

The Bright Morning Podcast with Elena Aguilar
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
Mentioned books

May 26, 2025 • 7min
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-year reflection for coaches that will help you soak up all of the learning from this year and help you head into summer with clarity and self-appreciation. Notable moments: 00:43 The Power of End-of-Year Reflection01:39 Key Reflection Questions03:54 Start Your Reflection! Keep learning: Join the Coach Learning Library and PLC to access the Your End of Year Reflection Skill Session (and 47 additional sessions + monthly live PLC!) Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Rate and review usReflection questions: Did you meet your goals for the year? If so, what do you think allowed you to do so? If not, what got in the way?What do you think you did that had the biggest positive impact on those you coached? Were there any specific activities that stand out as having been impactful?Have you had any big “a-ha” about yourself as a coach? Tell the story of one of those moments. Identify a time when you were demonstrating a core value, when you were really living into it. What happened? What did it feel like? What did that moment teach you about yourself? What have you learned about what you need in order to thrive as a professional? 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

May 19, 2025 • 9min
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. Notable moments: 00:41 Understanding the Concept of Coaching Up01:57 Benefits of Taking a Coaching Stance03:34 Personal Experiences with Coaching Up04:56 Challenges and Possibilities of Coaching Up06:04 Final Thoughts and EncouragementKeep learning: Join the Coach Learning Library and PLC to access the End of Year Conversations With Admin Skill Session (and 47 additional sessions + monthly live PLC!) Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Rate and review usReflection questions: Have you experienced a conversation where you think it would be helpful to “coach up?”If you have, place yourself back in that situation. What is one coaching tool or sentence stem that you can see retroactively you could have used to make that conversation feel more productive or hopeful for you? 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

May 12, 2025 • 22min
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 that your final conversation of the year is arguably one of the most critical for your coaching relationships. In this episode, Elena demonstrates how to facilitate a conversation that celebrates growth and builds forward momentum. Notable moments: 00:24 Preparing for End-of-Year Conversations02:31 Role Play Demonstration Setup04:31 Jumping into the Conversation05:46 Reflecting on Growth and Achievements08:18 Sharing Success Stories11:45 Shifting Beliefs and Teaching Practices17:54 Addressing Challenges and Regrets19:56 Conclusion and ResourcesKeep learning: Join the Coaching Learning Library and PLC to access the End of Year Conversations with Clients (and 47 additional sessions + monthly live PLC!) The First 10 Minutes (free tool) Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Rate and review usReflection questions: How is this conversation similar or different from the ones you have been a part of in the past? What is one question you want to try in your conversations? 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

May 5, 2025 • 6min
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 productive and compassionate end-of-year reflections.Notable moments: 00:19 Navigating Client Progress Challenges01:25 Facilitating End-of-Year Reflections03:15 Probing for Insights and Recognizing Growth03:40 Sharing Observations with Clients04:47 Conclusion and Additional ResourcesKeep learning: Join the Coaching Learning Library and PLC to access the Gathering Data and Reflecting on Your Client’s Growth Skill Session (and 47 additional sessions + monthly live PLC!) Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Rate and review usReflection questions: Do you have a client who has failed to make meaningful progress towards their goals? If so, what is your hypothesis for why that is?If you have a client who has failed to make meaningful growth toward their goals, in what areas have they grown? Be as specific as possible. 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

Apr 28, 2025 • 38min
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 client is struggling with external factors like the state of the broader world– but is resistant to talking about their experience. Notable moments: 00:23 The Importance of Coaching Emotions01:52 Role Play Demonstration Setup04:01 Starting the Role Play Conversation04:43 Exploring Emotions and Their Impact09:05 Reflecting on Emotional Awareness18:26 Shifting to the Agenda and Debrief18:38 How to Continue Learning Keep learning: Join the Coaching Learning Library and PLC to access the Core Emotions Skill Session (and 47 additional sessions + monthly live PLC!) Attend Elena’s Coaching for Resilience and Retention workshop to learn how to skillfully guide your clients through challenging moments Core Emotions (free tool) The First 10 Minutes (free tool) Receive 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:Rate and review usReflection questions: How comfortable and confident are you with coaching emotions? Elena shared that most of the time, people share that they don’t want to make someone else uncomfortable; what they’re really afraid of is their own discomfort. Does this apply to you? What is one thing you heard Elena do that you would like to try on in your next conversation? 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

Apr 21, 2025 • 15min
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 moments: 01:18 The Power of Setting Intentions04:37 Transformational Coaching Dispositions11:19 Affirmations for the Five DispositionsKeep learning: Join the Coaching Learning Library and PLC to access the Transformational Coaching Dispositions Skill Session (and 47 additional sessions + monthly live PLC!) Read Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching, Chapter 2 for more about the dispositions of a Transformational Coach Attend The Art of Transformational Coaching workshop to cultivate your coaching abilities and way of being Receive 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:Rate and review usReflection questions: What dispositions come most naturally to you?What dispositions are more challenging for you?What is one step you want to take after listening to this episode? 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

Apr 14, 2025 • 13min
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 strategies to help you return to presence when distracted so you can have the type of impact you hope for in your coaching conversations. Notable moments: 01:18 The Importance of Being Present02:31 Defining Presence07:35 Strategies for Cultivating Presence10:26 Resources and Final ThoughtsKeep learning: Join the Coaching Learning Library and PLC to access the Returning to Presence Skill Session (and 47 additional sessions + monthly live PLC!) Read Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching, Chapter 4 for more concrete strategies for returning to presenceAttend The Art of Transformational Coaching workshop to cultivate your coaching abilities and way of being Receive 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:Rate and review usReflection questions: What does it feel like for you when you are in a state of presence?What is a situation recently when you were pulled from presence? How did you know? 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

Apr 7, 2025 • 25min
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: 01:12 The Power of Expansive Listening 02:49 Role Play Demonstration: Default Listening11:10 Role Play Demonstration: Expansive Listening22:09 Conclusion and ResourcesKeep learning: Join the Coaching Learning Library and PLC to access the Expansive Listening Skill Session (and 47 additional sessions + monthly live PLC!) Listening to Your Listening (free tool) Attend The Art of Transformational Coaching workshop The First 10 Minutes Receive 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:Rate and review usReflection questions: Which of the two demonstrations felt most similar to your current approach? What underlying beliefs and ways of being contributed to the two different approaches? What is one move Elena made that you would like to try on in an upcoming conversation? 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

Mar 31, 2025 • 17min
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. 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 addition to providing you with a new question each week, Elena also walks through how to introduce this new type of question, models what that might look like, pulls back the curtain on why this question works and shares some wisdom on how to artfully put this into action. This episode is for you if: Your conversations are feeling a little flat Your coachee is more compliant than actively engaged You’d like to learn a new way to open your coaching conversations You like concrete coaching tools! Keep learning: Join the Coaching Learning Library and PLC for on-demand micro-learning at your fingertips Receive 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:Rate and review usPodcast 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

Mar 24, 2025 • 12min
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 resilience-boosting question into your conversations to help your clients get through the spring slump. In addition to providing you with a new question each week, Elena also walks through how to introduce this new type of question, models what that might look like, pulls back the curtain on why this question works and shares some wisdom on how to artfully put this into action. This episode is for you if: Your coachees are feeling powerless or deflated You’d like to learn a new way to open your coaching conversations You like concrete coaching tools! Keep learning: Join the Coaching Learning Library and PLC for on-demand micro-learning at your fingertips Receive 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 usPodcast 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


