Humble the Poet on How to Stop Anxiety and Find Inner Peace

In today’s episode of Passion Struck, I sit down with the profoundly insightful Humble the Poet to unpack one of the most widespread and misunderstood emotional experiences of our time: anxiety.

You may know Humble as a poet, rapper, former teacher, and bestselling author—but in this conversation, he steps into a new role: as a guide through the emotional labyrinth of modern life. His new book, Unanxious, is more than a self-help guide; it’s a soulful, unfiltered roadmap to finding calm in the chaos and learning to coexist with discomfort rather than run from it.

Humble and I dig into why anxiety is not your enemy—it’s a signal, not a flaw. As he puts it, “You don’t cure hunger; you manage it. Anxiety works the same way.” This simple but profound reframe lays the foundation for a conversation that’s as vulnerable as it is empowering.

We talk about his personal decision to leave a stable teaching job to follow a creative calling, and how that terrifying leap taught him more about himself than any classroom could. We discuss how modern education, technology, and social media have hijacked our ability to connect authentically, leaving us more anxious and less seen.

If you’ve ever felt paralyzed by perfectionism, crushed by shame, or stuck in the “overachiever’s anxiety trap,” this episode is for you.

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Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Stitcher, Castbox, Google Podcasts, Listen Notes, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform. You can watch the interview on YouTube below.

How to Overcome Anxiety by Rethinking What Peace Really Means

In this eye-opening episode, John R. Miles sits down with Humble the Poet to unpack why anxiety is often misunderstood and how our desperate pursuit of calm might be doing more harm than good. With honesty and depth, Humble explores the hidden causes of chronic stress—from the influence of modern culture and digital isolation to the pressure to perform and conform. This conversation doesn’t shy away from hard truths—it invites listeners to question the emotional habits and external expectations that silently fuel their anxiety. Humble’s perspective offers a refreshing shift: peace isn’t something to find, it’s something to build by getting radically honest with yourself.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode With Humble the Poet:

• Rethink “Calm” – True peace doesn’t come from numbing anxiety but by becoming fully present and engaged with your emotional reality.
• Connection Over Control – Many of our emotional struggles stem from trying to control outcomes instead of deepening our connection to ourselves and others.
• Isolation Is a Silent Trigger – In a hyper-connected world, loneliness and disconnection have become major contributors to rising anxiety levels.
• Productivity Isn’t Purpose – Chasing success and overachievement often masks unresolved emotional discomfort and leads to burnout.
• Embrace Emotional Responsibility – We can’t control everything around us, but we can learn to manage how we relate to our emotions.
• Wake Up to Your Values – Inner peace begins when we start living in alignment with what truly matters instead of reacting to life on autopilot.

WHY IS THIS EPISODE WITH HUMBLE THE POET SMITH A MUST-LISTEN?

This episode is a must-listen because it flips the script on how we think about anxiety. Humble the Poet doesn’t offer surface-level hacks or quick fixes—he delivers perspective shifts that help listeners go deeper into their emotional well-being. If you’ve been stuck in a loop of overthinking, striving, or trying to keep it together on the outside while feeling overwhelmed inside, this conversation will leave you feeling seen—and more importantly, equipped to make meaningful changes.

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How to Stay Grounded in an Anxious World

Throughout this episode of the Passion Struck Podcast, Humble the Poet and John explore how anxiety has become a natural byproduct of modern life — not a personal failing, but a response to the world we’re living in. Between constant noise, unrealistic expectations, and the pressure to “always be on,” it’s easy to feel like we’re falling behind or not doing enough.

Humble talks about how important it is to recognize this cultural weight and stop blaming ourselves for feeling overwhelmed. He stresses the need to give ourselves grace — to understand that it’s okay to not feel okay, and that anxiety doesn’t make you weak, it makes you human.

Instead of trying to eliminate anxiety, Humble encourages a more realistic approach: manage it, don’t fight it. He shares that taking care of simple things — like drinking more water, getting better sleep, and being mindful of the people we spend time with — can have a huge impact on how we feel mentally and emotionally. These small, intentional acts of self-care form the foundation for inner stability.

Another practical insight he offers is the language we use with ourselves. By replacing “should” with “could,” we immediately soften the internal pressure. “Should” carries judgment and obligation, while “could” invites possibility and flexibility. It’s a subtle change, but it rewires the way we experience responsibility.

Humble also explains how building emotional resilience doesn’t come from comfort — it comes from challenge. He advocates for voluntarily doing hard things, the kind that stretch us and strengthen us without overwhelming us. Whether it’s waking up earlier, pushing through resistance, or having a tough conversation, these intentional stressors create the emotional muscle we need to better handle life’s unpredictable moments.

This discussion ties back to the core message of his book Unanxious: 50 Simple Truths to Help Overthinkers Feel Less Stress and More Calm. It’s not about becoming perfectly Zen or unfazed by life — it’s about learning to navigate it with more clarity, intention, and self-compassion.

THANKS, HUMBLE THE POET

If you enjoyed this interview with Humble the Poet, let him know by clicking on the link below and sending him a quick shout on Instagram

Click here to show Humble the Poet your thoughts about today’s episode on Instagram

Click here to let John R. Miles know about your number one takeaway from this episode!

If you want us to answer your questions or you want John to discuss a topic on one of our upcoming Momentum Friday episodes, drop us a line at [email protected].

RESOURCES FROM THE SHOW WITH HUMBLE THE POET

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!

1. Humble the Poet’s Website
2. Humble the Poet’s Instagram
3. BUY Humble the Poet’s Book Unanxious: https://amzn.to/4i6cAsq
4. Passion Struck Core Value System: https://passionstruck.com/the-passion-struck-core-belief-system/
5. Listen to Passion Struck’s interviews with New York Times bestselling authors Gretchen Rubin and Seth Godin.
6. 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 Success Edge: How to Be an Effective Anxiety Optimizer

Can’t miss my episode with Dr. Jud Brewer on Breaking Anxiety Shackles and Rewiring Habits

My episode with Dr. John Delony on the 6 Wise Choices to Build a Non-anxious Life

Catch my interview with Homaira Kabir on How You Overcome the Tyranny of Perfection

About Today’s Guest, Humble the Poet

Humble the Poet, born Kanwer Singh, is a Canadian-born artist, author, and creative disruptor known for his raw, vulnerable, and deeply human insights. Formerly a school teacher turned spoken word artist and global thought leader, Humble has inspired millions through his poetry, bestselling books, viral videos, and public speaking. His unique voice bridges Eastern philosophy with modern-day struggles, offering grounded wisdom for those seeking clarity, calm, and connection.

He is the author of multiple bestselling books, including his latest, Unanxious: 50 Simple Truths to Help Overthinkers Feel Less Stress and More Calm, which offers practical guidance on navigating anxiety, building emotional resilience, and finding peace in an overwhelming world. Through his work, Humble challenges the norms and encourages others to unlearn what’s holding them back — so they can live with intention, authenticity, and courage.

A powerful voice for mindful living in the modern world, Humble the Poet’s work has been featured on major platforms like CNN, TIME, and The Huffington Post. He continues to inspire audiences worldwide with his blend of personal storytelling, cultural insight, and practical philosophy.

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