Secrets From a Coach - Debbie Green & Laura Thomson's Podcast

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In this final episode in our 4-part Thriving Through Life’s Challenges mini-series, we explore a life stage that can creep up on us almost without us noticing: balancing work, life and increasing responsibility for an ageing parent or loved one.

We are joined by the brilliant Liz Fairbank, Care and Lifestyle Director at McCarthy Stone, who brings 30 years of experience in the care sector alongside a real passion for helping older people retain choice, control and independence. Liz explains how caring responsibilities often begin with something small – picking up a pres...

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In this third episode in our 4-part Thriving Through Life’s Challenges mini-series, we explore what happens when you realise that the life you’re living might no longer be the life you want. How do you find the courage to listen to yourself, make conscious choices and move towards what feels right  - even when you don’t quite know what comes next?

We are joined by the wonderful Gillian McMichael, transformational coach, author and wellbeing practitioner, who shares her own very personal experience of rather than losing some of herself...

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In this second episode in our 4-part Thriving Through Life Changes mini-series, we explore one of those career moments that can look like a promotion on paper, but feel like a complete identity shift in practice: becoming a manager for the first time.

We are thrilled to be joined again by the inspirational Dave McCabe, who first stepped into management at just 21. Dave shares his advice on how to build credibility when you’re young and lead people who may be older or more experienced than you. He explores how to sh...

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In this first episode in our 4-part Thriving Through Life Changes mini-series, we explore what it means to keep a growth mindset as we acquire more experience and wisdom -  alongside potentially more bias and baggage! Growth doesn’t have an age limit; age and maturity don't necessarily arrive together. 

It can be reassuring to remember that there is no point at which we become the finished version of ourselves. Every day is a school day. And that's good for us – it keeps us looking forward rather than settling in.

In...

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Aloha and welcome to our Summer Relax and Unwind Series! In this final episode we hear from Linz (Lindsey Thompson) who shares her top tips for reframing the return to work so we can enjoy every last moment of a well-earned break. 

Silencing our inner critic and treating ourselves like we would a friend, Linz shares how to flick off the switch of workload worry and practice a healthier thinking pattern. Surely a holiday is the moment to give ourselves a break, focus on the here and now and release our i...

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Aloha and welcome to our Summer Relax and Unwind Series! In this third episode we hear from Karl (Green) who shares his top tips for relaxing our bodies to step into pure chill zone.  

Ideal listen for anyone who knows their body could do with an unwind to enable full enjoyment of their break.  Set that Out Of Office in your shoulders and enjoy yourself.

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Aloha and welcome to our Summer Relax and Unwind Series! In this very special 300th episode we hear from Mel (Melanie Yea) who shares her top tips for calming our mind to step into pure relaxation 

Like a sunhat prevents us from overheating and burning our heads, Mel shares how to chill our inner headspace. Tips for calm and peaceful thinking so we can take a genuine break whether officially on holiday or not! 

Ideal listen for anyone who’s feeling stressed and wants to relax, step into...

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Aloha and welcome to our Summer Relax and Unwind Series! In this first one we hear from Debs who shares her top tips for shifting into holiday mode. 

Like a passport enabling us to transition from one land to another, she shares practical ways to help shift from work to relax mode. If all we are doing is lying there stressing about work, then what’s the point of taking a holiday! 

Ideal listen for anyone who’s feeling tightly wound and wants to unwind into full relaxa...

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As we gain more experiences life’s inevitable ups and downs, we're prompted to ask an essential question: What value does purposeful reflection bring us? And what is the difference between acquiring baggage vs wisdom? 

Throughout this mini-series, we’re exploring the world of quality human thinking in our ever evolving world of work. 

In this final episode, we explore why reflective thinking is a healthy habit to get into. It honours our experience, lightens the load carrying of life’s difficulties and converts those lessons into helpful strategies. 

p.s...

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When we are busy and there is lots to do, we're prompted to ask an essential question: What does it mean to be strategic? And can anyone be a strategic thinker? 

Throughout this mini-series, we explore the world of quality human thinking in our ever evolving world of work. 

In this third episode, we explore why strategic thinking is not just for highly academic people - it is being able to plan ahead and consider as much info as possible to be able to gather perspective and predict how to...

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When there is lots of ongoing change that requires engagement and energy , we're prompted to ask an essential question: How do you navigate the complex emotions and perspectives that people bring into the workplace? And are there strategies to see ways to unlock toxic patterns to ensure progress?

Throughout this mini-series, we explore the world of quality human thinking in our ever evolving world of work. 

In this third episode, we are delighted to be joined by Organisational Dynamics expert Lindsey Thompson who explores how to spot the organisational d...

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In these noisy complicated times,  we're prompted to ask an essential question: What does it mean to be compassionate? And does it mean being overly soft?

Throughout this mini-series, we explore the world of quality human thinking in our ever evolving world of work. 

In this second episode, we explore why compassionate thinking is the companion to accountability - and requires strength, boundaries and confidence.  

And compassion begins at home - practice self-compassion to be able to relate it with others

p.s.  This week, noti...

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In this dawning age of AI, we're prompted to ask an essential question: What kind of thinking is uniquely human?

Throughout this mini-series, we explore the world of quality human thinking in an AI-ready world. This isn't about resisting AI - it's about developing the human capabilities that become even more valuable alongside it.

In this first episode, we explore why quality human thinking isn't one skill; it's a collection of thinking habits that help us build careers, strengthen relationships, unlock great teamwork, make better decisions and learn from...

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In this final episode of our 4-part mini-series well about Working Parents we focus on the big topic of confidence. Confidence doesn’t usually disappear overnight, but parenthood can make it feel that way. One day you’re the organised, high-performing version of yourself who can handle anything, and the next you’re running on broken sleep, new responsibilities, and a brain that feels permanently full. We get into why that wobble is so common for working parents and why it’s not a sign you’ve ‘lost’ your skills.

We explore pra...

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Returning to work after parental leave can feel like stepping onto a moving treadmill while everyone else acts like nothing changed. We hear that quiet panic all the time: Can I still do this? Will people see me differently now? What happens when childcare falls apart and my kid gets sick again? We go straight into the invisible worries returning parents carry, and how the identity shift from confident professional to brand-new beginner can hit harder than anyone expects.

We also challenge a trap many workplaces fall into: confusing visibility with...

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In this second in our Working Parent mini-series we explore how to navigate the move from colleague to parent. Because…  you can love your job and love your kid and still feel like you’re failing both by lunchtime! 

We get honest about the working parent reality behind the scenes: the mental load, the guilt that points in every direction, and that split-second “work home switch” when daycare calls right before a board meeting.

We lean on Debs’ years as a parent coach to map the patterns she hears ag...

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In this first in our 4-part focus on Working Parents - Making The Balance Work, we explore how to navigate the shift in identity when first becoming a parent. Debs has been a parent coach for many years, working with organisations to help people navigate new parenthood so they can return to work and thrive. 

Returning to work after having a child is about much more than just logistics and childcare, it triggers a massive, often unspoken shift in your personal and professional identity.

We dive into the deep e...

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In our final of our 5-part focus on Healthy Coping Mechanisms, David Stokes, Network Delivery Manager for Network Rail’s control centre, shares how teams cope in a high-pressure operational environment where they never know what will happen next.

A major theme is how much attitudes have shifted around mental health and coping. David reflects that people are now more comfortable saying when they are not okay, rather than relying on the old “stiff upper lip” approach. He explains that understanding the physical mechanics of stress can remove shame: it helps people...

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In this fourth in our 5-part focus on healthy coping mechanisms, we explore how to cope in the moment when things get stressful. We explore the impact of our physiological response and instinct in these moments: You can’t “time manage” your way out of a crisis shift. When the pressure hits and the moving parts won’t stop moving, the difference often comes down to one thing: whether people feel safe enough to speak up and lean on each other. We talk with railway operations leader Chris Parsons about what it takes to keep...

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In the third episode of our Healthy Coping Mechanisms mini-series, Debs is joined by railway operations professional and radio presenter Lee Everest to explore how hobbies can help us cope, recover and reconnect with ourselves.

Lee works in a high-pressure rail environment where clear decisions, safety and service all matter. He shares how, after years of bringing work home in his head, he found a powerful release through community radio - something he had dreamed of doing since childhood.

What began as a hobby became a 'happy place': a...

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Content note: This episode includes references to suicide bereavement and grief.

In the second episode of our Healthy Coping Mechanisms mini-series, we are joined by rail incident controller Tom Curcher for a powerful and honest conversation about coping under pressure, building trust, and recovering after difficult experiences.

Tom shares a fascinating behind-the-scenes insight into working in a high-pressure rail incident response environment, where communication, calm thinking and teamwork really matter. He explains why trust is the foundation of effective response, how he prepares for worst-case scenarios without...

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In this first in our 5 part mini-series looking at healthy coping mechanisms, we explore a practical proactive wellness toolkit for coping in the moment, recognising stress and making sensible choices under pressure. 

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In this third episode in our miniseries looking at Powerful Presence we are thrilled to be joined by performance coach Tony McAllister who unusually, was the coach for both the Olympic and Paralympic Skiing Teams.   He shares his perspective and advice for enabling a team to perform under pressure. Mindset, preparation and a one-team attitude. 

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Welcome to our second episode in our Powerful Performance mini-series and this one is all about staying calm, getting into flow (not fluster) state and shifting from anxiety into anticipation. We share simple tools for keeping on the front foot including situations like performance reviews and creating a sense of readiness that balances presence with preparation. 

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Confidence isn’t about being louder, bolder or more polished. It’s about being so rooted in who you are that your presence speaks before you do.

As Lau works in Montreal for the week, in this episode Debs is joined by Karl for a rich and honest conversation about what confidence really looks like. Beyond performance, perfection or simply looking the part. Together, they explore the difference between confidence that is performative and confidence that is deeply rooted in identity, self-belief and presence.

Building on the theme of powe...

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In a world of constant notifications, endless scrolling and AI-generated everything… what makes someone truly stand out?

In this episode, we kick off our Powerful Presence mini-series by exploring what it really means to 'lock in' -  to be fully present, intentional and impactful in the moments that matter.

We explore why presence isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room, but about the energy you bring and the space you create for others. In today’s attention economy, your ability to connect, engage and leave a positiv...

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In the final in our 4-part focus on Mentoring, we dig into why mentoring is a serious advantage in a world where roles are changing fast and teams need to adapt without losing hard-won practical wisdom. 

We share how mentoring builds confidence, transfers knowledge across generations, and turns culture into a real engine for collaboration and growth. 

Hearing from an incredible range of real life mentors and mentees, we hear how:

• mentoring is an enabler to thrive through rapid change and role disruption 
• why men...

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As part of our focus on mentoring, we explore what separates an extraordinary mentor from someone who simply gives advice. We hear from real voices and practical tips from people who have mentored and been mentored. 

We keep coming back to mentoring as a relationship built on curiosity, listening, and consistent commitment that benefits both people and future-proofs the way we work. 

We hear how mentors are “a mirror and a map” to reflect and guide. How important it is to contract up front on purpose, expectations, and bo...

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In the second episode of our Extraordinary Mentors mini-series, we explore how early-career mentoring turns talent into traction by building confidence, clarity, and judgment.

We hear real stories and practical insights from a range of contributors about the powerful role a mentor can play in kickstarting a career. Guests share how mentors open doors, normalise struggles, and balance psychological safety with stretch to accelerate growth.

Be inspired by how mentoring helped shape our contributors’ early confidence and direction. A great mentor can act as both mirror and map - of...

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In this first episode in our 4-part focus on the Magic of Mentoring, we unpack why mentoring is the fastest, most human way to close skills gaps, transfer culture, and build confidence in a time-poor, AI-shaped workplace. 

We define mentoring against training and coaching, set boundaries, and share practical ways to start and sustain great partnerships. 

Sharing tips for working as ‘colleagues with benefits’ we share practical ways for both the mentor and mentor to maintain good boundaries and maximise time through great conversations.  

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In our fourth and final episode of our Incredible Teams mini-series we explore how to inspire a team to perform - and most importantly maintain high standards of excellence as the default. 

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What if the real unlock for high performance isn’t a big idea… but a steady beat?

This 4-part mini-series is all about Incredible Teams, using the Tuckman Team Dynamics model as inspiration for creating or sustaining great teamwork.

In this episode, we explore the Norming stage of team development- the quiet but crucial phase where discipline, awareness and consistency turn ‘getting by’ into dependable progress. Norming isn’t about being bland or rigid; it’s about establishing the rules of the road so teamwork feels lighter, clearer and more predict...

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What happens when tension rises in a team? Do you address it directly, or hope it blows over?

This 4-part mini-series is all about Incredible Teams, using the Tuckman Team Dynamics model as inspiration for creating or sustaining great teamwork.

In this episode, we explore the Storming stage of team development and why conflict isn’t a setback - it’s a signal. When differences surface, expectations clash, or frustration builds, it’s often a sign that people care and are invested.

We discuss why avoiding difficult conver...

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How quickly do you trust new colleagues? Do you start at 100% trust and let it erode, or at zero and build it over time?

This 4-part mini-series is all about Incredible Teams. Using the Tuckman Team Dynamics model as inspiration for creating or sustaining great teamwork.

In this episode, we explore the Forming stage of team development and why clarity -not chemistry- is the true foundation of high-performing teams. We look at how trust is built intentionally and why new or re-formed teams need clear direction before momentum.

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How do we motivate ourselves in a healthy, sustainable way: and is pushing harder really the answer?

In this final episode of our Fresh Starts mini-series, we’re joined by sports scientist Danielle Peters, who shares insights from working with amateur and professional athletes, people in rehabilitation, and those seeking better all-round health through understanding their bodies.

Danielle challenges the myth that high performance means pushing through at all costs. Instead, she reminds us that true high performance is about listening, adjusting, and choosing what supports us for the lo...

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What does balance really look like when life feels busy, full and always 'on'? In this third episode of our Fresh Starts mini-series, we reframe work–life balance as life–work balance: because life comes first. Using the reality of our finite 168 hours a week, we explore how time and energy are limited resources, and why constant stretch is often a sign that the give has outweighed the get for too long.

We share practical coaching tools including the Jar of Life and the Wheel of Life...