Best John R Miles Podcasts (2025)

1
Return on Energy: Rethinking ROI in the Age of Burnout w/ John R. Miles | EP 618 32:03

1d ago32:03

32:03

In episode 618 of Passion Struck, host John R. Miles delivers a powerful solo reflection that caps off Mental Health Awareness Month with one essential question: "What’s the real Return on your Energy?" Drawing on recent interviews with Dr. Judith Joseph and Dr. Andrew Brodsky, as well as past solo episodes that introduced frameworks like H.O.M.E. …

1
Anne Corcoran: Psychosis Isn't a Choice 28:46

14h ago28:46

28:46

Send us a text Anne Corcoran, Executive Director of the National Shattering Silence Coalition, discusses the broken systems that fail those with serious mental illness and their families through discriminatory practices and neglect. She shares powerful stories of families desperately seeking help for loved ones in psychosis, highlighting how outdat…

1
Laura Craciun: A Son's Mental Illness and a System That Failed Him 27:07

1d ago27:07

27:07

Send us a text Laura Craciun shares her son's harrowing journey with serious mental illness and the systemic failures that criminalize mental health conditions instead of treating them. Her story highlights the urgent need for better policies to support individuals with psychosis and their families. • Laura's son was misdiagnosed with ADHD before e…

1
Andrew Brodsky on How to Be Seen Without Being Always Available | EP 617 56:35

2d ago56:35

56:35

In this episode of Passion Struck, Dr. Andrew Brodsky—organizational psychologist, UT Austin professor, and author of PING: Mastering the Art of Virtual Communication—explores how presence, intention, and clarity have become the most undervalued skills in our increasingly virtual world. Drawing from his groundbreaking research and insights from PIN…

1
Lynn Nanos: Navigating Psychosis: A Mobile Crisis Worker's Perspective 27:34

3d ago27:34

27:34

Send us a text Lynn Nanos, a mobile psychiatric emergency social worker with 15+ years experience, shares insights on evaluating and helping people with serious mental illness in crisis situations. Her work bridges the gap between law enforcement and mental healthcare, providing crucial interventions for individuals experiencing psychosis and other…

1
Jerri Clark: A Mother's Journey Through Loss and Advocacy 30:29

4d ago30:29

30:29

Send us a text Geri Clark, Resource and Advocacy Manager at Treatment Advocacy Center, shares her devastating journey of losing her son to severe mental illness while navigating a broken treatment system that wouldn't help until it was too late. She reveals critical gaps in our mental health system and explains how legal barriers, misunderstood med…

1
Dr. Judith Joseph on The Hidden Epidemic of High-Functioning Depression | EP 616 50:33

4d ago50:33

50:33

In this powerful Passion Struck episode, John R. Miles sits down with Dr. Judith Joseph—board-certified psychiatrist, clinical researcher, and author of High Functioning: Overcome Your Hidden Depression and Reclaim Your Joy. Together, they unpack the silent struggle of individuals who appear to “have it all together” while suffering emotionally ben…

1
Sheriff Donna Buckley:How One Sheriff is Reducing Recidivism Through Compassion 28:54

5d ago28:54

28:54

Send us a text Sheriff Donna Buckley shares her journey from attorney to becoming the first female sheriff in Barnstable County's 333-year history, along with her innovative approach to transforming incarceration through mental health support, comprehensive case management, and post-release services. • Buckley's background as legal counsel represen…

1
Jason MacKenzie:Healing After Unimaginable Loss 27:10

6d ago27:10

27:10

Send us a text Jason McKenzie shares his heart-wrenching journey through grief after losing his wife to suicide and his daughter to trauma-induced mental health struggles. His story reveals how childhood trauma ripples through generations and how he found healing through sobriety, purposeful grief work, and helping others. • Lost his police officer…

1
Eric Dias: Hope, Recovery, and Finding Your Voice with Schizoaffective Disorder 28:22

7d ago28:22

28:22

Send us a text Eric Diaz shares his journey of living with schizoaffective disorder and becoming an advocate for those with serious mental illness. Through finding the right medication, supportive communities, and creative outlets, Eric transformed from someone who couldn't leave his house to a published author helping others navigate similar chall…

1
Crystal Fox: One Mothers Journey Through Tragedy 31:08

8d ago31:08

31:08

Send us a text Crystal Fox shares her heartbreaking journey as the mother of a son with schizophrenia and co-founder of Arizona Mad Moms, an organization supporting families of loved ones with degenerative brain illnesses causing psychosis. Through her dual perspective as both a parent and a psychiatric nurse with 30 years of experience, Crystal il…

1
George C. Wolfe on Desperation and Desire in His “Gypsy” 25:43

8d ago25:43

25:43

For Tony-winning playwright and theater director George C. Wolfe, the “landscape of America is rich and complicated and messy.” He takes the greatest joy in putting that messiness on the Broadway stage. This time, he’s directing the Broadway revival of “Gypsy,” widely considered the best of the Golden Age musicals. Alongside the show’s lead actor A…

1
How to Build a Mental Health Ecosystem That Honors Who You Are w/John R. Miles | EP 615 20:39

8d ago20:39

20:39

What if the problem isn’t that you’re broken, but that your environment no longer reflects who you are? In this solo episode, John takes you inside one of the most overlooked truths about mental health: it doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It lives in the patterns, people, and places you move through every day. Sharing a personal story of hidden anxiety d…

1
Cohen Miles-Rath: How One Man Transformed Crisis into a Call for Change 29:53

9d ago29:53

29:53

Send us a text Cohen Miles-Rath shares his powerful journey from psychosis and incarceration to becoming a mental health advocate and author. His story reveals how proper support systems and personal determination transformed a life-altering crisis into a mission of education and advocacy that's changing how we approach mental health treatment. • S…

1
Janet Ettele on How Joyous Effort Transforms Our Lives | EP 614 1:08:11

9d ago1:08:11

1:08:11

On this episode of Passion Struck, John R. Miles chats with Janet Ettele, author, musician, and student of Buddhist teacher Khentrul Lodrö Thayé Rinpoche, about how the principle of Joyous Effort can change the way we live, work, and grow. They dive into why living with purpose isn’t about ticking boxes or chasing external wins—it’s about how we ke…

1
Sherri Witwer: Rethinking How We help People in Mental Health Crisis 28:17

10d ago28:17

28:17

Send us a text Sherry Witwer, board president for CIT Utah, shares her insights on improving crisis response systems for people experiencing mental health emergencies and creating alternatives to incarceration through specialized training and community partnerships. • CIT (Crisis Intervention Team) training provides law enforcement with tools to ef…

1
Darrell Herrmann : Straight Talk About Living With A Severe Mental Illness 27:26

11d ago27:26

27:26

Send us a text Darrell Herrmann, a retired US Army captain and former computer programmer, shares his remarkable journey of living with schizophrenia since 1984 and his mission to help others with severe mental illness live better lives. • Former US Army captain specializing in field artillery and nuclear weapons before developing schizophrenia • E…

1
Joseph Nguyen on Why You Must Fight for Your Inner Peace | EP 613 1:05:14

11d ago1:05:14

1:05:14

In this powerful episode of Passion Struck, John R. Miles sits down with Joseph Nguyen, author of the international bestseller Don't Believe Everything You Think, to explore the hidden battle between your thoughts and your true self. Together, they unpack why inner peace isn’t something you stumble upon—it’s something you must consciously fight for…

1
Pete Earley:From Journalist to Advocate 31:09

12d ago31:09

31:09

Send us a text Pete Early shares his journey from Washington Post journalist to mental health advocate after his son developed bipolar disorder, revealing how a broken system forces families into crisis before providing help. • Diagnosis came during his son Kevin's college years with warning signs like "food doesn't taste good" and confusion about …

1
Colleen Scott: One Mother's Journey Through Schizophrenia 29:35

13d ago29:35

29:35

Send us a text A mother shares her 18-year journey supporting a son with schizophrenia through mental health system failures, incarceration, and experimental brain surgery. • Colleen Scott's son started showing signs of schizophrenia at age 17, withdrawing socially and exhibiting erratic behavior • A prosecutor advised having her son arrested "to g…

1
Stephanie Beilin: Mother's Journey Through Mental Illness and Incarceration 26:56

14d ago26:56

26:56

Send us a text A mother and clinical social worker shares her heartbreaking journey navigating the legal system after her high-achieving son developed serious mental illness, revealing how our justice system criminalizes rather than treats mental health conditions. • Licensed independent clinical social worker with 40+ years experience working with…

1
Justin Volpe : How Peer Support Changes Lives 28:20

15d ago28:20

28:20

Send us a text Justin Volpe shares his journey from being diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and incarcerated to becoming a certified recovery peer specialist who has trained over 3,500 police officers in crisis intervention. His story demonstrates how individuals with lived experience can transform systems and save lives by bridging gaps betw…

1
The Lens Method: A New Way to Reframe Your Inner World | EP 612 28:02

15d ago28:02

28:02

In this powerful solo episode, John R. Miles explores a skill that could radically change how you experience adversity, uncertainty, and emotional overwhelm—reframing. But not the kind tied to false positivity or denial. Instead, John unveils the LENS Method, a practical, neuroscience-backed framework for transforming the story you tell yourself—so…

1
Jessica Ferguson : Brother in Crisis: A Family's Desperate Fight for Mental Health Support 28:24

16d ago28:24

28:24

Send us a text Jessica Ferguson shares the deeply personal story of her brother's struggle with serious mental illness and how systemic failures led to his incarceration after being accused of a triple homicide when he should have been in psychiatric care. • Her brother had been stable with his mental illness for a decade before showing concerning …

1
Biet Simkin on How to Awaken Your Soul When Life Breaks You | EP 611 1:01:50

16d ago1:01:50

1:01:50

In this raw and revealing conversation, Biet Simkin opens up about losing her mother, her child, and her way—then finding herself through sobriety, spirituality, and sound. From rock-bottom addiction to becoming a globally respected meditation guide, Biet shows how even life's darkest moments can become portals to awakening. Click here for the full…

1
Jhilam Biswas Reveals Paths to Mental Health Reform From Forensic Hospitals to Freedom 31:24

17d ago31:24

31:24

Send us a text Dr. Jhilam Biswas, a board-certified adult and forensic psychiatrist, discusses how mental health issues intersect with the criminal justice system and the urgent need for reform. She shares insights from her research and clinical experience working with incarcerated individuals with mental illness, explaining why mental health care …

1
Eric Smith: From Music Prodigy to Mental Health Advocate 30:47

18d ago30:47

30:47

Send us a text Eric Smith shares his remarkable journey from child piano prodigy to mental health advocate after battling psychosis and addiction. His story reveals how finding the right medication after a decade of failed treatments transformed his life from hospitalization and FBI involvement to becoming a Texas Judicial Commissioner on Mental He…

1
Dr. Zach Mercurio on How Leaders Can Help People Feel Seen | EP 610 59:22

18d ago59:22

59:22

In this compelling conversation, John R. Miles is joined by Dr. Zach Mercurio, one of the world’s leading voices on purposeful leadership and the psychology of mattering. As the author of The Power of Mattering: How Leaders Can Cultivate a Culture of Significance (Harvard Business Review Press, 2025), Zach brings decades of research to a timely dis…

1
Seth Kahan's Journey Transforms Mental Health Advocacy in America 29:37

19d ago29:37

29:37

Send us a text Seth Kahan shares his journey from personal tragedy to leading a national movement against mental health stigma after his mother developed schizophrenia when he was 10 years old. His experience pioneering frameworks for grand challenges led him to launch Stop Stigma Together, a collaborative initiative uniting major mental health org…

1
Sylvia Mignon: When Your Expertise Can't Save Your Child 30:01

20d ago30:01

30:01

Send us a text Sylvia Mignon, licensed clinical social worker and professor of criminal justice, shares her heartbreaking journey navigating the mental health system while trying to secure proper care for her son with schizoaffective disorder. Despite her professional expertise, she's experienced nine years of struggling against bureaucracies that …

1
Jack Wood:: A Father's Fight for Mental Health Reform 27:59

21d ago27:59

27:59

Send us a text Jack Wood shares his son Jonathan's journey through Florida's mental health system, revealing how management failure rather than lack of resources creates catastrophic outcomes for those with severe mental illnesses. • Jonathan's early life included kidney disorder requiring powerful medications including cancer drugs • At 18, Jonath…

1
Justyna Rzewinski : A Whistleblower's Fight for Mental Health in Prisons 28:07

22d ago28:07

28:07

Send us a text Justyna Rzewinski shares her experience as a whistleblower after working at Rikers Island and her ongoing advocacy for criminal justice reform focusing on mental health treatment. • Working with different organizations to close Rikers Island and advocating for better treatment of mentally ill inmates • Fighting for smaller borough-ba…

1
5 Mental Health Habits That Anchor You in Uncertain Times w/ John R. Miles | EP 609 28:22

22d ago28:22

28:22

When life feels uncertain, we don’t need more control—we need anchors. In this deeply personal and practical solo episode, Passion Struck host John R. Miles shares five transformative mental health habits that helped him reclaim stability during one of the most turbulent seasons of his life. From the invisible costs of burnout to the neuroscience o…

1
Leslie Carpenter: Breaking the Mental Health Crisis Cycle 29:25

23d ago29:25

29:25

Send us a text Leslie Carpenter, co-founder of Iowa Mental Health Advocacy and Legislative Advocacy Manager at the Treatment Advocacy Center, shares her journey from concerned mother to dedicated mental health advocate after her son was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder 19 years ago. She discusses the barriers families face when seeking help …

1
Tiffany Moon on How to Write Yourself a Prescription for Joy | EP 608 54:22

23d ago54:22

54:22

In this inspiring and refreshingly candid conversation, Dr. Tiffany Moon—a board-certified anesthesiologist, entrepreneur, and reality TV star—opens up about her journey from high-achieving perfectionist to someone learning to prioritize joy, authenticity, and self-compassion. She shares powerful stories from her new book Joy Prescriptions, reveali…

1
Joel Corcoran: Welcome, Needed, and Valued: The Clubhouse Approach 29:09

24d ago29:09

29:09

Send us a text Clubhouse International is transforming lives through intentional communities where people with mental illness rebuild their lives after disruption and isolation. Joel Corcoran joins us to tell the Clubhouse story. • Clubhouse International operates 377 clubhouses across 32 countries using a specific 37-standard model • Members volun…

1
Denise Paley: From Crisis to Advocacy 30:09

25d ago30:09

30:09

Send us a text Denise Paley shares the harrowing story of her son's sudden onset schizophrenia at age 18 and his subsequent five-year imprisonment without sentencing, revealing critical failures in how our justice system handles mental illness. • Son Ellis was an honor roll student with a bright future before experiencing first-episode psychosis • …

1
Andrew Newberg on What Makes Us Feel Like We Matter | EP 607 55:07

25d ago55:07

55:07

In this thought-provoking episode of Passion Struck, host John R. Miles is joined by renowned neuroscientist Dr. Andrew Newberg, a pioneer in the field of neurotheology—the science at the intersection of the brain, belief, and spirituality. Together, they explore a powerful question: What makes us feel like we matter? Dr. Newberg shares groundbreak…

1
Judge Milton Mack's Mission to Reform Mental Healthcare 27:14

26d ago27:14

27:14

Send us a text Judge Milton Mack shares his mission to reform the mental health system by moving from crisis intervention to early treatment and prevention. His groundbreaking work in Michigan demonstrates how changing laws and procedures can dramatically improve outcomes while reducing costs. • Moving from an inpatient model to an outpatient world…

1
From Diagnosis to Detention: How Schizophrenia Changed Two Lives Forever 24:04

27d ago24:04

24:04

Send us a text Carly, a licensed clinical social worker and mother, shares her 30-year journey navigating her son's schizophrenia diagnosis and the healthcare system's failures that led to his year-long incarceration. • Son diagnosed with schizophrenia at age 17, now 47 years old • Early signs included not wanting to get out of bed, not going to sc…

1
Ashley Smith: from crisis to advocacy 28:57

28d ago28:57

28:57

Send us a text Ashley Smith, an advocate, author, and speaker, shares her powerful journey of recovery from schizophrenia and how she transformed a legal crisis into a platform for mental health advocacy. Through her blog "Overcoming Schizophrenia," seven self-published books, and work with organizations like NAMI and the Curious Foundation, Ashley…

1
Katie R. Dale's Mental Health Story: Living Beyond Crazy 27:29

29d ago27:29

27:29

Send us a text Katie R. Dale shares her journey from hospital patient to mental health author and advocate, offering insights into living with bipolar disorder type 1 with psychotic features and how writing became her path to healing and helping others. • Started blogging in 2014 after hospitalization as self-therapy before expanding into professio…

1
Why Mental Health Is the Root of a Meaningful Life w/John R. Miles | EP 606 23:10

29d ago23:10

23:10

In this solo episode, John R. Miles explores how mental health isn’t just about managing stress—it’s the invisible infrastructure of everything that gives life meaning. From personal breakdowns to societal myths about strength, John shares why ignoring mental well-being doesn’t delay the cost—it multiplies it—and what we can do to reclaim emotional…

1
Tim Murphy's Fight for Mental Health Reform 30:22

30d ago30:22

30:22

Send us a text Tim Murphy, former congressman and psychologist, shares his journey advocating for mental health reform through the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act and highlights the systemic failures in America's approach to serious mental illness. • Serious mental illness requires different treatment approaches than general mental hea…

1
Elizabeth Weingarten on How to Fall in Love With Questions | EP 605 55:40

1M ago55:40

55:40

What if the most important thing you could do in moments of confusion, fear, or identity crisis… was to pause and sit with the question, rather than race toward an answer? In a world that values certainty, performance, and instant solutions, Elizabeth Weingarten is offering something rare: a permission slip to not know. On this episode of the Passi…

1
Haley Graham : A Conversation on Mental Health, Autism, and Finding Your Way 26:04

1M ago26:04

26:04

Send us a text Psychotherapist Haley Graham shares her journey from pharmacist to mental health advocate after her son's struggle with school led her to found the Bounce Brighter Futures Foundation. Her personal experience with neurodivergence drives her passion for supporting children, parents, and teachers through therapeutic storytelling and com…

1
Patrick Kennedy on Autism,Mental Health, Addiction, and Political Change 33:14

1M ago33:14

33:14

Send us a text Patrick Kennedy shares his journey from Congressman to mental health advocate, revealing how his family history and personal struggles with addiction shaped his mission to transform America's approach to mental health care. • Passed the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act by attaching it to the 2008 bank bailout bill • Advo…

1
Gretchen Rubin on the Secrets of Adulthood and Happiness | EP 604 1:15:33

1M ago1:15:33

1:15:33

In this special live episode of Passion Struck, host John R. Miles welcomes New York Times bestselling author Gretchen Rubin to explore the timeless wisdom captured in her latest work, Secrets of Adulthood. Recorded at the vibrant Oxford Exchange in Tampa, Florida, this conversation dives deep into the small but powerful lessons that can transform …

1
Judge Liefman: Breaking the Cycle of Autism and Mental Illness in Criminal Justice 31:40

1M ago31:40

31:40

Send us a text Judge Steven Leifman shares his remarkable journey from witnessing horrific conditions in a state psychiatric hospital as a teenager to becoming a leading judicial advocate for mental health reform. His work in Miami-Dade County has transformed how the criminal justice system handles people with mental illness, saving millions of dol…

1
Christine Vester: Humanity Over Handcuffs: Protecting Autistic Lives in Legal Battles 16:59

1M ago16:59

16:59

Send us a text Christine Vester shares her mission with Humanity Over Handcuffs, a national advocacy movement protecting autistic individuals from being criminalized by the justice system. Her organization supports families, educates legal professionals, and works toward reforming a system that often treats neurological differences as criminal beha…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

John R Miles Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide