What if the very thing you’ve been trying to hide, your awkwardness, was actually the key to deeper connection, stronger leadership, and unbreakable confidence?

In Episode 701 of Passion Struck, workplace performance expert and bestselling author Henna Pryor joins John R. Miles to unpack her groundbreaking book Good Awkward and expose the hidden crisis she calls Social Muscle Atrophy, the slow erosion of our ability to handle normal human interaction in a world gone hybrid and hyper-polished.

Henna drops the stat that stops everyone cold: 30 % of employees would rather clean a toilet than ask a coworker for help. The cost? Billions in lost innovation, fractured trust, and a growing “mattering gap” at work.

But the fix isn’t more communication training.

It’s learning to get good at being awkward on purpose.

If you’ve ever stayed silent when you wanted to speak up, rehearsed a conversation 47 times and still didn’t have it, or felt like an imposter in your own life, this episode is your permission slip to stop polishing and start connecting.

Listen. Watch. Go Deeper.

Check the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/good-awkward-psychological-safety-confidence/

All links gathered here — including books, Substack, YouTube, and Start Mattering apparel:

https://linktr.ee/John_R_Miles

The Good Awkward Workbook: 7 Micro-Courage Challenges to Rebuild Your Social Muscle

Reflection prompts + daily practice → Download the Companion Workbook

In this episode, you will learn:

1. Why awkwardness is the price of growth and how to pay it gladly
2. What Social Muscle Atrophy is costing your team and how to reverse it
3. The confidence myth we all need to retire
4. How embracing cringe builds psychological safety faster than perfection
5. Henna’s 5 science-backed practices to turn awkward moments into leadership superpowers
6. Why the future of work belongs to the willingly awkward

Support the Movement

Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter.

Wear it. Live it. Show it.

https://StartMattering.com

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a licensed physician, therapist, or other qualified professional.

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