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!