Explore More: The Ignited Life Newsletter
“Instead of a bucket list, I ask people to create a ‘to die for’ list—actions your soul can be proud of.”
karen salmansohn
How to Break Free from a Near-Life Experience and Live with Urgency and Joy
In this Passion Struck episode, John R. Miles speaks with bestselling author and behavioral design expert Karen Salmansohn about how to escape the trap of “near-life experiences”—those moments when you’re technically alive but emotionally disengaged—and reclaim your days with purpose, presence, and passion.
Drawing from behavioral science and personal wake-up calls, Karen shares practical frameworks like identity-based habits, the power of core values, and the greater-than mindset to help listeners start showing up more fully. Whether you’re stuck in autopilot, weighed down by regret, or looking for a more aligned path forward, this conversation offers inspiring yet actionable tools to reconnect with what matters most.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
- Recognize Negative Narratives: Learn how to identify and challenge the limiting stories you tell yourself using a method Karen calls “hunting for your always and nevers.”
- Identity Shapes Habits: Discover how small mindset shifts like “I am discerning, so I do…” can rewire behavior and reduce self-sabotage.
- Chronological Life Mapping: Explore a visual exercise that reveals patterns in your past and uncovers hidden insights about where you’re headed next.
- Core Values in Daily Decisions: Understand how making your values visible—just like great companies do—can powerfully influence how you spend your time and energy.
- The Greater-Than Sign Method: Learn a simple but powerful in-the-moment decision tool to pause and realign with your long-term goals rather than your short-term impulses.
- End-of-Day Reflection Rituals: Blend Stoic reflection and joyful self-congratulation to wind down with wisdom, not just weariness.
WHY IS THIS EPISODE A MUST-LISTEN?
Because too many people wait for a crisis to start living intentionally. This episode offers the rare blend of soul and science, giving you both the emotional inspiration and practical tools to make each day count. If you’ve ever felt like you’re drifting instead of directing your life, Karen’s candid insights and creative frameworks will help you reset with clarity, courage, and meaning.
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Chronological Mapping & Core Values: How to Reclaim Your Life Story
One of the most eye-opening parts of the conversation is when Karen breaks down her powerful exercise called chronological mapping—a visual tool she developed to help people uncover the invisible narratives shaping their lives. Think of it like your life, laid out on one long sheet of paper, dotted with the emotional landmarks: first loves, heartbreaks, big wins, deep losses, unexpected pivots.
But here’s where it gets transformative: Karen doesn’t just have you track what happened—she asks you to color code, doodle, connect the dots, and reflect on how each experience acted as either a gift, bridge, or zigzag. That’s where clarity starts to emerge.
Through this playful yet profound practice, hidden core values start to rise to the surface—those inner truths that have been guiding (or misguiding) your choices all along. From there, Karen shows how to turn these insights into what she calls “I am, and so I do” statements. These aren’t affirmations—they’re declarations of identity and intention that create ripple effects across your habits, mindset, and goals.
If you’ve ever felt like your life has been running you instead of the other way around, this part of the episode is a must-hear. As Karen puts it, “Your identity is the puppet master of your habits.” And this mapping tool? It helps you change the puppeteer.
Thanks, Karen Salmansohn
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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 KAREN SALMANSOHN
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!
- Karen Salmansohn’s Website
- Karen’s book Dedicated Website
- Karen Salmansohn’s Substack
- Karen Salmansohn’s Instagram
- Karen Salmansohn’s Facebook
- Buy Karen Salmansohn’s Book ‘Your To-Die-For Life’
- 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.
About Today’s Guest, Karen Salmansohn
Karen Salmansohn is a bestselling author, behavioral change expert, and creative entrepreneur known for blending psychology, neuroscience, and wit into highly practical tools for personal growth. With over two million books sold globally, her most popular titles include How to Be Happy, Dammit and Your To-Die-For Life: How to Maximize Joy and Minimize Regret . . . Before Your Time Runs Out.
Karen’s work draws on her deep study of behavioral science and her own transformational journey—from a high-powered advertising career to becoming a leading voice in purposeful living. She is the founder of NotSalmon.com, where she shares science-backed insights for happier, more intentional lives, and her content has reached millions through partnerships with Oprah.com, Psychology Today, CNN, and more.
Known for her warm humor and edgy wisdom, Karen’s mission is to help people wake up from autopilot living and design lives filled with meaning, joy, and legacy—before it’s too late.
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