Excellent Executive Coaching: Bringing Your Coaching One Step Closer To Excelling

Cathey Armillas is a TEDx speaker coach known for helping people turn their ideas into talks that actually move people. She co-founded Speaker Skills Academy, the global "gym for speaking," where members drill their way to better storytelling. What's the brutally honest truth about why most talks are forgettable? What's something people would be shocked to learn about the behind-the-scenes process? If someone came to you with a talk that was a total hot mess, what's the very first thing you'd fix? You say people don't get better at speaking by speaking; they get better by drilling. Why is that? What's one drill or technique anyone listening could try today to instantly improve their speaking or storytelling? Cathey Armillas Cathey Armillas is a TEDx speaker coach known for helping people turn their ideas into talks that actually move people. She co-founded Speaker Skills Academy, the global "gym for speaking," where members drill their way to better storytelling in a high-energy, deeply connected community.

Dr. Tyrone A. Holmes is a professional speaker, coach, and content creator who has spent three decades teaching people to build powerful relationships in diverse settings. Why have we seen an increase in workplace incivility? How do you define uncivil behavior? What is the business cost of this incivility? What types of incivility are most common? What steps can leaders take to increase civility in the workplace? How has AI affected engagement in the workplace? Dr. Tyrone A. Holmes Dr. Holmes served as a full-time faculty member at Eastern Michigan University in the Department of Leadership and Counseling and at Wayne State University in the Department of Theoretical and Behavioral Foundations. He is certified as a Level 1 (Advanced) coach through USA Cycling and is a Past President of the Arizona Chapter of the National Speakers Association. Dr. Holmes has worked with hundreds of clients like Ford Motor Company, Volkswagen of America, and Boise Cascade, for example. He has also helped dozens of entrepreneu

Sara Vezensek walked away from a six-figure career on luxury superyachts to build a business entirely on her own terms, and in her first year, she closed $100K in sales in just 30 days. Now she's a Brand Strategist who helps service providers escape the delivery-heavy, founder-dependent model that's keeping them capped and burned out. You were working with billionaires selling Luxury yachts. What made you change your work? What was your vision after you left that job? What is the current mindset about success that you counter? What is your magic? How did you stay with your vision and help others stay in theirs? What mindset helps your success? Now that you have a successful business, what do you want to say to those billionaires you used to serve? Sara Vezensek Sara Vezensek walked away from a six-figure career on luxury superyachts to build a business entirely on her own terms, and in her first year, she closed $100K in sales in just 30 days. Now she's a Brand Strategist who helps service providers escape

Kimberly Jentzen is a California native who has spent a career coaching actors and excavating what drives human behavior — inside her studio, on stage, and on film sets. Tell us about your book, "Acting with Impact?" You have an acting school. What do actors need to know about acting? What does good listening mean to you? What is the difference between needs and wants? What does your school offer in courses? Kimberly Jentzen Kimberly Jentzen is a California native who has spent a career coaching actors and excavating what drives human behavior — inside her studio, on stage, and on film sets. An internationally recognized acting coach, director, and author, she is the bestselling author of Acting with Impact, 2nd Edition, and Life Emotion Cards, and a Back Stage Reader's Choice Award winner. Her films have earned festival awards, including Best Direction, Best Short, and Audience Favorite — among them Reign, an Oscar-qualified short. She holds a degree from UCLA, where she now returns to teach, and a Master'

Hoong Yee Lee is a speaker on power, language, and alignment—focused on what happens before decisions are made. A former funder and national grants panelist, she has awarded over $10 million and spent years inside high-stakes rooms where outcomes are shaped long before they're announced. You say power moves before the decision—can you explain what that looks like in real life? How can someone tell, in real time, that a shift is happening in the room? What is The Velvet No, and how do you actually use it in a high-stakes moment? What happens when you don't catch the shift—what does it actually cost people? What personal experience did you have to create your interest in the Velvet No? Hoong Yee Lee Hoong Yee Lee is a speaker on power, language, and alignment—focused on what happens before decisions are made. A former funder and national grants panelist, she has awarded over $10 million and spent years inside high-stakes rooms where outcomes are shaped long before they're announced. She is the creator of The

Dawn Goldstein, M.Ed., is a literacy educator, wellness advocate, College of Education Professor at NSU Fischler, and Founder & CEO of Freely Reading — a platform built on the conviction that Literacy Is Liberation. What is sexual literacy, and how is it different from sex education? How does shame about our bodies and sexuality show up in your private life? You say "Sexual Literacy is Mental Health Literacy" — what do you mean by that? How does the behavior play out by a person who has been sexually abused? What are the key questions you ask someone who has been sexually abused? Dawn Goldstein Dawn Goldstein, M.Ed., is a literacy educator, wellness advocate, College of Education Professor at NSU Fischler, and Founder & CEO of Freely Reading — a platform built on the conviction that Literacy Is Liberation. With 30+ years of experience across K–12 and higher education, Dawn has spent her career naming the conversations institutions are afraid to have. Her signature framework — Sexual Literacy is Me

Mike Ettore has a distinguished record of providing effective leadership and achieving superior results in a wide range of challenging environments. In addition to being a retired Marine Corps Infantry officer and decorated combat leader, he also served successfully as a C-Level executive in Kforce (NYSE: KFRC), a publicly traded professional services company with annual revenue exceeding $1 Billion. You were in leadership roles in two very different environments – the US Marine Corps and as a C-level executive in a +$1 Billion publicly traded company. What were the major adjustments you had to make? How applicable are the core values in the Marines compared to executives in Corporate America? How do you evaluate the core values of a corporation, whether they are applied or not? What is the impact of AI on leadership, and how should it be used? You have written leadership books extensively. Where can people get a hold of your book and your resources? If a leader who is promoted has no formal training, what

Joy Bertrand attended law school at Indiana University-Bloomington and the University of Arizona. She received her Juris Doctorate from Indiana University-Bloomington in 1996. While on assignment with the US Attorney's Office, Joy tried and won four federal jury trials and successfully litigated several Seventh Circuit appeals, including a Solicitor General appeal. You've been a faculty member for Gerry Spence's Trial Lawyers College, which is about as elite and high-pressure as it gets. What did you witness happening to the best lawyers in the country over time that made you realize this was a health crisis, not just occupational stress? You describe hostility not as something that happens to us, but as a mindset — even a habit, no different than chronic complaining. Can you further explain that? What happens physiologically when someone spends years living in a state of constant conflict and high alert? You talk about an emotional scale, and you make the point that people don't have to leap from hostility

Leah Ellis is the founder of the Society of Child Entrepreneurs, a nonprofit dedicated to helping children build real businesses and practice leadership in the real world. Why do we underestimate children's ability to lead, and what happens when we change that belief? What does it actually look like for a child to run a real business? How can parents and educators build confidence without over-helping? What skills do children gain from entrepreneurship that traditional education often misses? How can communities create environments where children are trusted to contribute in meaningful ways? Leah Ellis Leah Ellis is the founder of the Society of Child Entrepreneurs, a nonprofit dedicated to helping children build real businesses and practice leadership in the real world. Through hands-on programs, workshops, and business fairs, she equips kids with the confidence, financial literacy, and problem-solving skills they need to take action now, not someday. As a speaker and educator, Leah challenges the belief t

Dr. André Walton is a social psychologist, best-selling author, keynote and 2x TEDx speaker, and certified, accredited coach. How do you define creative thinking for leaders who don't see themselves as "creative"? What happens to creativity under sustained pressure? What conditions must exist for creativity and innovation to thrive in organizations? How is AI affecting one's creativity and critical thinking? How is working remotely affecting our creativity? What do you mean by Spherical Thinking? Andre Walton Dr. André Walton is a social psychologist, best-selling author, keynote and 2x TEDx speaker, and certified, accredited coach. He helps entrepreneurs, healthcare workers, and organizations resolve stress and burnout while unlocking resilience, creativity, and emotional intelligence. Excellent Executive Coaching Podcast If you have enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our podcast on iTunes. We would love for you to leave a review. The EEC podcasts are sponsored by MKB Excellent Executive Coaching, which he

Michael Pellegrino is the Founder of Resilient Minds On The Front Lines, a nonprofit organization dedicated to building resiliency and mental wellness across first responders, schools, and corporate communities nationwide. You spent 25 years in law enforcement—what experiences led you to create Resilient Minds On Front Lines? You often say, "When you change your mind, you change your life." What does that really mean in moments of stress or crisis? Can you explain "Mental CPR: Catch, Pause, Reframe" and how someone can actually use it in real time? You've worked with first responders, schools, and corporations—what are you seeing as the biggest challenge people are facing today when it comes to mental wellness? For someone listening right now who feels overwhelmed or stuck, what's one small shift they can make today to start turning things around? Michael Pellegrino Michael Pellegrino is the Founder of Resilient Minds On The Front Lines, a nonprofit organization dedicated to building resiliency and mental w

Myke Wilder has lived his life between two languages, French and English. During a 28-year career in corporate communications, Myke worked in Employee Relations, SAP Change Management, and R&D Reporting; always in both languages. What is the biggest problem that faces managers who are leading teams of workers who speak English as a second language? How can that problem be solved? Why is this a problem? What is the fallout for businesses? What is the biggest roadblock managers face when attempting to improve communications with L2 English speakers? How has working with a hearing disability informed your work with multilingual teams? Myke Wilder Myke has lived his life between two languages, French and English. During a 28-year career in corporate communications, Myke worked in Employee Relations, SAP Change Management, and R&D Reporting; always in both languages. In 2013, Myke became a Business ESL Teacher, amassing 9,000 hours of coaching managers and entrepreneurs around the world. That experience,

Reed Nyffeler is a lifelong entrepreneur and founder of multiple successful companies, including Signal, a leading security services franchisor. Over the past 17 years, he has helped more than 500 individuals achieve business ownership and has generated over $330 million in revenue. How can someone discover their true purpose in business and life? What are the first steps to becoming a successful business owner? How do you develop leadership skills that actually drive results? What separates those who succeed in entrepreneurship from those who don't? How can young entrepreneurs create meaningful impact early in their journey? Reed Nyffeler Reed Nyffeler is a lifelong entrepreneur and founder of multiple successful companies, including Signal, a leading security services franchisor. Over the past 17 years, he has helped more than 500 individuals achieve business ownership and has generated over $330 million in revenue. Reed is passionate about developing the next generation of leaders and helping them discov

Stephanie Bacon, PhD, is an organizational consultant, speaker, and researcher specializing in adult social and emotional competence, nervous system regulation, and human-centered leadership. She works with leaders who care deeply about performance, culture, and impact—and who recognize that strategy alone does not create alignment. You talk about "human capacity" as the missing piece in organizational performance. What do you mean by that? You describe your work as "Embodied SEL." How is that different from traditional emotional intelligence or leadership training? What are the hidden costs organizations pay when adult social and emotional competence is low? What is the difference between having a motivation problem and a capacity problem? Stephanie Bacon Stephanie Bacon, PhD, is an organizational consultant, speaker, and researcher specializing in adult social and emotional competence, nervous system regulation, and human-centered leadership. She works with leaders who care deeply about performance, cultu

Dr. Katrina Burrus is a catalyst in transforming brilliant but abrasive leaders into executives whom people actually want to follow. She also helps leaders to fast-track high-potential talents to the C-Suite and coaches CEOs of multinationals through their most high-stakes moments of change. Do Brilliant Jerks have high EQ? What are their reasons for reacting in a destructive way with others? Do you find Brilliant Jerks in families? Can you see clues that a child might become a Brilliant Jerk? In your TEDxMakati, you said that Brilliant Jerks aren't villains but have a damaged framework of connection. What do you mean by this? Can Brilliant Jerks transform into inspiring leaders? In summary, what solution do you propose, and how do you get them to engage? For sustainable change in the Brilliant Jerks, what is important to remember? Dr. Katrina Burrus What do you do when your most valuable executive is also your most difficult one? You call Dr. Katrina Burrus. As CEO of Excellent Executive Coaching LLC, Dr.

Dr. Katrina Burrus is a catalyst in transforming brilliant but abrasive leaders into executives whom people actually want to follow. She also helps leaders to fast-track high-potential talents to the C-Suite and coaches CEOs of multinationals through their most high-stakes moments of change. How do you define a Brilliant Jerk or a toxic leader? What are the consequences of having a Brilliant Jerk in a company? How common do we find Brilliant Jerks in companies? What is the cost to the company of having a Brilliant Jerk leading a company? How do Brilliant Jerks behave? Do you behave as a Brilliant Jerk? What is the difference between a demanding boss and a Brilliant Jerk? Dr. Katrina Burrus What do you do when your most valuable executive is also your most difficult one? You call Dr. Katrina Burrus. As CEO of Excellent Executive Coaching LLC, Dr. Burrus transforms brilliant but abrasive leaders into executives people actually want to follow, fast-tracking high-potential talent to the C-suite and coaching mul

As the visionary leader of Quantum Connections, Jonathan spearheads Quantum Connections' strategy to support its mission to bring the power of dialogue to workplaces and individuals while expanding the organization's global influence. What are performance metrics missing? What is most important to retain employees today in a environment where 70% if employees are disengaged from the company they work for? What is missing when you only use compensation, perks, or flexibility as retention tools? How can you scale and strengthen relationships? What role does connection play in periods of uncertainty? Jonathan Thorp As the visionary leader of Quantum Connections, Jonathan spearheads Quantum Connections' strategy to support its mission to bring the power of dialogue to workplaces and individuals while expanding the organization's global influence. Under his guidance, Quantum Connections seamlessly integrates the Safe Conversations Dialogue Methodology with the dedication of its practitioners, significantly enhan

Pamela Steele, PhD, is an educational psychologist, certified mediator, and conflict resolution trainer who helps people communicate effectively and define practical, realistic ways to meet challenges head-on. How did you get from where you started professionally to where you are today? What inspired you to write your book? What personality characteristics do you believe have supported your growth and survival, given all the losses you've experienced? What do you hope people will take away from reading your book or hearing this interview? Pamela Steele Pamela Steele, PhD, is an educational psychologist, certified mediator, and conflict resolution trainer who helps people communicate effectively and define practical, realistic ways to meet challenges head-on. She has held executive leadership roles in four industries: Education, Financial, Media, and Healthcare. Pamela is the Managing Partner of Navigate Grief, through which she has supported clients through end-of-life discussions and decision-making and fa

Brit Nicole found herself leaving an abusive marriage with nothing. No money. No backup plan. Just herself, my dog, and the belief that she could build something — anything — from scratch. Tell me what challenges you have confronted and how, despite it you created a thriving business? What does "being happy without an agenda" mean to you? What are the similarities and differences between overcoming an abusive husband and being betrayed in business? How do you overcome people who project their own fears onto you because it's not something they would do? Brit Nicole Brit Nicole found herself leaving an abusive marriage with nothing. No money. No backup plan. Just herself, my dog, and the belief that she could build something — anything — from scratch. Brit remembers sitting in the quiet of that season, no clients, no certainty, just a journal full of prayers and the fire to figure it out. She told herself right then that she wasn't going to spend her life building someone else's dream. If she was capable of w

Tiffany Jones is a Greenville, SC native who grew up in a culture where mental illness was stigmatized and often silenced. After almost 20 years of hiding and suffering quietly, Tiffany was determined to find real answers. Where does your interest in mental health come from? What do you mean when you say you have to be with the right people? What are the signs of a person being depression? What are the different types of shame, and how to overcome them? What happens if someone with depression self-medicates? Tiffany Jones Tiffany Jones is a Greenville, SC native who grew up in a culture where mental illness was stigmatized and often silenced. After almost 20 years of hiding and suffering quietly, Tiffany was determined to find real answers. Through this journey, she discovered not only her own healing but a renewed purpose. She became an author and public speaker to further share her message of hope. Today, Tiffany is committed to helping others access the understanding, tools, and resources they need to bu