The Mediterranean Diet

Meditation

Hey there. If you like the show I would love to get your feedback and give you a shoutout. Bye for now. Dr Rocco [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2595932/fan_mail/new] Life and How to Live It Podcast Show Notes Episode: Meditation with Mark Power - Learning to Be Present Host: Dr. Rocco | Guest: Mark Power Episode Overview In this episode, I sit down with Mark Power for a thoughtful and practical conversation about meditation. Like many people, I know meditation sounds helpful - more calm, more presence, a better sense of well-being - but I also know the questions that come with it: What kind should I try? What if my mind will not quiet down? How do I even begin? Mark makes meditation feel much less mysterious. He reminds us that it is not about forcing the mind to be still. It is about learning to relate to our thoughts, emotions, and the present moment with more patience, awareness, and kindness. About My Guest: Mark Power Mark has practiced meditation since the late 1970s. He began as a young man looking for meaning and eventually learned meditation through Buddhist training. In 2005, he was appointed a Mitra, or teacher, in the Nalanda Bodhi Buddhist organization, where his focus has been the intersection of contemplative practice and daily life. Mark also worked as a chaplain in palliative care, served as adjunct faculty at the Indiana University Kelley School of Business guiding MBA students in mindful presence, and now works as a life coach. He also carves wooden spoons and lives with his wife in Red Hook, New York. Mark's Meditation Journey Mark started meditating during a tumultuous emotional season in his late teens. He found books on Buddhist meditation, followed that curiosity, and began experimenting with the practice. Meditation did not instantly solve everything, but even in the early days it gave him a way to get a handle on emotions that felt unruly. That stood out to me. Meditation is not a magic switch. It is a practice. The calm may come slowly, but the practice can begin to change how we relate to what is happening inside us. Meditation Is Not About Forcing Stillness One of Mark's most helpful points was that meditation is not about trying to force your mind into silence. In fact, the harder we try to get rid of bothersome thoughts, the stronger they often seem to become. ·         You are not fighting your thoughts. You are learning to shift your attention away from being caught up in them. ·         The breath becomes an anchor. Not by thinking about the breath, but by noticing the sensation of breathing in and out. ·         Calm is allowed, not forced. Mark said he could not make calm happen, but he could allow it to emerge by bringing a soft focus to the breath. Returning to the Breath Without Judgment This is where many of us struggle. We sit down, try to meditate, and suddenly the mind is filled with work, errands, worries, and memories. Mark's advice was simple: notice what is happening without judging it. ·         Do not call yourself a bad meditator. A wandering mind does not mean you are failing. Coming back is the practice. ·         Return gently. Each time you return to the breath, you are practicing presence. ·         Thoughts are often not about now. They replay the past, worry about the future, or imagine something else. Meditation brings us back to what is actually present. I loved this because it connects meditation to everyday life. When we are more present, we listen better, respond more thoughtfully, and make better choices instead of being carried away by every thought or emotion. Different Ways to Meditate I asked Mark about the different kinds of meditation because that can be confusing. His answer helped simplify it: the forms he is familiar with all have something in common - they are ways of managing attention. ·         Mantra meditation: placing attention on a repeated phrase or mantra. ·         Mindfulness meditation: using the breath, physical sensation, or another simple object of attention. ·         Visual or sound-based meditation: placing attention on a still object, a sound, chanting, prayers, or sacred songs. The common thread is this: place attention, notice when the mind wanders, and return gently without judgment. Mark described it as learning to be observers, not judges. Ordinary Breathing, Not Controlled Breathing Because breath came up so often, I asked if Mark was talking about a special breathing pattern. His answer was clear: no. In this context, meditation is not about managing the breath. It is about managing attention. You allow your body to breathe as it needs to breathe, and you place attention on the sensations of that ordinary breath. Walking Meditation and Movement We also talked about walking meditation, which Mark described as meditation in action. Instead of sitting still and focusing on the breath, walking meditation uses the movement of the legs and feet, and the feeling of the feet touching the ground. ·         Let attention move out of your head. Many of us live mostly in our thoughts. Walking meditation brings attention back into the body. ·         Notice the rhythm. The foot lifts, the leg swings, the foot meets the ground, and the next step follows. ·         Presence can happen in motion. Meditation does not only happen while seated. It can happen while walking, moving, and noticing the world around us. The Benefits of Meditation Mark spoke about meditation's benefits from emotional, spiritual, and relational angles. ·         Less stress and anxiety. In his work as a chaplain, Mark used meditation to help people lessen stress and face difficult medical situations. ·         Guided imagery. This can support confidence, grief work, and a healthier view of ourselves. ·         A deeper experience of faith. Meditation can move faith from something we only think about into something more embodied and experienced. ·         More kindness toward ourselves. Mark said one of the most important benefits of consistent meditation is that we become kinder to ourselves. That last point really hit me. A lot of us live with negative self-talk and constant self-criticism. Meditation may be one way we learn to give ourselves a little more grace. Prayer, Spirituality, and Meditation Because Mark mentioned prayer, I asked how prayer and meditation are similar and different. He explained that both involve focus and attention. In prayer, there is often a specific intention - we pray to or pray for. In meditation, we practice letting go and returning to the present moment. Mark also described how the two can come together. Meditation can bring a more embodied feeling to prayer - not only thinking the prayer, but bringing the heart, body, and present-moment awareness into it. How to Get Started For anyone who likes the idea of meditation but does not know where to begin, Mark suggested starting simply. ·         Try a well-produced app like Headspace or Calm, especially if there are free introductory options. ·         Research local meditation groups and notice how they describe their approach. ·         Know what you are walking into. A silent meditation group and a devotional chanting environment can feel very different. ·         Follow your curiosity. Many people begin simply because they get curious and take one small step. Simple Meditation Experiments to Try I asked Mark for something listeners could try even before downloading an app or joining a group. He offered a few small experiments that cost nothing and take very little time. ·         Sit still for 10 seconds and notice what it feels like to be still. ·         Notice three full breaths in and out, then let it go. ·         While walking, notice the sensation of your foot touching the ground. ·         Look up into the sky, take a breath, breathe out, and let everything go for a moment. Mark's Closing Thought: Meditation as Kindness As we wrapped up, Mark emphasised that meditation is a form of kindness. It is not a sport, and we do not need to approach it competitively. Trying to sit too long, forcing a difficult posture, or treating meditation like an athletic performance can work against us. Quote of the Episode "Kindness is the Cure." - Mark Power This was Mark's answer to my billboard question, and I think it says a lot in just a few words. Closing Thoughts This conversation reminded me that meditation does not have to be intimidating. We do not have to empty our minds, force calm, or become experts before we begin. We can start by noticing one breath, one step, one moment of stillness. And maybe that is enough for today. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2595932/support] Feel free to visit my website https://www.neaccoaching.com/podcast [https://www.neaccoaching.com/podcast]

The Mediterranean Diet

Hey there. If you like the show I would love to get your feedback and give you a shoutout. Bye for now. Dr Rocco [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2595932/fan_mail/new] Episode: Understanding the Mediterranean Diet Host: Dr. Rocco | Guest: Susan Chiappini, PhD Episode Overview In this episode, I'm joined again by my wonderful wife, Susan, who you'll remember from episode three. Susan has a PhD in physiology, real-world experience in nutritional science, and co-directs the farm kitchen at a local farm where she teaches cooking classes. Today we're talking about something close to both of our hearts — the Mediterranean diet. I come from a Southern Italian background, and Susan grew up in a Syrian American household, learning to cook in her grandmother's kitchen. Between the two of us, we've got a couple of corners of the Mediterranean covered, and I think that made for a great conversation. The Mediterranean diet has been recommended by the World Health Organization, the American Heart Association, the American Diabetes Association, and the UK's National Health Service. UNESCO even named it a Cultural Heritage of Humanity back in 2010. So we dug into what it actually is, why it works, and how to bring more of it into your own kitchen — wherever you happen to live.   Olive Oil: Where It All Starts Almost every dish in a Mediterranean kitchen starts with olive oil in the pan. Susan explained that olive oil replaces much of the animal fat found in a more modern diet, which means less saturated fat and fewer fats damaged by processing — and it's been shown to help lower LDL cholesterol. We also got into how olive oil is actually made. Olives are pressed in a mill, and the liquid that separates out is the oil. The first pressing, done without heating the olive pulp, gives you extra virgin olive oil — the good stuff. Later pressings involve heat to extract more oil from the leftover pulp, but heat damages the fats, which is why extra virgin is the gold standard (and the priciest). Susan's tips for buying good olive oil: •        Price matters — pricier oils tend to be better oils •        Look for dark glass bottles or tins, since light degrades the oil •        Check the label for “first cold pressing” and “extra virgin” •        A pressed-on date is a great sign (not to be confused with an expiration date) •        A peppery bite in the back of your throat means good quality •        Store it somewhere cool and dark once you're home   Fresh, Seasonal, Local Produce The traditional Mediterranean diet leans heavily on fruits and vegetables that are in season and grown locally — picked for flavor, not for shipping. Cooking those vegetables in olive oil actually helps pull out fat-soluble nutrients like vitamin A, making them more digestible. People eating this way naturally end up with about twice the fiber of the average American diet, which feeds a diverse, healthy gut microbiome.   Whole Grains, Beans, and the Truth About Pasta Beans are a fantastic source of protein and fiber, and Susan recommends buying dried beans rather than canned, soaking them overnight to neutralize the natural enzyme inhibitors, and cooking them slowly with broth and herbs. And yes, we talked about pasta. Italians eat it, sometimes daily, but in modest portions, cooked al dente (which lowers its glycemic index), and always alongside vegetables, olive oil, and other foods that slow the release of sugar into the bloodstream. It's one course in a larger meal — not the whole meal.   Meat as a Supporting Player In the Mediterranean, meat tends to flavor a dish rather than dominate it — think lamb mixed into cracked wheat, or a little beef stuffed into eggplant alongside rice and tomato sauce. Coastal regions eat more seafood, including canned tuna and anchovies. Cured meats like prosciutto and salami have their place too, but in small quantities, used as flavoring rather than the main event — not the gigantic Italian sub you'll find in the US.   Dessert, Dairy, and Wine Dessert is usually just fruit, maybe with a few nuts, rather than cake or cookies. Dairy tends to be cultured — yogurt and aged cheeses — which preserves the nutrition in milk while adding beneficial bacteria. Wine is consumed with meals, in moderation, as part of the overall ritual of sitting down together, eating slowly, and enjoying the company.   How to Eat More Like This Yourself Susan's advice: start at the grocery store. Shop the produce section for what's in season, hit a farmer's market if you can, and don't skip the aisle with dried beans and grains. From there, build meals that lead with vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, and use meat as a flavoring rather than the centerpiece. Leftovers make great lunches, and a roasted Sunday chicken can stretch into tacos, salads, or soup later in the week.   Dr. Rocco's Recs 📚 Susan recommends The New Book of Middle Eastern Food by Claudia Roden. My pick is The Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking by Marcella Hazan — the bible of Italian cooking, with step-by-step instructions clear enough for even a beginner to follow.   One More Thing Did you know garlic is a 9,000-year-old plant? Garlic cloves were even found in King Tut's tomb. If you're worried about garlic breath, try sprinkling some parsley on your dish — it's the traditional remedy.   Until next time — life is not a dress rehearsal. Subscribe to the Life and How to Live It Podcast and leave us a review. See the show notes for more information. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2595932/support] Feel free to visit my website https://www.neaccoaching.com/podcast [https://www.neaccoaching.com/podcast]

End of Life Planning

Hey there. If you like the show I would love to get your feedback and give you a shoutout. Bye for now. Dr Rocco [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2595932/fan_mail/new] LIFE AND HOW TO LIVE IT PODCAST WITH DR. ROCCO Episode: End-of-Life Planning with Marion Power, RN In this episode, I’m joined by a very dear friend and someone I’ve learned an enormous amount from — Marion Power. Marion is a longtime registered nurse who has worked in the operating room, emergency department, and hospice. Her experiences in those settings led her to her current speciality as a geriatric care manager, helping seniors and their families navigate the challenges of ageing. Her focus is on helping people make positive, informed decisions about their care — with the goal of remaining at home for as long as possible. Marian also loves long-distance walking in France, teaches yoga, and is an avid quilter. I think you’re going to get a lot out of this conversation. What Is a Geriatric Care Manager? Many people haven’t heard this term before, and I think that’s worth changing. A geriatric care manager assesses, coordinates, and oversees the care of older adults who can no longer live fully independently — or whose family members are struggling to support them. They come in, evaluate the whole picture — medical, cognitive, legal, financial, and home safety — and help you understand what your options are and what resources are available in your community. Marion shared the story of one of her very first clients, John, who had suffered two debilitating strokes, lived alone, and had no children or spouse. With Marian’s help, John assembled a care team — a live-in caregiver, a grocery shopper, someone to take him out — and he stayed in his own home for seven more years. By all accounts, he was a cheerful guy who had a pretty good life despite his disabilities. That story stuck with me. It’s a powerful reminder that end-of-life planning isn’t just about the final weeks — it can shape years of meaningful living. How to Find a Geriatric Care Manager Geriatric care managers are not typically assigned through hospitals, so you have to seek them out. The best resource is the Ageing Life Care Association, a national organisation that vets its members and maintains a searchable directory. You can find it at aginglifecare.org. In the upper right-hand corner, click “Find an Expert,” enter your ZIP code, and you’ll find care managers in your area. The calibre of professionals on that site is high — there are real requirements to be listed there. What the Process Looks Like Marion typically starts with a home visit — and she tries to get as many family members there as possible so everyone is on the same page. She does a thorough assessment covering medical needs, cognitive status, legal documents, home safety, medications, finances, and what the client and family each want — which, she notes, are often two very different things. From there, she generates a prioritised plan of care across all of those categories. She also accompanies clients to doctor’s appointments as a patient advocate — asking the questions family members don’t know to ask — and checks in regularly to help move through the list. One thing she said that really hit home: it’s like coaching. “Have we accomplished this? What do you need my help with?” She’s not there to take over — she’s there to support. The Essential Legal Documents — Start Here If you’re over 60 and you don’t have these in place, this is where to begin. I’ll admit, I was in that boat myself before this conversation. •      Will — directs where your assets go. Needs to be done with an elder law attorney. •      Power of Attorney — designates someone to manage your financial and legal affairs. Elder law attorney required. •      Healthcare Proxy — names someone to make medical decisions on your behalf if you can’t. This one you can do yourself using downloadable forms. •      Living Will — states your wishes for end-of-life medical care: CPR, intubation, and so on. Also can be completed independently. •      Trust — worth exploring with an elder law attorney if you have significant assets.   Once those documents exist, tell your family. Show them. Let them know where the paperwork is kept. Marion made the point that if a parent has a stroke and ends up in the ER unconscious, and two children disagree about what he would have wanted — because no one ever wrote it down — you have difficulty on top of difficulty. Clear documents prevent that. On the question of insurance: geriatric care management is not covered by most insurance and is billed privately. That said, Marion offers sliding scale fees, and even a single consultation — roughly six hours of her time including the home visit, the report, and the review — can be worth its weight in gold just to know what your options are and get the ball rolling. On Being Present When Someone Is Dying Marion closed with something I didn’t want to rush past. She said that being present with a loved one as they die is valuable — and while it can be frightening, it’s an experience worth taking the time to have. It’s the culmination of a relationship. It can be a chance to heal. It moves beyond our rational thinking into something spiritual. And it is a gift: for the person dying, and for you. Between a good care manager and hospice, she said, you can make that experience happen at home, in familiar surroundings, surrounded by the people and things that person loves. That stayed with me.  Dr. Rocco’s Rex Make your next vacation a walking or cycling trip. You slow down to about two miles an hour instead of 70, and everything changes — you actually see the countryside, you meet local people, you stop and smell the roses. It’s great exercise, which works up a great appetite, so you can enjoy the food without guilt. And you don’t have to do it as a hardcore backpacker — there are companies all over the world that will plan your itinerary, arrange lodging, and even shuttle your luggage between stops so all you have to do is walk. Give it some thought. One More Thing Did you know that Alaska is 429 times larger than Rhode Island — and yet Rhode Island has a bigger population? Rhode Island comes in at 1.1 million people versus Alaska’s 750,000. So if you’re really looking to get away from it all, you know where to go.  Guest Billboard Message “Stay engaged... It’s worth it.” — Marion Power Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2595932/support] Feel free to visit my website https://www.neaccoaching.com/podcast [https://www.neaccoaching.com/podcast]

The World Cup Preview

Hey there. If you like the show I would love to get your feedback and give you a shoutout. Bye for now. Dr Rocco [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2595932/fan_mail/new] Life and How to Live It Podcast with Dr. Rocco Episode: Previewing the 2026 Men's World Cup In this episode, I'm joined by two of my dear friends — co-host Pete Logides and soccer expert Tim Ruth — to preview the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup. This is the biggest sporting event on the planet. The 2022 World Cup was watched by roughly five billion people worldwide, with 1.5 billion tuning in for the final alone. And this time, the tournament is coming to us — hosted right here in North America, across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Why This World Cup Is Special This is the most geographically spread-out World Cup in history, spanning an entire continent. It's also the largest ever in terms of participating teams, with 48 nations competing for the title. Four countries are making their World Cup debut this year: Cape Verde Islands, Curaçao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan. For those nations, this moment can galvanize an entire country. I think about what it felt like when the US first started qualifying — it was a huge deal — and for these first-timers, it must feel even bigger. How We Fell in Love with the Beautiful Game Before diving into the tournament itself, the three of us shared how we each came to love soccer. Tim played in grade school, then drifted away to baseball and cross country, but came back to the game in a meaningful way about 20 years ago. What drew him back was soccer's identity as a true team sport. In so many other sports, one transcendent player — a LeBron, a top-tier quarterback — can carry a team alone. Soccer remains beautifully collective in a way that few other sports do. Pete was a goalkeeper on his grade school team — a team that never won a game, he proudly admits — and made his high school squad all four years. He grew up watching English soccer and the Bundesliga on Saturday mornings on PBS Channel 13, and became a devoted fan of the New York Cosmos in the old NASL. He'll never forget listening to Cosmos games on the radio with his dad, writing down the scores by hand, and watching Pelé play at Yankee Stadium. For me, soccer was woven into my life from the very beginning. As an Italian kid, I grew up watching games with my grandfather on the tiny TV in his house, tuned to the Italian RAI network every Sunday after our family meal. I played in high school alongside Pete, and I've been a devoted AS Roma fan ever since. When I was at the University of Virginia, many of the US Men's National Team players — and even coach Bruce Arena — came from UVA, so I always felt a special personal connection to the national team. The Legends Playing Their Last World Cup This tournament carries a bittersweet quality for those of us who have grown up watching some of the greatest players in history. Three absolute legends are likely playing in their final World Cup: * Cristiano Ronaldo — Playing in his sixth World Cup. Six. The man is still performing at a high level, and Portugal has a strong squad, so we may see a lot of him before it's over. * Lionel Messi — My absolute favorite player ever. When I first discovered him at Barcelona, I genuinely wanted to quit my job and move there just to watch him every week. To me, he is the most revolutionary soccer player I've ever seen — the artistry, the creativity, the fluid motion. Like Allen Iverson in basketball, he's the little guy who gets around everyone and makes it look like silk. * Luka Modric — The Croatian midfielder who almost single-handedly willed his team to the final in 2018 and may have won more trophies than any player alive. He is 40 years old and still completely dominating at AC Milan. Remarkable. On the eternal Messi vs. Ronaldo debate, all three of us land on Messi — for his control of the run of play, his ability to dominate a game even without the ball, and that ineffable artistry. Though we give Ronaldo enormous credit, particularly on set pieces and in the air. The Exciting New Generation We are also witnessing the rise of an incredible new wave of talent. Kylian Mbappé, at just 27 years old, already has 12 World Cup goals. The all-time record is believed to be 16, held by Miroslav Klose. If Mbappé stays healthy and plays in several more World Cups, he could set a record that stands for generations. The Negatives: What's Bringing This Cup Down As excited as we are, we had to be honest about real frustrations: Ticket prices are outrageous. I was certain I would attend at least one game — just as I did at the Meadowlands during the 1994 World Cup. After looking at actual prices, I changed my mind. FIFA has a poor track record of prioritizing fans over profits, and this tournament is no different. Parking near MetLife Stadium is $250. The train from New York to the Meadowlands — normally $12 — will run $150 for World Cup games. Ride-share drop-off is a mile walk from the stadium. It's all about money, and it leaves a genuine bad taste. Lack of hype is also a concern. Recording this in late April with the tournament beginning in June, I'd expect far more buzz. Instead, sports media is dominated by the NFL Draft, NBA Playoffs, baseball, and the NHL. The US has never been a soccer-first country, and if the national team struggles early, that hype may never fully arrive. The good news: once the ball drops, great soccer has a way of pulling everyone in — as we saw even with the controversial Qatar 2022 tournament, which produced one of the greatest World Cup finals ever played. The US Men's National Team Tim, our resident USMNT expert, gave us his honest assessment. The team has real strengths — a legitimate goal scorer in Balogun, strong wingers, a solid midfield, and quality fullbacks. But three things need to happen for them to go deep: 1. Play together. The team lacks cohesion. Our players are scattered across clubs worldwide and don't have the natural familiarity that France, Spain, and Germany benefit from. 2. Tighten the central defense. The US has been conceding the same types of goals since 2022 — balls played back to the top of the box where trailing midfielders finish easily. That has to stop. 3. Christian Pulisic has to elevate. He's our best player, and as of late April, he hasn't been at his best. If he steps up and leads, we can surprise people. If he doesn't, the ceiling drops significantly. Our Predictions Who wins the World Cup? Pete: France | Dr. Rocco: Argentina (repeating) | Tim: Spain How far does the US go? Pete: Quarterfinals | Dr. Rocco: Round of 16 | Tim: Quarterfinals Dark horses: Pete: Norway | Tim: Japan Dr. Rocco's Recs If you're traveling internationally, consider going to a soccer game. Whether you find yourself in Italy, England, Germany, or anywhere football is religion, buying a ticket and sitting in those stands is an unforgettable cultural experience. I've been to games in Newcastle, England and in Rome, and both rank among my most memorable travel moments. The songs, the chants, the passion — it is something passed down from generation to generation, and for 90 minutes, you get to be part of it. One More Thing Did you know that Uruguay is the smallest country ever to win the World Cup? With a current population of just 3.4 million people — roughly the size of a mid-sized American city — Uruguay has won it twice: first in 1930, when they hosted the inaugural tournament, and again in 1950. Small but mighty. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2595932/support] Feel free to visit my website https://www.neaccoaching.com/podcast [https://www.neaccoaching.com/podcast]

The Wonderful World of Reading

Hey there. If you like the show I would love to get your feedback and give you a shoutout. Bye for now. Dr Rocco [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2595932/fan_mail/new] Life and How to Live It Podcast with Dr. Rocco Episode: Reading for Pleasure — One of Life's Greatest Gifts In this episode, I'm diving deep into one of my all-time favorite topics: reading for pleasure. I consider reading to be one of life's truly great pleasures, and whether you're a devoted bookworm or someone who hasn't picked one up in years, I genuinely believe there's something in this episode for you. I walk through my personal reading journey, explore the many gifts that reading gives us, and share a curated list of book recommendations spanning fiction and nonfiction. My Reading Journey I've loved reading since I was a young boy — books, magazines, comic books, even the back of the cereal box at breakfast. I was a sponge, and I've pretty much stayed that way my whole life. I was that odd high school kid who actually enjoyed the assigned reading in English class, and when I went on to study pre-med at the University of Virginia, I was fortunate to take some truly memorable English and History courses. In particular, a class on William Faulkner and Southern Gothic literature, and another on the plays of Shakespeare, taught me something I never forgot: there is incredible pleasure to be found in reading something that is genuinely challenging. Shakespeare's language can feel like a barrier, but once you get comfortable with it, the language is the thing — that's where the joy lives. After college, medical school and residency consumed most of my reading time with textbooks and journal articles. But as my career progressed, I picked it back up. The real turning point came during a visit to my parents. I'd forgotten to bring anything to read, so I browsed the bookshelf in my old bedroom and pulled out The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway — a book I'd read at 16. Reading it again at around 35, I was stunned. As a teenager, I saw a group of friends drinking in Paris and going to bullfights in Spain. As an adult, I understood the profound loneliness and woundedness of Jake Barnes — a man left impotent by a war injury, in love with Lady Brett Ashley, unable to ever consummate that love. I saw the Lost Generation, the searching for meaning, the diversion and the despair. I had not gotten any of that at 16. That experience changed everything. I asked myself: what else did I miss? And so I made a decision to read the classics — all of them. If I hadn't read it, I read it. If I had already read it, I reread it. Highlights from the Classics * The Epic of Gilgamesh – Written approximately 4,000 years ago in ancient Mesopotamia, this is the story of King Gilgamesh, his friendship with Enkidu, and his desperate quest to find a cure for death after losing his beloved companion. What struck me most was the visceral realization that we as human beings have not changed very much. The things that caused Gilgamesh grief and anxiety are the very same things that haunt us today. * The Iliad – One of my favorite books of all time. There is a scene where Andromache pleads with her husband Hector not to go to the front of the next day's battle, knowing he will die and that she has already lost her entire family to this war. I literally teared up reading it. This could have been a modern wife speaking to her husband before he leaves for combat. The universality of the human soul leaps off every page. * The ancient Greek philosophers and the Bible – Taken together, these form the very roots of Western civilization and the way we think today. * The Book of the Courtier by Baldassare Castiglione – Written in 16th century Italy, this book outlines the qualities of the ideal gentleman: well-read, athletic, humorous, able to dance and dress well. Reading it, I felt like I was reading about James Bond. What fascinated me was seeing just how old these ideas really are. * Don Quixote by Cervantes – Written in the early 1600s, around the same time as Shakespeare, this hilarious buddy story of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza is widely considered the first novel ever written. * Moby Dick by Herman Melville – A deep dive into the whaling industry, yes, but more importantly a profound study of obsession and how hubris can bring tragedy crashing down on everyone around you. * The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas – An incredible story centered on revenge — that powerful, dangerous desire to get back at those who have wronged you. * War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy – Nearly 1,200 pages and close to 600 characters. A slog at times, but an extraordinary cognitive and emotional experience. The characters became more alive to me than many people I know in real life, and I still think about them regularly, years after finishing it. * One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez – The masterpiece of magical realism. Set in the fictional Colombian town of Macondo, this novel weaves a dream. While you're in it, you are in a dream-like state. Truly an extraordinary reading experience. What Does Reading Give Us? * Pleasure – Sometimes it takes 20, 50, even 100 pages to sync up with an author's voice and way of thinking. Push through that initial barrier — the pleasure is waiting on the other side. * Anticipation – Once you're hooked, you think about the book during the day, and you feel that little flutter of excitement when you pass it on your bedside table. * Escapism – Whether it's sci-fi, fantasy, or a novel set in a completely different culture, reading transports us out of ourselves and into another world entirely. * Knowledge – Nonfiction is built for learning, but great fiction authors like Umberto Eco pack their novels with rich history and cultural insight too. * Vocabulary – Your vocabulary will genuinely grow, especially if you read the classics. * Cognitive exercise – Keeping track of characters, storylines, and timelines is a real workout for the brain. * Empathy – Fiction places you inside the heart, mind, and soul of another person in a way that real life simply cannot. I truly believe that being a reader of fiction made me a better doctor — it helped me understand what makes people tick. * An expanded worldview – You learn about different places, cultures, and human experiences, and that makes you a better citizen of this country and of the world. Nonfiction as Your Own Curriculum I love nonfiction for the freedom it gives you to build your own learning path. Say you get curious about life for women in the Old West — you don't have to wait for a documentary. Just start reading. And the bibliography at the back of any good nonfiction book will send you down rabbit holes you never expected. My Book Recommendations Novels: * Lonesome Dove – Larry McMurtry (1985) — Two friends lead a cattle drive from Texas to Montana. The characters are unforgettable. My wife considers this one of her all-time favorites too. * This Is Happiness – Niall Williams (2019) — The story of the last town in Ireland to get electricity in the 1950s. Endearing, beautiful, and deeply touching. * A Soldier of the Great War – Mark Helprin (1991) — One of my all-time favorites. An Italian soldier reflects on his life and his time in World War I. It's about love, loss, war, meaning, and the afterlife. Absolutely stunning. * Song of Solomon – Toni Morrison (1977) — A journey from North to South as Milkman Dead searches for his family's history. Themes of slavery, family secrets, and identity. Incredibly beautiful. Short Stories: * Table for Two – Amor Towles (2024) — My favorite recent short story collection. Fun, surprising, and completely engaging. * The Pacific – Mark Helprin (2004) — Another excellent collection from one of my favorite writers. * Flannery O'Connor — Pick up any of her collections. You're in for a wonderful time. * Anton Chekhov — One of the great masters of the European short story. A note on short stories: If you don't read much fiction, short stories are the perfect entry point. You can read one in a single evening, and reading before bed — rather than scrolling on your phone — is a great way to calm your nervous system and sleep better. Nonfiction: * The Power Broker – Robert Caro (1974) — A biography of Robert Moses and essential reading for understanding how New York City became what it is today. I listened to this on audiobook and got everything I needed from it. * The Wide Wide Sea – Hampton Sides (2025) — The story of Captain Cook's third voyage: discovering Hawaii, returning to Tahiti, searching for the Northwest Passage. Written like a novel but completely true. * Brunelleschi's Dome – Ross King — The story of how the great dome of Florence's cathedral was built in the 1400s, full of artistic rivalry and architectural genius. Fascinating. One More Thing Based on recent data, the top countries for reading by per capita books read per year are the United States, India, and the United Kingdom, with China, Italy, and France also ranking highly. Within the US, the top reading states are Vermont, New Hampshir Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2595932/support] Feel free to visit my website https://www.neaccoaching.com/podcast [https://www.neaccoaching.com/podcast]