Passion Struck with John R. Miles
Dr. Dave Vago on the Neuroscience of Mattering: How to Feel Valued & Seen | EP 565
Tue, 28 Jan 2025
In this enlightening episode, Dr. Dave Vago, renowned neuroscientist and mindfulness expert, joins us to explore how to live a more meaningful life by rewiring the brain for mattering. Drawing on his groundbreaking research at the intersection of neuroscience, mindfulness, and human flourishing, Dr. Vago unpacks the science behind our deep need to feel valued, connected, and significant.We delve into how mindfulness practices can reshape neural pathways to reduce feelings of insignificance, foster a greater sense of self-worth, and create environments where everyone feels they truly matter. Discover practical tools to cultivate mattering in your personal and professional life, strengthen your relationships, and unlock your potential for lasting fulfillment.Whether you’re searching for ways to deepen your purpose, improve your mental well-being, or create meaningful connections, this episode is packed with actionable insights that bridge the gap between cutting-edge science and intentional living. Tune in to learn how to harness the power of your brain to live a life filled with meaning and impact.Link to the full show notes: https://passionstruck.com/dr-dave-vago-how-to-live-a-more-meaningful-life/Sponsors:Rosetta Stone: Unlock 25 languages for life at “ROSETTASTONE.com/passionstruck.”Prolon: Reset your health with 15% off at “ProlonLife.com/passionstruck.”Mint Mobile: Cut your wireless bill to 15 bucks a month at “MINT MOBILE dot com slash PASSION.”Hims: Start your journey to regrowing hair with Hims. Visit hims.com/PASSIONSTRUCK for your free online visit.Quince: Discover luxury at affordable prices with Quince. Enjoy free shipping and 365-day returns at quince.com/PASSION.In this episode, you will learn:How to rewire your brain for a deeper sense of mattering and purpose.The role mindfulness and meditation play in fostering self-worth and connection.Why feeling valued is essential for human flourishing and how to cultivate it.The neuroscience behind mattering and its impact on mental health.How to dissolve feelings of insignificance and nurture a sense of belonging.Practical tools for creating environments where you and others feel seen, valued, and significant.The intersection of mindfulness, meta-awareness, and personal transformation.Connect with Dr. Dave Vago: https://iscrsociety.org/Next Week on Passion Struck:Next week, join John for a captivating conversation with Dr. Dave Vago, a neuroscientist and mindfulness expert, as they explore how our brains are wired for belonging and purpose. It’s a powerful discussion you won’t want to miss!For more information on advertisers and promo codes, visit Passion Struck Deals.Join the Passion Struck Community! Sign up for the Live Intentionally newsletter, where I share exclusive content, actionable advice, and insights to help you ignite your purpose and live your most intentional life. Get access to practical exercises, inspiring stories, and tools designed to help you grow. Learn more and sign up here.Speaking Engagements & Workshops Are you looking to inspire your team, organization, or audience to take intentional action in their lives and careers? I’m available for keynote speaking, workshops, and leadership training on topics such as intentional living, resilience, leadership, and personal growth. Let’s work together to create transformational change. Learn more at johnrmiles.com/speaking.Episode Starter Packs With over 500 episodes, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. We’ve curated Episode Starter Packs based on key themes like leadership, mental health, and personal growth, making it easier for you to dive into the topics you care about. Check them out at passionstruck.com/starterpacks.Catch More of Passion Struck:My solo episode on The 6 Key Steps to Bold Risk-Taking for Personal GrowthMy episode with Zoe Chance on How to Apply the Science of Winning HeartsCan't miss my episode with Topaz Adizes on Asking Better Questions Is They Key to LoveCatch my interview with Amy Leigh Mercree on Master Your Aura, Master Your LifeListen to my conversation with Finnian Kelly on How You Recode Your Mind and Manifest YouIf you liked the show, please leave us a review—it only takes a moment and helps us reach more people! Don’t forget to include your Twitter or Instagram handle so we can thank you personally.How to Connect with John:Connect with John on Twitter at @John_RMiles and on Instagram at @John_R_Miles. Subscribe to our main YouTube Channel here and to our YouTube Clips Channel here. For more insights and resources, visit John’s website.Want to explore where you stand on the path to becoming Passion Struck? Take our 20-question quiz on Passionstruck.com and find out today!
Full Episode
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The idea behind decentering is to provide a healthy psychological distance between oneself and one's thoughts. So you can then take your thought and put it out in front of you and say, well, I'm not angry. I am having a thought that I'm angry or it's not that I am not good enough. It's just a thought that I am not good enough.
And that distance, that disidentification from that internal experience is probably one of the most critical mechanisms by which any clinical intervention functions to improve our relationship to our own thoughts and feelings. And this requires strengthening the capacity of what we refer to as meta-awareness.
Welcome to Passion Struck. Hi, I'm your host, John R. Miles. And on the show, we decipher the secrets, tips, and guidance of the world's most inspiring people and turn their wisdom into practical advice for you and those around you. Our mission is to help you unlock the power of intentionality so that you can become the best version of yourself.
If you're new to the show, I offer advice and answer listener questions on Fridays. We have long form interviews the rest of the week with guests ranging from astronauts to authors, CEOs, creators, innovators, scientists, military leaders, visionaries, and athletes. Now let's go out there and become passion struck. Hey, passion struck fam. Welcome back to episode 565.
Have you ever stopped to reflect on the profound impact of mattering? It's more than just feeling seen. It's the foundation of belonging, the key to unlocking your purpose and a vital part of living a truly intentional life. Whether it's in our careers, our relationships, or even our personal sense of self, the deep human need to matter drives our choices, our connections, and our growth.
But in today's hyper-distracted, fast-paced world, the question, do I matter, is one many of us wrestle with in silence. Today, we are diving into this life-altering topic, but from a fresh and profound perspective, through the lens of neuroscience, mindfulness, and the mind-body connection.
Before we dive into this transformative conversation, let's take a moment to highlight the incredible episodes we had last week. On Tuesday, I spoke with number one New York Times bestselling author Dan Heath, who shared insights from his latest book, Reset. How to Change What's Not Working.
We explored how identifying leverage points can help you break through inertia and create lasting, meaningful change in your habits, relationships, and systems. Then, on Thursday, I had the honor of hosting Dr. Allison Woodbrooks, Harvard professor and author of the new book, Talk, The Science of Conversation, The Art of Being Ourselves.
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