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What’s it like to follow you? It’s a simple question, but answering it honestly can reveal a lot about the way others experience your leadership, relationships, coaching, and everyday influence. In this episode of The Coaching and Positive Psychology Podcast, Valorie Burton reflects on a powerful question posed by John Maxwell and explores why the gap between our intentions and our impact can become one of our greatest opportunities for growth. Valorie challenges you to get curious about how you show up for the people around you, whether you are leading a team, raising a family, coaching a client, or navigating your closest relationships. You’ll learn why curiosity creates wisdom, how assumptions can keep us from seeing our blind spots, and how a shift in perspective can help us become more intentional about the experience we create for others. In this episode, you’ll explore: The difference between your intentions and your impactWhy seeing yourself from another person’s perspective can build greater self-awarenessHow curiosity and humility help uncover blind spotsThe importance of balancing correction with encouragement and affirmationSelf-coaching questions to help you become a better leader, coach, parent, partner, and friendIf the people who know you best were completely honest, what would they say it’s like to experience you? And what is one change you could make to improve that experience?

Why do some people flourish while others stay stuck, even when they have similar goals, resources, and challenges? In this episode of The Coaching and Positive Psychology Podcast, Valorie Burton explores the science behind human flourishing and why understanding positive psychology can make you a more effective coach. She shares how research into well-being, resilience, confidence, relationships, purpose, and human potential can help coaches move beyond simply asking great questions to better understand what actually helps people create meaningful, lasting change. You’ll discover why coaching is ultimately about transformation, how positive psychology provides an evidence-based framework for understanding what helps people thrive, and why great coaches stay curious about the research behind human behavior and growth. Valorie also explores concepts including the PERMA model, psychological capital, self-efficacy, and the role coaches can play in helping clients build greater resilience, clarity, confidence, and momentum. Whether you are already coaching or considering becoming a coach, this episode offers a deeper look at what becomes possible when strong coaching skills are paired with the science of human flourishing. Interested in developing your coaching skills? Learn more about the CaPP Institute’s coach training programs at cappinstitute.com.

What is coaching, really? And how is it different from counseling, consulting, mentoring, training, or even AI? If you've ever considered becoming a coach, hiring a coach, or simply using a coaching approach in your leadership, business, parenting, or relationships, this episode is for you. In this episode, Valorie Burton breaks down what professional coaching actually is, why it's often misunderstood, and why it has become one of the fastest-growing professions in the world. You'll discover the unique role coaching plays in helping people think more clearly, make meaningful changes, and unlock their personal and professional potential. You'll learn: • What coaching is (and what it isn't) • The differences between coaching, counseling, consulting, mentoring, and training • Why coaching focuses on helping people think rather than giving advice • How coaching creates lasting transformation through awareness, accountability, and intentional action • Why coaching is becoming even more valuable in the age of artificial intelligence Whether you're exploring coach training, considering working with a coach, or simply curious about the profession, this conversation will help you understand why coaching is such a powerful catalyst for growth. Learn more about coach training and positive psychology at cappinstitute.com. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who is passionate about personal growth, leadership, or helping others thrive.

In this episode of the Coaching and Positive Psychology Podcast, Valorie Burton shares the seven biggest mistakes people make when choosing a coach training program and the practical questions that can help you make a confident decision. Drawing from more than two decades of coaching experience and training thousands of coaches around the world, Valorie explains why mastering the craft of coaching should come before choosing a specialty, why accreditation and accountability matter, how feedback accelerates your growth, and why developing truly human coaching skills will only become more valuable in the age of AI. Whether you're exploring coaching as a new career, looking to add coaching skills to your current profession, or comparing certification programs, this episode will help you evaluate your options with greater clarity and avoid costly mistakes. In this episode, you'll learn: Why expertise alone doesn't make someone a coachThe right time to choose a coaching nicheHow to evaluate the credibility of a coach training programWhy experienced faculty and meaningful feedback matterWhat the future of coaching means for today's aspiring coachesHow to choose a program that aligns with your long-term goals and valuesIf you're serious about becoming the kind of coach people trust with their growth, this conversation is a must-listen before you invest in your training.

Have you ever achieved a goal that looked successful on the outside… but didn’t actually feel fulfilling? Or found yourself saying yes to things that quietly drained your energy, peace, or sense of purpose? In this episode of The Coaching and Positive Psychology Podcast, Valorie Burton shares why clarity about your values changes everything. When you understand what you truly stand for, you make better decisions, pursue more meaningful goals, and lead your life with greater intention. You’ll discover 3 powerful coaching questions to help you uncover your values, recognize what may be pulling you out of alignment, and clarify how you want to show up in your work, relationships, leadership, and everyday life. Learn more about CaPP Institute also at https://cappinstitute.com/

Have you ever noticed how quickly one difficult moment can spiral into a flood of negative thoughts? One disappointment, one stressful moment, one uncertain situation… and suddenly your mind is telling a story that leaves you feeling overwhelmed and stuck. In this episode of The Coaching and Positive Psychology Podcast, Valorie Burton shares 4 powerful coaching questions that can help you interrupt negative thinking, shift your mindset, and build resilience in real time. You’ll discover why resilience begins with awareness, how coaching questions create intentionality, and how learning to “observe rather than absorb” your thoughts can change the way you lead, parent, communicate, and grow. Learn more about CaPP Institute at https://cappinstitute.com/

What if the answers people need are already within them, they just need the space to discover them? In this episode of The Coaching and Positive Psychology Podcast, we explore why coaching is less about having the right answers and more about creating awareness through powerful questions and meaningful conversations. We discuss the difference between advice and coaching, why great leaders resist the urge to “fix” people, and how asking thoughtful questions can help others build clarity, confidence, and ownership of their next steps. You’ll walk away with practical coaching insights you can apply in leadership, relationships, parenting, and everyday communication. Interested in becoming a coach? Learn more about our upcoming June 6-8 Coach Training Intensive at https://cappinstitute.com/coaching-programs/coach-training-intensive/

What if the pressure to achieve more is actually pulling you away from what matters most?  In this episode of this limited series of The Coaching and Positive Psychology Podcast, we explore the difference between high achieving and overachieving and why so many high performers struggle to define what “enough” really looks like.  We talk about how to recognize when your drive is aligned with purpose versus pressure, why overachieving often comes from deeper emotional patterns, and the coaching questions that can help you refocus your time, energy, and goals on what is truly meaningful.   Interested in becoming a coach? Visit cappinstitute.com to learn more about our Coach Training Intensive.

What if some of your most powerful leadership lessons were learned long before your career began?  In this episode of The Coaching and Positive Psychology Podcast, I’m joined by executive coach, leadership expert, and CaPP Institute faculty member L. Michelle Smith to explore the surprising cultural roots of transformational leadership.  We talk about how early experiences shape the way we lead, why courage and storytelling matter for influence, and a powerful coaching question that can unlock resilience in the face of challenges.  Grab L. Michelle’s new book Call and Response to discover the 10 leadership lessons that can elevate your impact. Learn more at: https://www.lmichellesmith.com/callandresponse/  Interested in becoming a coach? Visit cappinstitute.com to learn more about our Coach Training Intensive.

Coaching skills are changing how teams communicate and solve problems. This episode features Alexis Murray, Level 2 Program Manager, as we explore why employers now see coaching as essential rather than optional. Learn more at https://cappinstitute.com/

Anyone can call themselves a coach. Very few practice coaching at a professional level. In this episode, you will learn what legit coaches do differently and why standards matter for results and credibility. Learn more at https://cappinstitute.com/

What if the problems you’re facing right now aren’t obstacles—but invitations? In this episode, I share how coaching became my lifeline during one of the hardest seasons of my life, and how learning to coach myself transformed everything. Learn more at https://cappinstitute.com/

A lot of people are skeptical about Coaching.  CaPP Institute founder Valorie Burton used to be one of those people.  In this episode, she answers the most common questions people have about whether coaching works, and why it matters at all. Learn more at https://cappinstitute.com/

Coaching as a profession is only about three decades old. This makes it the new kid on the block, which means it is often misunderstood. In this episode of the Coaching and Positive Psychology podcast, CaPP Institute founder Valorie Burton explains the critical differences between coaching and other helping professions. These differences are essential for any coach to understand, and this podcast will clarify for you just why coaching is so powerful. Learn more at https://cappinstitute.com/

What is the academic foundation for Coaching? Is there research to back up whether or not coaching works? In this episode of the Coaching and Positive Psychology podcast, CaPP Institute founder Valorie Burton sheds light on why it is so important for coaches to study the science of human flourishing, and learn to incorporate it into their coaching approach to maximize results for clients. Learn more at https://cappinstitute.com/