Passion Struck with John R. Miles

Have you ever felt stuck—trapped by subconscious patterns, limiting beliefs, or the overwhelming need for certainty? What if the key to breaking through wasn’t outside of you, but within? In today’s episode, John sits down with Francesca Sipma, founder and CEO of Mastry and the creator of HypnoBreathwork®, a revolutionary method that combines breathwork, hypnosis, and visioning to help people clea...

In this enlightening episode, Dr. Dave Vago, renowned neuroscientist and mindfulness expert , joins us to explore how to live a more meaningful life by rewiring the brain for mattering. Drawing on his groundbreaking research at the intersection of neuroscience, mindfulness, and human flourishing, Dr. Vago unpacks the science behind our deep need to feel valued, connected, and significant. We delve...

Deep work isn’t just a productivity tool—it’s a transformative way to design a life that truly matters. In this episode, John redefines deep work as a practice of intention, energy management, and purpose-driven focus, and explore how it unlocks the five pillars to building a life that resonates with your values. You’ll learn how to move beyond shallow tasks, manage your energy effectively, and ha...

In this transformative episode of Passion Struck , host John R. Miles is joined by Dr. Alison Wood Brooks, a behavioral scientist, Harvard Business School professor, and author of the groundbreaking book TALK: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves . Together, they explore how intentional communication can deepen connections, affirm our sense of mattering, and unlock greater me...

In this episode of the Passion Struck Podcast , John R. Miles sits down with Dan Heath, the #1 New York Times bestselling coauthor of Made to Stick, Switch, The Power of Moments, and his latest transformative book, Reset: How to Change What’s Not Working . With over 4 million books sold worldwide, Dan shares his revolutionary framework for identifying what’s broken, leveraging small but impactful...

In this transformative episode of the Passion Struck Podcast , we dive into one of the most extraordinary leadership stories of our time: the Miracle on the Hudson. On January 15, 2009, Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger and his crew turned 208 seconds of crisis into an unforgettable triumph. But the true miracle wasn’t just Sully’s quick thinking or technical expertise—it was the culture of mat...

In this episode of Passion Struck , Dr. Adam Galinsky, renowned social psychologist and author of the compelling book Inspire: The Universal Path for Leading Yourself and Others , delves into what makes great leaders truly inspiring. Drawing from his extensive research, Galinsky explains how leadership exists on a universal continuum—from the inspiring leaders who fill us with hope and guide us to...

In this compelling episode of Passion Struck, host John R. Miles sits down with the esteemed psychologist and acclaimed author Dr. Rick Hanson to explore how we can find the good in life amidst its challenges. Dr. Hanson is celebrated for his work in mindfulness, positive neuroplasticity, and human connections, providing listeners with invaluable insights and practical strategies to thrive. Dr. Ha...

Why hope matters is a question we often overlook in the chaos of our daily lives. Yet, hope is far more than a fleeting emotion—it’s a transformative force that fuels resilience, rebuilds communities, and reminds us that we matter. In today’s episode of Passion Struck , we unpack why hope matters and how it connects to our deep need for significance. Drawing from Viktor Frankl’s powerful insights...

Today we have an extraordinary guest, Esther Dyson, a true visionary at the intersection of technology, health, and humanity. Esther is renowned for her transformative investments in groundbreaking companies like Square, Facebook, and Evernote, and for her bold initiatives in human well-being and systemic change. In this episode, we dive deep into Esther's journey from journalism to becoming one o...

In this deeply insightful episode of Passion Struck, we have the honor of hosting Max Lugavere, an acclaimed health journalist, filmmaker, and bestselling author. A personal experience profoundly influenced Max's profound journey into the field of brain health—his mother's diagnosis with Lewy body dementia in 2011. This life-altering event ignited his mission to uncover the scientific truths behin...

In this first solo episode of 2025, John explores the profound lessons of the Japanese philosophy of Wabi-Sabi and how it can transform the way we approach imperfection, growth, and purpose. Wabi-Sabi teaches us to embrace the beauty of life’s imperfections, find value in its incompleteness, and appreciate the fleeting nature of our experiences. Reflecting on both the challenges and opportunities...

In this transformative episode, John sits down with Dr. Kari Leibowitz, a Stanford-trained health psychologist and mindset science expert, to uncover the secrets to thriving during winter's toughest days. Dr. Leibowitz's groundbreaking research, detailed in her forthcoming book " How to Winter ," reveals practical strategies to embrace the cold, dark months and find joy and resilience in...

In this episode, Shira Gill shares insights from her newest book, LifeStyled , which breaks down how to streamline and simplify each area of your life. The book is designed to help readers clarify what's most important, strip away excess, and tackle life's common obstacles with realistic strategies. From transforming chaotic spaces into serene sanctuaries through her proven methodologies to empowe...

If you were visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come, what would they show you about how you’re living? Welcome to this special episode of the Passion Struck Podcast, where host John Miles explores the timeless story of A Christmas Carol. But instead of focusing on the well-trodden themes of redemption and holiday cheer, we’re uncovering a hidden gem: the spirit of matteri...

In this episode of the Passion Struck Podcast , James Arthur Ray and Bersabeh Ray delve into the profound forces that shape our lives—God, Money, and Sex. Together, they explore how mastering these three core human dilemmas can lead to greater fulfillment, resilience, and clarity. Through stories of personal transformation, they discuss the true nature of success, the role of inner values over mat...

In this inspiring episode of the Passion Struck Podcast , we sit down with Dr. Abraham George, a visionary philanthropist and founder of the Shanti Bhavan Residential School. For over two decades, Shanti Bhavan has been a beacon of hope, providing free, world-class education to children from India’s most marginalized communities. By breaking cycles of poverty and empowering students to attend top...

In this episode of the Passion Struck Podcast , John R. Miles dives into why happiness leads to success and how embracing joy, curiosity, and purpose can transform your life. Through the lens of Richard Branson’s inspiring journey, John uncovers how prioritizing happiness fuels resilience, creativity, and achievement. Learn how Branson turned obstacles into opportunities and aligned his actions wi...

In this enlightening episode of Passion Struck , we’re joined by Caroline Adams Miller, a trailblazing positive psychology expert and author of Big Goals . With a career spanning decades of research, coaching, and personal transformation, Caroline takes us on a journey to uncover the science behind setting and achieving meaningful goals that lead to flourishing lives. Caroline reveals strategies b...

In this captivating episode of Passion Struck , we are joined by Madison Marsh, the reigning Miss America and a trailblazer in every sense of the word. At just 23 years old, Madison is making history as the first active-duty Air Force officer to wear the crown. But her mission goes far beyond titles and accolades. She’s using her platform to raise awareness for pancreatic cancer, a cause deeply ro...

In a world where so many people feel unseen and unheard, the art of listening is more important than ever. In this episode, John R. Miles dives into how listening deeply and intentionally can validate someone’s worth, foster connection, and create a sense of belonging. Through powerful stories, scientific insights, and actionable takeaways, John explores how practicing the art of listening isn’t j...

In this insightful episode, John sits down with George Appling, author of Don't Settle and a self-proclaimed "passionpreneur," to explore how to make intentional career choices that align with your passions and goals. George shares his unique approach to career pathfinding, offering actionable steps to help you identify your ideal life and the work that supports it. Drawing on his expans...

In this inspiring episode of Passion Struck , bestselling author Jessica Zweig shares her transformative approach to unlocking your inner and outer light. Drawing from her book, The Light Work: Reclaim Your Feminine Power, Live Your Cosmic Truth, and Illuminate the World , Jessica provides a powerful framework for confronting inner shadows, building authentic relationships, and stepping into your...

In this solo episode of Passion Struck , host John R. Miles reflects on the challenge we all face: turning inspiration into action. Whether it’s a powerful idea from a book, TED Talk, or podcast, too often, the spark of motivation fizzles out before it leads to meaningful change. Drawing from recent conversations with Codie Sanchez and Kim Scott, John explores actionable ways to overcome this gap...

In this episode of the Passion Struck podcast, John R. Miles sits down with bestselling author and workplace culture expert Kim Scott to explore the transformative power of honest feedback and trust in leadership. Drawing from her groundbreaking books Radical Candor and Radical Respect , Kim delves into the core principles that help leaders foster open communication and build high-trust teams. Lin...