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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 follow structure vs. when to simply be with the client.
• Applying Nancy Kline’s wisdom to parenting and leadership: Real-world stories on the ripple effect of intentional silence.

Whether you’re new to Kline’s work or returning for a refresher, this episode offers fresh perspective on how to cultivate independent thinking and “Thinkability” in your clients—without needing to fill the silence.

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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 of the “script” and coaching in the moment.
• Using humor and emotional nuance as coaching tools.
• Turning “I don’t know” into a launchpad for client breakthroughs.

If you're curious how “yes, and” can apply to coaching conversations, this one's for you.

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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 emotional saboteurs: Why letting go of performance pressure is vital to effective coaching.
• The neuroscience of coaching presence: How small adjustments, like posture, can impact nervous system regulation and client connection.

With practical tools, heartfelt reflection, and a touch of humor, this episode invites you to explore how coaching is not just about technique—but about who you are becoming. Whether you're new to coaching or a seasoned practitioner, this episode offers valuable insights to enrich your practice and reconnect with your coaching purpose.

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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 client.

📚 Listen now to deepen your understanding of coaching presence and create spaces where transformation is truly possible.

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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 walk away with practical strategies to strengthen your coaching agreements, support client readiness, and deepen your understanding of the coach-thinker partnership. Whether you’ve read the book or this is your first time hearing about it, you’ll leave with fresh insights to apply in your own coaching practice.

Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and connect with us on LinkedIn to share what you’re taking away from today’s conversation.

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 conversations are essential to effective, ethical coaching.

Tune in to explore three key insights from the book, including:

✅ Why coaching isn’t just about skill — it’s also about the context we create for those skills to unfold
✅ The power of reflective practice to reveal personal bias, build trust, and strengthen client connection
✅ How collective healing, not just individual growth, shows up in coaching — and what that means for your sessions

Whether you’re cultivating safer spaces in one-on-one coaching or navigating trust in team and group settings, this episode will expand your lens and invite you into the ongoing work of coach development.

🎧 Listen now for a heartfelt and provocative conversation that proves: the way we coach is part of the legacy we leave.

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 agenda” — how bringing your values into the coaching space can actually empower clients
✅ What happens when we interrupt or use less empathy — and why these ideas might not be as taboo as you think

From ethics and supervision to reflective practice and client relationships, this conversation will stretch your thinking and offer new ways to refine your coaching craft.

Whether you’re a seasoned MCC or new to the profession, this episode delivers powerful insights, real-world reflections, and a playful-yet-deep discussion that proves learning never ends.

🎧 Tune in now to explore how Positive Provocation can push you forward as a coach — in the best way possible.

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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 why that matters for coaching conversations
✅ The “energy budget” and practical strategies to manage your mental and emotional resources as a coach
✅ Brain-to-brain regulation — why staying calm and present helps create a safe environment for your clients

Whether you’re a coach seeking personal growth, a manager wanting to build leadership skills, or someone looking to deepen your understanding of neuroscience, this episode offers practical coaching techniques and mindset shifts you can start using right away.

Learn how to build coaching confidence through brain science and apply these insights to overcome imposter syndrome, improve coaching skills, and cultivate stronger client connections. This episode is packed with professional development tips for coaches, practical coaching strategies, and actionable takeaways from one of the best coaching books of the year.

Tune in now to discover how understanding the brain can transform your coaching practice!