Tom Morgan on Curiosity, the Brain, Energy, Love, Investing, and More
Feb 11, 2025
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Tom Morgan, founder of The Leading Edge, shares his journey from Wall Street Managing Director to personal growth advocate. He discusses the brain's role in decision-making and the importance of curiosity. Tom emphasizes the balance between logic and intuition in investing and explores how tiny experiments can foster self-discovery. He also touches upon the transformative effects of psychedelics on healing and the necessity of a heart-centered approach in a tech-driven world. His insights offer a fresh perspective on personal evolution and effective investing.
Tom Morgan discusses his transformative journey from finance to spirituality, emphasizing the pursuit of meaning beyond material success.
He highlights the importance of curiosity as a guiding force through life's transitions, akin to the Hero's Journey.
Tom emphasizes balancing left-brain analytical thinking with right-brain emotional intelligence to improve decision-making in high-pressure environments like finance.
Deep dives
Tom Morgan's Journey and Midlife Transformation
Tom Morgan shares his transformative journey from a successful finance career to a deeper exploration of spirituality and self-discovery. After nearly two decades in the financial sector, he experienced a profound crisis that led him to reevaluate his life's purpose, feeling disconnected and unfulfilled despite material success. This culminated in a psychological breakdown that drove him to seek meaning beyond the confines of finance, leading him through various explorative paths, including social work and hospice care. Ultimately, Tom discovered a community and a purpose through 'The Leading Edge,' a network aimed at personal evolution, addressing the lack of spaces for financial professionals to explore meaningful topics.
The Link Between Curiosity and Hero's Journey
Tom emphasizes the significance of curiosity in driving personal and professional growth, equating it to Joseph Campbell's concept of the Hero's Journey. He posits that curiosity serves as an essential guide through life's transitions, influencing key decisions and actions that shape one's reality. Highlighting the recurring motif of storytelling in movies, Tom illustrates how narratives not only entertain but also distill profound truths about human experience and consciousness. This idea reinforces the notion that tapping into one's curiosity can lead to deeper understanding and fulfillment in both personal and professional realms.
Dr. Iain McGilchrist's Brain Hemisphere Theory
Tom discusses the theoretical framework presented by Dr. Iain McGilchrist regarding the distinct functionalities of the brain's left and right hemispheres. He points out that while the left hemisphere is analytical and focused on manipulation, the right hemisphere embodies holistic awareness and emotional intelligence. This dichotomy becomes crucial for individuals in high-pressure environments like finance, where overreliance on left-brain thinking can lead to catastrophic decision-making. Embracing the strengths of the right hemisphere, through practices that encourage emotional and energetic sensitivity, can foster a balanced approach to decision-making and personal well-being.
Emotional Granularity and Intuitive Decision-Making
The concept of emotional granularity is introduced as a vital skill for improving both personal health and decision-making capabilities. Tom explains that having a rich vocabulary for emotions allows individuals to interpret their inner states more accurately, leading to better communication with their subconscious. He highlights examples, such as George Soros recognizing his back pain as an indicator of portfolio performance, to demonstrate the importance of tuning into bodily sensations. Engaging in practices like maintaining an energy diary can enhance one's emotional awareness and intuitiveness, proving beneficial in high-stakes environments like investing.
Integrating Right-Brained Practices in Investor Life
Tom advocates for introducing right-brained activities into the lives of investors to foster creativity and holistic understanding. He suggests that hobbies such as martial arts, meditation, and even somatic practices can help individuals reconnect with their emotions and broader awareness. These practices counter the prevalent left-brained dominance in finance, promoting cognitive flexibility and emotional health. By embracing such activities, investors can cultivate insights that enhance their decision-making processes and overall quality of life.
In this episode, co-hosts Elliot Turner and John Mihaljevic welcome Tom Morgan, founder of The Leading Edge, a network for personal evolution. Tom helps us understand the brain and how we think; where curiosity comes from and how it manifests; why love-organized systems are superior; and how these insights can make us better investors (though that's not necessarily the point!).
Tom is a former Wall Street Managing Director (Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, Stifel and Consumer Edge). He holds a first class degree in philosophy, politics and economics from Oxford University.
The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. The views, information, or opinions expressed by hosts or guests are their own. Neither this show, nor any of its content should be construed as investment advice or as a recommendation to buy or sell any particular security. Security specific information shared on this podcast should not be relied upon as a basis for your own investment decisions -- be sure to do your own research. The podcast hosts and participants may have a position in the securities mentioned, personally, through sub accounts and/or through separate funds and may change their holdings at any time.
About the Co-Hosts:
Elliot Turner is a co-founder and Managing Partner, CIO at RGA Investment Advisors, LLC. RGA Investment Advisors runs a long-term, low turnover, growth at a reasonable price investment strategy seeking out global opportunities. Elliot focuses on discovering and analyzing long-term, high quality investment opportunities and strategic portfolio management. Prior to joining RGA, Elliot managed portfolios at at AustinWeston Asset Management LLC, Chimera Securities and T3 Capital. Elliot holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation as well as a Juris Doctor from Brooklyn Law School.. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Emory University where he double majored in Political Science and Philosophy.
John Mihaljevic leads MOI Global and serves as managing editor of The Manual of Ideas. He managed a private partnership, Mihaljevic Partners LP, from 2005-2016. John is a winner of the Value Investors Club’s prize for best investment idea. He is a trained capital allocator, having studied under Yale University Chief Investment Officer David Swensen and served as Research Assistant to Nobel Laureate James Tobin. John holds a BA in Economics, summa cum laude, from Yale and is a CFA charterholder.
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