The Coaching Crowd® Podcast with Jo Wheatley & Zoe Hawkins Podcast By Jo Wheatley and Zoe Hawkins cover art

The Coaching Crowd® Podcast with Jo Wheatley & Zoe Hawkins

The Coaching Crowd® Podcast with Jo Wheatley & Zoe Hawkins

By: Jo Wheatley and Zoe Hawkins
Listen for free

The Coaching Crowd® Podcast is a weekly podcast for compassionate, courageous leaders, HR professionals and high achievers who are passionate about helping others to find alignment in their lives through coaching, and who are thinking of training and developing as a coach. Hosted by Zoe Hawkins and Jo Wheatley, Founders of Global Coaching Training Company "In Good Company", based in the UK, (https://www.igcompany.com). Zoe and Jo are Master Accredited, Award Winning and Multi Award Nominated coaches, coach trainers and coach supervisors. They are authors of the best selling book 'Deciding to Coach: The Mindset & Business Strategy For Aspiring Coaches'. Each episode focuses on a different element of what it is to be a coach and you'll listen in as Zoe and Jo discuss the topic through different lenses. You'll discover practical tools and resources you need to support your coaching as you learn all about becoming a qualified and certified coach. This podcast is a go-to resource for learning more about coaching and the mindset needed to be a world class coach. You'll learn how to enable clients to truly know who they are, what their hearts call for and how to understand their values, beliefs and unconscious needs. Coaching goes beyond professional success and personal fulfilment and focuses on supporting everyday mental health. As you learn more about coaching, you learn to coach yourself. You are In Good Company with The Coaching Crowd®. In Good Company offers accredited coaching qualifications for individuals and organisations around the world, as well as ground breaking accredited CPD for coaches such as the trade marked Emotions Coaching Practitioner Training. You can join our courses and learn more about our communities here www.igcompany.co.uk and take our free quiz to find out which coaching course is right for you www.mycoachingcourse.com.© 2026 In Good Company Career Success Economics Personal Development Personal Success
Episodes
  • Trauma Informed Coaching

    Trauma Informed Coaching
    Mar 30 2026
    What if the way someone shows up today is shaped by something they don't even fully understand yet? In this episode, we explored a topic that is gaining real traction in the coaching space and beyond: trauma-informed coaching. We sat down to unpack what this actually means in practice, not from a theoretical standpoint, but from the lived reality of working with people. Because the truth is, whether you are a coach, leader, or simply someone supporting others, you are already in the presence of trauma more often than you realise. We reflected on how trauma is not defined by the event itself, but by the impact it leaves behind. Two people can experience the same situation and carry entirely different imprints from it. That insight alone shifts how we approach conversations, relationships, and growth. Throughout the conversation, we explored how trauma can show up in coaching. Sometimes it is obvious through emotional responses, avoidance, or disconnection. Other times it is subtle, sitting beneath behaviours like self-criticism or hesitation. What stood out most for us is that coaching often surfaces self-awareness, and with that, past experiences can naturally come into view. We shared our own reflections on moments where unexpected responses emerged, reminding us that trauma is not always something we consciously recognise. It can live in the body, revealing itself in ways that catch us off guard. A key theme in this episode is responsibility. As coaches, we are not there to process trauma. Our role is to create a space of safety, choice, and autonomy. That means recognising when a client is present and reflective, versus when they may be re-experiencing something overwhelming. In those moments, our focus shifts to regulation, grounding, and support. We also challenged the idea that there is a clear-cut boundary in coaching between what is acceptable and what is not. The reality is more nuanced. It comes down to self-awareness, competence, and understanding where your role begins and ends. This episode is not about turning coaches into therapists. It is about raising awareness, deepening compassion, and equipping you to hold space in a way that is ethical, grounded, and human. Whether you are a coach, a leader, or someone navigating your own growth, this conversation invites you to consider how trauma awareness shapes the way you show up for yourself and others. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to trauma-informed coaching00:29 Why trauma awareness is rising01:25 What trauma-informed coaching really means02:10 Understanding the prevalence of trauma03:07 Big T vs little t trauma explained04:25 How trauma develops and repeats05:22 How trauma shows up in coaching conversations06:40 Boundaries in coaching and trauma08:01 When trauma appears in coaching sessions08:59 The role of safety and compassion10:23 Client awareness and unconscious trauma11:40 Is trauma-informed coaching different?13:05 Training, knowledge, and coach capability14:31 Control, contracting, and client safety15:56 Self-awareness and professional boundaries17:17 Real-life example of a trauma response18:30 Somatic awareness and working with the body19:25 Co-regulation and present moment awareness20:18 Holding space when unexpected memories arise22:08 Supporting clients through choice and autonomy23:31 Real-world coaching scenarios25:09 Coaching vs therapy boundaries26:05 Final reflections and next steps Key Lessons Learned: Trauma is not defined by the event, but by the impact it leaves on the individualYou are likely interacting with people carrying trauma every day, whether visible or notCoaching can surface past experiences through increased self-awarenessThe role of a coach is to create safety, not to process traumaRecognising the difference between reflection and re-experiencing is criticalRegulation and grounding are essential tools in trauma-informed practiceThere is no fixed boundary list, self-awareness and competence guide decisionsSomatic awareness helps identify responses that are not cognitiveClients must always remain at choice in how they proceedTrauma-informed coaching starts with understanding your own experiences and limits Keywords: trauma informed coaching, what is trauma informed coaching, trauma awareness in coaching, coaching and trauma, emotional safety in coaching, somatic coaching techniques, coaching boundaries and trauma, trauma response in coaching, coaching vs therapy, ethical coaching practice, nervous system in coaching, trauma informed leadership, Links & Resources: IG Company website: https://www.igcompany.com Coaching course quiz: https://www.mycoachingcourse.com
    Show more Show less
    27 mins
  • How to Coach Values

    How to Coach Values
    Mar 23 2026
    Are you making decisions that truly align with what matters most to you, or are you operating on autopilot without realising it? In this episode, we explore one of the most powerful yet often overlooked elements of coaching and personal development: values. As coaches, we have seen time and time again how uncovering values can transform the way people think, feel, and act. This conversation goes beyond theory and into the lived experience of what happens when someone finally understands what is driving their decisions. We reflect on how values operate like internal guidance systems, quietly influencing behaviour, priorities, and emotional responses. Many people move through life without consciously recognising their values, yet they feel the consequences when those values are either fulfilled or ignored. Through coaching, we create space for people to bring these unconscious drivers into awareness, allowing them to make more intentional and aligned choices. During this conversation, we unpack what values really are and why they are essential in effective coaching. We explore how values are not simply words, but deeply personal meanings shaped by life experiences. Two people may share the same value, such as freedom or connection, yet interpret and live it in completely different ways. That distinction is where real coaching insight begins. We also reflect on the emotional impact of discovering values. There is often a moment where everything clicks into place, where confusion turns into clarity. It is not uncommon for people to feel a physical response when they uncover a core value, as though they have found a missing piece of themselves. This is where coaching becomes transformational rather than transactional. A key theme we explore is the link between values and decision making. Many people feel stuck or conflicted without understanding why. Through a values lens, that tension becomes clearer. For example, a desire for creativity may be in conflict with a need for security. Rather than forcing change, coaching allows individuals to honour both values and find a way forward that feels aligned. We also discuss how values influence motivation, particularly the difference between moving towards something meaningful versus moving away from something uncomfortable. This distinction can have a significant impact on energy, resilience, and long term sustainability. Throughout the episode, we share practical ways to begin exploring values in coaching conversations, from simple reflective questions to deeper exploration of meaning and behaviour. We also touch on how values are shaped through early life experiences and how they can evolve or come into awareness at different stages of life. Ultimately, this episode is about helping people reconnect with what truly matters. When values are understood and honoured, decision making becomes clearer, confidence grows, and people are able to live and lead with greater purpose and intention. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to coaching values00:29 Why values shape decisions and fulfilment01:25 What values are and how they influence behaviour02:46 Values and self-understanding in coaching03:42 Examples of common values and their meaning05:02 Hidden values and deeper layers06:20 Values, goals, and personal alignment08:13 Values and internal conflict10:07 Using values to unlock stuckness11:06 Simple ways to explore values in coaching12:25 Towards vs away from values13:46 Energy, burnout, and value alignment15:07 Linking values to behaviour and decision making16:29 How values are formed17:19 Do values change over time?18:13 Life events and shifting values19:03 Values as a foundation for resilience20:19 Final reflections and next steps Key Lessons Learned: Values act as internal drivers that shape decisions, behaviour, and emotional responsesAwareness of values enables more intentional and aligned life choicesValues are deeply personal and go beyond surface level wordsInternal conflict often stems from competing values rather than lack of clarityMoving towards values creates sustainable motivation, while moving away can drain energyValues provide a powerful framework for coaching conversations and personal growthUnderstanding values helps individuals move from feeling stuck to feeling empoweredValues are influenced by early experiences but can evolve or come into awareness over time Keywords: coaching values, values in coaching, personal values coaching, decision making coaching, coaching for personal growth, understanding values, values and behaviour, coaching techniques, mindset coaching, emotional intelligence coaching, leadership coaching values, overcoming internal conflict, motivation and values Links & Resources: IG Company website: https://www.igcompany.com Coaching course quiz: https://www.mycoachingcourse.com
    Show more Show less
    22 mins
  • 8 Ways to Coach Neurodivergent Clients

    8 Ways to Coach Neurodivergent Clients
    Mar 16 2026
    What if the reason your client is stuck is not a lack of motivation or clarity, but the way their executive functioning is wired? In this episode, we explore eight powerful lenses that can completely transform the way you coach neurodivergent clients and, in truth, the way you coach all clients. Executive functioning sits at the heart of how we plan, start, organise, regulate emotions, manage impulses and adapt to change. When we understand it, coaching becomes more inclusive, more compassionate and far more effective. We begin with a simple but important reframe. Executive functioning is not only relevant for clients who identify as neurodivergent. Many people remain undiagnosed, and every human being has a unique profile of strengths and challenges across these functions. When we bring this awareness into our practice, we move away from labelling behaviours as procrastination, lack of focus or resistance and instead start working with the real barrier. As we walk through each of the eight areas, we share how easily traditional coaching approaches can unintentionally create shame. Asking a client how to get motivated when the real challenge is task initiation creates a completely different experience from recognising what is actually happening in their brain. That moment of being seen and understood often unlocks progress faster than any strategy. We talk about organisation and the importance of helping clients design systems that work with their brain rather than forcing themselves into methods that were never built for them. We explore planning and prioritisation through the lens of demand avoidance and spontaneity, recognising that for some clients the plan itself is the obstacle. Working memory brings a powerful reflection on coaching style. Keeping questions simple, using visual anchors and contracting around how to hold the thread of the conversation makes coaching more accessible and more effective. Self monitoring and emotional regulation reveal the deep emotional impact of executive functioning challenges. Many clients carry a lifetime of self criticism without realising that what they are experiencing is a difference in processing rather than a personal failure. Coaching becomes a space for self acceptance as much as progress. Impulse control and flexible thinking invite us to move beyond deficit based models. Impulsivity can be a source of energy, creativity and connection. Rigidity often signals a need for safety. Our role is not to fix these traits but to help clients use their strengths and create support structures that allow them to thrive. Throughout this conversation, what stands out is that neurodivergent inclusive coaching is not about having the answers. It is about having the lens. When we understand executive functioning, we accelerate trust, deepen our coaching relationships and enable clients to achieve their goals in ways that are aligned with who they truly are. This is coaching that replaces judgement with curiosity, removes shame and gives clients practical levers for change. It is inclusive, ethical and deeply human. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to coaching neurodivergent clients through executive functioning 00:31 What executive functioning means in coaching 01:24 Inclusivity for diagnosed and undiagnosed clients 02:21 The executive functioning wheel as a coaching tool 04:18 Task initiation and removing the shame of procrastination 07:10 Organisation and creating brain aligned systems 08:59 Body doubling and in session action 10:24 Planning and prioritisation with demand avoidance 13:29 Working memory and adapting your coaching style 16:17 Practical ways to support working memory in sessions 16:46 Self monitoring and the emotional impact of over analysis 18:41 Emotional regulation and accessing resourceful states 22:55 Why emotions coaching and neurodivergent coaching fit together 23:25 Impulse control as strength and challenge 24:48 Moving beyond the imposter syndrome label 25:35 Flexible thinking and creating safety in change 27:52 Using strengths to support flexibility 28:47 Why executive functioning matters for all clients 29:17 How to continue your learning Key Lessons Learned: Executive functioning provides a powerful lens for inclusive coaching. Many behaviours labelled as procrastination or resistance are task initiation challenges. Brain aligned systems are more effective than forcing traditional productivity methods. Coaching style must adapt to support working memory and accessibility. Self compassion is a critical outcome of neurodivergent inclusive coaching. Impulsivity and flexibility can be strengths when understood and supported. Awareness of executive functioning accelerates trust and progress in coaching. Keywords: coaching neurodivergent clients, executive functioning in coaching, ...
    Show more Show less
    27 mins
No reviews yet