On the 56th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Dr. Simon Western. Simon is the author of "Leadership: a Critical Text," Founder of both the Eco-Leadership Institute and Analytic-Network Coaching, and the host of the Edgy Ideas podcast. Simon brings a vast breadth of experience with him having previous roles as a general nurse, psychiatric nurse, family therapist, and psychotherapist.  In this episode, Simon shares his journey with his lifelong question, "What is a good life?" From prioritising freedom to exploring other cultures, politics, and music as a teenager, to traveling widely and wandering the deserts, and being with his melancholy, he discusses the profound influence connecting with his sadness and grief has had on his life and career. We question the influence of modernity and our need to label, measure, and put everything in boxes on the quality of our relationships, our sense of dislocation, and separation from each other and the natural world. Finally, we consider how we might re-enchant our culture once more, whether that is connecting to the soul, reengaging with mystery, or creating more awareness of our interconnections and dependencies. If you are feeling a sense of dislocation in your life or are struggling to feel a sense of aliveness and connection to the world around you, Simon’s experiences in life will give you so much to contemplate as well as inspiration to explore areas of life you may well be neglecting. 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: 01:25 How can I get more freedom?05:40 Getting in touch with your melancholy and grief11:20 Building the capacity to feel our emotions and to feel alive17:00 Realising an enjoyment of and interest in difference23:45 Experiencing other cultures to reflect back on your own27:30 The dangers of social media and seeking like minded people 29:52 The pitfalls of modernity and loss of enchantment / aliveness36:12 We are lacking sacred spaces and connection to soul41:37 Reengaging with mystery45:07 What is a good life for Simon? 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/ - Simon's Website: https://www.ecoleadershipinstitute.org/simon-western - Simon's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-simon-western-1055b86/