The Bright Morning Podcast with Elena Aguilar

“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 vision can help you lead with integrity, coach with confidence, and stay rooted in your values—even in the midst of school chaos. If you’ve been drifting, it’s time to realign.Keep learning: Join the Coach Learning Library and PLC and start your Crafting Your Personal Vision Skill SessionFree community webinars Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxWatch the Bright Morning Podcast on YouTube and subscribe to our channelBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Become a Friend of the Podcast  Rate and review usReflection questions: What do you want to be known for at the end of this school year? How will your daily choices reflect that?Which of your core values feels most urgent to live into right now—and where are you not honoring it yet?What symbol or metaphor best captures the kind of coach or leader you want to be this year? Why?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

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 schedule. You’ll hear a story of transformation, learn what to prioritize, and get practical tools to help you stop reacting and start coaching with clarity and purpose.Notable moments: Keep learning: Join the Coach Learning Library and PLC and start your Determining Your Weekly Schedule Skill SessionFree community webinars Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxWatch the Bright Morning Podcast on YouTube and subscribe to our channelBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Become a Friend of the Podcast  Rate and review usReflection questions: If someone looked at your calendar this week, what would they learn about what matters to you?What coaching activities give you the highest return on investment—and how often do they appear in your schedule?What boundary, block of time, or conversation could you initiate this week to better align your time with your values?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

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 coaches get wrong when introducing themselves and how to craft an authentic, values-based message that lays the foundation for transformational relationships. Whether you’re brand new or looking for a fresh start, this is your invitation to lead with clarity and heart.Notable moments: Keep learning: Join the Coach Learning Library and PLC and start your Introducing Yourself to Clients Skill SessionFree community webinars Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxWatch the Bright Morning Podcast on YouTube and subscribe to our channelBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Become a Friend of the Podcast  Rate and review usReflection questions: How do you want your clients to feel after their first interaction with you—and what could you say or do to create that experience?What parts of your story or identity could help humanize you and build connection with those you coach?What assumptions might your clients be holding about what coaching is—and how can your introduction begin to reshape those narratives?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

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 unclear or misaligned. You’ll learn how to shift from confusion to clarity, reclaim your role, and set the stage for a thriving coaching year. If you're ready to stop tiptoeing around your admin and start leading with confidence, this episode is for you.Keep learning: Claim your free Skill Session: Crafting Your Personal Vision Join the Coach Learning Library and PLC and start your Partnering With Admin Skill Session  Free community webinars Watch the Bright Morning Podcast on YouTube and subscribe to our channelReceive 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:Become a Friend of the Podcast  Rate and review usReflection questions: What assumptions have you made about your admin’s understanding of coaching, and how might those assumptions be limiting your partnership?What specific outcome would you want your admin to name at the end of the year as evidence that coaching made a difference?What’s one step you could take this week to initiate—or deepen—a values-aligned conversation with your administrator?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

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 in your everyday life. Minimal investment, big payoff. That’s our kind of summer! Keep learning: Get more of Elena telling you exactly how to make your conversations more impactful with our Coach Learning Library and PLCWatch The Bright Morning Podcast on YouTube Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxWatch the Bright Morning Podcast on YouTube and subscribe to our channelBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Become a Friend of the Podcast  Rate and review usReflection questions: Think about a recent miscommunication in one of your relationships. How might asking a clarifying question have changed the outcome? What specific question could you have asked to better understand what the other person was really saying?Consider your listening patterns: In which relationships or situations do you find yourself most likely to jump to conclusions without seeking clarification first? What might be driving this pattern—a desire to be helpful quickly, discomfort with uncertainty, or something else?Reflect on how it feels when someone truly seeks to understand you before responding. Can you recall a time when someone asked you a clarifying question that made you feel deeply heard? How might you create that same experience for the important people in your life?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 TranscriptTranscript [Youtube]

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 in your everyday life. Minimal investment, big payoff. That’s our kind of summer! Keep learning: Watch the Bright Morning Podcast on YouTube and subscribe to our channelGet more of Elena telling you exactly how to make your conversations more effective with our Coach Learning Library and PLCReceive 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:Become a Friend of the Podcast  Rate and review usReflection questions: Think about a recent conversation that didn't go as well as you hoped. How might asking "How would you like me to listen?" have changed the outcome? What assumptions were you making about what the other person needed from you?Consider the different people in your life (partner, children, parents, friends, colleagues). How do their listening preferences seem to differ? Who consistently wants advice, who typically needs empathy, and who usually just wants a sounding board?Reflect on your own preferences: When you share something important, how do you typically want others to listen? Does this change depending on the topic or your emotional state? How often do you clearly communicate these preferences to others?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.Transcript Youtube Transcript 

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 in your everyday life. Minimal investment, big payoff. That’s our kind of summer! Keep learning: Watch The Bright Morning Podcast on YouTubeGet more of Elena telling you exactly how to transform your conversations with our Coach Learning Library and PLCReceive 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:Become a Friend of the Podcast  Rate and review usReflection questions: Think about your comfort level with different emotions. Which emotions are easier for you to acknowledge in others, and which ones make you more uncomfortable? How might this discomfort influence your ability to create emotional safety in your relationships?Consider a recent conversation where someone expressed strong feelings. Before moving to advice or problem-solving, did you take time to acknowledge what they were feeling? If not, how might pausing to say something like "That sounds really frustrating" or "I can see why you'd feel hurt by that" have changed the dynamic?Reflect on your family patterns around emotional expression. How were emotions acknowledged (or not acknowledged) in your home growing up? How might this history influence your current approach to emotions in conversations? What small shift could you make to become more intentional about acknowledging others' feelings?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 TranscriptEpisode Transcript (YouTube)

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 in your everyday life. Minimal investment, big payoff. That’s our kind of summer! Keep learning: Watch the Bright Morning Podcast on YouTube and subscribe to our channelGet more of Elena telling you exactly how to transform your relationships with our Coach Learning Library and PLCReceive 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:Become a Friend of the Podcast  Rate and review usReflection questions: Think about your natural response when someone shares a challenge with you. How often do you immediately focus on fixing the problem rather than connecting with the person? What might this pattern reveal about your own beliefs about helping others?Consider a recent situation where someone in your life was struggling with something. If you had focused more on coaching them as a person rather than solving their problem, what different questions might you have asked? How might this have changed the quality of your connection?Reflect on times when others have jumped straight to fixing your problems versus times when they've truly seen and engaged with you as a whole person. How did these different approaches impact your sense of capability, confidence, and connection? What can this teach you about how you want to show up for others?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

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 in your everyday life. Minimal investment, big payoff. That’s our kind of summer! Keep learning: Get more micro-learning at your fingertips with our Coach Learning Library and PLCReceive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxWatch the Bright Morning Podcast on YouTube and subscribe to our channelBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Become a Friend of the Podcast  Rate and review usReflection questions: Think about your comfort level with silence in conversations. When was the last time you intentionally used wait time? How did it feel for you to sit in that silence, and what impact did you notice it had on the other person's response?Consider which relationships in your life might benefit most from more wait time. With whom do you tend to rush or fill silences too quickly? What fears or discomforts might be driving this pattern for you?Reflect on a time when someone gave you the gift of wait time—when they asked you a meaningful question and then truly waited for your answer. How did that make you feel? What quality of thinking or response were you able to achieve because they created that space?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

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 in your everyday life. Minimal investment, big payoff. That’s our kind of summer! Keep learning: Get more micro-learning at your fingertips with our Coach Learning Library and PLCCore Emotions (free tool)Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxWatch the Bright Morning Podcast on YouTube and subscribe to our channelBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Become a Friend of the Podcast  Rate and review usReflection questions: Think about a recent interaction where you weren't at your best. Where was your emotional state before that conversation began? If you had taken 60 seconds to notice, release, and set an intention, how might that conversation have unfolded differently?Consider which transitions in your day tend to be the most challenging—perhaps between work and home, or between different roles and responsibilities. How might you build in brief moments of preparation before these transitions to help you show up more intentionally?Reflect on your patterns: What emotions or states do you most commonly bring into important conversations without realizing it? What intentions would be most transformative for you to set regularly before engaging with the people you care about most?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