How to Engage with Technology Without Losing Your Mind | Soren Gordhamer

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Nov 12, 2025

Soren Gordhamer, founder of Wisdom 2.0 and author of The Essential, dives into the balance of technology and mindfulness. He discusses the transformative potential of AI and the societal implications of its rapid advancement. Soren emphasizes the importance of ‘the essential’—focusing on relationships and purpose amid distractions. He offers practical strategies for managing technology use, urges embracing mindful boredom, and highlights the need for a collective human response to AI challenges. Are we ready to do the essential work before it's too late?

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INSIGHT

What 'The Essential' Really Means

Soren defines "the essential" as the inner life, relationships, and purpose that truly matter beyond algorithmic distractions.
He argues modern tech easily obscures what will matter when we look back on our lives.

INSIGHT

AI As A New Kind Of Intelligence

Soren sees AI as a new form of intelligence, not merely another technology chapter like the iPhone.
He warns humans may not be ready for rapidly self-improving AI even as AI accelerates development.

INSIGHT

AI Will Break Traditional Job Growth

AI could decouple company growth from human employment because AI scales without hiring more people.
This shift forces rethinking economics, taxation, and purpose as many jobs become automated.

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How not to forget what actually matters.

Soren Gordhamer is the host of Wisdom 2.0, a conference about mindfulness and compassion in the modern age. He's also a Co-Founder and General Partner of Wisdom Ventures, which invests in companies creating a more just and compassionate world. His new book is called THE ESSENTIAL: Discovering What Really Matters in an Age of Distraction.

In this episode we talk about:

What Soren means by "the essential"
The current and future impact of AI on the economy, our mental health, and society at large
What Soren thinks the world looks like in 5, 10, 15 years from now
Useful strategies for managing technology with an iota of balance and wisdom
How to get familiar with the unseen stories that run your life—so that they Don't have so much power over you
The number one question for our time, per Soren
Whether or not we humans are actually going to do this "essential" work before it's too late
Whether the people designing these systems have the best interest of the species at heart

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