Passion Struck with John R. Miles

Passion Struck Network
  • 4.8 (641)
  • ALTERNATIVE HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Passion Struck® with John R. Miles is the #1 alternative health podcast about human flourishing: strengthening your brain, body, and spirit so you can live like you matter and become who you’re meant to be. Each week, bestselling author, former Fortune 50 leader, and human performance expert John R. Miles brings real, raw conversations with leading experts and people who’ve lived what they teach about growing with purpose and building a meaningful life you’re proud of. New episodes every Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.

  1. How to Thrive in 2026: The Power of Dunbar’s Number | EP 711 w/ John R. Miles

    1D AGO

    How to Thrive in 2026: The Power of Dunbar’s Number | EP 711 w/ John R. Miles

    What if the key to thriving in 2026 isn't expanding your network or chasing global impact, but intentionally shrinking your world to the size your brain was built for? In this first solo episode of 2026, Episode 711 of Passion Struck, John R. Miles explores the profound mismatch between our hunter-gatherer brains (evolved for tribes of under 150 people) and the demands of an 8-billion-person world. Drawing on Dunbar's number, psychology, and the themes of The Season of Becoming, John unpacks why endless social feeds, polarized news, and constant connectivity leave us anxious, burned out, and divided. He explains how focusing on your true "tribe" of 150 restores peace, deepens connections, and amplifies your real impact, without the exhaustion of treating everyone as a potential ally or threat. This isn't about isolation. It's about reclaiming energy for what truly matters: presence, meaning, and relationships that sustain you. If you're entering 2026 feeling overwhelmed by the world's noise or ready to reset for deeper fulfillment, this episode offers a compassionate blueprint to come home to your natural scale. Before the goals and habits, reclaim the space where true flourishing begins. Resources and Links Check the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/dunbars-number-explained-why-we-need-150-in-2026/ All links gathered here, including books, Substack, YouTube, and Start Mattering apparel: https://linktr.ee/John_R_Miles Pre-order You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/ Tribe Mapping Companion Workbook Identify Your 150. Release the Rest. Build True Belonging. Reflection prompts and exercises to map your core tribe, name what to release from large-group weight, and create habits for deeper connections in 2026. Download the free Companion Workbook at: https://open.substack.com/pub/passionstruck/p/dunbars-number-150-thrive-2026/ In this episode, you will learn: Why our brains are wired for tribes of 150 and how modern life creates constant mismatch and exhaustionThe science of Dunbar's number and its role in anxiety, burnout, and divisionHow shrinking your world restores focus, empathy, and real impact without isolationPractical ways to identify and nurture your true tribe in 2026Why large-group thinking treats others as threats and how small-scale living rebuilds peaceReflections on The Season of Becoming and stepping into a year of intentional presenceSupport 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 are those of John R. Miles 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. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    23 min
  2. Congresswoman Sara Jacobs Egg Freezing Choice: Why Authenticity Wins | EP 710

    2D AGO

    Congresswoman Sara Jacobs Egg Freezing Choice: Why Authenticity Wins | EP 710

    What if one of the most personal decisions a woman can make (when and whether to become a mother) became a public act of courage that shifted the conversation for an entire generation? In Episode 710 of Passion Struck, Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-CA) joins John R. Miles for a deeply human conversation that has nothing to do with politics and everything to do with agency, worth, and vulnerability. At 31, newly sworn into Congress, Sara froze her eggs to preserve the option of motherhood on her own timeline. At 36, still serving, she returned for two more rounds and chose to speak openly about the physical toll, emotional weight, and empowering choice behind it. Sara shares the raw realities (hot flashes, intense cravings, acne, and the surprising joy of taking control), why she rejects pity for empowerment, and how radical vulnerability has become her superpower in leadership. She challenges the idea that women must be perfect to lead, explains why fertility is not just a “women’s issue,” and calls on male leaders to recognize their experience represents only half the story. If you’ve ever felt pressure to follow a prescribed path or wondered how authenticity can reshape both personal life and public policy, this conversation is for you. Check the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/sara-jacobs-egg-freezing/ All links gathered here, including books, Substack, YouTube, and Start Mattering apparel: https://linktr.ee/John_R_Miles For more about Congresswoman Sara Jacobs: https://sarajacobs.house.gov/ Pre-order You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/ Radical Vulnerability Companion Workbook Reflect. Reclaim Agency. Redefine Worth. Gentle prompts and exercises to explore your own relationship with choice, vulnerability, and self-worth, inspired by Sara’s journey and the message that you matter exactly as you are. Download the free Companion Workbook at: https://www.theignitedlife.net/p/sara-jacobs-radical-vulnerability In this episode, you will learn: Why Sara Jacobs chose egg freezing twice while serving in Congress and why she frames it as empowerment, not lossThe surprising physical and emotional realities of the process (from hot flashes to intense cravings)How radical vulnerability became Sara’s leadership superpower and why perfection is the enemy of connectionWhy fertility and reproductive choices are not “women’s issues” but human issues that demand broader understandingThe danger of tying women’s worth to motherhood and how redefining agency frees us allWhat Sara wants the next generation of women (and men) to internalize about authenticity, choice, and speaking upSupport 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. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    47 min
  3. David Nurse on How to Unlock the Flow Code Formula | EP 709

    4D AGO

    David Nurse on How to Unlock the Flow Code Formula | EP 709

    What if entering "the zone" wasn't a rare accident reserved for elite athletes, but a repeatable skill anyone could train, just like strength or focus? In Episode 709 of Passion Struck, NBA mindset coach, bestselling author, and peak performance expert David Nurse joins John R. Miles to reveal why flow state has been misunderstood as elusive when a science-backed, step-by-step system actually governs it he calls The Flow Code Formula. Drawing from his work with over 150 NBA stars, Fortune 500 CEOs, and groundbreaking neuroscience research, including the 10-Hertz alpha wave state, David breaks down how optimal anxiety, identity shifts, and personal triggers turn stress into a superpower and distraction into deep immersion. Together, John and David explore the neuroscience of trainable flow, why "proving yourself" blocks the zone while "being yourself" unlocks it, and real stories from sprinting with Usain Bolt to climbing with Alex Honnold that prove peak performance is accessible to all. Check the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/unlocking-the-flow-code-formula-david-nurse/ All links gathered here, including books, Substack, YouTube, and Start Mattering apparel: https://linktr.ee/John_R_Miles For more about David Nurse: https://www.davidnurse.com/ Pre-order You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/ Flow Code Companion Workbook Identify Your Triggers. Harness Optimal Anxiety. Enter the Zone. Reflection prompts and practical exercises to map your personal flow triggers, navigate the Yerkes-Dodson curve, and build daily habits for the 10-Hertz state. Download the free Companion Workbook at: In this episode, you will learn: The Flow Code system: A neuroscience-backed formula to trigger peak performance on demandWhy optimal anxiety is the gateway to flow—not the enemy—and how to use stress as fuelThe power of "The Shift": Moving from proving yourself to simply being yourselfReal lessons from elite performers, including Usain Bolt, Alex Honnold, and NBA superstarsHow the 10-Hertz alpha state works and practical ways to access itWhy your identity ("who") must always lead your actions ("do") for sustainable flowSupport 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. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    45 min
  4. Mark Murphy on 5 Ways to Build Teams That Actually Work | EP 708

    12/26/2025

    Mark Murphy on 5 Ways to Build Teams That Actually Work | EP 708

    What if the real reason most teams fail has nothing to do with talent, effort, or motivation? In Episode 708 of Passion Struck, New York Times bestselling author and Leadership IQ founder Mark Murphy joins John R. Miles to reveal why even the most innovative, most driven teams quietly fall apart. Drawing on decades of research and his latest work on high-performance teams, Mark explains why misalignment, unclear roles, and unspoken expectations are the hidden forces that derail results. Together, John and Mark explore the five critical roles every successful team needs, why traditional team building often backfires, and how leaders can diagnose what is missing before dysfunction sets in. From elite sports teams and legendary bands to Navy SEAL units and corporate cultures, this conversation reframes leadership as an act of alignment rather than control. If you are entering a new year thinking about leadership, culture, or the kind of team you want to build or belong to, this episode will fundamentally change how you see collaboration. Listen. Reflect. Build better. Check the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/building-winning-teams-mark-murphy/ All links gathered here, including books, Substack, YouTube, and Start Mattering apparel: https://linktr.ee/John_R_Miles Team Players Companion Workbook Identify the Roles. Close the Gaps. Build Alignment. Reflection prompts and practical exercises to help you assess your team, uncover role gaps, and lead with clarity in the year ahead. Download the free Companion Workbook at: https://www.theignitedlife.net/p/team-players-mark-murphy In this episode, you will learn: Why most teams fail due to misalignment rather than lack of talentThe five essential roles every high performing team must have and what happens when one is missingWhy traditional team building often creates more friction instead of trustHow elite teams, from professional sports to special operations units, adapt leadership based on contextHow to identify your own natural role and help others play to their strengthsWhat leaders can do when they cannot hire new people but still need better performanceSupport 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. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1h 4m
  5. Before the New Year Begins, Let Something End | A Christmas Reflection EP 707 w/ John R. Miles

    12/25/2025

    Before the New Year Begins, Let Something End | A Christmas Reflection EP 707 w/ John R. Miles

    What if real transformation does not begin with what we add, but with what we finally allow to end? In this deeply reflective Christmas Day solo episode of Passion Struck, Episode 707, John R. Miles invites listeners into the quiet, liminal space between the year that is closing and the life that is still taking shape. Rather than rushing toward resolutions, this episode explores the power of gentle endings and the release of old stories, habits, and self-protections that have outlived their purpose. Drawing on psychology, lived experience, and the themes of The Season of Becoming, John unpacks the quiet cost of carrying what is finished, the unexpected beauty that emerges when we let go without violence to ourselves, and how gentleness creates the space where imagination, flow, and renewal can return. This episode is not a call to fix yourself. It is an invitation to lay something down. If you are entering the new year feeling tired, tender, or quietly ready for change, this episode offers a different starting point, one rooted in compassion, presence, and honest release. Before the resolutions come the revelations, before the beginning, let something end. Resources and Links Check the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/before-the-new-year-begins-let-something-end/ All links gathered here (books, Substack, YouTube, community): https://linktr.ee/John_R_Miles A Gentle Ending Practice Reflection prompts, a simple release ritual, and space to name what is ready to rest. Designed to help you enter the new year lighter, clearer, and more present. Download the free Companion Workbook at: https://www.theignitedlife.net/p/let-something-end-before-the-year 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 are those of John R. Miles 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. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    22 min
  6. Nir Bashan on How to Master the Solution Mindset | EP 706

    12/23/2025

    Nir Bashan on How to Master the Solution Mindset | EP 706

    What if creativity were just the spark, and the real power lay in turning ideas into unbreakable solutions? In Episode 706 of Passion Struck, innovation expert Nir Bashan returns (his first appearance was Episode 36) to unveil the repeatable framework behind his new book The Solution Mindset. He reveals why brilliant ideas alone leave most people stuck, and how activating 10 innate problem-solving superpowers can transform frustration into impact. Through gripping stories: a teenager who rebuilt the world’s largest coral reefs by refusing expert advice, a bicycle company that cut shipping damage 90% with one deceptively simple packaging trick, and Norway’s quiet revolution in prison reform. Nir proves that anyone can solve the seemingly unsolvable. If you’ve ever felt paralyzed by complexity, doubted your next step, or wondered how to move from inspiration to execution, this conversation is your clear, practical bridge. Listen. Watch. Go Deeper. Check the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/the-solution-mindset-nir-bashan/ All links gathered here, including books, Substack, YouTube, and Start Mattering apparel: https://linktr.ee/John_R_Miles The Solution Mindset Workbook: 10 Superpower Activation Prompts to Turn Ideas into Impact Reflection prompts + daily practice → Download the Companion Workbook at https://www.theignitedlife.net/p/the-solutions-mindset-titouan-bernicott In this episode, you will learn: The “Just Start” principle that turned a 16-year-old surfer into the leader of the planet’s most extensive coral restoration effortHow untangling complexity with a straightforward filter, like printing a TV on a bike box, can deliver 90% better results instantlyWhy long-term thinking (the kind bourbon makers use for 30-year barrels) creates a deeper legacy than chasing quick winsHow Norway redefined “failing successfully” in prisons to slash recidivism, while the U.S. stays stuck in punishmentWhy positivity isn’t naive, it’s the strategic fuel that powers sustained innovation.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. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1h 2m
  7. How to Matter to the People Who Matter Most | EP 705 w/ John R. Miles

    12/19/2025

    How to Matter to the People Who Matter Most | EP 705 w/ John R. Miles

    What if the most profound regret we carry isn’t about what we did, but about the quiet ways we slowly drifted from the people we love most? In this heartfelt solo episode of Passion Struck, Episode 705, John R. Miles explores why the greatest gift we can give those who matter most isn’t more time, more gifts, or even more love, but simple, undivided presence. Drawing from personal holiday memories and the psychology of “relational mattering,” John reveals how relationships rarely break from conflict; they thin from absence disguised as normal life. He unpacks the quiet cost of diluted attention, the profound beauty of what becomes possible when presence returns, and why showing up fully may be the most important decision we ever make. If you’ve ever felt the subtle distance growing in a relationship you cherish, or wondered how to rebuild the felt sense of mattering during this holiday season, this episode is your gentle wake-up call. You’re not out of chances. You’re one intentional arrival away. Listen. Feel. Become present. Check the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/relational-mattering-how-to-matter-to-others/ All links gathered here (books, Substack, YouTube, community): https://linktr.ee/John_R_Miles The Season of Becoming Workbook: Rebuild Relational Mattering Reflection questions + small presence practices to start tonight + prompts to notice where mattering is calling you most → Download the free Companion Workbook at https://www.theignitedlife.net/p/relational-mattering-7-ways-to-fix-relationships 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 are those of John R. Miles 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. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    25 min
  8. Rick Hanson & Joshua Greene on From Us and Them to All of Us | EP 704

    12/18/2025

    Rick Hanson & Joshua Greene on From Us and Them to All of Us | EP 704

    What if the most significant leadership challenge of our time isn’t strategy, speed, or scale but our shrinking capacity to care for one another? In an era of deepening polarization and quiet loneliness, this special episode of Passion Struck confronts the root of division: our brain's ancient "us vs. them" wiring that once ensured tribal survival but now fragments society. Host John R. Miles joins Harvard cognitive scientist Joshua Greene (author of Moral Tribes) and psychologist Rick Hanson (New York Times bestselling author and founder of the Global Compassion Coalition) to explore how evolutionary moral instincts fuel exclusion and how neuroscience and compassion practices can rewire them toward broader belonging. Blending rigorous science with profound wisdom, the conversation explores how to expand the "moral circle" from narrow identities to shared global humanity, cultivate moral courage without erasing differences, and turn insight into action. A highlight: the tied-in Pods Fight Poverty initiative, uniting leading podcasters to support GiveDirectly's evidence-based cash transfers. These lift entire Rwandan villages out of extreme poverty with dignity-restoring direct aid (amplified by Giving Multiplier's matching funds). This episode does not just diagnose division. It offers a hopeful, actionable path to inclusion, proving small acts of expanded empathy ripple into real-world change. At a time when trust is eroding, this reminds us that true belonging is not zero-sum. It is the future we can choose. Go Deeper. Read the full show notes: https://passionstruck.com/us-vs-them-psychology-rick-hanson-joshua-greene/ Support the Impact: Join the effort to transform lives in Rwanda: GiveDirectly.org/PassionStruck About the Guests Rick Hanson, PhD Rick Hanson is a psychologist, Senior Fellow of UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, and New York Times bestselling author of books including Hardwiring Happiness, Resilient, and Just One Thing. His work focuses on the neuroscience of resilience, compassion, and well-being. Rick is also the president of the Global Compassion Coalition and co-hosts the Being Well podcast with his son, Forrest Hanson. Joshua Greene, PhD Joshua Greene is a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Harvard University and a leading expert in moral cognition. He is the author of Moral Tribes, a groundbreaking book exploring why we clash over moral values and how we can find common ground. His research bridges philosophy, psychology, and neuroscience to understand how humans make moral decisions in an increasingly interconnected world. 🔗 All links in one place — books, Substack, YouTube, and Start Mattering apparel: https://linktr.ee/John_R_Miles 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. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1h 8m
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4.8
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641 Ratings

About

Passion Struck® with John R. Miles is the #1 alternative health podcast about human flourishing: strengthening your brain, body, and spirit so you can live like you matter and become who you’re meant to be. Each week, bestselling author, former Fortune 50 leader, and human performance expert John R. Miles brings real, raw conversations with leading experts and people who’ve lived what they teach about growing with purpose and building a meaningful life you’re proud of. New episodes every Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.

Information

  • Creator
    Passion Struck Network
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    712
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Passion Struck with John R. Miles

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