In this episode of The Coaching Studio, Lyssa deHart sits down with Dr. Robert Biswas-Diener, a global authority on positive psychology coaching and co-author of Radical Listening and Positive Provocation. Known for his ability to ask provocative questions that shake us out of autopilot, Robert shares insights into how listening can be transformed into a practice of co-creating meaning.

The conversation begins with Robert’s personal journey, how his global experiences shaped his perspective on culture, well-being, and human potential. He describes his curiosity for exploring the “edges” of coaching, where science meets creativity. Robert emphasizes that coaching, while young as a field, benefits when practitioners embrace evidence-based practices while still leaving room for surprise, experimentation, and creative interventions.

A highlight of the discussion is Robert’s exploration of Radical Listening, which goes beyond the traditional “levels of listening” to include six key competencies: noticing, quieting, accepting, acknowledging, questioning, and interjecting. He illustrates how these practices can deepen connection, foster transformation, and counteract the distractions of our noisy, fast-paced world.

Robert also discusses the ideas from Positive Provocation, where he challenges coaches to reframe standard tools like homework into “experiments,” to view negative self-talk as potentially useful information, and to become aware of their own assumptions and self-limiting beliefs. His invitation is for both coaches and therapists to balance rigor with creativity and to practice curiosity even in discomfort.

Throughout the conversation, Robert references not only his own work but also other influential texts in psychology and coaching, including Daniel Goleman’s work on emotional intelligence, which has shaped the integration of emotion and self-awareness in modern coaching.

The episode closes with a reflection on the future of coaching: a call for practitioners to embrace both science and art, and to dare to listen and provoke in ways that create genuine change.

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Season 5

Host: Lyssa deHart, LICSW, MCC, BCC
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Website Lyssa deHart

Producer: Michele Logan

Video Editor: Sebastian Crespo

Social Media: Luciana Bottini

Music: Frolic by Harrison Amer

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