What is a Good Life?: Recent Episodes
Mark McCartney
Over the last three years I've interviewed over 200 people around the question of "what is a good life?". I am not trying to find or prescribe universal answers to this question, instead to prompt your own inquiry into what constitutes a good life for you. While I am also trying to share more genuine expressions of the human experience, beyond the masks that we wear.
On the 35th episode of the 'What is a Good Life?' podcast, I'm delighted to be joined by Marina Cantacuzino MBE. Marina is an award-winning journalist, author, and Founder of The Forgiveness Project, a charity that collects and shares real stories of forgiveness for people to consider, examine, and choose forgiveness in the face of atrocity.
In this episode, we explore the role of forgiveness in transforming pain, the appropriateness of forgiving or not forgiving in different circumstances, what allows us to forgive, and the role curiosity often plays in forgiving others. Marina also shares numerous inspiring stories of forgiveness from her wonderful project that has spawned a book (Forgiveness: An Exploration), a BBC radio series, and exhibitions throughout the world.
This episode will give you plenty to contemplate regarding the idea of forgiveness that you may not have considered before. It will also reveal the complexity and ambiguity of the topic, as well as that of life itself.
Finally, if you are anything like me, it will make you reflect on your own relationships presently and perhaps serve as an impetus to reach out to people you want to be more at peace with in your life.
Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for shorter 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:
02:30 How can we best deal with our psychological pain?
05:44 The appropriateness of forgiveness
12:30 Forgiveness’ role in transforming pain
15:35 Curiosity, genuity, and spite in forgiveness
20:00 The inception of The Forgiveness Project
24:17 Forgiveness in extreme circumstances
28:45 The power of empathy
34:45 What has allowed people to forgive?
40:05 Man incredibly forgives his father
43:27 Personal stories of forgiveness
50:25 The confusing and ambiguous nature of forgiveness
52:35 Dignity in dying
1:00:19 What is a good life for Marina?
For further content and information check out the following:
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For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos
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My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/
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My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/
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Marina's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marinacantacuzino/
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The Forgiveness Project website: https://www.theforgivenessproject.com/
On the 34th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I'm delighted to be joined by Pablo Escorcia. Pablo is a Berlin based entrepreneur, Biodanza teacher, Yogi, consultant, and Co-Founder of Purpose+Motion - a group serving others to live out their purpose and provoking change filled with meaning.
In this episode, Pablo shares with us elements of his journey of searching for his own path through integrating the practical world of business, ancient wisdom, and the integral world of yoga and dance.
We discuss Pablo’s current explorations of open loving relationships and what he has learned from past relationships too, the significance of owning and communicating our humanity, the fundamental importance of trust in personal and business relationships, and the role that Biodanza plays in both remembering what it is to be human and exploring new ways of relating to one another.
If you are struggling to understand and express your needs in relationships, if you want to enhance the level of trust and number of courageous conversations in your life, or you’re seeking new modalities to help you reimagine a different future, this episode will give you plenty to contemplate.
Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for shorter 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:
02:15 Exploring different forms of loving relationships?
10:03 Communicating courageously in relationships
15:10 Owning and communicating our humanity
17:50 Nuturing relationships to reimagine society
21:03 Trust is fundamental
27:55 Biodanza: remembering what it is to be human
31:25 New ways of being, relating & communicating
38:30 Building adaptability, flexibility, and resilience
42:24 Meeting people where they are
48:10 The different components of trust
56:10 The summary of the themes in the conversation
57:15 What is a good life for Pablo?
For further content and information check out the following:
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For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos
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My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/
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My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/
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Pablo's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pablo-escorcia-b782728a/
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Purpose+Motion website: https://purposeandmotion.com/
On the 33rd episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I'm delighted to be joined by David Dunn. David describes himself as an alcoholic prison leaver trying to be the change he wants to see in the world. He is the CEO & Founder of Release Mates CIC, a group that brings positive change to individuals in the immediate hours following their release from prison.
In this episode, David shares his inspirational journey from hitting rock bottom with addiction in prison to finding the courage to make a change, and ultimately dedicating himself to serving others who are in a similar situation to where he once was.
We delve into the roles that spirituality, nature, being of service to others, honesty, and human connection played in this journey. Additionally, we discuss the significance of letting go of control and how this shift transformed his experience of life.
If you are currently facing a difficult period in your life or struggling to find meaning and purpose, there is a wealth of valuable insights in this conversation. David is incredibly honest and open about how his life turned around, sharing many profound and noteworthy perspectives on life, regardless of your current circumstances.
Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for shorter 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:
02:15 Letting go of needing answers in recovery from addiction
04:21 Connecting to a secular spirituality and nature in recovery
09:40 How can I be of service to others?
12:42 Being honest with ourselves
19:05 Experiencing rock bottom
24:15 Finding courage and purpose to change
30:54 Being kinder to ourselves
32:38 Learning to let go of trying to controlling life
37:33 Living life through a different lens
40:33 Obsession with the perception of our lives
43:29 How Release Mates was formed
48:22 Trust and human connection
56:24 Summary of the conversation
57:40 What is a good life for David?
For further content and information check out the following:
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For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos
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My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/
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My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/
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Release Mates' website: https://www.releasemates.org/
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David's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-dunn-3b307387/
On the 32nd episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I'm delighted to be joined by Bassey Ikpi. Bassey is a Nigerian born, American bred writer, ex-poet, mental health and wellness advocate, and memoir procrastinator. Her Book, “I’m Telling The Truth But I’m Lying,” an instant New York Times Bestseller, reflects her experience living with bipolar II disorder and anxiety. She is currently soft at work on her next book.
In this episode, Bassey shares her experiences of navigating life with bipolar II disorder and the impact mindfulness has had on her life. We discuss the role a heightened self-awareness has played in terms of being able to afford both herself and others grace, allowing her to connect more with people’s humanity and to see beyond the pain, hurt, and fear that many people are interacting from.
She also shares with us how her creativity and writing affords her the space to observe life from multiple perspectives and the impact that can have on relationships.
If you’re growing tired of the dichotomous way in which we are judging each other, if you’re seeking more nuanced ways of interpreting human behaviour, and you’re looking to cultivate more grace and humanity in your life, this episode will open up wider spaces for new perspectives in how we relate to ourselves and each other.
Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for shorter 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:
02:35 Am I going to be ok?
08:25 Am I contributing to my community in meaningful ways?
10:20 Affording grace to ourselves and others
16:41 The power of acknowledging and owning our behaviour
18:15 The impact of Mindfulness
20:35 What aren’t we able to disagree respectfully?
23:15 The vacuum of religion and Divinity
27:20 The beauty, love, and pain of life
28:40 Seeing the fear behind the hurt and the hate
36:14 The interaction of our fears
38:53 Developing awareness while remaining human
42:50 Writing to make sense of the world
46:35 Observing life from multiple perspectives
50:13 Being able to hear the other side of the story
55:22 The possibility of new perspectives
57:05 Summary of the conversation
1:01:18 What is a good life for Bassey?
For further content and information check out the following:
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For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos
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My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/
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My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/
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Bassey's website: https://basseyikpi.com/
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Bassey's book: https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Bassey-Ikpi/dp/0062698346
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Bassey's twitter: https://twitter.com/Basseyworld
On the 31st episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I'm delighted to be joined by Alex Carabi. Alex is an author; his most recent book is "On Relationality," a leadership coach, and co-founder of Yellow, a group which offers spaces to learn, connect, and explore without predetermined outcomes or expectations.
In this episode, we delve into the meaning of building greater intimacy with others and life itself, exploring various ways of relating to people that transcend manipulation and our typical defences. Our discussion uncovers the profound sense of aliveness, feeling, and depth that arises when we meet others and ourselves in the moment where we presently are. Moreover, we reflect on the alchemical potential of exploring the aspects of ourselves we have numbed.
If you find yourself yearning for a deeper connection and greater intimacy in a world often characterised by superficial interactions, if you're tired of performing and acting at the expense of genuine connection and vitality, this conversation will provide ample food for thought.
You'll gain insights into reshaping your approach to relating with others, along with fresh ideas to explore and incorporate into your own good life.
Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for shorter 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 begins
02:16 What is here?
06:50 Building intimacy with life
10:50 A fear of being seen
14:14 A different quality of relating - Martin Buber
20:48 Dropping our strategies and defences when relating
25:13 Exploring aliveness, feeling, and depth
28:48 Dissolving the separateness between us
33:23 Giving permission to what is here
35:48 What allows for more intimacy?
40:23 Getting in touch with where we are numb
44:53 Benefits to feeling more of life
50:11 Relating to life with meaning
53:36 Divine moments in relating to each other
55:36 Feeling ok with who and where you are
1:02:15 Summary of the conversation
1:04:00 What is a good life, for Alex?
For further content and information check out the following:
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For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos
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My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/
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My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/
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Alex’s website: https://www.alexcarabi.com/
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Yellow’s website: https://www.yellowlearning.org/
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Alex’s book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/9198859307/
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 begins
02:15 What is my purpose?
05:15 A divide between the external persona and inner world
11:42 Giving more space for creativity and being
17:35 Taking a leap of faith / leaving old job
20:40 Exploring Fear and the Unknown
24:48 Letting go of roles and a sense of belonging
29:20 Getting used to freedom
31:36 Developing trust in oneself, life, and the world around us
33:44 Flow in creativity
39:05 Internal connection leading to connection with nature and outer world
48:40 Summary of conversation’s key points
For further content and information check out the following:
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For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos
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My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/
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My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/
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Cassie's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lin-cassie-zhen-73215113/
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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 begins
02:27 How can I be free?
05:30 Becoming aware of our conditioning
08:45 Connecting with and exploring all of what we are feeling
14:32 Giving yourself permission to be you
17:25 Exploring self-expression
22:05 Everything is within you
25:43 Realising what you are seeking is right here
29:02 The point of letting go
32:25 Using your Ego in alignment
38:32 The astonishing powers of connecting
41:23 Expanding your trust
45:42 Learning to think and paying attention
49:24 Finding your own lane, not following other people’s prescription
54:46 Wild experiences in consciousness
1:02:50 Summary of conversation
1:05:25 What is a good life for Cortney?
For further content and information check out the following:
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For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos
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My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/
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My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/
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Cortney's website: https://www.cortneymcdermott.com/
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Cortney's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cortneymcdermott/
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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 begins
02:15 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 world
18:01 We are in between visions of society - individual to collective
22:00 Letting go and grieving to create change
26:31 Characteristics of people who live their values in uncertain times
31:37 The importance of investigating your own values
33:29 Prioritising meaning over happiness
36:45 Building a life around meaning, options, and values
39:57 Life is happening now, not in the future
42:15 The importance of realising who you are
45:10 Contributing to a new narrative
52:10 What is a good life, for Guido?
For further content and information check out the following:
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For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos
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My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/
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My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/
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Guido's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guidopalazzo-/
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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, psychedelics, alien existence, and 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 Introduction
01:43 Podcast begins
05:11 The wonderful weirdness of Quantum Physics
07:23 Holding Paradox
09:56 Free Will
13:08 UFOs and psychedelics - going beyond the current scientific paradigm
17:28 the fascination with weirdness, looking at the world with fresh eyes
20:08 The path into Art and Sculpting
24:33 Where do ideas come from?
28:13 Not feeling fear
29:48 Journey with spirituality
34:28 Shifting perspectives and leaps of faith
38:50 Humility of not knowing
41:43 Challenging his own beliefs and world views / Embracing discomfort
47:43 Inspiration for his work
51:48 What is a good life for Julian?
For further content and information check out the following:
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For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos
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My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/
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My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/
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Julian's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julianvossandreae/
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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 on 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 begins
02:13 How does change happen, societally, culturally, and individually?
05:10 Comfort in my own skin
08:08 Community and Purpose
13:18 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 prison
29:52 Lack of honesty with ourselves and others
34:00 Journey with ADHD
39:38 Inspiration for writing books
45:56 Appreciating the nuance of other people’s lives
51:37 The power of openness, honesty, and a willingness to listen
59:38 What is a good life for Angela?
For further content and information check out the following:
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For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos
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My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/
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My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/
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Angela's newsletter and podcast: https://hyperactiveliving.substack.com/
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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 begins
02:35 How can I help?
05:55 Life is a series of mountains and valleys
09:05 Developing resilience
11:10 Stress and MS
13:15 The source of ambition
15:43 Early signs of MS
21:40 Denial and doubling down on effort
25:35 Compartmentalising our problems
32:00 Opening up about vulnerabilities and MS
38:37 Self-discovery, curiosity and nature
41:40 Being a father and the simple things
45:26 Turning focus to helping others
51:05 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/
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My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/
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Jaime's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-crawford-ba2b3b5/
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The Good Glow website: https://www.thegoodglow.ie/
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 begins
02:35 How can I help?
05:55 Life is a series of mountains and valleys
09:05 Developing resilience
11:10 Stress and MS
13:15 The source of ambition
15:43 Early signs of MS
21:40 Denial and doubling down on effort
25:35 Compartmentalising our problems
32:00 Opening up about vulnerabilities and MS
38:37 Self-discovery, curiosity and nature
41:40 Being a father and the simple things
45:26 Turning focus to helping others
51:05 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/
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The Good Glow website: https://www.thegoodglow.ie/
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, his father dying from 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, and 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 begins
02:35 How can I help?
05:55 Life is a series of mountains and valleys
09:05 Developing resilience
11:10 Stress and MS
13:15 The source of ambition
15:43 Early signs of MS
21:40 Denial and doubling down on effort
25:35 Compartmentalising our problems
32:00 Opening up about vulnerabilities and MS
38:37 Self-discovery, curiosity and nature
41:40 Being a father and the simple things
45:26 Turning focus to helping others
51:05 What is a good life for Jamie?
For further content and information check out the following:
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For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos
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My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/
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My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/
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Jaime's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-crawford-ba2b3b5/
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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 begins
02:06 Paying attention
06:51 Compassion for the messiness of human beings
10:14 The paradox of needing to be hard and kind to yourself
17:29 Becoming ok with not knowing
21:32 Getting comfortable with uncertainty
28:19 AI and the mirror it holds up to us
33:11 What AI cannot capture
38:13 The significance of all conscious experiences
44:31 Suspending our labels and perspectives
48:08 How do we create better civil discourse
51:21 Burdening ourselves with ideas of Utopia
54:56 Paradox of humility
57:36 What is a good life for Robbie?
For further content and information check out the following:
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For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos
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My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/
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My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/
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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 begins
03:45 Surrounding yourself with the right people
06:30 Being in service and alignment
10:40 Paying attention
12:30 Staying open to pain as a teacher
15:20 Challenges in confronting the food industry
21:05 The importance of having the right people around
23:57 I’m grateful that I know my purpose
30:00 Everything and everyone is either nourishing or extracting
32:30 A movement with collaboration not ego
36:30 Making a breakthrough with a TED talk
41:52 Curiosity in finding solutions
45:34 The significance of people having our backs
48:18 Courage can be in the smallest steps
50:37 What is a good life for Robyn?
For further content and information check out the following:
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For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos
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My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/
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My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/
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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,” 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 world
17:40 Subtleties in awareness alters relationship with pain
21:19 When the general narrative of illness and recovery doesn’t apply
26:57 Disability doesn’t have to be suffering
32:59 Exploring other ways of existing and consciousness
38:49 What is truly internal and external?
41:09 The role of magic / “the occult” - the hidden experience of knowing
47:55 There are multiple ways of knowing and experiencing the world
50:20 Burning out with trying to be normal
54:59 Shifting experiences and behaviours with self-investigation
57:55 Vitality, aliveness, and not knowing
1:01:22 What is a good life for Craig?
For further content and information check out the following:
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For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos
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My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/
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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 begins
02:35 What is the separate self?
09:37 Duality of experience while knowing there’s no separate self
12:25 Free Will - where is the decider or the doer?
17:33 The paradox of personal consciousness
21:40 Everything has meaning
27:16 Personal path to seeing though the separate illusion
31:57 There is only this experience - you are everything
36:13 Life is no longer so personal - it simply occurs
41:57 Attachments to wonder, judgement, awe and labels
45:39 The mind’s role in separateness
51:07 Keep making plans but know we are pretending
57:11 What is a good life for Katrijn?
For further content and information check out the following:
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For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos
-
My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/
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My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/
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Katrijn's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrijnvo/
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Katrijn's website: https://selflessleadership.life/