting with the person you're engaging with.

This approach serves as a powerful framework for healing, fostering empathy, and building deeper relationships. Though just two sentences, their wisdom has the potential to be life-changing.

In this episode, we explore the concept of Stoic encouragement, focusing on the practice of seeking inspiration from individuals who visibly embody the virtues we aspire to cultivate.

We'll discuss specific virtues and highlight remarkable figures who exemplify them, such as Weston Noble, Jay Shetty, and Ulysses S. Grant.

I truly enjoyed putting this episode together, and I’m excited to dive deeper into how these role models can guide us toward personal growth and resilience. Join us as we reflect on their lessons and how they inspire us to live with purpose and virtue.

In this episode, we dive into an inspiring interview with Sarah Updegraff Murray!

Sarah shares her transformative journey from a life-altering fall to becoming a beacon of creativity in Northeast Iowa. She recounts the creation of her Facebook page, Hope is a Strategy, and the powerful lessons she’s shared there.

We reflect on our shared connection to Luther College’s Nordic Choir and discuss what’s next for Sarah. Her first book is on the horizon, and I can’t wait to see it come to life. Deep gratitude to Sarah and her husband, Steve, for making this interview possible.

In this first of two episodes on Sarah Updegraff Murray, I explore the profound lessons of courage I've learned from her remarkable example. Next episode, we'll hear directly from Sarah in an interview.

Last spring, Sarah slipped on black ice, sustaining a spinal injury that led to paralysis.

Here, I reflect on her inspiring embodiment of virtue: courage in action.

We’ll discuss Victor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning and a Marcus Aurelius quote about finding encouragement.

I’ll also share our connection through Nordic Choir at Luther College. Sarah’s story is one of inspiration.

Her Facebook page, Hope is a Strategy, could just as fittingly be called Hope is a Choice. Unable to change what happened, Sarah chose to respond with hope. Grateful that she shared her time with me. This was one of the best interviews that I have done on the RockneCast!

Dr. Joe Dispenza’s Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself just earned a spot on my Top 10 list of life-changing books. The title feels a bit harsh—suggesting we need to "break" ourselves—but the content is transformative. It’s about becoming your best self by confronting the negative patterns that hold you back.

Dispenza shows how aligning mind, body, and spirit creates a seamless, vibrant state of being. However, he focuses on the pitfalls of chronic negative emotions, driven by our hardwired survival instincts. While these instincts are vital for protection, when they’re constantly triggered, they trap us in stress and prevent us from thriving.

This book hit home for me recently, guiding me back to a relaxed, purpose-driven, and creative mindset.

Yesterday, I felt off—my body was running the show, dragging my mind and spirit down with it.

So, I took charge and tackled the garage fridge, that forgotten box of expired jars and sticky goo. Just like that fridge, the goo in your soul doesn’t clean itself. Healing demands action and intention.

Drawing from Dr. Joe Dispenza’s Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself, we’ll explore why letting the body lead the mind and spirit stalls you out, and how prioritizing mind, body, and spirit in harmony sets you free.

We’ll dive into actionable steps to get there. Every action compounds, chipping away at unresolved feelings that hold you back.

Clear the inner goo and clutter, restore your mind, and heal your body.

It’s time to clean your garage fridge—inner peace is waiting.

In this episode of the RockneCast, I dive into Rule 8 from Jordan Peterson’s 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos—and wow, did it hit home. The rule?

Tell the Truth, or at Least Don’t Lie. Here’s my confession: I’m a liar (and you might be too).

But not in the obvious way, like saying one thing while knowing the opposite is true.

On pages 214 and 215, Peterson unpacks a deeper kind of lie—the one where we betray our authentic selves. It’s those moments of quiet desperation when we hide our deepest fears from the people we love most, on the issues that matter most. This failure to be real creates an undercurrent that silently erodes our relationships. In this episode, we’ll explore insights from Kierkegaard, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, and Carl Jung—all packed into just two pages of this incredible book. Man, I wish I’d read this sooner! Join me as we unpack the power of truth and the cost of failing to express our authentic self.

It’s been over five years since I launched the RockneCast, and what a journey it’s been! So much has unfolded since those early days. In this episode, I dive into the why behind the RockneCast.

Spoiler alert: it’s not about money, fame, ego, or validation.

Instead, it’s about uncovering the hidden challenges and opportunities that life throws at us—those moments you can either dodge or embrace.

I’ve stumbled plenty along the way, but I’ve also picked up a few hard-earned lessons that ring true for me and, I believe, will resonate with you too.

Join me as we explore the deeper purpose driving this podcast and the insights that can help us all navigate the unseen paths ahead.

I am about halfway through Jordan Peterson's book 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos. Rule 6 really resonated with me:

Set Your House in Perfect Order Before You Criticize the World.

I have seriously violated this rule at various times in my life. I share the consequences of failing to follow the rule; identify the ways Stoicism helped improve this area and outline my ongoing efforts to put this rule into practice.

Life is a practice. There is no end outcome where we can rest on having arrived. Everything requires ongoing diligence, attention and self-examination when we fall short.

Peterson's book helps us to live life as it is. Grateful that he put this out into the world.

In this episode, I review Breath by James Nestor. It has definitely entered my Top 10 list of life changing books.

You might think you know how to breathe—after all, it’s what keeps us alive—but chances are, you’re doing it wrong. The way you breathe impacts how you sleep, exercise, meditate, and maintain energy throughout the day.

This book dives into ancient breathwork techniques, introduces unconventional "pulmonauts," and offers practical tips for optimal breathing to calm your mind, uplift your spirit, and boost energy for getting things done.

I also share my experience from a one-week experiment of taping my mouth shut while sleeping—a practice I’ve now made permanent—and recommend a powerful breathwork technique: coherent breathing.

For a deeper dive, you need to buy this book!

Whoa, Psalm 30 rivals Psalm 23 for its transformative power. It's a beacon of life changing light.

In this episode, we dive into Psalm 30:4-12, unpacking why these verses pulse with life-giving energy.

They remind us that despair can turn to joy, mourning to dancing, and darkness to divine light through faith and gratitude.

We’ll explore how the psalmist’s raw honesty about suffering, paired with triumphant praise for deliverance, offers a roadmap for navigating life’s lows with resilience.

Let Psalm 30 illuminate your path, transforming your perspective with every step.

The Tao of John Middlekauff shines through in his podcast, where his superpower—raw, unfiltered authenticity—makes him a joy to listen to.

It boils down to one thing: He speaks his truth.

John seamlessly translates his inner thoughts into his outer takes, delivering insights with zero pretense. This authenticity captivates listeners, builds trust, and keeps it real—no BS, just straight talk.

We’ll also explore why people erect their own barriers, hesitate to share their inner selves, and the risks of keeping it all locked inside.

Embrace the Tao of John Middlekauff and let his fearless authenticity inspire you to live more openly in your own life.