Bruce Miller & Virginia Sturm on Why the Social Brain Holds the Key to Our Humanity | EP 658

Passion Struck with John R. Miles

Passion Struck Network

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4.9 • 1.3K Ratings

🗓️ 2 September 2025

⏱️ 53 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In Episode 658 of Passion Struck, host John R. Miles sits down with renowned neuroscientists Dr. Bruce Miller and Dr. Virginia Sturm, co-authors of the book "Mysteries of the Social Brain," to explore their groundbreaking work on the social brain. Together, they explore how empathy, fairness, altruism, and connection are not just cultural ideals but are also hardwired into our neural architecture. From the role of specific brain networks in shaping moral behavior to how purpose and creativity emerge from our capacity to connect, this conversation redefines what it means to be human. Bruce and Virginia also share insights into how understanding the social brain can help us combat loneliness, strengthen relationships, and build cultures where people truly matter.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Coming up next on Passionstruck.
0:02.1	Empathy allows us to feel all sorts of things, good things, positive things, bad things,
0:09.0	or negative things.
0:10.5	So the same system in the brain might allow us to feel the pain of a loved one who is injured
0:18.9	or sick, but also to share in the joy of their success or experiencing
0:25.4	something amazing or beautiful in life. Like you said, it's that resonance system that allows us
0:32.3	to reverberate in our bodies with that other person's experiences, be they good or bad.
0:38.0	Welcome to Passionstruck.
0:39.4	Hi, I'm your host, John R. Miles.
0:41.3	And on the show, we decipher the secrets, tips, and guidance of the world's most inspiring
0:46.8	people and turned their wisdom into practical advice for you and those around you.
0:52.1	Our mission is to help you unlock the power of intentionality
0:56.0	so that you can become the best version of yourself.
0:59.0	If you're new to the show, I offer advice and answer listener questions on Fridays.
1:04.0	We have long-form interviews the rest of the week with guests ranging from astronauts to authors,
1:10.0	CEOs, creators, innovators,
1:13.6	scientists, military leaders, visionaries, and athletes. Now, let's go out there and become
1:19.4	Passionstruck. Welcome back, friends, to Passionstruck episode 658. I want to start by thanking
1:25.7	each of you for being here. Week after week, over a third of you
1:29.8	return to listen, and that loyalty fuels this movement. If you haven't had a chance yet to leave
1:35.1	a rating or review, I'd be so grateful if you took just 30 seconds to do so. It's the best way
1:40.5	for others to find and join us. We just wrapped up our Rediscovering Wellness series,
	...

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