Advertise on podcast: Everything Life Coaching: The Positive Psychology and Science Behind Coaching

Talking about failure is still a little taboo. Most of us grew up inside a story that measures worth by achievement and accumulation, so when something doesn’t work out, we read it as proof that something is wrong with us. In this episode, Noelle Cordeaux, Head of Lumia, takes that story apart. Drawing on Mia Birdsong’s How We Show Up, she makes the case that failure is far more specific than we treat it, and that looking at it without shame is a massive part of the coaching process. She also shares her own record: five graduate programs started, none finished, including a run at law school that other people wanted for her. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why so many of us use our job as a stand-in for who we are The three kinds of failure (via James Clear): tactics, strategy, and vision Three reasons a goal can feel inexplicably hard that have nothing to do with you What to say when a client is hurting, and why the urge to make them feel better gets in the way How to turn the dial from despair to evaluation Recorded live at Coaching Mastery, a monthly session with Noelle for Lumia students and alumni. Everything Life Coaching is brought to you by Lumia. At Lumia, we train and certify impact-driven coaches, making sure they’ve got all they need to build a business they love and transform lives, on their terms. Become a life coach, and make a bigger impact on the world around you! Schedule a call with us today to discuss your future as a coach. Music in this episode is by Cody Martin, used under a creative commons license. The Everything Life Coaching Podcast is Produced and Audio Engineered by Amanda Meyncke.

In this episode, Noelle Cordeaux sits down with Tobias Weghorn — co-founder of metaFox and host of the Making of a Coach podcast — to unpack emotional granularity: the skill of moving from "I feel like sh*t" to "I feel lonely, because my need for connection isn't met," and why that shift is where real change begins. Coming from an engineering background and grounded in systemic NLP, mindfulness, and strengths psychology, Tobi shows how metaFox's picture and emotion cards give coaches a low-friction way to help clients go deep, fast. In this episode, you'll learn: Why a bigger emotional vocabulary makes feelings actionable The two levels of EQ: having the words, and feeling it in your body The "third object effect"... why clients reveal more when they talk about an image instead of themselves What to reach for when a client keeps saying "I don't know" Want to try the tools? Use code LUMIA20 for 20% off both physical card sets at metaFox.eu and Pro subscriptions at metaFox.online. Everything Life Coaching is brought to you by Lumia and our ICF-accredited life coach trainin -- at Lumia, we train and certify impact-driven coaches, making sure they’ve got all they need to build a business they love and transform lives, on their terms. Become a life coach, and make a bigger impact on the world around you! Schedule a call with us today to discuss your future as a coach. Music in this episode is by Cody Martin, used under a creative commons license. The Everything Life Coaching Podcast is Produced and Audio Engineered by Amanda Meyncke.

What happens when erotic intelligence meets coach training? In this episode, Noelle sits down with Lena Queen (original Lumia curriculum architect, licensed clinical social worker, somatic sexologist, decolonial sexuality educator, and author) for a conversation about the edges of what coaching can hold. Queen breaks down her integrative framework, which weaves together somatic healing, decolonizing wellness, neuro-spirituality, and erotic intelligence, and explains how each piece emerged from her own healing journey. She introduces the concept of "challenging defaults" ... 15 socialized value systems (think: assumed heteronormativity, fat phobia, white supremacy) that quietly shape our clients' self-limiting beliefs, and explains why affirmation work is far more nuanced than most coaches realize. This episode is also a clear-eyed look at coaching's lane. Lumia's training is cognitive and linguistic. Somatic work is its own world of study, and Queen is exactly who you'd go to for it. These two worlds aren't competing. They're complementary. If you're a practicing coach bumping up against the edges of what you know how to hold, this one's for you. Everything Life Coaching is brought to you by Lumia-- at Lumia, we train and certify impact-driven coaches, making sure they’ve got all they need to build a business they love and transform lives, on their terms. Become a life coach, and make a bigger impact on the world around you! Schedule a call with us today to discuss your future as a coach. Music in this episode is by Cody Martin, used under a creative commons license. The Everything Life Coaching Podcast is Produced and Audio Engineered by Amanda Meyncke.

In this conversation on The Everything Life Coaching Podcast, Noelle Cordeaux, CEO of Lumia, sits down with Juliann Wiese, B.Ed., CPCC, MCC, CMC and Karyn Edwards, PhD, MCC... both longtime Lumia instructors and corporate leadership veterans who've collectively spent decades inside organizations before hanging up their shingles and building thriving independent practices. They get into the real talk of what it means to move from doing coaching to being a coach, letting go of ego, performance, and the constant toggling of skills, and what it looks like when the work finally becomes embodied. Juliann and Karyn also unpack what just changed in the ICF core competencies (updated November 2025) and why the renewed emphasis on mentorship and self-awareness as a coach is the future of the profession. These two are launching a mentor coaching cohort together, designed for coaches working in or aspiring to corporate environments, led by two of the roughly 4-5% of ICF-credentialed coaches worldwide who hold the MCC designation. They break down what questions you should actually be asking before choosing a mentor coach, why development beats checkbox-chasing every time, and what makes this program different. Only 10 spots. Cohort starts April 2nd, 2026. If you're sitting on your PCC or ACC and wondering what's next... sign up for the Mentor Coaching Cohort: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Mentor_Coach  Everything Life Coaching is brought to you by Lumia. At Lumia, we train and certify impact-driven coaches, making sure they've got all they need to build a career they love and transform lives, on their terms. Become a life coach, and make a bigger impact on the world around you! Schedule a call with us today to discuss your future as a coach. Contact Karyn Edwards Contact Juliann Wiese Music in this episode is by Cody Martin, used under a creative commons license. The Everything Life Coaching Podcast is Produced and Audio Engineered by Amanda Meyncke.

In this candid conversation on The Everything Life Coaching Podcast, Noelle Cordeaux, CEO of Lumia, and leadership development coach Danielle Adams-Wiltshire, PCC of Queen Suite Coaching get real about the burnout epidemic hitting coaches and clients alike in 2026. They trace the surprising history of burnout... from shell shock in the World Wars, to John Henryism and the crushing toll on Black Americans during Jim Crow, to the clinical coining of "burnout" in the 1970s... and land squarely in the present, where everyone seems to be running on fumes with no finish line in sight. But this isn't a doom-and-gloom episode. Noelle and Danielle share what actually helps when you're on your knees: the neurobiological power of laughter, why dogs might be the best leadership teachers, the difference between toxic positivity and genuine resilience, and why your 2026 goals don't have to be big... they just have to be yours. The goal doesn't have to always be growth. It can be function. Everything Life Coaching is brought to you by Lumia -- at Lumia, we train and certify impact-driven coaches, making sure they’ve got all they need to build a career they love and transform lives, on their terms. Become a life coach, and make a bigger impact on the world around you! Schedule a call with us today to discuss your future as a coach. Music in this episode is by Cody Martin, used under a creative commons license. The Everything Life Coaching Podcast is Produced and Audio Engineered by Amanda Meyncke.

In this community edition of The Everything Life Coaching Podcast, Noelle Cordeaux sits down with Lumia Signature student and 25-year defense industry leader Carly, who is building a coaching practice to help mid-career women find their voice in heavily male-dominated fields. Carly's story is powerful... she spent decades navigating rooms with no windows, no cell phones, and cultures where keeping quiet was the norm. At Lumia's annual retreat, something clicked, and she found the words to describe exactly who she wants to help and why. This conversation gets real about what it's like to be a woman in spaces where you're not always heard, how tiny experiments can build lasting confidence, and why coach training changed the way Carly shows up as a leader, mentor, and human. If you've ever felt like your voice doesn't belong in the room, or you're wondering how your own career experience could become a powerful coaching niche, this one's for you. Carly is a Lumia Certified Life Coach and a 25+ year leader in the defense industry, with a mission to help mid-career women break through to the Director level. She is a Red Sox season ticket holder, avid traveler, and proud dog mom to Tessie, a 4 year old Cavalier King Charles.  Connect with Carly on Instagram: @declassifiedcoaching Everything Life Coaching is brought to you by Lumia -- at Lumia, we train and certify impact-driven coaches, making sure they’ve got all they need to build a career they love and transform lives, on their terms. Become a life coach, and make a bigger impact on the world around you! Schedule a call with us today to discuss your future as a coach. Music in this episode is by Cody Martin, used under a creative commons license. The Everything Life Coaching Podcast is Produced and Audio Engineered by Amanda Meyncke.

In this practical episode of The Everything Life Coaching Podcast, Noelle Cordeaux sits down with business strategist Luisa Zhou, who has helped over 4,000 coaches build profitable practices over the past 11 years. If you're considering becoming a coach, or a new coach wondering "what now?"... this conversation is for you. Luisa gets refreshingly real about her own journey (it took her TWO YEARS to make her first social media post) and shares the exact strategy that helped her land paying clients... no massive following required. This is a concrete roadmap from two people who've actually done it and helped others do the same. Whether you're fresh out of training or have been waiting for the "right time," this episode gives you the strategy and courage to start serving and earning. Everything Life Coaching is brought to you by Lumia -- at Lumia, we train and certify impact-driven coaches, making sure they've got all they need to build a career they love and transform lives, on their terms. Become a life coach, and make a bigger impact on the world around you! Schedule a call with us today: lumiacoaching.com Music in this episode is by Cody Martin, used under a creative commons license. The Everything Life Coaching Podcast is Produced and Audio Engineered by Amanda Meyncke.

Feeling anxious about the future? You're not alone. In this episode, Lumia CEO and co-founder Noelle Cordeaux breaks down the powerful science behind why goal-setting actually reduces anxiety, and how coaches can use this knowledge to help clients (and themselves) move from stuck to unstoppable. Drawing from the research of goal-setting pioneers Latham and Locke, positive psychology expert Caroline Miller, and Barbara Fredrickson's groundbreaking Broaden and Build theory, Noelle reveals why our brains crave predictability... and how well-designed goals give us exactly that. In this episode, you'll learn: Why anxiety thrives in uncertainty and how concrete plans create calm The difference between avoidance goals and approach goals (and why it matters) How small, consistent action steps build self-efficacy over time The power of self-concordant goals that align with your values Why deadlines should be scaffolding, not weapons How positive emotions literally change your brain chemistry Everything Life Coaching is brought to you by Lumia-- at Lumia, we train and certify impact-driven coaches, making sure they’ve got all they need to build a business they love and transform lives, on their terms. Become a life coach, and make a bigger impact on the world around you! Schedule a call with us today to discuss your future as a coach. Music in this episode is by Cody Martin, used under a creative commons license. The Everything Life Coaching Podcast is Produced and Audio Engineered by Amanda Meyncke.

The wellness industry has split in two—and coaches need to understand both sides. In this episode, Noelle Cordeaux sits down with coach and crisis advocate Paul Chamberlain (Smart Funny Tortured) to explore the optimization revolution transforming how people approach health, longevity, and well-being. Discover why 60% of Gen Z now prioritize health over career, how wearable tech is changing the coaching landscape, and why "self-health" has replaced "self-help." From metabolic psychiatry to the gut-brain axis, learn where coaches can make the biggest impact as clients navigate unprecedented access to health data and longevity interventions. Paul shares his personal journey through illness and recovery, revealing how coaches serve as essential guides—or "life doulas"—helping clients integrate complex health information while maintaining emotional safety and agency. Whether you're a coach looking to specialize in wellness optimization or simply curious about emerging trends, this conversation offers practical insights on meeting clients where technology, health, and human connection intersect. Everything Life Coaching is brought to you by Lumia-- at Lumia, we train and certify impact-driven coaches, making sure they’ve got all they need to build a business they love and transform lives, on their terms. Become a life coach, and make a bigger impact on the world around you! Schedule a call with us today to discuss your future as a coach. Music in this episode is by Cody Martin, used under a creative commons license. The Everything Life Coaching Podcast is Produced and Audio Engineered by Amanda Meyncke.

In a world where it's getting harder to tell what's real from what's fake, how do coaches build authentic businesses that actually work? Join Noelle Cordeaux, CEO of Lumia Coaching, and Tim Brownson from The Fully Booked Coach for an honest conversation about the power of showing up as yourself in your coaching practice. Tim shares his "25-client strategy" why you only need 25 clients a year to build a successful coaching business, and how authenticity (not perfection) is what attracts them. In this episode, you'll discover: Why being vulnerable in your marketing creates stronger client relationships How to balance authenticity with professionalism The surprising power of newsletters over social media for client acquisition Why most coaches fail (hint: it's not because they're bad at coaching) How to overcome the cultural pressure to present a "perfect" image online Real examples of successful coaches who built their brands around being genuinely themselves Whether you're just starting your coaching journey or looking to attract more aligned clients, this conversation will inspire you to ditch the perfect facade and start marketing from a place of genuine connection. Everything Life Coaching is brought to you by Lumia-- at Lumia, we train and certify impact-driven coaches, making sure they’ve got all they need to build a business they love and transform lives, on their terms. Become a life coach, and make a bigger impact on the world around you! Schedule a call with us today to discuss your future as a coach. Music in this episode is by Cody Martin, used under a creative commons license. The Everything Life Coaching Podcast is Produced and Audio Engineered by Amanda Meyncke.

In a world where genuine connection feels increasingly rare, how do we create spaces where people can truly belong? Join Noelle Cordeaux, CEO of Lumia Coaching, for an inspiring conversation with two community builders: Emma Landau, who opened Philadelphia's Maisy's Meeting House as a "third space" for authentic connection, and Kathryn Schwarz, a human design coach crafting gentle retreat experiences that prioritize transformation over time. (Sign up for her Wild Blooms retreat, a gentle 3-month journey helping women nurture their unique creativity through Human Design wisdom and nature immersion) Together, they explore: Why third spaces matter and how they've disappeared from our culture The art of creating intentional containers for vulnerability and growth Embodied leadership and courage Building sustainable businesses in the emerging "meaning economy" Moving beyond "passion project" dismissals to recognize authentic value Practical advice for anyone scared to create something meaningful Whether you're a coach building your practice, an entrepreneur launching something new, or simply someone craving more authentic community, this conversation offers a blueprint for creating spaces where people can drop the performance and simply be. Everything Life Coaching is brought to you by Lumia-- at Lumia, we train and certify impact-driven coaches, making sure they’ve got all they need to build a business they love and transform lives, on their terms. Become a life coach, and make a bigger impact on the world around you! Schedule a call with us today to discuss your future as a coach. Music in this episode is by Cody Martin, used under a creative commons license. The Everything Life Coaching Podcast is Produced and Audio Engineered by Amanda Meyncke.

Lumia CEO Noelle Cordeaux is joined by Michelle Rockwood, an expert in the field of joyful sales who has taught thousands of people how to find sales methods that feel good and work for them. The two discuss how to sell your coaching services and how to approach sales from a non-icky place -- so much wisdom and useful information in one episode! Michelle Rockwood has sold real estate in one of the wealthiest communities in the world, has slept on a dirt floor in West Africa, and once raised a million dollars for charity over a single lunch. Now a personal coach and widely recognized sales expert, Michelle has helped hundreds of mission-driven coaches discover sales methods that feel fantastic, transforming their businesses and their lives. After personally hosting more than four hundred sales conversations and shifting entire sales teams into life-changing revenues, Michelle wrote Joyful Selling to share her knowledge with all the loving, heart-centered coaches our world so desperately needs.   Everything Life Coaching is brought to you by Lumia-- at Lumia, we train and certify impact-driven coaches, making sure they’ve got all they need to build a business they love and transform lives, on their terms. Become a life coach, and make a bigger impact on the world around you! Schedule a call with us today to discuss your future as a coach. Music in this episode is by Cody Martin, used under a creative commons license. The Everything Life Coaching Podcast is Produced and Audio Engineered by Amanda Meyncke.

The ICF Code of Ethics just got updated, and every coach needs to know what's changed. Lumia CEO Noelle Cordeaux sits down with beloved Lumia instructor and former CIA executive Bonnie Stith to break down the new ICF Code of Ethics updates that every practicing and aspiring coach should understand. (Spoiler alert: The changes are mostly reorganizational, but they're important for understanding coaching's evolution as a mature profession.) We dive deep into what these updates really mean... from the new section headings that make ethics more accessible, to how technology and AI are changing our responsibilities around client confidentiality. Bonnie shares her wisdom on the "mortal sins" of coaching... the ethical missteps that coaches must avoid, like setting the client's agenda, giving advice, or making the session about the coach's wisdom instead of the client's. Whether you're preparing for your ICF credential exam or simply want to understand how to practice coaching with the highest ethical standards, this episode provides the clarity and confidence you need. Ethics is about bumpers on the bowling lanes that help you coach with confidence and protect both you and your clients. Everything Life Coaching is brought to you by Lumia-- at Lumia, we train and certify impact-driven coaches, making sure they’ve got all they need to build a business they love and transform lives, on their terms. Become a life coach, and make a bigger impact on the world around you! Schedule a call with us today to discuss your future as a coach. Music in this episode is by Cody Martin, used under a creative commons license. The Everything Life Coaching Podcast is Produced and Audio Engineered by Amanda Meyncke.

Take a trip back to 2022 when Lumia brought coaching to the people at SXSW in Austin, Texas. In this special rebroadcast, you'll hear raw, unfiltered conversations with Lumia students and alumni as they share what coaching truly means to them and how it's transformed their lives. Recorded live at SXSW by Lumia graduate Marcos Cervantes III, these intimate interviews capture the real heart of coaching. The honest reflections of people in the thick of their coaching journey. From new students discovering their calling to alumni building thriving practices, you'll hear diverse voices united by one thing... the profound impact coaching has had on their lives. Whether you're curious about becoming a coach or looking for inspiration on your own journey, these authentic conversations will remind you why coaching is truly the profession of hope. Featured voices: Julia Burge, Leya Aronoff, Vanessa Crues, Bryan Wilson, Barb Matias Haynes, Kelly Mulaney, Samantha Lawrence, Teresa Cano, Shawna Ventimiglia, Sarah Bartlett, and Mildred Murillo. Everything Life Coaching is brought to you by Lumia-- at Lumia, we train and certify impact-driven coaches, making sure they’ve got all they need to build a business they love and transform lives, on their terms. Become a life coach, and make a bigger impact on the world around you! Schedule a call with us today to discuss your future as a coach. Special thanks to Marcos Cervantes III. The Everything Life Coaching Podcast is Produced and Audio Engineered by Amanda Meyncke.

The wellness industry is experiencing a seismic shift, and as coaches, we need to understand what's happening now. In this eye-opening episode, Lumia Coaching founder Noelle Cordeaux sits down with futurist and Lumia alum Paul Chamberlain (Smart Funny Tortured) to explore the two major trends reshaping wellness in 2025. (Spoiler alert: every prediction Noelle has made about the wellness industry over the past decade has come true, so you'll want to pay attention to this one.) We dive deep into the "anti-optimization" movement... a powerful consumer shift away from high-tech, expensive wellness toward low-pressure, human-centered experiences where social and mental wellbeing matter most. Paul shares insights from his new framework "Smart Funny Tortured," designed for the growing population of people who were told to "pick one path" but now need to navigate a world that rewards generalists and synthesizers. Whether you're a seasoned coach or just starting out, this episode will help you understand where the biggest opportunities lie for making a real impact in people's lives. Everything Life Coaching is brought to you by Lumia-- at Lumia, we train and certify impact-driven coaches, making sure they’ve got all they need to build a business they love and transform lives, on their terms. Become a life coach, and make a bigger impact on the world around you! Schedule a call with us today to discuss your future as a coach. Music in this episode is by Cody Martin, used under a creative commons license. The Everything Life Coaching Podcast is Produced and Audio Engineered by Amanda Meyncke.