Your Unhappy Brain Needs Some Assistance with happiness expert Mo Gawdat

In this episode, the host and Mo Gaudet delve into the practice of happiness and how it can often be more about removing negativity from one's life rather than adding things in. Gaudet shares a profound perspective that happiness is the default state for humans and that to access it, one must recognize and remove stressors and negative influences.

Gaudet describes the painful loss of his son, which forced him to reevaluate his understanding of happiness. He emphasizes that happiness isn't something that can be found externally, but rather something to be practiced, even through sorrow. The conversation illuminates the human experience of holding conflicting emotions simultaneously—a theme that resonates through tales of grief, joy, and the paradox of existence.

They discuss how people often complicate their pursuit of happiness by focusing on future achievements or material gain, while real fulfillment can often come from recognizing and enjoying the small delights in everyday life. Gaudet also shares his personal practices, like scheduling time for reflection to confront his thoughts and emotions directly, illustrating that such practices can lead to greater clarity and contentment.

Ultimately, this episode is both a personal story and a guide on how to cultivate happiness through intentional actions, mindfulness, and self-reflection.