Craft of Coaching Podcast

Kate Swoboda
  • 5.0 (49)
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Learn how to become a life coach with a strong skillset in the craft of coaching  through the Craft of Coaching podcast. The Craft of Coaching is hosted by Kate Swoboda, Director of Training for the ICF-accredited life coach training program, the Courageous Living Coach Certification. Learn more about our coach training program at https://TeamCLCC.com

  1. 1D AGO

    Ep 105: Struck a Nerve With Your Client? That's "Identity Threat" in Coaching

    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

    16 min

  2. FEB 10

    Ep 104: Why You Can't Rush Client Readiness (Even if You Want to)

    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

    23 min

  3. FEB 3

    Ep 103: Stop Over-Focusing on 'Clarity' and Help People With This, Instead

    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

    17 min

  4. JAN 27

    Ep 102: Challenging a Client Without Losing the Relationship

    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

    21 min

  5. JAN 20

    Ep 101: How To Know When You're People-Pleasing In Coaching

    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

    16 min

  6. JAN 13

    Ep 100: Supporting your clients (and yourself!) in these messy times

    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

    20 min

  7. JAN 5

    ep99: Your Client Voted for WHO?! Now What? What to do when a client's political values are wildly different from yours

    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

    22 min

  8. 12/15/2025

    Ep 98: Overwhelmed and Over It? Design a Coaching Roadmap That Actually Works

    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: The 3 key areas your roadmap should focus on How to set supportive, non-overwhelming business goals What to prioritize in each season of growth How to align your business plans with your values and capacity 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

    22 min
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5
out of 5
49 Ratings

About

Learn how to become a life coach with a strong skillset in the craft of coaching  through the Craft of Coaching podcast. The Craft of Coaching is hosted by Kate Swoboda, Director of Training for the ICF-accredited life coach training program, the Courageous Living Coach Certification. Learn more about our coach training program at https://TeamCLCC.com

Information

  • Creator
    Kate Swoboda
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    106
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Craft of Coaching Podcast
  • Show Website
    Craft of Coaching Podcast

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