Passion Struck with John R. Miles

In this eye-opening conversation, Dr. Kurt Gray, professor of psychology and author of the new book Outraged , joins John R. Miles to explore why we live in such a morally charged world—and what we can do to repair it. Together, they unpack the psychology behind outrage, the evolutionary roots of our moral minds, and why our perceptions of harm often drive us apart. Kurt shares powerful stories an...

In this episode of Passion Struck, host John R. Miles sits down with Donald Miller, bestselling author and founder of StoryBrand, to explore the transformational power of storytelling. They discuss the release of Building a StoryBrand 2.0 and how leaders can use narrative frameworks to connect, inspire, and drive action. Donald reveals how storytelling applies not just in marketing, but in family,...

What if the secret to career fulfillment isn’t a promotion, a new title, or more success — but something much deeper? In this powerful episode, John R. Miles is joined by Wes Adams and Tamara Myles, co-authors of Meaningful Work , to explore the essential ingredients behind truly engaging and fulfilling work. Drawing from years of research and leadership development, they break down how to cultiva...

In this powerful and inspiring episode of Passion Struck, Olympic figure skater and gold medalist Vincent Zhou joins John R. Miles to reveal what it truly takes to make your gold medal dreams a reality. From his early days as a fiercely competitive child to landing the first-ever quad Lutz in Olympic history, Vincent shares the grit, sacrifice, and relentless mindset required to compete at the hig...

In this episode of Passion Struck, host John R. Miles welcomes Anne-Marie Anderson, an accomplished broadcaster and author of " Cultivating Audacity ." They discuss the importance of audacity in personal and professional growth, the role of preparation, and how to build a supportive "front row" of trusted individuals in your life. Anne-Marie shares her journey in sports broadca...

In this episode of Passion Struck, John welcomes Nir Eyal, a behavioral designer and author known for his insights into human behavior and technology's impact on our lives. Eyal shares his journey into understanding distraction, rooted in his childhood experiences with obesity and emotional eating. He emphasizes that the real challenge today is not the abundance of information but the ability to f...

Financial security isn't just about numbers—it’s about emotions, security, and having control over your future. In this episode of Passion Struck , I bring you an insightful conversation from the Systems Catalyst podcast , featuring Carrie Joy Grimes (CJ), the founder of WorkMoney, a nonprofit dedicated to helping Americans save money, increase their financial stability, and build a better life. W...

In this enlightening episode of Passion Struck , host John R. Miles sits down with Bryant Wood, a renowned breathwork coach, healer, and expert in spiritual biohacking, to explore the profound intersection of mind, body, and spirit in personal transformation. Bryant shares his deeply personal journey—from a childhood rooted in faith to losing his spiritual connection, battling addiction, and ultim...

In this episode of Passion Struck, host John R. Miles welcomes Dr. Laurie Santos, a renowned psychologist and professor at Yale University, to discuss the importance of mattering in our increasingly busy and disconnected world. Dr. Santos shares insights from her popular Yale course, "Psychology and the Good Life," and her podcast, "The Happiness Lab," exploring how social conn...

In episode 582 of the Passion Struck podcast, host John R. Miles explores the often overlooked yet crucial role that small, intentional actions and moments of presence play in maintaining strong family connections. These seemingly insignificant moments are the glue that holds families together, ensuring that each member feels seen, heard, and valued. John dives into the subtle actions and decision...

In this episode of Passion Struck, host John R. Miles sits down with Dr. Sam Wilkinson to explore the profound impact of human connection on our sense of meaning and purpose. Dr. Wilkinson discusses the detrimental effects of our society's increasing disconnection from real human interaction and the overemphasis on individualism that has paradoxically led to more suffering. This conversation delve...

In this enlightening episode of Passion Struck , host John R. Miles sits down with Natalie Namaste, a holistic healer and energy channeler, to explore the solar plexus chakra—the energy center responsible for personal power, confidence, and self-worth. Natalie shares how this chakra influences our emotions, decision-making, and even physical health, while offering practical techniques to unlock it...

What if love doesn’t feel uncertain because of the person you’re with—but because you haven’t fully chosen yourself? Many people settle for relationships that leave them questioning their worth. This episode explores The Mattering Mindset in Love—the difference between being chosen out of love versus convenience, why self-worth determines the love we accept, and how to cultivate relationships that...

In this eye-opening episode of Passion Struck , host John R. Miles sits down with Dr. Sandra Matz, a psychologist and data scientist, to reveal the invisible forces shaping your thoughts, decisions, and behaviors. From social media algorithms to targeted advertising, we explore how data-driven systems are quietly hacking your free will—often without you even realizing it. Dr. Matz, author of Mind...

In this episode of Passion Struck, host John R. Miles welcomes Edward Fishman, a former top State Department sanctions official and author of the groundbreaking book Choke Points: American Power in the Age of Economic Warfare . The conversation delves into the evolving landscape of global power dynamics, where economic tools such as sanctions, export controls, and financial dominance have become t...

What if the missing piece in your love life isn’t about finding the right person—but about how you see yourself? In this episode of Passion Struck , John R. Miles explores the concept of mattering in love—why the way you perceive your own worth directly impacts the relationships you attract and accept. Too many people stay in relationships that leave them feeling unseen, undervalued, and emotional...

What if the key to unlocking peak performance and long-term well-being isn’t just about diet and exercise, but also about harnessing the power of oxygen, neurotransmitters, and cutting-edge health optimization tools? In this episode of Passion Struck, I welcome back Dr. Scott Sherr, a leading voice in hyperbaric medicine and health optimization. We break down the latest research and real-world app...

What if your deepest struggles could become the fuel for your greatest transformation? In this compelling conversation, Lamb of God frontman Randy Blythe shares his raw and personal journey of confronting addiction, navigating self-doubt, and ultimately finding peace within his inner battles. Randy opens up about how alcohol nearly consumed his life, the moment he knew he had to change, and how he...

Welcome back to Passion Struck! In today’s episode, we’re diving into the leadership metric that changes everything—mattering. Have you ever put everything into your work only to feel invisible? Like your contributions didn’t land, your ideas weren’t valued, and your presence didn’t really make a difference? That feeling—more than pay, promotions, or job security—is why people check out. People do...

Have you ever felt that your pursuit of excellence leaves you more stressed than satisfied? What if perfectionism isn’t a flaw to be fixed but a strength to be harnessed? In episode 572, John sits down with Katherine Morgan Schafler, psychotherapist, speaker, and author of The Perfectionist’s Guide to Losing Control: A Path to Peace and Power. Katherine’s groundbreaking approach challenges everyth...

In this episode of Passion Struck , host John R. Miles welcomes one of the world’s leading psychologists, Dr. Shige Oishi, to discuss his latest book, Life in Three Dimensions: How Curiosity, Exploration, and Experience Make a Fuller, Better Life . Dr. Oishi introduces the concept of psychological richness, a third dimension of well-being that goes beyond traditional notions of happiness and meani...

We’ve all been there—pushing, striving, chasing what we think will bring happiness. A bigger salary. A better title. More recognition. But what if the very thing you’re running toward is an illusion? In today’s episode, we’re breaking down the Mirage of More—the false promise that external success leads to internal fulfillment. We’ll explore why we keep chasing things that don’t sustain us, how to...

What if the key to unlocking your best life isn’t about control—but surrender? In this powerful episode, Eric Zimmer, renowned coach, podcast host, and behavioral change expert, shares why letting go is the ultimate catalyst for personal growth and transformation. We dive deep into the paradox of surrender—how embracing uncertainty, releasing resistance, and trusting the process can lead to greate...

In this episode of Passion Struck, host John R. Miles welcomes back Dr. Ethan Kross, a leading expert on emotions and self-regulation, to discuss his latest book, SHIFT . The conversation delves into the importance of understanding and managing our emotions, emphasizing that emotions should not be suppressed but rather harnessed as powerful tools for personal growth and resilience. The episode exp...

In this episode of Passion Struck, John dives deep into a critical conversation about the battle for our souls and the importance of reclaiming our purpose in a world that constantly distracts us from what truly matters. John shares his personal journey of disconnection, illustrating how the relentless pursuit of success and external validation can lead us to lose sight of our authentic selves. We...