Exploring the Importance of Mattering and Transformative Connections

In Episode 597 of Passion Struck, host John R. Miles sits down with Dr. Gordon Flett, a pioneering psychologist whose decades of research have shaped our understanding of mattering—the feeling of being seen, valued, and significant.

Dr. Flett, author of The Psychology of Mattering and Mattering as a Core Need in Children and Adolescents, explains how mattering is distinct from belonging and self-esteem and why its absence—what he calls “anti-mattering”—can lead to burnout, depression, loneliness, and even hopelessness.

For full show notes: https://passionstruck.com/gordon-flett-the-urgent-need-to-know-you-matter/

In this profound and deeply personal episode, John and Dr. Flett discuss:

• The difference between mattering, belonging, and self-esteem
• Why feeling unseen or insignificant is a public health issue
• How fear of not mattering drives perfectionism and overachievement
• Why giving mattering to others is just as important as receiving it
• Strategies to rebuild mattering after loss, failure, or transition

This conversation will change how you see yourself—and how you show up for the people around you.

Dr. Gordon Flett is one of the world’s leading researchers on the psychology of mattering. A recently retired Distinguished Professor of Psychology at York University, he is the former Honorary President of the Canadian Psychological Association

Connect with Dr. Gordon Flett: https://health.yorku.ca/health-profiles/?mid=3719

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Next on Passion Struck:
In the next episode of Passion Struck, John sits down with Anne Marie Anderson, an Emmy Award-winning broadcaster, sports journalist, and leadership expert. Anne Marie has spent years breaking barriers in sports media, navigating high-stakes environments, and coaching top athletes and executives on leadership, resilience, and communication. In our conversation, we'll dive into the mental frameworks of high performers, the art of storytelling, and how to build confidence in any field.

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Catch More of Passion Struck:

• My solo episode on The Mattering Mindset in Love – Choose the Love You Deserve
• Can't miss my episode with Jennifer B. Wallace on the Consequences of Prioritizing Achievements Over Mattering
• My episode with The Art of Listening: How to Make People Feel Like They Matter
• Catch my interview with Laurie Santos on How to Matter in a Busy World
• Listen to my solo episode on Fading into Insignificance: The Impact of Un-Mattering in Our Interconnected Era

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