What About Books, Life and Other Things?

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Danny Smith, Hurdie Burk and friends talk about books, life and other things. “..a user sees reading as a pastime, something to be entertained by, but a recipient rests in the ideas.....to receive a book is to explore what is being said and to let the author take you on a ride.” C.S. Lewis Danny reminds us - “It’s the sign of an educated mind that can consider another’s ideas without having to own them.” "You'll be the same 5 yrs from now, as you are now, except for 1. who you associate, 2. what you watch, 3. what you read." Zig Ziglar

Danny L Smith


    • May 26, 2023 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 44m AVG DURATION
    • 50 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from What About Books, Life and Other Things?

    #50 Human Performance, Part 2, with Bruce Wayne Meleski, PhD

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2023 21:28


    This is Part 2 (see Episode #40 for Part 1) with Dr. Mel. Dr. Mel goes deeper into how his Accelerated Neurolibrian system integrates the body, mind and spirit. Thus enhancing our human performance.

    #45 Chapter 5 Entering into Directed Rest

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2023 50:42


    On this podcast, we discuss Entering Into Directed Rest. Chapter 5 from the book Switch On Your Brain by Dr. Caroline Leaf: Introspection, self-reflection, and prayer for helping catch our thoughts.

    entering directed switch on your brain
    #49 - 21 Day Brain Detox, Chapter 11, Switch on Your Brain

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2023 57:52


    Switch on your Brain Author Dr. Caroline Leaf. 1. Gather 2. Focused Reflection 3. Write 3. Revisit 4. Active Reach.

    write switch caroline leaf switch on your brain day brain detox
    #48 Chapter 9, Switch On Your Brain 21 Day Brain Detox

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2023 43:43


    Mastermind Book Switch On Your Brain Dr. Caroline Leaf Author: The 21-Day Brain Detox is Deliberate, Disciplined, Rigorous Attention.

    disciplined deliberate switch on your brain day brain detox
    #47 Chapter 8, Switch On Your Brain

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2023 47:04


    Chapter 8 - The Science of Thought. What you wire into your brain through thinking is stored in your nonconscious mind. Your brain is designed to respond to your mind.

    science switch on your brain
    #46 Thinking, God, and the Quantum Physics Brain

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2023 21:41


    Linked Science Concepts: The process of thinking and choosing is the most powerful thing in the universe after God, and it is a phenomenal gift from God to be treasured and used properly. The basic ingredients of quantum physics are: paying attention, thinking and choosing, and consequence. This is a segment of a Mastermind focused on Switch On Your Brain Dr. Caroline Leaf

    # 44 Mastermind: Switch On Your Brain - Discussion #3

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2023 50:56


    Chapter 3 of the book Switch On Your Brain by Author Dr. Caroline Leaf. Two big thoughts in this chapter: 1. Choices are real. 2. Free Will Exist

    #43 Switch On Your Brain Discussion #2

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2023 52:39


    The debate in science is between the mind being what the brain does versus the brain doing the bidding of the mind. The correct view is that the mind is designed to control the body, of which the brain is a part, not the other way around. Our brain does not control us; we control our brain through our thinking and choosing. We can control our reactions to anything.

    switch on your brain
    #42 Introduction: Switch On Your Brain

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2023 28:44


    We're starting a new Mastermind on Dr. Caroline Leaf's “Switch On Your Brain Author.” Danny's been reading and listening to Dr. Leaf's books for 5 years and claims this book is a game changer. The initial reaction from a few other of the of the group seems he might be right.

    mastermind leaf caroline leaf switch on your brain
    #41 Comments on the Last 7 Books we Covered on Our Mastermind

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2023 47:33


    Below are the books we've masterminded over the past 15 months. Selling in a Crisis, by Jen Blount Atomic Habits, by James Clear The Compound Effect, by Darren Hardy The Checklist Manifesto, by Atul Gawande  The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen R. Covey  The 15 Invaluable of Growth, by John C. Maxwell

    #40 Human Performance, Bruce Wayne Meleski, PhD

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2023 20:30


    Dr. Mel has a PhD from University of Texas in Human Biology and Sports Science. In this 1st episode with Dr. Mel, he's giving us an overview of how his Accelerated Neurolibria system integrates the body, mind and spirit, enabling better human performance.

    #39 Your RoadMap for Success Part 4

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2023 52:50


    Steps to help with your Roadmap for Success. Make Things Happen See and Seize Opportunities Influence Others Add Value Attract Leaders Equip Others Provide Inspiring Ideas Possess Positive Attitudes Have Loyalty Live Up To Commitments

    Your Roadmap For Success Book John Maxwell Part 3

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2023 43:06


    We were a little off the topic, however, still had a great discussion. We were doing an overview of Chapters 7 and 8. We also, did some suggested books for the next series on What About Books.

    chapters roadmap john maxwell book john success book
    Your Road Map for Success, Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2023 55:24


    We are in our second podcast installment with our group reviewing and discussing John Maxwell's book "Your Road Map For Success." The group focused on chapters about 1. knowing where you're going and 2. how to get there from here. We discussed how plans constantly change or fail, rarely succeed as written, and how one must adjust. As you can imagine, goal setting and struggles were part of the discussion. Subscribe to https://dannyr.substack.com/

    Your RoadMap For Success: Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 18, 2023 57:56


    We started John Maxwell's Book, “Your RoadMap For Success.”

    Mastermind Selling In A Crisis Part 5

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2022 46:54


    Solid steps in the selling process. The selling process is not always about charm. Listen to understand Build value bridges Solution selling

    Mastermind Selling In A Crisis Disciplines Part 4

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2022 47:58


    Motivation vs. Disciplines The book we are going through is Selling In A Crisis Author Jeb Blount

    Selling In A Crisis - Part 3: Rejection, Objections and One More Call

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2022 48:27


    Rejection and objections are all part of every salesperson's sales career.  

    Selling In A Crisis Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2022 54:44


    The pipeline is critical. Prospect Everywhere. Go where the money is. IQP Ideal Qualified Prospect. Discussed the 7 ways to reach Folks.

    Selling In A Crisis Book Review Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2022 48:56


    Our discussion. Crisis Selling. Master these. Prospecting, Time, Qualifying, Discovery, Listening, Presenting, Objections, Negotiations, and Closing. The Right Now List. Where you are? Be there! Crisis Selling is not an Easy Botton or a Shiny New Idea

    Masterminding- Atomic Habits, Part 8: The Law of Least Effort

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2022 49:44


    The Law of Least Effort Make the environment where doing the right thing is easier. Reduce friction with good habits Increase friction with bad habits

    Atomic Habits: Chapter 7 - How Culture Influences Our Habits

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2022 44:16


    Culture plays a big part in shaping our behaviors. These behaviors then become habits. This is difficult because of the need to fit in.  We chat in this mastermind on how this works and what we can do to make changes to habits.

    Atomic Habits: Part 6 - BundlingHabits

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2022 55:25


    What habits one sets today is how we change into the future in a positive way.  Bundle Habits? Listen in.

    Mastermind Atomic Habits The Secret Of Self Control

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2022 48:14


    1. People with high self-control tend to spend less time in tempting situations. 2. Avoiding is easier than resisting. 3. Once a habit is curated into the brain nearly impossible to remove entirely. 4. Focus on self-control.

    Atomic Habits Chapter 4 Awareness

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2022 42:22


    Being aware of habits is a great place to look inward and start replacing them with good habits.

    Atomic Habits Chapter 3 Build Better Habits

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2022 54:49


    The 4 Steps Make it Obvious Make it Attractive Make it Easy Make it Satisfying

    Mastermind Atomic Habits Chapter 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2022 53:04


    Don't change your habits change you. Decide the type of person you want to be. Prove it to yourself with small wins. Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become.

    Mastermind Atomic Habits Session 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2022 59:33


    We started a mastermind on the Book Atomic Habits by Author James Clear. Small Incremental steps+Everyday Routine=Compound Massive Positive Change Today we discussed Systems and Goals. Does this sound reverse? Focus on Systems, not a Goal.

    Mastermind The Compound Effect Acceleration

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2022 31:06


    Today we discussed Chapter 6 Acceleration. Moments of Truth Multiplying Results Beat the Expectations Do the Unexpected Do Better Than Expected

    Mastermind The Compound Effect Build A Routine

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2022 45:53


    Build your bookend morning and evening routines. List areas of life in which you are not consistent enough.

    Mastermind The Compound Effect BigMo

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2022 42:11


    Momentum works for or against you. Want a visit from BigMo? Make new choices based on values. Put choices to work Repeat Healthy actions Build Routines daily Stay Consistent

    Mastermind - Chapter 4, The Compound Effect

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2022 40:42


    #17 MasterMind - Chapter 3, The Compound Effect

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2022 53:45


    This week we cover Chapter 3 The Compound Effect Author Darren Hardy

    #16 Mastermind - Chapter 2, The Compound Effect

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2022 58:32


    Nothing fails Like Success.  The road to success can be mundane, unsexy, and unexciting.

    #15 Mastermind - Chapter 1, The Compound Effect

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2022 38:45


    Small Smart Cloices+ Consistency + Time = Radical Difference 

    #14 Habit #7 - Sharpen the Saw

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2022 51:14


    4 areas to Sharpen the Saw.  Physical, Social, Emotional, Spiritual/Mental

    #13 Habit #6 - Synergize - The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2022 47:03


    Synergy is the essence of principle-centered leadership. It is the essence of principle-centered parenting. It catalyzes, unifies, and unleashes the greatest powers within people. All the habits we have covered prepare us to create the miracle of synergy.

    #13 Habit #5 - Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2022 58:18


    We have such a tendency to rush in, to fix things up with good advice. But we often fail to take the time to diagnose, to really, deeply understand the problem first. If I were to summarize in one sentence the single most important principle I have learned in the field of interpersonal relations, it would be this: Seek first to understand, then to be understood. This principle is the key to effective interpersonal communication.

    #12 Habit #4 Win/Win - The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2022 54:39


    So Think Win-Win. Balance what you want with what others want. Be courageous. And considerate. Think Win-Win at home, with your spouse, partner, or teenager. Practice it at work, with your boss, direct reports, and colleagues. Live it with your suppliers, partners, vendors, and customers. If you find this hard to do, then go back to Habits 1, 2, and 3. Clarify your motives, and win a Private Victory first. This will give you the strength to start thinking win-win.

    #12 Before Habits 4-7, Understanding Independent and Interdependent

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2022 34:09


    Independence is an achievement. Interdependence is a choice only independent people can make. Unless we are willing to achieve real independence, it's foolish to try to develop human relations skills. We might try. We might even have some degree of success when the sun is shining. But when the difficult times come—and they will—we won't have the foundation to keep things together.

    #11 Habit #3 - FIRST THINGS FIRST - The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2022 53:04


    The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. The group discussion is Habit #3: First Things First.

    #9 Habit #1: BE PROACTIVE - 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2022 55:58


    Does your Circle of Influence squeeze out your Circle of Concern? This is an important and often missed characteristic of being proactive. This is the 3rd discussion about Covey's 7 Habits. Want to come on the podcast and discuss? Let me know at DSmith@HomeVantage.com

    #8 What Books Have Been Important to Building Your Business?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2022 39:53


    The mastermind group digs into some books that's helped build these owners' businesses. And, some talk about what they're using to reach this year's goals. They understand what Zig meant by “you'll be the same 5 years from now, as you are now, except for who you associate with, what you watch and listen to, and what you read.”

    #7 The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Summary

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2022 53:15


    Zoom Mastermind discussing the book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.  10 folks join Danny for an open talk about how these habits are used in our lives.

    #6 Tony Cubbage - Living in “The 7 Habits”

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2022 27:26


    Covey's 7 Habits aren't far from Tony's awareness. It's even a critical component of his 9 year old son's education. Danny talks to Tony on What About Books and how Tony uses the 7 habits.

    #5: What questions do you ask yourself?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2021 27:25


    Hurdie Burk ( Host) talks to Danny Smith about the book QBQ, by John G Miller. Learn to ask yourself questions that help with personal accountability. Danny can be reached at Danny@DannyLSmith.com

    #4: What Do You Think About, Yearn For?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2021 29:57


    Have you dreamed in the past, but don't now? If so, why not? What's the difference between a dreamer and someone that dreams AND achieves a dream? Danny and Hurdie's conversation gets a little personal, but this is “What About Books” and feelings about books are a BIG part of what they discuss. They discuss “Put Your Dream to the Test: 10 Questions to Help You see It and Seize it,” by John C. Maxwell. Danny has posted bits and pieces about John's book in his coaching Facebook Group. You can get there by clicking https://www.facebook.com/groups/331558604292210. He's also writing about this book on his blog at http://www.dannylsmith.com. The older we get, the more logical we think. The more logical we get, the less we dream. BUT. BUT…..this isn't genetic. We can change this trajectory. And trajectory it is. Our YouTube Channel  https://www.youtube.com/c/DannyLSmith

    #3: How Are You Getting Noticed In A Noisy World?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2021 25:10


    Do you agree it's a noisy world? If you do, you'll enjoy this book Hurdie and Danny are discussing. The author insists you have to have platform mentality. Did you catch that...a platform MENTALITY for your online marketing.  Hyatt, the author, insists it is critical to being noticed and a flashy website is not a platform. Owning your platform is critical and you don't own Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter. Michael Hyatt knows this from experience. An author, agent, and publisher for more than 40 years, he has spent the past 15 years creating an online following that numbers in the hundreds of thousands. Join Hurdie and Danny as they discuss a small piece of their 8-year experience with Platform: Getting Noticed in a Noisy World.  

    #2: What Do You Ask Yourself to Eliminate Blame?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2021 34:32


    What' the “simple, hardest thing you've ever done?” I contend is asking questions that start with What or How, contain I, and focuses on action. The troubles cannot be solved by pointing fingers and blaming others. Rather, the real solutions are found when each of us recognizes the power of personal accountability. In QBQ!, author and consultant John G. Miller explains how negative, inappropriate questions like “Why do we have to go through all this change?” and “Who dropped the ball?” represent a lack of personal accountability. Conversely, when we ask better questions — QBQs — such as “What can I do to contribute?” or “How can I help solve the problem?” our lives and our organizations are transformed. QBQ! provides a practical method for putting personal accountability into daily action with astonishing results: problems are solved, internal barriers come down, service improves, teamwork thrives and people adapt to change more quickly. QBQ! is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking to learn, grow and change. Danny mentions an employee he had that left an $80,000 year job simply because he wanted to blame people, felt people needed to be “held” accountable through those why and who questions. QBQ stops the blame emotions and gets-things-done! Would you rather get buy-in to get things done, or would you rather mandate it? If you answered "buy-in," you'll love QBQ.  

    #1: The 4 Disciplines of Execution: Achieving Your Wildly Important Goals 4DX

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2021 35:37


    This book is intriguing because it claims “we know-how, but not what we should do.” Danny and Hurdie talk about this, why it matters, and what a few highlights of what the authors' answers are to the “don't know what we should do” dilemma. This book falls in step with books such as Good to Great and The 12 Week Year because it's about experiences, not theories and opinions. 4DX is written by Chris McChesney, Sean Covey, and Jim Huling. All three are part of the Franklin/Covey organization.  

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