On Lies and Authenticity - Jordan Peterson's Rule 8 (#332, 12 July 2025)

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.

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 guided meditation led by Thich Nhat Hanh and explore a real-life application of returning to your true self.With infinite gratitude to the revered bodhisattva, Thich Nhat Hanh, for his enduring teachings radiating from his incandescent soul.

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, hoping they’ll magically resolve. Spoiler: they don’t. In this episode, I dive into why we avoid tough issues, unpack how I became an avoidant, and share a practical approach to confront problems head-on.The good news is that this state of being an avoidant is not set in stone. You can address it. It's a skill that can be learned and practiced just like any other skill. I am taking my first steps down that path. Join me for this eye-opening episode, and here’s to a fantastic 4th of July week ahead!

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 isn’t another tired formula for “creative solutions.” Fritz offers a clear, practical blueprint to design a life aligned with your deepest vision. A friend recommended this book four years ago, claiming it changed their life. I bought it, only to let it gather dust in a stack of books. Recently, while tidying my room, I rediscovered it—and I’m so glad I did. It’s one of the most powerful books I’ve ever read, rivaling or even surpassing Atomic Habits for its transformative impact.

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 canEndure and bear what we mustWhat blocked the path is now the pathWhat once impeded action advances action.The Obstacle is the Way.I also include a pithy quote by Nassim Taleb outlining his version of Stoicism.