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, why you can’t bypass your emotions, and how mindfulness isn’t about relaxing—it’s about awakening.

show up.

Click HERE for the full show notes

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Catch more of Jon Kabat-Zinn: https://jonkabat-zinn.com/

We also explore:

• The misunderstood purpose of meditation
• How to work with pain, fear, and overwhelm
• The dangers of spiritual bypassing
• Why being present is the most courageous act of our time
• The biological roots of connection, compassion, and consciousness

If you liked the show, please leave us a review—it only takes a moment and helps us reach more people! Don’t forget to include your Twitter or Instagram handle so we can thank you personally.

How to Connect with John:

• Connect with John on Twitter at @John_RMiles
• Follow him on Instagram at @John_R_Miles
• Subscribe to our main YouTube Channel and to our YouTube Clips Channel
• For more insights and resources, visit John’s website

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 high-achievers—especially leaders—often burn out not from doing too little, but from mismanaging their most finite resource: mental energy.

Click Here for the Full Shownotes

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If today’s episode sparked something in you, you’ll love The Ignited Life—our free Substack newsletter created to fuel your growth between episodes.

👉 Subscribe now at TheIgnitedLife.net.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why ROE (Return on Energy) is the real metric for modern leadership
• The four biggest energy leaks: Over-functioning, Over-identification, Overexposure, and Over-responsibility
• How high-functioning depression masks burnout in top performers
• Practical tools for restoring your emotional margin and protecting your energy
• The five essential “energy investments” that recalibrate your focus and clarity

How to Connect with John:

• Connect with John on Twitter at @John_RMiles
• Follow him on Instagram at @John_R_Miles
• Subscribe to our main YouTube Channel and to our YouTube Clips Channel
• For more insights and resources, visit John’s website

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 sabotaging genuine connection, how hybrid work is rewiring the way we engage, and what leaders can do to rebuild trust, motivation, and real collaboration. If you’re navigating digital communication, managing remote teams, or simply craving more meaningful connections in your workday, this episode will shift how you lead—and how you show up.

Click HERE for the full show notes

Explore More: The Ignited Life Newsletter

If today’s episode sparked something in you, you’ll love The Ignited Life—our free Substack newsletter created to fuel your growth between episodes.

👉 Subscribe now at TheIgnitedLife.net.

Catch more of Dr. Andrew Brodsky: https://abrodsky.com/

Together, John and Andrew explore:

1. The difference between physical, emotional, and psychological presence—and why they matter.
2. Why hybrid work may amplify disengagement if not intentionally designed.
3. How “performative busyness” is eroding real productivity and wellbeing.
4. The silent epidemic of disengagement—and how to detect and reverse it.
5. Research-backed tools for leaders to foster presence and connection.

If you liked the show, please leave us a review—it only takes a moment and helps us reach more people! Don’t forget to include your Twitter or Instagram handle so we can thank you personally.

How to Connect with John:

• Connect with John on Twitter at @John_RMiles
• Follow him on Instagram at @John_R_Miles
• Subscribe to our main YouTube Channel and to our YouTube Clips Channel
• For more insights and resources, visit John’s website

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 own moment of clarity during a pandemic-era talk, where she realized that despite her career achievements and public appearances, she was silently battling depression. This personal revelation inspired her pioneering research into high-functioning depression—a condition not yet formally recognized in the DSM-5 but experienced by millions.could actually fit into your modern routine, this episode is both grounding and uplifting.

Click HERE for the full show notes

Explore More: The Ignited Life Newsletter

If today’s episode sparked something in you, you’ll love The Ignited Life—our free Substack newsletter created to fuel your growth between episodes.

👉 Subscribe now at TheIgnitedLife.net.

Together, John and Judith explore:

1. The difference between burnout and high-functioning depression
2. The role of avoidance and scarcity trauma in over-functioning behavior
3. How societal pressure leads to performance-based identity and joy depletion
4. The neuroscience of joy and emotional numbing (anhedonia)
5. Dr. Judith’s 5 Vs Framework: Validation, Venting, Values, Vitals, and Vision

Catch more of Dr. Judith Joseph: https://drjudithjoseph.com/about/

If you liked the show, please leave us a review—it only takes a moment and helps us reach more people! Don’t forget to include your Twitter or Instagram handle so we can thank you personally.

How to Connect with John:

• Connect with John on Twitter at @John_RMiles
• Follow him on Instagram at @John_R_Miles
• Subscribe to our main YouTube Channel and to our YouTube Clips Channel
• For more insights and resources, visit John’s website

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 introduces H.O.M.E.—a four-part framework to help you build a mental ecosystem that supports resilience, alignment, and real emotional well-being.

Click here for full show notes!

Introducing — The Ignited Life

In our weekly Substack, I share tools, stories, and strategies to help you live with clarity, alignment, and purpose.

Subscribe to theignitedlife.net — and start building a life that reflects who you really are.

You’ll learn:

• Why habits alone won’t save you if they’re misaligned with your identity
• How relationships either reinforce your truth or drain it
• The role of meaning as a daily anchor, not just a big idea
• Why emotional space is the key to long-term sustainability

This episode is a blueprint for creating the internal and external conditions where you don’t just survive—you belong.

How to Connect with John:

• Connect with John on Twitter at @John_RMiles
• Follow him on Instagram at @John_R_Miles
• Subscribe to our main YouTube Channel and to our YouTube Clips Channel
• For more insights and resources, visit John’s website

Want to explore where you stand on the path to becoming Passion Struck? Take our 20-question quiz on Passionstruck.com and find out today!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 it’s hard. Janet shares her journey from Berklee College of Music to the Buddhist path, and how writing her “How Life Works” fiction series helped her bring timeless teachings into real, everyday life.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, drained by spiritual buzzwords, or wondered how ancient wisdom could actually fit into your modern routine, this episode is both grounding and uplifting.

Click HERE for the full show notes

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Together, John and Janet explore:

1. Joyous Effort is not about forcing or hustling—it's a compassionate commitment to growth and presence.
2. The Six Perfections (Paramitas) offer a practical framework for living with wisdom, generosity, and balance.
3. Routine, repetition, and practice—often overlooked—can be sacred tools for transformation.
4. You don’t need a monastery to practice spirituality; daily life is your training ground.

Catch more of Janet Ettele: https://janetettele.com/

Catch More of Passion Struck:

• My solo episode on 5 Proven Ways to Overcome Emotional Fatigue
• Can't miss my episode with Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche on How to Find Your Innate Basic Goodness
• Catch my interview with Natalie Namaste on How to Unleash Your Solar Plexus Power
• My interview with Sharon Salzberg on Building Equanimity in a Chaotic World
• Listen to my interview with Dandapani on How to Harness the Incredible Power of Your Mind

If you liked the show, please leave us a review—it only takes a moment and helps us reach more people! Don’t forget to include your Twitter or Instagram handle so we can thank you personally.

How to Connect with John:

• Connect with John on Twitter at @John_RMiles
• Follow him on Instagram at @John_R_Miles
• Subscribe to our main YouTube Channel and to our YouTube Clips Channel
• For more insights and resources, visit John’s website

Want to explore where you stand on the path to becoming Passion Struck? Take our 20-question quiz on Passionstruck.com and find out today!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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://passionstruck.com/joseph-nguyen-on-you-must-fight-for-inner-peace/

Joseph shares his personal story of chasing external success, hitting rock bottom, and discovering that true transformation begins by letting go of the thoughts that keep us stuck. The conversation delves into the root causes of mental suffering, the illusion of identity, and the myths around happiness and success that dominate modern life. With clarity and compassion, Joseph reveals how inner stillness and self-awareness can lead us out of anxiety, burnout, and overthinking—and into a life aligned with purpose, presence, and peace.

Catch more of Joseph Nguyen: https://josephnguyen.org/

Join the Ignition Room!

Join the new free Passion Struck Community to win Passion Struck merchandise! - The Ignition Room: https://station.page/passionstruck

Catch More of Passion Struck:

• My solo episode on Why Hustle Culture Is Toxic (And How to Break Free From It)
• Can't miss my episode with Homaira Kabir on How You Overcome the Tyranny of Perfection
• My episode with Susan Cain on What is the Happiness of Being Bittersweet
• Listen to my interview with Thomas Curran on Breaking Free From the Perfection Trap
• Catch my interview with Matthew Weintrub on the Psychedelic Origin of Religion
• Listen to my solo episode on Why You Should Avoid the Trap of Effortless Perfection

If you liked the show, please leave us a review—it only takes a moment and helps us reach more people! Don’t forget to include your Twitter or Instagram handle so we can thank you personally.

How to Connect with John:

• Connect with John on Twitter at @John_RMiles
• Follow him on Instagram at @John_R_Miles
• Subscribe to our main YouTube Channel and to our YouTube Clips Channel
• For more insights and resources, visit John’s website

Want to explore where you stand on the path to becoming Passion Struck? Take our 20-question quiz on Passionstruck.com and find out today!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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.

Drawing from research by Dr. Daniel Siegel, Carol Dweck, Martin Seligman, and others, this episode unpacks why reframing isn’t spin—it’s strategy. Through storytelling, psychology, and personal insight, John shows how to use the four LENS steps to reduce emotional reactivity, activate resilience, and reconnect with the values that define your best self.

Click here for the full shownotes: https://passionstruck.com/the-lens-framework-new-reframe-your-inner-world/

Join the Ignition Room!

Join the new free Passion Struck Community to win Passion Struck merchandise! - The Ignition Room: https://station.page/passionstruck

Key Takeaways:

• Reframing is not about denial—it’s about redefining the story.
• Cognitive reappraisal can regulate the brain’s threat response.
• Neuroplasticity means your brain can be trained to think differently.
• Learned optimism and growth mindset are skills, not traits.
• The LENS Method (Label, Examine, Name, Step) provides a practical path forward.
• When you shift your story, you shift your life.

If you liked the show, please leave us a review—it only takes a moment and helps us reach more people! Don’t forget to include your Twitter or Instagram handle so we can thank you personally.

How to Connect with John:

• Connect with John on Twitter at @John_RMiles
• Follow him on Instagram at @John_R_Miles
• Subscribe to our main YouTube Channel and to our YouTube Clips Channel
• For more insights and resources, visit John’s website

Want to explore where you stand on the path to becoming Passion Struck? Take our 20-question quiz on Passionstruck.com and find out today!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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: https://passionstruck.com/biet-simkin-how-to-wake-up-when-life-breaks-you/

Join the Ignition Room!

Join the new free Passion Struck Community to win Passion Struck merchandise! - The Ignition Room: https://station.page/passionstruck

Together, John and Biet explore:

• Why Biet believes suffering is not something to run from—but something to learn from
• The moment she lost everything—and how it led to radical transformation
• How sobriety became a technicolor awakening
• The connection between meditation, music, and mattering
• How to stop chasing external validation and reclaim your life from the inside out

Catch more of Biet Simkin: https://www.bietsimkin.com/

Catch More of Passion Struck:

• My solo episode on Why Hustle Culture Is Toxic (And How to Break Free From It)
• Can't miss my episode with Homaira Kabir on How You Overcome the Tyranny of Perfection
• My episode with Susan Cain on What is the Happiness of Being Bittersweet
• Listen to my interview with Thomas Curran on Breaking Free From the Perfection Trap
• Catch my interview with Matthew Weintrub on the Psychedelic Origin of Religion
• Listen to my solo episode on Why You Should Avoid the Trap of Effortless Perfection

If you liked the show, please leave us a review—it only takes a moment and helps us reach more people! Don’t forget to include your Twitter or Instagram handle so we can thank you personally.

How to Connect with John:

• Connect with John on Twitter at @John_RMiles
• Follow him on Instagram at @John_R_Miles
• Subscribe to our main YouTube Channel and to our YouTube Clips Channel
• For more insights and resources, visit John’s website

Want to explore where you stand on the path to becoming Passion Struck? Take our 20-question quiz on Passionstruck.com and find out today!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 at work—and how leaders can answer that call.

Click here for the full show notes: https://passionstruck.com/zach-mercurio-how-leaders-help-people-feel-seen/

Join the Ignition Room!

Join the new free Passion Struck Community to win Passion Struck merchandise! - The Ignition Room: https://station.page/passionstruck

Together, John and Zach explore:

• Why mattering is a survival instinct—not a luxury
• How invisibility and disengagement are symptoms of a “mattering deficit”
• What truly great leaders do to make people feel seen, heard, and needed
• The science behind “reflected appraisals” and how small actions affirm significance
• A simple, powerful framework: Noticing, Affirming, Needing

Whether you're leading a team, a family, or your own life, this episode will change the way you understand human motivation—and how to ignite potential by making others feel they matter.

Click to connect to Zach Mercurio - https://www.zachmercurio.com/

Catch More of Passion Struck:

• My solo episode on Why Hustle Culture Is Toxic (And How to Break Free From It)
• Can't miss my episode with Homaira Kabir on How You Overcome the Tyranny of Perfection
• My episode with Susan Cain on What is the Happiness of Being Bittersweet
• Listen to my interview with Thomas Curran on Breaking Free From the Perfection Trap
• Catch my interview with Matthew Weintrub on the Psychedelic Origin of Religion
• Listen to my solo episode on Why You Should Avoid the Trap of Effortless Perfection

If you liked the show, please leave us a review—it only takes a moment and helps us reach more people! Don’t forget to include your Twitter or Instagram handle so we can thank you personally.

How to Connect with John:

• Connect with John on Twitter at @John_RMiles
• Follow him on Instagram at @John_R_Miles
• Subscribe to our main YouTube Channel and to our YouTube Clips Channel
• For more insights and resources, visit John’s website

Want to explore where you stand on the path to becoming Passion Struck? Take our 20-question quiz on Passionstruck.com and find out today!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.