Podcast
The Bright Morning Podcast with Elena Aguilar
Hosted by Elena Aguilar · EN
It’s possible for every coaching conversation to build connection and spark change, and Elena Aguilar will show you how. Elena Aguilar is one of education’s leading voices on coaching. Educators around the globe use her research-based coaching method to transform their organizations. Her company, Bright Morning, brings the ideas in her best-selling books to life by providing world-class professional development to mission-driven leaders. In The Bright Morning Podcast, Elena teaches you how to make every conversation count by demonstrating Transformational Coaching conversations. Every episode tackles a pressing coaching challenge. Resistance. Racism. Burnout. Overwhelm. Struggling new teachers. You’ll find it all here. If you’re ready to thrive in your work, listen in. New episodes drop every Monday. To learn more about Elena, go deeper into every episode, find the resources and tools she mentions, or join one of her workshops, check out https://brightmorningteam.com.
35episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Thank You and What’s Next: Ep 297
4w ago00:12:33Tap to summarizeIt’s the final episode of The Bright Morning Podcast! Elena shares a heartfelt thank you and shares how to keep learning and growing with the Bright Morning Team. Keep learning: Subscribe to Elena’s Weekly Wisdom NewsletterReceive weekly reflections, tools, and inspiration to support your personal and professional growth.Join us on YouTubeWatch short, practical videos with coaching strategies, leadership tools, and stories that support transformational practice. Subscribe to our channelDive into Our Learning Libraries and PLCsWhether you’re a coach, team leader, or facilitator, our Learning Libraries and Professional Learning Communities offer 24/7 support, concrete tools, and real-time connection with peers.Join a WorkshopGet hands-on, transformational learning in our signature offerings like The Art of Coaching, The Art of Coaching Teams, The PD Workshop, and more. See upcoming workshopsBecome a Bright Morning Member Attend our Free Monthly Community WebinarsFollow Elena on LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Rate and review usPodcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode Transcript
Transcribe →Three Moves to Start Next Year Strong: Episode 296
Jun 800:09:07Tap to summarizeIf you’re starting to think about next year—and wondering how to set your team up for a strong start—this episode is for you. Elena shares the three most powerful moves leaders can make now—or over the summer—to lay the foundation for a strong start next year.Keep learning: Attend The Art of Coaching Teams workshop to build an unshakable foundationJoin the Team Leader Learning Library and PLC for 24/7 supportWatch The Bright Morning Podcast on YouTubeFree community webinars Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Become a Friend of the Podcast Rate and review usReflection questions: Which of these three moves feels most important for your team next year?What would it look like to start small—and lead with intention?How can you bring others into your planning process so it’s not all on you?Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode Transcript
Transcribe →Plan Less. Capture More: Episode 295
Jun 100:06:45Tap to summarizeIf you’re feeling the urge to plan everything right now—but your brain is fried and your energy is low—this episode is for you. You’ll learn a simple tool to distill your insights while protecting your energy—and walk away with a renewed sense of trust in what can wait until fall.Keep learning: Attend The Art of Coaching Teams workshop to build an unshakable foundationJoin the Team Leader Learning Library and PLC for 24/7 supportWatch The Bright Morning Podcast on YouTubeFree community webinars Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Become a Friend of the Podcast Rate and review usReflection questions: What have you learned this year that you want to carry into next year?What do you not want to forget when fall begins?What’s one thing you can let go of for now?Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode Transcript
Transcribe →The Year Didn’t Go as Planned—Now What?: Episode 294
May 2500:08:43Tap to summarizeIf you’re ending the year with some disappointment or regret—if things didn’t go quite the way you imagined—this episode is for you. Elena offers support and perspective for leaders whose school year didn’t go quite the way they hoped. You’ll walk away with three questions that can help you re-engage with clarity and compassion.Keep learning: Attend The Art of Coaching Teams workshop to build an unshakable foundationJoin the Team Leader Learning Library and PLC for 24/7 supportWatch The Bright Morning Podcast on YouTubeFree community webinars Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Become a Friend of the Podcast Rate and review usReflection questions: What’s the honest story of your year—and what are you learning from it?What’s yours to tend to as a leader before the year ends?What’s one step you can take this week toward repair, reconnection, or closure?Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode Transcript
Transcribe →Ending Well is a Leadership Skill: Episode 293
May 1800:08:02Tap to summarizeIf you know that ending the year on a high note is important for your team, but you don’t know how to make it happen, this episode is for you! You’ll learn how to create meaningful closure for your team, hear an example of how one leader used a simple reflection structure to boost connection and morale, and receive guidance for planning a celebration that actually builds trust and community.Keep learning: Attend The Art of Coaching Teams workshop to build an unshakable foundationJoin the Team Leader Learning Library and PLC for 24/7 supportWatch The Bright Morning Podcast on YouTubeFree community webinars Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Become a Friend of the Podcast Rate and review usReflection questions: What does it mean to “end well” in your context?What tone do you want to leave your team with?How can you build closure into your final team meeting(s)?Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode Transcript
Transcribe →Ending the Year When You’re Not Coming Back: Episode 292
May 1100:09:34Tap to summarizeIf you’re wrapping up the school year knowing you won’t be returning to your current role or organization, this episode is for you. Elena shares how to find clarity and integrity in your final days, how to say goodbye with care, and how to use this moment as a powerful transition point—for yourself and those you’re leaving.Keep learning: Join the Coach Learning Library and PLC and start your Closing Out the Year Skill SessionsFree community webinars Watch The Bright Morning Podcast on YouTubeReceive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Become a Friend of the Podcast Rate and review usReflection questions: What do you want to leave behind as you close this chapter?What do you want to carry forward?How do you want to be remembered by those you’ve worked with?Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode Transcript
Transcribe →Strengths-Based Coaching: Episode 291
May 400:09:22Tap to summarizeIf you’re ready to move beyond fixing problems and start coaching in a way that builds trust and motivation, this episode is for you. Elena walks you through how to shift into a strengths-based stance, shares how it transformed her coaching conversations, and offers a three-part structure you can try in your very next session.Keep learning: Join the Coach Learning Library and PLC for 24/7 support all year longFree community webinars Watch The Bright Morning Podcast on YouTubeReceive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Become a Friend of the Podcast Rate and review usReflection questions: What strengths have you seen in your clients recently—but maybe haven’t named yet?What would shift in your coaching if you started each conversation with strengths?How can you more intentionally connect strengths to your client’s areas for growth?Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode Transcript
Transcribe →Spheres of Influence: Episode 290
Apr 2700:08:08Tap to summarizeIf you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or powerless in the face of things you can’t change, this episode is for you. Elena introduces the Spheres of Influence framework—a powerful tool to help coaches and leaders move from frustration to empowered action.Keep learning: Join the Coach Learning Library and PLC for 24/7 support all year longFree community webinars Watch The Bright Morning Podcast on YouTubeReceive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Become a Friend of the Podcast Rate and review usReflection questions: What’s one challenge you’re currently facing—and which parts fall inside your sphere of control or influence?Where have you been spending your energy—and is it aligned with your influence?What’s one small action you can take this week within your sphere of control?Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode Transcript
Transcribe →Mind the Gap: Episode 289
Apr 2000:09:52Tap to summarizeIf you’ve ever wondered why a client isn’t doing what they say they want to do—and you’re tempted to label it as resistance—this episode is for you. Elena introduces the Gaps Framework, a transformational tool for identifying learning needs and understanding client behavior. You’ll hear how to use the framework in real coaching conversations, explore the six types of gaps, and walk away with a powerful lens for action.Keep learning: Join the Coach Learning Library and PLC and start your Introducing the Gaps Framework in a Conversation Skill SessionThe Gaps Framework (free tool)Watch The Bright Morning Podcast on YouTubeFree community webinars Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Become a Friend of the Podcast Rate and review usReflection questions: When you think about a client who’s struggling, which kind of gap might be present?Have you ever misdiagnosed a gap as a will issue when it was actually something else?How could this framework support your own growth as a coach?Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode Transcript
Transcribe →Data Conversations That Don’t Shut People Down: Episode 288
Apr 1300:07:56Tap to summarizeWhat do you do when your client looks at data and shuts down? Or gets defensive? Or spirals into blame? In this episode, Elena explores how to coach through tough data conversations with empathy, clarity, and courage—so that data becomes a tool for growth, not shame.Keep learning: Join the Coach Learning Library and PLC and start your Transformational Data Conversations Skill SessionWatch The Bright Morning Podcast on YouTubeFree community webinars Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inboxBecome a Bright Morning Member Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedInFollow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and InstagramSupport the show:Become a Friend of the Podcast Rate and review usReflection questions: What’s your own story about data—and how might it be shaping how you coach?How do you typically respond when a client reacts emotionally to data?What’s one question you could ask to open up—not shut down—the next data conversation you facilitate?Podcast Transcript and Use:Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission.We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.Episode Transcript
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