Craft of Coaching Podcast

In the coaching industry, accreditation matters. That’s why the Certified Life Coach Collective (CLCC) chose to become an ICF-accredited program—and in today’s episode, we’re sharing exactly why that decision was so important. We’ll break down what it actually means for a life coach certification program to be accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) —and why that distinction matt...

Helping clients navigate big life transitions is a core part of what most life coaches will do—again and again. Whether the transition is wanted (a new career, a big move, a fresh start) or unwanted (a breakup, a job loss, an identity shift), the emotional toll can leave clients feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or disoriented. In this episode, we’re inviting you to put yourself in your client’s shoes....

Once you’ve finished your life coach training, your focus naturally shifts to helping others—your clients. But what about you? Self-coaching and working on yourself are essential practices that every life coach needs to prioritize, not just for personal growth but for deepening your capacity to serve others. In this episode, we’re diving into what self-coaching really means and how to build a cons...

Most new life coaches don’t quit their day jobs the moment they graduate from coach training—and they shouldn’t have to. But once you’ve earned your life coach certification and you’re stepping into your new identity, a common question comes up: What do I tell my boss, manager, or team at work now that I’m a coach? In this episode, we’re exploring the nuances of what to tell your job after becomin...

We’re diving into why continuing education and self-coaching are foundational to your growth as a life coach—long after you’ve completed coach training. In this episode, we break down how to use self-coaching as a tool for personal and professional development, so you’re not just helping clients navigate change—you’re doing the work yourself. We also share strategies for choosing the right continu...

Okay, you’ve got your life coaching certification and finished life coach school--now what? It’s natural to feel overwhelmed by building your business and figuring out marketing as you step into your new career. This podcast episode breaks down the essential things to focus on when you’re figuring out what to do after you’ve got your life coach certification.    Learn more and get bonus resources...

In this episode of The Craft of Coaching , we're looking at how to clearly and confidently explain life coaching to anyone—whether it’s a curious friend, a potential client, or a skeptical relative. You’ll learn: How to talk about the difference between coaching and therapy What to say when someone says, “Can’t you just talk to a friend?” How to handle skeptics and dismissive comments How to...

Okay, you’ve got your life coaching certification and finished life coach school--now what? It’s natural to feel overwhelmed by building your business and figuring out marketing as you step into your new career.  What do you really do after your life coach certification? Today we're walking through the post-certification terrain that so many new coaches find overwhelming. You’ve finished trai...

In this episode of The Craft of Coaching , we explore a powerful but often overlooked tool in coaching: fun . Too often, coaching focuses solely on problems—and while that’s valid, it’s not the full picture. Clients can experience struggle and still access joy. In fact, integrating fun into the coaching process often amplifies transformation. In this episode, let's get into: What “fun practic...

In this episode of The Craft of Coaching , we explore what it really means to hold respectful client boundaries—especially when a client is suffering. We’re not talking about the obvious boundary violations. We’re talking about the subtle, everyday moments where care becomes caretaking , where presence turns into fixing, and where empathy crosses into codependence. Let's break down: Why tryin...

What are the essential life coach skills that every coach needs? Often, coaches know that something powerful is happening in their sessions, but they don’t necessarily have the ability to define or describe what the skills are. In this episode, I’m breaking them down and describing each one--and this episode is a great refresher for coaches who know that there’s wisdom in revisiting the basics! Co...

In this episode of The Craft of Coaching , I'm sharing a fiery, honest, and deeply personal message about why you shouldn’t quit on your dream of becoming a life coach—even when it gets hard. Let’s face it: the early years of coaching are tough. You'll question everything. You’ll wonder if you're cut out for it. You’ll run into money stress, self-doubt, and marketing overwhelm. But...

In this episode of The Craft of Coaching , we explore how life coaches can support clients in embracing—not battling—their inner critic. Too often, we’re taught to avoid, placate, or attack the critical inner voice. But what if that voice isn’t something to silence, but something to understand? Drawing from the psychology behind The Courage Habit and evidence-based practices like Narrative Therapy...

Do you love coaching, but feel intimidated by the idea of full-on entrepreneurship or scaling your business?  In this episode, I’m talking to those coaches who know they feel intimidated by the idea of entrepreneurship: it’s time to focus your business priorities and be less busy. But where do you start?  You'll learn efficient and implementable ideas for how to focus your business priorities...

Sometimes clients need help taking action--they over-intellectualize, or think that they're taking big steps when they're really making a project out of their growth. So, how can you as a coach help clients to take action in ways that are aligned with who they are and their values? How can you help clients take action in ways that stretch their current capacity while making them more res...

Here’s something important for every coach to know about themselves: are you adopting a growth mindset?  If you’re not, it could keep you--and your clients--from moving forward in the was that you want to. Carol Dweck's theory of a growth mindset reveals that when we think our abilities and capacity are innate and unchangeable, we're less likely to make progress. What if you're coac...

Whether you’re just starting or you’re a seasoned coach, you need self-care practices just as your clients do. Self-care for life coaches encompasses a shift in mindset and some specific strategies that can bring more ease to your coaching practice. Other resources mentioned include the Coaching Blueprint digital marketing program, Dubsado, and my new book, The Gift of Coaching by Kate Swoboda (se...

What does it really mean to step into your moxie —and how can coaches support their clients in doing the same? In this episode of The Craft of Coaching , Kate Swoboda sits down with leadership expert, speaker, and author Alexia Vernon to explore how coaches can help clients amplify their voice, visibility, and influence—both personally and publicly. Drawing from her acclaimed book Step Into Your M...

Wondering how to build confidence as a coach —especially when your own life feels less than perfect? You’re not alone. In this episode of The Craft of Coaching , we're tackling the myth that coaches must have it all figured out before they can help others. Using relatable examples (like doctors who get sick or teachers with struggling kids), we reframe what readiness really means: integrity,...

What exactly is somatic coaching —and how is it different from traditional coaching approaches? In this episode of The Craft of Coaching , we break down the fundamentals of somatic coaching, a modality that invites the body into the coaching conversation. While traditional coaching often focuses on thoughts, goals, and mindset shifts, somatic coaching asks: What does your body know? What signals i...

What if you don’t want to “niche down”? What if your strength as a coach is your curiosity, creativity, and desire to do all the things ? In this episode of The Craft of Coaching , we dive into multi-potentialite coaching —the unique challenges and powerful potential of coaches who are wired to pursue multiple passions. Kate Swoboda sits down with a fellow multi-passionate coach to explore what it...

Think that you're too introverted to become a coach? Lisa Chartrand would disagree. Coaching for introverts isn’t about “fixing” introversion—it’s about honoring it as a powerful way of being. In this episode of The Craft of Coaching , Kate Swoboda interviews Certified Life Coach Collective graduate and leadership team member Lisa Chartrand of She Lives Red . Together, they explore how introv...

In this episode of The Craft of Coaching , Kate shares an exciting announcement: she’s written a new book— The Gift of Coaching . This book is a bold response to the widespread misunderstandings about the coaching industry—misconceptions about qualifications, ethics, legitimacy, and what coaching really is. What sparked it? A podcast where startup founders (with no formal credentials themselves) d...

Every coach eventually encounters it: the client who says they want change… but pushes back at every turn. In this episode of The Craft of Coaching , we dig into the messy, misunderstood territory of uncoachable clients and client resistance —what it really means, what’s actually happening under the surface, and what you can do about it. Is the client truly “uncoachable,” or is their resistance an...

What makes powerful group coaching truly work ? Spoiler alert: it’s not about being the most charismatic coach in the room or controlling every dynamic. In this episode of The Craft of Coaching , we unpack what it really takes to lead transformative group experiences that support deep connection, insight, and change. You’ll learn why some groups “click” while others fizzle, and how to create condi...