Zach Mercurio on How to Make Your Work Matter

The Radical Power of Being Seen

People don’t burn out because they’re doing too much. They burn out because they feel invisible.

In this powerful episode of Passion Struck, I sit down with Dr. Zach Mercurio—purpose researcher and author of The Power of Mattering—to explore one of the most essential (and often overlooked) human needs: the need to matter. Whether in the workplace, at home, or in our communities, so many people are quietly suffering from a “mattering deficit.” And the cost is high—disengagement, disconnection, burnout.

Through science-backed insights and deeply human stories, Zach shows us that mattering isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a biological and psychological necessity. It’s what makes us resilient. It’s what fuels performance. And more than that, it’s what reminds us that our existence holds weight.

This conversation is a wake-up call to leaders, parents, teachers—anyone who wants to build a world where people feel seen, valued, and necessary.

Here’s what we explore:

Listen ad free to a deeply affirming conversation that will change how you lead, connect, and show others they matter.