The Coaching Mixer
Honest conversations on life, coaching, the industry while sipping our favourite beverages
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Ep 39. You Can't Plan Your Way Into Confidence
08/13/2026
Ep 39. You Can't Plan Your Way Into Confidence
Ever notice how easy it is to keep refining the plan when the next step feels uncomfortable? For coaches and business owners, preparation can look responsible while actually just being the fear of trying something new. This conversation explores the difference between a plan that helps you move and one that keeps you busy and waiting to feel ready. Erin and Elana also explore what becomes possible when you question inherited rules, let other people see potential you cannot yet see, and treat nervousness as part of meaningful work instead of proof that something has gone wrong. You'll hear: Why group coaching can lose its spark when it becomes one-on-one coaching with an audience How to tell whether your plan is supporting progress or delaying it Why trying to eliminate fear often results in shame without any extra confidence How community can inspire you to shift from preparation to action Connect with Erin and Elana Elana Mckernan is a Master Certified Life and Creativity Coach who specializes in helping perfectionists create more by treating themselves better. Find her on Instagram at and book a consultation at . Erin Aquin is a Master Certified Life Coach and co-author of the #1 bestseller “Superabound: Live the Life the Universe is Dreaming For You.” Read the book at and book a consultation at .
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Ep 38. Who Made That Coaching Rule?
08/04/2026
Ep 38. Who Made That Coaching Rule?
Erin and Elana start with their liqueur-inspired drinks, then move into the real conversation: how coaches can tell the difference between business advice that offers useful structure and rules that shrink their creativity. Most coaches have heard some version of the formula: niche down, start with one-on-one clients, wait to launch the podcast, follow the steps in the right order, and eventually the business will make sense. Sometimes that kind of structure helps. It gives you something solid to hold onto when you are new, uncertain, or leaving behind the predictability of a regular job. But sometimes advice stops being useful and starts becoming a rule you never chose. What began as one person’s strategy, or one person’s constraint, can get repeated until it sounds like the only responsible way to build a coaching business. Erin’s drinking a Mallorca herbal liqueur with sparkling water, maple, lemon, and cinnamon basil from the garden. Elana’s got lemon-ginger liqueur with seltzer, extra lemon, apple cider, and frozen blueberries. You’ll hear about: Why “good advice” can become a weird little cage if you stop questioning it The difference between useful structure and arbitrary coaching rules What gets lost when coaches build from someone else’s formula instead of their own instincts Why group coaching deserves to be treated as its own craft, not just the next business milestone How participation, play, and community could make group coaching way more alive This one’s for coaches, facilitators, and creative business owners who want enough of a plan to keep moving, but not so much plan that the interesting stuff gets squeezed out before it has a chance to breathe. Connect with Elana and Erin Elana Mckernan is a Master Certified Life and Creativity Coach who specializes in helping perfectionists create more by treating themselves better. Find her on Instagram at and book a consultation at . Erin Aquin is a Master Certified Life Coach and co-author of the #1 bestseller “Superabound: Live the Life the Universe is Dreaming For You.” Read the book at and book a consultation at .
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Ep 37. Stop Living on Minimum Viable Nourishment
07/22/2026
Ep 37. Stop Living on Minimum Viable Nourishment
Erin and Elana are back with cherries in their glasses and a conversation for anyone who is excellent at keeping going… sometimes a little too excellent. Erin is sipping a cherry gin and tonic, while Elana has whiskey with muddled cherries, seltzer, lime, and maple syrup. If you have ever replayed a mistake, rushed to fix your feelings, or waved off help because someone else probably needs it more, this episode offers a kinder and more practical way forward. You will hear how to learn from what happened without making failure final, how to notice when you are surviving on crumbs, and how to create the conditions for your next attempt from a more supported place. In this episode, you’ll hear about: How to evaluate a miss without turning it into a verdict on who you are Why finding the lesson too quickly can become another form of glossing over Why giving thoughtful support can feel much easier than receiving it What “minimum viable nourishment” looks like in life and business How pausing to refuel can make the next path easier to see This conversation is for high-capacity people who already know how to push through, and are ready to build success that actually feeds them. Connect: Elana Mckernan is a Master Certified Life and Creativity Coach who specializes in helping perfectionists create more by treating themselves better. Find her free content at and learn about coaching at . Erin Aquin is a Master Certified Life Coach and co-author of the #1 bestseller “Superabound: Live the Life the Universe is Dreaming For You.” Learn more at .
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Ep 36. Allow Yourself to Be Human Over Cherry Cocktails
07/09/2026
Ep 36. Allow Yourself to Be Human Over Cherry Cocktails
Erin and Elana are back with cherries in their glasses and support for Coaches. Erin is sipping a cherry gin and tonic made with frozen cherries, lime, and tonic water, while Elana has whiskey, muddled fresh cherries with seltzer, lime juice, and a little maple syrup. They dive into something every coach, leader, and sensitive human eventually has to face: what happens when feedback, conflict, or disappointment brings up a very real reaction? Elana and Erin explore how to stay warm and direct, without glossing over your own experience or managing everyone else’s feelings at the expense of your own. You will learn a gentler, more useful way to think about hard conversations, one that allows you to be professional without pretending you are not human. In This Episode, You’ll Hear About Why trying to skip the hard feelings might be slowing down your growth Why shame makes honest, curious conversations so much harder How to raise a potentially confronting observation without needing to be right Why rupture and repair are normal parts of healthy relationships, not evidence that something has gone wrong This conversation is a reminder that being thoughtful, skilled, and caring does not require you to feel peaceful all the time. Connect: Elana McKernan is a Master Certified Life and Creativity Coach who specializes in helping perfectionists create more by treating themselves better. You can and . Erin Aquin is a Master Certified Life Coach and co-author of the #1 bestseller ." She provides whole life coaching for business owners, integrating success and personal fulfillment through her unique all-in-one approach. Learn more at
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Ep 35. Cherry Lime Rum and Emotional Sabbaticals (pt 2)
07/02/2026
Ep 35. Cherry Lime Rum and Emotional Sabbaticals (pt 2)
What happens when something doesn’t go according to plan, and your first instinct is to make yourself the problem? In part two of the Cherry Lime Rum and Emotional Sabbaticals conversation, Erin and Elana get into the tender, funny, and very human work of building a kinder relationship with yourself. The kind that helps you learn from mistakes without spiraling, ask for what you actually want, and stop treating your well-being like an optional business expense. Because yes, your goal matters. But if you sacrifice yourself to reach it, the goal is probably not going to feel quite as sparkly once you get there. In this episode of The Coaching Mixer, Erin and Elana talk about: Why committing to your well-being matters more than committing to your goal How self-compassion can become a skill, especially if self-cruelty has been your default setting How to learning from something that didn’t work instead of using it as evidence against yourself What it looks like to ask directly for support, appreciation, and recognition instead of waiting for people to offer it You don’t have to become a person who floats through life in perfect self-love. You can simply learn to interrupt the Static and build a steadier, warmer relationship with yourself. Connect with us: Elana McKernan is a Master Certified Life and Creativity Coach who specializes in helping perfectionists create more by treating themselves better. You can and . Erin Aquin is a Master Certified Life Coach and co-author of the #1 bestseller ." She provides whole life coaching for business owners, integrating success and personal fulfillment through her unique all-in-one approach. Learn more at
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Ep 34. Cherry Lime Rum and Emotional Sabbaticals
06/22/2026
Ep 34. Cherry Lime Rum and Emotional Sabbaticals
A lot of founders assume business has to feel heavy: think constant pressure, striving, and proving yourself. In this episode, Erin and Elana talk about what happens when you loosen your grip without checking out. Erin shares the latest on her emotional sabbatical: not a break from working, but a break from the inner pressure, drama, and self-inflicted urgency that can turn entrepreneurship into a serious grind. That experiment led to a surprising creative project (an oracle deck) and a deeper experience of what playfulness actually does for decision-making, leadership, and momentum. Elana brings the counterpoint, with her own “sprint season,” where the volume of responsibilities force a kind of non-attachment by necessity. Together, they explore the difference between healthy non-attachment and hiding, and why the skill that matters most isn’t “never caring," but being kind to yourself when things don’t go the way you hoped. In this episode, we talk about: What an “emotional sabbatical” looks like in real life (and why it’s not the same as stopping work) The difference between being focused vs. being hypervigilant How creative play can create better business outcomes The hidden cost of self-punishment after disappointment, and what to do instead The “$10,000 learning” frame: how to turn an apparent failure into future value Connect with us: Elana McKernan is a Master Certified Life and Creativity Coach who specializes in helping perfectionists create more by treating themselves better. You can and . Erin Aquin is a Master Certified Life Coach and co-author of the #1 bestseller ." She provides whole life coaching for business owners, integrating success and personal fulfillment through her unique all-in-one approach. Learn more at
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Ep 33. Finding Your Business Pace, part 2
06/02/2026
Ep 33. Finding Your Business Pace, part 2
If you’ve ever wondered why some people’s ideas of success can feel like a trap (even when things are going well), this episode is a permission slip to build a business that doesn’t require self-abandonment. Erin and Elana talk about the weird cultural religion of work, the invisible identity games underneath “So what do you do?”, and what it looks like to make values-based decisions when your nervous system is screaming for safety. Takeaways you can use immediately If your business requires you to be depleted to be successful, it’s not success. It’s a slow leak. Your values should run your calendar, not your anxiety. Being “polished” is optional. Being aligned is not. If you’re obsessing over tiny mistakes, that might not be professionalism. It might be self-protection. You can build a business that’s steady, profitable, and not constantly on fire. If this episode resonates, it’s probably because… You’re in (or nearing) that moment where you realize: I can’t keep doing it like this. Not because you’re broken. Because you’re paying attention. Connect with us: Elana McKernan is a Master Certified Life and Creativity Coach who specializes in helping perfectionists create more by treating themselves better. You can and . Erin Aquin is a Master Certified Life Coach and co-author of the #1 bestseller ." She provides whole life coaching for business owners, integrating success and personal fulfillment through her unique all-in-one approach. Learn more at
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Ep 32. Cocktails & Cadence: Finding Your Business Pace
05/28/2026
Ep 32. Cocktails & Cadence: Finding Your Business Pace
Erin and Elana are back at the Coaching Mixer with an important question: how do you create your own pace in business (one that actually works) without burning out or getting stuck in “nothing gets done” mode? They go deep on this while Erin sips a “Fairy Godmother” cocktail made with whiskey, amaretto, cherry, and lime, and Elana has whiskey with magical sumo orange juice, topped with a sprinkle of dried rosemary. They talk about the real-life tension so many business owners feel: sometimes you genuinely want a sprint season. Sometimes it’s exciting, focused, and purposeful. But the moment you’re sprinting like you’re being chased by a monster, it’s time to get honest about what’s sustainable, what’s just habit, and what might be turning your business into a never-ending launch week. Takeaways for your own business: How to tell the difference between a healthy sprint and an unsustainable pace. A simple framework for staying creatively playful without sliding into shiny-object chaos. Why your “best work hours” matter, and how to stop scheduling your hardest work when your brain is a baked potato. The hidden mindset layer: how self-worth, work culture, and scarcity can keep you from honoring your actual rhythm. How to build a “creative outlet with no stakes,” so your business isn’t the only place you’re trying to feel alive. If you’re trying to find a pace that feels ambitious and humane, this episode is a must-listen. Links Find Erin on Instagram: @besuperabound Find Elana on Instagram: @elanamckernan Connect with us: Elana McKernan is a Master Certified Life and Creativity Coach who specializes in helping perfectionists create more by treating themselves better. You can and . Erin Aquin is a Master Certified Life Coach and co-author of the #1 bestseller ." She provides whole life coaching for business owners, integrating success and personal fulfillment through her unique all-in-one approach. Learn more at
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Ep 31. Long-Term Clients Without the Codependency Spiral (Part 2)
05/05/2026
Ep 31. Long-Term Clients Without the Codependency Spiral (Part 2)
Tune in to part two of the long-term client conversation, perfect for any coach who has ever wondered where the line is between support and slowly becoming someone’s decision-making system. Elana and Erin talk about how to build long-term coaching relationships that are warm, real, and deeply effective without slipping into unhealthy authority dynamics or turning sessions into renewal pitches. The Drinks Erin’s sipping a bourbon-lime-ginger drink while Elana’s got honey + ginger vodka topped with seltzer and a splash of pineapple juice. They discuss: Why “I’m the expert” branding can quietly train clients to hand over their authority. The difference between being a thinking partner and being the person clients can’t function without. How to receive client appreciation without inflating your ego or deflecting the whole compliment into the void. Why sales conversations inside paid sessions can mess with presence and trust. If you’re a coach... Listen if you want clients who stick around because the work is good, not because they feel like they’ll fall apart without you. (Also: ginger is apparently the unofficial beverage of boundary-setting.) Links Find Erin on Instagram: @besuperabound Find Elana on Instagram: @elanamckernan Connect with us: Elana McKernan is a Master Certified Life and Creativity Coach who specializes in helping perfectionists create more by treating themselves better. You can and . Erin Aquin is a Master Certified Life Coach and co-author of the #1 bestseller ." She provides whole life coaching for business owners, integrating success and personal fulfillment through her unique all-in-one approach. Learn more at
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Ep 30. Ginger Bitters & Big Feelings: Long-Term Clients Without the Codependency Spiral
04/28/2026
Ep 30. Ginger Bitters & Big Feelings: Long-Term Clients Without the Codependency Spiral
A listener asked: How do you support clients long-term without accidentally becoming their emotional support human, their outsourced decision-making brain, or their personal “always be closing” sales funnel? Erin and Elana get into the uncomfortable truth, that “dependency” is not a villain. It is a spectrum. But coaching that ends up training people to distrust themselves is problematic. And yes, they also talk about the marketing version of coaching that’s basically: “Your life is terrible, I’m the cure, please renew for six more months.” Huge ick. The spicy bits: Being the “expert coach” can accidentally train clients to hand over their authority. Long-term coaching can be clean and powerful when approached as a collaborator, thinking partner, and extra brain, not authority figure with a payment link. Sales conversations inside paid sessions feel gross (for everyone). If you’re tracking breakthroughs mostly so you can prove the transformation at renewal time, you are no longer fully on their side. The dependency tells to listen for: The client keeps giving the coach all the credit. The client keeps asking what the coach thinks they should do. The client seems unable to decide without external validation. You will discover: One sentence that instantly cleans up the power dynamic (and makes clients trust themselves more). The tiny line between celebrating wins and low-key running a renewal pitch (and how to tell which spot you’re in). How to take the compliment and give the power back, without deflecting or claiming credit you did not earn. If you’re a coach listening to this… This episode is basically permission to stop doing coaching like it’s a performance review plus a sales close. Connect with us: Erin Aquin is a Master Certified Life Coach and co-author of the #1 bestseller ." She provides whole life coaching for business owners, integrating success and personal fulfillment through her unique all-in-one approach. Learn more at Elana McKernan is a Master Certified Life and Creativity Coach who specializes in helping perfectionists create more by treating themselves better. You can and .
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Ep 29. Spicy Cherry Plot Twist: How to Create Without Suffering for It
04/22/2026
Ep 29. Spicy Cherry Plot Twist: How to Create Without Suffering for It
If you’ve been telling yourself that your creative work “doesn’t count” unless it’s hard, dramatic, or all-consuming, this episode is a gentle (and very real) reset. In this Coaching Mixer conversation, Erin and Elana talk about what it actually looks like to create when you have clients, responsibilities, and a life. They unpack why “going all-in” is often a pressure story (and sometimes a privilege story), and how tiny, consistent steps can build serious creative momentum over time. You will walk away with a calmer, clearer way to create work you care about, without any needless suffering. Also, because this is the Coaching Mixer: Elena is sipping a cocktail with egg white foam (and leaving the last weird foamy bit behind), and Erin's drink gets better as it goes, with spicy little cherries that are, honestly, the whole plot twist at the end. This is for you if you are a business owner who wants to write, share, or build something meaningful, but you keep getting stuck in Static like: “If I cannot do it perfectly, I should not start.” “If it feels easy, it does not count.” “If I do not have hours a day, I am not a real creator.” In this episode, you’ll learn: Why creativity tends to shut down when the stakes feel too high How to separate “creating” from “sharing,” so you can get the work moving again Why five minutes a day is not a consolation prize. It can be the whole method. The trap of “all-in” thinking, and how to build something sustainable instead A powerful reframe: what if your creative project right now is building the conditions that make creativity possible? Connect with us: Erin Aquin is a Master Certified Life Coach and co-author of the #1 bestseller ." She provides whole life coaching for business owners, integrating success and personal fulfillment through her unique all-in-one approach. Learn more at Elana McKernan is a Master Certified Life and Creativity Coach who specializes in helping perfectionists create more by treating themselves better. You can and .
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Ep 28: Letting Go of “Doing It Right” over Whiskey
04/07/2026
Ep 28: Letting Go of “Doing It Right” over Whiskey
If you’ve been trying to “do creativity right” and it’s making you avoid the work, this episode is for you. Erin and Elana talk about how to stop forcing someone else’s process, choose a next step you can actually do today, and create from real life instead of performance. They get into: Why your best content often comes from what you’re currently struggling with. The myth that you can’t coach or teach something until you’ve fully solved it. What your audience actually needs from you: probably not perfect lighting, a power suit, and a scripted TED Talk. More likely it's you, being human. What they are drinking: Elana’s sipping a whiskey sour with egg white. Erin’s having whiskey with black walnut liqueur, a drop of amaretto, and spicy maraschino cherries. One idea to try If you’ve been stuck, ask: What would feel easy or at least doable as the next step? Then do that. Connect with us: Erin Aquin is a Master Certified Life Coach and co-author of the #1 bestseller ." She provides whole life coaching for business owners, integrating success and personal fulfillment through her unique all-in-one approach. Learn more at Elana McKernan is a Master Certified Life and Creativity Coach who specializes in helping perfectionists create more by treating themselves better. You can and .
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Ep 27: Sips and Shifts—Why Every Client Needs a Different Medicine (pt. 2)
04/01/2026
Ep 27: Sips and Shifts—Why Every Client Needs a Different Medicine (pt. 2)
In part two of our episode we talk about why warmth is not the opposite of serious coaching but a pathway to lasting changes for clients. Sometimes warmth is the most serious thing you can offer a client who sees themselves in harsh light. We talk about what actually helps clients who find the “tough love” storyline tempting, and swap notes on the kinds of tools that feel like medicine instead of a cookie-cutter script. A few things we get into: Deep curiosity as a genuinely healing force (yes, even in business coaching) Creating low-stakes “rehearsal” space, where imagining something is not the same as committing to it Inviting different selves into the room (including your "CEO self") Past-self and younger-self work, including playful ways to reconnect with joy Role play for hard conversations and marketing Beverages for the show: Erin is drinking a carrot–apple–ginger–celery–lime–beet juice. Elana has an apple cider seltzer with berries. Connect with us: Erin Aquin is a Master Certified Life Coach and co-author of the #1 bestseller ." She provides whole life coaching for business owners, integrating success and personal fulfillment through her unique all-in-one approach. Learn more at Elana McKernan is a Master Certified Life and Creativity Coach who specializes in helping perfectionists create more by treating themselves better. You can and .
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Ep. 26 Sips and Shifts: Why Every Client Needs a Different Medicine
03/23/2026
Ep. 26 Sips and Shifts: Why Every Client Needs a Different Medicine
In this episode of The Coaching Mixer, hosts Erin Aquin and Elana Mckernan talk about “different kinds of medicine” in coaching. Not every moment calls for a mindset reframe. Sometimes it calls for a pause, a practice, or plain old validation. Also, beverages matter: Erin is drinking a carrot–apple–ginger–celery–lime–beet juice (vampire lips included). Elana has an apple cider seltzer with berries (with the berries plopped in, of course). In this conversation, you’ll hear: Why a “reset” can be less about deprivation and more about changing patterns with care. How coaches can get a little dogmatic with one method, and what it looks like to loosen the grip. The difference between creating space to feel and “letting someone wallow.” A practical way to work with harsh inner narratives, and how treating them like an alarm bell that signals something needs attention often leads to better outcomes. How full-attention listening can be its own form of medicine, without rushing to “fix” someone. A surprisingly useful theater trick for tough rooms: find one thing you can genuinely appreciate, and go from there. Connect With the hosts Erin Aquin is a Master Certified Life Coach and co-author of the #1 bestseller ." She provides whole life coaching for business owners, integrating success and personal fulfillment through her unique all-in-one approach. Learn more at Elana McKernan is a Master Certified Life and Creativity Coach who specializes in helping perfectionists create more by treating themselves better. You can and .
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Ep 25: Coaching Without Preaching
03/11/2026
Ep 25: Coaching Without Preaching
Sometimes your client says something that isn't socially or personally acceptable to you. Suddenly might find yourself feeling distracted by their comment and unable to stay in your lane as a Coach. These are the moments when curiosity matters and where real change can happen. In this week’s Coaching Mixer, Erin and Elana talk about what to do when a client’s worldview is wildly different from yours, how to stay human without preaching, and when it might be wise, to end a coaching relationship or session. In this episode, you’ll hear: Why screaming your position online is not the same as creating change in a real relationship. What it takes to stay curious when a client shares something you disagree with, or find unsettling. Thoughts on what your job is as a coach The difference between “I like you” and “I’m fascinated by you,” and why fascination might be the more useful coaching approach. This is part 2 of the conversation started on episode 24 of this show. Connect With the Hosts Erin Aquin is a Master Certified Life Coach and co-author of the #1 bestseller ." She provides whole life coaching for business owners, integrating success and personal fulfillment through her unique all-in-one approach. Learn more at Elana McKernan is a Master Certified Life and Creativity Coach who specializes in helping perfectionists create more by treating themselves better. You can and .
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Ep 24: The "Hell No" Filter: Boundaries, Beliefs, and Business Coaching
03/04/2026
Ep 24: The "Hell No" Filter: Boundaries, Beliefs, and Business Coaching
Grab a blanket and a mug: we’re answering listener questions while getting a little buzzed on cozy winter spirits. Things get deep, a little spicy, and surprisingly "medicinal" as we dive into what happens when a coaching session hits close to home. How do you handle a client whose worldview makes you cringe? Can you coach someone you fundamentally disagree with? We explore the boundary between professional curiosity and personal "hell no’s." What’s in the Mug? Elana: Spiked Hot Cocoa. Heavy on the Bailey’s, sweet, creamy, and definitely not for kids (despite the "Best Dad Ever" mug—don't ask, we don't have children). Erin: A "Medicinal" Hot Toddy. Lemon, cinnamon, honey, and a healthy pour of bourbon courtesy of Steve. It tastes like health, but feels like a party. Why You Should Listen If you’ve ever sat across from someone (or a Zoom screen) and thought, "Did they really just say that?"—this episode is for you. We pull back the curtain on the "Internal Coach Freakout" and discuss: The Humanity Pivot: How to use your own life experiences to open a client's mind without making the session all about you. The Abhorrent Perspective Filter: Why being a coach doesn't mean you have to help everyone (especially if they’re writing a TradWife guide to toppling feminism). Relational Investigation: How the safest spaces allow for the ugliest thoughts to be examined, questioned, and ultimately transformed. The Power of the Pause: Naming the sticky moments in a session to deepen the trust rather than running away from the discomfort. Key Takeaways Conflict of Interest: If you don't want your client to be successful because of their goals/values, you probably shouldn't be their coach. The Barometer of Trust: True coaching can't happen if a client feels they have to hide parts of themselves, even the messy parts. Curiosity over Reaction: Asking "How old is that belief?" is often more effective than "Why would you say that?" Connect With Us Erin Aquin is a Master Certified Life Coach and co-author of the #1 bestseller ." She provides whole life coaching for business owners, integrating success and personal fulfillment through her unique all-in-one approach. Learn more at Elana McKernan is a Master Certified Life and Creativity Coach who specializes in helping perfectionists create more by treating themselves better. You can and .
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Ep 23: Values-Driven Entrepreneurship: Finding Your Voice in Turbulent Times
02/18/2026
Ep 23: Values-Driven Entrepreneurship: Finding Your Voice in Turbulent Times
In this episode, we dive deep into one of the most challenging aspects of running a business right now—how to show up authentically when the world feels heavy, complicated, and politically charged. We explore what it means to be human in your business, how to protect your energy while staying engaged, and why your wellness as a business owner matters just as much as the service you provide. Drinks of the Episode: We're keeping it cozy with warm beverages. What We Talk About The messy reality of showing up online: When do you post about current events? When do you stay quiet? How do you navigate being "the only witch someone knows" or the face of your business when people have strong opinions about everything? Performative activism vs. genuine action: The difference between posting to avoid backlash and actually living your values. We discuss how social media algorithms capitalize on outrage and why sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is make a phone call instead of posting a hot take. The emotional labor of being visible: How to handle snarky emails, entitled feedback, and people who want you to change your entire business model to suit them (spoiler: mostly happens to women in business). Why you need your own support: Even if you're a coach who knows all the tools, you can't be your own therapist. We talk about the trap of always being the helper and why you need a space to process your own emotions without your coach hat on. Creating space for your clients: Sometimes the best thing you can offer isn't a brilliant coaching intervention; it's just witnessing someone's humanity and giving them permission to feel what they're feeling. AI as an emotional buffer: How AI tools can handle the energy-draining parts of customer service (like those snarky emails) so you don't have to take the emotional hit every time someone has an opinion about your prices. Who This Episode Is For Service-based business owners who are exhausted from trying to be everything to everyone. Coaches who care deeply about the world and their clients but are struggling to show up without burning out. Anyone who's ever gotten a snarky email about their prices and needed three days to recover. People who want to run a business that reflects their values without losing themselves in the process. This conversation is heavy, but we hope it was thoughtful, and maybe even a little fun. The world is complicated, your business is complicated, and you're a human trying to figure it all out. Give yourself permission to not have all the answers, to change your mind, to take time to process, and to prioritize your own wellness so you can actually serve the people who need you. As always, there will be someone out there telling you how you're supposed to do it. And as always, they'll be wrong. Do what feels right for you, tend to yourself first, and remember: what good is a pile of money if you're alone and exhausted when you get it? Resources Mentioned Erin's book - for more on Personal Filters and boundaries The concept of the Tending Triad from the book; these are self-investment practices that sustain you Connect With Us Erin Aquin is a Master Certified Life Coach and co-author of the #1 bestseller ." She provides whole life coaching for business owners, integrating success and personal fulfillment through her unique all-in-one approach. Learn more at Elana McKernan is a Master Certified Life and Creativity Coach who specializes in helping perfectionists create more by treating themselves better. You can and .
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Ep 22. Coaching Through the Storm: Navigating Business and Politics When the World Feels Heavy
02/04/2026
Ep 22. Coaching Through the Storm: Navigating Business and Politics When the World Feels Heavy
Picture this: Erin's in near-Toronto dealing with minus-30°C weather, Elena's buried in New Jersey snow, and we're both pretending we're somewhere tropical by mixing up vacation drinks. Elana's got a tangerine whiskey sour with egg whites (made in a mason jar, because sometimes you just have to work with what you've got), and Erin's sipping a margarita—no salt, because when the tequila's good enough, you don't need it. We're recording from our respective winter fortresses, and honestly? The polar vortex called for this kind of creative escape. Sometimes you need to pretend you're somewhere warm when you're actually contemplating whether your face will freeze off. But then the conversation gets real. When the world feels heavy—whether that's personally, socially, or globally—two questions kept coming up for us: How do you navigate politics and current events as a coach, both in your business and with clients? And how do you actually show up as a coach when things are rough for you personally? We get into what it means to hold space for clients when everything feels intense, how to be human while also being professional, and why coaches don't have to have it all figured out to be effective. Because here's the thing nobody talks about: some coaching sessions feel like you're performing "being a coach" instead of actually coaching. And your clients? They can always tell the difference. This episode is for coaches wondering how much of themselves to bring to their work, anyone trying to run a business during challenging times, and people who need permission to be imperfect and still show up. If you've ever felt like you need to have your business armor on 24/7, or wondered how to stay present when life gets hard, pull up a chair. We're talking about the messy, human side of coaching that doesn't make it into the highlight reels. What you'll walk away with: permission to be a whole person, not just a coach persona. Insight into how to hold your own challenges while still being present for others. And maybe some inspiration to make a fancy drink in a mason jar—because why not? Find all the links, resources, and ways to work with Erin and Elena at besuperabound.com/coachingmixer. Thanks for listening, and pour yourself something good for the next one.
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Ep 21: Grateful, Not Needy: The Secret to Healthy Collaboration
01/30/2026
Ep 21: Grateful, Not Needy: The Secret to Healthy Collaboration
Ever wonder what it's like to build a business with your spouse? In this episode, we dive deep into the messy, magical world of collaboration—from working with family to choosing the right creative partners. Erin gets refreshingly honest about the challenges of running Superabound with Steve, including the time she realized she was more interested in the business than their romantic life (yikes!). Key Topics: Working with Family: The good, the bad, and the "are we talking as business partners or life partners right now?" Erin shares how she and Steve navigate the tricky waters of being both married and business cofounders. Setting Boundaries: Learn about Erin's game-changing rule: no work talk after 9 PM, and everything business goes in Slack (not shouted across the house). Plus, the genius move of paying her kids $2 every time they caught her working outside work hours. The Collaboration Litmus Test: Before saying yes to any collaboration, ask yourself: "If I had to do 100% of the work, would I still be excited about this?" It's a brain gymnastics question that will save you from energy-draining partnerships. What Makes a Good Collaborator: First question: Is this a good person I actually want to spend time with? Because when things get hard (and they will), you need to like the person you're problem-solving with. The Parenting Parallel: Erin draws a beautiful connection between co-parenting and business collaboration—it's about being grateful your partner is there, not just needing them to lighten your load. Memorable Quotes: "I hired little narcs to keep me accountable. They're so good at that job." "If I'm only interested in something if the other person does X, Y, and Z, it's probably not actually vision aligned." Action Items for You: Audit your current collaborations: Are you approaching them from a place of "I don't want to do all the work" or "I genuinely want to build something with this specific person"? If you work with family or a partner, establish clear communication protocols. What's your version of "business stuff stays in Slack"? Before your next collaboration opportunity, ask: Would I still do this if I had to carry the full load? If not, it might not be aligned with your Vision. Next Episode: Stay tuned for more conversations about building a business and life you actually love—without the burnout. For full show notes and to connect with us, visit Thanks for mixing it up with us! 🍹
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Ep 20: Collaborations—The Good, The Messy, and The "Wait, Did We Agree to That?"
01/23/2026
Ep 20: Collaborations—The Good, The Messy, and The "Wait, Did We Agree to That?"
Collaborations can be magic—or they can turn into the group project where you do all the work. We dive into: When collaborations work (and when they don't) Mutual benefit isn't just a nice idea—it's the foundation. If you're the only one promoting, marketing, or caring about the outcome, that's a problem. The danger of unsaid expectations Erin shares stories of podcast guests who treated her platform like a free marketing service without reciprocating. The lesson? Say the things you think don't need to be said. They need to be said. Working with family and friends Erin works with her husband Steve as well as her father, John. We talk about why closer relationships sometimes need more formal agreements, not fewer—and how to have hard conversations without ruining Thanksgiving. Theater taught us everything Collaborations in theater have hard deadlines (the curtain goes up whether you're ready or not). Business owners could learn from that urgency and shared ownership. What makes this podcast work We got explicit about expectations from day one: fun over perfection, casual over polished, and we can skip weeks if we need to. Low stakes, high trust. The marriage metaphor Collaborations are lowkey marriages. You need open communication, regular check-ins, and the ability to say "this isn't working" before resentment builds. Key Takeaways Sit down and say all the things you think don't need to be said—that's where the problems hide The closer the personal relationship, the more formal your collaboration agreement should be You can test collaborations with low-stakes projects before committing long-term If someone's not taking ownership, check whether expectations were actually explicit Collaborations aren't less work than solo work—they require communication skills and check-ins Have something to point to (even informally) when things go sideways Who This Episode Is For Anyone considering a collaboration with a colleague, friend, or family member Entrepreneurs who've been burned by unequal partnerships People who want to know how to set boundaries without sounding like a lawyer Anyone curious how we make this podcast work Drinks: Peppermint hot chocolate (with a minor overflow incident) and a spiritless Seedlip cocktail with orange, San Pellegrino, and rosemary Erin Aquin is a Master Certified Life Coach and co-author of the #1 bestseller ." She provides whole life coaching for business owners, integrating success and personal fulfillment through her unique all-in-one approach. Learn more at Elana McKernan is a Master Certified Life and Creativity Coach who specializes in helping perfectionists create more by treating themselves better. You can and .
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Ep 19: Espresso Martinis, Magic Hats, and Why "Leads" are Actually People
01/14/2026
Ep 19: Espresso Martinis, Magic Hats, and Why "Leads" are Actually People
What happens when you mix almond milk "holiday nog," espresso martinis, and two seasoned coaches talking shop? You get a masterclass in building a business that actually respects your soul . In part two of this deep dive, Erin and Elana move past the "Goal Swamp" of Facebook ads and cold metrics to explore what it really means to nurture relationships and lead with a pure heart . From the library of 700 books to the literal "pointy witch hat" Erin wears for coaching sessions, this episode is about shifting from "how do I make money?" to "how can I truly help?" . In This Episode, We Discuss: The Espresso Martini Experiment: Why Elana is "doctoring" drinks with holiday nog and why staying awake past 9:30 PM is the ultimate entrepreneurial challenge . Beyond the "Lead": Moving away from "robot empire" terminology and focusing on the people already in your orbit . Creating Safety in Marketing: How working backwards from "what does someone need to feel safe spending their time with me?" is more powerful than any $300k revenue goal . Old Lady Wisdom on Rejection: Why rejection isn't personal or final—it’s often just a sign that you haven't created enough safety yet . The Luxury Car Sales Experience: What high-end car sales can teach us about non-pushy, high-integrity invitations . Wearing the "Magic Hat": Why Erin mentally (and sometimes literally) separates "business building days" from "coaching days" to keep the space sacred for her clients . Memorable Quotes "Are we growing people right now? Like, what are we doing? People are not leads." — Elana "There's nothing I can do or not do that's going to bring this person closer if they're not the right person." — Erin "My coaching hat is on... it's a pointy witch hat and we're doing magic with clients." — Erin For full show notes and to learn more about Erin and Elana's work visit
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Ep 18: How Coaches Actually Get Clients
12/24/2025
Ep 18: How Coaches Actually Get Clients
In this episode of The Coaching Mixer, Erin and Elana sip espresso martinis while exploring business growth, coaching, and the myths that keep people stuck. They start with a listener question: why so many coaches believe there’s a “right” formula for growing a business—and why that belief often gets in the way. Erin and Elana unpack the fantasy of the perfect funnel, the overreliance on marketing tactics that don’t fit, and the avoidance of the most basic (and uncomfortable) truth: clients come from talking to people. You’ll hear thoughtful reflections on: Why chasing growth formulas can be a form of procrastination How trust, not tactics, is the real growth engine for service businesses Why introverts aren’t broken at business, and why “visibility” doesn’t have to mean performing online The overlooked power of your existing network and small, human invitations This episode is for coaches and service-based business owners who feel pressure to market in ways that don’t feel like them, who suspect there’s something simpler underneath the noise, and who want permission to stop forcing themselves into someone else’s blueprint. For full show notes, visit:
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Ep 17: When Coaching Becomes Performance (and What Real Support Looks Like)
12/19/2025
Ep 17: When Coaching Becomes Performance (and What Real Support Looks Like)
In this episode, Erin and Elena have an honest conversation about toxic positivity, emotional depth, and what it actually takes to create meaningful change as a coach, leader, or human. The discussion moves from client work to coaching culture to marketing, with plenty of real-world examples and lived experience along the way. This episode will help you see why avoiding “negative” emotions limits growth—and how learning to work with the full emotional range leads to more effective coaching, leadership, and self-trust. What You’ll Learn Why toxic positivity and toxic negativity are both protective strategies How emotional avoidance shows up in coaching and leadership The hidden cost of “before and after” coaching marketing Why centering the coach undermines client transformation What it actually means to hold space without fixing How depth, not polish, builds trust and credibility Why coaches can only take clients as deep as they’ve gone themselves A thoughtful, candid conversation for anyone who wants to lead, coach, or live with more honesty and less performative optimism. For the full show notes, visit
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Ep 16: The Hidden Cost of "Staying Positive"
12/12/2025
Ep 16: The Hidden Cost of "Staying Positive"
This week's episode takes on toxic positivity, not to bash optimism, but to untangle when “staying positive” actually blocks honesty, safety, and real change in coaching relationships. Erin and Elana explore how coaches can hold nuance, complexity, and emotion without rushing clients toward silver linings. In this episode, you’ll discover: What “toxic positivity” really is—and why it often comes from self-protection, not bad intent How positivity can quietly disconnect clients from what they’re actually experiencing Why emotional grit is often easier to coach than polished optimism How coaches may unintentionally signal which emotions are “allowed” in the room The subtle difference between respecting a client’s readiness and pushing for depth What it actually takes to create a space where clients don’t have to edit themselves This conversation is especially relevant for coaches working with leaders, founders, and high-functioning clients who’ve learned to keep it together at all costs. For full show notes visit:
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Ep 15. Coaching in the Unknown: Releasing Fixed Identities
11/27/2025
Ep 15. Coaching in the Unknown: Releasing Fixed Identities
In this episode of the Coaching Mixer podcast, Erin Aquin and Elana McKernin explore how spirituality, identity, and belief show up in coaching, and how to hold space without slipping into persuasion or projection. They dive into the power of not knowing, the stories clients bring into sessions, and how curiosity can transform even tightly held identities. In this episode, you will discover: How to work with the unknown without collapsing into certainty or avoidance Ways to use your spirituality and creative practices to inform your coaching What “choosing beliefs on purpose” looks like in real life How to use a client’s belief system, including astrology, diagnoses, or spiritual archetypes, without reinforcing limiting patterns Why coercion hides inside some forms of spiritual coaching, and how to avoid it Practical ways to help clients access the strengths inside the identities they cling to How to protect the coaching space as a site of exploration, not persuasion If you're a coach navigating spiritual conversations, you'll gain fresh insights on how to explore rather than escape the mysteries of being human. For full show notes visit:
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Ep 14. Spirituality, Belief Systems, and the Coaching Relationship
11/19/2025
Ep 14. Spirituality, Belief Systems, and the Coaching Relationship
In this episode, Erin Aquin and Elana McKernan wade into a topic every coach eventually encounters but few talk about openly: what role, if any, should your personal spiritual or religious beliefs play in your coaching? What starts with travel stories, tea rituals, and cats eating tea plants unfolds into a conversation about the complexities of belief inside a coaching relationship. Erin and Elana compare experiences coaching clients who are questioning their belief systems, leaving high-demand religions, navigating spiritual identity, or rethinking long-held life paths—business, creativity, family, and otherwise. What You’ll Learn: How to stay grounded in your own worldview without imposing it on clients. Why some clients seek a coach outside their religious or spiritual background. The boundary between personal belief and professional responsibility. What to do when a client begins questioning the very identity your work was hired to support. The difference between spiritual openness and spiritual agenda. How prior experiences with religion, communities, or conditioning shape your capacity to hold space. Why general-life-coaching skills still matter—even if you have a tight niche. Coaching is intimate work. Clients often speak truths they’ve never said aloud. If you coach humans long enough, belief, identity, and meaning will walk into the room. This episode will help you navigate that with integrity—without pretending to be either a neutral robot or a spiritual authority. Erin Aquin is a Master Certified Life Coach and co-author of the #1 bestseller ." She provides whole life coaching for business owners, integrating success and personal fulfillment through her unique all-in-one approach. Learn more at Elana McKernan is a Master Certified Life and Creativity Coach who specializes in helping perfectionists create more by treating themselves better. You can and .
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Ep 13. Taking Time Off as a Coaching Tool
11/13/2025
Ep 13. Taking Time Off as a Coaching Tool
Traveling while running a coaching business isn’t just logistics—it’s identity, boundaries, and the persistent question of who you are when you step away from the work. In this episode, Erin and Elana mix philosophy with lived experience as they talk through unplugging, client care, rest, and what it means to take yourself seriously as a whole human, not just a coach. The conversation moves from the practical (how to prepare yourself and your clients for time away) to the deeper layers of mindset that shape how you relate to your business, your freedom, and the experiences you say you value. Along the way, they explore: How to structure time away so momentum doesn’t die—and why it usually doesn’t anyway. What a coach can model for clients simply by taking time off with intention. How to frame vacations so clients feel supported, not abandoned. Why rest makes you a better thinker, creator, and partner to your clients. The unexpected clarity that comes from being in a place where you don’t speak the language. The personal rituals, travel essentials, and return-home practices that keep both hosts grounded. This episode is part practical wisdom, part mindset shift, and part invitation to rethink how you integrate your life with the work you love. Connect: Follow Elena and Erin on Instagram and share how you’re planning to take your next real break. Erin Aquin is a Master Certified Life Coach and co-author of the #1 bestseller ." She provides whole life coaching for business owners, integrating success and personal fulfillment through her unique all-in-one approach. Learn more at Elana McKernan is a Master Certified Life and Creativity Coach who specializes in helping perfectionists create more by treating themselves better. You can and .
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Ep 12. Taking Time Off Without Losing Yourself (or Your Business)
10/29/2025
Ep 12. Taking Time Off Without Losing Yourself (or Your Business)
In this episode, Elena and Erin pour a couple of local beers and settle into a conversation about travel, rest, and what it means to actually step away from your business as a coach or entrepreneur. They start light, sharing stories of their brews (Block Three’s Blocktoberfest in Canada and a mysterious “Jersey Life” lager), Welsh pub adventures, and the strange psychology of beer versus gin. But the conversation soon deepens into something richer: how hard it can be for business owners to truly take time off, and what that reveals about our sense of identity and self-worth. They explore how entrepreneurs often tie their value to productivity — and how that mindset can poison rest. Erin shares her ritual of leaving her laptop behind when she travels and what it took to finally feel like herself again on vacation. Elena reflects on the early days of working for herself and realizing how easy it is to forget to build rest into the business calendar when there’s no boss to approve time off. Together they unpack: Why taking real time off is a form of leadership, not laziness How to plan your calendar to protect rest before burnout hits The difference between traveling and resting The creative myth of “the muse” and why true creativity can be scheduled What it means to model presence and embodiment for your clients How to navigate “non-restful” trips (like family visits or long-haul travel) without losing your grounding or momentum Elena also shares her upcoming plans to travel to China with her husband’s family — a trip that’s both exciting and a break from building business momentum — and Erin offers strategies for preparing your business (and your mind) for time away that’s not exactly a vacation. It’s a lively, honest exploration of how to create a healthy rhythm between your work, your creativity, and your humanity from two coaches learning to practice what they preach. Listen if: You struggle to unplug from your business, feel guilty taking time off, or secretly check your inbox while “on vacation.” Connect: Follow Elena @elanamckernan and Erin @besuperabound on Instagram to share your favorite local beer and how you’re planning to take your next real break. For full show notes visit
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Ep. 11: When "Mistakes" Make You a Better Coach
10/23/2025
Ep. 11: When "Mistakes" Make You a Better Coach
Join Erin and Elana for a candid conversation about the messy, beautiful evolution of their coaching. From over-sharing personal details to struggling with neutrality in politically or spiritually charged sessions, they explore what it really means to stay present and serve the client rather than the coaching methodology. They unpack their early-career habits of perfectionism and self-critique, how they learned to trust themselves more, and why being “the safe person on the outside” matters when working with clients whose worldviews differ from your own. They laugh about the “laws” of coaching school—never ask yes-or-no questions, never give advice, never mirror your client—and how breaking those rules often led to their most powerful sessions. Whether you’re a new coach navigating feedback overload or a seasoned one reconsidering your boundaries, this episode reminds you that growth often happens in the gray areas between the “right” and “wrong” way to coach. Themes explored: The fine line between warmth and over-familiarity with clients Recognizing and repairing when you step outside your scope Moving from self-scolding to self-trust in coaching sessions Why neutrality isn’t always the goal How different coaching modalities can complement each other The power of context and repair over rigid technique Listen if you’ve ever wondered: “How do I balance authenticity with professionalism?” “What’s the real cost of following every coaching rule?” or “Can a good cocktail make self-reflection easier?” (Spoiler: yes.) Connect & Contribute: Share your coaching confessions, awkward moments, or topics you’d love Erin and Elana to unravel next. Find them on Instagram or at
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Ep 10. The $10,000 Learning: Coaching Mistakes, Repair, and the Real Art of Integrity
10/15/2025
Ep 10. The $10,000 Learning: Coaching Mistakes, Repair, and the Real Art of Integrity
In this episode of The Coaching Mixer, Erin Aquin and Elana McKernan open up about the cringe-worthy, humbling, and ultimately transformative mistakes they’ve made in their coaching and businesses. Over cocktails, they dig into what happens when you drop the ball with a client, how to repair trust without spiraling into self-blame, and why true integrity in business is rarely about being perfect. Together they unpack the myth that “you never apologize” in business, and make a case for honesty, humility, and handling things like a pro without losing your humanity. Themes explored: What to do when you mess up with a client The difference between genuine repair and self-punishment Turning business blunders into “$10,000 learnings” Why apologizing can be the most confident move you make Balancing integrity, leadership, and grace in your coaching practice It’s a raw, funny, and surprisingly reassuring conversation for any coach who’s ever thought, “Did I just ruin everything?” For full show notes and video version, visit
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