Coaching Through Stories

Eric Bean

High performing leaders are able to be their best when it matters the most. This bi-weekly, Wednesday podcast provides listeners with stories, research, and interviews that spark connection between people, concepts, thoughts, and behaviors. Dr. Eric Bean, a published peer-reviewed author, and Certified Mental Performance Coach, coaches listeners through stories from mythology, current events, research, and popular literature that serve as a window into high performance and powerful leadership. Dr. Bean brings in thought leaders from various fields like business, sport, and military to give listeners tips and strategies from their own experiences. His goal is to provide you with practical tools you can use to become a more resilient and adaptable leader and reach your leadership potential.

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    #69: Don’t Wait for the Perfect Moment: A CEO’s Guide to Bold Moves with Carrie Jones

    In this episode of Coaching Through Stories, Dr. Eric Bean sits down with Carrie Jones, CEO and co-founder of Mari + Gold, a San Diego–based PR, social media, and creative agency serving hospitality, tourism, and lifestyle brands. Carrie shares her journey from growing up in Napa Valley’s hospitality world to leading a mission-driven agency that thrives on people, culture, and bold but intentional decision-making. For Carrie, bold moves aren’t reckless — they’re about clarity, courage, and aligning with your values. You’ll hear how she reframes fear into fuel, why vulnerability creates trust, and how leaders can balance ambition with authenticity while building high-performing teams. Key Takeaways: Lead with loyalty. How loyalty becomes powerful when paired with purpose. Use the power of pause to avoid frozen indecision. Why “the answer is no until you ask” is advice every young leader needs The “power of pause” and how it unlocks confident decision-making What it means to put people first without neglecting your own oxygen mask Measure risk by appetite and threshold Why complacency is creativity’s killer — and how to lean into discomfort Culture beats rules when it’s intentional Highlights: [01:33] Opening with a hard question about what’s lighting Carrie up [03:02] Mari & Gold: niche, people-first marketing agency built from agency roots [05:00] Three defining moments that shaped her leadership [08:06] Loyalty with purpose, not just blindly following and doing it [09:49] Competition framed positively: win for progress, not at the expense of culture [11:26] Purpose shift: success now includes family, presence, and sustainable company building [12:00] “Put your oxygen mask on first.” [13:40] Creating an environment that drives purpose [15:19] Work–life integration and the remote challenge [16:25] Leadership evolution: flexibility, adaptability, and the reality of CEO responsibility [20:41] What is the power of pause? [24:34] Leaving stable roles to build service lines and take risky but intentional moves. [26:08] Autonomy + clear processes + managers = confident, fast teams [28:22] “The answer is no until you ask.” [29:44] Money is just dollars and cents, take out the emotion [31:41] Complacency vs. comfort: how leaning back out of fear kills creativity [32:09] Zoom out and focus on where you put your attention and intention [35:07] Creativity redefined [36:42] Yes, and” culture at Mari & Gold [38:00] Using tech as a tool for efficiency without replacing critical human thinking [44:21] Carrie's responsibility as a CEO when it comes to culture [47:27] Core values: Own Your Future, Partner Generously, Make It Better [49:26] The idea of excellence [52:28] Leadership advice to her younger self [59:04] Identifying the non-negotiables in the calendar blocking Learn more about Carrie Jones and Mari&Gold: Website: https://mariandgold.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonescarrie/  Are you ready to lead with boldness and purpose? Connect with us at HigherEchelon.com

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  2. ١٧ سبتمبر

    #68: Caring, Communication, and Consistency: Building Meaningful Leadership with Dr. Leon Moores

    In this episode of Coaching Through Stories, Dr. Eric Bean sits down with Dr. Leon Moores, pediatric neurosurgeon, former U.S. Army infantry officer, and author of All Physicians Lead: Redefining Physician Leadership for Better Patient Outcomes.  Dr. Moores combines lessons from combat and the operating room to show why healthcare leadership is more than just the titles. His approach is rooted in what he calls the “three Cs” principles that shape trust, improve teamwork, and ultimately drive better outcomes for patients.  In their conversation, Dr. Moores shares the high school moment that set him on a new path, the challenges of leading in medicine, and why compassion and objectivity are not opposites but partners. He also reflects on how every physician is a leader, whether they recognize it or not, and why culture and trust are just as critical in the OR as they are on the battlefield.   Key Takeaways:  Why every physician is a leader, regardless of title or role  How compassion and empathy strengthen objectivity instead of weakening it  Differences and similarities of being a leader and a surgeon  Importance of adapting leadership styles across the clinic, OR, and boardroom  The “three Cs” of leadership: caring, communication, and consistency  Building psychological safety and trust in high-stakes environments   Highlights:  [01:15] From infantry officer to pediatric neurosurgeon  [03:00] Why leadership isn’t limited to those with formal titles  [05:14] A random high school moment that changed everything  [07:49] Physicians as leaders in every patient interaction  [09:56] The role of his family in the "Team First" mentality  [11:58] The emotional side of pediatric neurosurgery  [15:23] Greater comfort with emotional distance  [16:50] Having empathy and compassion without losing objectivity and skill set  [20:03] The differences and similarities between being a leader and a surgeon  [25:02] Why healthcare requires collaboration and adaptability  [30:43] The “three Cs” of leadership: caring, communication, and consistency  [33:17] “All Physicians Lead”: redefining leadership in medicine  [36:16] How culture and teamwork shape outcomes  [41:13] Improving leadership skills = Improving patient's experience and outcomes  [46:05] Things that build or break down a culture  [49:10] Influence and empathy drive the behavior of trust and confidence  [50:48] Active dismissiveness vs Passive dismissiveness  [54:56] A powerful story of persistence and teamwork in the OR    Learn more about Dr. Leon Moores:  Website: https://www.inova.org/doctors/leon-e-moores-md   Book: All Physicians Lead: Redefining Physician Leadership for Better Patient Outcomes  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leon-moores-383b651b/   Are you seeking to enhance your leadership abilities?  Contact us at HigherEchelon.com

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  3. ٣ سبتمبر

    #67: Coaching Case Study: Enabling a Leader to Embrace a Midfielder Mentality with Dr. Eric Bean

    What does it really mean to win? For one seasoned executive and for many leaders today, it wasn’t about another title or promotion. It was about finding balance, presence, and a sustainable way to lead.  In this solo episode of Coaching Through Stories, Dr. Eric Bean shares a powerful coaching case study of a senior leader navigating the transition between peak performance and the next chapter of life. Through sports metaphors, reflection practices, and practical strategies, this client redefined success in ways that fueled not just results but also recovery, influence, and deeper relationships.  Key Takeaways:  Why redefining success doesn’t mean losing your edge: How shifting from a “striker” mindset to a “midfielder” mindset allowed him to focus on empowering others while still driving results.  Satisfaction as a formula: The model of satisfaction = what you have ÷ what you want. How reducing the denominator with gratitude and presence can create long-term fulfillment.  The fear of change: Why many leaders resist redefining winning because they believe it will lose their edge.  Using sport to reframe leadership: How soccer metaphors and coaching language helped understand delegation, patience, and reading the field in both business and life.  Reflection rituals: Why wins often fade too fast while losses linger, and how intentional rituals of gratitude and reflection extend positive energy and build resilience.  Naming the surge: How asking “Is this a surge or is this status quo?” created shared language for stress management and helped protect margins around sleep, exercise, and recovery.  Shaping the new leadership perspective: Considering not only his goals but also his fears  Navigating leadership changes: How curiosity, empathy, and proactive influence turned resistance into opportunity during multiple leadership transitions.  Presence as practice: Why leaving his laptop at home on a family trip became a pivotal test of trust, recovery, and realignment with what matters most.  Lasting outcomes: How this client built stronger empathy, improved decision-making, empowered his team, sustained high performance, and reshaped retirement from an endpoint into a new beginning.  Highlights:  [1:01] The client’s background: elite athlete, coach, and seasoned executive  [3:07] Initial goals: redefining winning and preparing for retirement  [4:30] Satisfaction = what you have ÷ what you want  [5:41] The fear of losing your edge  [7:27] The soccer metaphor: From striker to midfielder  [8:39] Making space for emotions, gratitude, compassion, and pride  [10:14] Extending the energy of wins through reflection rituals  [12:07] “Is this a surge or is this status quo?”  [13:46] Focusing heavily on long-term goals leads to missing timely learning opportunities  [15:00] Reframing leadership changes as opportunities  [16:02] Strengthening his own credibility while creating space for the team to thrive  [17:27] Leaving the laptop behind on a family trip  [18:42] Outcomes: Improved presence, recovery, empathy, influence, and sustained high performance  [20:42] Presence is a practice, not a trait  [21:19] Retiring to something, not just from something  Resources:  What Got You Here Won’t Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith — on why changing behaviors is essential for growth  Connect with Us:  Subscribe on Apple Podcasts | Spotify  Follow Dr. Eric Bean on LinkedIn and Twitter  Share your thoughts or coaching reflections with #CoachingThroughStories  "Redefining success isn’t about losing your edge—it’s about finding new ways to win that align with your values and fuel your future." — Dr. Eric Bean

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  4. ٢٠ أغسطس

    #66: Confidence is Overrated, Courage Isn’t with Travis Thomas

    In this episode of Coaching Through Stories, Dr. Eric Bean sits down with Travis Thomas, improv performer turned elite performance coach and founder of LiveYesAnd, to unpack why confidence might be overrated and why courage is essential for true leadership.  Travis blends decades of experience in improvisational comedy and elite sports coaching to reframe leadership through presence, purpose, and courage. He shares a transformative personal story, sparked by a trampoline accident, that led him to redefine his purpose and approach to life and leadership.  Listeners will learn how to cultivate purpose-driven behavior, the mindset shift from confidence to courage, and how embracing uncertainty can fuel growth, connection, and performance. Listen and enjoy the show!  Key Takeaways:  Why confidence is overrated and behavior matters more  How courage builds resilient leaders and cultures  The power of presence and the “Yes, And” mindset  Improv as a tool for unlocking authenticity and collaboration  How courage builds resilient leaders and cultures   Highlights:   [01:02] Meet Travis Thomas: Improv performer, leadership coach, and author  [02:48] Building LiveYesAnd and bridging improv with elite sports  [05:05] From Flint to Boston: How improv redefined Travis’ life path  [10:59] Improvisation helps people listen, connect, and train  [13:06] Courage instead of confidence  [15:10] A life-changing accident that sparked transformation  [19:52] Who are you if you strip away your title, accomplishments, and stuff?  [22:13] Travis' word for 2025: Evolve  [26:40] Authenticity vs. people-pleasing in high-stakes environments  [28:48] Choosing courage over comfort in leadership  [34:53] Improv training creates a safe space to celebrate celebrations and failure  [39:08] Why collaboration beats competition for peak performance  [42:40] Collaborative mindset vs competitive mindset  [46:53] The scarcity and abundance mindsets  [52:52] How to bring an improv mindset into your teams and culture  [01:02:16] Creating environments that reward curiosity, not control  [01:06:08] The importance of the "Yes, And" mindset  [01:13:26] Just stop, stay, and listen  [01:17:04] Consequences of consciously controlling the outcome  [01:20:13] The power of psychological safety in elite teams  [01:24:30] How can people step out of their comfort zone even if they are scared or anxious?  [01:27:36] Fear without courage is comfort.     Learn more about Travis’ book, Confidence is Overrated, and other resources:  Website: https://www.liveyesand.com/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liveyesand/   X: https://x.com/LiveYesAnd     Are you interested in developing your storytelling and leadership skills? Contact us at HigherEchelon.com

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  5. ٦ أغسطس

    #65: Why Not Us, Why Not Now? Pursuing Excellence with Heart and Hustle with Mark Frisch

    What does it take to lead a legacy business into something bigger? It’s not just about keeping things running—it’s about vision, resilience, and the courage to lead differently. That’s exactly how Mark Frisch shows up. In this episode, Dr. Eric Bean sits down with Mark Frisch, Executive Vice President and Co-Owner of Beaver Street Fisheries, one of the largest seafood importers in the U.S. Mark shares what it’s like to lead without a formal title, navigate the complexities of family business, and drive innovation while honoring tradition. Mark’s organization, Sea Best is sponsoring the #10 car in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series. Sea Best, is the primary sponsor for 20 races this year. There are five races remaining in the 2025 sponsorship, including this weekend at Watkins Glen in NY. Mark gets real about building influence without authority, learning from failure, and what it means to lead with conviction—especially when the stakes are personal and professional. If you're leading something that matters, this conversation will resonate. Enjoy the episode! Key Takeaways: Navigating through family dynamics, making bold decisions, and being motivated Leading with humility and heart Driving innovation in a legacy business without losing its soul Earning trust and influence when you don’t have the title How small wins build influence when you don’t have formal authority The importance of challenging your team, but also appreciating them Making bold moves—even when they don’t always land Highlights: [02:44] Get to know Mark and their family business [04:25] Lessons from three generations of leadership [08:44] Navigating resistance and dual roles in a family business [11:16] What can I control vs what can I not control? [13:12] Building influence through small wins and smart risks [17:50] “You’re giving me golf swing advice, and you’ve never played golf.” [21:53] Outwork, out-serve, and show up for your team [25:22] Maxing out potentials, talents, and abilities [29:27] Choosing culture amplifiers over culture vampires [37:42] Entering the world of NASCAR – What NASCAR taught Mark about bold branding [41:20] Creating a culture of excellence and when to go big [46:33] Make decisions fast, even when they’re wrong vs waiting for the perfect time [51:53] What younger Mark needed to hear: Stop being a people pleaser [56:00] Showcasing vulnerability, authenticity, and transparency [01:02:27] Connect with Mark and BSF Connect with Mark Frisch and BSF: Beaver Street Fisheries Website: https://www.beaverstreetfisheries.com/  Seab Best Website: https://seabest.com/  Mark’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-frisch-b71943358/ Explore our executive coaching, leadership development workshops, and culture assessment solutions at HigherEchelon.com

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  6. ٢٣ يوليو

    #64: Swimming Past Fears, Failures, and Sharks with Jen Schumacher

    What comes to mind when you think of someone who pushes limits—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally? Grit. Clarity of purpose. A willingness to meet fear with curiosity, not avoidance. That’s exactly who Dr. Jen Schumacher is.  Jen is a world-class mental performance coach whose work spans elite sport, the military, and academia. She’s led mental training programs at West Point and Northwestern Football, and she’s an ultra-endurance athlete who’s literally swum through her fears—once across the 21-mile Catalina Channel, at night, with sharks below.  In this episode of Coaching Through Stories with Dr. Eric Bean, Jen shares how that swim became a turning point—a living lab for the tools she now teaches others. Together, they explore the role of fear, preparation, and self-talk in performance. You’ll hear how discomfort can become a gateway to confidence, and how personal growth often mirrors professional growth in powerful ways.  Whether you’re pursuing a bold goal, facing uncertainty, or simply curious about the mental side of high performance—this conversation is full of insight and inspiration.    Key Takeaways:  Fear can be trained for—not just tolerated; the power of fear statements and how to create them  How to ground yourself in purpose before a challenge  How physical preparation supports mental readiness  Reflection fuels growth—especially after setbacks: reframing fear through education, routines, and self-talk  Use your life as a performance lab    Highlights:  [2:21] Jen’s journey from athlete to elite mental performance coach [5:55] Why she returned to open water swimming and how it shaped her career  [8:04] Treating marathon swimming as a mental performance lab  [12:11] What is marathon swimming?  [14:20] Fear of sharks and how it mirrors other performance fears  [17:11] Keys to navigate fear  [19:14] “The shark you see isn’t the one you need to worry about.”  [20:05] More of fear statements that help Jen with marathon swimming  [24:50] Why mental rehearsal is critical for game-day performance  [28:43] Swimming with a Galapagos shark and putting fear training to the test  [33:16] The mindset of being self-competitive  [37:15] How to respond and manage failure?  [43:52] The skill of dealing with failure  [47:28] At the core of Jen's high-performance philosophy  [52:38] Great leadership is doing what is required for you in that moment  [55:18] A Reflection piece is an important part for high performers  [01:00:27] Being authentic and stretching your comfort zone when you are the only woman in the room  [01:04:50] Attributes necessary to be a great coach or business leader  [01:10:14] Reasons why taking credit for things taken for granted is important:  [01:10:23] Reason #1: It helps build our confidence  [01:10:48] Reason #2: It is easy to remember big wins. Give yourself credit for small wins.  [01:12:11] What is the reset routine?  [01:17:22] Difference between a coach and a consultant     Connect with Jen Schumacher:   Website: https://www.jenschumacher.com/   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jen-schumacher-25b967b5/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenschumacher     At HigherEchelon, we believe mental performance isn't just for elite athletes—it's for anyone striving to lead, grow, and perform at a higher level. If today’s episode sparked something in you, and you're ready to strengthen your mindset, lead with purpose, or build a high-performing culture, our team is here to help.  Explore our executive coaching, leadership development workshops, and culture assessment solutions at HigherEchelon.com

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  7. ٩ يوليو

    #63: The Power of Purpose with Dr. Eric Bean

    Purpose isn’t just a buzzword – it's the driving force that powers motivation, builds resilience, and amplifies impact. In this episode of Coaching Through Stories, Dr. Eric Bean dives deep into the meaning and application of purpose, not just as a concept but as a leadership strategy. He explores how leaders can tap into multiple sources of motivation by anchoring work, even the smallest tasks, in a compelling, long-term mission.   Through research and powerful stories like the 17th century, London bricklayers and President Kennedy’s NASA visit during the Space Race, Dr. Bean illustrates how purpose empowers leaders and teams to see beyond tasks and connect with a bigger mission. He offers practical strategies for discovering your “why,” aligning it with your leadership and infusing it into everyday decisions.    Whether searching for more meaning in your work or looking to spark purpose within your team, this conversation will equip you with insight and tools to lead with intention.  Key Takeaways: Why perspective matters: How three bricklayers building the same wall saw vastly different meaning in their work—and why you should ask your team “What are you doing?”  Connecting every role to a grand mission: Lessons from a NASA janitor who saw broom‑sweeping as part of getting a man on the moon.  The science of meaningful work: Research showing links between purpose, job satisfaction, engagement, and lower burnout.  Defining your leadership purpose: A clear, evidence‑backed definition and a simple exercise to craft your own “why” in 20 words or less.  Three levels of impact (Aaron Hurst): Individual contributions, organizational change, and societal transformation—and how to find your sweet spot.  Purpose‑driven strategies: Embedding purpose in decisions, contests (think PepsiCo’s “Performance with Purpose”), storytelling, rituals, and recognition.  Empowering your team: Practical tips for helping employees see how daily tasks feed a larger mission (Adam Grant’s call‑center study, and more).  Highlights: [0:59] The story of the bricklayers and how perspective shapes purpose  [3:22] The NASA janitor and the power of connecting small tasks to grand missions  [4:43] High levels of meaningful work = High levels of job satisfaction, commitment, and engagement  [5:37] Defining purpose as a long-term, meaningful goal that impacts others  [9:08] Aaron Hurst’s three levels of impact  [11:26] Write down your leadership purpose  [13:01] Turning purpose into action: leadership decisions, values, and communication  [14:43] “Performance with a Purpose” from Indra Nooyi and PepsiCo  [16:12] Leveraging storytelling to inspire team alignment  [17:52] How can we help our team connect to a shared purpose  [19:03] Adam Grant’s famous study on call center motivation and meaningful work  [20:03] Infusing purpose into your leadership  Resources:  Learn more about Aaron Hurst’s research on purpose in the workplace: imperative.com   Michael F. Steger et al., “Measuring Meaningful Work”: Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes  Indra Nooyi’s “Performance with Purpose”: PepsiCo’s sustainability & social responsibility framework  Adam Grant’s study on meaningful work: [Organizational Behavior Journal]  Connect with Us  Subscribe on Apple Podcasts | Spotify   Follow on Twitter and LinkedIn  Share your leadership purpose with #CoachingThroughStories  “Leading with purpose isn’t about prescribing meaning—it’s about inviting others to see the mission in every moment.”  — Dr. Eric Bean

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  8. ٢٥ يونيو

    #62: Stories that Move Minds: Insights on Storytelling with Andrea Sampson

    In this episode of Coaching Through Stories, Dr. Eric Bean sits down with Andrea Sampson, TED-trained speaker coach and founder of Talk Boutique, to explore the art and science of storytelling.  Andrea has spent decades helping scientists, leaders, and change-makers turn data and insight into stories that shift minds and spark action. From shaping global TEDx stages to guiding organizations through change, Andrea reframes storytelling not just as a tool but as a leadership mindset. She breaks down how stories create alignment, bridge the head and the heart, and help teams navigate uncertainty and resistance. Listeners will learn how to build compelling narratives rooted in purpose, how stories activate empathy and trust, and why everyone can learn to wield stories as a transformative leadership skill. Key Takeaways: Why storytelling is a mindset, not a tactic The science behind neuro-coupling and how the story makes your message stick How to turn abstract data into emotionally resonant ideas Storytelling as a tool for managing change and building value-aligned cultures Highlights: [02:24] Stories are part of who we are [03:49] Why storytelling is more than a tactic [05:11] Andrea’s origin story: from global advertising executive to TEDx speaker, coach, and founder of Talk Boutique [10:41] The power of values alignment [11:25] Understanding the difference between a value and a need [14:17] How the expert mindset and change-maker mindset both limit impact without storytelling [15:50] The magic of blending data with emotion [18:49] Why effective leaders must become professional communicators [19:49] How to identify your core leadership idea and consistently communicate it [22:30] Using stories to reduce conflict, clarify purpose, and see commonalities [24:59] Overcoming resistance to storytelling [35:28] Why not just tell a metaphor? [42:45] "Be inside that story." [44:23] Creating a tension point in storytelling [49:35] Importance of storytelling at the organizational level [56:54] There is no such thing as continuity of leadership [01:01:22] Storytelling to enhance people's comfort with change [01:02:37] The “mythology” of organizations: Why honoring your past helps you lead people into a shared vision of the future [01:03:57] Connect with Andrea Sampson Learn more about storytelling with Andrea's toolkit by visiting their YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@talk.boutique Website: https://talkboutique.com/  Are you interested in developing your storytelling and leadership skills? Contact us at HigherEchelon.com

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High performing leaders are able to be their best when it matters the most. This bi-weekly, Wednesday podcast provides listeners with stories, research, and interviews that spark connection between people, concepts, thoughts, and behaviors. Dr. Eric Bean, a published peer-reviewed author, and Certified Mental Performance Coach, coaches listeners through stories from mythology, current events, research, and popular literature that serve as a window into high performance and powerful leadership. Dr. Bean brings in thought leaders from various fields like business, sport, and military to give listeners tips and strategies from their own experiences. His goal is to provide you with practical tools you can use to become a more resilient and adaptable leader and reach your leadership potential.

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