In this episode, Jill Young and executive coach and author Kathy Sullivan dive into the power of coaching tools—from validated assessments to simple visuals like a life wheel—and how they help clients see themselves more clearly and create intentional change. They explore the balance between using established instruments such as DISC, CliftonStrengths, and emotional intelligence assessments, and trusting the coach’s own intuition to create new tools in real time with clients. Together they unpack how data, reflection, and experimentation all serve the same goal: honoring the magic in both coach and client while making change feel doable instead of overwhelming.​

The conversation then shifts into Kathy’s book, Moms Eat First: 5 Principles to Prioritize Yourself and Create the Change You Crave, born from her lived experience as a working single mom, a longtime HR and organizational development leader, and a coach who has sat with hundreds of women in leadership. She shares how the five principles emerged during the trenches of the pandemic, why reflection and rediscovering your own dreams matter so much for moms, and how “aims” and following your energy can sometimes be more honest than rigid long‑term goals.​

Jill and Kathy also talk candidly about the “second shift,” the invisible “third shift” mental load, and what it really takes to negotiate for what you want at work and at home using emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and courageous conversations. They close with a playful Sweet Ass Affirmations card pull on intuition, using it as a springboard to talk about slowing down, listening to your gut as one important data point, and integrating head, heart, and gut in both life and coaching.​

Meet Kathy!
Kathy Sullivan is the owner of Talent Principles, an executive coaching and organizational development consultancy where she helps leaders and teams improve performance through people-centered change. Drawing on 20+ years in human resources and organizational change, she brings a grounded, practical lens to emotional intelligence, leadership development, and culture work.​
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She is also the author of Moms Eat First: 5 Principles to Prioritize Yourself and Create the Change You Crave, a book that guides moms to step out of autopilot, reflect on what they truly want, and design sustainable change that honors both their families and their own ambitions. In addition to one‑on‑one coaching, Kathy designs women-in-leadership programs and women’s health forums that create space for reflection, data‑informed choices, and community for working moms.

Show Links!

• Moms Eat First – https://momseatfirst.com
• Talent Principles – https://talentprinciples.com
• Sweet Ass Affirmations Deck – https://ragecreate.com (search “Sweet Ass Affirmations”)
• Coaching Magic with Jill Young – https://www.jillyoung.com/coaching-magic

P.S. Remember, you are magic!

In this episode of Coaching Magic, J!ll Young welcomes creative mischief-maker and co-creator of Sweet Ass Affirmations, Heath Armstrong of Rage Create. Together they explore how intuition, synchronicity, humor, and heart-led action can transform not only our lives, but also our coaching. From seeing the number 22 as a lifelong roadmap to leaving a construction career and building a thriving creative business, Heath shares how he follows “the signs” and turns them into bold, practical moves.​

You’ll hear how to use pattern recognition as a form of intuition, why it’s powerful to “follow the woo” but always pair it with the “do,” and how something as simple (and silly) as forced laughter can shift energy for you and your clients. Jill and Heath also dive into leading with the heart in business, enhancing rather than fixing clients, and building a life and company that become a creative palette for service and play.

Meet Heath!

Show notes introductions simply don't do Heath justice! Read this to learn more: https://heatharmstrong.com/about/

Show Links!

P.S. Remember, you are magic!

In this powerful and honest conversation, Jill welcomes Dr. Aimie—physician, trauma expert, and author of the best selling book,The Biology of Trauma—to explore what trauma really means for coaches. Whether we call it trauma, overwhelm, or stuckness, every human nervous system carries past experiences into the present moment. Which means coaches are always working with trauma—because we’re always working with humans!

Dr. Aimie offers a clear and empowering distinction between stress and trauma. Stress grows us. Trauma breaks us. The difference lies in capacity. When a client believes they have the internal resources—energy, support, resilience—to meet a challenge, they’re in growth. When the challenge exceeds their perceived capacity, they cross into overwhelm. Coaches can listen for language shifts: “I’ve got this” signals stress; “This is too much” signals trauma physiology. The gap between demand and capacity? That’s where trauma lives.

One of the most powerful concepts introduced is neuroception—the nervous system’s perception of safety and capacity. Our bodies respond not to reality itself, but to our perception of it, shaped by past experiences. This is why two people can face the same situation and have completely different physiological responses. For coaches, this reinforces the importance of tracking nervous system states in real time.

Meet Dr. Aimie!

Dr. Aimie Apigian, double board-certified physician (Preventive/Addiction Medicine) with master's degrees in biochemistry and public health, revolutionizes trauma healing by revealing how our cells—not just our minds—store trauma. Her book "The Biology of Trauma" (foreword by Gabor Maté) transforms our understanding of how the body experiences and holds trauma. After adopting a child during medical school sparked her journey, she developed an integrative science-based sequence for the healing journey. Through her practitioner training, podcast, YouTube channel, and international speaking, she bridges functional medicine, attachment and trauma therapy, proving that repairing trauma's impact on the mind, body and biology is possible.

Show Links!

1. The Biology of Trauma book: https://www.biologyoftrauma.com/book
2. Toolkit Resources: https://www.biologyoftrauma.com/resources
3. Rage Create, Sweet Ass Affirmations: https://ragecreate.com/products/the-sweet-ass-affirmations-deck-affirmations-to-motivate-your-creative-maniac-mind

P.S. Remember, you are magic!

In this fun little bonus “Hunch for Lunch” episode, Jess and Jill dive into a core skill that elevates both coaching and personal growth: the ability to extract value from lived experience. Rather than rushing from one event to the next, they explore how intentional reflection turns ordinary moments into powerful sources of learning, clarity, and forward momentum.

Jess and Jill discuss the deeply human drive to evolve and become our best selves — and how coaches play a unique role in helping people see possibilities they might otherwise overlook. Central to this process is creating space: space to pause, revisit experiences, and ask curious questions about what happened, what mattered, and what can be carried forward. They emphasize that insight often doesn’t appear in the moment; it surfaces later, when we slow down enough to notice.

P.S. Remember, you are magic!

In this powerful and grounding conversation, J!ll Young and Jen Couldrey explore the shift from performing life to participating in it. Moving beyond the pressure to appear successful, polished, or “put together,” Jen invites listeners to embrace the full spectrum of the human experience — messy, meaningful, joyful, and challenging all at once. She dismantles the myth that there is a point where we finally “arrive” and everything becomes easy.

Jen reframes personal growth as an ongoing journey rather than a destination. Instead of striving to eliminate struggle, she encourages acceptance of life’s natural rhythm of ups and downs. When we stop trying to curate a perfect image and start showing up authentically, we gain access to deeper self-trust, resilience, and freedom. Challenges don’t signal failure — they are evidence that we are fully engaged in life.

This episode offers a refreshing perspective for anyone exhausted by the pressure to have it all figured out. Jen reminds us that fulfillment doesn’t come from achieving a flawless existence, but from embracing reality as it unfolds. Choosing to show up — rather than show off — allows us to experience life more honestly, more courageously, and ultimately, more joyfully.

Meet Jen!

I work with founders and leadership teams at a specific point in growth – when hard work has taken the business far, but clarity, structure, and leadership discipline need to catch up.

I’ve worked with hundreds of founders and leadership teams navigating this transition. Before becoming an EOS Implementer, I led and launched multiple businesses and non-profits, helped leadership teams translate strategy into execution at Deloitte, and supported founders scaling complex, fast-growing organizations.

Across more than 600 meetings and workshops facilitated, I’ve seen the same pattern repeat: when leaders are focused, aligned, and disciplined, businesses move forward. When they’re not, even great teams get stuck.

Today, I help entrepreneurial leadership teams strengthen how their business runs using EOS as a practical system for clarity, accountability, and execution. My style is focused, candid, and positive: I ask the hard questions, bring objective perspective, and hold teams to high standards- while building the confidence and momentum needed to consistently achieve desired results.

I do my best work with leaders who are ready to get out of the weeds, have honest conversations, and lead with greater discipline and intention.

Show Links!

Coaching Magic School

Positive Intelligence by Shirzad Chamine

P.S. Remember, you are magic!

In this candid and deeply relatable conversation, Jill Young sits down with fellow coach and EOS Implementer Kristin Donahue to unpack a question many coaches quietly carry: What if I don’t really have a “thing”? What began as Kristin hesitating to accept a podcast invitation turns into an honest exploration of comparison, self-doubt, and the pressure to be uniquely branded in a crowded world. Together, they reveal how comparison doesn’t just steal joy — it slows progress — and how shifting from scarcity (“I need clients”) to alignment (“I’m looking for people who are looking for me”) opens the door to more authentic growth.

As the conversation unfolds, Jill reflects back the subtle qualities she experiences in Kristin — quick insights, grounded presence, encouragement, humor, fresh perspective, and a warm, inviting energy — illustrating that our true differentiators are often innate traits rather than carefully crafted niches. Kristin realizes that not having a conventional “thing” may itself be the thing, and that each coach serves as a uniquely shaped puzzle piece for the clients meant to work with them. The discussion also highlights how difficult — and courageous — it can be to actually receive positive reflections, especially when comparison has been acting as a quiet block.

The episode closes with a powerful invitation: first reflect on what you believe you bring, then ask a trusted colleague what they see in you, and finally claim those truths in your own words so they aren’t lost to self-doubt or forgetfulness. Drawing on insights inspired by Fierce Conversations, the hosts challenge listeners to consider, “What are you pretending not to know?” The result is a warm, energizing reminder that you don’t need to become someone else to stand out — your perspective, presence, and lived experience already make you exactly what someone out there is searching for. ✨

Meet Kristin!

Show Links!

-Fierce conversations, Susan Scott

-Follow Kristin Donahue Linkedin

-Connect with Kristin at Kristin.donahue@eosworldwide.com

-CM immersive

P.S. Remember, you are magic!

In this episode, Jill is joined by career coach Shannon Bowen for a rich conversation about what it really takes to move through change—not just professionally, but personally. Together, they explore the distinction between transition and transformation. A transition might look like a job search, a new role, or a career pivot. Transformation, however, is the deeper internal shift that asks us to rebuild trust with ourselves, reexamine our identity, and learn how to move forward with greater clarity and confidence.

At the heart of their conversation is encouragement. Jill and Shannon reflect on how often clients seek coaching not because they lack capability or intelligence, but because they want someone firmly in their corner—someone who can help them regulate emotions, name what’s happening beneath the surface, and remind them of who they are when doubt creeps in. Career transitions can be deeply disruptive, stirring up fear, grief, and imposter syndrome, and coaching becomes a steady place to land when everything feels in motion.

They also unpack the importance of understanding what work truly means to a client. A job is rarely just a job—it’s tied to identity, safety, worth, and belonging. Without addressing those deeper layers, even the “right” next move can feel misaligned. Jill and Shannon emphasize that self-trust is essential for navigating these moments well, and that authenticity—especially in interviews and the job search process—is not a liability, but a strength that increases connection and hireability.

The conversation expands beyond individual coaching into the broader workplace, highlighting the need for environments rooted in care, humanity, and mutual support. When people feel seen and supported, they don’t just perform better—they transform. Shannon also shares how she thoughtfully integrates AI-generated insights into her coaching practice, using technology as a tool to deepen reflection and enhance, rather than replace, the human connection at the core of coaching.

This episode is a reminder that real change isn’t only about what we’re moving toward, but how we’re being supported as we move. Transition may be the catalyst, but transformation is where lasting growth takes hold.

Meet Shannon!

Shannon Bowen is a career advancement coach, job search strategist, and salary whisperer who coaches professionals on how to ace their job search and step into a higher salary band. She is also a former nonprofit C-Suite leader, fundraiser, and a staff retention and salary negotiation expert. Currently, she is the CEO of her company Monsoon Leadership, the Co-President for AFP Advancement Northwest Board of Directors, and a trainer for AFP Global, AFP ICON, AFP LEAD, local chapters, NTEN, and more. Shannon also DIY designs her house (have you seen her Zoom background??), tends to her 50+ houseplants, cooks gourmet meals, and plans her next foodie vacay.

Show Links!

Follow Shannon on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-bowen525/

Monsoon Leadership: https://monsoonleadership.com/

Sweet Ass Affirmations card deck: https://ragecreate.com/products/the-sweet-ass-affirmations-deck-affirmations-to-motivate-your-creative-maniac-mind

P.S. Remember, you are magic!

What if love wasn’t a side note in our work… but the center of it?

In this episode of the Coaching Magic podcast, Andrea Nunes Jones and I step into a rich, reflective conversation about love, devotion, and the creative energy that lives at the heart of coaching—and life. We explore what becomes possible when we slow down, stay present, and allow connection to lead.

Together, we talk about the power of words to affirm and awaken, the role of devotion in meaningful work, and how coaching becomes a co-creative dance when we truly lean in. We explore the emotional landscape of growth—how noticing feelings, rather than rushing past them, creates fertile ground for insight and transformation.

This conversation is an invitation to reflect on leadership as relationship, creativity as collaboration, and love as an active, living practice. It’s a reminder that when we bring presence, curiosity, and devotion into our work, something miraculous unfolds—again and again.

Meet Andrea!

Hello! I have over 20 years experience helping people change their lives for the better-it is my life's purpose. I have owned and operated multiple business in the Twin Cities and am passionate about working with kindred spirts in entrepreneurship as they face similar challenges and opportunities.

As a Certified EOS Implementer® through EOS Worldwide, I help entrepreneurs and leadership teams grow their ideal company by helping them achieve 3 things: Vision, Traction®, and Healthy Teams. I enjoy coaching and facilitating teams to leverage their human energy and knowledge to find the right business solution.

As an Outgrow Sales Advisor, I help teams outgrow limiting mindset and beliefs and create proactive revenue growth.

I am a Kolbe certified coach and a fluent Spanish speaker. My Kolbe Index is Fact Finder: 6 Follow Through: 3 Quick Start: 7 Implementor: 4.

Show Links!

Know Thyself with Marc Gafni: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4GnZPr6qmh4GXcTEV10QtG?si=lxQlO7gGRe--ap4JLMRqwQ

15 commitments of Conscious Leadership: https://conscious.is/15-commitments

Sweet Ass Affirmations card deck: https://ragecreate.com/products/the-sweet-ass-affirmations-deck-affirmations-to-motivate-your-creative-maniac-mind

P.S. Remember, you are magic!