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
286 episodes
What to Do When a Team Member Breaks Down: Episode 279
If you’ve ever been in a conversation where someone starts crying, shuts down, or lashes out—and you weren’t sure what to do—this episode is for you. Elena offers guidance on how to respond when a team member breaks down emotionally during a...
•
7:15
How to ACE Your Coaching Conversations: Episode 278
If you’ve ever thought, “I don’t know what to say when someone gets emotional,” this episode is for you. Elena introduces the ACE Emotions framework, a three-part process that helps coaches and leaders skillfully navigate emotional intensity...
•
8:14
You Want to Coach Emotions? Start Here: Episode 277
In this foundational episode, Elena Aguilar shares why understanding emotions is essential for Transformational Coaching. You’ll walk away with a reflective practice to deepen your emotional fluency. This episode sets the stage for a new way...
•
9:55
Coaching Through Core Values: Episode 276
If you’re looking for a way to start the year with depth and clarity in your coaching conversations, this episode is for you. Elena explores the power of coaching through core values—especially at the beginning of a new year. You’ll learn ho...
•
9:44
When Energy is Low and Needs are High Episode 275
If you’re returning from break and feeling like your energy is low but the demands are already high, this episode is for you. Elena shares a practical tool to help you stay anchored when your energy is low and the demands are high. ...
•
8:26
Restarting with Intention: Episode 274
If you’re coming back from winter break and want to start this next chapter with clarity and calm, this episode is for you. Elena shares a powerful ritual to help coaches and leaders return from winter break with clarity and intention. ...
•
7:28
How to Re-Enter with Intention After Break: Ep 273
Returning from break doesn’t have to mean jumping back into the chaos. In this special episode, Elena offers three reflection questions to help you re-enter your work with clarity, peace, and power.Notable mo...
•
4:54
How to Sign Off for Winter Break with Intention: Ep 272
How do you leave the year behind and truly rest? In this special episode, Elena offers five powerful questions to help you reflect, release, and step into winter break with intention.Notable moments:
•
4:45
What If They Don’t Want to Come Back?: Ep 271
Dreading January? You’re not alone—and neither are your clients.In this episode, Elena shares how to help educators return from break with renewed clarity, compassion, and a plan they actually want to follow.Notab...
•
5:30
How to End the Year on a High Note: Ep 270
December is a blur—but it doesn’t have to be a missed opportunity. In this episode, Elena shares how to help your clients reflect, celebrate, and close out the calendar year with clarity and pride.Notable mom...
•
5:55
Updating Admin About a Struggling Teacher: Episode 269
Worried about a struggling teacher—and not sure what to tell your admin? In this episode, Elena shares how to raise concerns with honesty, integrity, and care for everyone involved.Notable moments: <...
•
7:25
How to Bring Your Coaching Skills to the Thanksgiving Table: Ep 268
What if your coaching skills could help you navigate Thanksgiving? In this special episode, Elena Aguilar shares how to bring curiosity, presence, and boundaries to your holiday gatherings—and build connection even across ...
•
6:08
Should I Be Taking Notes?: Episode 267
Are you taking too many notes—or none at all?In this episode, Elena offers a practical and powerful approach to note-taking during coaching conversations. Learn how to take notes that build trust, strengthen your memory, and su...
•
6:37
What Just Happened in that Conversation?: Episode 266
You coached. Now what? In this episode, Elena explains why the moments after a coaching conversation are where your growth lives. Learn how to build a reflection habit that helps you get better—fast....
•
8:08
Planning for a Coaching Conversation in 5 Minutes: Episode 265
Do I really need to plan for every coaching session? In this episode, Elena explains how even five minutes of intentional prep can transform your coaching. Learn what to focus on, how to plan efficiently, and why your pres...
•
7:12
Am I Even Making a Difference?: Episode 264
Three months into coaching and wondering if you’re making any difference at all? You’re not alone. In this episode, Elena shares a reflective process and feedback strategies that will help you see—and strengthen—your coach...
•
6:39
What If We’re Just Not Clicking?: Episode 263
Your client keeps canceling. Or giving one-word answers. Or something just feels... off. In this episode, Elena shares what to do when you’re not connecting with a client—and how to shift from awkwardness to authentic trus...
•
6:43
Coaching BIG Emotions: Episode 262
Your client is crying again… or emotionally checked out… or endlessly venting. What do you do? In this episode, Elena teaches you how to coach emotions when ACE alone isn’t enough. Learn how to show up with compassion, cla...
•
8:13
Where Do I Start? They Have 101 Gaps!: Ep 261
When a teacher has 101 gaps to close, where do you start? In this episode, Elena walks you through how to use the Gaps Framework to lead overwhelmed clients toward clarity. You’ll learn how to name challenges with compassi...
•
6:37
Coaching Core Human Needs [Demonstration]: Episode 260
When our core needs go unmet, we suffer. When they’re met, we thrive. In this episode, Elena shares a live coaching demonstration of how to help a client recognize and respond to unmet core human needs. Listen in to deepen...
•
18:09
Coaching Limiting Beliefs [Demonstration]: Episode 259
Limiting beliefs can keep your clients stuck. In this episode, Elena shares a live demonstration of how to coach someone using the Exploring Beliefs Framework. You’ll hear how to surface disempowering stories, activate new...
•
28:52
Using the Ladder of Inference [Demonstration]: Episode 258
When your client jumps to conclusions, the Ladder of Inference can help. In this episode, Elena demonstrates how to use the Ladder to surface assumptions, expand thinking, and move toward more grounded decision-making....
•
22:28
Using the Wheel of Privilege and Power [Demonstration]: Episode 257
Want to hear what it sounds like to coach with the Wheel of Privilege and Power? In this episode, Elena shares a live coaching demo and unpacks how to facilitate identity-based exploration with skill and care. Learn how to...
•
24:38
Coaching Someone Off the Drama Triangle [Demonstration]: Episode 256
Tired of coaching clients stuck in blame, burnout, or helplessness? In this episode, Elena shares a live demonstration of how to coach someone off the Drama Triangle—and into a place of empowerment. Learn how to identify t...
•
19:01