• The Question Beneath Meaning: Where Worth Actually Lives | John R. Miles EP 723
    Jan 30 2026

    We spend much of our lives searching for meaning through work, relationships, contribution, and purpose. But beneath that search lives a quieter, more fragile question, one we rarely say out loud:

    Do I matter even when nothing is being made of me?

    In this solo episode of Passion Struck, John R. Miles moves beneath meaning itself to explore what actually holds a life together when direction, productivity, and explanation fall away. Through a deeply personal reflection on his final walk with his sister, Carolyn, he reveals how worth is not something we build or earn, but something that must first be felt and recognized.

    This episode explores why meaning can feel unstable when the sense of mattering underneath it has not fully landed and why so many people feel unsettled, because worth has been quietly tied to motion, usefulness, or presence in others’ lives.

    Passion Struck is the #1 alternative health podcast and personal growth podcast dedicated to human flourishing and the science of mattering. It is ranked #1 on FeedSpot’s list of the Top Passion Podcasts on the Web, recognizing the show’s ongoing commitment to thoughtful, human-centered conversations like this one.

    Check the full show notes here:

    All links gathered here, including books, Substack, YouTube, and Start Mattering apparel:

    https://linktr.ee/John_R_Miles

    In This Episode, You Will Learn

    • The Question Beneath Meaning: Why worth precedes purpose and stabilizes identity at a deeper level.
    • Mattering vs. Meaning: How contribution organizes action, while mattering allows the self to rest without fracture.
    • Quiet Disorientation: Why internal drift can emerge even when life feels externally complete.
    • Why Modern Systems Can’t Register Worth: How productivity, engagement, and output crowd out presence.
    • Carolyn as the Proof Point: How shared presence transmits belonging without instruction or legacy-building.
    • Contingent Worth: Why motion becomes a stabilizing strategy when worth hasn’t fully integrated.
    • Stillness as Recognition: How pause, silence, and rest allow worth to land without performance.
    • The January Inquiry: A gentle question to carry forward without urgency or fixing.
    • What Comes Next: How the upcoming You Matter series turns recognition outward into daily life, choice, and belonging.

    Companion Reflection & Integration Resources

    Inside The Ignited Life, each episode in The Meaning Makers series is paired with reflection prompts and grounding practices designed to help you stay with the question long enough for real integration to occur—not to solve it, but to let recognition settle.

    Explore the community: https://TheIgnitedLife.net

    Connect with the Ecosystem

    • Pre-order You Matter, Luma (releasing February 24): https://youmatterluma.com/
    • Support the Movement: https://StartMattering.com

    Disclaimer

    The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a licensed physician, therapist, or other qualified professional.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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    29 mins
  • Alzheimer’s Research, Doctored Data, and the Human Cost | Charles Piller – EP 722
    Jan 29 2026
    What happens when the systems we trust most struggle to correct themselves and the cost is paid by patients, families, and society?In this deeply consequential episode of Passion Struck, investigative journalist Charles Piller joins the show to discuss his groundbreaking book Doctored: Fraud, Arrogance, and Tragedy in the Quest to Cure Alzheimer’s. Piller, a senior writer for Science magazine, has spent years examining how Alzheimer’s research became shaped by incentives, reputation, and institutional inertia—and what that meant for scientific progress and human lives.At the center of this conversation is a pivotal 2006 Nature paper that helped cement the amyloid hypothesis as the dominant explanation for Alzheimer’s disease. That study shaped decades of funding, drug development, and clinical trials. Years later, independent analysts and researchers began raising concerns about manipulated images and the integrity of the data—concerns that moved slowly through formal channels while the research continued to guide practice.In this episode, John R. Miles and Charles Piller explore how systems communicate mattering through responsiveness, how delay and diffusion affect trust, and how institutional silence carries human consequences. They also examine the role of independent watchdogs, whistleblowers, and investigative journalism in preserving scientific integrity, even when doing so carries personal and professional risk.This conversation is not about cynicism toward science. It is about accountability, permeability, and the conditions that allow truth to remain alive within powerful systems.If you care about medical ethics, scientific integrity, or how institutions shape human mattering, this episode offers a vital and clarifying perspective.Check the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/charles-piller-alzheimers-research-fraud/Download a Free Companion Reflection Guide:Connect with JohnKeynote speaking, books, and podcast: https://linktr.ee/John_R_MilesPre-order the Children’s BookYou Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/Learn More About Charles Pillerhttps://www.science.org/author/charles-pillerBook:Doctored: Fraud, Arrogance, and Tragedy in the Quest to Cure Alzheimer’sAvailable wherever books are sold.In This Episode, You Will LearnHow Alzheimer’s research became shaped by incentives, prestige, and institutional coherenceWhy responsiveness is a central signal of trust and mattering inside systemsHow a single scientific paper influenced decades of funding and drug developmentThe role of independent analysts like Elisabeth Bik in protecting scientific integrityWhy whistleblowers such as Matthew Schrag face extraordinary personal and professional pressureHow delays and procedural diffusion affect patients and families in real timeThe human story of Stephen Price and what clinical trials represent for those living with Alzheimer’sWhat healthy systems require in order to remain open to correction and learningSupport the MovementEvery human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter.Wear it. Live it. Show it. https://StartMattering.comDisclaimerThe Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a licensed physician, therapist, or other qualified professional.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • Inner Excellence: How to Build Inner Stability Under Pressure | Jim Murphy – EP 721
    Jan 27 2026

    What if peak performance isn’t created by intensity, control, or relentless self-pressure, but by inner stability?

    In this powerful episode of Passion Struck, Jim Murphy, performance coach to elite athletes and the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Inner Excellence, joins the show to explore what truly sustains excellence under pressure.

    Many listeners first encountered Inner Excellence when A.J. Brown was shown reading it on the NFL sideline during a playoff game. That moment sparked a national conversation—but Jim’s work has been shaping elite performers quietly for years.

    In this conversation, John and Jim examine the inner architecture that allows people to remain grounded when the stakes are high. Jim explains how fear, ego, and self-centered thinking destabilize performance, and how cultivating love, wisdom, and courage creates inner freedom that carries across athletics, leadership, parenting, and everyday life.

    Rather than focusing on tactics or motivation, this episode centers on the internal conditions that allow clarity, presence, and sustained performance to emerge. It offers a framework for anyone seeking excellence that endures—without burnout, anxiety, or collapse under pressure.

    If you’ve ever wondered why success alone doesn’t steady the inner world—or how to remain anchored when everything is on the line—this conversation offers a path inward.

    Check the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/inner-excellence-jim-murphy/

    Download a Free Companion Workbook with reflection prompts tied to this episode.

    Connect with John

    Keynote speaking, books, and podcast: https://linktr.ee/John_R_Miles

    Pre-order the Children’s Book

    You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

    Learn More About Jim Murphy

    Website & newsletter: https://innerexcellence.com/

    Book: Inner Excellence: Train Your Mind for Extraordinary Performance and the Best Possible Life

    Available wherever books are sold.

    In This Episode, You Will Learn

    • What Inner Excellence really means and why inner stability precedes peak performance
    • Why fear escalates under pressure and how “fear of fear” disrupts clarity and presence
    • How ego destabilizes performance by creating self-centered thinking and internal noise
    • The three pillars of Inner Excellence: love, wisdom, and courage
    • Why the heart plays a central role in sustained performance and fulfillment
    • How elite athletes remain grounded when expectations, scrutiny, and stakes rise
    • How to apply Inner Excellence beyond sports—in leadership, relationships, and daily life
    • What creates excellence that endures rather than collapses under pressure

    Support the Movement

    Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter.

    Wear it. Live it. Show it. https://StartMattering.com

    Disclaimer

    The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a licensed physician, therapist, or other qualified professional.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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    48 mins
  • Quiet Connection: How to Find Deeper Meaning Without Words | John R. Miles - EP 720
    Jan 23 2026

    What if the most important things you will ever say to those you love are the things you never speak aloud?

    In this moving solo episode, John R. Miles shares a deeply personal story about a final walk with his sister, Carolyn, by Lake Austin. He explores the "wordless tie" that binds us together and explains the science of why silence often carries more weight than speech. Drawing on the groundbreaking fMRI research of Dr. Lisa Miller and her work on The Awakened Brain, John reveals how our brains are biologically wired with a "sensing system" for significance.

    You will learn why success often feels hollow when we lose our wordless connection to others, and how to use the "Presence Pause" to clear the mental clutter that blocks your sense of purpose. This is an invitation to move beyond the noise of constant doing and rediscover the "mortar" that holds a meaningful life together.

    Passion Struck is the #1 alternative health podcast and personal growth podcast dedicated to human flourishing and the science of mattering. It is ranked #1 on FeedSpot’s list of the Top Passion Podcasts on the Web, recognizing the show’s ongoing commitment to thoughtful, human-centered conversations like this one.

    Check the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/how-to-find-meaning-without-words/

    All links gathered here, including books, Substack, YouTube, and Start Mattering apparel: https://linktr.ee/John_R_Miles

    In This Episode, You Will Learn

    • The Inherited Knowing: How legacy, belonging, and love are passed through presence rather than instruction.
    • The Science of the Awakened Brain: A deep dive into Dr. Lisa Miller’s research (episode 532) on the high-power neural circuit that handles stress and hope.
    • Quiet Disconnection: Why our brains are wired to amplify the negative and how to reset your internal "noise-to-signal" ratio.
    • The Three Bricklayers: A powerful lesson on how shifting your lens transforms the daily grind into a sacred mission.
    • The Presence Pause: A 3-minute practical habit to reopen your brain's channel for purpose.
    • Small Acts of Resonance: How wordless gestures like a smile or a simple touch recalibrate the nervous system for safety and connection.

    The Meaning Without Words Companion Resources

    Download our free digital companion workbook featuring guided prompts to help you notice the silence, open to presence, and let meaning land without forcing it through words. Explore the guide

    Connect with the Ecosystem

    • Pre-order You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/
    • Support the Movement: https://StartMattering.com
    • Join The Ignited Life Community: https://TheIgnitedLife.net

    Disclaimer

    The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a licensed physician, therapist, or other qualified professional.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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    18 mins
  • The Hidden Reality of Post-Traumatic Parenting: Breaking the Cycle | Dr. Robyn Koslowitz - EP 719
    Jan 22 2026

    What if the moments where you feel most "disengaged," "perfectionistic," or "paralyzed" as a parent aren't character flaws, but the result of a "Trauma App" running in the background of your brain?

    In this groundbreaking episode of Passion Struck, Dr. Robyn Koslowitz, clinical child psychologist and author of the definitive guide Post-Traumatic Parenting: Break the Cycle and Become the Parent You Always Wanted to Be, joins the show. With over 20 years of experience helping more than 10,000 families, Robyn explains why post-traumatic parenting is fundamentally different from typical parenting. She reveals how "Secret ACEs" (Adverse Childhood Experiences) and hidden trauma history can hijack your nervous system, making it nearly impossible to "share your calm" with your children.

    John and Robyn discuss the neurological reality of parenting after trauma, moving past the "fad" social media trends of gentle parenting to focus on the science of nervous system regulation. Koslowitz introduces her trademarked AIM Method (Acceptance, Integration, and Meaning-making) to help parents reclaim their "admin permissions" from their trauma. The conversation centers on a profound truth: your inner child cannot raise a child, but raising your real-world child can be the ultimate path to healing trauma through parenting.

    If you have ever asked, "How can I give my kids a normal childhood when mine was anything but?"—this episode provides the validation, neuroscience, and practical "hacks" needed to break generational trauma and foster an earned, secure attachment.

    Check the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/post-traumatic-parenting-robyn-koslowitz/

    Download a Free Companion Workbook with reflection prompts tied to this episode.

    To contact John about Keynote speaking, his books, and podcast: https://linktr.ee/John_R_Miles

    Pre-order You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

    For more about Dr. Robyn Koslowitz: https://posttraumaticparenting.com

    Book: Post-Traumatic Parenting available wherever books are sold.

    In this episode, you will learn

    • Post-traumatic parenting explained: Why your body reacts to your child's behavior as a survival threat.
    • The "Trauma App" Metaphor: How early experiences shape emotional regulation and override your parenting instincts.
    • The 5 Subtypes of Post-Traumatic Parents: Identifying if you lean toward paralysis, perfectionism, or disengagement.
    • Building Secure Attachment: How to move from trauma responses in parents to creating attachment and emotional safety.
    • The AIM Method: A 3-step clinical framework for intergenerational healing and trauma recovery.
    • Why "Gentle Parenting" isn't enough: The importance of structure, play, and nervous system regulation for the "cycle breaker."
    • Healing the Inner Child: How to stop "Trauma Poker" and start raising emotionally secure children after trauma.

    Support the Movement

    Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it. https://StartMattering.com

    Disclaimer

    The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a licensed physician, therapist, or other qualified professional.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Why Adult ADHD in Women Often Goes Undiagnosed | Shanna Pearson - EP 718
    Jan 20 2026

    What if the chronic overwhelm, emotional chaos, and sense of being "too much" or "not enough" stem from Invisible ADHD rather than personal shortcomings?

    In this revealing episode of Passion Struck, Shanna Pearson, founder of the world's largest one-on-one ADHD coaching program and author of the bestseller Invisible ADHD: Proven Mood and Life Management for Smart Yet Scattered Women, joins John R. Miles. With over 26 years of experience and her own late-diagnosed ADHD journey, Shanna explains why ADHD in women often remains hidden or misdiagnosed as anxiety, depression, or character flaws. She draws from hundreds of thousands of coaching sessions to highlight internal struggles like masking, rejection sensitivity, rumination, and burnout that intensify in midlife amid hormonal changes.

    John and Shanna discuss the neurological roots of these experiences, why traditional strategies fall short for women, and practical tools from her book. The conversation centers on reclaiming agency: moving beyond endless effort to sustainable approaches that align with an ADHD brain, restore momentum, and foster genuine self-worth.

    If you have ever felt smart yet scattered, unseen by others and sometimes yourself, or exhausted by success that drains rather than fulfills, this episode offers validation and clear steps forward.

    Passion Struck was recently ranked #1 on FeedSpot’s list of the Top Passion Podcasts on the Web, recognizing the show’s ongoing commitment to thoughtful, human-centered conversations like this one.

    Check the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/invisible-adhd-in-women-shanna-pearson/

    Download a Free Companion Workbook with reflection prompts tied to this episode.

    All links gathered here, including books, Substack, YouTube, and Start Mattering apparel: https://linktr.ee/John_R_Miles

    Pre-order You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/

    For more about Shanna Pearson: https://expertadhdcoaching.com

    Book: Invisible ADHD available wherever books are sold

    In this episode, you will learn

    • Why adult ADHD in women frequently goes undiagnosed or gets mislabeled as anxiety or depression
    • How masking, people-pleasing, and emotional overwhelm conceal core ADHD traits in females
    • The impact of rejection sensitivity, self-doubt, and identity erosion on self-worth
    • Why symptoms often escalate in midlife due to perimenopause, burnout, and hormonal shifts
    • Practical tools from Shanna’s coaching and book for managing mood, creating state changes, and building self-trust
    • How to shift from constant overcompensation to strategies that work with an ADHD brain
    • Why naming the experience and accessing targeted support restores clarity and meaning

    Support the Movement

    Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter.

    Wear it. Live it. Show it.

    https://StartMattering.com

    Disclaimer

    The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a licensed physician, therapist, or other qualified professional.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Finding Meaning After Success: The Blueprint of Belonging | John R. Miles - EP 717
    Jan 16 2026
    What if the "stones" of your success, the titles, the trophies, and the milestones, feel loose and unconnected because you’ve ignored the invisible bond meant to hold them together?In this powerful solo episode of Passion Struck, host John R. Miles explores "The Mortar of Connection." Drawing on the collective intelligence theories of Steven Sloman and the psychological insights of Alex Imas, John explains why the "Hollow High" occurs when we optimize for the "win" while neglecting the "join."This episode takes you from the ancient Giza plateau to the modern boardroom to discover the "alchemy of the mix." You will learn how to transition from Quiet Disorientation to a life of Unity over Uniformity, using your Sacred Values as the grit that makes your connections unshakeable. It’s an invitation to stop bidding on a life that doesn’t fit and start building a structure that can finally support the weight of a life that matters.Passion Struck is the #1 alternative health podcast and personal growth podcast dedicated to human flourishing and the science of mattering. It is ranked #1 on FeedSpot’s list of the Top Passion Podcasts on the Web, recognizing the show’s ongoing commitment to thoughtful, human-centered conversations like this one.Check the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/finding-meaning-after-success/All links gathered here, including books, Substack, YouTube, and Start Mattering apparel: https://linktr.ee/John_R_MilesKey Quote: "The cost of conviction is the grit in the mortar; without it, connections crumble under pressure, but with it, meaning seals the architecture against isolation’s erosion." — John R. MilesIn This Episode, You Will Learn:The Alchemy of the Mix: Why meaning lives in the "Between Us" space and how collective intelligence turns a pile of rocks into a sanctuary.The Grit of Conviction: How to identify your Sacred Values and why they are the non-negotiable "grit" required for connections to hold under pressure.Avoiding the Winner’s Curse: A deep dive into Alex Imas's research on why we overpay for "stones" that actually weaken our internal structure.The Application vs. The Pit: Why meaning is an act of application, and how to move your values from the "pit of someday" to the joints of your current relationships.The Miracle of the Cure: Understanding the "Setting" process of our choices and why unity—not uniformity—is the ultimate goal of a cured life.Extraction vs. Circulation: How to stop treating life as an auction to be won and start seeing it as an architecture to be inhabited.The Mortar of Connection Companion ResourcesDownload our free digital companion workbook featuring practical reflections on avoiding the Winner's Curse, identifying your "sacred grit," and mapping your own collective layers of meaning. Explore the guide:Connect with the EcosystemPre-order You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/Support the Movement: https://StartMattering.comJoin The Ignited Life Community: https://TheIgnitedLife.netDisclaimerThe Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a licensed physician, therapist, or other qualified professional.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    31 mins
  • The Winner’s Curse: Why Smart People Lose Their Way | Alex Imas – EP 716
    Jan 15 2026

    What if “winning” isn’t proof of intelligence, but evidence that something went wrong?

    In this compelling episode of Passion Struck, behavioral economist Alex Imas joins John R. Miles to unpack The Winner’s Curse, a powerful concept from behavioral economics that explains why smart, capable people systematically overpay, overcommit, and double down on bad decisions.

    Drawing from his research and his forthcoming book co-authored with Nobel Laureate Richard Thaler, Alex reveals how the Winner’s Curse shows up far beyond auctions and markets—shaping career choices, relationships, investments, leadership decisions, and even how we interact with AI-driven systems. When competition, uncertainty, and ego collide, the “winner” is often the person who misunderstood the situation the most.

    John and Alex explore why human decision-making breaks down under uncertainty, how mental representation distorts the choices we think we’re making, and why loss aversion and sunk costs keep us chasing outcomes that no longer serve us. They also examine how modern technology and algorithms don’t correct these flaws but often amplify them.

    At its core, this episode is about reclaiming agency in an irrational world: learning to recognize when confidence is misleading, when winning comes at too high a cost, and how better decisions begin not with smarter thinking, but with clearer framing. If you’ve ever wondered why success sometimes feels hollow, why “winning” creates regret, or why intelligent people repeat the same costly mistakes, this conversation will change how you see choice itself.

    Passion Struck was recently ranked #1 on FeedSpot’s list of the Top Passion Podcasts on the Web, recognizing the show’s ongoing commitment to thoughtful, human-centered conversations like this one.

    Check the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/the-winners-curse-alex-imas/

    Download a Free Companion Workbook with reflection prompts tied to this episode.

    All links gathered here, including books, Substack, YouTube, and Start Mattering apparel:

    https://linktr.ee/John_R_Miles

    Pre-order You Matter, Luma:

    https://youmatterluma.com/

    For more about Alex Imas:

    https://www.chicagobooth.edu/faculty/directory/i/alex-imas

    In this episode, you will learn

    • Why the Winner’s Curse means the “winner” often made the biggest mistake
    • How behavioral economics challenges the myth of rational decision making
    • What mental representation is and how it distorts the choices we believe we’re making
    • Why loss aversion and sunk costs keep us chasing bad outcomes
    • How uncertainty, competition, and ego interact to produce overconfidence
    • Why AI and algorithms often magnify human bias instead of correcting it
    • Practical ways to slow down decisions and avoid costly “wins.”

    Support the Movement

    Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter.

    Wear it. Live it. Show it.

    https://StartMattering.com

    Disclaimer

    The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a licensed physician, therapist, or other qualified professional.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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    55 mins