

The Bright Morning Podcast with Elena Aguilar
Elena Aguilar
It’s possible for every coaching conversation to build connection and spark change, and Elena Aguilar will show you how. Elena Aguilar is one of education’s leading voices on coaching. Educators around the globe use her research-based coaching method to transform their organizations. Her company, Bright Morning, brings the ideas in her best-selling books to life by providing world-class professional development to mission-driven leaders. In The Bright Morning Podcast, Elena teaches you how to make every conversation count by demonstrating Transformational Coaching conversations. Every episode tackles a pressing coaching challenge. Resistance. Racism. Burnout. Overwhelm. Struggling new teachers. You’ll find it all here. If you’re ready to thrive in your work, listen in. New episodes drop every Monday. To learn more about Elena, go deeper into every episode, find the resources and tools she mentions, or join one of her workshops, check out https://brightmorningteam.com.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 20, 2023 • 25min
How to Build Your Team’s EQ: Episode 155
If you want a team that can engage in healthy conflict, one that experiences high levels of investment and low levels of resistance, you need to focus on emotional intelligence (EQ). The first step to doing so is to grow the awareness of your own emotional landscape. Today’s episode provides you with the knowledge and tools to get started. Mentioned in this episode: The Art of Coaching Teams(book by Elena) Core emotions (free tool) Opportunities for continued learning: The Art of Coaching Emotions workshopThe Art of Coaching Teams workshopVisit https://brightmorningteam.com/podcasts/ for links to everything we mention on the show. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, InstagramReceive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inbox! Sign up at https://brightmorningteam.com/newsletter/

Mar 13, 2023 • 16min
How to Close Your Coaching Conversations: Episode 154
How our conversations end matters. A lot. In this episode, Elena provides 5 tips that will allow you to close your coaching conversations in a way that elicits positive emotions, allows your coachee to tap into their sense of power, and cultivates resilience. Mentioned in this episode: The Art of Coaching Workshop (retired July 2024 and replaced by The Art of Transformational Coaching workshop)The Art of Coaching Teams WorkshopOpportunities for continued learning: The Art of Coaching Workshop (retired July 2024 and replaced by The Art of Transformational Coaching workshop)Visit https://brightmorningteam.com/podcasts/ for links to everything we mention on the show. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, InstagramReceive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inbox! Sign up at https://brightmorningteam.com/newsletter/

Mar 6, 2023 • 23min
How to Determine Your Coaching Conversation Area of Focus: Episode 153
What do you do when a coaching client doesn’t know what to focus on during your time together? If you want to feel confident in answering that question, this is an episode you won’t want to miss! Elena shares four tips for guiding the conversation when your client has many priorities, maybe even competing priorities that will not only help them figure out where to start, but will also build their decision-making capacity in the long term. If you’re a coach, leader, parent, or anyone who wants to take a coaching stance, this episode is for you! Mentioned in this episode: Sentence stems The Art of Coaching Workshop (retired July 2024 and replaced by The Art of Transformational Coaching workshop)Opportunities for continued learning: Listening to Your Own Listening The Art of Coaching (retired July 2024 with the release of Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching) The Art of Coaching Workshop (retired July 2024 and replaced by The Art of Transformational Coaching workshop)Visit https://brightmorningteam.com/podcasts/ for links to everything we mention on the show. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, InstagramReceive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inbox! Sign up at https://brightmorningteam.com/newsletter/ Support us

Feb 27, 2023 • 26min
REPLAY: A Framework for Responding to Racism
Today we’re replaying an essential What to Say When You Hear Something Racist episode in which Elena shares her simple framework for responding to racism and demonstrates how she recently put it into action while antiquing (because unfortunately, racism is everywhere). Mentioned on this episode: The Conscious Competence Ladder: Understanding the Learning Journey (Free tool) The 3 Ps framework:PurposePowerPossibility Listen to the What to Say When You Hear Something Racist podcast series and expand your learning with our free listening guide Visit https://brightmorningteam.com/podcasts/ for links to everything we mention on the show. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, InstagramReceive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inbox! Sign up at https://subscriber.brightmorningteam.com/resources Support us

Feb 20, 2023 • 29min
REPLAY: The Role of Your Identity in Responding to Racism
Today we’re replaying the first episode of our, “What to Say When You Hear Something Racist” series. In this inaugural episode, Elena shares the first step you must take if you want to skillfully respond to racism: deepening your understanding of your own identity. When you know yourself, you'll be able to better understand when you are inclined to step up and take action, or when you might be tempted to step away from something challenging. If you understand your identity experiences, you'll have heightened awareness of your own privilege and responsibility.The concepts and tools referenced in this episode appear throughout this series, so listen in and then keep going! Mentioned on this episode: How to Understand Race, Racism, and White Supremacy (Chapter 3, Coaching for Equity)Exploring Identity Markers (Page 16-19, Art of Coaching Workbook) Listen to the What to Say When You Hear Something Racist podcast series and expand your learning with our free listening guide Continue your learning: Read Coaching for Equity (book by Elena)Take part in a Coaching for Equity Book ClubAttend Coaching for Equity (virtual workshop)Attend Coaching for Equity Masterclass (retired workshop) Visit https://brightmorningteam.com/podcasts/ for links to everything we mention on the show. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, InstagramReceive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inbox! Sign up at https://subscriber.brightmorningteam.com/resources Support us

Feb 13, 2023 • 51min
Transformational PD Part 3: Responding to Resistance: Episode 152
Have you ever faced resistance while facilitating? Us too! In this final episode of our Transformational PD mini-series, Elena is joined by Bright Morning teammate, Maria Dyslin, to discuss and demonstrate how you can navigate resistance as a facilitator before, during, and after your meetings and PD sessions. Mentioned in this episode: The PD Book (Book by Elena)Artful Design and Facilitation (Bright Morning workshop)The Art of Coaching Teams (Bright Morning workshop)Art of Coaching Teams (book by Elena) Mind the Gap (free tool)Resistance mini-series (Bright Morning Podcast)Visit https://brightmorningteam.com/podcasts/ for links to everything we mention on the show. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, InstagramReceive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inbox! Sign up at https://brightmorningteam.com/newsletter/

Feb 6, 2023 • 21min
Transformational PD Part 2: Six Transformational Tips: Episode 151
What do I do when an activity I planned just isn’t working? How do I respond to a question that I don’t know how to respond to? My agenda is too full but everything is essential! What do I cut?The answer to these questions and many more are answered in this second episode of our 3-part Transformational PD mini-series. Elena shares 6 Transformational Tips that she’ll pulling on in her practice these days that we bet you haven’t heard before. Mentioned in this episode: The PD Book (Book by Elena)Artful Design and Facilitation (Bright Morning workshop)Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life, Dascher KeltnerReflection questions: Which of the six strategies resonated most with you, and why?Reflect on a specific moment in your facilitation or planning where you could have used that strategy. What might have changed?What comes up for you when you imagine being more vulnerable or less "expert" in a PD space—like sharing a think-aloud or dancing in front of participants?What beliefs or fears might you need to examine or release in order to show up more authentically?How might you intentionally create more space in your PD design—whether that means cutting content, moving your body, or even canceling a sessionWhat would it look like to prioritize depth, presence, and responsiveness over content coverage?Visit https://brightmorningteam.com/podcasts/ for links to everything we mention on the show. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, InstagramReceive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inbox! Sign up at https://brightmorningteam.com/newsletter/

Jan 30, 2023 • 35min
Transformational PD Part 1: What It Is and Why You Need It: Episode 150
What is “transformational PD?” How do we make PD joyful?What are important considerations for one-time vs. ongoing PD?How do we center equity in all of our PD sessions? What is Elena’s favorite tool from The PD Book? Today Elena is joined by Bright Morning teammate, Becky Barstein, to explore these questions and many more in Part 1 of our three-part Transformational PD mini-series. If you design or facilitate adult learning, this is an episode you won’t want to miss! Mentioned in this episode: The PD BookArtful Design and Facilitation (Bright Morning workshop)The Art of Coaching (retired July 2024 and replaced by The Art of Transformational Coaching workshop)Mind the Gap (free tool)BIPOC Spaces Opportunities for continued learning: Artful Design and Facilitation (Bright Morning workshop)Visit https://brightmorningteam.com/podcasts/ for links to everything we mention on the show. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, InstagramReceive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inbox! Sign up at https://brightmorningteam.com/newsletter/

Jan 23, 2023 • 34min
Coaching Resistance: Part 3 - Coaching Demonstration: Episode 149
It’s been two months and the teacher you’re coaching still hasn’t implemented the strategies they agreed to. What do you do? In today’s episode, Elena demonstrates her approach to coaching this type of “resistance” and then pulls back the curtain to explain her coaching moves. Mentioned in this episode: Episode 68: Coaching Tool: Taking a Confrontational Stance Opportunities for continued learning: “The Art of Coaching” Workshop (retired July 2024 and replaced by The Art of Transformational Coaching workshop)“The Art of Coaching Emotions” WorkshopVisit https://brightmorningteam.com/podcasts/ for links to everything we mention on the show. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inbox! Sign up at https://brightmorningteam.com/newsletter/

Jan 16, 2023 • 40min
Coaching Resistance: Part 2 - Preparing OURSELVES: Episode 148
Did you know a childhood photo or a lunch date can help you coach resistance? On today’s episode, Elena and Bright Morning teammate, Nick Cains, discuss what they do to prepare themselves to coach resistant clients, and how they tend to themselves as coaches of color who often coach across lines of racial difference. Listen in for concrete strategies and several stories that help bring them to life. Mentioned on the podcast: Core human needs (Bright Morning handout) Opportunities for continued learning: “The Art of Coaching” Workshop (retired July 2024 and replaced by The Art of Transformational Coaching workshop)“The Art of Coaching Emotions” WorkshopVisit https://brightmorningteam.com/podcasts/ for links to everything we mention on the show. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, InstagramReceive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inbox! Sign up at https://brightmorningteam.com/newsletter/


