On the 155th episode of What Is a Good Life?, I’m joined by Julian Kirchherr. Julian combines a career as a Partner at McKinsey & Company with his role as an Associate Professor at Roskilde University. At McKinsey, he co-leads the firm’s public sector work in Europe, focusing on people and organisational performance, while his academic research centres on the circular economy. He ranks among the most highly cited circular economy scholars worldwide. He earned his PhD from St Antony’s College, University of Oxford, and is the author of The Lean PhD: Radically Improve the Efficiency, Quality and Impact of Your Research.

In this conversation, we explore curiosity, autonomy, and the value of diverse experiences. Julian also discusses caring too much about external demands, and how this can undermine autonomy, meaning, and impact. 

This episode will resonate with anyone carving out their own path and explores what it can take to make your own impact.

For more of Julian's work:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julian-kirchherr-42a52032/

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 Curiosity Over One Question 

02:35 Bullshit In Academia

07:23 Autonomy And Freedom 

09:01 Disillusion With Academia 

12:18 Early Intellectual Influences 

14:55 Myanmar And Outsized Impact 

19:59 Pre-Academia Model

26:12 Energy From Dual Roles 

30:02 Bias Toward Action 

42:50 Bridging Knowledge And Practice 

46:51 What is a good life for Julian?