On the 49th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce Dean Boland as our guest. Dean is a Co-Founder and CEO of PolkaStays, a property developer, investor, and serviced accommodation consultant. In this episode, Dean shares his experience of the toll that several of his corporate jobs were having on his well-being before stepping into something new. We discuss what kept him in the same loop of doing something he knew wasn’t good for him. We explore our desire to do what’s “normal” and the role societal expectations play in our lives. Additionally, we delve into the importance of self-reflection and therapy in creating more headspace, as well as spending more time on things that bring us more fulfillment. We both reflect on narratives we have sold ourselves, the pain that can be perpetuated when we don’t explore it ourselves, and the role of hope and the people around us in creating welcome change. I assume Dean’s experience in the corporate world will resonate with many, and while this isn’t a prescription for anyone else’s life, his journey of creating more time for reflection and inquiry, as well as the consequent changes in his life, will give you plenty to contemplate. Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for clips and shorts. Contact me at [email protected] to book a free consultation (30 minutes) for one-on-one coaching programs or to hear about corporate workshops I am offering for more authentic communication and connection. Running Order: 02:35 Why do we keep doing things that don’t make us happy? 07:05 What kept Dean stuck in a loop of work he didn’t like? 11:20 The importance of continuously checking in with ourselves 16:35 Creating the space to reflect 22:16 Finding a sense of fulfilment 28:20 The feeling of emptiness or a weight on our souls 33:35 Opening up to therapy 37:35 Realising what you are repressing and holding 42:35 Perpetuating pain / importance of self-work 47:35 Seeing the impact of personal change 53:45 Summary of the conversation 56:00 What is a good life for Dean? 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/ - Dean's website: https://www.polkastays.net/ - Dean's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dean-boland-polkastays/