What is a Good Life?

On the 115th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Ariane de Bonvoisin. Ariane is a global soul, having lived in a dozen countries on 4 continents. She is a mother to her son Everest, a wife to her beloved, Alfie, and a dog-mom to her golden retriever Waffle. She has worked in venture capital, the music industry, launched her own start up, was a management consultant a very long time ago and now loves coaching CEO’s, founders, athletes and being a confidante for their professional and personal journeys. She is also a published author of many books, including her bestseller, The First 30 Days: Your Guide to Making Any Change Easier, which has been translated in a dozen languages.She has been a keynote at many conferences including Oprah's, been invited to speak at places like Amazon, Google and the World Bank and also co-created a best-selling game called KidQuest with her son. She has been a world class swimmer and a ski instructor. She was also part of an award-winning documentary called The Highest Pass—a motorcycle journey through the highest roads in the Himalayas.In this captivating conversation, we explore how to fully integrate our spiritual lives, paying attention to our intuition, and ultimately embracing self-acceptance and the present moment.For more of Ariane's work, check out the following:Website: https://www.arianedebonvoisin.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arianed1/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 this question for yourself: https://www.whatisagood.life/p/your-personal-interview- The Silent Conversations: https://www.whatisagood.life/p/the-silent-conversations00:00 How to live a spiritual life while fully being in this world?08:00 Being allergic to her life choices15:50 My intuition speaks loudest in the morning20:22 Jumping into the void and faith25:00 Exploring change and transition28:10 Asking for guidance 32:00 Conversations with the divine35:30 Accepting what is and retreat in the everyday40:10 Loving and accepting our minds43:19 The journey to self-love49:30 Acceptance of life and ourselves52:30 The universe is the third parent55:00 Recap and what is a good life for Ariane?

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:Newsletter: https://andrewalexander.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 this question for yourself: https://www.whatisagood.life/p/your-personal-interview- The Silent Conversations: https://www.whatisagood.life/p/the-silent-conversations00:00 Introduction01:30 How have we not learned?06:20 Questioning our ideas of freedom12:10 Limitations with individualised ideas of freedom18:20 Freedom and responsibility 23:20 A deeper sense of freedom30:45 Why is freedom important?36:31 Freedom and our interconnectivity 44:00 The trap of creating an image of ourselves48:30 The relationship between freedom and fear56:30 Attention, time, and freedom1:04:48 Recap and what is a good life for Andrew?

In this engaging discussion, Minna Salami, an author and social critic, dives into the transformative power of attentiveness, emphasizing how it shapes our understanding of a fulfilling life. She shares insights from her childhood and mystical experiences, advocating for a deeper engagement with existence. Minna also explores the intersection of spirituality and feminism, highlighting how personal growth emerges from confronting societal challenges. The conversation invites listeners to embrace their true selves and navigate the complexities of identity, empowerment, and integrity.

Anne-Laure Le Cunff, an award-winning neuroscientist and founder of Ness Labs, discusses her insights on curiosity and lifelong learning. She highlights the shift from linear paths to experimental journeys, emphasizing how embracing uncertainty can lead to personal growth. The conversation explores the importance of adventure for mental health and how societal pressures influence our relationship with time. Emphasizing joy in creativity, Anne-Laure encourages listeners to reconnect with their innate curiosity and redefine success through playful experiments.

Dr. Senem Donatan Mohan, a Dublin-based storyteller and author from Turkey, explores the interplay of life's rhythms and energies. She discusses how storytelling enriches both personal growth and cultural experiences while navigating the delicate balance between masculine and feminine energies. Reflecting on her journey, Senem highlights the chaotic versus calm aspects of life, the origins of love through ancient rituals, and the transformative power of creativity. Her insights advocate for embracing imagination to navigate life's complexities.

In this engaging discussion, Paul Davis, an award-winning business growth consultant and best-selling author, dives into the power of intuition. He shares his profound quest for personal meaning and the role of intentions in shaping our lives. Paul describes his journey as an empath and the emotional challenges of navigating authenticity in relationships. Discover how merging intuition with business insights can lead to greater fulfillment and success, urging listeners to reconnect with their intuitive gifts and explore their true purpose.

Fabrice Desmarescaux, a seasoned partner at McKinsey & Company, integrates Eastern spiritual traditions into Western management. He shares his transformative journey, discussing the shift from success to significance and the importance of personal meaning. Fabrice emphasizes the necessity of commitment in combating aimlessness, drawing on personal experiences to illustrate the emotional journey of loss and the quest for fulfillment. Listeners are invited to engage with their lived experiences and explore spirituality as a path to true happiness.

Ruth McCarthy, founder of Think It Through and Global Faculty at Time to Think, explores the transformative power of uninterrupted attention. She emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and emotional expression in personal growth. Through attentive listening, she believes we can navigate life's complexities and improve relationships. Ruth also discusses the significance of being present, challenging limiting assumptions, and the responsibility of being a 'good ancestor' in today’s world, fostering connections that lead to a fulfilling life.

On the 107th episode of What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Ben Bushill. Ben is a writer, spoken word artist and ceremony holder. His passion is the remembrance and sanctification of our human lives as we try to understand our place and our belonging in the vast unfolding web of existence. In his work as a poet he aims to bring us to the place where we can be grateful and humble before the truth of our undeniable vulnerability and humanity. His ceremonial work with marriages, memorials, ritual and circles of wise love is a way for us to feel and honour the key moments of our lives beyond ideas of religion or alignment. He has been a student of a Sufi mystery school for the last twenty years and is currently setting the foundations for the establishment of a new school. In this enlightening conversation, Ben shares his journey of balancing the divine and the ordinary, alongside his ongoing inquiry into how he will meet each day. We explore the paradox of being deeply connected to life yet alone, the softening of the heart, and the link between vulnerability, the unknown, and aliveness. We also discuss the expression of our essence in shaping our purpose and the challenges of being human, all the while holding onto the hand of love.This conversation feels like a love letter to the human experience, embracing its struggles while celebrating its wonder. I suspect it will leave you feeling more at home in your own life.For further content and information check out the following:- Ben's website: https://www.benbushill.com/- 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/- The Silent Conversations: https://www.whatisagood.life/p/the-silent-conversationsContact 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 Introduction03:00 How do I meet this day?07:30 Balancing the divine and ordinary sense of life11:58 The paradox of being alone and connected17:40 The tenderising of the human heart24:40 The vulnerability of the unknown28:20 The love of your own essence36:00 The longing of your soul 40:30 Vulnerability and aliveness43:00 Your purpose is your essence51:40 Navigating the paradox58:30 Embracing the symphony of life1:00:40 What is a good life for Ben?

In this enlightening conversation, cognitive neuroscientist Mona Sobhani shares her journey of reconnecting with a meaningful universe. She discusses finding inner peace amid chaos and the role of synchronicity in shaping our paths. Mona reflects on emotional resilience during a life-threatening wildfire and explores the authenticity of spiritual practices in modern life. The dialogue further delves into reincarnation and past life experiences, blending science and spirituality to uncover deeper truths about consciousness and emotional healing.