The Coaching Crowd® Podcast with Jo Wheatley & Zoe Hawkins

Jo Wheatley and Zoe Hawkins

The Coaching Crowd® Podcast is a weekly podcast for compassionate, courageous leaders, HR professionals and high achievers who are passionate about helping others to find alignment in their lives through coaching, and who are thinking of training and developing as a coach. Hosted by Zoe Hawkins and Jo Wheatley, Founders of Global Coaching Training Company "In Good Company", based in the UK, (https://www.igcompany.com). Zoe and Jo are Master Accredited, Award Winning and Multi Award Nominated coaches, coach trainers and coach supervisors. They are authors of the best selling book 'Deciding to Coach: The Mindset & Business Strategy For Aspiring Coaches'. Each episode focuses on a different element of what it is to be a coach and you'll listen in as Zoe and Jo discuss the topic through different lenses. You'll discover practical tools and resources you need to support your coaching as you learn all about becoming a qualified and certified coach. This podcast is a go-to resource for learning more about coaching and the mindset needed to be a world class coach. You'll learn how to enable clients to truly know who they are, what their hearts call for and how to understand their values, beliefs and unconscious needs. Coaching goes beyond professional success and personal fulfilment and focuses on supporting everyday mental health. As you learn more about coaching, you learn to coach yourself. You are In Good Company with The Coaching Crowd®. In Good Company offers accredited coaching qualifications for individuals and organisations around the world, as well as ground breaking accredited CPD for coaches such as the trade marked Emotions Coaching Practitioner Training. You can join our courses and learn more about our communities here www.igcompany.co.uk and take our free quiz to find out which coaching course is right for you www.mycoachingcourse.com.

  1. Trauma Informed Coaching

    1D AGO

    Trauma Informed Coaching

    What if the way someone shows up today is shaped by something they don't even fully understand yet? In this episode, we explored a topic that is gaining real traction in the coaching space and beyond: trauma-informed coaching. We sat down to unpack what this actually means in practice, not from a theoretical standpoint, but from the lived reality of working with people. Because the truth is, whether you are a coach, leader, or simply someone supporting others, you are already in the presence of trauma more often than you realise. We reflected on how trauma is not defined by the event itself, but by the impact it leaves behind. Two people can experience the same situation and carry entirely different imprints from it. That insight alone shifts how we approach conversations, relationships, and growth. Throughout the conversation, we explored how trauma can show up in coaching. Sometimes it is obvious through emotional responses, avoidance, or disconnection. Other times it is subtle, sitting beneath behaviours like self-criticism or hesitation. What stood out most for us is that coaching often surfaces self-awareness, and with that, past experiences can naturally come into view. We shared our own reflections on moments where unexpected responses emerged, reminding us that trauma is not always something we consciously recognise. It can live in the body, revealing itself in ways that catch us off guard. A key theme in this episode is responsibility. As coaches, we are not there to process trauma. Our role is to create a space of safety, choice, and autonomy. That means recognising when a client is present and reflective, versus when they may be re-experiencing something overwhelming. In those moments, our focus shifts to regulation, grounding, and support. We also challenged the idea that there is a clear-cut boundary in coaching between what is acceptable and what is not. The reality is more nuanced. It comes down to self-awareness, competence, and understanding where your role begins and ends. This episode is not about turning coaches into therapists. It is about raising awareness, deepening compassion, and equipping you to hold space in a way that is ethical, grounded, and human. Whether you are a coach, a leader, or someone navigating your own growth, this conversation invites you to consider how trauma awareness shapes the way you show up for yourself and others.   Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to trauma-informed coaching 00:29 Why trauma awareness is rising 01:25 What trauma-informed coaching really means 02:10 Understanding the prevalence of trauma 03:07 Big T vs little t trauma explained 04:25 How trauma develops and repeats 05:22 How trauma shows up in coaching conversations 06:40 Boundaries in coaching and trauma 08:01 When trauma appears in coaching sessions 08:59 The role of safety and compassion 10:23 Client awareness and unconscious trauma 11:40 Is trauma-informed coaching different? 13:05 Training, knowledge, and coach capability 14:31 Control, contracting, and client safety 15:56 Self-awareness and professional boundaries 17:17 Real-life example of a trauma response 18:30 Somatic awareness and working with the body 19:25 Co-regulation and present moment awareness 20:18 Holding space when unexpected memories arise 22:08 Supporting clients through choice and autonomy 23:31 Real-world coaching scenarios 25:09 Coaching vs therapy boundaries 26:05 Final reflections and next steps   Key Lessons Learned: Trauma is not defined by the event, but by the impact it leaves on the individual You are likely interacting with people carrying trauma every day, whether visible or not Coaching can surface past experiences through increased self-awareness The role of a coach is to create safety, not to process trauma Recognising the difference between reflection and re-experiencing is critical Regulation and grounding are essential tools in trauma-informed practice There is no fixed boundary list, self-awareness and competence guide decisions Somatic awareness helps identify responses that are not cognitive Clients must always remain at choice in how they proceed Trauma-informed coaching starts with understanding your own experiences and limits Keywords: trauma informed coaching, what is trauma informed coaching, trauma awareness in coaching, coaching and trauma, emotional safety in coaching, somatic coaching techniques, coaching boundaries and trauma, trauma response in coaching, coaching vs therapy, ethical coaching practice, nervous system in coaching, trauma informed leadership,   Links & Resources: IG Company website: https://www.igcompany.com  Coaching course quiz: https://www.mycoachingcourse.com

    27 min
  2. How to Coach Values

    MAR 23

    How to Coach Values

    Are you making decisions that truly align with what matters most to you, or are you operating on autopilot without realising it? In this episode, we explore one of the most powerful yet often overlooked elements of coaching and personal development: values. As coaches, we have seen time and time again how uncovering values can transform the way people think, feel, and act. This conversation goes beyond theory and into the lived experience of what happens when someone finally understands what is driving their decisions. We reflect on how values operate like internal guidance systems, quietly influencing behaviour, priorities, and emotional responses. Many people move through life without consciously recognising their values, yet they feel the consequences when those values are either fulfilled or ignored. Through coaching, we create space for people to bring these unconscious drivers into awareness, allowing them to make more intentional and aligned choices. During this conversation, we unpack what values really are and why they are essential in effective coaching. We explore how values are not simply words, but deeply personal meanings shaped by life experiences. Two people may share the same value, such as freedom or connection, yet interpret and live it in completely different ways. That distinction is where real coaching insight begins. We also reflect on the emotional impact of discovering values. There is often a moment where everything clicks into place, where confusion turns into clarity. It is not uncommon for people to feel a physical response when they uncover a core value, as though they have found a missing piece of themselves. This is where coaching becomes transformational rather than transactional. A key theme we explore is the link between values and decision making. Many people feel stuck or conflicted without understanding why. Through a values lens, that tension becomes clearer. For example, a desire for creativity may be in conflict with a need for security. Rather than forcing change, coaching allows individuals to honour both values and find a way forward that feels aligned. We also discuss how values influence motivation, particularly the difference between moving towards something meaningful versus moving away from something uncomfortable. This distinction can have a significant impact on energy, resilience, and long term sustainability. Throughout the episode, we share practical ways to begin exploring values in coaching conversations, from simple reflective questions to deeper exploration of meaning and behaviour. We also touch on how values are shaped through early life experiences and how they can evolve or come into awareness at different stages of life. Ultimately, this episode is about helping people reconnect with what truly matters. When values are understood and honoured, decision making becomes clearer, confidence grows, and people are able to live and lead with greater purpose and intention.   Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to coaching values 00:29 Why values shape decisions and fulfilment 01:25 What values are and how they influence behaviour 02:46 Values and self-understanding in coaching 03:42 Examples of common values and their meaning 05:02 Hidden values and deeper layers 06:20 Values, goals, and personal alignment 08:13 Values and internal conflict 10:07 Using values to unlock stuckness 11:06 Simple ways to explore values in coaching 12:25 Towards vs away from values 13:46 Energy, burnout, and value alignment 15:07 Linking values to behaviour and decision making 16:29 How values are formed 17:19 Do values change over time? 18:13 Life events and shifting values 19:03 Values as a foundation for resilience 20:19 Final reflections and next steps   Key Lessons Learned: Values act as internal drivers that shape decisions, behaviour, and emotional responses Awareness of values enables more intentional and aligned life choices Values are deeply personal and go beyond surface level words Internal conflict often stems from competing values rather than lack of clarity Moving towards values creates sustainable motivation, while moving away can drain energy Values provide a powerful framework for coaching conversations and personal growth Understanding values helps individuals move from feeling stuck to feeling empowered Values are influenced by early experiences but can evolve or come into awareness over time   Keywords: coaching values, values in coaching, personal values coaching, decision making coaching, coaching for personal growth, understanding values, values and behaviour, coaching techniques, mindset coaching, emotional intelligence coaching, leadership coaching values, overcoming internal conflict, motivation and values   Links & Resources: IG Company website: https://www.igcompany.com  Coaching course quiz: https://www.mycoachingcourse.com

    22 min
  3. 8 Ways to Coach Neurodivergent Clients

    MAR 16

    8 Ways to Coach Neurodivergent Clients

    What if the reason your client is stuck is not a lack of motivation or clarity, but the way their executive functioning is wired?  In this episode, we explore eight powerful lenses that can completely transform the way you coach neurodivergent clients and, in truth, the way you coach all clients. Executive functioning sits at the heart of how we plan, start, organise, regulate emotions, manage impulses and adapt to change. When we understand it, coaching becomes more inclusive, more compassionate and far more effective.  We begin with a simple but important reframe. Executive functioning is not only relevant for clients who identify as neurodivergent. Many people remain undiagnosed, and every human being has a unique profile of strengths and challenges across these functions. When we bring this awareness into our practice, we move away from labelling behaviours as procrastination, lack of focus or resistance and instead start working with the real barrier.  As we walk through each of the eight areas, we share how easily traditional coaching approaches can unintentionally create shame. Asking a client how to get motivated when the real challenge is task initiation creates a completely different experience from recognising what is actually happening in their brain. That moment of being seen and understood often unlocks progress faster than any strategy.  We talk about organisation and the importance of helping clients design systems that work with their brain rather than forcing themselves into methods that were never built for them. We explore planning and prioritisation through the lens of demand avoidance and spontaneity, recognising that for some clients the plan itself is the obstacle.  Working memory brings a powerful reflection on coaching style. Keeping questions simple, using visual anchors and contracting around how to hold the thread of the conversation makes coaching more accessible and more effective.  Self monitoring and emotional regulation reveal the deep emotional impact of executive functioning challenges. Many clients carry a lifetime of self criticism without realising that what they are experiencing is a difference in processing rather than a personal failure. Coaching becomes a space for self acceptance as much as progress.  Impulse control and flexible thinking invite us to move beyond deficit based models. Impulsivity can be a source of energy, creativity and connection. Rigidity often signals a need for safety. Our role is not to fix these traits but to help clients use their strengths and create support structures that allow them to thrive.  Throughout this conversation, what stands out is that neurodivergent inclusive coaching is not about having the answers. It is about having the lens. When we understand executive functioning, we accelerate trust, deepen our coaching relationships and enable clients to achieve their goals in ways that are aligned with who they truly are.  This is coaching that replaces judgement with curiosity, removes shame and gives clients practical levers for change. It is inclusive, ethical and deeply human.    Timestamps:  00:00 Introduction to coaching neurodivergent clients through executive functioning  00:31 What executive functioning means in coaching  01:24 Inclusivity for diagnosed and undiagnosed clients  02:21 The executive functioning wheel as a coaching tool  04:18 Task initiation and removing the shame of procrastination  07:10 Organisation and creating brain aligned systems  08:59 Body doubling and in session action  10:24 Planning and prioritisation with demand avoidance  13:29 Working memory and adapting your coaching style  16:17 Practical ways to support working memory in sessions  16:46 Self monitoring and the emotional impact of over analysis  18:41 Emotional regulation and accessing resourceful states  22:55 Why emotions coaching and neurodivergent coaching fit together  23:25 Impulse control as strength and challenge  24:48 Moving beyond the imposter syndrome label  25:35 Flexible thinking and creating safety in change  27:52 Using strengths to support flexibility  28:47 Why executive functioning matters for all clients  29:17 How to continue your learning    Key Lessons Learned:  Executive functioning provides a powerful lens for inclusive coaching.  Many behaviours labelled as procrastination or resistance are task initiation challenges.  Brain aligned systems are more effective than forcing traditional productivity methods.  Coaching style must adapt to support working memory and accessibility.  Self compassion is a critical outcome of neurodivergent inclusive coaching.  Impulsivity and flexibility can be strengths when understood and supported.  Awareness of executive functioning accelerates trust and progress in coaching.    Keywords:  coaching neurodivergent clients, executive functioning in coaching, ADHD coaching strategies  neurodivergent inclusive coaching, task initiation procrastination coaching, working memory coaching techniques, emotional regulation for neurodivergent clients, flexible thinking coaching  strength based neurodiversity coaching, ICF neurodivergent coaching training,    Links & Resources:  Neurodivergent Inclusive Coaching programme: https://www.igcompany.com/nd

    27 min
  4. How to Coach the Nervous System

    MAR 9

    How to Coach the Nervous System

    What if the reason your client cannot access clarity, action or decision making has nothing to do with their mindset and everything to do with their nervous system? In this episode, we explore a dimension of coaching that sits beneath the questions, the goals and the models. Every coaching conversation is not only a meeting of minds. It is a meeting of two nervous systems. When a client arrives in a state of urgency, overwhelm or shutdown, the most powerful coaching move is often not another question. It is the creation of safety. We reflect on moments in our own coaching and supervision where dysregulation was present and how quickly everything shifted when the focus moved from performance to regulation. A single breath. A slowing of pace. A gentle acknowledgement of what was happening in the body. These are the moments that allow a client to return to themselves and re access their thinking, their resourcefulness and their learning. What becomes clear is that dysregulation does not only appear in the big life events. It can show up in the everyday pressure of a full diary, the urgency before a holiday, a difficult conversation that happened that morning or the weight of time and responsibility. Without the ability to recognise and work with these states, a coaching session can remain on the surface, even when the client is highly capable and committed. We talk about co regulation and the role of the coach as a steady nervous system anchor. When we are grounded, calm and present, we invite our clients back into their own window of tolerance. From this place, curiosity returns. Reflection becomes possible. Decision making becomes clearer. Action becomes meaningful. We also explore the different ways dysregulation can present. It may look like anxiety, restlessness and pressure. It may look like fogginess, disconnection and a lack of motivation that could easily be mislabelled as resistance. With awareness, we stop pushing for progress and instead resource the client so that progress becomes possible. This work sits firmly within the role of a coach. If a dysregulated nervous system is the obstacle to a client's goal, then supporting regulation is part of working in the gap between where they are and where they want to be. It is ethical, it is powerful and it is deeply human. We also turn the lens towards ourselves as coaches. Our own nervous system is part of the coaching relationship. Noticing when we become activated, understanding our triggers and knowing how to return to regulation is essential if we are to hold safe, effective spaces for our clients. Ultimately, this episode is about presence. It is about recognising that transformation does not happen when a client is in survival mode. It happens when they feel safe enough to think, feel and choose. And sometimes the most valuable coaching session is the one where the goal is not achieved, but the client leaves regulated, resourced and reconnected to themselves.   Timestamps: 00:00 Coaching as a meeting of two nervous systems 00:27 Why dysregulation blocks progress 00:56 A supervision example of co regulation in action 02:24 Coaching happens in the body as well as the mind 02:51 The coach as a nervous system anchor 03:19 How to help clients arrive in safety 04:44 Everyday examples of nervous system activation 06:09 When coaching feels like an interruption for the client 07:07 Resourcing before support and challenge 08:27 Simple regulation invitations and awareness 09:50 When past experiences are triggered in coaching 11:12 Dysregulation is not doing harm 12:09 Window of tolerance explained simply 13:36 Fight, flight and shutdown in coaching sessions 15:24 Working ethically with regulation as the goal 16:23 Coaching in the gap between goal and obstacle 17:49 Nervous system awareness for trauma and neurodivergence 18:44 Connection before progress 19:39 When clients cannot access future thinking 20:31 Powerful regulation focused coaching questions 21:39 Holding safety until the client can return to themselves 23:07 How quickly regulation can restore clarity 24:33 The coach's own nervous system in the relationship 25:28 Further learning through neurodivergent inclusive coaching   Key Lessons Learned: Coaching effectiveness depends on the client's nervous system state. Co regulation is a core coaching capability, not an optional extra. Dysregulation often appears in everyday pressure, not only major events. Shutdown can be misinterpreted as resistance without nervous system awareness. Regulation is sometimes the most valuable outcome of a session. The coach's own regulation directly impacts the quality of the space held. Nervous system literacy is essential for trauma informed and neurodivergent inclusive coaching.   Keywords: coaching the nervous system, nervous system regulation in coaching, trauma informed coaching skills, window of tolerance coaching, co regulation in coaching sessions, neurodivergent inclusive coaching, somatic coaching awareness, how to help clients feel safe in coaching, executive functioning and coaching, advanced coaching presence,   Links & Resources: Neurodivergent Inclusive Coaching programme: https://www.igcompany.com/nd

    23 min
  5. Why Train as an Emotions Coach Practitioner

    MAR 2

    Why Train as an Emotions Coach Practitioner

    What becomes possible in your coaching when you are no longer afraid of emotions, but fully equipped to work with them? In this episode, we open the door to a programme that so many coaches feel drawn to, yet often hesitate to step into. We wanted to explore not only what the Emotions Coaching Practitioner training is, but why it has such a profound impact on the way we coach, the way we experience our work and the way our clients transform. The most powerful coaching conversations have always been the ones where emotions are present. They are the moments where change happens in real time. There is no long list of actions to take away and force into an already busy life. Instead, the shift happens in the session. Clients see themselves differently. They experience their challenges differently. Something that once felt fixed dissolves because it has finally been seen and understood. We talk about how this depth of work amplifies every part of your coaching practice. Your confidence grows because you know how to hold the space when life happens for your clients. Senior leaders navigating grief, diagnosis, burnout, fertility struggles or overwhelming pressure do not need to be turned away or redirected. They need a coach who can stay present, ethical and grounded while still working towards their goals. That is the mastery this training develops. There is also a personal dimension that cannot be separated from the professional. As you expand your own emotional capacity, your ability to co regulate, remain present and work within the coaching competencies becomes stronger. You are no longer second guessing whether something is too much. You are equipped, supported and deeply resourced. We share how this training gives coaches the courage to finally step into the niche they feel called towards. So many people carry lived experience of menopause, neurodivergence, burnout, divorce, grief or major life transitions and feel a strong pull to support others in those spaces. Yet they dilute their message because they are unsure how to hold the emotional depth. This programme removes that barrier. It gives you the tools, the ethical framework and the community to go all in on the work that matters most to you. What continues to move us is the feedback from our alumni. They describe the programme as life changing, as the missing piece of coaching, as a direct route to deeper client transformation. They talk about the immediate difference in their sessions, the new services they create, the group programmes they design and the impact they bring into organisations through workshops and wellbeing initiatives. We also reflect on the future of the coaching profession. In a world where AI can replicate structured coaching models, what will always remain uniquely human is presence, emotional depth and the ability to sit with another person in their most real moments. This is mastery level coaching. It is how you future proof your practice and raise the standard of the industry. At its heart, this programme is about belonging to something bigger. It is about being part of a movement that brings emotional work into coaching in a way that is ethical, rigorous, practical and deeply human. And it is about creating a space for yourself as a coach where your own growth, resilience and authenticity are continually supported.   Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to the Emotions Coaching Practitioner 00:31 Why coaches feel called to this training 01:00 The power of emotional work in client transformation 02:36 Greater enjoyment and depth in your coaching practice 03:06 Real client impact at senior leadership level 03:33 Alumni experiences and life changing outcomes 04:26 Programme structure and learning experience 05:21 Coaches with lived experience and the call to niche 06:21 Working in emotive fields with confidence and ethics 07:18 Holding space for complex client realities 08:17 Creating psychological safety for your clients 10:10 Coaching versus therapy and staying within contract 11:08 Co regulation and coach resilience 13:28 The missing piece in many coaching approaches 14:27 From natural supporter to skilled practitioner 15:26 New services, group programmes and organisational delivery 16:24 A mastery level CPD experience 17:21 Future proofing coaching in an AI world 18:19 Sustaining yourself emotionally as a coach 19:17 The intimacy and community of the programme 20:33 Depth, authenticity and transformative learning 22:20 A full spectrum understanding of emotions 22:58 How to find out more and enrol   Key Lessons Learned: Emotional work creates immediate and lasting transformation for clients. Mastery in coaching comes from the ability to hold presence in complex human experiences. Expanding your own emotional capacity strengthens your professional confidence and resilience. This training enables coaches to step fully into meaningful niches. Deep emotional competence is a way to future proof your coaching in an AI influenced world. The programme supports personal growth, commercial expansion and ethical practice. Belonging to a community of emotionally focused coaches elevates standards across the profession.   Keywords: emotions coaching practitioner, emotional intelligence coaching training, mastery level coaching skills, coaching with emotions, trauma informed coaching CPD, niche coaching confidence, future proof your coaching business, advanced coaching certification UK, coaching presence and co regulation, transformational coaching methods,   Links & Resources: Emotions Coaching Practitioner programme: https://www.igcompany.com/emotions-coaching

    20 min
  6. Coaching Jobs

    FEB 23

    Coaching Jobs

    What if building a career in coaching did not require you to run your own business at all? In this episode, we open up a conversation that we realise we have not explored nearly enough. We often talk about creating a coaching business or becoming a coaching leader, yet there is a growing and exciting landscape of coaching jobs inside organisations that deserves real attention. This discussion was sparked by the noticeable rise in coaching roles appearing across LinkedIn and within our own community. As we began to explore them more closely, we reflect on our own experience of returning to an in-house role where coaching formed the heart of my work. It brought together everything we loved about developing people, with the stability of a regular income and without the constant need to generate clients. That combination created a deep sense of alignment and ease. We share the wide range of ways coaching now shows up in organisations. Some roles are fully dedicated internal coach positions. Others sit within learning and development, people development, leadership, apprenticeships or culture transformation. In many cases, coaching becomes the differentiating skill that allows someone to move from one profession into another and close the experience gap that once felt like a barrier. What becomes clear in this conversation is that there is no single pathway. For some people, the idea of running a business and stepping into a CEO identity is energising. For others, it is not where their passion lies. There is equal value in a role where you are paid to do the work you love every day, making a tangible difference to individuals and teams, without needing to manage marketing, sales and operations. We also reflect on the increasing recognition within organisations that coaching improves performance, supports wellbeing and helps retain talented people. As executive coaching has proven its impact, companies are now asking how to create that same level of support at scale. This is where internal coaching capability and coaching cultures are being built, and it is opening doors to roles that simply did not exist a decade ago. One of the most important themes running through this episode is possibility. Coaching training is not only about becoming a coach in private practice. It is a powerful, transferable professional development that allows you to reshape your current role, step into a new one or design a portfolio career that blends stability with independence. We also talk about timeframes, because the journey is often far more achievable than people imagine. Within a year to eighteen months, it is entirely possible to gain a qualification, apply your existing experience and position yourself as the ideal candidate for roles that previously felt out of reach. At its core, this episode is about contribution. It is about being paid to make a meaningful difference, to work with people in a way that feels purposeful, and to build a career that reflects how you truly want to spend your time.   Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to coaching jobs in organisations 00:26 Jo's in-house coaching role and the value of income stability 01:48 Searching for coaching roles and surprising results 03:17 Using coaching to bring strengths and passions together 04:17 A success story of moving into an internal coaching role 05:11 New and emerging coaching career pathways 06:05 Coaching qualifications as a bridge into people roles 07:02 The scope and creativity within L&D and development roles 08:27 Portfolio careers and university coaching work 09:24 The rise of in-house coaching in global organisations 10:23 Building coaching capability at scale 11:21 Organisational support for coaching development 12:13 Coaching roles shaped by culture and organisational need 13:10 Business owner versus employed coach pathways 14:04 Part-time roles and blended career models 15:00 Being paid to make a meaningful difference 15:56 How quickly career change can happen through coaching 16:52 Transferable skills from other industries 17:22 First steps to explore coaching opportunities   Key Lessons Learned: A coaching career can exist fully inside an organisation without running a business. Coaching qualifications create powerful bridges into people development and L&D roles. Internal coaching is growing as organisations seek performance, wellbeing and retention at scale. Portfolio careers allow a blend of stability, flexibility and independence. Transferable skills from many industries align naturally with coaching. It is possible to reposition your career within one to eighteen months. Being paid to make a meaningful contribution is a valid and achievable goal.   Keywords: coaching jobs in organisations, internal coach roles UK, learning and development coaching careers coaching qualification career change, people development roles coaching, portfolio coaching career coaching culture in organisations, executive coaching internal capability, transferable skills into coaching, coaching career pathways,   Links & Resources: IG Company website: https://www.igcompany.com Coaching course quiz: https://www.mycoachingcourse.com

    17 min
  7. How Coaching Changes Relationships

    FEB 16

    How Coaching Changes Relationships

    What if the real transformation from coaching is not the career, but the way every relationship in your life begins to evolve? In this episode, we explore a conversation that began with a simple observation about how difficult it can feel to form meaningful friendships in adulthood and unfolded into something far more profound. As we reflected on our own journeys and the experiences of the coaches we train, it became clear that coaching is not only a professional pathway. It is a catalyst for deeper connection, richer communication and a more intentional relationship with ourselves and others. We share how learning to coach invites a level of self-awareness that reshapes what we look for in friendships, partnerships and working relationships. For us, this has meant moving towards more soulful, values-led connections. Relationships become less about proximity or history and more about alignment, growth and authenticity. That shift can feel expansive and, at times, confronting, particularly when boundaries become clearer and we recognise what no longer fits. We talk openly about how coaching can strengthen marriages and long-term partnerships, not because the relationship is the focus of the coaching, but because personal insight changes the way we communicate, express needs and listen. When one person grows, the relationship is invited to grow too. Sometimes that leads to renewal and deeper intimacy. Sometimes it leads to difficult but necessary change. There is also a powerful ripple effect. When one person invests in their development, it often inspires others to pursue their own path, whether through coaching, therapy or long-held ambitions. This is self-leadership in action. Going first creates permission for others to follow in their own way. We reflect on the subtle transformations that coaching brings to everyday life. The relationship with work can shift from endurance to joy. The way we lead teams becomes more empowering and less about control. Parenting becomes more conscious. Even our relationship with time, health, possessions and rest can change as our values become clearer. One of the most meaningful themes in this conversation is the evolving relationship with ourselves. Coaching reveals the hidden beliefs and internal patterns that quietly shape our decisions. As those come into awareness, we begin to live more by design and less by default. With that comes greater self-trust, a stronger connection to the future version of ourselves and the courage to take steps that once felt out of reach. This episode is an honest reflection on growth. Coaching does not remove life's complexity, but it gives us the capacity to navigate it with intention, compassion and clarity. And in doing so, every relationship we have begins to change shape.   Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to how coaching changes relationships 00:30 Why meaningful friendships can feel harder in adulthood 01:28 The search for purpose, connection and depth 02:24 How coaching strengthens partnerships and marriages 04:15 Boundaries and relationships that no longer fit 05:10 Inspiring growth in others through self-leadership 06:37 Redefining expectations of joy in work 07:35 Coaching and the changing relationship with children and teams 09:28 Closure, reintegration and subtle personal shifts 10:53 Discovering blind spots and hidden beliefs 12:38 Living life by design and conscious choice 14:04 Changing relationships with health, time and physical possessions 15:37 Trusting intuition and following the inner call to coach 17:33 Finding your people through coaching 18:02 Connecting with your future self 20:27 Recognising clarity, purpose and momentum in others 22:12 Big life changes during coach training 23:09 How to start your coaching journey   Key Lessons Learned: Deep self-awareness transforms the quality and depth of every relationship. Clear boundaries create space for more aligned and sustainable connections. Personal growth often inspires growth in partners, friends and colleagues. Coaching shifts leadership from control to empowerment and legacy. Living by design strengthens self-trust and decision making. Joy at work is a belief that can be learned and embodied. Following the pull towards coaching is often a response to an inner knowing.   Keywords: coaching and relationships, how coaching changes your life, coach training personal transformation self awareness and relationships, values based living, coaching for confidence and clarity, leadership and coaching skills, boundary setting and personal growth, finding your purpose through coaching life by design coaching,   Links & Resources: IG Company website: https://www.igcompany.com Coaching course quiz: https://www.mycoachingcourse.com

    21 min
  8. How to Coach Nervous Clients

    FEB 9

    How to Coach Nervous Clients

    What happens in the coaching space when the body tightens, the breath shortens, and the words become careful because something meaningful is at stake? In this episode of the podcast, we explored what it truly means to coach nervous clients and why nervousness is far more than a surface emotion. From our perspective, nervousness is both physiological and psychological, a temporary state that signals uncertainty, risk, and often the presence of something deeply important to the client. We reflected on how nervousness can show up even in highly capable, articulate, and senior leaders. It may appear as guarded language, rehearsed responses, or subtle somatic cues such as shallow breathing or tension in the shoulders. As coaches, we often sense it before it is ever named. We spoke about how nervousness can magnify automatic behaviours, pushing clients into protection strategies such as intellectualising, closing down emotionally, or striving to perform rather than authentically explore. During our conversation, we noticed how easily a coach's own nervous system can become activated in response. When this happens, there is a risk of rushing, over reassuring, or moving too quickly into goals and action. We reflected on the importance of co regulation, slowing the pace, and allowing the client to arrive fully into the session before asking for depth, vulnerability, or clarity of outcomes. We also shared personal experiences of nervousness within coaching and supervision, recognising how being seen in a new way can create an edge that feels exposing. This led us to discuss how ethical emotional coaching is not about fixing nervousness, but about staying with it, being curious about it, and allowing it to be explored as meaningful information rather than something to remove. A key theme was the power of working somatically and relationally. Grounding, noticing breath, tone of voice, and subtle shifts in the body can create safety and support nervous system regulation. We spoke about gently naming what we observe, such as changes in pace or posture, and using this as an invitation to awareness rather than an interpretation. Finally, we explored nervousness as a coaching topic in its own right. Whether a client is facing a difficult stakeholder, a career transition, or a significant conversation, nervousness can be an entry point into deeper beliefs, values, and identity. By coaching the emotion rather than bypassing it, clients can access a wider emotional range, including steadiness, empowerment, and confidence alongside their nerves. Timestamps: 00:31 Understanding what nervousness looks like in coaching 01:01 Nervousness as a physiological and psychological response 03:45 Default protection strategies and emotional regulation 05:11 How coaches can become dysregulated too 08:21 Slowing down and focusing on the relationship 10:41 Grounding and somatic approaches with nervous clients 12:34 Using gentle observations to build awareness 14:27 Coaching nervousness as the topic, not something to fix 18:12 Emotions as signals that want to move and be understood Key Lessons Learned: Nervousness signals that something meaningful and uncertain is present for the client. A coach's nervous system plays a central role in creating safety and co regulation. Slowing the pace helps clients move from performance into authenticity. Somatic awareness and grounding can support emotional regulation before cognitive exploration. Coaching the emotion itself allows deeper insight than trying to remove or bypass it. Nervousness can coexist with empowerment rather than needing to disappear. Keywords: coaching nervous clients, emotional coaching, nervous system regulation, co regulation in coaching, somatic coaching, confidence coaching, psychological safety, coaching emotions, leadership coaching, executive coaching   Links and Resources: Emotions Coaching Practitioner Training: www.igcompany.com/emotionscoaching https://igcompany.co.uk/howto

    18 min

Trailer

4.9
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

The Coaching Crowd® Podcast is a weekly podcast for compassionate, courageous leaders, HR professionals and high achievers who are passionate about helping others to find alignment in their lives through coaching, and who are thinking of training and developing as a coach. Hosted by Zoe Hawkins and Jo Wheatley, Founders of Global Coaching Training Company "In Good Company", based in the UK, (https://www.igcompany.com). Zoe and Jo are Master Accredited, Award Winning and Multi Award Nominated coaches, coach trainers and coach supervisors. They are authors of the best selling book 'Deciding to Coach: The Mindset & Business Strategy For Aspiring Coaches'. Each episode focuses on a different element of what it is to be a coach and you'll listen in as Zoe and Jo discuss the topic through different lenses. You'll discover practical tools and resources you need to support your coaching as you learn all about becoming a qualified and certified coach. This podcast is a go-to resource for learning more about coaching and the mindset needed to be a world class coach. You'll learn how to enable clients to truly know who they are, what their hearts call for and how to understand their values, beliefs and unconscious needs. Coaching goes beyond professional success and personal fulfilment and focuses on supporting everyday mental health. As you learn more about coaching, you learn to coach yourself. You are In Good Company with The Coaching Crowd®. In Good Company offers accredited coaching qualifications for individuals and organisations around the world, as well as ground breaking accredited CPD for coaches such as the trade marked Emotions Coaching Practitioner Training. You can join our courses and learn more about our communities here www.igcompany.co.uk and take our free quiz to find out which coaching course is right for you www.mycoachingcourse.com.

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