Passion Struck with John R. Miles: Episode 593 - Gregory Walton on Why Big Changes Start With Small Acts

Release Date: April 3, 2025

In Episode 593 of Passion Struck with John R. Miles, host John R. Miles engages in a profound conversation with Dr. Greg Walton, a renowned psychologist and author of Ordinary Magic: The Science of How We Can Achieve Big Changes with Small Acts. This episode delves into the transformative power of small acts, the science of belief, and the significance of intentional empathy in fostering meaningful connections and personal growth.

1. Introducing Dr. Greg Walton and His Journey

Dr. Greg Walton, a professor of psychology at Stanford University, has dedicated his career to exploring human connection, belonging, and the impact of small, intentional actions on life outcomes. His work, celebrated by the Next Big Idea Club, emphasizes that "mattering isn’t something you prove—it’s something you create."

Notable Quote:

"Matter isn't something you prove—as in, you create it. So when you stop proving your worth and start embodying it, everything changes."
— Dr. Greg Walton [08:24]

2. A Defining Moment: Discovering Stereotype Threat

Dr. Walton recounts a pivotal moment from his high school years that ignited his passion for understanding belonging. At 14, involved in a student-led organization addressing inequality, he encountered Claude Steele's work on stereotype threat. Steele's research showed that "changing how a test is presented—from evaluative to puzzle-solving—significantly improved performance among marginalized students."

Notable Quote:

"When you present the test to people just as a puzzle exercise, black students' scores soared. It literally blew my mind."
— Dr. Greg Walton [09:15]

3. The Impact of Global Poverty Experiences

Growing up, Dr. Walton traveled to remote areas like Sulawesi, Indonesia, where firsthand exposure to poverty reshaped his perspective. Witnessing the loss of a child to malaria highlighted the "importance of supporting others in ways that respect their agency and dignity."

Notable Quote:

"Help often has to be given in ways that are hidden and invisible and supportive rather than that take over."
— Dr. Greg Walton [14:18]

4. An Unexpected Lesson: False Arrest and the Power of Apology

Dr. Walton shares a harrowing experience of being falsely arrested at his family's cabin. The subsequent genuine apology from the officers underscored the crucial role of trust and empathy in repairing relationships and maintaining community standing.

Notable Quote:

"When they apologized, we were proud to have an interaction with them. They repaired the damage they had done."
— Dr. Greg Walton [21:08]

5. The Role of Unconditional Belief in Development

Drawing parallels with the Disney movie Encanto, Dr. Walton emphasizes the necessity of unconditional regard—valuing individuals for who they are rather than for their achievements or attributes. This foundation fosters resilience and genuine self-worth.

Notable Quote:

"The start has to be that unconditional regard that you are valuable just unto yourself."
— Dr. Greg Walton [30:22]

6. Mentorship and the Power of Encouragement

Reflecting on his college years, Dr. Walton highlights the profound impact of mentors who believe in one's potential. An encouraging note from psychologist Eleanor Maccabee provided him with a North Star to strive towards, illustrating the lasting influence of irrationally passionate support.

Notable Quote:

"Having at least one adult who is irrationally crazy about you can make an enormous difference."
— Dr. Greg Walton [33:06]

7. Reciprocity in Mattering: Seeing and Being Seen

Discussing the concept of reciprocity in mattering, Dr. Walton explores why many individuals feel unseen today. Factors such as social media and stereotypes complicate genuine connections, making it essential to create spaces for honest and direct communication.

Notable Quote:

"We have to have human kinds of connections."
— Dr. Greg Walton [35:23]

8. Aligning Intentions with Impact in Aid Programs

Dr. Walton critiques traditional aid representations that marginalize recipients by framing them solely as needy. Highlighting Katherine Thomas's research, he advocates for agency-focused aid, which empowers recipients by recognizing their strengths and goals.

Notable Quote:

"It's about giving aid explicitly in terms of the agency and the strength of the people who are receiving it."
— Dr. Greg Walton [38:17]

9. Building Trust in Relationships Through Intentional Actions

Addressing trust and cooperation, Dr. Walton underscores the importance of starting interactions with positive expectations. He shares interventions like Denise Marigold's approach, which helps couples ground their relationships in mutual love before addressing conflicts, leading to more productive and empathetic interactions.

Notable Quote:

"If you can address that worry, if you can quell that through that kind of exercise and then come back together to constructively talk about the problematic behavior... you can do that in a much more efficient manner."
— Dr. Greg Walton [48:04]

10. Transforming School Environments for Vulnerable Students

Focusing on educational settings, Dr. Walton discusses the Lifting the Bar intervention, which bridges gaps between teachers and vulnerable students. By fostering trust and providing platforms for students to express their identities and goals, the intervention significantly reduces disciplinary issues and improves academic outcomes.

Notable Quote:

"This reduced recidivism, so kids who got this letter delivered were 40 percentage points less likely to reciprocate back to juvenile detention attention than kids who didn't get the letter delivered."
— Dr. Greg Walton [63:03]

11. The Fundamental Question: Am I Enough?

Concluding the conversation, Dr. Walton reflects on the pervasive question of "Am I enough?" He emphasizes that addressing this core concern—whether in personal relationships or broader societal interactions—is essential for fostering environments where individuals feel valued and capable of growth.

Notable Quote:

"Am I enough? There's lots of ways that people don't feel enough... but that in some ways is the higher-order question."
— Dr. Greg Walton [63:43]

Key Takeaways:

• Small Acts, Big Impact: Intentional, empathetic actions can create significant positive changes in individuals' lives and communities.

• Unconditional Belief: Valuing individuals for who they are lays the foundation for resilience and meaningful growth.

• Empowerment in Aid: Representing aid in terms of recipients' agency fosters dignity, reduces stigma, and enhances effectiveness.

• Building Trust in Education: Interventions that strengthen teacher-student relationships can drastically improve academic and behavioral outcomes for vulnerable students.

• Addressing Core Insecurities: Tackling fundamental questions of self-worth is crucial for personal development and healthy relationships.

Final Reflections:

Dr. Greg Walton's insights remind us that meaningful change often starts with the smallest, most intentional actions. By fostering environments where individuals feel seen, valued, and empowered, we can collectively create a world where everyone has the opportunity to "stop waiting and start living".

Explore More:

• Ordinary Magic by Dr. Greg Walton
• Lifting the Bar Intervention Details
• Passion Struck Starter Packs
• Subscribe to the Live Intentionally Newsletter

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