What is a Good Life? #131 - The Art of Aligning with Purpose with Dave Bingham

Jul 15, 2025

In this dialogue, Dave Bingham, founder of True Circles Training Ltd, shares his journey from the tech sector to facilitating transformative Council practices. He discusses the art of aligning life with authenticity and personal purpose, emphasizing the deep impact of heart-centered communication. Through stories of circle gatherings and men’s groups, Dave illustrates how creating safe spaces fosters vulnerability and connection. This conversation invites us to explore the healing power of emotions and the importance of listening from the heart.

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INSIGHT

Purpose Alignment as Compass

Dave Bingham has focused on aligning with his purpose for over 10 years, asking "how well am I aligned right now?".
This alignment guides his present actions and decisions, especially for new initiatives.

INSIGHT

Let Mind Serve, Don’t Master

Dave learned to resist his mind’s urge to quickly define and control experiences, to allow deeper insights to emerge.
He values intuition, imagination, and heart over fast logical problem-solving for alignment and purpose.

ANECDOTE

Authenticity Crisis in Corporate Role

Dave lost himself during repetitive corporate training sessions, questioning his authenticity.
A client's sincere question shattered his expert facade, prompting a journey to genuine self-expression.

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On the 131st episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I’m delighted to welcome our guest, Dave Bingham. Dave is the founder and managing director of True Circles Training Ltd – though he often calls himself ‘an assistant to alchemy’. He’s a Trainer, Mentor, and Facilitator in the Way of Council, recognised by the Topa Institute of California and the European Council Network. Since 2009, he has facilitated Council groups in settings ranging from men’s circles and prisons to reconciliation programmes and open public groups. Formerly in the tech sector, he led major UK and international projects and contributed to global best practice. He later studied Psychotherapy and Eco-psychotherapy, before completing a multi-year apprenticeship to become one of a small number of Recognised Council Trainers outside the USA. Dave sees Council as an embodied wisdom tradition that fosters human wholeness, connection, and community – medicine for our times.

In this conversation, we delve into themes of purpose, alignment, and the transformative practice of the Way of Council. We explore the importance of listening from the heart and authenticity in communication. Dave shares his experiences of the profound impact of creating spaces for emotional expression.

This discussion invites us to reflect on depths of relating that I sense most people rarely engage with.

For more of Dave's work, check out the following:
Website: https://www.truecircles.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-bingham-7b0a95180/

Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life if you'd like to explore your own lines of self-inquiry through 1-on-1 coaching, my 5-week group courses, or to discuss experiences I create to stimulate greater trust, communication, and connection, amongst your leadership teams.

- For the What is a Good Life? 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/
- Exploring one-on-one coaching: https://www.whatisagood.life/p/one-on-one-coaching
- What is a Good Life? Course: https://www.whatisagood.life/p/the-what-is-a-good-life-course

00:00 How am I aligned with my purpose?

05:35 Resisting the tendency to problem solve

10:00 The capacity of the heart’s understanding

14:00 A moment that changed my course

17:50 A yearning for authenticity

20:50 An introduction to Way of Council

24:40 The foundation of Way of Council

27:25 The four intentions

32:25 A different form of relating

35:30 Taking a leap of faith

45:00 The capacity of humans to relate at depth

51:45 The significance of simply witnessing

54:00 Remembering who you are

57:40 Growing to align with purpose

1:00:57 What is a good life for Dave?