RockneCAST

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...

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 sent...

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 deepe...

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...

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 Fra...

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...

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 bo...

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 o...

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’...

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 t...

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 unc...

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 w...

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...

Last night, I was moved by two profound sentences: "The way out is in. Go home to yourself." These words, shared by Thich Nhat Hanh in his lecture "Breathe as a Free Person, Walk as a Free Person," carry timeless wisdom. In this episode of The RockneCast, we dive into the transformative power of mastering your inner world through meditation and mindfulness. Discover a powerful...

Welcome to a special Sunday edition of The RockneCast! Today, June 29, 2025, I had a lightbulb moment while navigating a tough conversation with my mom. The revelation? We’re both avoidants! Doubling down, I then realized... So is my dad!! We're avoidants. Don't be like me. Avoid avoidance. This hit me hard. So many personal and professional challenges linger because I sidestep them, hopin...

Has a book ever reshaped your entire perspective on what you want from life? Robert Fritz’s The Path of Least Resistance might sound unassuming, but its insights will revolutionize how you view your past and sharpen your focus for the future. In this episode, I dive into one core idea from the book: the contrast between a reactive, problem-solving mindset and a visionary, creative approach. This i...

Recently reread Ryan Holiday's book, "The Obstacle is the Way." In that book, Holiday outlines the power of transforming those ass kicking life events into triumph. It is all you can do. Love what has happened and learn from it. It all comes down from one powerful quote from Marcus Aurelius. See things for what the are. Do what we can Endure and bear what we must What blocked the pat...

This is the second episode on the Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. The book is only 140 pages, but it contains some of the most powerful wisdom on the human condition that I have read. His most powerful insight? Trauma wounds, how they happen, how to identify the source, what happens if left unaddressed, and most importantly, how to heal them . Trauma arises from emotional poison involuntarily...

Just read a tiny, but mighty book by Don Luis Miguel called the Four Agreements. The four agreements are simple in formulation, but powerful in application. They are: 1) Be impeccable with your word 2) Don't take it personally 3) Don't make assumptions 4) Always do your best These four principles are easy to state, but difficult to apply in the hurly burly of life. Many adverse outcomes flow from...

When was the last time that you read Proverbs? I mean really read it? If you haven't read it for a while, read it. If you're going through a difficult time or need discernment, that book is waiting right there, full of life changing guidance and power. This episode focuses on Chapter 8, a call to wisdom. It will power the lighthouse of your soul.

As many RockneCast listeners know, U.S. Grant is one of my all time heroes. And it's not because of his many victories in life... Ft. Donelson, Shiloh, Vickburg, saving the Union, serving two terms as president of the United States. There are many traits that make me admire U.S. Grant, but one trait in particular stands out: his absolute iron will to keep on going no matter the odds or how dif...

This one verse may change the course of your life, no matter where you are right now. It rivals even Proverbs 13:12 for its life changing power. In this episode, I explain why...

Happy Father's Day! We're focusing on Jesus' stepdad, the carpenter named Joseph. For this episode, I will be covering Matthew 1:18-25, which describes the time between Joseph learning of Mary pregnancy until the Holy Spirit assured him that the pregnancy was divine. Have you ever considered the time period, i.e. between Joseph learning the "bad news" of Mary's pregnancy...

Thich Nhat Hanh is a luminous soul, the type of soul who radiates goodness and light even when his physical body is no longer present. His book, The Heart of Buddha's Teaching, is not just a book. It's a practice manual for living in good times and bad, allowing us to live in the present moment. These last couple of weeks have not been an easy one for me. At times, the pain has cut so deep...

This episode focuses on the point of all: healing so you can be the best version of you to serve the people that you love. But to truly heal after a significant life event, healing only comes after you stop what your doing; calm yourself; rest; and finally heal. This episode also explores the why of healing; what healing shouldn't; and some practical tips on how to heal.