You've been doing the work. Reading, listening, growing, trying. And yet something keeps feeling off, like the life you're building is quietly being pulled in a direction you didn't choose.

In this episode of The Balance Theory, Erika sits down with Mo Gawdat, former Chief Business Officer at Google X, bestselling author of Solve for Happy and Scary Smart, and one of the most original thinkers on the planet. This isn't a conversation about productivity or optimisation. It's about something deeper: the invisible forces shaping who you are, how you think, and what you believe is possible, and how to take that back.

If you've ever caught yourself thinking:

"I feel like I'm losing time but I don't know where it's going"

"Something feels off but I can't name it"

"I don't feel as in control of my life as I want to be"

"I want to feel more like myself again"

"I'm not sure what's actually true anymore"





WHAT WE COVER:




  The unconscious daily decisions quietly costing you years of your life

  Why your life is being hijacked and how to see it clearly

  How long-form content protects your emotional intelligence

  Mo's framework for knowing what is actually true in the news

  How to move from passive observer to someone who actually makes change

  The flip flop deep technique for consuming information consciously

  The difference between a good man and a nice man

  A powerful 30-minute brain exercise Mo does every day

  Whether AI is a threat or the greatest opportunity humanity has ever had

  How to raise conscious humans in an AI world

  Why utopia might only be 10 years away




Mo Gawdat doesn't just name the problem. He gives you the tools to reclaim your mind, your time, and who you're becoming.



SPONSORS:
 

✨ONESKIN⁠ ⁠⁠- Save 15% Off using the code 'BALANCE' by going to www.oneskin.co/BALANCE

💧 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AQUATRU ⁠- Get 20% off using the code 'SHERIKA' at www.aquatru.com


🩷 MOMENTUM  - Get your free welcome kit and travel collection at www.momentumshake.com/balancetheory


CONNECT

📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠



Mo Gawdat Part 1:

🎥 Watch here.



TIME STAMPS

(00:00) Introduction
(11:21) Decisions that cost you time
(17:19) Your life is being hijacked by this
(26:26) Long form is better for your emotions
(29:31) How do we make sense of what's true in the news?
(40:55) How to actually make change (you matter)
(49:40) Flip flop deep technique for consuming news
(56:17) Good man versus nice man
(59:57) Watch THESE words
(1:03:34) Do this POWERFUL exercise for your mind
(1:15:08) Is AI going to destroy our future?
(1:21:58) Raising Superman
(1:27:29) How do you put in guardrails with AI?
(1:43:59) AI will take over all jobs

WHO AM I?

My name is Erika and I am an Australian living in Dubai. I have my own business as a strategic legal consultant and run this podcast to explore my passion + curiosity for all things health, wellness, self growth & mindset. A big focus of mine is how to sustainably navigate a busy schedule and live my best life in the process. Welcome to my Channel! 📸 ⁠⁠⁠Connect with me on IG!⁠⁠⁠



RESOURCES

▶︎⁠⁠⁠ 25 Day Self Development Marathon⁠⁠⁠

▶︎ ⁠⁠⁠21 Day Self Growth Challenge⁠⁠⁠

▶︎ ⁠⁠⁠Goal Setting System E-Book⁠⁠⁠



LET’S BE FRIENDS

📸 ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠

📱⁠⁠⁠Tiktok⁠⁠⁠





🧡 This description may contain affiliate links that allow you to find the items mentioned in this video and support the channel at no cost to you. Thank you for your support!

how to stress less, decrease stress, how to reduce stress, how to stop overthinking, how to calm your mind, stress management, how to feel less stressed, overthinking and stress, stress advice, how to stop spiralling, emotional overwhelm, future anxiety, how to manage stress, practical stress tips



#HowToStressLess #DecreaseStress #StressManagement #Overthinking #MentalHealth #SelfDevelopment #TheBalanceTheory #PersonalGrowth #Mindset #EmotionalWellbeing
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Balance Theory

Erika De Pellegrin

Everything You're Consuming Is Making You Less of Yourself (Here's What You Can Do) | Mo Gawdat

MAY 31, 2026115 MIN
The Balance Theory

Everything You're Consuming Is Making You Less of Yourself (Here's What You Can Do) | Mo Gawdat

MAY 31, 2026115 MIN

Description

You've been doing the work. Reading, listening, growing, trying. And yet something keeps feeling off, like the life you're building is quietly being pulled in a direction you didn't choose. In this episode of The Balance Theory, Erika sits down with Mo Gawdat, former Chief Business Officer at Google X, bestselling author of Solve for Happy and Scary Smart, and one of the most original thinkers on the planet. This isn't a conversation about productivity or optimisation. It's about something deeper: the invisible forces shaping who you are, how you think, and what you believe is possible, and how to take that back. If you've ever caught yourself thinking: "I feel like I'm losing time but I don't know where it's going" "Something feels off but I can't name it" "I don't feel as in control of my life as I want to be" "I want to feel more like myself again" "I'm not sure what's actually true anymore" WHAT WE COVER: The unconscious daily decisions quietly costing you years of your life Why your life is being hijacked and how to see it clearly How long-form content protects your emotional intelligence Mo's framework for knowing what is actually true in the news How to move from passive observer to someone who actually makes change The flip flop deep technique for consuming information consciously The difference between a good man and a nice man A powerful 30-minute brain exercise Mo does every day Whether AI is a threat or the greatest opportunity humanity has ever had How to raise conscious humans in an AI world Why utopia might only be 10 years away Mo Gawdat doesn't just name the problem. He gives you the tools to reclaim your mind, your time, and who you're becoming. SPONSORS: ✨ONESKIN⁠ ⁠⁠- Save 15% Off using the code 'BALANCE' by going to www.oneskin.co/BALANCE 💧 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AQUATRU ⁠- Get 20% off using the code 'SHERIKA' at www.aquatru.com 🩷 MOMENTUM - Get your free welcome kit and travel collection at www.momentumshake.com/balancetheory CONNECT 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠ Mo Gawdat Part 1: 🎥 Watch here. TIME STAMPS (00:00) Introduction (11:21) Decisions that cost you time (17:19) Your life is being hijacked by this (26:26) Long form is better for your emotions (29:31) How do we make sense of what's true in the news? (40:55) How to actually make change (you matter) (49:40) Flip flop deep technique for consuming news (56:17) Good man versus nice man (59:57) Watch THESE words (1:03:34) Do this POWERFUL exercise for your mind (1:15:08) Is AI going to destroy our future? (1:21:58) Raising Superman (1:27:29) How do you put in guardrails with AI? (1:43:59) AI will take over all jobs WHO AM I? My name is Erika and I am an Australian living in Dubai. I have my own business as a strategic legal consultant and run this podcast to explore my passion + curiosity for all things health, wellness, self growth & mindset. A big focus of mine is how to sustainably navigate a busy schedule and live my best life in the process. Welcome to my Channel! 📸 ⁠⁠⁠Connect with me on IG!⁠⁠⁠ RESOURCES ▶︎⁠⁠⁠ 25 Day Self Development Marathon⁠⁠⁠ ▶︎ ⁠⁠⁠21 Day Self Growth Challenge⁠⁠⁠ ▶︎ ⁠⁠⁠Goal Setting System E-Book⁠⁠⁠ LET’S BE FRIENDS 📸 ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ 📱⁠⁠⁠Tiktok⁠⁠⁠ 🧡 This description may contain affiliate links that allow you to find the items mentioned in this video and support the channel at no cost to you. Thank you for your support! how to stress less, decrease stress, how to reduce stress, how to stop overthinking, how to calm your mind, stress management, how to feel less stressed, overthinking and stress, stress advice, how to stop spiralling, emotional overwhelm, future anxiety, how to manage stress, practical stress tips #HowToStressLess #DecreaseStress #StressManagement #Overthinking #MentalHealth #SelfDevelopment #TheBalanceTheory #PersonalGrowth #Mindset #EmotionalWellbeing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices