Caroline Fleck on Why Validation Fuels Our Sense of Mattering | EP 659

Passion Struck with John R. Miles

Passion Struck Network

Reinventing Yourself, John Miles, High Performance Habits, Mindset, Personal Transformation, Burnout Recovery, Positive Psychology, Self-worth, Emotional Intelligence, John R. Miles Podcast, John Miles Podcast, Trauma Healing, Life Purpose, Purpose-driven Life, Mental Health Podcast, Performance Psychology, High Performance Expert, Peak Performance Habits, Nutrition, Belonging And Othering, Superhuman Performance, Optimal Human Performance, Wellbeing, Mental Wellbeing, Human Performance, Spiritual Growth, Habit Change, Identity, Love And Belonging, 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

🗓️ 4 September 2025

⏱️ 64 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In this eye-opening conversation, Dr. Caroline Fleck—clinical psychologist, researcher, and author of Validation—explores why so many of us struggle with anxiety, perfectionism, and burnout, not because we’re broken, but because our need for validation has gone unmet. She explains how validation is more than comfort—it’s proof that we matter.

Drawing on her clinical work and scientific research, Dr. Fleck demonstrates why validation is the foundation of resilience, connection, and well-being, and how learning to validate ourselves and others can bridge the gap between feeling invisible and living with purpose.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Coming up next on Passion Struck.
0:02.2	One of the weirdly, this is going to sound so weird to say, but it is true.
0:07.9	One of the weirdly refreshing things about having cancer was that people immediately understood, right?
0:16.1	I'd lost my hair and all this stuff.
0:17.4	So I couldn't, I'd have to cancel a session or I'd have to everybody understood. There was all sorts of support and understanding. And I'm thinking like, wow,
0:25.4	this feels, because with that mess and depression, that stuff is very hard to see in a lot of ways.
0:32.2	Welcome to Passionstruck. Hi, I'm your host, John R. Miles. And on the show, we decipher the secrets, tips, and guidance of the world's most inspiring people and turned their wisdom into practical advice for you and those around you.
0:46.3	Our mission is to help you unlock the power of intentionality so that you can become the best version of yourself.
0:53.8	If you're new to the show, I offer advice and answer listener questions on Fridays. We have long-form interviews the rest of the week with guests ranging from astronauts to authors, CEOs, creators, innovators, scientists, military leaders, visionaries, and athletes. Now, let's go out there and become
1:13.5	Passionstruck. Welcome friends to Passionstruck episode 659. I want to start by thanking you for being here.
1:21.6	Over a third of you return week after week and that loyalty fuels this growing movement.
1:26.2	If you haven't yet left a rating or review,
1:28.8	I'd be so grateful if you just took 30 seconds to do so. It's the single best way for others to
1:34.6	discover and to join our community. Last week, we wrapped up our reclaiming wellness series with my
1:40.0	solo episode on the fragmentation gap, the hidden divide between the selves we present and the
1:45.3	wholeness we crave. And now we've stepped into our brand new series, Decoding Humanity.
1:50.2	We opened this series with Dr. Bruce Miller and Dr. Virginia Stern, who revealed how the social
1:55.3	brain shapes empathy, awe, and even our longevity. Over the next several weeks, I'm going to
2:00.7	explore the foundation
2:01.7	of what it means to be human, our biology, psychology, trauma, identity, community, and the
2:07.7	stories that shape us. Because only when we understand those foundations can we begin to live,
2:13.6	not just optimize lives, but whole ones. That's why I want to bring you today's conversation
	...

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