The Embodiment Coaching Podcast

In this episode, I speak with Dr Helen Machen-Pearce about an often-overlooked perspective in coaching: what conservative philosophy can teach us about human behaviour, personal responsibility, and change. Drawing on philosophy, psychology, spirituality, and embodied practice, we explore why coaching has largely embraced liberal assumptions about the individual, and what might be missing when we f...

In this episode, I speak with Peter Hawkins, one of the pioneers of systemic and team coaching, about why coaching needs to evolve beyond a focus on the individual. Drawing on decades of experience in leadership development and organisational change, Peter argues that coaches create far greater impact when they work with the wider systems, relationships, and stakeholders that shape every client's...

In this episode, I speak with Professor George Bonanno, one of the world's leading researchers on trauma and resilience, about why many of our assumptions about trauma are simply wrong. Drawing on decades of research and the ideas in his book The End of Trauma , George challenges the increasingly common belief that difficult experiences inevitably leave people psychologically damaged, arguing inst...

In this episode, I speak with author, speaker, and former creative director Aljoša Bagola about the myths that keep people trapped in burnout and why many of our assumptions about stress, success, and resilience are fundamentally wrong. Drawing on his own experience of severe burnout, alongside years of research and reflection, Aljoša challenges the stories our culture tells us about productivity,...

In this episode, I speak with entrepreneur, author, and coach John Spencer Williams about one of the biggest mistakes coaches make when building their businesses: trying to appeal to everyone. Drawing on his new book Crazy Successful , John explains why being broad, vague, and bland makes it harder to stand out, and why coaches are far more likely to succeed when they lean into what makes them dif...

I believe a high-quality coaching certification needs to offer much more than coaching models, scripted questions and theoretical knowledge. It should develop practical coaching skills through live practice, feedback, ethical awareness, deep listening, strong relationships, appropriate challenge and an understanding of the person as a whole. In this episode of The Embodiment Coaching Podcast , I t...

Our Ceritficate of Embodiment coaching course is starting, don't miss out!  Click here to find out more: https://embodimentunlimited.com/cec/  

In this episode, I speak with Dr Dick Schwartz, founder of Internal Family Systems (IFS), about the remarkable rise of one of the world's fastest-growing therapeutic approaches and the questions that come with its growing influence. Drawing on decades of clinical work and recent developments in the model, Dick reflects on how IFS has evolved beyond psychotherapy to embrace spirituality, leadership...

In this episode, I speak with executive coach Lise Bruynooghe about what coaching really is, why the profession is often misunderstood, and how coaches can thrive in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. Drawing on her work across leadership, organisational development, and cross-cultural coaching, Lise argues that coaching is far more than a collection of techniques—it's a uniqu...

In this episode, I speak with Dr Helen Machen-Pearce about the art of embodied group facilitation and why working with a group requires a very different set of skills from one-to-one coaching. Drawing on years of experience facilitating groups, we explore what happens when the focus shifts from an individual client to the complex dynamics of an entire group, including the importance of reading the...

In this episode, I speak with parenting coach and documentary maker Patrick Ney about why modern parenting has become so challenging, and what it reveals about human psychology far beyond family life. Drawing on his experience of working with more than 165,000 parents around the world, Patrick explores how our own childhood experiences quietly shape the way we parent, relate to others, and show up...

In this episode, I speak with breathwork researcher and educator Richard Blake about what the evidence actually says regarding breathwork, nervous system regulation, and how coaches can use breathing practices safely and effectively. Drawing on both scientific research and practical experience, Richard separates hype from evidence and explores which techniques are supported by the strongest resear...

In this episode, I speak with writer, researcher, and philosopher Brendan Graham Dempsey about the modern meaning crisis, why so many people feel disconnected from purpose and belonging, and what this means for coaches, leaders, and anyone supporting human development. Drawing on philosophy, psychology, history, and his work on metamodernism, Brendan explores how we arrived at this cultural moment...

In this episode, I speak with Dr Helen Machen-Pearce about the role of creativity in coaching, and why it may be one of the most overlooked skills in helping people change. Drawing on our experience of training somatic coaches, we explore what creativity really means, why it isn't limited to artistic talent, and how coaches can cultivate it without losing structure or rigour. Together, we examine...

In this episode, I speak with Helen Machen-Pearce about one of the most important questions in coaching: what are the biggest mistakes coaches make, and how can they avoid them? Drawing on more than 15 years of training and assessing embodiment coaches, we explore the common patterns that hold coaches back, from relying too heavily on techniques to confusing confidence with competence. Together, w...

In this episode, I speak with relationship educator Harry Pitcher, creator of the She's Not Crazy series, about the biology of relationships and why understanding women's hormonal cycles can transform the way we connect with one another. Drawing on years of research into neuroscience, endocrinology, and attachment, Harry explains why many relationship struggles are less about personality or commun...

In this episode, I speak with Zen teacher, poet, and mindfulness app co-founder Henry Shukman about awakening, trauma, and the relationship between meditation and embodiment. Drawing on his own journey—from a childhood marked by chronic illness and emotional pain to a profound spontaneous awakening that led him to decades of Zen practice—Henry shares why genuine spiritual development is about beco...

In this episode, I speak with Ukrainian psychologist and trauma trainer Kateryna about what it means to practice embodiment, resilience, and trauma-informed care while living through the ongoing reality of war. Drawing on four years of frontline experience training therapists, healthcare professionals, lawyers, veterans, and humanitarian workers, Kateryna shares what she's learned about supporting...

In this episode, I speak with filmmaker and interviewer Nic Askew about presence, stillness, and what it means to truly see another human being. Drawing on decades of creating deeply intimate filmed conversations, Nic shares his perspective on why the most meaningful moments emerge not through technique or performance, but by letting go of agenda and allowing something authentic to unfold. We expl...

In this episoden, I speak with cross-cultural coach Tamara Tan about the often-overlooked role culture plays in coaching, communication, relationships, leadership, and personal development. Drawing on her experience living and working across multiple countries, Tamara explores how culture shapes the way people build trust, express emotions, communicate feedback, approach authority, and make sense...

In this episode, I'm joined by nervous system specialist Helen Machen-Pearce to explore what regulation really means, why nobody stays perfectly regulated, and how coaches can better support both themselves and their clients in an increasingly dysregulated world. We discuss the hidden impact of trauma, stress, modern technology, and generational patterns on the nervous system, and why it's remarka...

In this episode, I speak with Helen about the meaning crisis, purpose, and what coaching can offer in a culture increasingly shaped by distraction, individualism, and disconnection. We explore the difference between happiness and meaning, why purpose cannot be reduced to personal achievement, and how embodiment helps us access a deeper sense of direction, contribution, and belonging. We discuss Ar...

  In this episode, I speak with Lucija Glagolic Hora about coaching, shadow work, archetypes, and the role of hardship in human development. We explore how suffering, trauma, and uncertainty can deepen our humanity, why coaches need to engage with darkness as well as growth, and how real transformation often emerges through humility, vulnerability, and connection rather than positivity alone. We d...

 In this episode, I speak with Margaret Moore about coaching, consciousness, leadership, and the impact of AI on human development. We explore what makes a great coach, why real coaching goes beyond techniques and frameworks, and how presence, curiosity, and the ability to disrupt habitual patterns lie at the heart of transformation. We discuss the tension between artificial intelligence and human...

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Helen Machen-Pearce about meaning coaching, modern nihilism, and why so many people today feel lost despite unprecedented comfort and freedom. We explore the collapse of traditional sources of meaning — including religion, community, family, and vocation — and how modern culture often replaces them with "idols" such as status, money, pleasure, productivity, and on...