Episodes

Thursday Oct 15, 2020
E131 | Quentin Pullen: The Overton Window
Thursday Oct 15, 2020
Thursday Oct 15, 2020
“Leaders are lifelong learners” is a statement that resonates with many of us who are on a journey to continually redefine ourselves. There are few people who exemplify this more than today’s guest, Quentin Pullen.
After serving in both the Marines and the Navy, working as a manual therapist for 25 years, and starting a small business, Quentin is running for mayor Costa Mesa, California! Quentin shares the keys that have allowed him to adapt to many different environments and situations throughout his life.
And, yes, we talk politics in this episode but it’s NOT what you think! Rather than political parties, we discuss what politics means in terms of overcoming obstacles in your community, how to gracefully deal with stigma & bias, and the conversations we should be having.
Other topics we get into include:
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How engaging with your community is the key to building trust and standing out
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Keeping your cool when being marginalized or personally insulted
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Overcoming Imposter Phenomenon when stepping into new arenas
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Why coaches are actually the most qualified to crossover into other professions
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How to build a team of people that will spur continued growth
Where you can follow and connect with Quentin:
Website: qthepeople.com
Instagram: @q_the_people
We are very thankful for everyone who reaches out wanting to help and support the podcast. One of the easiest and best ways you can help is to leave a review on iTunes. It does help new listeners find us!
If reviews aren’t your thing, you can also become a patron by clicking the button below. Any amount truly does help and goes back into running the podcast.

Monday Oct 12, 2020
E130 | How Understanding Drives Helps Build Buy-In
Monday Oct 12, 2020
Monday Oct 12, 2020
Why do we do the things we do? What influences the way we act, the method through which we communicate, the people we surround ourselves with…?
We are complex creatures, and to better understand our behavior, we need to better understand what drives us.
Through this enhanced understanding, we become more effective as communicators, and ultimately as leaders. We all do the things we do for a reason; some of these reasons may be subconscious, but they are not by accident.
Getting to the root of what drives your behavior can be difficult, so we created a resource that can help you take that first step toward understanding.
Click here to take our BRAND NEW QUIZ and find out what makes you tick!
As I said before, we are complex creatures. So yes, use this quiz to understand your primary drive. But then take it again. Take it when you’re stressed, when you’re excited… After all, drives are fluid and context dependent.
And don’t stop there! Once you’ve had enough fun, give it to your colleagues so you can better understand how to motivate them and generate buy-in. Heck, even use it on your kids and your loved ones to gain insight on how to be a better parent / partner.
Remember, the quiz is just a starting point. No one fits neatly into one category. Life and social nature cannot be forced into a vacuum and this is just one piece of the puzzle. If you’re still struggling with becoming a better communicator, we can help you. Head to artofocaching/communication for more.
Join Our Coalition Mentoring Program here
Follow me on social media:
Via Instagram: @coach_BrettB
Via Twitter: @coach_BrettB
Subscribe to my YouTube channel here
Learn More About My Courses, Clinics, and Live Events At: www.ArtofCoaching.com

Thursday Oct 08, 2020
E129 | Matt Marcinek: Turning A Disability Into A Coaching Superpower
Thursday Oct 08, 2020
Thursday Oct 08, 2020
Imagine being diagnosed with a disorder at a very young age, having doctors write you off, and learning that your parents were advised to put you in a facility and to move on with their lives.
This is essentially what today’s guest, Matt Marcinek, went through. After being diagnosed with cerebral palsy at 9 months of age, neurologists suggested that his parents admit him to a care facility because he might not be able to walk, talk, or perform daily tasks on his own.
His parents chose a different path.
Matt has not only proven the neurologists wrong by overcoming many of their doubts, but in the process has become an elite coach and fierce competitor. He is a brown belt in judo and, since the time of this recording, has earned his brown belt in jiu jitsu. In addition to competing, he is the owner of Marcinek Peak Performance Systems and specializes in teaching jiu jitsu to 4-6 year olds. On top of that, he has a master’s degree in psychology and educational counseling.
Today’s episode is all about how you can turn strife & struggle into strategy. Matt shares how he was able to own his situation, gain perspective, and use that to build advantages throughout his life. He gets very tactical on how you can do the same.
Matt and I also discuss:
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How to start and approach difficult conversations
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Overcoming obstacles without complaining
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Why creativity makes you a better coach
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Dealing with imposter phenomenon, anger, and vulnerability
Connect with Matt:
Website: https://www.mattmarcinek.com/
Instagram: @marcinek_peakperformance
If you believe in the message of today’s episode and are wanting to learn even more tactical communication skills, our Apprenticeship Communication Workshops are back on!
These are 2-day workshops of 10-15 people that are 100% focused on the development of interpersonal skills and preparing for life’s biggest moments. We accomplish this via situational role playing, video breakdowns, peer evaluations, and small group discussions. You will not be sitting and listening to powerpoint presentations! We get you in the trenches and create a safe place to fail.
Learn more about the Apprenticeship Communication Workshop here: https://artofcoaching.com/apprenticeship/
Apply to host your own event here: https://artofcoaching.com/host-a-live-aoc-apprenticeship/

Monday Oct 05, 2020
E128 | Scott Livingston: How To Bring More Value To Others
Monday Oct 05, 2020
Monday Oct 05, 2020
Guess who’s back, back again. Scotty’s back, tell a friend. No, seriously! Today, our first repeat guest is here to talk more about developing the skill of self-reflection (why a dark room and soothing music won’t do it for everyone), long lines at Costco and Mt. Everest, love languages and much, much more.
We cover:
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Practicing self-reflection “in action”
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How to be more of a human being and less of a “human-doer”
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Why the need to earn an income prevents us from practicing communication
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Observation: why you can’t just trust what someone’s saying
If you haven’t listened to his first episode, here’s a brief recap: Scott Livingston is a designer of human and organizational performance solutions who has worked in the high-performance sports world for more than thirty years. He has trained and re-built athletes at every level (including multiple Olympic and World Cup medalists). He worked for eleven seasons in the National Hockey League as an athletic therapist and strength and conditioning coach and now co-owns ReconditioningHQ.com, an educational business dedicated to teaching leading edge practices in performance and reconditioning. His newest passion is his podcast, Leave Your Mark, where he interviews people from all walks of human performance exploring their personal life stories.
Connect with Scott:
Via his website: https://reconditioninghq.com/
Via his podcast: Leave Your Mark
Via his Twitter: @builtbyscott
Scott has an incredibly interesting take on why we are able to recognize communication as an important skill but still don’t take the time to train it. If you’re like Scott and know this should be something you prioritize, come to our Apprenticeship! We not only offer a safe place to fail, we provide scientifically backed assessments, video feedback and practical strategies you can take back to your friends, family and staff.
Join Our Coalition Mentoring Program here
Follow me on social media:
Via Instagram: @coach_BrettB
Via Twitter: @coach_BrettB
Subscribe to my YouTube channel here
Learn More About My Courses, Clinics, and Live Events At: www.ArtofCoaching.com

Thursday Oct 01, 2020
E127 | How To Give The Most Effective Feedback
Thursday Oct 01, 2020
Thursday Oct 01, 2020
These days, the concept of feedback is akin to that of a song overplayed on the radio: initially intriguing but ultimately dismissed as cliche. In reality, good feedback is more like a dance; it requires two partners ready to engage in meaningful discourse. So what’s preventing us from participating in the dance and not just listening to the overplayed song? By and large, we don’t know how to properly give it, receive it, or ask for it.
Today we are going to unpack what lies at the root of our issues with feedback and offer some practical strategies to overcome these challenges. In particular:
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Intrinsic feedback, augmented feedback, formative feedback… Where do I even begin?
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How to maximize FIT between the person, the performance, and the persuasive appeal.
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Using the SHIP (specific, humble, interval-based, practical) analogy to give better feedback
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The worst thing you can do when asking for feedback
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When is it too much? Feedback dependence and clicker training
If giving and receiving feedback is something you’ve struggled with, you’re in luck! We now offer 1 on 1 and small group communication training. Let us help you work through your personal obstacles by objectively evaluating your current practices and then providing personalized strategies tailored to your needs. The idea and importance of feedback isn’t going away; head to https://artofcoaching.com/communication to learn more.
Join Our Coalition Mentoring Program here
Follow me on social media:
Via Instagram: @coach_BrettB
Via Twitter: @coach_BrettB
Subscribe to my YouTube channel here
Learn More About My Courses, Clinics, and Live Events At: www.ArtofCoaching.com

Monday Sep 28, 2020
E126 | Eight Obstacles to Building Buy-In
Monday Sep 28, 2020
Monday Sep 28, 2020
Communication never happens by accident, yet so many accidents happen as a result of poor communication.
Communication is not a singular act and it’s not something you can merely “pick-up” by watching an eloquent speaker. Communication is a skill. Communication is a strategic enterprise. Communication is a process.
Like any process, communication has many different components: components that span far beyond the simple verbal and non-verbal elements we hear so much about in pop-psychology tomes, textbooks, or leadership clinics.
These components are not often recognized or thought of by the average individual because they aren’t taught despite the critical role they play in your ability to become a better communicator. So join me today as I dive into the things we don’t hear as much about so we can gain a real edge on the past versions of ourselves and any external competition.
The communication components we will cover today:
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Communicators
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Message
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Medium
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Channel
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Code
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Noise
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Feedback
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Context
Just as a great detective looks for what is missing when it comes to solving a mystery, a great communicator looks to ensure they consider all of the components above when it comes to connecting with others.
By the end of today’s episode, you will be able to identify where a miscommunication originated and have a better chance of preventing it from happening again!
If this topic is of particular interest, you’ll LOVE our in person Apprenticeship. Click here to learn more!
Join Our Coalition Mentoring Program here
Follow me on social media:
Via Instagram: @coach_BrettB
Via Twitter: @coach_BrettB
Subscribe to my YouTube channel here
Learn More About My Courses, Clinics, and Live Events At: www.ArtofCoaching.com

Thursday Sep 24, 2020
E125 | John Bartolo: Own Who You Are
Thursday Sep 24, 2020
Thursday Sep 24, 2020
Until you stop caring what people think, you’ll never be free. Luckily, John Bartolo reached that point a long time ago. So buckle your seatbelt and let’s dive headfirst into some controversial topics. Even if you disagree with John, I challenge you to stick around because he’s an expert conversationalist and as authentic as they get. Who knows, he might just change your mind... What kind of controversial topics? Glad you asked. We discuss:
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Cancel culture vs. “Karen” culture
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Situational narcissism as a prerequisite for leadership
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The argument for verifying every social media account
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Guns, germs and steel
John is a defense industry executive and former CEO. He has spent a career training and working with the best in the fields of fitness, shooting and defensive tactics. He is also the host of “The John Bartolo Show” podcast which has featured countless well-known guests from the fields of fitness, politics, MMA and action sports. Today, John focuses on consulting with many different brands on a wide range of topics.
Connect with John:
Via his podcast: johnbartoloshow.com
Via Instagram: @john_bartolo
Via YouTube: John Bartolo
Speaking of podcasts, if you’re a fan of the show you’re listening to right now *cough* Art of Coaching Podcast *cough, cough* and want to hear more, give us an honest review. Believe it or not, the simple act of leaving a comment or rating helps us grow and reach a greater audience. If you REALLY like our show and might be interested in sponsoring it, click here and fill out an application today!
Join Our Coalition Mentoring Program here
Follow me on social media:
Via Instagram: @coach_BrettB
Via Twitter: @coach_BrettB
Subscribe to my YouTube channel here
Learn More About My Courses, Clinics, and Live Events At: www.ArtofCoaching.com

Monday Sep 21, 2020
E124 | Clint Martin: Race, Growth, and Making Yourself Essential
Monday Sep 21, 2020
Monday Sep 21, 2020
On this podcast, we don’t shy away from controversial topics and we love interviewing people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. In this episode, University of Texas strength & conditioning coach Clint Martin shares how he battles the perpetuation of stereotypes and how non-minority populations can better understand the role that race plays in the modern workplace.
We also discuss:
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How to walk the line between allowing individual expression while holding standards
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If coaches should alter their communication style based on an athlete’s background
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What coaches should be doing to provide uncommon value during & after COVID
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Mistakes to avoid when trying to gain an edge in your career
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What you can learn from non-traditional sources of education
Clint also does a great job thinking on his feet for improv games, Devil’s Advocate, and providing thoughtful answers for who his favorite villains are (that’s right- he has more than one!). He has a ton of gold nuggets to share and there’s no doubt you will learn a lot in this episode!
Connect with Clint:
Email: clint.martin@utexas.edu
Twitter: @MrCMar10
Instagram: clintmar10
Throughout this episode, we talk a lot about building buy-in. If you read Conscious Coaching and want to dive deeper into the principles of building buy-in, we have an online course called Bought-In which does just that.
This course is NOT just for strength coaches. Whether you’re an executive, manager, researcher, student, or parent, the principles of communication are the same! If you want to communicate more clearly, improve your relationships, and be a more effective leader, check out Bought-In!

Thursday Sep 17, 2020
E123 | Ryan Donahue: Conscious Coaching For Clinicians
Thursday Sep 17, 2020
Thursday Sep 17, 2020
Do you move or do you maneuver? Before you answer, consider the following: anyone can move; maneuvering involves intent and iteration. Now ask yourself a slightly different question. Do you talk or do you communicate? Same rules apply. Communication, like maneuvering, requires strategy and feedback. On today’s show we are joined by someone seeking to help an elite organization better maneuver AND communicate: Ryan Donahue of the San Francisco 49ers. We also talk about:
- Evaluating communication in a multi-tiered organization. Is it even possible?
- Delivering negative news positively
- Polos and logos: removing the veil of credibility
- Identifying and correcting asymmetries in your continuing education
Ryan is in his sixth year with the 49ers as the team’s reconditioning coordinator. He is a licensed physical therapist, Board Certified Sports Physical Therapist (SCS) and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). Before joining the 49ers, Donahue was a physical therapist at the Andrews Institute for Orthopedics and Sports Medicine in Gulf Breeze, FL where he provided rehabilitation for athletes in the NFL, NBA, MLB, Olympic Teams as well as US Special Forces and general population. Ryan has also spent time at Northeastern University, EXOS, UConn, UNC Chapel Hill and Mike Boyle Strength & Conditioning.
Connect with Ryan:Via LinkedIn: Ryan Donahue
Via email: ryan.donahue@49ers.com
As you heard today, the only way to get real feedback on communication is to be evaluated as you are performing the skill. Our Apprenticeships™ are just that. We create a safe space where professionals from all fields can practice (and fail) while receiving a scientifically validated assessment. What are you waiting for? Join us at our next event! Click the link to learn more.Join Our Coalition Mentoring Program here
Follow me on social media:
Via Instagram: @coach_BrettB
Via Twitter: @coach_BrettB
Subscribe to my YouTube channel here
Learn More About My Courses, Clinics, and Live Events At: www.ArtofCoaching.com

Monday Sep 14, 2020
E122 | Chris Duffin: Flawed But Never Broken
Monday Sep 14, 2020
Monday Sep 14, 2020
Some would say when struggle meets adaptability, creativity flourishes. Our guest, Chris Duffin, perfectly embodies that sentiment. So if you think his bio is impressive, just wait till you hear what he battled to get to where he is today…
Previously ranked #1 in the world in various powerlifting disciplines, Chris has held numerous world records. Now retired, he is known for his industry-changing innovations and education in the strength and clinical worlds. In addition to Kabuki Strength, Chris co-founded BuildFast Formula for supplementation and nutrition and Bearfoot Athletics to optimize the human to ground interface. He is also a best-selling author and former executive in the automotive, aerospace, heavy equipment, and high-tech manufacturing industries.
On today’s show we discuss:
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Transitional moments and “the practice of living in fear”
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Where Chris goes to be creative and unwind (and other hot tub stories)
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The role of a "Chief Visionary Officer"
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Abnormalcy and other traits key historical figures have in common...
Connect with Chris:
Via his website: https://christopherduffin.com/
Via Instagram: @mad_scientist_duffin
Via LinkedIn: Chris Duffin
It seems adaptability is becoming the theme of 2020. Luckily, Chris’s companies are experts in this field. If you’re looking for uniquely designed and expertly engineered equipment better suited to your new normal, check out Kabuki Strength. From one small business to another, we can’t recommend their products enough.
While you’re at it, make sure to apply for our Apprenticeships (more coming soon!). Also, don’t forget that our online courses are open for enrollment. Take advantage of the opportunity to build your edge as a communicator now!
Join Our Coalition Mentoring Program here
Follow me on social media:
Via Instagram: @coach_BrettB
Via Twitter: @coach_BrettB
Subscribe to my YouTube channel here
Learn More About My Courses, Clinics, and Live Events At: www.ArtofCoaching.com

