Susan Cain on the Bittersweet Beauty of Being Human

How sorrow and longing make us whole

There’s a quiet ache that lives just beneath the surface of joy. It’s not weakness. It’s not brokenness. It’s the depth of being alive—and Susan Cain has given it a name: bittersweet.

In this deeply moving episode of Passion Struck, I sit down with Susan Cain—bestselling author of Quiet and Bittersweet—to explore the emotional space we’re often taught to avoid: the longing, sorrow, and melancholy that give shape to our most meaningful moments. Through personal reflection, cultural critique, and timeless wisdom, Susan invites us to consider that what we call sadness may, in fact, be love in its purest form.

We talk about the heartbreak that ended her childhood, the vulnerability behind her writing, and why she believes our refusal to acknowledge sorrow may be the very thing that keeps us from fully experiencing joy.

Together, we explore:

Listen ad free to a breathtaking conversation that honors the ache beneath joy—and reminds us that feeling deeply is a form of strength.