The Mattering Mirror: How to Rewire Your Worth Today | John R. Miles - EP 732

If you were to look into a mirror right now that didn't show your face, but showed your true value, what would you see?In this high-stakes solo episode of Passion Struck, John R. Miles confronts the "Big Tobacco" moment of the tech industry: the landmark trial revealing how algorithms are engineered to replace our children’s self-worth with digital scorecards. Building on his deep-dive conversations with Yale’s Dr. Laurie Santos on "Duck Syndrome" and Harvard’s Dr. Alison Wood Brooks on the "TALK" framework, John introduces The Mattering Mirror.As we reach the final countdown to the February 24th launch of his children’s book, You Matter, Luma, John bridges the gap between the Fortune 50 boardroom and the schoolyard. He reveals how "cosmetic surgery filters" and engagement metrics create a "Shattered Mirror" for the next generation, and offers a tactical roadmap to decommission the scorecard. Learn how to move from polishing your Achievement Armor to embracing an Intrinsic Authority that no algorithm can touch.Passion Struck is the #1 personal growth podcast dedicated to human flourishing and the science of mattering.Check the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/the-mattering-mirror-intrinsic-worth/All links gathered here: https://linktr.ee/John_R_MilesCompanion Reflection & Integration Resources Inside The Ignited Life, each episode in the "You Matter" series is paired with guided reflection prompts. This week, we explore the "Boardroom Callback" and the "Bedroom Reset" to help you practice being a Mattering Mirror for yourself and those you lead. Explore the community: https://www.theignitedlife.net/p/the-mattering-mirror-intrinsic-worthConnect with the Ecosystem Pre-order You Matter, Luma (releasing Feb 24): https://youmatterluma.com/ Start your ripple journey: https://passtheripple.com Support the Movement: https://StartMattering.com Watch on YouTube: Search for Passion Struck with John R. MilesIn This Episode, You Will LearnThe Shattered Mirror: A breakdown of the Mark Zuckerberg trial and how 46-minute engagement goals are traded for our children’s self-worth.Duck Syndrome & Achievement Armor: Insights from Dr. Laurie Santos on why we glide on the surface while drowning underneath.The Mechanics of Mattering: How to use the TALK Framework (Topics, Asking, Levity, Kindness) to transition from transaction to connection.Cosmetic Surgery Filters vs. The Spark: Why digital "perfection" leads to body dysmorphia and how to anchor a child in their unfiltered value.The Boardroom Callback: A leadership tactic to prove your team members "register" as souls, not just data points.The Bedroom Reset: A daily practice for "re-parenting" your inner critic and silencing the "Speech Impediment of the Soul."The Schoolyard Anchor: Using the final minutes of the day to plant a non-negotiable truth in the "wet cement" of a child's heart.DisclaimerThe Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a licensed physician, therapist, or other qualified professional.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if the stories we've been told about love are not just incomplete, but actively making dating and relationships harder and more painful?In this eye-opening episode of the Passion Struck podcast, renowned relationship scientist Dr. Paul Eastwick joins John R. Miles to unpack his groundbreaking new book, Bonded by Evolution: The New Science of Love and Connection (Crown, February 10, 2026).Drawing from two decades of research, Eastwick reveals that humans evolved not to rank desirability or maximize status, but to form deep, idiosyncratic bonds through repeated, mundane interactions. Initial impressions fade quickly, consensus on "who's hot" disappears over time, and true compatibility emerges from how someone makes you feel (bigger, seen, supported) rather than checklists or traits.He critiques how dating apps reverse our natural bonding process, why "player" reputations tell us little about long-term potential, and how secure attachments create safe havens and secure bases that fuel exploration, growth, and a richer life. Through stories, science, and practical insights, this conversation offers a hopeful, evidence-based shift: from hierarchical competition to meaningful connection.If you've ever felt depleted by modern dating, questioned why rejection stings so deeply, or wondered how to build love that lasts, this episode delivers a liberating roadmap rooted in what we've truly evolved for—attachment, adaptation, and care.Passion Struck is the #1 alternative health podcast and personal growth podcast dedicated to human flourishing and the science of mattering. It is ranked #1 on FeedSpot’s list of the Top Passion Podcasts on the Web, and Interview Valet ranked it among the top 20 podcasts for business and mindset.Check the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/how-attraction-really-works-paul-eastwick/Download a Free Companion Reflection Guide:Connect with John Keynote speaking, books, and podcast: https://linktr.ee/John_R_MilesPre-Order the Children’s Book You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/Learn More About Paul Eastwick: https://pauleastwick.com/Learn More About Bonded by Evolution: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/723049/bonded-by-evolution-by-paul-eastwick/Bonded by Evolution: The New Science of Love and Connection is available wherever books are sold.In This Episode, You Will LearnWhy evolutionary psychology's "mating market" myths (ranking, trading up, fixed desirability) are scientifically weak and psychologically corrosiveHow attraction shifts from consensus at first meetings to idiosyncratic, unique bonds over time—making "settling" a myth and compatibility something we createThe power of repeated interactions (e.g., sports leagues, classes) vs. app swiping: why dating apps deplete us by reversing our evolved bonding processAttachment science essentials: safe havens (support in hard times) and secure bases (celebrating successes) as the core of healthy relationships—and how they spark exploration and growthGender differences in attraction are far weaker and more flexible than pop stories claim (e.g., physical attractiveness matters equally; stranger propositions exaggerate gaps)The "compatibility illusion": why checklists of traits/values rarely predict success, and focusing on how someone makes you feel (expanded, valued) is far betterSupport the Movement. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it. https://StartMattering.comDisclaimerThe Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a licensed physician, therapist, or other qualified professional.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if the key to true happiness isn’t more achievements, more connections, or even more love poured your way, but actually feeling loved in the moments that matter?In this powerful episode of the Passion Struck podcast, world-renowned happiness expert Sonja Lyubomirsky and the preminent relationship researcher Harry Reis join John R. Miles to discuss their groundbreaking new book, How to Feel Loved: The Five Mindsets That Get You More of What Matters Most (Harper, February 10, 2026).Their radical insight: Feeling loved isn’t about becoming more lovable or chasing extrinsic rewards. It’s about showing your full, vulnerable self and inviting others to do the same—through intentional shifts in how we converse and connect.They introduce the Relationship Sea-Saw, a dynamic of reciprocity where one person lifts the other through curiosity and warmth, sparking a virtuous cycle of being truly known and valued. Through stories, science (from attachment theory to the costs of secrets), and even insights from their meeting with the Dalai Lama, they unpack why “going first” changes everything and how five practical mindsets can transform relationships of all kinds.If you’ve ever wondered why love sometimes feels like it’s missing even when it’s present or how to make it land more deeply, this episode offers a science-backed, hopeful roadmap.Passion Struck is the #1 alternative health podcast and personal growth podcast dedicated to human flourishing and the science of mattering. It is ranked #1 on FeedSpot’s list of the Top Passion Podcasts on the Web, and Interview Valet ranked it as one of the top 20 podcasts for business and mindset.Check the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/how-to-feel-loved-sonja-lyubomirsky-harry-reis/Download a Free Companion Reflection Guide:Connect with John Keynote speaking, books, and podcast: https://linktr.ee/John_R_MilesPre-Order the Children’s Book You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/Learn More About Sonja Lyubomirsky: https://sonjalyubomirsky.comLearn More About Harry Reis: https://www.sas.rochester.edu/psy/people/faculty/reis_harry/How to Feel Loved: The Five Mindsets That Get You More of What Matters Most is available wherever books are sold.In This Episode, You Will LearnWhy being loved doesn’t always translate to feeling loved—and the painful "mattering gap" it createsThe 5 powerful mindsets: Sharing (vulnerability), Listening-to-Learn, Radical Curiosity, Open-Heart, and MultiplicityThe science of responsiveness: How genuine curiosity and presence make others feel seen—and lift you in returnAttributional ambiguity: Why extrinsic pursuits (money, status, beauty) often fail to deliver the warm glow of true loveLessons from the Dalai Lama: Love as a decision—treating others as "each other’s mothers" and sending loving-kindness even to those you dislikeHow feeling loved becomes a safe haven, fueling exploration, creativity, and a more psychologically rich lifePractical first steps: One 15-minute conversation to start remaking how love lands in your relationshipsSupport the Movement. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it. https://StartMattering.comDisclaimerThe Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a licensed physician, therapist, or other qualified professional.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you could go back to the exact moment your "Performance Folder" was created—the instant you decided you had to be perfect, useful, or invisible to be seen—what would you say to that younger you?In this pivotal solo episode of Passion Struck, John R. Miles introduces The Luma Effect: the lifelong cascade that begins when a child internalizes the truth of their intrinsic worth before the world hands them a conditional script. Building on his powerhouse conversations with Rebecca Goldstein on the mattering instinct and Daniel Coyle on the art of flourishing, John explores how we can decommission the "outdated reports" in our heads to reclaim our significance.As we count down to the February 24th launch of his children’s book, You Matter, Luma, John explains why the window between ages four and eight is "wet cement" for a child’s soul. He reveals how the Luma Effect serves as preventive medicine against the Arrival Fallacy and the Optimization Trap, offering a practical roadmap for parents, leaders, and high achievers to move from "treasure hunting" for worth to "treasure creation" from within.Passion Struck is the #1 alternative health and personal growth podcast dedicated to human flourishing and the science of mattering.Check the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/luma-effect-performance-script-intrinsic-worth/All links gathered here: https://linktr.ee/John_R_MilesCompanion Reflection & Integration ResourcesInside The Ignited Life, each episode in the You Matter series is paired with guided reflection prompts and grounding practices. This week, we explore how to "re-parent" your inner child by applying the Luma Effect to your own daily self-talk.Explore the community: https://TheIgnitedLife.netConnect with the EcosystemPre-order You Matter, Luma (releasing February 24): https://youmatterluma.com/Start your ripple journeySupport the Movement: https://StartMattering.comWatch on YouTube: Search for Passion Struck with John R. MilesIn This Episode, You Will LearnThe Luma Effect Defined: The mechanics of the "truth ripple" and how it serves as the positive inverse to the speech impediment of the soul.Treasure Creation vs. Hunting: How to apply Daniel Coyle’s and Barry Schwartz’s philosophy to move away from a performance-based identity.The Wet Cement Window: Why ages 4–8 are critical for solidifying self-concept and how early affirmations strengthen executive function and resilience.The Bending Tree Lesson: Using affective neuroscience to build a spirit that bends with life’s storms instead of breaking under the weight of comparison.The Arrival Fallacy & Burnout: Why "one more win" never fills the hole in the soul and how intrinsic mattering acts as a permanent buffer.The Wordless Tie in Action: How the simple ritual of reading You Matter, Luma creates a dual-healing moment for both the child and the adult.The Pass the Ripple Challenge: Practical steps to move from internal worth to external kindness through a global initiative.Thank you to our sponsorsCaraway’s cookware set is a favorite for a reason—it can save you up to $190 versus buying items individually. Plus, if you visit Carawayhome.com/PASSIONSTRUCK, you can take an additional 10% off your next purchase.Check out Kalshi and use my code SB60 for a great deal: https://kalshi.comDisclaimerThe Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a licensed physician, therapist, or other qualified professional.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if the secret to a meaningful life isn’t "high performance" but a state of being unusually alive?In this essential installment of the Passion Struck podcast, New York Times bestselling author Daniel Coyle joins John R. Miles to discuss his transformative new book, Flourish: The Art of Building Meaning, Joy, and Fulfillment (Feb 2026).The author of The Culture Code and The Talent Code, Coyle has spent decades decoding the secrets of the world’s most effective groups. In Flourish, he pivots from how we perform to how we feel, exploring why some environments—from a bustling Cleveland deli to the high-stakes world of Navy SEALs—vibrate with a "shared electricity" that others lack.Coyle argues that flourishing is not a treasure hunt we go on, but a treasure we create through intentional design. He unpacks the "science of presence," the shift from command-and-control to gardener leadership, and why mattering is the ultimate precondition for group flow. Through stories of miners trapped in Chile and strangers gathered at a long table in Paris, Coyle reveals how we can stop behaving like "attendees" in our own lives and start becoming participants in our own aliveness.This conversation explores the fundamental human need for significance in a world obsessed with metrics. How do we move beyond just "doing fine" to feeling truly, vibrantly relevant?If you are a leader, a parent, or anyone seeking to move from endurance to aliveness, this episode provides a powerful framework for cultivating conditions in which human significance is reinforced and flourishing becomes inevitable.Passion Struck is the #1 alternative health podcast and personal growth podcast dedicated to human flourishing and the science of mattering. It is ranked #1 on FeedSpot’s list of the Top Passion Podcasts on the Web, recognizing the show’s commitment to thoughtful, human-centered conversations like this one.Check the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/how-to-flourish-daniel-coyle/Download a Free Companion Reflection Guide: https://www.theignitedlife.net/p/how-to-flourish-gardener-leader-daniel-coyleConnect with John Keynote speaking, books, and podcast: https://linktr.ee/John_R_MilesPre-Order the Children’s Book You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/Learn More About Daniel Coyle: https://danielcoyle.comFlourish: The Art of Building Meaning, Joy, and Fulfillment is available wherever books are sold.Thank you to our sponsorsCaraway’s cookware set is a favorite for a reason—it can save you up to $190 versus buying items individually. Plus, if you visit Carawayhome.com/PASSIONSTRUCK, you can take an additional 10% off your next purchase.Check out Kalshi and use my code SB60 for a great deal: https://kalshi.comIn This Episode, You Will LearnWhy life is not a "treasure hunt" but a process of "treasure creation"The distinction between high performance (efficiency) and aliveness (flourishing)How to transition from a "mechanic" mindset to becoming a gardener leaderThe science of presence: How responsive awareness serves as the "first move" of flourishingWhy mattering is a vital precondition for flow and group dynamismThe "view from the valley": How adversity can act as a catalyst for deeper connection and clarityHow to design environments—from dining tables to boardrooms—that prioritize human significanceWhy the "man box" and performance-based identity prevent men from experiencing true alivenessSupport the Movement. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it. https://StartMattering.comDisclaimer The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a licensed physician, therapist, or other qualified professional.See 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 human thing about us isn’t happiness, survival, or even love but the relentless need to feel we matter?In this profound installment of the You Matter series on Passion Struck, MacArthur Fellow and National Humanities Medalist Rebecca Newberger Goldstein joins the show to unpack her groundbreaking book The Mattering Instinct: How Our Deepest Longing Drives Us and Divides Us (Liveright, January 13, 2026).A philosopher and novelist celebrated for Plato at the Googleplex and The Mind-Body Problem, Goldstein argues that this primal instinct is uniquely human. Rooted in self-reflection and our resistance to entropy, it propels our greatest achievements and darkest conflicts. Through vivid stories—from William James overcoming depression to a neo-Nazi skinhead’s redemption, Scott Joplin’s tragic devotion to his opera, and an impoverished Chinese woman rescuing abandoned babies—Goldstein reveals how “mattering projects” shape identity, relationships, culture, and even atrocities.She distinguishes true mattering (an inward justification of our existence) from mere connectedness (belonging to others), explores four “continents” on the mattering map (Transcenders, Heroic Strivers, Socializers, Competitors), and offers a moral boundary: align with life and flourishing against disorder and entropy.This conversation probes a crisis at the heart of modern life: In a world of metrics, performance, and isolation, how do we answer the question “Do I really matter?” and live with mercy toward one another’s vulnerable longings?If you wrestle with purpose, dignity, meaning, leadership, or why humans create beauty and harm, this episode delivers a clarifying, compassionate framework for understanding ourselves and our divided world.Passion Struck is the #1 alternative health podcast and personal growth podcast dedicated to human flourishing and the science of mattering. It is ranked #1 on FeedSpot’s list of the Top Passion Podcasts on the Web, recognizing the show’s commitment to thoughtful, human-centered conversations like this one.Caraway’s cookware set is a favorite for a reason—it can save you up to $190 versus buying items individually. Plus, if you visit Carawayhome.com/PASSIONSTRUCK, you can take an additional 10% off your next purchase.Check out Kalshi and use my code SB60 for a great deal: https://kalshi.comCheck the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/mattering-instinct-rebecca-newberger-goldstein/Download a Free Companion Reflection Guide: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dy59XSRcQgovN3N-KNbHILa9GO91Tou-/view?usp=sharingConnect with John Keynote speaking, books, and podcast: https://linktr.ee/John_R_MilesPre-Order the Children’s Book You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/Learn More About Rebecca Newberger Goldstein: https://rebeccagoldstein.comThe Mattering Instinct: How Our Deepest Longing Drives Us and Divides UsAvailable wherever books are sold.Mattering is an indicator of organizational health: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2019-74409-001In This Episode, You Will LearnWhy the mattering instinct is the most peculiar and poignant thing about being humanHow self-reflection and entropy resistance turn biological survival into an existential question of justificationThe crucial distinction between connectedness (mattering to others) and true mattering (deserving our own attention)How the four continents of the mattering map—Transcenders, Heroic Strivers, Socializers, and Competitors—reveal our diverse responses to the same instinctWhy this longing fuels extraordinary creation (art, altruism, discovery) and profound harm (atrocities, zero-sum competition)Entropy as a real constraint on meaning: ways of living that sustain order, care, and flourishing vs. those that accelerate disorderThe vulnerability this instinct creates—and why it demands we treat one another with kindnessSupport the MovementEvery human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it. https://StartMattering.comDisclaimerThe Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a licensed physician, therapist, or other qualified professional.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We are taught from the schoolyard to the boardroom that our value is a variable, something that fluctuates based on our last win, our latest promotion, or our ability to remain relentlessly productive. But what happens when the "doing" stops?In this deeply personal solo episode of Passion Struck, John R. Miles pulls back the curtain on a phenomenon he calls the "speech impediment of the soul." Drawing from a life-altering traumatic brain injury at age five and his subsequent climb through the ranks of the Navy and Fortune 50 leadership, John explores the quiet disorientation that follows when we trade our voices for safety and our existence for achievement.As we approach the February 24th launch of his new children’s book, You Matter, Luma, John reveals why mattering is the "preventative medicine" the human spirit requires to stop the cycle of over-performance and invisibility. This episode is a call to end the trade and finally reclaim a sense of worth that requires no strings attached.Passion Struck is the #1 alternative health and personal growth podcast dedicated to human flourishing and the science of mattering. It is ranked #1 on FeedSpot’s list of the Top Passion Podcasts on the Web, recognizing the show’s ongoing commitment to thoughtful, human-centered conversations.Check the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/healing-childhood-trauma-feeling-invisible-adult/All links gathered here, including books, Substack, YouTube, and Start Mattering apparel: https://linktr.ee/John_R_MilesIn This Episode, You Will LearnThe Shattered Window: How early life trauma can rewrite your reality and create a "performance trap" that follows you into adulthood.The Speech Impediment of the Soul: Identifying the hidden whisper that tells high-achievers they only matter if they are producing.The Maximizer’s Prison: Why modern life’s obsession with optimization and "best" choices actually erodes human dignity.The Luma Truth: How to shift from mattering through achievement to mattering through existence.The Wordless Tie: Practical tools for building a profound connection with others that doesn't rely on perfect words or performance.Mattering Mirrors: Why we must decouple excellence from worth to protect the next generation (and our own inner child).The Adult Mattering Audit: Four specific questions to help you diagnose and heal your own quiet disorientation.Preventative Medicine: How the message of You Matter, Luma acts as a shield for children ages 4–8 against the optimization trap.Companion Reflection & Integration ResourcesInside The Ignited Life, each episode in the You Matter series is paired with guided reflection prompts and grounding practices. These are designed to help you examine where your relationships circulate care—and where they quietly extract it—to help you move from "doing" back to "being."Explore the community: https://TheIgnitedLife.netConnect with the EcosystemPre-order You Matter, Luma (releasing February 24): https://youmatterluma.com/Support the Movement: https://StartMattering.comWatch on YouTube: Search for Passion Struck with John R. MilesDisclaimerThe Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a licensed physician, therapist, or other qualified professional.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What happens when strength is defined as self-sufficiency, emotional restraint, and constant proof?In this episode of Passion Struck, licensed psychologist and leadership coach Daniel Ellenberg, PhD, joins Passion Struck to explore how traditional masculine scripts shape identity, relationships, and the lived experience of mattering often at a hidden cost.Ellenberg has spent more than four decades facilitating men’s groups and workshops, guiding thousands of men through questions of emotional intelligence, vulnerability, and relational presence. As the founder of Strength with Heart, co-founder of Relationships That Work, and a principal at the Rewire Leadership Institute, his work examines how cultural expectations around masculinity quietly teach boys and men to armor themselves against dependence, tenderness, and uncertainty.In this conversation, John R. Miles and Daniel Ellenberg examine how early conditioning trains men to equate worth with performance, stoicism, and self-reliance and how that training disrupts connection, intimacy, and the felt sense of significance across adulthood. The discussion explores why many capable, caring men experience isolation despite success, why vulnerability often feels dangerous rather than connective, and how reclaiming “strength with heart” restores agency, belonging, and relational vitality.As part of the You Matter series — and leading toward the February 24th release of You Matter, Luma — this episode traces how lessons about visibility, emotional permission, and worth are learned early and reinforced across families, workplaces, and institutions.This episode invites a deeper question: What happens to mattering when strength requires concealment, and what becomes possible when presence replaces performance?If you care about relationships, leadership, men’s mental health, emotional development, or how people come to feel significant inside cultural systems, this conversation offers a grounded and humane perspective.Passion Struck is the #1 alternative health podcast dedicated to human flourishing and the science of mattering. It is consistently ranked among the world’s top podcasts for thoughtful conversations about meaning, agency, and belonging.Check out Kalshi and use my code SB60 for a great deal: https://kalshi.comIn This Episode, You Will LearnHow traditional masculinity conditions boys to armor against vulnerability early in lifeWhy proving strength through stoicism often undermines connection and intimacyHow emotional performance replaces presence in many male relationshipsThe difference between power as control and strength as integrationWhy vulnerability signals mattering inside relationships and communitiesHow loneliness, isolation, and burnout emerge from unmet relational significanceWhat “strength with heart” looks like in leadership, parenting, and partnershipHow authenticity restores agency and relational circulationResources & LinksCheck the full show notes: https://passionstruck.com/strength-with-heart-daniel-ellenberg/Download the Free Companion Reflection Guide:Pre-Order the Children’s Book You Matter, Luma (Launching February 24): https://youmatterluma.com/Connect with John — speaking, books, and podcast: https://linktr.ee/John_R_MilesLearn More About Daniel Ellenberg:https://strengthwithheart.com/https://relationshipsthatwork.com/Books MentionedLovers for Life: Creating Lasting Passion, Trust, and True Partnership (with Judith Bell)Support the MovementEvery human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter.Wear it. Live it. Show it.https://StartMattering.comDisclaimerThe Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a licensed physician, therapist, or other qualified professional.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What happens when the frameworks we use to make decisions no longer reflect how human lives actually work?In this opening episode of the You Matter series on Passion Struck, renowned social psychologist Barry Schwartz joins the show to examine how modern decision-making systems—built on metrics, optimization, and rational choice theory—can quietly erode agency, judgment, and our sense of mattering.Schwartz is best known for The Paradox of Choice, which revealed how an abundance of options often leads to dissatisfaction rather than freedom. In his new book, Choose Wisely, co-written with philosopher Richard Schuldenfrei, he extends this critique by challenging the foundations of rational choice theory itself—the economic model that assumes good decisions can be reduced to calculation, comparison, and optimization.While behavioral economics acknowledges human irrationality, Schwartz argues that it preserves an incomplete definition of rational decision-making. Drawing from psychology, economics, and philosophy—and engaging directly with the legacy of Thinking, Fast and Slow—he proposes a richer framework grounded in framing, judgment, and what he calls a person’s “constellation of virtues.”In this conversation, John R. Miles and Barry Schwartz explore how treating life as a spreadsheet of isolated wins distorts meaning, why judgment has been replaced by formulas, and how mattering is experienced not through utility, but through coherence, contribution, and relational significance over time.This episode asks a central question for modern life: What does it mean to choose wisely when meaning cannot be quantified?If you care about decision-making, leadership, autonomy, or how people come to feel significant in systems designed to optimize them, this conversation offers a clarifying and timely perspective.Passion Struck is the #1 alternative health podcast and personal growth podcast dedicated to human flourishing and the science of mattering. It is ranked #1 on FeedSpot’s list of the Top Passion Podcasts on the Web, recognizing the show’s commitment to thoughtful, human-centered conversations like this one.Check out Kalshi and use my code SB60 for a great deal: https://kalshi.comCheck the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/barry-schwartz-choosing-wisely/Download a Free Companion Reflection Guide: https://www.theignitedlife.net/p/art-of-choosing-wisely-barry-schwartzConnect with John Keynote speaking, books, and podcast: https://linktr.ee/John_R_MilesPre-Order the Children’s Book You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/Learn More About Barry Schwartz: https://www.swarthmore.edu/profile/barry-schwartzThe Paradox of ChoiceChoose Wisely (with Richard Schuldenfrei)Available wherever books are sold.In This Episode, You Will LearnWhy rational choice theory fails to describe how people actually make decisionsHow the paradox of choice leads to regret, dissatisfaction, and decision fatigueWhy judgment has been replaced by rules and metrics—and what that costs leaders and organizationsHow framing shapes good decisions more than optimizationWhy meaning emerges from narrative coherence rather than isolated outcomesHow treating people as interchangeable units of utility undermines matteringThe tension between autonomy and connectedness in modern, pluralistic societiesSupport the MovementEvery human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it. https://StartMattering.comDisclaimerThe Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a licensed physician, therapist, or other qualified professional.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We spend much of our lives searching for meaning through work, relationships, contribution, and purpose. But beneath that search lives a quieter, more fragile question, one we rarely say out loud:Do I matter even when nothing is being made of me?In this solo episode of Passion Struck, John R. Miles moves beneath meaning itself to explore what actually holds a life together when direction, productivity, and explanation fall away. Through a deeply personal reflection on his final walk with his sister, Carolyn, he reveals how worth is not something we build or earn, but something that must first be felt and recognized.This episode explores why meaning can feel unstable when the sense of mattering underneath it has not fully landed and why so many people feel unsettled, because worth has been quietly tied to motion, usefulness, or presence in others’ lives.Passion Struck is the #1 alternative health podcast and personal growth podcast dedicated to human flourishing and the science of mattering. It is ranked #1 on FeedSpot’s list of the Top Passion Podcasts on the Web, recognizing the show’s ongoing commitment to thoughtful, human-centered conversations like this one.Check the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/the-question-beneath-meaning/All links gathered here, including books, Substack, YouTube, and Start Mattering apparel:https://linktr.ee/John_R_MilesIn This Episode, You Will LearnThe Question Beneath Meaning: Why worth precedes purpose and stabilizes identity at a deeper level.Mattering vs. Meaning: How contribution organizes action, while mattering allows the self to rest without fracture.Quiet Disorientation: Why internal drift can emerge even when life feels externally complete.Why Modern Systems Can’t Register Worth: How productivity, engagement, and output crowd out presence.Carolyn as the Proof Point: How shared presence transmits belonging without instruction or legacy-building.Contingent Worth: Why motion becomes a stabilizing strategy when worth hasn’t fully integrated.Stillness as Recognition: How pause, silence, and rest allow worth to land without performance.The January Inquiry: A gentle question to carry forward without urgency or fixing.What Comes Next: How the upcoming You Matter series turns recognition outward into daily life, choice, and belonging.Companion Reflection & Integration ResourcesInside The Ignited Life, each episode in The Meaning Makers series is paired with reflection prompts and grounding practices designed to help you stay with the question long enough for real integration to occur—not to solve it, but to let recognition settle.Explore the community: https://TheIgnitedLife.netConnect with the EcosystemPre-order You Matter, Luma (releasing February 24): https://youmatterluma.com/Support the Movement: https://StartMattering.comDisclaimerThe Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a licensed physician, therapist, or other qualified professional.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.