Happy New Year! What better way to start off 2021 than with a futurist? Ah, but John Sanei is not your typical futurist. His work combines ancient wisdom in its approach to futurism, and I know you'll agree when I say this is one of the most incredible conversations we've had on this podcast so far.I normally prepare a lot before interviews, but I wanted to flow with John because my friend who introduced us, Alice Law (interview with her coming soon!), told me that John will take the talk to some amazing places. That is exactly what happened. Consider me a huge fan of John Sanei from now on.John Sanei is a best-selling author, futurist and keynote speaker whose passion for psychology and technology has seen him engage with brands across the globe, and help them build the mental approach needed to make tomorrow more abundant than they ever thought possible.In What’s Your Moonshot? (his first book) he inspires the reader to ask bigger, bolder and more courageous questions about the future. In MAGNETiiZE – his second book, he invites the reader to focus on elegant, conscious and deliberate questions about the future.John is proudly the first African faculty member of Singularity University in San Francisco.Listen as we discuss:Essentialism vs. Minimalism The engineering mindsetMo: 2021 = The Year of FlowJohn: 2021 = The Year of SymbiosisCOVID-19 is like a weed.What is a futurist? And how does ancient wisdom fit into the study?Living based on memories of the past vs. the vision of the futureLiving in a victim bubble vs. a joy bubbleSeeing ourselves as being either with life or against lifeThe Drama TriangleMourning our future memories (this is fascinating)How the brain processes our memories (and time), and why we hold onto themThe neuroplasticity of changeJohn's incredible journey of forgiving his father for childhood abuseHow can we change memories so they make us feel good rather than bad?Hoʻoponopono, the Hawaiian practice of reconciliation and forgivenessEmpathyJohn's work with shamanic and plant medicine"Don't try to forgive. Just do the work to hold more light, and the rest will fall off."Where is 2021 heading from a futurist perspective?Gen Z and Baby Boomers - What is the meaning of success?The three stages of transformationEngaging in empathetic activismDeveloping foresightNewtonian vs. Quantum ScienceComplicated vs. ComplexInstagram: @mo_gawdatFacebook: @mo.gawdat.officialTwitter: @mgawdatLinkedIn: /in/mogawdatConnect with John Sanei on Instagram @johnsanei, on Facebook @trenovator, on Twitter @iamjohnsanei, and his website.Don't forget to subscribe to Slo Mo for new episodes every Sunday and Thursday. Only with your help can we reach One Billion Happy #onebillionhappy.