All You Need Is A Plan

In this episode, we are joined by a)plan coaching advisor and social impact leader, Marcus Walton. Announced as President & CEO of Grantmakers for Effective Organizations (GEO) in 2019, Marcus shares how he and his staff transformed GEO's culture to prioritize racial equity in all areas of the organization's operations—all while navigating a world-altering pandemic and a generational racial reckoning. By combining coaching and racial equity principles, Marcus helps individuals lead and create change while navigating inequitable systems. He and his staff at GEO (and by extension, the global GEO community) serve as high-impact leaders who often must venture into uncharted territories with dignity, integrity, confidence, and vision. Listen as Marcus shares what it takes to tackle major goals, how to operationalize equity within organizations, and how more companies can effectively improve their DEI commitments in practical yet powerful ways.

In this episode, we are joined by Darla Lannert, her a)plan coach, Bill Rentz, and Darla’s sister, and a)plan coach, JoAnne Bangs. As a transgender woman, Darla is a leading activist in the Transgender Rights movement, and her story casts a spotlight on the importance of living one’s truth. For Darla, living her truth meant coming out as trans, a decision she describes as life or death. Darla talks about the courage involved in coming out to her large Midwestern family (including JoAnne), bringing awareness to the trans community as a prominent speaker, and the day-to-day challenges of living in a country that doesn’t sufficiently support the LGBTQ community. Through some of her biggest hurdles, Darla has leaned on coaching with Bill as a means of getting clear on what she really wants, then building up the courage to pursue those goals. Bill describes Darla as a fun client to work with, and someone who is always taking on big, ambitious work - a statement made clear by many of the topics covered in this episode.

In this episode, we are joined by a)plan coaching client, Caryn Stone. Caryn has worked with co-host of the All You Need Is A Plan podcast, Susannah Ludwig, for more than 2 years and her story is a true testament to the power of coaching. As with many coaching users, Caryn pondered the idea of working with a coach for some time. When she finally made the leap, she realized it was everything she needed and then some. Caryn shares how coaching helped push her out of her nest, to embrace being uncomfortable, to not worry what others think, and ultimately how to stop feeling “stuck.” It was through her work with Susannah that she learned to get clear on what she wanted in life, get proud of it, then go get it -- a theme we encourage many times over with clients at a)plan. We’d like to thank Caryn for offering us a window into the experience of a coaching newbee-turned-veteran over the course of 2 life-changing years.

In this episode, we are joined by a)plan coach and core values expert, Peter Walsh. Peter’s specialty lies in helping his clients recognize their unique core values, and mapping out ways to live and work in accordance with those values. In our discussion with Peter, we dive into the Core Value Index (CVI), a tool used by Peter to help clients understand whether or not there is alignment between their values and their work. Having done his own major career pivot from business to psychotherapy and coaching, Peter has experienced first hand just how powerful it is to find work that better aligns with one’s purpose. Now he pays it forward, supporting others to find their own paths defined by alignment, fulfillment, and presence.

In this episode, we are joined by longtime a)plan coaching client, and the Founder & CEO of Rockness Music, Michael Napolitano. A close friend of a)plan founder, Michael Counts, the two enjoy a lighthearted discussion around Michael’s experience with coaching over the years. As someone who has gone through phases of using coaching then taking breaks, Michael shares exactly how coaching enhances all areas of his life – from relationships, to business, to stress, to creativity, and more. As a creative business owner, Michael sees coaching as more of a necessity than a trend. In his own words, “a)plan is great when I’m doing well, and great when I’m not.” It's our whole-person approach to coaching that has changed the lives of hundreds of a)plan clients, and we are honored that Michael is, and continues to be, one of those clients.

With a vision to share methods of creative problem solving that he learned from his father, Dave Ellis planted the seeds to become one of the first major figures in the coaching industry, more than 30 years ago. He started in education, teaching and coaching students using the tools that he invented and refined over years of study. This work led to his writing, "Becoming A Master Student," which went on to become the best-selling textbook in American colleges and universities for more than 20 years. With this backdrop, Dave had created the ideas and approaches that were the earliest beginnings of what is now the coaching movement in America.

Eventually this work took the shape of a company that was one of the earliest business entities to operate with a Triple Bottom Line. That is, the needs and wellbeing of employees, clients, suppliers, partners, and investors were considered alongside what Dave considered to be “higher level goals,” like the end of abject poverty, environmental integrity, and human rights.

In pursuit of that vision, Dave was joined by many, including Bill Rentz, who began as a shipping clerk in Dave’s company. Bill went on to become one of very few Master Certified Coaches, by the ICF, as well as a top coach in his own right and a)plan’s Head of Coach Certification.

In this episode, we get a deep look into the origin story of Dave and Bill's work together, Dave’s coaching of 2006 Nobel Peace Prize winner, Dr. Mohammad Yunus, and his contributions on many levels to the industry and the founding of a)plan coaching.

In this episode, we are joined by visionary entrepreneur and a)plan supporter, Jessica Rolph. Jessica is the co-founder of Happy Family, a mom-founded and parent-operated organic baby food company that sold to Group Danone in 2013. Turning her attention from nutrition to brain development, Jessica then co-founded Lovevery, a company focused on creating developmental experiences in the lives of new babies and families. Now with 160 employees, Lovevery helps parents feel confident that they are creating the perfect developmental environment for their little ones. The common thread with Jessica’s work is that she’s a changemaker to the core. In discussing her social entrepreneurship journey, Jessica shares how the fast pace of a startup environment can rapidly create social change. Under the umbrella of foundership, we also discuss how to allow employees to be themselves, trusting them to do great work, listening to all perspectives, and choosing curiosity over judgement when things aren’t going well. At the center of these values, a)plan coaching proudly serves as a supporting resource for Jessica and others at Lovevery.

In this episode, we are joined by the wonderful a)plan coach, Brianna Freiheit. Brianna brings nearly 20 years of experience working in and with government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private sector partners to her coaching. In our discussion, Brianna shares her perspective on embracing a healthier spin on “work-life balance.” For changemakers whose work so closely reflects their values and beliefs, work and life inevitably begin to blend together. For Brianna, it’s about moving away from the binary framework that “work” and “life” make up two distinct parts of a person’s life. Instead, individuals, leaders, and organizations must find new, consistent ways to stay well-resourced and nourished all at once.

In this episode, we are joined by Climate Resilience Officer for the Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN), Kristin Baja (‘Baja’). Baja and her colleagues at USDN are change makers to the core, dedicating their lives to some of today’s most critical challenges – namely, climate change, racial equity, and sustainability. With more than 249 local governments and 1,700 practitioners in its network, USDN is a members-led non-profit that continues to grow as these challenges increasingly gain attention on a global scale. Our discussion with Baja centers around a reframing of the way we view ourselves, our communities, our relationship to power, and our planet altogether. We explore how effecting change in a larger-than-life space like Sustainability comes with a unique set of obstacles – and why practitioners in this world have so much to gain from coaching, which offers the adaptability to address those obstacles in a way that meets each individual’s bespoke needs.

In this episode, we are joined by author, facilitator, thought leader, and a)plan coach, Dr. Santalynda Marrero. Santalynda specializes in coaching across cultures and generations to foster successful beginnings and transitions. Our discussion with Santalynda touches on the difference between assimilation and acculturation, as she offers expert perspective on how to approach the latter with grace and intentionality. As Sanalynda puts it, creating “flow” between different people ultimately builds community, and our conversation dives deep on why coaching is an ideal tool to achieve such connection.

In this episode, we are joined by spiritual leader, author, and coach, Paola Castro. Paola brings a strong, positive energy to the All You Need Is A Plan podcast, and she spends most of our time together discussing the Four Stages of Conscious Leadership. The Four Stages framework is designed to guide individuals to a state of “conscious” leadership. As Paola describes it, this means leading from a space that is in alignment with the truth of who you are, and it is from that space that we have the ability to inspire others. Most people can tap into the first and second stages of conscious leadership, but what does it take to reach stages three and four? How was a leader like Gandhi able to reach stage four and effect change in such profound ways? Paola answers your questions and more in this highly-actionable episode.

In this episode, we are joined by the multifaceted a)plan coach, Geramy Quarto. Much of Geramy’s career took place in Hollywood as a talent manager, and it was through the 1988 Writers Guild of America Strike that he first discovered coaching. Inspired by his own experience, he introduced coaching to many of his entertainment clients before looking ahead to new pastures in the non-profit space. He became integral in the early development of AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA) while simultaneously earning a joint degree in social work and gerontology - eventually becoming a licensed psychotherapist. Our discussion with Geramy focuses on a number of enlightening perspectives, such as the importance of failure for future success, working towards your opus, and embracing the AGE Method to age well (appreciation, gratitude, and encouragement).

In this episode, we are joined by a)plan coach and change-maker to the core, Amy Chiang. As an Asian American, Amy grew up with an “outsider” perspective that has profoundly impacted her life’s work. The founder of Forma Leadership Institute, Amy is a leading voice for those who have experienced disenfranchisement or disempowerment by larger systems. Amy’s coaching style often goes deep, shining a spotlight on society as a whole and considering how to create change at a systemic level. In our discussion, Amy shares her life experiences around survival, belonging, fear, and perspective, providing listeners an opportunity to think deeper about their own standing in today’s society.

In this episode, we are joined by valued a)plan coach, Walter Crawford. As a former C-level executive within DC government, Walter brings more than twenty years of human resources and operations leadership to his coaching engagements. Our discussion with Walter largely centers around issues of belonging and inclusion in 2021. He keenly points out that COVID-19 put belonging in the spotlight in new ways - whether belonging with family, belonging with partners, belonging in relation to the 2020 election, belonging in social movements, or any other number of contexts. Ultimately, belonging starts with connecting to what matters most, and Walter elegantly uses our time together to offer suggestions on how to do this effectively.

In this episode, we are joined by Director of People at Tides Foundation, and longtime a)plan user and champion, Ashley Bastinelli. This is the second episode of a two-part series featuring key executives at Tides Foundation, the first of which featured Tides COO, Michael Mosby. Ashley shares her perspective on the Tides and a)plan partnership, both on a personal level and an organizational level. From helping Tides craft its core values, to guiding the creation of a DEIB plan, to helping the foundation live up to its "Empowerment" core value, a)plan is honored to have had such an impact at this non-profit. And as Ashley shares, the appreciation goes both ways. Coaching has empowered Tides employees to see opportunities in challenges, embrace celebration, lead with curiosity, and more - all of which contributed to a sharp decline in employee turnover, an outcome particularly appreciated by the Director of People.

In this episode, we are joined by a cherished a)plan coaching user, and COO of Tides Foundation, Michael Mosby. Michael discusses his extensive experience with a)plan, both on an organizational level at Tides, and just as importantly, on a personal level. He shares some of the tools a)plan brought to Tides - from feedback frameworks, to decision-making models, to trust exercises; all of which contributed greatly to the transformation of the company’s culture. Then Michael opens up about his deep personal connection with his a)plan coach, or as he describes, his life partner. Through Michael's experience, listeners will learn how a)plan's approach takes you into a “heart space” as well as a "head space" - and why that is such a critical factor in creating meaningful progress.

In this episode, we are joined by one of the longest tenured coaches in the coaching industry, and now a proud a)plan coach, JoAnne Bangs. JoAnne’s work in the personal development space dates back as far as 1976 at the beginning of the Human Potential Movement. Officially establishing herself as a professional leadership coach more than 20 years ago, JoAnne brings a robust history of experience, working with international non-profits, SMBs, Fortune 500s, and even some well-known entrepreneurs. JoAnne discusses her time-tested approach to coaching and reflects on the deep value of coaching for change makers - the people pushing the world forward each and every day.

In this episode, we are joined by the charismatic, Mahama Nyankamawu, who brings with him a treasure trove of perspective on the value of inclusion in the workplace. Mahama is an a)plan coach whose mission is to empower the long-term wellbeing and impact of leaders, often achieving so through his work in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). We discuss what it means to achieve genuine inclusion, how inclusion differs from diversity, and why there’s such a strong case for the ROI of inclusion. Listeners might be surprised to learn just how deep the correlations go between inclusion, performance, morale, and retention.

In this episode, host and a)plan coaching founder, Michael Counts, talks with a)plan coach, Kirsten Romer, about her work in Silicon Valley and beyond as a coach and leader of Women’s Circles. The discussion explores the value, power, and importance of this kind of support for women in the worlds of Venture Capital and Silicon Valley tech companies. Kirsten shares how saboteurs, inner-critics, and imposter syndrome can stall progress - but more importantly, how these limitations are choices, not necessities. Through coaching, many of Kirsten’s clients have learned how to slow down, quiet the inner-critic, and chart a path forward towards what they really want in life and work.

In this episode of the All You Need Is A Plan podcast, we are joined by coaching pioneers and thought leaders in gender equity, Denise Bray & Peter Chandonnet. Between the two of them, Denise and Peter have led forward-thinking coaching programs at the world’s leading companies, including Apple, Google, Salesforce, and more. This episode largely revolves around leadership and gender equity: How psychological security is critical for success in the workplace; Why all boats rise when we are comfortable expressing our true selves; How mistakes are inevitable when generating change; and more. For many of today’s leaders looking to accelerate the gender equity movement, coaching is a core tool for perspective, manifestation, self observance, and mindfulness. Touching on each of these topics, Denise and Peter deliver a taste of the coaching experience.

In this episode, we’re joined by world traveler, actor, dancer, model, and a)plan coach, Collin Baja. As a coach for a wide range of clients–from C-level executives to stay-at-home moms–Collin’s approach rarely wavers: Wellness is all-important, and it requires a full tank. Under the umbrella of wellness, we discuss what it means to redefine “selfish,” how to determine opportunities for life improvement, the power of taking ownership, and more. Collin offers up some of the go-to questions he asks his coaching clients, providing listeners with an episode that could pass as a mini coaching session.

In this episode, we are joined by Nilay Oza and Peter Sabbeth, founders of innovative architectural firm, Oza Sabbeth. As early a)plan clients, Nilay and Peter discuss the ways in which coaching has helped fuel their longtime, award-winning partnership. From providing a shared internal language, to goal aspiration, to employee morale, coaching has helped shape Oza Sabbeth’s culture in ways big and small. On a more personal level, the two also dive into coaching as it relates to the importance of gratitude and the power of perception.

In this episode, we are joined by a)plan coaching’s Head of Operations, Molly Rodau and 20-year personal and professional coach, Michele Christensen. Hosting the discussion this time are both a)plan founders (and two of Michele’s coachees), Michael Counts and Sara Ellis Conant, as we explore what it means to achieve excellence with ease. We discuss why “ease” is such an aspirational state of being for any person or company, and why it is not the reward of excellence, but rather the path to it. A particularly relevant conversation in the wake of pandemic burnout, this episode is a must-listen for business leaders, executives, and employees alike.

In this episode, we speak with Alex Counts, a leader in microfinance and poverty eradication for over 30 years. In 1997, with the support of Nobel Laureate, Dr. Muhammad Yunus of Bangladesh, Alex established the Grameen Foundation and served as its CEO for the next 18 years. Alex is no stranger to thinking big, imagining a better future, and making strides towards a distant vision. But with massive goals also comes a crash course in how to remain sane and healthy through the process; a struggle which prompted Alex’s latest book: Changing The World Without Losing Your Mind. In our conversation with Alex, we discuss his 20 years of experience using a coach, and the ways that coaching can serve as a catalyst for wide ranging improvement throughout an organization.

In this episode, we speak with Holly Grant (Chief Operating Officer) and Martin Alvarez (Chief Commercial Officer) at Long-Term Stock Exchange (LTSE), the newest stock exchange in the United States. As long time a)plan users, our guests explain how coaching is the perfect compliment to the ongoing development of LTSE’s culture – one defined by sustainability, diversity, high-performance, and perhaps above all, curiosity. Embedding a “people first” approach into the fabric of a company requires new frameworks, mindsets, and tools. To that end, for Holly, Martin, and many more at LTSE, coaching has become a foundational building block upon which personal and organizational growth are made possible.

In this episode, we’re joined by Director of Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion at Tides Foundation, Erwin Acox, and our very own Head of Strategy and Racial Equity, Brian Gadsden. Erwin and Brian lead a special Inauguration Day discussion around a renewed sense of optimism and opportunity for black leaders and the greater fight for racial equity in America. The two candidly discuss continued challenges faced by black leaders, the importance of vulnerability in encouraging healing, and the role that coaching has played in a recent cultural transformation at Tides – one that helped reduce attrition from 35% to nearly 0%.

In this episode, we speak with award-winning filmmaker (but “Mom” first), Karin Gornick. Karin is a creative leader in the fields of mental health, teenage anxiety, and parenting. Her many documentaries, including “Angst,” “Screenagers,” and “Trauma,” have received critical acclaim for bringing awareness to critical, yet long overlooked, crises affecting today’s youth and adolescents. Karin shares some key strategies for parenting in the 21st century, and makes a strong case for the ever-growing importance of coaching – in her own life, and for society as a whole.

In this episode we speak with Michael Solomon and Rishon Blumberg, founders of 10X Management, and hear about their new book, Game Changer: How To Be 10X In The Talent Economy, and discuss the role of coaching in their approach to managing top talent in a range of different fields.