What's on Your Bookshelf?

Hosted by Denise Russo and Zach Elliott

Careers Education

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Episodes

161

Latest episode

Mar 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

“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.

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60 recent

March 17, 2026Episode 15331 min

153 Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess: Sixty-Three Days To Rewire Your Mind

We unpack why true change takes 63 days, how short daily steps become automatic habits, and where brain science meets identity-based practice. Benchmarks, accountability, and “energy as currency” make the plan concrete, compassionate, and doable. • five-step neurocycle clarified and timed • 21 days to build, 42 days to automatize • phase benchmarks at days 1, 4, 7, 14, 21, 63 • identity-based habits to anchor change • accountability partner as a force multiplier • energy as currency: invest in healthy pathways • forgetting as a feature to dissolve toxic loops • simple setup tactics and daily cues • coaching and neutral thinking for hard days • health and longevity benefits of consistency “Go listen to our series on Atomic Habits” 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 .

March 4, 2026Episode 15237 min

152 Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess: Direct Your Brain For Change

We unpack six neuroplasticity practices from Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess and show how to move from reacting to responding. We share tools for self-regulation, visualization, and the 3:1 positivity shift to build peaceful control that lasts beyond 21 days. • difference between mind management and brain change • active versus dynamic self-regulation • discomfort zones and warning signals • respond not react using the 30–90 second window • Quantum Zeno Effect and 3:1 positivity • Multiple Perspective Advantage for objectivity • visualization tools: box, window, rewind, armor • zooming out to regain big-picture clarity • why 63 days matters for integration Would you be willing to share our episodes with others? You can find us on LinkedIn and on Substack W-O-Y-B for what’s on your bookshelf. We’d love to hear from you. 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 .

March 4, 2026Episode 15136 min

151 Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess: Halfway To A Clearer Mind

We reach the practical heart of Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess and unpack the five-step Neurocycle that turns insight into change over 63 days. Simple on paper, hard in practice, the method helps us embrace tough thoughts, find root causes, and stabilize better habits. • shifting from science to application • the knowing versus doing gap • five steps of the Neurocycle explained • why embracing emotions is essential • reflect and write to reach root causes • recheck and reconceptualize with care • tree analogy for pruning and grafting • active reach and 63-day stabilization • integrating grief and growth without denial • setting up next steps to direct the brain Read this book with us — join the discussion on Substack and find the link on our LinkedIn 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 .

February 18, 2026Episode 15034 min

150 Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess: Mind Over Matter, Without The Woo

We dig into the difference between mind and brain, map the four levels of mind, and show how thoughts shape the body through neuroplasticity and epigenetics. Using tree and pruning metaphors, we share how to spot signals, trim toxic patterns, and prepare for the Neurocycle tools. • Mind as thinking, feeling, and choosing • Clear split between mind and brain • Four levels of mind and their roles • Thoughts as trees with memory branches • Signals from the body as useful prompts • Epigenetics and how thinking affects genes • Reactive versus proactive mind management • Pruning toxic thoughts to free up energy • Kintsugi as a model for meaningful repair • Tease into the five-step Neurocycle next week Next week, the practical application of the neurocycle, we're gonna dive into those five steps 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 .

February 11, 2026Episode 14931 min

149 Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess: Mind Management For Real-Life Peace

We unpack how toxic thinking shows up in the body and how a practical, five-step mind management process can turn awareness into lasting change. Real stories meet research on stress, immunity, and neuroplasticity to help us build peace that holds under pressure. • moving from data to daily application • naming and handling cognitive dissonance • distinguishing useful stress from toxic stress • how thoughts influence immunity and inflammation • stories that turn science into lived practice • why awareness without strategy backfires • rebuilding habits over 63 days through repetition • millennial and Gen Z burnout drivers and fixes • empowerment through competency and simple tools Get the book. Read along with us one chapter a week. If you want an agile brain exercise, just message us and we will give it to you for free with no strings attached. The best ways through our Substack, W-O-Y-B, for what’s on your bookshelf. We’ll have a link to how to get the book. 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 .

February 4, 2026Episode 14831 min

148 Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess: Proof In The Brain: Why Mind Management Works

We dig into the research-heavy chapter that proves mind management isn’t fluff and outline how awareness and autonomy work together to reduce toxic stress and build resilience. The data across brain waves, blood markers and validated scales points to real, measurable change over 60 days. • why control groups spiralled when awareness lacked tools • how autonomy fuels follow-through and habit formation • stress as a signal to manage, not erase • the hard middle between days 14 and 60 • reconceptualising your narrative to reduce toxic load • neuroplasticity turning practices into automatic patterns • measurable shifts in anxiety, mood and physiological markers • preparing support for the uncomfortable early phase Go get the book; in our show notes should be the link to the book. We have a Substack, W-O-Y-B, where we also have the links to the book. 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 .

January 29, 2026Episode 14734 min

147 Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess: Mind Management, Real Results

We trace why mind management matters now, how the Neurocycle works, and what the research says about stress, habits, and biological aging. Heavy science meets practical steps, with identity, autonomy, and small daily actions at the center. • stress as a warning signal you should not ignore • mind management as legacy for kids and teams • well-being reframed as being well through identity • 21 days to wire, 63 days to automate habits • directed neuroplasticity replacing reactive patterns • measurable change in cortisol, inflammation, and scans • telomere protection and implications for aging • moving from bystander to first responder in life • career autonomy through internal rewiring, not just job changes • practical next steps and accountability through community Subscribe for free at woyb.substack.com and catch new episodes every Wednesday 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 .

January 21, 2026Episode 14628 min

146 Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess: Mind Management Explained

We dig into Chapter Two of Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess by Dr. Caroline Leaf and explain why mind management is the lever for change. We separate mind from brain, outline a five-step neurocycle, and share practical ways to catch and edit thoughts. • the urgency behind mind management and lifestyle trends • difference between mind and brain and why it matters • thoughts as precursors to actions and results • how to catch and edit toxic thought patterns • neuroplasticity and rewiring automatic responses • five-step neurocycle: gather, reflect, write, recheck, active reach • the 63-day habit timeline and realistic expectations • using emotions as guideposts for change • applying tools across work and life without silos We are giving no strings attached, absolutely free, an Agile Brain exercise and assessment that helps you look at your subconscious thinking 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 .

January 14, 2026Episode 14528 min

145 Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess: Mental Clarity Starts Here

We kick off a new year and series with Dr. Caroline Leaf’s Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess, linking emotional warning signals to health, performance, and leadership. We share why mind management beats quick fixes and how small, steady practices rewire thought patterns for real change. • five-step mind management as a response to stress signals • the difference between mind and brain and why it matters • how toxic thinking drives inflammation and disease risk • turning emotion into data, not directives • from information overload to deep, applied learning • self-leadership practices that improve team outcomes • practical pacing for reading, reflection and habit change • resources: Agile Brain exercise and Substack archive Join us on Substack: w oib.substack.com If you haven't gotten it yet, Zach will have some links to the book in the show notes Please come back and share our episodes with those that you think would get value from this as well 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 .

January 8, 2026Episode 14432 min

144 Year Four Intro, New Theme

We map out a year to declutter life and leadership, moving from neuroscience-backed habit change to practical workplace cleanup, stronger boundaries, and a disciplined pursuit of less. Four books guide the path: Dr. Caroline Leaf, Marie Kondo at work, Mel Robbins, and Greg McKeown. • theme of the year set as decluttering life across mind, work, relationships, priorities • recap of past arcs from happiness to facing obstacles • why we start with neuroscience and long-term habit formation • introduction to Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess and the five-step approach • workplace clutter, meeting hygiene, email and file systems • relationships, boundaries and the Let Them mindset • essentialism as the filter for fewer, better commitments • invitations for coaching, cohorts and deeper book clubs • announcement of the Substack and how to join Join our Substack: woyb.substack.com. Discovery calls are free, and links to book deals are in the show notes. 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 .