Coaching Through Stories

Ever feel like your brain is just… full? Emails ping, notifications pile up, meetings blur together, and suddenly you miss something small but important. It's not a lack of care; it's cognitive overload.   In this solo episode, Dr. Eric Bean unpacks what happens when our mental "jar" overflows. Listen as he explores how cognitive overload quietly erodes performance, decision-making, and even empat...

In this episode of Coaching Through Stories , Dr. Eric Bean sits down with Carrie Jones, CEO and co-founder of Mari + Gold , a San Diego–based PR, social media, and creative agency serving hospitality, tourism, and lifestyle brands. Carrie shares her journey from growing up in Napa Valley's hospitality world to leading a mission-driven agency that thrives on people, culture, and bold but intention...

In this episode of Coaching Through Stories, Dr. Eric Bean sits down with Dr. Leon Moores , pediatric neurosurgeon, former U.S. Army infantry officer, and author of All Physicians Lead: Redefining Physician Leadership for Better Patient Outcomes.   Dr. Moores combines lessons from combat and the operating room to show why healthcare leadership is more than just the titles. His approach is rooted i...

What does it really mean to win? For one seasoned executive and for many leaders today, it wasn't about another title or promotion. It was about finding balance, presence, and a sustainable way to lead.   In this solo episode of Coaching Through Stories, Dr. Eric Bean shares a powerful coaching case study of a senior leader navigating the transition between peak performance and the next chapter of...

In this episode of Coaching Through Stories, Dr. Eric Bean sits down with Travis Thomas, improv performer turned elite performance coach and founder of LiveYesAnd , to unpack why confidence might be overrated and why courage is essential for true leadership.   Travis blends decades of experience in improvisational comedy and elite sports coaching to reframe leadership through presence, purpose, an...

What does it take to lead a legacy business into something bigger? It's not just about keeping things running—it's about vision, resilience, and the courage to lead differently. That's exactly how Mark Frisch shows up. In this episode, Dr. Eric Bean sits down with Mark Frisch, Executive Vice President and Co-Owner of Beaver Street Fisheries , one of the largest seafood importers in the U.S. Mark s...

 What comes to mind when you think of someone who pushes limits—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally? Grit. Clarity of purpose. A willingness to meet fear with curiosity, not avoidance. That's exactly who Dr. Jen Schumacher is.   Jen is a world-class mental performance coach whose work spans elite sport, the military, and academia. She's led mental training programs at West Point and...

Purpose isn't just a buzzword – it's the driving force that powers motivation, builds resilien ce, and am plifies impact. In this episode of Coaching Through Stories, Dr. Eric Bean dives deep into the meaning and application of purpose, not just as a concept but as a leadership strategy. He explores how leaders can tap into multiple sources of motivation by anchoring work , even the smallest tasks...

In this episode o f Coaching Through Stories, Dr. Eric Bean sits down with Andrea Sampson, TED-trained speaker coach and founder of Talk Boutique, to explore the art and science of storytelling.  Andrea has spent decades helping scientists, leaders, and change-makers turn data and insight into stories that shift minds and spark action. From shaping global TEDx stages to guiding organizations throu...

What comes to mind when you think of some of your favorite leaders—those who've truly inspired you? Purpose, presence, self-awareness, and care. Leaders who see you as more than your co mpetency but for your character . That description fits today's guest perfectly.   In the first episode of Season 7 of th e Coaching Through Stories podcast , Dr. Eric Bean sits down with Certified Mental Performan...

When you think of some of your favorite leaders, leaders who've inspired you, what characteristics come to mind?  Typically, people want leaders who are purposeful, curious, self-aware, present, engaged, and caring. Your favorite leaders tend to care about you as a person, not just a number. Our guest today – is all of those and more.   In this last episode of season 6 in Coaching Through Stories...

Whether you're a new or seasoned leader, it's universal to experience the challenges that come with balancing competing demands and priorities of an organization. In this episode of Coaching Through Stories, Dr. Eric Bean takes listeners through the art of balancing support and challenge as a leader. He explores the importance of adaptability, focusing on the mental flexibility required to navigat...

In this special episode of Coaching Through Stories, Siana Sylvester steps in as co-host alongside Dr. Eric Bean to welcome guest Nicole Bean.  Together, they dive into Nicole's impressive career journey from pharmaceutical sales to becoming Head of Oncology Marketing. Nicole shares her experiences of personal and professional growth, revealing how she transitioned from a road warrior to a corpora...

In this episode, host Dr. Eric Bean sits down with Andy Riise, Director of Mental Performance and Leadership for the Chicago Bears, to dive into the mental and emotional strategies that separate elite performers from the rest. With years of experience as a mental performance coach in professional sports and the military, Andy shares how training the mind is as crucial as training the body. He unpa...

How do you respond when the pressure is on?   Pressure can cloud judgment and derail performance, turning high-stakes situations into overwhelming challenges. And you need the right mindset to avoid being daunted by it. In this solo episode of Coaching Through Stories, host Dr. Eric Bean examines the art of leading with poise under pressure. Drawing from psychology and leadership principles, Dr. B...

In today's Coaching Through Stories episode, Dr. Eric Bean is joined by one of his favorite people, Zach Brandon, the Head of Mental Performance and Coach Development with the Arizona Diamondbacks .  Zach is in his sixth season leading the mental performance department for players, coaches, and staff with the Arizona Diamondbacks. In his role , he also assists the front office and leadership staff...

Jim Lemming,  CEO and owner of Partners in Building and Houston-based industry veteran, joins us for a candid conversation. With a strong foundation in business management, Jim brings a wealth of experience in home construction, renovations, and residential budgets.   In this episode, Jim takes us on a personal journey, sharing insights into leadership, the homebuilding industry, and the entrepren...

This solo episode explores how the way we see things (our perspective) affects everything from our daily interactions to big decisions and relationships. We'll look at how optimists and pessimists view the world differently, the difficulty of seeing things from another's point of view, and how we learn to understand the world around us.   Today we go beyond just positive thinking. We'll discuss th...

Sanyin Siang , an expert in leadership and a practitioner of what she calls a portfolio career, joins us in this episode. Wearing multiple hats, Sanyin aids leaders in optimizing their unique strengths and creating super teams for next-level success.   Throughout our conversation, Sanyin shares insights on how to navigate imposter syndrome, transition from manager to leader, and the profound impac...

As we kick off our sixth season, we are joined by Derin McMains who goes by DMac . Derin McMains is a Mental Performance Coach to some of the highest performing athletes, teams, and business executives in the world. The former professional baseball player and manager began working in the mental performance space in 2012.   Over the past 12 years, he has built out mental performance programs for th...

As the curtain falls on our fifth season, we're shaking things up with a Q&A episode. In this episode, Dr. Eric Bean and Certified Mental Performance Consultant, Siana Sylvester will answer questions from listeners. Together they share their valuable insights on executive coaching, stress, flow, and silence. So, join us as we delve into these topics and persist on our path toward achieving high pe...

We tend to look at change from a linear rather than an exponential perspective. This point of view often leads to the feeling of anxiety and being overwhelmed by the change around us. This episode features Ross Thornley, the CEO and co-founder of AQai, a community of adaptability coaches aiming to transform how people and organizations adapt to change. Moreover, Ross is an author and keynote speak...

In this episode, discover how high-achievers explore self-compassion with Dr. Shannon Baird. The conversation explores finding balance between ambition and self-care, offering practical tips for cultivating a compassionate mindset amid ambitious pursuits.  Dr. Baird emphasizes acknowledging personal limits while striving for success, providing valuable lessons for those seeking the perfect blend o...

In this Coaching Through Stories episode, Dr. Eric Bean delves into a profound exploration of Tragic Optimism, challenging the idea that life's tragedies and optimism are mutually exclusive. Through thoughtful reflection, he reveals the ability to simultaneously acknowledge and embrace both elements. Dr. Bean shares insights on navigating the delicate equilibrium between despair and hope in our ex...

As humans, it is our nature to dwell on our deficiencies. We focus on what we are missing and our shortfalls rather than appreciate the positive reality we are in. This behavior is what leads us to the sign that says Welcome to Sucksville . Today, we are with Dr. Brehtt McCabe, the Sports and Performance Psychologist for the University of Alabama Athletic Department and a trusted resource for amat...