John R. Miles

If Mark Nepo helped us explore the spirit of presence, Steve Sloman will help us understand the cognitive mechanics of how we perceive our world.

Before you move on today, I'd encourage you to pause.

If you want to support these ideas, join me inside the Ignited Life at theignitedlife.net.

And remember...

to check out You Matter Luma for a reminder that you are significant just as you are.

As we move through the meaning makers, remember, significance doesn't come from doing more.

It comes from doing what aligns consistently and with care.

Until next time, I'm John Miles.

You've been Passion Struck.

Coming up next on Passion Struck, we are hunter-gatherers with smartphones.

That's not just a clever line.

It's the root of so much of the anxiety, burnout, division, and quiet exhaustion so many of us feel heading into 2026.

We're small group animals, evolved for tribes of under 150 people, yet we're trying to live in a world of 8 billion.

The result?

a profound mismatch.

Your brain isn't failing you when you feel overwhelmed by the news, polarized by politics, or drained by an endless social feed.

It's doing exactly what it was designed to do, treating anyone outside your natural circle as other, a potential threat, not your tribe.

Today, in this first solo episode of 2026, we're not adding one more goal or habit to chase global connection.

We're doing the exact opposite.

We're going to reset your world to the size your brain can actually handle so you can finally thrive in 2026.