John R. Miles

That brings us to the end of today's conversation with Diana Hill.

What stood out most to me is this.

So many of us believe the answer to a better life is simply to try harder, to push more, to do more, to optimize more.

But what Diana shows us is something very different.

Sometimes the problem isn't effort.

It's how we're applying it because when our energy is misaligned with our values, even success can feel exhausting.

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.