Passion Struck with John R. Miles

We are taught from the schoolyard to the boardroom that our value is a variable, something that fluctuates based on our last win, our latest promotion, or our ability to remain relentlessly productive. But what happens when the "doing" stops?In this deeply personal solo episode of Passion Struck, John R. Miles pulls back the curtain on a phenomenon he calls the "speech impediment of the soul." Drawing from a life-altering traumatic brain injury at age five and his subsequent climb through the ranks of the Navy and Fortune 50 leadership, John explores the quiet disorientation that follows when we trade our voices for safety and our existence for achievement.As we approach the February 24th launch of his new children’s book, You Matter, Luma, John reveals why mattering is the "preventative medicine" the human spirit requires to stop the cycle of over-performance and invisibility. This episode is a call to end the trade and finally reclaim a sense of worth that requires no strings attached.Passion Struck is the #1 alternative health and personal growth podcast dedicated to human flourishing and the science of mattering. It is ranked #1 on FeedSpot’s list of the Top Passion Podcasts on the Web, recognizing the show’s ongoing commitment to thoughtful, human-centered conversations.Check the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/healing-childhood-trauma-feeling-invisible-adult/All links gathered here, including books, Substack, YouTube, and Start Mattering apparel: https://linktr.ee/John_R_MilesIn This Episode, You Will LearnThe Shattered Window: How early life trauma can rewrite your reality and create a "performance trap" that follows you into adulthood.The Speech Impediment of the Soul: Identifying the hidden whisper that tells high-achievers they only matter if they are producing.The Maximizer’s Prison: Why modern life’s obsession with optimization and "best" choices actually erodes human dignity.The Luma Truth: How to shift from mattering through achievement to mattering through existence.The Wordless Tie: Practical tools for building a profound connection with others that doesn't rely on perfect words or performance.Mattering Mirrors: Why we must decouple excellence from worth to protect the next generation (and our own inner child).The Adult Mattering Audit: Four specific questions to help you diagnose and heal your own quiet disorientation.Preventative Medicine: How the message of You Matter, Luma acts as a shield for children ages 4–8 against the optimization trap.Companion Reflection & Integration ResourcesInside The Ignited Life, each episode in the You Matter series is paired with guided reflection prompts and grounding practices. These are designed to help you examine where your relationships circulate care—and where they quietly extract it—to help you move from "doing" back to "being."Explore the community: https://TheIgnitedLife.netConnect with the EcosystemPre-order You Matter, Luma (releasing February 24): https://youmatterluma.com/Support the Movement: https://StartMattering.comWatch on YouTube: Search for Passion Struck with John R. MilesDisclaimerThe Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a licensed physician, therapist, or other qualified professional.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What happens when strength is defined as self-sufficiency, emotional restraint, and constant proof?In this episode of Passion Struck, licensed psychologist and leadership coach Daniel Ellenberg, PhD, joins Passion Struck to explore how traditional masculine scripts shape identity, relationships, and the lived experience of mattering often at a hidden cost.Ellenberg has spent more than four decades facilitating men’s groups and workshops, guiding thousands of men through questions of emotional intelligence, vulnerability, and relational presence. As the founder of Strength with Heart, co-founder of Relationships That Work, and a principal at the Rewire Leadership Institute, his work examines how cultural expectations around masculinity quietly teach boys and men to armor themselves against dependence, tenderness, and uncertainty.In this conversation, John R. Miles and Daniel Ellenberg examine how early conditioning trains men to equate worth with performance, stoicism, and self-reliance and how that training disrupts connection, intimacy, and the felt sense of significance across adulthood. The discussion explores why many capable, caring men experience isolation despite success, why vulnerability often feels dangerous rather than connective, and how reclaiming “strength with heart” restores agency, belonging, and relational vitality.As part of the You Matter series — and leading toward the February 24th release of You Matter, Luma — this episode traces how lessons about visibility, emotional permission, and worth are learned early and reinforced across families, workplaces, and institutions.This episode invites a deeper question: What happens to mattering when strength requires concealment, and what becomes possible when presence replaces performance?If you care about relationships, leadership, men’s mental health, emotional development, or how people come to feel significant inside cultural systems, this conversation offers a grounded and humane perspective.Passion Struck is the #1 alternative health podcast dedicated to human flourishing and the science of mattering. It is consistently ranked among the world’s top podcasts for thoughtful conversations about meaning, agency, and belonging.Check out Kalshi and use my code SB60 for a great deal: https://kalshi.comIn This Episode, You Will LearnHow traditional masculinity conditions boys to armor against vulnerability early in lifeWhy proving strength through stoicism often undermines connection and intimacyHow emotional performance replaces presence in many male relationshipsThe difference between power as control and strength as integrationWhy vulnerability signals mattering inside relationships and communitiesHow loneliness, isolation, and burnout emerge from unmet relational significanceWhat “strength with heart” looks like in leadership, parenting, and partnershipHow authenticity restores agency and relational circulationResources & LinksCheck the full show notes: https://passionstruck.com/strength-with-heart-daniel-ellenberg/Download the Free Companion Reflection Guide:Pre-Order the Children’s Book You Matter, Luma (Launching February 24): https://youmatterluma.com/Connect with John — speaking, books, and podcast: https://linktr.ee/John_R_MilesLearn More About Daniel Ellenberg:https://strengthwithheart.com/https://relationshipsthatwork.com/Books MentionedLovers for Life: Creating Lasting Passion, Trust, and True Partnership (with Judith Bell)Support the MovementEvery human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter.Wear it. Live it. Show it.https://StartMattering.comDisclaimerThe Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a licensed physician, therapist, or other qualified professional.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What happens when the frameworks we use to make decisions no longer reflect how human lives actually work?In this opening episode of the You Matter series on Passion Struck, renowned social psychologist Barry Schwartz joins the show to examine how modern decision-making systems—built on metrics, optimization, and rational choice theory—can quietly erode agency, judgment, and our sense of mattering.Schwartz is best known for The Paradox of Choice, which revealed how an abundance of options often leads to dissatisfaction rather than freedom. In his new book, Choose Wisely, co-written with philosopher Richard Schuldenfrei, he extends this critique by challenging the foundations of rational choice theory itself—the economic model that assumes good decisions can be reduced to calculation, comparison, and optimization.While behavioral economics acknowledges human irrationality, Schwartz argues that it preserves an incomplete definition of rational decision-making. Drawing from psychology, economics, and philosophy—and engaging directly with the legacy of Thinking, Fast and Slow—he proposes a richer framework grounded in framing, judgment, and what he calls a person’s “constellation of virtues.”In this conversation, John R. Miles and Barry Schwartz explore how treating life as a spreadsheet of isolated wins distorts meaning, why judgment has been replaced by formulas, and how mattering is experienced not through utility, but through coherence, contribution, and relational significance over time.This episode asks a central question for modern life: What does it mean to choose wisely when meaning cannot be quantified?If you care about decision-making, leadership, autonomy, or how people come to feel significant in systems designed to optimize them, this conversation offers a clarifying and timely perspective.Passion Struck is the #1 alternative health podcast and personal growth podcast dedicated to human flourishing and the science of mattering. It is ranked #1 on FeedSpot’s list of the Top Passion Podcasts on the Web, recognizing the show’s commitment to thoughtful, human-centered conversations like this one.Check out Kalshi and use my code SB60 for a great deal: https://kalshi.comCheck the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/barry-schwartz-choosing-wisely/Download a Free Companion Reflection Guide: https://www.theignitedlife.net/p/art-of-choosing-wisely-barry-schwartzConnect with John Keynote speaking, books, and podcast: https://linktr.ee/John_R_MilesPre-Order the Children’s Book You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/Learn More About Barry Schwartz: https://www.swarthmore.edu/profile/barry-schwartzThe Paradox of ChoiceChoose Wisely (with Richard Schuldenfrei)Available wherever books are sold.In This Episode, You Will LearnWhy rational choice theory fails to describe how people actually make decisionsHow the paradox of choice leads to regret, dissatisfaction, and decision fatigueWhy judgment has been replaced by rules and metrics—and what that costs leaders and organizationsHow framing shapes good decisions more than optimizationWhy meaning emerges from narrative coherence rather than isolated outcomesHow treating people as interchangeable units of utility undermines matteringThe tension between autonomy and connectedness in modern, pluralistic societiesSupport the MovementEvery human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it. https://StartMattering.comDisclaimerThe Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a licensed physician, therapist, or other qualified professional.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We spend much of our lives searching for meaning through work, relationships, contribution, and purpose. But beneath that search lives a quieter, more fragile question, one we rarely say out loud:Do I matter even when nothing is being made of me?In this solo episode of Passion Struck, John R. Miles moves beneath meaning itself to explore what actually holds a life together when direction, productivity, and explanation fall away. Through a deeply personal reflection on his final walk with his sister, Carolyn, he reveals how worth is not something we build or earn, but something that must first be felt and recognized.This episode explores why meaning can feel unstable when the sense of mattering underneath it has not fully landed and why so many people feel unsettled, because worth has been quietly tied to motion, usefulness, or presence in others’ lives.Passion Struck is the #1 alternative health podcast and personal growth podcast dedicated to human flourishing and the science of mattering. It is ranked #1 on FeedSpot’s list of the Top Passion Podcasts on the Web, recognizing the show’s ongoing commitment to thoughtful, human-centered conversations like this one.Check the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/the-question-beneath-meaning/All links gathered here, including books, Substack, YouTube, and Start Mattering apparel:https://linktr.ee/John_R_MilesIn This Episode, You Will LearnThe Question Beneath Meaning: Why worth precedes purpose and stabilizes identity at a deeper level.Mattering vs. Meaning: How contribution organizes action, while mattering allows the self to rest without fracture.Quiet Disorientation: Why internal drift can emerge even when life feels externally complete.Why Modern Systems Can’t Register Worth: How productivity, engagement, and output crowd out presence.Carolyn as the Proof Point: How shared presence transmits belonging without instruction or legacy-building.Contingent Worth: Why motion becomes a stabilizing strategy when worth hasn’t fully integrated.Stillness as Recognition: How pause, silence, and rest allow worth to land without performance.The January Inquiry: A gentle question to carry forward without urgency or fixing.What Comes Next: How the upcoming You Matter series turns recognition outward into daily life, choice, and belonging.Companion Reflection & Integration ResourcesInside The Ignited Life, each episode in The Meaning Makers series is paired with reflection prompts and grounding practices designed to help you stay with the question long enough for real integration to occur—not to solve it, but to let recognition settle.Explore the community: https://TheIgnitedLife.netConnect with the EcosystemPre-order You Matter, Luma (releasing February 24): https://youmatterluma.com/Support the Movement: https://StartMattering.comDisclaimerThe Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a licensed physician, therapist, or other qualified professional.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What happens when the systems we trust most struggle to correct themselves and the cost is paid by patients, families, and society?In this deeply consequential episode of Passion Struck, investigative journalist Charles Piller joins the show to discuss his groundbreaking book Doctored: Fraud, Arrogance, and Tragedy in the Quest to Cure Alzheimer’s. Piller, a senior writer for Science magazine, has spent years examining how Alzheimer’s research became shaped by incentives, reputation, and institutional inertia—and what that meant for scientific progress and human lives.At the center of this conversation is a pivotal 2006 Nature paper that helped cement the amyloid hypothesis as the dominant explanation for Alzheimer’s disease. That study shaped decades of funding, drug development, and clinical trials. Years later, independent analysts and researchers began raising concerns about manipulated images and the integrity of the data—concerns that moved slowly through formal channels while the research continued to guide practice.In this episode, John R. Miles and Charles Piller explore how systems communicate mattering through responsiveness, how delay and diffusion affect trust, and how institutional silence carries human consequences. They also examine the role of independent watchdogs, whistleblowers, and investigative journalism in preserving scientific integrity, even when doing so carries personal and professional risk.This conversation is not about cynicism toward science. It is about accountability, permeability, and the conditions that allow truth to remain alive within powerful systems.If you care about medical ethics, scientific integrity, or how institutions shape human mattering, this episode offers a vital and clarifying perspective.Check the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/charles-piller-alzheimers-research-fraud/Download a Free Companion Reflection Guide: https://www.theignitedlife.net/p/when-systems-decide-whether-people-matterConnect with JohnKeynote speaking, books, and podcast: https://linktr.ee/John_R_MilesPre-order the Children’s BookYou Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/Learn More About Charles Pillerhttps://www.science.org/author/charles-pillerBook:Doctored: Fraud, Arrogance, and Tragedy in the Quest to Cure Alzheimer’sAvailable wherever books are sold.In This Episode, You Will LearnHow Alzheimer’s research became shaped by incentives, prestige, and institutional coherenceWhy responsiveness is a central signal of trust and mattering inside systemsHow a single scientific paper influenced decades of funding and drug developmentThe role of independent analysts like Elisabeth Bik in protecting scientific integrityWhy whistleblowers such as Matthew Schrag face extraordinary personal and professional pressureHow delays and procedural diffusion affect patients and families in real timeThe human story of Stephen Price and what clinical trials represent for those living with Alzheimer’sWhat healthy systems require in order to remain open to correction and learningSupport the MovementEvery human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter.Wear it. Live it. Show it. https://StartMattering.comDisclaimerThe Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a licensed physician, therapist, or other qualified professional.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if peak performance isn’t created by intensity, control, or relentless self-pressure, but by inner stability?In this powerful episode of Passion Struck, Jim Murphy, performance coach to elite athletes and the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Inner Excellence, joins the show to explore what truly sustains excellence under pressure.Many listeners first encountered Inner Excellence when A.J. Brown was shown reading it on the NFL sideline during a playoff game. That moment sparked a national conversation—but Jim’s work has been shaping elite performers quietly for years.In this conversation, John and Jim examine the inner architecture that allows people to remain grounded when the stakes are high. Jim explains how fear, ego, and self-centered thinking destabilize performance, and how cultivating love, wisdom, and courage creates inner freedom that carries across athletics, leadership, parenting, and everyday life.Rather than focusing on tactics or motivation, this episode centers on the internal conditions that allow clarity, presence, and sustained performance to emerge. It offers a framework for anyone seeking excellence that endures—without burnout, anxiety, or collapse under pressure.If you’ve ever wondered why success alone doesn’t steady the inner world—or how to remain anchored when everything is on the line—this conversation offers a path inward.Check the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/inner-excellence-jim-murphy/Download a Free Companion Workbook: https://www.theignitedlife.net/p/jim-murphy-inner-excellence-pressureConnect with JohnKeynote speaking, books, and podcast: https://linktr.ee/John_R_MilesPre-order the Children’s BookYou Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/Learn More About Jim MurphyWebsite & newsletter: https://innerexcellence.com/Book: Inner Excellence: Train Your Mind for Extraordinary Performance and the Best Possible LifeAvailable wherever books are sold.In This Episode, You Will LearnWhat Inner Excellence really means and why inner stability precedes peak performanceWhy fear escalates under pressure and how “fear of fear” disrupts clarity and presenceHow ego destabilizes performance by creating self-centered thinking and internal noiseThe three pillars of Inner Excellence: love, wisdom, and courageWhy the heart plays a central role in sustained performance and fulfillmentHow elite athletes remain grounded when expectations, scrutiny, and stakes riseHow to apply Inner Excellence beyond sports—in leadership, relationships, and daily lifeWhat creates excellence that endures rather than collapses under pressureSupport the MovementEvery human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter.Wear it. Live it. Show it. https://StartMattering.comDisclaimerThe Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a licensed physician, therapist, or other qualified professional.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if the most important things you will ever say to those you love are the things you never speak aloud?In this moving solo episode, John R. Miles shares a deeply personal story about a final walk with his sister, Carolyn, by Lake Austin. He explores the "wordless tie" that binds us together and explains the science of why silence often carries more weight than speech. Drawing on the groundbreaking fMRI research of Dr. Lisa Miller and her work on The Awakened Brain, John reveals how our brains are biologically wired with a "sensing system" for significance.You will learn why success often feels hollow when we lose our wordless connection to others, and how to use the "Presence Pause" to clear the mental clutter that blocks your sense of purpose. This is an invitation to move beyond the noise of constant doing and rediscover the "mortar" that holds a meaningful life together.Passion Struck is the #1 alternative health podcast and personal growth podcast dedicated to human flourishing and the science of mattering. It is ranked #1 on FeedSpot’s list of the Top Passion Podcasts on the Web, recognizing the show’s ongoing commitment to thoughtful, human-centered conversations like this one.Check the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/how-to-find-meaning-without-words/All links gathered here, including books, Substack, YouTube, and Start Mattering apparel: https://linktr.ee/John_R_MilesIn This Episode, You Will LearnThe Inherited Knowing: How legacy, belonging, and love are passed through presence rather than instruction.The Science of the Awakened Brain: A deep dive into Dr. Lisa Miller’s research (episode 532) on the high-power neural circuit that handles stress and hope.Quiet Disconnection: Why our brains are wired to amplify the negative and how to reset your internal "noise-to-signal" ratio.The Three Bricklayers: A powerful lesson on how shifting your lens transforms the daily grind into a sacred mission.The Presence Pause: A 3-minute practical habit to reopen your brain's channel for purpose.Small Acts of Resonance: How wordless gestures like a smile or a simple touch recalibrate the nervous system for safety and connection.The Meaning Without Words Companion ResourcesDownload our free digital companion workbook featuring guided prompts to help you notice the silence, open to presence, and let meaning land without forcing it through words. Explore the guideConnect with the EcosystemPre-order You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/Support the Movement: https://StartMattering.comJoin The Ignited Life Community: https://TheIgnitedLife.netDisclaimerThe Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a licensed physician, therapist, or other qualified professional.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if the moments where you feel most "disengaged," "perfectionistic," or "paralyzed" as a parent aren't character flaws, but the result of a "Trauma App" running in the background of your brain?In this groundbreaking episode of Passion Struck, Dr. Robyn Koslowitz, clinical child psychologist and author of the definitive guide Post-Traumatic Parenting: Break the Cycle and Become the Parent You Always Wanted to Be, joins the show. With over 20 years of experience helping more than 10,000 families, Robyn explains why post-traumatic parenting is fundamentally different from typical parenting. She reveals how "Secret ACEs" (Adverse Childhood Experiences) and hidden trauma history can hijack your nervous system, making it nearly impossible to "share your calm" with your children.John and Robyn discuss the neurological reality of parenting after trauma, moving past the "fad" social media trends of gentle parenting to focus on the science of nervous system regulation. Koslowitz introduces her trademarked AIM Method (Acceptance, Integration, and Meaning-making) to help parents reclaim their "admin permissions" from their trauma. The conversation centers on a profound truth: your inner child cannot raise a child, but raising your real-world child can be the ultimate path to healing trauma through parenting.If you have ever asked, "How can I give my kids a normal childhood when mine was anything but?"—this episode provides the validation, neuroscience, and practical "hacks" needed to break generational trauma and foster an earned, secure attachment.Check the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/post-traumatic-parenting-robyn-koslowitz/Download a Free Companion Workbook with reflection prompts tied to this episode.To contact John about Keynote speaking, his books, and podcast: https://linktr.ee/John_R_MilesPre-order You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/For more about Dr. Robyn Koslowitz: https://posttraumaticparenting.comBook: Post-Traumatic Parenting available wherever books are sold.In this episode, you will learnPost-traumatic parenting explained: Why your body reacts to your child's behavior as a survival threat.The "Trauma App" Metaphor: How early experiences shape emotional regulation and override your parenting instincts.The 5 Subtypes of Post-Traumatic Parents: Identifying if you lean toward paralysis, perfectionism, or disengagement.Building Secure Attachment: How to move from trauma responses in parents to creating attachment and emotional safety.The AIM Method: A 3-step clinical framework for intergenerational healing and trauma recovery.Why "Gentle Parenting" isn't enough: The importance of structure, play, and nervous system regulation for the "cycle breaker."Healing the Inner Child: How to stop "Trauma Poker" and start raising emotionally secure children after trauma.Support the MovementEvery human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it. https://StartMattering.comDisclaimerThe Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a licensed physician, therapist, or other qualified professional.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if the chronic overwhelm, emotional chaos, and sense of being "too much" or "not enough" stem from Invisible ADHD rather than personal shortcomings?In this revealing episode of Passion Struck, Shanna Pearson, founder of the world's largest one-on-one ADHD coaching program and author of the bestseller Invisible ADHD: Proven Mood and Life Management for Smart Yet Scattered Women, joins John R. Miles. With over 26 years of experience and her own late-diagnosed ADHD journey, Shanna explains why ADHD in women often remains hidden or misdiagnosed as anxiety, depression, or character flaws. She draws from hundreds of thousands of coaching sessions to highlight internal struggles like masking, rejection sensitivity, rumination, and burnout that intensify in midlife amid hormonal changes.John and Shanna discuss the neurological roots of these experiences, why traditional strategies fall short for women, and practical tools from her book. The conversation centers on reclaiming agency: moving beyond endless effort to sustainable approaches that align with an ADHD brain, restore momentum, and foster genuine self-worth.If you have ever felt smart yet scattered, unseen by others and sometimes yourself, or exhausted by success that drains rather than fulfills, this episode offers validation and clear steps forward.Passion Struck was recently ranked #1 on FeedSpot’s list of the Top Passion Podcasts on the Web, recognizing the show’s ongoing commitment to thoughtful, human-centered conversations like this one.Check the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/invisible-adhd-in-women-shanna-pearson/Download a Free Companion Workbook with reflection prompts tied to this episode.All links gathered here, including books, Substack, YouTube, and Start Mattering apparel: https://linktr.ee/John_R_MilesPre-order You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/For more about Shanna Pearson: https://expertadhdcoaching.comBook: Invisible ADHD available wherever books are soldIn this episode, you will learnWhy adult ADHD in women frequently goes undiagnosed or gets mislabeled as anxiety or depressionHow masking, people-pleasing, and emotional overwhelm conceal core ADHD traits in femalesThe impact of rejection sensitivity, self-doubt, and identity erosion on self-worthWhy symptoms often escalate in midlife due to perimenopause, burnout, and hormonal shiftsPractical tools from Shanna’s coaching and book for managing mood, creating state changes, and building self-trustHow to shift from constant overcompensation to strategies that work with an ADHD brainWhy naming the experience and accessing targeted support restores clarity and meaningSupport the MovementEvery human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter.Wear it. Live it. Show it.https://StartMattering.comDisclaimerThe Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a licensed physician, therapist, or other qualified professional.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if the "stones" of your success, the titles, the trophies, and the milestones, feel loose and unconnected because you’ve ignored the invisible bond meant to hold them together?In this powerful solo episode of Passion Struck, host John R. Miles explores "The Mortar of Connection." Drawing on the collective intelligence theories of Steven Sloman and the psychological insights of Alex Imas, John explains why the "Hollow High" occurs when we optimize for the "win" while neglecting the "join."This episode takes you from the ancient Giza plateau to the modern boardroom to discover the "alchemy of the mix." You will learn how to transition from Quiet Disorientation to a life of Unity over Uniformity, using your Sacred Values as the grit that makes your connections unshakeable. It’s an invitation to stop bidding on a life that doesn’t fit and start building a structure that can finally support the weight of a life that matters.Passion Struck is the #1 alternative health podcast and personal growth podcast dedicated to human flourishing and the science of mattering. It is ranked #1 on FeedSpot’s list of the Top Passion Podcasts on the Web, recognizing the show’s ongoing commitment to thoughtful, human-centered conversations like this one.Check the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/finding-meaning-after-success/All links gathered here, including books, Substack, YouTube, and Start Mattering apparel: https://linktr.ee/John_R_MilesKey Quote: "The cost of conviction is the grit in the mortar; without it, connections crumble under pressure, but with it, meaning seals the architecture against isolation’s erosion." — John R. MilesIn This Episode, You Will Learn:The Alchemy of the Mix: Why meaning lives in the "Between Us" space and how collective intelligence turns a pile of rocks into a sanctuary.The Grit of Conviction: How to identify your Sacred Values and why they are the non-negotiable "grit" required for connections to hold under pressure.Avoiding the Winner’s Curse: A deep dive into Alex Imas's research on why we overpay for "stones" that actually weaken our internal structure.The Application vs. The Pit: Why meaning is an act of application, and how to move your values from the "pit of someday" to the joints of your current relationships.The Miracle of the Cure: Understanding the "Setting" process of our choices and why unity—not uniformity—is the ultimate goal of a cured life.Extraction vs. Circulation: How to stop treating life as an auction to be won and start seeing it as an architecture to be inhabited.The Mortar of Connection Companion ResourcesDownload our free digital companion workbook featuring practical reflections on avoiding the Winner's Curse, identifying your "sacred grit," and mapping your own collective layers of meaning. Explore the guide:Connect with the EcosystemPre-order You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/Support the Movement: https://StartMattering.comJoin The Ignited Life Community: https://TheIgnitedLife.netDisclaimerThe Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a licensed physician, therapist, or other qualified professional.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if “winning” isn’t proof of intelligence, but evidence that something went wrong?In this compelling episode of Passion Struck, behavioral economist Alex Imas joins John R. Miles to unpack The Winner’s Curse, a powerful concept from behavioral economics that explains why smart, capable people systematically overpay, overcommit, and double down on bad decisions.Drawing from his research and his forthcoming book co-authored with Nobel Laureate Richard Thaler, Alex reveals how the Winner’s Curse shows up far beyond auctions and markets—shaping career choices, relationships, investments, leadership decisions, and even how we interact with AI-driven systems. When competition, uncertainty, and ego collide, the “winner” is often the person who misunderstood the situation the most.John and Alex explore why human decision-making breaks down under uncertainty, how mental representation distorts the choices we think we’re making, and why loss aversion and sunk costs keep us chasing outcomes that no longer serve us. They also examine how modern technology and algorithms don’t correct these flaws but often amplify them.At its core, this episode is about reclaiming agency in an irrational world: learning to recognize when confidence is misleading, when winning comes at too high a cost, and how better decisions begin not with smarter thinking, but with clearer framing. If you’ve ever wondered why success sometimes feels hollow, why “winning” creates regret, or why intelligent people repeat the same costly mistakes, this conversation will change how you see choice itself.Passion Struck was recently ranked #1 on FeedSpot’s list of the Top Passion Podcasts on the Web, recognizing the show’s ongoing commitment to thoughtful, human-centered conversations like this one.Check the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/the-winners-curse-alex-imas/Download a Free Companion Workbook with reflection prompts tied to this episode.All links gathered here, including books, Substack, YouTube, and Start Mattering apparel:https://linktr.ee/John_R_MilesPre-order You Matter, Luma:https://youmatterluma.com/For more about Alex Imas:https://www.chicagobooth.edu/faculty/directory/i/alex-imasIn this episode, you will learnWhy the Winner’s Curse means the “winner” often made the biggest mistakeHow behavioral economics challenges the myth of rational decision makingWhat mental representation is and how it distorts the choices we believe we’re makingWhy loss aversion and sunk costs keep us chasing bad outcomesHow uncertainty, competition, and ego interact to produce overconfidenceWhy AI and algorithms often magnify human bias instead of correcting itPractical ways to slow down decisions and avoid costly “wins.”Support the MovementEvery human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter.Wear it. Live it. Show it.https://StartMattering.comDisclaimerThe Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a licensed physician, therapist, or other qualified professional.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if many of our most heated debates and divisions aren't really about facts or outcomes, but about clinging to sacred values that feel absolute and non-negotiable?In this eye-opening episode of Passion Struck, cognitive scientist Dr. Steven Sloman joins John R. Miles to unpack his groundbreaking book, The Cost of Conviction: How Our Deepest Values Lead Us Astray (MIT Press, May 2025).Drawing on decades of research into how we think individually and collectively, Steven reveals why we often prioritize "right vs. wrong" sacred values over practical consequences—leading to oversimplification, outrage, polarization, and even extremism. From the illusion of explanatory depth (where we overestimate our understanding) to taboo and tragic trade-offs, this conversation explores how sacred values unite communities, define identities, and drive history, yet also create barriers to dialogue on issues such as abortion, immigration, climate change, and political conflict.John and Steven dive into real-world examples: the rise of zealotry from ancient Judea to modern times, the shifting values among young men, the role of belonging in group identity, and why reframing conversations around consequences (rather than slogans) offers a path to better decisions, adversarial cooperation, and reduced division. At its heart, this episode is a call to question certainty, respect expertise, and balance conviction with humility—reminding us that true wisdom lies in thinking harder about outcomes, even when sacred values feel compelling.Passion Struck was recently ranked #1 on FeedSpot’s list of the Top Passion Podcasts on the Web, recognizing the show’s ongoing commitment to thoughtful, human-centered conversations like this one.Check the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/sacred-values-cost-of-conviction-steven-sloman/Download a Free Companion Workbook with prompts about this episodeAll links gathered here, including books, Substack, YouTube, and Start Mattering apparel: https://linktr.ee/John_R_MilesPre-order You Matter, Luma - https://youmatterluma.com/For more about Dr. Steven Sloman: https://copsy.brown.edu/people/steven-slomanPurchase The Cost of Conviction: https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262049825/the-cost-of-conviction/ (Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook)In this episode, you will learnWhy sacred values simplify decisions but often ignore real consequences, fueling polarization and conflictThe difference between consequentialist thinking (outcomes-focused) and sacred values (right/wrong actions)How the knowledge illusion leads us to rely on community slogans rather than deep understandingWhat taboo tradeoffs (refusing to compromise sacred values for gain) and tragic tradeoffs (competing sacred values) reveal about human natureWhy sacred values tie us to belonging and identity, but drive us to distinguish and demonize "the other side."Practical ways to spot sacred value reliance: Ask "Why am I doing this?" and focus on explainable consequencesSupport the MovementEvery human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it. https://StartMattering.comDisclaimerThe Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a licensed physician, therapist, or other qualified professional.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if the quiet emptiness after achieving "success"—the promotion, the house, the milestone—isn't failure, but a signal to build deeper meaning?In this solo episode of Passion Struck, host John R. Miles introduces the architecture of significance: a blueprint for shifting from a life that's a monument to yourself to one that becomes a shelter for others.Building on insights from Dr. Stephen G. Post and Mark Nepo, John explores the hidden foundation of inherent worth, the pillars of circulation that turn contribution into connection, the windows of mature perception that move from facade to true presence, and the roof of shelter that protects what matters most.This episode explains why success often feels hollow, how significance creates flow rather than extraction, and why your quiet, real presence may be the greatest gift you offer in 2026. It's an invitation to inhabit your worth, circulate meaning, and become the shelter others need.Passion Struck with John R. Miles was recently ranked #1 on FeedSpot’s list of the Top Passion Podcasts on the Web, recognizing the show’s ongoing commitment to thoughtful, human-centered conversations like this one.Check the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/build-an-architecture-of-significance/All links gathered here, including books, Substack, YouTube, and Start Mattering apparelhttps://linktr.ee/John_R_MilesFor more about John R. Miles - https://johnrmiles.com/Pre-order You Matter, Luma - https://youmatterluma.com/The Architecture of Significance Companion ResourcesPractical reflections and contemplative prompts to map your shift from success to significance, including exercises on recognizing your foundation, identifying circulation pillars, and reframing perception.Explore the companion guide: https://www.theignitedlife.net/p/becoming-an-architect-of-significanceIn this episode, you will learnWhy the "hollow quiet" after success has a structure, and how to recognize itHow reclaiming inherent worth forms the unshakeable foundation of significanceThe difference between extraction (success) and circulation (meaning) in daily lifeWhy mature attention shifts from facade (impressing others) to windows (truly seeing)How immersion in the ordinary creates deeper resonance than chasing intensityWhy building a "shelter" for others is the ultimate evolution of a meaningful lifeSupport the MovementEvery human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.https://StartMattering.comDisclaimerThe Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a licensed physician, therapist, or other qualified professional.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if living with an open heart, especially in times of loss, uncertainty, and division, is not a matter of willpower or optimism, but a quiet and courageous practice of presence?In this episode of Passion Struck, poet, philosopher, and cancer survivor Mark Nepo joins John R. Miles for a deeply human conversation about acceptance, aliveness, and what it means to live with an open heart in a fractured world.Drawing on his lifelong body of work, including The Book of Awakening and his newest book, The Fifth Season: Creativity in the Second Half of Life, Mark explains that acceptance is not resignation but an act of cooperating with truth. Together, John and Mark explore why the heart is our strongest muscle, how immersion, rather than achievement, brings us to life, and why caring fully for what is right in front of us may be the most meaningful form of compassion we have.This episode weaves together stories of grief, creativity, aging, and meaning. From feeding a dying parent applesauce to the metaphor of the meteor that burns away what no longer matters, Mark reveals how life becomes clearer when we stop holding back.At its core, this conversation is an invitation to stay present even when life is difficult, to say yes to life even when it breaks us open, and to remember that our presence, here and now, truly matters.Passion Struck with John R. Miles was recently ranked #1 on FeedSpot’s list of the Top Passion Podcasts on the Web, recognizing the show’s ongoing commitment to thoughtful, human-centered conversations like this one.Check the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/mark-nepo-interview-fifth-season-book/All links gathered here, including books, Substack, YouTube, and Start Mattering apparelhttps://linktr.ee/John_R_MilesFor more about Mark Nepohttps://www.marknepo.com/Pre-order You Matter, Lumahttps://youmatterluma.com/The Fifth Season Companion ResourcesPractical reflections and contemplative prompts inspired by Mark Nepo’s teachings on presence, creativity, and aging with intention.Explore the companion guide: https://www.theignitedlife.net/p/the-courage-to-stay-awake-to-life-mark-nepoIn this episode, you will learnWhy acceptance is not about giving up, but about cooperating with truthHow the heart functions as our strongest muscle and most reliable compassThe difference between nostalgia and the healing use of memoryWhy dreams remain essential to aliveness in the second half of lifeHow immersion, not excellence, creates meaning and creativityA simple question that reveals whether something is life-giving or life-drainingHow the metaphor of the meteor explains why aging can bring greater clarityWhy caring deeply for the smallest detail connects us to the wider human storyWhat it means to say yes to life in a way that affirms that you matterHow widening your inner horizon helps right size fear, grief, and sufferingSupport the MovementEvery human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter.Wear it. Live it. Show it.https://StartMattering.comDisclaimerThe Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a licensed physician, therapist, or other qualified professional.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if the most powerful force for healing division, reducing stress, and finding lasting inner peace wasn't elusive or mystical, but a practical, science-backed way of living accessible to everyone?In Episode 712 of Passion Struck, renowned researcher, bestselling author, and founder of the Institute for Research on Unlimited Love, Dr. Stephen G. Post, joins John R. Miles to explore "Pure Unlimed Love" as the ultimate unifying energy, blending science, spirituality, and compassionate action, with a foreword by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.Drawing from over 40 years of groundbreaking studies on altruism, giving, and well-being, plus personal stories of interconnectedness and mentorship with Sir John Templeton, Dr. Post reveals the Wheel of Love (10 expressions like compassion, mirth, forgiveness, and carefrontation) and the Seven Paths to Inner Peace: giving generously, healing with kindness, following your calling, raising kind children, knowing the one mind, cherishing nature, and honoring the spirit of freedom.Together, John and Dr. Post discuss the health benefits of kind giving, why mothers' love hints at non-local consciousness, practical ways to model kindness for the next generation, and how unlimited love can renew our divided world.Passion Struck with John R. Miles was recently ranked #1 on FeedSpot’s list of the Top Passion Podcasts on the Web, recognizing the show’s ongoing commitment to thoughtful, human-centered conversations like this one.Check the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/pure-unlimited-love/All links gathered here, including books, Substack, YouTube, and Start Mattering apparel: https://linktr.ee/John_R_MilesFor more about Dr. Stephen G. Post: https://www.stephengpost.com/Pre-order You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/Pure Unlimited Love Companion ResourcesPractical reflections and exercises to cultivate the Wheel of Love and Seven Paths in daily life.Explore the companion guide: https://www.theignitedlife.net/p/pure-unlimited-love-scienceIn this episode, you will learn:The definition of pure unlimited love: When the security and well-being of another is as meaningful to you as your ownThe Wheel of Love: 10 concrete expressions including compassion, mirth, forgiveness, listening, creativity, and carefrontationThe Seven Paths to Inner Peace and how to integrate them for personal and societal flourishingScience-backed benefits of kind giving: Reduced stress, greater happiness, purpose, and even physical healthWhy following your calling from an early age leads to a balanced, meaningful lifeStories of the "one mind": Interconnected consciousness beyond the brain, including maternal intuitionPractical ways parents can model and raise kind children in today's cultureHow honoring the spirit of freedom, intertwined with lov,e liberates rather than bindsSupport the MovementEvery human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter.Wear it. Live it. Show it.https://StartMattering.comDisclaimerThe Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a licensed physician, therapist, or other qualified professional.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if the key to thriving in 2026 isn't expanding your network or chasing global impact, but intentionally shrinking your world to the size your brain was built for?In this first solo episode of 2026, Episode 711 of Passion Struck, John R. Miles explores the profound mismatch between our hunter-gatherer brains (evolved for tribes of under 150 people) and the demands of an 8-billion-person world. Drawing on Dunbar's number, psychology, and the themes of The Season of Becoming, John unpacks why endless social feeds, polarized news, and constant connectivity leave us anxious, burned out, and divided.He explains how focusing on your true "tribe" of 150 restores peace, deepens connections, and amplifies your real impact, without the exhaustion of treating everyone as a potential ally or threat. This isn't about isolation. It's about reclaiming energy for what truly matters: presence, meaning, and relationships that sustain you.If you're entering 2026 feeling overwhelmed by the world's noise or ready to reset for deeper fulfillment, this episode offers a compassionate blueprint to come home to your natural scale.Before the goals and habits, reclaim the space where true flourishing begins.Resources and LinksCheck the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/dunbars-number-explained-why-we-need-150-in-2026/All links gathered here, including books, Substack, YouTube, and Start Mattering apparel: https://linktr.ee/John_R_MilesPre-order You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/Tribe Mapping Companion WorkbookIdentify Your 150. Release the Rest. Build True Belonging.Reflection prompts and exercises to map your core tribe, name what to release from large-group weight, and create habits for deeper connections in 2026.Download the free Companion Workbook at: https://open.substack.com/pub/passionstruck/p/dunbars-number-150-thrive-2026/In this episode, you will learn:Why our brains are wired for tribes of 150 and how modern life creates constant mismatch and exhaustionThe science of Dunbar's number and its role in anxiety, burnout, and divisionHow shrinking your world restores focus, empathy, and real impact without isolationPractical ways to identify and nurture your true tribe in 2026Why large-group thinking treats others as threats and how small-scale living rebuilds peaceReflections on The Season of Becoming and stepping into a year of intentional presenceSupport the MovementEvery human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter.Wear it. Live it. Show it.https://StartMattering.comDisclaimerThe Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed are those of John R. Miles and do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a licensed physician, therapist, or other qualified professional.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if one of the most personal decisions a woman can make (when and whether to become a mother) became a public act of courage that shifted the conversation for an entire generation?In Episode 710 of Passion Struck, Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-CA) joins John R. Miles for a deeply human conversation that has nothing to do with politics and everything to do with agency, worth, and vulnerability.At 31, newly sworn into Congress, Sara froze her eggs to preserve the option of motherhood on her own timeline. At 36, still serving, she returned for two more rounds and chose to speak openly about the physical toll, emotional weight, and empowering choice behind it.Sara shares the raw realities (hot flashes, intense cravings, acne, and the surprising joy of taking control), why she rejects pity for empowerment, and how radical vulnerability has become her superpower in leadership. She challenges the idea that women must be perfect to lead, explains why fertility is not just a “women’s issue,” and calls on male leaders to recognize their experience represents only half the story.If you’ve ever felt pressure to follow a prescribed path or wondered how authenticity can reshape both personal life and public policy, this conversation is for you.Check the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/sara-jacobs-egg-freezing/All links gathered here, including books, Substack, YouTube, and Start Mattering apparel: https://linktr.ee/John_R_MilesFor more about Congresswoman Sara Jacobs: https://sarajacobs.house.gov/Pre-order You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/Radical Vulnerability Companion WorkbookReflect. Reclaim Agency. Redefine Worth.Gentle prompts and exercises to explore your own relationship with choice, vulnerability, and self-worth, inspired by Sara’s journey and the message that you matter exactly as you are.Download the free Companion Workbook at: https://www.theignitedlife.net/p/sara-jacobs-radical-vulnerabilityIn this episode, you will learn:Why Sara Jacobs chose egg freezing twice while serving in Congress and why she frames it as empowerment, not lossThe surprising physical and emotional realities of the process (from hot flashes to intense cravings)How radical vulnerability became Sara’s leadership superpower and why perfection is the enemy of connectionWhy fertility and reproductive choices are not “women’s issues” but human issues that demand broader understandingThe danger of tying women’s worth to motherhood and how redefining agency frees us allWhat Sara wants the next generation of women (and men) to internalize about authenticity, choice, and speaking upSupport the MovementEvery human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter.Wear it. Live it. Show it.https://StartMattering.comDisclaimerThe Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a licensed physician, therapist, or other qualified professional.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if entering "the zone" wasn't a rare accident reserved for elite athletes, but a repeatable skill anyone could train, just like strength or focus?In Episode 709 of Passion Struck, NBA mindset coach, bestselling author, and peak performance expert David Nurse joins John R. Miles to reveal why flow state has been misunderstood as elusive when a science-backed, step-by-step system actually governs it he calls The Flow Code Formula.Drawing from his work with over 150 NBA stars, Fortune 500 CEOs, and groundbreaking neuroscience research, including the 10-Hertz alpha wave state, David breaks down how optimal anxiety, identity shifts, and personal triggers turn stress into a superpower and distraction into deep immersion.Together, John and David explore the neuroscience of trainable flow, why "proving yourself" blocks the zone while "being yourself" unlocks it, and real stories from sprinting with Usain Bolt to climbing with Alex Honnold that prove peak performance is accessible to all.Check the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/unlocking-the-flow-code-formula-david-nurse/All links gathered here, including books, Substack, YouTube, and Start Mattering apparel: https://linktr.ee/John_R_MilesFor more about David Nurse: https://www.davidnurse.com/Pre-order You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/Flow Code Companion WorkbookIdentify Your Triggers. Harness Optimal Anxiety. Enter the Zone.Reflection prompts and practical exercises to map your personal flow triggers, navigate the Yerkes-Dodson curve, and build daily habits for the 10-Hertz state.Download the free Companion Workbook at:In this episode, you will learn:The Flow Code system: A neuroscience-backed formula to trigger peak performance on demandWhy optimal anxiety is the gateway to flow—not the enemy—and how to use stress as fuelThe power of "The Shift": Moving from proving yourself to simply being yourselfReal lessons from elite performers, including Usain Bolt, Alex Honnold, and NBA superstarsHow the 10-Hertz alpha state works and practical ways to access itWhy your identity ("who") must always lead your actions ("do") for sustainable flowSupport the MovementEvery human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter.Wear it. Live it. Show it.https://StartMattering.comDisclaimerThe Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a licensed physician, therapist, or other qualified professional.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if the real reason most teams fail has nothing to do with talent, effort, or motivation?In Episode 708 of Passion Struck, New York Times bestselling author and Leadership IQ founder Mark Murphy joins John R. Miles to reveal why even the most innovative, most driven teams quietly fall apart. Drawing on decades of research and his latest work on high-performance teams, Mark explains why misalignment, unclear roles, and unspoken expectations are the hidden forces that derail results.Together, John and Mark explore the five critical roles every successful team needs, why traditional team building often backfires, and how leaders can diagnose what is missing before dysfunction sets in. From elite sports teams and legendary bands to Navy SEAL units and corporate cultures, this conversation reframes leadership as an act of alignment rather than control.If you are entering a new year thinking about leadership, culture, or the kind of team you want to build or belong to, this episode will fundamentally change how you see collaboration.Listen. Reflect. Build better.Check the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/building-winning-teams-mark-murphy/All links gathered here, including books, Substack, YouTube, and Start Mattering apparel: https://linktr.ee/John_R_MilesTeam Players Companion WorkbookIdentify the Roles. Close the Gaps. Build Alignment.Reflection prompts and practical exercises to help you assess your team, uncover role gaps, and lead with clarity in the year ahead.Download the free Companion Workbook at: https://www.theignitedlife.net/p/team-players-mark-murphyIn this episode, you will learn:Why most teams fail due to misalignment rather than lack of talentThe five essential roles every high performing team must have and what happens when one is missingWhy traditional team building often creates more friction instead of trustHow elite teams, from professional sports to special operations units, adapt leadership based on contextHow to identify your own natural role and help others play to their strengthsWhat leaders can do when they cannot hire new people but still need better performanceSupport the MovementEvery human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter.Wear it. Live it. Show it.https://StartMattering.comDisclaimerThe Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a licensed physician, therapist, or other qualified professional.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if real transformation does not begin with what we add, but with what we finally allow to end?In this deeply reflective Christmas Day solo episode of Passion Struck, Episode 707, John R. Miles invites listeners into the quiet, liminal space between the year that is closing and the life that is still taking shape. Rather than rushing toward resolutions, this episode explores the power of gentle endings and the release of old stories, habits, and self-protections that have outlived their purpose.Drawing on psychology, lived experience, and the themes of The Season of Becoming, John unpacks the quiet cost of carrying what is finished, the unexpected beauty that emerges when we let go without violence to ourselves, and how gentleness creates the space where imagination, flow, and renewal can return.This episode is not a call to fix yourself. It is an invitation to lay something down.If you are entering the new year feeling tired, tender, or quietly ready for change, this episode offers a different starting point, one rooted in compassion, presence, and honest release.Before the resolutions come the revelations, before the beginning, let something end.Resources and LinksCheck the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/before-the-new-year-begins-let-something-end/All links gathered here (books, Substack, YouTube, community):https://linktr.ee/John_R_MilesA Gentle Ending PracticeReflection prompts, a simple release ritual, and space to name what is ready to rest. Designed to help you enter the new year lighter, clearer, and more present.Download the free Companion Workbook at: https://www.theignitedlife.net/p/let-something-end-before-the-yearSupport the MovementEvery human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter.Wear it. Live it. Show it.https://StartMattering.comDisclaimerThe Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed are those of John R. Miles and do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a licensed physician, therapist, or other qualified professional.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.