Talking about Coaching

Welcome to this episode of Talking about Coaching, the podcast from coaches for coaches. 
This episode is one of Yannick's deep dives into one topic or person and we’re talking about coaching with Ruth Cooper-Dickson who shares her inspiring journey from doing corporate work to coaching classical musicians, highlighting what it takes to break into a new line of work as well as innovative approaches to wellbeing and resilience through music and positive psychology. In July 2026 Ruth will be presenting the insights and learning from this journey at the European Conference for Positive Psychology (ECPP) in Dublin, and we thought it would be excellent to offer the conference audience (as well as a wider one) access to a deeper dive into how she made this dream happen, her approach to working with musicians and performers, and her experience along the way.
KEY TOPICS
- How to launch a successful coaching pilot
- Building resilience and confidence in musicians
- Community and relationship building through arts
- Using strengths and values in coaching
ABOUT RUTH

Ruth Cooper-Dickson is an award-winning positive psychology practitioner, trauma-informed coach, and founder of Thrivership Coaching™. A published academic, her recent practitioner research focuses on classical musicians, and she has developed and delivered a positive psychology coaching programme for musicians and composers in collaboration with the Royal Philharmonic Society, bringing evidence-based wellbeing tools to the unique pressures of a life in classical music. Her earlier academic work explored post-traumatic growth and coaching, a thread that continues to underpin her practice.

Ruth launched her wellbeing consultancy after her own experience of mental ill health, including Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, and chronic burnout. That lived experience sits at the heart of her work, where she helps individuals and organisations start open, honest, and human conversations about Mental Wealth. Her trauma-informed approach to thrivership coaching supports people to grow after adversity rather than simply recover from it. She has been a patron of the UK anxiety charity No Panic since 2018.

Alongside her coaching, Ruth is a radio broadcaster who has hosted live since 2024, and a keynote speaker who has delivered talks for global brands, combining academic research with real-world insight. A certified breathwork leader and Mental Health First Aid Instructor of over a decade, she has trained thousands worldwide.

Learn more about Ruth and her work at https://ruthcooperdickson.com/ 
Ruth on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthiecoops/ 
Ruth’s Substack Coffee with Coops: https://ruthcooperdickson.substack.com/ 
Ruth’s Podcast Espresso with Coops: https://ruthcooperdickson.substack.com/podcast
Ruth’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruthcooperdickson/ 
Listen to Ruth every Friday 0730-1000 BST as she hosts the Breakfast Show: https://www.chelmsfordcommunityradio.com/ 

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Coaching and Music
03:11 Ruth's Journey into Positive Psychology and Coaching
06:00 The Intersection of Music and Healing
08:52 Creating a Coaching Program for Musicians
12:07 The Structure and Goals of the Coaching Program
15:08 Navigating the Unique Challenges of Classical Musicians
18:00 The Role of an External Coach
21:00 Feedback and Impact of the Coaching Program
24:00 Personal Reflections and Lessons Learned
33:51 Embracing Creativity and Growth
36:14 Building Relationships in Coaching
39:26 Collecting Stories and Experiences
40:44 Identifying Personal Values and Strengths
42:36 The Importance of Humility in Performance
44:01 Creating Community Connections
45:15 Leveraging AI for Program Development
48:13 The Value of Pro Bono Work
50:56 Reflections on the Program's Impact
57:11 Future Opportunities and Collaborations

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And did you know that you can see COACHING DEMOS from many of our podcast guests as part of Yannick's Coaching Lab. In the Lab you’re a “fly on the wall” for a 45min live coaching demo followed by Q&A and conversations with the coach and client and (optional) experimental breakouts in triads. Members of the Lab can re-watch recordings of sessions they’ve missed and VIP Members have access to the entire Vault of available coaching demos:
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Thanks for being a coach. You're making the world a better place!
Support the show
- Never miss an episode:
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- Yannick's Coaching Nuggets: https://gocoachinglab.com/nuggets
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- More deep dives at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEK9UENWT66D6uqPJhCznXNhc9Ba9jite
- Short episodes of TaC addressing specific questions: https://www.youtube.com/talkingaboutcoaching
- Support what we do with a positive review, a comment or by telling a friend or colleague about this episode.
- Watch COACHING DEMOS from many of our guests in Yannick's Lab. 
Membership: https://gocoachinglab.com/
Upcoming Labs: https://bit.ly/FutureCoachingLabs
FREE taster sessions: https://rocketsupervision.com/coaching-lab-coaching-sessions/ 
Thanks for being a coach. You're making the world a better place!

We’ve had several questions around how coaches use Artificial Intelligence (AI) in coaching, may that be to grow your business, as part of the coaching, or to improve your coaching skills. Building on our previous two episodes on AI, this episode offers an update with regards to how coaches can utilize AI. We’re signposting to a few custom GPTs we’re using, prompt advise, and highlight both the value and the risks of using AI in coaching. 
See also: 
Episode 91 - How can I use AI to be a better coach? (Part II) 
Episode 89 - How can I use AI to be a better coach? (Part I)
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Support the show
- Never miss an episode:
https://rocketsupervision.com/talking-about-coaching/
- Yannick's Coaching Nuggets: https://gocoachinglab.com/nuggets
- Free Starter Kit for new coaches: https://rocketsupervision.com/coaching-starter-kit/
- More deep dives at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEK9UENWT66D6uqPJhCznXNhc9Ba9jite
- Short episodes of TaC addressing specific questions: https://www.youtube.com/talkingaboutcoaching
- Support what we do with a positive review, a comment or by telling a friend or colleague about this episode.
- Watch COACHING DEMOS from many of our guests in Yannick's Lab. 
Membership: https://gocoachinglab.com/
Upcoming Labs: https://bit.ly/FutureCoachingLabs
FREE taster sessions: https://rocketsupervision.com/coaching-lab-coaching-sessions/ 
Thanks for being a coach. You're making the world a better place!

Experienced coaches know this: The more leadership we exhibit in coaching consultations, the easier it is to sign up clients, but the harder it is to then work with them “in partnership”, because we set up the relationship with certain expectations. But if we start with co-creating each part of the coaching relationship from the start, we lack the kind of certainty and confidence that helps clients to say yes to coaching with ease. This is what we may refer to as “the leadership paradox in coaching”, and today the Talking about Coaching Podcast hosts Yannick and Siwash are discussing how to navigate this challenge and strike the right balance. 
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If you'd like to stay up to date with new episodes, continue the conversation or generally support what we do: 
Send us your question: http://bit.ly/talkingaboutcoaching
Sign up to our mailing list (no spam, no sales, just a quick shout about new episodes): https://rocketsupervision.com/talking-about-coaching/
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Support the show
- Never miss an episode:
https://rocketsupervision.com/talking-about-coaching/
- Yannick's Coaching Nuggets: https://gocoachinglab.com/nuggets
- Free Starter Kit for new coaches: https://rocketsupervision.com/coaching-starter-kit/
- More deep dives at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEK9UENWT66D6uqPJhCznXNhc9Ba9jite
- Short episodes of TaC addressing specific questions: https://www.youtube.com/talkingaboutcoaching
- Support what we do with a positive review, a comment or by telling a friend or colleague about this episode.
- Watch COACHING DEMOS from many of our guests in Yannick's Lab. 
Membership: https://gocoachinglab.com/
Upcoming Labs: https://bit.ly/FutureCoachingLabs
FREE taster sessions: https://rocketsupervision.com/coaching-lab-coaching-sessions/ 
Thanks for being a coach. You're making the world a better place!

We hear this from a lot of coaches in recent times: There are too many coaches out there! It’s getting increasingly difficult to reach potential clients amidst the sheer number of coaches trying to keep their businesses afloat. In this conversation, Yannick and Siwash share their perspective on why coaching as an industry can’t be saturated due to existing demands, discuss a solution to the problem of “saturation”, explain why it’s so important to pay attention to your personal narratives, and how marketing and branding are intricately linked to a successful coaching business. At the end you may just feel hopeful about the future of coaching, your business, and the world. 
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If you'd like to stay up to date with new episodes, continue the conversation or generally support what we do: 
Send us your question: http://bit.ly/talkingaboutcoaching
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Support the show
- Never miss an episode:
https://rocketsupervision.com/talking-about-coaching/
- Yannick's Coaching Nuggets: https://gocoachinglab.com/nuggets
- Free Starter Kit for new coaches: https://rocketsupervision.com/coaching-starter-kit/
- More deep dives at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEK9UENWT66D6uqPJhCznXNhc9Ba9jite
- Short episodes of TaC addressing specific questions: https://www.youtube.com/talkingaboutcoaching
- Support what we do with a positive review, a comment or by telling a friend or colleague about this episode.
- Watch COACHING DEMOS from many of our guests in Yannick's Lab. 
Membership: https://gocoachinglab.com/
Upcoming Labs: https://bit.ly/FutureCoachingLabs
FREE taster sessions: https://rocketsupervision.com/coaching-lab-coaching-sessions/ 
Thanks for being a coach. You're making the world a better place!

In this episode of "Talking about Coaching" Yannick, Siawash, and Nicki delve into the intriguing intersection of coaching and therapy. They discuss the importance of understanding one's past to enhance present and future coaching outcomes. The conversation explores how coaches can navigate the delicate balance between exploring past experiences and maintaining a forward-focused approach. Tune in to discover insightful perspectives on how past narratives shape our present actions and future aspirations.
Chapters
00:00:00 - Introduction to Coaching and TherapyYannick introduces the topic of coaching and its distinction from therapy, setting the stage for a discussion on exploring the past within coaching sessions.

00:01:58 - The Role of Past ExperiencesYannick and Siwash discuss the importance of understanding past experiences to enhance present coaching outcomes, emphasizing that exploring the past is not about dwelling but understanding current behaviors.

00:03:58 - Patterns and Limiting BeliefsSiwash shares insights on how exploring past patterns and limiting beliefs can be beneficial in coaching, using personal anecdotes to illustrate the impact of past experiences on present actions.

00:06:15 - Balancing Coaching and TherapyNicki and Yannick explore the fine line between coaching and therapy, discussing when exploring the past might cross into therapeutic territory and how coaches can maintain a forward-focused approach.

00:08:30 - Techniques for Effective CoachingThe conversation shifts to practical techniques for coaches to connect past experiences with future goals, ensuring that sessions remain productive and goal-oriented.

00:10:30 - Conclusion and ReflectionsThe episode wraps up with reflections on the discussion, encouraging listeners to engage with the content and share their experiences to foster learning and growth in the coaching community.

Takeaways: 
Understanding past experiences can enhance coaching outcomes. 
Coaching focuses on the future, while therapy often explores the past. 
Exploring past narratives helps in understanding current behaviors. - Coaches should balance between past exploration and future focus. 
Past experiences can be a catalyst for future growth. 
Coaching and therapy have distinct but overlapping roles. 
Awareness of past patterns can aid in personal development. 
Coaches need to be sensitive to when past exploration becomes therapeutic. 
Exploring the past can provide resources for future challenges. 
Coaching can maintain a forward-thinking approach while exploring the past.
Keywords: coaching, therapy, past experiences, future goals, personal development, coaching techniques, exploring the past, coaching vs therapy, limiting beliefs, personal growth

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If you'd like to stay up to date with new episodes, continue the conversation or generally support what we do: 
Send us your question: http://bit.ly/talkingaboutcoaching
Sign up to our mailing list (no spam, no sales, just a quick shout about new episodes): https://rocketsupervision.com/talking-about-coaching/
Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG2c
Support the show
- Never miss an episode:
https://rocketsupervision.com/talking-about-coaching/
- Yannick's Coaching Nuggets: https://gocoachinglab.com/nuggets
- Free Starter Kit for new coaches: https://rocketsupervision.com/coaching-starter-kit/
- More deep dives at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEK9UENWT66D6uqPJhCznXNhc9Ba9jite
- Short episodes of TaC addressing specific questions: https://www.youtube.com/talkingaboutcoaching
- Support what we do with a positive review, a comment or by telling a friend or colleague about this episode.
- Watch COACHING DEMOS from many of our guests in Yannick's Lab. 
Membership: https://gocoachinglab.com/
Upcoming Labs: https://bit.ly/FutureCoachingLabs
FREE taster sessions: https://rocketsupervision.com/coaching-lab-coaching-sessions/ 
Thanks for being a coach. You're making the world a better place!