The Coaching Book Club Podcast
By: Christy Stuber and Ken McKellar
Language: en-us
Categories: Business, Education, Self Improvement, Science, Social
Unlock powerful coaching insights—one book at a time. 📖🎙️ Listen, learn, and level up your coaching practice!
Episodes
The Extended Mind: How Movement, Gesture, and Connection Deepen Coaching Presence
Dec 15, 2025Send us a text
In this episode of The Coaching Book Club Podcast, Christy Stuber and Ken McKellar explore The Extended Mind by Annie Murphy Paul—a compelling look at how thinking extends beyond the brain and into our bodies, environments, and social interactions.
Whether it’s tuning into physical sensations, noticing client gestures, or walking in nature to spark creativity, this book offers a fresh lens on embodied coaching. Christy and Ken share their favorite insights and real-life coaching reflections on:
Why gestures can reveal deep, unspoken ideasHow movement activates insight for both coac... Duration: 00:17:10True to You: Coaching with Courage, Clarity, and Boundaries
Dec 01, 2025Send us a text
In this episode of the Coaching Book Club Podcast, Christy and Ken dive into True to You by Kathleen Smith, a powerful guide for staying grounded in yourself while navigating anxiety, expectations, and relationships.
Drawing on Bowen Family Systems theory, they explore how coaches can maintain presence, set boundaries, and resist over-functioning in sessions. They reflect on:
The difference between mind reading and mind knowingWhat it means to embody self-differentiationThree anxiety-driven behaviors coaches fall into: accommodating, acting out, and avoidingExpect real stories, honest reflections, and practical examples that...
Duration: 00:21:20Strong Ground, Part Two: Grounded Confidence & Coaching from the Core
Nov 15, 2025Send us a text
In this follow-up to our first episode on Strong Ground by Brené Brown, Christy and Ken dive deeper into what it means to coach from grounded confidence rather than from protection. They reflect on how this shows up in real coaching relationships and explore powerful concepts like the “line of fear,” the shift from armored to daring coaching, and the impact of power dynamics in the coaching space.
You’ll hear Christy share insights from the ICF Converge Conference and Ken’s breakthrough moment with the Empowerment Triangle. Together, they unpack how prese...
Duration: 00:23:59From Compensation to Confidence: Building Strong Ground as a Coach
Nov 01, 2025Send us a text
In this episode of The Coaching Book Club Podcast, Christy and Ken explore Strong Ground by Brené Brown — a powerful invitation to lead and coach from the inside out.
Instead of chasing polished performance, Dr. Brown offers a deeper path: one rooted in clarity, consistency, and grounded confidence. Together, we unpack what it means to build strength that’s steady, not showy — especially in the messy middle of becoming a coach.
We explore:
What “compensation muscles” look like in coaching — and how to spot when we’re using themWhy grounde... Duration: 00:23:22The Canary Code: Coaching for Neurodiversity, Dignity, and Belonging
Oct 15, 2025Send us a text
In this episode of the Coaching Book Club Podcast, Christy and Ken explore The Canary Code by Ludmila Praslova, PhD — a transformative guide on neurodiversity, dignity, and intersectional belonging at work.
While written for organizational leaders, this book holds profound implications for coaching. Christy and Ken reflect on:
What pre-boarding means for coaching, and how it creates psychological safety before a client even signs on.Ways to design inclusive sessions — from sensory-aware setups to communication preferences.Why neuroinclusion isn’t just good customer service — it’s core to cultivating trust and safety... Duration: 00:19:13The Possible Self: Coaching Through Identity Shifts and Sticky Emotions
Oct 01, 2025Send us a text
In this episode of The Coaching Book Club Podcast, Christy and Ken explore The Possible Self by Maja Djikic — a practical and reflective guide for coaches navigating identity, mindset, and growth. Together, they unpack the challenges of transitions, sticky emotions, and what it means to redesign not just behaviors, but the beliefs beneath them. Through storytelling, laughter, and real-life coaching reflections, they offer a candid look at how personal development shows up in coaching practice. Key themes we explore:
The "time thief" trap — and how to reclaim attentionSticky emotions like fear, anger, and... Duration: 00:21:40Never Not Working: Coaching Beyond Burnout and Busyness
Sep 15, 2025Send us a text
In this episode of The Coaching Book Club Podcast, Christy and Ken explore Never Not Working by Melissa Clark — a thought-provoking book that distinguishes between healthy work engagement and workaholism. While both may look similar on the outside, the internal energy and motivation behind them make all the difference.
Through real talk and laughter, Christy and Ken reflect on their own habits, motivations, and calendars — and invite you to do the same. This episode will help you:
Understand the line between doing meaningful work and being compulsively driven.Recognize how your... Duration: 00:15:31Coaching A to Z: How Haesun Moon’s Listening Compass Can Transform Client Conversations
Aug 31, 2025Send us a text
In this episode of The Coaching Book Club Podcast, Christy and Ken explore Coaching A to Z by Haesun Moon—a beautifully structured and story-rich guide that brings coaching to life through powerful language and the lens of solution-focused practice.
Moon’s “Listening Compass” tool is at the heart of the conversation, offering a fresh way to guide clients toward their preferred future and resourceful past, instead of getting bogged down in the present problem. This episode uncovers:
Why storytelling is at the core of transformational coaching... Duration: 00:17:35The ONE Thing: How Simplicity and Focus Fuel Powerful Coaching
Aug 13, 2025Send us a text
In this episode, we dig into The ONE Thing by Gary Keller—one of those deceptively simple books that sticks with you. Together, we explore how this book can help coaches clarify purpose, reduce noise, and create real momentum in both personal and professional life.
We talk about:
The surprising power of choosing less, on purposeWhat “willpower isn’t always on will-call” means for coachesHow to use your core purpose to align your habits and coaching presenceWhether you're navigating credentialing, leadership transitions, or just feeling pulled in too many dir...
Duration: 00:15:15Wellness by Nathan Hill: Coaching Insights from a Big Juicy Summer Read
Jul 30, 2025Send us a text
In this episode of The Coaching Book Club Podcast, Christy and Ken dive into Wellness by Nathan Hill — a sweeping work of literary fiction and an Oprah Book Club pick from 2023. While it may not be a traditional coaching resource, Wellness offers rich insights into human behavior, identity, and the stories we tell ourselves — all essential territory for coaches.
Tune in to explore:
How fiction can reveal truths about the coaching relationship.Why every client’s version of reality is a shifting story.The power of curiosity, presence, and humility in coa... Duration: 00:22:13The Promise That Changes Everything by Nancy Kline: Listening Without Interruption in Coaching
Jul 12, 2025Send us a text
In this episode of The Coaching Book Club Podcast, Christy Stuber and Ken McKellar explore The Promise That Changes Everything by Nancy Kline—a book that dares us to make one powerful commitment: “I won’t interrupt you.” Through personal stories and deep reflection, Christy and Ken unpack how this promise transforms not only coaching sessions but relationships and daily life.
Key takeaways from this episode include:
The transformative impact of generative attention: How deep listening enhances client insight and trust.Navigating the tension between coaching protocols and presence: When to follo... Duration: 00:20:32Yes, And: How Improv Principles Build Confidence and Creativity in Coaching
Jun 30, 2025Send us a text
In this episode of The Coaching Book Club Podcast, Christy and Ken explore the transformative power of improv through Yes, And by Kelly Leonard and Tom Yorton of The Second City. Blending humor with coaching insight, they discuss how improvisational techniques can foster deeper presence, unlock creativity, and shift the way we handle uncertainty in client conversations.
Whether you're navigating imposter syndrome or looking to add spontaneity and playfulness to your coaching, this book—and this episode—offers fresh tools for growth.
Key takeaways include:
Letting go o... Duration: 00:19:36Breakthrough Coaching by Marcia Reynolds: Building Presence and Trust in Your Practice
Jun 15, 2025Send us a text
In this episode of The Coaching Book Club Podcast, Christy Stuber and Ken McKellar dive into Breakthrough Coaching by Marcia Reynolds—a must-read for coaches striving to deepen their presence, build trust, and grow professionally. Christy recounts her personal meetings with Marcia, while Ken reflects on his long-time admiration of her work, setting the tone for a lively and insightful conversation.
Key takeaways from this episode include:
The importance of embodying a coach’s mindset: How continuous self-awareness, supervision, and reflection build coaching resilience.Recognizing and overcoming emot... Duration: 00:22:40Coaching Presence and Power: What James by Percival Everett Reveals
Jun 01, 2025Send us a text
In this episode of The Coaching Book Club, Christy Stuber and Ken McKellar explore James by Percival Everett and its profound lessons for coaches on identity, safety, and performance.
Through the lens of this award-winning novel, they unpack how code-switching, survival strategies, and unspoken truths show up in coaching—and how presence, curiosity, and emotional safety help clients move from performing to being.
Whether you’re a new coach or a seasoned practitioner, you’ll walk away with powerful insights into trust-building, self-awareness, and honoring the full humanity of every...
Duration: 00:21:56Mastering Coaching Readiness and Client Thinking with Lessons from Cultivating Coachability by Clare Norman
May 09, 2025Send us a text
What does it really mean for a client to be “ready” for coaching? And how do we, as coaches, avoid stealing the learning by inserting our own insights?
In this episode of the Coaching Book Club Podcast, Christy Stuber and Ken McKeller dive into Cultivating Coachability by Clare Norman—an essential read for every coach’s bookshelf. Together, they explore the coach’s responsibility to prepare clients for coaching, redefine the purpose of chemistry sessions as compatibility meetings, and hold space for independent thinking without hijacking the client’s process.
You’ll wal...
Duration: 00:21:51Trust, Truth & Tough Conversations: A Coaching Lens on Legacy by Dr. Uché Blackstock
Apr 30, 2025Send us a text
What does it take to create a truly safe coaching space — one rooted in trust, context, and cultural awareness?
In this episode of The Coaching Book Club, hosts Christy Stuber and Ken McKellar unpack Legacy by Dr. Uché Blackstock — a deeply personal and powerful book about racism in healthcare, family lineage, and the urgent need to reimagine trust and equity in professional spaces.
Together, Christy and Ken explore how this memoir challenges coaches to reflect on their own identities, biases, and responsibilities when working with diverse clients — and why these c...
Duration: 00:23:14Positive Provocation: Robert Biswas-Diener’s Coaching Ideas That Will Challenge Everything You Know
Apr 12, 2025Send us a text
What if the best coaches are the ones still learning? 🤔
In this episode of The Coaching Book Club, hosts Christy Stuber and Ken McKellar explore Positive Provocation by Robert Biswas-Diener — a refreshingly bold read that dares coaches to challenge convention, embrace discomfort, and grow through curiosity. If you’re ready to think differently about coaching, this one’s for you.
Join us as we dive into key provocations from the book, including:
✅ Why great coaches never stop evolving — and what that means for your ongoing development
✅ The “coach’s age...
Your Brain’s Not for Thinking?! Insights from Lisa Feldman Barrett’s ‘Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain
Mar 30, 2025Send us a text
Did you know your brain’s primary job isn’t thinking? 🤯
In this episode of The Coaching Book Club, hosts Christy Stuber and Ken McKellar explore Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain by Lisa Feldman Barrett — a thought-provoking book that challenges our assumptions about how the brain works. If you’re a coach looking to understand brain science and its impact on coaching, this episode is for you.
Join us as we dive into three powerful insights from the book:
✅ How your brain predicts (almost) everything you do — and...
Mastering Coaching Skills with Lessons from Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss
Mar 15, 2025Send us a text
In this episode of The Coaching Book Club, hosts Christy Stuber and Ken McKellar unpack powerful insights from Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss, revealing how FBI hostage negotiation tactics can elevate your coaching skills.
From active listening to emotional labeling and building trust, Voss’s strategies offer coaches actionable tools for fostering deeper client relationships, guiding breakthrough moments, and helping clients navigate challenging decisions.
Key Insights in This Episode:
✅ Why assumptions can hinder coaching conversations — and how adopting a “hypothesis guide” mindset strengthen...
Exploring the Power of Metaphors in Coaching with Lyssa deHart's Light Up
Mar 15, 2025Send us a text
Unlocking Coaching Confidence with Metaphors: Insights from Light Up
In this episode of The Coaching Book Club, hosts Christy Stuber and Ken McKellar explore Light Up: The Science of Coaching with Metaphors by Lyssa deHart — a must-read coaching book for anyone looking to enhance their coaching skills and leadership strategies.
Metaphors are powerful tools that can transform coaching conversations, helping clients connect with abstract ideas in meaningful and memorable ways. Whether you’re a practicing coach, a new coach seeking confidence, or a manager looking to i...
Duration: 00:17:08Coming Soon - The Coaching Book Club Podcast
Mar 12, 2025Send us a text
📚 Welcome to The Coaching Book Club Podcast!
In this brief introduction, host Christy Stuber shares why she and co-host Ken McKellar created this podcast — and what you can expect from each episode.
If you’re a coach looking to build confidence, refine your skills, and unlock powerful insights — all inspired by impactful books — you’re in the right place.
🎧 Subscribe now so you don’t miss our first two episodes, dropping on March 15!
Unlock pow...
Duration: 00:00:56