Passion Struck with John R. Miles

What if the life you’ve spent years building is actually a masterpiece you’re just a guest in? In the Purpose by Design series, John R. Miles explores why so many people optimize their lives for everyone else’s convenience while leaving no room for their own aliveness. Drawing from the cinematic realization of The Truman Show and the real-world social "exile" of Truman Capote, John challenges us to stop performing and start reclaiming our authorship. John dives into the spotlight moments," that force us to look up, the hidden 'performance contracts' we sign every day, and the three architectural shifts required to build a life of resonance rather than just utility. Passion Struck is the #1 alternative health and personal growth podcast dedicated to human flourishing and the science of mattering. Connect with John Keynotes, books, podcast, and resources: https://linktr.ee/John_R_Miles Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/ Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/ Book John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/ 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.

What if optimism isn’t about staying positive but about facing uncertainty with courage? In this episode of Passion Struck, I sit down with clinical psychologist and optimism expert Deepika Chopra to explore what she calls real optimism—a science-backed approach to resilience that has far less to do with positive thinking and far more to do with how we relate to possibility. Drawing from her new book The Power of Real Optimism , Deepika challenges one of the biggest myths in modern self-help: that optimism means ignoring hardship or forcing good vibes. We explore why positivity can sometimes undermine mental health, how the brain acts as an anticipation machine shaping what we expect from the future, and why expectations often influence outcomes more than wishful thinking. Passion Struck is the #1 alternative health and personal growth podcast dedicated to human flourishing and the science of mattering. Full Show notes : https://passionstruck.com/the-power-of-real-optimism-deepika-chopra/ Get the Companion Workbook : https://www.theignitedlife.net/p/the-science-of-real-optimism-7-10-rule Thank You to Our Sponsors Get Huel today with 15% OFF using code PASSION at huel.com/passion. New customers only. Connect with John Keynotes, books, podcast, and resources: https://linktr.ee/John_R_Miles Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/ Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/ Book John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/ 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.

What if some of the happiness, belonging, and meaning you’re looking for is hiding in conversations you never start? In this episode of Passion Struck, I sit down with social psychologist Nicholas Epley to explore the surprising science of human connection and why we consistently underestimate how much a little more social interaction can improve our lives. Drawing from his new book A Little More Social: How Small Choices Create Big Happiness , Nick reveals a profound paradox: We are wired for connection, yet every day we choose to be less social than we could be. And it may be costing us far more than we realize. We explore why talking to strangers often makes us happier than solitude, why we misjudge how others will respond to us, and how tiny “micro choices” of connection can dramatically influence happiness, health, and belonging. Nick shares the famous train study that launched years of research, the psychology of reciprocity, why we underestimate other people’s kindness, and how loneliness may be fueled not just by disconnection—but by mistaken assumptions about rejection. We also dive into the hidden ways comparison, adaptation, and secrecy can quietly block gratitude and closeness, and why some of the biggest transformations in life may begin with the smallest social risks. Passion Struck is the #1 alternative health and personal growth podcast dedicated to human flourishing and the science of mattering. Check out full show notes here: Explore companion insights for this episode at: Thank You to Our Sponsors Limited Time Offer – Get Huel today with my exclusive offer of 15% OFF online with my code PASSION at huel.com/passion. New customers only. Thank you to Huel for partnering and supporting our show! Preorder Nick's Book, A Little More Social : https://sites.prh.com/a-little-more-social Connect with John Keynotes, books, podcast, and resources: https://linktr.ee/John_R_Miles Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/ Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/ Book John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/ 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.

In this episode of Passion Struck, John R. Miles explores the Identity Gravity Trap and the psychological forces that pull us back into old orbits.

In this episode of Passion Struck, I sit down with psychologist Diana Hill to explore why energy management often matters more than time management

In this episode of Passion Struck, John sits down with Nobel Prize-winning economist Alvin Roth to explore how incentives, systems, and hidden structures shape human behavior

In this episode of Passion Struck, John R. Miles explores the psychology of resistance and the difficult move from utility to aliveness.

In this episode of Passion Struck, I sit down with Bill Burnett and Dave Evans, co-authors of How to Live a Meaningful Life

In this episode of Passion Struck, I sit down with Keila Shaheen, the million-copy bestselling author of The Shadow Work Journal, to explore The Light Work Journal.

In this high-stakes masterclass, John R. Miles introduces a new equation to measure what truly matters: the ROI of Aliveness.

In EP 752, John sits down with Angela Maiers to talk about Why You Feel Like You Don’t Matter (And How to Fix It)

In this powerful episode of the Passion Struck podcast, John interviews renowned social psychologist Claude Steele to explore his groundbreaking new book, Churn.

In this powerful solo episode of Passion Struck, John R. Miles exposes a hidden force shaping modern life: the Invisible Scoreboard.

In this episode of the Passion Struck podcast, I sit down with Wharton economist Corinne Low author of "Having It All."

Joining John is Harvard professor, social scientist, and bestselling author Arthur Brooks to discuss his powerful new book, The Meaning of Your Life.

In this urgent episode of Passion Struck, John R. Miles unpacks the "Big Tobacco moment" for the digital age.

Joining me is behavioral expert and bestselling author of Hooked and Indistractable, Nir Eyal, to discuss his groundbreaking new book, Beyond Belief.

In this episode of Passion Struck, host John Miles interviews Dr. Justin Garcia, evolutionary biologist and Executive Director of the Kinsey Institute, about his book "The Intimate Animal."

Drawing on the practical philosophy of Henry David Thoreau, John deconstructs the "high-definition, high-functioning" quiet desperation of modern life.

This episode explores identity, resilience, and intentional reinvention with Bianca D’Alessio, a powerhouse real estate broker, entrepreneur, TV personality, and author of Mastering Intentions.

Is technology making healthcare faster and more efficient, or is it making it more brittle, bureaucratic, and less human? Today, we zoom out to explore the systemic forces reshaping our lives with one of the most influential voices in modern medicine. Joining me is Dr. Robert “Bob” Wachter, chair of the Department of Medicine at UCSF and the "father of the hospitalist field," to discuss his landmark new book, "A Giant Leap." In this conversation, we challenge the notion that AI is merely another digital tool, such as the electronic health record (EHR). Bob explains why medicine has resisted disruption for so long and why we have reached a "gradually, then suddenly" moment where AI is finally capable of matching—and sometimes exceeding—the diagnostic mastery of elite physicians. We move from the "scar tissue" of past digital failures to the promising future of "doctor-in-the-loop" systems. Bob reveals how AI might actually be the key to solving physician burnout by handling the administrative "tapeworm" of healthcare, finally allowing clinicians to return to the bedside and the human connection that matters most. If you’ve ever wondered how to remain human in an increasingly automated world, this episode provides the systemic roadmap for navigating the intersection of high-stakes technology and human vulnerability. 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 and is consistently recognized as one of the world's top business and mindset podcasts. Check the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/a-giant-leap-how-ai-is-transforming-healthcare/ Download a Free Companion Reflection Guide: Connect with John (keynotes, books, podcast): https://linktr.ee/John_R_Miles Get the book A Giant Leap: How AI Is Transforming Healthcare and What That Means for Our Future: https://www.robertwachter.com/books In This Episode, You Will Learn:The Productivity Paradox: Why past healthcare technology increased burnout and how AI aims to succeed where EHRs failed.The "Doctor-in-the-Loop" Framework: Why maintaining human situational awareness is critical even as AI reaches elite diagnostic levels.Restoring Humanity to Medicine: How automating scribing and inbox management can give doctors the time to focus on empathy and judgment.The Trust Gap: Navigating the dangers of AI "hallucinations" and confident misinformation in high-stakes medical decisions.The Portrait Painter vs. The Photographer: How the role of the physician must evolve from technical mastery to moral agency and presence.Support the Movement. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it. https://StartMattering.com Disclaimer The 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.

In this powerful solo deep dive, John R. Miles continues the Life Beyond the Script series by naming the "identity gap."

Joining me is board-certified cardiologist, ABC News Chief Medical Correspondent, and author Dr. Tara Narula to discuss her powerful new book, The Healing Power of Resilience.

Joining me in Passion Struck episode 739 is the legendary Dave Asprey to discuss the groundbreaking insights in his new book, "Heavily Meditated."

In this profound solo deep dive, John R. Miles kicks off the Life Beyond the Script series by naming the quiet "off" feeling that high achievers often ignore.