Dr. Zelana Montminy on the Science of Meaningful Happiness | EP 686

Nov 6, 2025

In this discussion, Dr. Zelana Montminy, a behavioral scientist and positive psychologist, delves into the misunderstood nature of happiness. She emphasizes that true well-being is built through resilience and self-compassion rather than relentless positivity. Dr. Montminy introduces impactful concepts like the distinction between attention, focus, and concentration, while also debunking multitasking myths. She shares practical micro-habits to reclaim focus and highlights the significance of morning rituals and nature in enhancing attention and mental health.

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ANECDOTE

UCLA Student Who Was Doing Everything

A UCLA student told Dr. Zelana she was "doing everything right" yet felt frozen and hopeless.
That moment convinced her performative wellness barricades true healing and presence.

INSIGHT

Attention Crisis Is Deeper Than Productivity

Our attention crisis is a global nervous-system problem driven by technology and productivity culture.
Losing attention erodes presence, empathy, and meaning beyond productivity loss.

INSIGHT

Spotlight, Choice, And Stamina

Attention, focus, and concentration are distinct: spotlight, intentional choice, and stamina.
Naming these differences helps become emotionally granular and regain control of attention.

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What if happiness isn’t something you chase—but something you build through resilience, purpose, and self-compassion?

In this episode of Passion Struck, host John R. Miles sits down with Dr. Zelana Montminy, a behavioral scientist, positive psychologist, and author of Finding Focus: Own Your Attention in an Age of Distraction to unpack the deeper science of happiness—and why our culture has misunderstood it for so long.

Dr. Montminy, one of the foremost voices in positive psychology, reveals that true well-being doesn’t come from constant positivity, but from learning how to transform discomfort into growth. Her evidence-based approach draws on neuroscience, behavioral research, and decades of clinical work to help people cultivate resilient joy—the kind that endures even through pain, loss, and uncertainty.

Together, John and Dr. Montminy explore the difference between “feeling good” and “doing well,” the myth of toxic positivity, and the powerful connection between meaning, mattering, and mental health.

This episode continues our new series, “The Irreplaceables”—a deep look at the people, mindsets, and moments that make life meaningful, and why what matters most can never be replicated.

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Listen + Watch + Go Deeper

All episode resources—including guest links, Passion Struck books, The Ignited Life Substack, and the Start Mattering store—are gathered here:

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To learn more about Dr. Zelana Montminy, visit zelanamontminy.com.

💡 About the Episode

Discover why chasing happiness keeps us stuck—and how to cultivate resilient joy instead.
Learn the four pillars of emotional fitness that anchor Dr. Montminy’s research: perspective, purpose, connection, and self-awareness.
Understand how discomfort and emotional friction can serve as catalysts for growth.
Explore the neuroscience of resilience and why our brains are wired more for survival than satisfaction.
Hear Dr. Montminy’s personal story of loss and reinvention—and how it reshaped her understanding of well-being.
Gain practical tools to strengthen your psychological flexibility and reconnect with what truly matters.

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