Coaching Café: Reflecting on 2025

In our final Coaching Café Podcast for the year, we take a moment to reflect on what has been another extraordinary series. In 2025, we’ve explored everything from Trends in Coaching and the ICF Credentialing Exam, to the Gallup State of the Global Workplace Report, coaching for performance conversations, coaching and psychological safety, the new ICF Core Competencies, and of course, our much-loved Coaching in Action series featuring PCC and MCC-level demonstrations. All with free Continuing Coach Education (CCE’s) attached. Across over 30 Coaching Café Podcasts, with only a handful of breaks, you have joined us from all around the world —to connect, learn, and reflect on coaching practice and the profession…and of course to give us the weekly global weather report! This week, we celebrate the year that was:  ✔️ A countdown of our most popular Coaching Café podcasts of 2025  ✔️ The themes and topics that sparked the most conversation  ✔️ Insights and moments that shaped our collective learning  ✔️ A look ahead to what’s coming in 2026 Whether you’ve joined us every week or tuned in occasionally, this final Coaching Café podcast is your chance to pause, reflect, and celebrate our global coaching community. Let’s swap the coffee for a glass of champagne and celebrate the difference we’ve made—together. Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website. Want to join us live on Friday? Register Here! Engage with The Coaching Café Podcast Stay up to date on our socials Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Check out the YouTube Video of this podcast. YouTube Email us at [email protected] Thanks for listening!

As we approach the end of the year for the Coaching Café Podcast, we continue to share valuable insights for our coaching community. The 2025 ICF Global Coaching Study Final Report has just been released, offering one of the most comprehensive views of the global coaching profession to date. Featuring data gathered from over 10,000 coaches worldwide—including, importantly, managers and leaders who coach—this 73-page report provides a rich picture of where the coaching industry stands today and where it’s heading. We know many coaches don’t have time to read the full report, and that’s where we come in. Join us for this Coaching Café Podcast as we synthesise the key highlights, focusing on what’s most relevant for Australia, New Zealand, and the Asia-Pacific region, while also exploring the global trends shaping the coaching profession for our international followers. You’ll walk away with: ✔️ The latest data on industry growth, trends, and demographics ✔️ Insights into coaching opportunities in our region ✔️ A global perspective on the evolution of the coaching profession including managers and leaders as coaches ✔️ Inspiration to help you feel a part of the global coaching profession. Whether you’re an experienced coach, a manager or leader who coaches, or an emerging practitioner, this session will help you stay informed, inspired, and connected to the wider profession. Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website. Want to join us live on Friday? Register Here! Engage with The Coaching Café Podcast Stay up to date on our socials Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Check out the YouTube Video of this podcast. YouTube Email us at [email protected] Thanks for listening!

This week, a short message from Natalie recaping the past couple of weeks of the Coaching Cafe Podcast. We will be back next week with a new Coaching Cafe Podcast! Also shiny new podcast logo! oooooo, let us know what you think via email or social media! Should we bring back the old one or is this a much needed upgrade! Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website. Want to join us live on Friday? Register Here! Engage with The Coaching Café Podcast Stay up to date on our socials Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Check out the YouTube Video of this podcast. YouTube Email us at [email protected] Thanks for listening!

As you will be aware the ICF Core Competencies have been revised and during the Coaching Cafe Podcasts we have been diving deeper into some of the more thought-provoking changes. Some are simple to understand, while others invite us—as coaches—to pause and reflect. This week, we turn our attention to one of the more controversial updates: the introduction of the word ‘knowledge’ in the revised ICF Core Competencies. The updated competency now states that the coach “shares observations, knowledge, and feelings, without attachment, that have the potential to create new insights for the client.” But what does this really mean? How do we interpret “knowledge” within the coaching partnership? Does this blur the line between coaching, mentoring, and consulting—or does it expand our understanding of what’s possible in coaching? Join us for this Coaching Café Podcast as we explore: ✔️ The context and intent behind this update to the ICF Core Competencies ✔️ How “knowledge” aligns with the ICF definition of coaching ✔️ What this means for your coaching practice and ethical boundaries ✔️ How to share knowledge without attachment—and still evoke awareness Whether you’re an experienced practitioner or a new coach, this session will challenge your thinking and help you navigate what “knowledge” means in professional coaching today. Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website. Want to join us live on Friday? Register Here! Engage with The Coaching Café Podcast Stay up to date on our socials Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Check out the YouTube Video of this podcast. YouTube Email us at [email protected] Thanks for listening!

What is your coaching philosophy? A deeper dive into the ICF Core Competency changes Recently, we shared the significant updates to the new ICF Core Competencies and over the coming weeks, we’ll be diving deeper into some of the key changes. Some of these updates are straightforward, others more controversial—and many invite deeper reflection from us as coaches. This week on the podcast, we explore a question that sits at the heart of our workplace and professional coaching: What is your coaching philosophy? Your coaching philosophy shapes how you show up, partner with clients, and embody the ICF Core Competencies in every conversation. It reflects your beliefs about human potential, change, and learning—and it evolves as your coaching practice grows. Join us for this Coaching Café Podcast as we explore: ✔️ What a coaching philosophy is and why it matters ✔️ How to articulate your unique coaching philosophy ✔️ How your philosophy connects to the ICF Core Competencies and ethical practice ✔️ Ways to reflect on and refine your philosophy as your coaching matures Whether you’re a new coach or an experienced practitioner, this podcast will help you reconnect with what defines you as a coach—and what guides your practice. NOTE: We found the defnition of Coaching Philosophy in the Glossary of the updated competencies! "The underlying theory, beliefs and principles, that guide a coach's practice and interactions with clients"Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website. Want to join us live on Friday? Register Here! Engage with The Coaching Café Podcast Stay up to date on our socials Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Check out the YouTube Video of this podcast. YouTube Email us at [email protected] Thanks for listening!

How coaching enables psychological safety in the workplace This week on the coaching cafe podcast, as part of our focus on mental health and wellbeing in the workplace, we’re exploring the powerful link between coaching and psychological safety. Psychological safety is the shared belief that it’s safe to speak up, share ideas, ask questions, and admit mistakes—without fear of judgment or repercussion. It’s the foundation of healthy, high-performing teams. So why is psychological safety so important? Because when people feel safe, they can learn, innovate, and perform at their best. And when leaders and managers adopt a coaching mindset, they help create that safety. This week on the Coaching Café podcast, join Paula as we unpack: ✔️ What psychological safety really means in the workplace ✔️ Why it’s essential for mental health, performance, and engagement ✔️ How coaching enables psychological safety through trust, curiosity, and empathy Whether you’re a leader, a coach, or someone passionate about workplace wellbeing, this Coaching Café is your opportunity to reflect on how coaching behaviours build safe spaces where people can thrive. Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website. Want to join us live on Friday? Register Here! Engage with The Coaching Café Podcast Stay up to date on our socials Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Check out the YouTube Video of this podcast. YouTube Email us at [email protected] Thanks for listening!

Last Friday was World Mental Health Day!We want to acknowledge that you—or someone you know—may be experiencing challenges with mental health. We recognise that as leaders, coaches, colleagues and friends, we all have a role to play in enabling strong mental health in our workplaces and breaking down the barriers to having mental health conversations.  Join Paula on the Coaching Café Podcast this week as we discuss the barriers to mental health conversations and simple steps we can take to overcome those barriers. We also encourage you to take the time for your own wellbeing. Take 30 minutes to focus on your mental health—whatever that looks like for you. Walk, talk, catch up with a colleague, listen to music, laugh, run, jump, breathe, meditate…whatever it is—now is the time. Let’s honour World Mental Health Day by putting conversations and wellbeing first. Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website. Want to join us live on Friday? Register Here! Engage with The Coaching Café Podcast Stay up to date on our socials Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Check out the YouTube Video of this podcast. YouTube Email us at [email protected] Thanks for listening!

This week on the Podcast! The new ICF Core Competencies have just been released, reflecting how coaching practice has evolved since the 2019 update. However, one word in the update is causing concern across coaching educators and practitioners, making social media light up! That word is: knowledge. Whilst no new main competencies have been added, five new sub-competencies have been added along with 11 revisions to existing sub-competencies. Understanding these changes is essential if we are to ensure our alignment with the profession and the international standards that guide it. Therefore, join Natalie and Brigette on the podcast  we unpack the changes and summarise: ✔️ What are the major changes to the ICF Core Competencies? ✔️ Why the word knowledge is causing so much concern? ✔️ What do the updates mean for your coaching practice? Whether you are new to coaching or an experience practitioner, keeping up to date with the ICF Core Competencies is a must. Join us as we continue our professional development as coaches. Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website. Want to join us live on Friday? Register Here! Engage with The Coaching Café Podcast Stay up to date on our socials Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Check out the YouTube Video of this podcast. YouTube Email us at [email protected] Thanks for listening!

In the Coaching Café Podcast last week, we listened to the first half of a coaching demonstration focused on the highest level of coaching competency - the MCC level of coaching. We invited you to tune in deeply—listening for presence, partnership, curiosity, evoking awareness, and how the coach explored thinking at a deeper level. This week, we listen to and debrief the second half of the session. Whether you’re preparing for a credential or simply want to take your coaching to the next level, this is a powerful learning opportunity. Let’s listen. Let’s reflect. Let’s grow—together. Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website. Want to join us live on Friday? Register Here! Engage with The Coaching Café Podcast Stay up to date on our socials Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Check out the YouTube Video of this podcast. YouTube Email us at [email protected] Thanks for listening!

This week on the Coaching Café Podcast , we are continuing our deep dive into our coaching practice with another coaching demonstration—this time we have the privilege of listening to coaching at the highest level of ICF credential, an MCC-level coaching demonstration. This week’s Coaching Café Podcast is another chance to listen deeply—not to judge, but to grow. We invite you to reflect on what you hear, observe how the ICF Core Competencies come to life, with a particular emphasis on identifying what raises a conversation to the MCC level.  We will listen to the first half of the session and then debrief the session together. Next week, we’ll come together to listen to the second half of the session and discuss how to apply these insights in your own coaching. Transcripts can be found here: Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please leave us a 5 star review wherever you listened to us! It helps promote the podcast to streaming services and other listeners. Watch the webinar of this episode on YouTube or read the blog by visiting our website. Want to join us live on Friday? Register Here! Engage with The Coaching Café Podcast Stay up to date on our socials Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Check out the YouTube Video of this podcast. YouTube Email us at [email protected] Thanks for listening!