Together, they explore a powerful question: What makes us feel like we matter?
Dr. Newberg shares groundbreaking research on how the brain processes spiritual experiences, what happens neurologically when we meditate or pray, and why our deepest beliefs play a vital role in shaping our sense of purpose, connection, and emotional resilience.
Want to learn the 12 philosophies that the most successful people use to create a limitless life? Order John R. Miles’s new book, Passion Struck: Twelve Powerful Principles to Unlock Your Purpose and Ignite Your Most Intentional Life.
Introducing The Ignition Room
Last week, we officially introduced The Listening Room—a dedicated community platform for Passion Struck listeners and supporters. It’s designed to deepen audience engagement around the podcast and provide a space for more meaningful interaction beyond the episodes.
The Listening Room will feature:
- Direct community access to episode discussions
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We’ll also be using it as a touchpoint for future content drops, book releases, and live events.
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“Spirituality is not just about belief—it’s a biological process that helps people find their place in the world.”
Dr. Andrew Newberg
How Repeated Spiritual and Reflective Practices Hardwire a Sense of Significance
One of the most powerful insights from Dr. Andrew Newberg’s work is that our brains are not fixed—they are shaped by what we practice, think, and believe. This is especially true when it comes to the experience of mattering.
According to Dr. Newberg, practices like meditation, prayer, focused reflection, or even repeated experiences of awe don’t just affect how we feel in the moment—they actually lead to long-term changes in brain structure and function. This process, known as neuroplasticity, means that the more we reinforce a sense of connection, purpose, and significance, the more our brains come to expect and generate those states.
“When people engage in practices that focus on compassion, connectedness, or reflection on their value, we consistently see activation and growth in areas like the prefrontal cortex and limbic system,” Newberg explained. “These are the very circuits involved in emotional regulation, identity, and meaning.”
This means that the experience of mattering—feeling seen, valued, and connected—isn’t just an abstract idea or an emotional state. It can be intentionally built and strengthened in the brain. In fact, Newberg’s research shows that the repeated experience of spiritual connection, reflection, or self-transcendence doesn’t just improve psychological well-being. It actually conditions the mind to interpret life through a more meaningful lens.
Consider what this implies:
- When someone regularly reflects on their purpose or engages in acts of compassion, their brain becomes more resilient to stress.
- When they consistently feel part of something larger—be it community, spirituality, or a cause—their neural networks reinforce a sense of significance.
- And when they create rituals of gratitude or mindfulness, the very biology of their brain supports a lasting sense of self-worth.
This has profound implications for how we approach mental health, emotional resilience, and personal growth. It also reframes mattering not as something we passively wait to feel—but as something we can practice into existence.
“If we want to feel like we matter,” Newberg said, “we need to engage the parts of the brain that reinforce those patterns. And we can do that through intentional habits.”
This conversation offers a roadmap for building a life of deeper meaning—rooted not only in belief, but in biology.
Key Takeaways from This Episode with Dr. Andrew Newberg:
- Mattering Is a Neurological Experience – Dr. Newberg’s research reveals that feeling like we matter isn’t just psychological—it’s deeply wired into our brain’s functioning. Neural patterns tied to self-worth and belonging light up during spiritual reflection, mindfulness, and connection.
- The Brain’s Belief Circuits Shape Identity – Our beliefs—especially about our value and purpose—aren’t abstract. They shape neural networks that influence how we see ourselves and interact with others. Beliefs about mattering help structure a stable sense of self.
- Spiritual Practice Builds Emotional Resilience – Regular spiritual or contemplative practices (e.g., prayer, meditation, awe-based rituals) enhance areas of the brain responsible for regulation, compassion, and connection—making us more emotionally resilient over time.
- Neuroplasticity Means We Can Train Ourselves to Matter – The brain’s ability to change (neuroplasticity) allows us to hardwire feelings of purpose and significance. Repetition of meaning-focused behaviors helps our brains default to patterns that support well-being.
- Self-Transcendence Supports Mental Health – Moments of awe, connection to something larger, or spiritual surrender reduce stress and inflammation, increase hope, and improve psychological balance. These are cornerstones of long-term mental health.
- The Biology of Belief Can Be Harnessed – Understanding how belief affects the brain allows us to design environments—at home, at work, or in community—that reinforce dignity, value, and mattering for others.
WHY IS THIS EPISODE WITH DR. ANDREW NEWBERG A MUST-LISTEN?
This episode offers a compelling look into the science behind some of the most profound aspects of human life—purpose, belief, and connection. Whether you’re religious, spiritual, agnostic, or just curious, Dr. Newberg’s insights will change the way you think about what it means to matter. Grounded in research yet deeply human, this conversation equips listeners with a better understanding of how to nurture fulfillment and emotional resilience in a fragmented world.
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STARTER PACKS
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Dr. Andrew Newberg on Why Belief Makes Us Feel We Matter
What does it mean to truly matter? It’s a question that haunts us in quiet moments—when we’re faced with uncertainty, isolation, or the aching desire to feel seen and significant. In Episode 607 of the Passion Struck podcast, I sat down with Dr. Andrew Newberg, a pioneering neuroscientist and author known for his groundbreaking work in the field of neurotheology—the study of how our brains process spiritual belief and experiences. Together, we explored the deep intersection between neuroscience, meaning, and the very human need to feel like we matter.
At the core of Dr. Newberg’s work is a powerful insight: mattering is not just a psychological experience—it’s a neurological one. Through functional brain scans and years of research, he has demonstrated how practices like meditation, prayer, and spiritual contemplation activate specific brain regions tied to self-awareness, empathy, and emotional regulation. In essence, when we connect with something greater than ourselves—whether it’s God, the universe, a moral code, or a sense of communal purpose—our brains reinforce that connection with a profound sense of significance.
However, it’s not only belief in a higher power that triggers this response. Dr. Newberg found that our sense of mattering also emerges through everyday acts of connection and purpose. When we help others, when we are acknowledged in a meaningful way, or when we engage in purposeful work that aligns with our values, our brain floods us with emotional signals that affirm: You matter. You belong. You make a difference.
That’s what makes this conversation so essential, especially during Mental Health Awareness Month. In my recent solo episode, I shared how emotional well-being is the root of a meaningful life. Dr. Newberg’s research builds on that idea by showing how our inner world—our beliefs, our practices, our perceptions—quite literally reshapes our brain. It strengthens the neural pathways that help us navigate stress, anxiety, and even trauma.
One of the most moving takeaways from our conversation was his finding that people who engage in spiritual or contemplative practices tend to feel more resilient, less lonely, and more emotionally balanced. It’s not about religion—it’s about connection. The brain needs meaning like the body needs oxygen. And when we cultivate rituals, reflections, and relationships that reinforce our sense of mattering, we begin to rewire ourselves for deeper peace and purpose.
As our culture continues to wrestle with disconnection, burnout, and the illusion that productivity equals worth, Dr. Newberg’s insights offer a timely reframe. We don’t have to have all the answers. We just need the courage to believe we’re part of something bigger—and to act like it.
So the next time you’re struggling with self-doubt or questioning your value, remember: You’re not alone. You matter—not because of what you produce or how much you know, but because of who you are and the connections you create.
And that’s not just philosophy. That’s brain science.
THANKS, Dr. Andrew Newberg
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RESOURCES FROM THE SHOW WITH DR. ANDREW NEWBERG
Please note that some of the links on this page (books, movies, music, etc.) lead to affiliate programs for which The Passion Struck podcast receives compensation. It’s just one of the ways we keep the lights on around here. Thank you so much for being so supportive!
- Dr. Andrew Newberg’s Website
- Dr. Andrew Newberg’s Instagram
- BUY Dr. Andrew Newberg’s Book ‘How God Changes Your Brain’
- APA’s recognition of mattering as critical to child mental health
- Passion Struck Core Value System: https://passionstruck.com/the-passion-struck-core-belief-system/
- Listen to Passion Struck’s interviews with New York Times bestselling authors Gretchen Rubin and Seth Godin.
- Check out Passion Struck’s Episode Starter Packs on Spotify or Passion Struck starter packs to get started with the podcast.
My solo episode on The Mattering Mindset in Love – Choose the Love You Deserve
Can’t miss my episode with Jesse Bradley on Use the Power of Hope to Overcome Adversity
My episode with Kate Bowler on Why There is No Cure for Being Human
Listen to my interview with Dr. Samuel Wilkinson on Why Life Is a Test of Good and Evil
Catch my interview with Matthew Weintrub on the Psychedelic Origin of Religion
About Today’s Guest, Dr. Andrew Newberg
Dr. Andrew Newberg is a pioneering neuroscientist and the Director of Research at the Myrna Brind Center for Integrative Medicine at Jefferson University Hospital. He is widely recognized for his groundbreaking work in neurotheology, the study of how spiritual and religious experiences affect the brain. As the author of several influential books, including How God Changes Your Brain: Breakthrough Findings from a Leading Neuroscientist,
Dr. Newberg’s research bridges the gap between science and spirituality. His work explores the profound impact of belief systems on human health, well-being, and behavior, offering new insights into the neural mechanisms that underpin transcendent and religious experiences. Dr. Newberg’s innovative studies have earned him recognition as a leader in the intersection of neuroscience and spirituality.
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