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In this episode, I speak with Craig White, leadership coach, men's work facilitator, and author of Tell the F*****g Truth, about the transformative power of group work and why men can benefit so much from being seen by other men. Drawing on his experience in elite sport, embodiment, meditation, and men's retreats, Craig shares what happens when people bring their shame, grief, anger, and vulnerability into a group where they can be witnessed without being rejected. We explore why group coaching can offer something that one-to-one work often cannot, from the permission to be fully human to the experience of belonging and being accepted by others. We also discuss masculinity, fatherhood, and the importance of male role models and what Craig calls male blessing. Having spent years working with professional rugby players and elite athletes, he reflects on the relationship between discipline, performance, and psychological wellbeing. We explore what the personal development world can learn from sport's commitment to practice, structure, and results, as well as the risks of becoming so focused on achievement that we lose touch with our bodies and emotions. Craig also shares his own journey from high-performance sport into yoga, meditation, shadow work, and a more holistic approach to coaching. Finally, we consider what makes group facilitation effective, how a group develops its own culture and dynamics, and why safety is so important for meaningful transformation. We discuss the challenges men face when their sporting careers or familiar identities come to an end, the role of community in navigating life transitions, and why coaching needs to come from a genuine sense of purpose rather than simply being the next career move. This is a rich conversation for coaches, therapists, and facilitators interested in men's development, group work, masculinity, and the conditions that allow people to change. ----------------------------------------------- Learn more about  the new certification in Beyond Liberal Coaching :  https://embodimentunlimited.com ----------------------------------------------- Check out our YouTube channel for more coaching tips and our Podcast channel for full episode videos

In this episode, I speak with Dr Helen Machen-Pearce about an often-overlooked perspective in coaching: what conservative philosophy can teach us about human behaviour, personal responsibility, and change. Drawing on philosophy, psychology, spirituality, and embodied practice, we explore why coaching has largely embraced liberal assumptions about the individual, and what might be missing when we focus primarily on personal freedom, self-expression, and psychological explanations. Together, we examine the differences between liberal and conservative approaches to human nature, discussing the role of virtue, discipline, tradition, boundaries, and personal choice in how people live and change. Mark challenges some of the dominant assumptions in modern coaching and psychology, asking whether an overemphasis on social conditioning and past experiences can leave too little room for agency, responsibility, and the possibility of choosing differently. The conversation also explores how our own political and philosophical beliefs shape the way we understand clients, and the risks of reducing people to ideological categories. The discussion ultimately asks how coaches can develop a more complete understanding of human beings without becoming trapped in a single worldview. We explore how drawing on different philosophical and spiritual traditions can deepen empathy, broaden our perspective, and help us work more effectively with people whose values differ from our own. Whether you identify as conservative, liberal, or politically homeless, this episode offers a challenging invitation to question your assumptions and expand the perspectives you bring to your coaching. Learn more about the Certification of Compassionate Conservative Coaching: https://embodimentunlimited.com/compassionate-conservative-coaching/

In this episode, I speak with Peter Hawkins, one of the pioneers of systemic and team coaching, about why coaching needs to evolve beyond a focus on the individual. Drawing on decades of experience in leadership development and organisational change, Peter argues that coaches create far greater impact when they work with the wider systems, relationships, and stakeholders that shape every client's world. Together, we explore what it means to think systemically, discussing why lasting change rarely happens in isolation and how coaches can shift from helping individuals achieve personal goals to supporting healthier teams, organisations, and communities. Peter explains how expanding our attention beyond the coach–client relationship opens up new possibilities for leadership, collaboration, and meaningful change, while Mark challenges how these ideas translate into everyday coaching practice. The conversation also explores the future of coaching in an increasingly complex world, the role of AI and emerging technologies, and why deeply human qualities such as wisdom, presence, and relational intelligence are becoming more—not less—important. Whether you're an executive coach, leadership coach, or work with individuals in any setting, this episode offers a compelling vision of coaching that moves beyond performance to create value for the wider systems we all belong to. ----------------------------------------------- Become a certified embodiment coach. Coach beyond mere words and support clients to transform their lives: https://embodimentunlimited.com/cec/ ----------------------------------------------- Check out our YouTube channel for more coaching tips and our Podcast channel for full episode videos

In this episode, I speak with Professor George Bonanno, one of the world's leading researchers on trauma and resilience, about why many of our assumptions about trauma are simply wrong. Drawing on decades of research and the ideas in his book The End of Trauma, George challenges the increasingly common belief that difficult experiences inevitably leave people psychologically damaged, arguing instead that resilience is the most common human response to adversity. Together, we explore what trauma actually is, how it differs from normal stress and emotional pain, and why it's important not to confuse temporary distress with lasting psychological injury. George explains why only a minority of people develop long-term trauma following even the most serious events, while Mark questions how the growing popularity of trauma language has shaped coaching, therapy, and wider culture. The conversation examines where trauma-informed practice is genuinely helpful, where it can become overprotective, and how coaches can support clients without reinforcing a narrative of fragility. The conversation also explores post-traumatic growth, the factors that predict resilience, and the practical implications for coaches working with clients facing adversity and change. Rather than minimising suffering, George offers a hopeful, evidence-based perspective that replaces fear with confidence in human adaptability. This episode is an invitation for coaches to move beyond trauma myths and develop a more balanced, compassionate, and scientifically grounded understanding of resilience. ----------------------------------------------- Become a certified embodiment coach. Coach beyond mere words and support clients to transform their lives: https://embodimentunlimited.com/cec/ ----------------------------------------------- Check out our YouTube channel for more coaching tips and our Podcast channel for full episode videos

In this episode, I speak with author, speaker, and former creative director Aljoša Bagola about the myths that keep people trapped in burnout and why many of our assumptions about stress, success, and resilience are fundamentally wrong. Drawing on his own experience of severe burnout, alongside years of research and reflection, Aljoša challenges the stories our culture tells us about productivity, perfectionism, and what it means to be strong. Together, we explore why burnout isn't a sign of weakness but often the consequence of being highly driven, conscientious, and deeply committed. We discuss the hidden costs of perfectionism, the pressure to constantly achieve, and why so many successful people ignore the warning signs until their bodies force them to stop. Rather than treating burnout as a personal failure, Aljoša offers a more compassionate perspective that recognises the interplay between our biology, psychology, and modern working culture. The conversation also examines the myths surrounding recovery, why working harder is rarely the answer, and how coaches, leaders, and helping professionals can better recognise and respond to burnout in themselves and others. With warmth, humour, and practical wisdom, this episode offers a refreshing look at one of the defining challenges of modern life and what it really takes to build a sustainable, meaningful way of living and working. ----------------------------------------------- Become a certified embodiment coach. Coach beyond mere words and support clients to transform their lives: https://embodimentunlimited.com/cec/ ----------------------------------------------- Check out our YouTube channel for more coaching tips and our Podcast channel for full episode videos

In this episode, I speak with entrepreneur, author, and coach John Spencer Williams about one of the biggest mistakes coaches make when building their businesses: trying to appeal to everyone. Drawing on his new book Crazy Successful, John explains why being broad, vague, and bland makes it harder to stand out, and why coaches are far more likely to succeed when they lean into what makes them different. Together, we explore the idea of becoming a "category of one" by finding a niche within a niche and creating something that only you can offer. John argues that the things we often try to hide—our quirks, unconventional interests, personal experiences, neurodiversity, and even our perceived weaknesses—can become powerful sources of differentiation when understood and used well. We discuss why coaches shouldn't be afraid of being too specific, how to know whether a niche is viable, and why the goal isn't to appeal to everyone but to become deeply relevant to the right people. The conversation also explores perfectionism, self-sabotage, comparison, marketing, social media, and the importance of taking action rather than endlessly preparing. Mark and John discuss why coaches need to get real experience, test their ideas, pay attention to what clients respond to, and gradually double down on what they're good at and what people value. Whether you're starting a coaching business or looking to make an established practice more distinctive, this episode offers practical advice on finding your niche, embracing your personality, and turning your differences into a genuine competitive advantage. ----------------------------------------------- Become a certified embodiment coach. Coach beyond mere words and support clients to transform their lives: https://embodimentunlimited.com/cec/ ----------------------------------------------- Check out our YouTube channel for more coaching tips and our Podcast channel for full episode videos ----------------------------------------------- Become a certified embodiment coach. Coach beyond mere words and support clients to transform their lives: https://embodimentunlimited.com/cec/ ----------------------------------------------- Check out our YouTube channel for more coaching tips and our Podcast channel for full episode videos ----------------------------------------------- Become a certified embodiment coach. Coach beyond mere words and support clients to transform their lives: https://embodimentunlimited.com/cec/ ----------------------------------------------- Check out our YouTube channel for more coaching tips and our Podcast channel for full episode videos

I believe a high-quality coaching certification needs to offer much more than coaching models, scripted questions and theoretical knowledge. It should develop practical coaching skills through live practice, feedback, ethical awareness, deep listening, strong relationships, appropriate challenge and an understanding of the person as a whole. In this episode of The Embodiment Coaching Podcast, I talk with Dr Helen Machen-Pearce about 12 essential elements of great coach training, and we explore how the Certification of Embodiment Coaching measures up. We discuss: what coaching is and how it differs from therapy, mentoring and consulting contracting, confidentiality, ethics and consent building strong coaching relationships deep listening and skilful communication working with goals without worshipping them why my own embodiment as a coach matters how to bring the body into coaching safely and practically nervous system literacy without oversimplification trauma awareness without pretending to provide trauma therapy neurodiversity and adapting coaching to the individual culture, identity, power and context why practice, feedback and peer learning are essential The Certification of Embodiment Coaching, or CEC, is a six-month live online embodiment coaching certification for coaches, facilitators, therapists who coach and body-based practitioners. In CEC, I teach practical ways to work with posture, breath, movement, attention, boundaries and nervous system state within coaching. Students experience the practices in their own bodies, learn how to bring them into real coaching conversations, practise with peers and receive direct feedback. Because understanding embodiment is not the same as being able to coach with it. The next CEC begins on 15 September 2026 and includes 37 ICF Continuing Coach Education hours. Learn more about the Certification of Embodiment Coaching: https://embodimentunlimited.com/cec/ ----------------------------------------- Our Ceritficate of Embodiment coaching course is starting, don't miss out!  Click here to find out more: https://embodimentunlimited.com/cec/

Our Ceritficate of Embodiment coaching course is starting, don't miss out!  Click here to find out more: https://embodimentunlimited.com/cec/

In this episode, I speak with Dr Dick Schwartz, founder of Internal Family Systems (IFS), about the remarkable rise of one of the world's fastest-growing therapeutic approaches and the questions that come with its growing influence. Drawing on decades of clinical work and recent developments in the model, Dick reflects on how IFS has evolved beyond psychotherapy to embrace spirituality, leadership, and personal transformation. Together, we explore the foundations of IFS, the nature of the Self, and why relating compassionately to our inner parts can create profound psychological change. Dick discusses the spiritual dimensions of the work that he kept largely private for many years, explaining why he now feels it's important to speak openly about them. Mark brings his trademark curiosity and scepticism to the conversation, asking whether the growing popularity of IFS risks creating dogma, where healthy leadership ends and cult dynamics begin, and how practitioners can stay grounded as the model continues to expand. The conversation also explores trauma, parenting, psychedelics, embodiment, and the future of mental health, examining how IFS is being applied far beyond the therapy room. Whether you're a coach, therapist, or simply interested in understanding yourself more deeply, this episode offers a thoughtful look at one of the most influential psychological models of our time, and the opportunities and challenges that come with its rapid growth. ----------------------------------------------- Become a certified embodiment coach. Coach beyond mere words and support clients to transform their lives: https://embodimentunlimited.com/cec/ ----------------------------------------------- Check out our YouTube channel for more coaching tips and our Podcast channel for full episode videos

In this episode, I speak with executive coach Lise Bruynooghe about what coaching really is, why the profession is often misunderstood, and how coaches can thrive in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. Drawing on her work across leadership, organisational development, and cross-cultural coaching, Lise argues that coaching is far more than a collection of techniques—it's a uniquely human way of helping people think, learn, and grow. Together, we explore what distinguishes skilful coaching from simply asking good questions, discussing the importance of presence, curiosity, and genuine partnership in creating meaningful change. Lise challenges the tendency for coaches to become attached to particular methods or identities, suggesting that the most effective practitioners adapt to the person in front of them rather than relying on a fixed model. Mark also raises the question of whether coaching itself needs a new language, reflecting on why the profession is still so difficult for many people to understand. The conversation also explores the opportunities and challenges of AI, asking what technology can already do well, what remains uniquely human, and how coaches can continue to offer value as intelligent systems become more capable. Rather than seeing AI as a threat, Lise invites coaches to focus on the qualities that cannot easily be automated: deep listening, authentic connection, and the ability to navigate the complexity of being human. ---------------------------------------------- Become a certified embodiment coach. Coach beyond mere words and support clients to transform their lives: https://embodimentunlimited.com/cec/ ----------------------------------------------- Check out our YouTube channel for more coaching tips and our Podcast channel for full episode videos

In this episode, I speak with Dr Helen Machen-Pearce about the art of embodied group facilitation and why working with a group requires a very different set of skills from one-to-one coaching. Drawing on years of experience facilitating groups, we explore what happens when the focus shifts from an individual client to the complex dynamics of an entire group, including the importance of reading the room, tracking the group nervous system, and adapting in real time. Together, we examine the practical skills that distinguish effective group facilitation, from giving clear instructions and managing time to creating flow, setting boundaries, and ensuring that one participant doesn't dominate the experience of everyone else. We discuss the challenge of balancing individual needs with the needs of the group, as well as the cultural differences that influence who speaks, who takes space, and how people participate. Mark shares lessons from facilitating groups of anything from a handful of people to hundreds, while Helen reflects on the subtle skills involved in sensing and responding to group dynamics. The conversation also explores why group work can be such powerful training for coaches, developing skills in embodied leadership, intuition, regulation, and the ability to quickly sense what's happening in a room. We discuss the value of coaches experiencing group facilitation themselves, why working with diverse groups accelerates learning, and the particular challenges of bringing embodied group work online. Whether you're an experienced facilitator or a coach considering making the move into group work, this episode offers practical insights into how to create groups that are engaging, well-held, and genuinely transformative. ---------------------------------------------- Become a certified embodiment coach. Coach beyond mere words and support clients to transform their lives: https://embodimentunlimited.com/cec/ ----------------------------------------------- Check out our YouTube channel for more coaching tips and our Podcast channel for full episode videos

In this episode, I speak with parenting coach and documentary maker Patrick Ney about why modern parenting has become so challenging, and what it reveals about human psychology far beyond family life. Drawing on his experience of working with more than 165,000 parents around the world, Patrick explores how our own childhood experiences quietly shape the way we parent, relate to others, and show up as coaches and helping professionals. Together, we examine the powerful influence of attachment, emotional development, and inherited family patterns, discussing why many of the struggles we experience as adults begin long before we're aware of them. Patrick argues that parenting is less about finding the perfect techniques and more about understanding ourselves, questioning the assumptions we inherited, and developing the emotional awareness to respond rather than react. The conversation also explores why modern parents are under unprecedented pressure, the myths of the "perfect childhood," and how unresolved experiences continue to influence our relationships, leadership, and coaching. Whether you're raising children or not, this episode offers valuable insights into the formative experiences that shape every client, helping coaches better understand the roots of behaviour, build deeper compassion, and support lasting change. ----------------------------------------------- Become a certified embodiment coach. Coach beyond mere words and support clients to transform their lives: https://embodimentunlimited.com/cec/ ----------------------------------------------- Check out our YouTube channel for more coaching tips and our Podcast channel for full episode videos

In this episode, I speak with breathwork researcher and educator Richard Blake about what the evidence actually says regarding breathwork, nervous system regulation, and how coaches can use breathing practices safely and effectively. Drawing on both scientific research and practical experience, Richard separates hype from evidence and explores which techniques are supported by the strongest research. We discuss the different categories of breathwork, from calming, slower-paced breathing techniques to more activating practices, examining when each is appropriate and the physiological mechanisms behind their effects. Richard explains what current research tells us about stress, anxiety, emotional regulation, focus, and performance, while also highlighting the limitations of the evidence and the claims that often go beyond what the science can support. The conversation explores how coaches can integrate simple breathing practices into their sessions without becoming breathwork specialists, the importance of understanding contraindications and individual differences, and why matching the right technique to the client's needs matters more than following trends. We also discuss the physiological sigh, coherent breathing, carbon dioxide tolerance, and the relationship between breathing patterns, the nervous system, and emotional states. Along the way, we examine common misconceptions about breathwork, the growing research base in the field, critical thinking in wellbeing practices, and why an evidence-informed approach allows coaches to use breathwork with greater confidence, clarity, and care. ---------------------------------------------- Become a certified embodiment coach. Coach beyond mere words and support clients to transform their lives: https://embodimentunlimited.com/cec/ ----------------------------------------------- Check out our YouTube channel for more coaching tips and our Podcast channel for full episode videos

In this episode, I speak with writer, researcher, and philosopher Brendan Graham Dempsey about the modern meaning crisis, why so many people feel disconnected from purpose and belonging, and what this means for coaches, leaders, and anyone supporting human development. Drawing on philosophy, psychology, history, and his work on metamodernism, Brendan explores how we arrived at this cultural moment—and how we might move beyond it. We discuss why questions of meaning increasingly show up in coaching conversations, even when clients initially present with goals around performance, relationships, or career. Brendan explains how the decline of shared cultural narratives has left many people searching for direction, and why coaches need to understand the wider social and philosophical context shaping their clients' lives. The conversation explores metamodernism as an emerging response to the limitations of both modern certainty and postmodern cynicism, offering a way of holding complexity without collapsing into either naïve optimism or nihilism. We discuss how coaches can help clients navigate uncertainty, cultivate purpose without imposing answers, and support meaningful growth in an increasingly fragmented world. Along the way, we explore identity, embodiment, belonging, political polarisation, social media, spirituality, and the balance between scepticism and hope. Ultimately, this episode is an invitation to think more deeply about what transformation really means—and why coaching may be as much about helping people orient themselves in a changing world as it is about achieving goals. ---------------------------------------------- Become a certified embodiment coach. Coach beyond mere words and support clients to transform their lives: https://embodimentunlimited.com/cec/ ----------------------------------------------- Check out our YouTube channel for more coaching tips and our Podcast channel for full episode videos

In this episode, I speak with Dr Helen Machen-Pearce about the role of creativity in coaching, and why it may be one of the most overlooked skills in helping people change. Drawing on our experience of training somatic coaches, we explore what creativity really means, why it isn't limited to artistic talent, and how coaches can cultivate it without losing structure or rigour. Together, we examine the tension between following established methods and developing your own style, discussing whether creativity is something we're born with or something that emerges through disciplined practice. We explore how movement, play, curiosity, and experimentation can unlock fresh perspectives for both coach and client, while also considering the risks of becoming either too formulaic or creative for creativity's sake. Rather than seeing technique and spontaneity as opposites, we argue that the most effective coaching combines both. The conversation also explores practical ways to develop creative confidence, the influence of culture and training on how we approach coaching, and why the best coaches adapt their methods to the individual rather than relying on a fixed formula. Whether you're looking to bring more originality into your coaching or simply avoid becoming stuck in familiar patterns, this episode offers practical insights into coaching that is both skilful and genuinely alive.   ---------------------------------------------- Become a certified embodiment coach. Coach beyond mere words and support clients to transform their lives: https://embodimentunlimited.com/cec/ ----------------------------------------------- Check out our YouTube channel for more coaching tips and our Podcast channel for full episode videos