Passion Struck with John R. Miles

What happens when the script you’ve lived for decades suddenly ends, and you’re forced to write a new one?
Today, I am joined by a true pioneer of broadcast journalism and a household name for nearly two decades as the co-host of Good Morning America, Joan Lunden. We are discussing her deeply personal new memoir, JOAN: Life Beyond the Script.
In this conversation, Joan pulls back the curtain on the transitions that defined her—from the high-pressure world of morning television and being a trailblazer for working mothers to her public battle with breast cancer and her current mission as a powerful advocate for the "sandwich generation" of caregivers.
We dive into the "just say yes" philosophy that launched her career and why she believes reinvention isn't just possible at any age—it's essential. Joan reveals why your worth isn't tied to a title or a teleprompter, but to the courage it takes to step into the unknown.
If you are navigating a career change, facing a health challenge, or wondering what your next act looks like, this episode provides the blueprint for writing a life of meaning on your own terms.
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 and is consistently recognized among the world's top business and mindset podcasts.
Check the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/say-yes-joan-lunden-interview-life-beyond-script/
Download a Free Companion Reflection Guide: [Link]
Explore You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/
Connect with John (keynotes, books, podcast): https://linktr.ee/John_R_Miles
Get the New Book JOAN: Life Beyond the Script: https://joanlunden.com/books/
In This Episode, You Will Learn
The "Just Say Yes" Philosophy: How Joan Lunden's motto—"Whenever anyone asks you to do something, just say yes and then go figure out how to do it"—catapulted her career, from impromptu hosting GMA to embracing new opportunities at any age.
Breaking Barriers on Good Morning America: Bringing her baby to work, navigating sexism in the "second banana" era, and shifting to a true 50/50 partnership with Charlie Gibson—lessons in equality and humanizing television journalism.
Identity After the Spotlight: The emotional toll of leaving GMA after 20 years, the vulnerability of losing a national platform, and how to rebuild purpose beyond the role that defined you.
Turning Cancer into Advocacy: How a breast cancer diagnosis became a "gift" to fulfill her father's legacy, fight for dense breast tissue reporting laws, and remove fear for other women.
Caregiving Wisdom for the Sandwich Generation: Practical tips for preparing early—interviewing aging parents, securing legal tools like durable power of attorney and HIPAA releases, and addressing the emotional and practical challenges of elder care.
Support the Movement
Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it. https://StartMattering.com
Disclaimer
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 Henry David Thoreau wasn’t escaping work but redesigning it?
In this episode of Passion Struck, John R. Miles sits down with author and thought leadership expert Ken Lizotte to explore his transformative new book, Walden for Hire: Business Lessons from Henry David Thoreau.
Together, they dismantle the myth of Thoreau as a solitary hermit removed from society. Instead, they reveal a disciplined builder, an innovative entrepreneur, and a master architect of intentional living.
Lizotte reveals that Thoreau’s time at Walden wasn't a withdrawal; it was an act of radical design. By simplifying his needs and aligning his work with his values, Thoreau reclaimed his authorship. From reinventing pencil manufacturing to building a thriving surveying practice, he proved that meaningful work and ethical success are not opposing forces—they are deeply intertwined.
At the heart of this episode is a powerful reframe: A life of quiet desperation is often a life disconnected from meaning. The solution isn't to do more; it is to live more deliberately.
Drawing from philosophy, history, and modern psychology, this conversation offers a blueprint for anyone questioning the true cost of their current path—and seeking a way to work without betraying their soul.
🔗 Check the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/ethical-entrepreneurship-henry-david-thoreau/
Explore You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/
Go deeper with companion reflections: https://www.theignitedlife.net/p/business-mentor-for-2026-ethical-entrepreneurship
Connect with John (speaking, books, podcast): https://linktr.ee/John_R_Miles
In This Episode, You Will Learn
The biggest misconception about Thoreau’s relationship with work, productivity, and success
How “quiet desperation” shows up today as burnout, disorientation, and loss of meaning
What Thoreau meant by “the price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it.”
Why simplifying your life restores time, attention, and autonomy
How aligning your work with your values strengthens your sense of mattering
The concept of moral independence—and why your livelihood should never require self-betrayal
A practical reframe: how to examine your current life and redesign it around what truly matters
Support the Movement
Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.
👉 https://StartMattering.com
Disclaimer
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.

Why does modern life feel so "thin and frantic," even when we are more connected than ever?
Today, we are venturing into the "Celtic fringe" to sit with the man widely considered the preeminent mythologist of our time. Joining me is New York Times bestselling author Dr. Martin Shaw to discuss his profound new masterwork, Liturgies of the Wild.
In this conversation, we move beyond the clinical and the therapeutic to explore the mythic imagination. Martin argues that we are currently suffering from a profound spiritual exhaustion—not because we lack information, but because we have traded devotion for consumption.
We dive into the "mosh pit" of story, where Martin reveals why your life isn't a problem to be solved, but an ancient narrative to be lived. From the "Liturgy of the Limit" to the "Ecclesiastical Counter-Magic" required to meet the darkness of our age, this episode is a call to return home to a life of weight, worth, and wonder.
If you’ve ever felt like a passenger in a world moving too fast, this episode offers the ancient compass you’ve been looking for.
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 and is consistently recognized among the world's top business and mindset podcasts.
Check the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/liturgies-of-the-wild-martin-shaw/
Download a Free Companion Reflection Guide:
Connect with John (keynotes, books, podcast): https://linktr.ee/John_R_Miles
Get the New York Times Bestseller Liturgies of the Wild: https://drmartinshaw.com/books/
In This Episode, You Will Learn
The "Thin and Frantic" Diagnosis: Why excess choice and digital noise are stripping the weight from our souls.
The Liturgy of the Limit: Why meaning is found through what we say "no" to, and how the "banks" of the river create the depth of the current.
Myth as a Mosh Pit: Why we must stop politely observing our lives and start participating in the "sweat and friction" of our own mythic story.
Ecclesiastical Counter-Magic: How to use ritual, story, and awe-filled attention to meet the darkness of the modern world without becoming it.
The Discipline of Praise Making: Why maturity is the ability to recognize life as a gift and offer praise even amid the wreckage.
Recovering the Ancient Good: How to reconnect with the enduring truths that remain "awe-filled, urgent, and alive" regardless of the era.
Support the Movement
Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it. https://StartMattering.com
Disclaimer
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.

Why do so many children feel invisible, even in homes filled with love?
Today, on the official launch day of my new children's book, You Matter, Luma, we are diving into the heart of why "mattering" is the most important foundation we can build for the next generation.
Joining me is Dr. Gordon Flett, the world’s leading researcher on mattering and author of the groundbreaking paper on "Anti-Mattering." In this conversation, we reveal a startling disconnect: while only 8% of parents think their child might feel they don’t matter, nearly 35% of youth report feeling insignificant or uncertain of their worth.
Dr. Flett explains why mattering is a "foundational human need" and how we can bridge this gap to protect our children's mental health.
This conversation builds on the You Matter series—featuring leading thinkers like Barry Schwartz, Rebecca Newberger Goldstein, Daniel Coyle, Sonja Lyubomirsky, Harry Reis, and Paul Eastwick—and arrives at a powerful conclusion:
Mattering isn’t a luxury. It’s a core human need.
If you’ve ever questioned your place, struggled with invisibility, or wondered how to help others feel seen—this episode offers both scientific clarity and human hope.
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 and is consistently recognized among the world's top business and mindset podcasts.
Check the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/feeling-like-you-matter-gordon-flett/
Download a Free Companion Reflection Guide: https://www.theignitedlife.net/p/you-matter-luma-intrinsic-worth
Connect with John (keynotes, books, podcast): https://linktr.ee/John_R_Miles
Get the New Children’s Book You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/
Learn More About Gordon Flett: https://www.yorku.ca/lamarsh/gord-flett/
In This Episode, You Will Learn
Mattering is foundational, not optional. It underpins mental health, relationships, and identity.
The Difference Between Love and Mattering: Why a child can be loved but still feel like they don't count.
Feeling unseen is deeply painful. It can manifest as shame, withdrawal, or a belief that one’s presence doesn’t count.
Childhood is the critical window. Early signals of attention and care shape lifelong self-worth.
Small moments matter most. Being noticed, listened to, and valued creates a lasting psychological impact.
Mattering can be created. Through attention, service, and connection, we can restore it in ourselves and others.
Support the Movement
Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it. https://StartMattering.com
Disclaimer
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.

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_Miles
Companion 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-worth
Connect 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. Miles
In This Episode, You Will Learn
The 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.

Disclaimer
The 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.