What is a Good Life?

In this engaging conversation, Mike Moss, a seasoned BACP registered Counsellor with over 40 years of experience, shares profound insights on the beauty of everyday life. He discusses the significance of being present and how a simple smile can transform connections. Mike emphasizes self-discovery and the importance of embracing life’s complexities. He invites listeners to find joy in ordinary moments and highlights the interconnectedness of our experiences, encouraging mindfulness as a pathway to recognizing beauty in the mundane.

Join Dr. Richard Claydon, a leadership strategist and creator of the Praxis Q framework, as he delves into the intricacies of navigating leadership in today's complex world. He discusses the need for authentic self-awareness and the importance of dialogue in fostering trust and interdependence. Claydon critiques traditional leadership models that lead to burnout, advocating for a more human-centric approach. He also explores how evolving trust dynamics can empower leaders to build resilient systems and make meaningful contributions to their environments.

Kate Arms, an expert in organizational systems and co-founder of the Neurodiversity Coaching Academy, discusses the complexities of human existence and how to thrive through life’s challenges. She navigates the interplay of grief and joy, advocating for mindfulness and presence. Kate shares insights on balancing intuition and analysis, as well as the importance of teaching resilience. She highlights the need for systemic change and the role of becoming a wise elder to foster a thriving future.

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.

On the 130th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I’m delighted to welcome our guest, Ella Fryer-Smith. Ella is the founder of Do You Research, an agency established with the intention of drawing on over 15 years of research experience, collaborating with the amazing researchers she has met along the way, and maintaining a clear focus on inclusion to deliver exceptional research, consultancy, and training. Specialising in qualitative research methods, particularly film ethnography, her work has taken her around the world—observing people’s everyday lives and exploring everything from toilet roll and white goods to how people manage their money. She has also helped policymakers navigate the future of health services and travel. Ella is the Vice Chair of the Association of Qualitative Researchers (AQR) board and sits on the Market Research Society (MRS) Social Inclusion Group.In this engaging conversation, Ella shares her journey of embracing uncertainty and the paradox of confidence in admitting what we don't know. We explore the importance of presence in parenting, the significance of her parents as role models, freedom within constraints, and the need for research to reflect the voices of the unheard.For me, this discussion really emphasises the significance of lived experience in understanding—and truly seeing—each other.For more of Ella's work, check out the following:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ella-fryer-smith-91281723/Website: https://www.doyou-research.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 5-week What is a Good Life? 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- 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-course00:00 Letting go of saying I know05:15 Arriving into confidence09:55 Embracing of the unknown12:15 Constraints within freedom and creativity 16:00 Prioritising presence with children21:30 The importance of parental role models28:10 We may have more flexibility than we think32:00 We are inundated with messaging35:00 Research for social issues39:30 The significance of meeting people42:00 Making sense of people’s lives44:30 Engaging with unheard voices52:30 Foregrounding lived experience more1:00:50 What is a good life for Ella?

On the 129th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I’m delighted to welcome our guest, Neale Donald Walsch. Neale has written 40 books on contemporary spirituality and its practical application in everyday life, including his new book GodTalk: Experiences of Humanity’s Connections with a Higher Power. Neale is the bestselling author of the Conversations with God series, of which seven of the nine books made the New York Times bestseller list. Book One remained on that list for 134 weeks. His titles have been translated into 37 languages and have been read by millions of people around the world.In this conversation, Neale discusses his journey in exploring humanity’s relationship with God, emphasising that neither God nor love is transactional. He also shares the experiences that led to his first bestselling book and the life mission that emerged from those dialogues.This conversation invites us to engage with life in a way that contrasts with many cultural norms—by embracing love, deep understanding, and meaningful connection with others.For more of Neale's work, check out the following:Website: http://www.nealedonaldwalsch.com/Books: http://www.nealedonaldwalsch.com/Store/BooksContact 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-course00:00 How we are misunderstanding God04:20 A theologically revolutionary idea10:10 God’s love demands nothing in return13:40 Questioning religion but not a belief in God22:15 Conversing with God29:00 Not a case of right & wrong but what works & doesn’t33:22 The importance of our imagination41:10 God is speaking to us all the time44:45 The bias against a possibility48:30 Sharing conversations with God53:10 Reflecting on the success of the first book56:30 Discovering his life mission1:03:10 What is a good life for Neale?

On the 128th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I’m delighted to welcome our guest, Shai Tubali, Ph.D. Shai is a philosopher, author, and teacher whose work bridges mysticism and academic philosophy. He explores how expanded states of consciousness can transform individual lives and influence our collective future.Shai holds a doctorate in the philosophy of religion and his academic publications include The Transformative Philosophical Dialogue (Springer, 2023) and Cosmos and Camus: Science Fiction Film and the Absurd. As the author of numerous books on inner transformation, his writings have reached readers in 14 languages. He has also developed several original, meditation-based methods for psychological transformation, including the medically researched Expansion Method.In this conversation, we explore profound questions about the nature of existence, the power of inquiry, and the tension between knowing and not knowing. Shai reflects on his journey of self-discovery, the absurdity of life, and the importance of embracing both reflective self-consciousness and the interconnectedness of all beings.This episode emphasises the significance of living an examined life, where questions lead to deeper insights and a more profound understanding of what it means to be human.For more of Shai's work, check out the following:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaitubali/Website: https://shaitubali.com/Books: https://shaitubali.com/books/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ShaiTubali/featuredContact 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 What is a Good Life? 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- 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-course00:00 The energy and tension of the question03:00 What is it to be human?05:15 The aliveness of not knowing09:20 Being a distant observer of life16:30 Embracing life fully from nowhere21:30 Exploring absurdity, meaning & transcendence 32:55 The beginning of a spiritual path38:20 Longing for reality43:55 The interplay of absurdity and transcendence 50:53 The existential suffering of personalised existence55:45 The grand feeling of universality through science59:00 Summary of the conversation1:02:00 What is a good life for Shai?

On the 127th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I’m delighted to welcome our guest, Andrew B Brown. Former Commander, Chief Inspector (retd.) Andrew is an internationally renowned negotiator with specialist knowledge and experience in dealing with kidnap for ransom and hostage/crisis incidents, particularly in humanitarian environments; in designing conflict de-escalation skills for field operations and acting as an expert witness to judicial inquiries on the response to hostage taking.A Fellow of the Chartered Management and Security Institutes, he has developed advanced negotiation and crisis leadership skills for major corporations, public bodies, and Olympic sports coaches. His doctoral studies and experience in Afghan & African kidnappings have led him to research, critique and advise INGOs on how to prepare, prevent and respond to the threat of international kidnap. As a Fulbright Alumnus, he continues to teach advanced negotiation tactics to many law enforcement agencies including NYPD, USMS and the FBI. Published in his field, he remains an Advisor to the Editorial Board of the Crisis Response Journal.In this episode, we explore Andrew’s journey toward finding purpose through helping others. He shares pivotal moments that shaped his path, from working with NGOs in crisis zones like Afghanistan to exploring the power of authentic human connection. Andrew reflects on the importance of listening, vulnerability, and sharing our common humanity. He also discusses how spirituality supports his work and the vital role of grounding stress in high-pressure environments. This conversation is a wonderful invitation to find balance and perspective throughout the various chapters of our lives and the full range of life.For more of Andrew's work, check out the following:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-b-brown-00148024/Website: https://www.the-right-path.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 5-week What is a Good Life? 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- 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-course00:00 Finding Purpose in Helping Others04:45 Prioritising listening and humanity09:11 Navigating Health Issues12:05 Transitioning from Policing to Humanitarian Work14:50 Negotiation and Crisis Management18:00 A Defining Moment in life and purpose22:15 The power of heartache or pain in connecting27:45 Finding balance with work and family31:50 Moving between negotiations and ordinary life33:43 The level of responsibility for others36:30 The range of this life & prioritising humanity40:50 Grounding processes for stress45:15 A pivotal moment for realising his calling50:00 Continuing to help and guide others 53:10 The importance of vulnerability59:53 The power of listening and presence1:07:14 What is a good life for Andy?

In this engaging conversation, Geneen Marie Haugen—content creator and nature-psyche guide—shares her wild life experiences and insights into the potential of human imagination. She discusses how our attitudes shape reality and the current suppression of imagination in modern society. Geneen reveals her personal stories of connection with nature, highlighting how imagination influences our perceptions. The dialogue emphasizes the necessity of embracing creativity to enhance personal fulfillment and address global challenges.

On the 125th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I’m delighted to welcome our guest, Nikki Trott. Nikki is a renowned author, speaker, strategist, CEO adviser and podcaster dedicated to empowering business to thrive in harmony with humanity and the Earth. Her book, Sacred Business, is a manifesto for the transformation of ourselves woven with strategic action to create a new era of life-affirming business. As the host of the acclaimed Going Conscious podcast, she explores journeys of visionary entrepreneurs creating prosperity from purpose. Nikki has advised over 100 iconic brands and startup founders and is redesigning capital for regeneration as founding partner of Barefoot Ventures.In this conversation, Nikki explores her journey toward authenticity and purpose, discussing the profound impact of writing her book, and the interplay between personal and spiritual growth, and business transformation. She emphasises the importance of intuition, feminine energy, and the balance between surrender and action in both life and work.The conversation touches on the need for a shift from traditional, fear-driven practices to a more holistic, sacred approach to work, drawing on the lessons of Sacred Business.To find more of Nikki's work:Website: nikkitrott.com.Connect on Instagram @nikkitrott and LinkedIn /nikkitrott.Get your copy of Sacred Business from all good bookshops and as a audiobook.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 What is a Good Life? 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- 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-course00:00 Coming into authenticity & purpose03:15 The serendipity when on our path06:15 Following the energy and authenticity10:30 The experience of serendipity 13:30 Moving into the feminine energy18:30 The profound impact of childbirth23:00 Proactive surrender28:00 Sacred business33:30 Moving from fear to love in business37:30 Treating people well and profits align40:45 Managing our energy and its cyclical nature43:35 Letting go of control46:40 Shifting from short term focus to evergreen53:00 What is a good life for Nikki?