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In a world where AI is ever-present, information never stops, and external opinions flood our feeds, it’s easy to lose touch with the one voice that truly knows: your own.
Return to Intuition is a podcast for conscious leaders, working parents, creatives, and seekers who are ready to pause the noise and tune back in. Hosted by Erin McMahon—marketing executive, mother of two, and intuitive seeker—this show explores how reconnecting with your inner voice can transform the way you lead, parent, create, and live.
Each episode offers grounded insight, personal reflection, and meaningful conversations with founders, intuitive leaders, and thoughtful creators navigating growth, ambition, and soul-aligned choices in a fast-changing world.
Let’s face the future knowing our greatest guide is within—and talk to each other about how to use the world around us to build the best every day and an even better future.
00:00:03:01 - 00:00:45:10
00:00:45:24 - 00:01:08:29
Unknown
Welcome to return on Intuition. I'm Erin, and this is where we prioritize your intuition. Above all, the noise. In a world flooded with AI advice, expert opinions, and endless data. Your intuition is your most powerful guide. This is the space to strengthen the connection between what you already know deep down. Explore it and prioritize it. So let's tune in.
00:01:09:16 - 00:01:38:26
Unknown
I'm excited to start another episode. I've been away for a bit, then on vacation and, getting back into the fold of things. It's it's been interesting being way being completely out of routine, which is something that my body isn't necessarily comfortable with, nor my mind. And then now getting back into the swing of things work. Kids schedules, family schedules.
00:01:38:27 - 00:02:06:09
Unknown
I think it's an interesting reflection of using your intuition in a different way when you're out of when you're out of sync, and then thinking about it when you hop back into a routine and noticing things about your routine when you get back in, maybe you didn't notice before. So in in my perspective, jumping back into routine, I notice what my my brain loves and what my brain does.
00:02:06:09 - 00:02:37:29
Unknown
And so even though I loved vacation, I loved, you know, taking a break from the work and just the every everyday predictability of, you know, going through the week and getting things done make my brain really love getting back into the swing of things, accomplishing things, going to meetings, having action items, having deliverables. And it was an interesting exploration of what what my brain, is addicted to.
00:02:38:00 - 00:03:13:08
Unknown
Maybe so loved accomplishing tasks. Love having a schedule, knowing what's coming next. And you know, I started examining how I did things and how I get things done. So even though my schedule is segmented in terms of when I do work, when I have meetings, I also noticed in doing work, I, really like jumping from one thing to another and getting those small dopamine hits from sending email, answering questions, doing small tasks.
00:03:13:08 - 00:03:48:26
Unknown
And I had to reflect to myself, okay, what? What is the bigger picture? What do I really want to get done in the day? In the week? And that's something that I probably lost and hadn't, reflected on as much before. So coming back, I want to be more intentional with my time. And I want to get, you know, things done to make sure that the end of the day, at the end of the week, I not only have done things that make me feel good within, you know, an hour of getting them done, an hour of responding to someone and getting a thank you.
00:03:48:26 - 00:04:14:22
Unknown
But then, you know, at the end of the day or at the end of the week, I say, oh, I finished this big project, or I've advanced this far in what I'm doing with this company or I've advance what I've decided to do with my own business. And it is easy for me and more desirable to me, to default into the short term.
00:04:14:25 - 00:04:37:12
Unknown
What can I do right now and feel like I've gotten something done and I moved the needle a little bit, but then when I reflect on the the longer period of time and the larger goals I want to accomplish, I think if I am not intentional about my time and focus on those things that are harder, then, I won't be as happy or feel like I've made enough progress.
00:04:38:00 - 00:05:03:00
Unknown
So that that's something that is is more apparent now than it was prior to going on break, probably because I was just so focused on getting a lot of things done that I needed to do, and there was less opportunity to procrastinate and get things done. But then also, there were just a lot of, short term things, and I had a destination to go to.
00:05:03:03 - 00:05:36:28
Unknown
This is even easier to do to focus and distract the brain or keep it on the dopamine hits. In the age of AI and using tools as, using AI tools to get things done or to help advance, you know, what you're thinking or what you're doing. So, and, a lot of cases, let's take writing as an example, like I used to, you know, think about an article that I needed to write, and I'd really have to process it in my brain.
00:05:36:28 - 00:06:01:12
Unknown
And it would either be, you know, a period of brainstorming and myself looking up articles, you know, writing down ideas and then, like, literally sitting and writing. And now it's easy to write an outline, put it into a search and or put it into an AI engine and how to come out with something. It doesn't come out with something great necessarily.
00:06:01:12 - 00:06:40:07
Unknown
And I've, you know, I've been studying a lot about how to put information and prompts in. So it certainly can help guide along a process. But there are different, dimensions that are useful for different things. And it, it certainly helps, give ideas, organize thoughts. But when it really comes down to it, there is a period of writing concentration that exists, as has always existed, and I believe will always continue to exist in the future, where human discernment and getting and refining your ideas is really important.
00:06:40:10 - 00:07:12:05
Unknown
So I bring this up because number one, AI and AI tools help with dopamine hits and moving the process along and feeling like, okay, I put this prompt in and now I have this output. But what is needed internally and does not go away and is part that I think we should always cherish, is our internal discernment, our internal intuition to look at what is good, what is not good, what do we like?
00:07:12:07 - 00:07:39:22
Unknown
What is the final result we want to see? The, negative part about this is there's a proliferation of tools that say they can solve our problems for us, do our work for us, then make it easier to distract from doing the harder work of reading, writing, revising, thinking those things are delayed gratification because it's slower to think.
00:07:39:22 - 00:08:05:10
Unknown
It's slower for things to come to you. Sometimes you have to wait for the flow or for ideas to come in or things like that. But that's still a really important part of the process. And for me, I, I would when I can because it's easier to get the quicker it's, it's easier to say, okay, here's something that I've, I've moved the needle a little bit, here's, you know, some whatever the result.
00:08:05:10 - 00:08:36:00
Unknown
But it's really not it's really not. We're, it's a day. And so I, it's important to take that intentional time to get it from where you're using the tools. And you're developing what you need to either for teams internally organizing your thoughts, sharing ideas, or whether you're publishing a full product. So in my mind, there are more things and it's easier to distract yourself from that.
00:08:36:00 - 00:09:07:03
Unknown
I'm using my intuition to do as I see these proliferation of tools, which I think are important for us to use, is important for us to know, important for us to understand and integrate within our workflows. It's important to understand how they integrate with our workflows and where we need to adapt and use our discernment to produce the best work, produce the best insights however we can.
00:09:07:03 - 00:09:56:13
Unknown
So what I've, done as I start back to work and, you know, get into the flow of things is figure out when in my schedule, when in my day can I, you know, do these smaller things that are more tool oriented, tasks oriented. And when can I set aside time for concentrated work? Some of the things that are harder because it's just involving thinking, waiting, processing, sort of a slower drip of knowledge and shaping something versus what can I do that immediately produces a result or answers an email that, you know, my boss asked for that a teammate asked for gets that quick hit.
00:09:56:13 - 00:10:31:24
Unknown
I think both things are important, and even jumping from task to task has its time in place. Because you know, when I'm doing something, then I remember that, you know, if I'm writing an article, then, oh, maybe, maybe this talking point is good for a part of a speech that needs to be done at an event conference or, you know, maybe something that we're talking about with partner marketing might be a larger commentary piece or a research study for something that can come out later.
00:10:31:26 - 00:11:14:27
Unknown
And those parallel thought processes are ways that ideas come up and can jump from one thing or another. Those are really important, but it's also equally important to have the discernment to say, where can I put this in my mental brain? Compartmentalize it, and or where can I organize it within my digital or, you know, writing repertoire or schedule to put it in a place where it needs to be in order to get things done without having the the strength in the space to notice what you're doing and observe what you're doing with all these different tools, and things that need to get done.
00:11:14:27 - 00:11:39:09
Unknown
It's very easy to just get caught up in the flow and get lost in all the competing signals internally and externally that are competing for our attention. But what is really important and this is where our return on intuition comes in. It's important to be intentional, to understand truly, internally. What do you what do you want to do.
00:11:39:09 - 00:12:02:21
Unknown
And that goes for work. I've been focusing and speaking about work and workflows and all this. But then also, you know, it brings insight into the into the larger overall life picture. What what are you looking to accomplish in in your week, with your family, with your kids, with your spouse, with your friends, you know, health wise, etc.?
00:12:02:21 - 00:12:27:19
Unknown
What are those guiding principles and how do you keep those in mind as you are going about your day? I was recently listening to a leader from the Kabbalah Center in LA, and they, they've heard it very beautifully. When you wake up in the morning, you should think, well, what light do I want to help shine in the world today?
00:12:27:19 - 00:12:51:07
Unknown
Which, is beautiful. Also not something you necessarily want to tell your boss you're thinking about all the time because they're going. You mean, what projects are you going to do? But I think that's really important because it's not only what am I going to accomplish, when am I going to get done? But then I'll also what what overall meaning am I bringing, bringing to the day?
00:12:51:26 - 00:13:20:00
Unknown
So what am I bringing when I connect with my family? What meaning in my bringing when I'm home, you know, connecting in meetings that I probably, you know, think, how do I want to do I really need to attend this meeting. And those things are really important, too. And by asking those questions, first and foremost, your you're activating your internal intuition as opposed to your task oriented mindset.
00:13:20:02 - 00:13:50:21
Unknown
So that's that's more of the of the spiritual. Let the light in also. And thinking about longer term planning, think about what what is truly moving the needle. And that's something that you can think about in terms of projects that you want to accomplish. But then it really gets back into what are your key drivers and how are you prioritizing what you need to get done, what is really meaningful to you, and then what is really making an impact in the world?
00:13:50:23 - 00:14:37:00
Unknown
There is a writer, Kate Northrup, who wrote a book called Do Less, and, she brings up the 8020 rule, which is on 20% of what you do creates 80%. There results that might be the Pareto principle as well, but, she mentioned it recently, so I'm bringing it up, with credit to her. And I think that 20% and what makes that big impact is unique to you, and your internal wisdom can guide you to what that is and your internal reflection of what is making the biggest impact and how you are connecting to the world, and also how you are feeling about that contribution.
00:14:37:03 - 00:15:08:11
Unknown
So that's important, you know, not only for work in the projects you're doing, but then also longer term, what you want to do and how you want to prioritize that. I have not implemented that as much at the moment. Because I certainly made this past week or two weeks coming back with, probably be spending my time differently, but I certainly will be prioritizing thinking about what is making the biggest impact and how I can contribute to that increasing my impact.
00:15:08:13 - 00:15:40:20
Unknown
This is hard. Slowing down is hard. Not for not for everybody, but for me. It's hard because listening internally requires patience. And in a world of all the information, all the signals, all the podcasts, all the audiobooks, it's easy to just listen to external things and not not have the quiet. But it's so important, so important to prioritize what is coming from within and to take those moments and to listen.
00:15:40:22 - 00:16:10:10
Unknown
I do this, I take space in the morning to meditate and also when I'm doing, you know, working out. I try to think to myself, you know, and those moments between turning out, I'm usually doing, you know, cardio or something like that, that that time allows ideas to pop in that can't really come from an external source. They may be, you know, based on past information that I was, you know, ingested are informed.
00:16:10:10 - 00:16:44:17
Unknown
But if it's coming back, into my mind at a different point, then, you know, somehow it's surfaced from a signal from within. So, you know, those are important things to incorporate and consider. And it's important to have different points of the day to do that, not just first thing in the morning, but I, I think regular check ins throughout, throughout the day and certainly, evening, a reflection in the evening is also helpful to figure out what you've done.
00:16:44:17 - 00:17:17:20
Unknown
You know, what? What went right and didn't go right in turn in terms of your internal compass. And as I mentioned before, I think it's important to have times in the day when you are, you know, specifically doing work that you are using tools and, you know, moving the needle along in organizing and, thinking and even using the AI tools in terms of collaboration for ideas or, you know, communication and sharing.
00:17:17:20 - 00:17:59:25
Unknown
But then you also have time where you, are using just your brain to digest and think and make, whatever you're working on the, the thing you really want it to be. I think that that's especially important to say. And in today's age, when I feel weird saying today's age because like, I don't know, but in the time where, AI is promising so many solutions and, you know, saying it will, you know, do tasks for you and complete things, especially in the, in the place of AI agents.
00:17:59:25 - 00:18:45:09
Unknown
But there are so many limitations to what it can do for you. You know, Microsoft calls it because it's AI to a copilot, which is meaning it's not a pilot not driving the plane, but it is, AI copilot, which, is certainly deserves, needs it needs the human discernment to go along with it. I think different tools can certainly help you with different things and elements, but ultimately you are the decision maker for what to do, how to use it, need to check your review, what it's doing, etc. and that is really important.
00:18:45:12 - 00:19:19:10
Unknown
But again, as I said, for me personally, it's harder because it's it's so easy to use tools or to rely on tools and appreciate tools and explore new things and ideas with tools. And, all this, engagement, is very stimulating, but it's important to also focus on within and, and ultimately the, the best tool and gift you have is really your own intuition and your, you know, what's coming from inside.
00:19:19:12 - 00:19:53:11
Unknown
And that that makes a difference. So returning to your intuition and and focusing on what is internal in a world where there are so many external signals and things competing for your attention and wanting for you to have a plan for you to do thing, listening to your intuition really gives you the highest ROI for what you're doing helps you prioritize your time to make sure you are giving back the most to the world in the ways that you see fit.
00:19:53:11 - 00:20:23:17
Unknown
Both for what you're doing and, your work, how you're being present for your children and for your your spouse and your family and your friends. It keeps you aligned with what really matters. This is as much to myself as anybody else. It's important to stop wasting or expending energy on things that feel urgent, but are ultimately unimportant and will not be remembered.
00:20:23:20 - 00:20:53:27
Unknown
Focus on your creativity, your love, and your energy on the things that will make a lasting impact. And you can maintain, and build trust in yourself. You can strengthen your, the messages from your intuition, and you can be the best, the best person you can be. So I'm curious what, you think about this. We'd love to hear from you on comments or an Instagram or anything like that.
00:20:54:04 - 00:21:21:04
Unknown
Future episodes of this. We will be talking to more AI experts, also experts and parents and other areas of interest, people who can help us reflect on how we can best use our intuition and different parts of life. So I look forward to speaking to you again soon, and I hope you have a wonderful day today.
00:21:21:10 - 00:21:46:04