108 - The Obstacle Is The Way: Transforming Trials into Triumphs

What's on Your Bookshelf?

Denise was stuck. Sam was frustrated. Different stories, same feeling—an obstacle so big it seemed impossible to move. But what if the struggle wasn’t a dead end? What if it was the path forward?

In this episode, Denise and Sam dive into The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday, exploring its powerful lessons through personal stories and the experiences of those who have turned setbacks into success.

You’ll meet a leader who faced disaster but found a way through, a dreamer whose failure became fuel, and the historical figures who proved that obstacles aren’t barriers—they’re invitations to greatness.

Denise and Sam take you on a journey filled with stakes, transformation, and hard-earned wisdom. It’s about the moment you hit the wall, the choice you make next, and the unexpected doors that open when you lean into the challenge.

Because, as Marcus Aurelius once said, “What stands in the way becomes the way.”

This isn’t just a book discussion—it’s a call to action. Tune in, shift your mindset, and start seeing your biggest obstacles as your greatest opportunities.

Resources mentioned:

The Obstacle is the Way: https://a.co/d/cvDTJ2c

Sometimes You Win Sometimes You Learn: https://a.co/d/dF6Czuj

Solve for Happy: https://a.co/d/dCU6ghu

The How of Happiness: https://a.co/d/2PweTq6

Coach Wooden: https://a.co/d/7sTFLVm

Atomic Habits: https://a.co/d/9siYKsD

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Chapters

1. Introduction to "What's On Your Bookshelf" (00:00:00)

2. Welcoming Back Sam After Baby (00:03:01)

3. Overview of "The Obstacle Is The Way" (00:05:42)

4. Breaking Down the Book's Structure (00:09:19)

5. Marcus Aurelius and Perception (00:14:39)

6. Expecting Problems as Normal (00:20:23)

7. Identifying Your Personal Obstacles (00:23:23)

8. Closing Thoughts and Call to Action (00:26:33)