The Coaching Equation

Welcome to our very first State of the Podcast episode as we reflect on the first year of this show and everything we have planned for its future. We begin with assessing the numbers from 2024, and we are extremely proud of the 2,082 downloads from our 43 episodes. We unpack everything we’ve learned as first-time podcasters, the changes we’ve made due to listener feedback, how both of our histories and personalities have influenced The Coaching Equation, and what surprised us as business veterans being podcasting newbies. We’d also like to give a huge shout-out to Alison for holding down this show – it couldn’t be done without you – and after detailing what we have planned for 2025, we also remind ourselves of why they pour our hearts and souls into this podcast. Key Points From This Episode:2024 in numbers. What we learned from launching a podcast for the first time. A shout-out to Alison for keeping this podcast alive. Key takeaways from the feedback we received from listeners. How Ryan’s running of the show inspired Brook to want to do more. The way our interests and concerns influenced the direction of this podcast.  Understanding the value of having a solid plan with clearly defined intentions. What surprised us from working on this show for a year. Everything that we have planned for 2025. We reminisce on why they’re here and why they give so much to this show. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Ryan Lang on LinkedInBrook Bishop on LinkedInEmail UsEmpire PartnersEmpire AcademyThe Coaching Equation Podcast on iTunes

Happy 2025, we’re super excited to be here with you! We start the year with Fast Five for Friday as we explore various self-management strategies for improving one’s mental state and working conditions in the workplace. We discuss the impact of your mental state on your ability to create winning business strategies, what a power cabinet is and how to use it effectively, the dangers of always comparing yourself to others, and why success is best measured by personal growth. We also unpack the importance of cleaning out your closet and why this is a vital step in starting fresh, and we learn about the role of transparency in improving communication efforts among fellow employees. Key Points From This Episode:How your mental state affects your sales (and overall business) strategy.What it means to utilize the power of your cabinet. The dangers of comparison, and why we always need to look inward first. Cleaning out the closet, and why this is a necessary step for a fresh start.The importance of transparency and great communication among colleagues. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Jordan PetersonRyan Lang on LinkedInBrook Bishop on LinkedInEmpire PartnersEmpire AcademyThe Coaching Equation Podcast on iTunes

This is the final Fast Five For Friday of 2024! Today, we reflect on the incredible joy of seeing our coaching take root and bear fruit. Join us as we discuss the power of leading from an attitude of service and the revolution that happens when you find the right partnerships and work in them. Hear why in-person events have found relevance again, how to tap into knowing when it’s the right time to make a move, and receive an important reminder: bigger is not necessarily better! Join us for key insights on the past year and celebrate the learnings that came from 2024. Key Points From This Episode:Why there truly is far more joy in giving than receiving. What changes when you approach leadership as a service. The incredible value of finding and creating the right partnerships.Why in-person events are back from 2024 leading into 2025. Following your intuition when you know it’s time to make a move. Understanding why bigger is not necessarily better. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Ryan Lang on LinkedInBrook Bishop on LinkedInEmpire PartnersEmpire AcademyThe Coaching Equation Podcast on iTunes

Welcome to another Fast Five for Friday, the holiday edition! Today, we discuss five incredible gifts you can gift yourself or ask a loved one for this festive season. Hear all about our favorite grounding items, best tech picks, incredible virtual assistants, and more! You’ll even gain insight into our favorite online checkout platform, Spiffy Checkouts. Finally, we remind you of the importance of finding a community for yourself and your business. Thanks for listening, and happy holidays! Key Points From This Episode:Five things we love that you can gift yourself (or ask for) this Christmas. Some unconventional picks: earthing mats, crystals, and a blue light manager. Why Ryan loves his virtual assistant and how to get one for yourself! A bit about Stream Deck and Ecamm.Reasons to try Spiffy Checkouts if you do any online checkouts. The vital importance and benefit of community. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Earthing MatShungiteF.luxCoaching Assistants Stream DeckEcammSpiffy CheckoutsContact Empire PartnersRyan Lang on LinkedInBrook Bishop on LinkedIn

What if the key to lasting success as a coach isn’t just mastering your craft but surrounding yourself with the right people? Joining us today are three world-class coaches, Chad Cooper, Melissa von Musser, and Andrew Devlin, to discuss why it’s so important for coaches to invest in having their own coaches and how to build support systems to avoid operating in isolation. Chad, Melissa, and Andrew have over 45 years of coaching experience combined, and they draw on that knowledge today to share their insights on how to grow as a coach and move beyond your island of one. We delve into the importance of finding community as a coach, the risks of isolating yourself, and how not having a coach could hold you back. Our conversation unpacks what it means to grow together as a community, leveling up your peer group, and why just being good at coaching isn’t enough to ensure long-term success. We also discuss the transition from an employee mindset to a CEO mindset and why this is particularly important for coaches. To hear all the fascinating details of today’s conversation with Chad, Melissa, and Andrew, be sure to tune in!Key Points From This Episode:How to avoid becoming an island and isolating yourself as a coach.The power of community and getting a coach if you are a coach yourself.Insights on the need for congruence and accountability as a coach.Ways coaches limit themselves if they try to go at it alone.Why you have a responsibility to surround yourself with people smarter than you.Lessons from Andrew's mountain bike training on always leveling up.Key insights on growing together as a community.Why you can’t find long-term success if you’re only good at coaching.How to find congruency as a coach and live in alignment with your values.Navigating the transition from an employee mindset to a CEO mindset as a coach.Parting words of wisdom from Chad, Melissa, and Andrew.How to get in touch and learn more.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Chad CooperChad Cooper on LinkedInMelissa von Musser on LinkedInAndrew Devlin Andrew Devlin on LinkedIn Ryan Lang on LinkedInBrook Bishop on LinkedInEmail Empire PartnersEmpire PartnersEmpire AcademyThe Coaching Equation Podcast on iTunes

It’s time for another Fast Five for Friday episode, and this week, we’ve got something extra special for you! We’re sharing the five most impactful takeaways that we’ve walked away with after another one of our in-person events here in the beautiful north of Colorado. The truth is, in today’s world, people are craving real-life connections more than ever—and we’ve seen some of the best progress and biggest breakthroughs from our clients after attending in-person events. Tune in to learn what our five most impactful takeaways were after another one of our in-person events. Key Points From This Episode:The importance of having recovery time.Power of proximity and the reality of people craving more connection than ever.The power of CANI: Constant and never-ending improvement.Rolling up your sleeves and taking time to actually do the work.Learn to serve your team, and not just your clients. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Tony RobbinsRyan Lang on LinkedInBrook Bishop on LinkedInEmpire PartnersEmpire AcademyThe Coaching Equation Podcast on iTunes

Today is all about books. But we’re not just talking about reading or writing; we’re focusing on the marketing side of things and converting readers into clients. This is a game-changing topic for coaches and entrepreneurs, and we are thrilled to be joined by the seasoned writer, editor, publisher, CEO, and Founder of Date with the Muse, Annalisa Summea. Annalisa is here to show how you can turn your knowledge and experiences into powerful tools for influence and growth, and she begins by explaining how she developed her obsession with storytelling. We discover when she first realized that she also wanted to teach, how she converts her lived experiences into teachable moments, her framework for writing an excellent story, and the role of discipline in producing excellent written works. We also unpack why books are powerful tools for establishing authority and credibility, how anyone can learn to become a great writer even with all the challenges, where AI fits in, and how to defeat imposter syndrome to become a first-time author. To end, Annalisa describes her training program for helping writers become published authors, and we get more helpful advice for becoming a bestselling author with your first attempt.    Key Points From This Episode:Annalisa Summea explains where her love for storytelling came from. Understanding when she realized that she also wanted to help other people tell their stories. Her process of converting her knowledge into teaching moments and materials for others. Why she felt obliged to become an entrepreneur and more specifically, a coach and mentor.   Annalisa shares her best practices and common pitfalls to avoid when writing a book. The role of discipline and determination in a book’s success. Why books are powerful tools in establishing authority, credibility, and familiarity. The challenges of writing a really good book, and how anyone can learn to be a great writer. Unpacking the role of AI in modern storytelling.  How to become a first-time author with tips for overcoming imposter syndrome. A detailed look at Annalisa’s writer training program.Common publishing misconceptions, and why self-publishing should be carefully considered.Final words of wisdom for becoming a published author.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Annalisa Summea | Date with the MuseAnnalisa Summea on LinkedInAnnalisa Summea on XAnnalisa Summea on YouTubeAnnalisa Summea on FacebookAnnalisa Summea on IMDb Laurel Elite BooksClose EveryoneTake the Stairs Procrastinate on PurposeRyan Lang on LinkedInBrook Bishop on LinkedInEmpire PartnersEmpire AcademyThe Coaching Equation Podcast on iTunes

Time to revisit where it all started: Rory Vaden's take on personal branding is a lesson that never gets old.Welcome to the first episode of The Coaching Equation, a show helping you take your coaching business to the next level. In this episode, we sit down with Rory Vaden, author of Take the Stairs and Co-Founder of Brand Builders Group, to unpack why you need to have a personal brand in today’s market, how to start building a personal brand, and what a personal brand is not. Rory is a renowned New York Times bestselling author, respected entrepreneur, and Hall of Fame speaker dedicated to empowering small business owners to amplify their reputation and revenue. In our conversation, we discuss the role of faith and trust in achieving your true potential, what it means to take inspired action, and why pursuing your goals with full force is vital. We explore why God does not give you everything you want and the value of failure in achieving your goals. Discover why you should save the best for first, why trust must happen before a transaction, and the fundamental pillars of creating content. Gain insights into the business of speaking, fostering trust with your clients, leveraging your greatness to make a difference, and more! We also delve into topics Rory has never discussed before, so this is an interview you don’t want to miss! Tune in to discover the secret sauce for creating a personal brand with Rory Vaden!Key Points From This Episode:Background about Rory, his roots in sales, and how Brand Builders Group was born.Hear the real reason why Rory and AJ sold their previous business.How he navigated the emotional upheaval after selling the business.Explore reconciling your hopes and dreams with your failures.Finding a balance between working too little and working too much.He shares his perspective on faith and the perspective it provides. Discover what a personal brand is and what it is not.Why cultivating trust should come before the transaction.Unpack Rory’s approach to content: the Modular Content Method.Making a difference in the world through your personal brand.The best piece of personal branding advice that Rory has ever been given.Common misconceptions about the business of speaking.Final words of advice Rory has for listeners.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Rory Vaden Rory Vaden on LinkedIn Rory Vaden on XTake the StairsBrand Builders GroupBrand Builders Group Free CallThe Influential Personal Brand PodcastThe Influential Personal Brand Podcast on StitcherThe Influential Personal Brand Podcast on AppleAJ Vaden on LinkedInAJ Vaden on XLewis HowesSchool of Greatness PodcastRyan Lang on LinkedInBrook Bishop on LinkedInEmpire PartnersEmpire Academy

Ready to kick off your holiday weekend with a burst of inspiration? In this special Thanksgiving edition of Fast Five for Friday, Ryan and Brooke reflect on five essential lessons that power their coaching journey. From the value of a top-tier team to shifting your perspective on sales calls, they share how gratitude fuels growth and progress. Plus, they dive into how endings can unlock new opportunities and why the unwavering support of family makes it all possible. It’s a perfect mix of heart, hustle, and strategy. Tune in now for your dose of clarity and inspiration!Key Points From This Episode:What we’re thankful for this holiday season.The gratitude we feel for our all-star team every single day.Ryan’s gripping story that illustrates why we’re thankful for sales calls.Why we’re so glad to be working with heart-centered clients.Our appreciation for the opening up of opportunities.Why we couldn’t do this without our families.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:The Surrender Experiment: My Journey into Life's PerfectionRyan Lang on LinkedInBrook Bishop on LinkedInEmpire PartnersEmpire AcademyThe Coaching Equation Podcast on iTunes

Hiring a Virtual Assistant (VA) can transform your business, but how do you avoid consequential pitfalls and maximize success? In this episode, Ryan Lang and Brooke Bishop share invaluable insights from 18 months of running a VA staffing business. They cover the top 10 mistakes business owners make, like failing to onboard effectively, setting unrealistic expectations, or treating VAs as disposable instead of integral team members. Learn why clear communication, consistent check-ins, and focusing on specialized tasks are essential for success. They also explore the difference between VAs and executive assistants, how culture impacts performance, and why trying to hire a “Swiss Army knife” is a recipe for disaster. Packed with real-world examples and expert tips, this episode is your essential guide to leveraging VAs effectively. Don’t miss this opportunity to revolutionize your approach. Tune in now!Key Points From This Episode:Today’s topic: Top ten lessons from 18 months of hiring and managing VAs.One: Why you need to treat VAs as integral team members, not low-cost, disposable workers.Two: The importance of stepping into leadership and preparing a clear list of tasks and goals.Three: How effective onboarding ensures success.Four: The importance of implementing a good communication strategy.Five: Why having consistent weekly check-ins matter.Six: The dangers of micromanagement and how to empower VAs.Seven: How to help VAs thrive by creating a positive work culture.Eight: Knowing when you need a virtual assistant vs. an executive assistant (EA).Nine: Setting clear expectations and how this helps prevent complications.Ten: How to avoid the “Swiss Army knife” trap for better results.The many benefits you can expect to see from applying these lessons!Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Episode 16: Building a Profitable Coaching BusinessRyan Lang on LinkedInBrook Bishop on LinkedInEmpire PartnersEmpire AcademyThe Coaching Equation Podcast on iTunes