Nobel Laureate Alvin Roth: How Incentives Shape Your Life | EP 757

What if the choices you make every day aren’t entirely your own?In this episode of Passion Struck, I sit down with Nobel Prize-winning economist Alvin Roth to explore how incentives, systems, and hidden structures shape human behavior—often in ways we don’t even realize.Drawing from his new book, Moral Economics: Why Good Incentives Are No Substitute for Good Citizens (amzn.to/48b8iy0), Roth reveals a powerful truth: markets aren’t just about money—they are systems that decide who gets what, who gets access, and what society considers acceptable.We explore why banning certain behaviors often pushes them underground, how so-called “repugnant transactions” reveal our moral boundaries, and why understanding incentives is essential if you want to make better decisions—in your life, your work, and the systems you operate within.This conversation challenges how you think about choice, control, and responsibility—and offers a new lens for understanding the forces shaping your decisions every day.Passion Struck is the #1 alternative health and personal growth podcast dedicated to human flourishing and the science of mattering.Check the full show notes here: passionstruck.com/moral-economics-alvin-roth-m… companion insights for this episode at: theignitedlife.netThank You to Our SponsorsLimited Time Offer – Get Huel today with my exclusive offer of 15% OFF online with my code PASSION at huel.com/passion. New Customers Only. Thank you to Huel for partnering and supporting our show!Connect with JohnKeynotes, books, podcast, and resources: linktr.ee/John_R_MilesChildren’s Book — You Matter, Luma: youmatterluma.com/Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: matteringeffect.com/In This Episode, You Will Learn:• How incentives shape your decisions—often without you realizing it
• Why markets are systems of allocation, not just exchange
• What “repugnant transactions” reveal about society’s moral boundaries
• Why banning something doesn’t eliminate it—it often creates black markets
• How hidden systems influence behavior in business, policy, and everyday life
• What it means to design better systems that align with human values
Support the MovementUnderstanding how systems shape behavior is the first step toward living more intentionally.Explore tools, insights, and frameworks to help you align your life with what truly matters: 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, legal, or financial advice.

Connect with John
• Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: matteringeffect.com
• Book John to Speak: johnrmiles.com/speaking
• Keynotes, books, podcast, and resources: linktr.ee/John_R_Miles
• Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: youmatterluma.com
• Substack: theignitedlife.net

Support the Movement: startmattering.com. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Disclaimer

The 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 professional medical or psychological advice.

Explore "The Mattering Effect"
Get your copy of The Mattering Effect (matteringeffect.com)
What happens when you spend so much of your life showing up for everyone else that you start to disappear from yourself? Take the 90-second diagnostic to discover whether you're experiencing the signs of unmattering.
New to Passion Struck?
Explore the Passion Struck Starter Packs (passionstruck.com/starter-packs)
Not sure where to begin? Discover curated episode collections designed to help you explore the ideas, conversations, and questions that matter most.
Connect with John R. Miles
• Website: johnrmiles.com
• Speaking and Events: Book John to Speak (johnrmiles.com/speaking)
• Substack: The Ignited Life (theignitedlife.net)
• Children's Book: You Matter, Luma (youmatterluma.com)
Support the Mattering Movement
Visit Start Mattering (startmattering.com)
Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and significant. Help make that belief visible. Wear it. Live it. Show it.
Passion Struck with John R. Miles
The #1 Health & Fitness Podcast. More than 85 million downloads.
Disclaimer
Passion Struck is provided 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. Nothing shared on this podcast should be considered medical, mental health, or psychological advice, or a substitute for consultation with a qualified professional.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.