The Bright Morning Podcast with Elena Aguilar

Elena Aguilar
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It’s possible for every coaching conversation to build connection and spark change, and Elena Aguilar will show you how. Elena Aguilar is one of education’s leading voices on coaching. Educators around the globe use her research-based coaching method to transform their organizations. Her company, Bright Morning, brings the ideas in her best-selling books to life by providing world-class professional development to mission-driven leaders. In The Bright Morning Podcast, Elena teaches you how to make every conversation count by demonstrating Transformational Coaching conversations. Every episode tackles a pressing coaching challenge. Resistance. Racism. Burnout. Overwhelm. Struggling new teachers. You’ll find it all here. If you’re ready to thrive in your work, listen in. New episodes drop every Monday. To learn more about Elena, go deeper into every episode, find the resources and tools she mentions, or join one of her workshops, check out https://brightmorningteam.com.

  1. 2D AGO

    Design for Dignity: Episode 286

    What does it look like to design PD that honors people’s identities and experiences? In this episode, Elena shares a story of a dignity-absent PD session she once attended, and shows how one tool—the Human-Centered Design Scan—can transform a learning space into one where people feel respected and ready to grow. Keep learning:  Transform your design and facilitation at The PD WorkshopConnect participants across scenes with The Art of Virtual FacilitationExpand your design and facilitation knowledge with The PD Book Watch The Bright Morning Podcast on YouTubeFree community webinars Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show: Rate and review usReflection questions:  When have you felt most respected in a PD space—and what made that possible?When have you felt unseen or silenced in a PD session—and how did that affect your willingness to engage?What is one shift you could make in your next session to center human dignity?Podcast Transcript and Use: Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission. We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material. Episode Transcript

    11 min

  2. MAR 23

    How Power Shows Up in the Room: Episode 285

    If you’ve ever felt the dynamics in a room shift but couldn’t quite name why, this episode is for you. Elena introduces the Power Reflection Map and shares how she used it to design a session that helped a fractured team confront and shift long-standing dynamics. Learn how to use this tool to lead with integrity—and open the door to deeper trust. Keep learning:  Transform your design and facilitation at The PD WorkshopConnect participants across scenes with The Art of Virtual FacilitationExpand your design and facilitation knowledge with The PD Book Watch The Bright Morning Podcast on YouTubeFree community webinars Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show: Rate and review usReflection questions:  What kinds of power do you typically bring into the rooms you lead—and how do they shape participant experiences?When have you witnessed power being used in a way that built trust—or that undermined it?What’s one move you could make to invite more shared power in your next session? Podcast Transcript and Use: Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission. We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material. Episode Transcript

    10 min

  3. MAR 16

    Designing for Emotions, Not Just Content: Ep 284

    If you’ve ever felt like your session was “technically fine” but still falling flat, this episode is for you. Elena Aguilar explores why PD facilitators must tune into emotional energy—and how to skillfully respond when the mood in the room isn’t aligned with your intention. You’ll learn 10 practical strategies you can use immediately to shift the emotional tone and create space for meaningful learning. Keep learning:  Transform your design and facilitation at The PD Workshop10 Ways to Shift the Emotional Energy in a Room (free tool)Connect participants across scenes with The Art of Virtual PDExpand your design and facilitation knowledge with The PD Book Watch The Bright Morning Podcast on YouTubeFree community webinars Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show: Rate and review usReflection questions:  How comfortable are you noticing and responding to emotional energy during PD?What emotions do you tend to avoid in group settings—and how might that affect your facilitation?Which of these strategies feels most natural to try? Which one feels like a stretch?Podcast Transcript and Use: Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission. We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material. Episode Transcript

    11 min

  4. MAR 9

    The Conditions for Learning Checklist: Ep 283

    If you’ve ever designed a PD session that had great content—but still didn’t land—this episode is for you. Elena shares a story of how she redesigned a session to prioritize emotional safety and connection—and offers a powerful checklist with examples to help you prepare your own sessions for meaningful learning. Keep learning:  Transform your design and facilitation at The PD WorkshopFive Conditions for Transformational Learning Starter ToolAttend The Art of Virtual PD to create connection across scenes Expand your design and facilitation knowledge with The PD Book Watch The Bright Morning Podcast on YouTubeFree community webinars Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show: Rate and review usReflection questions:  What conditions were present—or missing—in the last PD session you led?How might your session design shift if your first priority was to create the conditions for learning?What is one small move you could make this week to build more safety, connection, or clarity in a space you lead?Podcast Transcript and Use: Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission. We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material. Episode Transcript

    11 min

  5. MAR 2

    What Makes PD Transformational: Episode 282

    If you’ve ever led a PD session that felt great in the moment but didn’t lead to real change, this episode is for you. Elena Aguilar shares the 3 B’s framework—behavior, beliefs, and ways of being—and how to use it to design professional learning that sticks. Keep learning:  Transform your design and facilitation at The PD WorkshopAttend The Art of Virtual PD Expand your design and facilitation knowledge with The PD Book Watch The Bright Morning Podcast on YouTubeFree community webinars Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show: Rate and review usReflection questions:  Which of the 3 B’s do you tend to emphasize in your facilitation—and which ones do you overlook?Think of a past session. Did it support any shifts in beliefs or ways of being? Why or why not?What’s one small change you could make to your next PD that invites people into deeper transformation?Podcast Transcript and Use: Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission. We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material. Episode Transcript

    10 min

  6. FEB 23

    The Lie We’ve Been Told About PD: Episode 281

    If you’ve ever walked out of a PD session wondering what the point was, this episode is for you. In this kickoff to our PD podcast series, Elena Aguilar shares a powerful reframe—and a 5-question reflection to help you assess whether your sessions are creating real learning. Keep learning:  Transform your design and facilitation at The PD WorkshopExpand your design and facilitation knowledge with The PD Book Watch The Bright Morning Podcast on YouTubeFree community webinars Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show: Rate and review usReflection questions:  When was the last time you felt truly inspired by professional development? What made it feel different?How have your past experiences shaped what you believe PD is supposed to look and feel like?What would be possible if we treated PD as a space for transformation—not compliance?Podcast Transcript and Use: Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission. We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material. Episode Transcrip

    10 min

  7. FEB 16

    Coaching Through the Low Points: Episode 280

    If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a team member who’s clearly struggling and wondered, “What do I even say right now?”—this episode is for you. Elena explores how to coach team members through the inevitable low points of the school year.  Keep learning:  Attend Coaching for Retention and Resilience Join the Coach Learning Library and PLC for 24/7 supportWatch The Bright Morning Podcast on YouTubeFree community webinars Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show: Rate and review usReflection questions:  When have you felt a dip in your own energy or hope this year—and how did you move through it?What helps you stay grounded and compassionate when others are discouraged or emotional?What is one thing you can say this week that might help someone feel seen?Podcast Transcript and Use: Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission. We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material. Episode Transcript

    9 min

  8. FEB 9

    What to Do When a Team Member Breaks Down: Episode 279

    If you’ve ever been in a conversation where someone starts crying, shuts down, or lashes out—and you weren’t sure what to do—this episode is for you. Elena offers guidance on how to respond when a team member breaks down emotionally during a conversation. Whether you’re met with tears, silence, or anger, you’ll walk away with a grounded strategy for navigating intense moments with presence and care. Keep learning:  Attend Coaching for Retention and Resilience Join the Coach Learning Library and PLC for 24/7 supportWatch The Bright Morning Podcast on YouTubeFree community webinars Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show: Rate and review usReflection questions:  What emotions or reactions come up for you when someone becomes overwhelmed during a conversation?How might you prepare yourself—emotionally and somatically—for moments like these?What’s one line or phrase you can practice now to use in those moments of breakdown?Podcast Transcript and Use: Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission. We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material. Episode Transcript

    7 min
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About

It’s possible for every coaching conversation to build connection and spark change, and Elena Aguilar will show you how. Elena Aguilar is one of education’s leading voices on coaching. Educators around the globe use her research-based coaching method to transform their organizations. Her company, Bright Morning, brings the ideas in her best-selling books to life by providing world-class professional development to mission-driven leaders. In The Bright Morning Podcast, Elena teaches you how to make every conversation count by demonstrating Transformational Coaching conversations. Every episode tackles a pressing coaching challenge. Resistance. Racism. Burnout. Overwhelm. Struggling new teachers. You’ll find it all here. If you’re ready to thrive in your work, listen in. New episodes drop every Monday. To learn more about Elena, go deeper into every episode, find the resources and tools she mentions, or join one of her workshops, check out https://brightmorningteam.com.

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