What's on Your Bookshelf?

Are you truly taking responsibility for your life's journey? In our latest episode, we promise you'll gain the insights needed to transform accountability from a daunting obligation into a powerful tool for personal growth. Inspired by "The Five Bold Choices" by Jay Coughlin and Larry Julian, we discuss the critical role accountability plays in overcoming the fear of failure, d...

Clarity isn't just a buzzword; it's a game-changer in our journey toward success. Imagine stepping away from the chaos of everyday life to truly focus on what matters—this is the essence we're capturing in our latest episode of "What's On Your Bookshelf." We begin our exploration of "The Five Bold Choices" by Jay Coughlin and Larry Julian, highlighting the p...

What if the choices you make today could transform your tomorrow? "The Five Bold Choices" by Jay Coughlin and Larry Julian, a book that challenges us to rise above life's circumstances and redefine our paths. As we weave through the practical advice and personal anecdotes shared by these compelling authors, we discover how strategic decisions can lead to untapped potential and impac...

Remember the moment when a single book changed your perspective on life? Join us as we celebrate a milestone in our podcasting journey with our 100th episode of "What's on Your Bookshelf." Featuring a heartfelt conversation with our producer, Scott Miller, we revisit the origins of our podcast, starting with "Let's Be Real" in 2019 and evolving into a vibrant platform...

Ever wondered how a small conversation about books turned into an engaging podcast series? Denise Russo and Sam Powell take you through their inspiring journey from a casual chat around Denise's bookshelf to creating "What's on Your Bookshelf," a podcast that explores themes woven through literature and life. As we kick off 2025, we reminisce about our evolution, including the...

Have you ever wondered if true happiness lies not in avoiding challenges but in facing them intentionally and with an open heart? As we wrap up our year-long quest for happiness, Denise Russo and Samantha Powell share the transformative lessons they've gleaned from pivotal books like "The How of Happiness" and "The Happiness Project." This episode dives deep into the shift...

Have you ever wondered how living with anticipation and urgency can transform your life? This week, Denise Russo and Samantha Powell unpack another section of John Maxwell's "Intentional Living." We delve into how forward-thinking and timely action can make a huge difference. With insights from John Wooden’s timeless wisdom, we discuss how to prepare yourself for those golden opport...

Ever wondered how connecting with diverse minds can transform your life? Join us, Denise Russo and Samantha Powell, as we explore John Maxwell's "Intentional Living" and uncover the magic of building relationships with like-minded individuals while embracing diverse perspectives. We'll share personal stories that highlight how engaging with people who challenge our viewpoints c...

Have you ever wondered how a simple act of gratitude can transform your relationships? Join Denise Russo and Samantha Powell as they share powerful personal stories and discuss intentional living inspired by John Maxwell's "Intentional Living." Denise unveils the touching experience of writing heartfelt letters to her children, emphasizing how acknowledging the contributions of othe...

What if the key to achieving your dreams lies in taking the smallest steps with the biggest belief? Join us on a transformative journey as we explore John Maxwell's "Intentional Living" and dive into the art of starting small but thinking big. Drawing insights from Simon Sinek's "Start With Why" and James Clear's "Atomic Habits," we uncover how minor, c...

What if a simple shift in your daily choices could lead to a life of lasting significance? Join Denise Russo and Sam Powell as they unpack John Maxwell's "Intentional Living," a game-changing book that wraps up our 2024 reading list. Drawing from our recent retreat, "Your Signature Story," we explore how conscious awareness of one's passions, potential, and purpose ca...

Unlock the secrets to a happier, more intentional life as we wrap up our journey through Gretchen Rubin's "The Happiness Project." Get ready to discover the transformative power of personalized resolutions and practical tips from Rubin's afterword, all while learning how to craft your own happiness project. We'll showcase how concepts from "Atomic Habits" complem...

Ever wondered if you could synthesize a year’s worth of resolutions into one powerful month? Join us as we reflect on Gretchen Rubin’s final chapter of "The Happiness Project," where she dives into “Boot Camp Perfect.” We’ll discuss the challenges and triumphs of integrating positive habits into daily life and how eliminating negativity can lead to true happiness. Hear our reflections on...

What if the secret to a happier life lies in the simple act of laughing out loud? In this episode of "The Happiness Project," we journey through Gretchen Rubin's November focus on gratitude and contentment. We'll share a heartwarming story of a family outing to a comedy movie, illustrating how laughter can be a powerful catalyst for joy. We'll also explore how introverts a...

Can embracing mindfulness truly impact our daily lives and transform our perspectives? Join us on "What's on Your Bookshelf" as we engage in an insightful conversation about mindfulness, inspired by Gretchen Rubin's "The Happiness Project." This episode features reflections from Denise Rousseau and Sam Powell, who contemplate the significance of being present, particu...

Ever struggled to find time for your true passions amidst the chaos of daily life? This episode of "What's on Your Bookshelf" promises to enlighten and inspire you as Denise Russo and Samantha Powell explore the transformative power of pursuing your passions. Drawing inspiration from Chapter Nine of Gretchen Rubin's "The Happiness Project," they dive deep into how ded...

Can contemplating mortality and eternity shift your daily priorities? Join us on a transformative journey as we explore the August chapter of Gretchen Rubin's "The Happiness Project." This segment seamlessly transitions from material wealth to profound existential musings, offering a structured framework for your own happiness project. Discover how our book selections align perfectl...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...