What happens when you achieve the life you thought you wanted, only to realize you no longer feel connected to it?

For John R. Miles, that question became impossible to ignore. After years of executive success, demanding workweeks, and responsibilities that kept growing, a simple question from his young son stopped him in his tracks: “Dad, why don't you ever laugh anymore?”

In this special live conversation from the launch of The Mattering Effect at the St. Petersburg Museum of History, John sits down with Emmy Award-winning Fox 13 anchor Linda Hurtado to explore the experiences that led him to investigate a question millions of people quietly carry: Do I matter?

John explains why success and mattering are not the same, how the environments around us can reward what we produce while overlooking who we are, and how this gradual loss of connection can lead to what he calls the Great Erasure.

In this conversation, you'll discover:

Why achievement doesn't always lead to meaning or fulfillment.How the Great Erasure happens when systems extract our value without reflecting our worth.Why loneliness, burnout, and disengagement may share a deeper underlying cause.How the M.A.T.T.E.R. framework identifies six conditions that help people feel significant: Meaning, Autonomy, Trust, Time, Energy, and Reciprocity.What John learned from transforming a struggling employee engagement team at Lowe's.Why the Slow Fade can leave you feeling increasingly disconnected before you recognize what's happening.How to begin rebuilding mattering through personal choices, stronger relationships, and environments that support your well-being.What leaders and parents can do to help people feel seen, including the power of undivided attention and asking what support someone needs.How Linda's decision to leave a workplace where she no longer felt valued illustrates the importance of recognizing your own worth.

The conversation also explores John's personal turning points, the experiences that prompted him to reconsider his priorities, and why rebuilding a sense of mattering starts with how we treat ourselves and the people closest to us.

The central takeaway: You can climb the mountain you always wanted to climb and still discover it was the wrong mountain. Sometimes the next step isn't working harder. It's asking what kind of life you're actually building, and whether it allows you and the people around you to feel that you matter.

This is a special episode about the ideas, experiences, and human stories behind The Mattering Effect: Creating a Life of Meaning and Worth.

Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

Website: https://johnrmiles.comBook John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if the voice you use to motivate yourself is the very voice keeping you stuck?

You push harder after a mistake. You judge yourself for falling short. You tell yourself that if you were more disciplined, more successful, or simply better, you would finally feel worthy. But what if being hard on yourself isn't making you stronger? What if it’s making it harder to recover, grow, and move forward?

According to today’s guest, self-compassion isn’t self-pity or letting yourself off the hook. It’s learning how to respond to difficulty without turning against yourself.

Dr. Kristin Neff is a pioneering researcher in self-compassion and the creator of the Self-Compassion Institute. In this conversation, she explains why so many of us tie our worth to achievement, how our inner critic can intensify shame and disconnection, and how self-compassion can help us respond to life's challenges with greater clarity and care.

In this conversation, you’ll learn:

Why being hard on yourself doesn't necessarily make you more motivated or successful.The difference between self-esteem, which evaluates your worth, and self-compassion, which responds to your humanity.How achievement, appearance, status, and external approval become measures of worth.Why shame, loneliness, burnout, and emotional numbness can be connected to a deeper sense of disconnection.How self-compassion creates space between what you feel and how you choose to respond.Why compassion can help you recognize your needs, set boundaries, and act with greater intention.How parents can model self-compassion for children without turning it into another expectation.A simple practice for responding to difficult moments with warmth instead of self-judgment.

Kristin shares a powerful phrase to return to when you’re struggling: “I will not abandon you. I am here for you. I care.”

You don’t have to earn the right to treat yourself with compassion. You can begin in the very moment you feel you’ve fallen short.

Check the full shownotes here.

Get the Companion Digital Workbook.

Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

Website: https://johnrmiles.comBook John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if the behaviors that made you successful are the same ones keeping you from feeling fulfilled?

You learned to be dependable. You became the overachiever, the caretaker, the person who never asks for help. People praised your strength, relied on your generosity, and rewarded your ability to get things done. But what if those behaviors began as ways to feel safe, earn love, or prove you were worthy?

On this episode of Passion Struck, psychotherapist, relationship expert, and bestselling author Terri Cole joins John R. Miles to explore how childhood wounds can shape our adult identities, relationships, and sense of worth. Drawing on her new book, Father Wound, Terri explains why achievement can become a way of proving our value, why emotionally unavailable partners can feel more familiar than healthy love, and why saying no can feel frightening even when we know we have every right to do it.

Together, John and Terri examine how the roles we learned in childhood can become the very patterns that disconnect us from ourselves. They explore how to recognize the difference between being driven by fear and acting from genuine desire, and why healing does not mean losing your ambition or your strengths. It means reclaiming the freedom to choose how you want to live.

In this conversation, you'll discover:

Why childhood survival strategies can follow you into adulthood, even when your circumstances have changed.How achievement can become a lifelong attempt to prove you're worthy of love and attention.Why healthy relationships may initially feel unfamiliar when you've learned to associate love with unpredictability.How family roles such as the hero, caretaker, good girl, and lone wolf can shape your identity.Why successful people can look like they have everything together while struggling internally.How to recognize when you're running toward something you genuinely want versus running away from the fear that you're not enough.Why saying no can feel emotionally dangerous, and how boundaries help you stop abandoning yourself.What it means to mourn the parent you wished you had so you can stop repeating old patterns in new relationships.How healing helps you preserve your strengths while choosing a life driven by your values rather than your wounds.

You can honor the person you had to become to survive without remaining that person forever. The goal isn't to erase your past or diminish your ambition. It's to understand what shaped you, reconnect with who you are, and build a life in which you no longer have to prove your worth.

About Terri Cole: Terri Cole is a psychotherapist, relationship expert, and bestselling author of Boundary Boss, Too Much, and Father Wound: How Childhood Wounds Shape Worth, Relationships, and the Life We Build.

Click here for the full shownotes.

Explore her work at terricole.com and fatherwoundbook.com.

Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

Website: https://johnrmiles.comBook John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if the beliefs you hold about yourself, your future, and the world around you are shaping what happens next more than you realize?

Shawn Achor, bestselling author and one of the leading voices in positive psychology, joins John R. Miles to explore the science behind The Power of Beliefs. Drawing on research in psychology, medicine, education, and human performance, Shawn explains how the way we interpret our circumstances can shape how we respond to them, what we attempt, and what becomes possible.

But this isn't a conversation about pretending everything will work out. Shawn explains the difference between a belief that creates real possibilities and wishful thinking, including a practical method for grounding beliefs in evidence and connecting them to the actions that make change more likely.

The conversation takes a deeply personal turn when Shawn shares how the premature birth of his daughter led him to step away from work, only to later feel that he was being replaced. A chance encounter with a stranger reminded him that his work had made a difference. That moment opens the door to a bigger question: What happens when we stop believing that we matter?

Together, John and Shawn explore how the beliefs that shape our lives are connected to belonging, meaningful work, social connection, and the environments we create for one another.

In this episode, you'll discover:

Why pursuing success first and expecting happiness to follow can leave you perpetually dissatisfied.How beliefs can influence outcomes, from the placebo effect to the home-field advantage in sports.The difference between grounded optimism and wishful thinking.How to strengthen a belief by connecting it to evidence and specific actions.The seven core beliefs Shawn explores, including whether your behavior matters, whether you matter, whether you're alone, and whether your work is meaningful.Why Shawn's experience as a father changed his understanding of success, identity, and mattering.Why feeling that your work matters can be as important as compensation.How small acts of recognition, connection, and kindness can create feedback loops that change behavior.What leaders, parents, teachers, and individuals can do to help others see evidence that they matter.

The takeaway is simple but powerful: you don't have to pretend the odds are easy or the world is perfect to believe your actions can make a difference. You can build beliefs that acknowledge reality while helping you move toward a better future.

Full shownotes here.

Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

Website: https://johnrmiles.comBook John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if you can be successful, needed, productive, and admired, and still feel like you don't matter?

That's the paradox at the heart of John R. Miles' new book, The Mattering Effect.

In this special conversation, originally recorded for Mick Hunt's Mick Unplugged, Mick sits down with John to explore the personal story behind the book and the question that changed the direction of John's life:

Do I matter?

John shares the calling that emerged during a discipleship class, the experience that forced him to confront his own “slow fade,” and why he eventually recognized that burnout, loneliness, disengagement, and disconnection weren't separate problems—but symptoms of something deeper. AudioTranscriberAI_0aa8383c46d9…

The conversation then moves into the ideas behind The Mattering Effect: why being needed isn't the same as mattering, how the Great Erasure strips individuality from modern systems, and how the Mattering Needs Pyramid, M.A.T.T.E.R. Framework, and Mattering Compass can help rebuild a sense of worth, agency, connection, and impact. 

Most importantly, this isn't just a conversation about a book. It's about what happens when you stop living to prove your worth and start living from the belief that you already have it.

Full Shownotes Here.

Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

Website: https://johnrmiles.comBook John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if the biggest problem in your life isn't what's wrong with you—but what's happening to you?

Burnout. Loneliness. Disconnection. Exhaustion. The feeling that you're constantly working, producing, improving, and performing, yet somehow becoming less visible to yourself. What if these aren't separate problems? What if they're different expressions of the same unanswered human question:

Do I matter?

On the launch day of The Mattering Effect, John R. Miles shares five foundational insights from the book, exploring why so many people can be successful, needed, productive, and even indispensable while still feeling invisible to themselves. 

You'll discover:

Why we need to stop asking “What's wrong with people?” and start asking “What's happening to people?”The difference between unmattering—what environments and systems do to us—and antimattering—what repeated experiences of insignificance can create inside usHow the Great Erasure happens when systems prioritize utility over humanityWhy being needed isn't the same as matteringHow the Mattering Gap and Mattering Tax quietly drain our energyWhy modern life has shifted us from Thoreau's quiet desperation to what John calls quiet disorientationHow AI and algorithmic environments can either diminish or expand human agencyWhy adaptability means becoming an author of your choices rather than an NPC responding to every external promptThe six signals of the M.A.T.T.E.R. FrameworkThe four internal coordinates of the Mattering CompassHow restoring your sense of mattering can create what John calls the Mattering Dividend

At the center of it all is a simple realization: Mattering is not a reward you earn. It is the foundation from which you live.

Check the Full Shownotes here.

Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

Website: https://johnrmiles.comBook John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if the way you’ve been taught to adapt is actually making you lose yourself?

For weeks, The Adaptive Human has explored what it takes to navigate a world that keeps changing.

Angela Duckworth showed us that our environments shape who we become. Martin Seligman showed us the power of agency. David Epstein revealed how constraints can unlock better thinking. Cole Brauer showed us what happens when you keep moving forward after the world tells you that you can't. Alec Litowitz challenged us to lift our heads and make sure we're not swimming harder in the wrong direction.

But there's one question beneath it all: What happens when adapting to the world requires you to abandon yourself?

In this series finale, John R. Miles brings the lessons of ten conversations together and introduces The Great Erasure—what happens when a culture becomes so focused on measuring our utility, productivity, and output that we gradually lose our sense of being valued simply for who we are.

Because there is a difference between adaptation and compliance. You can change your strategy without changing your values. You can evolve without erasing your identity. You can become more capable without becoming more useful at the expense of your humanity. And ultimately, you can adapt to a changing world without surrendering your agency.

In this episode, John explores:Why modern culture has confused adaptability with complianceHow the “marketplace of mattering” turns worth into something we constantly feel compelled to proveWhy AI makes defining yourself by your productivity increasingly dangerousHow we eventually begin treating ourselves like the systems that measure usWhy agency—not compliance—is the foundation of true adaptationWhy you need to anchor internally before you can successfully adapt externallyHow constraints, culture, and environment create the foundation for sustainable growthWhy you cannot optimize what you refuse to valueWhat happens when productivity, burnout, loneliness, and disconnection are treated as separate problemsWhy the deeper question underneath all of them may simply be, "Do I matter?"

And then comes the turning point: The Great Erasure is what happens when a world built to measure your utility begins to erase your sense of being valued.

The answer isn't to stop adapting. It's to adapt without abandoning yourself. And that is where The Mattering Effect begins.

Catch the full show notes.

Download the FREE Digital Workbook

Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

Website: https://johnrmiles.comBook John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if you're working harder and harder—but you're still moving in the wrong direction?

Alec Litowitz learned this lesson during a mountain bike race in the Pyrenees, when hesitating before a blind downhill jump nearly sent him over the handlebars.

Years later, that same lesson became a framework for how he thinks about investing, leadership, AI, and life: You can't stay stuck between decisions when the environment is moving fast.

Alec is an investor, entrepreneur, and founder of Magnetar Capital who has spent decades making decisions in environments defined by uncertainty. In his new book, The Adaptability Quotient, he argues that the people who thrive in the next era won't necessarily be the smartest, toughest, or most resilient.

They'll be the people who can recognize when the map no longer matches the terrain—and update before reality forces them to. And that matters even more as AI changes not just the tools we use but the environment in which we think.

In this conversation, Alec and I explore:

Why working harder can make failure worse when you're moving in the wrong directionWhy intelligence and emotional intelligence aren't enough when the environment changesWhy adaptability is a meta-skill that tells you where to point your other strengthsHow to recognize when your mental map no longer matches realityWhy waiting for certainty can become its own form of riskWhy AI isn't simply a tool—and how it could either expand or erode human agencyWhy your values should remain stable while your strategies evolveHow to know when to change your mission without abandoning your purposeWhy feedback loops are essential to making adaptive decisionsHow to stop swimming harder and start asking whether you're still headed in the right direction

Alec also shares a powerful distinction for the AI era: You can be a resistor, an adopter, or an adapter.

A resistor denies the change.An adopter treats the new technology as a tool.An adapter recognizes that the technology is changing the environment—and therefore changing the person using it.

That's the deeper challenge of adaptability. The question isn't simply, "How do I keep up with change?” It's: “Who do I need to become when the world I'm operating in has changed?”

Check out the full shownotes.

Get the Companion Digital Workbook

Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

Website: https://johnrmiles.comBook John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if the things we think are helping our children succeed are actually making it harder for them to become independent?

Dr. Peter Gray has spent decades studying childhood, play, education, and human development. In his new book, Restoring Childhood, he argues that childhood has a fundamental biological purpose: gradually learning to take charge of your own life.

But modern childhood looks increasingly different. More supervision. More structured activities. More academic pressure. More résumé building. Less unsupervised play, exploration, and freedom.

And Peter believes that loss of independence has consequences—not only for how children learn, but for their agency, mental health, ability to discover their passions, and ultimately the adults they become.

In this conversation, we explore:

Why childhood is biologically designed for independenceWhy free play teaches children skills adults can't simply teach themHow we gradually took freedom and independence away from childhoodWhy turning childhood into résumé building can undermine agencyHow parenting and schooling can suppress a child's innate sense of agencyThe connection between autonomy, self-determination, and feeling that your life mattersWhy children discover their passions through curiosity and exploration—not planningHow school pressure became a major source of psychological stress for young peopleWhy Peter challenges the idea that smartphones alone explain the youth mental health crisisWhat parents can do today to give their children more independence

Peter also shares a simple question every parent can ask their child: “Are there things that you would like to do independently that you're not doing right now?”

Because restoring childhood doesn't necessarily require giving children unlimited freedom. Sometimes it starts by giving them one more opportunity to discover what they can do for themselves.

Get the Full Shownotes

Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

Website: https://johnrmiles.comBook John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Why What Matters Most Is Rarely the Loudest

What if the things getting the most attention in your life aren't actually the things that matter most?

We live in a world that rewards visibility. The viral headline. The impressive title. The dramatic turnaround. The big announcement. The person who creates the most noise in the room. But some of the most valuable things in life work differently.

They compound quietly.

In this episode of Passion Struck, John R. Miles explores why human beings are so easily drawn toward what is visible, dramatic, and immediate—and why that can cause us to overlook the people, decisions, relationships, and foundations that create lasting value.

The episode begins with the famous Joshua Bell experiment, in which one of the world's greatest violinists played a $3.5 million Stradivarius in a Washington, D.C., Metro station and collected just $32.17. The music hadn't changed. The context had.

John then connects this phenomenon to markets, workplaces, leadership, and his own experience at Dell, where a promising Android and cloud strategy was ultimately abandoned amid the company's dependence on Microsoft.

The deeper lesson is about salience: our tendency to notice what is flashy and immediate while overlooking what is subtle and important.

In this episode, you'll discover:

Why visibility and value are often two very different thingsWhat the Joshua Bell experiment reveals about human attentionWhy intelligent people can still get pulled toward hype and spectacleHow organizations can reward dramatic behavior while overlooking quiet contributionWhat John's experience at Dell taught him about confusing legacy value with future opportunityWhy human trust, dignity, culture, and connection can be harder to measure—but enormously consequentialHow conformity can cause us to abandon our own judgment when everyone else agreesWhy Alex Edmans' advice to “see the other side” is such a powerful decision-making practiceHow to use John's Signal Audit to separate external applause from intrinsic valueWhy real adaptability isn't always about moving faster—it can mean stopping, filtering the noise, and seeing what others are missing

The question to take with you is simple: Where are you giving your best energy to something loud while starving something quiet that actually matters?

Because the crowd will always react to what is flashy and immediate. Your job is to learn how to recognize the signal.

Grab the Full Show Notes

Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

Website: https://johnrmiles.comBook John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if the question you’re avoiding is the one you most need to answer?

We often think courage means doing something difficult or frightening. But Scott Simon says the place people struggle most isn't physical courage—it’s having the courage to ask and answer hard questions.

In this episode, Scott Simon and Gregory Stock bring together two decades-long bodies of work: Scott’s exploration of courage and Gregory’s groundbreaking Book of Questions, which became a New York Times bestseller and sold millions of copies.

Their new book, The Book of Questions: Courage, is built around a simple idea: the right question can take you beneath the surface of your life and reveal what you actually believe, fear, want, and value.

And sometimes, one honest question can change the direction of your life.

In this conversation, we explore:Why asking yourself a hard question can require more courage than taking actionThe question Scott says cuts directly to the core: What lie are you telling yourself to keep yourself safe that is actually holding you back? Why great questions don't give you answers—they create space for self-discoveryHow vulnerability can make people feel more connected rather than more exposedWhy one meaningful question can turn an ordinary dinner into an hour-long conversation that people rememberWhy we often avoid deeper conversations even with the people we know bestWhat we're losing in an increasingly distracted, answer-rich worldWhich questions we should deliberately refuse to outsource to AIWhy AI can provide information but still cannot tell us who we want to becomeThe question Scott believes everyone should ask: What is something extraordinary you've done well before you felt ready or confident? 

One of the most powerful ideas in the conversation is that a good question doesn't close a conversation—it opens one. So before you move on with your day, ask yourself:

What is one question I've been avoiding because I already suspect I know the answer? That might be where your next chapter begins.

Get the full show notes

Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

Website: https://johnrmiles.comBook John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

You're smart. You're informed. So why do you still make terrible decisions?

We like to believe that intelligence and information protect us from bad decisions. They don't.

Professor Alex Edmans, Professor of Finance at London Business School and Fellow of the British Academy, returns to Passion Struck to reveal the psychological forces that can distort our judgment—from confirmation bias and anchoring to herd behavior, emotional decision-making, and our tendency to follow whatever information is most visible.

His new book, The Madness of Markets, uses financial markets to expose a much bigger truth about human behavior: the same biases that influence investors can shape the decisions we make in our careers, leadership, relationships, and everyday lives.

Even Isaac Newton wasn't immune.

In this conversation, Alex explains:

Why being intelligent doesn't make you rationalWhy more information doesn't necessarily lead to better decisionsHow confirmation bias makes us see evidence that supports what we already believeWhy we tend to overreact to information that's flashy, visible, and impossible to ignoreHow anchoring causes the first information we encounter to influence our later judgmentWhy millions of people making the same mistake can create collective irrationality rather than canceling one another outHow compelling stories can overpower better evidenceWhy culture, human capital, reputation, and innovation can matter enormously even when they're difficult to measureWhy AI may change the decisions humans make without eliminating human biasAnd the one question Alex believes can make you wiser: “What is the other side?”

Alex's advice extends far beyond investing. Before you change jobs, relocate, end a relationship, make a major purchase, or commit to an important belief, look for the strongest argument against your own position.

If you can't see it yourself, find someone you trust who disagrees with you and ask them to make the case. Because becoming a better decision-maker isn't always about knowing more. Sometimes it's about learning to see what you're missing.

Listen to the full shownotes

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Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

Website: https://johnrmiles.comBook John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if the proof you're waiting for never comes?

The apology. The promotion. The recognition.

Someone finally admitting they were wrong about you. Someone finally telling you that you belong.

What if you're waiting for proof that you don't actually need?

After conversations with Cole Brauer and psychologist Marisa Franco, John R. Miles noticed a powerful connection between their work.

Cole was told she was too small to survive the Southern Ocean. A year later, she sailed solo, nonstop, and unassisted around the world—without ever receiving the apology or reversal she had been waiting for. Marisa's research reveals the other side of the equation: when we already believe we're unworthy, even love, success, compliments, and positive feedback can fail to change that belief. Sometimes, the evidence simply doesn't match the story we already carry about ourselves.

In this solo episode, John brings those two ideas together to explore The Verification Trap—the tendency to wait for external proof before allowing ourselves to believe we're capable, worthy, or ready to move forward.

You'll discover:

Why a genuine compliment can sometimes make people feel worse instead of betterHow rejection can become part of the story you believe about yourselfWhy success and achievement don't necessarily resolve a deeper sense of unworthinessHow your memories can become a database that filters the evidence you receiveWhy waiting for someone to reverse their judgment can keep you stuckThe difference between being validated and actually believing you're worthyWhat Cole Brauer's story teaches us about moving forward without permissionWhy healing requires honesty rather than constantly trying to become a better version of yourselfJohn's two-question Verification Check for identifying where you're waiting for external proofHow to take the smallest possible step toward something you've been waiting for permission to do

And John gets personal, sharing a previously untold chapter of his own life and what rebuilding after divorce taught him about validation, action, and self-trust. He realized that the proof didn't come before he moved forward.

The proof came after.

The Verification Check

Ask yourself: What specific proof am I waiting for before I let myself move forward?

Then ask: If that proof never arrives, is there a version of this where I go anyway?

Because sometimes you don't need the verdict reversed. You need to leave the dock.

Read the Full Show Notes

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Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

Website: https://johnrmiles.comBook John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Why do you still feel like you're not enough—even when your life looks successful from the outside?

You can have a successful career, loving relationships, and people who genuinely care about you—and still struggle to believe you're worthy of love, connection, or belonging.

Marisa G. Franco, psychologist and author of the New York Times bestseller Platonic, returns to Passion Struck to explore the deeper science behind self-worth in her new book, Worth: The New Science of Self-Esteem and Secure Attachment.

Her argument challenges one of the most common ideas about self-esteem: you don't become worthy by achieving more, becoming more impressive, or convincing yourself that you're extraordinary.

Instead, worth begins with something much harder—and much more honest: learning to accept yourself as you are.

In this conversation, Marisa explains:

Why achievement, compliments, and positive affirmations often fail to fix low self-worthHow childhood memories can become the lens through which we predict rejection, abandonment, or failureWhy trying to appear “secure” can actually disconnect you from your authentic selfThe hidden cost of making your worth dependent on achievementWhy healing isn't becoming a better version of yourself—it's reconnecting with the parts of yourself you've learned to ignoreWhat “open memories” are and why unresolved experiences can continue shaping how you see yourself decades laterHow attachment styles can be understood as adaptive responses rather than fixed identitiesWhy we need to stop treating our emotions as problems to solve and start allowing them to move through usHow memory reconsolidation may help us create new meaning around painful experiencesWhy sometimes becoming healthier means allowing a relationship to end rather than abandoning yourself to save it

One of the most powerful ideas in our conversation is this: The goal isn't to convince yourself that you're extraordinary. It's to recognize that you're worthy even when you're ordinary.

Marisa's work offers a different way to think about healing: not as a project of optimization, but as the process of coming home to yourself.

Click here for the full shownotes

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Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

Website: https://johnrmiles.comBook John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What happens when someone tells you that you're too small to do the thing you've been working toward your entire life?

For Cole Brauer, that moment could have been the end of the story. Instead, it became part of the beginning. Cole was told she was too short to compete in the Southern Ocean. She was cut from a major team after traveling across the Atlantic and giving up paid opportunities to pursue the dream. A year later, she was sailing solo around the world.

But what makes Cole's story so compelling isn't simply the achievement. It's everything she had to become along the way.

Cole grew up in a small town on Long Island, moved across the country, changed academic and career directions, lived in a van, taught herself the mechanical, electrical, and rigging systems of a boat, and eventually found a community and a purpose through sailing.

Then came the ultimate test: more than 130 days alone at sea.

She talks openly about the loneliness and anxiety that hit her roughly two weeks into the voyage, when the team and community she had relied on suddenly disappeared. Instead of trying to suppress those feelings, she learned to understand them, participate in nature, take care of her body, and keep moving forward.

Cole also shares why she chose her boat over the possibility of winning when she encountered two massive storms near Cape Horn, why First Light became more than a vessel to her, and how that relationship ultimately became a mirror through which she learned to see herself differently.

In this conversation, we explore:

What to do when someone else's definition of you becomes a limitation you start believing yourself.Why Cole sees rock bottom not simply as failure, but as a place from which you can begin climbing again.How purpose can sustain you when money, fame, and recognition aren't enough.Why Cole believes our lives aren't predetermined and that we can restart far more times than we think.What four months alone at sea taught her about loneliness, anxiety, self-care, and self-trust.Why nature became one of Cole's greatest teachers and helped make the unpredictable feel more understandable.How she learned to separate emotional reactions from the decisions she needed to make in moments of crisis.Why she chose to protect First Light rather than risk the boat for a chance at winning near Cape Horn.How gratitude helped her recognize the people who made the journey possible.Why the solo journey wasn't the end of Cole's transformation, but the beginning of discovering who she really was. 

Cole's story is ultimately a reminder that adaptation isn't always about becoming someone new. Sometimes it's about discovering who you were capable of becoming all along. And sometimes the people who tell you that you can't are simply showing you the limits of their imagination.

As Cole says, when someone tells you there's no way you can do something, sometimes the only answer is: "Yeah, okay. Just watch me."

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Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

Website: https://johnrmiles.comBook John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if having more freedom doesn't always make you more free?

We tend to believe that adaptability means having more options, more resources, more independence, and more control. But after conversations with Martin Seligman and David Epstein, I began to see a different pattern.

Sometimes unlimited freedom creates paralysis. Sometimes individual willpower becomes isolation. And sometimes our greatest breakthroughs happen not when we escape our constraints, but when we learn how to work intelligently within them.

That's the paradox at the heart of this episode.

David Epstein's Inside the Box shows how constraints can focus creativity and turn seemingly small problems into breakthroughs. Martin Seligman's Agency asks a deeper question: What happens when human beings believe their actions can actually change the future?

Put those ideas together, and a new definition of adaptability emerges.

Real adaptability isn't about controlling everything. It's about knowing where you have agency—and using it well.

In this episode, I explore:

Why General Magic's enormous freedom became one of its greatest weaknesses—and how smaller, more focused ideas became eBay and the PalmPilot. Why Mendeleev's breakthrough began with a textbook deadline rather than a magical dream. The first question of the Agency Check: What constraint are you running away from that might actually contain your focus? What my experience at Lowe's taught me about the danger of trying to solve enormous problems all at once. Why UPS discovered that its routing challenge was ultimately a human learning and change-management problem, not simply a technology problem. Martin Seligman's distinction between "I can" and "we can"—and why sustainable progress requires both individual and collective agency. Why unlimited information can create a poverty of attention, and what Gloria Mark's research reveals about the cost of constant task switching. David Epstein's Hemingway Principle for protecting tomorrow's most important work from today's urgent distractions. How to conduct your own Constraint Check and Agency Check when you're feeling stuck or helpless. 

The question isn't whether you can control everything. You can't. The question is whether you can identify what is actually within your agency, stop wasting energy fighting what isn't, and then act with intention inside the reality you've been given.

Because adaptability isn't unlimited freedom. It's agency within reality.

Click for the full shownotes

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Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

Website: https://johnrmiles.comBook John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Have you ever felt like you need more options, more time, more freedom, or a bigger opportunity before you can finally make progress?

What if the opposite is true?

Today, John R. Miles sits down with New York Times bestselling author David Epstein, author of Range and The Sports Gene, to explore why constraints can sometimes unlock the creativity and focus that unlimited freedom cannot.

David's new book, "Inside the Box," challenges one of our most deeply held assumptions: that more freedom is always better.

Sometimes, having too many possibilities makes it harder to decide what matters, where to focus, and what to do next. David explains how constraints can channel us into productive experimentation—and why some of the biggest breakthroughs begin with a much smaller problem than we expect.

He shares the surprising reality behind the Mendeleev story, revealing how a simple textbook problem helped lead to the periodic table. He also explains what the failure of General Magic can teach us about innovation, why UPS discovered that its routing problem was really a change-management problem, and how Pixar uses constraints and small experiments to improve its biggest creative projects. 

John and David also dive into one of the biggest challenges of modern life: protecting our attention.

David shares how research by Gloria Mark changed the way he works, why constant task switching can increase stress, and how he now structures his day around monotasking, batching, and deliberately protecting his attention.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why more freedom and more options aren't always betterHow constraints can actually increase creativity and innovationThe surprising truth behind the Mendeleev and periodic table storyWhy many breakthroughs begin with a much smaller problemWhat the failure of General Magic teaches us about innovationWhy defining the right problem may matter more than finding the perfect solutionHow UPS turned a technology problem into a learning and change-management problemWhy people need to understand change before they will trust itHow to protect your attention in a world designed to fragment itWhy multitasking may be damaging your ability to think deeplyHow to identify the bottleneck that's actually slowing your progress

The bigger lesson is one David returns to throughout the conversation: Sometimes the answer isn't to escape the box. It's to look more closely at what's inside it. Because the problem right in front of you may not be the obstacle to your next chapter.

It may be the doorway.

Click for the full shownotes

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Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

Website: https://johnrmiles.comBook John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Have you ever reached a point where you stopped believing that what you do could actually make a difference?

Maybe you tried harder. Maybe you kept showing up. But after enough setbacks, rejection, or disappointment, something inside you started asking, "Why bother?"

Today, John R. Miles sits down with Dr. Martin Seligman, one of the most influential psychologists of our time and a pioneer of positive psychology.

For more than six decades, Seligman has studied learned helplessness, optimism, resilience, and human flourishing. His new book, Agency: The Psychological History of Human Progress, brings that work to a much bigger question: What makes individuals—and entire civilizations—believe they can shape the future?

Seligman explains that agency is built from three capacities: efficacy, optimism, and imagination. Together, they give us the ability not only to believe that we can act but also to envision a future worth acting toward. But this conversation goes far beyond individual psychology.

John and Marty explore what happens when agency becomes collective, why societies need to balance “I can” with “we can,” and how mattering and agency may be connected. Marty argues that our actions begin shaping our sense of self through the responses we receive from other people and the world around us. When our actions repeatedly produce no response, learned helplessness can take hold.

They also take the conversation into the future of AI, education, creativity, and human possibility. Seligman describes how AI is already allowing him to test ideas that once would have taken years to investigate—and why he believes the technology could become an extraordinary amplifier of human agency.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why Seligman believes agency—not just happiness—is central to human flourishingHow learned helplessness became the foundation for his lifelong study of human agencyThe three psychological capacities that make up agency: efficacy, optimism, and imaginationWhy some people stop acting when their efforts repeatedly fail to produce a responseHow agency and mattering may reinforce one anotherWhy the future may depend on balancing “I can” with “we can”What ancient civilizations can teach us about the psychology of human progressHow AI is changing the way Seligman conducts research and thinks about creativityWhy education may need to shift from teaching children to be “smart” toward character, leadership, kindness, cooperation, and flourishingWhat Seligman hopes his grandchildren—and future generations—will believe about human possibility

This is ultimately a conversation about one of the most important questions we can ask ourselves: Do I believe that what I do can make a difference?

Because agency doesn't mean believing you control everything. It means believing that your actions still matter.

Click for the Full shownotes

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Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

Website: https://johnrmiles.comBook John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Have you ever worked harder and harder at something, only to wonder why nothing seems to change?

You may assume the answer is that you need more discipline, more motivation, or more grit. But what if the problem isn't you?

Today, John R. Miles explores that question through two very different lenses: Angela Duckworth's research on how situations shape our behavior and Jared Diamond's work on when individual leaders actually make a difference.

John also puts both ideas to the test in his own life after spending two weeks in Blue Ridge, Georgia, where he discovered that he felt calmer, clearer, and more patient—not because he had become a different person, but because he was no longer in the same environment.

But there's another side to this.

Sometimes the environment really is the problem. And sometimes you are the person the moment requires.

Jared Diamond's "Hamlet Test" asks whether someone else could have produced the same outcome. His comparison between Harry Truman and William Shakespeare reveals the difference between being replaceable and being uniquely suited to a moment.

John brings both ideas together into the Fit Check: two questions that can help you figure out whether you need to change yourself, change your environment, or simply stop avoiding the work that only you can do.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why trying harder isn't always the answerHow your environment can bring out completely different versions of youWhy grit and willpower are sometimes not enoughHow to tell the difference between a bad day and a bad environmentJared Diamond's "Hamlet Test" for determining when someone truly mattersWhy some people are replaceable in one situation but indispensable in anotherHow to recognize the moments when the outcome genuinely depends on youThe two questions in John's Fit CheckHow to stop wasting energy trying to win in environments that work against youHow to identify the moments that deserve your full attention

The goal isn't to become someone who can thrive anywhere.

It's to become wise enough to know which rooms you need to change—and which moments are yours to own.

Check the Full Shownotes here.

Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

Website: https://johnrmiles.comBook John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What makes someone a great leader?

Is it talent? Timing? Character? Circumstance? Or simply being the right person in the right place at the right moment?

Today, John R. Miles sits down with Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and bestselling author Jared Diamond to explore one of the biggest questions in his new book, Profits, Profits, Profits, Coaches and Kings: When Do Leaders Matter?

After spending decades studying civilizations, geography, human societies, and why nations succeed or collapse, Diamond has turned his attention to leadership.

And his answer challenges the way we usually think about great leaders. Some leaders genuinely change history. Others recognize an opportunity that history has already created. And some may be talented, successful, and famous—but would not have made much difference if someone else had been in their place.

In this conversation, Jared explains how he uses history as a series of “natural experiments” to separate the impact of a leader from the circumstances surrounding them.

You’ll learn:

When leaders actually matter Why some leaders are uniquely qualified to change history—and most aren't How timing and circumstance can determine whether a leader succeeds The difference between creating an opportunity and recognizing one Why Churchill was a great wartime leader but far less effective in peacetime What Harry Truman can teach us about leadership and courage Why founders can have an outsized impact on the institutions they leave behind How the “Hamlet test” reveals whether someone was truly indispensable What Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Jeff Bezos, and John Wooden reveal about distinctive leadership Why leaders should be judged partly by what happens after they leave Why leadership is about more than techniques—and why philosophy matters

And Jared shares one of his most important lessons for leaders: Stop looking for the one most important thing.

Great leadership, he argues, is about getting the many important things right. This is a conversation about leadership, history, circumstance, and legacy—but ultimately, it raises a question every leader should ask: If you disappeared tomorrow, what would actually be different because you were here?

Click for the Full Shownotes

Download the FREE Reflection Guide here.

Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

Website: https://johnrmiles.comBook John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

If you’ve been trying to change your life but keep falling back into the same habits, this episode is for you.

Today, John R. Miles sits down with Angela Duckworth, one of the world’s leading psychologists and the bestselling author of Grit. Angela has spent her career studying why some people are able to achieve their goals and reach their potential. But in her new book, Situated, she shares a powerful idea that changes the way we think about personal growth.

We tend to believe that change comes from within. We tell ourselves to be more disciplined. Try harder. Find more motivation. Have more willpower.

But Angela explains that we often overlook something incredibly important: what’s around us. The people we spend time with. The spaces where we live and work. The mentors we learn from. And the culture that surrounds us. All of these things are shaping our behavior more than we realize.

The good news is that you don't always have to force yourself to change through sheer willpower. Sometimes, changing your situation can make it easier to become the person you want to be. Angela shares her research-backed framework for understanding the four parts of your environment that can shape your life: your space, your peers, your mentors, and your culture.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why changing what’s around you can help you change your life Why grit and willpower alone are not enough How the people around you shape your behavior and goals How to create an environment that makes better choices easier Why the right peers and mentors can change what you believe is possible How workplace and social culture influence who you become The four parts of your situation you can intentionally change How to make your environment an ally instead of an obstacle

This episode is about taking a different approach to change. Because sometimes the answer isn’t to ask yourself to try harder.

Sometimes, you need to look around and ask: What in my life is making it harder to become who I want to be?

Click for the full Shownotes

Download the FREE Companion Reflection Guide for The Adaptive Human series here.

Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

Website: https://johnrmiles.comBook John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

If you constantly feel like you should be doing more, achieving more, or becoming more, this episode is for you.

Today, John R. Miles sits down with Caleb Campbell, a former NFL player and author of the new book Unstriving. For much of his life, Caleb believed that success would finally make him feel like he was enough. But after spending years pursuing achievement and reaching goals he once dreamed about, he discovered something many high achievers eventually learn:

You can get what you wanted and still feel like you're not enough.

Today, Caleb is sharing a different way to think about ambition, success, and the pressure so many of us feel to constantly prove ourselves.

His message is not about giving up on your goals or becoming less ambitious. It's about learning how to pursue the things that matter to you without making your worth dependent on whether you achieve them.

You can use this advice for anything: Your career. Your goals. Your relationships. The pressure you put on yourself. The next accomplishment you're chasing.

The part of your life where you keep thinking, “Once I get there, then I'll finally feel like enough.”

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why success and achievement can never permanently make you feel like enough The difference between healthy ambition and constantly striving for approval Why reaching a major goal can sometimes leave you feeling empty How to stop tying your identity to your performance What Caleb learned from pursuing his dream of playing in the NFL How to pursue big goals without losing yourself in the process Why you don't need to stop being ambitious to stop striving

This is an episode for anyone who has ever felt exhausted by the pressure to constantly do more, be more, or prove more.

By the end, you'll have a different way to think about success—and a clearer understanding of what it means to pursue your potential without making achievement responsible for proving that you matter.

Read the full Show Notes

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Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

Website: https://johnrmiles.comBook John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if everything you’ve been told about midlife is wrong?

If you’ve ever worried that your best years are behind you, that it’s too late to change, or that getting older automatically means losing your energy, purpose, or sense of possibility, this episode is for you. Today, John R. Miles sits down with Dr. Margie Lachman, a leading lifespan psychologist and author of Primetime: A New Vision for Midlife, who has spent more than 30 years studying what actually happens to us during the middle years of life.

Margie reveals why the idea of a “midlife crisis” is largely a myth—and why midlife can actually be one of the most powerful periods of growth, confidence, purpose, and control. She explains why you are not locked into who you are, why the choices you make in midlife can shape how well you age, and how your relationships, health, and sense of purpose can influence the decades ahead.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why midlife isn't the crisis we've been led to believe it is Why your personality and sense of control can continue to change Why it’s never too late to make meaningful changes How your choices in midlife can affect your health later in life Why purpose and contribution become so important as we age How giving and receiving support affects your well-being Why staying connected can protect against loneliness and isolation What “generativity” means and why it matters How to think differently about the second half of your life

This is an episode about challenging the story you've been told about aging—and realizing that you may have far more time, possibility, and influence over your future than you think.

Your best years may not be behind you. They may be ahead of you.

Catch the full show notes.

Download the FREE Digital Workbook.

Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

Website: https://johnrmiles.comBook John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if the thing you regret most someday isn't what you did—but what you never tried?

In this episode of Passion Struck, John R. Miles sits down with behavioral economist and bestselling author Dan Ariely to explore why we make decisions that don't always serve our long-term well-being.

Dan's research reveals a surprising pattern: in the moment, we tend to regret the risks we take. But when we look back over our lives, we often regret the risks we didn't take.

The conversation goes far beyond risk.

John and Dan explore why vulnerability is one of the biggest areas where people play it safe, how bureaucracy can drain passion from work, why companies struggle to measure the things that matter most, and what we may lose when we optimize everything for efficiency.

They also discuss:

Why we often choose short-term safety over long-term fulfillment The difference between regretting action and regretting inaction Why romantic relationships are one of the biggest areas where people avoid risk How bureaucracy can quietly kill motivation and passion Why companies measure productivity but struggle to measure care, connection, and meaning What happens when organizations treat people like functions instead of human beings Why AI's pursuit of efficiency could come at the expense of meaning and human development How feeling appreciated can influence motivation and performance Why investing in human capital should be treated differently than simply treating people as a cost The question you should ask yourself: Where in your life are you playing it safer than you really want to?

Dan's larger message is difficult to ignore: the life we build isn't shaped only by the choices we make. It's also shaped by the chances we decide not to take.

Full shownotes here

Download the FREE Companion Digital Workbook

Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

Website: https://johnrmiles.comBook John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What would change if you stopped worrying so much about what everyone else thinks of you?

Actor, entrepreneur, and father Josh Duhamel has spent decades in the spotlight, but he says one of the biggest things he has learned with age is that he no longer needs to pretend for anyone—and that caring too much about other people's opinions once kept him from living his “full version” of himself.

In this deeply personal conversation, John R. Miles sits down with the actor, entrepreneur, and father to talk about identity, success, fatherhood, presence, and what it means to build a life that actually feels like your own.

Josh opens up about:

Why success doesn't automatically make you feel like you've done enough How the need for validation can keep you chasing the next achievement What helped him stop caring so much about other people's opinions Why his cabin in Minnesota brings out a different version of himself How changing his environment helped him become more present Why fatherhood completely changed his definition of success What he hopes his children remember about him Why family memories now matter more to him than material success How he's learning to embrace simplicity, curiosity, and being present

One of the most revealing moments comes when Josh talks about what success means to him now. Despite everything he has accomplished, he admits that he still feels like he has more to prove and achieve.

Click here for the full show notes

Learn more about Gatlan

Download the FREE Companion Digital Workbook

Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

Website: https://johnrmiles.comBook John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if protecting your brain from cognitive decline starts decades before you ever notice a problem?

In this powerful conversation, John R. Miles sits down with neurologist and bestselling author Dr. David Perlmutter to explore the emerging science behind his new book, Brain Defenders, and why the brain’s immune system may hold one of the most important keys to long-term brain health.

David explains how specialized immune cells called microglia can either support the brain or become destructive when challenged by inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, poor sleep, and other environmental factors.

The hopeful part is that many of the factors influencing this process are within our control.

You’ll learn:

Why the brain’s immune system may be central to Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, PTSD, and other brain disorders What microglial cells do and why their metabolism matters How poor sleep can affect inflammation after just one night Why exercise, metabolism, diet, and relationships all influence brain health The surprising connection between oral health and the brain Why traumatic brain injury and PTSD can share common biological pathways How alcohol, ultra-processed foods, and a sedentary lifestyle can affect the brain Why brain health should be addressed decades before cognitive decline appears What David thinks about supplements, vitamin D, B vitamins, and personalized testing What the emerging research on GLP-1 medications could mean for neurodegenerative disease Why David believes we are the architects of our brain’s destiny

David also explains why he believes the conversation around Alzheimer’s needs to shift from simply treating disease after it appears to understanding and addressing the factors that may influence brain health much earlier in life.

His message is ultimately one of agency: the choices you make today are helping shape the brain you will have tomorrow.

Check the full shownotes here

Download the Companion Digital Workbook here

Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

Website: https://johnrmiles.comBook John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Have you ever had a breakthrough that felt like it was going to change your life, only to find yourself back in the same patterns a week later?

In this powerful conversation, John R. Miles sits down with three-time New York Times bestselling author Mark Manson to unpack one of the biggest traps in personal growth: confusing insight with actual change.

Mark explains why reading another book, learning another framework, or becoming more self-aware can make you feel like you're changing without actually changing your behavior. Real transformation requires something much harder: doing things differently when they're uncomfortable or letting go of an identity you've outgrown.

You'll learn:

Why insight can become a form of procrastination The difference between personality, adaptation, and identity Why changing your environment may be easier than changing yourself How old adaptations can become identities that hold you back Why motivation isn't always the problem Why “optimal is suboptimal” How to recognize when your mental model no longer matches reality Why sometimes the best way to grow is to stop trying to become someone else

Mark also shares the powerful advice his father gave him about becoming the goose instead of chasing the golden eggs—and why developing your ability to create value is more important than protecting what you've already built.

This conversation is a reminder that you don't always need more information to change your life. Sometimes you need the courage to behave differently, release an identity that no longer fits, and create an environment that brings out who you actually are.

Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

Website: https://johnrmiles.comBook John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Why do other people's opinions have so much power over you?

You may think your beliefs, opinions, and reactions are entirely your own. But your brain has been quietly keeping score of something much older and more powerful: whether you belong.

In this solo episode of Passion Struck, John R. Miles explores the social brain and the survival instinct that shape far more of your life than you realize. Research involving 105 different social groups found an astonishing .95 correlation between what people believed their own communities thought and the prejudices they were willing to express. In other words, belonging can influence what we believe before we even realize it's happening.

John then introduces a simple tool called the Mattering Check—one question to ask when you feel yourself becoming defensive, judgmental, or overly concerned with someone's approval:

Whose approval am I actually protecting right now?

You'll hear John's personal story about spending three months reacting to a comment that was actually meant as a compliment, explore what happens when anti-mattering makes us feel invisible, and discover why a simple interaction with a stranger can create a powerful sense of connection. 

You'll learn:

Why belonging is a survival need—not simply a desire to fit in. How your social groups can quietly shape what you believe. Why other people's approval can influence your behavior more than you realize. What anti-mattering does to the way you see yourself and other people. How to recognize when you're protecting your status instead of acting from your own values. The Mattering Check and how to use it when you feel triggered or excluded. Why widening your circle of belonging can change how you see other people. One simple action you can take today to help someone else feel seen and significant.

The goal isn't to stop caring what other people think. It's to become more conscious of whose voice you're listening to, whose approval you're protecting, and who you are allowing to define your sense of belonging.

Because your circle isn't fixed, you can redraw it.

Check Full Shownotes Here

Download the FREE Companion Digital Workbook

Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

Website: https://johnrmiles.comBook John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Why do you never have enough time?

Most of us assume that feeling overwhelmed is a problem with our calendars. But executive coach and leadership advisor Neal Schore offers a different perspective: much of the time we lose isn't consumed by the tasks themselves. It disappears into our reactions, assumptions, rumination, and the emotional “swirl” that follows difficult moments.

In this episode of Passion Struck, John R. Miles sits down with Neal Schore, cofounder and CEO of The 25th Hour Group and author of The 25th Hour, to explore why managing yourself may be more important than managing your schedule. Neal shares the defining experience that changed his relationship with time, explains how emotional reactivity can quietly consume hours of attention, and reveals how pausing, clarifying intent, and asking better questions can transform the way we work, lead, and relate to others.

You'll learn:

Why we often give away more time to our emotional reactions than to the problems that triggered them. How Neal's defining Lake Michigan experience revealed the personal cost of failing to manage himself. What Neal means by the “25th hour” and where the hidden hours in our days actually go. Why trying to control other people can drain enormous amounts of attention and energy. How emotional “swirl” turns brief interactions into hours of rumination and distraction. Why asking “What's the intent?” can interrupt assumptions and prevent unnecessary conflict. How pausing before responding can create better decisions, stronger relationships, and greater emotional maturity. Why clarifying questions can build massive amounts of trust. How leaders can model emotional maturity and create healthier, more productive cultures. Why creating white space and acknowledging your own progress are essential parts of intentional living.

Whether you're struggling to keep up with your responsibilities, navigating difficult relationships, leading a team, or simply wondering where your days keep going, this conversation offers a practical way to rethink time. Neal's message is ultimately about more than productivity: it's about becoming more intentional with the attention, energy, and life you already have.

Grab the Full Show Notes

[Download the FREE Digital Companion Workbook.]

Buy the book: The 25th Hour by Neal Schore

Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

Website: https://johnrmiles.comBook John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Why do good people become so divided?

Most of us assume that if people simply had the right facts, they would change their minds. But research tells a different story. More often than not, what shapes our beliefs isn't evidence—it's the groups we belong to and the identities we protect.

In this episode of Passion Struck, John R. Miles sits down with renowned social psychologist Dr. Jay Van Bavel, co-author of The Power of Us, to explore the hidden psychology behind polarization, tribalism, and human connection. Drawing on decades of research in social identity, neuroscience, and behavioral science, Dr. Van Bavel explains why our brains prioritize belonging over being right, how social media amplifies division, and why rebuilding trust begins with understanding the powerful forces that shape how we see ourselves—and each other.

You'll learn:

Why identity often influences our beliefs more than facts. The hidden psychology behind political and social polarization. How belonging shapes the way we think, feel, and make decisions. Why intellectual humility is one of the most important skills in a divided world. How social media and AI reinforce certainty while reducing curiosity. The surprising role of collective joy, shared experiences, and community in overcoming division. Practical ways to build stronger relationships across differences without compromising your values. Why understanding the psychology of "us versus them" is essential for flourishing in today's world.

Whether you're trying to navigate difficult conversations, strengthen your relationships, or simply understand why our world feels more divided than ever, this conversation offers a hopeful, science-backed roadmap for building deeper connection, greater empathy, and a stronger sense of belonging.

Grab the Full Show Notes

Download the FREE Digital Companion Notebook.

Buy the book: The Power of Us by Jay Van Bavel and Dominic Packer

Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

Website: https://johnrmiles.comBook John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if the biggest lie you've ever believed is that this is just who you are?

Most of us think our personality, habits, fears, and limitations are fixed. We tell ourselves, "I've always been this way," or "I guess this is just who I am." But modern neuroscience tells a very different story.

In this solo episode of Passion Struck, John R. Miles explores one of the most hopeful discoveries in brain science: your brain is not a finished product—it's constantly being reshaped by what you repeatedly think, feel, and do. Through remarkable stories of London taxi drivers, the famous case of Phineas Gage, insights from brain health expert Dr. Daniel Amen, and groundbreaking neuroscience from Dr. Richard Davidson and Dr. Cortland Dahl, John reveals why lasting change isn't about finding a breakthrough—it's about changing what you practice every day.

You'll learn:

Why your brain is constantly changing—even when you don't realize it. The surprising neuroscience behind the phrase "neurons that fire together, wire together." What London taxi drivers can teach us about building new neural pathways. How Dr. Daniel Amen helps patients identify and replace Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANTs). Why practicing positive thinking isn't wishful thinking—it's brain training. What scientists discovered after studying a monk with more than 62,000 hours of meditation practice. The four trainable skills that help build awareness, connection, insight, and purpose. One simple daily practice that can begin reshaping your brain today.

If you've ever wondered whether it's too late to change, this episode offers a hopeful reminder: you are not a photograph. You're a sculpture. Every thought you practice, every habit you repeat, and every choice you make is helping shape the person you're becoming.

You are not a photograph. You're a sculpture.

Grab the Full Shownotes Here.

Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

Website: https://johnrmiles.comBook John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if you've spent your whole life believing you needed to become someone different—when the qualities you need have been inside you all along?

Most of us think flourishing is something we earn after we've accomplished enough, healed enough, or finally have everything figured out.

But what if science says otherwise?

In this episode of Passion Struck, John R. Miles sits down with pioneering neuroscientist Dr. Richard Davidson and contemplative scholar Court Dahl to explore the groundbreaking science behind their new book, Born to Flourish. Drawing on decades of neuroscience research, contemplative traditions, and the work inspired by the Dalai Lama, they explain why awareness, connection, insight, and purpose aren't personality traits—they're innate capacities that every human being can strengthen through practice.

You'll learn:

Why flourishing is part of your nature—not something you have to earn. The surprising neuroscience showing the brain can be trained throughout life. How awareness, connection, insight, and purpose form the four pillars of human flourishing. Why early adversity influences your life without determining your future. What decades of studying long-term meditators have revealed about the human brain. Why flourishing is contagious—and how your presence shapes the people around you. How brief moments of awareness and appreciation can gradually transform your baseline well-being. Practical ways to cultivate resilience, compassion, and purpose in everyday life.

If you've ever wondered whether it's possible to become calmer, more connected, and more resilient without changing who you are, this conversation offers a hopeful answer: you don't have to create a better self—you simply have to nurture the one you were born with.

Full Shownotes Here.

Download the FREE Companion Digital Workbook

Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

Website: https://johnrmiles.comBook John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Your brain is changing every single day. The question is: Is it changing for the better or for the worse?

Most people don't think about protecting their brain until something goes wrong. But according to renowned psychiatrist and brain health expert Dr. Daniel Amen, the decisions you make every day—from how you sleep and eat to how you manage stress, relationships, and negative thoughts—are either building a healthier brain or slowly damaging it.

In this episode of Passion Struck, John R. Miles sits down with Dr. Amen to explore the science of brain health, neuroplasticity, and why you're never stuck with the brain you have. Drawing on decades of research and hundreds of thousands of brain scans, Dr. Amen explains how modern life is rewiring our brains, why mental health begins with brain health, and the practical habits that can improve memory, focus, resilience, and emotional well-being at any age.

You'll learn:

Why brain health is the foundation of mental health. The everyday habits that quietly damage your brain—and how to avoid them. How chronic stress, trauma, loneliness, and social media reshape the brain. Why automatic negative thoughts can keep you stuck in destructive patterns. The science of neuroplasticity and why it's never too late to create a healthier brain. Dr. Amen's practical strategies for improving memory, focus, and cognitive performance. The surprising connection between purpose, relationships, and long-term brain health. Simple daily choices that can help protect your brain and improve your future.

If you've ever wondered whether it's possible to think more clearly, feel better emotionally, or protect your brain as you age, this conversation offers a hopeful, science-backed roadmap for creating lasting change—because you're not stuck with the brain you have.

Need sustained focus without another cup of coffee? Try Roon and save up to 64% at takeroon.com/PASSIONSTRUCK with code PASSIONSTRUCK.

Full Shownotes Here.

Download the FREE Companion Digital Workbook here.

Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

Website: https://johnrmiles.comBook John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Most of us are waiting for the moment everything changes.

The breakthrough. The perfect habit. The morning you finally wake up feeling motivated enough to become the person you've always wanted to be.

But what if that moment never comes?

In this solo episode, John R. Miles challenges one of the biggest myths in personal growth: that transformation happens in an instant. Instead, he reveals why the future version of you is created through the ordinary practices you repeat every single day.

Drawing on the timeless Zen teaching of Chop Wood, Carry Water, legendary coach John Wooden's relentless focus on fundamentals, and insights from neuroscientist Dr. Jud Brewer, Stanford behavior scientist BJ Fogg, former Hindu monk Dandapani, and astronaut Chris Cassidy, John explains why your habits don't just shape what you do—they shape who you become.

You'll learn:

Why breakthroughs rarely create lasting change—and what does instead. The powerful lesson behind the Zen principle Chop Wood, Carry Water. Why John Wooden believed greatness begins with mastering the smallest fundamentals. How your brain rewires itself through repetition, attention, and curiosity. Why Dandapani says, "We are what we practice." The surprising reason presence is a skill you train—not a state you find. BJ Fogg's Tiny Habits method for creating lasting behavior change. The one question that can transform every habit you build: What am I practicing my way toward?

If you've been waiting until you feel ready to change your life, this episode will show you why the practice—not the breakthrough—is what changes everything.

Check the Full Shownotes Here

Download the FREE companion Digital Workbook

Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

Website: https://johnrmiles.comBook John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Are you your own harshest critic? If you constantly second-guess yourself, replay mistakes, or feel like you're never doing enough, this episode is for you.

Today, you'll discover why self-compassion isn't about lowering your standards—it's about giving yourself the emotional foundation to become more resilient, more confident, and more fully present. You'll learn how your inner dialogue shapes your relationships, why high achievers often stay trapped in survival mode, and how changing the way you speak to yourself can transform the way you live.

Joining John R. Miles is Dr. D. Ivan Young, executive coach, neuroscientist, leadership expert, and author of Leading from the Heart. For decades, he's helped Fortune 500 executives, elite athletes, entrepreneurs, and public figures overcome limiting beliefs, heal emotional wounds, and build lives rooted in self-awareness and compassion.

In this episode, you'll learn: Why self-compassion is the foundation of resilience How childhood experiences shape the way you see yourself Why high achievers often struggle with self-worth The difference between empathy and "weaponized empathy" How to quiet your inner critic without lowering your standards Why the relationship you have with yourself determines every other relationship you build Practical ways to move from survival mode to flourishing

If you've spent years extending grace to everyone except yourself, this conversation may change the relationship that matters most—the one you have with yourself.

Full Shownotes Here

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Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

Website: https://johnrmiles.comBook John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's episode is your ultimate guide to unlocking more potential than you ever thought possible.

If you've ever wondered whether you're capable of more—but aren't sure how to break through self-doubt, build real confidence, or reach the next level in your life or career—this episode is a must-listen.

Today, you'll learn why extraordinary performance isn't reserved for a gifted few. It's built through belief, culture, intentional habits, and a willingness to challenge the limits you've accepted for yourself.

Today, John sits down with legendary running coach Sean Brosnan, author of Beyond Fast. Sean built one of the greatest high school distance running programs in history, producing Olympians, national champions, and American record holders—not by finding extraordinary athletes, but by helping ordinary people discover what they were truly capable of.

Whether you're leading a team, building a business, raising a family, pursuing a dream, or simply trying to become your best self, this conversation will change the way you think about performance and human potential.

You'll learn: Why belief is one of the most powerful performance tools you have How great leaders build cultures where excellence becomes the norm Why confidence follows evidence—not positive thinking The daily habits that matter more than ambitious goals How to overcome the invisible mental barriers limiting your success Why individualized coaching unlocks the best in every person The surprising role adversity plays in building resilience How to create an environment where people consistently outperform expectations

If you're ready to stop living beneath your potential and start believing in what's truly possible, this episode will give you the mindset and tools to begin.

Get the Full Shownotes Here: https://passionstruck.com/how-to-build-an-elite-team-culture-sean-brosnan/

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Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

Website: https://johnrmiles.comBook John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

If you've been feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or like you're carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders, today's episode is for you.

What if the most important thing you bring into every room isn't your talent, your success, or even your intentions—but your emotional state?

In this episode, John R. Miles explores one of the most powerful shifts he's experienced through years of research, interviews, and personal reflection: every human being is an environment. The people you love don't just hear your words—they experience your presence. Your family, your friends, and your team are all shaped by the emotional climate you create.

Drawing on insights from conversations with Arthur Brooks, Jess Ekstrom, Guy Kawasaki, and Dr. Robert Waldinger, John explains why personal growth isn't a private journey. It's one of the greatest gifts you can give the people around you.

In this episode, you'll learn: Why your emotional state affects everyone around you How stress quietly becomes part of your family's daily experience The surprising reason achievement doesn't create lasting fulfillment Why healing yourself is one of the greatest acts of love you can offer others How your presence shapes the culture of your home, your team, and your relationships The simple mindset shift that will change the way you think about personal growth forever

The greatest impact you'll ever have isn't just through what you accomplish—it's through the environment you create for the people who share your life.

Full Shownotes Here

Download the FREE Companion Digital Workbook

Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

Website: https://johnrmiles.comBook John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Do you ever feel like technology knows you better than you know yourself?

Every day, algorithms influence what you see, what you buy, what you believe, and even how you measure your worth. Most of us think the biggest risk is losing our privacy. But what if the real danger is slowly losing sight of who we are?

In this episode of Passion Struck, John R. Miles sits down with entrepreneur and bestselling author Guy Kawasaki to explore why protecting your privacy is about far more than securing your personal information. It's about protecting your identity, your relationships, and your ability to make choices that reflect your values instead of someone else's algorithm. Together, they discuss how technology has evolved from tracking our behavior to shaping it, why social media has changed the way we define what it means to matter, and how small decisions about what we share—and what we choose to keep private—can help us reclaim our autonomy.

In this episode, you'll learn: Why privacy is really about protecting your freedom to choose How technology quietly shapes identity—not just behavior The hidden cost of measuring your worth through likes, followers, and visibility Why strong personal boundaries matter more than ever Simple ways to protect your digital life without disconnecting from the world How to stay grounded in your values in an increasingly connected culture Why real human connection will always matter more than online attention

If you've ever wondered whether technology is changing who you are, this conversation will help you take back control—not by rejecting innovation, but by becoming more intentional about the life you choose to build.

Guy is personally offering a free copy of his latest book, Everybody Has Something to Hide (English or Spanish), to US listeners! Simply send an email to [email protected] or [email protected] requesting a copy, and his team will send you a gift link.

Full shownotes here

Download the FREE Companion Digital Workbook.

Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

Website: https://johnrmiles.comBook John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Have you ever reached a goal you worked incredibly hard for, only to find yourself asking, What's next? If you've ever believed that happiness, fulfillment, or peace would finally arrive after the next promotion, milestone, or accomplishment, this episode is for you.

John R. Miles sits down with bestselling author, entrepreneur, and keynote speaker Jess Ekstrom to explore why so many high achievers unknowingly postpone their happiness. Jess calls it the Arrival Trap—the belief that the life we want always exists somewhere in the future. Drawing on her own entrepreneurial journey and the ideas in her new book, Making It Without Losing It, she explains why fulfillment doesn't come from reaching the finish line but from changing how we experience the journey.

Together, John and Jess discuss why purpose is something we build rather than discover, how external achievement can quietly replace internal fulfillment, and why comparison often leads us to pursue goals that were never truly our own. They also explore the science of motivation, practical ways to reconnect with meaningful work, and a simple framework for determining whether you're chasing a dream because it reflects who you are—or because it looks good to everyone else.

In this episode, you'll learn why the "Arrival Trap" keeps people from enjoying their lives, how to create purpose in the work you're already doing, why intrinsic motivation is more sustainable than external validation, how to stop comparing your path to everyone else's, and practical ways to enjoy the present without giving up your ambition.

If you've been working hard but still feel like something is missing, this conversation will help you redefine success and discover how to pursue your goals without losing yourself in the process.

Learn more about today's guest: https://jessekstrom.com/

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

We’re so excited to partner with FODZYME and offer you 30% off your first order when you go to I Can Eat Again dot com slash PASSIONSTRUCK.  

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Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

Website: https://johnrmiles.comBook John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today, you'll discover why some changes feel effortless while others seem impossible to stick with. In this solo episode, John R. Miles reveals one of the biggest reasons we struggle to change—and it has less to do with willpower than you think.

If you've ever wondered why you keep checking your phone, overworking, getting distracted, or falling back into habits you wanted to leave behind, this episode will completely change how you think about personal growth. Drawing on powerful conversations with neuroscientist Dr. Dana Suskind and behavioral scientist Leidy Klotz, John explains why the environments around you quietly shape your attention, your decisions, and ultimately the person you're becoming.

This episode will help you:

Understand why your environment influences your behavior more than you realize Stop blaming yourself for habits your surroundings are quietly reinforcing See how your home, office, phone, and calendar shape your daily decisions Recognize why familiar environments become invisible—even while they're changing you Create spaces that make healthier choices feel easier and more natural Understand why small environmental changes often create bigger results than willpower alone Ask one simple question that can transform how you approach every habit Design a life that supports the person you're trying to become

Here's the truth:

Every environment is teaching you something. The question isn't whether your surroundings are shaping you. It's whether they're helping you become the person you want to be.

Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

Website: https://johnrmiles.comBook John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's episode will change how you think about the places you spend your life.

Most of us believe that if we want to feel happier, more productive, or more connected, we need to change ourselves.

But what if one of the biggest influences on your well-being isn't your mindset—it's your environment?

If you've ever felt drained at work, disconnected at home, or wondered why certain places instantly make you feel calm, creative, or like your best self, this conversation will help you see your surroundings in a completely different way.

Joining me is Leidy Klotz, engineer, award-winning researcher, and bestselling author of In a Good Place. His groundbreaking work explores how the spaces we live, work, and gather in quietly shape our relationships, memories, happiness, creativity, and even our sense of who we are.

Together, we explore why your environment may be one of the most overlooked drivers of flourishing—and the simple changes that can dramatically improve the way you live every day.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why your home and workplace influence your happiness more than you realize How the places you spend time in shape your memories, relationships, and identity The surprising reason where you are matters more than you think Why children experience the world differently—and what adults can learn from them How to create spaces that reduce stress and increase creativity The simple "Space Before Screen" habit that can change the way you start every day Why building and creating with your hands strengthens confidence, belonging, and connection How your environment quietly communicates your values—to yourself and everyone around you

The truth is, we don't just shape the places we live in. Over time, those places shape us. And once you understand how your environment influences your life, you'll start seeing opportunities for positive change that have been hiding in plain sight.

 

Full shownotes

Get the FREE Digital Workbook

Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

Website: https://johnrmiles.comBook John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's episode will change how you think about parenting, childhood, and what it really means to be human in the age of AI.

Artificial intelligence is changing education, work, relationships, and nearly every aspect of modern life. But according to today's guest, the greatest challenge isn't what AI is becoming—it's whether we will forget what makes us human.

If you're a parent, grandparent, educator, leader, or simply someone who cares about the future of the next generation, this conversation will completely change how you think about raising children and preparing them for the world ahead.

Joining me is Dr. Dana Suskind, renowned pediatric surgeon, developmental researcher, and bestselling author of the groundbreaking new book Human Raised. After decades of studying how early relationships shape the developing brain, Dana explains why the qualities that matter most in the future aren't the ones AI can master—they're the deeply human capacities that only we can cultivate.

Together, we explore why connection, curiosity, resilience, empathy, and critical thinking have become the most important skills we can pass on to our children—and why those abilities begin developing much earlier than most of us realize.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why the first three years of life shape far more than language and learning The uniquely human skills AI will never be able to replace How children develop the lifelong belief that they truly matter Why "good enough" parenting creates more resilient children than perfect parenting The hidden cost of optimizing children for achievement instead of flourishing How AI can either strengthen human relationships or quietly replace them Why productive struggle is essential for developing creativity, confidence, and emotional resilience Dana's HOPE Framework for raising flourishing children in an AI-driven world

The future isn't determined by technology alone. It's shaped by the choices we make every day about how we connect, care, and raise the next generation. And as Dana explains, those deeply human choices may be our greatest advantage in an AI-powered world.

Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

Website: https://johnrmiles.comBook John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's episode will change the way you think about personal transformation.

Have you ever caught yourself doing something you promised yourself you wouldn't do again?

Maybe it's overworking when you said you'd slow down. Maybe it's checking your phone instead of being present. Maybe it's saying yes when you desperately wanted to say no.

Or maybe you keep returning to the same habits, relationships, or patterns—even though you know they're no longer serving you.

If you've ever wondered, "Why do I keep becoming the same person?" this episode is for you.

Drawing on two powerful conversations with bestselling authors Nick Ortner (Rewired) and Jon Gordon (The Power of Positive Habits), John reveals why lasting change isn't simply about discipline, motivation, or trying harder.

Instead, you'll discover why your brain is wired to choose what's familiar over what's healthy—and how small, repeated actions can teach your nervous system that a new way of living is finally safe.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why your brain naturally chooses familiarity over growth—even when familiar is no longer serving you The surprising reason discipline alone rarely creates lasting transformation How your nervous system quietly pulls you back toward old habits, relationships, and behaviors Why discomfort is often a sign you're growing—not a sign you're failing How tiny daily habits reshape your identity more effectively than dramatic life changes Why confidence usually comes after change—not before it How ordinary repetitions gradually teach your brain that healthier patterns are safe The connection between neuroscience, habits, and the science of flourishing Practical ways to stop living on autopilot and begin creating lasting change

Here's the truth:

Real transformation doesn't happen because you finally become more disciplined.

It happens because your mind and body slowly learn to trust a different way of living.

Because flourishing isn't about becoming someone new. It's about becoming at home with the person you've always been capable of becoming.

Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

Website: https://johnrmiles.comBook John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In today's episode, you'll learn why the habits that shape your life aren't the obvious ones—they're the small, daily choices that quietly determine how you think, lead, and respond when life doesn't go according to plan.

If you've ever found yourself battling negative thoughts, comparing your success to everyone else's, or wondering how to stay motivated when the excitement fades, this conversation will give you a practical framework for building habits that create lasting growth.

Joining me is bestselling author and leadership expert Jon Gordon. For more than two decades, Jon has helped Fortune 500 companies, championship sports teams, military organizations, and millions of readers understand how positive habits become the foundation for extraordinary leadership and meaningful lives. In his newest book, The Power of Positive Habits, he shares the simple practices that helped transform his own life—and the lessons he's taught to some of the world's highest-performing organizations.

Together, we explore why success isn't built on dramatic breakthroughs but on consistent decisions that compound over time.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why talking to yourself instead of listening to yourself can completely change your mindset How to stop comparing your journey to everyone else's and start running your own race Why trusting your bigger life plan creates resilience during uncertainty The surprising habit that improves your energy, metabolism, and mental clarity every day How purpose statements help leaders stay focused when motivation disappears Why celebrating other people's success accelerates your own growth How to recognize the "energy vampires" that quietly drain your confidence and performance Why the legacy you leave is created through thousands of small habits—not one defining moment

The truth is this: your future isn't determined by a single decision. It's shaped by the habits you repeat every day. And as Jon explains, even one small change in how you think, lead, or serve others can create extraordinary results over time.

Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

Website: https://johnrmiles.comBook John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's episode will change how you think about anxiety, fear, and the stories you've been telling yourself about who you are.

Have you ever thought:

Why do I keep repeating the same patterns? Why do certain memories still have power over me years later? Or maybe you've convinced yourself that this is just who you are.

According to today's guest, that's not true.

You can change your brain. You can change your emotional patterns. And you can become someone new without rejecting who you've been.

Joining John today is Nick Ortner, New York Times bestselling author of The Tapping Solution and his new book, Rewired. For more than two decades, Nick has helped millions of people use Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) to overcome anxiety, release trauma, and create lasting change.

In this episode, you'll learn:

How tapping calms the nervous system and interrupts fear patterns Why painful memories continue to shape your behavior years later The science behind rewiring beliefs that keep you stuck How to overcome procrastination, self-doubt, and performance anxiety Why we spend more energy managing fear than pursuing possibility The surprising reason so many people no longer feel at home in their own lives What it means to develop self-trust and reclaim your emotional freedom

Here's the powerful truth at the center of this conversation: You don't have to remain who you've always been.

Your past may have shaped you. It does not have to define you. And once you understand how change actually happens, you can stop managing old wounds and start building the life you want.

Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

Website: https://johnrmiles.comBook John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if flourishing isn't something you achieve someday—but something you practice in the life you're already living?

In this episode, John R. Miles explores the first step toward becoming fully alive: presence. Drawing from three unforgettable conversations with Navy SEAL and Paralympian Dan Cnossen, entrepreneur Blake Mycoskie, and spiritual teacher Gabby Bernstein, he examines the questions that emerge when our old ways of living no longer work.

If you've been waiting for life to settle down before you fully show up, chasing achievement in hopes that it will finally make you feel enough, or caring for everyone around you while losing touch with yourself, this episode offers a different path forward.

In this conversation, you'll discover:

Why the life you're waiting to begin may have already begun How to stop treating difficult seasons as interruptions instead of your actual training ground Why success and achievement can never answer the question, "Am I enough?" What it means to remain connected to yourself when the applause grows quiet How self-compassion becomes the foundation for lasting transformation The powerful question that can reveal whether you've become a safe place to come home to Why flourishing begins not in some future version of your life, but in this ordinary, imperfect moment

At the heart of this episode are three questions worth carrying into your own life:

What are you waiting to begin that has already begun?

Who are you when there's nothing left to prove?

Was I a safe place to come home to today?

Because becoming fully alive isn't about finding another life. It's about inhabiting the one that's already here.

Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

Website: https://johnrmiles.comBook John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if the guidance you’ve been searching for has been with you all along?

In today’s episode, you’ll learn how to stay connected to something greater than yourself—even during grief, uncertainty, illness, or life's most overwhelming moments.

If you've ever wondered whether you're truly alone, struggled to find peace in difficult seasons, or sensed that there is a deeper wisdom available to you, this conversation will give you practical tools to access it.

John welcomes Suzanne Giesemann back to Passion Struck. A former Navy Commander and aide to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff turned evidential medium and spiritual teacher, Suzanne shares insights from her new book, Always Connected, and explains why our connection to spirit is never lost—even when we forget it.

In this conversation, you'll learn: 

The overlooked practice that helps create a deeper connection to intuition and spirit How to use Suzanne's three-minute "SIP of the Divine" method—even if meditation feels impossible How to distinguish genuine guidance from fear, doubt, and imagination Why adversity and physical challenges can become profound spiritual teachers What evidence-based mediumship reveals about grief, healing, and life beyond death Practical ways to navigate disappointment, self-worth struggles, and uncertainty with greater peace

Suzanne brings together military discipline, spiritual insight, and a grounded approach to the unseen. Whether you're exploring these ideas for the first time or have been walking this path for years, this conversation is a reminder that connection is not something you create—it is something you remember. 

And perhaps the most important truth of all: even in your hardest moments, you are never alone.

For full show notes, resources, and Suzanne’s new book, visit the episode page.

Download the companion workbook.

If you liked this episode, go back and listen to Suzanne’s first appearance on Passion Struck (Episode 622).
 

Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

Website: https://johnrmiles.comBook John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of Passion Struck, John R. Miles sits down with executive coach, former therapist, and former U.S. National Team rower Whitney Otto to explore one of the most personal struggles people carry: their relationship with their bodies.

Drawing from her new book, Body Image Inside Out, co-authored with Deb Schachter, Whitney challenges the belief that body image is merely about appearance. Instead, she reveals how our feelings about our bodies are deeply intertwined with our experiences of belonging, family, achievement, health, and self-worth. Their conversation explores why negative body image often becomes a container for overwhelming emotions, how shame thrives in secrecy, and why curiosity may be a more powerful path to healing than self-improvement.

John and Whitney discuss the hidden costs of being at war with ourselves, the role of relational mirrors in shaping identity, and why many high performers continue to struggle with feeling comfortable in their own skin despite outward success. Through personal stories, practical exercises, and compassionate insights, they offer a new framework for understanding body image—not as an enemy to conquer, but as a relationship that can be nurtured, understood, and transformed.

In this episode, you'll learn:
Why body image is shaped by relationships, culture, health experiences, and belonging—not simply physical appearanceThe hidden emotional and psychological costs of being at war with your bodyHow negative body image often becomes a way of managing overwhelming feelings such as sadness, anxiety, fear, and lonelinessWhy curiosity and self-compassion are more effective than self-criticism when creating lasting changeWhat "relational mirrors" reveal about the people who help us feel seen—and those who diminish our sense of selfHow jealousy can become a teacher that points us toward deeper desires rather than a source of shame or comparisonThe Body Image Rotary framework and how to interrupt cycles of self-criticism before they become habitual patternsWhy the process of getting dressed can become a daily practice of self-awareness and sensory compassion rather than judgmentHow early experiences with caregivers influence our relationship with our bodies throughout adulthoodThe simple but profound question Whitney believes every person should ask themselves: "What are you feeling?" instead of "What do I need to fix?"This conversation offers a compassionate roadmap for moving from self-judgment to self-understanding, showing that flourishing begins not by changing our bodies, but by changing the relationship we have with them. As Whitney reminds us, our bodies are often carrying stories that our minds have not yet found the words to tell.

Passion Struck is the #1 Health and Wellness Podcast and personal growth podcast dedicated to helping people live intentionally, unlock human potential, and create lives filled with meaning, purpose, and mattering.

Limited Time Offers:
Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at SHOPIFY.COM/PASSIONSTRUCK
Function Health: functionhealth.com/PASSION or use gift code PASSION25 for a $25 credit toward your membership.
FODZYME: Get 30% off your first order at ICanEatAgain.com/PASSIONSTRUCK

Full Show Notes

Download the Digital Workbook

Learn more about Whitney Otto:
Website: https://www.bodyimageinsideout.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whitney-otto/

Connect with John
Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/Book John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Keynotes, books, podcast, and resources: https://linktr.ee/John_R_MilesChildren’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/
Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

Website: https://johnrmiles.comBook John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if the person you've been trying to become is actually pulling you farther away from who you really are?

In today's episode, you'll discover why so many of us spend our lives performing, achieving, and adapting—only to wake up feeling disconnected from ourselves.

Have you ever felt like you're living the life everyone expected you to build, but still wonder if something is missing?

Do you find yourself chasing success, approval, or perfection, yet struggle to feel like you're enough?

Or maybe you've become so busy meeting everyone else's expectations that you've forgotten what it feels like to simply be yourself.

According to John, the greatest form of disconnection isn't losing touch with other people.

It's losing touch with who you are.

Drawing on the timeless story of Hook, along with insights from psychology, attachment theory, and the remarkable conversations that shaped the Connection Crisis series, John explores why flourishing isn't about becoming someone new—it's about remembering the person you've been all along.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why the survival strategies that once protected you can quietly become your identity How childhood expectations and early relationships shape the person you believe you have to be What Hook reveals about memory, identity, and the gradual process of forgetting yourself The hidden difference between living authentically and performing for approval Why success often feels empty when it isn't connected to who you truly are How perfectionism, people-pleasing, hyper-independence, and overachievement become emotional armor Why belonging and mattering are essential to rediscovering your authentic self How trusted relationships help you remember the person you've always been Why real courage isn't reinventing yourself—it's trusting the person beneath the expectations What it truly means to flourish by returning to the life you already have with greater awareness and intention

Here's the truth:

You don't have to become someone else to live a more meaningful life. You don't have to earn your worth through achievement. And you don't have to spend another day chasing a version of yourself that was never meant to define you.

Sometimes the bravest thing you'll ever do is remember who you've been all along.

Limited-Time Offers:

Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at SHOPIFY.COM/PASSIONSTRUCK Function Health: Visit functionhealth.com/PASSION or use code PASSION25 for a $25 credit toward your membership. FODZYME: Get 30% off your first order at ICanEatAgain.com/PASSIONSTRUCK.

Full Show Notes

Download the Digital Workbook
 

Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

Website: https://johnrmiles.comBook John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Do you ever feel like your hard work goes unnoticed? Or maybe you're a leader doing everything you can to build a great team—but people still seem disengaged, disconnected, or ready to leave. Here's what most leaders miss: People don't just want recognition. They want to know they matter.

In this episode, John R. Miles sits down with bestselling author and workplace culture expert Adrian Gostick to explore why feeling valued is one of the most powerful drivers of engagement, resilience, innovation, and performance.

Drawing on decades of research with hundreds of thousands of leaders and employees, Adrian reveals why appreciation isn't a "soft skill"—it's a leadership advantage. Together, he and John unpack why employees often feel invisible even in successful organizations, how uncertainty quietly erodes trust, and what the best leaders do to create workplaces where people genuinely want to contribute.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why employees often feel less appreciated than leaders believe How the "gratitude gap" impacts trust, engagement, and retention Why recognition is a fundamental human need—not just a management tool How exceptional leaders create psychological safety during uncertainty The difference between praise that feels good and recognition that changes behavior Practical ways to help people feel seen, valued, and motivated every day Why empathy, curiosity, and meaningful conversations have become essential leadership skills

Whether you lead a company, manage a team, or simply want to have a greater impact on the people around you, this conversation will transform the way you think about leadership.

Because the leaders people remember most aren't the ones who demanded the most.

They're the ones who made people believe they mattered.

Limited Time Offers:

Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at SHOPIFY.COM/PASSIONSTRUCK Function Health: functionhealth.com/PASSION or use gift code PASSION25 for a $25 credit toward your membership. FODZYME: Get 30% off your first order at ICanEatAgain.com/PASSIONSTRUCK

Full Show Notes

Download the Digital Workbook

Learn more about Adrian Gostick:

Website: https://adriangostick.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriangostick/ X: https://x.com/adriangostick

Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

Website: https://johnrmiles.comBook John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.