‘Coaching Presence’. It is considered by master coaches to be the most important coaching competency but what exactly is it and how do we achieve it?!

In this podcast we explore the current coaching paradigm and the opportunities we now have to move beyond simply “being present” for the client to “BEING PRESENCE”.

“Real coaches, high-quality coaches are transpersonal coaches who know how to go beyond the personal, to transcend their ego and expand into Presence…”

But how do we do this? Does it take years of spiritual training, mindfulness, yoga, meditation etc or is there a more direct, simple route where we can learn to shift at will, into this new way of operating, this new way of ‘being’?

Very much enjoyed this conversation :-)

In this podcast we look at how we can go about actualising our gifts in the world by exploring our deeper WHY’s, our passion, our love and embracing all of what it means to be truly human.

Jonathan and Lian speak about the need to reclaim our wildness, our connection with nature, our ‘aliveness’ and the opportunity this affords to live an actualised life and thrive in the modern world.

We also chat about ascension, descension, shadow work, the ‘Hero’s Journey’, awakening, enlightenment and what it means to fully SHOW UP in life.

Lian finishes with a beautiful, moving poem by David Whyte called “All the True Vows.”

Pressed for a Bio, Nic often forwards his poem The Glorious Ignoramus. ‘I don’t know. But I know that I don’t know. I love that I don’t know. That I can never know for sure. So I’ve stopped looking to understand you. Or convince you. And now, finally, I can see you. I am a glorious ignoramus.’

In this podcast we explore the state of ‘not knowing’ and how this allows us the freedom to just BE who we really are and to truly SEE SOMEONE without any expectations, needs, or requirements for them or things to be other than they are. Nic guides us briefly through his Inner View Method that he uses to facilitate this process with a camera.

We also look at the dilemma coaches face when it comes to ‘marketing’ ourselves (“I can’t give you anything that you don’t already have?!”) and if in fact, marketing is less about the words, tools, techniques, things we do and more about the STATE behind the words.

If we can learn to speak from a state of ‘authentic presence’, without the need to justify ourselves to the world, without wanting something from the world, then life can start to work and flow through us in service of the greater good.

We also chat about, amongst other things, TED talks, Simon Sinek, Sting’s guitarist and Nic’s latest exploration - The Point of Us – a collaborative project of films, words and experiences of people laid utterly bare (metaphorically speaking!).

Nic also shares some of his other poems, and plays us out with some live music too :)

As Einstein said, “No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it.”

In this podcast we explore the transformational nature of consciousness and how we can break free from self-limiting, fear-based conditioning to rediscover our innate wholeness, joy and creativity.

Natalia shares her own journey – how she went from feeling broken, defective and a victim of life to an eventual ‘dark night of the soul’ that led her to turn within, trust in life and be at peace with what is.

We also speak about how we can best support others through our own ‘Hero’s Journey’ and inner work as we learn to be grateful for how life is showing up, not matter how challenging that is.

Unconditional love and acceptance is the key.

In this podcast we explore the inherent genius and greatness that resides in all of us. Instead of striving and working hard to achieve a ‘better version of ourselves’, if we can stay open, willing and committed to telling the truth, this inherent greatness is revealed.

Kevin shares some of his own story and how when he hit rock bottom, after trying everything he could to ‘fix things’, he happened upon the Journey work and freed himself completely from stress, anxiety and clinical depression.

We also explore the irony that by actually trying to avoid experiencing challenging feelings (or our emotional “no go” zone - anger, fear, sadness, shame etc), we inadvertently create more suffering for ourselves due to the ‘internal resistance’ to feeling what is present.

Such is the beauty of life 🙏

Summary:

In this podcast we explore the nature of ‘insight’ and what we can do to help facilitate moments of insight for our clients.

What is it that leads to those “Aha!”, breakthrough moments? Is it something that we’re doing or is there a deeper intelligence, wisdom at play?

Ian shares his own journey and how he came to see that beyond tools and techniques, we all have an innate capacity for insight, wisdom and transformation.

We also talk about the nature of spiritual realisation (Byron Katie, Sydney Banks, the Buddha, Eckhart Tolle etc) and how moments of crisis can be opportunities for something new and deeper to emerge, if we are willing to let go of the past and embrace the unknown.

Absolutely fascinating conversation for me!

Summary:

In this podcast we explore indigenous wisdom traditions and how a worldview that emphasises relationship, interdependence and reverence for life can positively impact business and leadership performance.

Mac shares some of his own journey – how in one day he went from being a gardener to becoming a leadership development facilitator before eventually setting up his own consultancy and a centre in Devon to reconnect people to nature, community and themselves.

He also speaks about his time with the Native Americans and how we can all be a force for good in the world once we align with our own truth and love.

In this podcast we explore the ‘shadow’ (the parts of ourselves that we try to hide and deny) and how by bringing the light of awareness and compassion to these ‘unconscious drivers’, we can step into our true power, joy and become a heart-centred leader and coach.

We also explore four personality archetypes (Magician, Lover, Warrior, Sovereign) and how each aspect is needed for us to become the best version of ourselves and bring our unique gifts and talents into the world.

Have you ever had the thought “There must be more to life than this?!”

In this podcast we explore what it means to life a life of meaning and purpose and what it takes to become the ‘best human being we can possibly be’.

Augie (who’s been likened to “Socrates on steroids!”) also talks about his own relentless passion for truth and journey of transformation. He argues that the purpose of life is not ‘relative’ but the same for every single human being.

We also explore Zen masters, spiritual experiences, enlightenment, leadership, entrepreneurship, “happy accidents” and how ‘attention’ is the key to performance and ‘flow’ – to name but a few!

Augie ends the interview with his ‘signature line’ - “It is in your own self-interest to forget yourself.”

I worked with Steve back in 2016 when we were both facilitating a personal transformation weekend for coaches in Devon, UK. He’s a fascinating and lovely guy!

In this podcast, we explore the ‘Hero’s Journey’ - how that has ‘shown up’ in our own lives; the challenges and adversity we face in overcoming the past and leaving behind a life of mediocrity and compromise; and how all this can prepare us perfectly as coaches to give our greatest gifts to the world.

We talk about dark nights of the soul, refusing our calling, re-examining our values, the road to authenticity, the fear of scarcity / lack, money, dis-identifying from the inner critic + David Whyte the poet and Tony Robbins – amongst other things!