Mo Gawdat, former chief business officer at Google X and author of "Solve for Happy," shares his profound journey through grief after losing his son. He introduces the 90-second rule, revealing how emotions only physically last 90 seconds and how we can choose our reactions afterward. Mo discusses techniques to navigate emotions, transform grief into resilience, and foster lasting happiness. He emphasizes the need for radical acceptance and explores the true meaning of fulfillment beyond material success, making this conversation a powerful guide for emotional clarity.
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insights INSIGHT
The 90-Second Emotion Rule
Our body's emotional response to anger or stress lasts only 90 seconds according to neuroscience.
What happens after those 90 seconds is our conscious choice, not biology.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Tragic Loss of Son Ali
Mo Gawdat lost his 21-year-old son Ali due to a preventable surgical error.
This tragedy profoundly changed Mo's life perspective and mission.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Three Questions to Manage Emotions
Quickly bounce back from unhappiness by asking: Is it true? Can I do something? Can I accept it and act despite it?
If the thought is untrue, let it go; if actionable, do it; if not, accept and move forward.
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The book is divided into two parts. The first part recounts Frankl's harrowing experiences as a prisoner in Nazi concentration camps, including Auschwitz, between 1942 and 1945. He describes the inhumane conditions and the psychological and emotional struggles of the prisoners. The second part introduces Frankl's theory of logotherapy, which posits that the primary human drive is the search for meaning, rather than pleasure. Frankl argues that meaning can be found through three main avenues: work (doing something significant), love (caring for another), and suffering (finding meaning in one's own suffering). The book emphasizes the importance of finding purpose and meaning in life, even in the most adverse conditions, as a key factor in survival and personal growth.
That Little Voice in Your Head
Mo Gawdat
In 'That Little Voice in Your Head', Mo Gawdat provides a comprehensive user manual for using the human brain optimally to thrive and avoid suffering. Drawing on his expertise in programming and neuroscience, Gawdat explains how to change thought processes, turning greed into generosity and apathy into compassion. The book includes exercises to help readers reshape their mental processes and move away from the misconceptions of modern life, inspired by the life of his late son, Ali.
My Stroke of Insight
A Brain Scientist’s Personal Journey
Jill Bolte Taylor
On December 10, 1996, Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, a thirty-seven-year-old Harvard-trained brain scientist, suffered a rare form of stroke in the left hemisphere of her brain. This event led to a complete deterioration of her cognitive functions within four hours, yet she alternated between the logical left brain and the intuitive right brain, experiencing euphoria and a sense of complete well-being. The book chronicles her eight-year recovery and the profound insights she gained into the brain's functioning and the potential for inner peace. Taylor's experience has been widely acclaimed, including a viral TED talk and recognition as one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2008.
Solve for happy
Mo Gawdat
In 'Solve for Happy,' Mo Gawdat applies his engineering mindset to the problem of happiness. He argues that happiness is a thought process and can be achieved by aligning our perceptions with our expectations. The book introduces the 6-7-5 Model, which involves dispelling six grand illusions, removing seven blind spots, and embracing five ultimate truths. Gawdat shares practical strategies such as cultivating awareness, accepting change, and practicing unconditional love. His approach is grounded in mindfulness and positive psychology, offering readers a roadmap to individual happiness despite life's challenges[2][3][5].
Mo lost his son, Ali, in a tragic and avoidable surgery. It’s the kind of grief that could break anyone. But instead of shutting down, he turned toward the pain, with honesty, logic, and a question that changed everything: Can we train ourselves to be happy, even after heartbreak?
One insight stood out: the 90-second rule. According to Mo (and backed by neuroscience), our emotions only physically last 90 seconds. What happens after that? That’s on us.
In this episode, we explore how to ride that first emotional wave, how to challenge the stories our brain creates, and how three simple questions can help us shift from reaction to intention.
This isn’t about pretending everything’s okay. It’s about learning how to respond when it isn’t.
If you’ve ever felt hijacked by your emotions, or just wanted a way to move through them with more clarity, this one’s worth your time.
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