What is a Good Life? #160 - The Art Of Living With Coherence with João Sevilhano

Feb 3, 2026

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What does it really mean to live a coherent life?

In this episode of What Is a Good Life, Mark McCartney is joined by João Sevilhano for a deep, reflective conversation on coherence, something that goes beyond rigid moral ideals and is more a lived, imperfect practice. João is a psychologist and learning experience designer. Co-CEO of Way Beyond, where he works on human development and organisational transformation. His background is in clinical psychology and psychoanalysis. He collaborates with Porto Business School and NOVA Doctoral School, and he tends to think meaningful conversation is underrated as a tool for change.

Together, they explore:

What coherence feels like in everyday life
The tension between values, actions, and changing our minds
Why coherence is different from authenticity or consistency
Parenting, work, and small decisions as tests of alignment
“Slow activism” and the impact of how we show up with others

Rather than offering quick answers or formulas, this conversation sits with uncertainty, contradiction, and the discipline of paying attention - particularly when no one is watching.

This episode is for anyone feeling the pull between who they are, how they live, and what the world is asking of them right now.

For more of João's work:
Newsletter: https://useful-uselessness.com/
Way Beyond Website: https://www.waybeyond.pt/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joaosevilhano/

For more from Mark McCartney:
Newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/
Website: https://www.mmcleadership.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markcmccartney

00:00 Questions as Companions

07:00 Spirituality in Everyday Life

13:00 Coherence as Purpose

16:30 Flexibility and Awareness

22:30 Discipline and Practice
30:00 Helping Without Imposing

36:00 Slow Activism and Stubbornness

42:00 Living With Contradiction

49:00 Reflection on Sacrifice

54:00 Not Knowing as a Practice