The Most Important Skill in the Age of AI Is the One We're Losing (Ft. Michael Apollo)

In a world obsessed with speed, productivity, and constant stimulation, Michael Apollo is asking a radically different question: What happens when we slow down? Michael, founder of the Mindful Institute and host of Leading Minds Revealed, joins Marc Champagne to explore the hidden power of presence, the misconceptions surrounding mindfulness, and why our most valuable human skills may become even more important in the age of AI. From his personal experience with depression to the moment a global pandemic threatened to destroy everything he'd built, Michael shares how decades of training his mind helped him navigate uncertainty, make clearer decisions, and discover unexpected opportunities. This conversation is a reminder that sometimes the most powerful thing we can do isn't to move faster. It's to stop long enough to see clearly. EXCITING STUFF! My second book now available for pre-order! You're Invited: A Life-Changing Conversation with History's Greatest Wisdom Teachers Get your MENTAL FITNESS BLUEPRINT here! A special thanks to our mental fitness + sweat partner Sip Saunas Connect with Marc: https://konect.to/marcchampagne Timestamps: 00:00 — The question that opens every interview: “Who are you?” 01:49 — How childhood prayer sparked a lifelong curiosity about the mind 05:20 — Why presence is becoming a modern-day superpower 09:31 — The attention crisis: Why more information creates less clarity 13:00 — Depression, losing hope, and discovering the tools to train his mind 15:39 — How meditation transformed Michael's intensity without taking away his drive 18:09 — Why changing others starts with changing how we show up 22:25 — The moment a global pandemic threatened everything he'd built 26:28 — What happens when you stop fighting reality and begin accepting it 28:56 — How one moment of clarity helped transform a crisis into an opportunity 32:21 — Why slowing down doesn't mean giving up 37:56 — “Headspace ruined mindfulness”: The controversial truth about meditation apps 42:41 — The human skills we risk overlooking in the age of AI 47:11 — Why most leaders don't need to become lifelong meditators 49:32 — Mindfulness isn't about relaxation. It's about seeing clearly. 50:55 — How Michael's personal practices have evolved over 25 years 53:05 — The three-hour conversation that helped shape his future 55:33 — Why he's intentionally slowing down while the world speeds up 58:52 — The surprising productivity of doing nothing * Special props 👇 Music: Clouds - Joakim Karud Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.