110 - The Obstacle Is The Way: Mastering Perception

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It starts with a storm. The year is 1857, and the economy is collapsing. Panic spreads like wildfire. Investors crumble. Businesses fail. But a young man named John D. Rockefeller doesn’t flinch. He watches. He studies. And while others see disaster, he sees an opening.

That’s the power of perception.

In this episode, Denise and Sam step inside The Obstacle Is The Way by Ryan Holiday, pulling real stories from history and personal experience to explore a truth that separates those who falter from those who rise: what we see—and how we choose to see it—determines everything.

You’ll meet Ruben “Hurricane” Carter, a boxer wrongfully imprisoned for nearly 20 years, who refused to be caged in his own mind. His words—“I will not under any circumstances be treated like a prisoner”—are proof that even when we lose control over our circumstances, we never lose control over our perception.

Denise and Sam break down the defining moments when perception makes the difference—between fear and opportunity, between despair and resilience. They uncover how biology wires us for panic, but philosophy teaches us power, and why Marcus Aurelius was right when he said: “Choose not to be harmed, and you won’t feel harmed.”

Join us as we explore how to:

• Stay calm when others panic
• Reframe obstacles as opportunities
• Control what we can—and let go of what we can’t
• Train our minds to see before others do

Whether you’re facing professional setbacks, personal challenges, or just the chaos of everyday life, this episode is an invitation to shift your perspective—and in doing so, change everything.

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Chapters

1. Introduction to Perception and Obstacles (00:00:00)

2. The Rockefeller Story: Calm Amid Chaos (00:05:23)

3. Leadership During Times of Crisis (00:10:25)

4. The Discipline of Perception (00:17:04)

5. Recognizing Your Power in Any Situation (00:20:52)

6. Final Thoughts and Next Episode Preview (00:26:41)