On the 97th episode of What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Diarmuid Lyng. Diarmuid is co-owner of Wild Irish Retreats and Nature of Man. He is a former Wexford hurling captain and a host on Newstalk's flagship sports programme 'Off the Ball'. With Wild Irish Retreats he is part of a team that is focused on the rejuvenation of the Irish language in relation to nature reconnection. With Nature of Man he runs retreats and online programmes with men that creates a space for them to do their own internal spiritual work. He also takes teams/groups of all kinds to the woods for overnight camps that focus on connection; to self, teammate and place.
In this enlivening conversation, Diarmuid shares with us his unfolding path of purpose. We explore experiences of being truly listened to, of generosity of spirit, receiving love and developing self-acceptance. All throughout the conversation Diarmuid is pointing to a greater connection with the moment, people, and nature, and we note the significance of consciously leaving space for more aliveness and wildness in our lives.
This whole conversation is a wonderful invitation to reconnect with ourselves, nature, and the living, breathing, pulsing experience of life.
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For further content and information check out the following:
- Diarmuid's website:
https://www.diarmuidlyng.ie/- Diarmuid's LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/diarmuid-lyng-54931928/- 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
mark@whatisagood.life 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
02:45 The unfolding nature of purpose
06:38 The weaving together of purpose
15:15 The power of listening on our speaking
19:45 The generosity of spirit
27:25 Welcoming everything that happens
29:45 Experiencing love and self-acceptance
33:15 Engaging with the world, aliveness, and nature
40:15 Affirmations and feedback on our path
44:08 The difference of ceremony and ritual
50:15 The power and support of the group
55:05 The work of John Moriarty
1:02:45 Engaging our wildness consciously
1:06:19 What is a good life for Diarmuid?
What is What is a Good Life??
This isn’t a podcast about fixing you. It’s about living life more fully.
What Is a Good Life? is a long-form conversation project exploring how people actually live, feel, and make meaning of their lives.
Over the past four years, I’ve sat with more than 300 people — artists, parents, executives, wanderers, therapists, and strangers — and invited them into a simple but profound inquiry: What is a good life for you?
These conversations aren’t about advice, formulas, or self-improvement. They explore presence, paradox, uncertainty, and the moments that quietly shape a life — love and loss, trust and fear, clarity and not knowing.
This podcast isn’t here to give you answers.
It’s here to slow you down, to listen deeply, and to invite you into conversation with your own life.
New episodes weekly.