In this heartwarming and insightful conversation, John R. Miles sits down with Elias Weiss Friedman, the creator behind The Dogist, the beloved photo-documentary project with over 11 million followers, and author of This Dog Will Change Your Life.

Together, they explore how dogs have become not only our best friends but also our greatest teachers: modeling presence, emotional regulation, and unconditional love. From rescuing animals in Puerto Rico to photographing 50,000 dogs around the world, Elias reveals how each encounter is a story of joy, resilience, and connection.

John and Elias also discuss why dogs are “factories of empathy,” how they help combat loneliness and trauma, and what happens when we slow down long enough to really see and be seen by them.

This episode is a celebration of light, loyalty, and the life-changing power of our four-legged companions.

Read the full show notes: https://passionstruck.com/how-dogs-help-us-remember-we-matter/↗

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All episode resources—including guest links, John’s books You Matter, Luma and Passion Struck, The Ignited Life Substack, and the Start Mattering store—are gathered here:

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To learn more about Elias Weiss Friedman and The Dogist, visit thedogist.com.

🧠 About the Episode

• The Origin of The Dogist: How a layoff, a camera, and a love for storytelling sparked one of the most uplifting social media movements of our time.
• Dogs as Social Architects: Why walking a dog can transform neighbors into community and strangers into friends.
• The Light They Bring: How dogs embody optimism, presence, and nonjudgment—showing us what it means to live without ego.
• Healing Companions: From veterans with PTSD to overworked nurses, the science of how dogs regulate our emotions and restore hope.
• Human Invention, Canine Connection: Why breeds are a reflection of us—and what our relationship with dogs says about humanity itself.
• Rescue and Responsibility: The grit behind true rescue work and what it really takes to save a life.
• The Dog-Human Mirror: How dogs reflect who we are—and how, through them, we evolve into better versions of ourselves.

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