On the 51st episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce Richard Merrick as our guest. Richard is a writer, who after decades of working inside the walls of convention, writes about the journey from working for others to finding our own path outside those walls, and supports small groups as they make theirs by walking with them. In this conversation, we explore the conditions that Richard incorporates into conversation groups to heighten connection, authenticity, an engagement with the unknown, and what is. We delve into the importance of letting go of being right, not having set objectives and agendas, disengaging to reengage, and turning up as who we are. We discuss the value of engaging with the unknown for building trust, our ability to make discoveries, for making real human connection, and for the melting of the old to form the new. We also explore the role the artisan plays in ushering in the new. For this project or otherwise, Richard is one of the wisest people I’ve talked to, typified by consistently reading 3 books a week for 50 years and his continued willingness to engage with not knowing in various aspects of life.  There is so much to take from this episode regarding how you engage with other people, yourself, and life itself, and it may considerably alter your perspective on how you approach your various relationships, be it at work or in your personal life. 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 around this question. Running Order: 02:41 Sacred spaces for us to share our perspective and experiences in groups 10:26 The formation of conversation groups in lockdown 14:31 Being performative creates boundaries between us 18:41 Conversations that leave you energised and play 22:16 Taking time to disengage to reengage 27:31 Fear of the unknown, rigidly following plans 32:58 How did Richard begin to engage with the unknown? 36:28 The freedom of being ourselves 40:46 Empty spaces and the potential of creation and connection 43:16 Not focussing on outcomes 47:42 Artisans at the centre of epochal change and disruption 52:14 The importance of accepting & acknowledging what is 58:26 What is a good life for Richard? 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/ - Richard's website: https://www.richardmerrick.co.uk/ - Richard's newsletter: https://www.newartisans.net/