RockneCAST

Nearing 50, I am firmly rooted in middle age.   As we age, our testosterone levels tend to decline causing numerous issues, including muscle loss, obesity, insulin resistance, stress, and premature death.  Restoring levels can reverse those trends. I was listening to Joe Rogan's interview of Andrew Huberman, a badass neuroscientist and PhD at Stanford University.  Huberman and Rogan were discussin...

This episode is by far the most most meaningful RockneCast episode to me.  I interviewed Dr. Lillian Erdahl about her dad, Clemens Erdahl.   Clemens passed away suddenly at the age of 71 on October 2, 2019.  He wore many hats: a lawyer, a traveler, a dad, a mentor, a husband, an Iowa City councilor and a colorful story teller.  In life, I knew only Clemens.  He focused pri...

In this episode, I am joined by home and office tech guru, Greg Johnson, my very first guest on the RockneCast.  Greg also helped me set up the RockneCast.   Greg is a master at time management and leveraging his time.  He is also probably one of the best home and office tech consultants in Eastern Iowa. We discussed in depth a quote from great Stoic emperor, Marcus Aurelius, which...

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 pol...

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!

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 so...

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, whi...

In this 4th and (for now), final episode on the work of Dr. Fung, I discuss the key takeaways of Dr. Jason Fung's life changing book, the Obesity Code, a book that changed my life and helped me to effortlessly lose 70 pounds.   We'll discuss: 1.  Ketogenic Diets, 2.  Why he's more Keto "ish"  He's more "keto" ish,  3.  Why he doesn't talk about low carb as such, ...

This is our 3rd and most important episode relating to my review of the book that changed my life: The Obesity Code by Dr. Jason Fung.   After reading it, I effortlessly lost weight along with the most awesome Fastic App: 70 pounds to be exact.  Before ... Dad Bod, bloated, and 300 pounds.  After ... 230, skinny jeans, and fit.   Do Keto ("ish"), Try Fasting.  Get Ripped....

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...

Whoa.  Just finished my first 48 hour fast of 2022!  For 48 hours, I drank only black coffee, and water with a little carbonation, mixed with a little iodized salt.  During that time, I ate no food or did not any liquids with calories.   At hour 47 of a 48 hour fast, I share what I am experiencing relating to hunger, mood, energy levels, focus, and whether I am concerned about...

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...

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....

This book CHANGED MY LIFE!!  After reading it, I have lost 70 pounds, gotten off blood pressure medication, and reversed type 2 diabetes.  I have zero concerns about putting the weight back on because Dr. Fung provided the key to understanding: why we get fat, how to lose weight, and how to keep it off.   in this episode, I outline how I came across the work of Dr. Jason Fung, and h...

For this episode, I interviewed Jhe Russell, a world class ballet dancer who has performed all over the world at top ballet companies in Boston, New York, Toronto, and throughout Europe.  I loved this episode. We touched on a variety of topics, including being a person of color, how he got interested in ballet, growing up in Boston, and life in Iowa City.   Jhe is good vibe guy, interest...

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...

in this episode, I review Ori Hofmekler's life changing book, The Warrior Diet, which introduced the world to the wisdom of eating one big meal a day. This book rival's Jane Jacob's book "Death and Life of American Cities" for the way in which it completely revolutionized dieting, health, and wellness.  Like Jane Jacobs, Hofmekler does not have all of the "credentials" in the field that...

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 stron...

Some of my best memories growing up in Decorah and at Luther College involve Professor Richard Simon Hanson .   He needs no introduction to Luther and Decorah people.   He is a Professor Emeritus of Religion at Luther College in Iowa, specializing in ancient languages, the Bible, and Judaism.   We cover growing up Wisconsin, how he got to Luther, why he left Luther, who in...

In this episode, we cover Abe Lincoln's favorite poem, "Oh, why should the spirit of mortal be proud" by William Knox.  I learned about this poem while reading Lincoln's eulogy of our nation's 11th president, Zachary Taylor, which he gave at the Chicago City Hall on July 9, 1850.   I am going to do a separate podcast on the eulogy, in part, because he so eloquently covers Taylor's leader...

In this episode, we discuss the 11 words that completely changed my life, courtesy of the original exuberant stoic, Epictetus and his life changing book, The Enchiridion .  We'll discuss the concept of the Epictetus Life Audit and how it can positively impact your life.  You can also check it out at www.rocknecole.com . Whoa, I love exuberant Stoicism!!

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 ac...

For this episode, I interview Dave Conrads, UI Wild Director, who works with the University of Iowa Raptor Project.  Dave shares his love of all things relating to hawks and falcons, including his involvement with Hercules the Hawk, the red tailed hawk who has been inspiring Iowa Hawkeye Football fans at Kinnick Stadium. We discussed hawks, the last time hawks have been at Iowa football games...

In this episode, we continue to cover the work of James Clear's awesome book, Atomic Habits and focus on the the concept of temptation bundling to build positive habits like exercise.  Check out the link too:  www.rocknecole.com .

Through a stoic lens, we'll cover the power of forgiving someone who has wronged or damaged you.  Together you and I will explore the stoic philosopher, Epictetus, Thich Nhat Hanh, Jay Shetty, and Richard Simon Hanson.  You can buy these books from these authors through my website!   www.rocknecole.com .  I will get a portion of proceeds for all sales made through the link. &nb...