I'm thrilled to share another Student Spotlight with you this week...

Meet Ilona Brannen who was part of the first cohort of The Coaching Business Academy last year.

Ilona is on a mission to help women in tech break free from the status quo and step into bold, impactful leadership. As a leadership coach, speaker, and consultant, she specialises in guiding ambitious professionals through career transitions, helping them gain clarity, confidence, and influence in their next big move.

Her career has been anything but conventional. Ilona has worked across Japan, the Netherlands, Cuba, Italy, the UK, and Argentina, experiencing firsthand what it means to navigate change, embrace uncertainty, and redefine success on your own terms. This global experience fuels her coaching philosophy: your career isn’t a straight line—it’s an adventure you get to design.

Through her leadership consultancy, Ilona partners with tech companies and professionals to develop leaders for the digital age who are equipped to thrive in a fast-changing world. She’s passionate about helping women break through barriers, own their ambition, and create careers that align with their values and vision.

Connect with Ilona:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilonabrannen/
https://www.instagram.com/ilona.f.brannen/

The next cohort of The Coaching Business Academy kicks off in July - we'd love to have you be part of it!

www.gillmoakes.com/academy

Have you been doing all the things—posting consistently, showing up online, podcasting, emailing, networking—and STILL not seeing those dreamy coaching clients roll in?

In this powerful episode, Gill dives into the frustrating experience of being consistent… but not converting. She unpacks the crucial difference between visibility and connection—and why the latter is what truly moves the needle in your coaching business.

💡 In this episode, you’ll learn:
- The difference between “showing up” and genuinely connecting

- 5 revealing questions to audit your content and marketing approach

- The most common traps coaches fall into (and how to get unstuck)

- 5 powerful actions to take this week to shift from crickets to conversations

- Why clarity beats cleverness every single time

- The three C’s that turn visibility into paying clients: Connection, Clarity, Courage

If you’re tired of ticking all the boxes and still hearing tumbleweed, this episode is your turning point. Grab a notebook—this one’s packed with actionable gold.

🔗 Mentioned in this episode:
👉 Join The Collective – Gill’s brand new membership for coaches who are ready to build a thriving business. Doors are open now! https://gillmoakes.com/collective

📩 Enjoyed this episode?
Gill loves hearing from you! Drop her a note at info@gillmoakes.com and let her know what landed.

And please share this episode with a coach friend who needs to hear it. Let's rise together 💛

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Leave a Review
Loving the podcast? A quick 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts helps get this work into more ears.

In this episode, I’m joined by PR powerhouse Pippa Goulden, founder of The PR Set, to break down what public relations really is—and why it might be the most underused yet powerful strategy in your coaching business.

If the word “PR” makes you think of expensive agencies and glossy magazine spreads, think again. Pippa’s mission is to demystify PR and make it accessible for small business owners who are ready to get known, build trust, and grow.

We cover:

What PR actually means and how to use it to grow your coaching business

The difference between social proof and third-party credibility (and why the latter is GOLD)

Why coaches can’t afford to ignore PR if they want to build real trust

The biggest mindset blocks that stop people from pitching themselves—and how to get past them

How to start using PR in just 15 minutes a day

Pippa also shares her own story of pitching herself for a dream speaking gig that changed her business—and the simple strategy you can steal to do the same.

📣 Pippa will also be delivering a guest masterclass inside The Coaching Business Academy, which will also be made available for members of The Collective—so if you're a member, keep your eyes peeled for that!

🔗 Resources & Mentions:
Learn more about Pippa:

Check out The PR Set: www.theprset.com

Connect with Pippa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pippa_the.pr.set/

or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pippa-goulden/

Listen to Pippa's podcast, PR Made Simple: www.theprset.com/podcast

*****

Join The Collective - the ultimate membership for coaches committed to growing their businesses without sacrificing their soul (or their sanity!) - to access Pippa’s upcoming masterclass: gillmoakes.com/collective

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🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts, and if you loved it—please leave a review and share it with a coach friend who needs to hear this.

Welcome back to the Heads Together podcast! This episode dives deep into the essence of community and its undeniable impact on growing your coaching business. We're not talking any fluffy, surface-level stuff here—this is about soul-nourishing, game-changing connections. I share how strategic community engagement, built on genuine relationships and collaboration, can fuel your success. Plus, discover the 'green flags' for identifying the right community for you. Whether you're seeking support, accountability, or a place to brainstorm, this episode has got you covered. And hey, if my new membership, The Collective, sounds like your thing, don't miss out. Let's build something incredible together!

https://gillmoakes.com/collective

00:00 Welcome to the Heads Together Podcast 00:48 The Power of Community in Coaching 04:39 Defining True Community 07:04 The Benefits of Collaboration and Accountability 14:17 Green Flags for a Thriving Community 15:41 Introducing The Collective Membership 24:43 Final Thoughts and Invitation

In this special episode, Gill is pulling back the curtain on something brand new—and very exciting: The Collective, a membership designed exclusively for outstandingly good coaches who want to build a phenomenal business without the overwhelm.

You’ll hear the story behind the spark of inspiration, what makes this different from everything else out there, and exactly what you’ll find inside the membership. This isn’t just a “thing to join”—it’s your new coaching business HQ.

• Why Gill created The Collective and who it’s for

• How it complements the Coaching Business Academy (without replacing it)

• A peek inside the five key pillars of the membership:

  🤝 The Community – your circle of ambitious, big-hearted, supportive coaches who get it

  🗺 The Roadmap – the vital step-by-step strategy to build your coaching business

  🧰 The Resources – templates, tools, scripts, planners & more

  🎬 The Masterclasses – an ever growing Coachflix library of binge-worthy learning

  🧘‍♀️ The Sanctuary – the inner work - mindset, energy, and intuition work led by our resident experts

• How to join the waitlist and attend the virtual open house

• Why now is the time to get on board as a founding member

• Join the waitlist for The Collective: https://www.gillmoakes.com/the-collective-1

• Sign up for a virtual open house: https://www.gillmoakes.com/open-days

🎧 Listen to previous episodes featuring the Sanctuary experts:

• #081 - Tap In To The Magic Of Your Business with Debra Driscoll

• #090 - Balance And Alignment with Jennifer Evans - AKA Zen Jen
• #053 - Becoming Limitless With Alicia M Rodriguez

• Embracing All Of Who You Are with Anand Quinn

If you're ready to ditch the chaos, and the conflicting advice—and step into one trusted, reliable and supportive space for growing your coaching practice—The Collective is calling.

This week, I'm thrilled to introduce you to Lucy McCarraher, the brilliant mind behind Book Magic AI.

Lucy discusses her journey from magazine publishing to founding Rethink Press and The Business Book Awards, and more recently Book Magic AI.

We dive deep into how every coach has a book inside them and how a book can be the game-changer for your coaching practice. Lucy introduces her groundbreaking app, Book Magic AI, which transforms the daunting task of writing into a highly achievable goal.

We cover everything from book positioning and planning to utilizing AI for personalized guidance and even promoting your book. If you’ve been putting off writing that book, this episode is your wake-up call. Let’s make it happen!

*****

Lucy McCarraher is the Founder and CEO of Book Magic AI, the unique book-writing app for business books. She is the Founder of Rethink Press and the Business Book Awards. Lucy has written 14 books - her latest, BOOK MAGIC how to become and author faster and transform your expertise into business gold, has just launched. She is the UK's most experienced business book mentor, having mentored 1000+ entrepreneurs to write their books

*****

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucymccarraher/
Insta, Threads: @lucymccarraher
TikTok: @lucymccarra
https://www.facebook.com/LucyMcCarraher
https://www.youtube.com/@lucymccarraherauthor/podcasts

*****

Have you joined the waitlist for The Collective yet? My new membership... the ultimate membership for coaches who want the strategy and support to grow a highly profitable and sustainable coaching business.

Find out more: https://www.gillmoakes.com/the-collective-1

📣 Connect with Gill:

• Website: gillmoakes.com

• Instagram: @gillmoakes

• LinkedIn: Gill Moakes on LinkedIn

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00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
01:40 Diving into the Conversation
03:17 Lucy's Background and Publishing Journey
04:33 Rethink Press and Business Book Publishing
07:18 Coaching and Writing Support
15:00 Book Magic AI: Revolutionizing Book Writing
24:46 Promoting and Publishing Your Book
32:14 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Welcome back to the Heads Together podcast! This week, I'm absolutely thrilled to spotlight Ellie Nova, an alumna of The Coaching Business Academy. Ellie is not just a sober coach but also a writer, mentor, and mom., living in Lewes, East Sussex.

She’s guides women to discover alcohol-free freedom through her very special approach to quitting drinking.

In this episode, Ellie shares insights into her personal journey of overcoming alcohol dependence, the emotional triggers behind it, and how she's turned that experience into a mission to help others do the same.

We also dive deep into the cultural norms around alcohol, how to navigate social circles when you're sober, and the importance of self-compassion and community.

If you're curious about quitting alcohol, this conversation is a must-listen.

CONNECT WITH ELLIE:

Website: https://www.ellie-nova.com/

Substack: https://ellienova.substack.com/about

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellienovacoaching/

Get Ellie's Self Compassion For Sobriety guide: https://www.ellie-nova.com/newsletter

REGISTER NOW FOR ELLIE's FREE MASTERCLASS:

Joyful Sober Socialising (Tuesday 20th May 2025, 1PM UK / 8AM EST)

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/joyful-sober-socialising-free-online-workshop-tickets-1323572895159

CONNECT WITH GILL:

Website: https://www.gillmoakes.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gillmoakes/

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/gillmoakes/

*****

00:18 Meet Ellie Nova: Sober Coach and Mentor
00:38 Ellie's Journey to Sobriety
03:25 The Reality of Alcohol Addiction
06:57 Challenging Cultural Norms Around Drinking
10:52 Navigating Social Circles Without Alcohol
18:16 Embracing Sobriety and Emotional Well-being
19:23 Building Your Sober Toolkit
20:51 Embracing Silence and Self-Compassion
23:26 Transforming Self-Criticism into Self-Love
27:37 The Journey of Compassionate Coaching
31:22 Upcoming Events and Final Thoughts

In this episode, Gill shares a powerful and refreshingly transparent lead generation and enrolment strategy that’s working beautifully in her own coaching business—the Virtual Open House. Inspired by her collaborative partner, Marion Tilly at the Institute of Coaching Studies, Gill breaks down how and why this approach creates deeper trust, positions you as a credible coach, and helps potential clients make confident buying decisions.

If you're a coach looking to attract ready-to-invest clients, this is a must-listen.

• What a Virtual Open House is and how it works

• Why this strategy builds trust faster than traditional webinars

• How to decide whether to host it on Zoom or as a webinar

• Tips for presenting your offer transparently (without pitching!)

• How to adapt the strategy for 1:1 coaches, memberships, and programs

• Why follow-up after the Open House is critical—and how to do it well

• 🎟️ Join the Next Virtual Open House

• 📩 Got questions or want help implementing this strategy? Email Gill at: info@gillmoakes.com

Have you joined the waitlist for The Collective yet? My new membership... the ultimate membership for coaches who want the strategy and support to grow a highly profitable and sustainable coaching business.

Find out more: https://www.gillmoakes.com/the-collective-1

📣 Connect with Gill:

• Website: gillmoakes.com

• Instagram: @gillmoakes

• LinkedIn: Gill Moakes on LinkedIn