The AC Podcast

• 271: Why Naming Love in Coaching Can Transform Leadership with Clare Norman

  In this thought-provoking episode, host, Helena Clayton sits down with coach, supervisor and author Clare Norman to explore the transformative power of love in coaching, leadership, and organizational life. Drawing on their 15-year professional connection, they unpack how love—specifically agape, unconditional love—differs from empathy, compassion, and care, and why naming love explicitly can shift the depth and quality of coaching relationships. Claire shares real-life examples about how coaching and supervision becomes a deeply human-centred practice when viewed through the 'lens of love.'   Together, they explore the practicalities of integrating love into coaching and the ethical boundaries needed when working with themes that can intersect with trauma, mental health, and personal history. The conversation highlights how love can become a bold revolutionary force in organizations and a catalyst for improved workplace culture and humancentric leadership —while also reinforcing professionalism, ethical rigour, and psychological safety. This episode offers both challenge and inspiration for coaches and supervisors seeking to work more bravely and compassionately.   You will learn: ·       How to introduce love as a professional coaching lens ·       The importance of inner work for this work - in breaking down a coach's barriers to being loving ·       The importance of ethics and contracting when bringing love into coaching and supervision   'I notice an extra notch in myself as I'm listening with love or through a stance of love; there's just something additive in that listening.'   Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review! Your feedback helps us bring you more valuable content.   For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit:  https://www.associationforcoaching.com/page/dl-hub_podcast-channel-love-in-coaching-ethics-supervision  

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• 270: Transforming Coaching Relationships Through Fierce Love and Courage with Marie Quigley

  In this episode, host Helena Clayton sits down with executive coach, supervisor and trainer Marie Quigley for a powerful conversation about bringing love—courageous presence, authenticity, and deep humanity—into coaching. Marie reflects on her own evolution from traditional, performance-driven coaching to a more holistic practice that balances high challenge with deep compassion. She shares how integrating love not only supports clients more fully but also expands a coach's own capacity to hold complexity, uncertainty, and emotion. Helena and Marie explore the shifting landscape of coaching in a world shaped by global tension, organizational pressure, and rising client needs. They discuss why clear, intentional contracting—at both the beginning and end of a coaching relationship—is an act of love, creating psychological safety, transparency, and shared responsibility. Marie also offers a glimpse into her forthcoming book, Fierce Love, and invites coaches to experiment with bringing more love into the coaching space. This episode challenges coaches to show up more bravely, embrace relational depth, and use love as an active force for transformation. You will learn: ·       How actively bringing love into the coaching space along with challenge and provocation can create deeper transformation in clients ·       Why good contracting is a foundational act of love in the coaching relationship ·       Love is coaching is part of the evolving of coaching to more holistic, relational approaches 'If we want to do brave things in our coaching practice and our clients want to do brave things, then we really have to contract for a different approach to how we have conversations with each other.'   Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review! Your feedback helps us bring you more valuable content.   For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit:  https://www.associationforcoaching.com/page/dl-hub_podcast-channel-love-in-coaching-coaching-contracting

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• 269: A Day in the Life of Lucy Whitehall: Psychology-Informed Leadership Coach

  In this episode of 'A Day in the Life Of' podcast series, host Maxine Bell speaks with Lucy Whitehall, a psychologically informed leadership coach whose journey from corporate life to self-employment has shaped a deeply reflective and authentic practice. Lucy shares how she's learned to love working life again by embracing balance, integrity, and compassion—while navigating the grey area between coaching and therapy.   Propelled by her fascination in what makes humans tick, she is a coaching psychologist and positive psychologist whose practice focuses on the deep work – understanding client's thoughts, feelings and behaviour. Driven by her own lived experiences with mental health and the current stresses of modern life, Lucy believes that all coaches should have a basic understanding of neuroscience. She is a self-confessed 'geek' for learning and passionate about CPD, which she believes helps her work with credibility, ethics and self-awareness, enabling her to be her best self as a coach for her clients.   Lucy shares her experiences with toxic work environments, and why she believes coaching leaders is key to creating healthy, happy, supported workforces that also perform well. She shares the challenges and highlights of being a self-employed coach and running a business, emphasising the non-negotiables she has about her own self-care. Listeners will gain insights, tips and be inspired by the joy and sense of purpose Lucy has found in her career as a coach and creating spaces for genuine human connection can thrive.   You will learn:   ·       Understand the principles and practice of psychologically informed coaching ·       What coaches can support and develop good leadership ·       Why self-care is essential for good wellbeing and good coaching practice.   'I never believed I could go to work, look forward to it, and have to control my working because I love it so much.'   Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review! Your feedback helps us bring you more valuable content.   For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit:  https://www.associationforcoaching.com/page/dl-hub_podcast-channel_day-in-the-life-of-coaches-psychologically-informed-leadership

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• 268: Why Creating Neurodiverse, Inclusive Workplaces is Good Business with Professor Ludmila Praslova

  In this episode, Kate Jenkinson talks to Professor Ludmila Praslova, organizational psychologist and author of the acclaimed book The Canary Code. Ludmila shares insights from her research and lived experiences, unpacking the book's central metaphor of the 'canary in the coal mine' — as a powerful lens for understanding workplace dynamics. She explains how neurodivergent individuals, often more attuned to dysfunction, can serve as early warning signals for toxic environments: arguing these sensitivities are not weaknesses but offer organizations a vital opportunity to detect and address systemic issues before they escalate.   With refreshing frankness, Ludmila explores neurodiversity in organizational settings, from poor hiring and evaluation practices to the pitfalls of traditional diversity and inclusion efforts and the value of considering intersectionality. She discusses and demonstrates the importance of 'inclusion from the margins,' providing real examples of forward-thinking companies that have successfully implemented neuroinclusive practices.  Ludmila shares the role of feedback mechanisms, flexibility, and fair evaluation, and champions job crafting, role modelling and inclusive leadership.   Ludmila invites listeners to reimagine workplaces, where transparency, curiosity and fairness create environments where every mind and every business can thrive.    You will learn:   ·       Why sensitivity is not fragility but a signal that can aid organizations in creating high performing teams ·       Why traditional performance management, such as bell curves, do not work. ·       Why designing workplaces for those most marginalised results in healthier, more equitable and more effective systems for everyone     'You don't just bring in more of the same by adding neurodivergent people to the team. You bring in different pieces that create a much richer overall talent set.'   Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review! Your feedback helps us bring you more valuable content.   For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit:  https://www.associationforcoaching.com/page/dl-hub_podcast-channel-neurodiversity-in-workplace-neuroinclusive-organizational-teams-canary-code

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• 267: The Business and Human Benefits of Neuroinclusion with Dominique Stern and Nathalie Meunier

  In this insightful episode, host Kate Jenkinson speaks with neurodiversity lead, Dominique Stern and scientist and coach, Nathalie Meunier about how the global healthcare company, Roche, is embedding neurodiversity inclusion into its culture through coaching, education, community, and courageous leadership. Together, they explore how understanding and embracing neurodivergent experiences can transform the employee experience. Dominique and Nathalie share real examples and practical strategies that highlight how psychological safety, active listening, and curiosity can unlock hidden potential and foster a sense of belonging and innovation across teams.   This conversation goes beyond awareness, demonstrating how neuroinclusion is a strategic advantage that enhances collaboration, innovation, and business performance. As Dominque summarises, "Neuroinclusion is not charity. Neuro inclusion will directly unlock probably one of the biggest performances reserves you have in your organization."   Gain real-world insights into how Roche's Neurodiversity Network has co-created a thriving, supportive environment where neurodivergent employees feel seen, valued, and empowered to contribute their best work. Whether you're a coach, internal practitioner, HR leader, or senior executive, this episode offers actionable steps to champion neurodiversity and build an organization where every mind truly matters.   You will learn:   ·       How neurodivergent employees thrive in an environment of psychological safety, awareness and sense of belonging. ·       Practical strategies for leaders and coaches to cultivate a neuroinclusive culture — where cognitive diversity drives real business results. ·       How coaching skills can lead the way to healthier inclusive workplace   'We create a place of belonging and acceptance for neurodivergent people, we are neurodiversity affirming, and we also raise awareness of neurodiversity at work and advocate for neuro inclusion in every aspect of the employee experience.'   Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review! Your feedback helps us bring you more valuable content.   For the episode resources and guest bio, please visit:  https://www.associationforcoaching.com/page/dl-hub_podcast-channel-neurodiversity-in-workplace-innovation-corporate-inclusive-leadership

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