What is a Good Life? (Mark McCartney)
Explorez tous les épisodes de What is a Good Life?
| Date | Titre | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27 Aug 2024 | What is a Good Life? #85 - Becoming Connected Citizens with Jon Alexander | 00:58:53 | |
On the 85th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Jon Alexander. Jon is the author of CITIZENS: Why the Key to Fixing Everything is All of Us, a book that seeks to reframe the current moment as one of immense civic opportunity rather than merely a time of crisis and collapse. In 2014, Jon co-founded the New Citizenship Project, a strategy and innovation consultancy that aims to shift the dominant societal narrative from Consumer to Citizen. He is a Fellow of the Young Foundation, a founding member of the OECD's Innovative Citizen Participation Network, a Strategic Advisor to DemocracyNext, and a member of the Leadership Council of the Democracy and Culture Foundation. Additionally, Jon has represented Great Britain in both rowing and triathlon. In this inspiring conversation, Jon shares his journey of building greater trust in himself and others, which has shaped his ideas about evolving from a Consumer story to a Citizen story. In this new narrative, we expand our self-interest, connection, and sense of belonging, embracing the uncertainty we collectively face. We discuss the importance of stories over data, becoming who we want to be, reflection, and the immense satisfaction of being part of something bigger than ourselves. If you feel somewhat stuck and perhaps overwhelmed by the mounting crises, and if you are looking to reengage with a sense of agency and empowerment, this episode, along with Jon’s journey, will give you much to contemplate, as well as inspiration for action. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for clips and shorts. For further content and information check out the following: Jon's book & website: https://www.jonalexander.net/
Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life if you'd like to further explore your own lines of self-inquiry or create experiences that lead to more connecting and genuine conversations amongst groups of people. 00:00 Introduction 05:35 What would you do if you believed in yourself & others 09:15 Self interest and expanded self-interest 13:05 Human and community and connection 16:45 Stories and connection over data 21:55 Collectively becoming who we want to be 25:55 Pretending we have answers and solutions 30:40 Safe uncertainty 34:35 A need for belonging, community, and contribution 38:20 Trusting others 43:55 Time to reflect and portals 50:55 Not something to give up but to gain 55:55 What is a good life for Jon? | |||
| 13 Feb 2024 | What is a Good Life? #57 - Balancing Effort & Letting Go with Dr. Bettina Palazzo | 00:51:50 | |
On the 57th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Dr. Bettina Palazzo. Bettina is a business ethics expert, a lecturer at the University of Geneva, and the creator of The Ethics Gym program, demonstrating how leaders can be credible ethical role models. In this conversation, we delve into the question Bettina is presently contemplating in life: how does one balance making an effort and letting go? Bettina shares the challenges this represents and also reflects on the role social media plays in making us believe we have an immediate solution for every problem in life. We explore the role of our natural selves and curiosity, noting how fear and perfectionism affect our capacity to handle uncertainty. Simultaneously, we observe the role that compassion for ourselves and others plays in our ability to handle uncertainty and develop more trust in the unfolding of life, whether this is cultivated through community groups she has created or by being attentive to the stories we tell ourselves about other people’s behaviour towards us. This episode will give you much to contemplate regarding our attempts to control and our relationship with uncertainty. Bettina also shares in such an authentic and relatable manner that her reflections provide really interesting insights and nuance into the challenges we face in our culture with letting go. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for clips and shorts. Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free consultation (30 minutes) for one-on-one coaching programs or to hear about corporate workshops I am offering around this question. Running Order: 02:45 How do we find the balance of effort and letting go? For further content and information check out the following: - For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos - My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/ - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/ - Bettina's Website: https://bettinapalazzo.com/en/home/ - Bettina's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bettina-palazzo/ | |||
| 08 Jan 2023 | What is a Good Life? #1 - A Jungian Approach to Life with Laurence Barrett | 01:13:59 | |
In this first episode I talk to Laurence Barrett. Laurence has recently written a book, A Jungian Approach to Coaching: The Theory and Practice of Turning Leaders into People, and runs his own consultancy group, Heresy, which focusses on Psychodynamic and Jungian Leadership and Organisational Development Consulting. In this conversation we explore how the work of Carl Jung has influenced Laurence's approach to life and, amongst other things, the significance of simply paying attention in our lives. Laurence is a wonderful source of knowledge and I enjoyed this conversation immensely, and I hope you will too. For those unaware of the work of Carl Jung: Carl Jung (1875 – 1961) was a Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst who founded analytical psychology. Jung's work has been influential in the fields of psychiatry, anthropology, archaeology, literature, philosophy, psychology, and religious studies. Among the central concepts of analytical psychology is individuation—the lifelong psychological process of differentiation of the self out of each individual's conscious and unconscious elements. Jung considered it to be the main task of human development. He created some of the best known psychological concepts, including synchronicity, archetypal phenomena, the collective unconscious, the psychological complex and extraversion and introversion. (Wikipedia) You can find Laurence's book here: You can find out more about his work at Heresy here: - For clips and video of the podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos | |||
| 28 Nov 2023 | What is a Good Life? #46 - Love, Attention & Creativity with Dave Zaboski | 00:58:20 | |
On the 46th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I'm delighted to introduce Dave Zaboski as our guest. Dave is a classically trained painter, was an animator at Disney, Sony, and Warner Bros., has showcased his fine art at galleries internationally, and has painted for the Dalai Lama. While his work includes timeless films like “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Lion King,” “Aladdin,” he has also illustrated several acclaimed children’s books. In this episode, Dave tells us why attention is our most valuable commodity and discusses the connection between love, attention, creativity, and interdependence. We also explore the role of acknowledging and processing grief and its importance in creating something new, and moving on from anger. Dave also delves into the immense power of our storytelling and touches on the collective shifts we can accomplish through our stories. He also points to the universal laws of creativity and what we can extrapolate from them regarding life.
Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for clips and shorts. Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free consultation (30 minutes) for one-on-one coaching programs or to hear about corporate workshops I am offering around this question. Running Order: 02:30 Love & Attention
For further content and information check out the following: - For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos - My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/ - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/ - Dave's website: https://www.laetro.com - Dave's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davezaboski/ | |||
| 12 Dec 2023 | What is a Good Life? #48 - Making Space For Meaning with Dr. Brennan Jacoby | 01:02:32 | |
On the 48th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce Dr. Brennan Jacoby as our guest. Brennan is a Philosopher and the Founder of Philosophy At Work, a collective of philosophers and business psychologists teaching professionals the skills they need to think their best. In this episode, we explore making space for meaning in our lives without forcing it. We delve into various tensions, from wanting to make the most of life to vegging out, accepting ourselves without lowering our standards, and balancing the time spent building a career with the need to invest in personal relationships. Additionally, we discuss the limitations of various philosophies when taken to their fullest interpretation, the importance of realising the subjective nature of our experiences, and the necessity of reflection to understand what we are projecting onto life. Throughout the conversation, we emphasise the profound significance of caring, noticing, and orienting towards a better life. For some reason, I found this conversation very cathartic. Brennan possesses a wonderful capacity to engage in a genuine conversation and an exploration while referencing philosophical concepts and sharing grounded, relatable personal examples. If you are anything like me, this episode will make you feel more comfortable with being human and navigating the tensions and experiences inherent in the pursuit of your own good life.
Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free consultation (30 minutes) for one-on-one coaching programs or to hear about corporate workshops I am offering around this question. Running Order: 02:22 How should I live? 05:39 Making sense of our distractions 09:13 Making space for meaning 15:06 You can’t force meaning 19:16 A good life is everything in it 23:56 Letting go of fixed states and answers 28:16 There may not be a “right” answer but it can be “better” 32:04 Living with care and noticing 39:36 Being OK with everything 46:00 Navigating our imperfection 52:01 Acceptance without lowering the bar 57:46 What is a good life for Brennan?
- For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos - My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/ - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/ - Brennan's website: https://philosophyatwork.co.uk/ - Brennan's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-brennan-jacoby-51807790/ | |||
| 29 Aug 2023 | What is a Good Life? #33 - Be The Change You Wish To See with David Dunn | 00:59:23 | |
On the 33rd episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I'm delighted to be joined by David Dunn. David describes himself as an alcoholic prison leaver trying to be the change he wants to see in the world. He is the CEO & Founder of Release Mates CIC, a group that brings positive change to individuals in the immediate hours following their release from prison. In this episode, David shares his inspirational journey from hitting rock bottom with addiction in prison to finding the courage to make a change, and ultimately dedicating himself to serving others who are in a similar situation to where he once was. We delve into the roles that spirituality, nature, being of service to others, honesty, and human connection played in this journey. Additionally, we discuss the significance of letting go of control and how this shift transformed his experience of life. If you are currently facing a difficult period in your life or struggling to find meaning and purpose, there is a wealth of valuable insights in this conversation. David is incredibly honest and open about how his life turned around, sharing many profound and noteworthy perspectives on life, regardless of your current circumstances.
Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free 30 minute consultation for one-on-one coaching programs or to hear about corporate workshops I am offering around this question.
02:15 Letting go of needing answers in recovery from addiction
- My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/
- Release Mates' website: https://www.releasemates.org/ - David's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-dunn-3b307387/ | |||
| 19 Dec 2023 | What is a Good Life? #49 - Creating More Headspace with Dean Boland | 00:58:43 | |
On the 49th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce Dean Boland as our guest. Dean is a Co-Founder and CEO of PolkaStays, a property developer, investor, and serviced accommodation consultant. In this episode, Dean shares his experience of the toll that several of his corporate jobs were having on his well-being before stepping into something new. We discuss what kept him in the same loop of doing something he knew wasn’t good for him. We explore our desire to do what’s “normal” and the role societal expectations play in our lives. Additionally, we delve into the importance of self-reflection and therapy in creating more headspace, as well as spending more time on things that bring us more fulfillment. We both reflect on narratives we have sold ourselves, the pain that can be perpetuated when we don’t explore it ourselves, and the role of hope and the people around us in creating welcome change. I assume Dean’s experience in the corporate world will resonate with many, and while this isn’t a prescription for anyone else’s life, his journey of creating more time for reflection and inquiry, as well as the consequent changes in his life, will give you plenty to contemplate. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for clips and shorts. Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free consultation (30 minutes) for one-on-one coaching programs or to hear about corporate workshops I am offering for more authentic communication and connection. Running Order: 02:35 Why do we keep doing things that don’t make us happy? 07:05 What kept Dean stuck in a loop of work he didn’t like? 11:20 The importance of continuously checking in with ourselves 16:35 Creating the space to reflect 22:16 Finding a sense of fulfilment 28:20 The feeling of emptiness or a weight on our souls 33:35 Opening up to therapy 37:35 Realising what you are repressing and holding 42:35 Perpetuating pain / importance of self-work 47:35 Seeing the impact of personal change 53:45 Summary of the conversation 56:00 What is a good life for Dean?
- For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos - My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/ - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/ - Dean's website: https://www.polkastays.net/ - Dean's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dean-boland-polkastays/ | |||
| 14 Nov 2023 | What is a Good Life? #44 - Living A Connected Life with Danielle Donnelly Smyth | 01:04:24 | |
On the 44th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to welcome Danielle Donnelly Smyth as our guest. Danielle is an astrologer, yoga and meditation guide, energy healing practitioner and teacher, and served as one of my early guides in exploring spirituality. In this episode, Danielle shares her journey of living a connected life—whether it’s bridging her dreaming and waking worlds, the conscious with the sub-conscious, or connecting and navigating enlightened moments and the mundane aspects of life. She also discusses the importance of cultivating consciousness within her life, while acknowledging the challenges and struggles that may entail. Our conversation delves into spiritual and existential meanderings, exploring questions about the purpose of existence, acceptance within not finding answers, the role of suffering in awakening, the sense of separation presently in the world, and the significance of astrology in mapping and making sense of her own interpretation of life. If you’re eager to explore consciousness and ponder the meaning of existence without being explicitly provided with answers, this conversation is for you. While the breadth of topics, tools, and experiences covered will offer you ample material for contemplation on how you can interpret existence and your own good life. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for clips and shorts. Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free consultation (30 minutes) for one-on-one coaching programs or to hear about corporate workshops I am offering around this question. Running Order: 03:46 What is the purpose of experiencing life? 06:41 Weaving and connecting experiences and poles 12:46 Finding acceptance within the questioning 18:11 Fractals of consciousness finding ourselves 25:10 The role of suffering in our awakening 35:48 An introduction to Astrology 50:47 Facing challenges to express more consciousness 59:44 Summary of key themes in the conversation 1:01:46 What is a good life for Danielle? For further content and information check out the following: - For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos - My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/ - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/ - Danielle's Website: https://12thspace.com/ - Danielle's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/12thspace/ | |||
| 20 Feb 2024 | What is a Good Life? #58 - Exploring Soul with Dan Lawrence and Johann Botha | 01:07:15 | |
On the 58th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guests, Dan Lawrence and Johann Botha. Dan is a Jungian Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist and a Social Dreaming Consultant, a former derivatives trader, and a lifelong practitioner of Zen and contemplative traditions. Johann is managing director of GSA Mindworks, a company cultivating a personal, participatory and measured approach to human integrity. A former, filmmaker, storyteller with an enlivening interest in human character. I asked both of them to join me because all three of us have been exploring a sense of soul more closely recently, and I wanted to share those musings with you all to see if these types of conversations resonate with or add to your own explorations in life. In this conversation, we explore what the soul means to us, where we get glimpses or senses of soul in our lives, and how the soul can move or call us to action. We talk about the significance of the soul regarding how we engage and participate in life, our relationships with others, and our work, as well as the places and spaces around us. We also explore how experiences of dread can lead to both a feeling of soullessness and a lack of presence, and how we can cultivate space and awareness for more connection with the soul. If you feel like your existence is lacking soul, whether that is in your work, relationships, or with a sense of mystery, this episode will give you plenty to contemplate, as well as images and metaphors for re-invoking more soul in your life. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for clips and shorts. Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free consultation (30 minutes) for one-on-one coaching programs or to hear about corporate workshops I am offering around this question. Running Order: 03:30 What is Soul? For further content and information check out the following: - For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos - My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/ - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/ - Dan's Website: https://www.theunthoughtknown.com/ - Dan's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-lawrence-1537271b/?originalSubdomain=uk - Johann's company: https://gsamindworks.com/ - Johann's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jlbotha/ | |||
| 17 Sep 2024 | What is a Good Life? #88 - Playing With The Edges Of Growth with Derek Sivers | 01:22:48 | |
On the 88th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Derek Sivers. Derek is an author of philosophy and entrepreneurship, known for his surprising, quotable insights and pithy, succinct writing style. Formerly a musician, programmer, TED speaker, and circus clown, he sold his first company for $22 million and gave all the money to charity. Derek is the author of Useful Not True, How to Live, Hell Yeah or No, Your Music and People, and Anything You Want. All his books, latest projects, and musings can be found on his website: https://sive.rs/ In this insightful and engaging conversation, Derek takes us on a journey through his experiences as a musician, philosopher, circus performer, entrepreneur, and author. A journey spanning several continents that embraces, lets go of, and challenges multiple perspectives, and is underpinned by considerable explorations of growth, curiosity, joy, and play. If you feel stuck in your way of thinking, stagnant in your current life, or tired of your perspectives, not only will Derek’s life serve as an incredible inspiration, but his thoughts and ideas may guide you to places you never imagined. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for full interviews and clips. For further content and information check out the following: Derek's website / books: https://sive.rs/
Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life if you'd like to further explore your own lines of self-inquiry or create experiences that lead to more connecting and genuine conversations amongst groups of people or you'd like to join my weekly silent conversation groups.
10:10 What could be the benefit of any situation 13:30 Navigating emotion and choices 17:50 Exploring the edges of growth 23:20 Leaving the old for the new 28:10 What is the growth choice? 33:10 Exploration, play, and growth 38:40 The greatest joy in life 44:10 The motivation for the writing 47:40 Not being attached to one perspective 50:40 Realising ideas into existence 53:40 Celebrating our work 59:40 The moment of release 1:02:40 Giving 100% of proceeds to others 1:07:40 Justifying our own actions 1:12:40 The multiplicity of life 1:19:55 What is a good life for Derek? | |||
| 23 Jan 2024 | What is a Good Life? #54 - Exploring Our Conditioning with Gab Ciminelli | 01:05:42 | |
On the 54th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Gab Ciminelli. Gab is the Founder of the Silent Leadership Institute in Japan, author of Nothing Changes the World: Excerpts and Insights on the Art of Nothing, and speaker on The Art of Nothing. In this illuminating discussion, we explore our capacity not to learn from our mistakes and how we get swept away by our conditioning - be it our upbringing, education, culture, etc. We share our experiences of re-sensitising ourselves to the human beings we naturally are, through silence, space, reflection, and nature, and the experiences of suffering that prompted a departure from the status quo. We delve into navigating our wider sense of disconnection and separation, transcending our ideas of identity and our fixation on measurement and labels, to an awareness of what is, and how we could step into the unknown. This whole conversation with Gab is a breath of fresh air. His open-heartedness and willingness to explore embody much of what he is pointing towards in this conversation. If you are in need of looking at your life and world with a fresh set of eyes, this conversation will give you multiple pointers as to how you can start. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for clips and shorts. Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free consultation (30 minutes) for one-on-one coaching programs or to hear about corporate workshops I am offering around this question. Running Order: 02:57 Why don’t we change or learn from our past?
- For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos - My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/ - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/ - Gab's Website: https://art-of-nothing.com/ - Gab's Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CBKPZV3H?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420 - Gab's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrieleciminelli/ | |||
| 17 Oct 2023 | What is a Good Life? #40 - Congruence With Yourself with Ladybird Morgan | 00:52:59 | |
On the 40th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to welcome Ladybird Morgan as our guest. Ladybird is a Palliative Care Consultant at MettleHealth and a Co-Founder and Advisory Board Member at Humane Prison Hospice Project. With over 20 years of experience as a registered nurse, clinical social worker, and educator, Ladybird brings a wealth of wisdom and insight to this conversation. In this episode, we delve into the concepts of personal evolution and growth, explore the broader perspective beyond immediate pain, as well as embracing our interconnectedness and shared humanity. We consistently touch on the theme of personal congruence, discussing the importance of integrity and continuous self-reflection and inquiry. Ladybird also shares her insights on keeping our hearts open in moments of hurt or pain, and finding peace in embracing life's mysteries and uncertainties. If you find yourself struggling to align with or connect with who you are, this episode offers plenty to contemplate. Ladybird is a rare individual in her commitment to walking her talk, and her unwavering accountability serves as significant inspiration for fostering greater personal congruence and authenticity in your own life. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for clips and shorts. Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free 30 minute consultation for one-on-one coaching programs or to hear about corporate workshops I am offering around this question. Running Order: 02:27 How do we evolve? 06:12 Fixation on fixing without knowing or listening 10:02 When wound becomes a distraction from the wider picture 13:42 How together we can see things holistically 19:14 What does personally evolving mean? 22:08 More comfort in the existential realms 25:59 How Ladybird can work with grief in so many areas? 28:28 Can we stop trying to make sense of it all? 31:49 The importance of following your own orientation 39:37 Surrendering the grasp 45:38 Keeping our hearts open 50:35 What is a good life for Ladybird?
- For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos - My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/ - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/ - Ladybird's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ladybird-morgan-76b25368/ - Website: https://humaneprisonhospiceproject.org/ | |||
| 21 Feb 2023 | What is a Good Life? #6 - Building an expedition mindset with Paul Gleeson | 01:11:33 | |
On the sixth episode of the “What is a Good Life?” podcast, I am joined by Paul Gleeson.
In his lifetime, Paul has rowed across the Atlantic Ocean, cycled across Australia, rowed the Northwest passage in Canada, participated in an expedition to the Artic, amongst many more adventures.
00:00 Introduction 01:35 Podcast begins 03:37 First inspiration for adventure 05:37 Are we getting too comfortable? 10:13 Satisfaction in discomfort 13:00 Motivation for cycling across Australia 15:57 Getting knocked down 20:47 What you running from? 23:12 3 lessons from cycling across Australia 26:17 Getting knocked down a second time 30:17 The importance of nature 36:02 Two lessons from preparing to row across an ocean 42:32 The motivation for rowing across the Atlantic Ocean 45:32 Handling uncertainty and risk 48:47 Fearing for his life crossing the ocean 51:42 Seeing land for the first time in 85 days 56:17 embracing Family after crossing the ocean 59:47 Reconnecting with something primal 1:02:17 Tips for finding your own expedition 1:05:37 What is a good life for Paul?
- For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos - My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/ - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/ - Paul's Website: https://www.turasconsulting.com/ - Paul's Twitter: https://twitter.com/paultgleeson Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel for daily clips and weekly reflections. | |||
| 11 Feb 2025 | What is a Good Life? #109 - Awakening to a Life of Meaning with Fabrice Desmarescaux | 01:06:28 | |
On the 109th episode of What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Fabrice Desmarescaux. Fabrice is a seasoned partner at McKinsey & Company, on a transformative journey of leadership evolution. With a rich background in integrating Eastern spiritual traditions into Western management, Fabrice works closely with CEOs and teams to elevate performance and consciousness. In a world grappling with complexity, his approach focuses on fundamental human elements—happiness, connection, and purpose. He is the author of The Art of Retreats, a guide for expanding consciousness through short personal retreats, which introduces a groundbreaking approach for business leaders facing the challenges of a fragmented, high-pressure, and complex world. In this insightful conversation, Fabrice shares his journey of self-discovery and reinvention, exploring the evolving questions of meaning, purpose, and fulfilment as we move through life. He reflects on the shift from success to significance, the contrast between commitment and drifting, and the challenges of control and acceptance in our careers. He discusses integrating spirituality into his professional life, emphasising that finding purpose is an experiential journey rather than an intellectual one.
For further content and information check out the following: - For the What is a Good Life? podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life if you'd like to explore your own lines of self-inquiry through 1-on-1 coaching, take part in my 5-week Silent Conversation group courses, discuss experiences I create to stimulate greater trust, communication, and connection, amongst your leadership teams, or you simply want to get in touch. 00:00 Navigating the Second Half of Life 06:06 The Shift from Success to Significance 09:13 Wisdom and Perspective in Aging 12:01 Control and Acceptance in Professional Life 15:01 Awakening to Meaning and Fulfilment 17:58 The Process of Reinvention 20:50 Navigating Change and Loss 23:53 The Importance of Reflection and Processing 26:54 Spiritual Exploration and Personal Growth 34:39 The Journey of Self-Discovery 37:27 Integrating Spirituality into Professional Life 39:58 The Importance of Purpose and Meaning 42:11 Commitment vs. Drifting in Life 48:20 Finding Purpose Through Experience 01:02:31 What is a good life for Fabrice? | |||
| 04 Jun 2024 | What is a Good Life? #73 - Embracing The Flow Of Life with Sunil Malhotra | 01:05:48 | |
On the 73rd episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Sunil Malhotra. Sunil weaves together Vedic wisdom with the innovations of tomorrow. To unravel the mysteries of the human experience, he stands at the intersection of spirituality, technology, and design. Sunil's latest book, YOGAi: Interplays of Yoga and Artificial Intelligence, demystifies both 'technologies' in a bid to connect them in the context of the exponential times we are witnessing. He is also the founder of Ideafarms, a Design-in-Tech advisory and consulting firm. In this illuminating conversation, Sunil shares his experience of letting go of questions and answers in his life, and feeling and experiencing a much wider sense of life, a letting go of control and consequently a flow to it has emerged he had not previously known existed. He explains how through his latest book he forged profound connections with some of the most esteemed minds in spirituality and science, including luminaries such as Dr. Karan Singh, Ervin Laszlo, and Satish Kumar. While we also discuss the capacity to look at life with fresh eyes, think for ourselves, and recognise how everything around us is communicating with us.
Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for clips and shorts. For further content and information check out the following: Sunil's company website: http://www.ideafarms.com - For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free consultation (30 minutes) for one-on-one coaching programs, executive team coaching programs to build trust and connection amongst executive teams or silent retreats for executive teams. Running Order: 09:55 Looking at life with fresh eyes 14:45 We don’t often think for ourselves 19:10 Realising that everything is communicating with us 24:50 The desire to explore Yoga more fully 30:20 The relationship between science and yoga 35:30 The difference between knowledge and knowing 42:20 Forging bonds with esteemed minds 48:10 The loosening of thinking and a growing awareness 58:20 The intention behind the book 1:02:50 What is a good life for Sunil? | |||
| 10 Oct 2023 | What is a Good Life? #39 - Listening To Life's Feedback with Aidan McCullen | 00:59:40 | |
On the 39th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to have Aidan McCullen as our guest. Aidan is the host of the Innovation Show podcast and the author of the book "Undisruptable." He is also a transformational consultant, leading workshops and giving keynote speeches, an adjunct professor at Trinity College, Dublin, and was previously a professional rugby player. In this episode, Aidan shares his journey of transitions and transformations, both in his professional evolution from rugby player to author, podcast host, and consultant, and in his philosophical shifts, encompassing various outlooks and profound learnings. We delve into his perspectives and experiences of overcoming setbacks, cultivating resilience, developing empathy for the diverse ways in which we experience the world, and nurturing the ability to respond thoughtfully rather than reacting impulsively. Throughout our conversation, Aidan highlights the significance of paying attention and listening to the signs and feedback life is sending us. Whether you find yourself navigating one of life's troughs or are feeling apprehensive about the next steps on your journey, this episode offers a wealth of perspectives and inspiration for contemplation. While Aidan's unique blend of theory and metaphor, infused with personal realisations and experiences, makes his thoughtful insights highly relatable and applicable to your own life. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for shorter clips and reflections. Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free 30 minute consultation for one-on-one coaching programs or to hear about corporate workshops I am offering around this question. Running Order: 02:18 What am I here to do? 06:33 Your why needs to be bigger than your try 09:23 Philosophical perspective on life 14:01 The belief doing good yields good outcomes 17:01 Interpreting setbacks differently 23:44 We all experience the world differently 28:38 Paying attention to the feedback life is giving us 33:32 How do we react to life’s suffering 36:28 The space to create choice 40:14 Making big realisations in life 48:11 The importance of having experience as well as theory and frameworks 50:56 Listening to life’s feedback 53:53 Summary of points in the conversation 55:58 What is a good life for Aidan? For further content and information check out the following: - For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos - My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/ - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/ - Aidan's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aidanmccullen/ - Aidan's podcast and website: https://theinnovationshow.io/ | |||
| 02 Jan 2024 | What is a Good Life? #51 - Space For The Unknown with Richard Merrick | 01:03:09 | |
On the 51st episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce Richard Merrick as our guest. Richard is a writer, who after decades of working inside the walls of convention, writes about the journey from working for others to finding our own path outside those walls, and supports small groups as they make theirs by walking with them. In this conversation, we explore the conditions that Richard incorporates into conversation groups to heighten connection, authenticity, an engagement with the unknown, and what is. We delve into the importance of letting go of being right, not having set objectives and agendas, disengaging to reengage, and turning up as who we are. We discuss the value of engaging with the unknown for building trust, our ability to make discoveries, for making real human connection, and for the melting of the old to form the new. We also explore the role the artisan plays in ushering in the new. For this project or otherwise, Richard is one of the wisest people I’ve talked to, typified by consistently reading 3 books a week for 50 years and his continued willingness to engage with not knowing in various aspects of life. There is so much to take from this episode regarding how you engage with other people, yourself, and life itself, and it may considerably alter your perspective on how you approach your various relationships, be it at work or in your personal life.
Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free consultation (30 minutes) for one-on-one coaching programs or to hear about corporate workshops I am offering around this question. Running Order: 02:41 Sacred spaces for us to share our perspective and experiences in groups 10:26 The formation of conversation groups in lockdown 14:31 Being performative creates boundaries between us 18:41 Conversations that leave you energised and play 22:16 Taking time to disengage to reengage 27:31 Fear of the unknown, rigidly following plans 32:58 How did Richard begin to engage with the unknown? 36:28 The freedom of being ourselves 40:46 Empty spaces and the potential of creation and connection 43:16 Not focussing on outcomes 47:42 Artisans at the centre of epochal change and disruption 52:14 The importance of accepting & acknowledging what is 58:26 What is a good life for Richard? For further content and information check out the following: - For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos - My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/ - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/ - Richard's website: https://www.richardmerrick.co.uk/ - Richard's newsletter: https://www.newartisans.net/ | |||
| 08 Aug 2023 | What is a Good Life? #30 - Stepping Into The Unknown with Lin Cassie Zhen | 00:52:59 | |
On the 30th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I'm excited to be joined by Lin Cassie Zhen. Cassie is a friend of mine who took a leap of faith and quit her job as a Design Lead in Tech, without establishing what was coming next, to create space for what would unfold organically. She’s currently writing a book as well as producing a podcast (Being Awareness - https://lnkd.in/e2t-3FxG) on the topic of mindfulness and inner transmutation. In this episode, Cassie shares her evolution from a relentless pursuit of productivity and life hacks to a deeper exploration of mindfulness and connection, and the shift from trying to control life to placing trust in herself and embracing the unknown. We delve into her methods for developing greater courage and trust, which led her to quit her previous role even without a firm next step. Additionally, we discuss the profound influence nature has had on helping her feel more connected to the world around her. If you are feeling stuck in life, if repeatedly leaning into productivity is not creating the life you want, if you’re feeling disconnected from yourself and not knowing what you want in life, this episode will provide you with plenty to contemplate and inspiration for stepping into the unknown. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for daily clips and reflections. Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free 30 minute consultation for one-on-one coaching programs or to hear about corporate workshops I am offering around this question.
01:40 Podcast begins 02:15 What is my purpose? 05:15 A divide between the external persona and inner world 11:42 Giving more space for creativity and being 17:35 Taking a leap of faith / leaving old job 20:40 Exploring Fear and the Unknown 24:48 Letting go of roles and a sense of belonging 29:20 Getting used to freedom 31:36 Developing trust in oneself, life, and the world around us 33:44 Flow in creativity 39:05 Internal connection leading to connection with nature and outer world 48:40 Summary of conversation’s key points For further content and information check out the following:
- Being Awareness Podcast: https://lnkd.in/e2t-3FxG | |||
| 13 Jun 2023 | What is a Good Life? #22 - Other Ways Of Existing with Craig Slee | 01:04:50 | |
On the 22nd episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am joined by Craig Slee, who is a disabled writer, consultant, and theorist dealing with mythology, magic, culture, and exploring life through the lens of landscape, disability, and fugitive embodiments. He has contributed essays and poetry focusing on the numinous and disability to various anthologies and has also co-facilitated seminar series at the Dresden Academy for Fine Arts, including one on Ableism and the Arts in 2022. In this episode, Craig takes us on a journey from burning out from trying to be “normal,” living with a life-long disability, exploring other ways of being and existing, developing a deeper awareness regarding the subtleties of life, pain, and suffering, and ultimately to discovering vitality and aliveness in living his own good life. There is plenty to take from this episode in terms of guiding you to pay attention, developing a more subtle awareness, and the significance in our inquiries of sensing the world without labelling it, and what all this may lead to in terms of finding other ways of existing.
Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free 30 minute consultation for one-on-one coaching programs or to hear about corporate workshops I am offering around this question. Running Order: 02:00 What is going on that we don’t notice? 03:34 Burning out striving for "normal" 07:37 What we don’t notice outside of the “norm” 12:58 Cultivating a deeper awareness of pain / Sensing not interpreting or labelling the world 17:40 Subtleties in awareness alters relationship with pain 21:19 When the general narrative of illness and recovery doesn’t apply 26:57 Disability doesn’t have to be suffering 32:59 Exploring other ways of existing and consciousness 38:49 What is truly internal and external? 41:09 The role of magic / “the occult” - the hidden experience of knowing 47:55 There are multiple ways of knowing and experiencing the world 50:20 Burning out with trying to be normal 54:59 Shifting experiences and behaviours with self-investigation 57:55 Vitality, aliveness, and not knowing 1:01:22 What is a good life for Craig?
- For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos - My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/ - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/ | |||
| 18 Jun 2024 | What is a Good Life? #75 - Knowing Your Worth with Michael Bungay Stanier | 00:54:37 | |
On the 75th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Michael Bungay Stanier. Michael is best known for his book The Coaching Habit, which has sold over a million copies. His most recent book, How to Work with (Almost) Anyone, shows how to create psychological safety by building the Best Possible Relationship with key people at work. He founded Box of Crayons, a learning and development company that has trained hundreds of thousands of managers to be more coach-like. He was a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University and recently won the coaching award from Thinkers50. In this insightful conversation, Michael shares the origin and meaning of his big goal of infecting a billion people with the possibility virus and the significance of feeling deeply defeated by ever greater things. He notes the importance of sharing the spotlight with others, maintaining humility while knowing what we are good at, and amplifying that. Throughout this conversation, he highlights the inherent value and worth of us all as human beings and his desire to embolden people by making them more aware of this truth.
Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for clips and shorts. For further content and information check out the following: Michael's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelbungaystanier/ Michael's website: https://www.mbs.works/
Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life if you'd like to further explore your own lines of self-inquiry or create experiences that lead to more connecting and genuine conversations amongst groups of people. Running Order: 03:02 Wrestling with angels 08:41 Infecting a billion people with the possibility virus 12:07 Allowing others to take the spot light 15:42 Humility in success and our strengths 18:45 You’re awesome and you’re doing great 23:17 An awareness of the bigger picture and paradox 31:22 Engaging with emotions and men’s work 34:37 Having a healthy relationship with failure 38:07 Reflections on authenticity and amplifying your difference 47:37 The gift of feeling worthy 51:37 What is a good life for Michael? | |||
| 07 Nov 2023 | What is a Good Life? #43 - Reclaiming Who You Are with Pat Divilly | 01:00:21 | |
On the 43rd episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to welcome Pat Divilly as our guest. Pat is the host of the hugely popular Pat Divilly Podcast, the author of the #1 bestseller 'Fit Mind', and frequently delivers workshops, online programmes, and retreats designed to support emotional healing, connection, and authentic living. In this episode, we discuss Pat’s journey of reclaiming who he is and his transitions from the health and fitness industry towards spirituality, shadow work, emotional healing, and connection. We explore how to recognise who we are and what we need to express, allowing room for experimentation and play in our lives, embracing the messiness of transitions, accepting what is in our shadows, and engaging with the dozens of sub-personalities that exist within us. If you are feeling that the life you are living is not your own, and there is a yearning for something new in your life, this episode, along with Pat’s transparency, example, and guidance, will give you plenty to consider in recognising who you are and what your next steps can be. Running Order: 01:58 Reclaiming who am I? 07:03 The emergence of a spiritual path from self-improvement 13:18 Finding balance with the shadow, spirituality, and life 19:08 Allowing room for experimenting in life 23:28 The messiness of transitions 25:13 Responding to who am I and expressing it 31:08 Recognising our personal needs and where we get energised 38:18 Engaging with sub-personalities and resistance 47:55 Accepting what’s in our shadow 54:15 Summarising key themes from the discussion 58:33 What is a good life for Pat?
- For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos - My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/ - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/ - Pat's website: https://www.patdivilly.com/ | |||
| 14 May 2024 | What is a Good Life? #70 - Building & Supporting Community with Holly Penalver | 00:58:06 | |
On the 70th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Holly Penalver. Holly is the founder of Indigo Volunteers, a remarkable charity that has made a significant impact on the lives of tens of thousands of refugees. By placing thousands of volunteers with grassroots partners, Indigo provides essential aid, healthcare, education, skills workshops, and vital services to refugees along the European migratory route. Having spent years in the field, working hands-on in places like Greece, Serbia, and Bosnia, she now works for the disaster relief charity ShelterBox as their Volunteer Development Manager. In this conversation, Holly takes us on her journey of supporting and building community, inspired by the support she felt at home, to setting up Indigo Volunteers. She talks about the significance of both being willing to accept and give help, the importance of forgiving ourselves, letting go of right and wrong, the realisation that multiple things can be true at the same time, and how we are not as important as we think. Which can all help release us to do more good in the world. Throughout this conversation, it's clear that Holly is someone who takes action when she notices something missing that could support the community. Whether it's within our communities or even in our own personal lives where we observe a lack of necessary action, there is much inspiration to draw from her energy and the perspectives shared in this episode.
For further content and information check out the following: - Indigo Volunteers: https://www.indigovolunteers.org/ - For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free consultation (30 minutes) for one-on-one coaching programs, executive team coaching programs to build trust and connection amongst executive teams or silent retreats for executive teams. Running Order: 07:50 The importance of accepting help 12:25 Connection of upbringing and self-worth 18:10 The significance of forgiving ourselves 21:58 We are not as important as we think 25:38 Letting go of black and white thinking 30:01 Realising we all hold different perceptions 33:45 Being aware of what others need 39:45 The joy of feeling connected with community 43:25 Inspiration for establishing a charity 47:10 Empathy and desire to help others 51:45 Balancing family and helping others 54:55 What is a good life for Holly? | |||
| 11 Jul 2023 | What is a Good Life? #26 - Comfort In My Own Skin with Angela Kirwin | 01:02:24 | |
On the 26th episode of the "What is a Good Life?" podcast, I am joined by Angela Kirwin, who is a Writer, Speaker, Campaigner, former Social Care Worker, and author of the acclaimed book "Criminal: How Our Prisons Are Failing Us All" In this episode, Angela shares with us her journey towards experiencing greater comfort in her own skin. From mainly focussing on hitting big goals to observing what actually makes her feel content (community and a common purpose), and from realising it was less about changing herself but returning to who she was. We discuss her process of observing, understanding, and accepting her experience with ADHD through therapy, as well as the life lessons around vulnerability and authenticity she witnessed from men’s groups she facilitated in prison. While she also highlights the importance of appreciating the nuance and complexity of others in order to afford ourselves more compassion. If you are presently being hard on yourself, experiencing negative self-talk, or you feel like you are on a constant treadmill to earn your own self-acceptance, this episode will give you plenty to contemplate, as well as providing a number of paths and perspectives to cultivate greater empathy for yourself. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for daily clips and reflections. Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free 30 minute consultation for one-on-one coaching programs or to hear about corporate workshops I am offering around this question. Running Order: 01:38 Podcast begins 02:13 How does change happen, societally, culturally, and individually? 05:10 Comfort in my own skin
17:23 Change or returning to who you were? 22:06 Inspiration from vulnerability of men in prison 29:52 Lack of honesty with ourselves and others
39:38 Inspiration for writing books
For further content and information check out the following: - For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos - My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/ - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/ - Angela's newsletter and podcast: https://hyperactiveliving.substack.com/ - Angela's book: https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Angela-Kirwin/dp/1398705837 | |||
| 12 Mar 2024 | What is a Good Life? #61 - Befriending What Is Here with Duncan Moss | 00:55:23 | |
On the 61st episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Duncan Moss. Duncan is a Clinical Psychologist, and Honorary Research Fellow at Plymouth University, whose approach draws from long-standing psychological perspectives and also from the methods of meditation and the traditions of contemplation and awareness. He has been a student in the Tibetan Tradition for many years. Simply put, this was the exact type of conversation I was hoping to capture when starting this podcast project. Duncan has a wonderful mix of wisdom, experience, and humility to explore what is here now for him while sharing valuable insights from his own research and personal inquiries. This entire conversation is a beautiful exploration of the disturbances we can feel in life, accepting their inevitable appearances, befriending what is here right now, and a nod to the correlation between slowing down and experiencing kindness towards ourselves. We discuss Duncan’s present explorations into the work of Eckhart Tolle and our resistance to suffering, letting go, and surrendering. We also explore themes like our ‘monkey minds,’ suffering as a teacher, and the timelessness of the present moment. If you are presently suffering from any discontent in your life, this episode will be highly illuminating and soothing to listen along to. It won’t magically fix whatever you are perceiving, but perhaps it will give you space to observe and accept it and befriend whatever experience you are presently going through. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for clips and shorts. Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free consultation (30 minutes) for one-on-one coaching around your own self-inquiry or to hear about executive team coaching experiences I am offering to build trust, communication, and connection amongst leadership teams. Running Order: 02:49 Why am I suffering right now? 07:19 The resistance to letting go of suffering 11:19 What does surrendering entail? 16:19 The helpfulness of uncomfortable teachings 20:54 The surprising effect of rest after trying so hard 24:54 Befriending ourselves and grandmotherly energy 29:04 Suffering is our greatest teacher 35:04 Compassion for ourselves is always there 38:49 A stepping into timelessness 45:04 Contemplating mortality and absurdity of life 52:09 What is a good life for Duncan?
- For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos - My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/ - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/ | |||
| 23 May 2023 | What is a Good Life? #19 - Is It All A Dream? with Dan Lawrence | 01:10:05 | |
On the 19th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast I am joined by Dan Lawrence, who is Head of Consultancy at Dallington Associates, a Jungian Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist, and a Social Dreaming Consultant. In this episode Dan takes us on a journey from questioning where thoughts come from as a child, to his investigations and work around dreams and social dreaming. While he also shares what he has learnt from his Zen practice, silent meditation retreats, mat surfing, and his recent intensive care unit experience in Malaysia.
Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free 30 minute consultation for one-on-one coaching programs or to hear about corporate workshops I am offering around this question.
01:40 Podcast begins 02:00 where do thoughts come from?
- For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos - My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/ - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/ - Dan's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-lawrence-1537271b/ - Dan's company website: https://www.theunthoughtknown.com/ | |||
| 12 Nov 2024 | What is a Good Life? #96 - The Call Of Creativity with John Oliver | 01:18:27 | |
On the 96th episode of What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, John Oliver. John is an artist and sense-making facilitator, exploring multidisciplinary practices based on complexity principles and narrative frameworks. Since 2020, he has developed an artistic practice that integrates the arts with complexity principles, working in portraiture film, and experimental installations. Certified in developmental psychology coaching and co-founder of Human-Equity Ltd, he specialised in qualitative metrics for organisational development and human insights in investment portfolio management. Previously, John managed technology transfer projects in Nepal and Ghana for the NGO Intermediate Technology Development Group, spent 15 years in strategy consulting, and was an early team member at the French start-up OneAccess. He holds a BEng from Brunel University and an MBA from EDHEC in France. In this expansive conversation, John shares his journey towards greater creativity and his explorations of self and no-self. We discuss sense-making through dialectics, revelations through creativity, and the concept of positive disintegration. We also delve into the dissonance experienced during transitions, with John sharing his insights on the arts as a spiritual practice. If you are currently navigating, or contemplating, major or minor life transitions, this conversation offers many valuable insights and themes that are worthy of your contemplation. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for full interviews and clips. For further content and information check out the following: John's experimental art: www.tyler.world
Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life if you'd like to explore your own lines of self-inquiry through 1-on-1 coaching, take part in my weekly free silent conversations, discuss experiences I create to stimulate greater trust, communication, and connection, amongst your leadership teams, or you simply want to get in touch. 00:00 Introduction 07:50 Sense making through dialectics 12:10 Revelations through creativity 19:05 Positive disintegration 24:55 New paths and intergenerational influence 29:10 Sense of self and connection to collective 33:40 Navigating the dissonance between transitions 39:20 Realisation through suffering or awareness? 48:20 Integrating the whole 53:20 Silence and being enough 58:20 The arts as a spiritual practice 1:04:05 The Soul and the Spirit 1:10:35 Sexuality as a spiritual practice 1:14:00 What is a good life for John? | |||
| 16 Apr 2024 | What is a Good Life? #66 - A Life Led With Soul with Thomas Moore | 01:04:25 | |
On the 66th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Thomas Moore. Thomas is the author of the #1 New York Times Best Seller, Care of the Soul. Since then, he has written thirty books on matters of soul and spirit. His most recent book is The Eloquence of Silence. He lectures in many parts of the world and is also a psychotherapist influenced mainly by C. G. Jung and James Hillman, his close friend for four decades. He has won many awards, including an honorary doctorate from Lesley University and the 2003 Humanitarian Award from Einstein Medical School. In this episode, Thomas shares his journey from spending 13 years studying to be a priest, to being a lecturer and professor before becoming a psychotherapist and a prolific and bestselling author. At each moment he made a significant life change, he felt fully led by his daemon (an inner, guiding spirit or urge) to help him make considerable decisions with unwavering conviction. Throughout this conversation, Thomas shares many important insights and anecdotes for living a more connected and aligned life with our inner wisdom and soul. There is so much to glean from this episode regarding how we live our lives, how we make significant decisions, embrace pivotal moments, and perhaps it suggests a life philosophy that could steer you away from trying to figure out every conceivable scenario before committing to your next major change. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for clips and shorts. For further content and information check out the following: - Thomas' latest book: The Eloquence of Silence
Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free consultation (30 minutes) for one-on-one coaching programs, leadership coaching programs to build trust and connection amongst executive teams or silent retreats for executive teams. Running Order: 09:50 A feeling of certainty beyond our logic 14:52 Practicing engagement with our daemon 19:57 Seeing life more poetically 25:42 Thomas’ friendship with Hillman 28:39 Leaving life as a lecturer 32:02 Starting life as a therapist and writer 35:05 Experiencing the success of Care of the Soul 38:57 The influence of Samuel Beckett and silence 43:47 The role of image in a life of soul 48:47 Humour and not holding it all too tightly 53:02 The lack of emptiness in our society 58:13 What is a good life for Thomas? | |||
| 29 Oct 2024 | What is a Good Life? #94 - Listening To The Story Of My Soul with Jennifer Murphy | 00:58:41 | |
On the 94th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Jennifer Murphy. Jennifer is an Irish mythologist, anthropologist, creativity mentor, and the founder of The Celtic Creatives. A Dubliner born and bred, from the time she could talk, Jennifer's grandmother, Frances O'Sullivan, filled her ears with tales from Irish myth and folklore, fuelling a now 40-year fascination with the stories of her lineage. Jennifer's apprenticeship in following her soul’s breadcrumbs over the past twenty years has guided her work and formal studies in Medieval Irish and Celtic Studies, Sociocultural Anthropology, Creativity and Innovation, and Jungian Psychology and Art Therapy. She supports creatives from diverse fields to (re)connect with the mythopoetic imagination of Ireland, using ancient wisdom to inform modern creativity through myth, dreamwork, imagination, and the body. She is currently writing a book on what Irish mythology can teach us about our creativity. In this glorious conversation, Jennifer shares her journey of listening to her soul’s story—a path which has revealed her Dán (soul’s gift) and includes balancing the masculine and feminine, Sus and Imbas—the scientific and divine inspiration—exploring dreams, other worlds, and Irish mythology, and imbuing everything around us with life. This whole episode may offer you many new lines of inquiry, as well as ways of perceiving this world, which may be integral to experiencing your own good life. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for full interviews and clips. For further content and information check out the following: Jen's Website: https://www.celticcreatives.com/ Jen's Substack: https://celticcreatives.substack.com/ Jen's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/celticembodiment/
Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life if you'd like to explore your own lines of self-inquiry through 1-on-1 coaching, take part in my weekly free silent conversations, discuss experiences I create to stimulate greater trust, communication, and connection, amongst your leadership teams, or you simply want to get in touch. 00:00 Introduction 09:48 Taking up the path of the soul 15:00 Wisdom: Sus and Imbas 20:00 Balancing masculine and feminine energy 23:30 Exploring the masculine & unconscious 27:30 Mythology - exploring the story of the soul 30:30 Exploring dreams & other worlds 33:30 The land is alive with soul 35:30 Other worlds & connecting with land 39:10 Reconnecting to the divine 45:40 The Irish psyche & mythology 49:48 Connecting with the language and folklore 55:30 What is a good life for Jen? | |||
| 15 Oct 2024 | What is a Good Life? #92 - Looking Beyond The Veil with Rachel Donald | 01:03:17 | |
On the 92nd episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Rachel Donald. Rachel is the creator of Planet: Critical, the podcast and newsletter for a world in crisis with 15,000+ subscribers from 160 countries. Planet: Critical connects the dots of science, art, language, politics, media, philosophy and power to reveal the big picture. Rachel speaks internationally on this ecosystem as an independent researcher and writer. Alongside Planet: Critical, her world exclusive investigations into climate corruption have been published in The Guardian, Al Jazeera, Mongabay, The Intercept, Byline Times and the New Republic. In this wonderful conversation, Rachel takes us on her journey of looking beyond the veil, as for her, the world never seemed the way people said it was. She shares her experiences of questioning what is real and true, letting go of certainty, becoming more aware of and focused on the relationships between everything, and the joy that comes from doing work you love that serves others. She also explores finding ways to engage with the world while staying true to your own nature.
Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for full interviews and clips. For further content and information check out the following: Rachel's Website: www.planetcritical.com
Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life if you'd like to explore your own lines of self-inquiry through 1-on-1 coaching, take part in my weekly free silent conversations, discuss experiences I create to stimulate greater trust, communication, and connection, amongst your leadership teams, or you simply want to get in touch. 00:00 Introduction | |||
| 19 Nov 2024 | What is a Good Life? #97 - Rekindling Our Wild Nature with Diarmuid Lyng | 01:10:32 | |
On the 97th episode of What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Diarmuid Lyng. Diarmuid is co-owner of Wild Irish Retreats and Nature of Man. He is a former Wexford hurling captain and a host on Newstalk's flagship sports programme 'Off the Ball'. With Wild Irish Retreats he is part of a team that is focused on the rejuvenation of the Irish language in relation to nature reconnection. With Nature of Man he runs retreats and online programmes with men that creates a space for them to do their own internal spiritual work. He also takes teams/groups of all kinds to the woods for overnight camps that focus on connection; to self, teammate and place. In this enlivening conversation, Diarmuid shares with us his unfolding path of purpose. We explore experiences of being truly listened to, of generosity of spirit, receiving love and developing self-acceptance. All throughout the conversation Diarmuid is pointing to a greater connection with the moment, people, and nature, and we note the significance of consciously leaving space for more aliveness and wildness in our lives. This whole conversation is a wonderful invitation to reconnect with ourselves, nature, and the living, breathing, pulsing experience of life. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for full interviews and clips. For further content and information check out the following: - For the What is a Good Life? podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life if you'd like to explore your own lines of self-inquiry through 1-on-1 coaching, take part in my weekly free silent conversations, discuss experiences I create to stimulate greater trust, communication, and connection, amongst your leadership teams, or you simply want to get in touch. 00:00 Introduction 06:38 The weaving together of purpose 15:15 The power of listening on our speaking 19:45 The generosity of spirit 27:25 Welcoming everything that happens 29:45 Experiencing love and self-acceptance 33:15 Engaging with the world, aliveness, and nature 40:15 Affirmations and feedback on our path 44:08 The difference of ceremony and ritual 50:15 The power and support of the group 55:05 The work of John Moriarty 1:02:45 Engaging our wildness consciously 1:06:19 What is a good life for Diarmuid? | |||
| 06 Aug 2024 | What is a Good Life? #82 - Exploring True Health with Parneet Pal | 01:00:10 | |
On the 82nd episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Parneet Pal, MBBS, MS. Parneet is a Harvard- and Columbia-trained physician-educator who teaches skills and communicates ideas that advance personal, workplace, and planetary health. She is the founder of Systematically Well Advisory Inc., where she applies her expertise to enhance health and performance and their impact on business leadership. Her goal is to make you fall in love with your biology so that it works for you, your work, and the planet. She works with business teams and global organisations to address workplace stress, burnout, loneliness, and sustainability. Parneet speaks at global conferences such as Web Summit and TED Countdown and guest lectures at several universities, including Harvard, Stanford, and Columbia. She has been a TEDMED scholar, a Harvard Business Review contributor, and has been featured on the cover of Mindful magazine. In this enlightening conversation, Parneet shares her explorations around what true health is, moving away from siloed approaches to well-being to consider social, economic, ecological, and environmental factors. She shares remarkable insights from what our biology suggests a good life is, as well as major realisations she has made in her own life in relation to nature, community, mindfulness, and compassion.
Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for clips and shorts. For further content and information check out the following: Parneet's Website: https://www.parneetpal.com/ Parneet's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/parneetpal/ IG: @pal.parneet X: @parneet_pal
Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life if you'd like to further explore your own lines of self-inquiry or create experiences that lead to more connecting and genuine conversations amongst groups of people. 00:01 Introduction 05:37 What makes the cells in my body sing 09:57 The connection between health and sustainability 16:47 The impact of meaning and connection on our health 24:02 Recognising the body as part of nature 29:28 Stepping away from clinical practice 34:07 The importance of embodying compassion 40:57 Appreciating the significance of community 49:12 Breathing in the world and the miracle of life 54:07 What is a good life for Parneet? | |||
| 05 Nov 2024 | What is a Good Life? #95 - Fully Embodying Your Life with Madelaine Ley | 01:01:50 | |
On the 95th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Madelaine Ley. Madelaine is a philosopher, spiritual ecologist, and contemplative artist. Her varied work includes lecturing at Delft University of Technology and Lassonde Engineering School in Canada on digital citizenship, responsible AI, intersectional approaches to tech, and robot-ethics; hosting Sacred Sessions, non-religious gatherings that blend philosophy, art, science, contemplative practice and collective reflection; writing and podcasting for Beauty in the Mire; and experimenting with contemplative art. She was named one of the “100 Brilliant Women in AI Ethics” by Lighthouse3 in 2022 and has been featured by the BBC, Leidsch Dagblad, Yes! Magazine, and Life Itself, as well as funded by The European Pavilion, Horizon 2020 and the Social Science Research Council of Canada. In this glorious conversation, Madelaine shares how she is deepening her awareness of her embodied experience of life. We discuss how the birth of her daughter revealed an inner bravery, while also exploring the importance of embracing grief, along with the profound grounding and lessons she received from her spiritual mentor in embodying agenda-free presence and resisting the urge to fix or give advice. This whole conversation is a wonderful invitation to pay attention to your felt experience of life and to recognise the wisdom our bodies can offer. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for full interviews and clips. For further content and information check out the following: Madelaine's Website: https://www.madelaineley.com/
Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life if you'd like to explore your own lines of self-inquiry through 1-on-1 coaching, take part in my weekly free silent conversations, discuss experiences I create to stimulate greater trust, communication, and connection, amongst your leadership teams, or you simply want to get in touch. 00:00 Introduction 08:10 Breakthroughs from motherhood and meltdowns 13:50 The significance of breakdowns and ruptures 16:35 Listening to energies that visit our bodies 22:08 The value of an awareness of death 27:05 The importance of embracing grief 32:20 Agenda free presence 37:55 The influence of a spiritual mentor 42:12 What is beyond measurement 45:07 The experience of silence 49:20 The feeling of bravery from childbirth 56:50 What is a good life for Madelaine? | |||
| 25 Apr 2023 | What is a Good Life? #15 - Letting Go of Attachments with Benjamin Western | 01:05:37 | |
On the 15th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast I am joined by Benjamin Western, who is the Founder at The Shining Light Project, a trustee at Hope & Aid Direct, and Head of Sustainability at LRQA. This episode is different from the others, as this is more a conversation than an interview, and we are focussing on the teachings of Anthony De Mello. Anthony De Mello was an Indian Jesuit priest and psychotherapist. A spiritual teacher and author of several spiritual books, two of which, Awareness and The Way to Love, have had a huge impact on both mine and Benjamin's lives. In this episode we explore and reflect on the core teachings of De Mello, essentially that our attachments in life are making us suffer. We explore where we as humans are most attached, to possessions, caring what people think of us, achievement, habits, our beliefs, and our proclivity to chase thrills and excitement rather than what brings us real happiness. I loved discussing these themes with Benjamin, who is a wise and thoughtful soul, and it will give you plenty to contemplate in terms of your present attachments in life. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for daily clips and weekly reflections. Running Order: 01:34 Podcast begins 02:09 Discovering the work of Anthony De Mello
For further content and information check out the following: - For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos - My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/ - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/ - Benjamin's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminwestern/ | |||
| 20 Aug 2024 | What is a Good Life? #84 - Engaging The Heart's Wisdom with Wakanyi Hoffman | 01:01:35 | |
On the 84th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Wakanyi Hoffman. Wakanyi is an artist of life who paints the shades of each day as a storyteller, author, keynote speaker specialising in Ubuntu philosophy, scholar of indigenous knowledge, and narrative weaver of wisdom in AI. Wakanyi is an Indigenous Knowledge Curator for ServiceSpace AI, a Research Fellow at The New Institute in Hamburg, and the author of Sala, Mountain Warrior. She sits on several boards, including the Kenya Education Fund, and her mission is to help co-create a world founded on continuous, naturally occurring, systemic intellectual and emotional progress that is in harmony with all other forms of emerging intelligence. In this enlivening episode, Wakanyi considers what it would take to reconnect with ancient wisdom while living in a modern world. She shares Ubuntu values of survival, solidarity, respect, compassion, and dignity—dignity for human life and all of life. She explores the hospicing of the systems we presently live in and what has inhibited us from engaging with the wisdom of the heart. We also discuss resisting the urge to interfere with a natural process and the relief and joy of not being in control. If you are struggling to integrate more wisdom into your life, if you feel you are holding on too tightly to the way things are, even when you realise they are no longer serving you, this episode will give you plenty of space, fresh air, and optimism to consider our next evolutions as people and as a society. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for clips and shorts. For further content and information check out the following: Wakanyi's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wakanyi-hoffman-77a9671a4/ Wakanyi's website: https://www.wakanyihoffman.com/ - For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life if you'd like to further explore your own lines of self-inquiry or create experiences that lead to more connecting and genuine conversations amongst groups of people. 00:00 Introduction 07:30 Merging Wisdom with Modernity 11:00 The illusion of mutual exclusivity of experiences 17:42 Honouring our material and immaterial experiences 22:45 Ubuntu values 33:00 Creating spaces to allow our values to emerge 37:45 Growing out of old cocoons 42:50 Lessons from the do-nothing farmer 47:05 Lessons from observing a child’s development 51:20 The humility and awe of the human experience 57:44 What is a good life for Wakanyi? | |||
| 28 Mar 2023 | What is a Good Life? #11 - Being Wisdom with Darragh Power | 01:02:48 | |
On the eleventh episode of the “What is a Good Life?” podcast, I am joined by Darragh Power, who is researching and writing a book on wisdom. If you are feeling stuck, are being too hard on yourself, and are in need of some inspiration and tools to progress, this episode will be for you.
While Darragh has a wonderfully grounded and practical wisdom to listen along to, where he is as likely to draw from Shakespeare or Socrates in one sentence, as he is from his Granny or a friend in the next. Darragh is a lifelong learner, having completed 3 Masters to date, he lectures part-time at DCU, and is a Senior Director at SAP, in learning design and coaching roles. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for daily clips and weekly reflections. Running Order: 01:36 What is a wise being? 07:21 Observing wisdom in the everyday 09:09 Asking questions to unlock your motivation/potential/future 12:51 Engaging with the unknown 16:11 Finding balance between your soul and your responsibility 21:11 Deficiency in our senses and education 26:11 Feeling alive 29:11 The Universal nature of aliveness and wisdom 30:41 Grounded wisdom 35:21 Seeing the opportunity in adversity 39:16 Seeing ourselves as enough 43:11 Being ok with your thinking and its fluctuations 47:41 The peace of the present moment 49:41 Getting ok with the mind’s fluctuations 52:31 Compassion for ourselves and others 54:51 Everyone is wise 1:01:31 What is a good life for Darragh? For further content and information check out the following: - For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos - My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/ - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/ - Darragh's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darraghpower/ | |||
| 11 Mar 2025 | What is a Good Life? #113 - Attentiveness: The Key To Living Fully with Minna Salami | 01:01:22 | |
On the 113th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Minna Salami. Minna is an author and social critic, and currently senior fellow and research chair at The New Institute. She is the author of Sensuous Knowledge and Can Feminism Be African?, and her work appears in the Guardian, Project Syndicate, Al Jazeera, and other outlets. In this incredibly captivating conversation, Minna shares her sense of living an extraordinary life, emphasising the importance of attentiveness and curiosity. We explore childhood and mystical experiences and their impact on her understanding of life. This conversation is an invitation to notice, to really pay attention to life, and to live your own full expression of life. For more of Minna's work, check out the following:
- For the What is a Good Life? podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos
01:25 Living An Extraordinary Life 04:21 Attentiveness and Curiosity 07:32 Childhood Reflections and Early Experiences 10:22 The Nature of Mystical Experiences 13:21 Appreciating Life's Continuity 19:15 Reflections on near-death experiences 26:00 A Groundedness of Being 29:10 The Range of Human Experience 32:10 The Intersection of Spiritual and Political Journeys 37:43 Navigating Obstacles: The Tension of Growth 41:10 Embracing Paradox: Grace and Anger 48:55 Spirituality and Feminism: A Symbiotic Relationship 58:10 What is a Good Life for Minna? | |||
| 05 Sep 2023 | What is a Good Life? #34 - Exploring New Ways Of Relating with Pablo Escorcia | 00:58:44 | |
On the 34th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I'm delighted to be joined by Pablo Escorcia. Pablo is a Berlin based entrepreneur, Biodanza teacher, Yogi, consultant, and Co-Founder of Purpose+Motion - a group serving others to live out their purpose and provoking change filled with meaning. In this episode, Pablo shares with us elements of his journey of searching for his own path through integrating the practical world of business, ancient wisdom, and the integral world of yoga and dance. We discuss Pablo’s current explorations of open loving relationships and what he has learned from past relationships too, the significance of owning and communicating our humanity, the fundamental importance of trust in personal and business relationships, and the role that Biodanza plays in both remembering what it is to be human and exploring new ways of relating to one another. If you are struggling to understand and express your needs in relationships, if you want to enhance the level of trust and number of courageous conversations in your life, or you’re seeking new modalities to help you reimagine a different future, this episode will give you plenty to contemplate. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for shorter clips and reflections. Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free 30 minute consultation for one-on-one coaching programs or to hear about corporate workshops I am offering around this question.
02:15 Exploring different forms of loving relationships?
For further content and information check out the following:
- My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/
- Pablo's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pablo-escorcia-b782728a/ - Purpose+Motion website: https://purposeandmotion.com/ | |||
| 18 Feb 2025 | What is a Good Life? #110 - Unlocking The Power Of Intuition with Paul Davis | 00:59:20 | |
On the 110th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Paul Davis. Paul is an award-winning business growth consultant and speaker, a three-time best-selling author, an intuitive business mentor, and a recognised thought leader. He combines his innate intuitive gifts and years of business growth experience to help guide clients to greater results. In this conversation, Paul shares his lifelong quest to understand what keeps him wanting to live life and how he has navigated through various philosophies and methodologies to find his purpose. We explore his realisation of his intuitive abilities, the significance of our intentions, discovering our soul contracts, and the importance of being your genius you. Paul has a fascinating story and this whole episode is a wonderful invitation to rekindle the power of our intuition. For further content and information check out the following: Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life if you'd like to explore your own lines of self-inquiry through 1-on-1 coaching, take part in my 5-week Silent Conversation group courses, discuss experiences I create to stimulate greater trust, communication, and connection, amongst your leadership teams, or you simply want to get in touch. - For the What is a Good Life? podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos 00:00 Introduction 10:41 The Journey of Self-Discovery and Intuition 19:47 Understanding Intuition and Its Impact 31:39 Connecting with the Super Conscious 32:08 The Concept of Super-Consciousness 33:04 Personal Journey to God 37:07 Experiencing Unconditional Love 39:03 Partnership with the Divine 42:13 Understanding Time and Destiny 45:48 Exploring Soul Contracts 52:59 Transitioning from Accountant to Intuitive Consultant 57:20 What is a Good Life for Paul? | |||
| 19 Sep 2023 | What is a Good Life? #36 - Engaging With Society with Dr. Susie Orbach | 00:28:57 | |
On the 36th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I'm delighted to be joined by Dr. Susie Orbach. Susie is an acclaimed psychoanalyst, psychotherapist, prolific writer, best-selling author, and social critic. She is also the co-founder of The Women’s Therapy Centre in London and The Women’s Therapy Center Institute in New York City. Additionally, she is the recipient of the first Lifetime Achievement Award for Psychoanalysis given by the British Psychoanalytical Society. In this episode, Susie discusses engaging with and participating in society, emphasising the importance of contributing to common missions and the sense of connection and meaning it brings. We also discuss the factors contributing to the decline of these values, the shift towards competition rather than collaboration, the influence of the era she grew up in on her own social activism, as well as the importance of maintaining curiosity in relationships and life. If you are experiencing a sense of disconnection in life, with society and the world around you, or if you are feeling a little isolated in your own world, this episode will provide you with plenty to contemplate regarding the potential outcomes of shifting your focus and perspectives in life to include the collective as well as the individual. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for shorter clips and reflections. Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free 30 minute consultation for one-on-one coaching programs or to hear about corporate workshops I am offering around this question.
02:47 Grappling with the demise of civil society
For further content and information check out the following:
- My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/
- Susie Orbach's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susie-orbach-11142737/ - Susie Orbach's Twitter: @psychoanalysis | |||
| 19 Mar 2024 | What is a Good Life? #62 - Feeling A Sense Of Belonging with Julia Duthie | 01:00:26 | |
On the 62nd episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Julia Duthie. Julia is a partner at PEPCO LLP, the bestselling author of The House on Dogbone St, and the former CEO of both the Academy of Contemporary Music and The True School of Music. Simply put, I find Julia’s life story incredibly inspiring. She left home and school at the age of 16 after a troubling and challenging childhood, as we discuss in this episode. She takes us on her journey from working in vegetable market stalls for food in her teens and living in highly neglected conditions to being a managing director of an IT firm in her mid-twenties. From her experiences and realisations in therapy to opening up about her past, letting go of shame, and the death of her father sparking her own desire to connect more fully with who she really is, prompting her to accept her sexuality at the age of 50, connect with her creativity, and write a best-selling book. While she is also completely frank about what presently troubles her and where she suspects she has more to explore in terms of her childhood. This episode will offer plenty of inspiration regarding how Julia has lived such a vibrant life in the face of difficult beginnings. Her willingness to explore and be herself more fully, as well as the meaning and sense of belonging she is discovering along the way, will give you much to contemplate. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for clips and shorts. Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free consultation (30 minutes) for one-on-one coaching around your own self-inquiry or to hear about executive team coaching experiences I am offering to build trust, communication, and connection amongst leadership teams. Running Order: 03:00 What is a the real you?
- For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos - My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/ - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/ - Julia's book: on Amazon - Julia's substack: https://juliaduthie.substack.com/ - Julia's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-duthie-607b4254/ | |||
| 24 Sep 2024 | What is a Good Life? #89 - Connecting To The Web Of Life with Manda Scott | 01:21:30 | |
On the 89th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Manda Scott. Manda trained as a veterinary surgeon but is now an award-winning novelist and host of the Accidental Gods podcast. Best known for the internationally best-selling Boudica: Dreaming series, which The New York Times labelled “a masterpiece in historical fiction,” her latest novel departs from historical fiction in favour of a contemporary Thrutopian narrative, exploring the potential for a future we’d be proud to leave as our legacy. Any Human Power opens doorways we could all walk through, following routes to a paradigm shift we could make happen now. In this captivating conversation, Manda takes us on her journey of connecting to the living web of life. We explore what the web is asking of us, learning to learn through pain until we can learn through love, the joyful curiosity that arises from the heart-mind connection, dreaming awake, and the magic of co-creation that our relationships with each other can entail. She outlines the role of artists in envisioning a future that lays the foundations for a new way of being and path to follow. This entire conversation is brimming with hope, connection, curiosity, and considerable wisdom and insight from Manda. I hope it serves as a window into what is possible when we fully sense and connect with all that is around us—the living web of life. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for full interviews and clips. For further content and information check out the following: Manda's website / books: https://mandascott.co.uk/
Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life if you'd like to explore your own lines of self-inquiry, take part in my weekly free silent conversations, discuss experiences I create to stimulate greater trust, communication, and connection, amongst your teams, or you simply want to get in touch. 00:00 Introduction 04:45 Connecting with the web of life 07:55 Consciously encountering the web of life 12:15 Communicating with time and space 18:03 Learning through pain and love 22:57 Accepting, understanding and healing 26:28 The heart-mind connection 31:45 The power of joyful curiosity 37:15 Feeling the web of life 42:03 Attributing more aliveness to AI and others 45:32 Dreaming awake and the void 55:37 Responding to messages from the web of life 59:45 Inquiries into death 1:03:45 A place outside of space and time and the role of artists 1:09:16 A whole new way of being and path to take 1:18:20 What is a good life for Manda? | |||
| 07 Feb 2023 | What is a Good Life? #4 - Two Men's Tales of Therapy with Jindy Mann | 01:06:54 | |
On the fourth episode of the “What is a Good Life?” podcast, I am joined by Jindy Mann to discuss both our experiences of therapy.
Jindy is a co-Founder of Leader Brother Son, a group that works with individuals and organisations, with the goal of helping men become better and happier partners, colleagues, fathers, leaders, brothers, sons - and men. Ultimately through having more open, honest, and vulnerable, conversations and engaging with topics men don’t typically discuss. A significant departure from his past lives in Management Consultancy and Banking.
Jindy is also a good mate of mine, and we thought it would be helpful to have a conversation around our experiences with therapy, in part to break down stigma around what therapy is, how it works, what you could expect from it, and to show it’s a normal topic of conversation.
In this podcast we share what was happening in our lives that made us seek therapy, what moments instigated the process, what we wanted to explore or heal, how it started, what surprised us about it, and how our lives have changed for the better because of it. Running Order: 01:35 Podcast begins 03:10 When did Jindy start going to therapy 05:45 Why Jindy needed therapy 09:10 You seem to be carrying grief 10:00 Why Mark needed therapy 13:00 Tired of faking it (clip) 17:18 Finding a therapist 20:10 Needing someone independent and skilled 24:25 How did your therapy journey begin? 26:15 Letting go and crying 30:00 Dealing with our past and events from childhood 33:00 Using anger as a coping mechanism 35:36 Not knowing how to express feelings 37:00 Speaking in the first-person perspective 41:00 What surprised you about therapy 44:35 It felt good to cry 47:00 Stigma 50:00 How did it affect your relationships? 55:00 Is all vulnerability is good vulnerability? 58:40 Redefining old friendships 1:02:46 The biggest influence of therapy on our lives 1:05:45 What is a good life for Jindy
For further content and information check out the following: - For clips and video of the podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos - My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/ - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/ - Leader Brother Son website: https://www.leaderbrotherson.com/ - Jindy's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jindymann/ - Jindy's newsletter: https://jindymann.substack.com/ Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel for daily clips and weekly reflections.
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| 22 Oct 2024 | What is a Good Life? #93 - Building Collective Community with Kemo Camara | 01:01:06 | |
On the 93rd episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Kemo Camara. Kemo is the visionary behind Omek, a community-centric platform whose mission is to amplify the talent, voices, and energy of biculturals of African descent. A social entrepreneur, community influencer, economist, and captivating speaker, Kemo's journey has spanned continents, with impactful engagements across Africa, the United States, and Europe. He has held extensive leadership roles and responsibilities in community organisations and co-founded multiple businesses and non-profit organisations in the United States and Europe. His passion lies in activating our collective human potential, bringing people from diverse backgrounds together to work towards a common goal. In this wonderful conversation, Kemo shares his journey of building community and realising purpose in his life. He discusses the insights around community that he gained from his upbringing and family in Guinea, the values of trust, dignity, and respect that were instilled in him, and the energy we drain from ourselves by constantly having our guards up.
Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for full interviews and clips. For further content and information check out the following: Omek's Website: myomek.com
Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life if you'd like to explore your own lines of self-inquiry through 1-on-1 coaching, take part in my weekly free silent conversations, discuss experiences I create to stimulate greater trust, communication, and connection, amongst your leadership teams, or you simply want to get in touch. 00:00 Introduction 06:20 What do people in my life say about me? 10:30 What is fundamentally important 14:50 Family, elders, and respect 19:50 Giving trust and possibilities 27:20 Building community in other countries 35:00 Realising what matters most 40:50 Paying attention to the life’s feedback 44:50 Speaking to people as humans at work 47:35 The journey to building new leaders & community 54:05 Bringing all of who we are 57:05 What is a good life for Kemo? | |||
| 11 Apr 2023 | What is a Good Life? #13 - Building A Life With Compassion with David McQueen | 00:58:30 | |
On the 13th episode of the “What is a Good Life?” podcast, I am joined by David McQueen. David is an Executive Coach, a Keynote Speaker, and an executive and non-executive director for several businesses. In this episode David takes us through the role compassion plays in his life - for himself, for others, in reconnecting with nature, in building community, and in contributing to others. While we also discuss anything from the supernatural, imposter syndrome, the importance of knowing when enough is enough materially and to ultimately following your own path. This conversation resonated with me a lot, and David provides a great example of someone who is consciously carving out his own version of a good life. The episode is filled with insights and reflections that will give you plenty to ponder in terms of experiencing more compassion for yourself and those around you.
Running Order: 01:15 Podcast begins 02:18 What would it take for us to have more compassion?
- For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos - My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/ - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/ - David's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrdavidmcqueen/ - David's website: https://www.davidmcqueen.co.uk/ | |||
| 23 Apr 2024 | What is a Good Life? #67 - Celebrating All Living Life with David Haskell | 00:59:30 | |
On the 67th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, David Haskell. David is a writer and a biologist. His latest book, Sounds Wild and Broken, is a finalist for the 2023 Pulitzer Prize in Nonfiction. His previous books, The Forest Unseen and The Songs of Trees are acclaimed for their integration of science, poetry, and rich attention to the living world. Among their honours include the National Academies’ Best Book Award, John Burroughs Medal, finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, and many more. He is a Guggenheim Fellow and Professor at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. In this captivating episode, David shares his journey of celebrating all living life, experiencing life as much through his senses as possible, while becoming aware of the connections between himself and whatever he is engaging with, and the multiplicity of connections that exist behind that. Throughout this conversation, he impresses the importance of experiencing real life beyond the screens we often stare at for much of the day, and seeing life as it truly is, whether pleasant or not. He also suggests the importance of stepping out of ourselves to become more in tune with how we perceive and connect with other life forms. This episode will give you much to contemplate regarding how, where, and with what we spend our time, how we sense life, the importance of not always putting humans at the centre of the universe, and the humility and changes that can occur within us when making that shift. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for clips and shorts. For further content and information check out the following: - David's latest book: Sounds Wild and Broken
Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free consultation (30 minutes) for one-on-one coaching programs, leadership coaching programs to build trust and connection amongst executive teams or silent retreats for executive teams. Running Order: 07:40 Echoes and connections with the past and creativity 11:45 Being in touch with the real world not our screens 18:05 Anxiety levels increasing with the youth 20:20 Coming back to our senses and curiosity of connection 24:35 Ambiguity of simultaneous beauty and brokenness 29:35 The rewiring of us as we engage with nature 33:06 Resistance to the open ended nature of change 38:35 Developing empathy with our environment & other beings 42:35 Interconnection not individuality 50:15 Realising once more how essential relationships are 55:30 What is a good life for David? | |||
| 05 Mar 2024 | What is a Good Life? #60 - Healing Through Feeling with Matthew Zoltan | 01:25:44 | |
On the 60th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Matthew Zoltan. Matthew is a former monk, an author, and co-founder of Undo App - an app that helps you rediscover what makes us human through natural meditation. In this conversation, Matthew takes us on his journey from being a monk for much of his 20s before realising his practice and methods weren’t supporting him to fully engage with the felt experience of his body. That for him, certain ideologies led to disassociations from the body and its experience. He shares with us the importance of experiencing life sensorily, how one can perceive the fully felt experience of life. We also discuss the role of our mental reactions in accentuating pain, as well as the problem with starting off from the belief that we are lacking and need to improve, suggesting that you are the perfect expression of everything you have been through. Ultimately, Matthew points to the significance of exploring our pain and resolving our hurt, describing pain as aspects of ourselves we need to give attention to. If you are having trouble with accepting yourself, embracing yourself as you presently are, or engaging with your feelings, this episode will give you a lot to consider. While Matthew may confront a lot of your beliefs, he is really highlighting the importance of connecting with our felt experience. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for clips and shorts. Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free consultation (30 minutes) for one-on-one coaching programs or to hear about corporate workshops I am offering to build trust and connection amongst executive teams. Running Order: 02:45 Life provides answers not questions
- For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos - My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/ - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/ - Matthew's Website: https://mattzoltan.com/ - Matthew's Company: https://undoapp.com/ | |||
| 18 Apr 2023 | What is a Good Life? #14 - What is a Good Death? with Charlotte Wiedemann | 00:51:23 | |
On the 14th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast I am joined by Charlotte Wiedemann, who is a Journalist and a Death Doula. Through her journalism work, she is creating greater awareness of death, funeral, and grief issues, and at Ahorn Gruppe, where she currently works, she has helped to amass a following of almost 200k people on TikTok through discussing these themes. In this episode we discuss our societal difficulties in talking about death, our repression of emotions, beautiful moments within suffering, how we can support people experiencing loss, the aliveness and gratitude for life Charlotte experiences through working with the dead, and how birth, life and death are so deeply intertwined. Charlotte also shares some profound exercises and thoughts with regards contemplating death to create a better life. Paradoxically, I found this discussion around death to be extremely enlivening, and it further enhances my perspective that the more we avoid acknowledging death, the more we fear fully living. This conversation left me with A LOT to contemplate, as I’m sure it will for you too. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for daily clips and weekly reflections. Running Order: 01:23 Podcast Begins 02:16 Inquiry with death begins 04:46 Difficulties with talking about death 08:14 Repression of emotions 09:45 Picturing yourself on your own death bed 11:38 It’s ok to have regrets with the dying 16:21 Moments of beauty in sadness 20:23 You can’t fix death or make it better, just be there for people 22:55 There are many moments of loss in life 25:43 Prolonging of life 28:55 Magical moments in death 34:00 How the experience of birth led to deathcare 39:25 The effect of working with a dead body 42:07 Bringing the conservation around death to a wider audience 45:28 What is a good death? 48:42 What is a good life for Charlotte?
- For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos - My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/ - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/ - Charlotte's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-wiedemann-71614b17/ | |||
| 28 Feb 2023 | What is a Good Life? #7 - Purpose & Men's Mental Health with Alex Holmes | 01:02:16 | |
On the seventh episode of the “What is a Good Life?” podcast, I am joined by Alex Holmes, whose work focusses on the mental and emotional health of men. Alex is the Founder of The Mindful Life, an award winning Podcaster (Time to Talk with Alex Holmes, The Mindful Man), an Author, Time to Talk: How Men Think About Love, Belonging and Connection, and a Therapeutic Coach (using Bibliotherapy amongst other approaches). In this episode Alex takes us through his journey of experiencing breakdowns at work, to redefining his relationship with himself and those around him, establishing his values, to discovering his purpose in serving men’s mental health, and he brings up many of the challenges men face in addressing their mental health. Running Order:
00:00 Introduction 01:07 Podcast begins 03:22 Curiosity 06:17 Starting off in Journalism 08:07 what brought Alex to exploring men’s mental health 12:32 Life can be lonely 15:32 Experiencing breakdowns at work 17:32 Developing and understanding better relationships 21:20 The importance of developing your own values 25:11 Learning to communicate when problems arise 27:42 We need to give our relationships more attention 29:29 Alex discovers his purpose 35:07 Being in service to others 37:37 The importance of looking inwards 42:32 What stops us from looking inside? 45:07 Accessing the inner child 47:56 There is still hope 51:40 Kinkeeping 57:37 What is a good life for Alex?
- For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos - My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/ - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/ - Alex's Website: https://alexholmes.co/ - Alex's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/byalexholmes/ Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel for daily clips and weekly reflections. | |||
| 16 Jan 2024 | What is a Good Life? #53 - A Path To Conscious Parenting with Yvonne Smyth | 01:03:54 | |
On the 53rd episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Yvonne Smyth. Yvonne calls herself a Conscious Parenting Adventure Guide, and she's on a mission to change the world by bringing intention to how we love our children. She's launching a course and community in February, This Is How We Change The World, that you can access through this instagram link. In this conversation, Yvonne takes us on her journey from her own frustrations with her experiences as a parent to exploring the unconscious and developing her own model for what’s important in her life: tending to herself, embodying love, and impacting the world through conscious parenting. We touch on many important themes, from exploring the unconscious and the beliefs and stories we tell ourselves based on the behaviour of a child, to interpreting all behaviour as communication, enabling children to fulfil their own blueprint, along with the significance of giving them our time, attention, and presence. While acknowledging our humanity and flaws, we explore the process of rupture and repair within our relationships, the significance of heartfelt apologies, and the importance of empathising with children while taking accountability for our actions. Culminating in a beautiful realisation that conscious parenting is more about growing ourselves up than our children. If you are presently struggling with parenting or other close relationships, this episode will touch on a substantial number of themes that may be ripe for you to explore. Yvonne’s insights and very relatable experiences will help guide you towards the potential of better parenting and relating generally with others in your life. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for clips and shorts. Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free consultation (30 minutes) for one-on-one coaching programs or to hear about corporate workshops I am offering around this question. Running Order: 03:30 How do I tend to myself, embody love, and change the world?
- For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos - My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/ - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/ - Yvonne's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisparentingadventure/ - Yvonne's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yvonne-smyth-009645a/ | |||
| 28 May 2024 | What is a Good Life? #72 - Feeling True To Who I Am with Reuben Christian | 00:57:49 | |
On the 72nd episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Reuben Christian. Reuben is an award-winning edutainer: a cocktail of event host, motivational speaker, facilitator, TV presenter and comedian. He's the founder and facilitator of Dream Rehab: a live show and curriculum that harnesses the power of community to help people achieve their personal goals. He co-hosts the award winning (GQ & Esquire) What Is This Behaviour podcast, and his work is all about inspiring new possibilities by creating uplifting spaces for people to connect, collaborate, and grow. In this beautiful episode, Reuben shares his journey of feeling true to himself. Whether it’s paying attention to what brings fun to his life, embracing responsibility, exploring and excavating through therapy, or following what makes him feel alive and aligned in his work, Reuben highlights several important areas for us to consider in feeling true to ourselves. We also explore our experiences with engaging more with our emotions and feeling more of life. If your life has lost a sense of feeling, engagement with emotion, fun and experimentation, or a sense that it truly is your life, this conversation will provide many themes and areas to explore further. While Reuben’s openness and willingness to explore and experiment will offer much inspiration on your own path. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for clips and shorts. For further content and information check out the following: Dream Rehab Website: https://www.dreamrehab.co.uk/ - For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free consultation (30 minutes) for one-on-one coaching programs, executive team coaching programs to build trust and connection amongst executive teams or silent retreats for executive teams. Running Order: | |||
| 14 Mar 2023 | What is a Good Life? #9 - Expressing and Being Yourself with Jonny Camara | 00:57:36 | |
On the ninth episode of the “What is a Good Life?” podcast, I am joined by Jonny Camara. In this episode Jonny takes us through his journey of growing up in Belfast to an Irish mother and a Senegalese father, from repressing parts of himself to reclaiming them, from pain and suffering to creativity and connection, and ultimately to finding the trust and courage to being himself and understanding what he wants, and what matters, in life.
Running Order: 01:40 How do I use all of my talents? 05:25 Suffering leading to play & creativity 08:20 Allowing our complexity to emerge 10:10 Journaling 13:05 The need for self-expression 15:40 Growing up in a predominantly white environment 19:45 Seeking belonging 26:10 What stories do we attach to our difference? 30:10 Deconstructing the lens through which we view life 33:10 Turning pain into expression 37:25 The pain of facing racism 41:02 Stories to connect our humanity 45:42 Reclaiming oneself 48:30 Letting go & self-compassion 50:32 “I hope you never find out who you are” 53:38 What is a good life for Jonny?
- For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos - My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/ - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/ - Jonny's Website: https://www.jonnycamara.com/ - Jonny's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonny--camara/ Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel for daily clips and weekly reflections. | |||
| 01 Aug 2023 | What is a Good Life? #29 - The Freedom To Be You with Cortney McDermott | 01:07:51 | |
On the 29th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I'm excited to have Cortney McDermott, a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and strategist for Fortune 500 executives and creative entrepreneurs, joining me as a guest. Cortney takes us on a profound exploration of true freedom and the liberating act of being yourself. She shares her personal journey, which was spurred by a sense of emptiness following her successes as an executive, that led her to discover what truly needed to be explored and expressed in her life. Throughout the episode, Cortney reveals her personal processes that guided her back into her body and feelings, shifting her focus from external seeking to realising that everything she needed was already within her grasp. We delve into the immense energy that arises from aligning with one's essence and the importance of expanding our sense of trust in life. While Cortney also emphasises the significance of neither rejecting one's ego nor emotions, or blindly following ready-made prescriptions for life.
If you enjoy this conversation, the digital version of Cortney’s latest best-selling book, Give Yourself Permission, is discounted here (https://amzn.to/3Oe5oxO) for the next week! Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for daily clips and reflections. Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free 30 minute consultation for one-on-one coaching programs or to hear about corporate workshops I am offering around this question.
41:23 Expanding your trust
For further content and information check out the following:
- Cortney's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cortneymcdermott/ - Cortney's Book: https://amzn.to/3Oe5oxO | |||
| 25 Jul 2023 | What is a Good Life? #28 - Creating A New Narrative with Guido Palazzo | 00:54:28 | |
On the 28th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I have the pleasure of being joined by Guido Palazzo, a professor of business ethics at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland. Guido delves into the intriguing topic of why good people sometimes make questionable choices, exploring the dark side of human behaviour. Throughout the episode, Guido sheds light on the factors contributing to ethical lapses of individuals within organisations, as well as the catalysts that can lead individuals to adopt more ethical behaviours. We also explore the crucial need for deeper connections to foster harmonious relationships with ourselves and the world around us.
Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free 30 minute consultation for one-on-one coaching programs or to hear about corporate workshops I am offering around this question. Running Order:
For further content and information check out the following: - For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos - My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/ - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/ - Guido's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guidopalazzo-/ - Guido's website: https://guidopalazzo.com/ | |||
| 30 Jan 2024 | What is a Good Life? #55 - Finding Inner Stillness with Lauri Poldre | 00:52:50 | |
On the 55th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Lauri Poldre. Lauri is an advisor, mentor, and artist, helping people regain clarity and inner peace through sound, meditation, and nature immersion. In 2015, he quit his job to travel for 2 years and study meditation, sound healing, and mindfulness. Since then, he has performed at events and released recordings that have been streamed over 1 million times. In this episode, Lauri shares with us his journey from suffering to seeking to experiencing inner stillness—where we can be at peace with our own unfolding, and where the answers to our many questions naturally emerge without our interference. We explore the distinction between experiencing emotions and identifying with them, the considerable importance of asking questions—particularly ones we can’t presently answer—and the great benefits of resting in stillness and what can emerge from the silence. Whether it is an awareness of what is, an alignment with our true nature, letting go of obsessions with upgrading ourselves, a connection with nature and its abundance, or its impact on our creativity and how we live our lives—there is so much to take from this episode, especially for those of us toiling with our self-development and spiritual paths, suspecting we are fundamentally missing something. The stillness and silence that Lauri points to may offer considerable help. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for clips and shorts. Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free consultation (30 minutes) for one-on-one coaching programs or to hear about corporate workshops I am offering around this question. Running Order: 02:44 How to find inner stillness
- For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos - My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/ - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/ - Lauri's Website: https://lauripoldre.com/ - Larui's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauri.poldre/ | |||
| 04 Jul 2023 | What is a Good Life? #25 - Mountains And Valleys with Jamie Crawford | 00:54:41 | |
On the 25th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am joined by Jamie Crawford, a former CEO and leader of multiple media brands in Ireland who was diagnosed with MS at 32. After his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer, together they created The Good Glow, a wellness company, with a hugely popular podcast and number one best selling book, Glow, to inspire people to live fulfilled and healthier lives. In this episode, Jamie takes us through discovering he had MS and what he felt contributed to this diagnosis. He also shares the series of adversities he faced in only a few years after the MS diagnosis, losing his father to cancer, and his wife being diagnosed with breast cancer several months after giving birth. We explore our sometimes unhealthy capacity to compartmentalise our struggles and how it generally exacerbates our problems. While Jaime shares how he is grateful for his experiences and what they have taught him in terms of resilience, the changes he has made to his life, and for ultimately becoming more aware of what matters most to him in life - moments & time with his family and helping others. Whether you are struggling with something presently in your life, facing adversity, or are finding it difficult to share your problems with others, this episode will provide you with plenty of inspiration, encouragement, and new perspectives, while providing numerous reminders of what truly matters in life. Jamie’s story is a great example of the obstacle becoming the way. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for daily clips and reflections. Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free 30 minute consultation for one-on-one coaching programs or to hear about corporate workshops I am offering around this question. Running Order: 01:50 Podcast begins 02:35 How can I help? 05:55 Life is a series of mountains and valleys 09:05 Developing resilience 11:10 Stress and MS 13:15 The source of ambition 15:43 Early signs of MS 21:40 Denial and doubling down on effort 25:35 Compartmentalising our problems 32:00 Opening up about vulnerabilities and MS 38:37 Self-discovery, curiosity and nature 41:40 Being a father and the simple things 45:26 Turning focus to helping others 51:05 What is a good life for Jamie? For further content and information check out the following: - For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos - My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/ - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/ - Jaime's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-crawford-ba2b3b5/ - The Good Glow website: https://www.thegoodglow.ie/ | |||
| 03 Dec 2024 | What is a Good Life? #99 - Helping Spirit Flow with Darcia Narvaez | 01:05:01 | |
On the 99th episode of What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Darcia Narvaez. Darcia is Professor Emerita of Psychology at the University of Notre Dame, and Fellow of the American Psychological Association, American Educational Research Association, Association for Psychological Science, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. She uses an interdisciplinary approach to studying evolved morality, child development and human flourishing. Her most recent books include Restoring the Kinship Worldview, and The Evolved Nest: Nature’s Way of Raising Children and Creating Connected Communities. Her book, Neurobiology and the Development of Human Morality: Evolution, Culture and Wisdom won the 2015 William James Book Award from the American Psychological Association and the 2017 Expanded Reason Award. Her recent short films are Breaking the Cycle, The Evolved Nest, and Reimagining Humanity. She hosts the webpage EvolvedNest.org and serves as president of KindredWorld.org. In this enlightening conversation, Darcia shares her journey to creating The Evolved Nest, a concept that integrates insights from child development, parenting, and adult behaviour. We discuss reconnecting with our natural rhythms, engaging with the world around us, fostering welcoming social environments, embracing play, and allowing the spirit of both children and adults to flow freely. This conversation is a wonderful invitation to reconnect with our primal wisdom, reflect on how we disconnect from it, and learn how to create the nurturing environments we need to thrive.
- For the What is a Good Life? podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life if you'd like to explore your own lines of self-inquiry through 1-on-1 coaching, take part in my weekly free silent conversations, discuss experiences I create to stimulate greater trust, communication, and connection, amongst your leadership teams, or you simply want to get in touch. 00:00 Introduction 03:11 What is wrong with the world? 07:51 The path to The Evolved Nest 10:26 Soothing Perinatal Experiences 12:41 Disconnecting from our natural rhythms 16:41 The wonder of nature and breastfeeding 21:51 A welcoming social climate 26:10 Embracing joy and wise teachers 30:11 Play and experimenting 33:11 Wisdom and wildness 37:13 Punishment and connection to spirit 40:11 Minimising babies’ needs and work 46:31 The need for multiple nurturers and mentors 48:51 Nature and immersion with landscape 55:13 Restorative healing practices 1:01:49 What is a good life for Darcia? | |||
| 18 Mar 2025 | What is a Good Life? #114 - The Essence Of Freedom by Andrew Alexander | 01:09:32 | |
On the 114th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Andrew Alexander. Andrew is a husband, father, and grandfather, as well as a teacher, educator, and writer. Writing about intergenerational relationships in learning and the significance of education in a time of uncertainty. For nearly forty years he worked with students in independent, informal, progressive/alternative schools, including Brockwood Park School - founded by the educator and philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti. In this insightful conversation, we delve into the nuanced nature of freedom, exploring its relationship with responsibility and the importance of mutual respect. We discuss how societal narratives often distort the understanding of freedom, leading to an illusion of individualism that neglects the interconnectedness of human relationships. This conversation is an invitation to reconsider what we think about freedom, a theme deeply connected to our sense of a good life. For more of Andrew's work, check out the following:
- For the What is a Good Life? podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos 00:00 Introduction 01:30 How have we not learned? 06:20 Questioning our ideas of freedom 12:10 Limitations with individualised ideas of freedom 18:20 Freedom and responsibility 23:20 A deeper sense of freedom 30:45 Why is freedom important? 36:31 Freedom and our interconnectivity 44:00 The trap of creating an image of ourselves 48:30 The relationship between freedom and fear 56:30 Attention, time, and freedom 1:04:48 Recap and what is a good life for Andrew? | |||
| 26 Sep 2023 | What is a Good Life? #37 - Exploring Before Psychology with Piers Thurston | 00:58:11 | |
On the 37th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to have Piers Thurston as our guest. Piers is the founder of Quality of Mind, where he explores profound realisations that precede psychology, leading to transformative shifts in psychology. In this episode, Piers takes us on his journey, from exploring counselling, NLP, and other modalities to direct path non-duality. We also discuss the challenges often faced in personal development rooted in self-identification, breaking free from our addiction to focussing on our psychology, transcending the confines of the mind while fully embracing our emotions, and ultimately, discovering a sense of oneness and ease that can be experienced in life when we let go of our attachment to the separate self. If you’re frustrated with your personal development endeavours or you find yourself clinging too tightly to your self-identity, at the cost of more fully connecting with others and life itself, this episode offers plenty of food for thought. It articulates or points to a oneness that you've perhaps long suspected, but resisted embracing, that can have a profound effect on how you perceive life. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for shorter clips and reflections. Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free 30 minute consultation for one-on-one coaching programs or to hear about corporate workshops I am offering around this question. Running Order: 02:14 What makes people tick? 07:02 The space before psychology 10:22 Realising there is something more 14:19 Personal development is predicated on a self identification 18:22 The pursuit of oneness through various modalities 21:52 Getting over our attachment to our self 24:36 Going beyond the mind 30:39 Embracing emotions and the human experience 36:39 Not taking conflict so personally 42:36 Not resisting what is 56:14 What is a good life for Piers? For further content and information check out the following: - For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos - My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/ - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/ - Piers' LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/piersthurston/ - Piers' website: www.qualityofmind.biz | |||
| 06 Feb 2024 | What is a Good Life? #56 - Living An Enchanted Life with Dr. Simon Western | 00:48:54 | |
On the 56th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Dr. Simon Western. Simon is the author of "Leadership: a Critical Text," Founder of both the Eco-Leadership Institute and Analytic-Network Coaching, and the host of the Edgy Ideas podcast. Simon brings a vast breadth of experience with him having previous roles as a general nurse, psychiatric nurse, family therapist, and psychotherapist. In this episode, Simon shares his journey with his lifelong question, "What is a good life?" From prioritising freedom to exploring other cultures, politics, and music as a teenager, to traveling widely and wandering the deserts, and being with his melancholy, he discusses the profound influence connecting with his sadness and grief has had on his life and career. We question the influence of modernity and our need to label, measure, and put everything in boxes on the quality of our relationships, our sense of dislocation, and separation from each other and the natural world. Finally, we consider how we might re-enchant our culture once more, whether that is connecting to the soul, reengaging with mystery, or creating more awareness of our interconnections and dependencies. If you are feeling a sense of dislocation in your life or are struggling to feel a sense of aliveness and connection to the world around you, Simon’s experiences in life will give you so much to contemplate as well as inspiration to explore areas of life you may well be neglecting. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for clips and shorts. Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free consultation (30 minutes) for one-on-one coaching programs or to hear about corporate workshops I am offering around this question. Running Order: 01:25 How can I get more freedom? For further content and information check out the following: - For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos - My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/ - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/ - Simon's Website: https://www.ecoleadershipinstitute.org/simon-western - Simon's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-simon-western-1055b86/ | |||
| 27 Feb 2024 | What is a Good Life? #59 - Following Your Own Nature with Julie Zickefoose | 01:00:37 | |
On the 59th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Julie Zickefoose. Julie is a writer and artist who illustrates her own books (Saving Jemima, Baby Birds, The Bluebird Effect). She is an Advising Editor for BWD Magazine and a naturalist at home in the Appalachian foothills of Ohio, where every day she roams the 80-acre wildlife sanctuary she lives on—a wellspring for her writing and art. Her contribution to a beautiful movie I watched, In Pursuit of Silence, utterly captivated me, so I was thrilled to have the chance to talk. In this enlivening conversation, Julie shares her journey from just about making ends meet to becoming an author and illustrator living on her own sanctuary. She imparts important lessons along the way, such as gratitude for life, borne out of her observations of the hardship of nature and from the deaths of her father and her husband. We explore the emotional relationships she has cultivated with the birds she has rehabilitated, as well as the importance of relationships with animals in realising more connection in our lives. She also touches on the significance of silence, solitude, and unstructured time and space for her creative process and for following her own nature. This entire conversation was good for my soul; it is inspiring to be in the company of someone who so fully follows and embraces their own nature with such conviction. This episode will reinforce gratitude for simply existing and surviving, and open you up to possibilities for more love and connection in our lives, whether with other animals or humans, as well as what can happen if you simply trust your own nature. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for clips and shorts. Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free consultation (30 minutes) for one-on-one coaching programs or to hear about corporate workshops I am offering to build trust and connection amongst executives. Running Order: 03:40 Seeking silence and allowing serendipity
- For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos - My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/ - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/ - Julie's Website: https://www.juliezickefoose.com/ - Julie's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliezickefoose/ | |||
| 03 Oct 2023 | What is a Good Life? #38 - Breath, Death & Spirit with Anthea Grimason | 01:03:58 | |
On the 38th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to have Anthea Grimason as our guest. Anthea is a Death Doula, Reiki Master, Certified Yoga & Breath Teacher, as well as a Psychedelic Guide, focusing on the research and healing impact psychedelics are having on people at all stages of life, including facing death. In this episode, Anthea shares with us her journey of studying various philosophies and practicing numerous spiritual methods across several continents. We discuss how losing her mother at a young age, as well as her studies of Eastern Philosophies, has made her more comfortable with death throughout her life and guided her toward her present work. Anthea also delves into a number of her profound experiences of working with the dying as well as significant moments from her own life when she felt connected with spirit and guided by a deeper intuition.
If you're taking life for granted and going through the motions, or you're feeling disconnected from yourself and your intuition, this episode will give you plenty to contemplate and provides numerous perspectives, anecdotes, and methods for you to consider. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for shorter clips and reflections. Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free 30 minute consultation for one-on-one coaching programs or to hear about corporate workshops I am offering around this question. Running Order: 02:25 Would I be ready to die tomorrow? 06:32 Getting comfortable with death 09:24 Experiences at the end of life 13:00 Immense energy at the end of life 17:10 Huge shifts with Yoga, Reiki and Meditation 20:50 Thoughts on where we go after death 23:49 Why are we here? 25:45 The path to being a death doula 33:10 Being guided by intuition, cultivating intuition 35:40 The importance of spiritual health not only emotional, physical, and mental health 42:08 Psychedelics and death 50:09 The importance of inner-work around psychedelics 59:19 Summary of the conversation 1:00:04 What is a good life for Anthea?
- For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos - My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/ - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/ - Anthea's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthea-grimason-390b6125/ - Anthea's website: http://www.lifedeathbreath.com/ | |||
| 21 Jan 2025 | What is a Good Life? #106 - Exploring Meaning In The Universe with Mona Sobhani, Ph.D. | 01:08:09 | |
On the 106th episode of What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Mona Sobhani, Ph.D. Mona is a cognitive neuroscientist, author, and entrepreneur. A former research scientist at the University of Southern California (USC), she holds a doctorate in neuroscience from USC and completed a post-doctoral fellowship at Vanderbilt University. She is the author of the Ommie 2022 Best Spiritual Book Proof of Spiritual Phenomena: A Neuroscientist’s Discovery of the Ineffable Mysteries of the Universe, which is also a recipient of the 2023 Scientific and Medical Network Book Prize. In her newsletter, Cosmos, Coffee, & Consciousness, she writes about science & spirituality, altered states of consciousness, emergent phenomena, and self-transformation. She is co-founder of The Phoenix Era, a multidisciplinary coaching practice for those seeking deeper meaning and connection. She is also co-founder of Exploring Consciousness, a community of curious scientists seeking to understand consciousness. Her work has been featured in the New York Times, VOX, and other media outlets. In this enlightening conversation, Mona shares her experience of reconnecting with a sense of a meaningful universe and the impact it has had on her life. We discuss how to find inner peace amidst chaos, the role of synchronicity in shaping meaning, the influence of family and tradition, and the exploration of past lives and emotional release. This whole conversation invites you to explore meaning and reconnect with nature and the universe in a way that brings more flow, curiosity, and flexibility to your life experience. For further content and information check out the following: - For the What is a Good Life? podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life if you'd like to explore your own lines of self-inquiry through 1-on-1 coaching, take part in my 5-week Silent Conversation group courses, discuss experiences I create to stimulate greater trust, communication, and connection, amongst your leadership teams, or you simply want to get in touch. 00:00 Introduction 03:00 How to find peace & serve others 07:00 Finding your centre amidst chaos & life 16:00 Unravelling sense of control & understanding 21:40 Realising the Universe is a meaningful place 28:00 Noting fortune telling moments in the family 31:40 Connecting with yourself and the universe 41:00 The significance of synchronicity 45:53 Past life regressions 01:02:54 What is a good life for Mona? | |||
| 10 Sep 2024 | What is a Good Life? #87 - Seeing Yourself In The Other with Dr. Niobe Way | 01:05:01 | |
On the 87th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to welcome our guest, Dr. Niobe Way. Niobe is Professor of Developmental Psychology at NYU, founder of the Project for the Advancement of Our Common Humanity (PACH; pach.org), and the Principal Investigator of the Listening Project, which fosters curiosity and connection in schools across New York City. Niobe has served as President of the Society for Research on Adolescence (SRA), holds a B.A. from U.C. Berkeley, a doctorate from the Graduate School of Education at Harvard University, and was a postdoctoral fellow at the National Institute of Mental Health at Yale University. With nearly 40 years of experience researching adolescent social and emotional development, Niobe has authored or co-authored over 100 peer-reviewed articles. She is the author of Deep Secrets: Boys’ Friendships and the Crisis of Connection and her latest book, Rebels with a Cause: Reimagining Boys, Ourselves, and Our Culture. In this illuminating conversation, Niobe explores what it means to be human and how this is shaped by cultural context, the clash between our nature and culture, and the importance of listening to stories as well as examining data. She highlights the dangers of living in a culture that no longer listens and how much of what is needed for greater connection already exists within us. If your relationships lack the depth and connection you long for, or if you are struggling to cultivate greater intimacy and curiosity in your life, Niobe offers a wealth of insights, anecdotes, and even exercises for you to consider and practise to reveal your innate capacities for connection. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for full interviews and clips. For further content and information check out the following: Niobe's book: https://www.brilliant-books.net/book/9780593184264 Photo credit: Daniel Root
Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life if you'd like to further explore your own lines of self-inquiry or create experiences that lead to more connecting and genuine conversations amongst groups of people or you'd like to join my weekly silent conversation groups.
06:30 Crossing the lines 11:57 What different groups can teach us about ourselves 15:10 Privileging the hard over the soft 20:55 Interpersonal curiosity 24:00 Thin and thick stories 27:00 Breaking stereotypes through stories 32:30 Living in a culture that no longer listens 40:00 Innate intelligence we have forgotten 42:30 The root of our suffering and illness 48:05 The fear of not being seen as we see ourselves 53:17 The natural skills within us to solve our problems 1:01:42 What is a good life for Niobe? | |||
| 09 Jan 2024 | What is a Good Life? #52 - A Journey Toward Co-Flourishing with Martin Ebeling | 00:59:34 | |
On the 52nd episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am thrilled to introduce our guest, Martin Ebeling. Martin is a philosopher and the co-director of The School of Life Berlin. He is also the co-founder of the Pura Vida Festival Retreat. You can also follow his journey toward and exploration of co-flourishing on The Co-flourishing Project, where he writes under his alias Ocean. In this deeply insightful conversation, we delve into Martin’s exploration of the meaning of life and his shifting from a lone wolf to his fascination with co-flourishing. He shares how his recent insights on co-flourishing unfolded after a personal retreat in nature and silence, shedding light on valuable lessons we can draw from those experiences. We explore what has resonated with him in his research on co-flourishing, encompassing the practices he observed at the Zen monastery, Plum Village. Here, monks consistently share both their wonder in existence and their experiences with difficult emotions. Additionally, we touch on the neuroscience that suggests it takes more than one human brain to create a human mind and we reflect on the interdependent nature of our being. I found this conversation to be highly illuminating. We discuss numerous themes that can guide you toward leading a more connected life—connecting with yourself, fostering meaningful relationships with others, and cultivating a deeper connection with the world around you. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for clips and shorts. Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free consultation (30 minutes) for one-on-one coaching programs or to hear about corporate workshops I am offering around this question. Running Order: 03:35 How can we co-flourish? 07:34 We are part of an interdependent reality 12:30 The lonely wolf and ego 17:30 Finding clarity and courage in silence and nature 22:30 Viewing other humans as expression of nature and life 26:55 What does co-flourishing entail? 31:30 The importance of listening and awareness 37:45 The need to consistently share our emotions 42:45 The neuroscience of co-flourishing 49:30 Feeling an aliveness and trust 56:10 What is a good life for Martin? For further content and information check out the following: - For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos - My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/ - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/ - Martin's / Ocean's newsletter: https://coflourishing.substack.com/ - Pura Vida Festival Retreat: https://www.puravida-festival.com/ - Martin's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-ebeling-9322222/ | |||
| 07 May 2024 | What is a Good Life? #69 - A Life Of Purpose & Possibility with Dave Gray | 00:55:31 | |
On the 69th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Dave Gray. Dave is the author of Gamestorming, Liminal Thinking: Create the Change You Want by Changing the Way You Think, and The Connected Company. He is also an artist, an entrepreneur, and a possibilitarian. After selling his company, XPlane, in 2022, Dave established The School of the Possible, an experimental learning community through which he helps people create work that is meaningful and matters to them. In this episode, Dave shares with us his journey of finding purpose and meaning in his life, from the sense of belonging he felt at art school, to identifying and honouring his true nature, and noticing moments in life where he felt he was in the right place, at the right time, with the right people. He emphasises the importance of relationships and community in identifying our own uniqueness and the energy he experiences when in creative communities. Dave also underscores the significance of possibility and supporting others with their creativity. This episode will give you much to consider regarding finding more purpose, meaning, and cultivating greater awareness around your own true nature. While Dave's breadth of experience, creativity, and curiosity, are wonderful examples of what is possible when we fully engage with our true nature. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for clips and shorts. For further content and information check out the following: - Dave's website: https://xplaner.com/ - Dave's Newsletter: https://schoolofthepossible.substack.com/ - For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free consultation (30 minutes) for one-on-one coaching programs, executive team coaching programs to build trust and connection amongst executive teams or silent retreats for executive teams. Running Order: 07:15 Identifying and honouring our true nature 13:09 The significance of creativity 17:56 Exploring meaning in the journey 20:49 Purpose and our true nature 23:55 Possibility, producing and possibility 27:15 Community and energy 32:00 Using our relationships to identify our uniqueness 34:55 The significance of relationships 40:25 Beauty in everything 44:25 The role of meaning 52:25 What is a good life for Dave? | |||
| 31 Dec 2024 | What is a Good Life? #103 - Expressing The Whole Of You with Nathan Kinch | 01:00:01 | |
On the 103rd episode of What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Nathan (Nate) Kinch. Nate is a sociotechnology ethicist, organisational designer, and trust researcher. His work centres around the question: how might we best design trustworthy organisations, technologies, and systems that support a healthy and dignified life for all, within planetary boundaries? To do this, he draws on many branches of philosophy, systems science, cognitive sciences, and related disciplines. He is a Fellow of The Royal Society of the Arts, co-lead of the Responsible AI Network (RAIN), and Lead of Ethics in Action. He is also the Ethicist in Residence at CoLabs and guest lectures at several universities. Previously, Nate was an angel and impact investor and the founding CEO of a venture capital-backed startup. In everyday life, he’s an urban rewilder, community convener, and ‘inner developer,’ bringing regenerative thinking, practice, and culture to his corner of Melbourne. In this wonderful conversation, Nathan shares his exploration of expressing and feeling into the whole of himself. We discuss realisations he made through his psycho-physical inquiries, from suppressing emotions to crumbling worldviews, to the relief and healing of crying, and expressing and experiencing more joy and gratitude in life. For anyone on their own path of self-inquiry, this conversation contains many universal themes that I sense we all experience, which may make you feel more at home on your own path. While Nate’s beautiful anecdotes, transparency, and reflections make this as grounded and heartfelt as it is insightful. For further content and information check out the following: - For the What is a Good Life? podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life if you'd like to explore your own lines of self-inquiry through 1-on-1 coaching, take part in my Silent Conversation group courses, discuss experiences I create to stimulate greater trust, communication, and connection, amongst your leadership teams, or you simply want to get in touch. 00:00 Introduction 03:18 What is the whole of me? 09:40 Allowing us to see more of ourselves 11:48 Redeploying the soldier archetype 20:33 Realisations from a psycho-physical inquiry 29:33 Learning how to feel again 33:18 Realisations around crying and dancing 39:18 The containment of life 41:48 When our worldviews crumble 47:18 Acknowledging the whole of us 55:18 What is a good life for Nate? | |||
| 04 Apr 2023 | What is a Good Life? #12 - Going Your Own Way with Alison Taylor | 00:48:11 | |
On the 12th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am joined by Alison Taylor, who is a Clinical Professor at NYU Stern School of Business, Executive Director at Ethical Systems, and is writing a book for the Harvard Business Review Press on how business can do the right thing in a turbulent world.
02:30 Stories versus Facts 06:09 What does it take for society's values to shift? 07:40 Optimism for humans? 12:30 Playing to your strengths / contributing to what you care about 15:10 Curiosity & Humility 19:50 Not having a long term plan 23:50 Trust and developing a sense of self 26:07 I know who I am / what I want 27:50 The power of humility & experimenting 33:40 Loving your work 37:20 Being yourself in a world telling you to be something else 40:55 Summary of themes in the conversation 43:22 What is a good life for Alison? For further content and information check out the following: - For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos - My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/ - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/ - Alison's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/followalisont/ | |||
| 14 Feb 2023 | What is a Good Life? #5 - Building a personal life philosophy with James Cussen | 01:15:16 | |
On the fifth episode of the “What is a Good Life?” podcast, I am joined by James Cussen, the Creator at The Living Philosophy.
I discovered James’ work through his well-received YouTube channel of the same name, The Living Philosophy. I’d strongly recommend this to anyone with a curiosity for philosophy or a desire to broaden their thinking.
Since devouring a copy of Albert Camus’s The Outsider as a teenager, philosophy has taken James on a journey from despair to immense purpose. His content, guidance, and ideas, have a strong emphasis on the importance of embodying the wisdom of philosophy and learning the art of the good life, so naturally I felt he’d be an ideal guest for this podcast.
In this podcast we discuss discovering purpose, focussing on the collective’s well-being as well as our own, building your own personal philosophy, the role of curiosity in James’ personal philosophy, and the considerable significance of family and close relationships in experiencing a good life. Running Order: 00:01 Introduction 01:50 How James discovered philosophy 04:55 Finding purpose 06:52 Focus on the collective 11:26 Balancing self-work and helping society 14:13 Preconventional, conventional, postconventional morality 18:10 Using my work to bring everyone to the table 21:20 Processes for self-development 23:20 Ayahuasca 28:10 Acknowledging what could be beyond the material 32:30 Racing to enlightenment! 35:15 Anthony DeMello 37:50 Simple doesn’t mean easy 42:40 Simplicity or complexity 45:35 Deeper understanding 48:35 Building your own philosophy 53:30 A tool for cataloguing ideas / thoughts / dreams 55:58 Gardening my thoughts 58:53 Curiosity is a golden virtue 1:01:30 The more I know, the less sure I am 1:05:12 Well-being and truth 1:09:00 What is a Good Life for James?
- For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos - My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/ - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/ - The Living Philosophy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheLivingPhilosophy - The Living Philosophy Website: https://www.thelivingphilosophy.com/ - The Living Philosophy newsletter: https://thelivingphilosophy.substack.com/ Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel for daily clips and weekly reflections. | |||
| 25 Feb 2025 | What is a Good Life? #111 - Sensing The Undercurrents Of Life with Dr. Senem Donatan Mohan | 00:54:28 | |
On the 111th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Dr. Senem Donatan Mohan. Senem is a storyteller, story practitioner, and author based in Dublin, who is originally from Turkey. She holds a PhD degree in natural sciences and blends creative arts with science. Through her concepts Stories Cure and Aliveness Within she focuses on cultural and individual vitality. Over the past two decades, Senem has touched the lives of thousands of children and adults through her performances and books. In this wonderful conversation, we explore the undercurrents and rhythms of life, balancing masculine and feminine energies, the visible and invisible, the guiding capacities of our inner child, moments of being lost in time, and the transformative powers of storytelling.
For further content and information check out the following: Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life if you'd like to explore your own lines of self-inquiry through 1-on-1 coaching, take part in my 5-week Silent Conversation group courses, discuss experiences I create to stimulate greater trust, communication, and connection, amongst your leadership teams, or you simply want to get in touch. - For the What is a Good Life? podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos 00:00 Introduction 07:24 Sensing Rituals and Traditions 10:10 The Magic of Daily Life 13:09 Creativity and Personal Journey 16:09 Finding Vitality in Everyday Moments 27:10 Embracing Timelessness and Creativity 29:23 The Dance of Science and Art 32:49 Navigating the Duality of Speed and Depth 37:31 Connecting with the Inner Child 39:48 The Transformative Power of Storytelling 46:01 Communicating with Ancestral Spirits 53:29 What is a Good Life for Senem? | |||
| 30 Jul 2024 | What is a Good Life? #81 - A Journey To The Heart with Patrick McAndrew | 01:07:38 | |
On the 81st episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Patrick McAndrew. Patrick, a global thought leader on productivity and performance, empowers professionals to escape the "Productivity Paradox" - the illusion that being busy equals progress. As the founder of HARA, an inner circle for exceptional entrepreneurs and leaders, Patrick equips individuals with practical tools to reclaim focus, boost productivity, and achieve extraordinary results in a world of constant distractions. He provides teams with tools to tame distractions, prioritise what matters most, and develop resilience. In this beautiful conversation, Patrick takes us on his exploration of various cognitive and biological functions to what is now a journey to the heart, moving from fragmentation and mechanistic approaches to life towards greater alignment, embodiment, and a sense of being. He shares beautiful anecdotes and wisdom observed from his mother in her final months and his experience of caring for her, as well as the realisations he has made from his own closely examined life. He touches on various modalities he has explored to live a more connected life, as well as tools and perspectives he shares with his clients to allow greater acceptance and connection to flourish in their own lives.
Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for clips and shorts. For further content and information check out the following: Patrick's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickmcandrewonline/ Patrick's website: https://www.patrickmcandrew.co Patrick's newsletter: https://patrickmcandrew.substack.com
Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life if you'd like to further explore your own lines of self-inquiry or create experiences that lead to more connecting and genuine conversations amongst groups of people. 00:00 Introduction 06:50 Moving from mental inquiries to the heart 12:55 Lessons from his mother 18:50 Not seeking approval & letting go of constructs 26:50 Connection is much closer than we think 28:30 Contact and awareness of impulses and cravings 33:20 Finding clarity and guidance in life 38:00 The significance of resting within yourself 42:30 Letting go of our judgements and identifying needs 52:40 A reconnection to wild and wisdom 1:02:05 What is a good life for Patrick? | |||
| 09 May 2023 | What is a Good Life? #17 - Leaving Utopia with Bayo Akomolafe | 01:04:01 | |
On the 17th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast I am joined by Bayo Akomolafe, who is a widely celebrated international speaker, posthumanist thinker, poet, professor, public intellectual, essayist, and author. Bayo is the Founder of The Emergence Network, he currently lectures at Pacifica Graduate Institute, California, and the University of Vermont, and was appointed the inaugural Global Senior Fellow of the University of California’s (Berkeley) Othering and Belonging Institute. He has also been appointed Senior Fellow for The New Institute in Hamburg, Germany. In this episode, Bayo shares with us his journey of moving beyond the confines of final statements, final destinations, and boundaries, to an ongoing emergence, or flow. This conversation delves into the abstract, the philosophical, and the practical, as well as Bayo’s personal experiences of what his son with Autism is teaching him about wisdom. We discuss the importance of cultivating bewilderment, wonder and inquiry, and disrupting the logic of continuity, for new ideas and solutions to emerge - to break the cycle of problems and solutions feeding each other. This episode will challenge your thinking and perhaps inspire you to new ways of problem solving and understanding, while it may also require you to listen with more than your ears and your mind. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for daily clips and reflections. Running Order: 01:44 Podcast begins
For further content and information check out the following: - For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos - My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/ - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/ - Bayo's Website: https://www.emergencenetwork.org/ - Bayo's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bayoakomolafe/ | |||
| 02 May 2023 | What is a Good Life? #16 - Finding Meaning in Life with Diane Button | 00:56:27 | |
On the 16th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast I am joined by Diane Button, who is the author of the bestselling book, Dear Death: Finding Meaning in Life, Peace in Death, and Joy in an Ordinary Day. She holds a Master's in Counselling Psychology, is a practicing end-of-life doula and a lead instructor at the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine’s EOL Doula Certificate Program.
Running Order: 01:28 Podcast Begins 04:48 Developing an acceptance of death 08:58 The journey towards working with the dying 11:18 Identifying 4 pillars of a meaningful life 15:48 Developing Self-acceptance 19:38 Seeing the beauty in yourself 20:27 The power of authentic conversations 23:39 Relieving fear and bringing more ease to the dying 27:42 Doing Life Reviews 30:03 There is life until the end 32:18 Forgiveness 37:00 Not everyone wants to address death when dying 39:38 How often do we give someone 100% of our attention? 42:40 How can we embrace and not fear death so much? 46:30 Beautiful experiences when people near death 48:50 The journey inward at the end of life 50:16 Observing the end of life 53:33 What is a good life for Diane?
- For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos - My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/ - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/ - Diane's Website: https://www.dianebutton.com/ | |||
| 06 Jun 2023 | What is a Good Life? #21 - Beyond The Illusion of Self with Katrijn van Oudheusden | 00:59:49 | |
On the 21st episode of the "What is a Good Life?" podcast, I am joined by Katrijn van Oudheusden, who is the author of "Selfless Leadership," a writer, coach, and guide. Her work focuses on helping you see through the illusion of the separate self. In this episode, Katrijn takes us on an exploration and investigation of the paradigm of the separate self. She references neuroscience, physics, and the traditions of Buddhism, Advaita Vedanta, etc., which have been saying for centuries that there is no separate self.
Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for daily clips and reflections. Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free 30 minute consultation for one-on-one coaching programs or to hear about corporate workshops I am offering around this question. Running Order: 01:25 The podcast begins 02:35 What is the separate self?
For further content and information check out the following: - For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos - My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/ - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/ - Katrijn's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrijnvo/ - Katrijn's website: https://selflessleadership.life/ | |||
| 20 Jun 2023 | What is a Good Life? #23 - Calling & Courage with Robyn O'Brien | 00:56:16 | |
On the 23rd episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am joined by Robyn O’Brien, who is on the Forbes’ Impact 50 List for her work at the intersection of food and climate, the best-selling author of The Unhealthy Truth, the Founder at Sirona Ventures - providing impact capital, advisory and consulting services, and an Adjunct Professor at Rice Business. In this episode, Robyn shares moments of adversity from her journey of confronting the food industry in America over the use of chemicals in the food supply after her own child experienced an allergic reaction. She discuss the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people, not numbing ourselves to pain, paying attention to moments in our lives where our calling can be revealed, and then having the courage to follow it.
Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for daily clips and reflections. Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free 30 minute consultation for one-on-one coaching programs or to hear about corporate workshops I am offering around this question. Running Order: 01:30 Podcast begins 03:45 Surrounding yourself with the right people 06:30 Being in service and alignment 10:40 Paying attention 12:30 Staying open to pain as a teacher 15:20 Challenges in confronting the food industry 21:05 The importance of having the right people around 23:57 I’m grateful that I know my purpose 30:00 Everything and everyone is either nourishing or extracting 32:30 A movement with collaboration not ego 36:30 Making a breakthrough with a TED talk 41:52 Curiosity in finding solutions 45:34 The significance of people having our backs 48:18 Courage can be in the smallest steps 50:37 What is a good life for Robyn?
- For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos - My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/ - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/ - Robyn's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robyn-o-brien-a395b42/ | |||
| 16 May 2023 | What is a Good Life? #18 - A Values-Driven Life with Hannah Genton | 00:50:33 | |
On the 18th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast I am joined by Hannah Genton, who is a Co-Founder at CGL LLP, a law firm she established, a speaker on Innovation in the Law and Work Models for Mental Health, and a Death Doula. I contacted Hannah for this conversation after reading an amazing viral post of hers that very authentically depicted the challenge of juggling the big law career and raising a baby. This experience proved to be the inspiration for setting up a law firm that accommodated other approaches to working in this industry (“I had the sense that work should adapt to life, not the other way around”- from the post). In this episode we discuss Hannah’s approach to developing authenticity and truly living her values, setting up the law firm, her self-reflection practices and how they have affected her approach to life, her experiences of working with the dying, and what she is learning from parenting with regards play, curiosity, and letting go of fixed plans and outcomes. Hannah provides a great example of someone consciously constructing their life around their values, so I took a lot from this conversation as I am sure you will too. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for daily clips and reflections. Running Order: 01:37 Podcast begins 02:35 How can I be authentically me?
For further content and information check out the following: - For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos - My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/ - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/ - Hannah's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannahgenton/ - Hannah's company website: https://cgl-llp.com/ | |||
| 02 Apr 2024 | What is a Good Life? #64 - Making Sense Of This Life with Johnnie Moore | 00:59:25 | |
On the 64th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Johnnie Moore. Johnnie is the Founder of Unhurried, a movement to support deeper conversations and connections in work and life, the author of the book Unhurried At Work, a visiting tutor at the Saïd Business School at Oxford University, and a guest columnist for Fast Company magazine. In this insightful conversation, we explore our desire to hold onto stories and perspectives that no longer serve us over engaging with the unknown. Johnnie shares a number of experiences and processes that help him see and seek more possibilities. We discuss shifting from overthinking to experimenting and playing more often, and finally, we explore realisations around awareness of emotions and healthier and more connecting expressions of them. This episode will give you plenty to contemplate regarding experimenting and playing more often, and the wonderful shifts that can occur if we open up to what else is possible in this life. I've spoken with Johnnie several times before, and he consistently leaves me with new perspectives to consider or inspires fresh realisations, and I suspect he’ll do the same for you.
For further content and information check out the following: - For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos - My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/ - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/ - Johnnie's book: Unhurried - Johnnie's Website: https://www.johnniemoore.com/ - Johnnie's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnnie-moore-2323/ Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free consultation (30 minutes) for one-on-one coaching programs or click here to read about a leadership coaching program to build trust and connection amongst executive teams. Running Order: 07:47 Our attachments to stories or perspectives 10:47 Clinging to unpleasant certainties rather than exploring unknowns 16:07 Making sense of this life 21:17 Creating new possibilities 25:47 Our reluctance to experiment and our overthinking 31:47 We know a lot less about each other than we think 38:17 Realisations of understanding and of emotions 44:17 Becoming more present with and expressing emotions 49:17 Experiencing loneliness and enjoyment of solitude 55:47 What is a good life for Johnnie? | |||
| 14 Jan 2025 | What is a Good Life? #105 - Exploring The Depths Of Listening with Colin Smith | 01:08:02 | |
On the 105th episode of What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Colin Smith. Colin is a specialist in deep listening, presence, and profound attention, dedicated to creating spaces where individuals unlock their clarity and creativity. Known as The Listener, he brings over two decades of experience in guiding, facilitating, and coaching, helping people connect more deeply with themselves and others. Through his work, Colin empowers individuals and groups to feel truly seen and heard, unlocking insights and cultivating listening skills that lead to meaningful transformation. Colin’s approach is informed by extensive personal learning from works on listening, mindfulness, and human development. This depth allows him to craft environments where genuine insights emerge, helping people access new perspectives and deeper understanding. In this engaging conversation, Colin shares his journey towards embodying the art of listening, emphasising the power of being present, agenda-free, and genuinely curious about others. We delve into how quality listening can strengthen relationships, alleviate loneliness, and nurture deeper connections. Together, we explore the subtle dynamics of human interaction and the importance of authenticity in conversations, offering practical insights for cultivating a more compassionate and attentive approach to communication. This episode invites you to embrace the profound potential of truly listening—to honour our shared humanity and recognise how it can deepen our connections and enrich our relationships.
- For the What is a Good Life? podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life if you'd like to explore your own lines of self-inquiry through 1-on-1 coaching, take part in my 5-week Silent Conversation group courses, discuss experiences I create to stimulate greater trust, communication, and connection, amongst your leadership teams, or you simply want to get in touch. 00:00 Introduction 03:15 Becoming then being the listener 10:55 Understanding the importance of presence 18:43 Lack of listening and loss of connection 24:58 Moments that make a big difference 29:03 Conversations with authenticity and transparency 34:49 The subtlety of listening and self-awareness 42:42 Asking each other what we need 45:33 The impact of attention in communication 53:46 The intention to listen 58:15 Sharing our humanity 1:00:13 What is a good life for Colin? | |||
| 31 Oct 2023 | What is a Good Life? #42 - Embracing The Mess Of Life with Pranay Sanklecha | 01:11:34 | |
On the 42nd episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to welcome Pranay Sanklecha as our guest. Pranay is a philosopher, the founder of The Philosophy Practice, and a former philosophy professor at The University of Graz. In this episode, Pranay looks to explore my own perspectives as well as sharing his own. We discuss the motives I had for starting this project, our realisations of the pitfalls of striving for particular states or experiences, and that real change may appear slow in the moment but can be considerable when viewed over time. He also breaks down bigger concepts or questions into more relatable and applicable chunks, like a good life into a good day, and notions of oneness and loving everyone to focussing on truly loving your partner in the more trying moments of life. Much of what Pranay is pointing to in this conversation is that if love, beauty, or God, are to be found anywhere, or if there is a good life to be experienced, it is right here in the mess of daily life, and not from escaping it. This episode will give you plenty to consider in terms of where, and how, you are looking to experience a good life! Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for clips and shorts. Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free 30 minute consultation for one-on-one coaching programs or to hear about corporate workshops I am offering around this question. Running Order: 02:34 Mixing the profound questions and the necessities 05:14 Why did I start this What is a Good Life? Project 12:16 Seeking a feeling rather than an outcome 15:16 Not taking ourselves seriously but being committed 20:39 Making peace with our commitments 25:54 Dissolving a gap between daily life and enlightenment 31:06 Mystical experiences and chasing states 38:14 Just caring about my present day 41:07 Feeling at home in your life 45:36 Attachment and aversion and freedom 50:10 What if everything was God? 59:43 The effect of getting comfortable with who we are 1:08:54 What is a good life for Pranay?
- For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos - My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/ - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/ - Pranay's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pranay-sanklecha/ - Pranay's Website: https://www.thenewphilosophy.com/ | |||
| 30 Apr 2024 | What is a Good Life? #68 - Keeping Your Heart Open with Amy Elizabeth Fox | 00:58:57 | |
On the 68th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Amy Elizabeth Fox. Amy is one of the founders and CEO of Mobius Executive Leadership, a global transformational leadership firm. She has served as a leadership and culture change advisor to Fortune 500 companies. Amy is considered an expert in healing individual, family, and collective trauma and has been a pioneer in introducing trauma-informed development and psycho-spiritual principles into leadership programs. She is also on the faculty of the African Leadership Institute's Desmond Tutu Fellows program at Oxford. In this glorious conversation, Amy shares with us her journey towards a life of inquiry, contemplation, healing, and a more mystical engagement with life. She talks of the deeper unity that exists between us all beyond the fractures on the surface, ways we can connect more deeply with ourselves and each other, and ultimately ways to keep our hearts open to all the suffering and beauty that exists in the world. If you are not satisfied with the level of connection and intimacy in your life, this episode will give you so much to contemplate and reconsider regarding the societal norms we follow when relating to each other. Amy is a well of wisdom and this whole episode serves as an invitation to opening our hearts to the world and those around us.
For further content and information check out the following: - Amy's company: www.mobiusleadership.com - Thomas Hübl's Website: www.thomashuebl.com - For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free consultation (30 minutes) for one-on-one coaching programs, executive team coaching programs to build trust and connection amongst executive teams or silent retreats for executive teams. Running Order: 03:15 How does one keep one’s heart open? 06:45 The unity of life and lack of intimacy 09:25 The problems with formality and routinised communication 12:30 The invitation to intimacy 17:11 The yearning and various sources of intimacy 23:15 The art of subtlety, intimacy, and collaboration 26:45 Silence and pause in feeling what is said 31:45 We don’t need to problem solve each other’s pain 35:45 The mystical and contemplative path 40:19 Moving from frozen assumptions to emergence 45:10 Bringing Mental Health to the workplace 50:10 How do we keep our hearts open in times like these? 55:45 What is a good life for Amy? | |||
| 13 Aug 2024 | What is a Good Life? #83 - Realising You Are Loved with Tom Morgan | 01:03:44 | |
On the 83rd episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Tom Morgan. Tom has spent the last 20 years in markets, on both the buy and sell sides. He has worked at several investment banks on Wall Street and his most recent role was with the wealth manager Sapient Capital. He describes himself as a "curiosity sherpa"; he spends his life seeking out the most interesting ideas and thinkers for curious people. He has just co-founded The Leading Edge, a network for curious people focused on their personal evolution, and he is also the writer of The Leading Edge newsletter. He graduated from Oxford University with an MA in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. In this enlightening conversation, Tom muses on whether we realise that the universe loves us. He shares his experiences of struggling with mental and spiritual health, highlights the significance of experiencing flow in a meaningful way, discusses the importance of being honest with ourselves and the world around us, and explores the relationship between disclosing truth and the synchronicity we experience. Tom shares many insightful anecdotes and experiences throughout this conversation, making this episode ideal for anyone feeling stuck in life, considering career transitions, facing challenges with their well-being, or struggling to see the signs that the world or universe may be offering. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for clips and shorts. For further content and information check out the following: The Leading Edge Website: https://www.theleading-edge.org/
Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life if you'd like to further explore your own lines of self-inquiry or create experiences that lead to more connecting and genuine conversations amongst groups of people. 00:00 Introduction 06:10 To what degree are we free? 08:25 Flowing in a meaningful way & synchronicity 12:40 The importance of discernment 16:40 Experiencing highly contrasting states & sensitivity 23:05 The power of truth in experiencing reality 28:54 The failing of our language and love 30:50 Sharing with the intention of helping others 34:10 Sharing our inner world 37:40 Flow, earnings, and the value of containers 46:20 Navigating career transition 50:10 Not feeling anything 54:30 Insights from suffering 58:20 What level of suffering is necessary? 1:01:10 What is a good life for Tom? | |||
| 03 Sep 2024 | What is a Good Life? #86 - Knowing That We Belong with Nic Askew | 01:28:40 | |
On the 86th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I'm delighted to introduce Nic Askew as our guest. Nic is a filmmaker who has discovered a powerful way to use the camera to deepen people's awareness. He has been described in various ways—an itinerant confessor, a disruptive influence, a monk independent of any religion, and an explorer of the inner world. Over two decades of exploring human connection, authenticity, and insight through film, Nic has uncovered a profoundly simple way for us to be together, which he calls Inner View. This method has led to the creation of the acclaimed Soul Biographies Film Series, an experience of human presence that has resonated with millions. In this enlightening conversation, Nic clearly articulates and points to a deeply felt sense of universal belonging, without the need to do, improve, or follow steps—simply by virtue of our existence and the lack of separation between us. He discusses how he uses the camera, stillness, and nothing to reveal our innate sense of belonging. With an awareness of this belonging, we can move through the world working on behalf of everyone and everything with life living itself through us. If you're struggling with feelings of unworthiness, a lack of belonging, or the belief that you need to fix or improve yourself, Nic's insights may help you see beyond these barriers to the simple truth of your inherent worth and obvious belonging. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for full interviews and clips. For further content and information check out the following: Soul Biographies: https://soulbiographies.com/
Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life if you'd like to further explore your own lines of self-inquiry or create experiences that lead to more connecting and genuine conversations amongst groups of people or you'd like to join my weekly silent conversation groups.
07:19 Stillness, awareness, and a realisation of belonging 13:40 The power of silence and subtracting 18:07 The challenge of our cultural way of being 20:40 The realisation of our connectedness 26:20 Become aware of what we are capable of 30:50 Stillness and silence tending to our trauma 33:20 Life living itself through you - nothing to do 41:40 An awareness of the dissolving of time and space 46:40 The Girl in the Entrance Hall 51:10 Working on behalf of everyone and everything 58:20 Realising why everyone hurt 1:04:45 It is much more simple than we imagine 1:11:15 An absence of time in our encounters 1:16:20 Could I be doing something else? 1:21:23 What is a good life for Nic? | |||
| 08 Oct 2024 | What is a Good Life? #91 - Navigating The Path of Curiosity with Andrea Hiott | 01:03:31 | |
On the 91st episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to welcome our guest, Andrea Hiott. Andrea is a philosopher and the founder of Making Ways, a private educational consultancy that works with individuals, businesses, and organisations such as EMI to explore the guiding philosophies at the core of our lives and actions. She is also an author and educator, holding degrees in the philosophy of mind, neuroscience, and UNESCO World Heritage. Andrea has authored several books, including Thinking Small, and her work has appeared in renowned publications such as the The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Bloomberg, Huffington Post, National Geographic, and the San Francisco Chronicle. In addition, she hosts several podcasts, including Love & Philosophy and Desirable Unknown. In this captivating conversation, Andrea shares her journey with the question, "What is mind?" We discuss the importance of developing our ability to hold paradox, handle the intensity of our emotions, and navigate the challenges, joys, and fears that love can sometimes bring. We explore how our presence and attention can facilitate change within ourselves and others, and the profound impact of sharing meaningful moments together. This whole conversation is deeply insightful, offering much to learn from Andrea’s curiosity, wisdom, and reflections. Which may help you to embrace the experience of being human more fully. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for full interviews and clips. For further content and information check out the following: Andrea's Website: https://www.andreahiott.net/
Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life if you'd like to explore your own lines of self-inquiry through 1-on-1 coaching, take part in my weekly free silent conversations, discuss experiences I create to stimulate greater trust, communication, and connection, amongst your leadership teams, or you simply want to get in touch. 00:00 Introduction 07:16 What can we handle? 11:41 Portals to be present 15:11 More to this than we understand 19:21 The joy and curiosity of deep feelings 23:21 What is mind and what is mine? Holding paradox 27:51 We are always in process 32:21 Being present and the changes it allows 33:41 Acknowledging our own possibility for change 41:46 Time, mind, and memory 46:31 The resonance of meaning through time 50:41 The paradox of our separate and shared lives 56:18 What is a good life for Andrea? | |||
| 24 Jan 2023 | What is a Good Life? #2 - Breaking Mental Health Taboos with Nora Dietrich | 00:58:08 | |
On the second episode of the “What is a Good Life?” podcast, I am joined by Nora Dietrich. Nora, is a Psychotherapist and she works with; individuals, couples, and more extensively with corporations to break Mental Health taboos, while creating healthier environments for us to work in. This episode is a great example of what I hope this podcast to be; substantive conversations around important topics, that share pertinent information and practical tips, along with personal experiences and perspectives - which help us handle these themes with more humility and humour, regarding the sometimes absurd, and paradoxical, experience of being human. Subscribe to get the latest episode every Tuesday. Running order: 01:25 Podcast begins 02:00 Trying to live a truly lived life 07:18 Curiosity is the gateway out of perfectionism 10:08 Paradoxes are to be held not solved 14:20 Experimenting and failing 20:35 It takes 13 years on average before someone with Anxiety seeks help 24:36 “How are you?” is not the right question 26:43 Using pain as a guide or a clue 29:08 It’s ok not to feel ok 31:30 You don’t have to have the answer to help 32.50 Anger can also be helpful 36:50 Mental Health is not a DIY project 41:20 Therapy can be ugly to start with 44:20 Becoming more compassionate to others 46:45 Connecting through our shadows, pain, and joy 50:23 Sharing our emotions in the moment 52:31 Helpful tips for better mental health
To check out more content from me: | |||
| 25 Jun 2024 | What is a Good Life? #76 - Listening To Your Vocation with Parker J. Palmer | 01:08:13 | |
On the 76th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Parker J. Palmer. Parker is a writer, speaker, and activist who focuses on issues in education, community, leadership, spirituality, and social change. He is the founder and Senior Partner Emeritus of the Center for Courage & Renewal. He holds a PhD in sociology from the University of California at Berkeley, fourteen honorary doctorates, two Distinguished Achievement Awards from the National Educational Press Association, and an Award of Excellence from the Associated Church Press. He is the author of ten books—including several award-winning titles—that have sold over two million copies and been translated into twelve languages. Among them is Let Your Life Speak, which is comfortably the best book I’ve read about vocation and purpose. In this glorious conversation, Parker shares his journey of conversing with and listening to life, revealing more of his natural self in the process, his gifts and limitations, choosing the less conventional path, and ultimately guiding him to a life of vocation. He shares his experiences of depression, the significance of coming down to the ground, prioritising being real over being noble, and the need for silence and settling our minds for listening to life and for clarity.
Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for clips and shorts. For further content and information check out the following: Center for Courage & Renewal: https://couragerenewal.org/ Parker's books: https://couragerenewal.org/resource-types/book/
Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life if you'd like to further explore your own lines of self-inquiry or create experiences that lead to more connecting and genuine conversations amongst groups of people. 02:45 Interview beings 09:15 Acknowledging who you are at different times 12:15 The refuge of writing 15:45 The conversation with life can change daily 19:29 The role of silence and listening in a good life 23:45 The significance of getting real over being noble 32:55 Living in a quaker community and radical equality 38:15 Following his vocation and living a good life 44:35 Helping each other down to the ground 47:45 Getting real with ourselves 53:45 Using our limitations as a guide 1:00:45 Experiences of depression 1:05:15 What is a good life for Parker? | |||
| 31 Jan 2023 | What is a Good Life? #3 - Celebrating its Simplicity & Challenge with Tom Goodwin | 01:00:57 | |
On the third episode of the “What is a Good Life?” podcast, I am joined by Tom Goodwin. In this episode: - Observing the oddity of knowing what is good for us, even enjoying it, and rarely making it a habit - Comparing social media and in-person communication - Questioning where we spend all this time we save by using various apps? - Exploring what Tom is both optimistic and pessimistic about regarding our use of technology - Questioning the obsession we have with the optimising of and streamlining of human behaviour - The importance of challenging our own views and not taking life so seriously The point of this podcast, in general, is not to provide you with neat little Top 5 actionable takeaways, if life were simply about absorbing intellectual information, we’d all have 6 packs (if that was your thing) and live the most productive lives imaginable. The point is to curiously observe what is going on for us as humans and to bring more of our behaviour into focus, which can lead to incremental, maintainable changes over the long-term (may not sound too sexy but I’m tired of the instant nonsense, and endless lists, people are promising elsewhere). Running Order: 00:00 Introduction 02:00 Exploring makes me, me, what I am about
38:20 What innovations make Tom optimistic and pessimistic about the future with regards to technology?
For further content and information check out the following: | |||
| 16 Jul 2024 | What is a Good Life? #79 - Seeking Truth & Reality with Jen Cohen | 00:58:38 | |
On the 79th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Jen Cohen. Jen is a Co-Founder and Director of Seven Stones Leadership, a leadership journeys company, and the Director of Coaching Education for Mobius Executive Leadership, a global boutique consulting firm serving Fortune 500 companies. She is the co-author, with Gina LaRoche, of The 7 Laws of Enough, and the author of the chapter “From Surviving to Thriving” in the book Being Human at Work, edited by Richard Strozzi Heckler. Her coaching and training are distinguished by her studies in several communication technologies, along with quantum physics, ontology, neuroscience, psychology, trauma—both individual and collective—somatics, and systems thinking. Jen is a Master Certified Somatic Coach with the Strozzi Institute and holds a master’s degree in Applied Psychology with an emphasis on systems theory. In this captivating conversation, Jen shares with us her lifelong questioning of what is truth and what is reality. She speaks of her journey from experiencing trauma in her childhood, to continually seeking a sense of truth, and the emergence of her path and experiences with bodywork and healing. We explore the process of transmutation and extracting wisdom from our experiences, the sense of something bigger being at play that is moving us, the process of how purpose synchronistically arises, and living a life that ultimately brings her closer and closer into contact with reality. Whatever you may be going through in life, this conversation will provide you with considerable inspiration as to what can become of our lives if we do not look away from reality but walk towards it. While Jen shares her considerable wisdom and insights from her own examined life of inquiry, giving us all much to contemplate. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for clips and shorts. For further content and information check out the following: Seven Stones Leadership website: https://www.sevenstonesleadership.com/ Jen's book: https://www.amazon.com/Laws-Enough-Cultivating-Sustainable-Abundance/dp/1941529909
Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life if you'd like to further explore your own lines of self-inquiry or create experiences that lead to more connecting and genuine conversations amongst groups of people. 00:00 Introduction 10:30 We are in relationship with everything 13:30 Extracting wisdom from experiences 19:35 Finding truth and reality through the body 27:45 The wisdom of the body 30:45 Trauma of the past becoming present and future 33:45 The desire to seek truth through trauma 36:15 The feeling that something bigger is happening 39:15 Exploring how purpose arises 46:15 Finding the path as a healer 53:35 What is a good life for Jen? | |||
| 21 May 2024 | What is a Good Life? #71 - Holding The Tensions Of Life with Mariana Louis | 01:11:35 | |
On the 71st episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Mariana Louis M.A. Mariana is a professional tarot counsellor, scholar, and creator of Persephone's Sister, a platform for psycho-spiritual education and guidance. Following her academic study of analytical psychology and Western Intellectual Traditions, Mariana integrated her scholarship into her developing expertise in the tarot and formulated an approach she calls Archetypal Tarot. She teaches this approach, which marries Jungian concepts with the symbolic depth of the tarot, in a host of courses for tarot students of all levels. This glorious conversation touches on many vital themes that contribute to a good life: Mariana’s journey of individuation, the interplay between the sacred and the mundane, the tensions of the human experience between zooming in and out, the balance of masculine and feminine energies within us, and the dynamics of order and chaos, growth and structure. Mariana also shares the significant influence that the Tarot and Carl Jung have had on her sense of experiencing more wholeness in her life. If you are seeking more movement in your life, if you feel stuck and are lacking the faith or trust to take a necessary next step, this conversation will provide you with much to contemplate, insight, and inspiration for taking that next step along your own authentic path and embracing uncertainty.
For further content and information check out the following: Mariana's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/persephonessister/ - For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free consultation (30 minutes) for one-on-one coaching programs, executive team coaching programs to build trust and connection amongst executive teams or silent retreats for executive teams. Running Order: | |||
| 11 Jun 2024 | What is a Good Life? #74 - Holding The Light & The Shadow with Dee Mulrooney | 01:00:48 | |
On the 74th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Dee Mulrooney. Dee is a multi-disciplinary Irish artist. Inhabiting a female body, mythical imagination and story as medicine are the main preoccupations of her work. Exile, class, displacement, social history, longing, and belonging are some of the themes explored by Dee through painting, drawing, film, storytelling, and performance. Her art is fiercely authentic, and she leaves no stone of her own personal healing journey unturned. Dee works with the alchemical aspect of transmutation in her art, using this process to deal with difficult topics including abuse, death, and loss. In this glorious conversation, Dee shares with us her journey towards greater purpose, self-acceptance, and more wholeness in her being. A path that included joining and leaving a cult, moving her family from Dublin to Berlin, giving birth to herself once more through her experience of menopause, accepting her own nature, and the process of transmuting her pain and torment into art and expression. Throughout this conversation, she never looks away from the pain humans create nor lets go of hope or appreciation for life. Dee is someone who I see as fiercely engaged with both the great joys and depths of sorrow in life. If you are too attached to the light, perhaps this conversation invites you more into the shadow, and vice versa, ultimately giving you a sense of a greater wholeness that is possible within us.
For further content and information check out the following: Dee's Website: https://deirdre-mulrooney.com/ Socials, FB, Insta, TikTok: @deemulrooney
Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life if you'd like to further explore your own lines of self-inquiry or create experiences that lead to more connecting and genuine conversations amongst groups of people. Running Order: 03:30 It’s about purpose 07:50 The realisation of being in a cult 10:00 The sense of seeking and God 13:30 Giving birth to myself 17:45 The changes with empathy and compassion 22:00 Exploring shadow 28:10 Our ability to transmute 32:30 The denial of the feminine archetype 41:30 The power of art to transmute torment 48:00 Making art for herself and sharing it 50:20 Coming into acceptance of her anxious nature 56:50 What is a good life for Dee? | |||
| 27 Jun 2023 | What is a Good Life? #24 - The Paradox Of Life with Robbie Stamp | 01:03:00 | |
On the 24th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am joined by Robbie Stamp, who is the is CEO of BIOSS International, a Senior Fellow at the Resilience and Sustainable Development Programme at Cambridge University, Chairman of HappenedHere, and was an Executive Producer on the Hitchhikers’s Guide to the Galaxy feature film. In this episode, we discuss the quality and significance of paying attention, cultivating compassion for ourselves and others, becoming ok with not knowing, appreciating all phenomenological and conscious experiences, the mirror AI holds up to us and the limitations AI will have in accounting for all human experience, and how there will always be a tension between creative and destructive behaviour, both internally and collectively. This episode will help you appreciate the messiness of being human and yourself, feel more comfortable with the uncertainty and paradoxes of life, exhibit more compassion for us all while striving to improve, and to cultivate some humility around the limitations of your own knowledge and perspective. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for daily clips and reflections. Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free 30 minute consultation for one-on-one coaching programs or to hear about corporate workshops I am offering around this question. Running Order: 01:31 Podcast begins
- For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos - My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/ - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/ - Robbie's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbie-stamp-70254/ | |||
| 23 Jul 2024 | What is a Good Life? #80 - Finding & Following Your Path with Jonny Thomson | 00:57:28 | |
On the 80th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Jonny Thomson. Jonny was a teacher for over a decade before he turned to writing full-time. He is a columnist at Big Think, where he writes primarily about philosophy, theology, and psychology, and is the author of three books. His first book, Mini Philosophy, is an award-winning international bestseller and has been translated into more than 20 languages. Jonny also runs the popular social media account Philosophy Minis, with a quarter of a million followers, where he explains philosophical ideas in short, accessible digests. He lives in a village in North Oxfordshire with his wife and two sons. In this engaging conversation, Jonny shares his thoughts on contemplating death and how it can guide us in living a good life. We discuss the importance of finding meaning beyond our own lives and moments of feeling part of something bigger. We also explore the potential impact of AI and what it reveals about being human. While Jonny reflects on his shift towards a Daoist perspective and how this has influenced both his path and sense of purpose. Throughout the conversation, Jonny highlights essential components of contemplation and ways of engaging with life that can bring greater purpose, contentment, and meaning. If you feel that your life needs a change or that it feels somewhat stifled, this episode will provide much to consider. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for clips and shorts. For further content and information check out the following: Jonny's first book, Mini Philosophy Jonny's Website: https://miniphilosophy.com/
Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life if you'd like to further explore your own lines of self-inquiry or create experiences that lead to more connecting and genuine conversations amongst groups of people.
06:20 The shift in magnetic poles from having kids 12:25 Something beyond your own life 20:00 The future of humanity and AI 26:25 Human frailty and connection in art 32:40 Our proclivity for convenience 35:20 A Daoist perspective to finding your path 45:20 Hearing a voice and inner guide 51:19 What is a good life for Jonny? | |||
| 09 Apr 2024 | What is a Good Life? #65 - How People Actually Change with George & Linda Pransky | 00:54:43 | |
On the 65th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guests, George and Linda Pransky. In 1976, George and Linda stumbled upon a new way of helping people that was radically different from the traditional counselling methods they had been using in their work. The new principles they were learning had a huge impact on their personal lives, their relationship, and the way they worked with their clients. Through teaching these principles to their clients, they became pioneers in a new field of psychology, both serving as Partners of Pransky & Associates and on the executive committee of the Three Principles Global Community. Dr. George Pransky is also the author of The Relationship Handbook, Life is a Metaphor, and The Secret to Mental Health, as well as over fifty audio recordings. In this episode, George and Linda share their understandings around how people really change, through realisations rather than intellect and willpower. We discuss the importance of gratitude, patience, quiet, accountability, and faith in further realisations occurring. While we also explore how our thinking is often broken and how they both have moved from reacting to life to living life. This whole conversation is incredibly enlightening. George and Linda have so much wisdom to share, and in highlighting where our problems reside and sharing several anecdotes and insights, the whole conversation serves as an invitation to be drawn into your life rather than simply reacting to it.
For further content and information check out the following: - For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos - My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/ - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/ - George's latest book: The Secret to Mental Health
Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free consultation (30 minutes) for one-on-one coaching programs or click here to read about a leadership coaching program to build trust and connection amongst executive teams. Running Order: 07:04 How we experience realisations 10:30 The problem with our desire for change 13:34 The role of faith - allowing answers to come 19:30 Not seeking answers and slowing down 24:47 Patience with our reactions 31:00 Reacting to life, not living life 35:39 The problem is our thinking around our problems 40:34 Accountability for our thinking and experience 44:24 Throwing away right and wrong 46:15 What is a good life for George and Linda? | |||
| 24 Oct 2023 | What is a Good Life? #41 - Lessons From The Wild with Mark Smith | 00:48:44 | |
On the 41st episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to welcome Mark Smith of Mark Smith Photography as our guest. Mark is a wildlife photographer, videographer, and storyteller whose stunning work has amassed a huge online following with hundreds of millions of views on YouTube and elsewhere. In this episode, Mark shares with us his sense and experiences of flow from his work. We reflect on the beauty and awe of both the wild and being present with it. He talks about the inspiration he takes from nature regarding the seemingly insurmountable odds and significant obstacles he sees being faced every day. Mark also shares a touching and surreal account of his communication with a family of Cranes that later provided him with inspiration, perspective, and supported his healing when dealing with his own personal tragedy of suddenly losing his wife. Like his work, this discussion gives us insight into a world that most of us could greatly benefit from experiencing more often. This episode also offers a unique perspective on observing and navigating the cycles of life, and the joys and hardships that go with it. (We recorded this episode during the summer with Mark in the woods, so it is fittingly accompanied by the intermittent chirping sounds of nature) Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for clips and shorts. Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free 30 minute consultation for one-on-one coaching programs or to hear about corporate workshops I am offering around this question. Running Order: 03:10 Bonding over a common thing 05:40 AI can’t replace the human experience 07:00 Finding flow 10:53 Gaining perspective and inspiration from nature 16:55 How photography and observing nature has shifted his perspective 21:00 Mother Nature balances things out 24:41 Moments of deep loss and resonance with nature 30:42 Observing nature and accepting the cycles of life 32:10 Communication beyond words 37:30 A lifelong fascination with nature and creating a YouTube channel 42:45 The subtlety of observation 47:35 What is a good life for Mark? For further content and information check out the following: - For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos - My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/ - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/ - Mark's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarkSmithphotography/featured - Mark's Website: https://msmithphotos.com/ | |||
| 26 Mar 2024 | What is a Good Life? #63 - Being A Good Ancestor with Adah Parris | 01:12:39 | |
On the 63rd episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Adah Parris. Adah is a futurist, artist, keynote speaker, and a visionary in the fields of technology, ecology, innovation, and art. She chairs Mental Health First Aid England and is a Fellow at The Royal Society of the Arts. She is recognised as a TED Talks Global Emerging Innovator and celebrated by Forbes Brazil as one of the top futurists in the world. In this episode, Adah shares with us her journey to being herself, how curiosity and not following convention influence her life, the lessons she has learned about honesty and transparency in relationships, and meeting the human in each other before anything else. She notes the significance of seeing life as a series of experiments and shares what contributes to being both a good ancestor and being in kinship with the world around us. If you find yourself stuck in life and are unsure of what to do next, or feel your present ways of relating to others are causing you difficulty, Adah’s perspectives will give you so much to contemplate across a wide breadth of themes and topics that may help you see the world a little differently.
For further content and information check out the following: - Adah's leadership program: https://www.weareseeds.xyz/ - Adah's Website: https://www.adahparris.art/ - For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos - My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/ - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/ Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free consultation (30 minutes) for one-on-one coaching programs or click here to read about a leadership coaching program to build trust and connection amongst executive teams. Running Order: 08:00 How values and curiosity shape Adah’s life 12:30 The journey to Adah being herself 18:40 Seeing life as a series of experiments 25:15 Letting go of how life should be 30:30 Lessons from authentic relating 36:15 The value and importance of difference 42:25 The importance of presence 49:30 Technology, busyness, and relating 54:48 Distorting Time 1:02:10 Being a good ancestor and kinship 1:07:52 Summary and what is a good life for Adah? | |||
| 28 Dec 2023 | What is a Good Life? #50 - Parenting, Meaning & Community with Claire McQuillan | 01:02:26 | |
On the 50th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce Claire McQuillan as our guest. Claire is currently completing a master’s thesis in architecture, where she explores the dynamics of sex work in urban settings. Additionally, she shares her life insights and experiences through a newsletter I follow, alles claire. During our conversation, Claire reveals her recent realisation that she isn’t an architect despite a decade of studying and working in the field. We delve into the intricate process of letting go of roles or labels we self-identify with, exploring both what helps and hinders us in these experiences. Claire also shares her journey as a 30-year-old single mother to her teenage son, Sebastian. We discuss the joys and strains of parenting, finding meaning and purpose, and the societal pressures that generally accompany the role of a parent. Finally, we explore the significance of local neighbourhood community. Claire and I both reside in the same Berlin neighbourhood, and we reflect on the profound impact of a fully connected local community on our lives. Whether you find yourself grappling with letting go of self-identifications, navigating the complexities of parenting amidst societal pressures, or simply curious about fostering more local community in your life, this episode offers ample food for thought. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for clips and shorts. Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free consultation (30 minutes) for one-on-one coaching programs or to hear about corporate workshops I am offering around this question. Running Order: 03:25 What is my place in the world? 05:45 The difficulty of stepping away from what we identify with 09:30 The significance of our environment in the choices we make 17:35 Being a mother, finding meaning, purpose, and priorities 26:05 The importance of communication and curiosity in our children 28:45 Reflections on experiences of being a teenage mum 34:45 Giving ourselves grace in parenting in the face of societal pressures 42:18 The importance of open communication and community 45:00 Experiences of loneliness and building community 52:07 The impact of a connected neighbourhood 58:56 What is a good life for Claire? For further content and information check out the following: - For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos - My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/ - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/ - Claire's newsletter: https://allesklaire.substack.com/ | |||
| 07 Mar 2023 | What is a Good Life? #8 - Science (& Nature) meets Art with Dr. Daria Chrobok | 00:59:32 | |
On the eighth episode of the “What is a Good Life?” podcast, I am joined by Dr. Daria Chrobok, an artist, a scientist (PhD in plant physiology), and an entrepreneur. In this episode Daria takes us through her journey of cultivating more inner peace (via ice baths, meditation, and the grounding influence of nature), redefining relationships, releasing her creativity, stepping away from academia, setting up her own company (DC SciArt), and residing in her purpose. If you are still looking to identify what you want to do with your life, if you pay attention to Daria’s whole process, I believe you’ll observe many of the necessary steps to identify and engage with one’s purpose. Running Order: 00:00 Introduction
- For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos - My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/ - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/ - Daria's Website: https://www.dariasciart.com/ - Daria's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariachrobok/ Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel for daily clips and weekly reflections. | |||
| 17 Dec 2024 | What is a Good Life? #101 - Embracing The Season Of Life with Patrick Boland | 01:03:42 | |
On the 101st episode of What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Patrick Boland. Patrick is a leadership consultant, executive coach, psychotherapist, writer, and trainer across several industries and sectors around the world. Patrick's 2024 book, 'The Contemplative Leader', features interviews with world-class leaders on the topics of presence, connection, being non-attached and leading when we're not in control. In 2021, he co-authored a book of reflections, 'Every Thing Is Sacred', with the contemplative teacher Richard Rohr. Patrick founded Conexus in 2013, an organisation that coaches leaders and their teams using a combination of neuroscience; depth psychology; and embodied, experiential learning. In this insightful conversation, Patrick shares his experiences of moving towards a life that is beautifully full rather than persistently busy. We explore the shifting priorities and seasons of life, the significance of resting into the moment, questioning societal scripts as well as the interconnections we've observed between slowing down, being, and self-compassion. This whole conversation is a wonderful invitation to pause, reflect, step into your own life, notice the world around you, let go of control, and embrace whatever season your life is in. I found Patrick to be a rarely attuned individual so I am sure you will take a lot from this episode. For further content and information check out the following: - For the What is a Good Life? podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life if you'd like to explore your own lines of self-inquiry through 1-on-1 coaching, take part in my weekly free silent conversations, discuss experiences I create to stimulate greater trust, communication, and connection, amongst your leadership teams, or you simply want to get in touch.
02:51 What does it mean to walk beautifully? 08:51 Working hard but working less 11:51 Life is beautifully full 15:21 Resting into the moment 20:21 Questioning society and searching for meaning 25:21 The delusion that anyone has it all together 28:36 Suffering and letting go of control 33:11 Fear and control 38:21 Being and learning from life itself 41:36 Moving off the script 46:00 Contact with the feeling of the moment 49:51 Moving into more self-compassion 53:21 Slowing down and being 59:51 What is a good life for Patrick? | |||
| 07 Jan 2025 | What is a Good Life? #104 - Awareness Of Life's Fragility with Karen Maurice-O’Leary | 01:04:23 | |
On the 104th episode of What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Karen (Kaz) Maurice-O’Leary. Kaz is a highly awarded brand storyteller and wellbeing leadership speaker, recognised for promoting human-first environments and their impact on innovation. A New Zealander living in California, she has had an international career in advertising and creative technology with major brands and Fortune 500 companies. Her roles have included Creative Product Lead at Meta LA, Creative Director at TBWA and a co-founder of a successful agency that was acquired. A pivotal moment was inspired by almost, unknowingly missing the last meal of her husband's homemade Bolognese, leading her to create The Bolognese Philosophy, a workplace wellbeing initiative. In this incredibly life-affirming conversation, Kaz shares her journey of processing the grief following her husband's death. She reflects on her realisations from almost missing their last meal together, to the significance of recognising the small moments, being present, and appreciating the privilege of intimately knowing those in our lives. Kaz underscores the importance of embracing life's fragility, not taking anything for granted, and how whole life can feel when we can hold both its beauty and grief simultaneously. This conversation felt like a profound gift, and I believe it will leave you with a deeper awareness of life's uncertainties, along with an invitation to focus on what is here, right now.
- For the What is a Good Life? podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life if you'd like to explore your own lines of self-inquiry through 1-on-1 coaching, take part in my 5-week Silent Conversation group courses, discuss experiences I create to stimulate greater trust, communication, and connection, amongst your leadership teams, or you simply want to get in touch. 00:00 Introduction 03:00 What do we attach our self worth to? 06:20 The sense burnout is coming 09:15 How has poor well-being become normal? 14:19 Identifying too much with our jobs 18:00 Engaging with grief 21:36 Almost missing the last meal 25:40 Recognising the small moments 31:00 The privilege of intimately knowing 33:40 The feeling of connection from beyond 40:30 Sharing stories, grief, and connection 45:30 The processing of grief 51:30 Holding beauty, grief, and the whole 56:00 Assuming things last forever 1:00:40 What is a good life for Kaz? | |||
| 15 Aug 2023 | What is a Good Life? #31 - Being Intimate With Life with Alex Carabi | 01:10:19 | |
On the 31st episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I'm delighted to be joined by Alex Carabi. Alex is an author; his most recent book is "On Relationality," a leadership coach, and co-founder of Yellow, a group which offers spaces to learn, connect, and explore without predetermined outcomes or expectations. In this episode, we delve into the meaning of building greater intimacy with others and life itself, exploring various ways of relating to people that transcend manipulation and our typical defences. Our discussion uncovers the profound sense of aliveness, feeling, and depth that arises when we meet others and ourselves in the moment where we presently are. Moreover, we reflect on the alchemical potential of exploring the aspects of ourselves we have numbed. If you find yourself yearning for a deeper connection and greater intimacy in a world often characterised by superficial interactions, if you're tired of performing and acting at the expense of genuine connection and vitality, this conversation will provide ample food for thought. You'll gain insights into reshaping your approach to relating with others, along with fresh ideas to explore and incorporate into your own good life. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for shorter clips and reflections. Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free 30 minute consultation for one-on-one coaching programs or to hear about corporate workshops I am offering around this question.
01:38 Podcast begins 02:16 What is here? 06:50 Building intimacy with life 10:50 A fear of being seen 14:14 A different quality of relating - Martin Buber 20:48 Dropping our strategies and defences when relating 25:13 Exploring aliveness, feeling, and depth 28:48 Dissolving the separateness between us 33:23 Giving permission to what is here 35:48 What allows for more intimacy? 40:23 Getting in touch with where we are numb 44:53 Benefits to feeling more of life 50:11 Relating to life with meaning 53:36 Divine moments in relating to each other 55:36 Feeling ok with who and where you are 1:02:15 Summary of the conversation 1:04:00 What is a good life, for Alex?
- My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/
- Alex’s website: https://www.alexcarabi.com/ - Yellow’s website: https://www.yellowlearning.org/ - Alex’s book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/9198859307/ | |||
| 26 Nov 2024 | What is a Good Life? #98 - Embracing Ambiguity with Nora Bateson | 01:06:50 | |
Nora Bateson, is an award-winning filmmaker, research designer, writer, educator, international lecturer, as well as President of the International Bateson Institute based in Sweden. She is the creator of the Warm Data theory and practices. Nora’s work brings the fields of biology, cognition, art, anthropology, psychology, and information technology together into a study of the patterns in ecology of living systems. She wrote, directed and produced the award-winning documentary, An Ecology of Mind, a portrait of her father Gregory Bateson. Her first book, Small Arcs of Larger Circles, is a revolutionary personal approach to the study of systems and complexity. In her latest second book Combining, Nora invites us into an ecology of communication where nothing stands alone, and every action sets off a chain of incalculable consequences. She challenges conventional fixes for our problems, highlighting the need to tackle issues at multiple levels, understand interdependence, and embrace ambiguity. She was the recipient of the Neil Postman Award for Career Achievement in Public Intellectual Activity in 2019. In this engaging conversation, we delve into the dangers of certainty and the pursuit of fixed answers, exploring how moving beyond polarities can lead to mutual learning and understanding. We discuss the weaponisation of language, the impact of divisive discourse, and how more generative and sacred communication can guide us toward deeper connection and shared presence. This conversation invites you to engage more fully with life as it is—its beauty and its horror, its creativity and its destruction. It’s a call to hold life’s complexity with openness, to embrace it, and to let it go as the flow of life continues to unfold. For further content and information check out the following: - For the What is a Good Life? podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life if you'd like to explore your own lines of self-inquiry through 1-on-1 coaching, take part in my weekly free silent conversations, discuss experiences I create to stimulate greater trust, communication, and connection, amongst your leadership teams, or you simply want to get in touch. 00:00 Teaser 13:30 Holding possibility open 17:50 Taking a stand and taking a stance 20:15 The significance of how we communicate 24:50 Belonging, certainty, and polarity 30:50 The problem of grabbing answers 37:23 Generative and sacred communication 42:35 Paying attention to moment and context 48:20 Practice of improvisation 55:30 The implications of concrete answers 01:02:58 What is a good life for Nora? | |||
| 22 Aug 2023 | What is a Good Life? #32 - Seeing Many Sides Of The Story with Bassey Ikpi | 01:03:07 | |
On the 32nd episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I'm delighted to be joined by Bassey Ikpi. Bassey is a Nigerian born, American bred writer, ex-poet, mental health and wellness advocate, and memoir procrastinator. Her Book, “I’m Telling The Truth But I’m Lying,” an instant New York Times Bestseller, reflects her experience living with bipolar II disorder and anxiety. She is currently soft at work on her next book. In this episode, Bassey shares her experiences of navigating life with bipolar II disorder and the impact mindfulness has had on her life. We discuss the role a heightened self-awareness has played in terms of being able to afford both herself and others grace, allowing her to connect more with people’s humanity and to see beyond the pain, hurt, and fear that many people are interacting from.
Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for shorter clips and reflections. Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free 30 minute consultation for one-on-one coaching programs or to hear about corporate workshops I am offering around this question.
02:35 Am I going to be ok? 08:25 Am I contributing to my community in meaningful ways? 10:20 Affording grace to ourselves and others 16:41 The power of acknowledging and owning our behaviour 18:15 The impact of Mindfulness 20:35 What aren’t we able to disagree respectfully? 23:15 The vacuum of religion and Divinity 27:20 The beauty, love, and pain of life 28:40 Seeing the fear behind the hurt and the hate 36:14 The interaction of our fears 38:53 Developing awareness while remaining human 42:50 Writing to make sense of the world 46:35 Observing life from multiple perspectives 50:13 Being able to hear the other side of the story 55:22 The possibility of new perspectives 57:05 Summary of the conversation 1:01:18 What is a good life for Bassey? For further content and information check out the following:
- My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/
- Bassey's website: https://basseyikpi.com/ - Bassey's book: https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Bassey-Ikpi/dp/0062698346 - Bassey's twitter: https://twitter.com/Basseyworld | |||