Anna Lembke on How to Be Human in a Dopamine-Driven World | EP 625

Passion Struck with John R. Miles

John R. Miles

Reinventing Yourself, Behavior Change For Good, Human Behavior Change, Self Mastery, Live Like You Matter, Emotional Resilience, Why You Matter, Purpose, Mental Fitness, The Power Of Mattering, Why Mattering Matters, Science Of Mattering, The Need To Matter, Science Of Human Flourishing, Science Of Wellbeing, The Mattering Effect, How To Be Successful, Veterans, Bio Hacking, Personal Growth, Tiny Habits, Health, Mattering, Knowing Yourself, Self Awareness, Spiritual Health, Success Strategies, Life Span, Passion, Self-improvement, Self Help, Self Improvement Podcast, Relationship Health, Life Lessons, Metabolism, John R. Miles, How We Learn, Health Habits, Fitness, Mindfulness, Grit, Education, Passion Struck Life, Cancer Survivor, Peak Performance, Personal Mastery, Power Of Intentions, Live Intentionally, Behavior Change, Health & Fitness, How To Be Unstoppable, Success, Meditation, Future Of Work, Brain Plasticity, Leadership, Power Of Choice, Self Limiting Beliefs, Education Podcast, Health Podcast, Passion Struck, Courage, The Power Of Letting Go, Inspirational, Naturopath, Self Development, Entrepreneurship, Be Intentional, Habit Formation, Alternative Medicine, Personal Relationships, Health Span, Neuroscience, Military, Intentional Living, Life Coaching, Future Self, Passion Struck Podcast, Behavior Science, Mental Health, Eft Tapping, Self Realization, Alternative Health, Functional Medicine, Micro Choice, Human Connection, Growth Mindset, Self Love, Perseverance, Ideal Self, Spirituality, Intentionality, Happiness, Best Self, Longevity, Self Actualization, Balanced Lifestyle, Introspection, Executive Coaching, Habit Loop, Alternative Health Podcast

4.9 • 1.3K Ratings

🗓️ 17 June 2025

⏱️ 55 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In this compelling episode of Passion Struck, John R. Miles sits down with Dr. Anna Lembke—renowned psychiatrist, Stanford professor, and bestselling author of Dopamine Nation—to unpack the invisible crisis of our times: how a world saturated with instant gratification is quietly numbing us, hijacking our attention, and severing our sense of connection.

They explore the neuroscience behind addiction, why pleasure and pain share the same neural real estate, and how seemingly harmless behaviors—like binge-watching, social media scrolling, or even overworking—can rewire our brains in harmful ways. Dr. Lembke explains how real connection, meaning, and purpose are often sacrificed in our pursuit of dopamine—and how the antidote lies in facing discomfort, building community, and rediscovering what makes us human.

John also shares his own journey through emotional numbness and addiction, making this conversation both intellectually rich and deeply personal.

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Transcript

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