John R. Miles

But when our energy is aligned, even hard things can feel meaningful.

And maybe that's the deeper shift.

Not asking how do I do more, but asking where is my energy actually meant to go?

Because your greatest strengths, your ambition, your persistence, your drive can either fuel your life or quietly drain it, depending on how you use them.

And the invitation in this episode is simple, to stop flying harder into the same window and to start looking for a different way forward.

And that insight leads directly into our next conversation, because if today's episode is about how we direct our energy, next we'll explore something just as essential, how we connect.

I'm joined by University of Chicago psychologist Nicholas Epley, and at the core of his work is a powerful paradox.

We are a deeply social species wired for connection, and yet every single day, we choose to be less social than we could be.

We avoid talking to the stranger next to us.

We stay in small talk instead of going deeper, and we hold appreciation we feel.

And in doing so, we miss out on one of the most powerful forces for a happier and healthier life.

And bridging that gap between people is often far easier than we think if we're willing to take the first step.

You won't want to miss it.

If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who might be feeling burned out or misaligned.

Leave a five-star rating review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Explore more tools and insights at theignitedlife.net and pre-order my upcoming book, The Mattering Effect.

It's available everywhere books are sold.

Until next time, remember, purpose isn't just about what you choose.

It's about how you direct your energy towards it.

I'm John Miles, and you've been Passion Struck.