Discovering Passion and Purpose

Life Is A Classroom Podcast

Special Guest Coery Poirier

In this episode of the LIAC Podcast, Hosts Dr. Damian Nesser and co-host Sam welcome guest Corey Poirier. They dive into Corey’s background, starting with his upbringing in a very small family. Corey, an only child, was raised primarily by his mother, with his father being a less significant presence. Despite his small immediate family, Corey’s grandparents had larger families. Corey recalls his mother’s love for macaroni and cheese, a dish he can’t stand now due to overexposure, and a family favorite called "boiled dinner," common in East Coast Canada, consisting of potatoes, carrots, cabbage, turnip, and pickled necks or pork hocks.

The discussion transitions to Corey’s concept of "vitamin P"—a blend of passion and purpose. He believes passion is the activity you love, while purpose is the reason behind it. Corey shares how discovering his purpose helped him overcome hypochondria and anxiety, emphasizing that passion often leads to purpose. He outlines an exercise to help people find their passions, including listing activities they would pursue if money were no object, things they enjoyed as children, skills they excel at, and activities that make them lose track of time. Corey advises prioritizing this list and taking small, actionable steps towards each passion, rewarding oneself along the way. He stresses that pursuing a passion should not be about immediate financial gain but about the intrinsic fulfillment it brings.

Corey also discusses his popular TED talk, "How Schools Can Inspire Purpose," which has garnered significant attention. He reflects on his own academic struggles, attributing them to a system that focuses too much on weaknesses rather than strengths. Corey argues for incorporating discussions of passion and purpose into education, suggesting that doing so could transform students' lives by making learning more meaningful and engaging. He cites programs like Junior Achievement, which have shown that students' overall performance improves when they are passionate about what they are learning.

The conversation touches on the pressure of standardized testing and its impact on students. Dr. N, drawing from his extensive experience in education, argues for reducing or eliminating these tests, especially for students interested in vocational training. He highlights the success of technical colleges where students gain practical skills and often earn more than traditional professionals straight out of high school.

Corey concludes by discussing the importance of expanding one’s comfort zone. Drawing from Neil Donald Walsh's quote, "Life truly begins at the end of our comfort zone," Corey explains that most people live within a very limited comfort zone, which can hinder their personal growth and happiness. He suggests making public commitments to goals, finding an accountability partner, visualizing one’s comfort zone, taking action, and rewarding oneself for progress. By continuously pushing the boundaries of their comfort zone, people can transform what once felt uncomfortable into new norms, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling life.

Tune in next week for the second part of this interview.

Listeners are encouraged to visit https://lifeisaclassroom.net/bwya/ to pre-order the book "Bloom Where You Are," reflect on their own lives, and consider reaching out for guidance or mentorship if they feel stuck.

You can connect with Corey ThisIsTheBook.com