In this episode of The Coaching Edge Podcast, co-hosts Dr. Steve Jeffs and Erwin de Grave sit down with Daniela Dragomir—former Big Four consultant, actor, and now executive coach—to explore the Energy Leadership framework that helped her transform a decades-long rift with her mother and reshape how leaders show up at work. Daniela maps the journey from fear and survival (Levels 1–2) to compassion and co-creation (Levels 4–5), explains the awareness → acceptance → choice sequence, and shows why practices like fitness and meditation only truly serve us when they come from an integrated sense of being, not compensation.

A standout twist: Daniela brings puppets to leadership coaching—“Alvin” for Level 1 and “Vic” for Level 5—making heavy emotions visible, memorable, and safe to work with. The conversation dives into navigating toxic cultures, holding your state when rooms run on conflict, and inviting others to entrain to higher energy by modeling it, not controlling it.

Watch the full episode here: https://thecoachingedgepodcast.com/from-survival-to-choice-daniela-dragomirs-energy-leadership-with-puppets/

In this episode of The Coaching Edge Podcast, hosts Erwin de Grave and Dr. Steve Jeffs sit down with executive coach and author Sabina Nawaz to explore why leadership fails under strain—and how to fix it. Drawing on 12,000+ pages of verbatim 360° feedback and her new book You’re the Boss (Simon & Schuster, 2025), Sabina argues that pressure—not power—corrupts leaders. She introduces two deceptively simple antidotes: Blank Space (scheduled time to do “nothing” so insight can surface) and micro habits (behaviors so small they’re almost laughable—think one mindful breath a day). The conversation ranges from C-suite structure and pre-game rituals to practicing calm under low stakes so it’s available when it counts. Practical, contrarian, and deeply humane.

Watch the full episode here: https://thecoachingedgepodcast.com/its-not-power-that-corruptsits-pressure-sabina-nawaz-on-micro-habits-and-blank-space/

In this episode of The Coaching Edge Podcast, Erwin de Grave and Dr. Steve Jeffs sit down with former theatre educator turned executive coach Travia Steward. After 24 years teaching high school theatre—and a life-redefining cancer diagnosis—Travia discovered coaching as the arena where her passions for performance, psychology, and personal transformation converge. Drawing on the craft of method acting, she shows clients how to embody their future selves now—closing the gap between aspiration and action.

Travia unpacks her BECOME framework: start with your Baseline (the operating system you’re running), Embody the identity you’re aiming for (artifacts, posture, environment), Clarify values and vision, Own your power (stop handing your “thermostat” to others), practice the Method daily (on-stage reps in real life), and Execute consistently to make identity-backed habits stick. Along the way, she introduces vivid metaphors—your invisible “soundtrack” and the overstuffed “suitcase” of old meanings—to help leaders rewrite unhelpful scripts, show up with presence, and turn values into behavior.

Whether you’re pursuing a promotion, leading teams, or rebuilding confidence, Travia’s message is simple and empowering: identity before outcome—become the person who creates the result.

Watch the full episode here: https://thecoachingedgepodcast.com/method-acting-your-future-self-travia-stewards-become-framework-for-leaders/

In this episode of The Coaching Edge Podcast, MCC coach Merci Miglino traces her journey from political burnout to coaching mastery—and how teaching Level 1 & 2 coaches in China (via real-time translation!) sharpened her philosophy of radical simplicity. She argues that the leap from PCC to MCC is less about technique and more about confidence: the courage to ask direct questions, release attachment to outcomes, and work in the energizing space of not knowing.

Merci spotlights fear as the hidden driver beneath indecision and “stuckness,” reframing the coach’s role as a synthesizer who surfaces the misconception creating the client’s current reality. She champions direct communication (as distinct from evoking awareness), shares powerful frames—“So what?” and “What’s the misconception here?”—and describes intuition as unconscious competence that coaches must dare to voice. We also touch on legacy, lightness vs. significance in decisions, and how confidence and intuition intertwine.

Watch the full episode here: https://thecoachingedgepodcast.com/courage-over-comfort-merci-miglino-on-mastery-misconceptions-and-fearless-coaching/

In this episode of The Coaching Edge Podcast, co-hosts Dr. Steve Jeffs and Erwin de Grave sit down with prolific author and creativity coach Eric Maisel to explore what really powers a creative life. From his winding path—writer, psychotherapist, and pioneer of creativity coaching—to launching a new international association for creative and performing artists, Maisel shares candid, practical wisdom.

Key themes include:

• Creativity vs. Innovation: Innovation is a subset; creativity is the broader human drive to make meaning.
• The Emotional Landscape: Why exposure, criticism, and questions of “does this matter?” make creative work so vulnerable—and vital.
• Daily Practice as the Antidote: The simplest, most reliable protection against months (or years) of not creating.
• Rekindling Love: Return to the five- or six-year-old self who fell in love with story, image, and music—on purpose.
• Praise and Feedback: “I liked it” doesn’t land. Artists need generous, specific “I loved…” affirmation plus kind, sparing critique.
• Post-Performance Recovery: How adrenaline spikes can fuel addictive patterns, and why creatives need recovery-style rituals after “showtime.”
• Ceremonial Bridges: Shift from the “get it right” daily mind into the “permission to err” creative mind with a repeatable micro-ritual.
• Meaning Left (Not Meaningless): Activities in service of meaning won’t feel meaningful every day—and that’s okay.

Watch the full episode here: https://thecoachingedgepodcast.com/eric-maisel-on-rekindling-creative-love-daily-practice-praise-and-permission-to-err/

In this episode of The Coaching Edge Podcast, hosts Dr. Steve Jeffs and Erwin de Grave welcome Lisa Bloom, founder of Story Coach and author of The Story Advantage. Lisa shares her journey from learning and development into coaching, initially skeptical but later deeply inspired by the transformative impact of coaching and storytelling,

Lisa reveals how stories shape our identities, influence our choices, and often keep us trapped in limiting beliefs. She explains how reframing these stories can unlock growth and possibility—whether in personal transformation, professional coaching, or business development. Beyond helping clients shift perspective, Lisa emphasizes that coaches and business leaders themselves need compelling stories to connect with audiences, attract clients, and authentically communicate their value.

From practical techniques on weaving stories into coaching conversations, to handling stage fright and discovering the “gift” of storytelling, Lisa provides powerful insights for anyone looking to deepen their impact. The conversation highlights storytelling not as self-indulgence, but as a meaningful gift for the listener—helping them see new possibilities for their own lives.

Whether you’re a coach, leader, or entrepreneur, this episode shows why stories matter, how to use them wisely, and how reframing the stories we tell can transform not only our coaching, but our lives.

Watch the full episode: https://thecoachingedgepodcast.com/how-storytelling-transforms-coaching-and-business-with-lisa-bloom/

In this episode of The Coaching Edge Podcast, hosts Erwin de Grave and Dr Steve Jeffs sit down with Dr Nat Green, a clinical and health psychologist turned trauma breakthrough coach, to explore the science and practice of moving from trauma to post-traumatic growth. Drawing on over 35 years of experience, Dr Green shares how frustration with traditional long-term trauma therapy led her to embrace coaching, positive psychology, and innovative techniques for faster, deeper healing.

She introduces her Seven Archetypes of Transformation, a framework that helps individuals understand their innate coping styles and challenges, and discusses the “three brains” model — head, heart, and gut — as a powerful tool for restoring integration and resilience after adversity. Dr Green also shines a light on vicarious trauma in helping professions, offering strategies for burnout prevention and self-care, while underscoring the importance of nervous system regulation in recovery.

Listeners will leave with a new perspective on trauma — not as a life sentence, but as a potential catalyst for strength, self-awareness, and growth.

Watch the full episode here: https://thecoachingedgepodcast.com/from-trauma-to-transformation-dr-nat-greens-path-to-lasting-growth/

In this episode of The Coaching Edge Podcast, hosts Erwin de Grave and Dr. Steve Jeffs sit down with coaching innovator Marcy Nelson-Garrison of Pink Paradigm to explore the intersection of psychology, art, and coaching. Marcy shares her journey from art therapy and call-center counseling to becoming a pioneer in coaching tools and product creation. She dives into the power of creative stimulus—from evocative images to card decks—and how blending seemingly unrelated elements sparks innovation. Listeners will discover practical exercises like “Image Prompts” and “Bridge Belief” that coaches can seamlessly integrate into virtual and in-person sessions to unlock deeper insights, overcome resistance, and foster transformative breakthroughs. Whether you’re a seasoned coach or a leader seeking fresh approaches, Marcy’s insights will inspire you to give yourself permission to play, experiment, and elevate your coaching practice.

Watch the full episode here: https://thecoachingedgepodcast.com/unleashing-innovation-how-marcy-nelson-garrison-empowers-coaches-through-creative-tools/