About this episode

John R. Miles discusses the psychology of resistance and how to transition from burnout to presence.

Does it ever feel like you’re waiting for your own life to start?You’re sitting in your car at the end of the day, staring at the front door, realizing you have to "gear up" just to walk inside. You’ve become a world-class manager of a life you’ve stopped inhabiting. You’re winning the efficiency game, but you’re losing the human one.In this episode of Passion Struck, John R. Miles explores the psychology of resistance and the difficult move from utility to aliveness. He identifies why we choose the "known hell" of burnout over the "unknown heaven" of presence. Drawing on recent conversations with shadow-work expert Keila Shaheen and life-design pioneers Bill Burnett and Dave Evans, John explains how to break the "identity handcuffs" that tie our sense of worth to our productivity.This isn't about working harder—it's about the literal, physical courage it takes to cross the threshold from being a provider to being a presence. It’s time to stop circling the wall and finally step through the door.Passion Struck is the #1 personal growth podcast dedicated to human flourishing and the science of mattering.Check the full show notes here:Explore the daily reflection guide for this…

People in this episode

Host: John R. Miles

Topics covered

• psychology of resistance
• burnout
• personal growth
• identity
• presence
• productivity

Keywords

• change
• aliveness
• identity handcuffs
• human flourishing
• efficiency
• courage

Sponsors

Function Health

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Passion Struck Network

More episodes of Passion Struck with John R. Miles

• The Science of Connection and Why We Underestimate Others | Nicholas Epley - EP 760 · April 28, 2026 · 59 min
• The Identity Gravity Trap: Why We Snap Back to Old Habits | John R. Miles - EP 759 · April 24, 2026 · 27 min
• How to Manage Energy Not Time: Dr. Diana Hill on Wise Effort | EP 758 · April 23, 2026 · 57 min
• Nobel Laureate Alvin Roth: How Incentives Shape Your Life | EP 757 · April 21, 2026 · 56 min
• How Do You Design a Meaningful Life | Bill Burnett & Dave Evans - EP 755 · April 16, 2026 · 1h 3m
• From Shadow Work to Light Work: How to Actually Heal | Keila Shaheen - EP 754 · April 14, 2026 · 51 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Passion Struck with John R. Miles podcast page.