Podcast
Success Leaves Clues
Hosted by Davis Nguyen · EN
Success Leaves Clues is a podcast spotlighting the stories, strategies, and transformations created by today’s top career, leadership, executive, and other coaches.
Each episode dives into the real-world journeys behind coaching businesses, how they started, scaled, and succeeded, along with lessons learned, client success stories, and practical takeaways for aspiring or established coaches.
Whether you’re helping professionals pivot careers, grow as leaders, or step into entrepreneurship, this show offers an inside look at what it takes to build a purpose-driven, profitable coaching practice.
57episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Stop Trying to Be an Extrovert: A Masterclass in Quiet Leadership with Heidi Kasevich
2w ago00:31:26Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Career Coaching Secrets, Pedro Stein sits down with Heidi Kasevich, PhD, the founder of Kase Leadership and former Director of Education for Susan Cain’s Quiet Revolution. Heidi discusses her journey from high school history teacher to a leading advocate for quiet leadership in both educational and corporate environments. She breaks down her signature "Strength-Stretch-Restore" method, designed to help introverts expand their influence by setting manageable "stretch goals" while prioritizing essential "restoration" time to prevent burnout. Whether you are an introverted leader looking to find your voice or an organization aiming to move from "extrovert-friendly" to truly introvert-inclusive, Heidi’s insights offer a practical roadmap for authentic growth. You can find her on:https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidi-kasevich-ph-d-376766102/https://www.kaseleadership.com/Support the showYou can also watch this podcast on YouTube at:https://www.youtube.com/@thesuccessleavescluesIf you are a career coach looking to grow your business, you can find out more about Purple Circle at http://joinpurplecircle.com
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Purpose vs Profit Is a Lie Here’s the Truth with Margaret Romney
2w ago00:40:55Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Career Coaching Secrets our guest is Margaret Romney, a business strategist and coach known for helping purpose-driven professionals bridge the gap between meaningful work and sustainable profit. Margaret shares powerful insights on navigating the tension between impact and income, why so many heart-centered entrepreneurs struggle to scale, and how to build a business that aligns with both your values and financial goals without burning out. Whether you're early in your career or refining your path, this conversation dives into the mindset, strategy, and emotional intelligence required to thrive in today’s evolving professional landscape.You can find her on:https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaretwattsromneyhttps://www.instagram.com/margaretwattsromney/https://thespeakershiplab.com/You can find her book here:https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/speakership-is-leadership-margaret-watts-watts-romney/1144463891http://bookshop.org/p/books/speakership-is-leadership-a-guide-for-sudden-leaders-who-need-to-lead-with-their-words-yesterday-margaret-watts-romney/fc064f2a8b25c6f9https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CPCYP497Support the showYou can also watch this podcast on YouTube at:https://www.youtube.com/@thesuccessleavescluesIf you are a career coach looking to grow your business, you can find out more about Purple Circle at http://joinpurplecircle.com
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Why Creatives Struggle With Sales (And How to Fix It) | Yaacov Steinberg
2w ago00:34:50Tap to summarizeIn this powerful and deeply relatable episode of Career Coaching Secrets, host Pedro sits down with sales coach Yaacov Steinberg to uncover the real reason why so many talented creatives struggle to sell—despite producing work their clients genuinely love.Yaacov opens up about his journey from being an introverted outsider growing up—navigating ADHD, sensitivity, and social challenges—to becoming a top-performing sales professional and trusted coach. Instead of relying on traditional “pushy” sales tactics, he developed a human-centered approach rooted in psychology, empathy, and genuine connection.This episode dives deep into the mindset shifts that changed everything for him—especially the powerful transition from focusing on perception to embracing perspective. Yaacov explains why most creatives fail at sales not because they lack skill, but because they’ve been taught outdated, transactional methods that don’t align with who they are.Connect withLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yaacovsteinberg/Website: https://calendly.com/yaacovsteinberg/call?month=2026-04Support the showYou can also watch this podcast on YouTube at:https://www.youtube.com/@thesuccessleavescluesIf you are a career coach looking to grow your business, you can find out more about Purple Circle at http://joinpurplecircle.com
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From Debt to Wealth: How Mike Crofts Built a Financial Coaching Business
2w ago00:30:56Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Career Coaching Secrets, host Pedro sits down with financial coach Mike Crofts, a former touring musician turned certified financial coach, to explore how he transformed personal debt struggles into a thriving coaching business focused on financial freedom, behavior change, and long-term wealth building.Mike shares how burnout during his music career led him into a deep financial collapse after the 2008 crash—and how that moment ultimately became the turning point that pushed him into the world of financial coaching. What started as learning how to get out of debt evolved into helping clients build sustainable wealth through intentional planning, mindset work, and disciplined investing.A major breakthrough in his marketing journey came from a single webinar that resonated strongly with his audience and became the primary source of early client acquisition. From there, Mike grew a coaching business that has helped clients eliminate millions in debt and transition into wealth-building strategies.Connect withLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-crofts-4167bb131/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moneycoachmike/Support the showYou can also watch this podcast on YouTube at:https://www.youtube.com/@thesuccessleavescluesIf you are a career coach looking to grow your business, you can find out more about Purple Circle at http://joinpurplecircle.com
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The Hidden Skill That Transforms Your Career with Elizabeth Bachman
2w ago00:38:08Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Career Coaching Secrets our guest is Elizabeth Bachman, a sought-after executive coach, strategic advisor, and expert in leadership communication who has helped countless professionals elevate their presence and influence; we explore how the way you speak can shape your career trajectory, why executive presence is often misunderstood, and how mastering communication can open doors to leadership opportunities, with practical insights on confidence, clarity, and commanding a room drawn from Elizabeth’s extensive experience working with senior leaders, entrepreneurs, and organizations worldwide.You can find her on:https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethbachman/Support the showYou can also watch this podcast on YouTube at:https://www.youtube.com/@thesuccessleavescluesIf you are a career coach looking to grow your business, you can find out more about Purple Circle at http://joinpurplecircle.com
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What High Performers Know About Career Growth with Ben Brooks
2w ago00:48:03Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Career Coaching Secrets our guest is Ben Brooks, a renowned career strategist, HR innovator, and founder known for challenging traditional ideas of career progression and workplace success; we dive into what it really takes to build a meaningful and future-proof career, why the old “ladder” mindset no longer works, and how individuals can take ownership of their growth by thinking more strategically about skills, value, and impact, with insights drawn from Ben’s extensive experience working with global organizations and leaders exploring topics like career design, performance, leadership, and navigating change in today’s fast-evolving world.You can find him on:https://www.theliftpod.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/benbrooksny/https://www.pilot.coach/https://www.instagram.com/benbrooksny/Podcast links:https://open.spotify.com/show/1QBZYNYp9qRFA085bFvIXThttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lift/id1859041530https://pod.link/aHR0cHM6Ly9yc3MuYXJ0MTkuY29tL3RoZS1saWZ0Support the showYou can also watch this podcast on YouTube at:https://www.youtube.com/@thesuccessleavescluesIf you are a career coach looking to grow your business, you can find out more about Purple Circle at http://joinpurplecircle.com
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From Passion to Profitable Coaching: Hazel Russo’s 25-Year Journey
2w ago00:33:35Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Career Coaching Secrets, host Pedro is joined by executive coach and coaching supervisor Hazel Russo (EMCC) for a deep, honest conversation about what it really takes to build a sustainable coaching career over 25+ years.Hazel opens up her journey from having no clear career direction as a young adult to eventually discovering coaching through personal development work. What started as curiosity about people—how they think, behave, and grow—evolved into a lifelong profession focused on transformation, leadership, and meaningful change.She shares how early experiences, including volunteering with adults learning to read and write, shaped her deep appreciation for human stories and development. From there, Hazel walks through the pivotal moment she discovered coaching and realized, “this is it—this is what I want to do.”The episode then dives into the real transition most coaches struggle with: moving from passion to profession. Hazel and Pedro discuss the shift from “I help people” to “I run a coaching business,” including the uncomfortable but necessary steps of marketing, networking, and self-identification as a coach.Connect withLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hazelrusso/Website: https://www.hazelrusso.com/Support the showYou can also watch this podcast on YouTube at:https://www.youtube.com/@thesuccessleavescluesIf you are a career coach looking to grow your business, you can find out more about Purple Circle at http://joinpurplecircle.com
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Katrina Van Oudheusden Built 2 Six-Figure Businesses… Then Walked Away (Here’s Why)
4w ago00:36:49Tap to summarizeIn this powerful episode of Career Coaching Secrets, host Pedro sits down with Katrina Van Oudheusden, creator of the Create Her Method and founder of the Female Intelligence Cycle, to unpack a truth that most entrepreneurs completely miss about business growth, burnout, and sustainability.Katrina’s journey is anything but typical. From working as a chef inside the Disney ecosystem to transitioning into digital marketing and eventually building multiple six-figure coaching businesses, she experienced firsthand what “success” looks like on paper—and what it feels like behind the scenes. Despite hitting major milestones, she ultimately walked away from two thriving businesses due to exhaustion and misalignment.What she discovered next changed everything.Katrina realized that most business strategies, productivity systems, and growth frameworks are built on linear, constant-output models—systems that often ignore how women naturally think, create, decide, and lead. Instead of forcing herself to fit into that mold, she developed a new approach centered around the natural rhythms of female intelligence, helping women build businesses that are both profitable and sustainable.Connect withLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrinavanoudheusden/Website: https://truthbombmarketing.com/Support the showYou can also watch this podcast on YouTube at:https://www.youtube.com/@thesuccessleavescluesIf you are a career coach looking to grow your business, you can find out more about Purple Circle at http://joinpurplecircle.com
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Peter Balyta: From Classroom Teacher to Global Executive Coach
4w ago00:33:30Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Career Coaching Secrets, host Pedro sits down with Peter Balyta, PhD, founder and CEO of Coaching Instruments, to explore what it really takes to grow leaders, transition careers, and build high-performance success across business and life.Peter brings a rare combination of experience—from classroom teacher to president of a global education technology division at Texas Instruments, alongside his background as an Ironman-certified endurance coach. His work blends executive leadership, career transformation, and performance coaching into one powerful system designed to help professionals achieve “wild success” without sacrificing personal values.Together, Pedro and Peter dive deep into how coaching can unlock clarity, confidence, and courage in both executives and career changers—especially those navigating major transitions or stepping into leadership for the first time.You’ll also hear how Peter helps educators transition beyond the classroom into industries like edtech, nonprofits, publishing, and corporate roles through structured frameworks and coaching programs.Connect withLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-balyta/Website: https://www.coachinginstruments.com/Support the showYou can also watch this podcast on YouTube at:https://www.youtube.com/@thesuccessleavescluesIf you are a career coach looking to grow your business, you can find out more about Purple Circle at http://joinpurplecircle.com
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How Cameron Tolman Rebuilt Sales Around Buyer Psychology
4w ago00:33:13Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Career Coaching Secrets, Pedro sits down with Cameron Tolman, founder of Pitch Down, to explore a completely different way of thinking about sales, communication, and customer understanding.Cameron shares how he went from being anti-sales to becoming a high-performing sales leader and coach after realizing that most professionals are trained to talk about their product—not their customer. His framework, “pitching down,” flips traditional sales on its head by focusing on understanding the buyer’s current reality, uncovering the gap in their thinking, and guiding them toward clarity instead of pressure-based persuasion.The conversation goes deep into why most founders struggle with sales, how misaligned messaging kills early-stage growth, and why true selling starts with curiosity, not convincing. Cameron also breaks down how his Pitch Down methodology helps founders build strong go-to-market foundations, avoid expensive mistakes, and scale with integrity.Connect withLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/camerontolman/Website: https://www.pitchdown.com/Support the showYou can also watch this podcast on YouTube at:https://www.youtube.com/@thesuccessleavescluesIf you are a career coach looking to grow your business, you can find out more about Purple Circle at http://joinpurplecircle.com
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