The Connected Life: Taylor Swift and the Power of Presence w/ John R. Miles | EP 624

Taylor Swift is one of the most famous people on the planet—but that’s not what makes her powerful.What makes her powerful is presence.In an era of curated lives and performative connection, Swift has done something rare: she’s made people feel seen. Not just heard, not just entertained—seen. And in today’s world, that’s a kind of emotional leadership we desperately need.This episode of The Connected Life breaks down how Swift models what I call the art of mattering—a way of showing up that goes beyond charisma or fame. It’s about congruence. Alignment. Making people feel like they matter, not as a tactic, but as a way of life.We often think connection is external—about how we express, persuade, or lead. But in this episode, John flips that lens inward to explore how emotional self-awareness, authenticity, and mattering shape every relationship we build—starting with ourselves.Click Here for the Full ShownotesExplore More: The Ignited Life SubstackIf today’s episode sparked something in you, you’ll love The Ignited Life—our free Substack newsletter created to fuel your growth between episodes.👉 Subscribe now at TheIgnitedLife.net.How to Connect with John:Connect with John on Twitter at @John_RMilesFollow him on Instagram at @John_R_MilesSubscribe to our main YouTube Channel and to our YouTube Clips ChannelFor more insights and resources, visit John’s websiteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this Passion Struck episode, Dr. David Hamilton—scientist, bestselling author, and expert in the mind-body connection—uncovers the extraordinary biology of kindness. Drawing from his background in pharmaceutical research and spiritual science, Dr. Hamilton explains how intentional kindness can lower inflammation, improve heart health, boost your immune system, and even reshape your brain.Together, we explore his 21-Day Kindfulness Experiment, the neuroscience behind compassion, and why kindness is more than a moral ideal—it’s a powerful tool for healing personal pain and bridging social disconnection. This conversation is part of our Connected Life series.If you’re ready to live with more intention, compassion, and inner alignment—this is your episode.Click HERE for the full show notesExplore More: The Ignited Life SubstackIf today’s episode sparked something in you, you’ll love The Ignited Life—our free Substack newsletter created to fuel your growth between episodes.👉 Subscribe now at TheIgnitedLife.net.Catch more of Suzanne Giesemann: https://suzannegiesemann.com/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_RMilesFollow him on Instagram at @John_R_MilesSubscribe to our main YouTube Channel and to our YouTube Clips ChannelFor more insights and resources, visit www.passionstruck.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What does it mean to live in alignment with your soul—and how can you access divine guidance in your everyday life? In this compelling episode, former Navy Commander turned spiritual teacher Suzanne Giesemann shares how she transitioned from skepticism to deep soul awareness after a personal tragedy shattered her worldview.Drawing from her signature approach, The Awakened Way®, Suzanne offers a powerful roadmap for connecting to higher consciousness and tuning in to the unseen realms with clarity, trust, and love. Whether you’ve ever wondered about the afterlife, spirit communication, or the deeper meaning of your existence, this conversation will leave you rethinking what it means to be fully alive.Click HERE for the full show notesExplore More: The Ignited Life NewsletterIf today’s episode sparked something in you, you’ll love The Ignited Life—our free Substack newsletter created to fuel your growth between episodes.👉 Subscribe now at TheIgnitedLife.net.Catch more of Suzanne Giesemann: https://suzannegiesemann.com/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_RMilesFollow him on Instagram at @John_R_MilesSubscribe to our main YouTube Channel and to our YouTube Clips ChannelFor more insights and resources, visit www.passionstruck.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Welcome to Passion Struck Episode 621. This week, we start our new series, The Connect Life, with a solo deep dive into the truth behind meaningful connection. The kind that isn’t built on charisma, cleverness, or charm—but on something deeper: who you are, when you speak.We often think connection is external—about how we express, persuade, or lead. But in this episode, John flips that lens inward to explore how emotional self-awareness, authenticity, and mattering shape every relationship we build—starting with ourselves.Click Here for the Full ShownotesExplore More: The Ignited Life NewsletterIf today’s episode sparked something in you, you’ll love The Ignited Life—our free Substack newsletter created to fuel your growth between episodes.👉 Subscribe now at TheIgnitedLife.net.How to Connect with John:Connect with John on Twitter at @John_RMilesFollow him on Instagram at @John_R_MilesSubscribe to our main YouTube Channel and to our YouTube Clips ChannelFor more insights and resources, visit John’s websiteSee 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 deeply human episode of Passion Struck, I sit down with Kass and Mike Lazerow—serial entrepreneurs, early investors in Scopely and Liquid Death, and authors of the powerful new book, Shoveling Sh!t: A Love Story About the Entrepreneur’s Messy Path to Success.We go far beyond startup strategy and dive into what most founders won’t say out loud: the loneliness, the identity loss, the trauma—and the daily choice to love through it all. This isn’t just a business story. It’s a blueprint for building anything real: a company, a relationship, a life—with soul at the center.Click HERE for the full show notesExplore More: The Ignited Life NewsletterIf today’s episode sparked something in you, you’ll love The Ignited Life—our free Substack newsletter created to fuel your growth between episodes.👉 Subscribe now at TheIgnitedLife.net.Catch more of Kass and Mike Lazerow: https://kassandmike.com/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_RMilesFollow him on Instagram at @John_R_MilesSubscribe to our main YouTube Channel and to our YouTube Clips ChannelFor more insights and resources, visit www.passionstruck.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this powerful episode of Passion Struck, I'm joined by world-renowned mindfulness pioneer Jon Kabat-Zinn, founder of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and author of Full Catastrophe Living and Wherever You Go, There You Are.We dive deep into the essence of mindfulness—not as a buzzword, but as a radical invitation to fully feel our lives. Jon unpacks why true healing requires presence, why you can’t bypass your emotions, and how mindfulness isn’t about relaxing—it’s about awakening.show up.Click HERE for the full show notesExplore More: The Ignited Life NewsletterIf today’s episode sparked something in you, you’ll love The Ignited Life—our free Substack newsletter created to fuel your growth between episodes.👉 Subscribe now at TheIgnitedLife.net.Catch more of Jon Kabat-Zinn: https://jonkabat-zinn.com/We also explore:The misunderstood purpose of meditationHow to work with pain, fear, and overwhelmThe dangers of spiritual bypassingWhy being present is the most courageous act of our timeThe biological roots of connection, compassion, and consciousnessIf 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_RMilesFollow him on Instagram at @John_R_MilesSubscribe to our main YouTube Channel and to our YouTube Clips ChannelFor more insights and resources, visit John’s websiteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice atSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In episode 618 of Passion Struck, host John R. Miles delivers a powerful solo reflection that caps off Mental Health Awareness Month with one essential question:"What’s the real Return on your Energy?"Drawing on recent interviews with Dr. Judith Joseph and Dr. Andrew Brodsky, as well as past solo episodes that introduced frameworks like H.O.M.E. and L.E.N.S., this episode unpacks how high-achievers—especially leaders—often burn out not from doing too little, but from mismanaging their most finite resource: mental energy.Click Here for the Full ShownotesExplore More: The Ignited Life NewsletterIf today’s episode sparked something in you, you’ll love The Ignited Life—our free Substack newsletter created to fuel your growth between episodes.👉 Subscribe now at TheIgnitedLife.net.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why ROE (Return on Energy) is the real metric for modern leadershipThe four biggest energy leaks: Over-functioning, Over-identification, Overexposure, and Over-responsibilityHow high-functioning depression masks burnout in top performersPractical tools for restoring your emotional margin and protecting your energyThe five essential “energy investments” that recalibrate your focus and clarityHow to Connect with John:Connect with John on Twitter at @John_RMilesFollow him on Instagram at @John_R_MilesSubscribe to our main YouTube Channel and to our YouTube Clips ChannelFor more insights and resources, visit John’s websiteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Passion Struck, Dr. Andrew Brodsky—organizational psychologist, UT Austin professor, and author of PING: Mastering the Art of Virtual Communication—explores how presence, intention, and clarity have become the most undervalued skills in our increasingly virtual world.Drawing from his groundbreaking research and insights from PING, Brodsky reveals why performative busyness is sabotaging genuine connection, how hybrid work is rewiring the way we engage, and what leaders can do to rebuild trust, motivation, and real collaboration. If you’re navigating digital communication, managing remote teams, or simply craving more meaningful connections in your workday, this episode will shift how you lead—and how you show up.Click HERE for the full show notesExplore More: The Ignited Life NewsletterIf today’s episode sparked something in you, you’ll love The Ignited Life—our free Substack newsletter created to fuel your growth between episodes.👉 Subscribe now at TheIgnitedLife.net.Catch more of Dr. Andrew Brodsky: https://abrodsky.com/Together, John and Andrew explore:The difference between physical, emotional, and psychological presence—and why they matter.Why hybrid work may amplify disengagement if not intentionally designed.How “performative busyness” is eroding real productivity and wellbeing.The silent epidemic of disengagement—and how to detect and reverse it.Research-backed tools for leaders to foster presence and connection.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_RMilesFollow him on Instagram at @John_R_MilesSubscribe to our main YouTube Channel and to our YouTube Clips ChannelFor more insights and resources, visit John’s websiteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this powerful Passion Struck episode, John R. Miles sits down with Dr. Judith Joseph—board-certified psychiatrist, clinical researcher, and author of High Functioning: Overcome Your Hidden Depression and Reclaim Your Joy. Together, they unpack the silent struggle of individuals who appear to “have it all together” while suffering emotionally beneath the surface.Dr. Judith opens up about her own moment of clarity during a pandemic-era talk, where she realized that despite her career achievements and public appearances, she was silently battling depression. This personal revelation inspired her pioneering research into high-functioning depression—a condition not yet formally recognized in the DSM-5 but experienced by millions.could actually fit into your modern routine, this episode is both grounding and uplifting.Click HERE for the full show notesExplore More: The Ignited Life NewsletterIf today’s episode sparked something in you, you’ll love The Ignited Life—our free Substack newsletter created to fuel your growth between episodes.👉 Subscribe now at TheIgnitedLife.net.Together, John and Judith explore:The difference between burnout and high-functioning depressionThe role of avoidance and scarcity trauma in over-functioning behaviorHow societal pressure leads to performance-based identity and joy depletionThe neuroscience of joy and emotional numbing (anhedonia)Dr. Judith’s 5 Vs Framework: Validation, Venting, Values, Vitals, and VisionCatch more of Dr. Judith Joseph: https://drjudithjoseph.com/about/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_RMilesFollow him on Instagram at @John_R_MilesSubscribe to our main YouTube Channel and to our YouTube Clips ChannelFor more insights and resources, visit John’s websiteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if the problem isn’t that you’re broken, but that your environment no longer reflects who you are?In this solo episode, John takes you inside one of the most overlooked truths about mental health: it doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It lives in the patterns, people, and places you move through every day. Sharing a personal story of hidden anxiety during a high-functioning season of life, he introduces H.O.M.E.—a four-part framework to help you build a mental ecosystem that supports resilience, alignment, and real emotional well-being.Click here for full show notes!Introducing — The Ignited LifeIn our weekly Substack, I share tools, stories, and strategies to help you live with clarity, alignment, and purpose.Subscribe to theignitedlife.net — and start building a life that reflects who you really are.You’ll learn:Why habits alone won’t save you if they’re misaligned with your identityHow relationships either reinforce your truth or drain itThe role of meaning as a daily anchor, not just a big ideaWhy emotional space is the key to long-term sustainabilityThis episode is a blueprint for creating the internal and external conditions where you don’t just survive—you belong.How to Connect with John:Connect with John on Twitter at @John_RMilesFollow him on Instagram at @John_R_MilesSubscribe to our main YouTube Channel and to our YouTube Clips ChannelFor more insights and resources, visit John’s websiteWant 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.