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Passion Struck with John R. Miles

Passion Struck with John R. Miles

By: Passion Struck with John R. Miles
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 You built the life you were supposed to want. So why doesn't it feel like enough?

Passion Struck with John R. Miles is the #1 alternative health podcast exploring the deepest questions of human well-being — how we think, how we feel, how we connect, and how we build lives that don't quietly hollow us out from the inside. Hosted by bestselling author, Navy veteran, and former Fortune 50 executive John R. Miles, this is the show for anyone who wants to understand themselves more deeply and live more fully.

Every week, John sits down with the world's leading voices across neuroscience, psychology, medicine, philosophy, sports, business, and the arts — guests like Seth Godin, Ryan Holiday, Johann Hari, Mark Hyman, Angela Duckworth, and Arthur Brooks — to answer the questions most people are afraid to ask out loud.

Whether you're 26 and trying to build your life the right way from the start, or 43 and wondering why the life you built doesn't feel like yours, this show meets you exactly where you are. Because the questions you're carrying deserve real answers.

New episodes every Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.

85 Million Downloads | Gold Stevie Award | Davey Gold for Social ImpactCopyright John Miles Alternative & Complementary Medicine Hygiene & Healthy Living Personal Development Personal Success Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
Episodes
  • How to Design a Life You Don’t Need to Escape From | John R. Miles - EP 762

    How to Design a Life You Don’t Need to Escape From | John R. Miles - EP 762
    May 1 2026
    What if the life you’ve spent years building is actually a masterpiece you’re just a guest in?

    In the Purpose by Design series, John R. Miles explores why so many people optimize their lives for everyone else’s convenience while leaving no room for their own aliveness. Drawing from the cinematic realization of The Truman Show and the real-world social "exile" of Truman Capote, John challenges us to stop performing and start reclaiming our authorship.

    John dives into the spotlight moments," that force us to look up, the hidden 'performance contracts' we sign every day, and the three architectural shifts required to build a life of resonance rather than just utility.

    Passion Struck is the #1 alternative health and personal growth podcast dedicated to human flourishing and the science of mattering.

    Connect with John
    • Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/
    • Book John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/
    • Keynotes, books, podcast, and resources: https://linktr.ee/John_R_Miles
    • Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/
    • Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/

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

    Disclaimer

    The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions
    Show More Show Less
    22 mins
  • How Real Optimism Helps You Thrive in Uncertainty | Deepika Chopra - EP 761

    How Real Optimism Helps You Thrive in Uncertainty | Deepika Chopra - EP 761
    Apr 30 2026
    What if optimism isn’t about staying positive but about facing uncertainty with courage?

    In this episode of Passion Struck, I sit down with clinical psychologist and optimism expert Deepika Chopra to explore what she calls real optimism—a science-backed approach to resilience that has far less to do with positive thinking and far more to do with how we relate to possibility. Drawing from her new book The Power of Real Optimism, Deepika challenges one of the biggest myths in modern self-help: that optimism means ignoring hardship or forcing good vibes.

    We explore why positivity can sometimes undermine mental health, how the brain acts as an anticipation machine shaping what we expect from the future, and why expectations often influence outcomes more than wishful thinking.

    Passion Struck is the #1 alternative health and personal growth podcast dedicated to human flourishing and the science of mattering.

    Full Show notes: https://passionstruck.com/the-power-of-real-optimism-deepika-chopra/

    Get the Companion Workbook: https://www.theignitedlife.net/p/the-science-of-real-optimism-7-10-rule

    Thank You to Our Sponsors

    Get Huel today with 15% OFF using code PASSION at huel.com/passion. New customers only.

    Connect with John
    • Keynotes, books, podcast, and resources: https://linktr.ee/John_R_Miles
    • Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/
    • Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/
    • Book John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/

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

    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.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 2 mins
  • We’re Less Social Than We Should Be—And It’s Costing Us | Nicholas Epley - EP 760

    We’re Less Social Than We Should Be—And It’s Costing Us | Nicholas Epley - EP 760
    Apr 28 2026
    What if some of the happiness, belonging, and meaning you’re looking for is hiding in conversations you never start?

    In this episode of Passion Struck, I sit down with social psychologist Nicholas Epley to explore the surprising science of human connection and why we consistently underestimate how much a little more social interaction can improve our lives. Drawing from his new book A Little More Social: How Small Choices Create Big Happiness, Nick reveals a profound paradox: We are wired for connection, yet every day we choose to be less social than we could be. And it may be costing us far more than we realize.

    We explore why talking to strangers often makes us happier than solitude, why we misjudge how others will respond to us, and how tiny “micro choices” of connection can dramatically influence happiness, health, and belonging.

    Nick shares the famous train study that launched years of research, the psychology of reciprocity, why we underestimate other people’s kindness, and how loneliness may be fueled not just by disconnection—but by mistaken assumptions about rejection.

    We also dive into the hidden ways comparison, adaptation, and secrecy can quietly block gratitude and closeness, and why some of the biggest transformations in life may begin with the smallest social risks.

    Passion Struck is the #1 alternative health and personal growth podcast dedicated to human flourishing and the science of mattering.

    Check out full show notes here:

    Explore companion insights for this episode at:


    Thank You to Our Sponsors
    Limited Time Offer – Get Huel today with my exclusive offer of 15% OFF online with my code PASSION at huel.com/passion. New customers only. Thank you to Huel for partnering and supporting our show!

    Preorder Nick's Book, A Little More Social: https://sites.prh.com/a-little-more-social


    Connect with John
    • Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/
    • Book John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/
    • Keynotes, books, podcast, and resources: https://linktr.ee/John_R_Miles
    • Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/
    • Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/

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

    Disclaimer

    The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions
    Show More Show Less
    59 mins
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