The people who ask what your passion is and are looking to hear that you program for the heck of it are simply trying to cash in. Likely you'll be willing to work longer hours and get paid less then your knowledge is worth because you'll get to work on "exciting and challenging stuff!".

I've met several people who think this is the only way to hire "real" programmers. They never get it when I point out that no other profession operates in this manner.