Arete Coach: The Art & Science of Executive Coaching Arete Coach Podcast

Welcome to the Arete Coach Podcast, hosted by Severin Sorensen, with an episode that explores: "Footprints of Impact: Exploring the Art of Coaching Through the Metaphor of Leaving Tracks." In this episode, we are honored to have Laura Gordon, a UK Best Practice Vistage Chair. Laura has been in the coaching industry for 14 years and a Vistage Chair for over 10 years. She was awarded the 2023 Phil Meddings Award, the highest accolade in Vistage UK and Ireland, as well as the Rookie of the Year Award for Chairs in 2015 and the Chair Excellence Award every year since.


In an engaging conversation, Laura shares her inspiring journey from her early career as a lawyer and business owner to becoming a passionate executive coach. Her diverse background includes roles as the director of an innovative economic development initiative driven by the Scottish government and as the director of an international education services company. Laura's commitment to personal growth and helping others is evident in her numerous certifications, including Positive Intelligence, Inclusive Leadership, NLP, and clinical hypnotherapy. She has also served on various boards, such as the Glasgow and Edinburgh Chambers of Commerce and the Institute of Directors. Throughout the episode, Laura emphasizes the importance of asking powerful questions, challenging clients to achieve growth, and creating a legacy that positively impacts the lives of others. Her insights perfectly align with the Arete Coach Podcast's exploration of excellence in executive coaching.


Several core themes echo in this conversation related to excellence in executive coaching and personal growth.


The power of asking challenging questions: Laura emphasizes the importance of asking powerful, thought-provoking questions that push clients out of their comfort zones and encourage them to explore new perspectives. She discusses the courage required to ask difficult questions and how this skill has developed throughout her coaching career.


Embracing change and trying new things: Throughout her professional journey, Laura has embraced change and experimented with different careers and roles. She encourages others to adopt a similar mindset, as it leads to personal growth and the discovery of new passions. Laura also highlights the value of stepping out of one's comfort zone and trying new approaches in coaching to keep the experience interesting and engaging for both the coach and the client.


The importance of being intentional and making choices: Drawing from the works of Viktor Frankl and the movie "Groundhog Day," Laura discusses the significance of being intentional in one's actions and making conscious choices, even when external circumstances are beyond one's control. She emphasizes that personal growth and change stem from within and that individuals have the power to shape their own lives and experiences.


Creating a legacy and making a positive impact: Laura stresses the importance of leaving a positive legacy and making a difference in the lives of others. She quotes Ruth Bader Ginsburg, saying, "Whatever you choose to do, leave tracks," encouraging listeners to consider the impact of their actions on their clients, communities, and the world at large.


Continuous learning and personal development: Throughout the episode, Laura shares her passion for continuous learning and personal growth. She has pursued numerous certifications and has served on various boards to expand her knowledge and skills. Laura's commitment to self-improvement and staying updated with the latest developments in coaching underscores the importance of lifelong learning in the field.


The Arete Coach Podcast seeks to explore the art and science of executive coaching. You can find out more about this podcast at aretecoach.io.


This episode was produced on April 26, 2024.


Copyright © 2024 by Arete Coach™ LLC. All rights reserved.

Welcome to the Arete Coach Podcast, hosted by Severin Sorensen, with an episode titled, "The Art of Coaching and Harnessing the Power of Client Metaphors."


In this episode, recorded on April 12, 2024, we are honored to have Lyssa DeHart, a Master Certified Coach (MCC), Speaker, Author, and Coach Mentor. Lyssa is renowned for her expertise as an Executive Coach, Leadership Coach, and host of the Coaching Studio Podcast.


Lyssa DeHart's transition from therapist to Master Certified Coach offers a compelling story of professional evolution, underlining the transferability of skills between helping professions. As a therapist, Lyssa refined her ability to listen deeply, discern patterns, pose transformative questions, and steer clients toward self-awareness, all of which have greatly enriched her coaching practice. This seamless skill transfer showcases how therapeutic expertise can enhance coaching effectiveness, especially in facilitating clients' journeys toward self-improvement and realization.


Exploring the distinctions between therapy and coaching, Lyssa emphasizes that while therapy aims to help clients move from dysfunction to functionality, coaching targets individuals who are already functioning well but aspire to achieve higher levels of growth, performance, and fulfillment. Her own professional shift not only exemplifies the broader impacts possible in coaching but also highlights how coaches can empower individuals to author more impactful and meaningful narratives for their lives. This perspective offers a nuanced understanding of the complementary roles of therapy and coaching.


A unique aspect of Lyssa's coaching technique is her strategic use of metaphors, a topic she elaborates on in her book, "Light Up, The Science of Coaching with Metaphors." By tuning into and exploring the metaphorical expressions her clients naturally use, she facilitates insightful and deeply resonant dialogues that significantly advance client understanding and development. This approach underscores the power of metaphors in communicating complex inner realities and sparking profound personal insights, an approach that not only defines Lyssa’s coaching style but also serves as inspiration for others in the field.


Beyond her direct client interactions, Lyssa is deeply committed to contributing to the coaching profession through mentoring, assessing, and providing thought leadership. Her efforts to nurture the growth of upcoming coaches, particularly those seeking International Coach Federation (ICF) credentials, highlight her dedication to enhancing the profession's quality globally. Her emphasis on the joys of laughter, the value of relationships, and maintaining an uplifting spirit in both personal and professional life further enriches her narrative, offering a holistic view of how joy and human connections are integral to successful coaching. Lyssa's story and insights not only inspire current and aspiring coaches but also reflect the profound, multifaceted impact of the coaching profession.


Memorable quotes include: "I am a collaborative truth teller and thought partner who forms deep relationships that support my clients to grow past their limiting narratives so they can confidently excel at life, love, work, and craft a story worth living." - Lyssa DeHart


"Deep belly laughs. I think that all of us need something that is for us, the thing that when life tilts on its axis will bring us back into balance." - Lyssa DeHart


"Not my monkeys, not my circus. It reminds me, this is not my life right here that we're talking about. This is somebody else's experience and it's a journey they need to go on. So how do I hold that space?" - Lyssa DeHart


The Arete Coach Podcast seeks to explore the art and science of executive coaching. You can find out more about this podcast at aretecoach.io.


This episode was produced on April 12, 2024.


Copyright © 2024 by Arete Coach™ LLC. All rights reserved.

Welcome to the Arete Coach Podcast, hosted by Severin Sorensen. In this episode,, we are honored to have four distinguished guests: Meena Kumari Adani (1115), Janet Fogarty (1036), Norma Rosenberg (1005), and Cindy Hesterman (1051). Each guest brings a wealth of experience from various backgrounds, such as corporate executive roles and entrepreneurship, and shares their unique journeys into executive coaching. This episode, titled "Coach Wisdom from Wise Women Part Two," explores the transformative experiences and profound insights these women bring to the field of executive coaching.


Their wisdom underscores coaching's power to elevate human potential when its humanity is awakened through intentional practice. This curated episode pays tribute to the diverse paths wise women are forging to shape coaching's future.


Meena Kumari Adani, a self-empowerment and business coach from Jakarta, shares her journey from corporate executive to empowering women entrepreneurs. Janet Fogarty, a Vistage chair, discusses her transition from owning a travel business to fostering executive growth. Norma Rosenberg, an executive coach in Manhattan, relates her shift from management consulting to coaching, emphasizing intuition in her practice. Lastly, Cindy Hesterman, also a Vistage chair, recounts her path from CFO to influential coach and mentor. Each story underscores resilience, adaptability, and the transformative power of effective mentorship, aligning perfectly with the Arete Coach Podcast's theme of exploring excellence in executive coaching.


The Arete Coach Podcast seeks to explore the art and science of executive coaching. You can find out more about this podcast at aretecoach.io.


This episode was produced on April 22, 2024. Portions pre-recorded.


Copyright © 2024 by Arete Coach™ LLC. All rights reserved.

Welcome to a special episode of the Arete Coach Podcast, hosted by Severin Sorensen. In this episode, recorded on April 10th, 2024, the focus is on leveraging AI for everyday uses to help you personally and professionally -- something often labelled "Life Hacks."


Severin Sorensen himself, an executive coach with over 8,000 hours of coaching experience and author of the new book 'The AI Whisperer: Life Hacks,' discusses the transformative potential of AI. His insights stem from a rich career and deep dive into AI applications, offering both everyday users and coaching professionals new tools for enhancing their lives and practices.


In this engaging episode, Severin shares his journey of discovering the transformative potential of AI in not just business and executive coaching, but also in the nuances of daily life. He discusses how his book, "The AI Whisperer Life Hacks", aims to democratize AI expertise and make it accessible to everyday users, guiding them to leverage AI for optimizing health, nutrition, personal finance, creativity, and more. Severin's profound commitment to harnessing AI's power to enrich daily lives and enhance decision-making aligns perfectly with the Arete Coach Podcast's exploration of excellence in coaching and personal development.


The AI Whisperer: Life Hacks" by Severin Sorensen demonstrates how artificial intelligence (AI) can seamlessly integrate into various facets of everyday life, enhancing both personal and professional experiences. The book is structured into five main sections, each focusing on different applications of AI:


Personal Life and Home Management: AI acts as a personal assistant for home and lifestyle management, aiding in tasks from car maintenance to pet care. It offers tailored recommendations for cooking, budgeting, and health management, simplifying daily routines and enhancing lifestyle quality.Knowledge and Learning: This section showcases AI as a dynamic educational tool that supports and enhances learning across subjects like art, math, and coding. It provides personalized educational content, making complex subjects accessible and engaging, and enhances lifelong learning.Social and Cultural Engagement: AI enriches social interactions and cultural engagement by acting as a cultural concierge. It offers fashion advice, entertainment recommendations, and insights into global customs, tailoring content to individual preferences and broadening cultural horizons.Travel, Events, and Lifestyle: AI transforms travel planning and event management, providing itinerary suggestions, local business insights, and event planning logistics. It serves as a personal travel agent, optimizing travel experiences and simplifying event organization.Work, Career, and Financial Assistance: In the professional realm, AI assists in analyzing business trends, job searching, and financial planning. It provides strategic advice for career development and financial management, proving invaluable in navigating professional landscapes and achieving financial stability.

Overall, "The AI Whisperer: Life Hacks" illustrates the profound impact of AI in transforming ordinary tasks into opportunities for efficiency and growth, making it a valuable ally in everyday life.


The Arete Coach Podcast seeks to explore the art and science of executive coaching. You can find out more about this podcast at aretecoach.io.


This episode was produced on April 10, 2024.


Copyright © 2024 by Arete Coach™ LLC. All rights reserved.

Welcome to the Arete Coach Podcast, hosted by Severin Sorensen. In this special episode, titled '"Eclipse Serenade: Solar Eclipses Through the Lens of History, Science, and Song"' recorded on April 8, 2024, Severin takes us on an enlightening journey into the world of solar eclipses. Severin explores the phenomenon from multiple perspectives – scientific, historical, and metaphorical. The episode is a unique blend of personal reflection, scientific information, and philosophical insights, culminating in a series of original songs inspired by the solar eclipse. Unlike traditional episodes, 'Eclipse Serenade' stands out for its creative approach to dissecting and understanding this captivating celestial event.


Severin Sorensen shares his experience of witnessing the solar eclipse while flying, igniting a thought-provoking discussion about eclipses. He presents fascinating facts about solar eclipses, like their types, frequency, and historical significance, including their role in scientific advancements such as Einstein's theory of general relativity. Severin reflects on historical events coinciding with eclipses, like the Battle of Halys and Columbus using an eclipse in 1504. He also explores the metaphysical aspects, drawing parallels between the sun and religious symbols, and delves into the realms of positive psychology. The episode culminates in a creative exploration, where Severin, using AI assistance, composes songs that capture the essence of the eclipse, blending scientific observations with spiritual insights.


The sun not only sustains our physical world but also illuminates our spiritual path, guiding us through cycles of life and enlightenment.


Four new songs were created and introduced in this episode, listed by order of appearance.


Eclipse of Wonder


Eclipse Serenade


The similarity of the Sun and the Son


The Sun and the Son


The first two songs were prompted by Severin Sorensen, using Suno AI as the musical collaborator and artistic director.


The last two songs were written by Severin Sorensen, after exploring the nuance, history, and importance attributed to solar eclipses. The lyrics structure was improved by ChatGPT4 and thereafter edited by Sorensen.


The Arete Coach Podcast seeks to explore the art and science of executive coaching. You can find out more about this podcast at aretecoach.io.


This episode was produced on April 8, 2024.


Copyright © 2024 by Arete Coach™ LLC. All rights reserved.

Welcome to the Arete Coach Podcast, hosted by Severin Sorensen and episode 1171 titled, " Mastering the Craft of Coaching and Supervision." In this episode, we are honored to have Jenny Bird, a Master Certified Coach (MCC), Executive Coach Supervisor, and co-author of "The Art of Coaching" and "How to Work with People and Enjoy It". Jenny has been coaching since 2000, earned her MCC credential in 2006, and has been a coach supervisor since 2009.


In an engaging conversation, Jenny shares her fascinating journey into the coaching profession. It began with her passion for adult education and conducting intensive interviews to help individuals without qualifications get into university later in life. This led her to pursue therapy training before discovering coaching as her true calling. Over the past 23 years, Jenny has made significant contributions to the field through her coaching, supervision, writing, and commitment to bringing out the potential in each individual. Her coaching style pays deep attention to the client's physicality and communication, employing a range of creative approaches. This episode delves into Jenny's insights on active listening, the comedy of coaching, the importance of coaching supervision, and her vision for the future of the profession - all perfectly aligning with the Arete Coach Podcast's exploration of excellence in executive coaching.


Memorable Quotes include: "I'm just really nosy about what brings people to where they are. That's what led me to it." "The longer I coach the more I'm willing to both to bring less of myself and to bring more of myself. It's always a work in progress." "Coaching is relational and we need to be with the person, believing in them, that ICF and I guess everybody else thing of, we believe this person to be competent, resourceful and whole and creative." "I would like to see [coaching] developing that people find ways of making more coaching available to more people, more of the time."


The Arete Coach Podcast seeks to explore the art and science of executive coaching. You can find out more about this podcast at aretecoach.io.


This episode was produced on February 29th, 2024.


Copyright © 2024 by Arete Coach™ LLC. All rights reserved.