I had a great conversation with TLC 2025 breakout presenter, Sarah Ogborn, an instructional coach and AP teacher at Antioch Community High School. She talked about how she helped build and lead her school’s coaching program, sharing practical ways to connect with teachers, build trust, and handle challenges like imposter feelings and the isolation coaches sometimes experience. We discussed why strong relationships, clear communication, and steady reflection are so important. This conversation is an honest look at coaching and offers encouragement for anyone trying new ideas, working with colleagues, and supporting teachers as they grow.

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Learn more about TLC 2025:

https://shorturl.at/E9wTa

Learn more about all our offerings and about the 7 Success Factors:

www.instructionalcoaching.com

In this episode of Coaching Conversations, Jessica Wise and I take some time to highlight the remarkable keynote speakers who will be joining us at TLC 2025. We share a few powerful clips from recent podcast conversations and reflect together on what they mean for our work as coaches and educators.

We talk about the power of radical listening and how that simple act can transform relationships. We dig into trust-building, which is at the heart of every effective partnership. We also explore the role of self-care in leadership, because we can’t give our best to others if we’re running on empty. And we celebrate the importance of community, a theme that runs through everything we do at TLC.

As Jessica and I discuss these ideas, we keep coming back to this truth: when we bring intentionality, compassion, and connection into our coaching, we help create schools where both teachers and students thrive. That’s exactly what TLC is all about.

We’d love for you to join us at TLC 2025, where these conversations will come alive in even more powerful ways. It’s a place to learn, connect, and be inspired. TLC is a community where we all grow stronger together.

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In this episode, I talk with ICG Consultant, Christina Ortega, and Global Director of Learning & Development, Claudia Owad, about handling challenging conversations in schools. We focus on approaching these situations with empathy, preparation, and a coaching mindset so that the goal is growth, not blame. I share personal experiences and practical examples for using data, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence when conversations get difficult. We also give a preview of the Managing Challenging Conversations pre-conference session at the 2025 TLC Conference where educators will practice these strategies and leave with tools and confidence for supporting meaningful development.

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Learn more about TLC 2025:

https://shorturl.at/E9wTa

Learn more about Consulting:

https://shorturl.at/9FRtw

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Rachel Lofthouse from the UK, Dr. Trista Hollweck from Canada, and Jasen Booton from England to talk about their new collaborative book, Coaching with Purpose. We learn about their personal journeys, the story behind the book, and why coaching, when it’s purposeful and relational, can be such a powerful force for growth and systemic change. Together, we explore ideas like “learning encounters,” the importance of values and context, and how authentic coaching communities can transform schools. I think you’ll find this conversation both inspiring and practical, a real look at the transformative potential of coaching in education.

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Learn more about the Impact Cycle workshop:
https://www.instructionalcoaching.com/workshop/the-impact-cycle/

Learn more about the TLC 2025:
www.tlc-conference.com 

In this episode, I talk with Ephraim Lerner and Shane Leaning, the co-authors of Change Starts Here. Our conversation focuses on human-centered ways to think about organizational change in education. Ephraim and Shane share how they’ve adapted the double diamond model into an eight-stage framework: Connect, Discover, Define, Align, Develop, Learn, Deliver, and Sustain.

We spend time looking at how each stage works in practice, with questions and strategies that can guide meaningful conversations. Throughout, we emphasize the importance of psychological safety, curiosity, collaboration, and emotional engagement, as well as the value of learning from diverse perspectives.

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Learn more about the TLC 2025:

www.tlc-conference.com

Learn more about the Coaching Accreditation Program:

https://www.instructionalcoaching.com/coaching-accreditation-program/

This Coaching Q&A episode with Jessica Wise is all about the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on instructional coaching. We emphasize that while AI can accelerate access to resources and support coaches with feedback and analysis, it cannot replace the adaptive, empathetic, and human-centered work of coaching. Our conversation also addresses ethical concerns such as privacy, bias, and environmental impact, highlighting the need for clear school policies and thoughtful integration of AI. The episode concludes with practical examples and a preview of Jim's upcoming book, "Coach GPT."

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Learn more about Using AI in Instructional Coaching: Best Practices & Tools:

https://www.instructionalcoaching.com/workshop/using-ai-in-instructional-coaching-best-practices-tools/

Shortened URL:

https://shorturl.at/Zcs69

This week I'm joined by Yong Zhao, an unconventional thinker who’s never been afraid to challenge the status quo in education. We talk about his journey from a small village in China to becoming one of the most important voices in global education reform.

Yong shares powerful ideas about what’s not working, like our obsession with standardized testing and rigid definitions of merit, and what we could be doing instead. We dig into why student-centered learning matters, how creativity and confidence are just as important as content, and how AI might actually help make learning more personalized and accessible.

This one’s full of bold insights and fresh thinking about what school could be. 

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Learn more about the Intensive Instructional Coaching Institute:

https://www.instructionalcoaching.com/workshop/in-person-intensive-instructional-coaching-institute/

Learn more about 1:1 Impact Coaching:

https://www.instructionalcoaching.com/workshop/jim-knights-1-1-impact-coaching/

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Richard Boyatzis, whose work on emotional intelligence and intentional change theory has shaped how many of us think about growth. We explore why real, lasting change starts not with someone else's goals, but with a person's own vision—their ideal self. 

Richard shares powerful ideas about how positive emotions drive learning and how strong, authentic relationships are at the heart of meaningful change. We also dig into what compassionate coaching really looks like, how systems shape behavior in schools, and why curiosity often works better than compliance. 

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Learn more about Managing Challenging Conversations:

https://www.instructionalcoaching.com/workshop/managing-challenging-conversations/

Learn more about Introduction Leadership Coaching:

https://www.instructionalcoaching.com/workshop/introduction-to-leadership-coaching/

Join Jim Knight and Jessica Wise for their monthly Coaching Q&A as they discuss how instructional coaches can prepare for a new school year. They explore the essential knowledge, skills, and beliefs coaches need, the importance of aligning with school leadership, and building trust with teachers. The conversation highlights practical strategies, the value of reflection, especially through video, and the need for self-care and well-being. The episode also addresses system conditions that support coaching and offers resources for professional growth, providing actionable insights for both new and experienced instructional coaches.

Access your copy of The IC Toolkit - Needs Assessment Tool

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Learn more about TLC 2025:

https://shorturl.at/E9wTa

Learn more about the Intensive Instructional Coaching Institute:

https://shorturl.at/Kc9j2

TLC 2025 Keynote Speaker, Dr. Natasha Robinson, a leadership coach and advocate for black girls and young women, shares her journey from South Carolina to the Naval Academy and her work empowering young leaders. The discussion explores the importance of communal leadership, mentorship, and storytelling. Dr. Robinson highlights her nonprofit’s success in developing girls’ leadership skills and expanding their horizons, while emphasizing self-care for leaders. The episode encourages listeners to support and invest in the next generation of diverse leaders.

Thank you for being a part of our community.

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• Stay Connected: Follow our podcast for more episodes packed with insights and inspiration.

Learn more about TLC 2025:

https://shorturl.at/E9wTa

Learn more about Consulting:

https://shorturl.at/9FRtw