In this episode of Slo Mo with Mo Gawdat, we wrap up our special miniseries, "It's Not What They Told You," with a powerful conversation featuring renowned economist and Columbia University professor Jeffrey Sachs. Known for his deep insights into global politics, economics, and international relations, Jeffrey sheds light on the dark realities behind U.S. foreign policy, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and the growing threat of nuclear war. Together, we explore how power is truly wielded on...

Grace Blakeley is a leading economist, author, and political commentator, known for her sharp critiques of capitalism and neoliberalism. In the fourth episode in the series 'It's Not What They Told You', she joins Mo Gawdat to discuss the decline of economic freedom, how governments exploit crises, and the misleading narratives around financial systems. Grace also shares insights on neoliberalism, the legacies of Thatcher and Reagan, and what we can do to create a fairer system while emphasis...

Zoe Blaskey is the founder of Motherkind, a platform dedicated to supporting and empowering mothers through the ups and downs of parenthood. With a background in coaching and a passion for mental well-being, Zoe creates content that offers practical advice, emotional support, and inspiring stories for mums everywhere.00:00 Intro2:30 The joy in coaching mothers3:11 Why did Zoe want to write a book?5:04 Motherhood is supposed to change you6:49 What happens when a woman becomes a mother?10:00 Em...

On this week's episode, I am in Greystones, Ireland. Before coming, I asked my Instagram followers if they could recommend anyone in Ireland that I could bring on Slo Mo. Pretty much every other message was for The Happy Pear, David and Stephen Flynn, and now I know why. These brothers, identical twins, are two of the kindest, most positive, and most hospitable people I've met in my life. They took me to their farm, store, and restaurant, force-feeding me on levels I've only experienced...

In this week's episode, I speak to someone close to my heart, Holly Tucker. I met Holly when she invited me on her podcast, Conversations of Inspiration, and I immediately felt I was talking to a friend. It's no wonder Holly is a beloved mentor to so many.Holly Tucker is the founder of notonthehighstreet and Holly & Co and is the UK Ambassador to Creative Small Businesses. She believes that following your passion and building a business doing what you love is the key to a happy and fulfil...

This week, I am joined by an incredible couple that makes me straight up insecure because they're so fit. Lucy Davis and Ben Haldon, also known as the Not So Fit Couple, are all about no BS fitness. In addition to being social media influencers and trainers, they host the Not So Fit Couple Podcast, an off centre spin on everything health and fitness, relationships and business, with some epic guests along the way to help you transform your mind and body.I wanted to know more about keeps them ...

This week's guest is the inspiring Carly Meyers, a woman who learned to do it all except the things that make her unhappy.Carly was a professional dancer performing in prestigious West End Musicals and arenas around the world. At the height of her success, her career was cut short when an injury meant she could no longer dance and was forced to completely start again. She believes this injury is the best thing to have happened to her as it threw her in the direction of entrepreneurship and he...

I met today's guest briefly when he walked by while I was having dinner with a mutual friend. He is one of the most special people, a perfect example of a person who has done the work. Growing up a" brown, gay, small, and muslim" man in a post-9/11 North America, he has not only arrived at the very top of one of the world's most prestigious industries, but also at the height of knowing and embracing his true identity. And I promise you, it's a wonderful one.Imran Amed is one of fa...

This week's episode is focused on healing. We spend a lot of episodes discussing mental health, but anyone who's ever been afflicted with chronic pain or disease knows hard it is to stay happy in that state.A former investment banker turned naturopathic nutritionist, Yalda Alaoui is the CEO & founder of Eat Burn Sleep, an acclaimed 'no-nonsense' science-backed nutrition platform focusing on anti-inflammation and promoting gut health. Yalda is disrupting the industries formally domin...

For the last episode in my tour of Holland, I'm back in one of my favorite spots in Amsterdam with my wonderful friend Jimmy Nelson and accompanied by Prince Constantijn. We three met in September 2021 in the Netherlands at Jimmy's exhibition, The Last Sentinels, which was absolutely breathtaking. I sat down with Jimmy and Constantijn to discuss the value in preserving heritage, the disappearing Dutch culture, the bliss of finding an adopted home, and Jimmy's newest projects. The video of thi...

In this episode, I speak to the legendary Karin Bloemen at her home in Broek in Waterland, The Netherlands. My dear friend Sonja Dippel, who runs One Billion Happy out of The Netherlands, arranged this meeting, and right away I knew I was in the presence of someone possessing extraordinary wisdom. Sonja, in her message to me, defined Karin in one word: "Karin is color." After our conversation, I realized just how true that is, and just how many colors there really are, from the darkest ...

I am once again in Amsterdam on this endless quest for wisdom to talk to you about a little history and little future with one of my great friends, Carlo van Lienden. Before we begin, consider watching this podcast on YouTube instead (or as well). It heavily complements the experience with additional photos and footage. Link is below.When I wrote Solve for Happy, my agent told me to write an evergreen, not a big hit that quickly burns away. That has been achieved successfully by all acc...

Sometimes, while traveling around the Netherlands, you end up seated in front of a prince and princess of the Dutch Royal House. And sometimes, you realize, they couldn't be any more different than what you'd expect from a royal. In fact, they are two of the kindest, humblest, and most authentic people I've met yet.Prince Constantijn & Princess Laurentien were kind enough to host me in The Hague at their Number Five foundation, where we recorded (and filmed) this episode. I felt a d...

Join Mo Gawdat in an insightful conversation with Dr. Megan Rossi, also known as The Gut Health Doctor. Dr. Rossi is a renowned dietitian, nutritionist, and researcher specializing in gut health.00:00 Intro03:09 What is gut health?6:30 Eat for your gut microbes 9:00 Are wine and dark chocolate good for us?10:00 What are the symptoms of a bad gut?14:50 What is the link between the gut and the brain?17:20 How did Megan get into her line of work?22:10 What does Megan eat in a day?27:30 Why ...

It is episodes like this that make me feel like the luckiest man in the world.In this week's conversation, I speak with Astrid Holleeder, the brave woman who risked her own life and freedom to put her brother, the most notorious criminal gangster in the modern history of the Netherlands, behind bars. Astrid is now unable to appear in public and lives in oscillation between freedom and fear, but with no regrets. You won't see her face if you decide to watch the video on YouTube (highly recomme...

Just in time for back to school, I speak with my friend Nadim Saad on educating children and parents in ways that will truly transform the world.Nadim is a best-selling author, speaker and coach, and entrepreneur. He founded The Happy Confident Company to help children thrive by offering them the insights and tools they need to face life’s challenges and become the best version of themselves. Nadim spent the last decade working with renowned therapists and teachers, drawing from the latest re...

This week, I speak with Rose Hood, co-founder of perhaps the most Instagrammed cafe in London, Farm Girl. I sat down with her at Farm Girl for a chat as light and pleasant as the brilliant coffee they serve. As a mother and entrepreneur who is in business with her husband, Rose is a success story on all fronts. The secret? A loving and loyal support system.Listen as we discuss:How I ended up recording Slo Mo at Farm Girl.Why Rose moved from Melbourne to London.The story of Farm Girl, her phen...

We are recording again out of Farm Girl, this time with Alya Mooro (and my daughter Aya present). Alya approached me on Instagram with a thank you from one Egyptian to another. I read a bit about her and realized the great value she’s bringing into the world.The fact is, history has been unfair to women and that continues to this day. As a Middle Easterner, I want to dive into that fact from a cultural perspective familiar to me.Alya Mooro is an Egyptian born, London raised writer and author ...

For the next few weeks, we'll be coming to you with conversations I had at one of my favorite cafes, Farm Girl in South Kensington, London. This week's guest is Vicki Anstey, an almost overwhelmingly inspiring woman. Vicki is a world record holder, adventurer, award-winning entrepreneur, speaker, coach, and athlete. After 20 years in a relationship that limited and stifled her and a successful career as an advertising professional, Vicki became a fitness pioneer and later one of the first eve...

I spent a month in the Netherlands and spoke with some of the wisest minds in the country. For the next several weeks, we'll be bringing you episodes from my Tour of Holland.Baptist de Pape, is a spiritual explorer, author, and filmmaker. After graduating from Tilburg University Law School in The Netherlands, he traveled the globe to interview the world’s greatest teachers for the film and book, The Power of the Heart. I cannot express how profoundly important this work is to me because it ex...

I spent a month in the Netherlands and spoke with some of the wisest minds in the country. For the next several weeks, we'll be bringing you episodes from my Tour of Holland.Dr. Juriaan Galavazi is a trendsetting doctor with a new vision on health and vitality. He is the author of Van klacht naar kans and Jij bent de Liefde. Years ago, Juriaan completely changed course in his general practice after experiencing burnout himself. The key takeaway: the body and mind are inextricably linked. ...

This week, I chat with Yasmine Ouirhrane on a topic that's close to my heart: that of being "othered", even in your home country, and what it means to belong. My son Ali lived this identity crisis and often wrote and spoke of it. Discovering that there are incredible young women out there like Yasmine who are fighting for social inclusion has made my heart happy, and this is a message we all urgently need to heed.Yasmine is the co-founder of We Belong, a platform and podcast that amplifies th...

Today's episode (number 200, can you believe it?) is part of a mini-series of interviews done in the context of the topics of my new book, That Little Voice in Your Head, available now: mogawdat.com/littlevoiceShahroo Izadi is an award-winning Behavioral Change Specialist. She proposes evidence-based strategies for habit-change and personal development inspired by her experience of working across the UK addiction treatment sector. Her work empowers people to create entire lifestyles to ...

Today's episode is part of a mini-series of interviews done in the context of the topics of my new book, That Little Voice in Your Head, available now: mogawdat.com/littlevoiceThis week I talk to Lola Jaye. Lola is a registered psychotherapist author of historical novels which feature characters tackling race, mental health and, simply, life. A member of the Black Writers' Guild and the author of five previous novels, her most recent is The Attic Child , a hauntingly powerful, emotional...

Join us as we dive into an inspiring conversation with Kevin Kelly, a renowned futurist, author, and co-founder of Wired magazine. In this episode, Kevin Kelly shares his insights on living life to the fullest, embracing optimism, and finding happiness in a rapidly changing world. Don't miss this engaging discussion with Mo Gawdat, where they explore the future and how we can navigate it with a positive outlook.00:00 Intro2:53 Kevin's home library10:30 How dropping out of college changed ever...

Today's episode is part of a mini-series of interviews done in the context of the topics of my new book, That Little Voice in Your Head, available now: mogawdat.com/littlevoiceThis week, I speak with my good friend Owen O'Kane for a second time on Slo Mo. (Check out episode 120 for our first chat if you missed it). Owen is a psychotherapist and author of Ten Times Happier and the globally acclaimed and Sunday Times bestselling book, Ten to Zen..His latest book, How to Be Your Own Therap...

Today's episode is part of a mini-series of interviews done in the context of the topics of my new book, That Little Voice in Your Head, available now: mogawdat.com/littlevoiceI speak with Nadia Gilani, a writer, yoga teacher, and in my designation, a yoga activist. Nadia has noticed not only yoga's rising popularity, but also how its modern incarnation no longer serves people of color, working class people, or many other groups who originally pioneered its creation. The Yoga Manifesto is her...

This week, I speak with John Butler in what may be the most genuinely Slo Mo episode to date. Recorded in Bakewell Parish Church, a place filled with prayers of the hopeful going back over a thousand years, this conversation is an honest perspective and retrospective on the purpose of our existence, and nothing less.John Butler has been practicing meditation for nearly 60 years. Now in his eighties - a self-proclaimed 'little boy with a grey beard' and humbled back into innocence, he shares h...

This week's guest is Ali Abdaal, who is surely a familiar face to anyone who has spent any time on YouTube in the last several years. Ali and his content machine is nothing short of a phenomenon with millions of subscribers. The secret to his success? He's extremely likeable.Ali started his YouTube channel in 2017 as a final-year medical student at Cambridge, making videos about productivity, effective study tips, and his university experience. Since then his audience has grown dramatically, ...

Today's guest is ubiquitous. He is widely considered one of Europe’s most talented and accomplished young entrepreneurs and philosophical thinkers. He's also a dear friend.Steven Bartlett is the 29-year-old Founder of Social Chain. A university drop-out, he built one of the world’s most influential social media companies from his bedroom when he was just 21 years old, with a current market valuation of over $600M. His debut book, ironically titled Happy Sexy Millionaire, is a Sunday Times bes...

This week's episode is one of Slo Mo's first ever face-to-face interviews, filmed and recorded on my portable studio in a little Airbnb in London. Slo Mo is hitting the road, so expect a lot more of these in the coming weeks.In this episode, I speak with John Vincent, whose guiding principle in life and business is a commitment to help make things better. John co-founded the fast-food chain, Leon, in 2004 with the mission to create "Naturally Fast Food": food that tastes good, does you ...

I met Jonathan Garner at an event in Saudi Arabia on a panel discussing digital wellbeing. It became clear to me that Jonathan has dedicated a massive amount of time to figuring out how we can not only combat our often unhealthy reliance on technology but actually turn it into an opportunity for serious self-development. We discuss exactly that in this week's episode.In 2016, Jonathan was working as a digital educator and noticing that while tech is really powerful, bad digital habits often e...

This week, I speak with a highly requested neurologist and neuroscience, Dr. Steven Laureys.Steven Laureys is an award-winning, world-renowned neurologist, brain science popularizer, and bestselling author. He has conducted groundbreaking research into the human mind for more than 25 years using the latest brain imaging technologies and wearables assessing consciousness in coma, near-death experiences, concussion, anesthesia, hypnosis, meditation, trance, and dreamlike states.Steven has autho...

Music and dance are a universal human language. I once used to dance, but that all paused semi-permanently when I became a "serious" businessman. I've been trying to get back in touch with that side of myself ever since. This week's guest is my hero in that regard.Aliénor Salmon is a Franco-British author, speaker, and expert on happiness, education and socio-emotional development. After leaving her dream job as a happiness researcher at the UN to follow her dream of learning to dance around ...

This week's guest is one of the top technologists working in the field of Artificial Intelligence, Christopher Nguyen. With a career spanning four decades, Christopher’s tech bona fides are second to none.Since fleeing Vietnam in 1978, this multiple-time tech founder has played key roles in everything from building the first flash memory transistors at Intel to spearheading the development of Google Apps as its first Engineering Director. Today, he’s become an outspoken proponent of the emerg...

Dr. Natalie Cawley is a dedicated Psychotherapist and Counselling Psychologist with a specialisation in attachment theory. Her expertise in this aspect of psychological and emotional functioning informs all of her work, guiding her approach to help clients build healthier, more fulfilling relationships.00:00 Intro1:38 Why did Natalie write a book on her patients?3:30 Why be a psychotherapist?5:30 Natalie's car accident 8:36 Dealing with the feeling of failure14:00 Feeling 'trapped'17:58 ...

In this episode, I talk with Terry Rubenstein, founder of iheart Principles, a global non-profit organization established to help children uncover their innate wellbeing and resilience. True change begins with the education of future generations, and in that, Terry is doing the noblest of work. Since its formation a few years ago, iheart programs have reached and profoundly impacted over 25,000 young people in 22 countries, as well as countless parents, teachers and leaders. Terry is the co-a...

In this week's super practical and deeply important episode, I speak with Britt Frank, author of the new book, The Science of Stuck, and one of my new favorite people.Britt is a clinician, educator and trauma specialist who speaks and writes widely about the mental health myths that keep us stuck and stressed. An award-winning adjunct professor at the University of Kansas, she is also a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner and Level 3 trained in the Internal Family Systems therapeutic model. She...

Today's guest is Dr. Rangan Chatterjee, whom I met last month in Dubai after an introduction from our mutual friend, Dr. Rupy Aujla (see ep. 74). We quickly bonded over a conversation, and I now consider him a friend.Rangan is regarded as one of the most influential medical doctors in the UK and is doing amazing work to change how medicine will be practiced in the years to come. He hosts the most listened-to health podcast in the UK and Europe, Feel Better, Live More, which regularly tops the...

This week's guest is the world-famous composer and pianist, Ludovico Einaudi.With 15 studio albums and over 80 films and TV shows to his name, he is one of the most prolific composers alive today. Ludovico repeatedly tops the classical charts globally. Incredibly, one in 10 classical streams in the UK come from his music, equating to over 1 million streams a day and 2.4 billion streams in total. He is the highest-streamed classical artist of all time.Ludovico’s latest album flowed naturally o...

Chances are, you know someone who has dyslexia, and they likely speak about it as a drawback. In the trail of the work of today's guest, the script is being rewritten on this long misunderstood way of thinking to showcase what it dyslexia really is: a form of brilliance.One in five people are dyslexic. Since 2005, Kate Griggs, who is dyslexic herself, has been leading the charge to disrupt the world’s thinking about dyslexia. She was shocked by the way her son’s dyslexia was ignored at school...

Today's guest is one of my dearest friends, Dorota Stanczyk. Dorota was an early guest on Slo Mo, one of the first major displays of vulnerability that helped set the tone for the show as you know it today. With her new book now published, it gives me great pleasure to have her on again, this time in an episode packed with so much wisdom if may require repeat listening.Dorota is a Polish transformational artist, creative director, conscious creativity trainer, speaker and author of the book (...

I met this week's guest only a week ago because he interviewed me for for his brilliant series, Thought Economics. I just knew we'd be friends. Anyone who can nerd out over tech and business while simultaneously discussing mental health and happiness is an easy candidate for my friendship. I knew I had to have him on Slo Mo, and I'm so glad he came. Cue his unbelievable list of accolades:Vikas Shah MBE is an entrepreneur, investor & philanthropist. He is the CEO of Swiscot Group alo...

I met this week's guest for the first time in this recording. He reached out and told me his story via Instagram. It touched my heart so deeply, as did his commitment to the world as a result, that I had to ask him on Slo Mo. This is a profoundly powerful discussion that we all need to hear in an era where victims of sexual - and all forms - of abuse are finally coming out of the shadows and fighting to make the world a safer place.Dimitris Mothonaios is a Greek theatre, TV and screen actor. ...

Today's guest is Jacqueline Hurst. She is the UK’s leading Life Coach, GQ Magazine’s resident coach and columnist, a teacher and a speaker.She has worked with over 8,000 clients worldwide over nearly two decades. She's also a Certified Life Coach, Master NLP Practitioner and a Certified Health and Weight Coach.Jacqueline's recent book, How to Do You, became a no.1 Amazon bestseller. The book is best described as a “manual for life," and the title immediately caught my attention because ...

I've been waiting for this conversation. We've all dealt with toxic relationships, one way or another. Few things can be as draining and eventually traumatizing. At the same time, finding yourself controlled by someone whose sole intentions are to destroy you delivers the ultimate wake up call: you're not loving yourself right, and it's time to do the work to make sure this never happens again. Consider this the ultimate guide for spotting and leaving your toxic relationship.Maddy Anholt is a...

Andy Ramage is a wellness coach, entrepreneur, and author known for his work in promoting alcohol-free living. He co-founded the One Year No Beer movement, which encourages people to take a break from alcohol to improve their health and well-being. 00:00 Intro2:00 Having to retire early from football due to injury4:30 Reinventing yourself after hardship11:25 What is your biggest question to yourself right now?14:44 Removing alcohol increases productivity 18:00 Mo's father gave him a...

Today's guest is Jimmy McLoughlin OBE, speaking about one of my favorite topics: the future of jobs.Jimmy is the former Special Adviser to the UK Prime Minister on business, specifically technology & entrepreneurship. During a period of momentous political change Jimmy helped shape the British government’s relationship with domestic and international businesses, and witnessed firsthand the dynamic between industry leaders, entrepreneurs and policy-makers.Jimmy is passionate about helping ...

Today's guest is Yanis Varoufakis, the world renowned economist, member of the Hellenic parliament, and former Greek finance minister who’s been called the “rockstar politician who took on the EU.” This was an absolutely mind blowing conversation, and I recommend approaching it like the most enlightening and enjoyable economics class you'll ever have.You may have noticed a bit more politics on the show recently (see Mark Gober, episode 172). This isn't a coincidence. The world is waking...

If you've interacted with society in the last few few years, you'll probably agree that the world has become a meaner place. Is it still worth it to be kind and fair, or should we all succumb to fighting this invisible war?Today's guest is the NY Times bestselling author David Bodanis, who explores this question in his new leadership book titled The Art of Fairness: The Power of Decency in a World Turned Mean.The Financial Times writes that David's book "is a primer for anyone fed up of...