In this thoughtful and inspiring episode of The Coaching Studio, host Lyssa deHart welcomes Dr. Damian Goldvarg, MCC, a global leader in coaching, leadership development, and organizational psychology, to include Professional Coaching Competencies: The Complete Guide. Damian shares his journey from early work as a psychologist and facilitator for HIV/AIDS support groups to becoming a master coach, global speaker, and author of ten coaching and leadership books. He emphasizes how these formative experiences shaped his values and focus on what truly matters—relationships, self-awareness, and resilience.

Throughout the conversation, Damian highlights the importance of coaching supervision, describing how it deepens coaches' awareness, reveals blind spots, and elevates their practice. He passionately advocates for creating coaching cultures in organizations, helping leaders develop coaching skills to build healthier, collaborative, and resilient workplaces. Damian ties this to his latest book, Leadership for Modern Times, which will be coming out soon in English, explores new paradigms and coaching competencies leaders need to navigate today’s complex and volatile world.

The discussion also addresses emerging coaching trends, including the rise of artificial intelligence and its impact on the coaching profession. Damian stresses the importance of embracing technology while maintaining the human-centered essence of coaching. He encourages coaches and leaders to stay adaptable, intentional and committed to lifelong learning.

Listeners will find Damian’s reflections on systemic thinking, accountability, and balancing short-term results with long-term development both practical and inspiring. Whether you're a coach or leader, this episode offers invaluable insights into creating meaningful impact, fostering personal growth, and navigating the future with resilience and purpose.

Check out Damian's website
Find him on LinkedIn and Connect
Take a look at his YouTube Channel

Host: Lyssa deHart, LICSW, MCC, BCC

Music: Frolic by Harrison Amer

Production Editing: Lyssa deHart

Social Media and Communications: Michele Logan

In this engaging episode of The Coaching Studio, host Lyssa deHart sits down with Clare Norman, MCC, a mentor coach, coaching supervisor, and author, to discuss elevating the practice of coaching through personal transformation and coaching readiness. Clare shares insights from her 20+ years of experience, focusing on her core philosophy of "marginal gains"—small, impactful shifts that can drive significant improvements in coaching practice. She emphasizes the importance of mindset shifts for coaches, advocating that sustainable transformation in clients requires coaches to examine and adjust their own beliefs and habits.

Clare highlights key themes from her books, including The Transformational Coach, which helps coaches unlearn restrictive mindsets, and Cultivating Coachability, which provides a framework for assessing coaching readiness. She shares her thoughts on coaching readiness vs. coachability, explaining that readiness involves ensuring coaching is the right fit for a client’s needs, while coachability involves building a client’s "thinking muscles" throughout the coaching process.

Throughout the conversation, Clare offers practical guidance on how coaches can shift from transactional to transformational coaching by focusing on "being" over "doing" and creating an environment that empowers clients as thinkers. She also reflects on her personal growth journey and how working with a Gestalt therapist has helped her deepen her awareness, aligning with her mission to continually evolve as a coach. This episode is packed with valuable insights for coaches seeking to deepen their practice and shift their approach to create lasting change in their clients. Join Lyssa and Clare for an inspiring conversation on the art of transformational coaching.

You can find Clare on her Website
On LinkedIn
And on Facebook

Host: Lyssa deHart, LICSW, MCC, BCC

Music: Frolic by Harrison Amer

Production Editing: Lyssa deHart

Social Media and Communications: Michele Logan

In this episode of the Coaching Studio, host Lyssa deHart welcomes Sheila Carmichael, an accomplished MCC executive coach, leadership strategist, and author. With a journey that began in corporate HR, Sheila shares her evolution into an MCC coach, driven by a passion for authentic leadership and empowering decision-makers to lead with courage and presence. She describes her unique coaching approach, which is centered on connecting the dots for clients, fostering self-awareness, and supporting leaders in navigating complex, high-stakes situations.

Throughout the conversation, Sheila emphasizes the importance of creating psychological safety, especially in executive settings where leaders may not always receive candid feedback. She uses relatable metaphors, like playing tennis or selecting the right pair of shoes, to illustrate how leaders can adapt their style to foster engagement and build trust. Sheila also delves into her coaching "secret sauce"—the ability to help leaders gain clarity on their own patterns and decisions, which strengthens their impact and helps align organizational goals with personal values.

In a deeply insightful exchange, Lyssa and Sheila explore themes of courage, continuous growth, and the significance of purpose. They discuss how presence in authentic leadership is shaped not only by external behaviors but by internal beliefs, convictions, and the courage to be vulnerable. Sheila’s philosophy underscores that coaching is about drawing out answers within clients, allowing them to lead from a place of authenticity. This episode is packed with powerful insights for leaders, coaches, and anyone interested in fostering growth and innovation within themselves and their organizations.

Tune in for an inspiring discussion on authentic leadership, presence, and the art of courageous coaching.

Find Sheila on her Website
Or on LinkedIn

Her new book, Presence: Self-Coaching Strategies, is available now on Amazon

Host: Lyssa deHart, LICSW, MCC, BCC

Music: Frolic by Harrison Amer

Production Editing: Lyssa deHart

Social Media and Communications: Michele Logan

In this episode of The Coaching Studio, Lyssa deHart hosts Mary Anna Wright, PhD, MCC—a distinguished leadership coach, communications expert, and former ICF Ireland president. With an eclectic background spanning from marine biology to rave culture and public relations, Mary Anna brings a unique perspective to coaching, deeply informed by her studies in cultural and behavioral change. The conversation dives into her journey into coaching and her transition from academia and communications into a career dedicated to supporting others in realizing their potential.

Mary Anna shares the importance of connection as the cornerstone of her coaching philosophy, describing it as a commitment to help clients connect deeply with themselves, their environment, and their personal ecosystems. She discusses the concept of “the seven-eyed model” from supervision, which encourages coaches to consider the larger systems impacting their clients. This systemic perspective, she notes, helps coaches and leaders navigate the unknown and often complex dynamics of their environments, promoting resilience and adaptability.

A key theme in the conversation is the power of presence in coaching. Mary Anna reflects on the evolution of her approach, emphasizing how letting go of the need to “solve” for clients allows a true partnership to emerge. She highlights the journey to mastery as a continuous process of self-awareness, humility, and the practice of holding space for clients without the interference of ego. In addition, she shares insights into the growing influence of AI in coaching, recognizing the human connection as irreplaceable in creating meaningful transformation.

This episode offers listeners a profound exploration of coaching’s potential to impact lives, both for clients and coaches alike, encouraging coaches to embrace the journey of learning, self-reflection, and connection. Tune in to hear how Mary Anna combines her love for coaching with respect for the vast complexity of human experience.

Learn more about Mary Anna on her Website
And connect with her on LinkedIn
Or watch her on YouTube

Host: Lyssa deHart, LICSW, MCC, BCC

Music: Frolic by Harrison Amer

Production Editing: Lyssa deHart

Social Media and Communications: Michele Logan

On this episode of the Coaching Studio, host Lyssa deHart welcomes Navid Nazemian, PCC, an executive transition coach and the bestselling author of Mastering Executive Transitions: The Definitive Guide. With a rich background in human resources and extensive international experience, Navid brings a unique global perspective to leadership and coaching. He shares his passion for supporting leaders through pivotal career transitions, maintaining authenticity in times of change, and his journey from HR professional to becoming a coach.

Navid delves into his early realization about the impact of coaching, recounting a transformative experience where coaching turned a struggling leader into a highly considered candidate for larger roles within a year. He explains how this revelation ignited his passion for coaching, leading him to eventually pursue a career helping others navigate their own professional transitions. We explore the Harvard Business Review article: Manage Your Energy Not Your Time by Tony Schwartz– This article is recommended for its insights into optimizing energy levels rather than time, an essential read for maintaining executive performance without burnout.

Throughout the conversation, Navid and Lyssa explore the nuances of executive transitions, the challenges new roles present, and the importance of proper support systems during these phases. Navid emphasizes the use of structured frameworks and strategic planning in ensuring successful transitions, highlighting how tailored coaching interventions can facilitate significant growth and change in leaders.

Navid explains his Double Diamond process:

Listeners will gain valuable insights into the transformational power of coaching, both from the perspective of a coach and a leader, making this episode a must-listen for anyone involved in or interested in executive leadership and personal development.

If you want to watch the Backwards Brain Bicycle Video, check it out here!

Find Navid:
LinkedIn
Instagram

Host: Lyssa deHart, LICSW, MCC, BCC

Music: Frolic by Harrison Amer

Production Editing: Lyssa deHart

Social Media and Communications: Michele Logan

In this episode of The Coaching Studio, Lyssa deHart welcomes Claire Pedrick, MCC, an accomplished coach, adventurer, and author of Simplifying Coaching (2020) and The Human Behind the Coach (2023). Claire brings a refreshingly down-to-earth approach to coaching, emphasizing simplicity while maintaining profound impact. Together, they explore how coaching can be powerfully simple, and how Claire's journey—like her 600-kilometer trek on the Camino de Santiago—informs her belief in walking alongside clients as they find their own path.

The conversation dives deep into what it means to truly “be with” clients, shedding unnecessary complexity to focus on authentic listening and meaningful partnership. Claire challenges the notion that coaching must be complicated, showing how transformative shifts can arise from a space of simple, genuine presence. Her personal stories, including her long history in coaching dating back to the 1980s and reflections on the commercialization of the field, provide valuable insights for both new and seasoned coaches.

Claire shared an idea,"thought partner" and "thinker" which blew my mind and has fundamentally shifted how I think about the concepts of "coach" and "client." This idea originated in the work of Nancy Kline, and her work in Time to Think.

Listeners will leave with a fresh perspective on how to facilitate transformative coaching sessions by trusting in simplicity, focusing on what really matters, and allowing clients to lead their own breakthroughs.

You can learn more about Claire on her Website
Or, connect with her on LinkedIn

Host: Lyssa deHart, LICSW, MCC, BCC

Music: Frolic by Harrison Amer

Production Editing: Lyssa deHart

Social Media and Communications: Michele Logan

In this episode of The Coaching Studio, host Lyssa deHart welcomes Jonathan Reitz, MCC, an executive coach and author of Coaching Hacks: Simple Strategies to Make Every Conversation More Effective. Jonathan shares his unique journey from a career in television to becoming a coach, driven by his passion for leadership development and helping others unlock their potential.

Jonathan discusses the profound impact of his early experiences in broadcasting on his coaching style, emphasizing the importance of listening and adapting communication techniques. He provides insights into the art of asking powerful questions and the significance of understanding client narratives to foster effective coaching relationships.

Jonathan dives deep into the three key assessments that he thinks every coach should take and how they have shaped his coaching approach: the Motivational Code, the Harrison Assessment, and the Hogan Assessment. He explains how these tools have helped him better understand his own motivations, behaviors, and personality traits, and how coaches can use similar insights to enhance their effectiveness. Additionally, Jonathan emphasizes the importance of reflective practice in coaching, a habit he developed early in his career by reviewing recordings of his coaching sessions.

He also shares his top book recommendation, Super Communicator by Charles Duhigg, which explores how different types of conversations—practical, emotional, and social—affect communication dynamics. Jonathan encourages coaches to stay attuned to these dynamics to prevent misunderstandings and foster stronger client relationships. We also discuss his recommendation of Helping People Change by Richard Boyatzis, Melvin Smith, and Ellen Van Oosten. This book explores the science behind coaching and leadership development, emphasizing the power of positive emotional attractors and how they facilitate meaningful, sustained change in individuals. Reitz draws on this work to highlight the importance of vision and purpose in coaching, helping clients move toward their goals with greater clarity and motivation.

Listeners will gain a deeper appreciation of the strategic and empathetic elements of coaching that Jonathan advocates, making this episode a valuable resource for both new and experienced coaches aiming to enhance their skills and impact.

You can connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn
Check out his Website

Host: Lyssa deHart, LICSW, MCC, BCC

Music: Frolic by Harrison Amer

Production Editing: Lyssa deHart

Social Media and Communications: Michele Logan

In this insightful episode of The Coaching Studio, host Lyssa deHart engages in a deep conversation with Tini Fadzillah, MCC. Together, they explore key themes around professional coaching, particularly focusing on the role of curiosity, presence, and the delicate balance between guiding clients and holding space for their growth.

Tini Fadzillah shares her journey toward earning the MCC credential, emphasizing how mastery is not about having all the answers but about facilitating a client-led process. She highlights how crucial it is for coaches to remain curious and open, allowing clients to uncover their own insights rather than steering them towards predetermined outcomes. This approach mirrors Lyssa’s own coaching philosophy, centering on partnership and client agency.

Throughout the interview, both coaches reflect on their personal growth and the evolving nature of coaching. They discuss the challenges and triumphs of learning to trust the process, resist the urge to fix, and instead, create environments that foster self-discovery.

This episode is filled with valuable lessons for both new and experienced coaches, offering listeners practical insights into becoming more effective in their practice while staying rooted in authenticity and presence.

This conversation is perfect for coaches looking to deepen their understanding of the MCC journey and expand their capacity to hold transformative space for clients.

Find Tini Fadzillah MCC on LinkedIn

Host: Lyssa deHart, LICSW, MCC, BCC

Music: Frolic by Harrison Amer

Production Editing: Lyssa deHart

Social Media and Communications: Michele Logan