The Bright Morning Podcast with Elena Aguilar

Latest Episodes:

The Unexpected Episode Jul 13, 2026

Show notes

Surprise!

The podcast really is over. But we’re unexpectedly sharing one more episode because I have some unexpected news: I wrote another book.

It's called How to Coach Resistance, and I love it so much that I couldn't resist popping back into your podcast feed to tell you about it.

In this episode, I'll share why I wrote it, what I've learned from years of trying to understand resistance, and read a short passage from the introduction.

Then, if you'd like to keep reading, you can download the introduction for free.

Get the (free) introduction of How to Coach Resistance
Pre-order the book
Join Elena at the Coaching Resistance workshop
Subscribe to Elena’s Weekly Wisdom Newsletter
Receive weekly reflections, tools, and inspiration to support your personal and professional growth.
Join us on YouTube. Watch short, practical videos with coaching strategies, leadership tools, and stories that support transformational practice. Subscribe to our channel

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

Thank You and What’s Next: Ep 297 Jun 15, 2026

Show notes

It’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 Newsletter
Receive weekly reflections, tools, and inspiration to support your personal and professional growth.
Join us on YouTube
Watch short, practical videos with coaching strategies, leadership tools, and stories that support transformational practice. Subscribe to our channel
Dive into Our Learning Libraries and PLCs
Whether 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 Workshop
Get 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 workshops
Become a Bright Morning Member
Attend our Free Monthly Community Webinars
Follow Elena on LinkedIn
Follow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and Instagram

Support the show:

Rate and review us

Podcast Transcript and Use:

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

Three Moves to Start Next Year Strong: Episode 296 Jun 08, 2026

Show notes

If 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 foundation
Join the Team Leader Learning Library and PLC for 24/7 support
Watch The Bright Morning Podcast on YouTube
Free community webinars
Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inbox
Become a Bright Morning Member
Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedIn
Follow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and Instagram

Support the show:

Become a Friend of the Podcast
Rate and review us

Reflection 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:

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

Plan Less. Capture More: Episode 295 Jun 01, 2026

Show notes

If 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 foundation
Join the Team Leader Learning Library and PLC for 24/7 support
Watch The Bright Morning Podcast on YouTube
Free community webinars
Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inbox
Become a Bright Morning Member
Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedIn
Follow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and Instagram

Support the show:

Become a Friend of the Podcast
Rate and review us

Reflection 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:

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

The Year Didn’t Go as Planned—Now What?: Episode 294 May 25, 2026

Show notes

If 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 foundation
Join the Team Leader Learning Library and PLC for 24/7 support
Watch The Bright Morning Podcast on YouTube
Free community webinars
Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inbox
Become a Bright Morning Member
Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedIn
Follow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and Instagram

Support the show:

Become a Friend of the Podcast
Rate and review us

Reflection 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:

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

Ending Well is a Leadership Skill: Episode 293 May 18, 2026

Show notes

If 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 foundation
Join the Team Leader Learning Library and PLC for 24/7 support
Watch The Bright Morning Podcast on YouTube
Free community webinars
Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inbox
Become a Bright Morning Member
Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedIn
Follow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and Instagram

Support the show:

Become a Friend of the Podcast
Rate and review us

Reflection 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:

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

Ending the Year When You’re Not Coming Back: Episode 292 May 11, 2026

Show notes

If 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 Sessions
Free community webinars
Watch The Bright Morning Podcast on YouTube
Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inbox
Become a Bright Morning Member
Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedIn
Follow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and Instagram

Support the show:

Become a Friend of the Podcast
Rate and review us

Reflection 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:

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

Strengths-Based Coaching: Episode 291 May 04, 2026

Show notes

If 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 long
Free community webinars
Watch The Bright Morning Podcast on YouTube
Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inbox
Become a Bright Morning Member
Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedIn
Follow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and Instagram

Support the show:

Become a Friend of the Podcast
Rate and review us

Reflection 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:

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

Spheres of Influence: Episode 290 Apr 27, 2026

Show notes

If 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 long
Free community webinars
Watch The Bright Morning Podcast on YouTube
Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inbox
Become a Bright Morning Member
Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedIn
Follow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and Instagram

Support the show:

Become a Friend of the Podcast
Rate and review us

Reflection 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:

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

Mind the Gap: Episode 289 Apr 20, 2026

Show notes

If 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 Session
The Gaps Framework (free tool)
Watch The Bright Morning Podcast on YouTube
Free community webinars
Receive weekly wisdom and tools from Elena delivered to your inbox
Become a Bright Morning Member
Follow Elena on Instagram and LinkedIn
Follow Bright Morning on LinkedIn and Instagram

Support the show:

Become a Friend of the Podcast
Rate and review us

Reflection 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:

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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