Coaching Voices: The Association for Coaching Podcast

Coaching Voices brings you helpful, diverse conversations with coaches, thought leaders, academics and industry innovators: the people that are shaping what great coaching looks like today. We believe the best ideas come from a variety of perspectives, so each week you'll hear voices from across the coaching world; from a variety of different backgrounds, specialisms and experiences who share their stories, strategies and insights with you. Whether you're building your coaching business, deepening your practice or just starting out, you'll find practical tools and real insight to help you grow, professionally and personally. Part of the Association for Coaching's Digital Learning Hub, where you'll also find an extensive library of webinars, interviews and live events to expand your coaching expertise. https://www.associationforcoaching.com/page/dl-hub

307: In Whose Service? Duty of Care in an AI-Augmented Coaching World with Dr Benita Mayhead 08/10/2026

307: In Whose Service? Duty of Care in an AI-Augmented Coaching World with Dr Benita Mayhead In the second episode of our AI, Ethics and Trust in Coaching series, Smaranda Dochia talks with Dr Benita Mayhead, an executive coach, coach supervisor, researcher, and author of Duty of Care in Coaching, whose empirical research moves duty of care out of the realm of abstract codes and into the lived reality of practice: how coaches actually make decisions, hold ambiguity, set boundaries, use supervision, and account for the wider system around them. Benita's research found that most coaches' understanding of duty of care doesn't come primarily from formal training. It's shaped by personal values, life experience, and professional background, and by the sense-making that happens when practice gets genuinely uncertain. Codes, law, and standards offer necessary scaffolding, but they can't make the hard call for you; when a real dilemma arises, coaches tend to reach for another person - a peer, colleague, or supervisor - rather than a rulebook. The conversation traces how duty of care plays out across the whole coaching relationship: in contracting and re-contracting, boundary-setting, endings, reflective practice, and supervision, as well as in the ripple effect coaching has on people the coach may never meet. Ethical maturity, Benita argues, is an ongoing capacity to sit with silence, ambiguity, notice when values collide, question your own motives, say no when needed, and actively seek challenge rather than certainty. They also discuss AI's growing presence in coaching, where Benita neither dismisses AI nor treats its adoption as inevitable. Clients may arrive with AI-generated interpretations already in hand, use general-purpose tools between sessions, or take part in AI-enabled organizational programmes, while coaches and supervisors themselves increasingly use AI for preparation, reflection, or documentation. Benita asks the profession to engage with this critically and collectively, in service of the client rather than in step with the technology by default. Her question: in whose service is this? - becomes the ethical test for the rest of the series, reframing the conversation from "can we use AI?" to why it's being used, who benefits, and who remains accountable. Fluency with a tool, she makes clear, does not remove the need for human judgment or responsibility. You will learn: · Duty of care is a foundational concept in coaching, but its meaning extends far beyond legal definitions. Benita’s research reveals that, for most coaches, duty of care is not just about contracts or compliance—it’s about lived experience, personal values, and the impact of every interaction. · The coach has the responsibility to be informed and develop understanding of AI, even if they don’t use it in their practice, because their client may be. · AI shifts the central question from "can we?" to "in whose service?" Whether a client brings AI-generated insights into a session or a coach uses AI for their own preparation, the technology introduces new actors, unclear permissions, and new routes to foreseeable harm. ‘If we are taking a position of no I'm not going to enter into any AI understanding and awareness. I think that we're perhaps missing something within there because our clients are. So, I think there's a responsibility - even if we're not using it in our own practice, to build our own awareness and understanding.’ Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review! Your feedback helps us bring you more valuable content. For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit: /episode/index/show/associationforcoaching/id/42343700

306: The Future of Coaching: Human Development in the Age of AI with Dr David Drake 08/03/2026

306: The Future of Coaching: Human Development in the Age of AI with Dr David Drake In the first episode of a new series, AI, Ethics and Trust in Coaching, host Smaranda Dochia talks with founder of The Moment Institute and creator of Narrative Coaching, David Drake, to tackle the question on every coach's mind: what is coaching actually here to do in an AI-driven world? Rather than rehashing the tired "AI vs. Humans" debate, David offers a reframe. AI, he argues, isn't simply a new tool or competitor — it's a mirror that exposes the strengths and limitations of coaching, education, leadership and human development as they currently stand. That shift changes the whole conversation: less about whether AI will take coaches' jobs, more about whether coaches have been quietly protecting familiar methods and formats instead of asking what people actually need to grow, think critically, relate well, and navigate a more complex world. David doesn't shy away from challenging the profession's comfort zones. He talks about coaching as a "third space" within a much wider human and systemic context, and about how the traditional one-hour session is losing its centrality as immediate, multimodal support becomes the norm. As quick answers become the norm, he points to a paradox: people have never had more information at their fingertips, yet loneliness and disconnection are on the rise. For David, the real risk isn't AI replacing coaches — it's coaches failing to evolve alongside the people they serve. His central challenge to the profession: stop building learning and development around industrial era models, and start building it around real human experience. Ultimately, this episode is a call to action. David pushes coaches to ask themselves hard questions about purpose — are their current methods genuinely serving human development, or just protecting familiar ways of working? Is the profession mature enough to use technology selectively, in service of something bigger than technique? It's a thought-provoking start to the series, setting the tone for the honest, sometimes uncomfortable conversations about ethics and trust that AI is forcing our profession to have. You will learn · AI as tool, mirror and provocateur: not just something that automates tasks, but something that exposes the limitations of current coaching and learning models, and provokes new thinking about what coaches are really for · Why coaching may need to be reimagined as a "third space" within a wider human and systemic context · Why purpose must lead practice: coaches should regularly ask whether their methods truly serve human growth, or just protect familiar routines 'We need to stop being so parochial and precious about coaching. It too was a disruption.' Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review! Your feedback helps us bring you more valuable content. For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit: /episode/index/show/associationforcoaching/id/42265560

305: A Day in the Life of Kate Jenkinson: Coach and Business Poet 07/27/2026

305: A Day in the Life of Kate Jenkinson: Coach and Business Poet This episode is part of our ‘A Day in the Life’ series, where we talk to coaches about their real lives and businesses. In this insightful episode, host Maxine Bell talks to Kate Jenkinson, creative executive coach, business poet, and founder of Next Step HR and the Business in Poetry conference. Kate shares her unconventional career path, from biologist, HR professional, to the coach and business poet she is today. She highlights how emotional intelligence and creative expression aren't "nice to haves" in business, but essential tools for genuine human connection that create better outcomes for all. Kate discusses the surprising overlap between poetry, neurodiversity, and leadership. She talks candidly about her own neurodivergent journey and how it's shaped the way she sees patterns, people, and possibility - often before anyone else in the room does. As a coach she, highlights the value of curiosity, creativity, presence and silence in coaching and development. Kate talks about her passion for poetry and poetic intelligence, and how it has evolved into the publication of her poetry, as well as the Poetry in Business conference. She shares her vision for supporting poets wanting to create a career path within businesses and organisations, and helping organisations understand how poetry can boost wellbeing, connection, and innovation. This is a conversation demonstrating what happens when you stop compartmentalising your creativity and uniqueness and start bringing all of yourself to work. You will learn: · Creativity isn't a special skill – it’s innate. It shows up in how you solve problems, connect with people, and see the world. · Emotions and poetry belong in the workplace, bringing more humanity, connection and effective leadership. · Seeing the world differently is a superpower, bringing new ideas, perspectives and innovation. ‘Post-pandemic, there's a real trauma that people are experiencing and go back to creativity and poetry. We know that these are practices that give people hope, that help people express how they're feeling.’ Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review! Your feedback helps us bring you more valuable content. For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit: /episode/index/show/associationforcoaching/id/42192895

304: Breaking Down the Man Box: Nature, Walking and Vulnerability with Al Kennedy 07/20/2026

304: Breaking Down the Man Box: Nature, Walking and Vulnerability with Al Kennedy In this final episode of our Coaching Men series, host Rob Lawrence sits down with Al Kennedy, a coach who works exclusively with men navigating midlife. Al's own path from graphic designer and business owner to full-time coach grew out of his personal midlife questioning, and it's given him a grounded, deeply caring approach to holding space for other men. He talks about midlife not as a crisis to be fixed, but as a genuine threshold: a rite of passage that Western culture rarely marks or supports, even though many other cultures have rituals for exactly this kind of transition. Al shares how he creates the safe, intentional spaces men so rarely get: three-day walking pilgrimages he calls "Long Walks," regular men's circles, and creative practices like journaling and poetry. Nature isn't just scenery for him — it's an active part of the work, slowing men down, reconnecting them to their bodies, and mirroring the internal shifts they're going through. He's also thoughtful about accessibility, adapting his methods for online coaching and for men with disabilities or health concerns, so the work stays open to more people, not fewer. What comes through most in this conversation is Al's warmth toward the men he works with. He pushes back gently on the idea that men are naturally closed off, describing emotional armour as often "just a couple of millimetres deep" — meaning that with the right conditions, openness comes surprisingly fast. It's a fitting, hopeful note to end the series on: a reminder that community, care, and simply being asked "how are you, really?" can be quietly transformative. You will learn: · Midlife is a threshold, a rite of passage — approached with intention, it can lead to real renewal rather than just crisis. · Safe, intentional spaces give men rare permission to slow down and explore without needing to "fix" anything. · Men's emotional armour is often thin and nature, genuine connection and deep listening can unlock vulnerability faster than we assume. “It's too easy just to say that men aren't showing up in the right way; we have to provide different types of spaces for men to be able to surface the things that they're really holding down.” Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review! Your feedback helps us bring you more valuable content. For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit: /episode/index/show/associationforcoaching/id/42100970

303: Letting Go of Winning: What It Really Means to Redefine Success After 40 with Cassandra Andrews 07/13/2026

303: Letting Go of Winning: What It Really Means to Redefine Success After 40 with Cassandra Andrews In episode 5 of our Coaching Men series, host Rob Lawrence talks to Cassandra Andrews, author of Unlearning Masculinity: Redefining Success for High Achieving Men over 40, to explore why so many successful men—CEOs, founders, and elite athletes among them—feel trapped even after ticking every box of conventional success. Cassandra unpacks the identity crises, purpose gaps, and feelings of entrapment that often surface in midlife, tracing them back to an outdated masculine blueprint that prizes stoicism and winning over vulnerability. Rather than rejecting masculinity altogether, she makes the case for relearning what it means to be a man beyond those rigid rules. Her work starts with a vision, rather than goals: a more personal picture of where a client actually wants to be, rather that what they feel expected to chase. The conversation turns to Cassandra's coaching methodology, which draws on NLP, timeline therapy, and motivational mapping to help clients build self-awareness and understand how their motivations have shifted from external validation to internal fulfilment. She also shares the thinking behind her intimate group dinners—safe spaces that give high-achieving men permission to open up honestly with peers, often for the first time. Rob and Cassandra close on what she sees as the real prize of this work: not more success, but emotional freedom, autonomy, and choice. You will learn: · Winning isn't the same as fulfilment: many high-achieving men over 40 are feeling trapped despite external success. · Self-awareness, including understanding shifting motivations is key to creating the life a client really wants, rather than what he thinks he should want. · How Cassandra’s work helps men find emotional freedom, autonomy and choice. “When a woman tells a coach, "I've never told anyone this before," she means apart from her mother, her sister, her best friend. When a man says it, those words have never left his lips.” Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review! Your feedback helps us bring you more valuable content. For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit: /episode/index/show/associationforcoaching/id/42022380

302: Liberating Masculinity with Sam Adams 07/06/2026

302: Liberating Masculinity with Sam Adams In episode 5 of our Coaching Men podcast series, host Rob Lawrence sits down with Sam Adams, a coach specialising in healthy masculinity. Drawing from his background in regenerative farming and chaplaincy across Africa, Sam explains how masculinity and femininity exist as complementary energies within everyone. He discusses the shame and confusion many men face today, often rooted in unspoken social expectations, and the reason why so many struggle to ask for help or express what they truly feel. Central to Sam's philosophy is a single powerful word: permission. He invites men to give themselves permission to feel, to rest, to be uncertain, and to step away from the silent shame to have everything figured out. Sam also draws on the natural world to guide this inner work, using the rhythm of the seasons as a metaphor for life: summer as a time for action and growth, winter as a time for reflection and renewal. His coaching weaves together nature, spirituality, and emotional courage to offer a genuinely holistic path forward. Sam reframes the idea of strength, by sharing the root meaning of the word ‘courage’ is ‘heart;’ Sam reframes that true strength lies not in fearlessness, but in the willingness to be open and vulnerable. It's a reframe that sits at the heart of everything he does. He also discusses the relevance of spirituality in men’s lives and its connection to masculinity and shares strategies for achieving balance and setting boundaries in life. Listen and enjoy this warm, honest conversation. You will learn · Giving yourself permission to feel, rest, and be uncertain is often the first and most powerful step toward growth. · Nature's rhythms offer a roadmap to a life of both action and ambition, and stillness and reflection. · True strength lies not in fearlessness but in the willingness to be vulnerable and open. ‘The emphasis is on liberating yourself by connecting with your own freedom and the masculinity and the femininity within.’ Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review! Your feedback helps us bring you more valuable content. For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit: /episode/index/show/associationforcoaching/id/41920545

301: Coaching Men Through an Emotional Lens with Jess Spiers 06/29/2026

301: Coaching Men Through an Emotional Lens with Jess Spiers In episode 4 of our Coaching Men series, host Rob Lawrence sits down with Jess Spiers, a coach who specialises in supporting men in their 40s and 50s who appear successful but feel trapped, unfulfilled, or burned out. Jess shares how a 20-year career in digital content ultimately led her to coaching and why she made men's mental health her focus. It's a candid conversation about a quiet struggle that many men are navigating alone. Jess discusses the emotional barriers that so often stop men from seeking support, and how coaching creates a safe, non-judgmental space for clients to explore their values, challenge limiting beliefs, and begin to understand their emotions without judgement. As a trained Emotions Coaching Practitioner, Jess makes a compelling case that working with your emotions isn't soft or fluffy — it's one of the most practical tools available for gaining clarity and moving forward. Jess shares some of the tools she uses, with real life examples that demonstrate their success. The episode closes with an important reframe feeling stuck doesn't always require a dramatic life overhaul. Often, the most meaningful change comes from small, intentional shifts that bring your work and life back into alignment with what truly matters to you. Jess also shares details about her new podcast, Successful on Paper, and leaves listeners with a simple but powerful reminder to be kinder to yourself when seeking help. You will learn: · What emotions prevent men from asking for help · The power of emotional awareness for transformation and change · Change doesn't have to mean starting over. Small, intentional adjustments that realign your life with your core values can be far more transformative than a dramatic leap into the unknown. 'Men find it quite difficult to reach out and ask for help, so I thought, "You know what? If they're going to do that, that support needs to exist, and I want to be a part of that.’ Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review! Your feedback helps us bring you more valuable content. For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit: /episode/index/show/associationforcoaching/id/41803990

300: Six Years, 300 Episodes, and a New Name: Introducing Coaching Voices with Smaranda Dochia, Maxine Bell and Rob Lawrence 06/22/2026

300: Six Years, 300 Episodes, and a New Name: Introducing Coaching Voices with Smaranda Dochia, Maxine Bell and Rob Lawrence This is no ordinary episode! This week we hit a remarkable milestone: 300 consecutive weekly episodes without missing a single Monday and to celebrate, the podcast team, Maxine Bell, Smaranda Dochia and Rob Lawrence look back on six extraordinary years of the Association for Coaching podcast. Together they reflect on a journey that has brought together 295 guests, 26 guest hosts, and 33 coaching topics, such as health and wellbeing; marketing; mental health; technology and innovation; creativity; leadership; neurodiversity in the workplace; climate coaching; love; coaching outdoors and getting started as a coach. What began as a show dedicated to the coaching profession has grown into something far greater: a thriving global community where connections, collaborations, and even five international conferences have been sparked by the conversations hosted here. As one listener put it: "I honestly think the podcasts from the Association for Coaching are some of the best quality and content I have ever come across. The range of topics you offer is huge and so relevant to my coaching practice." That spirit of breadth, quality, relevance and genuine usefulness is exactly what this episode celebrates. We have always believed that coaches deserve a space to feel less alone in their practice, a place that champions professionalism, ethics, reflection and growth but also recognises the everyday lives and practice of coaches across the world. And now, to honour everything the podcast has become, comes an exciting new chapter. From this episode, the show officially rebrands as Coaching Voices: The Association for Coaching Podcast. This new name better reflects its inclusive, diverse, and global reach, and the many coaches it has helped find their own authentic voice within the profession. With new hosts, new topics, and the ever evolving coaching landscape ahead, including AI, systemic change, and much more, the team is as committed as ever to meaningful conversations. New episodes drop every Monday on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube. We look forward to the next 300! You will learn: · How six years of consistent, weekly conversations have shaped and strengthened the global coaching community. · Why platforming diverse voices — across backgrounds, topics, and experiences — lies at the heart of everything the podcast stands for. · What's next for Coaching Voices, and how you can be part of the next 300 episodes, as a guest or host. “What I find particularly meaningful about this podcast is that it's never been just one voice or one perspective; it's always been a platform for many voices across the coaching profession.” Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review! Your feedback helps us bring you more valuable content. For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit: /episode/index/show/associationforcoaching/id/41688330

299: Creating Safe Spaces for Men with Jamie Robins 06/15/2026

299: Creating Safe Spaces for Men with Jamie Robins In episode 3 of our Coaching Men podcast series, host Rob Lawrence speaks with Jamie Robins, a coach specialising in supporting men through some of life's most challenging transitions. Jamie shares his personal journey into men's coaching and how the COVID-19 pandemic inspired him to create Safe Harbour - an online sharing space designed to give men a place to open up without fear of judgment. He unpacks why so many men struggle to ask for help in the first place, exploring the deep-rooted social conditioning that teaches men to suppress emotion and "just get on with it." Jamie dives into the specific fears men face around vulnerability: from the fear of appearing weak, feeling unsafe to open up, lacking permission, to anxiety that decades of bottled-up emotion might come flooding out all at once. He explains how structured men's sharing circles, like Safe Harbour and Andy's Man Club, work to dismantle these fears through simple but powerful ground rules: no advice-giving, strict confidentiality, and ensuring every man gets a chance to speak. Jamie also teaches men to listen on all three levels: head, heart and presence – a way of holding space for others that is transformative. Jamie shares how he is reaching men through social media and from requests there, he started his Thrive nature walks, monthly group experiences where men gather outdoors, with periods of talking, walking in silence, and answering reflective questions. His description of the effects of these walks is moving and hopeful. Throughout, Jamie makes clear that the men he works with typically in their 30s to 60s aren't lacking strength; they're lacking safe spaces to be and discover who they are beyond their roles. His work is a timely reminder that community, connection, and permission to be human are just as vital for men as for anyone. ou will learn: · Men are far more willing to open up when they feel safe and know there's no risk of being judged, advised, or ‘fixed.’ · Many men have inherited generational patterns of emotional suppression, and unlearning them requires community, permission and modelled behaviour from other men. · Nature and ritual have a role to play. Structured outdoor experiences, like Jamie's Thrive walks, offer men a non-threatening entry point into emotional reflection and genuine connection with others. “On the outside, everything looks fantastic. On the inside, totally lonely and alone, isolating themselves emotionally”' Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review! Your feedback helps us bring you more valuable content. For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit: /episode/index/show/associationforcoaching/id/41609655

298: The Silent Struggle: Helping Men Lead, Cope and Rediscover Themselves with Vicky Kelly 06/08/2026

298: The Silent Struggle: Helping Men Lead, Cope and Rediscover Themselves with Vicky Kelly Have you ever felt the weight of being the "strong one" — the person everyone else leans on, while you quietly wonder who you can lean on? In episode 2 of our Coaching Men podcast series, host Rob Lawrence sits down with Vicky Kelly, a coach who has spent over 15 years specialising in working with men. Vicky shares how, after launching her coaching business in 2009, she found herself naturally drawn to male clients and discovered a profound gap in the support available to them. Her insights into why men often delay seeking help, and what happens when they finally do, are both eye-opening and deeply human. Vicky works primarily with high-performing professionals and CEOs, who from the outside, appear to have it all together. But beneath the success, many are running on empty, held back by invisible pressures: societal expectations around strength and vulnerability, stress responses that hijack their best thinking, and long-held stories about who they are and what they deserve. Vicky explains her approach of building genuine psychological safety, regulating the nervous system, and gently but powerfully challenging the narratives that keep her clients stuck. The conversation also ventures beyond the boardroom. What happens when you've climbed the ladder and find yourself asking, "Is this it?" Vicky shares how she helps clients reconnect with forgotten passions and rediscover who they are outside of their professional identity. She also introduces her upcoming group programme, The Capacity Project, designed to help high performers sustain their success without burning out. You will learn: · The Safe Space Paradox - Men are often slower to seek coaching but once they commit, they go all in. · How your nervous system is running the show. Vicky’s work with high performers isn't just about strategy; it's about helping men to learn to regulate themselves, so they can actually access the best of their thinking. · Questioning the Stories We Tell Ourselves Vicki offers a deceptively simple but powerful question to start dismantling them: "What am I believing here that might not be 100% true?" “So, it's multiple different demands and a lack of resources: how do I carry myself through all of this without dropping the plates that are spinning or without just sort of spontaneously combusting?” Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review! Your feedback helps us bring you more valuable content. For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit: /episode/index/show/associationforcoaching/id/41533725

297: Beyond the CV: Finding Your Soul Story with Will Johnson 06/01/2026

297: Beyond the CV: Finding Your Soul Story with Will Johnson What does it take for a high-achieving man to stop, admit he's struggling, and ask for help? In this first episode of our Coaching Men podcast series, host Rob Lawrence speaks with Will Johnson, a facilitator and coach who guides men to live and lead with greater authenticity and peace within and about themselves. Will draws on his own experience of burnout in a senior finance role, where he suddenly ran out of energy, but through asking for help, he attended a retreat with the Centre for Courage and Renewal, which awakened a part of himself he had lost and became the start of a transformational journey that called him to a new adventure. Will went on to train as a facilitator with the Centre for Courage & Renewal, and he now runs Circle of Trust® retreats where men are invited to slow down, listen inward, and share their stories without pressure to perform or fix. Working mythopoetically, he uses poetry, mythology, and imagery to help men bypass intellectual defences and reach something deeper. These spaces work, Will explains, because they remove the masculine reflex to solve and compete, creating room for genuine presence and self-awareness instead. At the heart of Will's philosophy is a distinction between the ego story — the CV, the achievements, the ladder climbed — and the soul story, which lives in struggle, failure, and the moments that have truly shape us, and connect us each to our own unique ‘thread.’ He believes men carry more wisdom than they give themselves credit for, but that it often takes community to help them trust their own inner voice and become comfortable with difficult emotions. He explains why he no longer uses the term toxic masculinity, instead embracing the term ‘shifting the masculine mind.’ His message is both challenging and compassionate: acknowledging our limits, embracing vulnerability, and going public with our authentic selves is not weakness: it is where real growth begins. You will learn: · Burnout is a beginning, not just an ending. Giving yourself permission to ask for help is the first, but best step 1. Embracing difficult feelings, including failures, and tuning into their inner voice is where men can find their soul story and live more authentically. 2. Community matters. The isolation many men experience is one of the biggest barriers to their development so joining safe, structured group spaces is where the real work happens, and where men learn to trust themselves again. 'Now write your soul story. That's the story I want to hear. Tell me about your struggle. Tell me about when you messed up. Tell me when you've disappointed somebody.' Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review! Your feedback helps us bring you more valuable content. For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit: /episode/index/show/associationforcoaching/id/41452875

296: A Day in the Life of Françoise Olivier: Transforming the Legacy of Parental Addiction with Coaching 05/25/2026

296: A Day in the Life of Françoise Olivier: Transforming the Legacy of Parental Addiction with Coaching In this episode of our Day in the Life podcast series, we meet Françoise Olivier, a life coach who specialises in supporting adult children of alcoholics (ACOAs). Françoise brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work, having grown up with a father who was alcohol dependent, she understands firsthand the deep and often invisible marks that a parent's addiction can leave. With warmth and honesty, she shares her personal journey alongside practical insights, creating a conversation that is moving and informative. Françoise explores the lasting traits many ACOAs carry into adulthood — hypervigilance, low self-worth, shame, and a disconnection from their own needs — and how these patterns, once understood, can become the foundation for profound transformation. She speaks candidly about the ongoing, daily nature of healing: learning to ask what she actually wants, unpicking long-held beliefs, and choosing to own her story with pride rather than embarrassment. She also highlights the vital distinction between coaching and therapy, and the importance of trauma awareness in holding a truly supportive space for clients. Crucially, Françoise celebrates the superpowers that so many ACOAs develop: the resilience, empathy, and strength that emerge from navigating such complex childhoods. Françoise also reminds us, community is everything. Discovering organisations like NACOA (the National Association for Children of Alcoholics) was a turning point for her where she recognised that she was not alone and had nothing to be ashamed of. It's a message she now carries into her coaching practice every day, helping clients move from pain to purpose, and from silence to self-compassion. An inspiring conversation from a coach walking her talk with courage and care. You will learn: · Healing starts with owning your story. For many ACOAs, shame and secrecy are heavy burdens carried for years. Françoise's own turning point came when she chose to step into her story with pride. · Some of the traits developed in survival can become our superpowers. · The unique power of working with a coach who shares a similar background where the story doesn't always need to be told from the beginning, because the coach simply gets it. ‘I want to make sure that when I am working with other ACOAs that, not only are we acknowledging what's happened in the past, but celebrating all the brilliant, wonderful things, and the superpowers that we've developed as well.’ Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review! Your feedback helps us bring you more valuable content. For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit: /episode/index/show/associationforcoaching/id/41378855

295: Reflecting on Our Journey: Lessons Learned in Coaching for Health and Wellbeing with Ana Paula Nacif and Christian van Nieuwerburgh 05/18/2026

295: Reflecting on Our Journey: Lessons Learned in Coaching for Health and Wellbeing with Ana Paula Nacif and Christian van Nieuwerburgh In this final episode of the Coaching for Health and Wellbeing podcast series, hosts Christian van Nieuwerburgh and Ana Paula Nacif look back across the conversations they’ve had to draw out the themes that have shaped the series. From the relationship between coaching for wellbeing and coaching for health, to the ethical responsibilities coaches carry into every session, they reflect on what it truly means to practise with intention and integrity. Central to their discussion is the idea that specialist knowledge matters - not as a replacement for core coaching skills, but as a complement to them. Ana and Christian also reiterate how professional humility is just as important as expertise. As Anna puts it, "There are questions we need to ask and there are limitations to what we can do." The conversation turns to coaches themselves, with both hosts emphasising that wellbeing cannot be something coaches champion only for their clients. Self-care, reflective practice, and staying curious about emerging research are not optional extras — they are professional responsibilities. Christian and Ana also explore the broader power of community, celebrating the role organisations like the Association for Coaching play in creating spaces where coaches can share knowledge, support one another, and keep growing, as well as the responsibilities of supervisors in checking in with their clients general wellbeing. The episode closes on a forward-looking and hopeful note, grounded in the belief that intentionality in how we care for ourselves can be simple, practical, and genuinely transformative. Ana and Christian leave listeners with a call to action: stay curious, look after yourself, hold space for genuine human connection, and keep asking the questions that matter. Wellbeing, they remind us, should be for everyone — not just those who can afford it. You will learn: · Wellbeing is a part of coaching practice – for clients and coaches. Bringing intentionality, ethical consideration and specialist knowledge to your practice is an act of care for both. · Ongoing learning and reflective practice are non-negotiable and staying humble and curious to that is what creates truly impactful coaching · Community matters and leaning into communities of practice, sharing knowledge and supporting fellow coaches are ways to sustain both your wellbeing and the quality of the work. “Specialist knowledge and professional humility for me is really important; there are questions we need to ask and there are limitations to what we can do.” Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review! Your feedback helps us bring you more valuable content. For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit: /episode/index/show/associationforcoaching/id/41291025

294: Why Coaches and Healthcare Professionals Must Prioritise Their Wellbeing with Dr Amrita Sen Mukherjee 05/11/2026

294: Why Coaches and Healthcare Professionals Must Prioritise Their Wellbeing with Dr Amrita Sen Mukherjee In episode 6 of our Coaching for Health and Wellbeing podcast series, hosts Ana Paula Nacif and Christian van Nieuwerburgh are joined by GP and positive psychology coach, Dr Amrita Sen Mukherjee, who supports healthcare professionals and coaches to prioritise their own wellbeing. Drawing on her personal journey through grief and health struggles, Amrita offers a candid and deeply human perspective on why those who dedicate their lives to caring for others so often neglect themselves. The conversation explores the cultural norms within helping professions, including coaches, that have historically placed the needs of others above the practitioner's own, and why this is both unsustainable and ethically problematic. A central thread throughout the episode is the power of reflective practice and self-compassion. Amrita discusses how metacognitive awareness — the ability to observe and examine your own thinking and emotional responses — can uncover blind spots and unconscious patterns that affect both personal wellbeing and professional effectiveness. She challenges the stigma that many healthcare professionals feel around seeking help, reminding us that professional identity should never become a barrier to accessing support. The hosts also explore the role of emotional literacy, meaningful connection, and the importance of understanding that wellbeing naturally fluctuates over time. The episode rounds out with a rich discussion on the ethical dimensions of coaching, including the ongoing debate around regulation of the profession. Amrita emphasises that transparency, ongoing reflection, and creating intentional space to reconnect with your personal identity are not luxuries, but necessities for anyone in a caring role. You will learn: · You cannot pour from an empty cup. Sustainable, empathetic care for others is only possible when practitioners actively tend to their own wellbeing. · Reflective practice and self-compassion are essential core skills. · Why professional identity can be a barrier to getting help. “I just felt that there was something in my medical practice that didn't allow me to really and truly connect with people and understand them in a way that I can now.” Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review! Your feedback helps us bring you more valuable content. For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit: /episode/index/show/associationforcoaching/id/41232760

293: Coaching Psychology in Health and Wellbeing: An Educational Perspective with Lizana Oberholzer 05/04/2026

293: Coaching Psychology in Health and Wellbeing: An Educational Perspective with Lizana Oberholzer In episode 5 of our Coaching for Health and Wellbeing series, co-hosts Christian van Nieuwerburgh and Ana Paula Nacif, are joined by Lizana Oberholzer, a coaching psychologist with specialist expertise in education, to explore how coaching psychology can become a powerful part of an individual's wellbeing toolkit. Together, they unpack the distinctions between coaching for health and coaching for wellbeing, and how a psychologically informed coaching approach can help people navigate life's challenges - from managing chronic health conditions to coping with the pressures of a demanding professional role. Lizana brings a rich perspective on how coaching creates a structured, reflective space for individuals to find their own solutions and reconnect with what truly matters to them. A significant focus of the conversation is the transformative role coaching and coaching psychology plays within educational settings. Lizana challenges the common misconception that coaching is a remedial tool reserved for those who are struggling, making the case instead that it should be a proactive, developmental resource that allows educators to move beyond performance to allow creativity into their practice. The discussion highlights how coaching support educators in managing workload and emotional labour, building resilience, and preventing burnout, while also fostering the kind of self-awareness and autonomy that allows people to truly flourish in their roles. Lizana shares strategies for coaches to engage in wellbeing initiatives within education and explores the wider ripple effects of embedding a coaching culture within schools and organisations. When coaching principles are integrated into school communities, the benefits extend far beyond the individual: improving communication, strengthening relationships, and nurturing environments where everyone can thrive. Lizana shares her own personal wellbeing practices and offers practical guidance for coaches looking to make an impact in health and education contexts, reminding us that coaching, at its heart, is about enabling others to drive their own journey and is of itself a wellbeing tool. You will learn: · How coaching psychology can become part of everyone’s wellbeing toolkit, and offer a non-directive, client-centred approach that empowers individuals to find their own solutions and build lasting resilience · The profound difference coaching can make to educational settings, acting as a developmental intervention for educators, teachers and students to manage stress and develop self-awareness · The transformational ripple effects for everyone when coaching is embedded into educational establishments “Coaching and coaching psychology need to play a profound role in education, business, and health, because they can influence, impact, and enable people across a wide spectrum.” Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review! Your feedback helps us bring you more valuable content. For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit: /episode/index/show/associationforcoaching/id/41073070

292: Ethics in Health and Wellbeing Coaching: A Provocative Deep Dive with Professor Aaron Jarden and Dr. Robert Biswas-Diener 04/27/2026

292: Ethics in Health and Wellbeing Coaching: A Provocative Deep Dive with Professor Aaron Jarden and Dr. Robert Biswas-Diener In episode 4 of our Coaching for Health and Wellbeing series, hosts Ana Paula Nacif and Christian van Nieuwerburgh are joined by Professor Aaron Jarden and Dr. Robert Biswas-Diener for a rich, provocative conversation on what it truly means to practice ethically as a health and wellbeing coach. Rather than treating ethics as a set of rules to follow, the guests invite coaches to think of ethics as a set of principles that infuse every part of their practice — a way of being rooted in the character of the coach and a genuine commitment to doing right by clients. They challenge coaches to move beyond compliance and toward a deeper question: what kind of practitioner do you want to be? A recurring theme is the tension between respecting client autonomy and the coach's responsibility to promote wellbeing. The panel explores the ethical considerations of sharing information, challenging unhelpful patterns, and holding a duty of care whilst staying in a coaching role. Importantly, the discussion pushes coaches to take their positive duty seriously, including having the courage to reflect on their inaction as well as take action. The conversation also touches on justice and fairness in how coaching services are structured and accessed, the critical role of transparent contracting that explicitly includes wellbeing as part of the discussion, and why a coach's own self-care may be a professional and ethical imperative. The episode closes with a call for ongoing reflective practice and intellectual humility. Ethical perfection, the guests remind us, is a myth: most situations coaches face are grey areas. Ethics in health and wellbeing coaching is about showing up every day with integrity, humility, and a commitment to both your clients’ and your own wellbeing. By moving beyond checklists and embracing a reflective, virtue-based approach, coaches can navigate the complex realities of practice with confidence and care. You will learn: · Ethics is a principled way of being, not a checklist: ethical coaching is about cultivating the character and values you bring to every client interaction. · Autonomy and beneficence must be held in balance. Honouring a client's right to choose while actively doing good is one of the most nuanced challenges in health and wellbeing coaching. · Coach self-care is an ethical responsibility. Your own physical and mental wellbeing it directly shapes your ability to show up with integrity for your clients. "A better approach would be thinking about the virtues I want to instil in my practice and the way of being I want to approach things with." Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review! Your feedback helps us bring you more valuable content. For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit: /episode/index/show/associationforcoaching/id/40987355

291: Mental Health and Wellbeing: Scope, Ethics and Human Connection with Andrew Parsons 04/20/2026

291: Mental Health and Wellbeing: Scope, Ethics and Human Connection with Andrew Parsons In episode 3 of our Coaching for Health and Wellbeing podcast series, hosts Ana Paula Nacif and Christian van Nieuwerburgh, and guest Andrew Parsons — a biomedical scientist turned Master Certified Coach — explore what it truly means to coach in the mental health and wellbeing space. Andrew brings a rare blend of clinical knowledge and coaching expertise to a nuanced conversation about supporting people living with long-term health conditions. A key starting point is understanding health and mental health not as a fixed state but as a dynamic continuum, shaped by life circumstances, relationships, and personal history: a reframe that sets the tone for everything that follows. A central theme is ethical practice: knowing where coaching ends and counselling begins, and why that distinction matters, particularly in clinical environments. Andrew explores coaching as a health promotion activity rather than a clinical intervention, the critical importance of trauma-informed practice, and why supervision is non-negotiable when working with vulnerable populations. Coaches in this space, he argues, are not therapists or clinicians, but they do offer something profound — a collaborative, reflective relationship that helps clients develop new perspectives and capabilities to navigate complex health journeys. What makes this conversation particularly distinctive is Andrew's exploration of nature and human connection as vital but often overlooked dimensions of wellbeing. In our modern lives, we have increasingly lost touch with the natural world and with each other, yet as social creatures, these connections are fundamental to how we thrive. Andrew argues that coaches working within a wellbeing orientation are well placed to help clients reconnect with both, and that this relational, holistic view of health is where coaching's unique value truly comes into its own. You will learn: · Heath and mental health exist on a continuum: it is dynamic, not fixed, and shaped by life circumstances, relationships and personal history · Ethical practice, scope of practice and supervision are non-negotiable, especially in clinical or health contexts · Why coaches need to have an holistic approach, consider the importance of connection for wellbeing and let go of needing specific outcomes “Knowing our capabilities and having the appropriate training to be working in this area is really, really important.” Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review! Your feedback helps us bring you more valuable content. For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit: /episode/index/show/associationforcoaching/id/40886615

290: Health Coaching and Lifestyle Medicine with Dr Pádraic Dunne 04/13/2026

290: Health Coaching and Lifestyle Medicine with Dr Pádraic Dunne In episode 2 of our Coaching for Health and Wellbeing series, hosts Christian van Nieuwerburgh and Ana Paula Nacif are joined by Dr Pádraic Dunne to explore the integration of lifestyle medicine with coaching and positive psychology. Dr Dunne brings the pillars of lifestyle medicine — healthy eating, physical activity, sleep, stress management, avoiding risky substances, and social connectedness — to life with characteristic warmth and clarity, framing them not as clinical prescriptions but as common-sense foundations that generations before us simply lived by. Grounded in robust scientific evidence and focused squarely on preventing non-communicable disease, lifestyle medicine offers coaches a compelling and accessible framework for supporting client health and wellbeing. Central to the conversation is Pádraic’s concept of positive health — the point where positive psychology, lifestyle medicine, and health psychology meet — with positive health coaching as the delivery system that brings all three together. He makes a powerful case that knowledge alone is not enough to change behaviour; what people need is a genuine, empowering human connection, and that is precisely what skilled coaching offers. The episode explores the co-design approach at the heart of effective health coaching, where coach and client show up as two experts — one in lifestyle medicine, one in themselves — working in true partnership to build meaningful, sustainable change. Pádraic and the hosts also reflect on the broader role coaches can play in health and wellbeing, including the potential for health coaches to act as a bridge between primary and tertiary care, and the growing reach of digital health coaching. A thread running throughout is the reminder that connection, meaning, and purpose are among the most powerful contributors to a long and healthy life — and that coaches, by the very nature of what they do, are already working at the heart of that. You will learn: · How lifestyle medicine provides coaches with a practical, evidence-based framework for health · What Positive Health coaching is and how it provides an empowering partnership for good client outcomes · The quality of the therapeutic alliance, the experience of being truly heard, and the pursuit of a meaningful life are among the most powerful factors in long-term health and flourishing “The two things that help people live the longest with the longest health span are connection to other humans and meaning and purpose.” Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review! Your feedback helps us bring you more valuable content. For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit: /episode/index/show/associationforcoaching/id/40783595

289: What's the Difference Between Health Coaching and Wellbeing Coaching? with Christian van Nieuwerburgh and Ana Paula Nacif 04/06/2026

289: What's the Difference Between Health Coaching and Wellbeing Coaching? with Christian van Nieuwerburgh and Ana Paula Nacif In this opening episode of the new Coaching for Health and Wellbeing podcast series, hosts Christian van Nieuwerburgh and Ana Paula Nacif set the scene for what promises to be a rich and thought-provoking conversations. They introduce a central theme that runs throughout the series: coaching is not simply a tool for wellbeing — it is a wellbeing intervention in its own right. Drawing on their extensive experience, Christian and Ana explore how coaching empowers individuals to take greater agency over their health and lives, fostering self-responsibility and a deeper sense of flourishing. A key focus of this episode is the important distinction between health coaching — a specific niche typically situated within clinical or healthcare settings, concerned with managing conditions such as nutrition, chronic pain, or hypertension — and the broader umbrella of coaching for wellbeing, which encompasses emotional, social, psychological, and spiritual dimensions of life. While the two overlap in meaningful ways (physical and emotional health are deeply intertwined), understanding where one ends and the other begins matters enormously both for coaches working in this space and the clients they help. The conversation draws on positive psychology, evidence-based practice, and the evolving role of coaches within healthcare and community settings. Ethics and scope of practice sit at the heart of this discussion. Christian and Ana Paula reflect on what it means to work in genuine partnership with clients, honouring their autonomy while remaining clear about professional boundaries. Whether you work in organisations, communities, schools, or clinical environments, this episode offers a grounding framework for anyone interested in the intersection of coaching and wellbeing. You will learn: · Why coaching is itself a wellbeing tool · Health coaching and coaching for wellbeing are related but distinct. · Why ethics and scope of practice are so important in coaching for health or wellbeing. “You can't talk about health without talking about wellbeing or talking about wellbeing without considering people's health. But in terms of coaching, there is there is a difference.” Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review! Your feedback helps us bring you more valuable content. For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit: /episode/index/show/associationforcoaching/id/40709915

288: A Day in the Life of Selana Kong: The Art of Balancing Passions and Cultural Identity 03/30/2026

288: A Day in the Life of Selana Kong: The Art of Balancing Passions and Cultural Identity In this episode of A Day in the Life Of, host Maxine Bell sits down with Selana Kong — coach, mediator, and music educator — whose life has woven together the cultures of Hong Kong, Canada, and the UK into something truly unique. Selana shares her refreshing perspective on embracing multiple passions without losing yourself in the process, reminding us that progress, not perfection, is the real measure of a life well lived. Her guiding philosophy — "one step at a time, one foot in front of the other" — is a quiet but powerful antidote to the pressure we all feel to have everything figured out. From her work in elder mediation to her deep commitment to bridging generational divides in Chinese culture, Selana brings both personal and professional wisdom to the conversation. She reflects on Hong Kong's evolving identity through the lens of someone who has lived its changes firsthand and speaks movingly about how nature — particularly the landscapes along the border of Hong Kong and China — has been a constant source of grounding and solace throughout her journey. Her transition from music educator to coach and mediator is a story in itself: learning to step back, let go of the urge to lead, and instead create space for others to find their own way. Music remains at the heart of who Selana is — and in this episode she shares a moving story about a village in North Wales and an international choir festival — one that has been bringing voices from across the world together since 1946 under a simple but radical theme: peace and reconciliation. It became a pivotal moment in Selana’s life both professionally and personally, “That was my first experience, actually feeling that I am not Chinese. I'm not Welsh. I'm just me. I'm just who I am because I feel accepted.” It is, at its core, a story about what becomes possible when people choose connection over division Selana’s parting message is, "You are who you are, and you are exactly who you're meant to be. That is perfect." You will learn: · You don't have to choose just one path. Focus on forward momentum and let your unique combination of interests become your greatest asset. · Whether in her mediation work or within her own family, Selana highlights how vital it is to close the gap between generations — especially within cultures experiencing rapid change. Listening across difference is one of the most powerful things we can do. · Self-care means returning to what nourishes you. For Selana, that's music. Whatever your "first love" is, making intentional time for it isn't indulgent — it's essential to showing up fully in every other area of your life. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review! Your feedback helps us bring you more valuable content. For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit: /episode/index/show/associationforcoaching/id/40629690

287: Small Steps, Big Impact: Why Building a Coaching Culture Is a Marathon with Dr Peter James 03/23/2026

287: Small Steps, Big Impact: Why Building a Coaching Culture Is a Marathon with Dr Peter James In the final episode of our inspiring series on Building Successful Coaching Cultures, host Rosie Nice is joined by CEO of HCG Strategic Solutions, facilitator and executive and leadership coach, Dr. Peter James for a rich conversation on the behaviours, mindsets, and leadership qualities that turn coaching from a buzzword into a business-critical culture. Drawing on his extensive consultancy experience, Peter offers a nuanced definition of coaching culture as a living set of behaviours and mindsets woven into everyday leadership and communication. Central to his philosophy is self-awareness — the foundation upon which trust, accountability, and psychological safety are built, creating environments where people feel genuinely safe to grow. Peter makes a compelling business case for coaching cultures, from real life examples, as well as research showing significantly higher revenue growth, employee engagement, retention, and customer satisfaction in organisations that commit to the practice — with some studies reporting up to a 700% return on investment. He walks through the three pillars underpinning his work at HCG Strategic Solutions: executive and leadership coaching, structured leadership development, and transformational change initiatives. Together, these create the conditions for leaders to model coaching behaviours, work through resistance and scepticism, build emotional intelligence, and guide teams with greater confidence and adaptability. The conversation closes with an encouraging message for organisations at the start of their coaching journey: start small, be intentional, and trust the process. Whether navigating scepticism, building psychological safety, or distinguishing between internal and external coaching roles, Peter offers practical, grounded guidance for leaders ready to invest in their people and culture. You will learn · Why self-awareness in leaders is key to introducing coaching into teams and organizations. · Clear evidence that coaching cultures consistently outperform on revenue growth, employee engagement and customer satisfaction · Embedding a coaching culture a marathon, not a sprint – incremental, intentional steps ‘An organization that leans into a coaching culture, you’re not just benefitting or strengthening the individuals within the organization to include your leaders, but then you’re having better outcomes and some studies are suggesting almost a 700% return on investment.’ Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review! Your feedback helps us bring you more valuable content. For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit: **Join us for the - a two-day virtual event for leaders and coaches who want to build thriving, high-performing organizations. /episode/index/show/associationforcoaching/id/40540735

286: The Long Game: Persistence, Resistance, and Cultural Fit in Coaching Cultures with Sandra Cullen 03/16/2026

286: The Long Game: Persistence, Resistance, and Cultural Fit in Coaching Cultures with Sandra Cullen In episode eight of our Building Successful Coaching Cultures, host Rosie Nice, interviews Sandra Cullen, Vice President of Training and Customer Experience at Air Astana, about the airline’s inspiring 15-year journey in building a coaching culture. Sandra shares her extensive international experience in shifting organizational leadership from directive approaches to empowering employees through coaching. The conversation explores the strategic, patient work required to embed coaching at every level of an organization, offering practical insights for leaders and HR professionals seeking to foster a supportive, high-performance workplace. Sandra details the challenges of implementing cultural change, including overcoming resistance from both managers and employees. She discusses how coaching has been integrated into daily management practices and leadership development, emphasizing the importance of understanding and adapting to local and organizational cultures. Sue reveals how Air Astana has sustained its coaching practices at all levels of leadership, as the organization has grown, including a focus on "coaching on the go"—informal coaching moments embedded in everyday work interactions rather than relying solely on formal programs. Throughout the conversation, Sandra highlights the measurable impact of coaching culture on employee engagement, performance, and retention. She emphasizes that building a coaching culture requires patience, persistence, and clear demonstration of value, while also exploring practical strategies for leaders to develop coaching competencies within their teams and scale these practices sustainably. You will learn: · Why cultural context is critical and successful coaching culture implementation must be adapted to local and organizational cultures. · Why ‘Coaching on the Go’ is as important as formal coaching programs embedding coaching into daily management interactions creates lasting behavioural change, - making coaching feel natural and accessible to all employees. · Patience and measurement drive long-term success – building a coaching culture is a long-term investment requiring consistency and persistence. 'I am convinced our engagement scores are the highest they’ve ever been because of the shift over the years in how departments work with their people through coaching.' Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review! Your feedback helps us bring you more valuable content. For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit: **Join us for the - a two-day virtual event for leaders and coaches who want to build thriving, high-performing organizations /episode/index/show/associationforcoaching/id/40394635

285: From Judgment to Growth: Building Sustainable Coaching Culture in Education with Sue Smith 03/09/2026

285: From Judgment to Growth: Building Sustainable Coaching Culture in Education with Sue Smith In episode seven of our Building Successful Coaching Cultures podcast series, host Rosie Nice interviews Sue Smith, Learning and Development Manager at East Lancashire Learning Group, about the transformative power of embedding coaching culture within large education organisations. Sue shares her experience of moving away from traditional, judgmental observation-based performance management toward a more supportive, developmental coaching approach. Through practical strategies including learning walks, professional learning conversations, and action learning sets, East Lancashire Learning Group has successfully fostered an environment where staff feel valued, psychologically safe, and engaged in their own professional growth. Sue discusses how traditional observation and feedback methods, often perceived as judgmental and evaluative, can undermine staff morale and create a culture of fear rather than learning. By shifting to a coaching-led approach organisations can transform their performance management systems. Sue shares practical implementation strategies for embedding coaching into everyday practices, as well as the challenges faced. She emphasises the importance of ongoing learning and development support for staff in coaching practices, and the recognition that building a thriving coaching culture is a long-term journey requiring persistence, patience, and genuine organisational commitment. Sue demonstrates how moving from a performance management mindset focused on judgment and evaluation to one centred on empowerment, curiosity, and collaborative growth can unlock significant benefits for both individuals and the organisation. The episode provides valuable insights for leaders and coaches working in educational settings, human resources professionals implementing coaching programmes, and any professional keen to understand how psychological safety and reflective practice can drive organisational change and improved staff engagement. You will learn: · How moving from a judgemental observation model to a coaching approach learning and development model dramatically improves staff engagement and wellbeing · How to embed coaching into everyday conversations and practices as well as organizational strategy. · Why persistence and long-term planning is key to embedding a coaching culture “Sometimes it takes time to develop a culture, and we want to see results really quickly. but we just need to just continue delivering training continuing to model practice. and then eventually more and more people will embed that culture and culture across the organization.” Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review! Your feedback helps us bring you more valuable content. For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit: **Join us for the - a two-day virtual event for leaders and coaches who want to build thriving, high-performing organizations. /episode/index/show/associationforcoaching/id/40326960

284: A Research-Led Perspective on Coaching Culture with Professor Jonathan Passmore 03/02/2026

284: A Research-Led Perspective on Coaching Culture with Professor Jonathan Passmore In the 6th episode of the Building Successful Coaching Cultures series, host Rosie Nice, is joined by Professor Jonathan Passmore to explore what it really takes to embed a coaching culture within organisations. Drawing on decades of research and practice, Jonathan unpacks how a coaching culture goes beyond individual interventions, becoming a default way of thinking, leading, and interacting. He highlights the value of aligning leadership intent with everyday behaviours, and the importance of extending coaching principles across all levels of an organisation—not just within formal leadership roles. The conversation also tackles one of the field’s biggest challenges: measuring impact. Jonathan discusses the current gaps in empirical evidence and offers practical suggestions for capturing meaningful metrics, alongside case study insights that demonstrate the tangible benefits of coaching cultures. The discussion reflects on the evolution of coaching, from a niche leadership tool to a broader organisational capability, encompassing internal, external, and increasingly AI-enabled approaches. Looking ahead, Rosie and Jonathan explore the growing role of technology in democratizing access to coaching, while also addressing ethical considerations and the unique value of human connection. Jonathan shares his latest research into the differences between human and AI coaching, raising important questions about what makes coaching truly effective. The episode offers both strategic insight and practical guidance for organisations seeking to foster more collaborative, empowered, and high-performing cultures. You Will Learn: · A coaching culture is not just about coaching programmes—it’s about embedding coaching behaviours as a core organisational norm at every level. · Measuring impact remains complex, but combining qualitative insights, case studies, and targeted metrics can help demonstrate value. · AI is expanding access to coaching, but human coaches bring unique relational and embodied qualities that remain essential. “For me, coaching culture is not the poster on the wall or what the annual report or the chief executive says that it is. It's the actual behaviours that employees each and every day display…It embodies all of this with all of the stakeholders across the wider system in a way that is about growing development and a win-win based culture for us collectively as well as for customers.” Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review! Your feedback helps us bring you more valuable content. For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit: **Join us for the - a two-day virtual event for leaders and coaches who want to build thriving, high-performing organizations. /episode/index/show/associationforcoaching/id/40241225

283: How Putting People First Built a Coaching Culture and Business Success with Charlotte Hurst 02/23/2026

283: How Putting People First Built a Coaching Culture and Business Success with Charlotte Hurst In the fourth episode of our Building Successful Coaching Cultures series, host, Rosie Nice talks to Charlotte Hurst to reflect on her time leading Farsight Consulting and how a simple intention - to build a great place to work and deliver outstanding client outcomes - evolved into a deeply embedded coaching culture. Despite not starting with a grand design, the company expanded from a small tight-knit team into an organisation of more than 140 people, where coaching became the backbone of how quality, learning and growth were sustained. ‘We realized more and more over time that using coaching almost as the like the micro process would enable us to provide high performing people who could work with clients at scale and in a in a cost-effective way.’ Charlotte shares how giving everyone a coach who wasn’t their line manager created space for honest reflection, stronger ownership and real psychological safety. Rather than sitting on the sidelines, coaching became woven into recruitment, project delivery, feedback and career progression. Regular, structured conversations ensured that development kept pace with rapid scaling, while experienced coaches mentored new ones to create a powerful multiplier effect across the business. From navigating hyper-growth to adapting through the pandemic, Charlotte explains why a coaching culture is never the end goal in itself. It’s the mechanism that enables people to thrive, supports consistent performance and results, and helps an organisation stay resilient when circumstances change. Listeners will come away with practical ideas for embedding coaching into the everyday rhythm of work and for aligning it with values, learning and long-term strategy. You will learn · The significance of embedding coaching as a skill within the broader organizational framework. · The four principles Farsight Consulting maintained all through their growth · Recruitment strategies focused on potential and core capabilities rather than just experience. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review! Your feedback helps us bring you more valuable content. For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit: **Join us for the - a two-day virtual event for leaders and coaches who want to build thriving, high-performing organizations. /episode/index/show/associationforcoaching/id/40163100

282: Why Leaders Need a Coach’s Perspective with Jan Doyle 02/16/2026

282: Why Leaders Need a Coach’s Perspective with Jan Doyle How do you move from telling your team what to do to truly empowering them? In this episode host, Rosie Nice sits down with Jan Doyle, a specialist in leadership coaching and organizational development, to explore what it really takes to embed coaching into teams and organizations. Jan demystifies the idea of a coaching culture, drawing a clear distinction between professional, ‘pure’ coaching and the everyday coaching approaches leaders and managers can use to unlock performance. At the heart of the conversation is a powerful mindset shift: moving from telling people what to do to asking the kinds of questions that help them think, learn and take ownership. Jan highlights the conditions that allow coaching to thrive, particularly psychological safety, empathy and a genuine commitment to growth. She explains that when leaders take a coaching approach, feedback lands differently: people are not only more open to hearing it, but they also understand its purpose and see its value for their own development. Jan shares common challenges such as securing senior management buy-in and overcoming resistance to change and illustrates her points with real-world examples. She also highlights practical strategies and ongoing support that help coaching habits stick, reinforcing her key advice: ask, don’t tell. This approach empowers teams, drives growth, and demonstrates that coaching skills have value not just at work, but in personal and professional relationships more broadly. You will learn: · Why building a coaching culture starts with a shift from directive leadership to curiosity and questions. · How psychological safety, empathy and a coaching style help people recognise the value of feedback for their growth. · Simple, practical ways to embed coaching habits into everyday management and overcome resistance to change. “It's shifting from telling to asking and applying the principles of coaching without being a true coach: about using that coaching approach in the workplace.” Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review! Your feedback helps us bring you more valuable content. For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit: **Join us for the - a two-day virtual event for leaders and coaches who want to build thriving, high-performing organizations. /episode/index/show/associationforcoaching/id/40087390

281: From Blame Culture to Coaching Culture: Kuoni Tumlare’s Journey with Felix Gaehwiler 02/09/2026

281: From Blame Culture to Coaching Culture: Kuoni Tumlare’s Journey with Felix Gaehwiler In the third episode of Building Successful Coaching Cultures, host Rosie Nice, speaks with Felix Karl Gaehwiler, an adaptable and pragmatic leader driving Business Transformation for DMC Europe at Kuoni Tumlare. Felix shares a candid look at life inside a blame-driven sales culture—where responsibility was always pushed outward, energy was low, and while people were functioning, they weren’t thriving. The team was stuck, unhappy, and disconnected. Change began when a new Head of Sales, Tim, introduced a coaching-led approach. Rather than giving solutions, Tim first listened—to frustrations, complaints, and concerns—and then asked different questions that challenged individuals and teams to take ownership: “What ideas do you have to solve that?” Felix recalls how challenging this felt at first and how it took him on his own journey, confronting his resistance until he could see the approach working and eventually train as a coach himself. The conversation explores how coaching shifted accountability, relationships, and performance over time, while also highlighting the ongoing effort required to sustain a coaching mindset amid leadership changes, cross-cultural teams, and hybrid working. This episode is a grounded, human exploration of what coaching really looks like inside organisations—messy, challenging, and ultimately transformative. You will learn: · Blame cultures can appear functional while masking stagnation, disengagement, and low accountability. · Listening and curiosity are a key part of building a coaching culture · The powerful shifts that occur over time when a coaching culture is built into organizations ‘I think a coaching culture exists when people feel safe to develop new ideas, but even more, when they feel safe to give and accept feedback, irrespective of position or title.’ Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review! Your feedback helps us bring you more valuable content. For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit: -blame-culture-coaching-organizations **Join us for the - a two-day virtual event for leaders and coaches who want to build thriving, high-performing organizations. /episode/index/show/associationforcoaching/id/40008005

280: Transforming Sales with Coaching: Insights from L'Oréal 02/02/2026

280: Transforming Sales with Coaching: Insights from L'Oréal The second episode of Building Successful Coaching Cultures explores what it really takes to embed a coaching culture inside a high-performance sales environment. Host Rosie Nice is joined by Jo Richards, Head of Education at L’Oréal Dermatological Beauty, who shares her first-hand experience of shifting sales leadership from a traditional, directive management style to a sustainable coaching-led approach. Together, they unpack the realities of introducing coaching within fast-paced, target-driven teams—without compromising commercial results. Jo discussed the cultural and practical challenges faced when embedding coaching at scale, from gaining senior stakeholder buy-in to supporting middle managers as they develop new coaching capabilities. She explains how a clear vision and the MAGIC coaching model helped them weave coaching conversations into everyday sales practice, performance management, and team leadership. The conversation highlights how engaging every level of the organisation is critical to building trust, accountability, and long-term career development. This episode is packed with practical insights for leaders, coaches, and organisations looking to build a strong coaching culture that drives both people development and business performance. Jo shares actionable advice on training managers, sustaining momentum through ongoing learning, and balancing coaching with ambitious sales targets—demonstrating how coaching can enhance team dynamics, strengthen relationships, and support consistent high performance over time. You will learn: · How to successfully transition from directive management to a coaching-based leadership approach in high-performance sales teams · The business and people benefit of introducing a coaching culture in the workplace · Practical ways to integrate coaching into everyday leadership and performance conversations “The goal is still the same. You need to hit your sales targets—nothing changes, just your approach.” Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review! Your feedback helps us bring you more valuable content. For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit: **Join us for the AC 2026 Global Conference: - a two-day virtual event for leaders and coaches who want to build thriving, high-performing organizations. /episode/index/show/associationforcoaching/id/39922190

279: Empowering Performance: Building a Coaching Culture from the Ground Up 01/26/2026

278: A Day in the Life of Amanda Pennington and Chris Bibbo: Inside Their Shared Life and Coaching Practice 01/19/2026

278: A Day in the Life of Amanda Pennington and Chris Bibbo: Inside Their Shared Life and Coaching Practice In this episode of our A Day in the Life series, host Maxine Bell interviews new coaches and life partners Amanda Pennington and Chris Bibbo. They share their journeys into coaching after long careers in the nonprofit sector and reflect on how coaching supported them through major life transitions, including a bold move from the USA to Portugal. The conversation offers an honest, inspiring look at how coaching helped them navigate uncertainty, personal change, and professional reinvention. Amanda and Chris also speak candidly about the realities of building a coaching practice, from attracting clients to hosting their first live offering, the Life Blueprint Workshop, where they found immense joy witnessing their clients’ breakthroughs. They explore the emotional heart of coaching, emphasizing self-awareness, courage and compassion to help clients find purpose and meaning in their lives. Their story highlights how coaching is not only a professional path but a powerful tool for resilience, growth, and meaningful connection — for both clients and coaches. Amanda and Chris’s warmth and passion for coaching will encourage new coaches, enthuse experienced coaches and ignite those of you looking for authentic, meaningful coaching. You will learn: · Coaching is an impactful, supportive tool for courage and resilience in life transitions. · Building a coaching business requires persistence, experimentation, and a willingness to learn through doing. · How coaching assists, us to listen to our courageous hearts, and not just our ‘monkey minds.’ 'Seeing a client’s life open up brings me so much life. It’s an honour and a privilege to be part of that.' Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review! Your feedback helps us bring you more valuable content. For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit: /episode/index/show/associationforcoaching/id/39739950

Coaching Voices: The Association for Coaching Podcast

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