

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

Feb 14, 2022 • 31min
What to Say: Three Steps to Navigate Your Emotions: Episode 110
In the second episode of our new, “What to Say When You Hear Something Racist” series, Elena shares the next step you must take if you want to skillfully respond to racism: engage with your own emotions. There is no way that we are going to transform our schools, our communities and our world without encountering emotions. Today Elena is sharing the three steps that will prevent our emotions from hijacking our actions so that we can learn from the wisdom they have to offer. Mentioned on this episode: Coaching for Equity Download your "What to Say When You Hear Something Racist" GuideVisit 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://subscriber.brightmorningteam.com/resources Support us

Feb 7, 2022 • 26min
What to Say: The Role of Your Identity in Responding to Racism: Episode 109
In the first episode of our new, “What to Say When You Hear Something Racist” series, 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 on this episode will appear throughout this series. 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) Download your "What to Say When You Hear Something Racist" GuideContinue your learning: Read Coaching for Equity (book by Elena)Take part in a Coaching for Equity Book ClubAttend Coaching for Equity Attend Coaching for Equity Masterclass (retired virtual workshop) Visit https://brightmorningteam.com/podcasts/ for links to everything we mention on the show

Feb 6, 2022 • 6min
What to Say: Introducing What to Say When You Hear Something Racist
Today Elena is dropping into your feed to introduce a new limited series we’ll be sharing during the months of February and March, 2022: What to Say When You Hear Something Racist. Listen in today to hear more about what to expect, and then tune-in on Monday for the first full episode! Mentioned in this Episode:Download your "What to Say When You Hear Something Racist" GuideVisit 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://subscriber.brightmorningteam.com/resources

Jan 31, 2022 • 22min
The End of Month Routine You Need: Episode 108
Here’s the secret to ending the year feeling fulfilled and accomplished: reflect and adjust along the way. If you’ve set a goal or an intention for this year, or if you’ve identified a word to guide you, then you don’t want to miss this episode. Today, as we continue our January series designed to set you up to have a fantastic year, Elena shares the end of month routine you need to help you fulfill those visions. Mentioned on this episode: Elena’s newsletter (sign-up!) Episode 105: Morning Rituals that Meet Your Needs (Bright Morning Podcast) Onward: Cultivating Resilience in Educators (book by Elena)Episode 106: What Do You Have to Quit So That You Can Stay? (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://subscriber.brightmorningteam.com/resources

Jan 24, 2022 • 24min
Three Steps to Better Decision Making: Episode 107
Do you struggle with decision making fatigue? Do you want to make decisions with confidence, knowing they are aligned with what matters most and will support your vision and goals for the life you want to live? If so, listen in today as Elena shares the three step decision-making process that will help set you up to live with intention and thrive this year. As a bonus, this process is one you can add to your Transformational Conversations toolkit to help guide others through once you internalize it for yourself. Mentioned on this episode: Bright Morning Instagram (find all prompts from this episode and join the conversation!)Core Values (free tool) Episode 29: Coaching Tools for Transformation: Core Values, Mind the Gap and Strengths-Based Coaching (Bright Morning Podcast episode that further explores core values)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

Jan 17, 2022 • 32min
What Do You Need to Quit In Order to Stay?: Episode 106
What do you need to quit in order to stay? This week we continue our January episodes focused on helping you get set-up to have a fantastic year. Today Bright Morning COO and podcast producer, LesLee Bickford, joins me and we dive into the juiciest question I’m asking and answering so far in 2022. You’ll hear where this question came from, how we’re currently answering it, and how this question will support your transformation. Listen in: you need this question in your rotation!Mentioned on this episode: Sign-up to receive our exclusive From Rut to River Exploration GuideThe Art of Coaching (retired July 2024 with the release of Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching)Episode 37: How to ACE Your Coaching Conversations (Bright Morning podcast episode that goes into depth on the ACE coaching tool)Art of Coaching EmotionsEpisode 105: Morning Rituals That Meet Your Needs (Bright Morning Podcast episode where Elena discusses her morning routine in depth) 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

Jan 10, 2022 • 24min
Morning Routines for Educators: Episode 105
Are you starting the day in a way that serves you and sets you up to have your needs met? How you spend the first part of your day sets the tone for the day. And how you spend your day is how you spend your life. If you want to take a more intentional approach to 2022, start with your morning routine. In today’s episode, Elena pulls back the curtain on why routines matter, considerations for creating a routine that will best meet your needs, and shares about how she starts her own days. If you’re ready to turn off auto-pilot or say goodbye to frantic and frazzled, start here. Mentioned on this episode: Elena’s personal Instagram account Nonviolent communication list of needs 10% Happier AppInsight TimerThe Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron This is Your Mind on Plants by Michael Pollan 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

Jan 3, 2022 • 17min
Coach's Corner: It’s Time to Get Your Needs Met: Episode 104
Have you been dreading the first day back to work after the break? Or are you feeling refreshed and looking forward to the year to come…while feverishly hoping you can maintain that energy and optimism? In this first episode of season 7 of the podcast, we’re focusing on the feelings that come up when you return to work after some time away and how you can get your needs met on a more regular basis. The tools shared will support both your personal transformation and your coaching conversations. Mentioned on this episode: Join us on Instagram to get the reflection questions and join the conversation! Nonviolent Communications resources:Feelings and Needs4-Step Process 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

Dec 20, 2021 • 11min
REPLAY: How to Feel Better: Make and Create
Would you benefit from an infusion of energy, healing and joy? That is what we’re hoping to provide you with today’s episode - a replay of one of our favorite How to Feel Better resilience strategies: make and create.This topic feels very timely as many of us head into a break where we (hopefully!) have a little more space to slow down and get in touch with our needs. More time to find some spaciousness, and perhaps some healing. If you like this episode, consider checking out our full (and free!) How to Feel Better program. Enjoy! Mentioned on this episode: Bright Morning Episode 18: Art, Memory and Healing with Indrina Allegra How to Feel Better (Free, self-directed learning series)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

Dec 12, 2021 • 12min
What Do You Need This Winter Break?: Episode 101
In today’s episode, Elena becomes the coach in your ear, providing some guidance for how you can think about winter break to ensure it serves you and your needs. The 2021-2022 school year has been a beast for educators everywhere. This is your time to center your needs, and Elena is here to help you do just that. 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


