Passion Struck with John R. Miles

What if peak performance isn’t created by intensity, control, or relentless self-pressure, but by inner stability?
In this powerful episode of Passion Struck, Jim Murphy, performance coach to elite athletes and the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Inner Excellence, joins the show to explore what truly sustains excellence under pressure.
Many listeners first encountered Inner Excellence when A.J. Brown was shown reading it on the NFL sideline during a playoff game. That moment sparked a national conversation—but Jim’s work has been shaping elite performers quietly for years.
In this conversation, John and Jim examine the inner architecture that allows people to remain grounded when the stakes are high. Jim explains how fear, ego, and self-centered thinking destabilize performance, and how cultivating love, wisdom, and courage creates inner freedom that carries across athletics, leadership, parenting, and everyday life.
Rather than focusing on tactics or motivation, this episode centers on the internal conditions that allow clarity, presence, and sustained performance to emerge. It offers a framework for anyone seeking excellence that endures—without burnout, anxiety, or collapse under pressure.
If you’ve ever wondered why success alone doesn’t steady the inner world—or how to remain anchored when everything is on the line—this conversation offers a path inward.
Check the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/inner-excellence-jim-murphy/
Download a Free Companion Workbook: https://www.theignitedlife.net/p/jim-murphy-inner-excellence-pressure
Connect with John
Keynote speaking, books, and podcast: https://linktr.ee/John_R_Miles
Pre-order the Children’s Book
You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/
Learn More About Jim Murphy
Website & newsletter: https://innerexcellence.com/
Book: Inner Excellence: Train Your Mind for Extraordinary Performance and the Best Possible Life
Available wherever books are sold.
In This Episode, You Will Learn
What Inner Excellence really means and why inner stability precedes peak performance
Why fear escalates under pressure and how “fear of fear” disrupts clarity and presence
How ego destabilizes performance by creating self-centered thinking and internal noise
The three pillars of Inner Excellence: love, wisdom, and courage
Why the heart plays a central role in sustained performance and fulfillment
How elite athletes remain grounded when expectations, scrutiny, and stakes rise
How to apply Inner Excellence beyond sports—in leadership, relationships, and daily life
What creates excellence that endures rather than collapses under pressure
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 the most important things you will ever say to those you love are the things you never speak aloud?
In this moving solo episode, John R. Miles shares a deeply personal story about a final walk with his sister, Carolyn, by Lake Austin. He explores the "wordless tie" that binds us together and explains the science of why silence often carries more weight than speech. Drawing on the groundbreaking fMRI research of Dr. Lisa Miller and her work on The Awakened Brain, John reveals how our brains are biologically wired with a "sensing system" for significance.
You will learn why success often feels hollow when we lose our wordless connection to others, and how to use the "Presence Pause" to clear the mental clutter that blocks your sense of purpose. This is an invitation to move beyond the noise of constant doing and rediscover the "mortar" that holds a meaningful life together.
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/how-to-find-meaning-without-words/
All links gathered here, including books, Substack, YouTube, and Start Mattering apparel: https://linktr.ee/John_R_Miles
In This Episode, You Will Learn
The Inherited Knowing: How legacy, belonging, and love are passed through presence rather than instruction.
The Science of the Awakened Brain: A deep dive into Dr. Lisa Miller’s research (episode 532) on the high-power neural circuit that handles stress and hope.
Quiet Disconnection: Why our brains are wired to amplify the negative and how to reset your internal "noise-to-signal" ratio.
The Three Bricklayers: A powerful lesson on how shifting your lens transforms the daily grind into a sacred mission.
The Presence Pause: A 3-minute practical habit to reopen your brain's channel for purpose.
Small Acts of Resonance: How wordless gestures like a smile or a simple touch recalibrate the nervous system for safety and connection.
The Meaning Without Words Companion Resources
Download our free digital companion workbook featuring guided prompts to help you notice the silence, open to presence, and let meaning land without forcing it through words. Explore the guide
Connect with the Ecosystem
Pre-order You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/
Support the Movement: https://StartMattering.com
Join The Ignited Life Community: https://TheIgnitedLife.net
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 the moments where you feel most "disengaged," "perfectionistic," or "paralyzed" as a parent aren't character flaws, but the result of a "Trauma App" running in the background of your brain?
In this groundbreaking episode of Passion Struck, Dr. Robyn Koslowitz, clinical child psychologist and author of the definitive guide Post-Traumatic Parenting: Break the Cycle and Become the Parent You Always Wanted to Be, joins the show. With over 20 years of experience helping more than 10,000 families, Robyn explains why post-traumatic parenting is fundamentally different from typical parenting. She reveals how "Secret ACEs" (Adverse Childhood Experiences) and hidden trauma history can hijack your nervous system, making it nearly impossible to "share your calm" with your children.
John and Robyn discuss the neurological reality of parenting after trauma, moving past the "fad" social media trends of gentle parenting to focus on the science of nervous system regulation. Koslowitz introduces her trademarked AIM Method (Acceptance, Integration, and Meaning-making) to help parents reclaim their "admin permissions" from their trauma. The conversation centers on a profound truth: your inner child cannot raise a child, but raising your real-world child can be the ultimate path to healing trauma through parenting.
If you have ever asked, "How can I give my kids a normal childhood when mine was anything but?"—this episode provides the validation, neuroscience, and practical "hacks" needed to break generational trauma and foster an earned, secure attachment.
Check the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/post-traumatic-parenting-robyn-koslowitz/
Download a Free Companion Workbook with reflection prompts tied to this episode.
To contact John about Keynote speaking, his books, and podcast: https://linktr.ee/John_R_Miles
Pre-order You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/
For more about Dr. Robyn Koslowitz: https://posttraumaticparenting.com
Book: Post-Traumatic Parenting available wherever books are sold.
In this episode, you will learn
Post-traumatic parenting explained: Why your body reacts to your child's behavior as a survival threat.
The "Trauma App" Metaphor: How early experiences shape emotional regulation and override your parenting instincts.
The 5 Subtypes of Post-Traumatic Parents: Identifying if you lean toward paralysis, perfectionism, or disengagement.
Building Secure Attachment: How to move from trauma responses in parents to creating attachment and emotional safety.
The AIM Method: A 3-step clinical framework for intergenerational healing and trauma recovery.
Why "Gentle Parenting" isn't enough: The importance of structure, play, and nervous system regulation for the "cycle breaker."
Healing the Inner Child: How to stop "Trauma Poker" and start raising emotionally secure children after trauma.
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 the chronic overwhelm, emotional chaos, and sense of being "too much" or "not enough" stem from Invisible ADHD rather than personal shortcomings?
In this revealing episode of Passion Struck, Shanna Pearson, founder of the world's largest one-on-one ADHD coaching program and author of the bestseller Invisible ADHD: Proven Mood and Life Management for Smart Yet Scattered Women, joins John R. Miles. With over 26 years of experience and her own late-diagnosed ADHD journey, Shanna explains why ADHD in women often remains hidden or misdiagnosed as anxiety, depression, or character flaws. She draws from hundreds of thousands of coaching sessions to highlight internal struggles like masking, rejection sensitivity, rumination, and burnout that intensify in midlife amid hormonal changes.
John and Shanna discuss the neurological roots of these experiences, why traditional strategies fall short for women, and practical tools from her book. The conversation centers on reclaiming agency: moving beyond endless effort to sustainable approaches that align with an ADHD brain, restore momentum, and foster genuine self-worth.
If you have ever felt smart yet scattered, unseen by others and sometimes yourself, or exhausted by success that drains rather than fulfills, this episode offers validation and clear steps forward.
Passion Struck was recently 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/invisible-adhd-in-women-shanna-pearson/
Download a Free Companion Workbook with reflection prompts tied to this episode.
All links gathered here, including books, Substack, YouTube, and Start Mattering apparel: https://linktr.ee/John_R_Miles
Pre-order You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/
For more about Shanna Pearson: https://expertadhdcoaching.com
Book: Invisible ADHD available wherever books are sold
In this episode, you will learn
Why adult ADHD in women frequently goes undiagnosed or gets mislabeled as anxiety or depression
How masking, people-pleasing, and emotional overwhelm conceal core ADHD traits in females
The impact of rejection sensitivity, self-doubt, and identity erosion on self-worth
Why symptoms often escalate in midlife due to perimenopause, burnout, and hormonal shifts
Practical tools from Shanna’s coaching and book for managing mood, creating state changes, and building self-trust
How to shift from constant overcompensation to strategies that work with an ADHD brain
Why naming the experience and accessing targeted support restores clarity and meaning
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 the "stones" of your success, the titles, the trophies, and the milestones, feel loose and unconnected because you’ve ignored the invisible bond meant to hold them together?
In this powerful solo episode of Passion Struck, host John R. Miles explores "The Mortar of Connection." Drawing on the collective intelligence theories of Steven Sloman and the psychological insights of Alex Imas, John explains why the "Hollow High" occurs when we optimize for the "win" while neglecting the "join."
This episode takes you from the ancient Giza plateau to the modern boardroom to discover the "alchemy of the mix." You will learn how to transition from Quiet Disorientation to a life of Unity over Uniformity, using your Sacred Values as the grit that makes your connections unshakeable. It’s an invitation to stop bidding on a life that doesn’t fit and start building a structure that can finally support the weight of a life that matters.
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/finding-meaning-after-success/
All links gathered here, including books, Substack, YouTube, and Start Mattering apparel: https://linktr.ee/John_R_Miles
Key Quote: "The cost of conviction is the grit in the mortar; without it, connections crumble under pressure, but with it, meaning seals the architecture against isolation’s erosion." — John R. Miles
In This Episode, You Will Learn:
The Alchemy of the Mix: Why meaning lives in the "Between Us" space and how collective intelligence turns a pile of rocks into a sanctuary.
The Grit of Conviction: How to identify your Sacred Values and why they are the non-negotiable "grit" required for connections to hold under pressure.
Avoiding the Winner’s Curse: A deep dive into Alex Imas's research on why we overpay for "stones" that actually weaken our internal structure.
The Application vs. The Pit: Why meaning is an act of application, and how to move your values from the "pit of someday" to the joints of your current relationships.
The Miracle of the Cure: Understanding the "Setting" process of our choices and why unity—not uniformity—is the ultimate goal of a cured life.
Extraction vs. Circulation: How to stop treating life as an auction to be won and start seeing it as an architecture to be inhabited.

The Mortar of Connection Companion Resources
Download our free digital companion workbook featuring practical reflections on avoiding the Winner's Curse, identifying your "sacred grit," and mapping your own collective layers of meaning. Explore the guide:
Connect with the Ecosystem
Pre-order You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/
Support the Movement: https://StartMattering.com
Join The Ignited Life Community: https://TheIgnitedLife.net
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.