Claude Silver on the Courage of Being Yourself at Work | EP 682

Passion Struck with John R. Miles

John R. Miles

Mental Health, Alternative Health, Education, Self-improvement, Health & Fitness

4.7 • 779 Ratings

🗓️ 28 October 2025

⏱️ 55 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

What if the greatest transformation in your career doesn’t come from working harder—but from leading with more heart?In this week’s episode of Passion Struck, host John R. Miles sits down with Claude Silver, Chief Heart Officer at VaynerMedia, to explore what it really means to be yourself at work—and why authenticity, empathy, and belonging are the most underrated forces in leadership today.Claude has spent the past decade alongside Gary Vaynerchuk, pioneering a new model of leadership grounded not in authority, but in humanity. Her philosophy is simple yet radical: when people feel seen, valued, and safe to be themselves, everything changes—trust deepens, innovation flourishes, and culture transforms from the inside out.Together, we unpack the neuroscience of belonging, the silent tax of conformity, and why the future of leadership belongs to those brave enough to lead with love.This conversation continues our series The Forces That Shape Us—following episodes on gravity, doubt, luck, defiance, and communication—by uncovering one of the most powerful invisible forces of all: the human heart.👉 Read the full show notes here!🎧 Listen + Watch + Go DeeperAll episode resources—including guest links, my books You Matter, Luma and Passion Struck, The Ignited Life Substack, and the Start Mattering store—are gathered here:👉 linktr.ee/John_R_MilesTo learn more about Claude Silver, visit claudesilver.comFuel your body with purposeGet 20% OFF BUBS Naturals Collagen — clean, NSF Certified, and veteran-founded.Use code PASSIONSTRUCK at bubsnaturals.comAfter checkout, tell them our show sent you!Feel younger, sharper, and stronger — from the inside outGet 20% OFF Mitopure Gummies from Timeline, powered by clinically proven Urolithin A.Head to timeline.com/passionstruckYour cells will thank you.🧠 About the Episode

Discover how Claude Silver is redefining leadership as an act of emotional bravery.
Learn why “checking your humanity at the door” is the biggest barrier to performance.
Understand the neuroscience of belonging and how psychological safety drives innovation.
Explore Claude’s Three Habits of Heart-Led Leadership—emotional bravery, emotional optimism, and emotional efficiency.
Hear how to bring authenticity back to work and create cultures where people feel seen, valued, and capable of making a difference.

Join The Ignited Life CommunityIf this episode stirred something in you, The Ignited Life is where the transformation continues.Each week, I share behind-the-scenes insights, science-backed tools, and reflections to help you turn intention into action.🔗 Subscribe free at TheIgnitedLife.netSupport the MovementEveryone deserves to feel valued and important. Show it. Wear it. Live it.Visit StartMattering.com

Connect with John

Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/
Book John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/
Keynotes, books, podcast, and resources: https://linktr.ee/John_R_Miles
Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/
Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Coming up next on Passionstruck.
0:02.2	Go and stand on the stage and show everyone who you are.
0:06.4	And if that means you like to juggle and sing at the same time, maybe not.
0:10.5	But try to dip your toe in with one or two people by sharing yourself.
0:15.1	Or here you are and you have a coffee with someone and they share they're having problems in their relationship.
0:20.2	And maybe you share
0:21.5	where you are in your relationship. It takes some vulnerability. It takes some vulnerability,
0:26.6	but you're not going to know unless you try. You're going to assume maybe from watching other
0:31.3	people that, oh, they're not accepted. They're not accepted. We have no idea what's going on with
0:36.0	other people. But you can control you. And so what I would say is try it.
0:42.7	Welcome to Passionstruck. I'm your host, John Miles. This is the show where we explore the art of human flourishing and what it truly means to live like it matters. Each week, I sit down with change makers,
0:54.9	creators, scientists, and everyday heroes
0:57.6	to decode the human experience
0:59.7	and uncover the tools that help us lead with meaning,
1:02.5	heal what hurts, and pursue the fullest expression
1:05.8	of who we're capable of becoming.
1:07.8	Whether you're designing your future,
1:09.2	developing as a leader,
1:10.6	or seeking deeper alignment in your life, developing as a leader, or seeking deeper
1:11.4	alignment in your life, this show is your invitation to grow with purpose and act with intention.
1:17.4	Because the secret to a life of deep purpose, connection, and impact is choosing Struck Episode 682.
1:35.7	I'm John Miles, your host.
	...

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