This episode welcomes Dr. Haesun Moon, Dr. Christian van Nieuwerburgh, and Michael Bungay Stanier to talk about something that feels more important than ever: friendship—especially in tough times.

We explore the difference between being friendly and being a true friend, and what it takes to build real, lasting connections. We talk about intention, vulnerability, radical listening, and how we can stay in relationship even when we disagree.

Throughout the conversation, we share personal stories, practical strategies, and a lot of heart. Friendship isn’t just something that happens—it’s a skill we can develop with effort, reflection, and kindness.

Our hope is that this episode encourages listeners to lean into meaningful connections with curiosity and courage.

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Learn more about the Intensive Instructional Coaching Institute:

https://www.instructionalcoaching.com/workshop/in-person-intensive-instructional-coaching-institute/

Learn more about Introduction to Leadership Coaching:

https://www.instructionalcoaching.com/workshop/introduction-to-leadership-coaching/

In this episode of Coaching Conversations, I am joined by TLC 2025 Keynote Speaker, Dr. Haesun Moon, to talk about the powerful impact of solution-focused coaching. Haesun brings both wisdom and humility as she shares stories and ideas from her book Coaching A to Z. What stands out is her deep belief in people—the idea that when we focus on strengths, listen with intention, and ask the right questions, we open the door to real transformation.

We talk about empathy, the kind of communication that builds trust, and how even the briefest conversation can create lasting change. We also dig into what it means to be part of a coaching community and how connection fuels growth—for both coaches and the people they serve.

This episode is an invitation to reflect on how we show up in our conversations and how a relational, strength-based mindset can shape not just our coaching, but our lives.

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Learn more about the Better Conversations workshop:

https://www.instructionalcoaching.com/workshop/better-conversations/

Learn more about the Managing Challenging Conversations workshop:

https://www.instructionalcoaching.com/workshop/managing-challenging-conversations/

In this episode of Coaching Conversations, Jessica Wise and I talk about something every coach deals with: time. We know coaching can have a huge impact—but only if coaches actually have time to coach.

We dig into the real challenges coaches face when their calendars get filled with everything but coaching. We also share some strategies that have worked for us.

This isn’t about squeezing more into the day—it’s about making sure your time reflects your priorities. We hope the episode gets you thinking about your own habits and offers a few tools you can use to stay focused on what matters most.

At the end of the day, coaching only works when we give it the time and space to make a difference.

Thank you for being a part of our community.

• Feedback: We love hearing from you! Leave us a rating or comment to let us know what you think.
• Stay Connected: Follow our podcast for more episodes packed with insights and inspiration.

Learn more about the Intensive Instructional Coaching Institute:

https://www.instructionalcoaching.com/workshop/in-person-intensive-instructional-coaching-institute/

Learn more about Consulting:

https://www.instructionalcoaching.com/instructional-coaching-program/

In this episode, I’m joined by Sherri Sinclair—an incredible instructional coach, author, and thought partner. Together, we dive into the heart of what great teaching looks like.

Sherri brings deep wisdom from her new book, Intentional Instructional Moves, and we talk about what really makes an impact in the classroom: strong classroom management, authentic student engagement, and meaningful assessment for learning.

What stands out in Sherri’s approach is how practical and intentional it is—from purposeful group work to clear, focused direct instruction to differentiation that actually works for real classrooms.

We also dig into why clarity, connection, and continuous feedback are so essential—not just for student success, but for building learning environments where both teachers and students thrive.

If you're a coach, a school leader, or a classroom teacher, you'll walk away from this conversation with real, usable strategies you can start trying tomorrow. Intentionality isn't just a theory—it’s a practice. And Sherri shows us how to do it well.

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Learn more about PD for Leaders:

www.instructionalcoaching.com

Learn more about the Instructional Coaching Planner:

https://shorturl.at/XC1fq

This week, Jim Knight is joined by special guest, Dr. Marsha Tate to discuss her new book, "Healthy Teachers, Happy Classrooms." Dr. Tate shares insights on how joy, movement, music, and meaningful relationships are essential for both teachers and students. She highlights strategies for creating soothing environments, promoting healthy habits, and fostering positive emotions in schools.

The conversation emphasizes the importance of well-being and purpose in education, offering practical advice to help educators restore passion and optimism.

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Learn more about the Intensive Instructional Coaching Institute:

https://shorturl.at/Kc9j2

Learn more about TLC 2025:

https://shorturl.at/Kc9j2

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Maggie Jackson, the brilliant author of Uncertain. Our conversation dove deep into a theme that resonates powerfully with me—especially in the context of instructional coaching: the importance of embracing uncertainty.

Maggie makes a compelling case that, although many of us instinctively reach for certainty like a security blanket, that same certainty can often box us in. It can lead to rigid thinking, stifle our creativity, and close us off from new possibilities. Instead, she invites us to view uncertainty not as a threat, but as a catalyst for growth. When we open ourselves up to the unknown, we unlock our capacity for curiosity, resilience, and adaptability.

We also touched on some fascinating neuroscience—specifically, how our brains are wired to avoid ambiguity, and how that natural resistance can actually hold us back. Maggie introduces the idea of adaptive expertise, which is all about our ability to learn, unlearn, and relearn in response to new and complex situations. This idea couldn’t be more relevant to the work we do as instructional coaches.

Thank you for being a part of our community.

Feedback: We love hearing from you! Leave us a rating or comment to let us know what you think.

Stay Connected: Follow our podcast for more episodes packed with insights and inspiration.

Learn more about Radical Learners:
www.radicallearners.com

In this episode of the Coaching Conversations podcast, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Jessica Wise to explore what I call the Seven Success Factors for effective instructional coaching. These factors come from years of research and practice, and they represent what I've seen work in real schools with real teachers.

Jessica and I talked about the importance of approaching coaching as a partnership, where both coach and teacher learn from each other. We also dug into how crucial it is to use data—not just to measure success, but to guide our decisions in a way that truly supports student learning.

Throughout the conversation, we kept coming back to one central idea: coaching must be rooted in empathy, trust, and a relentless focus on student outcomes. We talked about how leadership can make or break coaching programs, and why a supportive culture is essential if we want teachers to grow. Teaching is deeply personal work, and coaching needs to honor that by being compassionate, collaborative, and always grounded in respect.

Access the "Teach to Win" article referenced in this podcast.

Thank you for being a part of our community.

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Learn more about The Impact Cycle:

https://www.instructionalcoaching.com/workshop/the-impact-cycle/

Learn more about Consulting:

https://www.instructionalcoaching.com/instructional-coaching-program/

In this episode, I'm joined by someone whose thinking continues to shape my work today - Michael Fullan. Michael, as many of us know, has been a giant in the field of educational change for decades, and in this conversation, he opens up about his journey: how his ideas have evolved, what he’s learned along the way, and why teacher voice is absolutely essential if we’re serious about real, lasting change.

What stands out here is how clearly Michael connects change with purpose. He reminds us that transformation in schools isn’t linear or tidy—it’s messy, human work. But when educators come together around a shared moral purpose, and when school culture aligns with that purpose, amazing things can happen. He also speaks to something we’ve seen again and again in coaching: the magic that happens when people feel heard, supported, and invited into the process.

For coaches and leaders, this episode is a reminder that we don’t drive change by pushing—it happens when we walk alongside our partners, keep the focus on student well-being, and stay committed to learning together.

Thank you for being a part of our community.

• Feedback: We love hearing from you! Leave us a rating or comment to let us know what you think.
• Stay Connected: Follow our podcast for more episodes packed with insights and inspiration.

Learn more about the Intensive Instructional Coaching Institute:

https://shorturl.at/Kc9j2

Learn more about the Coaching Accreditation Program:

https://shorturl.at/YZwXH