Awaken Voices: Journeys of a brave community

#35 Coaching in the Age of AI: Research, Ethics & Curiosity with Fran Bruning

This conversation offers the nuanced, research-backed perspective coaches need to make informed decisions about AI — without the hype or fear-mongering. Fran's academic research combined with practical experience gives you the foundation to integrate AI thoughtfully while maintaining your coaching integrity.

Join the conversation and comment:

• What's your biggest question about AI in coaching?
• How are you currently navigating technology decisions in your practice?

---

FREE LIVE EVENT: Master AI in Coaching: Evolve while keeping your integrity with Fran Brunning

What role can AI play in supporting a thriving coaching practice — and how do you integrate it in a way that enriches the coaching experience for you and your clients?

Join us on 📅 Monday, July 21st | 5-6:30 PM CEST (60 minutes)

This isn't another AI hype session. Fran's research-grounded approach will help you explore what's real, what's risky, and what's possible with AI in coaching — so you can make informed decisions that align with your values.

[REGISTER HERE - 60 Minutes That Could Transform Your Practice]

---

About todays conversation

What happens when a researcher sets out to study AI coach bots expecting to find security concerns, but discovers something completely different?

Fran Brunning's master's research revealed a surprising truth: the biggest concern wasn't safety or privacy, it was the irreplaceable value of human connection in coaching. In todays conversation, Fran shares what she learned from interviewing coaches about AI, why perfect questions aren't always what clients need, and how the coaching industry might evolve alongside artificial intelligence.

This episode covers:

• The critical difference between AI tools vs. AI coach bots that actually do the coaching
• Why AI can follow the GROW model perfectly but still miss the client completely
• The "anthropomorphic danger" - why humans naturally empathize with machines
• Real stories from coaches: job opportunities vs. contract cancellations due to AI
• The power of silence and spaciousness that no algorithm can replicate
• Practical guidance for making ethical AI decisions in your practice

---

Key Insights:

[02:10] The Research Reality: Fran's discovery that technology capabilities are developing faster than her research could capture

[08:12] Perfect vs. Human: Why AI can ask perfect questions and follow coaching models flawlessly, but miss what clients actually need

[11:27] The Silence Factor: How AI coach bots can't handle the powerful tool of silence that human coaches use intuitively

[14:11] The Labyrinth Metaphor: Why coaching often requires twists, turns, and "wrong" paths that lead to unexpected discoveries

[21:25] Personal Choice Spectrum: How coaches' values around intellectual property and privacy influence their AI decisions

[26:54] Potential Harms: Inaccuracies, security risks, and the underaddressed anthropomorphic dangers

[31:13] Values-First Framework: Fran's guidance for making AI decisions based on your personal coaching values and ethics

[40:39] The Human Vision: Fran's hope for preserving authenticity, imperfection, and intuition in a tech-enhanced world

---

About Fran Bunning:

Fran is a professional coach who recently completed her MBA in Coaching, Mentoring, and Leadership from the University of York St. John in the UK. Her dissertation focused on the impact AI coach bots are expected to have on the coaching industry and professional coaches, and her research has been published in the academic Journal of Work-Applied Management.

With over 30 years of experience in diverse international environments and five years as an independent professional coach, Fran brings both academic rigor and practical insight to AI conversations. She's holds extensive qualifications including Executive Coaching, Professional Coaching Mastery, Group & Team Coaching, and Agile Systems Coaching certifications.

Her deep understanding of information technology combined with comprehensive research and practical experience qualify her to offer insights into the future of coaching and AI integration.

Connect with Fran:

• Event Registration: https://christibyerly.simplero.com/events/e/WQ16vsLhQ2LpRapp
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fran-bruning/

---

Continue the Discussion:

Our Communtiy offers you everything you need to become a credentialed ICF coach (ACC through to MCC) while being in a space of deep, whole-hearted coaches & leaders that value presence, trust and integrity and welcome all of you.

Receive

• Mentor Coaching
• Coaching supervision
• Business building sessions
• Deepening your Coaching skill events
• Get customized support with your ICF credentialing process
• and more

You are invited to intimate group settings and individualized support:

https://www.awakencoachinstitute.com/coaches-community-membership

#34 From Boardroom to Bodywork: How Embodied Leadership Transforms Results with Sam Allen

What happens when a corporate-trained coach discovers that breakthrough moments don't come from thinking harder, but from feeling deeper?

In this raw conversation, Sam Allen shares her journey from feeling "75% unexpressed" as a teacher to becoming a leadership coach who integrates embodiment practices with executive development. After losing her father during Co-Active coaching training, Sam discovered that her greatest coaching insights emerged not from strategies, but from staying present with overwhelming emotions.

This episode explores:

• Why "productivity culture" secretly sabotages sustainable success
• The moment Sam chose to write down her grief instead of pushing through
• How sensuality (not sexuality) became a professional coaching tool
• The integration challenge: bringing embodiment to LinkedIn and corporate clients
• Why pleasure and self-love are actually leadership development tools

Quote: "The energy that we put into something is felt. Even if we don't think it can be seen and we think we've done the job, but even if it's rushed, it can be felt."

---

ABOUT SAM ALLEN:

Sam Allen is a Creative Leadership Coach, certified Sexological Bodyworker, Tantra Guide, and published poet. After experiencing significant losses including her father's death and corporate redundancy, Sam pioneered an integrated approach that combines executive coaching with embodiment practices.

Her journey from feeling unexpressed and "under the radar" to creating authentic, integrated coaching practice offers a roadmap for coaches who want to bring their full selves to their work while maintaining professional credibility.

Connect with Sam:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samallencoachingcreatively/
• Website: https://samallencoachingcreatively.com/
• Poetry: https://samallencoachingcreatively.com/poetry

---

Our Communtiy offers you everything you need to become a credentialed ICF coach (ACC through to MCC) while being in a space of deep, whole-hearted coaches & leaders that value presence, trust and integrity and welcome all of you.

Receive

• Mentor Coaching
• Coaching supervision
• Business building sessions
• Deepening your Coaching skill events
• Get customized support with your ICF credentialing process
• and more

You are invited to intimate group settings and individualized support:

https://www.awakencoachinstitute.com/coaches-community-membership

Get just what you need to get your ICF Credentialing : Mentor coaching membership package: https://www.awakencoachinstitute.com/products/218217-Mentor-coaching-membership-package

---

Awaken Coaches Community: https://www.awakencoachinstitute.com/coaches-community-membership

---

Social Media: Facebook | Linkedin | Instagram

#33 Mastering self-employment with Neurodivergence with Alice Reeves

What if success in business wasn’t about doing more — but doing it in a way that works for you?

You are not alone. Many business owners feel stuck, scattered, or stalled. This episode helps you get clear, regain momentum, and take action in ways that feel aligned and achievable for you.

Get in-person support for your questions by joining our live event with Alice Reeves “Business Blockbuster: Get Unstuck & Take Your Business to the Next Level”

📅 Mon, Jun 23 · 6–7pm CEST

🎟️ Register here (free)

---

Christi speaks with Alice Reeves, marketing strategist, brand consultant, and founder of Joyfully Different — a business community designed specifically for neurodivergent entrepreneurs.

With over a decade of experience in brand development and digital marketing, Alice brings both strategic expertise and lived experience to the conversation. Diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood, she shares how that revelation reshaped the way she runs her business, supports clients, and defines success on her own terms.

This is a powerful, practical, and affirming conversation for any coach or business owner who’s ever felt like the usual rules just don’t apply.

In This Episode, You'll Discover:

• Why traditional business advice often fails neurodivergent entrepreneurs
• The importance of honoring your energy, creativity, and natural rhythm
• How to create boundaries that support sustainable, joyful work
• Alice’s journey from agency co-founder to building her own supportive ecosystem
• What it means to blend strategy with self-awareness in marketing your business

Connect with Alice via LinkedIn or her website.

---

You can send us your questions & comments via Facebook | Linkedin | Instagram

or visit our community at https://www.awakencoachinstitute.com/

 

#32 Practicing Wellbeing from the Inside Out with Grace Remington

In a culture obsessed with productivity, “wellbeing” can start to feel like just another box to check. But what if true wellness is less about doing — and more about listening and receiving?

In this episode, Christi sits down with Grace, a certified leadership and wellbeing coach, to unpack what it means to live a resilient, grounded life — spiritually, emotionally, and physically.

Grace blends professional coaching, spiritual insight, and body-based wisdom to remind us: you don’t have to earn your rest, fix yourself to be worthy, or go it alone. You are already whole—and healing happens in community.

Ask your questions and go deeper into this topic with Grace, by joining our special live online workshop:

🧘 Well-being for Coaches: Restore, Realign & Recenter with Grace Remington

📅 Monday, June 9 · 12–1:30pm CEST

🎟️ Register Free Here

This episode is part of our monthly theme: You Are Not Alone. Whether you're burned out, in transition, or simply weary of “shoulds,” this is your gentle permission slip to breathe, rest, and come home to yourself.

---

Gain more insights on:

• What whole-person wellbeing really looks like for coaches & leaders
• The difference between culture’s version of wellness vs. kingdom truth
• Why grace is the missing piece in most wellness advice
• How to move from hustle to holy rhythms
• Tangible ways to reconnect with your body, breath, and boundaries

About our guest:

Grace is a leadership and wellbeing coach helping people live whole, resilient lives — mind, body, and spirit. A graduate of George Mason University’s Leadership Coaching for Organizational Well-Being program and an ICF-certified coach, she supports clients navigating transitions, burnout, and identity shifts with a unique blend of clarity, compassion, and somatic wisdom.

With 13 years in the legal field and additional training as a yoga, barre, and meditation instructor, Grace’s coaching is both grounded and holistic. She lives in Qatar with her husband and twin children, and brings deep presence to everything from international travel to parenting.

Connect with Grace on Linkedin.

---

You can send us your questions & comments via Facebook | Linkedin | Instagram

or visit our community at https://www.awakencoachinstitute.com/

 

#31 Mastering Digital Marketing: Ethical, Effective Marketing for Coaches with Nikki Maidment

Struggling to attract clients online? You’re not alone—and you don’t need paid ads or complicated funnels to succeed. In this episode, Christi chats with Nikki Maidment, a digital marketing expert with over 25 years of experience (and the heart of a coach).They unpack simple, organic marketing strategies to help coaches build their presence, boost SEO, and attract clients authentically — without the overwhelm.

For deeper insights your can join Nikki LIVE at Mastering Digital Marketing: Build Your Online Presence & Grow Your Coaching Business

📅 Mon, May 12 · 4–5pm CEST

👉 Register now (free)

to get real-time support and answers for your biggest marketing questions.

---

In this episode you can learn:

• How to get found online with the right keywords (hint: “coach” isn’t enough)
• What every coaching website must say in the first 5 seconds
• Easy tools (like Calendly & Google Business) to simplify your client journey
• Why trust, relevance, and storytelling build your marketing “muscle”

About our guest:

Nikki Maidment is a digital marketing strategist with 25 years of experience helping mission-driven brands grow online—ethically. As founder of ETHICLY, she blends deep technical know-how with a passion for purposeful business, making digital strategy simple, soulful, and effective for coaches and changemakers.

 

Connect with Nikki via LinkedIn or her website.

---

 

You can send us your questions & comments via Facebook | Linkedin | Instagram

or visit our community at https://www.awakencoachinstitute.com/

#30 Coaching or Therapy? Finding the Bridge to Better Mental Health with Solène Anglaret

Have you ever wondered where to draw the line between coaching and therapy? When to refer your clients?

In our FREE community event you can dive deeper into the topic of supporting mental health through coaching, and understanding how these complimentary approaches can benefit us and our clients in different ways.

Be part of “We All Have Mental Health: Coaching with Awareness & Boundaries with Solène Anglaret” - by registering here: https://christibyerly.simplero.com/events/e/jMg8V6jZ8snPVhqv

 

About this episode:

In this episode, Solène shares about the complexities of mental health, the nuances between therapy and coaching, and self-compassion. If you’re a coach looking to understand when to refer your clients to a mental health professional, or you are navigating your own mental health journey, this conversation is for you.

Key Takeaways:

• Coaching vs. Therapy: Understand the difference and when to refer clients for therapy
• Self-Compassion & Mental Health: How being kind to ourselves enhances recovery
• Neurodivergence in Coaching: Why inclusivity matters and how to approach coaching with neurodivergent clients
• What-If: How reframing your thoughts can change your life

About our guest:

Solène Anglaret is a consultant, coach, and advocate dedicated to creating inclusive spaces where everyone belongs. With over 15 years of experience across various industries and living in seven countries, Solène brings a global perspective to her coaching and leadership work. She is the founder of Be Beyond Borders, a platform focused on neurodiversity, inclusion, and leadership.

Solène’s lived experience with ADHD and BPD deeply informs her approach to coaching, as she combines her personal journey with her professional expertise. She is committed to empowering neurodivergent individuals and advocating for inclusion in both personal and professional spaces. In 2023, Solène was recognized as one of the Top 50 Most Influential Neurodivergent Women in the UK.

Connect with Solène on her website: bebeyondborders.com or follow her on Instagram: @bebeyondborders.

#29 Nature as a Teacher: How Nature Inspires Effective Coaching with Debbie Brupbacher

Dive deeper into the topic by joining our FREE event “Bee Wise: Elevate Your Coaching with Lessons from the Hive with Philip Atkinson“ Thu, Apr 📆 Thur, April 10, 2025: 6 – 7.30pm CEST

👉 Register here: https://christibyerly.simplero.com/events/e/9RmiTfAiUiwWHpi9

 

---

In this episode, Eve and Debbie dive into how nature can serve as a profound teacher for coaches and leaders, offering valuable lessons on vulnerability, authenticity, and personal development. They discuss how nature-based coachingcan guide both coaches and clients to deeper self-awareness, trust, and reflection.

Debbie shares her experiences working with nature as a tool for coaching, emphasizing its ability to ground us and offer insightful metaphors for leadership and growth. Drawing inspiration from mountains, trees, and the wind, nature provides an opportunity to expand our understanding of leadership and coaching. Whether you’re looking to foster more holistic practices in your coaching or simply want to create a deeper connection with your clients, this episode offers practical strategies and reflective practices.

About Our Guest: Debbie Brupacher, PCC, CPCC, ORSC

Debbie is an Executive Leadership, Career, and Team Coach with over 20 years of experience in multinational firms, specializing in people development and transformational coaching. She combines her background in leadership with a focus on vulnerability, authenticity, and heartfelt leadership. Using nature, metaphors, and movement, Debbie helps clients expand their thinking and increase their effectiveness.

Based in Bern, Switzerland, Debbie is an avid mountain runner and ultra-race winner, bringing her passion for nature and resilience into her coaching practice.

Connect with Debbie https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbiebrupbacher/

#28 BeeWise: What bees can teach us about Purpose, Leadership, and Community with Philipp Atkinson

Dive deeper into the topic by joining our FREE event “Bee Wise: Elevate Your Coaching with Lessons from the Hive with Philip Atkinson“ Thu, Apr 📆 Thur, April 10, 2025: 6 – 7.30pm CEST

👉 Register here: https://christibyerly.simplero.com/events/e/9RmiTfAiUiwWHpi9

---

 

In this episode of the Brave Voices Podcast, Christi and Eve speak with Philipp Atkinson, a executive leadership coach and beekeeper, about the profound connections between beekeeping, leadership, and community.

Philipp blends his corporate coaching experience with the wisdom of nature, to explore how we can work together, support each other, and contribute to the collective.

• The Hive as a Metaphor: Just like a beehive, we are all part of a greater whole. Each individual brings unique strengths to the table, contributing to the success of the collective.
• Rethinking Hierarchies: Philipp shares how we need to rethink hierarchical structures in organizations, moving away from top-down control and instead fostering a more collaborative, flat model where everyone's voice matters.
• The Role of Endings: Endings are a natural part of life. Embracing them with grace and creating space for closure is essential for personal growth and organizational health.
• Self-Care in Leadership: Philippe emphasizes the importance of self-care, reflection, and creating environments that support thinking and awareness—key ingredients for effective leadership.
• Trusting the Process: Leadership isn’t about doing more, faster. It’s about creating the right space for reflection and thoughtful action to move the collective forward.

About Philip:

Philip is based in Alsace, France, and is the founder of hive-logic.com Coaching & Communications with offices in Basel, Switzerland, and London, UK. Philip is a leadership team expert and organisational coach and shares the wisdom of his two great passions together in one volume.

As a beekeeper, Philip loves to spend the summer tending to and observing his precious bees and spending the winter learning, reading, and writing about them. Throughout the whole year, Philip supports leadership teams and leaders worldwide to grow and develop.

Connect with Philip: linkedin.com/in/philipatkinsonhivelogic

Resources Mentioned:

• BeeWise Book: Philippe’s book, BeeWise: 12 Leadership Lessons from Inside a Busy Hive, explores the connections between beekeeping and leadership (https://beewisebook.com/)
• Nancy Klein’s "Time to Think": A recommended read on creating an environment that fosters thoughtful reflection (https://www.timetothink.com/)

 

---

🌀 Are you looking for Mentor Coaching and/or Coaching supervision in an environment where you can share from your heart? Check out the Awaken Coaches community, where we offer intimate group settings and individualized support. Dive deeper into your coaching journey together:

https://www.awakencoachinstitute.com/coaches-community-membership

🏅 Your Path to ICF Credentialing Made Easy: Mentor coaching membership package: https://www.awakencoachinstitute.com/products/218217-Mentor-coaching-membership-package

 

---

Social Media: Facebook | Linkedin | Instagram