Figuring out what you’re here to do, and working so that you can do it

Eloise Skinner joins host Michael Millward for a thoughtful, quietly provocative chat about what it means to step outside of modern life and into a year‑long monastic experience, whilst maintaining a busy legal career.

Eloise reflects on how monastic values—intentionality, community, discipline, and the stripping‑back of identity—can reshape a person’s understanding of purpose and self.

Eloise explains the traditions that informed her experience, noting that monasticism “transcends particular religions… showing up in different cultures and representing different values” . The program she joined at Lambeth Palace, is part of the “new monastic movement,” which adapts ancient practices for contemporary life. Rather than withdrawing entirely from society, Eloise continued her demanding legal career while committing to weekly community life, silent retreats, and a shared rule of life.

The conversation explores the tension between monastic ideals and corporate culture, especially the challenge of disentangling personal identity from professional status. Eloise describes the gradual shifting of her priorities: “finding a different sense of self… then looking back at everything… and choosing differently”. Ultimately Eloise left law and built a portfolio career centred on meaning, purpose, and therapeutic work.

Eloise is a successful author

• But Are You Alive?: How to Design a Life Worth Living
• The Purpose Handbook
• Junior Lawyers Handbook

You will gain insights into:

• What monastic values look like in practice
• How intentional living affects habits, diet, and community
• The difficulty—and liberation—of redefining identity beyond job titles
• Why deep personal change often unfolds slowly, long after an experience ends

This episode invites reflection rather than prescription.

Audience Offers – listings include links that may create a small commission for The Independent Minds

Books by Eloise Skinner available from Amazon

The Independent Minds is made on Zencastr, the all-in-one podcasting platform, Zencastr really does make creating content so easy.

Travel – With discounted membership of the Ultimate Travel Club, you can travel anywhere at trade prices.

Visit Three for information about business and personal telecom solutions from Three, and the special offers available when you quote my referral code WPFNUQHU.

Fit For Work – The Annual Health Test from York Test; assesses 39-health markers.

Use our discount code MIND25.

Being a Guest

We recommend the podcasting guest training programmes available from Work Place Learning Centre.

Matchmaker.fm is where great guests and great hosts are matched and great podcasts are hatched. Use our offer code MILW10 for a discount on membership.

We appreciate every like, download, and subscriber.

Thank you for listening.