On the 150th episode of What is a Good Life?, I welcome Claire Goodey. Claire is an artist, writer, and humanistic psychotherapist. After a decade in private practice—alongside a new autism diagnosis, perimenopause, and a shifting social landscape—she’s returning to her creative roots to cultivate a slower, more analogue way of living. From this liminal space, Claire blends therapeutic insight with artistic expression, offering presence, vulnerability, and play to others feeling the squeeze of modern life.

In this conversation, Claire and I explore what it means to stay part of a world that often feels overwhelming, especially while navigating major life transitions. We discuss the gap between knowing something intellectually and living it, the challenge of discerning fear from genuine bodily wisdom, and the importance of presence, rest, and connection. 

Claire shares her evolving relationship with retreat—what she calls “getting into the slipper”—and how love, openness, and honest self-attunement can shape a more humane way of being.

For more of Claire's work:
Website: https://www.clairegoodey.com/

Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life if you'd like to explore your own good life through 1-on-1 coaching, group online courses, or to discuss team coaching to stimulate greater trust, communication, and connection, amongst your leadership teams.

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00:00 Being a part of the world

05:01 Pendulum of growth

06:45 Late autism diagnosis

11:51 Base needs

12:15 Embodiment vs thinking

17:51 Trust the process

19:30 Fear driving so much of the culture

26:22 Sound sensitivity outside

35:33 “Into the slipper”

39:10 Intentional resting

52:28 What is good life?