I explore insights from "The Obstacle is the Way" by Ryan Holiday, highlighting key lessons on persistence, action, and overcoming challenges. The discussion delves into Stoic philosophy, personal growth strategies, and actionable advice for navigating obstacles with a positive mindset.

(00:00) - Introduction: Persistence Defined
(00:33) - Book Learnings: "The Obstacle is the Way" Overview
(02:55) - Key Insights from Marcus Aurelius and Stoicism
(05:16) - The Origin of "The Obstacle is the Way"
(06:01) - Action as the Key to Progress
(09:30) - Framework: Perception, Action, and Will
(12:14) - Power of Perspective: Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Example
(15:16) - Practicing Objectivity: Marcus Aurelius’s Exercises
(18:10) - Directed Action vs. Passive Action
(22:21) - Early Morning Aggression: Unlocking Productivity
(24:49) - Persistence and Long-Term Goals
(28:53) - Preparing for Challenges: Insights from Seneca
(30:44) - Perseverance: The Ultimate Key to Success
(32:06) - Aiming for Something Bigger: Final Reflections

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What's a rather poor therapeutic strategy to heal trauma/abuse ..... become a global superstar!

'Unlovable' by Darren Hayes is an autobiography of the solo musical artist and former front man of Savage Garden. It details his childhood growing up in Brisbane, turbulent home/school life due to an alcoholic/violent father, musical ups & downs, struggles with his sexuality & road to healing. It consists of a fair few chapters (20-30ish), inset plate of photographs and told mostly in a chronological style with a couple of flashbacks.

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Timeline:
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:03:38) Themes/Questions
(00:21:43) Author & Extras
(00:30:25) Summary
(00:34:14) Value 4 Value
(00:35:59) Join Live!

All of the fun of gambling without any of the boring math!

'Devil Take The Hindmost' by Edward Chancellor is a series of snapshots across history of financial speculation (so called bubbles). Presents not only the instances of craziness but also the feeling of the time (notable periods being The Tulip Mania, South Sea Bubble and The Gilded Age amongst others). Not super heavy on statistics; more so newspaper articles, quotes from notable people and behavioural reactions of the people. Chapters are broken into individual time periods and you won't see any charts or graphs either.

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Timeline:
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:03:09) Themes/Questions
(00:22:23) Author & Extras
(00:27:11) Summary
(00:29:59) Value 4 Value
(00:30:51) Join Live!

If you're already melancholic, try dying first and then see how you feel!

'The Posthumous Memoirs Of Brás Cubas' by Machado De Assis is a reflection of memories from a man who has died but lived in Rio de Janeiro during the 19th century. Bras Cubas narrates his life in a melancholic style, jumping back in time after we learn of his demise. We see his struggles, his loves, his passions and his affairs. It's composed of 159 chapters of varying lengths and style.

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Timeline:
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:03:02) Themes/Questions
(00:14:58) Author & Extras
(00:21:52) Summary
(00:24:34) Value 4 Value
(00:25:15) Join Live!

I dive into Walter Isaacson's biography of Elon Musk, highlighting eight powerful learnings about Elon’s work ethic, team structure, reality distortion, and the maniacal sense of urgency that shaped his ventures. From OpenAI’s origins to "X" continuity, the insights offer an inspiring yet extreme look into innovation and grit.

(00:00) - Welcome & Intro: Learnings from Elon Musk
(00:53) - Steve Jobs Comparison: Creating Reality Distortion
(02:26) - Elon’s Childhood: Mixed Realities & Influence on Leadership
(04:05) - The Vision of X.com: From 1999 to Twitter’s Reinvention
(06:17) - Team Structuring: Why Engineers Lead at Tesla & SpaceX
(08:10) - The Urgency Principle: Unrealistic Timelines to Achieve Big
(10:37) - Success Under Insane Deadlines: The 6-Week Rocket Turnaround
(13:02) - OpenAI Origins: Elon Musk’s Early Collaboration with Sam Altman
(14:03) - The Algorithm: Musk’s Five Commandments for Success
(17:09) - The Raptor Meetings: Midnight Work Ethic & Drive to Deliver
(18:05) - Final Reflections: Insane Yet Motivational Work Ethic

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TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastWelcome back to

Is it moral to trick a willing participant in a deadly game?

'Ender's Game' by Orson Scott Card is a sci-fi war scenario between humanity and hive mind insect aliens. Humanity survived two space battles but must prepare for the all important third. They recruit gifted children & train them mercilessly to be strategic commanders in the International Fleet. Ender Wiggin is the most talented of the bunch and must do brutal things to save those he loves. It consists of 15 chapters mostly titled for an important person in the book.

Huge thanks to Deezlaughs for supporting the show, it is very much appreciated!

Timeline:
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:03:17) Themes/Questions
(00:16:18) Author & Extras
(00:17:18) Summary
(00:21:00) Value 4 Value
(00:22:15) Join Live!

Dive into Walter Isaacson's latest biography, Elon Musk, an in-depth exploration of the visionary entrepreneur's life, challenges, and unrelenting drive for innovation. This detailed review highlights the meticulous research and storytelling that captures Musk's complexity, motivations, and impact on industries ranging from space exploration to social media.

(00:00) - Welcome & Book Introduction
(00:30) - Comparing Isaacson's & Vance's Biographies
(01:10) - Walter Isaacson: The Biographer's Credentials
(02:15) - Book Structure: A Deep Dive into 95 Chapters
(03:50) - The Early Years: Childhood and PayPal Mafia
(04:40) - SpaceX Beginnings: Overcoming Challenges
(06:20) - The Second Half: A Day-to-Day View of Musk
(08:00) - "Demon Mode": Musk's Work Ethic Explored
(09:15) - Relationships & Personal Life: A Brief Look
(10:10) - Comparing Isaacson's Work to Others
(10:40) - Final Thoughts & Personal Takeaways

Value 4 Value Support:
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Connect with Mere Mortals:
Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/
Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU
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TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastWelcome back to

Why do poor wolves and foxes get picked on?

'The Fables Of Aesop' by Aesop are a series of extremely small stories (aka fables) with usually a proverb to sum them up. They are mostly told via animals interacting in various contexts, with certain animal species used to highlight human traits. Often times they are contradictory and require nuance to perceive the difference in similar situations. Highly enjoyable and perfect for kids with the illustrations as well.

Huge thanks to Vratislav Karpisek for supporting the show, it is very much appreciated!

Timeline:
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:02:42) Themes/Questions
(00:11:39) Author & Extras
(00:15:58) Summary
(00:18:20) Value 4 Value
(00:20:59) Join Live!