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  <title>Coaching in the Dark</title>

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  <copyright>© 2026 Coaching in the Dark</copyright>
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  <itunes:author>Patrick Murphy</itunes:author>
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  <description><![CDATA[Coaching in the Dark examines the early, and often difficult days of starting a coaching business. Here, coaches with experience open up around their first few years of owning a business, reflecting on the challenges, fears, insecurities, and ultimately, lessons learned along the way.]]></description>
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    <itunes:title>Episode 5 - Bill Pullen - Academic Director at Institute for Transformational Leadership - Georgetown University / President, BPA Coaching and Consulting</itunes:title>
    <title>Episode 5 - Bill Pullen - Academic Director at Institute for Transformational Leadership - Georgetown University / President, BPA Coaching and Consulting</title>
    <itunes:summary><![CDATA[Bill Pullen, MSOD, MCC, shares his experience, insecurities, challenges, and lessons learned from the first few years of owning his coaching business.   Highlights: 1:55 - 5 words to describe owning a coaching business 6:22 - Specific fears he had when starting out 11:07 - A specific memory that encapsulated his insecurities in the beginning 15:37 - The value of relationships in his business development 18:51 - When things started to shift more confidently in his business 23:22 - What he...]]></itunes:summary>
    <description><![CDATA[<p>Bill Pullen, MSOD, MCC, shares his experience, insecurities, challenges, and lessons learned from the first few years of owning his coaching business. <br/><br/>Highlights:<br/>1:55 - 5 words to describe owning a coaching business<br/>6:22 - Specific fears he had when starting out<br/>11:07 - A specific memory that encapsulated his insecurities in the beginning<br/>15:37 - The value of relationships in his business development<br/>18:51 - When things started to shift more confidently in his business<br/>23:22 - What he sees new coaches doing in the beginning that&apos;s successful<br/>30:27 - What he sees new coaches doing in the beginning that might not be so successful<br/>35:54 - What he&apos;s looking for when partnering with another coach <br/>39:10 - His &apos;turn-offs&apos; when partnering with another coach<br/>41:57 - How Bill authentically builds his business<br/>43:10 - 5 key takeaways for new coaches</p>]]></description>
    <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Bill Pullen, MSOD, MCC, shares his experience, insecurities, challenges, and lessons learned from the first few years of owning his coaching business. <br/><br/>Highlights:<br/>1:55 - 5 words to describe owning a coaching business<br/>6:22 - Specific fears he had when starting out<br/>11:07 - A specific memory that encapsulated his insecurities in the beginning<br/>15:37 - The value of relationships in his business development<br/>18:51 - When things started to shift more confidently in his business<br/>23:22 - What he sees new coaches doing in the beginning that&apos;s successful<br/>30:27 - What he sees new coaches doing in the beginning that might not be so successful<br/>35:54 - What he&apos;s looking for when partnering with another coach <br/>39:10 - His &apos;turn-offs&apos; when partnering with another coach<br/>41:57 - How Bill authentically builds his business<br/>43:10 - 5 key takeaways for new coaches</p>]]></content:encoded>
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    <pubDate>Tue, 15 Jun 2021 10:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
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    <itunes:title>Episode 4 - Beatriz Nicolau, CPCC, PCC</itunes:title>
    <title>Episode 4 - Beatriz Nicolau, CPCC, PCC</title>
    <itunes:summary><![CDATA[Beatriz Nicolau, CPCC, PCC, shares her experience, insecurities, challenges, and lessons learned from the first few years of owning her coaching business.   Highlights: 1) 07:14 - 5 words to describe owning a coaching business 2) 08:41 - the importance of resilience and learning in the journey 3) 11:40 - Her fears, insecurities, and challenges in the very beginning 4) 16:21 - A low moment that stands out in the early days of owning a business 5) 23:11 - When things started to shift more ...]]></itunes:summary>
    <description><![CDATA[<p>Beatriz Nicolau, CPCC, PCC, shares her experience, insecurities, challenges, and lessons learned from the first few years of owning her coaching business. <br/><br/>Highlights:</p><p>1) 07:14 - 5 words to describe owning a coaching business<br/>2) 08:41 - the importance of resilience and learning in the journey<br/>3) 11:40 - Her fears, insecurities, and challenges in the very beginning<br/>4) 16:21 - A low moment that stands out in the early days of owning a business<br/>5) 23:11 - When things started to shift more confidently<br/>6) 28:42 - Balancing owning a business and being a mother with 2 young children<br/>7) 34:50 - Authentic ways she builds her business<br/>8) 38:20 - 5 key takeaways for new coaches</p>]]></description>
    <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Beatriz Nicolau, CPCC, PCC, shares her experience, insecurities, challenges, and lessons learned from the first few years of owning her coaching business. <br/><br/>Highlights:</p><p>1) 07:14 - 5 words to describe owning a coaching business<br/>2) 08:41 - the importance of resilience and learning in the journey<br/>3) 11:40 - Her fears, insecurities, and challenges in the very beginning<br/>4) 16:21 - A low moment that stands out in the early days of owning a business<br/>5) 23:11 - When things started to shift more confidently<br/>6) 28:42 - Balancing owning a business and being a mother with 2 young children<br/>7) 34:50 - Authentic ways she builds her business<br/>8) 38:20 - 5 key takeaways for new coaches</p>]]></content:encoded>
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    <itunes:author>Patrick Murphy</itunes:author>
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    <pubDate>Tue, 25 May 2021 10:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
    <itunes:duration>2600</itunes:duration>
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    <itunes:title>Episode 3 - John Sigmon, CPCC, PCC, MCEC, Founder and CEO of Sigmon Leadership Solutions</itunes:title>
    <title>Episode 3 - John Sigmon, CPCC, PCC, MCEC, Founder and CEO of Sigmon Leadership Solutions</title>
    <itunes:summary><![CDATA[John Sigmon, CPCC, PCC, MCEC, shares his experience, insecurities, challenges, and lessons learned from the first few years of owning his coaching business.   Highlights: 1) 2:08 - Where John currently is in his business 2) 3:43 - How ‘pushing the edge’ is critical to growing his business 3) 6:22 - (5) words to describe owning a coaching business 4) 10:17 - His distinct fears, insecurities and challenges at the beginning 5) 15:09 - A low moment that stands out in the beginning 6) 19:00 -...]]></itunes:summary>
    <description><![CDATA[<p>John Sigmon, CPCC, PCC, MCEC, shares his experience, insecurities, challenges, and lessons learned from the first few years of owning his coaching business. <br/><br/>Highlights:<br/>1) 2:08 - Where John currently is in his business</p><p>2) 3:43 - How ‘pushing the edge’ is critical to growing his business</p><p>3) 6:22 - (5) words to describe owning a coaching business</p><p>4) 10:17 - His distinct fears, insecurities and challenges at the beginning</p><p>5) 15:09 - A low moment that stands out in the beginning</p><p>6) 19:00 - When / how things started to ‘shift’ more confidently in his business</p><p>7) 22:09 - Why asking for help has been critical to John’s success</p><p>8) 27:48 - As a former C-suite executive, advice for new coaches pitching their services</p><p>9) 32:00 - ‘Dealbreakers’ when looking for a coach as a former C-suite executive</p><p>10) 34:00 - The things John authentically does to build his business</p><p>11) 39:44 - (5) key takeaways for new coaches</p>]]></description>
    <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>John Sigmon, CPCC, PCC, MCEC, shares his experience, insecurities, challenges, and lessons learned from the first few years of owning his coaching business. <br/><br/>Highlights:<br/>1) 2:08 - Where John currently is in his business</p><p>2) 3:43 - How ‘pushing the edge’ is critical to growing his business</p><p>3) 6:22 - (5) words to describe owning a coaching business</p><p>4) 10:17 - His distinct fears, insecurities and challenges at the beginning</p><p>5) 15:09 - A low moment that stands out in the beginning</p><p>6) 19:00 - When / how things started to ‘shift’ more confidently in his business</p><p>7) 22:09 - Why asking for help has been critical to John’s success</p><p>8) 27:48 - As a former C-suite executive, advice for new coaches pitching their services</p><p>9) 32:00 - ‘Dealbreakers’ when looking for a coach as a former C-suite executive</p><p>10) 34:00 - The things John authentically does to build his business</p><p>11) 39:44 - (5) key takeaways for new coaches</p>]]></content:encoded>
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    <itunes:author>Patrick Murphy</itunes:author>
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    <pubDate>Tue, 11 May 2021 09:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
    <itunes:duration>2613</itunes:duration>
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    <itunes:title>Episode 2 - D. Marlene Thomas, PCC - President at Thomas Management Consulting</itunes:title>
    <title>Episode 2 - D. Marlene Thomas, PCC - President at Thomas Management Consulting</title>
    <itunes:summary><![CDATA[D. Marlene Thomas, PCC, shares her experience, insecurities, challenges, and lessons learned from the first few years of owning her coaching business.   Highlights: 1) 4:00 - The importance around sticking to what she does well / authentically enjoys doing 2) 5:56 - (5) words that describe owning a coaching business 3) 9:30 - Lessons around learning where her work really comes from 4) 13:00 - Her distinct fears, insecurities and challenges at the beginning 5) 15:50 - The value of having ...]]></itunes:summary>
    <description><![CDATA[<p>D. Marlene Thomas, PCC, shares her experience, insecurities, challenges, and lessons learned from the first few years of owning her coaching business. <br/><br/>Highlights:<br/>1) 4:00 - The importance around sticking to what she does well / authentically enjoys doing<br/>2) 5:56 - (5) words that describe owning a coaching business<br/>3) 9:30 - Lessons around learning where her work really comes from<br/>4) 13:00 - Her distinct fears, insecurities and challenges at the beginning<br/>5) 15:50 - The value of having a ‘fellowship’ and community of coaches to help<br/>6) 17:39 - A piece of advice that really made an impact early on<br/>7) 20:07 - How / when things started to shift more confidently<br/>8) 24:25 - The value she has received by being involved in the ICF DC Chapter<br/>9) 28:24 - Advice for coaches of color<br/>10) 30:00 - The things Marlene authentically does to build her business<br/>11) 32:46 - The value of self-care in owning a business<br/>12) 36:04 - (5) key takeaways for new coaches</p>]]></description>
    <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>D. Marlene Thomas, PCC, shares her experience, insecurities, challenges, and lessons learned from the first few years of owning her coaching business. <br/><br/>Highlights:<br/>1) 4:00 - The importance around sticking to what she does well / authentically enjoys doing<br/>2) 5:56 - (5) words that describe owning a coaching business<br/>3) 9:30 - Lessons around learning where her work really comes from<br/>4) 13:00 - Her distinct fears, insecurities and challenges at the beginning<br/>5) 15:50 - The value of having a ‘fellowship’ and community of coaches to help<br/>6) 17:39 - A piece of advice that really made an impact early on<br/>7) 20:07 - How / when things started to shift more confidently<br/>8) 24:25 - The value she has received by being involved in the ICF DC Chapter<br/>9) 28:24 - Advice for coaches of color<br/>10) 30:00 - The things Marlene authentically does to build her business<br/>11) 32:46 - The value of self-care in owning a business<br/>12) 36:04 - (5) key takeaways for new coaches</p>]]></content:encoded>
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    <itunes:author>Patrick Murphy</itunes:author>
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    <pubDate>Thu, 29 Apr 2021 10:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
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    <itunes:title>Episode 1 - Daphne Y. Jefferson, PCC - Principal / Executive Coach, Jefferson Consulting Group, LLC</itunes:title>
    <title>Episode 1 - Daphne Y. Jefferson, PCC - Principal / Executive Coach, Jefferson Consulting Group, LLC</title>
    <itunes:summary><![CDATA[Daphne Y. Jefferson, PCC, shares her experience, insecurities, challenges, and lessons learned from the first few years of owning her coaching business.  Highlights: - 6:22 - 5 words to describe owning her coaching business - 10:35 - personal insecurities, fears and challenges at the start - 12:40 - realities around timeline and expectations for the business - 16:38 - 'low' moments that stand out - 19:48 - when / how business started to 'shift' more abundantly - 24:46 - tips for 'coaches...]]></itunes:summary>
    <description><![CDATA[<p>Daphne Y. Jefferson, PCC, shares her experience, insecurities, challenges, and lessons learned from the first few years of owning her coaching business. <br/>Highlights:<br/>- 6:22 - 5 words to describe owning her coaching business<br/>- 10:35 - personal insecurities, fears and challenges at the start<br/>- 12:40 - realities around timeline and expectations for the business<br/>- 16:38 - &apos;low&apos; moments that stand out<br/>- 19:48 - when / how business started to &apos;shift&apos; more abundantly<br/>- 24:46 - tips for &apos;coaches of color&apos;<br/>- 29:46 - go-to moves for when business is slow<br/>- 33:51 - 5 key lessons for new coaches starting a business<br/><br/><br/><br/><br/></p>]]></description>
    <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Daphne Y. Jefferson, PCC, shares her experience, insecurities, challenges, and lessons learned from the first few years of owning her coaching business. <br/>Highlights:<br/>- 6:22 - 5 words to describe owning her coaching business<br/>- 10:35 - personal insecurities, fears and challenges at the start<br/>- 12:40 - realities around timeline and expectations for the business<br/>- 16:38 - &apos;low&apos; moments that stand out<br/>- 19:48 - when / how business started to &apos;shift&apos; more abundantly<br/>- 24:46 - tips for &apos;coaches of color&apos;<br/>- 29:46 - go-to moves for when business is slow<br/>- 33:51 - 5 key lessons for new coaches starting a business<br/><br/><br/><br/><br/></p>]]></content:encoded>
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    <itunes:author>Patrick</itunes:author>
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    <pubDate>Fri, 02 Apr 2021 11:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
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