What is a Good Life?

On the 152nd episode of What is a Good Life?, I welcome Tim Leberecht, one of the most original and passionate voices on creating a more humane future of business. Tim is a German-American entrepreneur, curator, and author, and the co-founder and co-CEO of the  House of Beautiful Business, a global community for those who seek more from work and from one another. A sought-after keynote speaker, his two TED Talks have been viewed more than 3 million times. He is the author of  The Business Romantic (Harper Business, 2015), translated into ten languages, The End of Winning (Droemer, 2020), and the forthcoming Supercurator (Basic/Hachette, 2027). Tim is also a BMW Foundation Responsible Leader.In this conversation, Tim reflects on belonging, intimacy, and what it means to live a good life amidst the pressures of performance and an increasingly AI-shaped world. He speaks to the value of sensitivity, connection, and community — and how creating spaces for presence and honest conversation can reshape how we experience ourselves and each other.This is a conversation for anyone longing for deeper connection — with themselves, with others, and with a world becoming ever more synthetic.For more of Tim's work:Website: https://houseofbeautifulbusiness.com/ Books: http://timleberecht.com/books/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tleberecht/ HoBB newsletter: https://houseofbeautifulbusiness.substack.com/For more of my work:Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life if you'd like to explore your own good life through 1-on-1 coaching and group online courses.- The podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos- My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/p/individual-coaching00:00 — The question of belonging 04:15 — Morning reconstruction of self 07:42 — Performance and authenticity tension 11:18 — Limits of self-optimisation 15:03 — Beauty and the good life 19:27 — Connection in a synthetic world 23:54 — Silence as shared intimacy 28:31 — Intimacy beyond human relationships 33:45 — AI as conversational partner 38:12 — Being changed by dialogue 44:08 — Sensitivity as core value 51:36 — Conditions for belonging

In this conversation, Olaf Lewitz, a leadership thinker and Trust Artist, delves into the intriguing question, "What am I missing?" He highlights how this inquiry can reshape our perceptions of anger and boundaries. Olaf shares insights on creating drama through interpretations rather than reality and the power of humor in defusing tension. He emphasizes balancing personal boundaries with compassion and reflects on the importance of inner worth and hope. Ultimately, Olaf defines a good life as enjoying the present while striving to make the world a bit better.

Claire Goodey, an artist and humanistic psychotherapist, shares her journey of returning to creativity after a decade in private practice. She discusses her late autism diagnosis and its impact on her understanding of needs and the importance of nervous system awareness. Claire reflects on navigating fear versus love, emphasizing the value of presence and intentional rest. She also introduces the metaphor of "getting into the slipper" for retreat and highlights how embracing vulnerability can lead to a more humane existence amid life's chaos.

Adam Mastroianni, an experimental psychologist and popular science writer, dives into the intriguing world of curiosity and meaningful contributions. He discusses how relentless questions can feel like demonic possessions driving creativity. Adam also ponders the historical delays in innovations like indoor plumbing and explores the contrast between online validation and real-life feedback. The conversation highlights the importance of finding your unique role in the world and how embracing authentic work can shape a fulfilling life.

On the 148th episode of What is a Good Life?, I welcome Leigh Marz, a collaboration and leadership coach for major universities, corporations, and federal agencies. She has led training programs to promote an experimental mindset among teams at NASA and a decade-long cross-sector collaboration to reduce toxic chemicals in products, in partnership with Green Science Policy Institute, Harvard University, IKEA, Google, and Kaiser Permanente. Leigh coauthored Golden: The Power of Silence in a World of Noise and cofounded Astrea Strategies, helping leaders bridge contemplation and action. In this conversation we explore silence as a living presence—how inquiry, pauses, and shared quiet unlock better thinking, connection, and wellbeing. We cover mapping noise (auditory, informational, internal), flow states, and why slowing down in groups (even at work) sparks novel solutions. This episode invites listeners to rediscover silence as a living teacher — one that reveals what truly matters when we’re quiet enough to hear it.For more of Leigh's work:Link to the book: Golden: The Power of Silence in a World of NoiseAstrea Strategies: https://astreastrategies.com/Her website: https://leighmarz.com/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 team coaching 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-14b0161b4/00:03 – Intro & why start with questions04:03 – Origins of the silence inquiry & HBR article09:00 – “What’s the deepest silence you’ve known?” 12:41 – Freedom moment: “Silence teems with life” 16:41 – Quiet together: practices beyond meditation24:44 – Mapping noise: auditory, informational, internal29:33 – Antidote: signals you need silence & “positive distractions”35:00 – Designing retreats for novel thinking 38:21 – “Slow down, there isn’t much time.”46:13 – Silence & the nervous system52:00 - How the inquiry into silence has shaped Leigh58:12 – Leigh’s response to “What is a good life?”

Karimu Samuels, a movement expert and coach, shares his transformative journey from chasing ego-driven goals to finding peace through holistic movement. He emphasizes listening to the body and embracing softness as keys to self-discovery. Discussing movement as a universal language, Karimu illustrates how it confronts our fears and deepens awareness. He also reveals the importance of radical honesty and co-creating safe spaces for authentic expression. Join him in exploring fulfillment, creativity, and the idea of 'coming home' through the joy of movement.

In this enlightening discussion, Steven D'Souza, an award-winning author and leadership coach, explores the transformative power of shadow work in leadership and personal growth. He reflects on his journey from a pursuit of the priesthood to his quest for meaning and aliveness. Steven argues for embracing our shadows as sources of wisdom, highlighting the importance of self-compassion and acceptance over relentless self-improvement. Ultimately, he defines a good life as one characterized by kindness—to ourselves, others, and nature.

On the 145th episode of What is a Good Life?, I’m delighted to welcome Marc Cinanni. Marc is a writer, musician, and co-founder of Muntanya Màgica, a secluded forest retreat space near Barcelona devoted to personal and spiritual renewal. After time spent in an ashram and a transformative period living on a remote Pacific island, Marc now helps others rewild their inner and outer lives through nature, meditation, and presence—inviting a return to stillness and a deep respect for the mystery of life.In this conversation, we explore courage as the practice of listening to yourself, rewilding a modern life and his move to a remote island, practical spirituality, and how trusting life reshapes friendship, work, and home.This episode is an invitation to truly notice and trust this life.For more of Marc's work:Retreat website: www.muntanyamagica.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marccinanni/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 team coaching 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-14b0161b4/00:00 How do I live this life as me?02:30 Sharing our gift with the world05:00 A series of experience to self-knowing08:45 The pillars of empathy & creativity12:15 A call to nature17:45 Attuning to nature’s demands and our being21:00 Adjusting to life in nature29:44 Noticing the cycles of life35:00 Continued communication in relationships38:20 The shifting of friendships41:00 Knowing you can trust your life46:00 The beauty of every moment50:30 Setting up a retreat52:30 Summary and what is a good life for Marc?

On the 144th episode of What is a Good Life?, I’m delighted to welcome George Thompson. George is a filmmaker, teacher, and founder of Balance is Possible!, a movement dedicated to inspiring balance for both people and planet. With over 25 million people impacted by his work and support from changemakers like Louie Schwartzberg, Tara Brach, and Stephen Fry, George weaves together ancient Daoist wisdom and modern science into practical, playful tools for navigating modern life.In this conversation, we explore what it truly means to live in balance — within ourselves, with others, and with the natural world. George shares insights from his time training under Master Gu in the Wudang Mountains of China, and reflects on how balance extends beyond personal wellbeing into a collective responsibility for the planet.This is a gentle and profound invitation to slow down, be present, and rediscover harmony amidst the complexities of life.For more of George's work:website: https://www.balanceispossible.com/His latest film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KArWcMldPMContact 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 team coaching 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-14b0161b4/00:00 What is balance?03:00 The economy and nature05:00 A radical transformation of understanding08:30 The unexpected path to Tai Chi11:20 The embrace of the unknown17:00 Letting go of yourself20:00 No longer separating life from practice 23:50 The wisdom of the mind28:15 Trusting the flow of life31:00 The forming of a mission34:00 The interdependence of healing38:00 Giving yourself grace of seasons41:00 Creating more space to meet life44:25 Loving the challenging feelings of life49:50 The movement towards balance52:45 Summary of the conversation and what is a good life for George?

On the 143rd episode of What is a Good Life?, I’m delighted to welcome Kimbra. Kimbra is a New Zealand-born songwriter, musician, producer, and adventurous performer. Her 2011 debut, Vows, was certified platinum in Australia and New Zealand. The following year, “Somebody That I Used to Know,” her duet with Gotye, topped Billboard’s Hot 100, became the best-selling song of the year in the U.S., and earned her two Grammy Awards. Since then, she has toured with artists including Beck, David Byrne, and Jacob Collier, and has released four more albums: The Golden Echo, Primal Heart, A Reckoning, and Idols & Vices (Vol. 1). She hosts the podcast Playing With Fire and shares essays, poetry and watercolours on her Substack newsletter.In this conversation, Kimbra reflects on her ongoing journey to find balance and rest within her life and career as a musician. She speaks about the importance of silence in shaping her artistic expression, the power of surrendering to spirit, and the grounding influence of nature.This episode is an invitation to embrace the fullness of life — its joy, its suffering, and the many paradoxes in between.For more of Kimbra's work:Substack: https://kimbra.substack.com/Website: https://www.kimbramusic.com/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 team coaching 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-14b0161b4/00:00 How to find balance?03:00 The experience of burnout06:30 A silent concert09:50 HoneyBones and nothing to lose12:30 The generosity and connection of silence 16:00 Life, art, and work are not separate19:30 Receiving a message from spirit23:30 Being empowered by spirit29:00 A mystical experience and calling33:42 We all have a cross38:50 Making a difference in the world42:30 The power and role of nature45:00 Rest, letting go, and liberation51:15 Summary and what is a good life for Kimbra?