Craft of Coaching Podcast

If you're a coach considering a group program, you need to know how to build a community. Building real community isn't about luck or personality — it's about understanding what actually creates belonging, and developing the skills to sustain it. Most of us were never taught how to build community in any deliberate way, and the gap that leaves is real: connection that feels hollow, groups that don't stick, and a low-grade hunger for something more solid. We break down the difference between cultivation — showing up consistently, being willing to go first, creating the conditions for belonging — and the specific skills that make community work: trust signaling, behavioral integrity, active listening, somatic awareness, and recognizing the inner critic narratives that quietly keep people isolated. And for coaches, this isn't just personally relevant. It's professionally essential. The coaches who know how to build community from the inside out bring something qualitatively different to their clients — because you can't hold space for what you haven't lived. If you've been thinking about how to build community that actually feels like something — this episode is a place to start. Coaching + Courage + Community = CLCC. We're a life-changing program, for you to become a life-changing coach. Our Level 1 ICF-Accredited program has worked with graduates from around the world. The first life you change? It'll be your own. We're the Credentialed Life Coach Collective, or CLCC, and we're here to give you a powerful coaching skill-set mixed with profound personal and professional growth. Head to https://TeamCLCC.com to get our catalogue and the free "Become a Coach" video series to learn more about becoming a life coach, choosing a coaching niche, how coaches make money, and more. Social: LinkedIn

We’ve absorbed a quiet rule in the coaching industry: you’re not legitimate until your calendar is packed. If you’re not fully booked, you’re still “trying.” Still “building.” Still “not quite there.” Let’s challenge that. A fully booked client roster is a business metric — not a measure of your identity. When we tie our legitimacy to calendar saturation, we hand our confidence to algorithms, economic cycles, and comparison. And that’s a fragile place to build from. In this episode, we unpack what actually makes someone a coach: commitment to craft, ethical standards, reflective practice, and skill development. We separate coaching skill from marketing outcomes, and we explore why claiming your professional identity early accelerates growth instead of inflating ego. If you’ve been wondering when you can call yourself a coach, or feeling pressure to prove yourself through volume, this conversation will reset your internal barometer. Coaching + Courage + Community = CLCC. We're a life-changing program, for you to become a life-changing coach. Our Level 1 ICF-Accredited program has worked with graduates from around the world. The first life you change? It'll be your own. We're the Credentialed Life Coach Collective, or CLCC, and we're here to give you a powerful coaching skill-set mixed with profound personal and professional growth. Head to https://TeamCLCC.com to get our catalogue and the free "Become a Coach" video series to learn more about becoming a life coach, choosing a coaching niche, how coaches make money, and more. Social: LinkedIn

Ever catch yourself scrolling and wondering, Why am I not there yet? You’re not alone. In this episode of the Craft of Coaching, we’re naming the comparison spiral that so many coaches fall into—especially in a world where highlight reels dominate. We break down exactly how comparison derails your intuition, your business decisions, and your confidence—and what experienced coaches do differently to stop it in its tracks. You’ll hear practical, grounded strategies for staying focused on your path, building your coaching business with integrity, and reconnecting with your own metrics for success. If you’ve ever felt like everyone else is ahead of you, or like you need to be louder or flashier to “make it,” this episode will rewire the way you see your coaching journey. Coaching + Courage + Community = CLCC. We're a life-changing program, for you to become a life-changing coach. Our Level 1 ICF-Accredited program has worked with graduates from around the world. The first life you change? It'll be your own. We're the Credentialed Life Coach Collective, or CLCC, and we're here to give you a powerful coaching skill-set mixed with profound personal and professional growth. Head to https://TeamCLCC.com to get our catalogue and the free "Become a Coach" video series to learn more about becoming a life coach, choosing a coaching niche, how coaches make money, and more. Social: LinkedIn

When a client says "my manager is the problem," what do you do with that? In this episode, we're joined by Melody Wilding — executive coach, speaker, and author of Managing Up — to talk about one of the most common and least discussed challenges in coaching: helping clients navigate difficult relationships with the people above them at work. Melody breaks down why coaching clients through workplace conflict starts not with confrontation, but with two deceptively simple conversations: alignment and communication styles. We dig into a real client story — a Chief People Officer who went from being told she might be "incompetent or over her head" to earning a six-figure bonus — and what actually shifted. We also talk about how coaches can use proprietary assessments to demonstrate client progress to organizational stakeholders, and how Melody built a speaking business from zero, starting with free talks and a clear ask. Whether you're working with clients in corporate environments or thinking about expanding into organizational coaching yourself, this episode is full of the kind of concrete, actionable strategy that makes the work better. Coaching + Courage + Community = CLCC. We're a life-changing program, for you to become a life-changing coach. Our Level 1 ICF-Accredited program has worked with graduates from around the world. The first life you change? It'll be your own. We're the Credentialed Life Coach Collective, or CLCC, and we're here to give you a powerful coaching skill-set mixed with profound personal and professional growth. Head to https://TeamCLCC.com to get our catalogue and the free "Become a Coach" video series to learn more about becoming a life coach, choosing a coaching niche, how coaches make money, and more. Social: LinkedIn

What does it really take to get honest and face hard things — in your coaching practice, and in your life? In this episode, we're joined by Andrea Owen, author of Live Like You Give a Damn: 25 Bold Moves to Get Honest and Face the Hard Stuff, for a conversation that goes well beyond coaching technique. We’re digging into how the coaching industry has shifted from "good vibes only" toward doing real, deep transformative work — and what that shift has demanded of coaches personally. We explore the art of self-management when your client triggers something unhealed in you, how to use transparency as a coaching skill without making the session about yourself, and the hard-won wisdom that comes from taking a step back when life gets heavy. If you've ever wondered how much of your own story to share, how to interrupt a client who's taking up too much space, or how to come back to your practice after a difficult season — this one is for you. Andrea doesn't sugarcoat it. Neither do we. Coaching + Courage + Community = CLCC. We're a life-changing program, for you to become a life-changing coach. Our Level 1 ICF-Accredited program has worked with graduates from around the world. The first life you change? It'll be your own. We're the Credentialed Life Coach Collective, or CLCC, and we're here to give you a powerful coaching skill-set mixed with profound personal and professional growth. Head to https://TeamCLCC.com to get our catalogue and the free "Become a Coach" video series to learn more about becoming a life coach, choosing a coaching niche, how coaches make money, and more. Social: LinkedIn

There’s a line—and every coach needs to know where it is. When a client starts unraveling childhood trauma, asking for advice, or bringing deep grief into the session… are you coaching, mentoring, or sliding into therapy without meaning to? This episode is for the coach who cares deeply—and doesn’t want to cause harm. We’re digging into the ethical gray zones where even experienced coaches can lose footing. What do you say (or not say) when a client wants emotional healing you’re not trained to offer? How do you hold firm to scope without abandoning your client in a hard moment? We’ll break down real-world examples and the invisible pressures that get good coaches in trouble: the urge to “fix,” the fear of being too hands-off, the temptation to become a therapist-lite. You’ll leave this episode with clearer boundaries, stronger confidence, and language you can actually use when a session goes off-road. Being an ethical coach doesn’t mean holding back—it means knowing your role and showing up with grounded, skillful presence. Coaching + Courage + Community = CLCC. We're a life-changing program, for you to become a life-changing coach. Our Level 1 ICF-Accredited program has worked with graduates from around the world. The first life you change? It'll be your own. We're the Credentialed Life Coach Collective, or CLCC, and we're here to give you a powerful coaching skill-set mixed with profound personal and professional growth. Head to https://TeamCLCC.com to get our catalogue and the free "Become a Coach" video series to learn more about becoming a life coach, choosing a coaching niche, how coaches make money, and more. Social: LinkedIn

Feeling invisible in a crowded coaching market? You’re not alone. In this episode of the Craft of Coaching podcast, we're giving you the real talk on the state of the coaching industry, including whether the coaching market is too saturated, and talk about what to DO about that. Learn how to shift from trying to stand out in a "crowded"market-- to building trust, resonance, and relationships that lead to sustainable business growth. Coaching + Courage + Community = CLCC. We're a life-changing program, for you to become a life-changing coach. Our Level 1 ICF-Accredited program has worked with graduates from around the world. The first life you change? It'll be your own. We're the Certified Life Coach Collective, or CLCC, and we're here to give you a powerful coaching skill-set mixed with profound personal and professional growth. Head to https://TeamCLCC.com to get our catalogue and the free "Become a Coach" video series to learn more about becoming a life coach, choosing a coaching niche, how coaches make money, and more. Social: LinkedIn

Ever have a client push back hard on a reflection—not because the reflection was wrong, but because it hit a nerve? That’s "identity threat" in action. In this episode of the Craft of Coaching podcast, we dive into what’s really going on when a client rejects your insight because it challenges the version of themselves they’ve needed to survive. We’ll explore the psychology behind identity defense, how to spot it in session, and what to do when a client becomes emotionally dysregulated or shuts down. You’ll learn how to stay grounded, avoid reactivity, and build trust in the moments where it matters most. Instead of pushing, we’ll talk about how to slow down, ask safety-creating questions, and create the conditions for lasting identity expansion. If you want to master the art of trauma-informed coaching—and support deep, sustainable growth—this episode is essential. And if you’re ready to go deeper? Our new course, Undercurrents , trains coaches to work at the identity level of change with skill and respect. Coaching + Courage + Community = CLCC. We're a life-changing program, for you to become a life-changing coach. Our Level 1 ICF-Accredited program has worked with graduates from around the world. The first life you change? It'll be your own. We're the Certified Life Coach Collective, or CLCC, and we're here to give you a powerful coaching skill-set mixed with profound personal and professional growth. Head to https://TeamCLCC.com to get our catalogue and the free "Become a Coach" video series to learn more about becoming a life coach, choosing a coaching niche, how coaches make money, and more. Social: LinkedIn

As coaches, we’ve all been there—you see what your client needs. You both know the actions that would help them break through. But they’re stuck. They hesitate. They say they want change, but their actions don’t follow. And suddenly, you’re caught between wanting to help… and pushing too hard. In this episode of the Craft of Coaching podcast, we unpack what’s really happening when a client isn’t ready—and why your urgency can’t override their agency. You’ll learn why resistance is often a defense mechanism, not defiance, and how to work with—not against—a client’s inner pace. We’ll talk about how to name what you see without imposing, how to stay grounded in your role as a coach, and when it’s time to let go of the outcome. This episode offers practical guidance and honest perspective for every coach who’s ever struggled with “wanting it more than the client.” If you want to create more powerful sessions without bulldozing your client’s process, this one’s for you. Coaching + Courage + Community = CLCC. We're a life-changing program, for you to become a life-changing coach. Our Level 1 ICF-Accredited program has worked with graduates from around the world. The first life you change? It'll be your own. We're the Certified Life Coach Collective, or CLCC, and we're here to give you a powerful coaching skill-set mixed with profound personal and professional growth. Head to https://TeamCLCC.com to get our catalogue and the free "Become a Coach" video series to learn more about becoming a life coach, choosing a coaching niche, how coaches make money, and more. Social: LinkedIn

If "clarity" is the main outcome you're selling on your sales pages and in your "getting to know you" calls, it might be time to stop over-focusing there. In this episode of The Craft of Coaching, we explore why selling clarity can create false expectations—and we're talking about what clients actually need instead. While clarity sounds like a powerful promise, it can unintentionally trap clients in a perfectionist loop of waiting for the “right” answer. The truth? Real coaching happens when we help people build the capacity to move through uncertainty. We’ll dive into how to reframe your marketing and your coaching approach, so you can stop promising what coaching can’t guarantee—and start delivering what truly transforms. Plus, we’ll connect this approach to ICF Core Competencies and offer real questions you can use with your clients. If you’re ready to become the kind of coach who helps clients build resilience instead of relying on certainty, this episode is for you. Coaching + Courage + Community = CLCC. We're a life-changing program, for you to become a life-changing coach. Our Level 1 ICF-Accredited program has worked with graduates from around the world. The first life you change? It'll be your own. We're the Certified Life Coach Collective, or CLCC, and we're here to give you a powerful coaching skill-set mixed with profound personal and professional growth. Head to https://TeamCLCC.com to get our catalogue and the free "Become a Coach" video series to learn more about becoming a life coach, choosing a coaching niche, how coaches make money, and more. Social: LinkedIn

How do you challenge a client without damaging the coaching relationship? In this episode of The Craft of Coaching, we explore how skilled coaches use challenge—not as confrontation, but as transformation. If you’ve ever held back from asking a hard question or reflecting a client’s pattern because you were afraid they’d walk away, this episode is for you. We break down what it really means to challenge someone in a coaching conversation and how to do it in a way that builds trust, not breaks it. We’ll explore how experienced coaches create powerful breakthroughs by offering honest, compassionate challenge—and how this aligns with ICF Core Competencies like trust-building, presence, and evoking awareness. You’ll walk away with real phrases to use in session, insight into why clients crave challenge (even when they resist it), and tools for navigating discomfort with integrity. Whether you're a new coach still finding your voice or a seasoned practitioner refining your edge, this episode will change the way you view challenge. Coaching + Courage + Community = CLCC. We're a life-changing program, for you to become a life-changing coach. Our Level 1 ICF-Accredited program has worked with graduates from around the world. The first life you change? It'll be your own. We're the Certified Life Coach Collective, or CLCC, and we're here to give you a powerful coaching skill-set mixed with profound personal and professional growth. Head to https://TeamCLCC.com to get our catalogue and the free "Become a Coach" video series to learn more about becoming a life coach, choosing a coaching niche, how coaches make money, and more. Social: LinkedIn

Are you being a supportive coach—or are you just people-pleasing? In this episode of The Craft of Coaching, we take an honest look at what happens when coaches confuse kindness with avoidance, and how to recognize when you're prioritizing being liked over being effective. If you’ve ever hesitated to challenge a client, held back from naming a pattern, or found yourself drained after sessions, this episode is for you. You’ll learn how people-pleasing shows up in subtle coaching behaviors—and how to shift back into authentic support that fosters trust, not performance. We’ll explore how the ICF Core Competencies call us to higher standards of presence and truth-telling, and how your desire to “be nice” might actually be undermining your client’s growth. Whether you’re a new coach still developing your voice or a seasoned coach noticing these patterns in your work, this episode will help you discern the difference between showing up as a coach—and showing up as a caretaker. Coaching + Courage + Community = CLCC. We're a life-changing program, for you to become a life-changing coach. Our Level 1 ICF-Accredited program has worked with graduates from around the world. The first life you change? It'll be your own. We're the Certified Life Coach Collective, or CLCC, and we're here to give you a powerful coaching skill-set mixed with profound personal and professional growth. Head to https://TeamCLCC.com to get our catalogue and the free "Become a Coach" video series to learn more about becoming a life coach, choosing a coaching niche, how coaches make money, and more. Social: LinkedIn

How do you support your clients—and yourself—when the world feels like it’s falling apart? In this episode of The Craft of Coaching, we’re talking about what it means to coach through chaos, uncertainty, and grief. When clients bring in overwhelm, despair, or real-world fears, many coaches feel unsure about how to respond. Should you stay “neutral”? Try to uplift them? Hold space without absorbing their pain? We explore how to stay grounded as a coach in messy times, how to support clients without bypassing their real emotions, and what it actually means to be present—without performing. You’ll learn how to simplify your approach, listen without fixing, and recognize when you need to pause and seek support. We also connect these practices to ICF Core Competencies like cultivating trust, maintaining presence, and evoking awareness. Whether you’re a new coach or a seasoned pro, this episode is your permission slip to be human. Because coaching in today’s world isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being real. Coaching + Courage + Community = CLCC. We're a life-changing program, for you to become a life-changing coach. Our Level 1 ICF-Accredited program has worked with graduates from around the world. The first life you change? It'll be your own. We're the Certified Life Coach Collective, or CLCC, and we're here to give you a powerful coaching skill-set mixed with profound personal and professional growth. Head to https://TeamCLCC.com to get our catalogue and the free "Become a Coach" video series to learn more about becoming a life coach, choosing a coaching niche, how coaches make money, and more. Social: LinkedIn

What do you do when your client’s political values are wildly different from yours? In this episode of The Craft of Coaching, we explore how to navigate political differences in coaching without sacrificing your values—or your presence. Whether a client makes a comment that goes against everything you believe in, or you discover deeper ideological gaps over time, the question becomes: Can I still coach this person with integrity? We’ll walk through how to stay grounded in the face of political tension, when to address a comment in-session, and when it’s time to set a boundary or end the coaching relationship altogether. You’ll also learn how to discern between a difference in opinion and a violation of human dignity, how to stay curious without bypassing your own ethics, and what the ICF Core Competencies say about navigating charged dynamics. Coaching in today’s world means being present to complexity. This episode offers tools, language, and clarity for those moments when values collide—and shows you how to coach with honesty, discernment, and compassion. Coaching + Courage + Community = CLCC. We're a life-changing program, for you to become a life-changing coach. Our Level 1 ICF-Accredited program has worked with graduates from around the world. The first life you change? It'll be your own. We're the Certified Life Coach Collective, or CLCC, and we're here to give you a powerful coaching skill-set mixed with profound personal and professional growth. Head to https://TeamCLCC.com to get our catalogue and the free "Become a Coach" video series to learn more about becoming a life coach, choosing a coaching niche, how coaches make money, and more. Social: LinkedIn

Feeling overwhelmed by your coaching business goals? You’re not alone—and you’re not doing it wrong. In this episode of The Craft of Coaching, we’re breaking down how to create a business roadmap that actually works for you—not against you. Many coaches fall into the trap of overestimating what they can accomplish in a year—setting massive content creation or revenue goals that quickly lead to burnout and discouragement. We explore why most 12-month plans are destined to collapse, and how to design a sustainable, seasonally-aware roadmap that reflects your real life, your real energy, and your unique stage of business. You’ll learn: Whether you’re relaunching your business, scaling up, or trying to stay consistent without burning out—this episode will help you build a business that feels like you. Coaching + Courage + Community = CLCC. We're a life-changing program, for you to become a life-changing coach. Our Level 1 ICF-Accredited program has worked with graduates from around the world. The first life you change? It'll be your own. We're the Certified Life Coach Collective, or CLCC, and we're here to give you a powerful coaching skill-set mixed with profound personal and professional growth. Head to https://TeamCLCC.com to get our catalogue and the free "Become a Coach" video series to learn more about becoming a life coach, choosing a coaching niche, how coaches make money, and more. Social: LinkedIn

Let’s talk about what it really means to help clients with nervous system regulation. Kim Kimball—a CLCC grad, Doctor of Physical Therapy, and somatic leadership coach—joins us to unpack the difference between true regulation and what’s often just emotional bypassing. We explore how to help clients recognize what’s actually happening in their bodies, work with their capacity instead of against it, and build businesses that feel sustainable rather than depleting. This conversation digs into how highly sensitive and neurodivergent entrepreneurs can honor their wiring, stretch within capacity, and stop forcing themselves into systems that were never built for them. If you’ve ever wondered how to support clients in regulating without repressing, or how to bring a somatic lens into your coaching in an ethical, trauma-informed way—this episode is a must-listen. Coaching + Courage + Community = CLCC. We're a life-changing program, for you to become a life-changing coach. Our Level 1 ICF-Accredited program has worked with graduates from around the world. The first life you change? It'll be your own. We're the Certified Life Coach Collective, or CLCC, and we're here to give you a powerful coaching skill-set mixed with profound personal and professional growth. Head to https://TeamCLCC.com to get our catalogue and the free "Become a Coach" video series to learn more about becoming a life coach, choosing a coaching niche, how coaches make money, and more. Social: LinkedIn

What does it really take to go from coach to founder? In this episode, we talk with Megan Hale, MA, founder and CEO of DreamMoney.co, about what it means to evolve from running a coaching practice to building a tech startup. After a decade in the coaching world, Megan made the leap into software development—raising $150K in grants and funding her first platform as a non-technical founder. We unpack the mindset shift that happens when you stop thinking like a solopreneur and start thinking like a founder: how to lead a vision that’s bigger than yourself, fundraise without burnout, and hold your nervous system steady through the unknown. If you’ve ever felt the call to build something larger than your current business—or wondered how to make that leap—this episode offers an inside look at what it takes to grow from coach to founder with courage, clarity, and strategy. Coaching + Courage + Community = CLCC. We're a life-changing program, for you to become a life-changing coach. Our Level 1 ICF-Accredited program has worked with graduates from around the world. The first life you change? It'll be your own. We're the Certified Life Coach Collective, or CLCC, and we're here to give you a powerful coaching skill-set mixed with profound personal and professional growth. Head to https://TeamCLCC.com to get our catalogue and the free "Become a Coach" video series to learn more about becoming a life coach, choosing a coaching niche, how coaches make money, and more. Social: LinkedIn

Still undercharging? Avoiding money conversations? Feeling stuck when clients bring up pricing, investing, or fear of earning? In this episode of The Craft of Coaching, we tackle one of the biggest mindset challenges in coaching: money—and how to shift both your own money beliefs and support your clients in doing the same. Whether you’ve been underpricing your offers, struggling to state your rates with confidence, or tiptoeing around client resistance to financial growth—this episode offers grounded, honest guidance. We explore: You'll walk away with new language, powerful reflection questions, and a grounded approach to money work that aligns with the ICF Core Competencies. Because coaching about money isn’t about spreadsheets—it’s about self-worth, possibility, and emotional safety. Coaching + Courage + Community = CLCC. We're a life-changing program, for you to become a life-changing coach. Our Level 1 ICF-Accredited program has worked with graduates from around the world. The first life you change? It'll be your own. We're the Certified Life Coach Collective, or CLCC, and we're here to give you a powerful coaching skill-set mixed with profound personal and professional growth. Head to https://TeamCLCC.com to get our catalogue and the free "Become a Coach" video series to learn more about becoming a life coach, choosing a coaching niche, how coaches make money, and more. Social: LinkedIn

Building a coaching business isn’t a straight line—it’s a living, breathing experiment. In this conversation with CLCC graduates Kim Romain and Louise Neil, we talk about pivoting your coaching business with courage, collaboration, and self-trust. Kim and Louise share how they went from co-hosting their first group podcast to creating Empowered and Embodied, a show born from brave conversations about what wasn’t working anymore. Together, we unpack how to know when it’s time to shift direction, why joy is a legitimate metric for success, and what it takes to release sunk-cost bias and start again. If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re “doing it wrong” because you want to pivot your coaching business in a new direction, this is your invitation to see your coaching business as an evolution. This episode will help you see change as part of mastery—not a mistake. Coaching + Courage + Community = CLCC. We're a life-changing program, for you to become a life-changing coach. Our Level 1 ICF-Accredited program has worked with graduates from around the world. The first life you change? It'll be your own. We're the Certified Life Coach Collective, or CLCC, and we're here to give you a powerful coaching skill-set mixed with profound personal and professional growth. Head to https://TeamCLCC.com to get our catalogue and the free "Become a Coach" video series to learn more about becoming a life coach, choosing a coaching niche, how coaches make money, and more. Social: LinkedIn

Wondering how to come back to your coaching business after time away? Whether you took a few months off or a few years, this episode of The Craft of Coaching will help you return with clarity, confidence, and self-compassion. Many coaches step away from their businesses—but when it’s time to return, the shame spiral can hit hard. You might wonder if people noticed you disappeared, if you're still “legit,” or where to even begin. We’re here to dismantle all of that. This episode walks you through how to re-enter your coaching practice without apology or hustle, offering real-world steps and mindset shifts to support your return. You’ll get a 3-part framework for reconnecting with your “why,” taking consistent action, and honoring who you’ve become during your break. Most importantly, you’ll learn how to release the guilt and reclaim your role—not despite your time away, but because of what it gave you. Coaching is not a straight path. You’re allowed to pause. You’re allowed to come back. And you’re allowed to make this comeback honest, human, and powerful. Coaching + Courage + Community = CLCC. We're a life-changing program, for you to become a life-changing coach. Our Level 1 ICF-Accredited program has worked with graduates from around the world. The first life you change? It'll be your own. We're the Certified Life Coach Collective, or CLCC, and we're here to give you a powerful coaching skill-set mixed with profound personal and professional growth. Head to https://TeamCLCC.com to get our catalogue and the free "Become a Coach" video series to learn more about becoming a life coach, choosing a coaching niche, how coaches make money, and more. Social: LinkedIn