The Happiness Equation with Mo Gawdat

lewishowes.com/gmyo - Get my NEW book The Greatness Mindset today!
lewishowes.com/greatnessdeliv... - Sign up for my FREE newsletter & get a dose of inspiration from our world-class guests, learn how to improve your life!
Download podcast episodes a week early! www.lewishowes.com/pod
Thank you for Watching this powerful interview with Mo Gawdat! New Interviews, and Inspirational videos will be posted every Monday and Wednesday! Subscribe to the channel here: goo.gl/9xwmmV
-----
This is audio podcast number #467 with Mo Gawdat.
Make sure to leave a comment below and share this with your friends!
In This Episode, You Will Learn:
-The reason Mo took a 6 month sabbatical from Google to promote this book (6:36)
-How our expectations determine our happiness (10:12)
-The difference between pain and suffering (19:55)
-The advice Mo's son gave him before he passed (22:06)
-Why we become less wise as we get older (24:22)
-The 6 big illusions that cause much of our suffering (31:54)
-How Mo open sourced edits for his book to make it better (39:00)
-Plus much more...
Some Questions I ask:
-Who are the people who are the most unhappy in the world? (7:06)
-When did you start the search for the happiness equation? (14:39)
-What's the biggest lesson your son Ali taught you? (22:54)
-What is your approach to getting back to happiness when something goes wrong? (41:13)
Show notes available here:
lewishowes.com/467
-----
You can follow Lewis at:
Website: lewishowes.com/
Facebook: / lewishowes
Twitter: / lewishowes
Instagram: / lewishowes
SnapChat: / lewishowes
Lewis Howes is NY Times Bestselling author, entrepreneur, and former professional Arena League football player. He hosts The School of Greatness, a talk show distributed as a podcast. Learn and hear the stories from various successful people around the world, become inspired, motivated and educated with the SCHOOL OF GREATNESS. lewishowes.com/book
You can follow me at:
Website: lewishowes.com/
Facebook: / lewishowes
Twitter: / lewishowes
Instagram: / lewishowes
Tiktok: / lewis
Linkedin: / lewishowes

[@MoGawdatOfficial]

Lewis, You're Awesome. LOVED our chat :)

[@df4146]

Inspirational young man, dealing with a loss in anyone's life takes a v long time to over come.

[@fotomania07]

Thank you soooo sooo much for sharing that with the world. You truly are an inspiration to the everyday person

[@illougal_invader]

Solve for Happy Buddha mutch

[@illougal_invader]

Solve for Happy and love this

[@sandytw5229]

Really loved this message, will order the book.Still crying with massive respect 🙏🙏🙏

[@lovelyoldmusic]

Ever since moving country alone, I have been extremely unhappy. Homesick, far from family and with very few friends, I was constantly unhappy every day and cried all the time. This podcast was such an important one for me, it opened up so many positive ideas and perspectives that I had never considered before. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[@cdownes3306]

P

[@cdownes3306]

Ooo

[@Zoesstuff]

One of my favourite interviews - super emotional. Thank you Ali, Mo and Lewis.

[@victorrey37]

After 29 years in business and daily looking for ways to help & inspire others; I'm using your channel as an example to start my own. Thanks for being a an example and thank you Mo for being a guest and sharing views similar to my own.

[@MsFitVegan]

6 months. 10 mill people happy. I LOOOOOOVE IT!!!!! 🍉🍉🍉🍉🍉🍉🍉☺️🙏🏼🍉

[@julialovesmoney]

I love your 3 truths 1 we are here for a reason (i love this bc i need this to be true) 2 your purpose to find that reason is to be happy; each of us has something that is so you that is exactly your natural resonance and the way to find it is to find whatever makes you happiest, I'm trying to find my E 3 death is the opposite of birth, it's not the opposite of life. I'll just meet you at the next level (now I'm crying) I am not religious but I surely hope there is a next level for you and Ali. This is so inspiring it makes me want to cry and just confirms what I know which is that we must do what we are meant to do. I became a nurse so I could travel, my mother is a nurse and I distinctly remember in my freshman year of high school when she was trying to convince me to be a nurse and telling me all the different areas of nursing so you will find something you love bc if you don't there's always a different area of nursing but anyway when she said travel nursing that's when I said ok you got me, you convinced me I'll do it. I've been a nurse for 5 years now and in the NICU for 3 years. I have moments that I love it, but I don't think it is my calling or my "E", I'm still trying to figure that out, but thank you for confirming that I must find it! And what you would say to your son, whew! tears on my part, you're just amazing and you have no idea you're son was so amazing bc of you and the things you taught him. I feel like I could see your beautiful soul and what an amazing father you are when you said that! He was such a happy, joking person bc you are too! Your ability to make a little joke when asked such a painful question just shows how beautiful of a person you and Ali both are! The entire video I loved, I will buy your book and go click on the counter on your website! Thank you Mo for being you!

[@vh2906]

Follow Bk shivani Feed homeless animals they will bless you

[@YaredFlores]

I am speechless, this man is absolutely amazing. A great example to many not yet fully aware that life is in itself a precious gift.

[@thinkingbig3096]

I am new to this channel, I love it because as a young entrepreneur it is hard for me to find mentors and your channel gives me not only that but the best of the best!

[@ImWORTHITINC]

Thinking big , Lewis IS the best! He's the man! You should follow all the people he interviews too. They're all my mentors. And they're all very caring people who will encourage you when you reach out to them! God bless you and keep going! I'm proud of you for getting this far! You can do it!!

[@WamuyuGatheru]

This man is smart. The same life truths taught in a new way to reach wider audiences. Lewis, keep bringing in diverse speakers - your viewers are from all over the world!

[@Linx10Life]

"the more i have, the less happy i became". YES! Because happiness is rooted in every human soul! humanity is the source of eternal happiness! #blissfromwithin #stayblissfulmyfriends

[@DroppinShellzz]

What a great interview to start the day off with. Thanks so much for sharing this conversation! Mo's story about his son, and his insight on life is so powerful

[@meryemLux]

I know what Mo is talking about. After I reached all the things that I wanted and worked so hard to get them I felt totally miserable and out of control it was one of the most upsetting time of my life. I didn't know what was happening to me, I couldn't find a meaning to life anymore. Now I know that we can't find happiness in the external world, no matter what we would achieve won't make us happy. We have to enjoy every moment if life, forget about past and future and live here and now. Be fully here and now and never. Remember always that happiness is not a target it's a way of living.

[@samwolf5200]

This interview brought me so much. Thank you brother for sharing all these great talks. Every single one of your podcast brings me enormous joy & knowledge. You've changed my life man. Props to you for your incredible journey 👊🏼

[@deborahhobson9682]

I'm 70 years old, and I am definitely buying the book. Thank you so much Lewis for doing the interview and thank you Mo, for writing the book and all the interviews you do.

[@lewishowes]

You're welcome,thank you for being here 🧡

[@carolinawanderlust]

The best interview I have watched from you Lewis! Thank you for the work you do and bringing together amazing people like Mo!

[@philraz702]

I am truly grateful for this Lewis! Mo is great person!

[@LaserrSharp]

Everything he discovered through data plots is literally the major theme of Buddhist thought. It's thousands of years old and has been distilled through years of scholarship. It also parallels stoic philosophy which is another line of thinking that has been filtered through thousands of years of scholarship. The closest definition to happiness in both philosophical traditions is equanimity. This is a state of being that is also advocated by many other ancient religions.

[@aviv2662]

This has got to be one of your best episodes! Great work, Lewis. And Mo, you're an absolute inspiration! You just made one more person happy - I just hit the counter and will be sharing your book as soon as I read it. :D

[@speakgratitude7220]

was really touched by the story about his son and their relationship...beautiful words spoken....perspective.....thank you Lewis

[@joanneesters-brown513]

Mo Gawdat was soooo!! inspiring. Thanks you Lewis for another wonderful interview.

[@MShaiqable]

The most amazing explanation of happiness and greatness I have ever heard.

[@vegan3182]

This interview was so beautiful!! It brought tears to my eyes but also a feeling of gratitude. What amazing men you two are. We need more grounded and humble people like Mo in this world. Listening to your podcast make me extremely happy Lewis! Keep being amazing and putting out great content!! Everyone you bring on give a piece of themselves and open your eyes to the world. Thanks Lewis!

[@karenalexander1119]

Mo Gawdat is a beautiful man, Thank you for another great interview.

[@ghamize]

This is the only one of your videos so far that has made me tear up, which is ironic because it's about happiness! Very powerful talk. Thank you, Mo & Lewis.

[@JessicaPradoHanson]

What a beautiful person! I was so happy watching this I cried while buying the kindle version of the book! Thank you so much Lewis for always having content that I know will always end up inspiring me in some way while also helping me find new books to read to feed my love of books 🙏🏼

[@drpenguin769]

thank you Lwis, thank you Mo, i am middle eastern, i am sorry for your loss, i am sure Ali in a better place now, you are both inspiring, Love you

[@rodjames5771]

What a Heart Felt conversation. Thank you so much, Lewis ,for introducing us to Mo and his story.

[@leonoradompor8706]

simplicity is happiness.

[@EndlessMediaLLC]

"Thinkers are less happy", absolutely agree with that. I have gone down the rabbit hole. I am now a firm believer thinking has to be a balance of 20% thinking and 80% doing. If thinking isn't proceeded by action it quickly becomes without point! Go Lewis! Go Mo!! Great stuff!

[@davidsajan4030]

This is the best talk on happiness...getting to the heart of the problem.i was fed up with to much chatter on happiness..mo gawdat has been one of the most influential person in my life....and ali's legacy is deeply impactful. Please keep going mo!!

[@splendidcoaching1902]

Mo what a beautiful man and so grounded in life. Thanks Lewis for introducing him to me.X

[@ashalal]

Thank you Mo Gawdat, thank you Lewis.

[@leonoradompor8706]

I have not tour around the world. I have not ride an airplane but I am so happy. Happiness is just under my feet.

[@MoGawdatOfficial]

That's it. Simple isn't it? No material object from the physical world ever makes us happy. Happiness is always there inside us, waiting to be found :).

[@1paulwalsh]

Mo you beautiful being! Great interview Lewis, you are doing amazing, keep doing you and keep em coming! My father and brother both passed away in the last 2 years due to bowel cancer. Obviously sucks.... But here is the focus question. Did they both get the most amazing gift of being alive? Yes. They already won the jackpot! Lets celebrate that.

[@MoGawdatOfficial]

... and we got the gift of having them. This is what happiness is all about, even if it hurts to miss them. Beautifully said Paul.

[@1paulwalsh]

... and we got the gift of having them :)

[@SinaRan301]

I found much depth in Mr. Gawdat's choice of words and mannerisms. Brave.

[@arneliamirandadumlao3668]

I can resonate with this talk when my only son passed away its a tragic but just need to let go and forgive although all in the family are not thesame how look up the things im just keep praying keeping up the faith.

[@barcelona12ist]

this really made me happy, it soothes my soul..thank you very much for sharing this with us, appreciate it.

[@whiteLeyth]

""Sorry for the long comment in advance^^ wanted to write something but it just kept pouring haha ! ^^ " Thank you so much for the amazing podcast !^^ so much info that i needed right now actually!^^ I'm an artist, i work in video games , and it's currently a highly competitive field, like to put yourself on the map and get hired by a good studio , work on projects that will advance your career forward, you have to do a tremendous amount of work , study and simply get so good that a big studio would do the effort to get you wherever you live, this leads to huge amount of pressure and makes every piece of art a struggle/ pain, which can be a good sign of learning , if you struggle with an area, you then try to understand why you suck at it and then learn how to do it right..but it can be destructive if it becomes suffering and constant thinking about it can lead to self doubt like thinking " i can't make it " which can reflect on your actions and so whether or not you reach your goals. So I noticed lately that i stop working on my personal projects sometimes for weeks ( at home after my day job), i used to call it "laziness", and I feel unhappy a lot of the time because i think of the time i'm wasting but feel no drive to do something about it cauz i didn't understand the real reason why. . Now through watching School of Greatness and IQ and a lot of TED talks, i learned a bit more about how our brain works, and understood a bit more of why i waste time .. the reason was simply to avoid pain.. the pain of struggling with a certain point not getting it right so i keep postponing work until the time that i have "motivation" which is another lie from the brain. What creates this pain is that in art, if you don't know how to draw a hand from imagination properly for example, fixing that might take you months or years or even a lifetime of hard work deconstructing the hand , understanding its mechanisms and drawing from references to internalize all the possibilities in which it can be drawn .. my expectation was to get a feeling / pose of the hand right from imagination, but the reality was that i screwed up, it can be due to that knowledge gap or some other reason.. but in all cases the expectation didn't meet reality therefore i'm unhappy . Understanding this now , i'm trying to be more conscious of what i'm thinking while working, whenever i catch excessive thinking or feeling too unhappy something is not turning out good, I stop think why? and try to find solutions like references, read about it or feedback, also i try remind myself that even the greatest artists i know go through the same thing and that they were not born that good ! also sometimes i actually just watch one of the shows i mentioned put it on the background and learning something new put my brain in great mood especially because getting new info from a show contrasts the effort u have to do and time you have to spend learning something for art , so i noticed it balances my mood so well ^^ Thank you again for the amazing show!! ^^ and off to the next interview , i'm hooked now haha ^^

[@miagraceespiritu8511]

Oussama Agazzoum thanks for sharing your story 😇

[@wjohnson9233]

So enjoyed reading your comment & well, well done!!👍👍 It took me over 40 years of crazy working hours, lots of mistakes, frustration & failed relationships to reach ‘financial independence”. Was it worth it? YES & ‘no’. What I’ve learned is this:- 1. “Money” per se doesn’t warm me on a cold winters night. Meaning the ‘things’ I’ve accumulated hasn’t brought me happiness even though I’ve always been generous with money whether I had ‘enough’ in the early days to meet my commitments or not. 2. I’m glad I’m ambitious, that I enjoy working hard and that I expect a lot from myself. 3. I’m still learning to make more time to have fun (without feeling guilty) & to keep nurturing my natural creative talents and just to ‘be’. 4. I’m still learning to live in the ‘now’ & that my ‘happiness home’ is within me- not something or someone else. 5. If given the choice, would I want to change anything in my life? The answer is “no” because I’m ‘enough’ and I’ve always been ‘enough’ - it just took a long time & many experiences (both good & bad) to “get it” and to keep travelling on this journey called “life”. 6. It’s taken me a long time to realise “all is as it should be”. 🙏🏻

[@aligalaxynote1985]

Lewis, thanks for this interview. I wouldn't know him and his story without this interview

[@sarahholmes8340]

what a truly beautiful, inspiring conversation. thank-you!

[@PinkSallyProductions]

Thank you Lewis, for putting Mo on my radar, what a lovely & inspirational guy he is. I also feel glad that someone with such a kind heart is working at GoogleX 😊 His outlook on life and death is Les thought provoking & reminds me a lot of someone else who inspires me, Elkhart Tolle - PLEASE get him on your show 😊Thanks again for adding value to my life. 🌹

[@MoGawdatOfficial]

Thanks :) Delighted it got you thinking. Yes, Ekhart Tolle is the best. Lewis, please do invite him.

[@flagshipphotos2730]

Thank you!! Your very inspirational 🙏🏼

[@morgancaptain5842]

Great pod cast. Blessings to Ali & Mo

[@nickson1447]

This guys is amazing. Intellectual approach to spirituality and profound knowledge. Found this a big help... Buy the book!

[@Manolina111]

very inspiring .. thank you both for this amazing interview!

[@MissaLifeStyle]

I finally bought your audiobook Lewis and I'm so excited. On chapter 3 now and it's so awesome to hear about how you overcame your fear of public speaking!

[@mlowe7245]

Thank you. This was and still AWESOME

[@leonoradompor8706]

freedom is joy

[@3k445]

Agree mindfulness is such a diluted concept and culturally appropriated to fit western psychology!

[@ingrida6573]

What a great interview!! Loved every second of it! Thank you!

[@Anjuchanana2]

Wowwww! What an interview!!! Emotional, touching, enlightening . Moved me to tears . Thank u Lewis, Mo and Ali🙏🙏 will surely go on ur website Mo and wish u all the luck. God bless 🙏

[@d11xox]

I am on my quest to understand happiness and stumbled upon your videos! Mo is so inspirational! I had a lump in my throat when he was talking about the death of his son! Being a mother, that was one vivid moment when I was filled with whole hearted gratitude for having my child! My daughter is my strength and weakness! My love and utmost respect to this man for telling his story that so needed to be told!

[@vh2906]

Follow Bk shivani Feed street animals nature will bless you

[@shiframoriarty7409]

Wise man - really though provoking and powerful interview - Thank you!

[@Deepa16]

Beautiful interview mo gawdat and lewis .very insightful we are responsible for our suffering &no one same for happiness.

[@luisdesansimon2351]

Thank you guys! Really touched me

[@organizateconcarolina]

Hi Brendon I woke up early just to start the day with your podcast; very inspiring. Thank you both for speaking about what really matters.

[@catsaway5760]

An eye opener, touching and enlightening interview.

[@jennynguy3n]

This was so wonderful. Thankyou Mo and Lewis!

[@rosiehaxton42]

Thank you Mo…

[@leonoradompor8706]

contentment is happiness.

[@rebeccajackson5854]

HAPPINESS IS NOW. It's accepting and living in this moment. It's being at peace now. It's appreciating this moment now. Happiness is appreciating life now. Not tomorrow. Now :) x

[@guileniam]

Rebecca Jackson yeah but thats hard when now is a moment of pain or misery, or tragedy.

[@rcjacksonbrighton]

Dizzy Blu maybe you're stuck in that feeling place but guaranteed you can gently search for what you're appreciative of!! Start small. X

[@guileniam]

Rebecca Jackson Maybe... right now all I think of is a wasted career opportunity, whether studying longer was the right idea and why I keep thinking about my only exgirlfriend and why I havent got in a relationship since....its weird coz when it hits you it all comes at once. Though maybe your right start small, and see what I can do about it :) x

[@rcjacksonbrighton]

Dizzy Blu start small. Go from hopeless to hopeful.. Then go from hopeful to excited and in control! It's all a state of mind. Change what you attract! Be powerful! ❤️

[@guileniam]

Rebecca Jackson​ Yeah. Well Have you...ever been in the situation of complete hopelessness? And if so what did you do about it?

[@sameerbhatia451]

Lewis - brilliant stuff. Loved the chat and some great advise. Thanks !!!

[@alessandrahaha]

this was such a great interview! I love Mo's outlook on things, it helped me a lot, thank you! I will definately buy the book so that I can learn more.

[@MoGawdatOfficial]

Delighted you found value in it. Thank you :)

[@soniapons1454]

It was wonderful, loved it, thank you for sharing.

[@carastuart1831]

So good! Thanks for sharing.

[@radwaawad9013]

that was an amazing interview .. thank you .

[@denisehamel4475]

Once again you knocked it out of the park. Another book to add to my growing list. Lewis do you have a list of books from your guests you've had on the show promoting? This interview kept my attention all the way, I will be going over it again for sure! Are our thoughts even ours? The thought only exists depending on the feeling we have with it...? Repeating the same story, the same thought or creating new experiences to re-feeling the same feelings because we're addicted to them.. Oh so many questions & yet unlimited answers of the unknown. Thank you. much love

[@VivianEnergyC0ach]

*sigh* wow... speechless and moved to my core

[@tremesa4372]

added to watch later for tomorrow morning to wake up right, thx again for another interview lewis

[@whosdatgirl1]

Initially I loved Mo’s accent. Then I thought the interview started slow and was going to switch off. I’m so glad I stuck with it, as it was so beautiful. The story of Ali 😭 But how he has dealt with it all 😍 So much learnt x

[@MissaLifeStyle]

Love the desk! Gorgeous.

[@maamesorma]

I am glad I watched this video. Deserves more views than this. Thanks for the insight.

[@leonoradompor8706]

I love you MO!

[@emmanuelomene]

I hardly make comments on youtube videos and even though i have been a subscriber for a while this really got to me. Thanks Lewis and Mo for this

[@disparavende2916]

such a sweet interview

[@leonoradompor8706]

I love spontaneous events

[@patrickbindy5633]

really touching

[@lizgichora6472]

Brilliant conversation, thank you both Mo and John.

[@lewishowes]

So glad you enjoyed it! Appreciate you for watching.

[@becomingbold7387]

Lewis you’re a stud thanks so much brother

[@imranshirzad8658]

I'm gradually changing into happiness.

[@girllovesbike5597]

I think my favorite episode to date!!

[@MoGawdatOfficial]

Wow, what an honor Lynda. Thank you.

[@chelseyeslehc]

Great interview Lewis!! I have another book to read now!

[@peterarmstrong1108]

"One more hug" Keep this in mind

[@ruthbiafora5443]

Thank you for such a riveting interview. I agree with everything that he said and I find that many men in general have a "engineer approach" to happiness or solving problems which helps me as a woman. I'm going to buy the book and click on the counter. :-)

[@KrystenJanzen]

This is amazing

[@sarahjanevickery9369]

I loved this video. I think Mo is so intelligent. He seems to combine engineering logic with emotional intelligence. Very cool.

[@OmarHoffi]

This was amazing. Ali is at a better place :) it's also very crazy that MO and I are both Egyptian and I'm a day trader and he used to be a day trader. Stay strong and happy Mo ❤ thanks Lewis for yet another amazing episode

[@edgaralaire]

I'm so touched by this interview, I respect Mo, and feel so sad for his kid. Inspiring!

[@Happy_day781]

I love this 🧡💛💚💙💜

[@user-lb1fl7sh8m]

Awesome!! 🙂

[@Robert-pq1rv]

Hey Mo Gawdat. I'm really curious about what you think the childhood-experiences were, which "made Ali NOT grow out of his nature"? 25:10

[@leonoradompor8706]

My papa died.He is in my heart.

[@dr.brianjudedelimaphd743]

Focus on things you want to achieve in that they have “meaning” and will perhaps even help humanity , sacrifice your materialistic needs and keep the routine going... your brain will create a paradigm shift towards YOUR happiness-/ embrace the emotional pain as it is a part of the formula to creating your personal happiness ...

[@rgggg1132424]

congrats on the ellen show!!! You continue to inspire me, stay rad Lewis! :)

[@jpsimmons3204]

Absolutely!! Congratulations!! So awesome Lewis :) I have someone I think you should consider interviewing...... Yvon Chouinard, Founder of Patagonia Outdoor Clothing Company!!! See my comment above. :) I'd love to see him on my favorite PODCAST EVER, YOURS!! Thanks for considering.

[@donnapilant2542]

I would like to discuss some of this with you. I am one of those who smile all the time. No matter what the tugging things that normally make others depressed I do not let things in life decide how I feel

[@leonoradompor8706]

special child tops on heaven.

[@sanikakakirde]

Love Mo's shirt 🍰

[@lewishowes]

👍

[@guileniam]

31:44 These illusions are true, the Buddha was speaking about these in Ancient India thousands of years ago as were many other sages in the Upanishads. Its funny to think the problems then werent all that much different from today

[@leonoradompor8706]

Ali is in you heart.

[@janabenes2674]

Hi Lewis, I like your program and there are brilliant chats. I was wondering whether you would be able to get for an interview psychologist as well? I seem to hear most of the things that we psychologist study and practice with clients already. It will be good to get some experts in psychology themselves. ;-) This would also reach out to people who need help and are comprehensive to therapy same as Mo does.