The Bright Morning Podcast with 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
257 episodes
Ask One More Question: Episode 251
Sometimes, the people we love the most get the version of us we like the least. That’s normal, and we can do better. Our summer break series will help make that a reality by showing you how to apply your coaching moves...
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20:07
“How Would You Like Me to Listen?”: Ep 250
Sometimes, the people we love the most get the version of us we like the least. That’s normal, and we can do better. Our summer break series will help make that a reality by showing you how to apply your coaching moves...
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21:05
How to Acknowledge Emotions In One Sentence: Ep 249
Sometimes, the people we love the most get the version of us we like the least. That’s normal, and we can do better. Our summer break series will help make that a reality by showing you how to apply your coaching moves...
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18:15
Coach the Person, Not the Problem: Ep 248
Sometimes, the people we love the most get the version of us we like the least. That’s normal, and we can do better. Our summer break series will help make that a reality by showing you how to apply your coaching moves...
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19:58
How 5 Seconds Can Transform Your Conversations: Ep 247
Sometimes, the people we love the most get the version of us we like the least. That’s normal, and we can do better. Our summer break series will help make that a reality by showing you how to apply your coaching moves...
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16:48
Prepare for Your Conversations in 30 Seconds: Ep 246
Sometimes, the people we love the most get the version of us we like the least. That’s normal, and we can do better. Our summer break series will help make that a reality by showing you how to apply your coaching moves...
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21:37
How to Create an Energizing Summer Learning Plan: Episode 245
In this episode, Elena tackles a challenge you're likely facing right now: the frantic race to complete year-end responsibilities while a crucial growth opportunity passes you by. Through an authentic coaching conversation, she shows you how...
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23:50
Turn Your Triggers into Tools: Episode 244
Elena reveals how those moments when you suddenly lose composure—whether from a colleague's comment or an unexpected email—aren't signs of weakness but powerful opportunities. Discover how understanding your emotional activation points can a...
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16:42
Celebrating Success in Community: Episode 243
Tired of end-of-year celebrations that only recognize a select few? In this episode, Elena reveals how inclusive celebrations that honor everyone's growth—not just achievement—can transform school culture and build resilience. Through practi...
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15:16
EOY Reflection for Coaches: Episode 242
Want to improve your self-awareness, strengthen your relationships, and refine your ability to make choices that align with your values?That’s what this episode will help you do. Elena shares five questions from her end-of-yea...
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6:31
Coaching Up: Episode 241
Have you ever been frustrated in a conversation with a manager? If so, this episode is for you! Elena shares how you can use your coaching tools to “coach up,” resulting in more empowered and impactful conversations. Nota...
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9:15
How to Lead an End-of-Year Conversation With a Client: Episode 240
The peak-end rule tells us that how a person experiences an ending matters tremendously– that people judge an experience based on how they felt at its peak and its end, rather than the total sum or average of an entire experience. That means...
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22:14
Navigating a Client’s Lack of Growth: Episode 239
Do you have a client who failed to make meaningful progress towards their goals this year? In this short episode, Elena guides you through how to navigate these painful situations and provides specific techniques and questions to facilitate ...
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6:11
Core Emotions Tool in Action: Episode 238
Coaching emotions is a foundational ability of a Transformational Coach…and one of the hardest things for many people to do. In this episode, Elena demonstrates how to use the Core Emotions tool in an especially challenging situation–when a ...
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37:50
Transformational Coaching Dispositions: Episode 237
Cultivating our way of being—how we show up—is the most important work we can do. In this episode, Elena shares the five Transformational Coaching dispositions that will change your conversations—and your life. Notable mom...
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15:15
How to Return to Presence: Episode 236
Not being present is a recipe for unproductive conversations and relationships. Unfortunately, it’s a hard state for most people to be in–especially in a world where much is designed to distract us! In this episode, Elena offers practical st...
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12:40
Expansive Listening in Action: Episode 235
Coaching the problem, not the person, is the number one trap that coaches fall into. In this episode, Elena demonstrates how you can use expansive listening to unlock possibilities and empower your client. Notable moments:...
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24:37
First 5 Minutes: “Who is a fictional character…” [Replay]
How can we bring some creativity and levity to our coaching conversations? What about helping our clients access their needs? Or connecting them to their power? A replay of our fan-favorite First 5 Minutes series. T...
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17:03
First 5 Minutes: “Tell me about a challenging moment…” [Replay]
How do you kindle a sense of power and agency in your coachee when they are feeling deflated or overwhelmed? A replay of our fan-favorite First 5 Minutes series. These short episodes will teach you how to incorporate one ...
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11:50
First 5 Minutes: “Tell me a story…” [Replay]
How can we instill our clients with confidence in their potential to learn and grow? A replay of our fan-favorite First 5 Minutes series. These short episodes will teach you how to incorporate one resilience-boosting quest...
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14:28
First 5 Minutes: “Tell Me About a Place…” [Replay]
A replay of our fan-favorite First 5 Minutes series. These short episodes will teach you how to incorporate one resilience-boosting question into your conversations to help your clients get through the spring slump. In add...
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15:37
Transformational Lesson Plan Feedback: Coaching Demonstration: Episode 234
What does it look like to incorporate Transformational Coaching into everyday instructional coaching practices? Get ready to see it in action. In this episode, Elena demonstrates how to transform lesson plan feedback from transactional to trans...
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27:23
Navigating Standardized Testing Woes: Coaching Conversation: Episode 233
Standardized testing season is upon us, and that means you’re likely to experience some big feelings in your schools and coaching conversations. In this episode, Elena demonstrates how you can skillfully coach a teacher to consider how they ...
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29:56
Instructional Coaching with Transformational Coaching Strategies: Coaching Demonstration: Episode 232
How do instructional coaching and Transformational Coaching work together? This is a question we hear a lot. In this episode, Elena demonstrates some of the many ways that Transformational Coaching compliments and enhances...
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39:39
Combat Overwhelm with a Focal Student: Episode 231
Working with a focal student is one coaching strategy that works just as well with clients who are completely overwhelmed as it does with those who are competent and confident in their role–and it’s pretty darn easy. Listen in to hear what y...
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10:01