On the 101st episode of What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Patrick Boland. Patrick is a leadership consultant, executive coach, psychotherapist, writer, and trainer across several industries and sectors around the world. Patrick's 2024 book, 'The Contemplative Leader', features interviews with world-class leaders on the topics of presence, connection, being non-attached and leading when we're not in control. In 2021, he co-authored a book of reflections, 'Every Thing Is Sacred', with the contemplative teacher Richard Rohr. Patrick founded Conexus in 2013, an organisation that coaches leaders and their teams using a combination of neuroscience; depth psychology; and embodied, experiential learning. 

In this insightful conversation, Patrick shares his experiences of moving towards a life that is beautifully full rather than persistently busy. We explore the shifting priorities and seasons of life, the significance of resting into the moment, questioning societal scripts as well as the interconnections we've observed between slowing down, being, and self-compassion. 

This whole conversation is a wonderful invitation to pause, reflect, step into your own life, notice the world around you, let go of control, and embrace whatever season your life is in. I found Patrick to be a rarely attuned individual so I am sure you will take a lot from this episode.

For further content and information check out the following:
- Patrick's Book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/735750/the-contemplative-leader-by-patrick-boland/
- The book's website: https://www.thecontemplativeleader.com/
- Conexus Website: https://www.conexus.ie/about
- Patrick's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-boland-9546048/

- For the What is a Good Life? 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/

Contact me at [email protected] if you'd like to explore your own lines of self-inquiry through 1-on-1 coaching, take part in my weekly free silent conversations, discuss experiences I create to stimulate greater trust, communication, and connection, amongst your leadership teams, or you simply want to get in touch.

00:00 Introduction

02:51 What does it mean to walk beautifully?

08:51 Working hard but working less

11:51 Life is beautifully full

15:21 Resting into the moment 

20:21 Questioning society and searching for meaning

25:21 The delusion that anyone has it all together

28:36 Suffering and letting go of control

33:11 Fear and control

38:21 Being and learning from life itself

41:36 Moving off the script

46:00 Contact with the feeling of the moment

49:51 Moving into more self-compassion

53:21 Slowing down and being

59:51 What is a good life for Patrick?