Why We All Crave to Matter

Exploring The Power Of Mattering - EP 356

In this episode of the Passion Struck podcast, I take you on a journey into a concept that’s reshaping how I see the world—and I believe it can reshape yours too: mattering.

Mattering isn’t just about being recognized. It’s about the deep human need to feel valued, seen, and significant in the lives of others. It encompasses four essential elements: attention, importance, dependence, and appreciation—and together, they create the emotional bedrock of a meaningful life.

One story that moved me deeply is that of high school principal Linda Cliatt-Wayman, whose leadership at a struggling inner-city school became a masterclass in the power of mattering. Every day, she reminded her students, “If nobody told you they loved you today, remember I do.” Her mantra wasn’t just words—it was transformation in action.

I explore how our sense of mattering is shaped by systems far bigger than us—social identity, media representation, education, economics, and culture all play a role. And I talk about the real, measurable consequences when people feel like they don’t matter—disconnection, burnout, and even self-destruction.

But I also share what we can do about it.

This episode is more than theory—it’s a practical guide to empowering mattering in your daily life and in the lives of those around you. I walk through steps like: