Passion Struck with John R. Miles

In this enlightening conversation, Elizabeth Weingarten, a journalist and applied behavioral scientist, explores the art of embracing uncertainty through inquiry. She argues that life’s toughest questions should be seen as partners in our growth rather than problems to solve. Weingarten emphasizes how our obsession with quick answers can obscure deeper truths and hinder personal development. By fostering a mindset of curiosity, she illustrates how meaningful questions can enhance resilience, relationships, and self-awareness.

Join bestselling author Gretchen Rubin as she shares her insights from her new book, Secrets of Adulthood. With wit and wisdom, she explains why aphorisms are powerful tools for personal growth. Rubin discusses the surprising effects of sensory loss after COVID, the challenge of navigating adult friendships, and the paradox of love in personal development. She emphasizes the importance of self-knowledge and offers practical advice for living intentionally and fostering meaningful connections. Tune in for a delightful and thought-provoking conversation!

Tom Schaar, an Olympic silver medalist and skateboarding pioneer, shares his incredible journey as the first to land a 1080. He reveals the mental discipline behind his success and how he has turned 999 failures into growth opportunities. Mindset shifts from prodigy to pro, handling fear in competition, and the importance of balance in life are key themes. Tom emphasizes embracing challenges and the power of micro-improvements, inspiring anyone facing personal hurdles to push their limits and keep striving.

Dr. Rosalind Chow, an organizational behavior expert at Carnegie Mellon and author, discusses the essential role of sponsorship in career advancement. She highlights how sponsorship differs from mentorship, creating pathways that can drastically change careers for individuals who might be overlooked. The episode shares compelling stories, including Kim Ng's rise as MLB's first female GM, and delves into strategies for fostering genuine connections in the workplace. Dr. Chow emphasizes empathy, trust, and the importance of advocating for underrepresented voices in leadership.

In Episode 601 of the Passion Struck podcast, host John R. Miles sits down with renowned Tibetan Buddhist meditation master, Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche, for a conversation that will stay with you long after it ends. Known for his radiant smile, open heart, and profound clarity, Rinpoche shares a perspective on emotional healing and inner peace that turns conventional thinking upside down.Rather than offering a roadmap to “fix yourself,” Rinpoche invites us to explore the idea that we already possess what we need. Drawing from his early life struggles with severe panic attacks, he shares how fear became his greatest teacher—an unlikely but powerful path to awakening.Click here for the full show notes: https://passionstruck.com/yongey-mingyur-rinpoche-why-the-path-is-with-you/Join the Ignition Room!Join the new Passion Struck Community! - The Ignition Room: https://station.page/passionstruckThe conversation explores core themes like: Why pain isn’t the enemy, but a guide The illusion of needing to "earn" mattering or self-worth How awareness and compassion are not destinations—but your natural state The power of micro-moments to create deep transformation How to move from “I matter” to “we matter” in a fractured world As Rinpoche explains, “Awareness doesn’t mean we get rid of thoughts or pain. It means we learn to hold them with kindness.” It’s a radical reframe—one that reminds us healing is not about becoming someone else, but about coming home to who we’ve always been.For more information on Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche - https://tergar.org/yongey-mingyur-rinpocheSponsors: Factor Meals: http://factormeals.com/factormeals50off and use code “FACTOR MEALS 50 OFF” Rosetta Stone: Unlock 25 languages for life at “ROSETTASTONE.com/passionstruck.” Prolon: Reset your health with 15% off at “ProlonLife.com/passionstruck.” Mint Mobile: Cut your wireless bill to 15 bucks a month at “MINT MOBILE dot com slash PASSION.” Hims: Start your journey to regrowing hair with Hims. Visit hims.com/PASSIONSTRUCK for your free online visit. Quince: Discover luxury at affordable prices with Quince. Enjoy free shipping and 365-day returns at quince.com/PASSION For more information on advertisers and promo codes, visit Passion Struck Deals.Speaking Engagements & WorkshopsAre you looking to inspire your team, organization, or audience to take intentional action in their lives and careers? I’m available for keynote speaking, workshops, and leadership training on topics such as intentional living, resilience, leadership, and personal growth. Let’s work together to create transformational change. Learn more at johnrmiles.com/speaking.Episode Starter PacksWith over 500 episodes, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. We’ve curated Episode Starter Packs based on key themes like leadership, mental health, and personal growth, making it easier for you to dive into the topics you care about. Check them out at passionstruck.com/starterpacks.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 If you liked the show, please leave us a review—it only takes a moment and helps us reach more people! Don’t forget to include your Twitter or Instagram handle so we can thank you personally.How to Connect with John: Connect with John on Twitter at @John_RMiles Follow him on Instagram at @John_R_Miles Subscribe to our main YouTube Channel and to our YouTube Clips Channel For more insights and resources, visit John’s website Want to explore where you stand on the path to becoming Passion Struck? Take our 20-question quiz on Passionstruck.com and find out today!  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Serendipity isn't just luck—it's about feeling seen and recognized. The podcast dives into how small, unexpected moments can profoundly impact our sense of self-worth. Listeners are encouraged to embrace chance encounters and reflect on their significance. Preparedness and presence are key in inviting this magic into our lives. It emphasizes that feeling valued without expectation feeds our deepest human needs. Celebrating connection within the community, the discussion reveals how these seemingly minor interactions can lead to monumental personal transformations.

Dr. Steven Gundry, a renowned medical researcher and bestselling author, discusses the astonishing influence of our microbiome on our identity. He reveals how gut bacteria shape our thoughts, cravings, and emotions, likening us to passengers on a bus driven by these microbes. Gundry outlines the implications of leaky gut on mental health and chronic diseases, advocating for dietary changes as a path to wellness. He emphasizes the hidden power of food as medicine and challenges traditional views by proposing a gut-first approach to mental health.

In this deeply moving and empowering episode, John R. Miles sits down with Isabelle and Laura Hof—daughters of the legendary Wim Hof and trailblazers in their own right. They’ve taken the powerful techniques behind the Wim Hof Method and tailored them specifically for women through their new book Secrets of the Icewomen.This conversation explores the intersection of science, personal healing, and feminine strength. Laura and Isabelle open up about using breathwork and cold exposure to manage stress, support hormonal balance, and rediscover inner peace. The Hof sisters share candid stories of overcoming personal adversity, the impact of their father’s teachings, and why embracing discomfort can become a gateway to true freedom.Whether you’re navigating stress, burnout, or just looking to reconnect with your body, this episode offers practical wisdom—and a loving invitation to breathe, feel, and heal.For full show notes: https://passionstruck.com/isabelle-hof-and-laura-hof-secrets-of-icewomen/Key Takeaways: Cold therapy and breathwork are powerful tools for regulating stress, inflammation, and hormones. Emotional healing starts by reconnecting to your breath and body. The Wim Hof Method can be uniquely adapted to support the feminine body and cycle. Parenting, trauma, and grief can be transformed through resilience practices. Healing isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence and compassion. Connect with Isabelle Hof and Laura Hof: https://www.laurahofalchemy.com/aboutSponsors: Factor Meals: http://factormeals.com/factormeals50off and use code “FACTOR MEALS 50 OFF” Rosetta Stone: Unlock 25 languages for life at “ROSETTASTONE.com/passionstruck.” Prolon: Reset your health with 15% off at “ProlonLife.com/passionstruck.” Mint Mobile: Cut your wireless bill to 15 bucks a month at “MINT MOBILE dot com slash PASSION.” Hims: Start your journey to regrowing hair with Hims. Visit hims.com/PASSIONSTRUCK for your free online visit. Quince: Discover luxury at affordable prices with Quince. Enjoy free shipping and 365-day returns at quince.com/PASSION 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.For more information on advertisers and promo codes, visit Passion Struck Deals.Join the Passion Struck Community!Sign up for the Live Intentionally newsletter, where I share exclusive content, actionable advice, and insights to help you ignite your purpose and live your most intentional life. Get access to practical exercises, inspiring stories, and tools designed to help you grow. Learn more and sign up here.Speaking Engagements & WorkshopsAre you looking to inspire your team, organization, or audience to take intentional action in their lives and careers? I’m available for keynote speaking, workshops, and leadership training on topics such as intentional living, resilience, leadership, and personal growth. Let’s work together to create transformational change. Learn more at johnrmiles.com/speaking.Episode Starter PacksWith over 500 episodes, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. We’ve curated Episode Starter Packs based on key themes like leadership, mental health, and personal growth, making it easier for you to dive into the topics you care about. Check them out at passionstruck.com/starterpacks.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 If you liked the show, please leave us a review—it only takes a moment and helps us reach more people! Don’t forget to include your Twitter or Instagram handle so we can thank you personally.How to Connect with John: Connect with John on Twitter at @John_RMiles Follow him on Instagram at @John_R_Miles Subscribe to our main YouTube Channel and to our YouTube Clips Channel For more insights and resources, visit John’s website Want to explore where you stand on the path to becoming Passion Struck? Take our 20-question quiz on Passionstruck.com and find out today!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Gordon Flett, a distinguished psychologist and author, shares his groundbreaking insights on the psychology of mattering, emphasizing its significance for mental health. He explains how mattering differs from belonging and self-esteem and discusses the dangerous effects of 'anti-mattering,' like burnout and loneliness. Flett reveals that fostering mattering in ourselves and others can combat these issues. The conversation unveils practical strategies for rebuilding a sense of significance after life challenges, reshaping how we connect with ourselves and those around us.

Dr. Emily Falk, a leading neuroscientist and expert in behavior change, shares profound insights on how our brains make choices. She discusses the intricate 'value calculator' that often favors short-term rewards and highlights the importance of understanding self-transcendent values like compassion and purpose. Falk also explores the psychological impact of feeling insignificant, or 'anti-mattering,' and how fostering connection and empathy towards our future selves can lead to meaningful behavior changes and a more fulfilling life.