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 notes

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Catch more of Jon Kabat-Zinn: https://jonkabat-zinn.com/

We also explore:

• The misunderstood purpose of meditation
• How to work with pain, fear, and overwhelm
• The dangers of spiritual bypassing
• Why being present is the most courageous act of our time
• The biological roots of connection, compassion, and consciousness

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See 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.

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If 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 leadership
• The four biggest energy leaks: Over-functioning, Over-identification, Overexposure, and Over-responsibility
• How high-functioning depression masks burnout in top performers
• Practical tools for restoring your emotional margin and protecting your energy
• The five essential “energy investments” that recalibrate your focus and clarity

How to Connect with John:

• Connect with John on Twitter at @John_RMiles
• Follow him on Instagram at @John_R_Miles
• Subscribe to our main YouTube Channel and to our YouTube Clips Channel
• For more insights and resources, visit John’s website

See 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 notes

Explore More: The Ignited Life Newsletter

If 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:

1. The difference between physical, emotional, and psychological presence—and why they matter.
2. Why hybrid work may amplify disengagement if not intentionally designed.
3. How “performative busyness” is eroding real productivity and wellbeing.
4. The silent epidemic of disengagement—and how to detect and reverse it.
5. 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_RMiles
• Follow him on Instagram at @John_R_Miles
• Subscribe to our main YouTube Channel and to our YouTube Clips Channel
• For more insights and resources, visit John’s website

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.