On the 153rd episode of What Is a Good Life?, I’m joined by Ethan Hsieh for a wide-ranging and deeply human conversation on service, being, and what happens when self-work goes too far.Ethan is currently undertaking his PhD research integrating performance-training with 4E cognitive science. With an MA in Professional Practice: Theatre and Drama Facilitation, he has designed and delivered transformational community-building programs, retreats, and workshops across Asia and Europe through his organisation 5ToMidnight, where he is Artistic Director. He also serves as Platform Manager for The Lectern and has co-designed select practices with John Vervaeke, including the Socratic Imaginal Self-Reflection and the Socratic Search Space. Ethan maintains a private coaching practice working with corporate leaders, professional athletes, and social organisations.Together, we explore nihilism, play, embodiment, identity, and the question that now orients Ethan’s life: When does being itself become service?This episode invites listeners to loosen self-fixation, recover participation, and rediscover what becomes possible when we allow life—and each other—to change us.For more of Ethan's work:Website: https://www.5tomidnight.org/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethan-hsieh-828a63240/For more of my work:Contact me at [email protected] if you'd like to explore your own good life through:- 1-on-1 coaching and online group courses: https://www.whatisagood.life/p/individual-coaching- The podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos- My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/p/individual-coaching00:00 A Question of Service05:40 Self-Work’s Breaking Point 08:04 From Optimization to Orientation12:52 Not Knowing Intimately 16:31 Returning to Play 26:56 Letting Experience In 31:31 Contact With Life36:46 Seeing Others Anew43:42 Identity Held Loosely52:19 Embodiment and Coherence 59:30 What is a good life for Ethan?