Denise Russo and Zach Elliott

What's on Your Bookshelf?

“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.

Author

Denise Russo and Zach Elliott

Category

Education

Latest episode

Mar 17, 2026

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Episodes

85 - The Happiness Project - July 23.10.2024

What if your next purchase could genuinely make you happier? This episode of our podcast takes you on a thrilling exploration of how money intersects with happiness, as inspired by Chapter 7 of "The Happiness Project" by Gretchen Rubin. We break down Rubin's July resolutions, such as indulging in modest splurges and buying needful things, offering practical tips to assess how money...

84 - The Happiness Project - June 16.10.2024

Have you ever wondered how friendships can profoundly impact your happiness? Join us on "What's on Your Bookshelf" as Denise Russo and Samantha Powell explore the timeless value of friendship, inspired by Chapter 6, "June," from Gretchen Rubin's "The Happiness Project." We'll share heartwarming personal stories, like Denise's joyful reunion with he...

83 - The Happiness Project - May 09.10.2024

Ever wonder why your childhood hobbies brought you so much joy, but as adults, we often struggle to find that same happiness? Join Denise Russo and Samantha Powell on this week's episode of "What's on Your Bookshelf" as we unlock the secrets to integrating play and leisure into our busy lives. Inspired by Gretchen Rubin's "The Happiness Project," we reveal action...

82 - The Happiness Project - April 02.10.2024

Picture this: you're juggling work, chores, and trying to be the perfect parent, and it feels like you're drowning in responsibilities. Denise Russo and Samantha Powell bring some much-needed lightness to this scenario as they dive into "Lighten Up" from Gretchen Rubin's "The Happiness Project." With honest reflections and personal stories, they explore reducing...

81 - The Happiness Project - March 25.09.2024

Are you ready to unlock the secrets of true happiness at work? Discover the transformative power of aligning your career with your Ikigai as we delve into Gretchen Rubin's "The Happiness Project." You're invited to explore Rubin's insightful March resolutions: from launching a blog and savoring the fun of failure to asking for help and working smart. Learn how happiness at...

80 - The Happiness Project - February 18.09.2024

Have you ever wondered why the atmosphere of your marriage can set the tone for your entire life? We're Denise Russo and Samantha Powell, and in this heartfelt episode of "What's on Your Bookshelf," we explore February's theme of love from "The Happiness Project." Join us as we discuss the profound influence that marital satisfaction and the dynamics of love have...

79 - The Happiness Project - January 11.09.2024

Ever wondered how small changes can revolutionize your happiness and energy levels? Join us as we unpack Gretchen Rubin's "The Happiness Project" and its transformative January theme focused on boosting energy and vitality. From practical tips like going to sleep earlier and exercising better, to tossing, restoring, and organizing your space, we share personal anecdotes of both chal...

78 - The Happiness Project - Introduction 04.09.2024

What if you could unlock the secrets to a happier life in just a few weeks? Join us as we dissect "The Happiness Project" by Gretchen Rubin, the third book in our 2024 happiness quest, and learn how to apply Rubin's year-long journey into a condensed month-per-week format. This episode kicks off with a powerful revelation on the need for change and challenges you to ask yourself: Do...

77 - Solve for Happy - Wrap up 28.08.2024

How do we find happiness after a profound loss? In this episode, Sam and I conclude our journey through Mo Gaudet's "Solve for Happy," sharing an emotional reflection on the author's poignant insights into the loss of his son, Ali. We unravel the continuous process of resolving happiness, focusing on how illusions of self and suffering influence our perceptions. Through heartfe...

76 - Solve for Happy - Who Made Who? 21.08.2024

Can contemplating the universe’s design really lead to greater happiness? Join Denise Russo and Samantha Powell as they wrap up their enlightening series on happiness with a thought-provoking exploration of "Solve for Happy: Engineer Your Path to Joy." In this episode, we ponder the grand question of whether the universe is intentionally designed or merely random. Tune in to hear persona...

75 - Solve for Happy - Chapter 13 - L.I.P. Part 2 14.08.2024

Support the show 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 .

74 - Solve for Happy - Chapter 13 - L.I.P. Part 1 07.08.2024

When Mo Gawdat shared his personal story of loss in "Solve for Happy," he opened the door to a conversation many avoid: the sobering reality of death. Our latest episode takes these reflections further, as we navigate the intertwining of life's end with its beginning and how facing this ultimate truth can unexpectedly guide us toward happiness. With Gawdat's insights framing ou...

73 - Solve for Happy - Chapter 12 - Love is All You Need Part 2 31.07.2024

Additional Resources: Order: Solve for Happy The How of Happiness website The Passion Planner Passion Planner discount code: RWRD.IO/EFWYE73?C Denise Russo's Website www.schoolofthoughts.net Denise Russo's Forbes Articles Forbes Article Link Samantha Powell's Website and Blog Lead The Game Connect with us on LinkedIn: Denise Russo Andy Hughes Samantha Powell School of Thoughts Where...

72 - Solve for Happy - Chapter 12 - Love is All You Need Part 1 24.07.2024

Have you ever experienced a love so deep and pure that it seemed to defy all conditions and expectations? Together with Denise Russo and Sam Powell, they take a journey inspired by Mo Gawat's "Solve for Happy," diving into the world of unconditional love and its power to transform our lives. They'll share insights into how this boundless affection can be the bedrock of personal...

71 - Solve for Happy - Chapter 11 - The Pendulum Swing 17.07.2024

Ever felt like your life needed a garage sale for the soul? Join Denise and Sam, as they embark on a quest for clarity in their latest podcast episode, inspired by Mo Gawdat's "Solve for Happy." They share intimate experiences about stripping back the layers of complexity in our lives, and how that opens up space for joy and productivity to flourish. Imagine your surroundings and yo...

70 - Solve for Happy - Chapter 10 - Right Here, Right Now 10.07.2024

Ever wondered why happiness can often feel like an elusive puzzle? Join Denise Russo and Sam Powell, as they unpack the teachings from "Solve for Happy" by Mo Gawdat, and take you through a journey that redefines your understanding of contentment. Amidst life's challenges and the inevitability of events such as death, we discover together how shifting our mindset and aligning our ex...

69 - Solve for Happy - Chapter 9 - Is It True? Part 3 03.07.2024

Discover the secret to a happier life as Mo Gawdat unveils the intriguing role our memories play in shaping our joy. This week, Samantha and Denise plunge into the powerful teachings from "Solve for Happy," discussing how our past experiences are more than mere events; they're colored by our emotions and thoughts, influencing our present happiness. They navigate the complexities of...

68 - Solve for Happy - Chapter 9 - Is It True? Part 2 26.06.2024

Have you ever lost something small, like a favorite pen, and felt your day was ruined? We've all been there, and today, Denise Russo and Sam Powell are here to explore how these reactions connect to happiness, or the lack thereof. Through the lens of Mo Gawdat's "Solve for Happy," we tackle the seven blind spots that can turn molehills into mountains and prevent us from seeing...

67 - Solve for Happy - Chapter 9 - Is It True? Part 1 19.06.2024

Discover the unseen obstacles to your happiness as we discuss Mo Gawdat's transformative book, "Solve for Happy." Hosts, Sam Powell and Denise Russo, guide you through the exploration of seven perception blind spots—filters, assumptions, predictions, memories, labels, emotions, and exaggeration. These are the unsuspecting culprits behind the distorted lens through which we often vie...

66 - Solve for Happy - Chapter 8 - Might as Well Jump 12.06.2024

Conquer the elusive specter of fear with Denise Russo and Sam Powell, as they offer you a roadmap to happiness inspired by Mo Gawdat's profound insights. Prepare to challenge the fears that lurk in the shadows of uncertainty, whether they're keeping you tethered to a dead-end job or causing you to shy away from new experiences. Our latest podcast episode strips away the disguise fear wea...

65 - Solve for Happy - Chapter 7 - Houston, We Have A Problem 05.06.2024

Have you ever tried to solve a jigsaw puzzle with pieces that just won't fit? That's the conundrum we tackle with Mo Gawdat, the insightful author of "Solve for Happy," as Denise and Sam dissect the tantalizing notion that we can wrestle life's unpredictability into submission. Together, they embark on a profound journey, examining the treacherous waters of grief, the anch...

64 - Solve for Happy - Chapter 6 - Does Anybody Know What Time It Is? 29.05.2024

Ever pondered why some moments slip away like sand through your fingers while others seem to stretch into eternity? Join Denise Russo and Samantha Powell, as they connect the dots between our skewed perception of time and our quest for happiness, inspired by Mo Gawdat's insights from "Solve for Happy." Denise and Sam cover the six grand illusions that trip us up on our journey to jo...

63 - Solve for Happy - Chapter 5 - What You Know 22.05.2024

Have you ever wondered if what you think you know could actually be hindering your happiness? In our enlightening conversation, we discover the dangers of intellectual arrogance and how an obsession with being right can stifle personal growth and joy. We dive into why embracing a broader spectrum of understanding, particularly in the realm of human kindness, could be your ticket to a more fulfille...

62 - Solve for Happy - Chapter 4 - Who Are You? 15.05.2024

Join happiness explorers Sam Powell and Denise Russo as they embark on an enlightening expedition, guided by Mo Godat's wisdom from "Solve for Happy." Together, they dissect the 'grand illusions' that often veil our true selves and how our thoughts, ego, and physical form can deceive us. Discover with them how assessments like DISC can strip away these layers, revealing th...

61 - Solve for Happy - Chapter 3 - That Little Voice in Your Head 08.05.2024

Discover the keys to unlocking true happiness Denise and co-host Samantha Powell, delve into Mo Gawdat's enlightening perspective from "Solve for Happy." Our minds are intricate labyrinths, and it's easy to confuse the tools of our thoughts for the essence of who we are. In a candid chat, Denise and Sam explore this distinctive notion, offering you a fresh outlook on the transi...

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