Passion Struck with John R. Miles

If you've been feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or like you're carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders, today's episode is for you.

What if the most important thing you bring into every room isn't your talent, your success, or even your intentions—but your emotional state?

In this episode, John R. Miles explores one of the most powerful shifts he's experienced through years of research, interviews, and personal reflection: every human being is an environment. The people you love don't just hear your words—they experience your presence. Your family, your friends, and your team are all shaped by the emotional climate you create.

Drawing on insights from conversations with Arthur Brooks, Jess Ekstrom, Guy Kawasaki, and Dr. Robert Waldinger, John explains why personal growth isn't a private journey. It's one of the greatest gifts you can give the people around you.

The greatest impact you'll ever have isn't just through what you accomplish—it's through the environment you create for the people who share your life.

Full Shownotes Here

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Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

• Website: https://johnrmiles.com
• Book John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/
• Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/
• Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Do you ever feel like technology knows you better than you know yourself?

Every day, algorithms influence what you see, what you buy, what you believe, and even how you measure your worth. Most of us think the biggest risk is losing our privacy. But what if the real danger is slowly losing sight of who we are?

In this episode of Passion Struck, John R. Miles sits down with entrepreneur and bestselling author Guy Kawasaki to explore why protecting your privacy is about far more than securing your personal information. It's about protecting your identity, your relationships, and your ability to make choices that reflect your values instead of someone else's algorithm. Together, they discuss how technology has evolved from tracking our behavior to shaping it, why social media has changed the way we define what it means to matter, and how small decisions about what we share—and what we choose to keep private—can help us reclaim our autonomy.

If you've ever wondered whether technology is changing who you are, this conversation will help you take back control—not by rejecting innovation, but by becoming more intentional about the life you choose to build.

Guy is personally offering a free copy of his latest book, Everybody Has Something to Hide (English or Spanish), to US listeners! Simply send an email to [email protected] or [email protected] requesting a copy, and his team will send you a gift link.

Full shownotes here

Download the FREE Companion Digital Workbook.

Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

• Website: https://johnrmiles.com
• Book John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/
• Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/
• Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Have you ever reached a goal you worked incredibly hard for, only to find yourself asking, What's next? If you've ever believed that happiness, fulfillment, or peace would finally arrive after the next promotion, milestone, or accomplishment, this episode is for you.

John R. Miles sits down with bestselling author, entrepreneur, and keynote speaker Jess Ekstrom to explore why so many high achievers unknowingly postpone their happiness. Jess calls it the Arrival Trap—the belief that the life we want always exists somewhere in the future. Drawing on her own entrepreneurial journey and the ideas in her new book, Making It Without Losing It, she explains why fulfillment doesn't come from reaching the finish line but from changing how we experience the journey.

Together, John and Jess discuss why purpose is something we build rather than discover, how external achievement can quietly replace internal fulfillment, and why comparison often leads us to pursue goals that were never truly our own. They also explore the science of motivation, practical ways to reconnect with meaningful work, and a simple framework for determining whether you're chasing a dream because it reflects who you are—or because it looks good to everyone else.

In this episode, you'll learn why the "Arrival Trap" keeps people from enjoying their lives, how to create purpose in the work you're already doing, why intrinsic motivation is more sustainable than external validation, how to stop comparing your path to everyone else's, and practical ways to enjoy the present without giving up your ambition.

If you've been working hard but still feel like something is missing, this conversation will help you redefine success and discover how to pursue your goals without losing yourself in the process.

Learn more about today's guest: https://jessekstrom.com/

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

We’re so excited to partner with FODZYME and offer you 30% off your first order when you go to I Can Eat Again dot com slash PASSIONSTRUCK.  

Download the FREE Companion Digital Workbook.

Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

• Website: https://johnrmiles.com
• Book John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/
• Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/
• Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today, you'll discover why some changes feel effortless while others seem impossible to stick with. In this solo episode, John R. Miles reveals one of the biggest reasons we struggle to change—and it has less to do with willpower than you think.

If you've ever wondered why you keep checking your phone, overworking, getting distracted, or falling back into habits you wanted to leave behind, this episode will completely change how you think about personal growth. Drawing on powerful conversations with neuroscientist Dr. Dana Suskind and behavioral scientist Leidy Klotz, John explains why the environments around you quietly shape your attention, your decisions, and ultimately the person you're becoming.

This episode will help you:

Here's the truth:

Every environment is teaching you something. The question isn't whether your surroundings are shaping you. It's whether they're helping you become the person you want to be.

Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

• Website: https://johnrmiles.com
• Book John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/
• Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/
• Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's episode will change how you think about the places you spend your life.

Most of us believe that if we want to feel happier, more productive, or more connected, we need to change ourselves.

But what if one of the biggest influences on your well-being isn't your mindset—it's your environment?

If you've ever felt drained at work, disconnected at home, or wondered why certain places instantly make you feel calm, creative, or like your best self, this conversation will help you see your surroundings in a completely different way.

Joining me is Leidy Klotz, engineer, award-winning researcher, and bestselling author of In a Good Place. His groundbreaking work explores how the spaces we live, work, and gather in quietly shape our relationships, memories, happiness, creativity, and even our sense of who we are.

Together, we explore why your environment may be one of the most overlooked drivers of flourishing—and the simple changes that can dramatically improve the way you live every day.

In this episode, you'll learn:

The truth is, we don't just shape the places we live in. Over time, those places shape us. And once you understand how your environment influences your life, you'll start seeing opportunities for positive change that have been hiding in plain sight.

Full shownotes

Get the FREE Digital Workbook

Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

• Website: https://johnrmiles.com
• Book John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/
• Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/
• Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's episode will change how you think about parenting, childhood, and what it really means to be human in the age of AI.

Artificial intelligence is changing education, work, relationships, and nearly every aspect of modern life. But according to today's guest, the greatest challenge isn't what AI is becoming—it's whether we will forget what makes us human.

If you're a parent, grandparent, educator, leader, or simply someone who cares about the future of the next generation, this conversation will completely change how you think about raising children and preparing them for the world ahead.

Joining me is Dr. Dana Suskind, renowned pediatric surgeon, developmental researcher, and bestselling author of the groundbreaking new book Human Raised. After decades of studying how early relationships shape the developing brain, Dana explains why the qualities that matter most in the future aren't the ones AI can master—they're the deeply human capacities that only we can cultivate.

Together, we explore why connection, curiosity, resilience, empathy, and critical thinking have become the most important skills we can pass on to our children—and why those abilities begin developing much earlier than most of us realize.

In this episode, you'll learn:

The future isn't determined by technology alone. It's shaped by the choices we make every day about how we connect, care, and raise the next generation. And as Dana explains, those deeply human choices may be our greatest advantage in an AI-powered world.

Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

• Website: https://johnrmiles.com
• Book John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/
• Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/
• Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's episode will change the way you think about personal transformation.

Have you ever caught yourself doing something you promised yourself you wouldn't do again?

Or maybe you keep returning to the same habits, relationships, or patterns—even though you know they're no longer serving you.

If you've ever wondered, "Why do I keep becoming the same person?" this episode is for you.

Drawing on two powerful conversations with bestselling authors Nick Ortner (Rewired) and Jon Gordon (The Power of Positive Habits), John reveals why lasting change isn't simply about discipline, motivation, or trying harder.

Instead, you'll discover why your brain is wired to choose what's familiar over what's healthy—and how small, repeated actions can teach your nervous system that a new way of living is finally safe.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Here's the truth:

Real transformation doesn't happen because you finally become more disciplined.

It happens because your mind and body slowly learn to trust a different way of living.

Because flourishing isn't about becoming someone new. It's about becoming at home with the person you've always been capable of becoming.

Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

• Website: https://johnrmiles.com
• Book John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/
• Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/
• Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In today's episode, you'll learn why the habits that shape your life aren't the obvious ones—they're the small, daily choices that quietly determine how you think, lead, and respond when life doesn't go according to plan.

If you've ever found yourself battling negative thoughts, comparing your success to everyone else's, or wondering how to stay motivated when the excitement fades, this conversation will give you a practical framework for building habits that create lasting growth.

Joining me is bestselling author and leadership expert Jon Gordon. For more than two decades, Jon has helped Fortune 500 companies, championship sports teams, military organizations, and millions of readers understand how positive habits become the foundation for extraordinary leadership and meaningful lives. In his newest book, The Power of Positive Habits, he shares the simple practices that helped transform his own life—and the lessons he's taught to some of the world's highest-performing organizations.

Together, we explore why success isn't built on dramatic breakthroughs but on consistent decisions that compound over time.

In this episode, you'll learn:

The truth is this: your future isn't determined by a single decision. It's shaped by the habits you repeat every day. And as Jon explains, even one small change in how you think, lead, or serve others can create extraordinary results over time.

Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

• Website: https://johnrmiles.com
• Book John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/
• Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/
• Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's episode will change how you think about anxiety, fear, and the stories you've been telling yourself about who you are.

Have you ever thought:

According to today's guest, that's not true.

You can change your brain. You can change your emotional patterns. And you can become someone new without rejecting who you've been.

Joining John today is Nick Ortner, New York Times bestselling author of The Tapping Solution and his new book, Rewired. For more than two decades, Nick has helped millions of people use Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) to overcome anxiety, release trauma, and create lasting change.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Here's the powerful truth at the center of this conversation: You don't have to remain who you've always been.

Your past may have shaped you. It does not have to define you. And once you understand how change actually happens, you can stop managing old wounds and start building the life you want.

Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

• Website: https://johnrmiles.com
• Book John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/
• Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/
• Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if flourishing isn't something you achieve someday—but something you practice in the life you're already living?

In this episode, John R. Miles explores the first step toward becoming fully alive: presence. Drawing from three unforgettable conversations with Navy SEAL and Paralympian Dan Cnossen, entrepreneur Blake Mycoskie, and spiritual teacher Gabby Bernstein, he examines the questions that emerge when our old ways of living no longer work.

If you've been waiting for life to settle down before you fully show up, chasing achievement in hopes that it will finally make you feel enough, or caring for everyone around you while losing touch with yourself, this episode offers a different path forward.

In this conversation, you'll discover:

At the heart of this episode are three questions worth carrying into your own life:

What are you waiting to begin that has already begun?

Who are you when there's nothing left to prove?

Was I a safe place to come home to today?

Because becoming fully alive isn't about finding another life. It's about inhabiting the one that's already here.

Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

• Website: https://johnrmiles.com
• Book John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/
• Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/
• Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.