Ep 25: The Hidden Drivers of Behaviour and Addiction

The Big Drink Rethink

Anna interviews Dr. Manoj Krishna, a former spine surgeon turned mindfulness advocate, who shares his journey from setting up his medical practice to founding The HappierMe project, which focuses on understanding the mind to overcome human suffering.

Wonderfully insightful, Manoj sheds light on the thought processes that can lead to addiction, and they explore the societal and psychological pressures influencing the younger generation, particularly the impact of social media and constant comparison.

The conversation then explores the essential role of self-enquiry, along with the three vital steps: awareness, ownership, and curiosity. Their conversation challenges conventional ideas about happiness and success, emphasising the power of self-awareness and emotional intelligence and how inner work can lead to a more fulfilling life.

Here are the highlights:

01:59 Understanding the mind leads to less suffering, better humanity.

06:35 Self-awareness involves exploring the mind's layers.

08:28 Comparing ourselves to others creates mental unhappiness.

13:32 Modern world feels out of control, easy to blame others.

26:23 Unconscious thought processes behind addiction and recovery.

29:46 Questioning conditioning, seeking meaning, connection and belonging.

33:07 Unconscious fears and desires shape our lives.

36:25 Curiosity brings compassion for ourselves and others.

44:26 Understanding the mind leads to a joyful life.

About the host Anna:

Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.

Connect with Anna:

Website: thebeliefscoach.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonaghey

Instagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethink

Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

About Dr. Manoj Krishna:

Dr. Manoj Krishna trained as a doctor in India before coming to the UK to pursue a career as a spine surgeon. He left that career after 25 years to write the books Understanding Me, Understanding You- an enquiry into being human, and Stress Free. He started the HappierMe Project and created the HappierMe emotional intelligence app to help reduce suffering, help each person lead a happier and more successful life, and make the world a kinder place.

Understanding ourselves and how our minds work awakens our emotional intelligence, and this can lead to transformation. This can prevent and solve many problems which begin in our thinking: stress, anxiety, relationships breakdown, violence, addiction and division. By understanding ourselves, we can understand others better, leading to more fulfilling relationships. Self-understanding can boost all our soft skills - including communication, leadership, resilience, empathy and critical thinking.

Download the HappierMe app, visit https://happierme.app or follow Manoj on social media: https://linktr.ee/happierme.app