Passion Struck with John R. Miles

What happens after you’ve lived the dream—and it’s over? In this profound conversation, astronaut and Navy fighter pilot Susan Kilrain joins Passion Struck to explore her journey from humble beginnings in Georgia to piloting two Space Shuttle missions, becoming one of the few women to fly the F-14 Tomcat, and raising a family while married to a Navy SEAL.But this isn’t just a story about spaceflig...

What if the real key to emotional wellness isn’t in doing more, achieving more, or finally “getting it all together”—but in letting go of the need to? In this deeply grounding episode of Passion Struck, John R. Miles sits down with Oliver Burkeman, acclaimed author of Four Thousand Weeks and Meditations for Mortals , to explore why our obsession with control, productivity, and optimization may be...

In this essential episode of Passion Struck, John R. Miles sits down with cybersecurity expert Brad Deflin, founder of Total Digital Security, to explore why digital protection is no longer optional—it’s personal. As cyber threats evolve faster than ever, most people still rely on outdated solutions or remain dangerously unaware of their vulnerabilities. Brad explains how cybersecurity is no longe...

In Episode 638 of Passion Struck, John R. Miles sits down with Michelle Chalfant—renowned therapist, author, and creator of The Adult Chair model—to explore one of the most transformational frameworks for emotional and relational healing. At the heart of Michelle’s approach is a deceptively simple but powerful idea: we all live from one of three “chairs”—the Child, the Adolescent, or the Adult. Mo...

In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Steven Heine—pioneering cultural psychologist and author of Cultural Psychology and Start Making Sense —joins John R. Miles to explore how the self is not something we’re born with, but something shaped by the cultural systems we inhabit. Drawing on decades of research, Heine reveals how East and West construct identity in profoundly different ways—affecting...

In this powerful solo episode, John R. Miles explores the emotional architecture of transformation—starting with shadow awareness and ending with integration. You'll learn how your inner world shapes everything you lead, create, and care about. Through the R.A.R.E. Method (Recognize, Acknowledge, Reveal, Exchange), John offers a practical framework to help you stop reacting from old wounds and sta...

In this powerful episode of Passion Struck, John R. Miles sits down with Christopher D. Connors—executive coach to Fortune 100 leaders, bestselling author of The Champion Leader , and top instructor on LinkedIn Learning—to explore what it really takes to lead with impact in today’s fast-moving world. Christopher breaks down the difference between reactive and intentional leadership and shares the...

In this raw and powerful conversation, Keila Shaheen—author of the bestselling Shadow Work Journal —joins John R. Miles to explore what it really takes to heal. They unpack how shadow work reveals the hidden parts of ourselves that still seek protection, how journaling becomes a tool for self-trust, and why real transformation starts with emotional honesty. Whether you’re navigating burnout, ident...

Episode 633 kicks off the Power to Change series by challenging the myth that change must be dramatic to be meaningful. Through insights from experts like Katy Milkman, BJ Fogg, and Jud Brewer—as well as a personal story from Randy Blythe—John unpacks how behavior loops, emotional rewiring, and identity-focused habits form the foundation for sustainable transformation. This episode isn't about fix...

In this inspiring episode of Passion Struck, John R. Miles sits down with bestselling author, behavioral design expert, and speaker Karen Salmansohn to explore the transformative lessons from her new book You're to Die For Life: How to Maximize Joy and Minimize Regret Before Your Time Runs Out . Together, they unpack what it means to escape a “near-life experience” and create a life filled with me...

In Episode 631 of Passion Struck, John Miles sits down with bestselling author and global CEO advisor Dr. Bob Rosen to launch our new series The Power to Change. This episode delves into the often-overlooked truth behind personal transformation: that genuine change starts when we disentangle from the emotional narratives, behaviors, and beliefs that no longer serve us. Bob shares insights from his...

In this powerful close to The Connected Life series, John Miles pays tribute to the late Brian Wilson—co-founder of The Beach Boys—by exploring the theme of congruence: the often invisible alignment between our inner lives and outer expression. Using Wilson’s life as both mirror and message, this episode unpacks how misalignment creates disconnection and how real connection begins with self-trust....

In this episode of Passion Struck, John R. Miles is joined by renowned psychologists Dr. Eli Finkel and Dr. Paul Eastwick to explore how movies distort our understanding of love—and what decades of relationship science actually reveal. Together, they break down the myths of “destiny” vs. “growth” beliefs in romance, why initial attraction doesn’t always predict long-term success, and how cultural...

In this episode of Passion Struck, host John R. Miles sits down with Dr. Michael Morris, a leading cultural psychologist and professor at Columbia University, to explore the psychology of tribalism and belonging. Drawing from his new book Tribal: How the Cultural Instincts That Divide Us Can Help Bring Us Together , Michael explains how three evolutionary instincts—the Peer, Hero, and Ancestor Ins...

What happens when your values are tested in real-time—no script, no prep, and no exit ramp? In this vulnerable solo episode of Passion Struck, John R. Miles shares a deeply personal moment of conflict inside his hurricane-damaged home—an unexpected confrontation that became a defining test of presence, identity, and leadership. Out of that storm came a powerful framework: The R.E.A.C.T. Method. Bu...

In this powerful episode of Passion Struck, host John R. Miles welcomes renowned media coach and Emmy-winning journalist Bill McGowan, author of the new book Speak, Memorably: The Art of Captivating an Audience . With a client list that includes global leaders, celebrities, and top executives, Bill distills decades of experience into practical tools that anyone can use to transform the way they sp...

In this compelling episode of Passion Struck, John R. Miles sits down with Dr. Anna Lembke—renowned psychiatrist, Stanford professor, and bestselling author of Dopamine Nation —to unpack the invisible crisis of our times: how a world saturated with instant gratification is quietly numbing us, hijacking our attention, and severing our sense of connection. They explore the neuroscience behind addict...

Taylor Swift is one of the most famous people on the planet—but that’s not what makes her powerful. What makes her powerful is presence. In an era of curated lives and performative connection, Swift has done something rare: she’s made people feel seen. Not just heard, not just entertained—seen. And in today’s world, that’s a kind of emotional leadership we desperately need. This episode of The Con...

In this Passion Struck episode, Dr. David Hamilton—scientist, bestselling author, and expert in the mind-body connection—uncovers the extraordinary biology of kindness. Drawing from his background in pharmaceutical research and spiritual science, Dr. Hamilton explains how intentional kindness can lower inflammation, improve heart health, boost your immune system, and even reshape your brain. Toget...

What does it mean to live in alignment with your soul—and how can you access divine guidance in your everyday life? In this compelling episode, former Navy Commander turned spiritual teacher Suzanne Giesemann shares how she transitioned from skepticism to deep soul awareness after a personal tragedy shattered her worldview. Drawing from her signature approach, The Awakened Way ®, Suzanne offers a...

Welcome to Passion Struck Episode 621. This week, we start our new series, The Connect Life, with a solo deep dive into the truth behind meaningful connection. The kind that isn’t built on charisma, cleverness, or charm—but on something deeper: who you are, when you speak. We often think connection is external—about how we express, persuade, or lead. But in this episode, John flips that lens inwar...

In this raw and deeply human episode of Passion Struck, I sit down with Kass and Mike Lazerow—serial entrepreneurs, early investors in Scopely and Liquid Death, and authors of the powerful new book, Shoveling Sh!t: A Love Story About the Entrepreneur’s Messy Path to Success .We go far beyond startup strategy and dive into what most founders won’t say out loud: the loneliness, the identity loss, th...

In this powerful episode of Passion Struck, I'm joined by world-renowned mindfulness pioneer Jon Kabat-Zinn, founder of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and author of Full Catastrophe Living and Wherever You Go, There You Are .We dive deep into the essence of mindfulness—not as a buzzword, but as a radical invitation to fully feel our lives. Jon unpacks why true healing requires presence,...

In episode 618 of Passion Struck, host John R. Miles delivers a powerful solo reflection that caps off Mental Health Awareness Month with one essential question:"What’s the real Return on your Energy?"Drawing on recent interviews with Dr. Judith Joseph and Dr. Andrew Brodsky, as well as past solo episodes that introduced frameworks like H.O.M.E. and L.E.N.S., this episode unpacks how hig...

In this episode of Passion Struck, Dr. Andrew Brodsky—organizational psychologist, UT Austin professor, and author of PING: Mastering the Art of Virtual Communication —explores how presence, intention, and clarity have become the most undervalued skills in our increasingly virtual world. Drawing from his groundbreaking research and insights from PING, Brodsky reveals why performative busyness is s...