Henna Pryor on How to Get Good at Being Awkward | EP 701 episode artwork

EPISODE · Dec 11, 2025 · 54 MIN

Henna Pryor on How to Get Good at Being Awkward | EP 701

from Passion Struck with John R. Miles · host Passion Struck with John R. Miles

What if the very thing you’ve been trying to hide, your awkwardness, was actually the key to deeper connection, stronger leadership, and unbreakable confidence?In Episode 701 of Passion Struck, workplace performance expert and bestselling author Henna Pryor joins John R. Miles to unpack her groundbreaking book Good Awkward and expose the hidden crisis she calls Social Muscle Atrophy, the slow erosion of our ability to handle normal human interaction in a world gone hybrid and hyper-polished.Henna drops the stat that stops everyone cold: 30 % of employees would rather clean a toilet than ask a coworker for help. The cost? Billions in lost innovation, fractured trust, and a growing “mattering gap” at work.But the fix isn’t more communication training.It’s learning to get good at being awkward on purpose.If you’ve ever stayed silent when you wanted to speak up, rehearsed a conversation 47 times and still didn’t have it, or felt like an imposter in your own life, this episode is your permission slip to stop polishing and start connecting.Listen. Watch. Go Deeper.Check the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/good-awkward-psychological-safety-confidence/All links gathered here — including books, Substack, YouTube, and Start Mattering apparel:https://linktr.ee/John_R_MilesThe Good Awkward Workbook: 7 Micro-Courage Challenges to Rebuild Your Social MuscleReflection prompts + daily practice → Download the Companion WorkbookIn this episode, you will learn:Why awkwardness is the price of growth and how to pay it gladlyWhat Social Muscle Atrophy is costing your team and how to reverse itThe confidence myth we all need to retireHow embracing cringe builds psychological safety faster than perfectionHenna’s 5 science-backed practices to turn awkward moments into leadership superpowersWhy the future of work belongs to the willingly awkwardSupport 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.Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.Connect with JohnWebsite: https://johnrmiles.comBook John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.DisclaimerThe Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professio

What if the very thing you’ve been trying to hide, your awkwardness, was actually the key to deeper connection, stronger leadership, and unbreakable confidence?In Episode 701 of Passion Struck, workplace performance expert and bestselling author Henna Pryor joins John R. Miles to unpack her groundbreaking book Good Awkward and expose the hidden crisis she calls Social Muscle Atrophy, the slow erosion of our ability to handle normal human interaction in a world gone hybrid and hyper-polished.Henna drops the stat that stops everyone cold: 30 % of employees would rather clean a toilet than ask a coworker for help. The cost? Billions in lost innovation, fractured trust, and a growing “mattering gap” at work.But the fix isn’t more communication training.It’s learning to get good at being awkward on purpose.If you’ve ever stayed silent when you wanted to speak up, rehearsed a conversation 47 times and still didn’t have it, or felt like an imposter in your own life, this episode is your permission slip to stop polishing and start connecting.Listen. Watch. Go Deeper.Check the full show notes here: https://passionstruck.com/good-awkward-psychological-safety-confidence/All links gathered here — including books, Substack, YouTube, and Start Mattering apparel:https://linktr.ee/John_R_MilesThe Good Awkward Workbook: 7 Micro-Courage Challenges to Rebuild Your Social MuscleReflection prompts + daily practice → Download the Companion WorkbookIn this episode, you will learn:Why awkwardness is the price of growth and how to pay it gladlyWhat Social Muscle Atrophy is costing your team and how to reverse itThe confidence myth we all need to retireHow embracing cringe builds psychological safety faster than perfectionHenna’s 5 science-backed practices to turn awkward moments into leadership superpowersWhy the future of work belongs to the willingly awkwardSupport 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.Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/. Take the 90-second diagnostic to see if you're disappearing.Explore the Show: https://passionstruck.com/starter-packs/. New to Passion Struck? Start with the best episodes curated for you.Connect with JohnWebsite: https://johnrmiles.comBook John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.Passion Struck — #1 Alternative Health Podcast. 85M+ downloads.Disclaimer<br...

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Henna Pryor on How to Get Good at Being Awkward | EP 701

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This episode is 54 minutes long.

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This episode was published on December 11, 2025.

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What if the very thing you’ve been trying to hide, your awkwardness, was actually the key to deeper connection, stronger leadership, and unbreakable confidence?In Episode 701 of Passion Struck, workplace performance expert and bestselling author...

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