Welcome to Inclusion Bites, your sanctuary for bold conversations that spark change. I'm Joanne Lockwood, your guide on this journey of exploration into the heart of inclusion, belonging, and societal transformation. Ever wondered what it truly takes to create a world where everyone not only belongs but thrives? You're not alone. Join me as we uncover the unseen, challenge the status quo, and share stories that resonate deep within. We're just diving. Whether you're sipping your morning coffee or winding down after a long day, let's connect, reflect, and inspire action together. Don't forget, you can be part of the conversation too. Reach out to jo.lockwood@seechangehappen.co.uk to share your insights or to join me on the show.

So adjust your earbuds and settle in. It's time to ignite the spark of inclusion with Inclusion Bites. And today is episode 125 with the title Inner Peace, Outer Progress. And I have the absolute honor and privilege to welcome doctor Manoj Krishna. Manoj started the human wisdom project and created the HappierME personal development app to help reduce suffering, help each person lead a happier and more successful life. And when I asked Manoj to describe his superpower, he said, he used to be a spine surgeon, but less surgery to start this project to create a better future for humanity. Wow. What an ambition.

Hello, Manoj. Welcome to the show.

Hi, Jo. Thank you so much for having me.

Absolute pleasure. Absolute pleasure. So Manoj, inner peace, outer progress, I'd love to hear more about some of your your life, your history, and your passion.

So, you know, I was driving home from work one day after surgery, 10 hour surgery, you know, all day, and a hospital in the Middle East got bombed, but it was a children's hospital. It was about 10 years ago, and the kids were screaming on the radio, and I felt we humans I was really moved by that and I felt we humans need to do better. We can do better, and we have the wisdom in the world to do better. It's just not spread enough. Do you know what I mean? It's just not it's not part of education. It's not part of our lives. And the understanding that could end conflict and war is so simple that children as young as 10 get it straight away. But why don't adults have carry this with them? And so I transitioned out of medicine.

I felt called, you know, to do something about it. You know, you keep thinking some politician or some clever person is going to step up and do all this, and then you realize they're they aren't, and it's up to you. And you think, who am I? And then you realize you have the ultimate power because you're an ordinary human being. And the biggest change in the world, Margaret Mead said, that never doubt paraphrasing, of course, that a small group of committed individuals can change the world. In fact, it's the only thing that ever has. And so I just started and I've always been one to start walking and with not knowing what's going to happen next. So I left medicine, I started working in schools talking to teachers about stress and anxiety, And one day the head teacher said, hey, come and talk to these kids. I said, but I don't know how to talk to children.

I know what to say to them. He said, no. No. Come along with, you know so I sat down with them and I said, will you look after me? It's my first time talking to kids. I'm a little bit nervous. They said, oh, yes. Yes. Of course.