Have you ever reached a goal you worked incredibly hard for, only to find yourself asking, What's next? If you've ever believed that happiness, fulfillment, or peace would finally arrive after the next promotion, milestone, or accomplishment, this episode is for you.

John R. Miles sits down with bestselling author, entrepreneur, and keynote speaker Jess Ekstrom to explore why so many high achievers unknowingly postpone their happiness. Jess calls it the Arrival Trap—the belief that the life we want always exists somewhere in the future. Drawing on her own entrepreneurial journey and the ideas in her new book, Making It Without Losing It, she explains why fulfillment doesn't come from reaching the finish line but from changing how we experience the journey.

Together, John and Jess discuss why purpose is something we build rather than discover, how external achievement can quietly replace internal fulfillment, and why comparison often leads us to pursue goals that were never truly our own. They also explore the science of motivation, practical ways to reconnect with meaningful work, and a simple framework for determining whether you're chasing a dream because it reflects who you are—or because it looks good to everyone else.

In this episode, you'll learn why the "Arrival Trap" keeps people from enjoying their lives, how to create purpose in the work you're already doing, why intrinsic motivation is more sustainable than external validation, how to stop comparing your path to everyone else's, and practical ways to enjoy the present without giving up your ambition.

If you've been working hard but still feel like something is missing, this conversation will help you redefine success and discover how to pursue your goals without losing yourself in the process.

Learn more about today's guest: https://jessekstrom.com/

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Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

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Today, you'll discover why some changes feel effortless while others seem impossible to stick with. In this solo episode, John R. Miles reveals one of the biggest reasons we struggle to change—and it has less to do with willpower than you think.

If you've ever wondered why you keep checking your phone, overworking, getting distracted, or falling back into habits you wanted to leave behind, this episode will completely change how you think about personal growth. Drawing on powerful conversations with neuroscientist Dr. Dana Suskind and behavioral scientist Leidy Klotz, John explains why the environments around you quietly shape your attention, your decisions, and ultimately the person you're becoming.

This episode will help you:

• Understand why your environment influences your behavior more than you realize
• Stop blaming yourself for habits your surroundings are quietly reinforcing
• See how your home, office, phone, and calendar shape your daily decisions
• Recognize why familiar environments become invisible—even while they're changing you
• Create spaces that make healthier choices feel easier and more natural
• Understand why small environmental changes often create bigger results than willpower alone
• Ask one simple question that can transform how you approach every habit
• Design a life that supports the person you're trying to become

Here's the truth:

Every environment is teaching you something. The question isn't whether your surroundings are shaping you. It's whether they're helping you become the person you want to be.

Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

• Website: https://johnrmiles.com
• Book John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/
• Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/
• Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's episode will change how you think about the places you spend your life.

Most of us believe that if we want to feel happier, more productive, or more connected, we need to change ourselves.

But what if one of the biggest influences on your well-being isn't your mindset—it's your environment?

If you've ever felt drained at work, disconnected at home, or wondered why certain places instantly make you feel calm, creative, or like your best self, this conversation will help you see your surroundings in a completely different way.

Joining me is Leidy Klotz, engineer, award-winning researcher, and bestselling author of In a Good Place. His groundbreaking work explores how the spaces we live, work, and gather in quietly shape our relationships, memories, happiness, creativity, and even our sense of who we are.

Together, we explore why your environment may be one of the most overlooked drivers of flourishing—and the simple changes that can dramatically improve the way you live every day.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why your home and workplace influence your happiness more than you realize
• How the places you spend time in shape your memories, relationships, and identity
• The surprising reason where you are matters more than you think
• Why children experience the world differently—and what adults can learn from them
• How to create spaces that reduce stress and increase creativity
• The simple "Space Before Screen" habit that can change the way you start every day
• Why building and creating with your hands strengthens confidence, belonging, and connection
• How your environment quietly communicates your values—to yourself and everyone around you

The truth is, we don't just shape the places we live in. Over time, those places shape us. And once you understand how your environment influences your life, you'll start seeing opportunities for positive change that have been hiding in plain sight.

Full shownotes

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Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.

Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.

Connect with John

• Website: https://johnrmiles.com
• Book John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/
• Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/
• Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.