Lynn Smith on How to Stop Letting the Brain Bully Win | EP 692

What if the biggest barrier to your potential is not a lack of skill or opportunity but the quiet voice inside whispering, “You are not enough”?In this powerful episode of Passion Struck, host John R. Miles sits down with former national news anchor Lynn Smith, who spent 15 years at NBC, TODAY Online, and CNN Headline News before making the courageous decision to walk away from a life the world told her was perfect.What she discovered after stepping off the national stage became the foundation of her work today and the inspiration behind her new children’s book Just Keep Going, a beautifully crafted story that teaches resilience, courage, and self-belief from the earliest ages.This episode continues our acclaimed series The Irreplaceables, an exploration of the human traits no machine can replicate, including courage, presence, reinvention, and voice.If you have ever battled self-doubt, faced a major crossroads, or felt pulled to reinvent who you are, this conversation offers a clear and grounded pathway forward.Listen + Watch + Go DeeperAll episode resources, including You Matter, Luma, Passion Struck, The Ignited Life Substack, and YouTube channels, are gathered here: https://linktr.ee/John_R_MilesDownload the free companion workbook: The Brain Bully Breakthrough ToolkitAvailable at TheIgnitedLife.net, our Substack.A step-by-step guide to quiet your inner critic, rebuild confidence, and communicate with intention.About the EpisodeGet the Full Episode Shownotes Here: https://passionstruck.com/how-to-beat-the-brain-bully-lynn-smith/In this episode, you will learn:Why Lynn walked away from a “dream career” in national news to rebuild her identityHow to silence the Brain Bully, the inner critic that distorts your self-worthWhy perfection destroys connection and why authenticity creates trustThe deeper meaning behind her book Just Keep Going and why adults need these lessons tooHow to communicate with clarity, courage, and emotional presenceWhy reinvention requires both letting go and stepping forwardHow to rebuild confidence after leaving a familiar identity behindSupport the MovementEveryone deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter.Show it. Wear it. Live it.https://StartMattering.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if the future isn’t something that happens to us… but something we shape?In this future-defining episode of Passion Struck, host John R. Miles sits down with innovation thinker and bestselling author Scott D. Anthony to explore the 11 epic disruptions that reshaped civilization and the hidden patterns that will shape the next era of human possibility.Drawing on Scott’s new book Epic Disruptions and his decades of work alongside Clayton Christensen, John unpacks why breakthroughs like gunpowder, the printing press, the iPhone, and AI follow a predictable rhythm, why leaders routinely miss the future even when it's right in front of them, and what it means to think in two time horizons at once.This episode continues our acclaimed series, The Irreplaceables: a journey into the human capacities no machine can duplicate.If you're navigating change, leading through uncertainty, or simply trying to understand the world that’s coming, this conversation is your roadmap.Read the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/epic-disruptions-that-changed-history/Listen + Watch + Go DeeperAll episode resources, including my books You Matter, Luma and Passion Struck, The Ignited Life Substack, and Start Mattering store are gathered here: https://linktr.ee/John_R_MilesTo go deeper, download the free companion workbook:The Disruption Decoder: available now at TheIgnitedLife.netInside, you’ll find frameworks, reflection prompts, and practical tools to help you anticipate change, widen your imagination, and build the mental agility required to lead in an era of accelerated disruption.About the EpisodeIn this episode, you'll learn:How 11 breakthroughs — from gunpowder to the iPhone — rewired the worldWhy disruption is predictably unpredictableWhy even great organizations failWhy innovation is always a team sportWhy AI mirrors the printing press more than we realizeThe human side of disruptionSupport the MovementEveryone deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter.Show it. Wear it. Live it.StartMattering.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if the cure for modern loneliness… was sitting right beside you?In this powerful solo episode of Passion Struck, host John R. Miles explores the ancient, biological, and emotional forces behind the human–dog bond and why it may be one of the most potent antidotes to isolation in our accelerated, camera-off, hyper-distracted world.Drawing on insights from Elias Weiss Friedman (The Dogist) and Amina AlTai, John unpacks how dogs became our first empathy teachers, how belonging shapes every aspect of human flourishing, and why connection is the real currency of a meaningful life.You’ll discover how a 14,000-year-old partnership rewired our brains for companionship, what “the belonging equation” reveals about modern relationships, and why the micro-moments we share with dogs hold the blueprint for healing loneliness in families, teams, workplaces, and communities.This episode continues our acclaimed series, The Irreplaceables — a journey through the human capacities no algorithm can replace.If you’ve ever felt disconnected, invisible, or hungry for deeper relationships, this episode is your invitation to rebuild the bonds that make life matter.Read the full show notes here:Listen + Watch + Go DeeperAll episode resources—including my books You Matter, Luma and Passion Struck, The Ignited Life Substack, and Start Mattering store—are gathered here:👉 linktr.ee/John_R_MilesTo go deeper, download the free companion workbook:The Connection Compass — available now at TheIgnitedLife.netInside, you’ll find reflection prompts, science-backed exercises, and conversation starters to help you strengthen your empathy muscles, audit your relationships, and rebuild belonging in your everyday life.🧠 About the EpisodeDiscover how the human–dog bond became one of evolution’s greatest hacks for emotional regulation and safety.Learn why belonging isn’t accidental — it’s built through predictable patterns of trust, attention, and repeated positive regard.Explore the neuroscience behind loneliness, and why dogs may activate the same circuitry that heals social pain.Understand how modern work is unintentionally designing disconnection — and what Amina AlTai’s research reveals about rebuilding community and purpose.Gain practical steps to create a “purpose-aligned tribe” in your life: at home, at work, and in the relationships that matter most.Support the MovementEveryone deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter.Show it. Wear it. Live it.👉 StartMattering.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Amina AlTai, executive coach and author of The Ambition Trap, joins John R. Miles to expose why top achievers burn out despite “having it all.”They dismantle hustle culture’s grip, swap wound-driven ambition for gift-aligned purpose, and unpack Amina’s 3 E’s (Excellence, Enjoyment, Ease) plus the Resentment Line to end self-abandonment.From her near-death wake-up to systemic ambition penalties, they prove rest is resistance and wholeness at work heals teams and organizations.Listen + Watch + Go DeeperFull shownotes here: https://passionstruck.com/amina-altai-the-ambition-trap/All episode resources—including guest links, John’s books You Matter, Luma and Passion Struck, The Ignited Life Substack, and the Start Mattering Store—are gathered here:👉 linktr.ee/John_R_MilesTo learn more about Amina AlTai, visit aminaaltai.com.🧠 About the EpisodeThe Wake-Up Call: How Amina’s workaholism and toxic relationship to success nearly cost her life—and what it took to rebuild both her health and her definition of success.Painful vs. Purposeful Ambition: The crucial difference between ambition driven by wounds and ambition driven by purpose—and how to know which one is guiding you.The 3 E’s Framework: How identifying what brings Excellence, Enjoyment, and Ease helps you uncover your inner genius and design a life aligned with it.The Resentment Line: Why burnout begins when we live below our “resentment line”—and how to set boundaries that honor your worth.The Ambition Penalty: How gender, race, and identity shape the way ambition is judged—and why historically excluded groups face a double bind when they strive.Rewriting Hustle Culture: Why “working more” doesn’t make you more valuable, and how leaders can redefine productivity through presence and permission.Collective Wholeness: What it means to move from individual achievement to collective ambition—a model of success where we rise by being more ourselves, together.🌱 Join The Ignited Life CommunityIf this episode stirred something in you, The Ignited Life is where the transformation continues.Each week, John shares behind-the-scenes insights, science-backed tools, and reflections to help you turn intention into action.🔗 Subscribe free at TheIgnitedLife.net💫 Support the MovementEveryone deserves to feel valued and important.Show it. Wear it. Live it.🛍️ StartMattering.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this heartwarming and insightful conversation, John R. Miles sits down with Elias Weiss Friedman, the creator behind The Dogist, the beloved photo-documentary project with over 11 million followers, and author of This Dog Will Change Your Life.Together, they explore how dogs have become not only our best friends but also our greatest teachers: modeling presence, emotional regulation, and unconditional love. From rescuing animals in Puerto Rico to photographing 50,000 dogs around the world, Elias reveals how each encounter is a story of joy, resilience, and connection.John and Elias also discuss why dogs are “factories of empathy,” how they help combat loneliness and trauma, and what happens when we slow down long enough to really see and be seen by them.This episode is a celebration of light, loyalty, and the life-changing power of our four-legged companions.Read the full show notes: https://passionstruck.com/how-dogs-help-us-remember-we-matter/↗Listen + Watch + Go DeeperAll episode resources—including guest links, John’s books You Matter, Luma and Passion Struck, The Ignited Life Substack, and the Start Mattering store—are gathered here:👉 linktr.ee/John_R_MilesTo learn more about Elias Weiss Friedman and The Dogist, visit thedogist.com.🧠 About the EpisodeThe Origin of The Dogist: How a layoff, a camera, and a love for storytelling sparked one of the most uplifting social media movements of our time.Dogs as Social Architects: Why walking a dog can transform neighbors into community and strangers into friends.The Light They Bring: How dogs embody optimism, presence, and nonjudgment—showing us what it means to live without ego.Healing Companions: From veterans with PTSD to overworked nurses, the science of how dogs regulate our emotions and restore hope.Human Invention, Canine Connection: Why breeds are a reflection of us—and what our relationship with dogs says about humanity itself.Rescue and Responsibility: The grit behind true rescue work and what it really takes to save a life.The Dog-Human Mirror: How dogs reflect who we are—and how, through them, we evolve into better versions of ourselves.Join The Ignited Life CommunityIf this episode stirred something in you, The Ignited Life is where the transformation continues.Each week, John shares behind-the-scenes insights, science-backed tools, and reflections to help you turn intention into action.🔗 Subscribe free at TheIgnitedLife.netSupport the MovementEveryone deserves to feel valued and important.Show it. Wear it. Live it.🛍️ StartMattering.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if the most advanced intelligence on Earth isn’t artificial, but emotional?In this opening episode of the new Passion Struck series, The Irreplaceables: Rediscovering Human Worth in an Age of Acceleration, host John R. Miles explores the rarest skill of all in the age of AI: how to feel.We’re racing to make machines seem human while forgetting how to be.Through powerful storytelling and science-backed insights, John reveals how we’ve optimized ourselves into emotional flatlines—mistaking numbness for strength and speed for progress.Drawing from leading experts like Dr. Zac Seidler, Dr. Zelana Montminy, and Dr. Susan David, this episode unpacks:Why emotional awareness is the root of every good thing—love, leadership, creativity, and connection.How “high-functioning despair” is stealing purpose from millions (especially men).The neuroscience behind emotional agility—and how to build it even if you’ve been numb for years.Simple Agility Reps you can practice daily to feel human again.Why the true danger isn’t AI replacing us—but us replacing ourselves.If you’ve ever felt like you’re running faster yet feeling less, this episode is your call to pause, breathe, and remember what makes you irreplaceable.Read the full show notes here:Listen + Watch + Go DeeperAll episode resources—including my books You Matter, Luma and Passion Struck, The Ignited Life Substack, and the Start Mattering store—are gathered here:👉 linktr.ee/John_R_MilesTo go deeper, download the free companion guide:The Emotional Agility Toolkit — available now at https://www.theignitedlife.net/p/what-ai-cant-feel-and-why-im-scaredInside, you’ll find prompts and “Agility Reps” to help you rebuild emotional awareness, reconnect with your values, and reclaim your humanity in an automated world.Support the MovementEveryone deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter.Show it. Wear it. Live it.👉 StartMattering.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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.👉 Read the full show notes:Listen + Watch + Go DeeperAll episode resources—including guest links, Passion Struck books, The Ignited Life Substack, and the Start Mattering store—are gathered here:👉 linktr.ee/John_R_MilesTo learn more about Dr. Zelana Montminy, visit zelanamontminy.com.💡 About the EpisodeDiscover 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.🌿 Fuel Your Body, Fuel Your PurposeGet 20% OFF BUBS Naturals Collagen — clean, NSF Certified, and veteran-founded.Use code PASSIONSTRUCK at bubsnaturals.comReclaim your energy from the inside out.Get 20% OFF Mitopure Gummies from Timeline, powered by clinically proven Urolithin A.Head to timeline.com/passionstruck.Join The Ignited Life CommunityIf this episode sparked reflection, The Ignited Life is where transformation continues.Each week, John shares behind-the-scenes insights, neuroscience-backed tools, and practical reflections to help you live more intentionally.🔗 Subscribe free at TheIgnitedLife.net❤️ Support the Mattering MovementEveryone deserves to feel valued and important. Show it. Wear it. Live it.Visit StartMattering.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this raw and timely conversation, John R. Miles sits down with Dr. Zac Seidler, global director of men’s health research at Movember and one of the world’s leading voices redefining masculinity. Together, they explore how modern men are facing a silent crisis—one rooted not in strength or stoicism, but in disconnection, loneliness, and loss of mattering.From the heartbreaking story of losing his father to suicide to leading Movember’s groundbreaking new report The Real Face of Men’s Health, Zac shares what he’s learned about the “friendship recession,” why so many men struggle to ask for help, and how culture, compassion, and community can save lives.This episode is both a mirror and a call to action: a reminder that helping men heal isn’t just a men’s issue—it’s a human one.Read the full show notes: https://passionstruck.com/mens-mental-health-hidden-crisis-dr-zac-seidler/Listen + Watch + Go DeeperAll episode resources—including guest links, my books You Matter, Luma, and Passion Struck, The Ignited Life Substack, and the Start Mattering store—are gathered here:👉 linktr.ee/John_R_MilesTo learn more about Dr. Zac Seidler and Movember, visit Movember.com.🧠 About the EpisodeThe Friendship Recession: Why one in seven men report having no close friends and what it’s doing to our collective well-being.Healthy Masculinity Reimagined: The difference between masculinity and manhood and why flexibility is the new strength.Belonging Over Biohacking: Why connection matters more than cold plunges, and how authentic friendship can be life-saving.Grassroots Healing: How barbershops, basketball courts, and bike shops are becoming hubs of hope through Movember’s Making Connections program.The Real Face of Men’s Health: A landmark new report revealing the data, disparities, and the urgent call for cultural renewal.🌍 Join The Ignited Life CommunityIf this episode stirred something in you, The Ignited Life is where the transformation continues.Each week, I share behind-the-scenes insights, science-backed tools, and reflections to help you turn intention into action.🔗 Subscribe free at TheIgnitedLife.net💪 Support the MovementEveryone deserves to feel valued and important.Show it. Wear it. Live it.🛍️ Visit StartMattering.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if the story you’re living… isn’t yours?In this powerful solo episode of Passion Struck, host John R. Miles explores how culture, work, and media quietly script our lives — shaping what we value, chase, and believe we deserve — often without us realizing it.Drawing on insights from Claude Silver (VaynerX Chief Heart Officer) and Nick Thompson (CEO of The Atlantic), John unpacks how the stories we inherit, absorb, and create define who we become — and how to reclaim authorship in a world that profits from your distraction.You’ll learn why belonging isn’t the same as becoming, how the algorithms that shape your feed also shape your identity, and why the courage to rewrite your story might just be the most important act of your life.This episode closes out our acclaimed series, The Forces That Pull Us — a month-long journey through the invisible forces that guide how we think, lead, and live.If you’ve ever felt like you’re performing a role that no longer fits, this episode is your call to take back the pen.Read the full shownotes here: https://passionstruck.com/how-to-reclaim-your-story/🎧 Listen + Watch + Go DeeperAll episode resources—including my books You Matter, Luma, and Passion Struck, The Ignited Life Substack, and Start Mattering store—are gathered here:👉 linktr.ee/John_R_MilesTo go deeper, download the free companion workbook:The Stories That Shape Us Toolkit — available now at TheIgnitedLife.net.Inside, you’ll find reflections and prompts to help you uncover the cultural, professional, and personal stories that have shaped your identity — and begin rewriting them with intention.🧠 About the EpisodeDiscover how culture, work, and media quietly script your life — and how to reclaim authorship.Learn why belonging isn’t the same as becoming — and how to rewrite the stories that hold you back.Explore how algorithms shape what we see and believe, and how intentional awareness changes everything.Understand why authenticity isn’t rebellion — it’s reclamation.Gain practical steps to audit your inherited stories and realign them with your chosen values.Let’s Continue the ConversationWhat story are you living right now — and who’s holding the pen?Share your reflection on The Ignited Life, or post it on social using #TheStoriesThatShapeUs.John will feature select responses in next week’s newsletter.Support the MovementEveryone deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter.Show it. Wear it. Live it.👉 StartMattering.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this powerful conversation, John R. Miles sits down with Nick Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic and author of The Running Ground: A Father, a Son, and the Simplest Sport. Together, they explore how running became a thread through Nick’s life—a tool for resilience, self-discipline, and understanding his father’s complex legacy.From the early memories of running beside his dad during the American running boom to surviving thyroid cancer and breaking the three-hour marathon barrier, Nick shares how the sport has shaped his mind as much as his body. The discussion expands far beyond the track—touching on fatherhood, AI and authenticity, the psychology of limits, and how pain can be both teacher and truth-teller.This episode is a reminder that sometimes the hardest miles—whether in life or on the road—are the ones that teach us who we really are.👉 Read the full show notes: https://passionstruck.com/nick-thompson-the-miles-that-make-us-who-we-are/🎧 Listen + Watch + Go DeeperAll episode resources—including guest links, my books You Matter, Luma, and Passion Struck, The Ignited Life Substack, and the Start Mattering store—are gathered here:👉 linktr.ee/John_R_MilesTo learn more about Nick Thompson, visit nickthompson.comFuel your body with purposeGet 20% OFF BUBS Naturals Collagen — clean, NSF Certified, and veteran-founded.Use code PASSIONSTRUCK at bubsnaturals.comAfter checkout, tell them our show sent you!Feel younger, sharper, and stronger — from the inside outGet 20% OFF Mitopure Gummies from Timeline, powered by clinically proven Urolithin A.Head to timeline.com/passionstruckYour cells will thank you.🧠 About the EpisodeRunning as Identity: How movement connects memory, focus, and meaning.Breaking Mental Ceilings: The invisible limits that look like data but are really belief.Discipline and Flow: What marathons teach us about self-trust and persistence.Fatherhood and Legacy: How Nick’s turbulent relationship with his father shaped his resilience.Authenticity in the Age of AI: Why real voices matter in writing and leadership.Pain as Information: Learning to differentiate discomfort from danger.Join The Ignited Life CommunityIf this episode stirred something in you, The Ignited Life is where the transformation continues.Each week, I share behind-the-scenes insights, science-backed tools, and reflections to help you turn intention into action.🔗 Subscribe free at TheIgnitedLife.netSupport the MovementEveryone deserves to feel valued and important. Show it. Wear it. Live it.Visit StartMattering.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.