“I Lost My Son… Then Trained My Mind to Be Happy Again” | Mo Gawdat

Rangan Chatterjee

Nov 19, 2025

Episode description

This episode is brought to you by:
BON CHARGE: Save 25% off with code LIVEMORE https://boncharge.com/livemore
BETTER HELP: Get 10% off your first month https://betterhelp.com/livemore
VIVOBAREFOOT: Get 25% off your first order https://links.drchatterjee.com/4nWFP51

We all want to be happy. Yet the harder we chase it, the more elusive happiness it can seem. This week’s returning guest podcast believes the answer does not lie in changing our circumstances, but in changing how we see them.

Mo Gawdat is the former Chief Business Officer of Google [X] and the author of multiple bestselling books, including Solve for Happy and That Little Voice in Your Head. Following the tragic death of his son Ali, Mo has made happiness his primary topic of research, diving deeply into literature and conversing on the topic with some of the wisest people in the world.

Mo actually came on my podcast to talk about relationships and how he believes technology and AI can help us transform them, but when we started chatting our conversation went off in a completely different direction. We ended up having a wonderfully deep and thought provoking conversation that ended up being almost 3 hours.

Mo shares what he’s learned about happiness, suffering and the true nature of life and death. We explore what it really means to say that “happiness is a choice,” and why that perspective can coexist with deep compassion for pain and loss.

During our conversation, we discuss:
● Why happiness isn’t dependent on external circumstances – and how it’s possible to find peace even in difficult times.
● How reframing our thoughts and expectations can shift our emotional experience of life.
● What Mo learned about happiness growing up in Egypt, and how seeing suffering around him shaped his sense of gratitude.
● The powerful lessons he drew from losing his son, Ali, and how grief can open a path to love and meaning.
● Why suffering can be one of our greatest teachers, showing us what truly matters.
● How our thoughts can keep pain alive – and why letting go of the mental replay of past events is an act of wisdom.
● Mo’s belief that death is not the end, and how physics and spirituality can point to the same truth about consciousness.

Mo helps us all to see that happiness isn’t fragile or fleeting; it’s a state of being we can nurture, even when life feels hard. His story is a testament to the strength of the human heart and our endless capacity to find meaning in love.

#feelbetterlivemore

Connect with Mo Gawdat:
http://www.mogawdat.com/
https://www.instagram.com/mo_gawdat/
https://twitter.com/mgawdat
https://www.facebook.com/Mo.Gawdat.Official/

Mo’s books:
Solve For Happy: An original, insightful guide to finding joy UK https://amzn.to/3sTz09z US
That Little Voice In Your Head: Adjust the Code that Runs Your Brain UK https://amzn.to/3yVeSIi US

Mo’s relationship app:
http://emma.love/


#feelbetterlivemore #feelbetterlivemorepodcast
-------

Order MAKE CHANGE THAT LASTS. US & Canada version https://amzn.to/3RyO3SL, UK version https://amzn.to/3Kt5rUK
-----
Follow Dr Chatterjee at:
Website: https://drchatterjee.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drchatterjee
Twitter: https://twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drchatterjee/
Newsletter: https://drchatterjee.com/subscription

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Episode description

This episode is brought to you by:
BON CHARGE: Save 25% off with code LIVEMORE https://boncharge.com/livemore
BETTER HELP: Get 10% off your first month https://betterhelp.com/livemore
VIVOBAREFOOT: Get 25% off your first order https://links.drchatterjee.com/4nWFP51

We all want to be happy. Yet the harder we chase it, the more elusive happiness it can seem. This week’s returning guest podcast believes the answer does not lie in changing our circumstances, but in changing how we see them.

Mo Gawdat is the former Chief Business Officer of Google [X] and the author of multiple bestselling books, including Solve for Happy and That Little Voice in Your Head. Following the tragic death of his son Ali, Mo has made happiness his primary topic of research, diving deeply into literature and conversing on the topic with some of the wisest people in the world.

Mo actually came on my podcast to talk about relationships and how he believes technology and AI can help us transform them, but when we started chatting our conversation went off in a completely different direction. We ended up having a wonderfully deep and thought provoking conversation that ended up being almost 3 hours.

Mo shares what he’s learned about happiness, suffering and the true nature of life and death. We explore what it really means to say that “happiness is a choice,” and why that perspective can coexist with deep compassion for pain and loss.

During our conversation, we discuss:
● Why happiness isn’t dependent on external circumstances – and how it’s possible to find peace even in difficult times.
● How reframing our thoughts and expectations can shift our emotional experience of life.
● What Mo learned about happiness growing up in Egypt, and how seeing suffering around him shaped his sense of gratitude.
● The powerful lessons he drew from losing his son, Ali, and how grief can open a path to love and meaning.
● Why suffering can be one of our greatest teachers, showing us what truly matters.
● How our thoughts can keep pain alive – and why letting go of the mental replay of past events is an act of wisdom.
● Mo’s belief that death is not the end, and how physics and spirituality can point to the same truth about consciousness.

Mo helps us all to see that happiness isn’t fragile or fleeting; it’s a state of being we can nurture, even when life feels hard. His story is a testament to the strength of the human heart and our endless capacity to find meaning in love.

#feelbetterlivemore

Connect with Mo Gawdat:
http://www.mogawdat.com/
https://www.instagram.com/mo_gawdat/
https://twitter.com/mgawdat
https://www.facebook.com/Mo.Gawdat.Official/

Mo’s books:
Solve For Happy: An original, insightful guide to finding joy UK https://amzn.to/3sTz09z US
That Little Voice In Your Head: Adjust the Code that Runs Your Brain UK https://amzn.to/3yVeSIi US

Mo’s relationship app:
http://emma.love/


#feelbetterlivemore #feelbetterlivemorepodcast
-------

Order MAKE CHANGE THAT LASTS. US & Canada version https://amzn.to/3RyO3SL, UK version https://amzn.to/3Kt5rUK
-----
Follow Dr Chatterjee at:
Website: https://drchatterjee.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drchatterjee
Twitter: https://twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drchatterjee/
Newsletter: https://drchatterjee.com/subscription

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Mindsip insights from this episode:

Utilize Boncharge Demi red light therapy for home wellness

The Boncharge Demi red light therapy device is a tool for potential benefits like better eye health, pain relief, reduced inflammation, and enhanced recovery at home.

View death as a portal to consciousness beyond spacetime

Physics suggests that to experience the arrow of time, your consciousness must exist outside of it, meaning death is a portal, not the end of life.

Reduce partner criteria to improve dating success

According to the "law of large numbers," the more criteria you have for a partner, the exponentially lower your chances are of finding a match.

Detach from physical world to achieve enlightenment

The Sufi path to enlightenment is to "die before you die," which means detaching from the physical world through practices like fasting and solitude while being fully alive.

Choose to cultivate happiness as a skill

You cannot choose absolute happiness as suffering is part of life, but choosing to become happier is a skill that is 100% within your grasp.

Question science to uncover truths beyond modern dogma

Science has become the religion of the modern world, often treated as an infallible cult with taboos you cannot question, which prevents us from discovering what we are wrong about.

Practice mini silent retreat for mental clarity

For mental clarity, try a "mini silent retreat" by disconnecting from all knowledge, phones, and talking from when you wake up until 3 PM every other Sunday.

Utilize AI to enhance self-awareness in modern dating

A new AI called Emma.love aims to fix broken modern dating by acting as an "awareness guide" to help you understand yourself, rather than a "meat market" app.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Unlock the wisdom of longevity

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Unlock the wisdom of longevity

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Unlock the wisdom of longevity

Unlock the wisdom of longevity

© Mindsip 2025 – Made with ❤ in Vilnius

Unlock the wisdom of longevity

© Mindsip 2025 – Made with ❤ in Vilnius