The Chris Voss Show

Who Is the Architect of Your Life? by Scott Rusnak

https://www.amazon.com/Audible-Who-Architect-Your-Life/dp/B0FRFGLBSC

Scottrusnak.com

Do you have the courage to become the architect of your own life?

It starts with a simple but powerful shift: Understanding that every “no” creates space for the right “yes.”

Say yes to the right things—and your life moves forward with purpose.

Say yes to the wrong things—and you’ll overcommit.

I know this because I’ve lived it.

Early in my career, I said yes to everything. Opportunities, collaborations, and projects that seemed important at the time. But it left me scattered, exhausted, and ultimately stuck. I was “over-committed.”

It wasn’t until I mastered the discipline of saying NO that I found my stride. My focus sharpened, my impact grew, and I felt more aligned than ever. And in doing so, I felt fully aligned with the life I was meant to lead.

In this book’s step-by-step process, I take you through a practical, battle-tested process to:

Build the Architect’s Mindset—so you can design a life you’re proud to live.

Clarify your values, your where, your what, and your why

Surround yourself with the right people to fuel your growth

Set clear, aligned goals—and actually follow through

Design your days, weeks, and year to stay on track

This isn’t theory. It’s a system I’ve used personally and with thousands of high-achieving entrepreneurs, athletes, and executives.

You already have what it takes. Now you need the blueprint.

Most people will be in the same place next year. Let’s make sure that person isn’t you.

The Hard Line (Gray Man) by Mark Greaney

https://www.amazon.com/Hard-Line-Gray-Man/dp/0593954815

The Gray Man, the world’s deadliest assassin and apex predator, discovers he’s really the prey in the most shocking entry of this #1 New York Times bestselling series.

Family means different things to different people, but in the Gray Man’s world, family is defined by blood—the blood you share with some and the blood you shed with others.

Court Gentry’s current family operates out of an office park in Norfolk, Virginia. The Ghost Town is an off-the-books direct action team run by Matt Hanley, former CIA Deputy Director. They take on the jobs the Agency needs handled “discretely,” and those jobs are rolling in.

Somewhere at the top of the US Intelligence apparatus, security experts and intelligence operations worldwide are threatened.

It starts with a blown safe house in Tunis. Then Court himself barely escapes from an ambush in the jungles of Nicaragua. Now key members of the U.S. counterintelligence community are being assassinated in their own neighborhoods. With the feds compromised, it’s up to Court and his team to stop the hit squads.

But eliminating professional kill teams may be the least of the Gray Man’s worries when he finds himself targeted by the legendary assassin codenamed Whetstone—a man driven out of retirement by a very personal quest to rain down hellfire on Court and everyone he’s ever loved, starting with the father he hasn’t seen in twenty years.

The Awakening Of Dan Hanley: Novel by Rita K. Hamilton

https://www.amazon.com/Awakening-Dan-Hanley-Novel/dp/1418469599

To get his college degree as quickly as possible, twenty-one year old Dan needs to live with Margaret, an unknown distant relative. The elderly landlady claims she can communicate psychically with animals. Dan is dumbfounded. She doesn’t seem the weirdo type. She has to be a shyster, evil, or just plain crazy. To protect himself from the possibility of Margaret’s corrupting influence, he devises a plan. He will keep as much distance between them as their “work for room and board” arrangement will allow. A complicating factor is Laurie, the cute girl next door. Dan struggles to resist his attraction to her. He doesn’t have the time or money for romantic entanglements. Besides, he is convinced she has been brainwashed by Margaret. Then there is Bill Saxon, neighborhood thug, thief, and animal tormentor, who takes an instant dislike to Dan. Seventy pounds lighter than Bill and inexperienced at fist fighting, Dan knows he is no match for Bill. Additional issues center around the animals: Sobra, the timid Labrador; her mother, Lady; Petey, the parakeet; and the cats, Taylor, Katy, Princess, and Cherish. Each playa significant part in a life lesson for Dan.

Drownproof: Eight Life Lessons to Keep Your Head Above Water by Andy Stumpf

https://www.amazon.com/Drownproof-Eight-Lessons-Above-Water/dp/125037961X

Featuring a foreword by Jocko Willink!

A motivational guide to success and leadership based on the author’s experience as a Navy SEAL.

Drawing from his extensive military career, renowned Navy SEAL Andy Stumpf shares his hard-earned wisdom by reflecting on his own journey and offering advice to empower readers to avoid costly mistakes and navigate the complexities of life with confidence and purpose.

From the grueling training programs to intense combat situations, Stumpf recounts the highs and lows, the challenges he faced, and the pivotal moments that shaped his leadership abilities. How can you take the toughest situations in your life and make them the most formative moments you’ve ever had? How do you take a leap of faith in your life? How can you combat fear when it comes to crush you? How can you build discipline in your life instead of building regrets? In his down-to-earth, sometimes humorous but always honest voice, Stumpf addresses these questions and more in Drownproof.

Readers of Drownproof will:

*Understand how they are in control of their destiny

*Grasp how preparation leads to execution

*See the value of planning for the worst-case scenario

*Learn how to approach goals

*Realize why people actually fail

*Discover practical insights learned from the military that apply to all spheres of life

About the author

ANDY STUMPF is a former Navy SEAL with a 17-year career, including time on SEAL Team 6. He is also a public speaker, podcast host (“Cleared Hot”), and entrepreneur. He was medically retired in 2013 but continues to be active in the military community and various sports like jiu-jitsu and hunting.

The Ultimate Quest by Dr Antonio Mataban

https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Quest-Dr-Antonio-Mataban/dp/B0FKM12S1R

The Ultimate Quest by Dr. Antonio Mataban is an epic historical fiction that spans five generations, beginning at the tail end of the Spanish colonial era in the Philippines. Dr. Mataban’s narrative sweeps through time, immersing readers in the lives of characters whose personal journeys intertwine with the shifting tides of history, offering a rich tapestry of culture, struggle, and triumph.

Set against the backdrop of a nation in transition, the novel masterfully captures the intricacies of Filipino identity, societal change, and the impact of historical events. From the waning days of Spanish rule to the complex, post-colonial era, Dr. Mataban deftly explores the personal and political conflicts that shaped the Philippines’ evolution. His portrayal of the era is vivid, grounding the characters’ experiences in real historical events, yet the author also crafts a compelling fictional narrative that keeps readers invested in the human side of history.

The book’s structure, spanning five generations, provides a panoramic view of the impact of time on individuals and families. Each character is deeply developed, their lives shaped not only by their personal desires but also by the political and social forces at play. This generational scope allows Dr. Mataban to explore the long-term effects of colonialism, revolution, and independence, showing how history is passed down through families and how the scars of the past continue to influence the future.

One of the standout aspects of The Ultimate Quest is Dr. Mataban’s ability to blend historical facts with compelling storytelling. The attention to historical detail is impressive, and the author’s research shines through, adding depth to the plot without overwhelming the reader with unnecessary exposition. The book doesn’t just recount events; it brings them to life, placing readers right in the middle of the action, whether it’s a struggle for independence or a personal confrontation with the legacy of colonialism.

While the historical context is rich and vital, the real strength of The Ultimate Quest lies in its characters. The author’s skillful development of multi-generational storylines offers a nuanced understanding of how deeply the past shapes the future. Each generation faces its own unique challenges, but the echoes of the past resonate, highlighting the enduring pursuit of identity, justice, and belonging.

For fans of historical fiction that goes beyond the surface to explore the personal consequences of history, The Ultimate Quest is a remarkable journey. It’s a tale that will resonate with anyone interested in the complexities of Filipino history and the ways in which the past continues to inform the present. Dr. Mataban’s novel is a beautifully crafted, emotionally charged exploration of heritage, resilience, and the ultimate quest for freedom and self-determination.