THE IGNITED LIFE | Weekly Newsletter
Thriving Through Inner Awareness: How Inner Awareness Fuels the Art of Connection
Hey friend,
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the difference between being connected and just being in contact. You can reply to texts, hop on Zoom, and still feel miles away—from others, and honestly, from yourself.
I know that feeling. I’ve lived that feeling.
That’s why this week’s theme is so close to my heart: real connection doesn’t start with better communication. It starts with deeper awareness. With getting quiet enough to actually hear what’s going on inside… before we try to show up for anyone else.
This week on the podcast, we go there.
Suzanne Giesemann invites us into a whole new way of seeing—where your soul leads, and your purpose deepens.
David Hamilton grounds it in science, showing how thoughts, emotions, and intention shape not just your biology, but your bonds.
These episodes aren’t just content. They’re invitations. To reconnect with yourself. To stop abandoning your truth. To lead, love, and live from that place inside that’s always known what matters most.
So wherever this note finds you—whether you’re running errands or running on empty—I hope you’ll take a moment this week to come home to yourself.
Because when we reconnect within, we reconnect with everything.
What’s New on the Podcast This Week
This week on Passion Struck, we’re diving deeper into The Connected Life—and exploring how the invisible threads between us shape everything we do, create, and become.
🎧 Tuesday – Episode 622
Suzanne Giesemann – The Language of the Soul
This conversation took my breath away. Suzanne shares what it means to live from soul-awareness, trust divine guidance, and remember who we really are beneath the noise. It’s one of the most spiritually grounded episodes we’ve ever done—and I can’t wait for you to hear it.
🎧 Thursday – Episode 623
Dr. David Hamilton – The Biology of Kindness
David breaks down the science behind how our thoughts and emotions shape our bodies, our relationships, and our ability to heal. If you’ve ever wondered whether compassion truly changes the world—this episode proves it, molecule by molecule.
Coming Soon: A Solo Episode You Won’t Want to Miss
Taylor Swift and the Art of Valuing Others: Lessons in Building Genuine Connection
In last week’s solo episode, we explored how inner awareness fuels connection. This week, I’m flipping the lens: What happens when we turn that awareness outward—and use it to make others feel seen, safe, and significant?
Taylor Swift might seem like an unlikely case study, but hear me out—she’s a masterclass in mattering. From late-night FaceTimes with fans to deeply personal lyrics, she shows us that connection doesn’t come from being impressive—it comes from making people feel important.
In this episode, I’ll unpack:
What Carl Rogers, All Too Well, and neuroscience teach us about empathy
The power of storytelling and why specificity creates real bonds
Simple, intentional ways you and I can practice valuing others today
We’re still in The Connected Life. And this one? It strikes a powerful chord.
Catch up with Passion Struck
🎧 Tuesday, June 3 – Jon Kabat-Zinn
Mindfulness as a Radical Act: Healing, Presence, and the Urgency of Now
A profound exploration of how tuning into awareness—right here, right now—can help us heal, reconnect, and reclaim what matters most in a world that often pulls us away from ourselves.
🎧 Thursday, June 5 – Mike and Kass Lazerow
The Emotional Cost of Building Big: Love, Leadership, and Letting Go
A raw and revealing look at the human side of entrepreneurship—from billion-dollar exits to cancer battles, parenting, and partnership. This is the truth behind the hustle: messy, meaningful, and full of heart.
✨ Weekly Passion Spark
Try this: Ask your inner voice a question today—and actually wait for the answer.
Whether through journaling, stillness, or reflection, give space for the quiet wisdom inside you to speak. It’s there. You just have to slow down long enough to hear it.
Your Challenge This Week
When something triggers you this week—pause.
Instead of reacting, ask:
What’s this really about for me?
Is it fear? Old patterns? A need for control?
Name it. Don’t judge it. Then choose a response that honors both your values and your peace.
Because you can’t connect meaningfully with others… until you reconnect with yourself.
This is your invitation.
This is your moment.
If this resonates, I’d love to hear what came up for you—just hit reply and let me know.
Live boldly. Lead fully. Stay Passion Struck,
– John