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
277 episodes
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
Staying True to Yourself as a Coach: Episode 255
“This isn’t who I want to be.”If you’ve ever said those words—or quietly thought them at the end of a long day—this episode is your invitation to reconnect with your purpose. Elena shares how a clear personal...
•
8:48
You’re Not the School Helper. Reclaiming Your Time as a Coach: Ep 254
If your calendar reflects everyone’s priorities except yours, this episode is for you. Elena shares why so many coaches feel overworked and under-impactful—and how to reclaim your time through an intentional weekly schedul...
•
10:27
What’s My Role Again? How to Introduce Yourself as a Coach: Ep 253
Your introduction as a coach sets the tone for every conversation that follows. But what if you’re not sure what to say—or how to say it in a way that builds trust? In this episode, Elena shares what most coac...
•
9:17
What if My Boss Doesn’t Get Coaching?: Episode 252
What if your admin doesn’t understand what coaching is—or worse, expects you to “fix” teachers? In this episode, Elena shares how to proactively build a strong partnership with your site leader, even when expectations are ...
•
9:30
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...
•
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...
•
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...
•
18:15