Explore More: The Ignited Life Newsletter
“We live in absurd times—uncertain, shifting, sometimes contradictory—and that absurdity can be disorienting, but it can also be revealing.”
steven heine
The Hidden Forces That Shape Who You Are: Culture, Identity, and the Search for Meaning
What if your identity isn’t something you chose, but something you absorbed without even realizing it? In this mind-expanding conversation, cultural psychologist Steven Heine reveals how much of what we consider “personal” is actually a product of our environment. From the values we prioritize to the way we understand success, failure, and even love, culture silently guides our sense of self.
Heine offers a compelling exploration of how different societies sculpt our beliefs, behaviors, and emotional responses—often in invisible ways. Drawing from global research and real-life examples, he examines how modern life, especially in individualistic societies, has led to a surge in anxiety, disconnection, and existential uncertainty. This episode invites listeners to reexamine the roots of their identity and to become more intentional about how they define purpose and fulfillment.
Whether you’re questioning your path, struggling with societal expectations, or searching for more depth in your life, this episode offers a transformative new way of seeing yourself and the world around you.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
- Culture shapes your core beliefs – Our definition of success, failure, and even who we are is often inherited, not chosen.
- More choice isn’t always better – The modern freedom to choose everything can lead to overwhelming anxiety and self-doubt.
- Eastern vs. Western views of the self – In some cultures, identity is found in connection; in others, it’s rooted in individuality.
- Existential discomfort holds insight – Feelings of confusion or absurdity often signal deep personal growth and transformation.
- Spiritual thinking creates meaning – People who believe in something beyond themselves—religious or not—tend to report greater life meaning.
- Real community still matters – Technology can’t replace the fulfillment that comes from human connection and shared purpose.
WHY IS THIS EPISODE A MUST-LISTEN?
Because understanding yourself starts with recognizing what’s been shaping you all along, this episode isn’t just about psychology—it’s about reclaiming authorship over your own life. Steven Heine’s insights will leave you questioning assumptions you’ve carried for years—and may give you the clarity to finally let them go.
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How AI Is Impacting Adolescence and Identity Formation
During the episode, we also got into a fascinating (and slightly unsettling) discussion about AI and its growing influence on kids and teens. Steven Heine shared his concerns about how artificial intelligence—especially emotional AI companions—is beginning to blur the lines between real human connection and simulated support.
He explained that adolescence is already a time of major identity development, and introducing hyper-personalized AI “friends” into the mix could interfere with how young people learn to navigate discomfort, build resilience, and develop authentic relationships.
Drawing from insights in his new book, Start Making Sense, Steven emphasizes that the rise of AI is just another layer of absurdity in an already complex world—and one that demands careful attention if we want the next generation to build meaningful lives.
Thanks, Steven Heine
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RESOURCES FROM THE SHOW WITH STEVEN HEINE
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!
- Steven Heine’s Website
- Steven Heine’s Twitter
- Steven Heine’s LinkedIn
- BUY Steven Heine’s Book ‘Start Making Sense’
- 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, Steven Heine
Steven Heine is a pioneering cultural psychologist and professor at the University of British Columbia, best known for his groundbreaking work on how culture shapes human motivation, identity, and meaning-making. A recipient of the APA’s Award for Distinguished Scientific Early Career Contributions, Heine has published extensively on cross-cultural differences in self-concept, self-esteem, and existential psychology.
His research challenges the assumption of a universal self and reveals how deeply cultural frameworks influence how we define success, failure, and purpose. Heine is the author of Start Making Sense: How Existential Psychology Can Help Us Build Meaningful Lives in Absurd Times and Cultural Psychology, which have reshaped how psychologists, educators, and everyday thinkers understand the human mind across cultures.
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