choice Magazine

Send a textWant proof that coaching works beyond a feel-good survey? We dig into the neuroscience of immersion—how the brain's one-second signals of attention plus emotion predict what people remember and do next—and translate it into a practical playbook for coaches and leaders. With Professor Paul Zak, we unpack why joy is the byproduct of investing energy, not avoiding stress, and how the right level of challenge drives durable behavior change.We share field-tested stories that show immersion's “contagion” effect in action, from luxury retail associates whose engagement predicted purchases to healthcare teams that improved patient care by empowering nurses within clear boundaries. You'll hear why opening hot sets stakes, how human-scale stories outperform abstract models, and what happens when leaders delegate for real. The result is deviation you can learn from—some mistakes, yes, but also the positive deviations that become innovations when you recognize and codify them.Measurement ties it together. We talk about simple, wearable-driven ways to see which moments land, spot weekly energy dead zones (like that dreaded Thursday meeting), and design sessions that stick. Four levers matter: start with stakes, tell vivid stories, keep moderate pressure through participation, and end with one concrete action. Over time, those choices raise the number of daily “key moments,” a leading indicator of joy, energy, and follow-through that spreads from executives to teams and even into family life.If you're ready to coach for thriving, not just insight, this conversation gives you the science, the tactics, and a free tool to start today. Subscribe for more brain-savvy coaching insights, share this with a leader who needs it, and leave a review to tell us the next challenge you want us to tackle.Watch the full interview by clicking here. Find the full article here.Learn more about Paul here. Free gift from Paul: your6.comGrab your free issue of choice Magazine here - https://choice-online.com/

Send a textJoy isn't a perk. It's a competitive advantage. We sit down with executive and team coach Michelle Chambers to unpack how collective joy fuels psychological safety, deeper alignment, and reliable results—even when teams are under pressure. If “joy at work” sounds woo-woo, Michelle's stories and tools will change your mind fast.We start by spotting the early signs that joy has gone missing: flat energy, thin trust, and conversations that feel purely transactional. From there, Michelle draws a clear line between short-lived happiness and durable, collective joy grounded in purpose, belonging, and contribution. You'll hear how a CFO put joy into a hospital's strategic plan and why that bold move improved resilience and collaboration across departments.Michelle shares practical rituals you can use this week: build a wall of pride to surface progress, end meetings with appreciation circles, and revisit the team's purpose to re-center focus when the stakes rise. A powerful case study tracks a nonprofit team through leadership turnover, audit failures, the pandemic, and even ransomware—then shows how consistent practices rebuilt trust and momentum. For one-on-one coaches and leaders, we connect the dots to systemic impact: model joy visibly, make it measurable, and protect space for it in the cadence of work.If you care about team performance, culture change, leadership development, and psychological safety, this conversation will give you actionable steps and language to make joy part of how you operate. Subscribe, share with a colleague who shapes team culture, and leave a review to tell us which ritual you'll try first.Watch the full interview by clicking here. Find the full article here.Learn more about Michelle here.Grab your free issue of choice Magazine here - https://choice-online.com/

Send a textWhat happens when an AI coach is judged by the same yardstick as a human? We invited executive coach and researcher Jonathan Passmore and AI coaching innovator Rebecca Rutschmann to unpack their new study benchmarking an AI coach against ICF Core Competencies—and the results upend assumptions. The machine reliably demonstrated ACC-level performance and crossed more than half of the PCC markers, especially in crisp summarizing and steady open questioning. That said, we draw a clear line between competence at the basics and the deep, sustained presence required for identity, values, and ethically nuanced conversations.Across the hour, we explore where AI coaching shines—24/7 availability, structured reflection, accountability loops—and where it still stumbles: longer arcs, emotional complexity, and the tendency to praise rather than challenge. Rebecca argues capabilities are leaping forward with better prompting frameworks, onboarding, and conversational design, pointing to recent builds that reach deeper reflective work. Jonathan counters that human strengths remain decisive: relational humor, embodied presence, lived experience, and ethical maturity that can hold discomfort without defaulting to platitudes. We converge on a future of hybrid models that use AI for pre-work, micro-coaching, and late-night clarity, while reserving human time for complexity and transformation.We also face the economics. With a surging supply of coaches and falling fees for transactional work, differentiation becomes urgent. If AI can do the basics well, human coaches must elevate to PCC-level craft as a baseline, specialize with domain and identity expertise, and design client journeys that blend AI tools without diluting trust. Finally, we call for new standards: if AI is an orange to the human apple, we need AI-specific metrics for safety, continuity, bias, escalation, and outcome transparency—so clients know what they're choosing.Curious where to start? We share practical steps for AI literacy and fluency, plus communities and programs that help you experiment safely and ethically. Subscribe, share this conversation with a colleague who's on the fence, and leave a review with your take: partner, threat, or both?Watch the full interview by clicking here. Find the full article here.Learn more about Jonathan here. Learn more about Rebecca here.Grab your free issue of choice Magazine here - https://choice-online.com/

Send us a textJoy doesn't have to wait for a perfect day or a perfect world. We sit down with social leadership coach Gloria Custodio (ICF PCC) to unpack why so many high achievers believe joy belongs to someone else—and how to reclaim it as a practical tool for better thinking, stronger leadership, and sustainable impact. From family scripts and grind culture to burnout and systemic barriers, we map the forces that push joy out of reach, then show how to bring it back with care and rigor.Gloria introduces the joy spectrum—absent, distant, conditional, tentative, integrated—as a clear, compassionate way to meet clients where they are. You'll hear how to name joy directly with permission, design small experiments that fit real lives, and keep the work ethical by avoiding toxic positivity and honoring pace. We also dig into radical acceptance as a way to notice catastrophizing without judgment, create breathing room, and choose values-based actions that move people forward.Along the way, we explore the research linking authentic joy to cognitive flexibility, collaboration, and performance, plus simple attention hygiene to reduce social media's anxiety spiral. We ground joy in five pillars—meaning, purpose, values, fulfillment, and connection—so it becomes daily practice rather than a reward at the finish line. Expect concrete prompts, human stories, and a coaching stance that centers curiosity and agency.Ready to turn joy from a buzzword into a leadership advantage? Listen now, try the prompts, and share where you land on the joy spectrum. If this conversation resonates, follow the show, leave a quick review, and pass it to a coach or leader who needs a brighter way forward.Watch the full interview by clicking here. Find the full article here.Learn more about Gloria here. Gloria has created a small companion gift for our podcast audience that builds on the article and this conversation. Click here to find out more:  https://bit.ly/3N1NRf1Grab your free issue of choice Magazine here - https://choice-online.com/

Send us a textWhat if joy is the most practical leadership tool you have? We sit down with spiritual alignment coach and global ritual expert Barbara Biziou and ICF Master Certified Coach and pioneer DJ Mitsch to explore how simple rituals raise our personal frequency, strengthen teams, and transform coaching results. From a live grounding practice to vivid stories from corporate workshops and community spaces, we show how release, gratitude, and celebration help people shift from constriction to creativity.Barbara breaks down why rituals work: the brain responds to symbolic action as if it were real, which is why writing and burning a worry, or washing it away in the shower, frees capacity for better choices. DJ connects her broadcasting roots to the “map” of frequencies, explaining how holding joy—even for seconds—aligns thought, emotion, and action with the outcomes we want. We dive into the costs of shame on performance, the power of acknowledging micro-steps, and practical ways leaders can ritualize routine moments to build belonging and trust.Across the conversation, science and spirituality meet. We talk space clearing to reset cues, playful team experiences that unlock innovation, and the rising importance of intuition as our most human technology. You'll leave with tangible practices: choose a daily quality to embody, craft a release ritual, celebrate progress in the moment, and ask better questions—What do I want to make possible for the person in front of me? If joy is a frequency, this episode is a tuner.Listen now, then share your favorite ritual with us. If the conversation resonates, subscribe, leave a review, and pass it to someone who could use a lift today.Watch the full interview by clicking here. Find the full article here.Learn more about DJ here. Learn more about Barbara here.Grab your free issue of choice Magazine here - https://choice-online.com/

Send us a textWhat if your toughest feelings aren't enemies to defeat but signals to decode? We sit down with behavioral scientist Charles Jones and executive coach Terry Hildebrandt to unpack Emotional Responsibility, a simple, powerful framework that turns anger, anxiety, frustration, and guilt into clear next steps—and uses joy as concrete proof that our needs are being met.We trace the origins of this work back to research on flow states and explore a core distinction that changes everything: emotions drive thought, while needs drive behavior. That shift helps leaders stop suppressing emotions and start harnessing them. Anger points to a right to assert; anxiety flags risk to mitigate; frustration highlights blocked goals; guilt calls us back to ethics. When we name the feeling, identify the need, and plan a specific action, the emotion naturally settles because the mind registers progress. On the flip side, savoring positive emotions while naming the strategy that worked strengthens neural pathways, boosting cognitive performance, collaboration, and resilience.From a coaching perspective, ERA opens the door to lasting behavior change. Once the true need is visible, unhelpful programming becomes adjustable. We share practical methods to transform recurring derailers, accelerate soft-skill growth, and even retire trauma patterns by creating conditions where the subconscious lets go. At the team and culture level, ERA tackles what Terry calls the new pandemic—emotional victimhood—by replacing blame with ownership. Leaders learn to translate complaints into needs, empower people to meet those needs, and build trust through clear agreements and consistent follow-through.Ready to work smarter with your emotions and build a healthier culture? Listen now, then subscribe, share this episode with a colleague who leads teams, and leave a quick review with the one emotion you plan to harness this week.Watch the full interview by clicking here. Find the full article here.Learn more about Terry here. Learn more about Charles here.Terry and Charles would like to offer our listeners their video course ($100 value) FREE, that teaches coaches "How to Transform Stress Into Growth with Emotional Response-Ability". Click the link here. Use Code: choiceGrab your free issue of choice Magazine here - https://choice-online.com/

Send us a textWhat if joy isn't a perk but the operating system of high performance? We sit down with visionary leader and five-time entrepreneur Marissa Levin to unpack why joy—grounded in psychological safety and clear structure—creates cultures where people do their best work and stay longer. No fluff here: we connect joy to engagement, retention, and real business results, while sharing practical steps leaders can take this week.Marissa introduces her joyful leadership model, built around the symbolism of the lotus: growth through the mud, resilience in the storm, and the softening of ego. We break down the six petals—principles, process, perspective, presence, people, and play—and show how each petal translates into daily leadership moves. From clarifying values and mission to eliminating chaos with clean processes, from widening your lens to being intentional about your energy, the model offers a roadmap any leader can use to reduce friction and unlock creativity.We also tackle skepticism head-on. Drawing on research around psychological safety and gratitude, Marissa explains how safety becomes the gateway to joy, and how joy fuels sustained performance. You'll hear concrete stories from remote teams, a powerful “soul behind the role” lens for seeing your people, and a simple joy audit you can run on yourself before you try to shift your culture. Expect fresh language you can take into the boardroom and immediate actions that move joy from “woo-woo” to “must do.”If you lead a team, coach executives, or simply want work to feel alive again, this conversation will equip you with tools to align purpose and paycheck, spark innovation with play, and build the kind of culture that holds steady under pressure. Listen, take notes, and tell us: where will you plant the first petal today? Subscribe, share with a colleague, and leave a review to help more leaders discover joyful leadership.Watch the full interview by clicking here. Find the full article here.Learn more about Marissa here. Marissa has graciously provided our listeners with her PDF of The Art of Joyful Living and Leading. Grab your free issue of choice Magazine here - https://choice-online.com/

Send us a textWhat if joy isn't a mood you wait for but a stance you cultivate—especially when the world feels chaotic? Executive and team coach Terrie Lupberger joins us to unpack why joy can be a radical act that disrupts scarcity, separation, and fear in the coaching room and the boardroom. We explore a clear distinction between joy and happiness, how to avoid toxic positivity, and why holding paradox—grief alongside gratitude, urgency with steadiness—makes leaders more effective and coaches more trustworthy.We go deep on the hidden narratives that shape work: the myth that there's never enough, that we're alone, and that worth depends on outcomes. Terrie offers accessible practices to reset your inner operating system, including micro moments of appreciation you can do in 15 seconds and “radical receiving” so praise and connection actually land in your body. We talk about curating inputs—news, feeds, and relationships—to protect attention, reduce reactivity, and widen choice. The result is a coaching presence that doesn't collude with fear and a leadership style that strengthens trust, creativity, and meaningful action.You'll leave with practical ways to cultivate joy daily, support clients without bypassing pain, and anchor your heart while you move into the “din of battle.” If you've been chasing happiness or feeling drained by constant crisis, this conversation offers language, tools, and a path back to what matters. Listen, try a micro practice today, and tell us where joy is most accessible in your life. If this resonates, subscribe, share the episode with a colleague, and leave a quick review to help others find the show.Watch the full interview by clicking here. Find the full article here.Learn more about Terrie here.Terrie's offer to our listeners: The first 10 people who email me with the subject line ‘Joy at Work' at info@terrielupberger.com will receive a free copy of my new book Uncommon Wisdom at Work — I'll pop it in the mail to you.And for everyone who emails, I'll also send my Joy Check-In Practice, a short guided reflection you can use daily to reconnect with your own steady flame of joy or offer it to your clients.   Your email is safe with me.  I don't share or spam you.Grab your free issue of choice Magazine here - https://choice-online.com/

Send us a textBuyers rarely say no because your headline is off by a word or your price is a tick too high. They hesitate because something in your offer, your proof, or your process doesn't feel safe yet. We sit down with business strategist and five-time certified coach Marci Rossi to unpack the trust risk connection and why a clear safety net can turn curiosity into coaching clients.Marci explains how to separate a visibility problem from a trust problem, so you know what to fix first. We dig into practical trust builders you can implement this week: risk reversal through guarantees or prorated cancellations, honest social proof that feels human (and how to collect it ethically), and messaging that states exactly who you help, what changes, and what the first steps look like. We also talk about what to do when interest stalls—how to read on-site behavior, invite candid feedback from prospects, and nurture relationships with simple follow-ups that respect the personal nature of coaching.You'll hear why screenshots can be stronger than polished quotes, how to avoid placeholder testimonials that harm credibility, and why clarity beats clever copy every time. Marci also shares her Shortcut program, a 12‑week done-for-you backend setup that handles tech, automations, and onboarding so you can spend more time coaching and less time tinkering. If you're tired of being the world's best kept secret, this conversation gives you a clear path to build trust, reduce risk, and earn more yeses from the right clients.If you enjoyed this conversation, follow the show, share it with a coach friend, and leave a quick review. Your feedback helps more people find thoughtful, practical coaching insights.Watch the full interview by clicking here. Find the full article here.Learn more about Marci here.Marci has provided a FREE Gift The Revenue Rituals: The simple, daily business moves that bring in clients and cash which you can access here.Grab your free issue of choice Magazine here - https://choice-online.com/

Send us a textWhat if the strongest lever in your coaching isn't a better framework, but deeper self-trust? We sit down with social leadership coach Gloria Custodio, PCC, to unpack why grounded presence beats perfect structure, how to navigate “wonky” moments, and what to do when confidence takes a hit. Gloria shares a pivotal training story that reframed her approach: trust your gut, measure impact by client outcomes, and let presence lead. From note-heavy sessions that dull connection to micro-practices that reset your nervous system, this conversation turns abstract ideals into usable tools.We get candid about the difference between passing ICF recordings and coaching “in the wild.” Assessment rubrics have their place, yet real clients care less about who says the summary and more about whether they feel seen, challenged, and safe. Gloria offers practical ways to honor both worlds without losing your authentic style. We also talk repair after tough sessions, community as the backbone of resilience, and why bartering coaching with peers broadens range and restores trust faster than going it alone.The heart of our talk is simple and bold: you don't need certainty to be trustworthy. You need honesty, attention, and the courage to stay present while the unknown unfolds. When coaches model that steadiness, clients learn to trust themselves—and that ripple shifts teams and systems. Expect clear language, real stories, and micro-actions you can use before your very next session.If you found value here, follow the show, share this episode with a coach who needs a boost, and leave a quick review so others can discover it. Your support helps us keep building brave spaces, one conversation at a time.Watch the full interview by clicking here. Find the full article here.Learn more about Gloria here. Gloria has provided our listeners with a companion guide that builds on the article which you can find here. Grab your free issue of choice Magazine here - https://choice-online.com/

Send us a textEver watch a team light up in a workshop only to slide back into silence the next week? We dig into why that happens and how to create change that actually sticks by revealing trust instead of trying to teach it. With master certified coach and author Georgina Woudstra, we unpack a practical, emergent approach that helps teams make real contact, notice hidden dynamics, and run simple experiments that reshape how they relate when the stakes are high.Georgina shares a vivid senior team story: a colleague unconsciously seeking the CEO's validation, a room holding its breath, and a pause that turned into a breakthrough. You'll hear how naming what's happening in the moment—without blame—opens space for people to say what they're feeling and why. Then we move from awareness to action with graded experiments: shifting eye contact, redistributing attention, and studying the impact together. The results are tangible—clearer thinking, calmer conversations, and a pattern that becomes reliable over time.We also clarify psychological safety versus trust. Safety is the felt permission to speak without fear; trust is the reliability of that permission across meetings and pressure cycles. One safe moment isn't enough. Repeatable, well-held encounters build a dependable rhythm that teams can count on when the heat rises. Georgina frames the coach as a steady container—a crucible strong enough to hold transformative work—who slows the room, surfaces the invisible, and helps the group stay connected as truth lands.If you're ready to move beyond personality instruments and one-off workshops into real team coaching, this conversation offers a clear path: the team is the content, the moment is the curriculum, and trust grows through consistent contact. Watch the full interview by clicking here. Find the full article here.Learn more about Georgina here. To learn more about team transformation with Georgina, check her podcast ‘Teams Transformed'Grab your free issue of choice Magazine here - https://choice-online.com/

Send us a textTrust is the real currency of coaching, and we're putting it under a bright light. With pioneer coach and ICF founding member Kimberly Jackson, we trace trust from the first moment a prospect encounters your work to the way you close an engagement and keep growth alive afterward. Kimberly lays out simple, powerful moves any coach can adopt today: teach freely without the bait-and-switch, show your process so clients see how you think, and write to an actual human rather than a fictional buyer. We unpack the three most common trust breakers—inconsistency, inattention, and ego—and model how to repair without retreating by naming the miss, listening deeply, and recommitting to the partnership.We also get practical about presence. Tools like talk-time analytics help keep the focus on the client, while the WAIT prompt—Why Am I Talking—stops well-meaning overcoaching. Kimberly shares why offboarding is the hidden weak link in many practices and how to turn endings into beginnings with a way forward plan that transfers ownership to the client. From there, we explore nurturing strategies that build community, peer coaching, and light-touch accountability so progress continues long after the final session.Finally, we tackle AI's real role in coaching. Rather than replace human empathy, AI can capture patterns, offer 24–7 access to your frameworks, and keep momentum between sessions. Whether clients enter through one-on-one work, a group, or an AI-powered tool, a cohesive flywheel keeps the journey moving. If you care about ethical marketing, psychological safety, and client outcomes that last, this conversation will sharpen your craft and widen your impact.Enjoyed the conversation? Follow and share the show, leave a quick review to help others find it, and subscribe so you never miss new insights from leaders shaping the future of coaching.Watch the full interview by clicking here. Find the full article here.Learn more about Kimberly here. Kimberly has provided our listeners with The COACHpreneur's Guide to Building Unshakable Trust which you can find here.Grab your free issue of choice Magazine here - https://choice-online.com/

Send us a textTrust isn't a buzzword for coaches and leaders; it's the operating system that makes real change possible. Gary sits down with team and group coaching pioneer Jennifer Britton to unpack how “micro moments” in conversation compound into “macro shifts” in behavior, culture, and performance—especially as AI speeds up the flow of information and tempts us to skip the pause that creates meaning.We dig into the tension between AI speed and human depth, exploring what happens when teams invite AI agents into meetings and how coaches can safeguard trust while leveraging new tools. Jennifer shares the pause-focus-create-activate arc to turn insights into action, and she offers a window into her Conversation Sparker toolkit—cards, images, and tactile prompts that spark reflective dialogue and make learning stick. The result is a clear playbook for building psychological safety, elevating presence, and designing conversations that move beyond data dumps to true transformation.Along the way, we highlight the relational skills rising in value: presence, perspective shifting, influence, creativity, and relational intelligence. Jennifer explains why group and team coaching are uniquely powerful now: meaning emerges when peers hear each other's perspectives and test ideas in a safe container. We also preview her upcoming works—Coaching Plus Change and Flow Flex Scale—aimed at helping leaders and solopreneurs grow with clarity, capacity, and consistency in a rapidly changing world.If you care about trust, team performance, and coaching that actually changes behavior, this conversation delivers practical frameworks you can use today. Subscribe, share with a colleague who leads teams, and leave a quick review telling us your favorite micro moment that changed everything.Watch the full interview by clicking here. Find the full article here.Learn more about Jennifer here. Jennifer has provided a Free E-book as a gift for our listeners. Grab your free issue of choice Magazine here - https://choice-online.com/

Send us a textTrust isn't a nice-to-have in coaching; it's the medium everything flows through. Garry sits down with executive and leadership coach Jenna Stoliker to unpack trust as a living competency—one that's built daily through intention, awareness, and alignment with values. Drawing on decades of research carried forward through the Trust Within framework, Jenna breaks trust into four observable behaviors—acceptance, openness, congruence, and reliability—and shows how each is powered by specific values that make trust visible and repeatable.We go beyond rapport and dig into the inner game. Self-trust becomes the foundation for psychological safety: how we talk to ourselves, how we manage judgment, and how we repair when we miss the mark. Jenna shares practical ways to cultivate that inner steadiness, from reflective journaling to micro-repairs that rebuild confidence and connection. We explore why some coaches develop trust quickly, how the profession's stance of meeting clients where they are shapes the coaching field, and what leaders can borrow to foster trusthttps://youtu.be/PsOLIuhadW0-centered cultures that actually deliver results under pressure.If you love actionable frameworks, you'll appreciate how the model aligns with ICF competencies. Presence, active listening, and evoking awareness all find traction through the four behaviors and their paired values. You'll hear concrete cues to watch for, simple practices to strengthen reliability and openness, and guidance on giving and receiving feedback in ways that are direct, humane, and in service of the client's agenda. For deeper dives, Jenna points to resources at JennaStaliker.com and ConsciousLeadershipAlliance.com, including research and psychometric reports.Subscribe to Beyond the Page, share this conversation with a colleague, and leave a review with one insight you're taking into your next session. Your reflection might spark someone else's breakthrough.Watch the full interview by clicking here. Find the full article here.Learn more about Jenna Stoliker here.Grab your free issue of choice Magazine here - https://choice-online.com/

Send us a textTrust isn't a nice-to-have in coaching; it's the engine that powers real change. Gary sits down with coach and author Marley Carlos to unpack why trust in the client, the process, and ourselves transforms conversations from advice-giving to insight-building. Marley names the three crutches that quietly derail sessions—expertise, experience, and control—and explains how even well-intended guidance can shift focus away from the client's agenda.Together we explore what it looks like to coach from trust: asking useful questions instead of perfect ones, noticing the urge to advise, and creating small experiments that build new habits. Marley shares her five-step path—pay attention, name one opportunity, set the vision, test it out, refine and build—and shows how human-centered design principles like prototyping make behavior change practical. You'll hear simple tools you can use today, from WAIT (Why Am I Talking) to sticky-note prompts that create a crucial pause before speaking.We also dig into power dynamics and the consultant-to-coach shift, using the “client drives, coach rides shotgun” metaphor to keep agency where it belongs. If you've ever wondered how to prove value without providing answers, this conversation offers a clear road map: let your client's wisdom lead, and let your presence do the heavy lifting. For coaches and leaders alike, the takeaway is bold and freeing—trust grows when we act before we feel ready and let evidence reshape belief.Subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of coaching craft and real-world practice, share this episode with a colleague who toggles between consulting and coaching, and leave a review to tell us which trust habit you'll prototype this week.Watch the full interview by clicking here. Find the full article here.Learn more about Marlee Carlos here.Marlee has provided listeners/readers with a Free Coaching Resource here.Grab your free issue of choice Magazine here - https://choice-online.com/

Send us a textTrust shouldn't be a mystery you feel in your gut and argue about later. We sit down with executive and leadership coach Charles Feltman to turn a loaded word into concrete moves you can see, measure, and improve. Charles shares his four-domain model—care, sincerity, reliability, competence—and shows how it transforms the unhelpful “all or nothing” mindset into targeted, fair assessments that help teams move faster with less drama.We dig into the real risks people take at work every day: reputations, deadlines, standards, and even health in high-stakes settings. Through vivid examples, Charles maps where trust breaks and how to repair it without overreacting. You'll hear why an apology boosts sincerity, how early renegotiation strengthens reliability, and why admitting “I don't know” can raise your competence score. We also explore feedback cultures—what leaders must do after asking for candor—and the quiet signals that prove you hold others' interests alongside your own.The conversation builds to a bold claim: sustained trust creates the conditions for joy and even love at work. Not the soft, sentimental kind, but the energy that appears when people can risk their best ideas, be seen clearly, and know their commitments are honored. Along the way, we point you to Charles's Thin Book of Trust, his Trust at Work Certification Program, and the Trust on Purpose podcast for deeper practice. If you're ready to replace vague vibes with precise language and practical tools, this is your field guide.Watch the full interview by clicking here. Find the full article here.Learn more about Charles Feltman here. Grab your free issue of choice Magazine here - https://choice-online.com/

Send us a textTrust isn't a soft skill; it's a biological signal that tells the brain whether to defend or explore. Garry sits down with Dr. Monique Sallaz—coach, PhD, and expert in applied neuroscience and neurodiversity—to unpack how oxytocin, the amygdala, and the prefrontal cortex shape psychological safety and real behavior change. We move past intuition and into practical science, showing how coaches and leaders can build reliable conditions that let clients think clearly, learn faster, and take brave action.Monique explains why mistrust often reflects past threat rather than stubbornness, and how to meet resistance with precision instead of pressure. You'll hear simple, powerful moves: arrive regulated, keep your voice warm, reflect emotion accurately, and center the client as the expert in their life. We also get specific about inclusion—why direct eye contact isn't universal, how neurodivergent clients experience sessions, and what to ask to tailor safety cues across cultures. Environment design comes to the forefront too: lighting, seating, noise, and especially scent, which has a direct line to memory and emotion and can anchor calm, predictable sessions.Kindness and gratitude become strategic tools, not platitudes. Micro-affirmations, small acts of care, and clear expectations release oxytocin and quiet the threat response, opening the door to creative problem-solving and sustained change. Whether you're coaching one-on-one or leading a team, you'll leave with a practical playbook for building trust on purpose—rooted in neuroscience and ready to use today.If this conversation shifts how you think about trust, follow the show, share it with a colleague, and leave a quick review so more coaches and leaders can find these tools.Watch the full interview by clicking here. Find the full article here.Learn more about Monique Sallaz here.Grab your free issue of choice Magazine here - https://choice-online.com/

Send us a textTrust doesn't just make coaching nicer; it makes coaching work. We sit down with executive and team coach Dumisani Magadlela to explore why trust is the currency of transformation, how rapport becomes a deliberate practice, and what it takes to create a truly safe space where leaders can speak plainly, choose boldly, and act with integrity. From first-contact digital sessions to deep, ongoing relationships, we break down the practical moves that build trust quickly—clear contracting, presence, consent for depth, and the kind of silence that signals respect rather than distance.Dumisani introduces Ubuntu intelligence—“I am because we are”—as a living framework for modern coaching. Instead of treating clients as isolated performers, Ubuntu invites us to see the systems they inhabit, the relationships that shape their choices, and the values that hold cultures together. We talk about why vulnerability needs boundaries, why ethics are non-negotiable, and why coaches must hold responsibility as carefully as they hold space. You'll hear concrete ways to blend independence with interconnection, transforming team dynamics from guarded to generative.We also spotlight Africa's rapidly growing coaching landscape and the power of values-based leadership grounded in dignity, equality, and human agency. Dumisani shares how team coaching can expand a circle of trust among executives, and why a younger, ambitious continent represents the next frontier for coaching-driven change. Technology shows up as a partner, not a replacement—useful for preparation and prompts, but never a substitute for the human connection that actually shifts behavior.If you care about coaching that sticks, this conversation is your roadmap to building trust, practicing Ubuntu, and leading with heart and rigor. Subscribe for more conversations with working coaches and thought leaders, share this episode with a colleague, and leave a review to tell us how you build trust in your practice.Watch the full interview by clicking here. Find the full article here.Learn more about Dumisani Magadlela here.Grab your free issue of choice Magazine here - https://choice-online.com/

Send us a textTrust isn't a vibe we hope for; it's a set of behaviors we can name, practice, and renew. We sit down with leadership and career development coach Flo LaBrado to turn trust from a fuzzy concept into a shared language that makes coaching safer, braver, and more effective.We break down the four distinctions of trust popularized by Charles Feltman—care, sincerity, reliability, and competence—and translate them into everyday coaching moves. Care means centering the client's agenda, not the coach's preferences. Sincerity is saying the hard thing with honesty and respect. Reliability lives in punctuality and follow-through. Competence is knowing your scope, telling the truth about your limits, and referring when needed. Flo shares how she bakes these into client agreements so expectations are explicit from day one.We also tackle technology transparency and AI. Whether you keep analog notes or lean on digital tools, clients deserve clarity about recordings, storage, deletion, and who or what is responding. Some will want searchable transcripts; others will want no data kept at all. By offering options and inviting pushback—“Is this okay?” rather than just “Do you understand?”—we build agency and deepen the container. We explore cultural nuance, where trust signals vary across identities and contexts, and show how a shared vocabulary helps coach and client align without erasing difference. Finally, we touch on trauma-informed coaching: recognizing overwhelm, slowing down, and honoring the boundary between coaching and therapy.If you're ready to make trust a teachable skill rather than a hopeful assumption, this conversation is a practical roadmap. You'll walk away with language to use in your contracting, ways to model reliability, and questions that help clients grow their own self-trust beyond the session. If you found this helpful, follow the show, share it with a colleague, and leave a review to help more coaches find it.Watch the full interview by clicking here. Find the full article here.Learn more about Flo LaBrado here. Grab your free issue of choice Magazine here - https://choice-online.com/

Send us a textWhen language gets policed, coaching gets harder—and trust is the first casualty. We sit down with leadership coaches and authors Amber Mays and Sukari Pinnock Fitts to unpack what happens when executive orders and corporate policies restrict DEI conversations, and why that “muting effect” changes how clients show up, how coaches contract, and how integrity is tested in the room. Their ongoing survey reveals the lived reality: sponsors banning words like woman, Black, or transgender; coaches torn between revenue and values; clients covering core parts of identity to stay safe.We trace the deeper patterns driving these shifts—fear, zero-sum thinking, and the belief that inclusion takes something away from those in power. Amber and Sukari bring decades of global DEI and leadership experience to show how cultural intelligence, identity transparency, and brave conversations actually fuel performance and belonging. They challenge us to reframe “confidentiality as loophole” and instead elevate ethical contracting: clarify roles with sponsors and clients, interrogate who set the restrictions and why, and co-create agreements that keep the space safe and brave without breaking your word.You'll leave with practical steps you can use today: prepare values-based red lines, negotiate language with clarity, document expectations up front, and revisit your ICF or EMCC code of ethics to ensure your practice aligns with your promises. Coaching with DEIAB in mind isn't a niche—it's simply good coaching. If the policy narrows the conversation, let your courage, clarity, and craft widen it so trust can do the work it's meant to do.If this conversation resonates, follow the show, share it with a coach who needs it, and leave a review so more practitioners can find these tools.Watch the full interview by clicking here. Find the full article here.Learn more about Sukari Pinnock here.Learn more about Amber Mayes here.Sukari and Amber have gracious provided our audience a 15% discount on the earlybird fee for November workshop. Go to www.fifthdomaincoaching.com and use code: choice to receive the discount. Grab your free issue of choice Magazine here - https://choice-online.com/

Send us a textSome conversations feel like a deep breath you didn't know you needed. This one does more than name the chaos of hybrid work—it gives you a clear, humane way through it. We sit down with leadership coach and facilitator Newell Eaton to unpack how trust becomes the operating system for modern teams, especially when time is tight, change is constant, and the room is mostly a grid of faces.We start with the realities leaders face: training windows that shrank from days to minutes, rapid team turnover, and the quiet drift of proximity bias that privileges people in the office over those on the screen. Newell offers practical fixes you can ship tomorrow—design 50-minute meetings with a real pause, open with a quick check-in, close with appreciations, and equalize hybrid calls by having everyone join from their own space. He makes a strong case for in-person anchors like twice-yearly gatherings and face-to-face onboarding to establish the human channels that carry nuance and empathy when work gets tough. Along the way, we explore the “vulnerability paradox”: why measured honesty from leaders strengthens psychological safety and how a CEO's choice to step back for family transformed his team's confidence and cohesion.We also talk boundaries at home, retirement as an identity shift, and the unglamorous habits that power great leadership: sleep, breath, movement, and presence. Expect concrete strategies to counter proximity bias, boost trust on hybrid teams, and design meeting norms that actually work. If you've been looking for leadership advice that respects both performance and people, you'll find a toolkit here—simple, repeatable, and backed by lived experience.If this conversation helps, follow the show, share it with a colleague who's leading a hybrid team, and leave a quick review—what one trust-building practice will you try this week?Watch the full interview by clicking here. Find the full article here.Learn more about Newell Eaton here. Grab your free issue of choice Magazine here - https://choice-online.com/

Send us a textCoaching supervision and social justice might seem like separate domains, but they share a powerful intersection that can transform coaching practice. DeBorah "Sunni" Smith reveals how these complementary frameworks create space for deeper awareness, innovation, and meaningful change.Supervision offers coaches a reflective container—often called a "safe space"—though Sunni challenges us to recognize that safety is inherently subjective. What feels safe for one person may feel threatening to another based on their lived experience. This recognition aligns perfectly with social justice principles focused on equity and equal rights. Both domains honor diverse perspectives and seek to create environments where authentic dialogue can flourish.What's particularly fascinating is how these principles appear in everyday coaching. When Sunni asks coaches to share cases where social justice doesn't apply, she finds they can't—because elements of power, communication, and equity appear in virtually every coaching conversation. Our bodies signal discomfort before our conscious minds register it, giving us valuable information about potential conflicts or misunderstandings. As coaches, we're trained to notice these subtle shifts, the same awareness that helps navigate social justice conversations."We bring so much as individuals to situations," Sunni explains. "Coaching supervision provides structure and process, whereas social justice brings purpose and passion." Together, they adjust how we see the world—like corrective lenses for our professional vision. This integration helps coaches recognize that while global issues may seem overwhelming, we can impact the conversations at our dinner tables, in our organizations, and communities. By facilitating win-win discussions rather than win-lose debates, coaches contribute to a more equitable society—one conversation at a time.Ready to explore this intersection further? Join organizations like Coaching for Social Justice for their free bi-monthly dialogues, or connect directly with Sunni to continue this important conversation. The growth happens in the discomfort—are you ready to lean in?Watch the full interview by clicking here. Find the full article here.Learn more about DeBorah "Sunni" Smith here.Receive a 30-minute Complimentary Discovery Coaching Session with Sunni via scheduling at enegaged@cassavacoaching.com. Please indicate Choice Comp Session in the subject line and Ana will schedule a time. Grab your free issue of choice Magazine here - https://choice-online.com/

Send us a textMicroaggressions aren't just about race—they can happen to anyone who feels marginalized. Master Certified Coach Cheryl Procter-Rogers reveals how these subtle slights create "little cuts that become bigger wounds" over time, affecting everything from workplace dynamics to personal confidence.Drawing from over 40 years of experience, Cheryl shares her powerful "3P Framework"—Pause, Process, Proceed—that gives both coaches and clients a structured approach to navigate these challenging moments. Through compelling personal examples, including her own experience with a business colleague who couldn't comprehend that a Black woman held a senior executive position, she illustrates how microaggressions manifest in everyday interactions.For coaches, this conversation provides crucial insights into recognizing when clients are experiencing microaggressions. Listen for phrases like "something felt off in that meeting" or "I don't know if I'm being too sensitive." Many clients presenting with imposter syndrome or unexplained fatigue may actually be suffering from the cumulative impact of these subtle forms of discrimination. Cheryl offers specific coaching strategies that avoid re-traumatizing clients while helping them develop effective responses.The most transformative insight? Focus on intent rather than impact. This simple shift helps clients process their experiences without personalizing them, creating space for healing and growth. Whether you're a coach working with clients navigating difficult workplace dynamics or someone experiencing microaggressions yourself, this episode provides practical frameworks to transform these moments into opportunities for deeper understanding. Connect with Cheryl Proctor-Rogers on LinkedIn to continue this important conversation and explore more of her thought leadership on coaching through challenging situations.Watch the full interview by clicking here. Find the full article here.Learn more about Cheryl Procter-Rogers here.Grab your free issue of choice Magazine here - https://choice-online.com/

Send us a textShaunda Thompson opens a powerful window into the unique strengths BIPOC coaches bring to leadership development through their lived experiences and embodied wisdom. As an executive life coach, career strategist, and pre-licensed therapist whose leadership journey began as a US Army non-commissioned officer, Thompson speaks with authenticity about creating coaching relationships that honor clients' full identities."There are times where words don't have to be spoken, or there's this invisible pain that the client sitting across from you experiences that you as a BIPOC coach already know because you've gone through it," Thompson explains, highlighting the immediate connection and psychological safety this creates. This shared understanding accelerates the coaching relationship in ways that transcend traditional approaches.The conversation dives deep into essential concepts for all coaches – cultural fluency, code-switching, and the mental tax of navigating predominantly white professional spaces. Thompson offers practical guidance: recognize your own history and privilege, examine your biases, unlearn dominant narratives, and get comfortable sitting in discomfort without centering guilt. Her coaching philosophy centers on what she calls "radical self-honesty" and bringing the fullness of her multiple identities into each session.Perhaps most compelling is Thompson's vision for reshaping the coaching profession by challenging dominant norms and embracing culturally responsive frameworks. "Let's start rejecting these one-size-fits-all models and be more open to honoring identity, community, and intergenerational wisdom," she urges. This approach doesn't just benefit BIPOC coaches and clients – it enriches the entire field with diverse perspectives and approaches that support lasting transformation.Ready to expand your coaching practice with greater cultural fluency? Connect with Shaunda at www.shaundathompson.com and discover how authentic leadership and intersectional empathy can transform your coaching relationships.Watch the full interview by clicking here. Find the full article here.Learn more about Shaunda Thompson here.Grab your free issue of choice Magazine here - https://choice-online.com/

Send us a textWhat does true fairness look like in professional certification? Carrie Abner, Vice President of ICF Credentialing, pulls back the curtain on a groundbreaking initiative that's transforming how coaches around the world become certified.Four years ago, amid growing social conversations about equity, ICF leadership asked themselves a challenging question: were they truly living their values when it came to fairness in their credentialing process? This moment of reflection sparked a comprehensive equity assessment that would examine every aspect of how coaches earn their ICF credentials. The project, completed in October 2024, reveals both courage and commitment from an organization willing to look critically at its own practices.Working collaboratively with ICF's DEIB team and an academic researcher specializing in diversity, Abner's team developed sophisticated methods to collect data, listen to stakeholders, and identify potential barriers in their processes. What they discovered led to meaningful changes: expanded assessor diversity to match growth in global markets, enhanced exam accommodations that benefit all candidates, and free exam tutorials that demystify the testing experience. Perhaps most importantly, they established ongoing feedback mechanisms that ensure continuous improvement."Most things that matter take courage," Abner notes, reflecting on the vulnerability required to examine established systems for hidden biases. The assessment represents more than just procedural tweaks—it's a fundamental shift in how ICF approaches credentialing, balancing rigorous standards with accessibility and cultural awareness.For coaches preparing for ICF credentials, these changes mean a more equitable path to certification. For the coaching profession as a whole, ICF's work demonstrates how organizations can move beyond good intentions to create measurable improvements in fairness and inclusion.Share your experience with ICF's credentialing process—they're listening and using your feedback to drive positive change. Connect with Carrie Abner at carrieabner@coachingfederation.org or explore ICF's resources at coachingfederation.org.Watch the full interview by clicking here. Find the full article here.Learn more about Carrie Abner here.Pearson Vue and ICF Testing Resources here. Grab your free issue of choice Magazine here - https://choice-online.com/

Send us a textWhat does it truly mean to lead with social impact? Dr. Daphne Watkins, researcher, professor, and executive coach, takes us on a profound journey exploring leadership that prioritizes uplifting marginalized voices over personal advancement.Drawing from her remarkable career transition—from two decades researching Black men's health to coaching leaders across racial and cultural differences—Dr. Watkins illuminates how coaching can transform leaders into powerful agents of social change. She defines social impact leadership not as holding power or titles, but as "giving voice to the voiceless" and creating meaningful legacies that extend beyond individual achievement.The conversation tackles head-on the challenges facing diversity and inclusion work today. Rather than abandoning critical progress during DEI backlash, Dr. Watkins describes how leaders are "pivoting"—maintaining their commitment to equity while adapting their approaches. Her practical insights include creating psychological safety in coaching relationships and using identity mapping exercises to help leaders understand how their backgrounds shape their leadership styles.Most compelling is Dr. Watkins' nuanced exploration of privilege—how we all carry it in different contexts, often without recognition. As a self-described "data nerd" measuring coaching effectiveness through "ripple effects," she demonstrates how seemingly individual leadership transformations can cascade through organizations and communities. Her current research with leaders of color heading research institutes further reveals untold pathways to influence and impact.Ready to examine your own leadership through a social impact lens? This conversation offers both the challenge and the roadmap. Connect with Dr. Watkins at daphnewatkins.com and discover how your leadership can create meaningful change in a world desperately needing voices for the voiceless.Watch the full interview by clicking here.Find the full article here.Learn more about Daphne Watkins here. #datanerdGrab your free issue of choice Magazine here - https://choice-online.com/

Send us a textWhat happens when a doctor prescribes "having fun" as treatment for chest pain? For wellness coach and ethnic studies professor Janet Stickmon, this unexpected prescription became a turning point in understanding how joy functions as essential medicine—particularly for those experiencing racial battle fatigue.Stickmon introduces us to the powerful concept of "counter-hegemonic armor," the protective skills marginalized people develop to navigate systems of oppression. But unlike traditional armor, which merely shields, this framework serves a dual purpose: protection and rejuvenation. "There's this beautiful duality," Stickmon explains. "There's being able to develop skills to properly take care of yourself... but also what is one doing to make sure they're nourished, filled, and rejuvenated—not just simply drained."For coaches working with BIPOC clients, this perspective transforms practice. Traditional coaching approaches often dive straight into self-care without acknowledging systemic factors. Through her program Center Joy PWR, Stickmon creates space where professionals of color can heal racial battle fatigue while reconnecting with joy. She shares her personal journey—how simply naming her experience as racial battle fatigue provided immediate liberation, and how that doctor's unusual prescription revealed she'd lost connection with fun altogether.The most actionable takeaway? "Treat joy as if it were a daily vitamin that you have to take," Stickmon advises. This isn't about waiting for happiness to happen but consciously integrating joy rituals into daily life. For coaches from privileged backgrounds, she emphasizes cultural humility over cultural competency—ongoing self-reflection about biases rather than presumed expertise.Whether you're experiencing racial battle fatigue yourself, supporting clients who are, or simply seeking a more balanced approach to personal wellness, Stickmon's framework offers both practical tools and profound insights. Listen now to discover how protecting yourself can also help you thrive—and why abundance means having "the amount of health, wealth and love that you require to live a joyful life."Watch the full interview by clicking here.Find the full article here.Learn more about Janet here.Janet is offering choice readers and listeners 60% off her CenterJoyPWR®:  Strategies for Healing Racial Battle Fatigue which is an online experience designed for professionals of color who want to heal their racial battel fatigue and center joy in their personal and professional lives.  Use code: choice  Offer is only good until September 1, 2025Grab your free issue of choice Magazine here - https://choice-online.com/

Send us a textCultural representation in coaching matters deeply, yet the stark reality shows an alarming gap – only 2% of coaches identify as Latino/Latina while they represent 19% of the US population. This eye-opening conversation with Dr. Annmarie Caño explores how we can transform the coaching landscape to become truly inclusive for Latin leaders and coaches.Drawing from her 25 years of experience in higher education and as the author of "Leading Toward Liberation," Dr. Caño shares profound insights about creating authentic coaching relationships across cultural differences. She reveals touching success stories where Latin clients feel safe enough to express themselves fully, sometimes shifting between languages to articulate concepts uniquely expressed in Spanish – moments that represent true cultural connection and trust.For coaches seeking to become more culturally sensitive without overstepping boundaries, Dr. Caño offers practical guidance that goes beyond superficial approaches. She recommends incorporating thoughtful questions about cultural identity in coaching intake forms, embracing genuine curiosity about clients' cultural backgrounds, and committing to ongoing education through diverse literature, films, and community engagement. These approaches help coaches recognize and honor the strengths Latin clients bring to sessions rather than focusing on perceived deficits.The conversation courageously addresses systemic barriers preventing greater diversity in coaching – from the high cost of coach training to the tendency for coaching opportunities to flow primarily to those in leadership positions, who are predominantly white in many hierarchical structures. This creates cycles that limit exposure to coaching for underrepresented groups.Most powerfully, Dr. Caño emphasizes that creating genuine diversity isn't about "checking boxes" but building authentic relationships based on trust. "It's about showing up, not trying to prove anything, but inviting people in because you truly value what they have experienced or what they have to say." This perspective transforms how we think about inclusivity, making it about genuine connection rather than performative actions.Whether you're a coach seeking to expand your cultural competence, a Latin professional considering coaching, or an organization looking to create more inclusive development opportunities, this conversation provides invaluable wisdom for creating coaching spaces where everyone can bring their whole selves to the transformative work of coaching.Watch the full interview by clicking here.Find the full article here.Learn more about Annmarie Caño here.Free gift for a Values Workbook, which includes an exercise to reconnect with one's values as a liberatory leader: https://bit.ly/ValuesWkbk Grab your free issue of choice Magazine here - https://choice-online.com/

Send us a textWhat happens when systemic barriers persist in an industry built on personal growth and transformation? Dr. Pamela Larde pulls back the curtain on coaching's diversity challenges and shares a groundbreaking approach to creating change.The coaching profession prides itself on fostering human potential, yet faces the same diversity and inclusion hurdles as many industries. Dr. Larde, creator of the first ICF-accredited Black-owned coach training school and director at the Institute of Coaching, shares findings from the pioneering Horizons program that's reimagining coach education through an equity lens.One powerful revelation centers on "racialized emotional labor" – the invisible psychological burden carried by people of color navigating predominantly white spaces. This concept, rooted in research on how racial stress creates physical health challenges, illuminates why traditional coaching programs may unintentionally tax diverse participants. The most surprising discovery? Students wanted more diversity content integrated throughout their training, not less.Despite growing backlash against DEI initiatives in the United States, Dr. Larde observes coaching organizations largely maintaining their commitment to inclusion, though with strategic adaptations. For prospective coach trainees seeking inclusive environments, she recommends examining a school's stated values, faculty diversity, and student testimonials about psychological safety. "Schools for which this is a value say it out loud – you don't have to dig very hard to find it."The conversation explores innovative approaches like reverse mentoring, where newer coaches share fresh perspectives with seasoned practitioners. Dr. Larde, who researches both joy and justice, embodies how these seemingly opposite focuses intersect in powerful ways.Whether you're a coach trainer, practicing coach, or considering coach certification, this episode offers crucial insights on creating truly inclusive coaching spaces. Connect with Dr. Larde through the Academy of Creative Coaching or on LinkedIn to continue the conversation about transforming the coaching profession.Watch the full interview by clicking here.Find the full article here.Learn more about Pamela Larde here.Free Gift from Dr. Larde - The Practice of Joy: Creating Revolutionary Change in Our Personal and Professional Lives – Digital WorkbookGrab your free issue of choice Magazine here - https://choice-online.com/

Send us a textDr. Shankar Subramaniam & Dr. Mukhunth Raghavan unveil their groundbreaking Illuminant framework, designed to help coaches support immigrant professionals navigating leadership challenges in unfamiliar cultural landscapes.Drawing from their personal journeys as immigrants, both experts share powerful insights into the complex realities faced by those seeking to lead in new cultural contexts. Dr. Subramaniam describes immigration not as a simple transition but as "a very torturous path" involving separation from support systems and complex adaptation processes. Dr. Raghavan adds perspective from growing up as an expatriate, witnessing firsthand how globalization shapes career trajectories and workplace dynamics.The Illuminant assessment tool examines the tension between motivation to lead and obstacles to change, tracing these forces to what they call "causal determinants" – individual predisposition, family dynamics, and cultural environment. This framework helps coaches identify how clients can leverage their unique cultural backgrounds while adapting to new leadership expectations. What makes this work particularly valuable is its practical application to real-world challenges faced by immigrant professionals. Many struggle with the conflict between Western leadership expectations of boldness and risk-taking versus cultural programming that emphasizes deference and harmony. Additionally, visa status concerns often create fear around "rocking the boat," limiting authentic leadership expression.Though developed with immigrants in mind, the Illuminant framework proves remarkably versatile. As Dr. Raghavan explains, anyone navigating unfamiliar cultural territory can benefit from this approach – from women in male-dominated fields to professionals relocating between regions with different norms.Success stories highlight the framework's transformative potential: professionals transitioning from toxic to healthy work environments, individuals learning to own their expertise despite cultural conditioning toward deference, and new graduates navigating their first leadership opportunities.Ready to enhance your coaching practice with this innovative approach? The Illuminant assessment is available free to coaches seeking to better support clients across cultural boundaries. Connect with Dr. Subramaniam at drshankar@drshankarcoach.com or Dr. Raghavan at mukhunth@gmail.com to learn more.Watch the full interview by clicking here.Find the full article here.Learn more about Shankar Subramaniam here.Learn more about Mukhunth Raghavan here.Free gift - First three respondents can sign up for a free coaching session with Shankar at this link https://www.drshankarcoach.com/ and registering as a site member. Please email Shankar at drshankar@drshankarcoach.com to request the service (CHOICE2025 is the discount code) Grab your free issue of choice Magazine here - https://choice-online.com/

Send us a textWhat happens when racial and cultural differences show up in coaching relationships? Social leadership coach Gloria Custodio brings her multifaceted experience spanning law, business, education, and nonprofit leadership to tackle this critical question during a time of heightened political polarization.Gloria introduces us to the powerful distinction between cultural competence and cultural humility. While competence suggests mastery—a checkbox approach to understanding differences—humility embraces ongoing curiosity about both our own and others' identities. This approach perfectly aligns with coaching's foundation of openness, wonder, and comfort with not knowing. As Gloria explains, cultural humility creates not just safe spaces but brave spaces where authentic exploration thrives.The conversation takes a fascinating turn when Gloria shares her personal journey using loving-kindness meditation to transform her reactions to politically charged symbols in her community. Rather than avoiding or condemning those with different views, she cultivated genuine curiosity about what their perspectives meant to them. This inner work enabled her to hold space for clients navigating political polarization without being overtaken by her own reactions—a skill increasingly essential for coaches today.Perhaps most practical is Gloria's approach to identity-informed coaching. She suggests asking open-ended questions like "How does your identity play into this?" rather than making assumptions about which clients have "culture" worth exploring. This gives clients autonomy to bring forward whatever aspects of their identity feel most relevant in the moment, whether racial, gender, cultural, or religious. Coaches are encouraged to show themselves the same grace they extend to clients when navigating these sometimes uncomfortable conversations.Subscribe to Beyond the Page for more conversations that expand your coaching toolkit and challenge you to create more inclusive, effective coaching relationships. As Gloria reminds us: "Integrity in coaching means showing up authentically and being open to learning so every client feels seen, heard and valued."Watch the full interview by clicking here.Find the full article here.Learn more about Gloria Custodio.Free Gift for Listeners: Coaching Across Difference: A Reflection Guide Coaching across lines of race, identity, and culture requires more than good intentions: it takes humility, presence, and practice. In this reflection guide, Gloria Custodio invites coaches into a deeper, more courageous exploration of how we show up across difference.Inside you'll find:Self-reflection prompts to increase cultural awarenessCoaching questions that build trust and psychological safetySubtle signals of bias to watch for in your practice30-day commitments to move from insight to actionWhether you're new to this work or deepening an existing practice, this guide offers a grounded, human-centered way to coach with integrity, even in a time of backlash.Grab your free issue of choice Magazine here - https://choice-online.com/

Send us a textWhat happens when we bring our cultural heritage into our coaching practice? Mo Fong, founder of the Asian Women Coaching Collective and author of "Culturally Responsive Coaching," reveals how understanding our cultural backgrounds transforms coaching effectiveness."Culture is invisible," Mo explains. "We're wearing different colored lenses in how we view the world." This powerful metaphor captures why culturally responsive coaching matters—we often don't recognize the cultural forces shaping our perspectives and behaviors. When coaches learn to identify these influences, they unlock deeper understanding with their clients.The Asian Women Coaching Collective emerged during COVID when anti-Asian sentiment was rising. Starting with just ten coaches seeking mutual support, it evolved into a thriving community where Asian women coaches can discuss experiences without explanation or judgment. This psychological safety creates space for professional development that honors cultural context—something often missing in mainstream coaching environments.Mo shares her "ABCs" framework for culturally responsive coaching: Awareness of your own culture, Being curious about others without fear, and Coaching with intention to accelerate progress. These principles help coaches recognize when cultural elements emerge in sessions and respond with powerful questions that acknowledge heritage's influence on leadership and life choices.Particularly illuminating is Mo's distinction between background and heritage—the latter encompassing not just personal experiences but ancestral influences that shape behavior at a deep level. "It's in our DNA," she notes, suggesting that cultural patterns precede conscious awareness.Whether you're seeking to understand different cultural perspectives or looking to integrate your own heritage into your coaching practice, this conversation offers practical wisdom for creating more inclusive and effective coaching relationships. Connect with the Asian Women Coaching Collective through LinkedIn or email contact@awcoachingcollective.org to learn more about their work and upcoming events.Watch the full interview by clicking here.Find the full article here.Learn more about Mo Lei Fong here.Grab your free issue of choice Magazine here - https://choice-online.com/

Send us a textWhat happens when the power of filmmaking meets urgent climate challenges? The answer lies at the intersection of storytelling and action, where narratives become catalysts for meaningful change in our warming world.Hajnal Molnar-Szakacs, Director of Artist Accelerator and Women at Sundance Programs, takes us behind the scenes of a groundbreaking partnership between the Sundance Institute and FEMA's Resilient Nation Partnership Network. This collaboration emerged from their shared belief that storytelling can transform how we process complex environmental challenges, foster empathy across diverse communities, and ultimately inspire collective action where dry statistics and dire warnings often fail.Through powerful documentary films like "New Talk," which follows a Yupik village in Alaska threatened by rising sea levels, and "Raising Liberty Square," centering community voices facing climate displacement, abstract threats become visceral experiences. "The emotional connection is really what inspires us to act," Molnar-Szakacs explains, highlighting how authentic representation from filmmakers within affected communities ensures stories are told from the inside out, amplifying perspectives of those most directly impacted.For coaching professionals, these storytelling techniques offer valuable tools to help clients expand worldviews, shift mindsets, and transform negative perceptions into opportunities for growth. Just as environmental documentaries build solidarity between viewers and affected communities, coaches can use narrative approaches to create connections that illuminate alternative possibilities and pathways forward.Ready to experience these powerful stories yourself? Watch recommended films like "New Talk," "Raising Liberty Square," "Hottest August," and "Stewards of the Land" – then consider how you might join these communities and raise your voice in partnership with them. Because when it comes to climate resilience, the stories we tell today may determine the world we inhabit tomorrow.Watch the full interview by clicking here.Find the full article here.Learn more about Hajnal Molnar-Szakacs here.Grab your free issue of choice Magazine here - https://choice-online.com/

Send us a textCate Sabatini's journey from leadership coach to climate advocate began with a moment of clarity in 2019 that was quickly followed by... nothing. Despite a clear calling to support climate leaders, Cate found herself stuck in a cycle of research, doubt, and inaction that many sustainability-minded individuals will recognize. What keeps us from taking meaningful steps toward climate action, even when we deeply care?For Cate, the paralysis stemmed from a familiar fear: not knowing enough. "I didn't have the science behind it. I didn't really know if it would work," she explains about her climate initiatives. "I felt like I had to keep knowing more before I could share the idea with anybody that could actually help me make a difference." This expertise trap kept her spinning in circles for years, creating a growing disconnect between her stated values and her actions—especially noticeable when speaking with her children about environmental issues.The breakthrough came when Cate realized that as a coach, her role isn't to be the subject matter expert on climate science. Her expertise in asking powerful questions and supporting leaders through complex challenges was exactly what sustainability champions needed. "If I can contribute my coaching skills to help leaders in climate make their best contributions, then that's my role," she shares. This shift in perspective, coupled with working collaboratively instead of alone, finally moved her from paralysis to progress.Cate's message for fellow coaches and climate-conscious individuals is refreshingly practical: make sustainability fun, take imperfect actions, and celebrate what you're already doing. Whether it's using labeled jars for bulk shopping, bringing reusable bags to the grocery store, or simply acknowledging your efforts, finding joy in the journey makes climate action sustainable for the long haul. As she puts it, "The earth doesn't have time for us to wait to have all the knowledge we need"—so start where you are, with what you have, today.Watch the full interview by clicking here.Find the full article here.Learn more about Cate Sabatini here.Grab your free issue of choice Magazine here - https://choice-online.com/

Send us a textAward-winning climate coach Charly Cox opens up about the transformative intersection between professional coaching and environmental action. As Executive Director of Climate Change Coaches, she challenges the misconception that addressing climate concerns violates coaching ethics or requires specialized environmental expertise. Instead, she reveals how coaches' existing skills—building strong relationships, asking powerful questions, and creating safe spaces—make them uniquely qualified to facilitate meaningful climate conversations.The conversation explores a surprising paradox: while research shows most people deeply care about environmental issues, many remain silent because they believe they're alone in their concern. This silence prevents the collective action necessary to address climate challenges. Coaches can break this cycle by creating opportunities for authentic exploration without judgment or moralization.Charly shares practical strategies for integrating climate consciousness into coaching practices—from adding legacy questions to intake forms to modeling sustainable choices in everyday life. She emphasizes finding climate-positive actions that align with personal joy and values rather than forcing oneself into unpleasant changes. "Pick the things that bring you joy and that also have a positive environmental benefit," she advises, noting that sustainable behaviors are more likely to stick when they enhance rather than diminish quality of life.Perhaps most powerfully, Charly reveals how coaches can influence change simply by demonstrating that they care. One long-term client recently joined an environmental protection group despite climate never being discussed in their sessions, explaining: "I wouldn't have done that if you hadn't become a climate change coach." This ripple effect illustrates how individual actions gain power through connection and visibility, creating the "social proof" that influences broader change.Ready to explore the power of coaching in climate action? Download a free chapter of Charly's book "Climate Change Coaching" at climatechangecoaches.com or join their periodic insight sessions to connect with like-minded professionals making a difference through the power of coaching.Watch the full interview by clicking here.Find the full article here.Learn more about Charly Cox here.Grab your free issue of choice Magazine here - https://choice-online.com/

Send us a textHow do we coach clients through a climate crisis that affects their career decisions, life planning, and mental wellbeing? Arianne Weiner, PhD, PCC, shares her journey from business coach focused on bottom lines to recognizing the profound impact climate anxiety has on clients across generations.The awakening came when Arianne's Gen Z nieces visited—both highly educated environmental professionals carrying an emotional weight about climate that manifested in existential questions about homes, children, and whether their efforts would matter. This eye-opening conversation made her realize she had been "coaching around climate without naming it" despite working with clients in environmental fields.Arianne offers practical approaches for bringing climate consciousness into coaching conversations without hijacking clients' agendas. Rather than direct questioning, she suggests exploring what might be "lingering in the background" when clients express anxiety or overwhelm. This subtle approach often unlocks profound revelations as clients connect their feelings to broader world concerns.The generational divide in how climate anxiety manifests is striking. For Gen Z, climate change shapes identity, career choices, and sense of purpose—it's not a distant threat but an immediate reality affecting life planning. For Gen X and Boomers, it might appear as stress around business sustainability or systemic frustrations. Understanding these differences helps coaches attune to emotional undercurrents.Building resilience emerges as the cornerstone of climate-conscious coaching. "Resilience isn't about being unshakable—it's about being movable and renewable," Arianne explains. This means helping clients embrace adaptive thinking, strengthen emotional intelligence, align actions with values, and cultivate community support. Sometimes resilience is as simple as "choosing to make dinner and not falling into a doom scroll."Ready to incorporate climate consciousness into your coaching? Join communities like the Climate Coaching Alliance, engage in cross-generational conversations, and reflect on your own ecological footprint. The changing world affects how our clients experience life and work—by creating space for these conversations, we help them navigate uncertainty with greater awareness and purpose.Watch the full interview by clicking here.Find the full article here.Learn more about Arianne Weiner here.Arianne's Exclusive Offering for Coaches: Your Gift of Perspective — Climate Resilience EditionAs coaches, we understand the importance of resilience in ourselves and the clients we support. In today's rapidly changing world, climate anxiety is a challenge many face, and we must address it in our work.To support your resilience and enhance your coaching practice, I'm offering a free 20-minute Gift of Perspective consultation. In this session, we'll discuss what's on your mind, whether navigating eco-anxiety, managing other challenges, or strengthening your approach to building clients' resilience.As a thank-you for engaging in this crucial conversation, you'll also receive my Climate Anxiety Toolkit—a practical resource filled with grounding techniques, resilience-building strategies, and curated links to help you and your clients manage environmental anxiety and build lasting resilience.Ready to invest in your growth and enhance your coaching practice?Book your free consultation here.Grab your free issue of choice Magazine here - https://choice-online.com/

Send us a textWhat if the key to transformative coaching isn't about adding climate awareness to your practice, but recognizing it's already there? Climate biodiversity coach Lydia Stevens and regenerative leadership coach Grattan Donnelly challenge us to look "upstream" beyond immediate client concerns to the interconnected living systems that shape all human experience.The powerful metaphor they share illuminates why this matters: villagers downstream rescue bodies floating in a river but rarely venture upstream to discover why people are falling in. Similarly, coaching that ignores ecological context addresses symptoms rather than root causes. "Business as usual is downstream," explains Donnelly. "Until we start thinking about what kind of world we really want to live in."This expanded awareness doesn't require changing client agendas. Stevens points out that climate consciousness isn't something "outside" coaching—it's embedded in everyday life. The framework they share expands traditional coaching domains (self, team, organization) to include land, workspace, wider ecosystems, and biosphere, recognizing that all human activities exist within living systems.Their methodology often involves nature itself. Donnelly conducts sessions as outdoor "walk and talks," letting nature serve as co-coach. This practice activates the calming parasympathetic nervous system, allowing clients to literally see challenges from new perspectives. "When I slow down, I see twice as much," he notes. This integration of "head, heart, gut, and earth" creates conditions for profound mindset shifts without forcing climate topics.At its core, climate-conscious coaching recognizes what Donnelly calls the false "story of separation" between humans and nature: "We're not a part of nature, we're not apart from nature. We are nature." Through this reconnection, clients discover new possibilities for relating to themselves, others, and the world around them.Watch the full interview by clicking here.Find the full article here.Learn more about Lydia Stevens here.Lydia is offering a free 30 minute leadership coaching experience in nature wherever you are based in the world -  see here.Learn more about Grattan Donnelly here.Additional Resources: Shaping Tomorrow: A Playbook for Coaching Leaders in Sustainable Decision-Making and Policy. ~This flexible workbook provides actionable strategies, communication frameworks, and holistic approaches, that will show you how to navigate political systems and inspire leaders to make courageous, sustainable choices for our planet's future. The Future We Choose is an inspiring manifesto from Global Optimism Co-Founders, Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac. It explains what's to come, how to face it and what we can do. Practical, optimistic and empowering, this is a book for every generation, showing us the exciting world we can all be part of creating. Grab your free issue of choice Magazine here - https://choice-online.com/

Send us a textWhat if addressing climate change could be joyful rather than overwhelming? Master Certified Coach Don Maruska reveals a revolutionary approach that transforms climate action from a fear-driven burden into an energizing opportunity aligned with what people naturally love doing.Drawing from his book "Solve Climate Change Now: Do What You Love for a Healthy Planet," Maruska explains why traditional climate messaging often fails: fear works only as a short-term motivator before leading to burnout. Instead, he offers a coach-centered "attraction model" that helps clients identify their unique "climate sweet spot" – where personal passion meets meaningful environmental impact.The conversation explores Maruska's Triple A framework (Awareness, Action, and Advocacy) that accommodates different personality types and preferences. Some individuals thrive in direct action like community gardening, while others excel at boosting awareness or advocating for policy change. The beauty lies in starting anywhere within this circle – one engagement naturally leads to expanding interests across all three domains.Maruska directly addresses a common coaching dilemma: should we bring up climate issues if clients don't explicitly request them? He makes a compelling case that raising climate consciousness serves clients' best interests by helping them meet growing consumer expectations, boost employee engagement, and align with younger generations' values. Far from imposing an agenda, climate coaching represents a strategic advantage worth exploring.Most encouraging is Maruska's emphasis on how individual actions multiply. Research shows social movements need only 3.5-25% participation to create tipping points, and simple daily choices around food waste and transportation can collectively save billions of pounds of greenhouse gases. As he wisely notes, "We can't wait for leaders to start the parade – we need to start marching so they'll run to the front."Ready to transform how you approach climate conversations with clients? Connect with Maruska at solveclimatechangenow.com or through the Climate Coaching Alliance to discover how coaching skills are precisely what our planet needs right now.Watch the full interview by clicking here.Find the full article here.Learn more about Don Maruska here.Free resources to help you get started are at SolveClimateChangeNow.comGrab your free issue of choice Magazine here - https://choice-online.com/

Send us a textWhat if the key to addressing our climate crisis lies not just in technology and policy, but in our inner development? In this thought-provoking conversation, coach and writer Ryan Grist reveals a powerful framework that connects personal growth to planetary healing.Drawing from his article "Coaching to Support Outer Change," Grist explores how the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals have inspired a complementary framework called the Inner Development Goals. These inner goals—organized into five pillars: stable self, adaptive mind, connected heart, inclusive collaborator, and courageous changemaker—provide a roadmap for the internal skills we need to face our greatest environmental challenges."Where things often break down is in the human dimensions," Grist explains. "It's in relationships, stress, mindset, and overwhelm." While technological solutions receive substantial funding and attention, the "soft skills" that enable effective collaboration, perspective-taking, and compassionate action have been historically undervalued. Yet these skills may be exactly what we need to navigate the complexity of climate change.The conversation takes a particularly meaningful turn when Grist demonstrates how compassion functions as a trainable skill. Through practices like Tonglen (breathing in suffering, breathing out healing) and Metta meditation, he shows how we can expand our capacity for connection—even with those we find difficult. "Hurt people hurt people," he reminds us, suggesting that sending compassion instead of more hurt transforms not just relationships but our approach to shared problems.As we face political uncertainty and growing eco-anxiety, Grist offers "muscular hope" as an antidote—not wishful thinking, but a practiced conviction that positive change remains possible. The conversation concludes with a compelling invitation to identify which inner development dimension needs attention in your life, and to explore how strengthening these skills might ripple outward, creating change from the inside out.Watch the full interview by clicking here.Find the full article here.Learn more about Ryan here.Subscribe for free to Ryan's monthly publication on Substack! Grab your free issue of choice Magazine here - https://choice-online.com/

Send us a text"What in nature do you love more than anything in the world?" With this simple yet profound question, resilience coach Tamara Yakaboski opens a pathway to climate resilience that transcends political divides and paralyzing eco-anxiety.The climate crisis has arrived on our doorsteps, manifesting in unprecedented weather events, rising temperatures, and profound uncertainty. Many of us experience solastalgia—the pain of watching places we love transform before our eyes—along with eco-anxiety and climate grief. These responses aren't weaknesses; they're natural human reactions to witnessing profound environmental change.Drawing on over 20 years as a social scientist and professor, Yakaboski shares a transformative four-step framework—Access, Assess, Align, and Action—designed to bridge the gap between awareness and meaningful climate engagement. Unlike conventional approaches that rush toward solutions while bypassing emotions, this methodology helps both coaches and clients process their embodied responses to climate uncertainty before taking action.Perhaps most revolutionary is Yakaboski's redefinition of resilience itself. "I don't want to be a cut piece of wood that bounces back," she explains. "I want to be like a tree that can grow from a rock crevice or cliff edge." This ecological understanding of resilience—as adaptation rather than resistance—offers a powerful metaphor for navigating climate challenges with creativity and determination.The conversation weaves between practical strategies and profound insights, revealing how reconnecting with nature—whether through forest walks, ocean sounds, or simply observing birds in urban settings—can reset our nervous systems and rekindle our capacity for hope. Not passive, wishful thinking, but active hope grounded in meaningful engagement.Ready to transform climate anxiety into purposeful action? Visit TamaraYakaboski.com to access her guide on overcoming cognitive barriers to climate engagement, and start having more conversations about climate change. As Yakaboski reminds us, "We feel more hopeful and empowered the more we're in conversation with others."Watch the full interview by clicking here.Find the full article here.Learn more about Tamara Yakaboski here.The climate crisis doesn't just challenge our systems—it affects our minds, bodies, and emotions. Even the most committed leaders and coaches can get stuck in overwhelm, avoidance, or burnout.As a resilience coach and climate practitioner, I've seen how three common cognitive barriers can keep us—and the people we support—from engaging fully. That's why I created this free workbook to guide you through them.Grab your free issue of choice Magazine here - https://choice-online.com/

Send us a textWhat if the secret to restoring balance in our lives mirrors the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone National Park? Join us as we explore the fascinating intersection of ecology and coaching with Dr. Ina Gjikondi, Director of Executive Education at George Washington University and founder of the ECO Leadership Coaching Program.Drawing from her doctoral research on ecocentrism in coach education, Ina introduces us to the concept of rewilding – not as something new we must learn, but as remembering what we've forgotten. She shares the powerful story of how wolves restored balance to the Yellowstone ecosystem and uses this as a metaphor for our own journey back to wholeness. "We have an ancient body with a modern mind," Ina explains, highlighting how our disconnection from nature has affected both our personal wellbeing and the planet.The conversation takes a practical turn as Ina offers simple, accessible practices for reconnecting with our wild nature, even from the 32nd floor of an urban high-rise. By engaging our heart intelligence, awakening our senses, and asking open-ended questions like "What is wild in me today?", we can access forgotten wisdom that resides in our bodies. She emphasizes the importance of honoring our first intuitive responses rather than analyzing them, allowing our instincts to guide us rather than our executive function.Particularly moving is Ina's discussion of storytelling as an ancient practice that helps us bear witness to each other's humanity and build community. Through these practices of remembering and reconnecting, we not only heal ourselves but potentially contribute to healing our relationship with Earth. As Ina powerfully concludes: "The wild is not lost. Like the wolf, it is waiting to return. Will you answer the call?" This episode offers both the inspiration and practical tools to help you take that first step.Watch the full interview by clicking here.Find the full article here.Ina has provided a Free Gift to choice listeners to practice for Connecting with the Wild Wolf Archetype to use for coaches for your own development, or use with clients as needed. The Wolf Within: A Leadership Apothecary Practice for RewildingLearn more about Ina Gjikondi here.Link to learn more about Elisabet SahtourisGrab your free issue of choice Magazine here - https://choice-online.com/

Send us a textThe climate crisis represents humanity's greatest challenge—but how can professional coaches contribute to solutions? In this revealing conversation, we explore the groundbreaking work of the Climate Coaching Alliance (CCA), a volunteer-driven global movement transforming how coaches approach environmental consciousness.Joining us are Alison Maitland, leadership and inclusion coach focused on helping leaders address society's biggest challenges, and Eve Turner, one of the CCA's co-founders. Together, they share the remarkable story of how a small group of committed coaches launched a movement that now spans continents, languages, and coaching specialties.The discussion tackles a fundamental question many coaches struggle with: how do we ethically incorporate climate awareness without imposing our agenda on clients? As Eve explains, "We're not just coaches—we're human beings," and this work requires us to examine our role in either maintaining or transforming existing systems. Alison adds powerful perspective on working with climate-related emotions: "The deeper the emotions, the more evidence that people care, how much they love the earth."You'll discover practical approaches for bringing climate consciousness into your coaching practice, from chemistry sessions to values discussions. Learn about the wealth of resources available through the CCA, including communities in multiple languages, special interest groups, and their comprehensive guidebook filled with exercises, questions, and stories from coaches worldwide.Perhaps most compelling is the connection between planetary transformation and personal transformation. Climate coaching isn't just about external challenges—it involves deep inner work. As coaches develop their capacity to hold space for difficult emotions like grief and anxiety, they simultaneously help clients navigate our changing world with resilience and purpose.Whether you're already engaged in climate work or just beginning to explore its relevance to coaching, this conversation offers valuable insights, practical resources, and an open invitation to join a supportive community making a meaningful difference.Watch the full interview by clicking here.Find the full article here.Learn more about Alison here.Learn more about Eve here.You can join the Climate Coaching Alliance.You can purchase the book Ecological and Climate here and use this 20% coupon code 25AFLY1.There are 13 professional coaching, supervision, mentoring and coaching psychology bodies and communities who have signed up the joint statement on the ecological and climate crisis, they can find out more here.Here is a link to an amazing short poem by American poet and climate activist, Drew Dellinger, sent to music and words by Bioneers.  Grab your free issue of choice Magazine here - https://choice-online.com

Send us a textUncertainty has become our new normal. Through global pandemics, geopolitical conflicts, technological revolutions, and personal challenges, the question isn't whether change will occur but how we'll navigate it. Leadership coach Julia Bunyatov brings three decades of corporate leadership experience and cutting-edge neuroscience research to show us why simply surviving isn't enough—and how we can genuinely thrive amid uncertainty.What if everything we thought we knew about peak performance was wrong? Contrary to the glorified hustle culture, Julia reveals that our brains perform optimally not when stressed but when in a "relaxed physiological state." This counterintuitive discovery transforms how we approach leadership challenges. Rather than pushing through with adrenaline and multitasking, she demonstrates how accessing this parasympathetic state provides the neural energy needed for innovation, complex problem-solving, and sustained effectiveness.The conversation unveils the science of neuroplasticity—our brain's remarkable ability to reorganize itself based on experience and awareness. Julia introduces the revolutionary concept of "self-directed neuroplasticity," giving listeners practical approaches to reshape their neural pathways intentionally. From wellness practices like quality sleep (where our most complex problem-solving actually happens) to mindfulness (which she reframes as "silencing the mind") to cultivating genuine optimism, she provides actionable strategies that literally change our brains.Perhaps most compelling is Julia's insight about language and its neurological impact. "The brain is always listening," she explains, highlighting how deliberate word choice can shift our entire neurophysiology. When we ask, "What would it take for you to enjoy what you're doing?" instead of focusing on problems, we activate different neural networks and open possibilities previously invisible. Connect with Julia on LinkedIn or at Sirmio Coaching to learn more about applying neuroscience to leadership excellence.Watch the full interview by clicking here.Find the full article here.Learn more about Julia Bunyatov here. Grab your free issue of choice Magazine here - https://choice-online.com

Send us a textSelf-kindness might be the most overlooked tool in your coaching practice. In this eye-opening conversation with Emma-Louise Elsie, founder of Fierce Kindness Solutions Inc., we explore how cultivating self-compassion can transform coaching outcomes in our increasingly divisive world.Emma shares her powerful PACT framework—Pause, Ask, Choose, Time—that gives coaches a practical structure for helping clients implement self-kindness. She explains how this seemingly simple concept addresses the toxic cultural belief that self-kindness equals weakness or selfishness, which keeps many high-achievers trapped in cycles of overwhelm and diminished effectiveness.The conversation takes a fascinating turn when Emma reveals how to identify when clients need self-kindness most. Watch for warning signs like "I should be able to push through," difficulty setting boundaries, or signs of imposter syndrome. As Emma points out, "The challenge with self-kindness isn't knowing what to do—it's trusting and respecting yourself enough to actually do it."What makes this episode particularly valuable is the direct connection between self-kindness and coaching effectiveness. By teaching clients to recognize their unique stress signals and respond with intentional self-kindness, coaches help them become more authentic, resilient, and ultimately more successful. Emma's approach mirrors fundamental coaching principles of awareness, choice, and accountability.Ready to bring more self-kindness into your coaching practice? Join our community at choice Magazine and discover Emma's complete toolkit for implementing the PACT method with your clients. Your coaching impact—and your own wellbeing—may depend on it.Watch the full interview by clicking here.Find the full article here.Learn more about Emma-Louise Elsey here.Sign up for the Fierce Kindness Newsletter and receive the How to Be Kind to Yourself Toolkit. Grab your free issue of choice Magazine here - https://choice-online.com

Send us a textThe coaching landscape has transformed dramatically since 2020, with thousands of new coaches flooding the market and digital tools revolutionizing service delivery. Business strategist Milana Leshinsky reveals the essential strategies coaches need to stand out in this increasingly crowded field.Milana takes us deep into the post-pandemic coaching world, explaining how the combination of career reevaluation and remote work sparked an unprecedented surge in new coaches. This influx has created both challenges and opportunities for established professionals. We explore why digital savviness is no longer optional but essential for creating exceptional client experiences that command premium rates.The conversation takes a fascinating turn as we discuss AI's growing role in coaching. From using ChatGPT to enhance productivity and content creation to the emergence of AI virtual coaches that provide 24/7 support, technology is reshaping what's possible. Milana shares practical examples of how these tools can augment (not replace) human coaching expertise.For coaches wondering how to differentiate themselves, Milana offers powerful strategies: "deep niching" to truly understand your audience, developing unique messaging that challenges conventional wisdom in your field, and creating signature programs or tools that showcase your unique approach. Her own Marketing Mojo Method card deck exemplifies how coaches can turn their expertise into tangible products that set them apart.Whether you're an established coach navigating this new landscape or just starting your coaching journey, this episode delivers actionable insights to help you adapt, innovate, and thrive. Connect with Milana at hello@coachinggenie.com or access her free 5-day course on designing your coaching program at coachinggenie.com/design.Watch the full interview by clicking here.Find the full article here.Learn more about Milana here. Grab your free issue of choice Magazine here - https://choice-online.com

Send us a textCoaching is not just a profession; it's a journey that intertwines timeless wisdom with contemporary challenges. In this episode of Beyond the Page, we invite you to explore the insights of Carl Dierschow, a dedicated small business coach. Together, we delve into the values that underpin successful businesses and how these principles resonate deeply within the coaching landscape. Amidst rapid changes shaped by technology and shifting societal norms, Carl emphasizes that the heart of coaching remains unwavering: active listening, meaningful questioning, and a genuine connection between coach and client. As he highlights the importance of Mission-driven organizations, you'll discover how many small business owners find fulfillment in making impactful contributions to their communities rather than merely chasing profit. The conversation also touches on the evolution of coaching, revealing how its historical roots connect with modern practices. Despite advancements like AI, Carl eloquently illustrates that core coaching competencies continue to be central to achieving personal and professional transformation.As we navigate this intricate dance of change, one question lingers: How can we ensure that as we adapt, we don't lose sight of the values that make coaching such a powerful journey? Join us as we explore these themes and much more, inviting you to reflect on your unique journey in the coaching world. Don't miss out on this enlightening episode – subscribe now and let's keep the conversation going!Watch the full interview by clicking here.Find the full article here.Learn more about Carl here. Grab your free issue of choice Magazine here - https://choice-online.com

Send us a textTransform your coaching practice with insights from Susana Rinderle, a transformational life and leadership coach, as she shares her unique perspective on coaching across color lines. Discover the depth of understanding gained from her experiences as a racially ambiguous, multicultural white person and her pivotal conversation with a colleague that reshaped her approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Susana opens up about the vital competencies needed to coach leaders from diverse racial backgrounds, emphasizing the importance of recognizing one's identity and positionality in creating impactful coaching relationships.Explore the intricate relationships between identity and coaching as Susana shares her journey of growing up in multicultural Los Angeles. We dive into the concept of being "transcultural" and how personal and professional experiences can shape identities beyond DNA or birth. Learn about the strategies Susana employs to bridge racial conversations with clients, fostering environments where open dialogue can flourish. Her approach, which includes gathering information on clients' racial, spiritual, and cultural identities, creates a foundation of understanding that enhances the coaching relationship and leads to meaningful outcomes.Unpack the complexities of power dynamics within coaching relationships, particularly for white coaches engaging with marginalized communities. Susana discusses her path to understanding privilege, inspired by thinkers like Robin D'Angelo, and stresses the importance of creating safe spaces for client feedback. With recommended readings like "Caste" by Isabel Wilkerson and "My Grandmother's Hands" by Resmaa Menakem, this episode invites reflection on the necessity of trauma-informed coaching. Susanna's insights encourage coaches to acknowledge their identities and embrace the awkwardness of these critical conversations, ultimately leading to genuine and transformative client interactions.Watch the full interview by clicking here.Find the full article here.Learn more about Susana here. Grab your free issue of choice Magazine here - https://choice-online.com

Send us a textDiscover how AI is reshaping the coaching landscape with insights from Julie Vander Meulen, a leading advocate for women's empowerment and a pioneer in AI integration within coaching. In this episode of Beyond the Page, Julie shares her transformative journey of weaving AI tools like ChatGPT into her coaching practice, revealing how these technologies foster creativity and aid in overcoming the fear many coaches have about AI. Learn how embracing AI can be a game-changer, transforming potential threats into powerful allies in the coaching industry.As we unravel the dual nature of AI, Julie and I discuss its impact on both professional environments and personal coaching techniques. From creating customizable AI tools to ensuring data privacy and ethical standards, this conversation highlights the importance of training AI to meet individual needs. We explore the balance between augmented and generative AI and how these innovations are shaping the future of coaching, allowing for more personalized and expansive client experiences.The conversation delves into the potential of AI to democratize coaching services, making them more accessible and affordable. While some clients may always value human interaction, AI offers an exciting, cost-effective alternative for others. By integrating AI into their practices, coaches can extend their reach and enhance their offerings, ensuring sustainability and relevance in a rapidly evolving world. Join us as we explore the ethical considerations and professional standards of AI coaching, and how engaging with these technologies can lead to personal growth and professional evolution.Watch the full interview by clicking here.Find the full article here.Learn more about Julie here.Sign up for Julie's Sunday Sanctuary newsletter which is packed with introspective questions and ideas for the ambitious individual to set a positive intention for the new week to come .  Grab your free issue of choice Magazine here - https://choice-online.com

Send us a textUnlock the transformative potential of neuroscience and coaching with Ann Betz, a leading figure at the intersection of brain science and human change. Join us as Ann illuminates the path to heightened consciousness with her vibrant passion for the ever-evolving world of neuroscience. Together, we debunk the myths surrounding the triune brain theory and dive into the nuanced role of the amygdala, all while emphasizing the necessity of curiosity and caution in a field teeming with "bright, shiny objects."Explore the intricate tapestry of human emotions through the seven levels of effectiveness, a framework that spans from hopelessness to synchronicity. Rather than boxing individuals into categories, Ann encourages us to recognize the richness of human experience and its impact on emotional regulation and workplace innovation. With insights from neuroscience, we delve into how setting aside the ego can lead to groundbreaking innovation, fostering an environment where creativity thrives.Embark on a journey of self-discovery and integration as we discuss the delicate dance of realization, regulation, and stabilization in coaching. Ann shares her mastery in navigating values conflicts through coaching, highlighting the journey towards unconscious competence. From the power of empathetic listening to the simple joys found in everyday moments, like watching "The Great British Baking Show," this episode reveals how consistent, kind actions pave the way to a more fulfilling life.Watch the full interview by clicking here.Find the full article here.Learn more about Ann Betz here.  Grab your free issue of choice Magazine here - https://choice-online.com

Send us a textTransform your coaching practice by embracing the power of relational questions with our esteemed guest, transformational coach Carrie Sackett. Discover how shifting from a 'me' mindset to a 'we' mindset can tackle the societal crisis of loneliness, leading to deeper connections and personal growth. Carrie shares fresh insights and tools that challenge traditional individualistic approaches, offering a new perspective on fostering relationality in coaching. You'll gain valuable strategies to reconnect with clients and enhance engagement, making this episode a treasure trove of innovative ideas for anyone eager to elevate their coaching game.Explore the profound impact of group work in overcoming self-doubt and loneliness, as we discuss a compelling case of a professional who transformed his self-perception through the support of a group. Carrie illuminates the pervasive "me culture" and its role in feelings of inadequacy and isolation. By engaging in group settings, individuals can build emotional resilience and gain new perspectives, while confronting imposter syndrome and the fear of judgment. Learn about social therapeutics, a revolutionary approach that redefines human dynamics, echoing a shift from traditional to quantum sciences. This episode promises to equip you with the conceptual tools necessary for fostering growth and connection in your coaching practice.Watch the full interview by clicking here.Find the full article here.Learn more about Carrie Sackett here.Carrie has a couple of amazing offers for the choice Magazine listeners:The first 2 people to contact Carrie (carrie@zpdcoaching.com) and mention this podcast will receive free access to her training videos. (value = $80 and 3.5 hours instruction)Everyone who contacts Carrie (carrie@zpdcoaching.com) by February 19, 2025  and mentions this podcast will be entered into a raffle. On February 21, 2025, one person will win one complimentary participation in Carrie's most popular training, Practicing Social Therapeutic Coaching. (value =  $650) Grab your free issue of choice Magazine here - https://choice-online.com

Send us a textExecutive and team coach Terrie Lupberger joins us to explore how the narratives we live by are undergoing a seismic shift from individualism to a more interconnected consciousness. Through her insightful article, "Are we Prepared for the Shift? Moving from the Meta-Story of Individualism Towards Deeper and Broader Consciousness" Terrie challenges us to consider how these sweeping stories shape our personal and professional worlds, especially in an era defined by rapid information growth and AI. As Terrie shares a glimpse into her upcoming book, "The Inner Work of Work," we are urged to reimagine our coaching and leadership practices to better navigate a world where resources are finite, yet our pursuit for "more" continues unabated.Through this compelling conversation, we also confront the core of human existence—purpose, meaning, and authenticity—by reflecting on the wisdom of thinkers like Joanna Macy and Alan Watts. Illustrated by a poignant personal story about a mother's evolving purpose, we examine how societal narratives around retirement and contribution are transforming. We embrace the intricacies of coaching, underscoring the necessity of challenging our beliefs to unlock potential and drive societal change. As the coaching profession stands on the brink of transformation, we are invited to rethink its boundaries, ensuring it remains a potent force for navigating the complexities of modern life. Join us as we navigate these thought-provoking themes, promising insights that could very well change how we engage with the world and with ourselves.Watch the full interview by clicking here.Find the full article here.Learn more about Terrie Lupberger here.Listeners can get a free chapter from Terrie's forthcoming book:  The Inner Work of Work that can help them support their organizational clients to grow well-being and satisfaction in the workplace by clicking here. Grab your free issue of choice Magazine here - https://choice-online.com