Coach Conversations Podcast

Brendon Le Lievre

Welcome to Coach Conversations, the podcast where thoughtful coaches, leaders, and learners come together to explore what great coaching really looks like in practice. Hosted by Brendon Le Lievre, each episode features rich, honest conversations with experienced coaches who share their approaches, insights, and lessons from the real world. Together, we explore the craft of coaching, the business of coaching, and the inner work that supports sustainable, ethical practice. Whether you are a practising coach, an aspiring coach, a leader using coaching skills at work, or someone curious about personal growth, this podcast is designed for you. Every conversation is an opportunity to deepen your awareness, strengthen your presence, and sharpen your ability to listen, question, and connect. Brendon brings his background in leadership development, supervision, and improv-informed practice to create a space that is reflective, practical, and human. Expect thoughtful dialogue, useful frameworks, and stories that illuminate both the challenges and rewards of coaching. Coach Conversations is for anyone who wants to have better conversations, build stronger relationships, and make a positive impact in their teams, organisations, and lives. To explore more resources and connect with Brendon, visit coachconversations.com.au.

  1. Oct 8

    Maike Brill - The Power of Voice, Presence and Silence

    What happens to our voice when we are under pressure? Why do we speak faster, lose our pauses and reach for filler words? And how much can we actually change the way we sound? In this episode of Coach Conversations, Brendon Le Lievre talks with executive and organisational coach Maike Brill about coaching, voice, presence and leadership. Maike’s journey into coaching began with a background in physiotherapy and a desire to do more purposeful work. On her first day of coach training, she discovered the power of creating time and space for someone to think, simply by listening and asking questions. Today, Maike combines coaching, facilitation and vocal coaching in her work with leaders and teams. She has a particular interest in vocal presence and the relationship between voice, body and leadership. In the conversation, we explore: • The power of open questions • What happens to our voice when adrenaline kicks in • Why pauses can be so powerful • How pitch, tempo, articulation and filler words affect the way we are heard • Why your voice is more trainable than you might think • The connection between voice, body and mind • Maike’s Women, Voice and Leadership program • The role of curiosity, responsibility and self-awareness in coaching • How culture and language can affect whether something resonates • Why coaches need to become comfortable with silence There are also stories about German expressions, the “hippo head on the table”, Brendon’s unusual business name and the value of simply letting a coaching conversation unfold. About Maike Maike is an experienced executive and organisational coach, team coach and facilitator with more than 15 years’ experience working with leaders and organisations across Australia and internationally. She is a certified coach with the Institute of Executive Coaching and Leadership and an active member of the International Coaching Federation. This is a conversation about voice, but it is equally a conversation about presence: how we listen, how we communicate, and how we create enough space for people to think. Find Maike through LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maike-brill-64b419111/ or  https://www.gonpo.com.au/index.html

    Maike Brill - The Power of Voice, Presence and Silence
  2. May 27

    Abbie Boulter - The courage to slow down and help people hear themselves think.

    In this episode of Coach Conversations, Brendon Le Lievre is joined by Abbie Boulter for a thoughtful and energising conversation about coaching, career identity, listening, and the tension many professionals feel between achievement, fulfilment, and recognition. Together, they explore how coaching often begins long before formal training, and how many coaches discover they have been holding reflective conversations throughout their careers long before they ever called it coaching. While identifying the power of coach specific training to identify and use these skills more intentionally. The conversation dives into themes including: Helping people articulate their value and tell better stories about themselvesWhy recognition and being seen matter more than many professionals admitThe role of listening, silence, and presence in coaching conversationsCoaching leaders who arrive expecting the coach to “have the answers”Slowing down in order to think more clearly and lead more intentionallyThe emotional energy required to coach well and sustainablyBuilding businesses and careers that create both impact and joyLetting go of guilt, noise, and unnecessary frictionBrendon and Abbie also discuss the reality of modern coaching work, including online coaching, group coaching, professional identity, and the challenge of staying present when life and work become overly busy. This is a reflective  and  practical conversation for coaches, leaders, facilitators, and anyone navigating questions of meaning, growth, career direction, and how to create more ease in the way they live and work.

    Abbie Boulter - The courage to slow down and help people hear themselves think.
  3. Mar 2

    Damien Hughes - generative listening, presence and the value of letting go.

    Summary: In this episode of Coach Conversations, Brendon Le Lievre is joined by Damien Hughes for a thoughtful and honest exploration of what great coaching really looks like in practice. Together, we discuss the role of curiosity and silence, and why coaching is a core leadership capability rather than a specialist skill. The conversation dives into powerful themes including: Generative listening and self-awarenessThe role of presence in coaching conversationsWorking with uncertainty and not knowingLetting go of outcomes and agendasNavigating self-doubt and questions of valueWhen, and how, to share models and frameworksBrendon and Damien also explore the tension many coaches experience between wanting to add value and learning to trust the client’s thinking process. This is a reflective, practical, and encouraging conversation for coaches, leaders, and anyone interested in developing deeper listening and more meaningful conversations. Damien's Bio: Damien Hughes established Enlighten Leadership in 2019, after 16 years in the University sector, to share his passion for learning. Damien has translated his leadership experience into powerful coaching conversations. He has facilitated leadership and management programs since 2017. His facilitation and coaching approach draws on adult learning principles that empower people to navigate their learning experience. His coaching encourages a critical reflective practice necessary for growth. He synthesises theory with practice in meaningful and adaptable ways. And while qualifications are not everything, it's nice to know that Damien's passion has emerged from a dedication to learning.  Qualifications: Master of Business Leadership | Bachelor of Business Studies | Cert IV Training & Assessment AAssociate Certified Coach (ACC ICF)IECL Executive Leadership coach (Level 2)Neuroleadership Brain Based Conversational Skills AGSM Adaptive Leadership program Connect with Damien via: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/damienjhughes/ Website:  https://www.enlightenleadership.com/

    Damien Hughes - generative listening, presence and the value of letting go.
  4. 02/13/2025

    Rob Hills - Mindfulness, Leadership, and Sustainable Success

    In this episode of the Coach Conversations Podcast, Rob Hills shares his journey from the Air Force to leadership development and coaching, highlighting the power of mindfulness and sustainable leadership. Rob candidly discusses his challenges with overthinking and how mindfulness helped him navigate his career and personal life. He explains the importance of self-awareness and provides practical techniques, including the STOP method (Stop, Take a breath, Observe, Proceed), for managing stress and maintaining focus. Rob also explores the evolving dynamics of leadership in today’s work environment, emphasising the need for sustainable practices to prevent burnout and build resilient teams. His insights into leadership development tools like HBDI, combined with his commitment to helping others live better lives, make this episode an inspiring and practical guide for leaders seeking balance and effectiveness.    Bio   Rob Hills is a distinguished leadership expert with nearly three decades of experience spanning the Royal Australian Air Force, Australian Federal Police, and ACT Public Service. As the host of The Balanced Leader Podcast and author of 'Mindful Leadership Blueprint', he has dedicated his career to helping leaders elevate their wellbeing and create healthier workplaces. His extensive background includes delivering leadership and intelligence workshops to tens of thousands of participants worldwide.   Drawing from his diverse professional experience, Rob works as a leadership coach and facilitator, empowering individuals and organisations to unlock their full potential. His approach combines practical leadership strategies with a deep understanding of wellbeing principles, enabling sustainable high performance. Through his podcast, coaching services, and speaking engagements, Rob continues to guide professionals in developing the skills, mindset, and resilience needed to thrive in today's dynamic leadership landscape  Connect with Rob Website: www.robhills.com.au LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-hills

    Rob Hills - Mindfulness, Leadership, and Sustainable Success

About

Welcome to Coach Conversations, the podcast where thoughtful coaches, leaders, and learners come together to explore what great coaching really looks like in practice. Hosted by Brendon Le Lievre, each episode features rich, honest conversations with experienced coaches who share their approaches, insights, and lessons from the real world. Together, we explore the craft of coaching, the business of coaching, and the inner work that supports sustainable, ethical practice. Whether you are a practising coach, an aspiring coach, a leader using coaching skills at work, or someone curious about personal growth, this podcast is designed for you. Every conversation is an opportunity to deepen your awareness, strengthen your presence, and sharpen your ability to listen, question, and connect. Brendon brings his background in leadership development, supervision, and improv-informed practice to create a space that is reflective, practical, and human. Expect thoughtful dialogue, useful frameworks, and stories that illuminate both the challenges and rewards of coaching. Coach Conversations is for anyone who wants to have better conversations, build stronger relationships, and make a positive impact in their teams, organisations, and lives. To explore more resources and connect with Brendon, visit coachconversations.com.au.