On the 30th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I'm excited to be joined by Lin Cassie Zhen. Cassie is a friend of mine who took a leap of faith and quit her job as a Design Lead in Tech, without establishing what was coming next, to create space for what would unfold organically.She’s currently writing a book as well as producing a podcast (Being Awareness - https://lnkd.in/e2t-3FxG) on the topic of mindfulness and inner transmutation.In this episode, Cassie shares her evolution from a relentless pursuit of productivity and life hacks to a deeper exploration of mindfulness and connection, and the shift from trying to control life to placing trust in herself and embracing the unknown. We delve into her methods for developing greater courage and trust, which led her to quit her previous role even without a firm next step. Additionally, we discuss the profound influence nature has had on helping her feel more connected to the world around her.If you are feeling stuck in life, if repeatedly leaning into productivity is not creating the life you want, if you’re feeling disconnected from yourself and not knowing what you want in life, this episode will provide you with plenty to contemplate and inspiration for stepping into the unknown.Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for daily clips and reflections.Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free 30 minute consultation for one-on-one coaching programs or to hear about corporate workshops I am offering around this question.Running Order:01:40 Podcast begins02:15 What is my purpose?05:15 A divide between the external persona and inner world11:42 Giving more space for creativity and being17:35 Taking a leap of faith / leaving old job20:40 Exploring Fear and the Unknown24:48 Letting go of roles and a sense of belonging29:20 Getting used to freedom31:36 Developing trust in oneself, life, and the world around us33:44 Flow in creativity39:05 Internal connection leading to connection with nature and outer world48:40 Summary of conversation’s key pointsFor further content and information check out the following: - For the 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/- Cassie's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lin-cassie-zhen-73215113/- Being Awareness Podcast: https://lnkd.in/e2t-3FxG

On the 29th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I'm excited to have Cortney McDermott, a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and strategist for Fortune 500 executives and creative entrepreneurs, joining me as a guest.Cortney takes us on a profound exploration of true freedom and the liberating act of being yourself. She shares her personal journey, which was spurred by a sense of emptiness following her successes as an executive, that led her to discover what truly needed to be explored and expressed in her life.Throughout the episode, Cortney reveals her personal processes that guided her back into her body and feelings, shifting her focus from external seeking to realising that everything she needed was already within her grasp.We delve into the immense energy that arises from aligning with one's essence and the importance of expanding our sense of trust in life. While Cortney also emphasises the significance of neither rejecting one's ego nor emotions, or blindly following ready-made prescriptions for life.If you find yourself grappling with a sense of emptiness despite your achievements and are yearning for more in life, this episode offers a wealth of contemplation. It will open new doors of perspective and fresh curiosity for what may come next, whatever that looks like for you.If you enjoy this conversation, the digital version of Cortney’s latest best-selling book, Give Yourself Permission, is discounted here (https://amzn.to/3Oe5oxO) for the next week!Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for daily clips and reflections.Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free 30 minute consultation for one-on-one coaching programs or to hear about corporate workshops I am offering around this question.Running Order:01:50 Podcast begins02:27 How can I be free?05:30 Becoming aware of our conditioning08:45 Connecting with and exploring all of what we are feeling14:32 Giving yourself permission to be you17:25 Exploring self-expression22:05 Everything is within you25:43 Realising what you are seeking is right here29:02 The point of letting go32:25 Using your Ego in alignment38:32 The astonishing powers of connecting41:23 Expanding your trust 45:42 Learning to think and paying attention49:24 Finding your own lane, not following other people’s prescription54:46 Wild experiences in consciousness1:02:50 Summary of conversation1:05:25 What is a good life for Cortney?For further content and information check out the following: - For the 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/- Cortney's website: https://www.cortneymcdermott.com/- Cortney's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cortneymcdermott/- Cortney's Book: https://amzn.to/3Oe5oxO

On the 28th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I have the pleasure of being joined by Guido Palazzo, a professor of business ethics at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland. Guido delves into the intriguing topic of why good people sometimes make questionable choices, exploring the dark side of human behaviour.Throughout the episode, Guido sheds light on the factors contributing to ethical lapses of individuals within organisations, as well as the catalysts that can lead individuals to adopt more ethical behaviours. We also explore the crucial need for deeper connections to foster harmonious relationships with ourselves and the world around us.In these challenging times, Guido shares inspiring stories of individuals who managed to uphold their ethical principles even in the face of adversity. He emphasises the significance of prioritising qualities such as meaning, values, and having various options, which have not only influenced his own life journey but also hold immense importance in leading a meaningful existence.For anyone feeling overwhelmed by the multitude of societal challenges, this episode offers a much-needed perspective on our collective journey towards discovering new visions and narratives. It serves as a source of optimism and hope, encouraging us to actively create new stories and possibilities for an emerging future.Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for daily clips and reflections.Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free 30 minute consultation for one-on-one coaching programs or to hear about corporate workshops I am offering around this question.Running Order:01:45 Podcast begins02:15 Why do we do bad things?05:25 What supports people to do good things?07:51 What can make society more mindful?14:21 Lack of connection with ourselves and the world18:01 We are in between visions of society - individual to collective22:00 Letting go and grieving to create change26:31 Characteristics of people who live their values in uncertain times31:37 The importance of investigating your own values33:29 Prioritising meaning over happiness36:45 Building a life around meaning, options, and values39:57 Life is happening now, not in the future42:15 The importance of realising who you are45:10 Contributing to a new narrative52:10 What is a good life, for Guido?For further content and information check out the following: - For the 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/- Guido's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guidopalazzo-/- Guido's website: https://guidopalazzo.com/

On the 27th episode of the "What is a Good Life?" podcast, I am joined by Julian Voss-Andreae, who is a Sculptor and a Physicist, with his sculptures often engaging with scientific insights into the nature of reality. His work has received broad acclaim at international art fairs, galleries, and in print and broadcast media, with numerous videos of his work having gone viral with millions of views.In this episode, Julian shares with us his journey into exploring the nature of reality. From doing his graduate research in the lab of Physics Nobel Prize laureate, Anton Zeilinger, to changing paths in life to pursue art, where his passion for exploring the mysteries of the world have been a continual source of inspiration for his work.He also shares with us his curiosities and investigations into spirituality, his process of repeatedly challenging his own beliefs and world views, embracing discomfort, and how this has led to contentment with his life.If you are presently feeling stuck or stagnating, or that life is feeling a bit flat, this episode will give you plenty to contemplate in terms of engaging more with your curiosity and the energy which that can generate. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for daily clips and reflections.Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free 30 minute consultation for one-on-one coaching programs or to hear about corporate workshops I am offering around this question.Running Order:00:01 Introduction01:43 Podcast begins05:11 The wonderful weirdness of Quantum Physics07:23 Holding Paradox09:56 Free Will13:08 UFOs and psychedelics - going beyond the current scientific paradigm17:28 Fascination with weirdness, looking at the world with fresh eyes20:08 The path into Art and Sculpting24:33 Where do ideas come from?28:13 Not feeling fear29:48 Journey with spirituality34:28 Shifting perspectives and leaps of faith38:50 Humility of not knowing41:43 Challenging his own beliefs and world views / Embracing discomfort47:43 Inspiration for his work51:48 What is a good life for Julian?For further content and information check out the following: - For the 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/- Julian's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julianvossandreae/- Julian's website: https://julianvossandreae.com/

On the 26th episode of the "What is a Good Life?" podcast, I am joined by Angela Kirwin, who is a Writer, Speaker, Campaigner, former Social Care Worker, and author of the acclaimed book "Criminal: How Our Prisons Are Failing Us All"In this episode, Angela shares with us her journey towards experiencing greater comfort in her own skin. From mainly focussing on hitting big goals to observing what actually makes her feel content (community and a common purpose), and from realising it was less about changing herself but returning to who she was. We discuss her process of observing, understanding, and accepting her experience with ADHD through therapy, as well as the life lessons around vulnerability and authenticity she witnessed from men’s groups she facilitated in prison. While she also highlights the importance of appreciating the nuance and complexity of others in order to afford ourselves more compassion.If you are presently being hard on yourself, experiencing negative self-talk, or you feel like you are on a constant treadmill to earn your own self-acceptance, this episode will give you plenty to contemplate, as well as providing a number of paths and perspectives to cultivate greater empathy for yourself. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for daily clips and reflections.Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free 30 minute consultation for one-on-one coaching programs or to hear about corporate workshops I am offering around this question.Running Order:01:38 Podcast begins02:13 How does change happen, societally, culturally, and individually?05:10 Comfort in my own skin08:08 Community and Purpose13:18 How much are we in control of change?17:23 Change or returning to who you were?22:06 Inspiration from vulnerability of men in prison29:52 Lack of honesty with ourselves and others34:00 Journey with ADHD39:38 Inspiration for writing books45:56 Appreciating the nuance of other people’s lives51:37 The power of openness, honesty, and a willingness to listen59:38 What is a good life for Angela?For further content and information check out the following: - For the 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/- Angela's newsletter and podcast: https://hyperactiveliving.substack.com/- Angela's book: https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Angela-Kirwin/dp/1398705837

On the 25th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am joined by Jamie Crawford, a former CEO and leader of multiple media brands in Ireland who was diagnosed with MS at 32. After his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer, together they created The Good Glow, a wellness company, with a hugely popular podcast and number one best selling book, Glow, to inspire people to live fulfilled and healthier lives.In this episode, Jamie takes us through discovering he had MS and what he felt contributed to this diagnosis. He also shares the series of adversities he faced in only a few years after the MS diagnosis, losing his father to cancer, and his wife being diagnosed with breast cancer several months after giving birth.We explore our sometimes unhealthy capacity to compartmentalise our struggles and how it generally exacerbates our problems. While Jaime shares how he is grateful for his experiences and what they have taught him in terms of resilience, the changes he has made to his life, and for ultimately becoming more aware of what matters most to him in life - moments & time with his family and helping others.Whether you are struggling with something presently in your life, facing adversity, or are finding it difficult to share your problems with others, this episode will provide you with plenty of inspiration, encouragement, and new perspectives, while providing numerous reminders of what truly matters in life. Jamie’s story is a great example of the obstacle becoming the way.Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for daily clips and reflections.Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free 30 minute consultation for one-on-one coaching programs or to hear about corporate workshops I am offering around this question.Running Order:01:50 Podcast begins02:35 How can I help?05:55 Life is a series of mountains and valleys09:05 Developing resilience11:10 Stress and MS13:15 The source of ambition15:43 Early signs of MS21:40 Denial and doubling down on effort25:35 Compartmentalising our problems32:00 Opening up about vulnerabilities and MS38:37 Self-discovery, curiosity and nature41:40 Being a father and the simple things45:26 Turning focus to helping others51:05 What is a good life for Jamie?For further content and information check out the following: - For the 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/- Jaime's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-crawford-ba2b3b5/- The Good Glow website: https://www.thegoodglow.ie/

On the 24th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am joined by Robbie Stamp, who is the is CEO of BIOSS International, a Senior Fellow at the Resilience and Sustainable Development Programme at Cambridge University, Chairman of HappenedHere, and was an Executive Producer on the Hitchhikers’s Guide to the Galaxy feature film.In this episode, we discuss the quality and significance of paying attention, cultivating compassion for ourselves and others, becoming ok with not knowing, appreciating all phenomenological and conscious experiences, the mirror AI holds up to us and the limitations AI will have in accounting for all human experience, and how there will always be a tension between creative and destructive behaviour, both internally and collectively.This episode will help you appreciate the messiness of being human and yourself, feel more comfortable with the uncertainty and paradoxes of life, exhibit more compassion for us all while striving to improve, and to cultivate some humility around the limitations of your own knowledge and perspective. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for daily clips and reflections.Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free 30 minute consultation for one-on-one coaching programs or to hear about corporate workshops I am offering around this question.Running Order:01:31 Podcast begins02:06 Paying attention06:51 Compassion for the messiness of human beings10:14 The paradox of needing to be hard and kind to yourself17:29 Becoming ok with not knowing21:32 Getting comfortable with uncertainty28:19 AI and the mirror it holds up to us33:11 What AI cannot capture38:13 The significance of all conscious experiences44:31 Suspending our labels and perspectives48:08 How do we create better civil discourse51:21 Burdening ourselves with ideas of Utopia54:56 Paradox of humility57:36 What is a good life for Robbie?For further content and information check out the following: - For the 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/- Robbie's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbie-stamp-70254/

On the 23rd episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am joined by Robyn O’Brien, who is on the Forbes’ Impact 50 List for her work at the intersection of food and climate, the best-selling author of The Unhealthy Truth, the Founder at Sirona Ventures - providing impact capital, advisory and consulting services, and an Adjunct Professor at Rice Business. In this episode, Robyn shares moments of adversity from her journey of confronting the food industry in America over the use of chemicals in the food supply after her own child experienced an allergic reaction. She discuss the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people, not numbing ourselves to pain, paying attention to moments in our lives where our calling can be revealed, and then having the courage to follow it. This episode provides plenty of inspiration as to where this life can take us when we decide to act in the face of sizeable challenges, appreciate the lessons or clues that adversity provides, and how a life of service and collaboration can help us overcome many obstacles. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for daily clips and reflections.Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free 30 minute consultation for one-on-one coaching programs or to hear about corporate workshops I am offering around this question.Running Order:01:30 Podcast begins03:45 Surrounding yourself with the right people06:30 Being in service and alignment10:40 Paying attention 12:30 Staying open to pain as a teacher15:20 Challenges in confronting the food industry21:05 The importance of having the right people around23:57 I’m grateful that I know my purpose30:00 Everything and everyone is either nourishing or extracting32:30 A movement with collaboration not ego36:30 Making a breakthrough with a TED talk41:52 Curiosity in finding solutions45:34 The significance of people having our backs48:18 Courage can be in the smallest steps50:37 What is a good life for Robyn?For further content and information check out the following: - For the 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/- Robyn's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robyn-o-brien-a395b42/

On the 22nd episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am joined by Craig Slee, who is a disabled writer, consultant, and theorist dealing with mythology, magic, culture, and exploring life through the lens of landscape, disability, and fugitive embodiments. He has contributed essays and poetry focusing on the numinous and disability to various anthologies and has also co-facilitated seminar series at the Dresden Academy for Fine Arts, including one on Ableism and the Arts in 2022.In this episode, Craig takes us on a journey from burning out from trying to be “normal,” living with a life-long disability, exploring other ways of being and existing, developing a deeper awareness regarding the subtleties of life, pain, and suffering, and ultimately to discovering vitality and aliveness in living his own good life.There is plenty to take from this episode in terms of guiding you to pay attention, developing a more subtle awareness, and the significance in our inquiries of sensing the world without labelling it, and what all this may lead to in terms of finding other ways of existing.Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for daily clips and reflections.Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free 30 minute consultation for one-on-one coaching programs or to hear about corporate workshops I am offering around this question.Running Order:02:00 What is going on that we don’t notice?03:34 Burning out striving for "normal"07:37 What we don’t notice outside of the “norm”12:58 Cultivating a deeper awareness of pain / Sensing not interpreting or labelling the world17:40 Subtleties in awareness alters relationship with pain21:19 When the general narrative of illness and recovery doesn’t apply26:57 Disability doesn’t have to be suffering32:59 Exploring other ways of existing and consciousness38:49 What is truly internal and external?41:09 The role of magic / “the occult” - the hidden experience of knowing47:55 There are multiple ways of knowing and experiencing the world50:20 Burning out with trying to be normal54:59 Shifting experiences and behaviours with self-investigation57:55 Vitality, aliveness, and not knowing1:01:22 What is a good life for Craig?For further content and information check out the following: - For the 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/

On the 21st episode of the "What is a Good Life?" podcast, I am joined by Katrijn van Oudheusden, who is the author of "Selfless Leadership," a writer, coach, and guide. Her work focuses on helping you see through the illusion of the separate self.In this episode, Katrijn takes us on an exploration and investigation of the paradigm of the separate self. She references neuroscience, physics, and the traditions of Buddhism, Advaita Vedanta, etc., which have been saying for centuries that there is no separate self.Katrijn shares her own path in coming to this realisation and how this awareness leads to a life of freedom, where everything has meaning, and where one doesn't take things so personally or feel small and disconnected.I found this conversation to be captivating, challenging, and enlivening. Regardless of the beliefs you hold, this episode will be a valuable tool in your own investigation of reality and what a good life means to you.Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for daily clips and reflections.Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free 30 minute consultation for one-on-one coaching programs or to hear about corporate workshops I am offering around this question.Running Order: 01:25 The podcast begins02:35 What is the separate self?09:37 Duality of experience while knowing there’s no separate self12:25 Free Will - where is the decider or the doer?17:33 The paradox of personal consciousness21:40 Everything has meaning27:16 Personal path to seeing though the separate illusion31:57 There is only this experience - you are everything36:13 Life is no longer so personal - it simply occurs41:57 Attachments to wonder, judgement, awe and labels45:39 The mind’s role in separateness51:07 Keep making plans but know we are pretending57:11 What is a good life for Katrijn?For further content and information check out the following: - For the 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/- Katrijn's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrijnvo/- Katrijn's website: https://selflessleadership.life/