What if your greatest coaching superpower wasn’t having all the answers…but asking better questions?

In this episode, J!ll Young is joined by Melanie Spring of the Brilliant Rebellion to peel back the layers of coaching, curiosity, and creativity. Together, they explore what it means to be a brand muse, how to break free from conventional thinking, and why curiosity just might be the unlocking tool to better relationships.

You’ll discover:
🌟 Melanie’s adventures on the Brilliant Rebellion Tour (and the wisdom she brought home)
🌟 Why curiosity can transform coaching, leadership, and life itself
🌟 The magic of invitations, community, and connection
🌟 How immersive experiences spark lasting growth and change

This conversation is an open invitation to step into curiosity, play with possibilities, and see what unfolds when you let go of “shoulds.”

Meet Melanie!

Melanie Spring is a Brand Muse, international keynote speaker, and rebel guide for bold visionaries who are stepping into their Main Character energy.

With a background in brand strategy and a gift for seeing who you can become, she’s spent two decades guiding bold humans to unbecome everything that wasn’t them and speak from their deepest knowing.

Through immersive retreats, 1:1 mentorship, and unapologetic stage presence, Melanie walks alongside you to support you in remembering who you always were and say what needs to be said out loud–with unapologetic power, presence, and purpose.

This isn’t about building a brand.
It’s about becoming one.

Show Links!

Follow Melanie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melaniespringspeaker/

Visit her (brand new!) website: https://melaniespring.com/

Join the Brilliant Rebellion: https://thebrilliantrebellion.com/

P.S. Remember, you are magic!

What if letting go was the key to moving forward?

In this episode, J!ll Young and family business expert Sara B. Stern dig into the idea of creative destruction—the courage to release what no longer serves so new ideas can grow. With stories, metaphors, and a few laughs along the way, they explore how family businesses (and honestly, all of us) can embrace change without losing our roots.

You’ll hear about:
🍎 Sara’s apple tree metaphor and what it teaches us about business evolution
🎬 Why blooper reels and authenticity matter more than polish
📖 The role of storytelling in shaping a lasting business legacy
✨ J!ll’s take on coaching magic, adaptability, and lifelong learning

This conversation is all about balance: honoring tradition while making space for innovation.

Meet Sara B. Stern!

Sara is on a quest to help family business owners get what they want from their business.

Before helping family businesses implement EOS, she served as the director of the nationally recognized Family Business Center at the University of Saint Thomas in Minnesota and has been a coach for over 20 years. Most of her professional career (starting as a young kid in my own family business) has been working for family-owned companies.

While her name is a sentence – Sara B. Stern – she's far from stern. She keeps her clients focused on implementing EOS purely – while also maintaining an infinity for dad jokes. The dumber the better.

If you want to keep doing things just as you have been… she's not for you.

If you want to keep all family members employed…even if they are causing issues in the business... she's not for you.

If you want a powerful tool that will help you run a great business and have a great family… she's for you!

Show Links!

Follow Sara on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarabstern/

Visit her website: https://www.sarabstern.com/

Get a copy of 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!

What if the secret to growth wasn’t doing more…but pressing pause?

In this episode, J!ll Young and Mary Reilly-Magee explore the magic that happens when we create space—for rest, reflection, and simply being present.

You’ll discover:
🌙 Why high achievers need stillness just as much as strategy
🌙 How intentional pauses can unlock big “aha!” moments
🌙 The surprising power of presence in coaching (and in life)

This conversation is a gentle reminder that slowing down isn’t falling behind—it’s where transformation takes root.

Meet Mary!

Mary’s entrepreneurial nature was established early when in second grade she started going door to door selling the neighbor’s homemade candy for a quarter. After her mom shut down that business, fourth grade Mary founded a lucrative business selling pictures of Charlie’s Angels and smears of Bonnie Bell lip gloss to the boys in her class. Mrs. Moran (teacher), citing consumer protection, put an end to that enterprise when she realized the boys were eating the lip gloss smears off the back of their hands.

These early business experiences lead Mary to pursue other interests. Mary holds a B.A. and a M.A. in English Literature and spent 18 years working for Northside Aquatics and Alamo Area Aquatics Association in a multitude of competitive coaching, teaching and leadership positions.

Five years into teaching 10th grade English and coaching high school swimming and water polo, Mary decided she could meld her affinity for business, her passion for swimming and her love for people development into one endeavor.

Building a learn to swim business from scratch, Mary, with the help of a lot of dedicated people, grew it to three year-round, indoor, stand-alone locations grossing 3.5 million a year and employing 100 people at its peak. In 2018, the 3 schools were sold to award winning Emler Swim Schools.

A serial peer advisory board participant, Mary has been a member of The Alternative Board (TAB) since 2009. Her fellow board members awarded her “Most Valuable Member and “Most Interesting Member” five times. As a member of EO (Entrepreneur’s Organization) since 2012, Mary has served her forum as moderator twice and is now the Learning Co-Chair for her San Antonio Chapter.

Being able to contribute meaningfully to the world is the reason Mary gets up every day. Serving business owners and their leaders through EOS implementation allows Mary to use her gift and passion for teaching, coaching and business to help entrepreneurs run better businesses and, ultimately, live better lives.

Show Links!

Follow Mary on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-reilly-magee-41997516/

Learn more about Codie Sanchez: https://www.instagram.com/codiesanchez/?hl=en

Get a copy of the 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 your energy was your greatest leadership tool? In this lively conversation, J!ll Young and Travis dive into the power of energy—how to harness it, focus it, and share it with the people around you.

You’ll hear about:
⚡ A simple self-check called H.A.L.T. that keeps your energy in balance
⚡ Why creating space matters as much as creating results
⚡ How authenticity isn’t just a buzzword—it’s fuel for leadership
⚡ Real-life stories about what happens when energy flows (or… doesn’t!)

This episode is all about managing your energy before it manages you, blending discipline with creativity, and showing up in a way that energizes—not drains—your world.

Meet Travis!

I believe that all of us can build as big of a future as we want. As long as we're willing to work for it.

This idea makes me very passionate about:
BUSINESS
Whatever your dream, chasing it gets a lot easier if you're working for a great company. It's why I'm working hard to make Catco a great company. And it's why if you're trying to make your company great, I'm here to help you. Because I've seen what great businesses do for the people who work in them and the communities they serve.

ENERGY
Great societies have resilient and abundant energy. At Catco, we make the energy industry more resilient with gas catalytic technology - to keep energy reliable and inexpensive for all of us.

Show Links!

Follow Travis on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tmrichrds/
Learn more about Catco: https://catcousa.com/
Get the War of Art book: https://www.amazon.com/War-Art-Through-Creative-Battles/dp/1936891026
Get a copy of 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 Coaching Magic episode, I sit down with the brilliant Jenna Spencer to trace the twists and turns of her personal and professional journey. We laugh about why fun isn’t optional at work (spoiler: it’s essential!), dig into the power of the mind-body connection, and explore how self-discovery can completely transform a leader—and their business.

Jenna opens up about restructuring her business, navigating loss with fresh perspective, and how even the simplest positive affirmations can shift everything. We also geek out a bit on DISC and Kolbe—two of my favorite tools for understanding how people tick—and talk about the ripple effect coaching has not just on individuals, but on whole communities.

This conversation is equal parts wisdom, honesty, and sparkly reminders that growth is beautiful, connection is magic, and we’re all better when we do this work together. ✨

Meet Jenna!

I’m the Founder and Visionary for AssistPro®. We are a virtual assistant company with a tailored experience for our clients, matching them with a dedicated assistant who they can grow long term with.

I built AssistPro around a mindful and deeply personal understanding of what makes for the successful professional--assistant relationship. There needs to be balance, trust, confidence, anticipatory problem solving and most of all, the reassurance you have a right-hand, not just any pair of hands helping you take your business where it needs to go next.

Show Links!

Email Jenna at Jenna@AssistPro.com

Follow her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenna-spencer-0980ba93/

Learn more about AssistPro: https://assistpro.com/

DISC Assessment: https://www.everythingdisc.com/how-disc-works/

Kolbe Assessments: https://www.kolbe.com/

Get the Inspired Life Card Deck: https://www.amazon.com/Tarot-Inspired-Life-Cards-Enhance/dp/0738759945

P.S. Remember, you are magic!

On this episode of the Coaching Magic podcast, I’m joined by my wise and wonderful friend Kristie Clayton for a heart-to-heart about the power of community, connection, and transformation in our work as coaches.

We swap stories about our own coaches (yes, even coaches need coaches!), what it looks like to shift from being the “doer” to truly stepping into the role of coach, and how creating space—real space—can help our clients step into their own growth.

Along the way, you’ll hear about those goosebump-inducing moments when coaching clicks, and how the journey of transformation is never just for our clients… it changes us too.

Meet Kristie!

Kristie Clayton is a trailblazing leadership coach, keynote speaker, and the driving force behind HERverse™, a movement dedicated to empowering women in leadership roles. With nearly two decades of experience as a second-in-command leader, Kristie mastered the art of running businesses, executing strategy, and turning vision into reality. Now, as a Visionary and founder of HERverse™ and ExcelHER8™ Leaders, she leverages her unique experience to coach and equip high-performing leaders to step into their full potential with confidence and clarity.

Show Links!

Follow Kristie on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristieclayton/
Learn more about HERverse: https://www.herverse.com/

P.S. Remember, you are magic!

In this engaging conversation, J!ll Young and Mike Kotsis explore the transformative power of coaching, the importance of creating space for growth, and the journey of self-discovery. They discuss the magic of authentic connections, the miracles that can occur in coaching, and the significance of recognizing oneself as a masterpiece. Through personal anecdotes and reflections, they highlight the unique experiences of coaching and the ongoing journey of growth for both coaches and clients.

Meet Mike!

Mike Kotsis is the founder of Created Freedom Coaching, dedicated to guiding entrepreneurs, leaders, and coaches towards true freedom. His mission is simple: to bless the present moment, love his family unconditionally, and guide others in creating their own freedom in every aspect of life.

Through deep, one-on-one coaching, Mike helps clients transform their lives

by focusing on:

• Financial Prosperity – Creating lasting prosperity and abundance.
• Strengthening Relationships – Deepening relationships at home and at work.
• Presence – Cultivating awareness to choose joy and fulfillment in everyday life.

Mike has spent 13+ years as an Expert EOS Implementer, delivering 850+ leadership team sessions. Prior to that, Mike led his own third-generation family business for 7+ years including growing the business during Michigan’s 2007 economic downturn.

In 2022, Mike and his wife, Jill, reimagined education for their family by creating Soul School, an inner curriculum learning approach focused on purpose, passion, and experiential adventures. Clients seeking transformation meet Mike wherever he is —whether in Milford, Michigan, or on a Soul School journey around the world.

Learn More about Created Freedom: https://mikekotsis.com/

Follow Mike on Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikekotsis/

P.S. Remember, you are magic!

In this enlightening conversation, J!ll Young and Gina Mollicone-Long explore the intricacies of coaching, emphasizing the importance of desire and willingness in clients, the role of investment, and the necessity of maintaining boundaries. They discuss how language patterns can reveal deeper issues and the significance of sensory acuity in coaching interactions. The conversation also delves into the continuous journey of personal development for both coaches and clients, highlighting that effective coaching is not just about tools but about understanding the client's readiness and breaking old patterns to facilitate change.

Meet Gina!

Academically trained in engineering, philosophy and the intersection of science and spirit, Gina brings a wealth of knowledge and information to her process. Extensively trained in modern and ancient performance techniques, Gina aggregates their teachings and shows people how to make powerful transformations. Gifted in rapport, connection and language, Gina cuts to the core of your reality and empowers you to engineer a new one.

Links:

Buy Gina's book: https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Successful-Failing-Gina-Mollicone-Long/dp/0978241509

Visit Gina's websites: https://linktr.ee/ginamollicone

Follow Gina on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginamollicone/

P.S. Remember, you are magic!