The Coach Approach Ministries Podcast

In this "presidential summit," Brian Miller talks with Brent Sleasman, president of Winebrenner Theological Seminary, about why human-to-human interaction is becoming more important—not less—in an age of remote work, economic pressure, and accelerating AI. They explore the surprising value of presence (even silent presence on Zoom), the tradeoffs between convenience and community, and why the future threat may not be "AI takes over," but "we accept a life where we don't have to show up." Brent offers practical "resistance" practices: choose the right communication medium for the message, and become aware of how environments (digital and physical) quietly shape relationships. Big Ideas & Takeaways Presence is doing more work than we can explain. Brian describes long silent pauses on Zoom with close friends—awkward on paper, deeply meaningful in reality. Remote work is rational…and still costly. Brent names the tension: economics, childcare, and flexibility push us away from in-person life, even though we're built for connection. "Soft skills" aren't soft. They're survival skills. Can you make a phone call? Handle conflict politely? Speak to a real human when it's uncomfortable? Employers increasingly care. AI's superpower is efficiency—our humanity includes limits. Brent warns that AI can outpace human pace, tempting us to treat limits as defects instead of features. The bigger danger may be delightful surrender. Brian pushes back on the fantasy that it would be "great" if AI removes the need for human responsibility, effort, and showing up. Fear sells. Pay attention to who benefits. Brent cautions that AI panic can become a marketing strategy: frighten people, then sell them the solution. The cultural fork: Orwell vs. Huxley. Brent references Neil Postman: the threat may not be suppressed truth (1984), but being anesthetized by pleasure and convenience (Brave New World). Memorable Moments / Quotes (paraphrased) "We're just sitting there…quiet…looking at each other…and it feels important." "It makes no sense financially to go in person… and yet I feel like I need to go." "AI is off-the-chart efficient. What if humans aren't designed to be highly efficient?" "You're still the one hitting send." Practices Brent Recommends Match the medium to the message. Ask: Is this a text? An email? A call? A visit? Don't force one tool to do another tool's job. Raise your awareness of your environments. Tech and space shape relationships. Rooms, furniture, screens, workflows—none are neutral. They were designed, so they can be redesigned. Conversation Outline (Timestamp-ish) 00:00–02:30 Why human-to-human interaction will matter more (remote work, AI, lived experience) 02:30–06:00 The strange value of silence and presence (Zoom pauses, men's group) 06:00–10:40 Remote work tension + economics as a force pulling us away from in-person 10:40–18:50 Seminary/community: what changes, what doesn't; hybrid connection and annual in-person "anchor" time 18:50–27:40 AI: efficiency vs. humanity; the temptation to avoid real people; "I don't want AI to write—I want to write" 27:40–30:00 Postman, Brave New World, and resisting "pleasant" dehumanization 30:00–34:05 Practical resistance: medium choices + environmental awareness; close and call to action Listener Reflection Questions Where have you traded presence for convenience—and what has it cost you? What relationships need a phone call or a coffee instead of one more email? What "environment" (phone, office layout, family rhythms, tech stack) is shaping you more than you're shaping it? Where are you letting efficiency define what "good" looks like?

Coaching isn't just useful for discipleship—it may be the missing skill set for making disciple-makers. The conversation is candid, funny, and quietly sharp: COVID exposed shallow formation, and the church's "information-first" approach is often producing people who can pass the quiz but can't live the life. What this episode is really about How coaching skills turn discipleship from "content delivery" into "life transformation," and why that matters if you want disciples who can actually reproduce—aka spiritual grandchildren. The main arc COVID as an x-ray: Tracy says the pandemic revealed weakness and shallowness in churches—faith wasn't helping people through reality as much as we assumed. Disciples vs. disciple-makers: Lots of systems can "disciple" people. The breakdown comes when those people are supposed to disciple others…and don't. Coaching as the bridge: Listening, powerful questions, Holy Spirit awareness, concise observations, encouragement—these are the exact "soft skills" disciple-makers need. Ownership beats compliance: If a person doesn't own the next step, they won't do it. Coaching helps them name it, choose it, and commit to it. Gold analogies and quotable moments "Checkbox Christianity": Brian compares conversion to clicking "I agree" on software terms you didn't read…until life hits and you realize you never actually understood what you signed up for. David wearing Saul's armor: What works for the discipler isn't automatically the right "rule of life" for the disciple. Customization matters. Your gallbladder parable: ER doc assumed you wouldn't change ("you'll be back; let's take it out"). Family doctor assumed change is possible and coached you toward it—so you kept your gallbladder. That becomes the whole discipleship point: do we assume people can change? "Pastor, what should I do?" → "You should ask Jesus." (Brian notes how rare that response is—and how coaching questions push people into hearing God, not outsourcing their spiritual life to professionals.) Practical coaching skills applied to discipleship (the "how") Listen to locate, not to reload. Disciple-making isn't "me talking, you listening." It's listening to where someone actually is, then drawing them out. Ask questions that create awareness: Jesus-style questions show up ("Who do you say I am?"). Good disciple-makers ask, not just tell. Use observations (concise messages), not advice-dumps: "When you quoted that verse, something lit up in you." "It sounds like Scripture reading hasn't been life-giving lately." Observations invite reflection without taking over. Offer resources when the gap is real: You can't "pull out" what isn't there. Tracy's prayer example: discover she knows only one way to pray → offer a resource → let her choose what resonates → she owns it. The model Brian Tracy is building 10-month micro-group discipleship (max four people, weekly, relational, life-on-life). Participants lead segments early so development is "doing," not just learning. After 10 months, they go through CAM 501, then get released to disciple 2–3 people. Tracy continues coaching them monthly to review progress—very "Jesus: watch me → do it → debrief → do it again." The punchline challenge to the church The church often assumes discipleship = more information. But Scripture itself pushes toward transformation + obedience: "Teaching them to observe/do…" James: don't merely listen and deceive yourselves. D.L. Moody: Bible wasn't given to increase information, but to transform life. Coaching helps close the gap between knowing and doing. Where Tracy says this is going A disciple-making movement in his local church built on coaching-enabled disciple-makers. Cohorts of pastors in the fall to redesign discipleship in their contexts using coaching skills as the method, regardless of the curriculum. Ending vibe They land the plane with contact info (and more "Brian vs. Bryan" banter), then Brian ties it to Romans 12: transformation through renewed thinking—exactly the kind of change coaching is designed to catalyze.

Brian Miller and Rev. Dr. Brian Tracy keep the January theme rolling—escaping the tyranny of the urgent—but this episode zeroes in on leadership coaching: why leaders get stuck, what beliefs jam the gears, and how a coach helps a leader climb out of survival mode and back into purpose. It opens with some playful "Brian spelling reform" banter (the Y can repent), then turns into a surprisingly practical coaching framework for leaders who feel like every week is "sludging through the mud." Key Highlights Why leaders stall out: Many leaders know the hill they want to take… but their Monday–Friday reality feels like mud, and they can't translate vision into Tuesday afternoon. Triple-loop coaching lens: Brian frames the problem as actions → strategy → identity. Tracy agrees most leaders stay stuck at the surface level (tweaking actions) without addressing strategy or identity. Balcony view: They talk about moving leaders from minutiae to perspective using "psychological distancing" and future-oriented questions: "Where do you want this to be in 5 years?" "What would 10-years-from-now you tell you to focus on?" Unsticking the gear: Brian describes a coaching move that creates safety—"I'm not holding you to this"—to help a frozen leader name a first step and regain momentum. Beliefs that sabotage leaders: Scarcity vs. abundance (closed-handed vs. open-handed leadership) "If I'm the leader, I should know everything" (which kills curiosity and learning) "If I'm leading right, there won't be complaints" (spoiler: change creates complaints) Takeaways Coaching gives leaders a place where every sentence isn't a grenade. In leadership, words carry 10x weight; coaching offers a safe lab to think out loud without collateral damage. A good leader reviews and prunes. Tracy describes doing a regular "stop/start" review twice a year because clutter expands like glitter—once it's in the room, it's everywhere. Don't build everything around yourself. Brian reflects on leaving "holes" when he exited organizations earlier in life—and names that as a leadership mistake. Healthy leadership equips others until the organization can run without you. Empowerment is the job. Tracy grounds it in Ephesians 4: leaders equip others to do the work, not hoard the work to feel needed. Criticism isn't a sign you're failing—sometimes it's proof you're leading. If you're changing anything meaningful, pushback is part of the fee. Even Jesus had bad Yelp reviews. Memorable Lines & Moments "Survival" as a strategy is still a strategy… just a terrible one. "The more authority you give away, the more authority you have." "If I'm successful, it's not because I got the job done—it's because they got it done." Moneyball reference: "The first guy through the wall always gets beat up." (Accurate, and also why most people prefer to be the second guy.)

🔑 Three Insights from the CAM Leaders Meeting Drawing from Coach Approach Ministries' first leaders meeting without any of its founders, Brian shares three convictions that will shape the future of coaching—and the church. 1️⃣ Human-to-Human Interaction Is Becoming More Valuable, Not Less As technology accelerates and polarization deepens, people aren't craving better performance—they're craving presence. Younger generations are increasingly skeptical of anything that feels artificial Coaching offers something rare: real attention, real listening, real agency Coaching doesn't drain energy—it often restores it In a world saturated with noise, presence is becoming a competitive advantage. 2️⃣ Institutions Are Failing Because They Can't See the Bigger Picture Organizations aren't collapsing primarily from outside pressure—but from narrow vision. The world has changed. Not incrementally. Fundamentally. Systems are no longer simple or even complicated—they're complex What worked yesterday may fail tomorrow, even if nothing "changed" The leaders who thrive are learners, not defenders of the past A consistent pattern has emerged: People open to coaching tend to flourish inside organizations. Those resistant to coaching almost always leave. That's not a theory. It's an observation. 3️⃣ The Greatest Need in Churches Isn't Strategy—It's Conflict Resolution After working with leaders overseeing large networks of churches, one issue rises above the rest: unresolved conflict. Unaddressed relational strain: Exhausts leaders Hollow outs communities Quietly dismantles trust Coaching skills—listening, curiosity, emotional regulation, shared understanding—are exactly what's missing. Brian argues that even a short investment in coach training can dramatically improve how leaders talk with one another—often more in two days than in years of meetings. And that opens a door. ⛪ A Vision for the Church The church may be one of the last places where people still know how to gather. That's not a liability. It's an opportunity. If reconciliation truly sits at the heart of the gospel, then coaching may be one of the most practical ways churches can live that out—internally and for the world. This conviction is shaping Brian's focus for 2026, with a renewed interest in on-site coach training for pastors, staff, and church leaders. ✈️ What's Next Continued excellence in online coach training More teaching from Brian in 2026 A growing emphasis on in-person presence where it matters most And yes—possibly more flights than courtrooms. 🙏 Thank You for Listening If you've listened to one episode or all five hundred—thank you. And if you're curious about coaching, coach training, or how to show up better in a complex world, you're in the right place. 👉 Learn more at coachapproachministries.org We'll see you next week.

In this episode, Brian Miller and Brian Tracy continue January's theme of resisting the tyranny of the urgent by exploring why "moving fast" isn't the same as "moving forward." They talk about Sabbath as a spiritual act of trust, Cal Newport's Slow Productivity, and how focus, rest, and even fun are not distractions—they're fuel. The conversation keeps circling one core idea: if you want to do better work, you may need to do less of it. Key Highlights Brian and Brian open with playful banter, then pivot quickly into a serious tension: January goal-setting in a world where the future feels harder to predict. They name a common trap: false urgency—working really hard without clarity about what you're actually trying to achieve. Sabbath gets reframed as a non-optional command (yes, it's in the same list as "don't murder," which is… awkwardly clarifying). They unpack principles from Cal Newport's Slow Productivity: do fewer things, work at a natural pace, and obsess over quality. A practical leadership moment: both share examples of delegating what you're not gifted for (pastoral care / follow-up calls) so others can shine—and people actually like the care they receive. Takeaways Speed is not a strategy. Clarity about where you're going beats frantic motion every time. Rest is a leadership discipline, not a reward. If you won't stop, you're basically telling God, "I got this," which is adorable… and wrong. Do less, better. Limit projects, double time estimates, and protect "recovery time" so your best work isn't squeezed out by your busiest work. Stay in your sweet spot. Stop trying to become "average" at what you're not built for—delegate it to someone who's a rock star. Quality makes you stand out. Whether it's a sermon, a weekly email, or coaching sessions—slower, more thoughtful work is often what creates real value.

In this episode, Brian Miller and Brian Tracy kick off January's theme—Escaping the Tyranny of the Urgent—by looking back at Brian's 2025 goal list (10 goals… 3 achieved… baseball Hall of Fame, real life: "ouch"). They explore what a "failed" goal year can teach you: you can't predict what's coming, God opens doors you didn't even know existed, and the real win isn't perfect outcomes—it's faithful work and healthy relationships. Key Highlights Brian admits he set 10 public goals for 2025 and hit 3, then uses that "miss" as a learning lab rather than a guilt trip. You can't predict the future: partnerships changed, a collarbone broke, and leadership responsibilities shifted—none of which were on the goal spreadsheet. Hold goals loosely: both Brians describe learning to release control and stay alert to God's unexpected openings. Focus on the work, not the scoreboard: habits and daily faithfulness matter more than lofty targets (with a nod to Atomic Habits and the "become the person" principle). Relationships are the real goal: productivity can quietly sabotage what matters most—community, family, prayer partners, and life-giving friendships. Takeaways Set fewer goals—and build "adaptability" into them. A smaller number of priorities leaves room for real life (and real leadership curveballs). Measure faithfulness by the work you do daily, not just the outcomes you can't control. Ask: "Does this goal strengthen relationships?" If it doesn't, it might be a shiny distraction wearing a halo. Stop trying to kick down locked doors. Pay attention to the doors God opens—and when they open, walk through them boldly. Schedule rest and life-giving time on purpose. If you never plan time off, the urgent will happily eat your entire year.

In this episode, Brian Miller and Chad Hall discuss three essential behaviors that help coaches build a thriving practice: Networking, Nurturing, and Negotiating. They explain how these behaviors create a natural flow from awareness to relationship to partnership—and why skipping steps leads to awkwardness and frustration. Using real examples from their own coaching businesses, Brian and Chad illustrate how to operationalize each behavior in ways that fit your personality, your clients, and your local or distributed context. Key Highlights The 3 N's Framework: Networking (they know you), Nurturing (you know them), and Negotiating (you work together)—a clear progression for building a client base. Fit your strengths: Networking doesn't mean schmoozy cocktail parties; it can be teaching, podcasting, or community events—whatever authentically connects you. Patience is vital: Like farming, you can't force growth; you can only create the conditions—plant, water, and cultivate relationships. Tools shift by context: A podcast might be networking for CAM but nurturing for a local firm; the purpose defines the behavior. Bring your team along: Involve your staff early so clients build trust with the organization, not just with you personally. Takeaways Map your client journey. Identify who's on your radar, who you're networking with, who you're nurturing, and who you're negotiating with. Track without strangling. Systems help—but don't overmanage relationships; stay organic and human. Do what you enjoy. Choose networking and nurturing methods that energize you so consistency feels natural. Partnership multiplies momentum. Pair with people whose strengths complement yours—networkers, nurturers, or closers. Relationships create readiness. The best clients often come from long-term nurturing; trust builds quietly before opportunity emerges.

In this episode, Brian Miller and Chad Hall revisit Matthew chapters 8 and 9 to explore the escalating revelation of Jesus' authority—from healing a leper and a centurion's servant to calming a storm and forgiving sins. They trace how each miracle expands the borders of inclusion, challenges human expectations, and demonstrates that nothing—disease, distance, nature, or even sin—can stand outside Jesus' transforming reach. The conversation turns deeply practical for Christian coaches, connecting forgiveness and reconciliation to the heart of transformational coaching. Key Highlights Inclusion as the heartbeat of the Kingdom. Jesus' first acts after the Sermon on the Mount—healing a leper and a Roman centurion's servant—reveal a radical openness that shocks religious boundaries. Escalating power and presence. Each story shows Jesus' authority expanding: from physical healing to calming creation to resolving the cosmic issue of sin. Opting out vs. opting in. Many reject Jesus not because He excludes them, but because inclusion offends their control, comfort, or sense of superiority. Forgiveness as spiritual power. Forgiving sins wasn't symbolic—it was a cataclysmic act that disrupted religious structures and revealed divine reconciliation. Coaching connection. Like Jesus, coaches help others see what's hidden beneath the surface—often an invisible need for forgiveness or reconciliation that keeps clients stuck. Takeaways Transformation begins with inclusion. God's kingdom reaches the excluded first—and invites everyone willing to step in. Forgiveness is deeper than fixing. In both faith and coaching, lasting change often starts with releasing resentment or guilt. Don't fear the storm. Growth requires following Jesus into chaos—where peace and clarity emerge. Invisible forces matter. Emotional and spiritual "black holes" like unforgiveness bend everything around them until they're addressed. Coaching is kingdom work. Helping clients reconcile—to God, themselves, and others—is a sacred act of restoration, not just problem-solving.

Sign up for the free webinar on January 8, 2026 at 11am ET with Marcia Reynolds. In this episode, Brian Miller is joined by Dr. Marcia Reynolds, former president of the International Coaching Federation and globally recognized thought leader on emotional intelligence and coaching presence. Together, they explore how neuroscience explains co-regulation—the subtle emotional exchange between coach and client that determines trust, safety, and transformation. Marcia shares practical ways coaches can regulate their own emotions, influence the energy in the coaching space, and trigger the brain chemistry that opens clients to deeper insight and growth. Key Highlights Coaching presence is emotional, not just cognitive. True presence isn't about paying attention—it's about radiating curiosity, compassion, and care that the client feels. Energy precedes words. Before a coach says anything, the client's brain detects safety or threat based on the coach's tone, body, and emotional state. Co-regulation is constant. We always regulate to the person with the most emotional influence in the room—often the coach or leader. The brain's chemistry shapes trust. Compassionate connection releases oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine, which calm anxiety and open creativity and insight. Judgment, fear, and impatience break presence. These emotions start in the body before the brain and must be noticed, released, and replaced intentionally. Takeaways Regulate yourself first. Your emotional state sets the tone. Enter sessions grounded, curious, and compassionate. Safety is felt, not declared. Saying "you're safe here" doesn't build trust—your calm presence does. Track with curiosity. Listen beyond the story for values, fears, and contradictions that reveal transformation points. Choose your energy intentionally. Notice where emotion shows up in your body, breathe, and return to curiosity and care. Lead with "big light." Like Marcia's mentor said, your job is to model presence and emotional maturity—even when others don't.

In this episode, Brian and Chad Hall unpack the "Simple–Complicated–Complex" lens for leaders and coaches—how to tell which kind of situation you're facing and how to respond differently so you stop over-analyzing the unknowable and start learning your way forward. Key Highlights Definitions with pictures: Simple = obvious cause/effect (dominoes). Complicated = cause/effect exists but requires expertise (car engine, medical diagnosis). Complex = patterns only clear in hindsight; outcomes shift as actors adapt (rainforest, economy, AI). The core mistake: Treating complex problems with complicated tools—endless analysis and confidence theater—when what's needed is experimentation and learning. Operate by domain: Simple → standardize and simplify; Complicated → analyze, measure, hire experts; Complex → place small bets, learn fast, adapt. Real-world examples: Hiring during COVID, SEO after algorithm shifts, tariffs and the economy, competition dynamics (new stores nearby), church growth models—each shows why yesterday's levers stop working. Beyond business: Parenting and long-range strategy are inherently complex—near-term is clearer, long-term requires humility, feedback loops, and patience. Takeaways Name the game first. Ask: Is this simple, complicated, or complex? Your tactics should match the domain. In complex spaces, act to learn. Don't wait for perfect clarity—run small experiments, gather feedback, iterate. Save analysis for the right problems. Use experts and diagnostics where cause/effect can genuinely be mapped. Bias toward simplicity. Wherever possible, reduce processes to the simplest reliable system (hello, E-Myth). Hold plans loosely. What worked may stop working; assume adaptation is part of the job, not a detour.

In this episode, Brian Miller and Chad Hall share seven practical and relational ways to find new coaching clients. Their conversation blends mindset, strategy, and faith—reminding listeners that building a coaching practice is less about marketing gimmicks and more about authentic relationships, service, and attentiveness to where God is already at work. Whether you're just starting out or seeking to grow your client base, this episode offers actionable insights to help you move forward with confidence and purpose. Key Highlights Referrals from existing clients are the most natural and effective way to gain new clients—make it easy for them by describing who you want to work with. Referrals from non-clients (like community leaders or church contacts) can be equally valuable when you've built trust and credibility. Publishing—through blogs, podcasts, or ebooks—helps increase visibility but works best when it serves the client's needs, not your ego. Presenting at local events, workshops, or online gatherings positions you as a helpful expert and naturally draws interested clients. Prayerfulness grounds your efforts, helping you discern where God is opening doors and aligning your work with His purpose. Takeaways Serve before selling. The best marketing for coaching is genuine service—offering value and care to others. Ask directly. Many clients come simply because you invited them—don't assume people will approach you first. Stay active in your community. Participation builds trust, connection, and opportunities for meaningful engagement. Keep your posture humble and relational. Avoid transactional tactics like referral fees—focus on creating goodwill. Pray with expectation. Trust that God is already at work preparing opportunities; your role is to notice and join in.

In this episode, Brian Miller and Chad Hall explore the mindset behind growing a successful coaching practice. They argue that even the best systems, tools, and strategies won't help if a coach lacks the hunger, drive, and willingness to face discomfort. Drawing analogies from Chick-fil-A operators to church planting to personal sales experiences, Brian and Chad highlight that growth happens when you embrace the pain of doing hard, awkward things—like initiating conversations, facing rejection, and persisting through failure. Key Highlights Growth in your coaching practice starts with mindset, not methods or systems. Using Chick-fil-A operators as an example, Chad explains that success depends on people who bring energy, ownership, and drive—not just those who follow a system. Coaches often avoid the pain of outreach because of fear, overthinking, or perfectionism, but pain is the signal of what to do next. Mindset transformation includes shifting from avoidance to action: taking small, imperfect steps and learning from mistakes. The difference between stuck coaches and growing coaches often comes down to one thing—consistent conversations that build momentum. Takeaways Pain is the pathway. Don't avoid discomfort—lean into it. It's often the indicator of where you need to act. Conversations create clients. Websites and social media can't replace simply talking to people. Stop overthinking. Adopt a C-student mentality—take action, learn, adjust, and move forward. Fuel beats perfection. Motivation and movement matter more than having the perfect system. Failure strengthens you. Each awkward or unsuccessful attempt builds resilience and confidence for the next one.

In this episode, Brian Miller and Chad Hall unpack one of the most practical frameworks for growing a coaching practice — drawn from Acts 1:8 and the idea of starting in "Jerusalem" (the people who already know, like, and trust you) before moving outward to "Judea," "Samaria," and "the ends of the earth." Through stories, examples, and coaching wisdom, they explore why so many coaches try to start in Samaria — with websites and strangers — instead of the relationships that already surround them. The conversation blends biblical insight with business strategy, helping listeners reframe how they think about client development and confidence building. Key Highlights The "Jerusalem–Judea–Samaria–Ends of the Earth" model provides a spiritual and strategic roadmap for building a coaching practice. Many new coaches mistakenly try to market to strangers (Samaria) instead of starting with those who already know and trust them (Jerusalem). Confidence grows naturally when you start with low-hanging fruit — people ready and willing to engage — rather than high-hanging, resistant prospects. A handful of "champions" in your life want you to succeed and are eager to open doors, but you have to be willing to ask for help. Building a network takes time and humility — and knowing where you're starting is essential to making sustainable progress. Takeaways Start in your Jerusalem. Focus first on people who already know, like, and trust you. These are the relationships most ready to bear fruit. Ask for help. Don't rob your champions of the blessing of supporting you. They want to help — and connecting you is often their joy. Build confidence through success. Each small win strengthens your confidence and credibility, preparing you for larger opportunities. Be clear and courageous. Tell people you're getting started and invite them to partner with you — at least one will likely say yes. Expand outward intentionally. As your network and experience grow, let your influence move naturally from Jerusalem to Judea to Samaria, rather than leaping ahead.

Podcast Notes   Episode 489 Three Myths about Charging for Coaching (Rebroadcast) Hosts: Brian Miller, PCC and Chad Hall, MCC Date: October 30, 2025 In this episode, Brian and Chad unpack three common myths that hold coaches back from confidently charging for their services. Drawing from years of training and mentoring coaches, they discuss the internal beliefs and mindset barriers around money—especially within Christian coaching circles—and offer practical ways to build confidence, communicate value, and stop underselling the impact of coaching. Key Highlights The myth that "people can't afford coaching" often reflects a coach's own limiting beliefs rather than reality. Undervaluing yourself or the coaching process can prevent you from confidently seeking clients. Coaches often project their own financial limitations onto others, assuming clients can't or won't invest. Paying for your own coaching helps reinforce belief in its value and gives you firsthand credibility. Lowering prices rarely leads to better traction—it can confuse potential clients and devalue your offering. Takeaways Challenge your assumptions about what others can afford; avoid saying "no" on their behalf. Invest in your own coaching experience to build conviction and authenticity when selling. Recognize that coaching is about outcomes and transformation, not just the session time. Maintain pricing integrity—confidence and clarity communicate value better than discounts.   Stay Connected: Website: coachapproachministries.org Email: info@coachapproachministries.org LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/coach-approach-ministries Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coach.approach.ministries Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@coachapproachministries7538 Follow us on social media for updates and resources!

Podcast Notes   Episode 488 Your First Conversation with AI, w/ Douglas Foltz Host: Brian Miller, PCC Guest: Doug Foltz Date: October 23, 2025 In this episode, Brian and return guest Douglas (Doug) Foltz, Head of Product at Church.tech, discuss practical steps for beginning to use artificial intelligence in your work or organization. They explore how to choose a reliable AI platform, protect your data privacy, and start experimenting with prompts. The conversation offers an accessible entry point for those curious about AI, breaking down complex concepts into simple, actionable advice for everyday users. Key Highlights The best first step with AI is to choose a paid platform to ensure data privacy and better functionality. Free AI tools often make you the product, collecting and using your data for training purposes. Start by experimenting conversationally—you don't need to understand technical jargon to use AI effectively. Learn to refine prompts over time, just as you would adjust your communication when getting to know someone. Understanding AI memory and context helps you manage how your conversations and data are stored or remembered. Takeaways Investing a small amount monthly in a paid AI subscription offers greater security and performance. You can use AI to simplify complex information—ask it to explain topics at your level of understanding. Don't overthink prompts; start with natural conversation and refine as you learn. Approach AI as a helpful conversation partner, not a technical system you must master immediately.   Stay Connected: Website: coachapproachministries.org Email: info@coachapproachministries.org LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/coach-approach-ministries Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coach.approach.ministries Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@coachapproachministries7538 Follow us on social media for updates and resources!

Podcast Notes   Episode 487 Identity Focus and Exponential Change Hosts: Brian Miller, PCC and Chad Hall, MCC Date: October 16, 2025 In this episode, Brian and Chad discuss the ideas behind 10x is Easier than 2x by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy, exploring how exponential growth often requires less effort than incremental progress—because it demands focus, simplicity, and internal transformation. They connect these principles to coaching, sharing personal insights about mindset shifts, self-perception, and giving oneself permission to grow beyond current limits. Key Highlights The "10x" mindset represents transformation, not a numeric goal—it's about thinking differently, not doing more. Exponential growth starts with simplification and focus, freeing you from the clutter of incremental progress. True change requires an identity shift before a strategy shift—you must first see yourself differently to act differently. The story of a stay-at-home mom turned top realtor captures how mindset and identity transformation drive lasting growth. Permission emerges as a key theme—letting go of old methods, embracing new approaches, and redefining success with freedom and purpose. Takeaways Real growth begins internally—with clarity of purpose and identity. Simplicity and focus often create more progress than constant effort. Transformation happens when identity shifts, not just strategy. Coaching invites both permission and courage to grow into what's next.   Stay Connected: Website: coachapproachministries.org Email: info@coachapproachministries.org LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/coach-approach-ministries Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coach.approach.ministries Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@coachapproachministries7538 Follow us on social media for updates and resources!

Podcast Notes   Episode 486 The Wisdom Within Adaptation w/ Douglas Foltz Host: Brian Miller, PCC Guest: Doug Foltz Date: October 9, 2025 In this episode, Brian welcomes Douglas (Doug) Foltz, Head of Product at Church.tech, for a candid conversation about artificial intelligence and its impact on ministry, coaching, and human relationships. They explore the pace of AI innovation, ethical and theological implications for the Church, and how leaders can engage technology without losing the essence of humanity and connection. Key Highlights: Brian and Doug discuss the overwhelming speed of AI development and why even tech-savvy people feel left behind. Doug explains why organizations can't simply "wait out" AI trends, noting that innovation requires anticipating where the technology is heading. They examine how AI can enhance, not replace, human work—especially in coaching and ministry contexts. Doug shares how Church.tech is using AI tools to improve sermon clarity, logic, and trauma sensitivity without removing the human voice. The conversation turns to the importance of developing a "theology of humanity" to ensure technology strengthens relationships rather than deepening isolation. Takeaways: The Church must engage AI thoughtfully, grounding its use in a theology of work and human dignity. AI can be a valuable tool for refining and supporting ministry, but it should never substitute genuine human presence or spiritual connection. Leaders should discern ethical lines between using AI for assistance and outsourcing authenticity. True innovation in faith communities means designing technology that draws people closer—to one another and to God.   Stay Connected: Website: coachapproachministries.org Email: info@coachapproachministries.org LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/coach-approach-ministries Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coach.approach.ministries Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@coachapproachministries7538 Follow us on social media for updates and resources!

Podcast Notes   Episode 485 A New Season Arrives Hosts: Brian Miller, PCC and Chad Hall, MCC  Date: October 2, 2025 In this episode, Brian Miller and Chad Hall share the significant announcement that Chad will be stepping away from Coach Approach Ministries after nearly twenty years of leadership. Together, they reflect on the journey, the transition process, and what lies ahead for both CAM and its community. The conversation balances gratitude for the past with excitement for the future, offering insights on leadership, stewardship, and embracing new seasons. Key Highlights Chad Hall announces his transition out of his role after almost two decades as president and co-founder of Coach Approach Ministries. Reflections on the emotional mix of grief and excitement that comes with leadership transitions. Insights from William Bridges' transition model—recognizing loss while looking toward future opportunities. Growth of CAM from a small founding team to a large, thriving community of faculty, managers, and international students. Discussion on CAM's future, including Brian's leadership, expanded teaching, and possibilities for evolving the podcast format. Takeaways Transitions are best navigated by acknowledging both the grief of loss and the excitement of new beginnings. Healthy organizations thrive when leadership responsibilities are shared, developed, and eventually transitioned. Stewardship in leadership means knowing when to step aside for the organization's growth. New seasons provide opportunities for creativity, fresh direction, and renewed engagement with community.   Stay Connected: Website: coachapproachministries.org Email: info@coachapproachministries.org LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/coach-approach-ministries Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coach.approach.ministries Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@coachapproachministries7538 Follow us on social media for updates and resources!

Podcast Notes   Episode 484 10,000 Hours of Coaching, 10,000 Hours of Learning w/ Laura-Catherine Etheridge Host: Brian Miller, PCC Guest: Laura-Catherine Etheridge, MCC Date: September 25th, 2025 In this episode, Brian speaks with Laura-Catherine Etheridge, MCC, a founding partner at Stratos2 and a seasoned coach with over 10,000 coaching hours. Laura shares her journey into coaching at a young age, the lessons she's learned along the way, and what she wishes she could tell her younger self. The conversation highlights how presence, listening, and genuine care—not credentials—create the greatest impact in coaching. Key Highlights: Laura reached over 10,000 coaching hours and reflects on her early start in the field at age 24. She discovered coaching through hiring a coach while running her high school business. She emphasizes the importance of presence, listening, and caring deeply for clients over technical skills or credentials. Coaching success comes from creating safe, distraction-free spaces where clients can process and explore. Credentials matter less to clients than the sense that their coach cares and can genuinely help them. Takeaways: Coaching is most impactful when you focus on who you are as a person, not just what you know. Presence and deep listening create safety and trust, allowing clients to open up and move forward. Credentials and external markers have far less influence on clients than authentic care and practical support. Coaches should spend time working through their own distractions so they can be fully available for clients.   Stay Connected: Website: coachapproachministries.org Email: info@coachapproachministries.org LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/coach-approach-ministries Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coach.approach.ministries Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@coachapproachministries7538 Follow us on social media for updates and resources!

Podcast Notes   Episode 483 The Promise and Pitfalls of ChatGPT Hosts: Brian Miller, PCC and Chad Hall, MCC Date: September 18th, 2025 In this episode, the hosts reflect on their early experiences experimenting with ChatGPT, exploring both its surprising strengths and its frustrating limitations. What began with hesitation and even skepticism turned into curiosity as they discovered that working with AI requires learning a "new language." They share examples of using ChatGPT for brainstorming, writing support, and planning, while also wrestling with issues of trust when the tool generated confident but false information.  Key Highlights Early reluctance to adopt AI gave way to curiosity and intentional use, framed as learning a "new language." ChatGPT was tested as a professional thinking partner, helping with brainstorming, writing support, and planning. Trust issues emerged when AI confidently gave false or misleading information (e.g., fabricated movie scenes, podcasts, or emails). Iterative, back-and-forth prompting produced better results than one-shot requests. Teaching the model to mirror personal writing style improved authenticity and usefulness in content creation. Takeaways Treat AI as a collaborative partner, not a one-click solution. Be aware of AI's tendency to "hallucinate" information and verify claims independently. Strong prompts and iterative dialogue are key to getting useful, authentic-sounding results. AI can accelerate creativity and productivity, but final ownership of content must remain human.   Stay Connected: Website: coachapproachministries.org Email: info@coachapproachministries.org LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/coach-approach-ministries Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coach.approach.ministries Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@coachapproachministries7538 Follow us on social media for updates and resources!