Passion Struck with John R. Miles
Dr. Samuel Wilkinson on Why Life Is a Test of Good and Evil | EP 581
06 Mar 2025
In this episode of Passion Struck, host John R. Miles sits down with Dr. Sam Wilkinson to explore the profound impact of human connection on our sense of meaning and purpose. Dr. Wilkinson discusses the detrimental effects of our society's increasing disconnection from real human interaction and the overemphasis on individualism that has paradoxically led to more suffering. This conversation delves into Dr. Wilkinson's personal background, particularly the pivotal role his religious upbringing and mission work have played in shaping his career and approach to his work at Yale. Tune in to uncover valuable insights on how intentionality and in-person interactions can help you become the best version of yourself.Link to the full show notes: https://passionstruck.com/samuel-wilkinson-life-is-a-test-of-good-and-evil/Key takeaways: Evidence suggests that evolution is not purely random; patterns in nature indicate guiding principles that shape development. The crisis of meaning is exacerbated by technology, which has led to atomization and disconnection from face-to-face interactions. Affective forecasting shows that people often misjudge what will bring them happiness; strong relationships are key to lasting fulfillment. Family relationships are emphasized as a source of meaning and purpose in life. Micro choices and daily decisions significantly impact long-term happiness and character development. The role of marriage is highlighted as a cultural mechanism to strengthen bonds between fathers and their biological children. Connect with Dr. Sam Wilkinson: https://medicine.yale.edu/profile/samuel-wilkinson/Sponsors: Factor Meals: http://factormeals.com/factormeals50off and use code “FACTOR MEALS 50 OFF 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 Next on Passion Struck:In the next episode of Passion Struck, John sits down with Dr. Laurie Santos, Yale, professor and host of the happiness lab, to the show. They'll be diving into the science of happiness, what really makes us happy, why we often chase the wrong things, and how to rewire our brains for long-term fulfillment. If you've ever struggled with stress, comparison, or finding lasting joy, this is an episode 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 Science of Healthy Habits My episode with Jason O’Mara on Finding Strength in the Face of Setbacks Can't miss my episode with Stefanie Wilder-Taylor on Loving and Leaving Alcohol Catch my interview with Dr. Elisa Hallerman on How You Reconnect With Your Soul Listen to my solo episode on 7 Reasons Why Acts of Kindness Are More than Meets the Eye If 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!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Full Episode
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We have become disconnected from real human interaction, which is for most people the source of the deepest sense of meaning and purpose. We were created for in-person interaction and there's been overemphasis on the individual for the last 50 years in Western society that has, I think, paradoxically led us to more suffering.
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 PassionStruck. Hey, PassionStruck fam. Welcome to episode 581 of PassionStruck.
Let me ask you, what if everything we know about evolution, purpose, and human existence was only part of the story? Today, I'm joined by Dr. Sam Wilkinson, Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Yale University and author of the new book, Purpose. what evolution and human nature imply about the meaning of our existence.
Dr. Wilkinson challenges the idea that life is a random accident, offering a fresh perspective on how evolution itself may point to a deeper purpose. But before we dive in, earlier this week, I had an incredible conversation on Tuesday with Natalie Namaste about intuitive healing, overcoming limiting patterns, and aligning with your soul's purpose.
If you missed it, I highly recommend checking it out after this episode. And if you're new here, welcome to the Passion Struck Podcast. We are so glad to have you as part of this community. Passion Struck is all about unlocking human potential through intentional living.
And we've got over 500 episodes covering leadership, mindset, mental health, physical health, relationships, and personal mastery. You can explore them all in our episode starter packs on either Spotify or at passionstruck.com slash starter packs. Want even more insights on living a high-impact life?
Each week, I share exclusive content, challenges, actionable tools, and behind-the-scenes lessons in my Live Intentionally newsletter. It's designed to help you apply what you learn on the show into your everyday life. Sign up at passionstruck.com and start making intentionality a habit. Now back to today's episode.
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