The AC Podcast

In this podcast episode, host Dr Julie Scanlon is joined by Professor Christina Hughes, founder of Women-Space, to explore the challenges that relate to women who work in academia. From wondering what to wear at that ‘big’ meeting to anxiety about menopausal symptoms; from the work of family care to the authority gap, Christina and Julie discuss how women face the weight of the world even before they have left their homes.   They examine how career trajectories are different for many women and how the demands of academia and work can lead to self-sacrifice and loss of identity. Christina discusses the many benefits that coaching conversations have for women, from enabling them to simply be heard, to supporting women to flourish on their own terms. “Women generally have a ‘myself last syndrome’... if you're facing two greedy institutions, your work and family, where does your own health and wellbeing go?”   For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit:  https://www.associationforcoaching.com/page/coaching-women-podcast-series-women-academia

In this podcast episode our host, Dr Julie Scanlon, is joined by Robert Laycock, co-founder of Yes We Can Community and North East Together, aimed at developing social change leadership. In this honest and poignant conversation, Robert “walks his talk” as he shares his own experiences and discusses the importance of diversity and representation in the not-for-profit and charity sectors, particularly in leadership roles.   Robert shares data on the lack of leadership diversity in charity boards and trustees and the impact this has on decision-making.  He discusses his experiences in matching coaches with clients, highlighting the importance of choice in the process. They also delve into the role of coaching and mentoring in addressing these challenges and promoting systemic change. Robert emphasizes the need for more inclusive coaching practices and the importance of self-awareness and education in navigating power dynamics. This episode includes a very real call to action for the coaching industry.   “We need more from the coaching industry to think about our diversity, and our comfort with not doing anything about it. We shouldn't be comfortable with that at all.” For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit:  https://www.associationforcoaching.com/page/coaching-women-podcast-series-notforprofit-charity-sectors  

Coach and Diversity and Inclusion Consultant, Ellie Highwood, shares her experiences of coaching women in male-dominated sectors, discussing discrimination, intersectionality, and the role of coaches. The podcast explores challenges faced by women, internal pressures, and strategies for coaching in these sectors, including the importance of systemic change. The episode also highlights effective coaching strategies, such as asking questions to tackle inequity and promote diversity and inclusion.

Our host, Dr Julie Scanlon, is joined by Ngozi Lyn Cole in this powerful, thought-provoking conversation discussing the importance of inclusion and diversity in coaching. Ngozi highlights the lack of representation and options for marginalized groups, emphasizing the need for coaches who can understand and relate to their clients' experiences: the value of truly seeing someone in a coaching relationship.   Julie and Ngozi both share poignant personal stories to emphasize the need for greater representation in the coaching world and discuss the power dynamics and inequities that exist in the coaching space. Ngozi shares useful tips, resources, and questions that coaches can use with clients, and the important role coaches have in promoting inclusion and creating positive change.   “Coaching, like many professions, is not representative of the wider society.”   To meet our host, listen to this live interview on LinkedIn here   For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit:  https://www.associationforcoaching.com/page/coaching-women-podcast-series_diversity-inclusion 

In this episode, Geraldine Gallacher discusses coaching women for systemic change and achieving gender equality. She highlights the challenges women face in relation to motherhood, career progression, and leadership roles. Geraldine emphasizes the need for inclusivity and engaging men in the conversation. She believes true authenticity in coaching requires understanding the coach's perspective. Throughout the conversation, she encourages listeners not to lose hope in achieving a more inclusive society.

Welcome to a special episode of the AC podcast where we pay tribute to our colleague, mentor and friend, Darren Robson, who passed away earlier this year, aged 50. Darren was the Global Director of the Association for Coaching, founder of the MOE Foundation and a true visionary and leader. On a more personal level, to many individuals, he was an invisible hand supporting them to be the best version of themselves.   Darren was passionate about helping others find their voice and believed podcasts were a powerful medium for allowing this to happen – creating meaningful and thought-provoking content for the coaching community. This podcast has his drive, curiosity, passion, vision, and courage to have difficult conversations running through it. He knew how to connect people and brought us together as a team, a place where we know we can be ourselves and carry forward his belief in us and what we create.   It was an honour to create an episode where we share clips of Darren speaking in previous podcast episodes interspersed with our reactions and experience of knowing this incredible man. Even if you didn't know Darren, you will be inspired to see the impact one person can have on others and the legacy he left behind. Those who knew him will be touched to hear his voice again and reflect on the difference he made in your own life. We were lucky to know him, and the world was fortunate to have him. Enjoy your new adventures, Darren!   “If Darren was in the room, you knew everyone's voice mattered, and it was safe to speak your mind.”   For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit:  https://www.associationforcoaching.com/page/special-episodes-darren-robson-memories  

In this final podcast episode of our Career Coaching series, our host, Mark Crossfield, is joined by Liane Hambly, consultant, author and trainer with over 30 years’ experience in career development. This thought-provoking conversation addresses the specific professional development and continuing education that career coaches need.   Learn the importance of carefully assessing which areas of professional development are most crucial for individual practice and the importance of continuous learning and reflection. Liane shares some useful models she uses and provides an invaluable list of resources (available in the AC website show notes). They also discuss the benefits of professional organizations, supervision, and peer support learning as well as the value of creating a personal professional development plan. A wonderful episode, full of practical insights for career coaches.   “Discomfort is part of learning: not pleasant, but definitely the most useful.”   For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit:  https://www.associationforcoaching.com/page/discover-career-coaching-podcast-series-professional-development-continuing-education

Our podcast host, Mark Crossfield, is joined by Suzanne Penny, career coach and trainer, for this enlightening discussion about how coaches can support organizations and employees through the difficult transition of redundancy.   Suzanne’s coaching has been shaped by her lived experience and drives her passion to prove that redundancy can be reframed as a time of transformation, rather than crisis. Learn what outplacement is, what the process typically involves, the key challenges employees face when redundancy strikes and how to guide clients through this career transition.   Suzanne also addresses the impact of the pandemic and hybrid working on redundancy practices, as well as the importance of receiving feedback and keeping a positive mindset. Full of tips and suggestions, this is a must-listen podcast episode if you are a coach or an organization supporting employees through redundancy.   “How organizations say goodbye is as important as how they say hello”   For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit:  https://www.associationforcoaching.com/page/discover-career-coaching-podcast-series-redundancy-outplacement  

Join our podcast host, Mark Crossfield, in this educational conversation with Salma Shah, author of Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Coaching. Salma emphasizes the need for coaches to give time and space to the lived experiences of marginalized groups and to contract for courageous, real conversations. Learn why having a coach is crucial for clients from marginalized groups, who may face additional challenges in the workplace, to assist personal growth at a deep level to move someone from good to great: levelling the playing field and giving everyone an equal opportunity to succeed. Salma shares the challenges she has faced, advice for coaches, prejudice and bias in coaching, exploring identity, and the need for training and continuous development. Learn about the lack of diversity in internal coaching pools, and how this lack of representation can hinder the development of talent pipelines and the success of marginalized groups in the workplace. Every coach needs to listen to this conversation! "Coaching without diversity, equity, and inclusion is like driving blindfolded."   For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit:  https://www.associationforcoaching.com/page/discover-career-coaching-podcast-series-equity-inclusion-belonging

Enjoy this practical and honest conversation between our podcast host, Mark Crossfield, and Accredited Master Executive Coach, Supervisor and Author, Julia Menaul, an about the ethical considerations specific to career coaching.   Learn what the similarities and differences of ethics are for career coaches and how to coach in an ethical way, from the marketing of your business and chemistry calls, to contracting and the coaching journey.   Julia describes some typical ethical challenges that can befall career coaches and how to handle them inside and outside of coach supervision, giving some practical examples. They also discuss the benefits of coaching supervision and the need to be truthful and honest in supervision to stay accountable and develop professionally. Finally, Julia provides some resource recommendations to help coaches stay up-to-date and deepen their understanding of this important subject.   “Contracting is everything…what are you saying yes and no to?”   For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit:  https://www.associationforcoaching.com/page/discover-career-coaching-podcast-series-ethical-considerations