

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

Nov 25, 2024 • 10min
Your 10-Minute Conversation Reflection Guide [Replay]
The easiest thing you can do to improve your coaching conversations is to incorporate reflection. In this fan-favorite episode replay, Elena shares the three questions you need to engage in a 10-minute post-coaching conversation reflection that will supercharge your learning. Keep learning: Join the Learning Library and Transformational Coaching PLC to gain access to Reflecting on a Coaching Conversation and 47 additional Skill SessionsAttend The Art of Transformational Coaching workshop Read Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Rate and review usReflection questions: When will you block 10 minutes in your day to engage in this learning reflection? In addition to the three questions Elena shared, are there additional questions you would like to add? If intentional reflection is a new addition to your practice, why are you invested in making the time and space to add this in? [Tip: having a clear “why” will make you more likely to not schedule over this time.] Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode Transcript

Nov 18, 2024 • 16min
Disrupting Racism at the Dinner Table…And Beyond [Replay]
The winter holidays can include many things: time with family, a break from work…and maybe some casual racism over dinner. In today’s episode, Elena provides a quick overview of her What to Say When You Hear Something Racist framework. This is the content you need for the most essential holiday prep: preparing to disrupt racism. Note: this episode is a timely replay from our What to Say When You Hear Something Racist series. Keep learning: What to Say When You Hear Something Racist (Podcast series + companion guide)Coaching for Equity (book by Elena Aguilar) Coaching for Equity (Bright Morning workshop) Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Rate and review usPodcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode Transcript

Nov 11, 2024 • 16min
How to Prepare for a Coaching Conversation in Five Minutes [Replay]
In this replay of a fan-favorite episode, Elena shares a minute-by-minute breakdown of how you should spend the five minutes before you walk into a meeting where you will be coaching. These five steps provide you with the greatest potential for that meeting to be transformative for both yourself and your client. Keep learning: Join the Learning Library and Transformational Coaching PLC to gain access to Planning for a Coaching Conversation and 47 additional Skill SessionsAttend The Art of Transformational Coaching workshop Read Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Rate and review usReflection questions: How do you currently prepare for your coaching conversations? Which element(s) of your current practice serve you well? Elena provided five steps to take in the five minutes before your coaching conversations. Are any of these steps a part of your current practice? Were any of these steps surprising? What can you do consistently to carve out the 5+ minutes necessary to prepare yourself to coach? Tip: Get as specific as possible. For example, is there a specific place where you can capture your pre-meeting routine? Are you someone who benefits from accountability and wants to create a tracking system? Is there a location you can consistently return to that would assist in habit formation? Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode Transcript

Nov 8, 2024 • 1min
Bright Morning Podcast Trailer

Nov 4, 2024 • 11min
A Question to Cultivate Agency [Replay]
How do you kindle a sense of power and agency in your client when they are feeling deflated or overwhelmed? In this fan-favorite replay episode of our special four-part First 5 Minutes series, Elena will walk you through how to do just that with one question that opens up your next coaching conversation. In addition to providing you with a new question each week, Elena also walks through how to introduce this new type of question, models what that might look like, pulls back the curtain on why this question works, and shares some wisdom on how to artfully put this into action. This episode is for you if: Your clients are feeling powerless or deflated You’d like to learn a new way to open your coaching conversations You like concrete coaching tools! Keep learning: Join the Learning Library and Transformational Coaching PLC to gain access to 48 additional Skill Sessions that tackle the most essential coaching challenges Attend The Art of Transformational Coaching workshop Read Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the showRate and review usPodcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode Transcript

Oct 28, 2024 • 28min
Soliciting Feedback from Your Admin: Coaching Demonstration: Episode 223
We spend most of our waking hours at work. With that level of investment, we better make sure that what we’re doing is working, but too often, we just hope for the best. In this episode, Elena demonstrates how to effectively lead a feedback conversation with an administrator. It also includes a debrief discussing the conversation's dynamics and the significance of vulnerability. Elena also shares what she wishes she would have done with more challenging coach/admin relationships in the past. Notable moments: 00:47 Setting the Stage: Role Play Context02:29 Jumping into the Role Play04:20 Positive Feedback Highlights06:43 Addressing Critical Feedback12:25 Reflecting on Feedback and Moving Forward14:44 Debrief and Insights25:28 Final Thoughts and TakeawaysKeep learning: Join our Learning Library and Transformational Coaching PLC and learn everything you need to know about soliciting feedback from your admin and your clients. You’ll also find a video recording of this coaching demonstration! Free tool: The First 10 Minutes of a Coaching ConversationAttend The Art of Transformational Coaching workshop Read Arise: The Art of Transformational CoachingReceive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedIn Follow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show: Rate and review usReflection questions: Have you solicited feedback from your admin? If so, how did it compare to Elena’s approach? If not, what has held you back?During the debrief, Elena discussed the power of narrating your emotions during feedback conversations. Have you tried this before, or would you be willing to try it? What is one lingering question you have after listening to this demonstration and debrief? Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material. Episode Transcript

Oct 21, 2024 • 23min
Coaching an Emotions-Resistant Client: Coaching Demonstration: Episode 222
How do you coach emotions with a client who doesn’t want to talk about their emotions? That’s what you’ll learn in this episode. In just ten minutes, Elena skillfully supports her “client” to consider the anger he’s experiencing with his administrators in a new light. At the end of the conversation, Elena will share why she made the moves she made and why they work. Notable moments: 01:01 Introduction to Today's Coaching Demonstration03:37 Identifying the Client’s Frustrations and Challenges05:00 Exploring Emotions and Strategies12:25 Debriefing the Role Play20:26 Final Thoughts and TakeawaysKeep learning: Join the Learning Library and Transformational Coaching PLC to gain access to Beyond ACE Emotions and 47 additional Skill SessionsAttend The Art of Transformational Coaching workshop Read Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching Chapters 7 and 8 for more guidance on how to coach emotions Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Rate and review usReflection questions: What coaching moves did you observe Elena make that built trust with her client? What insights or questions did this demonstration and debrief raise for you? How would you describe Elena’s way of being as a coach in this conversation? How did that impact the outcome of the conversation? Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode Transcript

Oct 14, 2024 • 33min
Navigating Client Cancelations: Coaching Demonstration: Episode 221
What do you do when a client continues to cancel their meetings with you? That’s what you’ll learn in this episode. Elena demonstrates practical strategies through three role-playing scenarios with Cary, a former teacher. This episode is a must-listen for coaches seeking to enhance their confidence and effectiveness in building productive client relationships.Notable moments: 02:20 Scenario 1: New Teacher Struggles11:19 Scenario 2: Fourth-Year Teacher Overwhelm21:51 Scenario 3: Resistance to Coaching28:16 Final Thoughts and DebriefOpportunities for continued learning: Learning Library and Transformational Coaching PLC: October Skill Session When You’re Not Clicking With a Client Attend a The Art of Transformational Coaching workshop with Elena Read Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching Become a Bright Morning Member Reflection questions: Which coaching moves did you hear Elena make in each of these three situations? What questions or ideas are you taking away from this episode? Which of the three scenarios would be the most challenging for you to coach? Why is that? What is one step you could take this week to prepare yourself to navigate this more confidently? Follow Elena on Instagram & LinkedIn. Follow Bright Morning on Instagram & LinkedIn.Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inbox!Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright in and to all content in and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not, except with our express written permission, distribute or commercially exploit the content.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode TranscriptBE SURE TO RATE AND REVIEW US!

Oct 7, 2024 • 23min
Using the Gaps Framework: Coaching Demonstration: Episode 220
Elena coaches a teacher experiencing frustration after a failed family night in her classroom. She introduces the Gaps Framework to support the teacher in identifying what gaps might have contributed to the disappointing experience, considering both the families and the teacher’s potential needs. The Gaps Framework is designed to expand perspective and identify potential pathways forward, empowering teachers to tackle their areas for growth. Mentioned on this episode: The Gaps Framework (free tool)Opportunities for continued learning:Become a Bright Morning Member Read Arise: The Art of Transformational CoachingLearning Library and Transformational Coaching PLC: October Skill Session Introducing The Gaps Framework in ConversationAttend a The Art of Transformational Coaching workshop with ElenaReflection questions: If you have used the Gaps Framework with coaching clients before, how was your introduction and use similar and different from Elena’s?If you haven’t used the Gaps Framework with coaching clients before, what would you need to feel confident doing so?Elena had her client start by diagnosing the gaps families might be experiencing. Why do you think she took this approach?Follow Elena on Instagram & LinkedIn. Follow Bright Morning on Instagram & LinkedIn.Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inbox!Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright in and to all content in and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not, except with our express written permission, distribute or commercially exploit the content.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode TranscriptBE SURE TO RATE AND REVIEW US!

Oct 1, 2024 • 25min
How to Open and Close a Coaching Conversation: Episode 219
Running short on time in your coaching conversations? This episode is for you. Elena, playing the role of a school-based coach, demonstrates how to deftly navigate through the three phases of a coaching conversation—beginning, middle, and end—using skills from her “Arc of a Coaching Conversation” Skill Session. Set your timer and listen in to learn how to open and close your meetings in just five minutes. Notable Moments:00:00 Introduction to the Bright Morning Podcast00:56 Demonstration Setup: Coaching Conversation Phases02:30 Role-Playing the Opening of the Coaching Conversation09:46 Debriefing the Role-Play15:52 Role-Playing the Closing of the Coaching Conversation23:20 Final Thoughts and ResourcesOpportunities for continued learning: Become a Bright Morning MemberRead Arise: The Art of Transformational CoachingLearning Library and Transformational Coaching PLC: September Skill Session “The Arc of a Coaching Conversation”Learning Library and Transformational Coaching PLC: Coaching Demonstration Vault.Watch coaching demonstrations, including a full video of the conversation heard in this episode, as well as an alternative version where Elena navigates a client who is emotionally activated and doesn’t want to transition to the next phase of the coaching conversationAttend The Art of Transformational Coaching workshop with ElenaReflection questions:What moves did Elena make to build trust and connection between her and her client?What moves did you hear Elena make that built teacher agency?How did this demonstration compare to how you open and close your conversations?Follow Elena on Instagram & LinkedIn and Bright Morning on Instagram & LinkedInReceive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inbox!Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright in and to all content in and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not, except with our express written permission, distribute or commercially exploit the content.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode TranscriptBE SURE TO RATE AND REVIEW US!


