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“The greatest fight of your life isn’t external—it’s choosing to no longer be at war with your mind.”
joseph nguyen
How to Quiet the Mind and Break Free from Overthinking
In this deeply insightful conversation, Joseph Nguyen unpacks the true source of mental suffering—and it’s not what most people think. He explains how our habitual thoughts, judgments, and resistance to emotions are the real culprits behind stress, anxiety, and inner turmoil. With clarity and compassion, Joseph offers a powerful reframing: peace isn’t something we chase, it’s something we return to when we release the mental clutter.
Through practical guidance and vulnerable storytelling, he introduces a five-step “PAUSE” framework to help listeners let go of unhelpful thinking, regulate emotions, and reconnect with the present moment. Whether you’re navigating loss, burnout, or just an overactive mind, this episode delivers a roadmap for inner stillness and strength.
Key Takeaways from This Episode with Joseph Nguyen:
- Reframe Suffering: Joseph explains how suffering comes not from events, but from our mental resistance and negative judgments about those events.
- Disempower Overthinking: Asking “Is this thought useful?” becomes a simple but transformative gateway to self-liberation.
- Breathe into the Present: Deep, full-body breathing is the fastest way to return to peace, because you can only breathe now.
- Feel Without Judgment: Emotions pass more quickly when we stop labeling them as “bad” and start welcoming them as teachers.
- Reclaim Agency: Listeners are reminded that they have the power to stop believing destructive thoughts and choose peace instead.
- Practical Framework: Joseph introduces the PAUSE method, a step-by-step process to break free from looping thoughts and reconnect with the heart.
WHY IS THIS EPISODE WITH JOSEPH NGUYEN A MUST-LISTEN?
This episode is more than just a conversation—it’s a mirror that reflects the inner dialogue we rarely question. Joseph Nguyen delivers not only spiritual wisdom but actionable tools that anyone can use in everyday life. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by your own mind, this episode offers a deeply compassionate and practical path back to calm, clarity, and empowerment.
The Myth of “More”
Like many of us, Joseph spent years chasing external markers of success—better jobs, more productivity, greater recognition—only to find himself feeling more disconnected than ever. He had tried therapy, meditation, breathwork, and self-help strategies, but nothing seemed to touch the root of his suffering.
Why? Because the problem wasn’t “out there.” It was the thinking mind itself—how it convinces us that we’re not enough, that we’re broken, or that peace can only come once we’ve achieved something more.
Joseph’s turning point came when he realized something radical: we are not our thoughts. And believing everything we think is exactly what keeps us stuck.
Thoughts Are Not Facts
It’s a powerful idea—one that changes everything once it sinks in.
Most of us never question our thoughts. We assume they’re true simply because we’re thinking them. But, as Joseph points out, most of what the mind produces is conditioned noise. It’s the residue of past experiences, trauma, societal programming, and fears about the future.
And if we don’t stop and examine those thoughts, they quietly become our reality. They tell us we’re unworthy, that we’ll never succeed, or that we can’t be at peace until we fix ourselves.
But here’s the truth: you don’t have to fix yourself to find peace. You just have to stop believing the thoughts that say you’re broken.
The Courage to Let Go
Joseph calls this process “fighting for your soul.” Not in the dramatic sense—but in the quiet, daily decision to stop identifying with every anxious or self-critical thought and return to the present moment.
Letting go of those thoughts doesn’t mean giving up. It means stepping into something far more powerful: trust.
Trust that you’re already whole. Trust that peace is available now. And trust that you can create from a place of stillness, not stress.
This doesn’t mean you won’t face challenges. But it means you’ll no longer be at war with yourself.
Redefining Success and Identity
In our conversation, Joseph and I also discussed how deeply our culture ties identity to achievement. We’re taught that our worth is found in how much we produce, how busy we stay, or how high we climb.
But the truth is, success without inner peace is just another form of suffering.
Your value doesn’t come from what you do. It comes from who you are when you’re fully present, aligned, and intentional.
A Practice for Peace
So, how do you begin to fight for your peace?
Start small. Notice when a thought creates suffering. Ask: Is this thought true? Is it useful? Do I have to believe it? And in that pause, create space for something new: presence, calm, and clarity.
Joseph reminds us that peace is not a destination. It’s a practice—and a choice we make moment by moment.
In a world addicted to noise and distraction, the most revolutionary thing you can do is to return to yourself.
Not your fears. Not your mind’s projections.
You. The still, grounded self beneath all the noise.
Because your peace is worth fighting for. And the world needs what only a peaceful you can give.
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STARTER PACKS
Are you new to the show? These Starter Packs are collections of our most popular episodes grouped by topic, and we now have them on Spotify.
You can also browse starter packs for existing listeners to find your old favorites. Every week, John interviews everyday heroes from all walks of life. Learn how to subscribe to the show and never miss a new episode or topic.
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A Deeper Look at Joseph Nguyen’s Book and the PAUSE Framework
During the interview, Joseph Nguyen opens up about the expanded edition of his bestselling book, Don’t Believe Everything You Think: Why Your Thinking Is The Beginning & End Of Suffering, which has quietly become a go-to resource for people around the world looking to reclaim their peace. The book isn’t your typical self-help manual—it’s a soul-level invitation to stop identifying with the constant noise in your head and start experiencing life beyond thought.
What makes the Expanded Edition especially impactful is its inclusion of new frameworks and practices, one of the most powerful being the PAUSE method, which Joseph breaks down step by step in the conversation. Designed to help people move through anxiety, overthinking, and emotional overwhelm, PAUSE is both simple and profoundly effective.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the PAUSE acronym, as discussed in the episode:
- P – Pause and take deep breaths.
Breathing anchors you in the now—the only place peace exists. When life feels chaotic, just one mindful breath can begin to shift everything. - A – Ask yourself: Is this thinking useful?
Most of our thoughts aren’t helpful—they’re habitual. This question disrupts that pattern and invites clarity. - U – Understand that you can let it go.
Just because a thought shows up doesn’t mean you have to keep it. Freedom begins with recognizing that you have a choice. - S – Say and repeat a grounding mantra.
Joseph recommends mantras like “Thinking is the root cause of suffering” or “I let go and choose peace.” These help train the mind to quiet down and return to stillness. - E – Experience your emotions without resistance.
Emotions aren’t enemies to fix or avoid—they’re messengers. When you let them move through you without judgment, they soften and pass.
This approach, Joseph explains, isn’t about suppressing your thoughts or pretending everything’s fine. It’s about learning to see the thoughts for what they are—just thoughts—and giving yourself permission to let go of the ones that no longer serve you.
The book dives even deeper into these concepts, helping readers move from intellectual understanding to embodied transformation. Whether you’re dealing with self-doubt, burnout, or heartbreak, Don’t Believe Everything You Think offers a gentle, powerful path to healing by inviting you to stop fighting your mind and start listening to your inner truth.
If there’s one thing this episode makes clear, it’s that peace isn’t out there—it’s already within you. Joseph’s book just helps you remember where to look.
THANKS, JOSEPH NGUYEN
If you enjoyed this interview with Joseph Nguyen, let him know by clicking on the link below and sending him a quick shout on Instagram
Click here to show Joseph Nguyen 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 JOSEPH NGUYEN
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!
- Joseph Nguyen’s Website
- Joseph Nguyen’s Instagram
- Joseph Nguyen’s YouTube Channel
- BUY Joseph Nguyen’s Book ‘Don’t Believe Everything You Think’
- 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 Why Hope Matters: How Small Actions Create Big Ripples
Can’t miss my episode with Ethan Kross on How to Make Emotions Work for You
Catch my interview with Randy Blythe on How to Make Peace with Your Inner Battles
My interview with Gabby Bernstein on finding profound freedom and inner peace
About Today’s Guest, Joseph Nguyen
Joseph Nguyen is a spiritual thought leader, writer, and entrepreneur best known for helping people awaken to their true nature and break free from suffering caused by overthinking.
He is the author of the bestselling book Don’t Believe Everything You Think: Why Your Thinking Is The Beginning & End Of Suffering, which has transformed the lives of hundreds of thousands by offering practical tools to cultivate inner peace and self-awareness.
Through his writing, speaking, and online presence, Joseph empowers others to move beyond the noise of the mind and live from a place of clarity, presence, and truth.
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