Does what it says on the tin: We talk about coaching. We, that is Yannick, Siwash and Nicki. We love coaching, collectively got a tonne of experience, knowledge and charm; and we all felt it was time to give something back to our wonderful coaching community. Whether you're a life coach, work with organisations or practice any other form of coaching, you can ask us anything and we'll discuss it for and with you so you can learn, grow and develop your practice and business skills!
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What are great ways to get to know a new client? - Episode 102
Saison 2 · Épisode 102
jeudi 8 octobre 2026 • Durée 34:22
Understanding a client beyond the surface is crucial if coaching is going to create meaningful change, so in this episode we share and discuss creative ways of getting to know the person behind the presenting issue. How can music reveal a client’s values, identity and emotional world? What can a life timeline tell us about the experiences that have shaped them? How can storytelling help clients make sense of where they are and where they want to go? We’ll explore tools including the Wheel of Life, the WIFLS method, character strengths and personality assessments, as well as prompts such as “Where in your story do we need to begin to understand the person you are today?” We also discuss how to use assessments as conversation starters rather than fixed labels, when to keep an exploration open and when to offer more direction, and how to adapt your approach to the client’s pace and comfort. Ultimately, we ask what coaches need to understand about their client’s emotional, social and spiritual worlds in order to build a strong relationship and support lasting transformation.
Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Client Deepening Techniques 00:40 Using Music to Understand Values and Emotions 02:17 Pre-Session Questions and Storytelling 04:30 The Power of the 'Fight Club' Question 06:24 Letting Clients Show Up Authentically 08:05 Creative Exercises: Wheel of Life and Values 10:16 WIFL and Burn Exercises for Emotional Clarity 12:09 Using Assessments to Uncover Blind Spots 16:05 Life Audits and Numbered Goals 18:16 Storytelling and Pivotal Moments 20:24 Timeline Exercises and Meaning-Making 22:29 The Four Worlds Model for Holistic Exploration 24:48 Balancing Focus and Holistic Understanding 26:27 Experimenting with Tools and Assessments 29:16 Final Reflections and Practical Tips
Key topics
Using music and art as emotional entry points
Pre-session questions to understand client goals and fears
The 'Fight Club' question for unlocking deep insights
Life audits and value exercises for holistic understanding
Character strengths and personality assessments in coaching
Timeline exercises to explore pivotal life moments
The four worlds model for existential exploration
Creative tools like imagery and cards for engagement
Thanks for being a coach. You're making the world a better place!
Is anyone coachable? - Episode 101
Saison 2 · Épisode 101
jeudi 24 septembre 2026 • Durée 45:30
Client readiness and coachability are crucial factors in whether coaching is going to be successful, so in this episode we share and discuss our experience in what contributes to coachability and coaching readiness. What questions do you have to ask your client? What should you expect from them? What needs to be aligned for coaching to work? What does the client have to bring to make coaching work for them? At what point is it best not to take on a client, or to refer them to another coach? We’ll discuss coachability scales and questionnaires, the impact of fees, commitment, coach-client fit, and the spectrum of what coaching can be- with a call to action to share your own perspectives on what makes someone be coachable.
Chapters 00:00 The Nature of Coachability 03:11 Readiness for Change 06:11 The Role of the Coach 09:01 Expectations and Commitment 12:06 The Importance of Compatibility 15:04 Navigating Client Relationships 17:52 The Ethics of Coaching 20:58 Final Thoughts on Coachability 27:22 Understanding Coachability and Readiness 30:06 Factors Influencing Coachability 32:30 The Role of Commitment in Coaching 35:55 Contracting and Setting Expectations 38:55 Financial Considerations in Coaching 44:03 Finding the Right Coach for You
This episode explores the nuances of coachability, readiness, and the key factors that influence successful coaching relationships. Yannick, Siwash, and Nicki share insights on how to assess if someone is truly prepared to engage in coaching and how to optimize the coaching process.
Live Q&A with our Audience - Episode 100
Saison 2 · Épisode 100
jeudi 10 septembre 2026 • Durée 01:16:08
We celebrated our 100th episode with a special live episode. In this episode we responded to questions from our audience and, together, explored the integration of AI in coaching and supervision, ethical considerations, and the future of coaching as a business. We share practical experiences, challenges, and opportunities in leveraging AI responsibly.
Training AI with specific knowledge and frameworks
Balancing transparency and client trust
The role of coaching in a tech-driven world
Only 6% of coaches are full-time, and why that makes sense
Chapters
00:00 — Welcome to the 100th Episode of TaC
02:23 — AI Is Entering Coaching and Supervision
04:38 — Ethics, Transparency, and Client Consent
08:04 — What Value Does AI Add for Coaches?
13:37 — Using AI for Summaries and Follow-Ups
18:17 — Training AI to Act Like a Coach
22:08 — AI for Marketing and Storytelling
29:31 — Writing About Client Work Ethically
37:48 — Context, Contracting, and Human Judgment
40:33 — AI, Confidence, and the Future of Coaching
45:59 — AI as a Supervision Tool
52:15 — Human Oversight and AI’s Limits
59:34 — Only 6% of coaches are full-time, and why that makes sense
64:41 — Coaching as a Business
74:17 — Staying Close to the Craft
Deep Dive on Existential Career Coaching with Dr. Britt-Mari Sykes
Saison 2 · Épisode 18
jeudi 16 juillet 2026 • Durée 01:46:15
Welcome to this episode of Talking about Coaching, the podcast from coaches for coaches.
This episode is one of Yannick's deep dives into one topic or person and we're talking to Dr. Britt-Mari Sykes about existential career coaching, and how career development and navigation in the age of AI increasingly brings existential themes to the fore, as clients have to confront questions of identity, authenticity, uncertainty, temporality, meaning, and isolation.
What you’ll hear in this episode
Why career coaching needs an existential lens
How identity and meaning shift across a career life
The role of resistance, stuckness, and uncertainty
Why “passion” can become a limiting narrative
How deep listening opens up more useful coaching conversations
The importance of descriptive reflection over quick fixes
How AI changes the way people think about work, choice, and human value
Key themes
Where traditional career coaching fails to deliver
The existential layer
Stuckness as information
Challenging narratives around passion and purpose
AI as a third voice in the room
Chapters
0:01 — Why Career Coaching Needs an Existential Lens
1:55 — How Britt-Mari Found Her Calling
4:14 — Beyond Strategy: The Deeper Work of Career Coaching
5:53 — Bringing a Role to Life
7:11 — Why Human Conversations Matter More Than Ever
9:06 — Traditional Coaching vs. Existential Questions
11:06 — Why Practical Steps Come Second
14:35 — When Change Feels Impossible
Deep Dive: From Corporate to Coaching Classical Musicians with Ruth Cooper-Dickson
jeudi 25 juin 2026 • Durée 01:03:50
Welcome to this episode of Talking about Coaching, the podcast from coaches for coaches.
This episode is one of Yannick's deep dives into one topic or person and we’re talking about coaching with Ruth Cooper-Dickson who shares her inspiring journey from doing corporate work to coaching classical musicians, highlighting what it takes to break into a new line of work as well as innovative approaches to wellbeing and resilience through music and positive psychology. In July 2026 Ruth will be presenting the insights and learning from this journey at the European Conference for Positive Psychology (ECPP) in Dublin, and we thought it would be excellent to offer the conference audience (as well as a wider one) access to a deeper dive into how she made this dream happen, her approach to working with musicians and performers, and her experience along the way.
KEY TOPICS
- How to launch a successful coaching pilot - Building resilience and confidence in musicians - Community and relationship building through arts - Using strengths and values in coaching
ABOUT RUTH
Ruth Cooper-Dickson is an award-winning positive psychology practitioner, trauma-informed coach, and founder of Thrivership Coaching™. A published academic, her recent practitioner research focuses on classical musicians, and she has developed and delivered a positive psychology coaching programme for musicians and composers in collaboration with the Royal Philharmonic Society, bringing evidence-based wellbeing tools to the unique pressures of a life in classical music. Her earlier academic work explored post-traumatic growth and coaching, a thread that continues to underpin her practice.
Ruth launched her wellbeing consultancy after her own experience of mental ill health, including Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, and chronic burnout. That lived experience sits at the heart of her work, where she helps individuals and organisations start open, honest, and human conversations about Mental Wealth. Her trauma-informed approach to thrivership coaching supports people to grow after adversity rather than simply recover from it. She has been a patron of the UK anxiety charity No Panic since 2018.
Alongside her coaching, Ruth is a radio broadcaster who has hosted live since 2024, and a keynote speaker who has delivered talks for global brands, combining academic research with real-world insight. A certified breathwork leader and Mental Health First Aid Instructor of over a decade, she has trained thousands worldwide.
AI in coaching - An update - Episode 99
Saison 1 · Épisode 99
jeudi 28 mai 2026 • Durée 46:21
We’ve had several questions around how coaches use Artificial Intelligence (AI) in coaching, may that be to grow your business, as part of the coaching, or to improve your coaching skills. Building on our previous two episodes on AI, this episode offers an update with regards to how coaches can utilize AI. We’re signposting to a few custom GPTs we’re using, prompt advise, and highlight both the value and the risks of using AI in coaching.
See also:
Episode 91 - How can I use AI to be a better coach? (Part II)
Episode 89 - How can I use AI to be a better coach? (Part I)
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How to navigate the leadership paradox in coaching? - Episode 98
Saison 1 · Épisode 98
jeudi 14 mai 2026 • Durée 16:09
Experienced coaches know this: The more leadership we exhibit in coaching consultations, the easier it is to sign up clients, but the harder it is to then work with them “in partnership”, because we set up the relationship with certain expectations. But if we start with co-creating each part of the coaching relationship from the start, we lack the kind of certainty and confidence that helps clients to say yes to coaching with ease. This is what we may refer to as “the leadership paradox in coaching”, and today the Talking about Coaching Podcast hosts Yannick and Siwash are discussing how to navigate this challenge and strike the right balance.
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We hear this from a lot of coaches in recent times: There are too many coaches out there! It’s getting increasingly difficult to reach potential clients amidst the sheer number of coaches trying to keep their businesses afloat. In this conversation, Yannick and Siwash share their perspective on why coaching as an industry can’t be saturated due to existing demands, discuss a solution to the problem of “saturation”, explain why it’s so important to pay attention to your personal narratives, and how marketing and branding are intricately linked to a successful coaching business. At the end you may just feel hopeful about the future of coaching, your business, and the world.
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Exploring the past - is that still coaching? - Episode 96
Saison 1 · Épisode 96
jeudi 15 janvier 2026 • Durée 01:18
In this episode of "Talking about Coaching" Yannick, Siawash, and Nicki delve into the intriguing intersection of coaching and therapy. They discuss the importance of understanding one's past to enhance present and future coaching outcomes. The conversation explores how coaches can navigate the delicate balance between exploring past experiences and maintaining a forward-focused approach. Tune in to discover insightful perspectives on how past narratives shape our present actions and future aspirations.
Chapters
00:00:00 - Introduction to Coaching and Therapy
Yannick introduces the topic of coaching and its distinction from therapy, setting the stage for a discussion on exploring the past within coaching sessions.
00:01:58 - The Role of Past Experiences
Yannick and Siwash discuss the importance of understanding past experiences to enhance present coaching outcomes, emphasizing that exploring the past is not about dwelling but understanding current behaviors.
00:03:58 - Patterns and Limiting Beliefs
Siwash shares insights on how exploring past patterns and limiting beliefs can be beneficial in coaching, using personal anecdotes to illustrate the impact of past experiences on present actions.
00:06:15 - Balancing Coaching and Therapy
Nicki and Yannick explore the fine line between coaching and therapy, discussing when exploring the past might cross into therapeutic territory and how coaches can maintain a forward-focused approach.
00:08:30 - Techniques for Effective Coaching
The conversation shifts to practical techniques for coaches to connect past experiences with future goals, ensuring that sessions remain productive and goal-oriented.
00:10:30 - Conclusion and Reflections
The episode wraps up with reflections on the discussion, encouraging listeners to engage with the content and share their experiences to foster learning and growth in the coaching community.
Takeaways:
Understanding past experiences can enhance coaching outcomes.
Coaching focuses on the future, while therapy often explores the past.
Recording my coaching sessions? Benefits & Pitfalls - Episode 95
Saison 1 · Épisode 95
jeudi 1 janvier 2026 • Durée 26:42
In this episode, Yannick Jacob, Siwash, and Nicki dive into the evolving landscape of coaching in the digital age. They explore the benefits and challenges of recording coaching sessions, particularly with the integration of AI. The discussion covers ethical considerations, client comfort, and the potential for AI to enhance coaching practices. Tune in to discover how technology is reshaping the coaching experience and what it means for both coaches and clients.
Chapters
00:00:00 - Introduction to the Episode
Yannick introduces the topic of recording coaching sessions and the role of AI in modern coaching practices.
00:01:46 - Benefits of Recording Sessions
The team discusses how recording sessions can provide valuable insights and help clients revisit their progress.
00:06:47 - Ethical Considerations and Client Comfort
A deep dive into the ethical implications of recording sessions and ensuring client comfort and consent.
00:11:20 - AI's Role in Coaching
Exploring how AI can assist in summarizing sessions and providing feedback, while maintaining client confidentiality.
00:16:30 - Balancing Technology and Human Connection
The conversation shifts to finding the right balance between leveraging technology and maintaining the human element in coaching.
00:21:00 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts
The episode wraps up with reflections on the future of coaching in a tech-driven world and the importance of ethical practices.
Takeaways:
Recording sessions can provide valuable insights for both coaches and clients.
AI can assist in summarizing sessions and providing feedback.
Ethical considerations are crucial when recording sessions.
Client comfort and consent are paramount in the recording process.
Technology should enhance, not replace, the human element in coaching.
AI can help maintain client confidentiality while offering insights.
Balancing technology and human connection is key in modern coaching.
Recording sessions can help clients revisit their progress.
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What makes a client coachable? The importance of readiness and commitment Using coachability scales and assessments The role of motivation and psychological factors Matching coach and client for success
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If you'd like to stay up to date with new episodes, continue the conversation or generally support what we do:
Thanks for being a coach. You're making the world a better place!
21:23 — Listening for What’s Really There
23:34 — What “Stuck” Is Really Telling You
28:12 — You Are the Job
33:25 — The “Shoulds” That Shape Careers
39:24 — Passion Paralysis
45:32 — Why Description Beats Labels
48:58 — Reframing Purpose and Value
52:17 — When Work Holds You—and Traps You
54:18 — Stuckness as a Useful Pause
58:20 — Stepping Back to Reflect
63:29 — The Existential Gym
67:51 — Five Minutes That Change Your Day
70:02 — Practicing Reflection Like a Muscle
73:44 — Camus, Sisyphus, and Meaning
76:11 — Commitment, Choice, and Decisions
80:37 — Freedom, Bad Faith, and the Dizziness of Choice
83:30 — Choice, Tradeoffs, and Standing Behind Decisions
87:46 — How Clients Step Into This Work
91:31 — Making Space for Ambiguity and Contradiction
92:33 — Why AI Can’t Replace a Human Coach
98:43 — When AI Becomes a Tool, Not a Relationship
99:16 — Why the Existential Gym Still Matters
100:19 — What Resonated Most
103:17 — The Third Voice in the Room
104:16 — Learn more from and with Britt-Mari
BIO:
Britt-Mari Sykes, Ph.D., is a Career Counsellor and Consultant, a Career Development Practitioner (CDP), and the founder of CANVAS Career Counselling. She is a member of Career Professionals of Canada and received the 2024 Outstanding Career Professional Award of Excellence. She holds certifications as a Career Strategist (CCS), Work-Life Strategist (CWS), Employment Strategist (CES), Interview Strategist (CIS), and Résumé Strategist (CRS). Britt-Mari has supported a diverse range of clients across Canada for over 16 years, assisting those facing career changes, burnout, or feeling unfulfilled, as well as individuals exploring new work options later in life. She also works with emerging young leaders, senior leaders managing multigenerational teams, and career development practitioners seeking mentorship and guidance.
Britt-Mari brings an existential and experiential approach to career counselling, guiding clients to explore their relationship with work and careers, reflect on their experiences, choices, and decisions, and develop practical, meaningful next steps. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Ottawa and specializes in existential and experiential psychotherapies. Britt-Mari is the author of Questioning Psychological Health and Well-Being (2010), a historical and contemporary exploration of the meaning of psychological health and development. Currently, she is working on her second book, a collection of essays on the meaning of career and our relationship with work from an existential perspective in career counselling.
In addition to her private practice, Britt-Mari has presented at conferences across Canada, the USA, and Europe on topics such as human development, ethics in everyday life, and the value of work. She continues to teach as a sessional and guest lecturer in university classrooms on the history and development of existential psychology and the theory of Existential Analysis. Committed to lifelong learning and professional growth, she regularly participates in workshops and certificate programs on Existential Analysis, Trauma-Informed Care, and Narrative Therapy. Actively engaged in community service, Britt-Mari currently volunteers as a Certification Assessor with Career Professionals of Canada and, for 8 years, volunteered as a group facilitator with the Discover Year program (a structured gap-year initiative).
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If you'd like to support the Podcast, please consider a positive review, leave a comment or tell a friend or colleague about this episode.
And did you know that you can see COACHING DEMOS from many of our podcast guests as part of Yannick's Coaching Lab. In the Lab you’re a “fly on the wall” for a 45min live coaching demo followed by Q&A and conversations with the coach and client and (optional) experimental breakouts in triads. Members of the Lab can re-watch recordings of sessions they’ve missed and VIP Members have access to the entire Vault of available coaching demos:
Thanks for being a coach. You're making the world a better place!
Exploring past narratives helps in understanding current behaviors. - Coaches should balance between past exploration and future focus.
Past experiences can be a catalyst for future growth.
Coaching and therapy have distinct but overlapping roles.
Awareness of past patterns can aid in personal development.
Coaches need to be sensitive to when past exploration becomes therapeutic.
Exploring the past can provide resources for future challenges.
Coaching can maintain a forward-thinking approach while exploring the past.
Keywords: coaching, therapy, past experiences, future goals, personal development, coaching techniques, exploring the past, coaching vs therapy, limiting beliefs, personal growth
____ If you'd like to stay up to date with new episodes, continue the conversation or generally support what we do:
Thanks for being a coach. You're making the world a better place!
Coaches should be transparent about how recordings are used.
The future of coaching involves integrating technology responsibly.
Keywords: coaching, AI in coaching, recording sessions, client comfort, ethical considerations, technology in coaching, coaching practices, digital age, human connection, coaching insights
____ If you'd like to stay up to date with new episodes, continue the conversation or generally support what we do:
