What is a Good Life?

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?

On the 124th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I’m delighted to welcome our guest, Glenn Behenna. Glenn is a recently retired Senior Lecturer at Carmarthen Business School and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. He held a varied range of roles throughout his career, including steelworker, police officer, consultant, and facilitator, alongside more than 20 years of experience lecturing and managing university programmes. He was also an invited speaker at the House of Lords on topics related to education. Glenn’s path has been driven by a deep interest in people and how we communicate. In this conversation, Glenn shares his insights on the power of making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. We delve into the value of listening, paying attention, and fostering relationships within learning environments. Our discussion highlights how curiosity can drive personal growth and deepen our understanding of both ourselves and others.We also reflect on the need to create space for our feelings and intuition, as well as the necessity of preserving our humanity in an increasingly automated 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 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 Making a difference to people’s lives05:00 Helping people build confidence  09:10 Encouraging people to know they are enough12:30 Being vulnerable and available to people15:30 The power of listening to open up others18:40 Attention and relationship in learning23:00 The unpredictable unfolding path of life26:30 Curiosity & becoming at ease with ourselves35:15 Leaving space for intuition & feeling40:22 Reflections on AI in education43:00 We are dehumanising ourselves49:13 Students wary of AI marking their work53:53 Conversation summary56:26 What is a good life for Glenn?

On the 123rd episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I’m delighted to welcome our guest, Jessica Böhme. Jessica is a professor and academic director of technology management at FHM Berlin, and she is the founder of the Institute for Practical ekoPhilosophy (IPeP). She writes a weekly newsletter "wild:philosophy," where she explores how to live life in a collapsing world. Her expertise lies in utilising philosophy as a meta-technology for individual, social, and ecological transformations.In this episode, we delve into the profound question of how to live this life—particularly in the context of sustainability and personal responsibility. We discuss the concept of 'messy disturbance' in navigating life's complexities, the paralysis that can come from heightened awareness, and reflect on the experiments Jessica undertook to align her actions with her values—including her remarkable "one dress" experiment, in which she wore the same dress every day for over a year.This conversation celebrates curiosity, the wisdom gained through lived experience, paying attention to life’s feedback and how philosophy can be practiced in everyday life, offering a grounding force amidst uncertainty.Ultimately, this episode points to a richness of life that can be experienced when we allow ourselves to be seen.For more of Jessica's work, check out the following:Website: https://www.jessicaboehme.com/ IPeP: https://www.institute-pep.com/Newsletter: https://jessicaboehme.substack.com/ Books: https://www.jessicaboehme.com/books/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 How do I live this life? What principles?04:10 Living in the messy disturbance of life07:10 We are more resilient than we think11:00 Engaging with the difficulty of our choices13:30 The importance of living our theories18:05 Wearing the same dress for a year23:00 People don’t notice as much as you think26:30 The connection with items through familiarity30:00 The relationship between scarcity and care32:05 The friction between long term and a world in flux37:05 Standing by and living in our choices 42:35 Integrating more than rejecting ways of life46:17 Seeing Philosophy as a daily practice49:00 Life’s feedback and responding to it51:30 Summary and what is a good life for Jessica?

Felicity Reed, a psychotherapist and leadership expert specializing in trauma and health inequalities, brings her rich experience to the table. She discusses the importance of vulnerability and authenticity in personal journeys, emphasizing how embracing life's messiness fosters genuine connections. Felicity shares her own struggles with ADHD and the transformative power of therapy. The conversation highlights how deep emotional engagement can lead to healing and richer relationships, urging listeners to celebrate imperfection and openness in their lives.

On the 121st episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I’m delighted to welcome our guest, Dave Gribben. Dave is a performance coach who works with strategic decision-makers, ambitious leaders, and teams, helping them engage the best of their humanity to realise more of their potential and achieve goals that matter.Based in Dublin, he enjoys life as an empty nester with his wife, staying close to their three children and four grandchildren. Dave partners with organisations of all sizes across Europe, helping them build cultures they’re proud of and leadership teams that inspire. He also contributes to MBA programmes on High Performing Teams at UCD, DIT, and as Associate Faculty at the Irish Management Institute. Dave has held leadership roles in nonprofits tackling homelessness and poverty, serving as Director and Chairman of Stepping Stone and as a founder of Seachange.In this conversation, we discuss profound questions about life, self-discovery, and the delicate balancing of the ego and the soul. We also talk about self-acceptance and the ongoing journey of personal growth. This conversation highlights the significance of family, the joy of connection, and the idea that a good life is one where we enable others regain their dignity.For more of Dave's work, check out the following:Dave's website: https://enableconsulting.ie/Dave's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davegribben/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 What have I left behind of myself?06:30 Approaching our inquiry more playfully11:30 Getting bored of busyness16:20 Space for awareness without our phones19:00 Trying to balance the needs of our ego and soul24:20 Being attentive to life and our nature30:20 A journey to self-acceptance36:55 What brings a feeling of abundance43:10 The security of love and family48:35 The importance of each other57:34 What is a good life for Dave? 

On the 120th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I’m delighted to welcome Mike James Ross. Mike has been a CHRO, author, consultant, investor, lawyer, manager of a peace negotiations project, and a whole host of other things. He is currently advising individuals, teams, and organisations with a focus on meaningful work. The book he co-authored, Intention, is a practical guide to unsticking yourself and infusing purpose, engagement, and fulfilment into your life.In this insightful conversation, Mike shares his explorations and research into finding meaning in work, the importance of connection with others, and the societal implications of disengagement in the workforce. He also emphasises the role of love and intention in living a fulfilling life.This conversation is a wonderful invitation to contemplate the idea of a good life and what is meaningful from the perspective of the collective, beyond simply our own individual perspectives.For more of Mike's work, check out the following:Mike’s website and book: https://www.mikejamesross.com/Mike’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikejamesross/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- 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- The Silent Conversations: https://www.whatisagood.life/p/the-silent-conversations00:00 Individual or collectively discerning a good life05:30 Camaraderie at work10:50 Is gratitude seated in guilt?16:14 An abundance within attention23:00 Meaning at work28:40 The cost of not doing meaningful work32:22 Why does the status quo persist?37:20 The significance of the other in meaning44:20 Personally finding meaning at work48:10 Finding meaning and busyness55:30 Reasons for optimism  1:01:00 Summary and what is a good life for Mike?

On the 119th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I’m delighted to welcome Tom Asacker. Often described as a creative force, albeit a wayward one, Asacker has been an artist, CEO, corporate advisor, award-winning inventor, and professional magician. He’s a student of the human psyche and the author of several best-selling books on belief, human behaviour, and personal transformation. Since childhood, he’s been collecting and deciphering observations about all of the strange ways that people think about and behave in the world. For the past 25 years, he’s been endlessly improvising, searching for ways to communicate an art of living that confronts conditioning and embraces freedom. His latest attempt is his new book, Unwinding Want: Using Your Mind to Escape Your Thoughts.In this illuminating conversation, Tom shares the incoherence of his childhood experiences and how they led him to question the nature of beliefs and the human condition. We discuss the role of the thinking mind, the illusion of control, and the significance of feelings over societal conditioning in guiding actions, as well as the prioritisation of relationship over goals.Ultimately, this conversation is an invitation for our inner spirits to emerge and to live the lives we truly want.For more of Tom's work, check out the following:Tom's book and website: https://www.unwindingwant.com/Tom's Newsletter: https://unwindingwant.substack.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 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- 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- The Silent Conversations: https://www.whatisagood.life/p/the-silent-conversations00:00 Why do people believe what they believe?03:41 Seeking stability or something to lean on06:15 The calming of the thinking mind09:35 Feeling what we want and responding to that13:50 Revealing of the illusion 17:55 Dancing with life24:30 Feeling alive and focus of attention 28:38 Allowing an expression of our feelings34:20 We do things for a feeling that doesn’t come37:50 The prioritising of relationship47:50 Wants from feelings versus conditioning52:20 The role of suffering and confusion in revealing58:39 Playing with our minds rather than controlling1:04:34 What is a good life for Tom?