I am an instructional coach in Oakland. Sometimes when I’m really struggling to identify my next step with one of my clients, I’ll find an episode that speaks directly to my situation. There won’t necessarily be clear cut answers, because that’s not really how coaching works. But it will give me a new perspective, something to try, or think about, and leave me feeling more prepared. Thanks Elena and team Bright Morning.

Great content and very skillfully crafted to help us support emotional intelligence.

Discovering Elena’s podcast and Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching (or rather re-discovering…I had the Art of Coaching on my bookshelf for a few years, but never got to use it!) has been a tremendous gift. Elena’s breadth of experience and expertise align with everything that I believe coaching and education should be about. I am so relieved that I can now approach job interviews with these tools, and vocabulary. I am now doing the individual Arise book study and cannot wait to continue to grow. Thank you!

What a gift! I can’t quite contain my enthusiasm, my overall love and admiration for Elena’s vulnerability, her curiosity and desire to stretch our practices in service of humanity. I started listening to the episodes all over again and find myself listening to the same episode repeatedly, taking notes and then sharing with friends in education!! I feel like I leave every episode having gone to a spa and a retreat. Thank you to all involved in this gift! Your work makes the world a better place.

I had to listen twice and read the transcript! I especially love the distinction between rescuer(TD) and coach (TED) and what that means for me, who can often get stuck in the “fix it” mentality. I’ve added a few new books to my reading list. Thank you!

I really love the practicality and thoughtfulness which Elena Aguilar and her team bring to their work. I find these podcasts brief and useful. Education has been especially challenging lately and these words of wisdom help me to connect to what I love about working with teachers and students.

With my coffee and on my way to work, this is my go to podcast. Each episode I learn something new. We agreed to use one of the texts. When we met, I brought up the podcast. Another coach also listens to the podcasts and is a Friend of the Show, too. We talked about the learning and how powerful it is. We talked about how to afford the membership because we want it! Look for us, we’re coming.

I took a long walk and binged on the Bright Morning podcast today. What a treat! I am a educational leader and coach, and I find Elena Aguilar’s advice to be the most helpful source of guidance as I seek to improve my practice to support my clients and their students. Could not recommend more highly. The books, the podcast, the workshops. All of it!!

This is engaging, challenging and informative! Thanks.

This podcast is my early morning ritual and has served me well. I began the day with balance and and feel grounded as a leader after listening to such easy to use actionable tips and wisdom. Thank you Elen.

Love love love the content! So valuable for my role as an Instructional Coach and just life in general. If you want to learn how to have better conversations, how to build trust, and deepen your relationships, Elena’s wisdom is for you.

In a world where the demand on educators seem to be ever-increasing, finding a podcast that acknowledges the importance of self-regulation and mindfulness is a true beacon of light! I highly recommend this podcast to anyone in the field of education (especially coaches). We need voices like Elena’s to guide us toward a healthier and more compassionate educational landscape!

Hi, this podcast is my daily boost of joy and encouragement! I love the practical and relevant tips that are shared in every episode. It is a reminder of how important it is to keep striving toward meaningful interactions that consider the whole person. -Emily

Elena’s books, the Bright Morning Podcast, and all of the amazing resources offered through the Bright Morning website are absolutely invaluable. I never miss a podcast. It invariably provides me with information and inspiration. After many years of trying to be a very intentionally student-centered teacher and teacher-centered administrator, Elena has opened my eyes to the essential social-emotional work that we need to do on ourselves, with our colleagues, for each other, and for and with our students. I see it now with a new depth of understanding. Thank you Elena. (I also HIGHLY recommend her free webinars. Elena walks the walk, then does it again to model for all of us!)

Thank you for your book, “The Art of Coaching”, and for making these podcast episodes. These have kept me energized, focused, and grounded in my new role as a coach. I also recently learned that my former coach is a huge fan of yours, and it turns out I have been indirectly affected (in the best way) by your teachings for years. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I just started listening and looking forward to listening to the powerful topics.

Your podcasts are so relevant and inspiring! I am a retired classroom teacher and professional development facilitator. I am now a mindfulness facilitator in public schools for principals, teachers, and parents. I love the emphasis on self care, mindfulness and bringing our best selves to our work. This message is so refreshing and so necessary. Thank you for being a bright light in this work!

Thank you Elena and team for creating such an inspirational and useful podcast!! As a literacy coach, I can apply your strategies and suggestions immediately and see a difference. I have been reading your books for years, attended an in person workshop and now listening to your podcast really helps put all the pieces together! Thank you for being vulnerable, inspiring and true to the work!

I was first introduced to Elena Aguilar’s books in my cohort for the teacher leader endorsement in the NJEA teacher leader academy. What I found in the books mirror what I can be found in this podcast: gems that refocuses your purpose on cloudy days, strategies that can help you be an agile teacher leader, and ways to stay connected to yourself. Thank you!

This podcast helps me feel connected to a group of other people who are doing the work, both internally and externally, that I am doing. It is not easy work. When I listen regularly, I have more to give to myself, my students, and my colleagues.

I am earning my EdD and my professor, a superintendent, gave us an assignment to research a person. We had several to choose from and I arbitrarily chose Elena. The class is over and I continue to listen to the podcasts! I learn so much and it re-inspires me to be an advocate to the adult student learners that I serve as a career coach.

I’ve been listening, learning and reflecting for a long time and I am finally beginning my journey as a transformational coach. I love all of the things you share in your books, newsletters, blog and this podcast. Thank you for giving me the tools and mindsets needs to make change in my school and district. 🩷 I feel ready for this year, especially after the art of coaching workshop!

I am finding this podcast to be very powerful. What Elena is doing seemed simple to me at first, but when I truly think about the skills she is promoting, I believe it is profound. When our workplaces, partnerships and groups can truly cultivate belonging, and can communicate as honestly as she’s talking about, I believe the students will feel that and will be able to form strong communities and engage fully. I just started listening, and I have at least 100 episodes to catch up on! I look forward to it.

Elena has an unmatched ability to weave relatable stories and experiences with profound wisdom in a way that’s accessible! After listening to an episode, I have such a clear idea of how I can grow and lead/live in a way that’s more congruent with who I am at my best. So much gratitude! 💜

Elena is such an inspiring leader in this equity and coaching work! I have been listening in on my walks or drive to work. From the moment you turn in, Elena’s demeanor invites the listener in. The episodes gives practical and insightful tips that I look forward to practicing in my work. I am always looking for ways to improve my practice and Elena does just that. I am grateful for such inspiring work! Thank you Elena.

Hello Elena- I had not come across your work and when I saw your presentation at IGNITE NASSP conference I was intrigued to find more because I enjoyed your coaching simulation and insights. A friend of mine sent me the link to your podcast and I have found it very useful. Thank you! Daniel

I have been listening to and engaging with Elena’s podcasts and books for almost two years now and I feel like it has not only strengthened my professional practice but also has strengthened my connections with self and others in my personal life too. I look forward to Mondays every week to hear the bits of wisdom Elena has to impart. Thank you so much for inviting us all on your journey. I have two more sessions for Onward before we wrap up and I’m already grieving that it’s over!! I look forward to it every month. I’m so grateful for the work Elena is doing and the beautiful team she has created.

I can’t say enough how grateful I am for the time and intention that Elena Aguilar and the entire Bright Morning Team put into their work. As a school leader, this podcast provides a sense of grounding and purpose when I listen. I always leave with actionable takeaways, questions, and ideas to implement the very same week. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Elena, you are a such a gift to the world. Thank you for your gentle yet powerful spirit and deep analysis on transformational coaching. While I don’t work in the education space, I am career, leadership, and executive coach and I learn so much from you every episode. I especially love your coach demos. Thank you thank you thank you!

Elena, I look forward to listening to your podcast on my drive to and from work. Coaching can be lonely, and your podcasts are always timely and provide me with actionable steps that I can put into practice in my coaching practice. I was recently asked who I most admire as a leader in education today, and I told them it is you, Elena! You model leading yourself first, you help us create conditions for transformation, and you are a student-focused advocate. Thank you for help me grow as a person and a coach.

Elena’s podcasts help me so much as a coach and PD presenter. They give me new things to consider, bring me into a reflective space, and sharpen my coaching skills. I often listen to this podcast in my car while driving to a school, and whether I’m about to have a coaching conversation or facilitate PD, her calm vibe and wisdom put me in a space to be the most empowered - and empowering - coach I can be. Thank you Elena 💜💙💚

I have been a fan of Elena for years! These short episodes pack a punch. She shares practices and ways of being that are applicable to any career. Love LOVE LOVE

As a leadership coach I learn something new and applicable every time I listen to this podcast! I love all bright morning does - trainings, books and this podcast! Highly recommend!

Elena Aguilera and The Bright Morning podcast is light listening with POWERFUL messages. She breaks down HARD stuff and makes you feel like YOU CAN DO IT too! I was introduced to her because of her INFORMATIVE and INSIGHTFUL podcasts on racism. She helps guide you toward action with a very doable approach. THANK YOU Elena

I think I’ve been resistant to listening to educational podcasts due to feeling drained on my commute and not wanting to add an extra bullet point to my self-doubt list. This podcast has given me the opportunity to learn as well as fill my cup with uplifting anecdotes, positive pro activity, and unthreatening application ideas for my work day and my home day. Please keep making this podcast.

I am a teacher in Oakland and always make it a point to listen to Bright Morning on my way to work. With every listen, I walk away with relevant and transferable tools to approach my workday. This is the PD every equity minded teacher needs.

Another podcast to point out how terrible white people are just for being white…. Just what the world needs!

I stumbled upon Elena Aguilar while doing a google search on effective PD. Since then, I have been hooked. The content is so relevant and thoughtfully curated. The strategies and insight that Elena offers have transformed my coaching as I create a safe space for teachers to grow. I shared the Bright Morning Podcast with our team of coaches, and we all agree: amazing content, and so relevant!

My Monday mornings are so much more meaningful now that I'm listening to the brightmorning podcast! Thank you for sharing so much widsom and so many helpful tips around coaching, equity, emotions and more. The authenticity with which you are sharing is inspiring and your guests' perspectives are honest and informative. This is perfectly complementing the coursework and training I am doing with brightmorning right now. I really value your podcast and highly recommend it to other educators or anyone looking for some inspiration first thing in the week. Grateful!

I look forward to Monday mornings when I get to fill my cup with knowledge, be affirmed in my experiences, and learn how to respond in coaching conversations. As a new coach, I not only find this learning valuable and useful, I love that it feels like I have a personal coach in my ear reminding me and nudging me to meet my full potential. I am so grateful for this resource!

I am a coach in a district that provides little support and growth opportunities for coaches. I first read, The Art of Coaching, and it absolutely lit a fire in me. I was able to find my own growth opportunities in Elena’s work and continue to do so with this podcast! I have shared it with other coaches in our district and we’ve created our own network and ways to develop ourselves professionally through the various Bright Morning tools. I am so thankful to all of Elena’s work-without it, I would’ve been left with a constant need for autonomy, mastery, and sense of purpose!

When I’m in a place where I need a new perspective on coaching, leadership or my own approach at work, Aguilar is who I turn to. Her supportive, kind, hold-me-responsible tone helps me think differently, consider a new question and know that I’m not alone. She’s my Brené Brown of education!

I’ll give each and every episode 5 stars. The gentle teaching and guidance offered is so heartfelt that I can’t imagine anyone not taking something away. Thanks to the people who make this happen.

This series was so impactful when I listened to it when it first aired. I recently shared the series with a group of teachers I am supporting and it has been such a great connecting and learning experience for everyone involved. We are using this series as a springboard to create shared language to use when we hear students using dehumanizing language on campus. Thank you so much for this rich and accessible learning opportunity.

Have always been a fan of her texts and now her podcast- I’m so excited to listen and reflect on different perspectives of coaching.

I have learned so much through these podcasts that go so well with the professional books and professional development trainings. We are so fortunate to have so much support and information for our coaching practices! Elena’s wisdom is invaluable!

I have learned so much from Elena over the years.

I (White female 43 years old) so appreciate this pod cast. Elena and the BMC team are so insightful, clear abs seem to know exactly what I need. The series “what to say when you hear something racist” was so worth every minute I spent listening, reflecting and planning the various words I can use in various situations. I have already put much of the learning into practice with my father (White male 75 years old) who often says racist statements. I had said things in the past like “that is rude” and “I don’t think that is funny”. Now after listening, managing myself and planning. I was ready for the next time…the next time came and I was able to stay calm and take an intent vs impact education approach with compassion for myself and my father. The conversation went well. We spoke about the opportunity he has in society to do better with his words. He actually said he understood and that I was welcome to mention if he makes racist statements in the future because he is open to increasing his awareness. I learned so much in this conversation and I am continuing to learn about myself and my relationship with my father. Thank you, Elena and BMC team for the timely and transformative podcast!

Elena and her team provide critical skills for navigating the often tenuous workforce with grace, empathy, and curiosity. Every week I pick up a little nugget of information that helps me to be not just a better coach/teacher, but a better person in general. I feel that so much of what they provide helps you improve all the relationships in your life. They are inspiring and insightful. Elena and team - thank you SO much for putting this work out into the world for others!

Elena has this amazing knack for discussing exactly what I need to hear in a given moment. I feel like she is speaking right to me. I am a better teacher and coach because of her writing, and am growing more and more every time I listen to her podcast. Such a gift!