Passion Struck with John R. Miles

In this powerful Passion Struck episode, John R. Miles sits down with Dr. Judith Joseph—board-certified psychiatrist, clinical researcher, and author of High Functioning: Overcome Your Hidden Depression and Reclaim Your Joy . Together, they unpack the silent struggle of individuals who appear to “have it all together” while suffering emotionally beneath the surface. Dr. Judith opens up about her o...

What if the problem isn’t that you’re broken, but that your environment no longer reflects who you are? In this solo episode, John takes you inside one of the most overlooked truths about mental health: it doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It lives in the patterns, people, and places you move through every day. Sharing a personal story of hidden anxiety during a high-functioning season of life, he introd...

On this episode of Passion Struck, John R. Miles chats with Janet Ettele, author, musician, and student of Buddhist teacher Khentrul Lodrö Thayé Rinpoche, about how the principle of Joyous Effort can change the way we live, work, and grow. They dive into why living with purpose isn’t about ticking boxes or chasing external wins—it’s about how we keep showing up, with heart and intention, even when...

In this powerful episode of Passion Struck, John R. Miles sits down with Joseph Nguyen, author of the international bestseller Don't Believe Everything You Think , to explore the hidden battle between your thoughts and your true self. Together, they unpack why inner peace isn’t something you stumble upon—it’s something you must consciously fight for. Click here for the full show notes: https://pas...

In this powerful solo episode, John R. Miles explores a skill that could radically change how you experience adversity, uncertainty, and emotional overwhelm—reframing. But not the kind tied to false positivity or denial. Instead, John unveils the LENS Method, a practical, neuroscience-backed framework for transforming the story you tell yourself—so you can move from survival to self-mastery. Drawi...

In this raw and revealing conversation, Biet Simkin opens up about losing her mother, her child, and her way—then finding herself through sobriety, spirituality, and sound. From rock-bottom addiction to becoming a globally respected meditation guide, Biet shows how even life's darkest moments can become portals to awakening. Click here for the full show notes:Join the Ignition Room! Join the new f...

In this compelling conversation, John R. Miles is joined by Dr. Zach Mercurio, one of the world’s leading voices on purposeful leadership and the psychology of mattering. As the author of The Power of Mattering: How Leaders Can Cultivate a Culture of Significance (Harvard Business Review Press, 2025), Zach brings decades of research to a timely discussion on why people are craving something deeper...

When life feels uncertain, we don’t need more control—we need anchors. In this deeply personal and practical solo episode, Passion Struck host John R. Miles shares five transformative mental health habits that helped him reclaim stability during one of the most turbulent seasons of his life. From the invisible costs of burnout to the neuroscience of belonging and emotional regulation, John walks y...

In this inspiring and refreshingly candid conversation, Dr. Tiffany Moon—a board-certified anesthesiologist, entrepreneur, and reality TV star—opens up about her journey from high-achieving perfectionist to someone learning to prioritize joy, authenticity, and self-compassion. She shares powerful stories from her new book Joy Prescriptions , revealing how chasing success left her burned out and di...

In this thought-provoking episode of Passion Struck , host John R. Miles is joined by renowned neuroscientist Dr. Andrew Newberg, a pioneer in the field of neurotheology—the science at the intersection of the brain, belief, and spirituality. Together, they explore a powerful question: What makes us feel like we matter? Dr. Newberg shares groundbreaking research on how the brain processes spiritual...

In this solo episode, John R. Miles explores how mental health isn’t just about managing stress—it’s the invisible infrastructure of everything that gives life meaning. From personal breakdowns to societal myths about strength, John shares why ignoring mental well-being doesn’t delay the cost—it multiplies it—and what we can do to reclaim emotional sustainability. Join the new Passion Struck Commu...

What if the most important thing you could do in moments of confusion, fear, or identity crisis… was to pause and sit with the question, rather than race toward an answer? In a world that values certainty, performance, and instant solutions, Elizabeth Weingarten is offering something rare: a permission slip to not know. On this episode of the Passion Struck podcast, John R. Miles speaks with Eliza...

In this special live episode of Passion Struck, host John R. Miles welcomes New York Times bestselling author Gretchen Rubin to explore the timeless wisdom captured in her latest work, Secrets of Adulthood . Recorded at the vibrant Oxford Exchange in Tampa, Florida, this conversation dives deep into the small but powerful lessons that can transform the way we live, love, and grow. Gretchen Rubin,...

In this powerful episode of Passion Struck , John R. Miles sits down with Olympic silver medalist and skateboarding legend Tom Schaar, the first person in history to land a 1080—a mind-blowing three full spins mid-air. But Tom’s story isn’t just about defying gravity. It’s about defying doubt, embracing failure, and staying grounded while the world spins around you. At just 12 years old, Tom did w...

What if the key to unlocking your next big career move isn’t just mentorship—but sponsorship? In this episode of Passion Struck , host John R. Miles sits down with Dr. Rosalind Chow, a leading organizational behavior expert at Carnegie Mellon and author of The Doors You Can Open . Together, they unpack the transformative power of sponsorship—where people in positions of power actively advocate, en...

In Episode 601 of the Passion Struck podcast, host John R. Miles sits down with renowned Tibetan Buddhist meditation master, Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche, for a conversation that will stay with you long after it ends. Known for his radiant smile, open heart, and profound clarity, Rinpoche shares a perspective on emotional healing and inner peace that turns conventional thinking upside down. Rather than...

We tend to think of serendipity as something that just happens —a lucky break, a happy coincidence, a moment of chance. But what if it’s something deeper? In episode 600 of Passion Struck, host John R. Miles explores a powerful idea: serendipity becomes mattering the moment someone feels seen without expectation. It’s not just about luck. It’s about recognition—and how those unexpected, seemingly...

Imagine that your thoughts, cravings—even your emotions—aren’t entirely your own. That they’re being driven by trillions of microscopic organisms living inside you. It sounds like science fiction, but in Episode 599 of Passion Struck, Dr. Steven Gundry explains why this is scientific fact. Dr. Gundry, a former cardiothoracic surgeon turned gut health expert, joined me to discuss his new book The G...

In this deeply moving and empowering episode, John R. Miles sits down with Isabelle and Laura Hof—daughters of the legendary Wim Hof and trailblazers in their own right. They’ve taken the powerful techniques behind the Wim Hof Method and tailored them specifically for women through their new book Secrets of the Icewomen .This conversation explores the intersection of science, personal healing, and...

In Episode 597 of Passion Struck, host John R. Miles sits down with Dr. Gordon Flett, a pioneering psychologist whose decades of research have shaped our understanding of mattering—the feeling of being seen, valued, and significant. Dr. Flett, author of The Psychology of Mattering and Mattering as a Core Need in Children and Adolescents , explains how mattering is distinct from belonging and self-...

In Episode 596 of Passion Struck, host John R. Miles sits down with Dr. Emily Falk, a leading neuroscientist and expert in the science of behavior change. Falk is the Vice Dean of the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania, and the author of the Next Big Idea Club Must-Read book What We Value: The Neuroscience of Choice and Change .This powerful conversation explores...

In Episode 595 of the Passion Struck podcast, host John R. Miles sits down with bestselling author and spoken-word artist Humble the Poet to explore the emotional terrain of anxiety, self-worth, and resilience in a world that never slows down. They discuss themes from Humble’s new book Unanxious: 50 Simple Truths to Help Overthinkers Feel Less Stress and More Calm , including how modern society fu...

What if the greatest disruption in business isn’t AI—it's a crisis of human connection? What if the leadership skills we once dismissed as “soft” are now the most essential powers for thriving in a fractured, fast-changing world? That’s exactly what today’s guest, Dr. Christie Smith, unpacks in her groundbreaking new book Essential: How Distributed Teams, Generative AI, and Global Shifts Are Creat...

What if the secret to lasting transformation isn’t bold, sweeping moves—but quiet, intentional actions? In this thought-provoking episode, John R. Miles interviews Stanford University psychologist Dr. Gregory Walton, whose groundbreaking research has reshaped how we understand belonging, mindset, and behavior change. Walton’s new book, Ordinary Magic , reveals how small, psychologically wise inter...

In Episode 592 of Passion Struck, host John R. Miles welcomes renowned organizational psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Tasha Eurich to discuss her powerful new book, Shatterproof: How to Overcome Adversity with Strength and Resilience , which debuts today. Full Shownotes here:   https://passionstruck.com/tasha-eurich-how-to-create-a-shatterproof-life/ Together, they dive deep into: The trut...