The Coach's Journey - build a coaching business with integrity

Afleveringen

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  #125: Helen ONeill – How to Publish as a Coach, Build a Portfolio Career, and Make Your Next Step Count 06.08.2026 1u 58min

  When five-time published author Helen ONeill entered the coaching space, she found that many coaches had misconceptions about writing and publishing. Some felt they needed permission to write their book, while others were held back by gatekeeping, snobbery and exploitative business practices. Her response was to set up Coach Write, the book coaching business she runs to help coaches make the choices that are right for them as they navigate their publishing journey, drawing on her expertise as an EMCC-accredited coach and a published author in a range of genres. The Coach Write stream of Helen’s business forms part of her portfolio career, and in this episode of The Coach’s Journey Podcast, she tells host Alex Swallow about how she spent 20 years gaining experience in recruitment, human resources and psychometrics before becoming a portfolio career and change management specialist. Helen helps people who want a life and a career comprised of several threads to weave them together in a way that is sustainable and nourishing, ensuring the common pitfall of burnout is avoided altogether. She speaks about the boundaries and strategies that underpin this process, and describes the many synergies between the secrets of building a thriving author business and becoming a successful coach. Helen is passionate about creating a space for coaches to write and publish, where they can build a truly fulfilling life of variety, challenge and achievement. In this episode she cuts through the nonsense with practical, inspirational advice for anyone seeking to make a well-chosen next step in their career. Helen and Alex also talk about: • How to structure a portfolio career to ensure your time, energy, and income are in balance
 • Setting up a no-stress side hustle that puts a bit of joy into the world
 • The “messy middle” of mid-to-senior level work and the many different paths that it can lead to 
 • ‘AI vertigo’ and how to get on the front foot rather than living in fear of AI 
 • How to build your online presence without draining your soul by focusing on what you love doing
 THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT THAT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: - Coach Write https://coachwrite.co.uk/ - Gather and Grow https://www.gatherandgrow.community/ - EMCC https://emccglobal.org/ - Time to Think by Nancy Kline https://www.timetothink.com/books/time-to-think/ - Barefoot Coaching https://barefootcoaching.co.uk/ - The Sheffield Coaching Exchange https://www.linkedin.com/company/sheffield-coaching-exchange/ - Robbie Swale’s Coaching Business Flywheel https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/the-coaching-business-flywheel BIOGRAPHY FROM HELEN Helen ONeill spent 20 years leading complex change portfolios before embarking on her own successful portfolio career. Today she’s an EMCC accredited coach, five-time published author, and the founder of Coach Write, where she helps coaches write and publish books that position them as thought leaders. She rarely watches television, she’s rubbish at updating social media, and she tries to avoid the news as much as possible. Instead, she packs her life with experiences, achievements, and laughter, and she loves helping others do the same.
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  #124: Nishe Patel – Our Coaching Clients are More Capable Than We Ever Know 02.07.2026 2u 12min

  When we truly trust a client with our thinking, we can make space for them to use it in their own way. This trust is at the heart of Nishe Patel’s coaching practice, and in this episode of The Coach’s Journey Podcast she explains how occupying a space of not-knowing can pave the way to deep and genuine connections between coaches and their clients. In conversation with Alex Whitton, Nishe brings her expertise to bear on vital questions about the very nature of the curiosity that we prize so highly in coaching and how we can harness curiosity in the spirit of play, creativity and an interest in the person rather than the problem. Nishe experienced a magical moment when she first encountered coaching, and she speaks about the one question that brought her to tears when it was first asked to her within a thoughtfully held coaching framework. This magic gave her the confidence to quit her job in order to embark on several years of training that transformed her career and her life. Nishe’s training includes neuro-linguistic programming, hypnosis, and emotion-focused therapy, and she discusses the benefits of being able to integrate working with the unconscious as well as the conscious mind in her practice. Nishe also explains how taking a step back from her coaching career in order to recover from an operation produced insights into the expectations she placed on herself and her clients that would reshape her approach to her work. The rise of AI coaching and mentoring are discussed, along with the principles that underpin various modalities of practice with an ever-increasing reach and appeal. After over a decade in practice, Nishe remains hugely excited by the learning and development that coaching still has to offer her. This episode captures the unfolding nature of a coaching practice, as Nishe shares how she is still discovering new layers of meaning in her work. Nishe and Alex also talk about: How to create the conditions for a deep connection with coaching clients that goes beyond cognitive understanding Striking a balance between reassurance and challenge How to ensure your business enables you to live the lifestyle you want to lead The times when coaches need to disappear for their clients to own their growth How to let go of the need to know why, in order to be with what is THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT THAT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: - Master Certified Coach training from the ICF https://coachingfederation.org/credentialing/icf-credentials-overview/mcc/ - NLP coach training https://nlpuktraining.com/ - Cyclothymia https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/cyclothymia/ - ADHD https://adhduk.co.uk/ - ACTP https://myactp.com/coach-certification/ - Animas https://www.animascoaching.com/ - EFT (Emotion-focused therapy) https://www.priorygroup.com/our-services/types-of-therapy/emotion-focused-therapy-eft - Eric Berne and Transactional Analysis https://ericberne.com/transactional-analysis/ - Sir John Whitmore https://www.performanceconsultants.com/about-us/sir-john-whitmore/ - Eriksonian hypnotherapy https://www.hypnotherapy-directory.org.uk/approach/ericksonian.html  - Anise Frost https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/118-anise-frost-how-to-craft-presence-and-ask-magic-questions - Sam Isaacson https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/112-sam-isaacson-the-challenges-facing-coaching-in-the-age-of-ai - Shruti Sonthalia https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/108-shruti-sonthalia-awareness-combined-with-action-is-the-key-to-creating-change BIOGRAPHY FROM NISHE Nishe is a coach, facilitator, mentor, and supervisor with a genuine passion for helping people think differently and be themselves in whatever way they choose. Her approach is ever-evolving as she thoughtfully integrates a variety of techniques, theories, and personal experiences into her practice. Nishe predominately works through associate roles, coaching senior leaders and small business owners as they navigate the complexities of work.
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  #123 - Why I'm Closing The Coach's Journey Podcast 18.06.2026 27min

  After almost 7 years, I’ve decided to close The Coach’s Journey Podcast this autumn. As I have done throughout The Coach’s Journey, I want to share my thinking about my business with you, in service of supporting you to think about yours in new ways. And so in this episode, I share my thinking on closing down this podcast, what will happen between now and the final episode in October, and what I’ve learned from the process of deciding to close the show. I also share big news about The Coach’s Journey Community, and how my work with coaches is evolving in an exciting new group programme for coaches launching this year. In particular, I talk about: How I use my energy as a compass in my business. What can happen if we’re brave enough to say ‘No’ to things most people aren’t brave enough to say ‘No’ to. The crucial distinction between the work and the container. How I’m going to take what was magical about The Coach’s Journey Community and build it into a new programme, which creates even more tension and possibility for transformation. It's exciting times... and it's bittersweet.  But I'm so proud of what we've made here at The Coach's Journey, and I know you've valued it too. I'm looking forward to sharing some fantastic new content - and shining a spotlight on some amazing old content - over the final few months of the show, before we close in October.  And if you’re curious to find out more about my new group programme, which I outlined in this episode, you can read more and apply here: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/group-coaching-programme If you like this episode, you’ll love Robbie’s ebook, An Introduction to The Coaching Business Flywheel, visit https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/the-coaching-business-flywheel For more information about Robbie, visit https://www.robbieswale.com/ Read more about The Coach's Journey at www.thecoachsjourney.com. Music by My Good Man William: listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4KmeQUcTbeE31uFynHQLQg THINGS I TALKED ABOUT THAT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: My new group programme for coaches - read more and apply here: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/group-coaching-programme The Coach’s Journey Mailing list: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/subscribe Episode #56: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-56-introducing-the-new-hosts-ushering-in-the-future-of-the-coachs-journey My ebook, An Introduction to the Coaching Business Flywheel: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/the-coaching-business-flywheel A podcast deep dive series on the flywheel and all its parts: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/writing/dive-deep-into-the-foundations-of-a-sustainable-coaching-business-via-the-coaching-business-flywheel Neil’s interview with Julie Starr: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-58-julie-starr-the-world-works-from-the-inside-out 12-Minute Method Books: https://geni.us/12minutemethodseries The Power to Choose: https://geni.us/powertochoose Robbie’s mailing list: https://www.robbieswale.com/mailing-list Joey interviewing Robbie, particularly about Meaningful Productivity: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/99-robbie-swale-the-secrets-of-meaningful-productivity-honourable-leadership-and-tilting-the-world-towards-heaven Robbie’s Meaningful Productivity Blueprint: https://www.robbieswale.com/meaningful-productivity The podcast episode about creating The Coach’s Journey Community: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/robbie-on-new-work-group-coaching-tcj-communty If you’ve consumed ALL the content at http://www.thecoachsjourney.com and still want more, email me here: hello@thecoachsjourney.com.
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  #122: Jenny Rogers – Why You Shouldn’t Be Afraid of Getting Coaching Wrong 03.06.2026 2u 4min

  Throughout a career spanning roles as a teacher, BBC television producer, coach and prolific author, Jenny Rogers has never been afraid of getting things wrong. In this episode of The Coach’s Journey Podcast, the executive coach, supervisor, trainer and author of coaching titles such as Are You Listening? tells host Neil Mackinnon about the vital importance of experimentation and of embracing our mistakes in order to benefit from a lifetime of learning experiences that make us better coaches and ground us in our humanity. Jenny flies the flag for a whole-life perspective in coaching, eschewing narrow approaches in favour of a style that acknowledges the way our personal and working lives are inextricably intertwined, and makes room for all the parts of us. A deep interest in psychotherapy has enriched Jenny’s coaching practice and she highlights the modalities that fascinate her the most, as well as the key therapeutic ideas and techniques that are readily transferrable to any coaching practice. Jenny also discusses her latest books, which address important questions about navigating boundaries as a new coach and working through the challenges many women face in midlife. This episode is full of sage advice drawn from a wonderfully diverse, rich career in coaching and creativity, shared by a practitioner whose dauntless spirit of curiosity and passion for understanding human relationships is as infectious as it is inspiring. Jenny and Neil also talk about: - The relationship between trauma-aware coaching and psychodynamic therapy - Nurturing a healthy writing practice and overcoming creative blocks - How we accumulate rigid ways of thinking, and why it is hard to make change on your own - The art of embodying a place of non-judgement, and offering challenge with compassion THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT THAT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: - Jenny Rogers https://www.jennyrogers.com - BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk - Delia Smith https://www.deliaonline.com - Madhur Jaffrey https://www.madhurjaffrey.com - BBC Two https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctwo - BBC Books https://www.penguin.co.uk/company/publishers/bbc-books - Columbia University https://www.columbia.edu - Management Futures https://www.managementfutures.co.uk - Are You Listening (book) https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/111/1115931/are-you-listening/9780241973986.html - Julia Vaughan-Smith https://www.juliavaughansmith.com - Nscience https://nscience.uk - Franz Ruppert https://www.franz-ruppert.de/en/ - Irvin Yalom https://www.yalom.com - The Gift of Therapy (book) https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-gift-of-therapy-irvin-d-yalom - Carl Rogers https://www.britannica.com/biography/Carl-Rogers - Gabor Mate https://www.upaya.org/person/dr-gabor-mate - University College Hospital London https://www.uclh.nhs.uk - Guildhall School of Music & Drama https://www.gsmd.ac.uk - How Not to Be a Doctor, by John Launer https://www.duckworthbooks.co.uk/book/how-not-to-be-a-doctor/ - Barbican Centre https://www.barbican.org.uk - City of London Corporation https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk - EMCC Global https://www.emccglobal.org - ILM https://www.institutelm.com - Coaches Training Institute (Co-Active) https://coactive.com BIOGRAPHY FROM JENNY I am an executive coach, coach trainer and supervisor, and accreditation assessor for APECS, the premier coaching accreditation body of the UK. Along with these roles, I am a writer, textile artist, cook, grandmother and keen walker. Thirty five years ago, I was an early entrant to the world of coaching, after earlier careers in teaching, television production and publishing. Typically, my clients are facing a major transition in their lives and find that a coaching perspective is the key to finding solutions that work. As a coach I work with senior clients in the law, medicine, finance, healthcare, performing arts and media along with volunteer roles for severely disadvantaged women.
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  #121: Myles Downey - The Sessions and Why Genius is Dangerous 21.05.2026 1u 10min

  Myles Downey’s new book, The Sessions, marks a transition, a metamorphosis in his influential body of work. And that becomes the theme of this, his third appearance on The Coach’s Journey Podcast. What happens when it is no longer sustainable to remain what you have been? What is it like to have an idea - like Myles did with The Sessions more than 30 years ago - and not be able to let it go? And for Padraig, the protagonist of The Sessions, what is it like for someone to step into their own shoes, becoming a leader, becoming oneself as a leader? That is just the start, though, in a wide-ranging conversation about Myles’ work, his new book, and what he has coming up next as part of what has already been an incredibly influential and impactful career, which started working closely with Sir John Whitmore in the early days of coaching in the UK and passed through The School of Coaching, his bestselling book Effective Modern Coaching and his powerful work on genius, which culminated in the book, Enabling Genius. In particular, we talk about: Whether it is our duty and responsibility to express ourselves. Poetry, prose, fiction, non-fiction, and Myles’ relationship to reading and writing (and what this has to do with coaching). Myles’ passion for human nature, creativity and how human beings should be more of themselves, not less of themselves. The close relationship between genius and being seen as mad, and why some leaders and CEOs see genius as dangerous. One of the most powerful coaching exercises Myles did with Robbie when he was Robbie’s coach. And at the end, Myles tells a moving story about the influence of his wife, Jo, on The Sessions and his wider work, and gives a tantalising trailer for what might be his next book: The Inner Game of Leadership - what it takes to express oneself, configured around the notion of leadership. To listen to Myles’ first appearance on The Coach’s Journey Podcast, visit https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-31-myles-downey To listen to his second appearance on the show, visit: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/69-myles-downey-what-is-effective-coaching-performance-coaching-when-to-be-directive-changing-clients-maps-of-reality-and-more For more information about Myles, visit www.mylesdowney.com or find him on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/mylesdowney For more information about Robbie Swale, visit www.robbieswale.com. Read more about The Coach's Journey at www.thecoachsjourney.com. Music by My Good Man William: listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4KmeQUcTbeE31uFynHQLQg To support the Coach's Journey, visit www.patreon.com/thecoachsjourney and to join the Coach's Journey Community visit www.thecoachsjourney.com/community. Things and people we mentioned (that you might be interested in): Myles' previous appearances on The Coach's Journey Podcast: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-31-myles-downey https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/69-myles-downey-what-is-effective-coaching-performance-coaching-when-to-be-directive-changing-clients-maps-of-reality-and-more The Sessions by Myles Downey: https://thesessions.online/ and https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sessions-tale-leadership-Dublin-pubs-ebook/dp/B0GKCWPD4B/ The Inner Game of Tennis by Timothy Gallwey: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Inner-Game-Tennis-ultimate-performance/dp/1447288505/ Myles’ books: Effective Modern Coaching, The Enabling Manager, Enabling Genius: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Effective-Modern-Coaching-principles-successful/dp/191595116X/ The fantasy novels where Robbie learned why poetry matters was The Long Price Quartet by Daniel Abraham: https://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Long-Price-Quartet/dp/B074CFZ29B Joseph Campbell: http://robbieswale.com/the-12-minute-blog/2024/10/9/the-insecure-way-is-really-the-secure-way Strong Ground by Brene Brown: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Strong-Ground-Leadership-Tenacity-Vermilion/dp/178504320X Roberto Assagioli: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roberto_Assagioli BIOGRAPHY FROM MYLES Myles Downey is a recognized authority on Performance, Coaching and Leadership and the author of three classics in the coaching and performance arena: ‘Effective Modern Coaching’, (330,00+ books sold); ‘Enabling Genius – a mindset for success in the 21st Century’; ‘The Enabling Manager – how to get the best out of your team’. Myles is one of the leading executive performance coaches in Europe, with global experience (Europe, North and South America, Asia-Pacific, UAE). He has worked across the C-suite in many prestigious organisations over the past 35 years, in a wide variety of industries, including Banking and Financial Services, Manufacturing, Oil and Gas, Professional Services, Tech, the Public Sector and Sports. Myles was the founder of The School of Coaching (1996 to 2012), at the time the premier institution for coach training in Europe. Myles has deployed his performance coaching programs with the Senior Coaches of the England Rugby Team and with the New Zealand Elite Rugby Coaches. Myles has been a speaker at many leadership conferences, including the BBC’s Conference for its top 400 senior executives, the McKinsey Global Partners Conference in Singapore and the ICF Global Conference in Malmo, to name a few. After 33 years living in London, Myles now lives in Norfolk, England. He was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1959. Myles plays for Norfolk Veterans Tennis and competes occasionally on the ITF Masters Tour.
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  #120: Mel Sims – Neurodivergent Coaching, and How to be Unpolished, Scuffed and Brilliant 07.05.2026 1u 53min

  When Mel Sims discovered coaching, she was adamant that nobody could understand her life. Her journey into coaching allowed her to put down the mask, harness her strengths, and re-emerge into the world as a neurodivergent emotional coach. Mel trained as a coach while learning about herself through the lens of an ADHD diagnosis. As well as offering her a pathway of personal growth, these experiences helped Mel find her niche through the realisation that neurodivergent people need a particular coaching approach. In this episode of The Coach’s Journey Podcast, Mel speaks to host Joey Owen about different styles of emotional communication, and the many ways in which people can be misunderstood. She talks about how being an “unpolished” coach enables her to offer a space where people can let go of their need hide their feelings and be guided by an authentic intuition. Mel offers several brilliant metaphors and visualisation techniques that illuminate this episode, such as the idea of wearing a colander on your head as a way to filter information, and thinking of neurodivergent minds as stars that have become more visible in our world of modern telescopes and greater understanding. The challenges of time management, rest and staying grounded are explored in this episode as Mel describes how she tailors coaching to people who might need alternative approaches to scheduling, flexibility, communication and depth. Mel and Joey also talk about: The intuitive, bordering-on-magical connection that neurodivergent people share having navigated shared challenges How to make space for emotional outpourings that can have a transformative impact in coaching sessions A psychological technique that enables a kinder, more compassionate approach to self-coaching How to own your weak spots and set healthy expectations Mel also explains why she starts some of her inspirational coaching talks wearing a snorkel, a diving mask and a pair of flippers! For more information about Mel, visit: https://melsimslifecoach.co.uk or @theadhdhummingbird on Facebook and Instagram For more information about host Joey Owen, visit http://www.joeyowencoaching.com/ Read more about The Coach's Journey at www.thecoachsjourney.com Music by My Good Man William: listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4KmeQUcTbeE31uFynHQLQg To support the Coach's Journey, visit www.patreon.com/thecoachsjourney and to join the Coach's Journey Community visit www.thecoachsjourney.com/community. THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT THAT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: - Robbie Swale’s 12-Minute Method books https://www.robbieswale.com/the-12minute-books - Ruth Kudzi https://www.ruthkudzi.com/ - ICF https://coachingfederation.org/ - John Demartini https://drdemartini.com/ - Calendly https://calendly.com/ - Meta Business Suite https://www.facebook.com/business/tools/meta-business-suite - Inside Our Minds with Chris Packham https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0bbnh47 - Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) https://emdrassociation.org.uk/ - Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) https://www.additudemag.com/rejection-sensitive-dysphoria-and-adhd/ - Transactional Analysis https://www.simplypsychology.org/transactional-analysis-eric-berne.html - Episode #116 of The Coach’s Journey Podcast, on the importance of having your own coach https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/116-why-hiring-a-coach-is-the-most-important-investment-youll-make-in-your-coaching-business - Patience https://www.channel4.com/programmes/patience LINKS FROM MEL: - My favourite ‘emotions in individuals’ viewing https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/p0b8kmch/couples-therapy - Shame and ADHD https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002c6bb - Being different and anxious as an Autistic person - https://www.channel4.com/programmes/are-you-autistic Free additional training for coaches with Positive Intelligence (do the test first to see what your Sabateurs are) https://www.positiveintelligence.com/saboteurs/ - Discovering your values quiz (I realised my ad agency days and working with under 5’s was all about loving helping people) https://drdemartini.com/pl/play?url=%2Fwhat-are-values%2F - Great book on RSD (hating people being cross with you) https://atlantic-books.co.uk/book/the-courage-to-be-disliked/ - And another one written by a brilliant ADHD podcast host https://www.sheldonpress.co.uk/titles/alex-partridge/why-does-everybody-hate-me/9781399827843/
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  #119: Dorie Clark – Fear Not, Coaches! Dorie is Your Colleague, not Your Competitor 02.04.2026 1u 16min

  If coaching was a competition, Dorie Clark would be a truly fearsome competitor. A university graduate at the age of 18, she has since embarked on a unique career spanning journalism, politics, writing, coaching, consultancy, education and community building. And that’s without mentioning her musicals, stand-up comedy, TED talks and conferences! Thankfully, Dorie is with us on this episode of The Coach’s Journey Podcast to insist that coaching is not a competition. On the contrary, she says we all need each other and must find a community of practitioners who can support us in our goals as we navigate an ever-changing coaching landscape. Dorie launched her first consulting and coaching practice in 2006, before rising to the very top of her profession. She was named the world’s #1 communication coach in the Marshall Goldsmith Leading Global Coaches Awards, and is the bestselling author of books like The Long Game, Entrepreneurial You, and Stand Out, which was named the #1 Leadership Book of the Year by Inc. magazine. In conversation with Alex Swallow, Dorie draws on her vast and varied experience as she shares personal and professional insights about overcoming barriers to success in coaching, debunking commonly held myths and barriers to personal development that keep many of us from fulfilling our potential. She offers an invaluable perspective on what coaches can do to future-proof themselves in the age of AI, and shares learning from her Trajectory Mastermind thought-leadership group and her Recognized Expert reputational development course. Dorie also speaks about her long-term goal to be US ambassador to a foreign country, and reveals an exciting announcement she is about to make that will be important for coaches everywhere to pay attention to! Dorie and Alex also talk about: • The challenge of being a beginner and how to cultivate an authentic, confident stance • Where to find the roots of our self esteem and how to strengthen it • Handling knockbacks and rejection in a way that actually drives you and your business forward • How to spot structural risks in your coaching business and how to protect yourself against the winds of fortune THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT THAT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: - Cheryl Richardson https://cherylrichardson.com/ - Recognized Expert https://learn.dorieclark.com/courses/expert - Dorie’s work in Harvard Business Review https://hbr.org/2011/03/reinventing-your-personal-brand - Dorie’s podcasts https://dorieclark.com/resources/podcasts/ - Dorie’s TED Talks https://www.ted.com/speakers/dorie_clark - Dorie’s LinkedIn newsletter https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/dorie-clark-newsletter-6640647216497209344/ - Jim Rohn, You are the Average of the Five People You Spend the Most Time With https://www.jimrohn.com/wisdom/articles/average-of-five-people-you-spend-time-with - Dorie’s musicals https://dorieclark.com/musicals/ - RExCon/REx Summit conference for Recognized Expert https://learn.dorieclark.com/courses/rexsummit - Marshall Goldsmith https://www.marshallgoldsmith.com/ - Dorie’s books https://dorieclark.com/books/ - dorieclark.com/subscribe  - Dorie’s course on Writing for High Profile Organisations https://learn.dorieclark.com/courses/highprofile - Trajectory Mastermind https://learn.dorieclark.com/courses/mm
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  #118: Anise Frost – How to Craft Presence and Ask Magic Questions 05.03.2026 2u 15min

  By studying Plato and Socrates for more than a decade, Anise Frost learned the art of asking questions that unlock the hidden parts of people. Her mastery of that skill has forged relationships of trust with brands and organisations who turn to her for team coaching and consultancy. In return she helps them explore deeply and unearth new pathways for development. Anise was a maths teacher when she discovered coaching, and her years in the classroom gave her relational skills, resilience and an ability to hold space that would be difficult to develop in the same way in any other setting. In this episode of The Coach’s Journey Podcast, Anise describes how team coaching allows her to bring “all the magic” of teaching, coaching, and neuro-linguistic programming together to enhance collaboration, make group dynamics visible, and instill purpose in the teams she works with. In conversation with host Alex Whitton, Anise describes how she curates coaching spaces in which men can be vulnerable, as well as spaces where women in leadership can accelerate their development. She also speaks about the Executive Round Table discussions she facilitates for her LinkedIn contacts, offering a space where people from divergent industries can reflect on resonant themes and topics. Anise and Alex also talk about: Having the confidence to not only sit with uncertainty but flex in response to it How to keep your cup full and avoid the common pitfall of compassion fatigue What happens when we focus too much on asking the right question and not enough on being curious How to stop working against the grain of your own preferences when building your coaching business Anise also shares the story of meeting with one of the world’s biggest brands and explains how she side-stepped her imposter syndrome to allow her expertise and brilliance to shine undimmed. THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT THAT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: -  The Coaching Academy https://www.the-coaching-academy.com/ - More Happi https://morehappi.com/ - Women in Business Network https://wibn.co.uk/ - Sam Isaacson on The Coach’s Journey Podcast https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/112-sam-isaacson-the-challenges-facing-coaching-in-the-age-of-ai - Claire Pedrick on The Coach’s Journey Podcast https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-44-claire-pedrick-cutting-through-complexity-and-simplifying-coaching - NLP https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuro-linguistic_programming - Rich Litvin https://richlitvin.com/ - Nicky Davies https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicky-j-davies-executivecoach/ - Patrick Lencioni, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Five_Dysfunctions_of_a_Team
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  #117 - When Your Coaching Business Feels Too Hard (Part 2): Self-Doubt, Money, and Staying in the Game 05.02.2026 1u 8min

  When your coaching business feels too hard, it’s rarely just about strategy. In this conversation (a follow-up to Episode #115), Ruth Saville, Alex Whitton and Robbie Swale explore three of the biggest pressure-points coaches face as they try to stay in the work for the long game: self-doubt, money, and the quiet temptation to question everything when things feel wobbly. Together, we talk about: Self-doubt: how it shows up, why it’s so persistent, and what helps you stay grounded (including building your own evidence bank of impact) Tactics and alignment: the difference between “hard because it’s growth” and “hard because it’s avoidable suffering” Money pressure: why financial scarcity affects how we think, and how simple, practical actions can bring steadiness back Staying in the game: creating systems that help you keep moving even when you’re tired, overwhelmed, or questioning your path This is an episode for coaches who want to keep going - without pretending it’s easy, and without needing to take themselves quite so seriously along the way. And if you’d like support with all of this - building the business and staying human while you do it - you can explore The Coach’s Journey Community here: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/community Listen to Part 1 of this conversation: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/115-what-do-you-do-when-your-coaching-business-feels-too-hard Download Robbie’s ebook, An Introduction to The Coaching Business Flywheel, here. For more information about Ruth, visit https://www.ruthsaville.co.uk/ For more information about Alex , visit http://www.exploregrowbe.com/ For more information about Robbie, visit https://www.robbieswale.com/ Read more about The Coach's Journey at www.thecoachsjourney.com. Music by My Good Man William: listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4KmeQUcTbeE31uFynHQLQg To support the Coach's Journey, visit www.patreon.com/thecoachsjourney and to join the Coach's Journey Community visit www.thecoachsjourney.com/community. THINGS WE MENTIONED THAT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN Free Ebook: An Introduction to the Coaching Business Flywheel: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/the-coaching-business-flywheel The Coach’s Journey Community: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/community Get to know Ruth better: Robbie’s interview with Ruth on The Coach’s Journey Podcast https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-66-ruth-saville-how-to-be-a-rebel-misbehave-more-and-set-your-sights-on-being-a-master-coach Get to know Alex better: Robbie’s interview with Alex on The Coach’s Journey Podcast https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-64-alex-whitton-balancing-the-being-and-the-doing Part 1 – What Do You Do When Your Coaching Business Feels Too Hard https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/115-what-do-you-do-when-your-coaching-business-feels-too-hard The Power to Choose by Robbie Swale: https://geni.us/powertochoose The Power to Choose in conversation on The Coach’s Journey: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-114-robbie-swale-the-power-to-choose-calm-complexity-and-the-courage-to-be-fully-yourself The Coach’s Journey – Writing: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/writing The Coach’s Journey – Videos: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/videos Joseph Campbell quote from the Power of Myth and Alex’s blog on it: https://www.exploregrowbe.com/blog/what-are-the-rules-we-hold-ourselves-to-where-did-they-come-from-and-how-are-they-serving-us-nownbsp  Campbell and Bill Moyers talking about Myth, Sacrifice and Bliss: https://billmoyers.com/content/ep-4-joseph-campbell-and-the-power-of-myth-sacrifice-and-bliss-audio/  Philosophise this - Silence, Obedience and Joy https://www.philosophizethis.org/podcast/episode-158-the-creation-of-meaning-nietzsche-the-ascetic-ideal-f8k5h-k8xfx Ashana Crichton on The Coach’s Journey: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/98-ashana-crichton-the-potential-for-true-partnership-if-we-pay-attention-to-power Chloe Garland on The Coach’s Journey: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-65-chloe-garland-the-jam-donut-principle-quarter-life-crises-and-the-philosophy-of-coaching Jenny Bird on The Coach’s Journey: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/109-jenny-bird-the-joy-of-sparkly-new-things The ICF’s Global Coaching Study report - https://coachingfederation.org/resources/research/global-coaching-study/  Patrick Quinton-Smith on The Coach’s Journey: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/107-patrick-quinton-smith-clarity-is-revealed-in-momentum-so-build-momentum-and-clarity-will-come Henrietta Nelson on The Coach’s Journey: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-46-henrietta-nelson-nobody-else-can-put-a-feeling-in-you Rebecca Norton  on The Coach’s Journey: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/96-rebecca-norton-how-coaching-walks-can-guide-us-to-new-pathways-through-life Robbie’s book How to Keep Going When You Want to Give Up: https://geni.us/justdoit Dan Pink – “When” (timing & energy rhythms) https://www.danpink.com/books/when/ Elizabeth Gilbert - Big Magic - https://www.elizabethgilbert.com/books/big-magic/ Ellie Scarf on The Coach’s Journey: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/102-ellie-scarf-our-stories-and-scars-can-be-points-of-connection Ellie Scarf’s podcast episode, The Funds are in the Follow Up - https://www.elliescarf.com/podcasts/the-business-of-executive-coaching/episodes/2148989827 James Clear, Atomic Habits - https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits Atomic Habits – Business appendix (PDF) https://s3.amazonaws.com/jamesclear/Atomic%2BHabits/Business%2BAppendix.pdf The Art of Possibility (Zander & Zander) https://www.benjaminzander.org/the-art-of-possibility/ Robbie’s Zone of Genius blog - https://www.robbieswale.com/the-12-minute-blog/2022/2/3/the-zone-of-genius-the-most-powerful-thought-experiment-for-personal-transformation The Prosperous Coach (Rich Litvin & Steve Chandler) - https://richlitvin.com/book/
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  #116 - Why Hiring a Coach Is the Most Important Investment You’ll Make in Your Coaching Business 01.01.2026 28min

  Why is it that so many coaches support others to grow… but hesitate to invest in support for themselves? In this episode, Robbie reflects on a simple but powerful belief: if there’s one thing that consistently makes the biggest difference to the success and sustainability of a coaching business, it’s having a coach of your own. Drawing on his own experience - including working with many coaches over the years - Robbie explores what really changes when you stop trying to do this alone and allow yourself to be supported… And how it has surprisingly wide-reaching impacts on your business. This isn’t a pitch. It’s an honest account of what happens when a coach becomes a client. Robbie shares: What you learn about enrolling clients by being on the other side of the decision How working with different coaches shaped his values, style, and way of leading conversations Why hiring a coach accelerates your development as a coach - not by copying, but by trusting your own style How being coached helps untangle money stories, pricing doubts, and questions of worth What it’s like to experience the middle of a coaching journey as a client - including doubt, fear, and the urge to quit Why being coached deepens your belief in coaching in a way nothing else can How having a coach helps you stay on the path when the work - and the business - gets hard At its heart, this episode is about commitment: to coaching, to your own development, and to the long game of building a practice that can sustain you. If you’re serious about coaching as a livelihood - and as a way of contributing to the world - this conversation offers a grounded, human reflection on why investing in yourself may be the most important move you make. For the transcript of the episode and loads of links, visit: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/writing/6-reasons-why-hiring-a-coach-is-the-most-important-thing-for-you-to-do-if-you-want-a-successful-coaching-business If you like this episode, you’ll love Robbie’s ebook, An Introduction to The Coaching Business Flywheel, visit https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/the-coaching-business-flywheel For more information about Robbie, visit https://www.robbieswale.com/ Read more about The Coach's Journey at www.thecoachsjourney.com. Music by My Good Man William: listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4KmeQUcTbeE31uFynHQLQg To support the Coach's Journey, visit www.patreon.com/thecoachsjourney and to join the Coach's Journey Community visit www.thecoachsjourney.com/community. THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT THAT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: The Coach’s Journey Community: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/community The Coaching Business Flywheel Booster Pack: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/the-coaching-business-flywheel-booster-pack The writing section of The Coach’s Journey: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/writing My interview on the Coach Write Podcast: https://coachwrite.co.uk/robbie-swale-the-12-minute-method-series/ The full transcript of the episode, including lots more links: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/writing/6-reasons-why-hiring-a-coach-is-the-most-important-thing-for-you-to-do-if-you-want-a-successful-coaching-business
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  #115: What Do You Do When Your Coaching Business Feels Too Hard? 18.12.2025 1u 9min

  What do you do in the moments - or seasons - when your coaching business feels too hard? In this episode, Ruth Saville, Alex Whitton, and Robbie Swale explore the emotional reality behind building a coaching business: the doubt, comparison, financial pressure, cancellations, unpredictability… and the unexpected beauty that sits alongside all of it. This episode began with a simple observation: every coach goes through periods when the business feels heavy. From there, the three of us look at what helps, what doesn’t, and what it means to keep going in a work we care deeply about. Together we talk about: The many moments that make coaching feel hard - and why they surprise us every time Comparison, LinkedIn spirals, and the relief of remembering other coaches struggle too Cancellations, no-shows, reschedules - and how to respond without collapsing inside The very personal nature of coaching, and how easily confidence gets entangled with identity Why ‘you have everything you need’ is easier to say to clients than to ourselves How to navigate hard seasons with more steadiness, self-respect and perspective What we each reach for when we hit the ‘break glass’ moment Why the challenging parts of the journey are often where the growth is This is an episode for coaches at every stage - whether you’re right in the middle of a difficult moment now, or you want to feel more resourced the next time you hit a wobble. As always, we hope it helps you feel less alone and more grounded in your own path as a coach. Oh, and if you like this, there’s a Part II coming in the new year. Download Robbie’s ebook, An Introduction to The Coaching Business Flywheel, here. For more information about Ruth, visit https://www.ruthsaville.co.uk/ For more information about Alex , visit http://www.exploregrowbe.com/ For more information about Robbie, visit https://www.robbieswale.com/ Read more about The Coach's Journey at www.thecoachsjourney.com. Music by My Good Man William: listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4KmeQUcTbeE31uFynHQLQg To support the Coach's Journey, visit www.patreon.com/thecoachsjourney and to join the Coach's Journey Community visit www.thecoachsjourney.com/community. THINGS WE MENTIONED THAT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN Free Ebook: An Introduction to the Coaching Business Flywheel: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/the-coaching-business-flywheel Get to know Ruth better: Robbie’s interview with Ruth on The Coach’s Journey Podcast https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-66-ruth-saville-how-to-be-a-rebel-misbehave-more-and-set-your-sights-on-being-a-master-coach Get to know Alex better: Robbie’s interview with Alex on The Coach’s Journey Podcast https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-64-alex-whitton-balancing-the-being-and-the-doing Robbie’s Subject–Object Move Blog https://www.robbieswale.com/the-12-minute-blog/2025/4/25/the-subject-object-move-how-we-grow Alex’s blog post on the impact of how we see difficulty - https://www.exploregrowbe.com/blog/what-is-the-impact-of-when-and-how-we-see-difficulty Alex’s blog post on what feelings of inadequacy may be telling us - https://www.exploregrowbe.com/blog/what-can-inadequacy-tell-usnbsp The article Robbie wrote when someone cancelled on him - How I Became a Full-Time Coach Less Than Two Years After Starting My Training: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/writing/how-i-became-a-full-time-coach-less-than-two-years-after-starting-my-training The same article as a podcast episode: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/100-how-i-became-a-full-time-coach-less-than-two-years-after-starting-my-training The Coaching Business Flywheel Booster Pack https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/the-coaching-business-flywheel-booster-pack Jordan Peterson’s book 12 Rules For Life, and a blog Robbie wrote about it: https://www.robbieswale.com/the-12-minute-blog/2022/4/8/failure-is-relative-and-heres-how-to-deal-with-that Robbie’s blog: No One Can Compete With You at Being You: https://www.robbieswale.com/writing/2024/9/22/authentic-personal-branding-no-one-can-compete-with-you-at-being-you Robbie’s new book, The Power to Choose: Finding Calm and Connection in a Complex World: https://geni.us/powertochoose The video series Robbie mentioned on Mastering Your Personal Brand: https://www.robbieswale.com/mastering-your-personal-brand Joel Monk on The Coach’s Journey Podcast https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-6-joel-monk-conversations-at-the-cutting-edge-of-coaching James Clear – Atomic Habits https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomic_Habits Phil Bolton on The Coach’s Journey Podcast https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-2-phil-bolton-from-forensic-accountant-to-the-go-to-career-coach-in-london-and-on-to-work-with-ceos-mds-and-founders The Coach’s Journey Intensive is part of The Coach’s Journey Community – learn more here: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/community Julie Starr on The Coach’s Journey Podcast: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-58-julie-starr-the-world-works-from-the-inside-out TCJ Short: Jennifer Garvey Berger on Comparison: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/93-how-comparison-sets-us-up-to-feel-awful-about-ourselves-tcj-short-with-jennifer-garvey-berger The Coach’s Journey Podcast episode #99, where Joey stumps Robbie with his own question: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/99-robbie-swale-the-secrets-of-meaningful-productivity-honourable-leadership-and-tilting-the-world-towards-heaven Joey Owen on The Coach’s Journey Podcast: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-59-joey-owen-you-never-know-when-the-value-of-a-coaching-session-ends Sydney Banks https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Principles_Psychology The 3 Principles feature in this episode with Jamie Smart on The Coach’s Journey Podcast https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-16-jamie-smart Polyvagal Theory: https://www.robbieswale.com/the-12-minute-blog/2022/9/2/are-you-above-or-below-the-line Robbie’s article about creating a steady stream of clients https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/writing/the-step-by-step-guide-to-finding-coaching-clients-without-feeling-icky Joseph Cambell’s Hero’s Journey: https://www.robbieswale.com/the-12-minute-blog/2021/12/17/the-heros-journey-of-growth Patrick Quinton Smith on The Coach’s Journey Podcast: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/107-patrick-quinton-smith-clarity-is-revealed-in-momentum-so-build-momentum-and-clarity-will-come
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  #114: Robbie Swale - The Power to Choose: Calm, Complexity, and the Courage to Be Fully Yourself 04.12.2025 1u 42min

  In this special episode, Alex Whitton and Alex Swallow take the reins to interview Robbie about the release of his new book, The Power to Choose: Finding Calm and Connection in a Complex World. What unfolds is a warm, honest and surprisingly vulnerable exploration of choice, mindset, relationships, and the inner work that helps us meet complexity with more skill and less fear. Across the conversation, Robbie shares the nine-year journey behind the book - from a powerful coaching question asked by Joel Monk in 2016 through to the resistance, the rewrites, and the emotional cost of releasing something deeply personal into the world. Together, the three of them explore themes at the heart of both the book and coaching itself. In this episode they explore: Why in almost every moment, there’s more choice available than we think. The idea of the Higher Self - and why we all have moments where we forget it. How curiosity becomes an antidote to reactivity and contraction. What really happens when we assume others are doing their best. Why connection and calm matter so much in a complex world. How writing a book becomes its own developmental journey. The castle metaphor for working with shadow parts of ourselves. The stories that shape us - and the ones we get to rewrite. Why none of this work is ever really finished. Robbie also shares two stories that bring these ideas to life in very human ways: a tense exchange with a neighbour, and a moment on a crowded train that turned into a masterclass in choosing calm rather than escalating conflict. This episode is thoughtful, grounded and full of practical wisdom - for coaches, and for anyone navigating the complexity of modern life. For more information about Robbie, visit https://www.robbieswale.com/ To buy The Power to Choose, visit http://geni.us/powertochoose For more information about Alex Whitton, visit http://www.exploregrowbe.com/ For more information about Alex Swallow, visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexswallow/ Read more about The Coach's Journey at www.thecoachsjourney.com. Get Robbie’s ebook for coaches, An Introduction to The Coach’s Journey Flywheel at https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/the-coaching-business-flywheel Music by My Good Man William: listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4KmeQUcTbeE31uFynHQLQg To support the Coach's Journey, visit www.patreon.com/thecoachsjourney and to join the Coach's Journey Community visit www.thecoachsjourney.com/community. THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT THAT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: The Power to Choose: Finding Calm and Connection in a Complex World http://geni.us/powertochoose Joel Monk on The Coach’s Journey Podcast https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-6-joel-monk-conversations-at-the-cutting-edge-of-coaching Gay Hendricks’ idea, The Zone of Genius https://www.robbieswale.com/the-12-minute-blog/2022/2/3/the-zone-of-genius-the-most-powerful-thought-experiment-for-personal-transformation Robbie interviewing Alex Swallow on The Coach’s Journey Podcast https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-62-alex-swallow-life-is-better-when-we-choose Jennifer Garvey Berger on The Coach’s Journey Podcasthttps://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-42-jennifer-garvey-berger-the-answer-to-either-or-is-both Philip Crocker on The Coach’s Journey Podcast https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/88-philip-crocker-coaching-is-the-most-natural-thing-in-the-world Minor Arias on The Coach’s Journey Podcast https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-3-minor-arias-living-by-design-glz56 Robbie on Neil Mackinnon’s podcast, Creative Practice https://creative-practice.net/2021/01/29/robbie-swale-coach/ Rising Strong — Brené Brown (referenced re: “everyone is doing their best”) https://brenebrown.com/book/rising-strong/ Man’s Search for Meaning — Viktor Frankl https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/1033737/man-s-search-for-meaning Useful Not True — Derek Sivers (idea referenced about beliefs & utility) https://sive.rs/useful Robbie’s article about Harry Kane https://www.robbieswale.com/the-12-minute-blog/2021/12/15/sometimes-it-doesnt-matter-if-what-you-believe-is-true-it-matters-whether-it-is-useful Meaningful Productivity Blueprint (Robbie’s framework mentioned in the conversation) https://www.robbieswale.com/meaningful-productivity An Introduction to The Coach’s Journey Flywheel https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/the-coaching-business-flywheel “It’s Not About the Chicken” — Fred Kofman story referenced in the episodehttps://www.robbieswale.com/the-12-minute-blog/2023/2/3/its-not-about-the-chicken-harry-its-about-the-last-20-years The early Choose Your Own Adventure reference https://www.cyoa.com/ David Gemmell (author referenced) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Gemmell How to Start When You’re Stuck (12-Minute Method Book 1) https://geni.us/startwhenyourestuck
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  #113: Gareth Davies – Making Celebrities Shine (and What Coaches Can Learn!) 20.11.2025 2u 7min

  What can coaches and leaders learn from the people who have mastered the art of appearing on stage and screen? And what can coaching give back to the creative industries? Answering these questions through his work at the intersection of coaching, corporate leadership and on-screen presentation skills is Gareth Davies, renowned executive television producer of shows like Strictly Come Dancing and Top of the Pops, who is now one of the industry’s leading presenter coaches. Gareth co-founded The Presenter Studio with fellow executive producer Leon Campbell in 2013, and since then the company has honed and nurtured talent at every level of the TV and film industry, working with the likes of Hugh Grant and Madonna, all the way through to aspiring actors and presenters just starting their careers. In this episode of The Coach’s Journey Podcast, Gareth shares insights from a glamorous world that he believes has everything to gain from a coaching approach, and he reflects on what it takes to help people embody their authentic selves and communicate to audiences of all sizes. With media skills being something every business needs in an era dominated by screens, Gareth works with corporate businesses to help them find their voice, and he can still be found practising what he preaches in his ongoing work as a presenter and public speaker. Gareth and episode host Alex Swallow also talk about: How to identify the aspects of your personality that reflect who you are in a relatable, interesting way The concept of hustle and the benefits of going the long way round How to leverage the power of Instagram to build your audience and grow your business Presentation skills, tips and approaches that can help you communicate with authenticity and impact Gareth reveals the huge gaps that exist in creative industries, highlighting the opportunities there are for coaches to help nurture skills and develop talent. THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT THAT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: -  The MOE Foundation coaching programme https://moefoundation.com/certified-coach-training-course/ - The Presenter Studio http://www.presenterstudio.com/ - The Presenter Studio on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thepresenterstudio - Gareth’s LinkedIn page https://www.linkedin.com/in/garethdavies2408/ - Gareth’s business partner, Leon Campbell https://www.linkedin.com/in/leon-campbell-58bb583/
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  #112: Sam Isaacson – The Challenges Facing Coaching in the Age of AI 06.11.2025 2u 19min

  Sam Isaacson saw the rise of artificial intelligence coming, and he was ready for it. With his background in managing technology risk and change, he could see the impact that rapid AI development would have on his current profession as a coach, and in this episode of The Coach’s Journey Podcast he addresses some of the most pressing issues facing coaches all over the world. Very few people are as well placed as Sam to speak about the threats and the benefits AI holds for human coaches. After all, he has developed his own AI coaching product, AICoach.chat, which provides its clients with a “distraction-free space for thinking, challenging and reframing, not reacting”. In conversation with episode host Neil Mackinnon, Sam addresses questions of ethics, efficacy and economy that have been brought to bear on the coaching industry by the rise of products like his. The coach, author and founder of The Coachtech Collective offers his perspective on the qualitative difference between being coached by a human and an AI, and the crucial question of what role relationship plays in successful coaching engagements. Sam, who was the first person to ever coach people in virtual reality, describes this and many other remarkable achievements in vivid detail, painting a picture of the limitless possibilities held by emergent technologies. Sam and Neil also talk about: The AI-enabled coaching products and facilities that are available now The work Sam has done to align the world of coaching with the world of apprenticeships The pros and cons of content creation as a coach The coaching conferences Sam recommends (including his own!) In this deep-dive into cutting edge coaching technology, Sam picks out the products that can be of most benefit to your coaching practice right now, and explains the transformative impact they can have. THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT THAT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: - Transforming Coaching with AI and Technology with Sam Isaacson – Delenta podcast https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qa3q3KqXzhc - Myers Briggs https://www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/myers-briggs-overview/  - Sam Isaacson – Coach, author, founder of The Coachtech Collective https://isaacson.uk/ - The Coachtech Collective – community exploring coaching + tech https://isaacson.uk/buy/the-coachtech-collective/ - EMCC – European Mentoring and Coaching Council https://www.emccglobal.org/ - ILM – Institute of Leadership & Management https://www.institutelm.com/ - Apprenticeship Trailblazer (UK coaching apprenticeship framework) https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/ - Patrick Lencioni – The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, founder of The Table Group https://www.tablegroup.com/ - Challenging Coaching by Blakey & Day https://www.amazon.co.uk/Challenging-Coaching-Transforming-Performance-Organisations/dp/1857885753 - “High Support, High Challenge” https://www.maier.co.uk/insights/high_support_high_challenge/ - Toku McCree – Coach, author of “Love on the End of a Sword” https://coachingmba.co/about/ - John Whitmore – Coaching for Performance, GROW modelhttps://www.performanceconsultants.com/grow-model - Nancy Kline – Time to Think model https://www.timetothink.com/ - Nicholas Janni – Leader as Healer https://www.nicholasjanni.com/book-leader-as-healer/ - Video session by Nicholas Janni (theme: presence-based coaching) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuXDCUcDsu4 - WBX / Coaching.com Summit – Global coaching & leadership summit https://www.coaching.com/summit/ - Coaching.com – Coaching management platform https://www.coaching.com/ - Alex Pascal – Founder of Coaching.com (in memoriam) https://www.coaching.com/about/ - Coach Is Rising – Coaching organisation & training platform https://www.coachisrising.com/ - Digital & AI Coaches’ Conference (founded by Sam Isaacson) https://isaacson.uk/digital-and-ai-coaches-conference/ - Jonathan Passmore – Coaching psychologist, author, academic https://www.henley.ac.uk/people/dr-jonathan-passmore - Sandra Diller – Editor / academic in coaching and leadership (co-editor with Passmore & Isaacson) (No central site; academic publications: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8793-1946) - Max Blumberg / Max Brantle (likely Max Blumberg, co-editor of coaching texts) https://www.maxblumberg.com/ - Joel Monk – Host of Coaches Rising podcast (sometimes written as Munch in transcripts) https://www.coachesrising.com/podcast/ - Robbie Swale – Coach & author (How to Start When You’re Stuck) https://robbieswale.com/ - The World Humanoid Robot Games https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/cvg3mv3rz60o - AICoach.chat – Sam’s AI coaching product https://www.aicoach.chat/ - Make.com https://www.make.com/en - The CoachTech Collective http://coachtech.uk/ BIOGRAPHY FROM SAM Sam Isaacson is a coaching thought leader and consultant whose work leans into technology as an enabler for revolutionising coaching strategies and approaches. He has been writing about cutting-edge technologies, including AI, blockchain and the metaverse, for many years and now works with organisations and coaches around the world on their use of technology. Sam's books include several on the impact of technology on the coaching profession, and others on the use of coaching as a strategic tool within organisations. He has regularly contributed to Choice magazine and Coaching at Work, and frequently speaks at respected coaching conferences. Sam lives in West London in the UK, in a home made noisy by his four sons. In his spare time he is deeply involved in the world of tabletop miniature wargaming, where he co-hosts a podcast.
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  #111: Ruth Rochelle – The Future of Coaching: Trust, Simplicity, and the Wisdom of Humanity 16.10.2025 31min

  What does the future of coaching look like… and what can we learn from those who helped build it? Ruth Rochelle returns to The Coach’s Journey Podcast to reflect on how the coaching world has evolved over the past four decades and where it might be heading next. Prompted by a listener’s question, Ruth shares stories from the early days of coaching - when it was more movement than industry - through the professionalisation of the 1990s to today’s fast-changing, tech-enabled landscape. Alongside the history, she offers her vision for what’s emerging now: deeper work, greater humanity, and a renewed sense of trust. Ruth and Joey explore how coaching has shifted from performance to presence, from achievement to wholeness, and from certainty to curiosity. They discuss scepticism in the early days (and now), the rise of coaching bodies such as the ICF and EMCC, the impact of technology and AI, and why compassion and simplicity remain at the heart of great coaching. In this episode, Ruth talks about: Why the earliest coaching approaches focused on the inner game and self-belief How the field grew from informal practice to global profession The evolution from performance and achievement to whole-person coaching Why trust, compassion, and presence still matter most for coaches today Ruth also invites every coach to listen inwardly and lead the way forward for the profession. If you’ve ever wondered how the coaching profession began - or where it’s going next - this conversation offers wisdom, warmth, and hope for coaches building meaningful, sustainable practices in a fast-changing world. For more information about Ruth, visit https://www.ruthrochelle.com/ For more information about host Joey Owen, visit http://www.joeyowencoaching.com/ Read more about The Coach's Journey at www.thecoachsjourney.com. Music by My Good Man William: listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4KmeQUcTbeE31uFynHQLQg To support the Coach's Journey, visit www.patreon.com/thecoachsjourney and to join the Coach's Journey Community visit www.thecoachsjourney.com/community. THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT THAT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: FREE Ebook: An Introduction to The Coaching Business Flywheel: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/thecoachingbusinessflywheel Ruth Rochelle on The Coach’s Journey Podcast (previous episode) https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/78-ruth-rochelle-insight-seminars-systems-theory-and-the-path-to-our-current-truth International Coaching Federation (ICF) https://coachingfederation.org/ European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC) https://www.emccglobal.org/ Tim Gallwey – The Inner Game of Tennis https://www.amazon.co.uk/Inner-Game-Tennis-Classic-Performance/dp/1447288505 Robert Kegan https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Kegan Suzanne Cook-Greuter https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanne-cook-greuter-60056322b/ Bill Torbert https://gla.global/team_member/professor-bill-torbert/ For more on Adult Development on The Coach’s Journey, see our interview with Jennifer Garvey Berger https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-42-jennifer-garvey-berger-the-answer-to-either-or-is-both Sir John Whitmore – Coaching for Performance https://www.amazon.co.uk/Coaching-Performance-Principles-Personal-Professional/dp/1473658128 The Coach’s Journey Podcast with Ruth Rochelle and Joey (video version) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kby9-D_5JwA BIOGRAPHY FROM RUTH For more than 25 years Ruth has been a coach – an executive and team coach, workshop facilitator, transformational coach and coach supervisor – with private clients and with organisations. Ruth is an Accredited Master Executive Coach with APECS, an IFS (Internal Family Systems) Practitioner with the IFS Institute and a Coaching Constellations Practitioner, and her clients have included creative professionals, start-up founders, senior managers, young emerging leaders, celebrities, coaches, and many more. Ruth supports her clients to create and achieve their visions, enrich their relationships, navigate changing circumstances, embark on new life directions, start and grow businesses, address specific challenges, experience greater wellbeing and connect to a meaningful purpose.
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  #110: The One Thing That Solves Most Coaching Problems: Contracting Well 02.10.2025 19min

  What if almost every coaching challenge you face in your practice could be solved with better coaching contracts and clearer agreements? That’s what Robbie dives into in this short episode. Drawing on his own coaching practice, experiences in supervision, and lessons learned from mentors and peers, Robbie explains why contracting with clients is one of the most important skills a coach can develop… and how better contracting could have solved almost every challenge he’s ever brought to supervision. He shares how he builds contracting into every part of his work: from the very first client conversation, through re-contracting midway, to closing an engagement with clarity. Robbie explores the written coaching agreements he uses, the questions he asks clients, how he contracts with stakeholders while keeping confidentiality intact, and why he has stopped sending written coaching notes. Along the way, he also reflects on ICF ethics, the role of supervision, and what really matters for coaches who want to build a meaningful, sustainable business. In this episode, Robbie talks about: Why most coaching challenges come back to contracting and agreements The questions he asks to set up effective coaching contracts How he re-contracts with coaching clients partway through an engagement The importance of private goals when coaching within organisations Why he stopped sending coaching session notes and what he does instead How ethics, supervision, and simplicity shape his coaching practice If you’ve ever wondered how to contract in a way that supports your clients, strengthens your coaching practice, and makes your work more impactful, this episode offers plenty to take away. Download Robbie’s ebook, An Introduction to The Coaching Business Flywheel, here. Buy The Coaching Business Flywheel Booster Pack - including all the emails Robbie sends to his clients at every stage of his business, plus a flowchart, coaching agreements and his favourite emails for creating clients. For more information about Robbie, visit https://www.robbieswale.com/ Read more about The Coach's Journey at www.thecoachsjourney.com. Music by My Good Man William: listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4KmeQUcTbeE31uFynHQLQg To support the Coach's Journey, visit www.patreon.com/thecoachsjourney and to join the Coach's Journey Community visit www.thecoachsjourney.com/community. THINGS ROBBIE MENTIONED THAT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN The Coaching Business Flywheel: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/the-coaching-business-flywheel Robbie’s article about starting coaching sessions well: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/writing/how-to-start-your-coaching-sessions-so-they-practically-run-themselves The Coaching Business Flywheel Booster Pack: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/the-coaching-business-flywheel-booster-pack Robbie’s Meaningful Productivity workshops: https://www.robbieswale.com/meaningful-productivity-workshop-series The video version of this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhjuhKWx9iA Episode #8, containing this and lots more nuts and bolts of coaching: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/robbie-on-structure-first-conversations-marketing-price Simon Feldman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonfeldman/ Robbie’s video with ways of talking about coaching: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/106-how-to-lead-a-powerful-first-conversation-with-a-potential-coaching-client Robbie’s video about endings and reflecting on coaching: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/91-how-to-create-a-powerful-ending-to-a-coaching-engagement Miles Downey – Effective Modern Coaching - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Effective-Modern-Coaching-Developing-Professionals/dp/1441186102 Robbie’s conversation with Miles Downey on The Coach’s Journey Podcast - https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/ep-14-myles-downey BetterUp https://www.betterup.com/ 64 Million Artists https://64millionartists.com/ The ideas of Zone of Genius and Zone of Excellence: https://www.robbieswale.com/the-12-minute-blog/2022/2/3/the-zone-of-genius-the-most-powerful-thought-experiment-for-personal-transformation Mike Toller on The Coach’s Journey Podcast: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-32-mike-toller International Coaching Federation (ICF) Code of Ethics https://coachingfederation.org/ethics Free Ethics Training from the ICF https://learning.coachingfederation.org/products/ethics-training
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  #109: Jenny Bird – The Joy of Sparkly New Things 18.09.2025 1u 53min

  Ever since she was a child, working in her father’s clothes shop in Derbyshire and standing on a box to see over the counter, Jenny Bird has spent her life being interested in people. She drew upon the principles of communication honed during those formative years as she blossomed into one of the United Kingdom’s very first master coaches, going on to co-author renowned coaching titles such as The Art of Coaching: A Handbook of Tips and Tools, and How to Work with People... and Enjoy It! In this episode of The Coach’s Journey Podcast, Jenny describes the experience of leaving community education and training to be a coach at the turn of the century, when stacks of materials were posted across the Atlantic and she joined conference calls with coach trainers located all over the world. Throughout her training and her early forays into coaching at global corporations and in the NHS, Jenny surveyed the landscape of personal and development for those who do things differently, describing her “joy for sparkly new things”. By consistently forging relationships with innovators and brilliant thinkers throughout the field, Jenny has enriched her career. She shares invaluable wisdom accumulated across her career through her books and in her role as co-founder of Coach Continuum, which provides CPD, networking and supervision to help coaches flourish. Jenny and host Joey Owen also talk about: • The benefits of being a risk taker • How to barter your way to getting what you want • Partnering generously and being paid what you are worth • How to tend to your LinkedIn garden • Bringing poetry and creativity into coaching to cut through to the emotion Jenny also shares some invaluable advice to new coaches, outlining the mindset, behaviours and conditions that form the essential foundations of a successful business. THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT THAT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: - Ruchi Shah-Mehta https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruchi-coach/ - Coach Continuum https://coachcontinuum.com/ - CoachU https://www.coachu.com/home/ - Thomas Leonard, The Portable Coach https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=L0IVLyDUQ14C&printsec=copyright&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false - EMCC https://www.emccglobal.org/accreditation/ - ICF https://coachingfederation.org/ - The Clean Sweep Questionnaire https://www.lifecoach.com/free-quizzes/clean-sweep-quiz/ - Common factors theory https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_factors_theory - AoEC https://www.aoec.com/ - Sarah Gornall https://peopleuntapped.com/ourglobalteam/sarah-gornall/ - The Art of Coaching https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=9OuPCgAAQBAJ&printsec=copyright&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false - Coaching Development https://www.coachingdevelopment.com/ - Business Network International https://www.bni.com/ - Quotes from golfer Gary Player https://www.yourgolftravel.com/19th-hole/gary-player-quotes-from-the-black-knight/ - Animas https://www.animascoaching.com/ - Erik de Haan http://www.erikdehaan.com/
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  #108: Shruti Sonthalia – Awareness Combined with Action is the Key to Creating Change 04.09.2025 1u 49min

  Shruti Sonthalia says purpose is her superpower. A strong sense of purpose helped Shruti to demolish seemingly insurmountable barriers to becoming a Master Certified Coach and a globally renowned industry figure, and in this episode of The Coach’s Journey Podcast, she implores all coaches to find their ‘why’. Shruti began her journey without coaches around her to learn from, living and working in a culture that assumed expertise was the preserve of men with white hair. Believing it was her purpose to create sacred spaces in the workplace, Shruti grafted with steadfast resolve to defy the gatekeepers and doubters who stood in her way. By taking the path less travelled and proving herself time and again, Shruti developed a work ethic that took her to the top of her profession, empowering leaders across global markets to embody a coaching mindset. She pays forward her expertise in the training curricula she devises and delivers to the next generation of coaches, founding her structured, evidence-based approach on the values and principles she speaks about in this episode. In this conversation, Shruti invites us all to ask: which parts of our journeys do we struggle to own? And how might addressing them enable changes within us that ripple out to the ecosystems we operate within? Shruti and host Neil Mackinnon also talk about: - Whether coaching has the same effectiveness in different areas, geographies, and realities - Accessibility of supervision as a vital aspect of coaching’s growth and integrity - The learning we can take from our own procrastination - How a coaching mindset can help us embody shared power - The principle that says that which you focus on expands, and how to harness it THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT THAT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: - AoEC - Academy of Executive Coaching https://www.aoec.com/ - ICF - International Coaching Federation https://coachingfederation.org/ - ICF Foundation https://foundationoficf.org/ - Shruti's paper on effectiveness of coaching in emerging markets https://radar.brookes.ac.uk/radar/file/08d2850c-51fe-42ab-aeea-e7ec829bc5a9/1/IJEBCM%2022_1_10.pdf - London School of Economics https://www.lse.ac.uk/ - Yannick Jacob on The Coach's Journey Podcast https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/97-yannick-jacob-going-beyond-blueprints-to-challenge-the-status-quo-of-coaching - Richard Layard https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Layard,_Baron_Layard - Viktor Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4069.Man_s_Search_for_Meaning - Martin Seligman https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Seligman - David Foster Wallace, This Is Water https://fs.blog/david-foster-wallace-this-is-water/ - Theory U by Otto Sharma https://www.amazon.co.uk/Theory-Learning-Emerges-Futures-Business/dp/1576757633 - Robbie Swale’s writing on resistance https://www.robbieswale.com/the-12-minute-blog/2025/3/28/the-more-resistance-we-feel-towards-a-call-or-action-the-more-important-that-call-or-action-is-to-our-souls-evolution - The War of Art by Steven Pressfield https://www.amazon.co.uk/War-Art-Through-Creative-Battles/dp/1936891026 - IFS, parts work, what’s in the way is the way https://matthewharwood.uk/ifs/ - RUHCO https://ruhco.org/
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  #107: Patrick Quinton-Smith – Clarity Reveals Itself in Momentum, so Build Momentum and Clarity Will Come 21.08.2025 1u 41min

  A commitment to “directional correctness” has helped Patrick Quinton-Smith solve existential questions on the way to becoming the co-founder of a multigenerational coaching consultancy, Gen Z Coach. In his fast-paced career, Patrick has overcome huge challenges by remaining true to his philosophy of maintaining a steady direction – even when sidewinds threaten to blow him off course. When rapid success in the energy sector failed to bring Patrick fulfilment he took a bold step towards coaching, giving up one day per week to build his business. Just three years on, he works full time at the head of a consultancy that coaches young people while helping businesses to lead multigenerational teams more effectively. Patrick speaks about the importance of the power of a clear and deep purpose and mission. He also explains the role of breathwork and emotional awareness in becoming a skilled navigator along his particular journey, which has taught him valuable lessons about the roots of his self-worth and the nature of what drives him forward. This episode offers a refreshingly frank account of just how hard it can be to overcome fear, doubt, adversity and the deeply personal challenges that we all face as we seek to grow and live in accordance with our values. Patrick and host Alex Whitton also talk about: • The number of times you might have to receive a “no” before achieving your goals • The benefits of having a niche, and how to let your niche find you • How to weather the storm of lean spells and hold onto the bigger picture while building a business • What we can learn from the challenges that scare us • The relationship between adventure and growth THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT THAT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: - General Assembly – Seven Career Coaching https://sevencareercoaching.co.uk/career-and-life-coaching-blog/seven-x-general-assembly-future-proof-your-career-in-2019-beyond - Bulb Energy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulb_Energy - Derek Appau - http://linkedin.com/in/dereka/?originalSubdomain=uk - Mindset by Carol Dweck https://fs.blog/carol-dweck-mindset/ - Coaching for Business course, City University https://www.citystgeorges.ac.uk/prospective-students/courses/short-courses/coaching-for-business - International Coaching Federation https://coachingfederation.org/ - Gillian McMichael, Full Circle Global https://fullcircleglobal.com/ - Joel Burgess https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachjoelburgess/?originalSubdomain=uk - 16 'no's video/post https://www.linkedin.com/posts/maya-raichoora_getting-nos-and-rejections-used-to-crush-activity-7351498362937901057-teIC/ - Diary of a CEO, “roll the dice” https://www.tiktok.com/@steven/video/7504384000891391254 - The Coaching business flywheel - https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/the-coaching-business-flywheel 
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  #106: How to Lead a Powerful First Conversation With a Potential Coaching Client 07.08.2025 19min

  In this episode, Robbie walks you step‑by‑step through how he leads the first conversation with a potential coaching client - with authenticity, honour and integrity, and without being salesy or pushy. Packed with clear guidance and real‑world examples, you'll learn how to: Prepare clients in advance and set expectations before the call Model leadership in the first conversation to build credibility and trust Guide the conversation through contracting, coaching, and honesty Lead naturally toward a decision: no pressure, just clarity about what comes next If you’re tired of ‘discovery calls’ or ‘coffees’ that feel awkward or wind down without clarity… this episode is for you. Download Robbie’s ebook, An Introduction to The Coaching Business Flywheel, here. Buy The Coaching Business Flywheel Booster Pack - including all the emails Robbie sends to his clients at every stage of his business, plus a flowchart, coaching agreements and his favourite emails for creating clients. For more information about Robbie, visit https://www.robbieswale.com/ Read more about The Coach's Journey at www.thecoachsjourney.com. Music by My Good Man William: listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4KmeQUcTbeE31uFynHQLQg To support the Coach's Journey, visit www.patreon.com/thecoachsjourney and to join the Coach's Journey Community visit www.thecoachsjourney.com/community. THINGS ROBBIE MENTIONED THAT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN The Coaching Business Flywheel: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/the-coaching-business-flywheel The Coaching Business Flywheel Booster Pack: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/the-coaching-business-flywheel-booster-pack The video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/ub_gFNZ8bsY Episode #8, containing this and lots more nuts and bolts of coaching: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/robbie-on-structure-first-conversations-marketing-price My video about contracting as a coach: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhjuhKWx9iA Phil Bolton on The Coach’s Journey Podcast: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-2-phil-bolton-from-forensic-accountant-to-the-go-to-career-coach-in-london-and-on-to-work-with-ceos-mds-and-founders Rich Litvin: How To Coach Someone You Don't Yet Know - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1mBCDWOX-I Jamie Smart on The Coach’s Journey Podcast: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-16-jamie-smart Giovanna Capozza on The Coach’s Journey Podcast: https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-20-giovanna-capozza Rich Litvin: The Art of the Proposal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjwzfLIA8w0