📍 Boston coaching workshop — Early Bird ends 2/27 →

The Lie We’ve Been Told About PD: Episode 281

E

281

•

9:41

•

February 23, 2026

Best-selling author and coaching expert, Elena Aguilar, brings weekly tips, tools, and wisdom to educators with one goal: to help you thrive.

If you’ve ever walked out of a PD session wondering what the point was, this episode is for you. In this kickoff to our PD podcast series, Elena Aguilar shares a powerful reframe—and a 5-question reflection to help you assess whether your sessions are creating real learning.

Keep learning: 

Support the show:

Reflection questions: 

  • When was the last time you felt truly inspired by professional development? What made it feel different?
  • How have your past experiences shaped what you believe PD is supposed to look and feel like?
  • What would be possible if we treated PD as a space for transformation—not compliance?

‍

Podcast Transcript and Use:

Bright Morning Consulting owns the copyright to all content and transcripts of The Bright Morning Podcast, with all rights reserved. You may not distribute or commercially exploit the content without our express written permission.

We welcome you to download and share the podcast with others for personal use; please acknowledge The Bright Morning Podcast as the source of the material.

‍

More Podcasts

View All Podcasts

Microaggressions 101

E

141

•

00:36:55

In this final episode of our Hot Topics of Coaching for Equity mini-series Elena shares seven things you can do when you are in a toxic culture, one where there is contagious negativity.

Listen

Coaching Conversation: The Final Conversation

E

140

•

00:44:22

In this final episode of our Hot Topics of Coaching for Equity mini-series Elena shares seven things you can do when you are in a toxic culture, one where there is contagious negativity.

Listen

Coaching Conversation: Phase 4: Build New Practices

E

139

•

00:47:34

In this final episode of our Hot Topics of Coaching for Equity mini-series Elena shares seven things you can do when you are in a toxic culture, one where there is contagious negativity.

Listen

Coaching Conversation- What Happens when You Trust the Process

E

138

•

00:39:09

In this final episode of our Hot Topics of Coaching for Equity mini-series Elena shares seven things you can do when you are in a toxic culture, one where there is contagious negativity.

Listen

Coaching Conversation: Building Relationships and Trust in Phases 1 and 2 of Transformational Coaching

E

137

•

00:46:41

In this final episode of our Hot Topics of Coaching for Equity mini-series Elena shares seven things you can do when you are in a toxic culture, one where there is contagious negativity.

Listen

Transformational Coaching in Action - Phase 1: Surface Current Reality

E

136

•

00:50:19

In this final episode of our Hot Topics of Coaching for Equity mini-series Elena shares seven things you can do when you are in a toxic culture, one where there is contagious negativity.

Listen

Limited Series: Starting the School Year Strong - Setting Yourself Up to Coach

E

135

•

00:14:33

In this final episode of our Hot Topics of Coaching for Equity mini-series Elena shares seven things you can do when you are in a toxic culture, one where there is contagious negativity.

Listen

Limited Series: Starting the School Year Strong Considerations for a Thriving Coaching Program

E

134

•

00:16:03

In this final episode of our Hot Topics of Coaching for Equity mini-series Elena shares seven things you can do when you are in a toxic culture, one where there is contagious negativity.

Listen

Bright Morning Blog

View All Blogs
A Quick Fix for Disengaged Virtual Participants

A Quick Fix for Disengaged Virtual Participants

February 17, 2026
Four Neuroscience Truths Every Team Leader Needs to Know

Four Neuroscience Truths Every Team Leader Needs to Know

February 10, 2026
Equity can’t be an “extra”—here’s where to start

Equity can’t be an “extra”—here’s where to start

February 6, 2026
Your fix-it mode is holding your clients back

Your fix-it mode is holding your clients back

January 26, 2026
Looking for an easier way to give feedback?

Looking for an easier way to give feedback?

January 20, 2026
The best way to change the world

The best way to change the world

January 12, 2026
My Best-Of List for 2025

My Best-Of List for 2025

December 30, 2025
This 5-minute practice can change how you learn—and how you lead.

This 5-minute practice can change how you learn—and how you lead.

December 23, 2025
How do you not let one hard moment make you doubt everything?

How do you not let one hard moment make you doubt everything?

December 8, 2025
Everything Is Practice

Everything Is Practice

November 27, 2025
From “Ugh, Role Play” to “That Changed Everything”

From “Ugh, Role Play” to “That Changed Everything”

November 20, 2025
Our best offer of the year arrives Friday, November 28

Our best offer of the year arrives Friday, November 28

November 18, 2025
Learning Amidst Chaos: Building Resilient Spaces

Learning Amidst Chaos: Building Resilient Spaces

November 14, 2025
Three Ways to Make Asking for Help the Norm

Three Ways to Make Asking for Help the Norm

October 17, 2025
The best coaching conversation ever?

The best coaching conversation ever?

October 3, 2025
Your next PD session is already planned

Your next PD session is already planned

September 5, 2025
Your calendar doesn’t need another pointless meeting

Your calendar doesn’t need another pointless meeting

September 3, 2025
When the Unthinkable Becomes All Too Real

When the Unthinkable Becomes All Too Real

September 1, 2025
“Every day is a crazy day. It’s fine.”

“Every day is a crazy day. It’s fine.”

August 29, 2025
What I do before every coaching conversation

What I do before every coaching conversation

August 27, 2025
Align your calendar with your purpose

Align your calendar with your purpose

August 22, 2025
How to Turn Our Free Webinars into Ready-to-Go PD for Your Team

How to Turn Our Free Webinars into Ready-to-Go PD for Your Team

August 20, 2025
How you introduce yourself matters more than you think

How you introduce yourself matters more than you think

August 15, 2025
What if purpose is something you do? 🤔

What if purpose is something you do? 🤔

August 13, 2025
What to do when your admin doesn’t “get” coaching

What to do when your admin doesn’t “get” coaching

August 12, 2025
Your leadership instincts are right—trust matters more than anything

Your leadership instincts are right—trust matters more than anything

August 5, 2025
This one question will make EVERY conversation better.

This one question will make EVERY conversation better.

July 29, 2025
Reimagining your first meeting this fall

Reimagining your first meeting this fall

July 23, 2025
The Foundation of Resilient Teams

The Foundation of Resilient Teams

July 16, 2025
You're Talking too Much 🤐

You're Talking too Much 🤐

July 9, 2025
Wait time: My most effective coaching move

Wait time: My most effective coaching move

July 7, 2025
A simple solution to small problems (with a big impact)

A simple solution to small problems (with a big impact)

May 12, 2025
Why We Don’t Need Less PD—We Need Better PD

Why We Don’t Need Less PD—We Need Better PD

May 8, 2025
From Knowing to Doing: How to Lead Transformational Professional Development

From Knowing to Doing: How to Lead Transformational Professional Development

May 1, 2025
A tiny tweak to save you hours

A tiny tweak to save you hours

April 2, 2025
5 Steps to Fewer Resentments

5 Steps to Fewer Resentments

March 26, 2025
Three Steps to Better Decision-Making

Three Steps to Better Decision-Making

March 17, 2025
Mastering Difficult Conversations: How to Coach Emotions for Deeper Impact

Mastering Difficult Conversations: How to Coach Emotions for Deeper Impact

February 19, 2025
Transforming Limiting Beliefs About Emotions: How to Embrace and Find Wisdom in Your Feelings

Transforming Limiting Beliefs About Emotions: How to Embrace and Find Wisdom in Your Feelings

February 17, 2025
Blend Transformational Coaching and Cognitive Coaching

Blend Transformational Coaching and Cognitive Coaching

February 3, 2025
A Paradox Transformational Coaches and Leaders Know to Be True (And May Still Struggle to Heed the Wisdom)

A Paradox Transformational Coaches and Leaders Know to Be True (And May Still Struggle to Heed the Wisdom)

January 27, 2025
Are You Working With Someone Who Is Struggling?

Are You Working With Someone Who Is Struggling?

January 22, 2025
Four Lessons from Neuroscience to Become a Stronger Team Leader

Four Lessons from Neuroscience to Become a Stronger Team Leader

January 13, 2025
How to Never Again Hear, “Why Do I Have to Be Here?”

How to Never Again Hear, “Why Do I Have to Be Here?”

January 8, 2025
The 5 Most Popular Bright Morning Podcast Episodes of 2024

The 5 Most Popular Bright Morning Podcast Episodes of 2024

January 3, 2025
How to Make the Most of the Final Days of Break

How to Make the Most of the Final Days of Break

December 30, 2024
Sign Off with Confidence

Sign Off with Confidence

December 23, 2024
This is My Favorite End-of-Year Activity

This is My Favorite End-of-Year Activity

December 16, 2024
Three Ways to Boost Collective Resilience

Three Ways to Boost Collective Resilience

November 25, 2024
My Advice: Feel the Feeling

My Advice: Feel the Feeling

November 18, 2024
Say, "Goodbye," to Resistance

Say, "Goodbye," to Resistance

November 18, 2024
Why You Need to “Pull-Back-the-Curtain” in Your PD

Why You Need to “Pull-Back-the-Curtain” in Your PD

November 11, 2024
My Top Strategy for Making the Most of Limited PD Time

My Top Strategy for Making the Most of Limited PD Time

October 28, 2024
7 Learnings from 15 Workshops

7 Learnings from 15 Workshops

October 21, 2024
You Can Get Along with Anyone

You Can Get Along with Anyone

October 14, 2024
Every Single Teacher You Coach has Gaps to Close

Every Single Teacher You Coach has Gaps to Close

October 7, 2024
Coaching Across Lines of Difference

Coaching Across Lines of Difference

September 30, 2024
Thirty Years of Wisdom

Thirty Years of Wisdom

September 23, 2024
Take the Easy Way Out

Take the Easy Way Out

September 16, 2024
A Hope-Building Paradigm Shift

A Hope-Building Paradigm Shift

September 9, 2024
Setting Coaching Goals: Step One

Setting Coaching Goals: Step One

September 2, 2024
Do You Have an Anchor for the Year Ahead?

Do You Have an Anchor for the Year Ahead?

August 26, 2024
Six Questions All Coaches Need Answers to

Six Questions All Coaches Need Answers to

August 19, 2024
What to Do When There’s Not Enough Time

What to Do When There’s Not Enough Time

August 12, 2024
How Will You Introduce Yourself to Clients?

How Will You Introduce Yourself to Clients?

August 5, 2024
6 Steps to Close a Knowing-Doing Gap

6 Steps to Close a Knowing-Doing Gap

July 29, 2024
Four Design and Facilitation Learnings

Four Design and Facilitation Learnings

July 22, 2024
Do You Struggle with Disengaged Learners?

Do You Struggle with Disengaged Learners?

July 15, 2024
Are You Avoiding the Conversation?

Are You Avoiding the Conversation?

July 8, 2024
How to Savor Your Holiday

How to Savor Your Holiday

July 1, 2024
Build a Stronger Team with One Move

Build a Stronger Team with One Move

June 24, 2024
Do You Want to Make the Next School Year Easier?

Do You Want to Make the Next School Year Easier?

June 17, 2024
This Summer, Build Your Skills at Creating Connection

This Summer, Build Your Skills at Creating Connection

June 10, 2024
How to Continue the Quest to Better Know Yourself

How to Continue the Quest to Better Know Yourself

June 3, 2024
I’d Always Be in the “Needs to Improve” Column in this Area

I’d Always Be in the “Needs to Improve” Column in this Area

May 20, 2024
5 Questions I Ask Myself When I Design PD

5 Questions I Ask Myself When I Design PD

May 6, 2024
My best design resource

My best design resource

April 29, 2024
End-of-year reflection questions for you

End-of-year reflection questions for you

April 22, 2024
“These kids can’t…”

“These kids can’t…”

April 15, 2024
How trust develops

How trust develops

April 8, 2024
Who do you find hardest to listen to?

Who do you find hardest to listen to?

April 1, 2024
Is there “us” and “them” drama on your team?

Is there “us” and “them” drama on your team?

March 18, 2024
Addressing the Teacher Exodus

Addressing the Teacher Exodus

March 11, 2024
Being a Coach Transformed My Parenting

Being a Coach Transformed My Parenting

March 4, 2024
Do You Trust Your Team?

Do You Trust Your Team?

February 26, 2024
My Favorite Coaching Phrase

My Favorite Coaching Phrase

February 19, 2024
My Top 5

My Top 5

February 19, 2024
I Made It!

I Made It!

February 5, 2024
How to live in alignment with your values

How to live in alignment with your values

January 29, 2024
Here’s what it takes to create thriving teams

Here’s what it takes to create thriving teams

January 15, 2024
Here’s how I’m surrendering at our team retreat

Here’s how I’m surrendering at our team retreat

January 8, 2024
A must-ask question

A must-ask question

December 18, 2023
How I reflect on the year

How I reflect on the year

December 4, 2023
How to celebrate Coach Appreciation Day

How to celebrate Coach Appreciation Day

November 5, 2023
Can You Let Your Heart Open Even More?

Can You Let Your Heart Open Even More?

November 2, 2023
Did You Make it Through?

Did You Make it Through?

October 30, 2023
Intention can be a placebo

Intention can be a placebo

October 15, 2023
The coaching question that feels like a hug

The coaching question that feels like a hug

October 9, 2023
What would you really love to say about this month when it ends?

What would you really love to say about this month when it ends?

October 2, 2023
It’s time to celebrate!

It’s time to celebrate!

September 25, 2023

Transformation starts here

Start cultivating your skills to lead teams that transform schools and organizations into joyful, resilient, and equitable environments.

Teach Me
Teach My Team