Coffee House Coaching

Gary Nowak
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Coffee House Coaching is an Executive Coaching podcast where I speak with fellow Executive Coaches about their practice, their process and how they help their clients. I also speak with individuals impacted by coaching and how it has improved their lives. My goal is to shine some light on the wonderful world of Executive Coaching and explain what it is and how it works. So, grab a cup of coffee, sit back, relax, and enjoy my conversations about Executive Coaching.

  1. 6D AGO

    Ep 173 Karen Benoy Preston - Values coaching / Breaking yourself open / Being a Rebel

    Question Summaries  1️⃣ Best coaching advice you’ve gotten “It doesn’t have to be about who — it can be about what.”Freed her from the pressure to niche by audience; she leaned into values.Shifted her entire perspective on what authentic coaching looks like.2️⃣ What are you still trying to improve about your coaching? Learning to embrace silence rather than fill it.Recognizing her own “know-it-all” tendencies and stepping back.Seeing pauses as productive — where the client’s best thinking happens.3️⃣ Most outrageous thing you’ve done, tried, or said in a session Calling BS when clients hide behind surface-level stories.Pushes hard — but only when deep trust exists.Trusts her instincts to dance between mentor, consultant, and coach.4️⃣ What still makes you squirm or uncomfortable? Talking about money and “selling” her value.Learning to see pricing as respect for her own worth.Embracing “Hell yes or Hell no” as her filter — no “Hell maybes.”5️⃣ Advice for someone new to coaching “You have to break yourself open to become a great coach.”True learning comes from going inward and unlearning old habits.Coaching is an inside-out profession — not a set of tools.6️⃣ What have you had to conquer on your path to being a great coach? Releasing the need to fix others (and her kids).Choosing curiosity over control, especially as a parent.Accepting that not everyone wants to grow — and that’s okay.7️⃣ Are you using AI in your coaching practice? Uses AI as a thought partner to spark creativity and expand thinking.Blends AI with tools like Enneagram and Positive Intelligence for depth.Encourages clients to ask AI, “How should I use a coach?”8️⃣ What have you learned about yourself through coaching? A lifelong fascination with human consciousness.Rediscovered her teenage love of psychology and helping people grow.Realized her impact comes from curiosity, connection, and consciousness.🎬 Fun Stuff Question Guilty pleasure: playing with the snarky “Monday” GPT for humor and insight.Loves how it’s both validating and thought-provoking.Proof that self-discovery can come with sarcasm.

    31 min

  2. DEC 11

    Ep 172 Carrie Arnold - Let it go / Bracket it / Tinker your way to better coaching

    . Best coaching advice you’ve gotten? “What would it take to let it go?” – helped her shed self-limiting beliefs.Learned during a Georgetown fishbowl coaching session.Empowered her to define herself and step into a bigger space.2. What are you still trying to improve? Contracting with clients to avoid misalignment.Daily work on presence—removing the “static.”Asking, “Are we still in the right conversation?”3. Most outrageous/courageous thing you’ve done in a session? Telling a client they might need more support beyond coaching.Delivering hard truths with subtlety and courage.Felt “the clench” but leaned into trust and honesty.4. What still makes you squirm? Clients showing up with “I don’t know.”Managing the pressure to “perform.”Using honesty and redirection to stay in alignment.5. Advice to new coaches? Get into supervision—it’s essential support.Coaching can be lonely without intentional community.Keeps coaches anchored, self-aware, and growing.6. Something you’ve had to conquer? Transitioning from corporate to private practice.Proving to herself (and her husband) she could sustain independence.Leaning on referrals and relationships rather than sales.7. Are you using AI in your practice? Not directly in sessions, but useful for writing and teaching.Encourages her daughter to use it for transactional challenges.Sees AI as a supportive tool, not a threat.8. What have you learned about yourself? She can do hard things and thrive as a solopreneur.Built a sustainable practice without business development.Relationships and trust drive her long-term success.Fun Stuff: Favorite Movie Rocky IV (music, energy, inspiration).Pitch Perfect 2 and The Greatest Showman.Loves movies with music and strong dialogue—even if “questionable.”

    29 min

  3. DEC 4

    Ep 171 Kyle Smith - Silence is Wisdom / Giving Grace / Underdog Story

    1. Best coaching advice you’ve gotten? Learn to be comfortable with silence—it creates space for clients to process.Silence isn’t emptiness, it’s presence that can be more powerful than words.Listening deeply reveals both verbal and non-verbal cues.  2. What are you still trying to improve about your coaching? Not jumping in too quickly when clients pause or hesitate.Allowing clients the time to fully process their own journey.Practicing “listen before you talk” as a lifelong discipline.  3. Most outrageous thing you’ve done, tried, or said in a coaching session? Being honest and naming observations clients may disagree with.Framing it as “putting something on the table” for exploration.Setting an agreement upfront that disagreement is not only okay, but welcome.  4. What still makes you squirm or uncomfortable in a coaching session? Few things do now, but violent or abusive disclosures would be a boundary.Acknowledges that’s not his skill set and wouldn’t want to “get past it.”Would always seek to refer a client to someone better suited.  5. If I were new to coaching, what advice would you have? Start with your why—if it’s about “me” instead of the client, rethink it.Focus less on tools/templates and more on presence and service.Keep personal stories in check so sessions stay client-centered.  6. What is something you’ve had to conquer on your path to being a great coach? Letting go of self-criticism and unrealistic standards.Learning to give himself the same grace he gives clients.Remaining humble when impressive people place their trust in him.  7. Are you using AI in your coaching practice? Uses AI primarily for note-taking, freeing him to be fully present.Leverages AI responsibly—clients give permission and feel comfortable with it.Sees AI as another data point, not a replacement for human presence.  8. What have you learned about yourself through being a coach? To be less hard on himself and walk his own talk.That humility and patience grow with every client relationship.The “95% rule”: most people genuinely want to do the right thing.  🎬 Fun Stuff Question – Favorite Movie? (Hoosiers) Loves the themes of second chances and underdogs overcoming odds.Connects personally to the underdog story in his own life and career.Believes the film reflects resilience, belief, and community support.

    24 min

  4. NOV 27

    Ep 138 Betsy Salkind & Amy Warshawsky - Improv and having Fun / Building rock solid connections

    Highlights: 🎭 Pioneers in using improv for coaches—it’s transformative and energizing!🙌 Believes that who you are is what makes your coaching truly impactful.🎤 Betsy’s comedic roots bring improv and humor into the mix—because coaching can be FUN!🗣️ Experimented with "3 Word Coaching"—small, impactful, and powerful.⏱️ Tried the “Interrupting Experiment”—a fresh take on communication dynamics.🚨 The only rule of improv coaching? PARTICIPATE—because that’s where the magic happens.🗣️ “We’d rather DO than just listen”—action is always the answer.  🌟 Two mentor coaches who serendipitously found each other in 2018—and the magic began.🛠️ Honing their coaching skills together and absolutely loving the journey.💡 Gaining invaluable insights by immersing themselves in others’ learning processes.🎁 Coaching at 40 became a beautiful gift for Amy’s kids—a ripple effect of growth.😂 Adding levity to coaching sessions—proof that growth doesn’t have to be so serious.⏳ Their 2-hour workshops fly by, leaving everyone engaged, energized, and asking for more.🤝 Merging coaching ethics with the principles of improv for unique and innovative sessions.

    49 min

  5. NOV 20

    Ep 170 Scott Egbert - Growing in Coaching / Patterns / Boundaries - Finding Them

    1. Best coaching advice you’ve gotten? Burnout revealed his limits — realizing boundaries are essential.Reframing resilience: strength isn’t always pushing through.Knowing your edges can actually serve you as a coach.  2. What are you still trying to improve about your coaching? Building consistency in reflection practice.Shifting from second-guessing to learning and growth.Allowing grace and patience when reviewing sessions.  3. Most outrageous thing you’ve done, tried, or said in a coaching session? Jokingly told a client, “You care too much.”Boldly told another client, “I don’t believe you,” when evidence didn’t match her words.Used blunt honesty paired with trust and humor to spark insight.  4. What still makes you squirm or uncomfortable in a coaching session? Turning up the heat when clients blame others.Calling out patterns without overstepping into judgment.Finding balance between observation and blunt challenge.  5. If I were new to coaching or considering being a coach, what advice would you have? Always start with why someone wants to coach.Trust your intuition instead of over-orchestrating sessions.Relax and allow conversations to flow naturally.  6. What is something you’ve had to conquer on your path to being a great coach? Learning to set boundaries on workload and availability.Avoiding oversubscription that compromises client quality.Accepting courage is required to say “no” or pause.  7. Are you using AI in your coaching practice, if so how? AI helps with mock and case interviews for clients.Offers structure for problem-solving but math needs double-checking.Still more of a supplement than a core coaching tool.  8. What have you learned about yourself through being a coach? Struggles mirror clients’ challenges — self-awareness is key.Patience with self is harder than patience with others.Coaching continues to deepen listening and presence.  Fun Question: Do you have a bad haircut story? ’80s “big hair” that grew outward like a chia pet.A regrettable pencil-thin mustache in college.A short-lived goatee experiment at graduation.

    23 min

  6. NOV 13

    Ep 169 Karin Blair - Embrace emergence / the Doldrums / Vibes NOT Wifi

    1. Best coaching advice you’ve gotten? “People are not problems to be solved” – coaching isn’t fixing.Coaching is about creating space, not offering solutions.2. What are you still trying to improve about your coaching? Letting go of the need to perform; embracing emergence.Staying longer in the not knowing, resisting the urge to advise.3. Most outrageous (or courageous) thing you’ve done in a coaching session? Somatic work: having a client turn and face a wall to access deeper wisdom.Telling a client, “I don’t think I’m helping you”—which unlocked the engagement.4. What still makes you squirm in coaching? Coaching clients stuck in the “doldrums” or victim mindset.Holding ambiguity without forcing action or clarity.5. If I were new to coaching, what advice would you have? Who you are matters more than what you do—presence is everything.Avoid the trap of ‘getting it right’—ditch the powerful questions playbook.6. What have you had to conquer to be a great coach? The need to always “get the A”; perfectionism.Becoming an experiential learner who’s willing to fail forward.7. Are you using AI in your coaching practice? Uses ChatGPT for supervision prep, self-reflection, and content creation.Believes what’s easy today will be done by AI, so coaches must evolve.8. What have you learned about yourself through coaching? That wisdom exists below the neckline—heart and gut matter.She’s more warm, creative, and intuitive than she ever imagined.Fun Stuff: Guilty Pleasure? Journaling at the Pannikin Coffee Shop over breakfast—no Wi-Fi, just vibes.A self-date that invites introspection and people-watching bliss.

    44 min

  7. NOV 6

    Ep 168 Michelle Bennett Gr8 Q's - "Make the implicit explicit"

    Episode Summary: Michelle Bennett 1. Best Coaching Advice Received “Make the implicit explicit.” Pause the moment and name what’s not being said.“When the student is ready, the teacher appears.” Use client frustration to invite reflection and reframe.Moments of tension are often invitations for deeper understanding, not obstacles.Great coaching is about holding space and gently guiding insight—not forcing it.Key insight: Learn to stop, notice, and ask “what’s really going on here?”  2. Still Improving in Coaching Main focus: Working on herself to grow as a coach.Strives for congruence between values, beliefs, and behavior.Wants to respond vs. react—particularly when under stress or lacking sleep.Practices pausing and reflection, using “Stop, Breathe, Think, Act” (from SCUBA training).Committed to maintaining presence and awareness, even during challenging moments.  3. Most Outrageous Coaching Move Doesn’t see herself as “outrageous,” but has grown more flexible with time.Used to strictly follow coaching rules—now plays creatively within the guardrails.Embraces applied improvisation (Yes, and…) in team workshops.Developed an improv-based exercise progressing from “No, but” → “Yes, but” → “Yes, and.”Integrates play and embodiment to help teams move from resistance to collaboration.  4. What Still Makes Her Uncomfortable Silence. Used to feel awkward and overthink during pauses.Now more comfortable—relies on observation (e.g., body language) to determine when to re-engage.Learned silence can be powerful and productive, especially when used intentionally.Coaches herself to avoid jumping in too quickly.Uses curiosity and visual cues to guide next steps.  5. Advice for New Coaches Study nonviolent communication (Marshall Rosenberg).Focus on unmet needs as the root of emotional responses.Ask: “What need, if fulfilled, would change how you feel right now?”Helps clients slow down, reflect, and better understand their own emotions.Recognizes empathy as a foundational tool—both for self-awareness and coaching impact.  6. Challenge Conquered on the Path to Coaching Had to dial down her task-focused, checklist-driven scientist brain.Used to skip over small talk—now intentionally builds relationships.Has trained herself to add warmth and connection to communication.Sees this shift as authentic personal growth, not just behavioral adjustment.Believes her relationship side is now integrated—not just “an add-on.”  7. Using AI in Coaching Exploring how AI can assist in workshop design and experiential learning.Uses prompts to help create exercises that illustrate coaching principles (e.g., ladder of inference).Finds AI helpful but still in early experimentation phase.Appreciates others’ creativity with AI and is learning through observation.Believes AI will help her expand her impact beyond her current reach.  8. What She’s Learned About Herself Through Coaching She’s been living to meet others’ expectations—and is now learning who she truly is.Coaching has helped her drop the masks and embrace her authentic self.Less afraid to experiment, take risks, and “just try stuff.”Feels like she’s in a stage where everything is starting to click.Embracing “not knowing” and trusting her voice—hallmarks of personal transformation.

    44 min

  8. OCT 30

    Ep 167 Julia Holloway - Get Data / Challenge directly / Alignment / Denzel

    Best coaching advice received?  What happens in a session is not about the coach. Notice what’s happening without making it personal—it's all data. Still improving?  Mastering detachment from being hijacked by emotions. Working to feel deeply without getting stuck in the goo. Most outrageous moment?  Dropping an F-bomb in a session with a lawyer (and surviving). Using metaphor and creativity to “snap” clients out of logic loops. What still makes you squirm/feel triggered?  Clients not taking accountability. Wrestling with when and how to challenge clients directly. Advice to new coaches?  Don’t do this unless you’re ready to work on yourself… constantly.This is not a side hustle—it’s a practice that rewires your soul. Something you had to conquer?  Letting go of judgment (of self and clients). Holding paradoxes: shedding and learning at the same time. Using AI?  AI helps distill 360s, draft proposals, and spot themes. Used as a co-pilot, not a crutch—Julia’s still doing the heavy lifting. What you’ve learned about yourself?  We’re all an expression of the evolving universe. The goal is alignment—being fully yourself as a coach and a human. Fun Stuff – Favorite Movie?  Remember the Titans – because courage, change, and Denzel.

    49 min
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About

Coffee House Coaching is an Executive Coaching podcast where I speak with fellow Executive Coaches about their practice, their process and how they help their clients. I also speak with individuals impacted by coaching and how it has improved their lives. My goal is to shine some light on the wonderful world of Executive Coaching and explain what it is and how it works. So, grab a cup of coffee, sit back, relax, and enjoy my conversations about Executive Coaching.

Information

  • Creator
    Gary Nowak
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    170
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Coffee House Coaching
  • Show Website
    Coffee House Coaching