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
266 episodes
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
Special Drop: Go Deeper This Week with Elena
Tomorrow’s episode tackles a powerful topic: Using the Wheel of Privilege and Power in your coaching conversations—and today, Elena’s giving you a preview. Plus, for this week only, you can go beyond the podcast and into practice. Follow the...
•
1:28
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
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...
•
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...
•
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...
•
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...
•
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...
•
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...
•
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...
•
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...
•
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...
•
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 ...
•
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 ...
•
37:50