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Always Be Coaching: How Your Mindset Shapes Every Conversation with Chrissy Beltran If you lead, mentor, or support others, you are coaching far more often than your calendar shows. It happens in the hallway, in the last two minutes of a meeting, and in that quick "I don't know how I'm going to get all this done." In this episode of Clear is the New Confident, Casey sits down with coaching consultant and author Chrissy Beltran to unpack her Let Me Be Clear statement: your coaching mindset affects every interaction you have. Chrissy shares the three words she borrowed from her college job selling cutlery (yes, really) and how they changed the way she shows up for the people she supports. For high-achieving, impact-driven women who pour into others every day, this conversation offers a clearer, more confident way to lead in everyday moments. In this episode, you'll discover: The three-word mindset shift that turns passing comments into meaningful next stepsHow to recognize the invitations hidden inside everyday frustrationsWhat to do when the fear of hearing "no" keeps you quietHow to offer support with confidence while respecting someone's boundariesWhy flexible, responsive approaches help you reach more of the people you serveAbout Chrissy Beltran Chrissy is an El Paso-based consultant who helps schools, coaches, and districts design coaching programs that improve instruction. She hosts the Instructional Coaching with Miss B podcast, now nearing 300 episodes, and is the author of Expand Your Coaching Toolbox. Mentioned in this episode Expand Your Coaching Toolbox: 20 Practical Strategies That Improve Teaching and Learning (ASCD/ISTE)Chrissy's website: buzzingwithmissb.comInstructional Coaching with Miss B podcastConnect with Casey Website: clearisthenewconfident.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/catchupwithcaseyInstagram: @catchupwithcaseyYouTube: @catchupwithcaseyLooking for a speaker for your next conference, event, or retreat? Bring Casey to your stage at caseywattscoaching.com.

Meta description: Casey and author Phil Januszewski talk about how high-achieving, impact-driven women can flourish through small daily choices that stay within their control. What if the happiness you keep putting off until the weekend has been in your hands the whole time? Casey welcomes back fan favorite Phil Januszewski. Phil taught high school chemistry and physics for 20 years before becoming a full-time speaker, and he's the author of the new book Too Damn Happy: Flourishing in a Tired and Uninspired World. His "let me be clear" statement sets the tone for the conversation: your happiness and ability to flourish is so much in your control, and you don't have to wait for someone else to fix it for you. If your sense of worth is tied to what you produce, this episode gives you a new way to think about what keeps you going. In this episode, you'll discover: Why a life without stress only gets you to neutral, and what moves you past it into flourishingHow happiness, thriving and flourishing differ, and why flourishing is a skill you can buildHow your "ers" (baker, connector, giver, upcycler) can give you three-minute wins every dayThe "leaky tire" view of happiness and why passion for your work needs backupEngines and anchors: who pushes you forward, and who you're an engine forYou'll also hear about the student who skipped Phil's class for weeks because Mr. J was "too happy." This week's challenge: List your ers. Find the small moments where you can wiggle your toes in the sand and be fully present. Mentioned in this episode Too Damn Happy by Phil Januszewski, available for pre-order and releasing in October: toodamnhappy.comLaurie Santos, PhD, on happiness as a leaky tireConnect with Phil by searching Phil Januszewski on any platformConnect with Casey Website: clearisthenewconfident.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/catchupwithcaseyInstagram: instagram.com/catchupwithcaseyYouTube: youtube.com/@catchupwithcaseyWant Casey to speak at your next event? Visit caseywattscoaching.com.

Do you deflect compliments, feel the urge to repay every kind word ten times over, or keep a gratitude list that reads the same every night? This episode is for you. Casey sits down with bestselling author, TEDx speaker, and award-winning educator Lainie Rowell. Lainie was in the room when Steve Jobs launched the iPhone, has been called "very gritty" by Angela Duckworth, and proudly owns the title of exceptionally loud clapper. Together, they explore how gratitude helps high-achieving, impact-driven women show up with more clarity and confidence, even when life feels hard. In this episode, you'll discover: The two-part social science definition of gratitude and what it takes to build a grateful dispositionA four-step deep gratitude practice, plus a better way to channel that "I owe you" feelingThe "what if" exercise Lainie walks Casey through live, and how it helped Lainie move toward forgivenessThe ratio Lainie says could make the world a better place, and why it matters most with the people you're in friction withKeep a pen nearby. You'll want to try the live exercise along with Casey. Mentioned in this episode: Lainie Rowell's website, including her free gratitude dice printable: lainierowell.comLainie on Instagram: @lainierowellEvolving with Gratitude by Lainie Rowell: AmazonBold Gratitude journal by Lainie RowellDr. Aliza PressmanDr. Andrea Hussong, University of North CarolinaConnect with Casey: Website: clearisthenewconfident.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/catchupwithcaseyInstagram: instagram.com/catchupwithcaseyYouTube: youtube.com/@catchupwithcaseyLooking for a speaker for your next event? Bring Casey to your stage at caseywattscoaching.com.

My husband came home late from a meeting that, in his words, half of which could have been an email. Someone showed up late. Tangents were welcomed. The hour on the calendar stretched well past the hour. I have been in that meeting, and I am guessing you have too. In this episode I share five boundaries I use to get clarity before, during, and after a meeting, including the ones I did not schedule and am not leading. The five: Set the purpose before the meeting and again at the startSet a time frame of 45 or 50 minutes rather than the default hourMake the start time and the hard stop clearState the intended outcomes so everyone knows what success looks likeClose with clarification so the meeting gets real closureI also share the one question I use to end my PD sessions, coaching calls, and meetings, and why people answer it honestly even after a hard conversation. For high-achieving, impact-driven women who want their meetings to feel as productive as they are. Mentioned in this episode: Michael Bungay Stanier's question: "What was most useful for you here today?"The Craft of ClarityConnect with me: Website: clearisthenewconfident.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/catchupwithcaseyInstagram: instagram.com/catchupwithcaseyYouTube: youtube.com/@catchupwithcaseyLeave a review so other clarity-driven leaders can find the show. Booking a speaker for your next event, conference, or retreat? Start at catchingupwithcasey.com/speaking.

Casey shares the moment her pride finally tumbled and uses it to name something high-achieving, impact-driven women recognize immediately. You can spend years becoming a victim of other people's insecure behaviors, and then quietly become a victim of your own limiting beliefs. Casey walks through the signs of both, pushes back on all of us with three beliefs about victimhood, and introduces the three kinds of clarity that make confidence possible in the first place. In this episode: The Jenga block moment that shattered Casey's confidenceFour signs you are a victim of someone else's insecurity at workFour ways limiting beliefs keep you second-guessing and saying yesWhat the upcoming book Clear Is the New Confident is really about Where do you need to create space for confidence? Connect with Casey: Website and book updates: https://clearisthenewconfident.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catchupwithcaseyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/catchupwithcaseyYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@catchupwithcaseyLooking for a dynamic and relatable speaker for your next event, conference, or retreat? Learn more at catchingupwithcasey.com/speaking

You know the question that needs asking. You just don't ask it. Maybe you've been called difficult before, or maybe you're just trying to keep the peace. So the question stays in your head, and the confusion stays in the room. Casey unpacks why your gut usually knows what to ask before you find the words, and why the clearest person in the room becomes the leader. She shares how to ask the hard question without coming across as aggressive or putting your own safety on the line. Mentioned in this episode:The Last 5 Minutes Download — https://www.catchingupwithcasey.com/forms/2149699738 Book Casey to speak at your next event at www.catchingupwithcasey.com/speaking Get the Clear is the NEW Confident Newsletter: clearisthenewconfident.com

Victims of Furgency and How to Escape Furgency: the fake urgency that convinces you your next idea has to happen right now. Casey breaks down where it comes from, the three situations where it shows up most, and the questions that get you out before it burns you out. Mentioned in this episode: The Whole Educator podcast and The Resistance Solution by Becca Silver: https://www.thewholeeducator.com/"3 Questions to Pressure Test Your Priorities," Harvard Business Review: https://hbr.org/2026/07/3-questions-to-pressure-test-your-prioritiesFree thought interrupter tool at clearisthenewconfident.comLooking for a speaker for your next event?Casey Watts brings clarity and leadership to the stage. Book her at caseywattscoaching.com.

Are You Asking "Why"? If you're chasing a title, a goal, or a version of yourself right now, this might be the "why" check you need. I have a friend more disciplined than anyone I know. 5am workouts. A budget she never breaks. Actual willpower against "remind me in 15 minutes." Recently she mentioned wanting to tone her thighs just a little more. So I asked the question I always ask: "What is it that motivates you to reach that goal?" She paused. "Huh. That's a good question. I'd have to think about it." In this episode, I explore the difference between want and need, internal motivation and external motivation, and why so few of us ever stop to ask which one is actually driving us. I share my own story of chasing a doctoral degree for reasons I hadn't gotten honest about, and what it took to finally see them clearly. 🔗 More on the book and community: clearisthenewconfident.com 🔗 Let's connect on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/catchupwithcasey 🔗 Coaching & more: www.catchingupwithcasey.com #Leadership #LeadershipDevelopment #HighAchievers #LeadershipCoaching

Does training alone make someone a great leader, or is there a deeper shift required? Principal and author Joyce Conley-Hemmings will dive into why mindset is the ultimate determining factor in true leadership development. Discover why skill-building is only half the battle and how cultivating the right perspective transforms management into genuine impact. Learn actionable strategies to unlock your full leadership potential by transforming how you think. Connect with Joyce theunspokenmindset.com

I once threw a full hissy fit — jumping, stomping, the works — with my boss in a foyer. Another time, my job description was changed midyear by my boss 🫣. As a high achiever, I always said yes to the next leadership opportunity, even when I didn't feel ready. I just figured it out as I went. Turns out, you can't lead well without leadership skills — and most "leadership training" isn't built to give you those. In this episode, I break down the 5 reasons leadership training falls short, why leadership development is what actually creates lasting change, and the one place I'd tell you to start if you're only going to do one thing. Don't wait for training from your organization. Don't wait for the title. You're a leader right now. 🔗 More on leadership development: https://www.clearisthenewconfident.com🔗 Let's connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catchupwithcasey🔗 Coaching & more: https://www.catchingupwithcasey.com #Leadership #LeadershipDevelopment #HighAchievers #LeadershipCoaching

Resistance Isn't the Enemy — Here's How to Work With It, Not Against It New staff. New initiatives. New curriculum. And right alongside all of it: resistance. Every school leader hits it heading into a new year — the question is what you do with it. In this episode, I sit down with Becca Silver, author of The Resistance Solution, who drops a line that reframes the whole conversation: "Resistance is a human experience and not something to be demonized." We dig into why resistance shows up when change lands, how to stop treating it as a problem to eliminate, and what it actually takes to lead people through it instead of around it. If you're planning your goals and initiatives for the year ahead, this episode will change how you think about the pushback before it even happens. In This Episode: Why resistance shows up every time change enters a school — new staff, new initiatives, new curriculumBecca Silver's reframe: resistance as a human experience, not something to fix or fightWhat changes when you stop treating pushback as a problem to eliminatePractical ways to lead people through resistance instead of steamrolling past itHow this mindset shift sets you up for a stronger year aheadLinks Mentioned: The Resistance Solution by Becca Silver The Whole Educator Podcast with Becca SilverLearn about The Clarity Cycle Framework for SchoolsLoved this episode?Reply and let me know what landed for you — I read every response. [email protected]

This week, you'll hear what reframing negative feedback actually looks like. I share a snippet from a real coaching call with a seasoned English teacher who's carried one critical note from a previous principal for ten years. Listen for the questions, the reflective stems, and the pauses — that silence is the reflection doing its work. New here? Start with last week's episode, "You Got One Bad Note — Now Why Can't You Let It Go?" Read the article, Personifying the Red Mark. Bring Casey to your next event to speak!  www.catchingupwithcasey.com/speaking  Subscribe to my newsletter to get the resources mentioned in podcast episodes!  www.catchingupwithcasey.com/newsletter

One critical comment. That's all it takes to overshadow everything else that went right. In this episode, we explore why negative feedback carries so much more weight than it deserves, what that habit costs us, and how to stop giving a single red mark so much power over how we see ourselves and our work. Based on the article Personifying the Red Mark, this conversation gets honest about what it means to turn criticism into something bigger than it is — and what it looks like to finally put it in its place. Read the article, Personifying the Red Mark. Bring Casey to your next event to speak!  www.catchingupwithcasey.com/speaking  Subscribe to my newsletter to get the resources mentioned in podcast episodes!  www.catchingupwithcasey.com/newsletter

Do you struggle to make your message heard or gaining the confidence to state your message boldly? Former Hollywood actor and RADA teacher Dominic Colenso joins us to share the core ingredients of "cut-through," helping leaders and sales teams perform when it matters most. He reveals simple ways to distill your thinking and bring immediate clarity to your message, ensuring your leadership stands out from the crowd. By the time he was 26, Dominic Colenso had flown a spaceship, lost a million dollars, and been fired by Simon Cowell. A former Hollywood actor and RADA teacher, he now helps leaders and sales teams cut through the noise and perform when it matters most. Connect with Dominic here: https://www.youtube.com/@Dominiccolenso  Cut Through: The Pitch and Presentation Playbook ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Bring Casey to your next event to speak!  www.catchingupwithcasey.com/speaking  Subscribe to my newsletter to get the resources mentioned in podcast episodes!  www.catchingupwithcasey.com/newsletter

Do you have a clear roadmap for your leadership journey? Julia Bialeski and I explore why every woman needs a personal career mission and vision to navigate the complexities of leadership. Join us to have a candid and clear conversation! Connect with Julia here: Julia Bialeski is a leadership practitioner, author, and speaker with more than 20 years of experience leading people and organizations through change, growth, and complexity. Her career spans roles as a teacher, school principal, professional development facilitator, and systems-level leader, giving her a deep understanding of the human side of leadership at every stage. Recognized for excellence in leadership and innovation, Julia was named the 2025 recipient of the University of Maryland College of Education’s Outstanding Alumni Award. She is the author of Leading with Grace: Cultivating Hope, Authenticity, and a Focus on People Throughout the Leadership Lifespan, a widely used resource for aspiring, new, and experienced leaders seeking to lead with clarity, courage, and heart. Julia is known for connecting with audiences through compelling personal stories and practical insights. She is deeply passionate about personal and professional development, mentorship, and helping leaders—especially women—integrate their work and personal lives through intentional, strategic, and sustainable approaches. Her work is grounded in her guiding mantra: Be brave, and care about people. Website: juliabialeski.com  LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/julia-bialeski-7a4a122a9  Instagram: julia.bialeski YouTube: JuliaBialeski Bring Casey to your next event to speak!  www.catchingupwithcasey.com/speaking  Subscribe to my newsletter to get the resources mentioned in podcast episodes!  www.catchingupwithcasey.com/newsletter