The Gorilla in the Room: Seeing Beyond the Obvious

What if the most important signals in your life are the ones you’re not noticing?

In this thought-provoking episode of Return on Intuition, host Erin McMahon—a marketing leader, AI strategist, and mother of two—dives into how our attention shapes our reality. Drawing on the famed Invisible Gorilla experiment, behavioral science, and real-world moments from work and parenting, she reveals why what you don’t notice might be your greatest untapped advantage.

Whether you’re a leader trying to make better decisions, a creative craving more clarity, or a parent navigating everyday chaos, this episode invites you to widen your awareness and listen more deeply—to yourself and the world around you.

🔍 You’ll learn:

• How your brain’s filters impact decision-making and connection
• Why narrow focus can block intuition—and how to rebalance
• The neuroscience behind the Reticular Activating System (RAS)
• Surprising links between parenting, AI, and perception
• Practical ways to shift into a more intuitive, present mindset

✨ Perfect for: curious leaders, growth-minded creatives, parents, and anyone ready to reclaim their attention and intuition in an always-on world.

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Subscribe for weekly drops on attention, awareness, and intentional living.

• (00:00) - Welcome to Return on Intuition
  


• (01:53) - The Invisible Gorilla: What We Miss When We Focus Too Narrowly
  


• (05:59) - The Reticular Activating System: Why We See What We Expect to See
  


• (08:56) - Making Space for Intuition in a Noisy World
  


• (11:51) - AI, Parenting, and the Gorilla We Might Be Missing
  


• (13:48) - The Power of Awareness: Designing a More Intentional Life