Passion Struck with John R. Miles

Closing the Exposure Gap: Why Comfort Zones Become Cages w/John R. Miles | EP 651

Aug 15, 2025
Explore the hidden costs of safetyism and its impact on resilience. Discover how avoiding discomfort can weaken our nervous systems over time. Learn why controlled exposure to manageable stress is essential for emotional and physical strength. Practical strategies, including a four-step plan for courage, are provided to help unlock adaptability. Real-world examples illustrate the importance of facing fears and embracing small acts of bravery to cultivate resilience. Don't let your comfort zone become a cage!
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INSIGHT

Safetyism Breeds Fragility

  • Safetyism trades short-term protection for long-term fragility in emotional regulation.
  • Avoiding discomfort narrows our emotional thermostat and increases anxiety over time.
ANECDOTE

The Locked Bridge Parable

  • John tells a parable about a village that fenced a bridge to keep children safe.
  • When the gates reopened, adults froze at the edge despite no change in real danger.
INSIGHT

Avoidance Amplifies Fear

  • Wolfgang Linden explains that avoidance not only preserves fear but amplifies it.
  • Gradual, deliberate exposure recalibrates the stress recovery system.
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