Meet Dr.Karen Semien-McBride:
Dr. Karen Semien-McBride is not just a coach—she’s a business architect for those who are ready to scale with purpose. With over two decades of experience in business development and entrepreneurship, she specializes in transforming passionate leaders into empowered CEOs with systems, teams, and scalable offers.
Through her group coaching programs, grant-funded initiatives, and leadership development curriculum, she has empowered hundreds of professionals to monetize their expertise and build businesses that last.
Dr. Karen is a straight-talker with a heart for transformation—and in every conversation, she brings wisdom, practical tools, and a powerful reminder: you can’t scale what you haven’t structured.
How has she built her coaching empire, and what does it really take to grow your coaching practice beyond one-on-one sessions—and still stay true to your purpose? In this episode of Growth Dialogues, Dr. Karen Semien-McBride shares the pivotal mindset shift that transformed her from an overworked coach into a visionary CEO.
She opens up about:
Transitioning from hourly coaching to scalable group programs
Building a support team that allows her to focus on strategy
Using pilot programs to prove ROI and attract grant funding
Why many coaches unknowingly cap their income—and how to break through
Practical tips for designing a business that runs with or without you
Whether you’re a solo coach or building an internal coaching program, this conversation will challenge you to stop thinking like a coach—and start leading like a CEO.
In this enlightening episode of Growth Dialogues, host Venkat sits down with Pamela Cournoyer — a seasoned leadership coach, former crime prevention officer, and expert in conflict resolution. Pamela brings a unique blend of law enforcement experience and coaching insight to help organizations unravel the tangled web of interpersonal conflict and low emotional intelligence.
Pamela shares how she "fell into" conflict resolution and developed a transformative approach that helps teams move from dysfunction to harmony. Learn how unacknowledged emotions, workplace triggers, and unresolved past events can fuel team dysfunction — and how addressing the root cause can turn even the most toxic dynamics around.
💡 What you'll discover in this episode:
Why low emotional intelligence is at the heart of most team conflicts
The red flags of poor emotional regulation — and how to spot them early
Real-world examples of organizational conflict and Pamela’s multi-step intervention process
How she uses the Drama Triangle and the TED model to shift teams from blame to ownership
Advice for leadership coaches looking to specialize in conflict resolution
The power of being “safe, present, neutral, and non-judgmental” in any coaching situation
Whether you're a coach, a leader, or someone navigating complex team dynamics, this episode is packed with practical wisdom and compassionate perspective.
🎧 Tune in and learn how to turn even the toughest workplace conflicts into opportunities for growth and transformation.
In this episode of Growth Dialogues, host Venkat sits down with leadership coach and mindfulness instructor Kevin Parker to explore the transformative power of integrating mindfulness into leadership coaching. Kevin shares his unique journey from corporate sales to ministry work and finally to coaching, and how mindfulness became a cornerstone of his personal and professional growth.
They dive deep into:
Whether you're a coach curious about mindful practices or a leader seeking more presence and clarity, this episode is packed with insights and actionable tips.
In this episode ofGrowth Dialogues, Venkat sits down with executive and business coach Karas Wright to explore how coaches can successfully build multiple revenue streams.
Karas is a powerhouse business and leadership coach, helping entrepreneurs and business owners scale with confidence. With a background in business banking and a sharp eye for strategy, she has turned her passion into profit by unlocking new revenue streams and optimizing operations.
Through her dynamic coaching programs—ranging from one-on-one mentoring to group masterminds and self-paced courses—Karas equips leaders with the tools they need to thrive. Leveraging coaching platforms, she streamlines the coaching experience, making transformation seamless and measurable.
In this episode, Karas shares her journey from one-on-one coaching to group programs, digital courses, workshops, gated content, and scalable business strategies. She reveals the importance of balancing passion with data-driven decisions, adapting to market trends, and leveraging digital platforms to streamline operations.
If you're a coach looking to expand your business, this episode is packed with practical takeaways. Tune in now!
In this special episode of Growth Dialogues, Venkat is joined by his Simply.Coach co-founders, Ram Gopalan and Kiran, to explore how coaching is evolving in the digital age.
They discuss shifting client expectations, the role of technology in creating seamless coaching experiences, the power of nudges, and the potential impact of AI in coaching.
Whether you're a coach or an organization, this conversation offers valuable insights on staying ahead in a tech-driven world. Tune in now!
In this episode of Growth Dialogues, we sit down with Kenny Archer, a dynamic business coach known for his tailored approach to helping leaders and teams achieve their full potential. Kenny shares his journey from corporate leadership to coaching, offering invaluable insights on how accountability, trust, and adaptability can drive transformative growth.
Discover Kenny’s philosophy on customizing coaching strategies to meet unique business challenges and how aligning with core values can empower both individuals and organizations. Whether you’re a business owner, a coach, or a leader looking to inspire your team, this conversation is packed with actionable takeaways you won’t want to miss!
Tune in to learn how Kenny Archer is reshaping the world of business coaching, one leader at a time.
Does any successful coach have a straight path to their success? Retrospectively, it’s always a winding road.
In this episode of Growth Dialogues, host Venkat is joined by David Sherrod, PCC, CVMCC, Higher Ground Leadership® Pathfinder and "modern-day alchemist" with over three decades of diverse professional experience.
David's career spans consulting and direct employment across a wide spectrum of industries, including Fortune 20 companies, start-ups, small businesses, and government agencies. This rich background has uniquely shaped his approach to coaching, blending a deep understanding of organizational dynamics with the art of personal transformation.
In this episode, David shares a realistic view of how his career evolved to the point of being the successful coach he is today (and it didn’t happen overnight), as well as his 3 essential tips for aspiring coaches.
If you’re a seasoned coach, you’ll love his insights on the running of one-on-one vs group engagements (and how he navigates the challenges of group engagements), as well as where technology stands in coaching today.
David’s story of personal and professional growth is inspiring and grounding. He discusses the key principles that guide his practice—authenticity, trust, and co-creation—and offers actionable insights for coaches and clients alike.
Whether you're an aspiring coach or a seasoned practitioner, this episode is a masterclass in the art and science of guiding people to achieve their best selves. Don't miss this conversation packed with wisdom, anecdotes, and practical takeaways.
In this episode of Growth Dialogues, host Venkat is joined by Marilda Wiegand, an inspiring life coach from South Africa, who transitioned from a successful career in tourism to focus on empowering professionals through coaching.
Marilda opens up about her personal journey, shedding light on the challenges and stress of the tourism industry, and how it inspired her to help others prioritize self-care and mindfulness.
With her deep understanding of the fast-paced demands of tourism, Marilda shares valuable insights into how she supports teams and leaders in finding balance, reducing stress, and fostering personal growth. Through her coaching practice, she equips individuals to navigate workplace challenges with a greater sense of well-being and resilience.
Tune in for a compelling conversation that dives into self-care strategies, the importance of mental health in high-stress environments, and the tools Marilda uses to guide her clients towards sustainable success. Whether you're in the tourism industry or looking for ways to incorporate mindfulness into your work life, this episode offers practical takeaways for everyone.
In this episode of Growth Dialogues, host Venkat sits down with Sara Lobkovich, founder of Red Currant Collective, a "strategy rebel" and no-BS OKR coach.
Sara shares her journey from corporate executive to expert in Objectives and Key Results (OKRs), and how she helps organizations drive meaningful, human-centered change.
Tune in as Sara explains the importance of leadership modeling, maintaining the integrity of key results, and ensuring there’s something in it for everyone in the organization.
Plus, Sara discusses the evolving role of AI in coaching and the delicate balance between technology and human connection in her practice.
Over his 20+ year career, Tim Holden has led a 1000-person organization to deliver multi-billion dollar programs and achieve exceptional results, including $200 million in business growth.
In this enlightening episode of the Growth Dialogues podcast, Venkat engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Tim, who is not only a business leader but a seasoned executive coach.
The conversation is rich with insights on coaching, both from a corporate and personal development perspective. Tim emphasizes the importance of building trust, setting clear and adaptable goals, and providing continuous feedback in the coaching process. He also highlights the role of technology in enhancing coaching efficiency, and talks about how he uses AI to supplement his coaching and improve his efficiency.
Tim's advice for aspiring coaches is particularly valuable: mastering active listening, embracing technology, and networking with other coaches are key components of a successful coaching career.
This episode is a rich resource for anyone looking to enhance their coaching techniques or create a coaching culture in an organization.
In this episode of Growth Dialogues, host Venkat sits down with Lynn Wagner, President of Career Coaching and Relocating firm REA, to explore the niche world of career and relocation coaching.
Lynn shares her insights on the unique challenges faced by individuals relocating for work, particularly the often-overlooked needs of spouses and partners. They discuss how the industry has evolved, especially in the wake of COVID-19, and the importance of technology in maintaining strong coach-client relationships.
Lynn also offers her perspective on the future of coaching and the trends shaping the industry.
Tune in for a deep dive into how coaching is adapting to a rapidly changing world and the delicate balance coaches must strike between challenging and supporting their clients.
In this episode of Growth Dialogues, host Venkat sits down with Marjorie Malpass, the founder and CEO of Nerve Strategic, a Canadian professional development company specializing in coaching for branding, leadership, presentation, and media training.
Marjorie shares her unique journey from performer to coach, discusses the challenges and rewards of blending creativity with structured coaching processes, and highlights the pivotal role of technology in modern coaching.
Tune in to hear insights on the evolving landscape of coaching, the impact of AI on coaching, and Nerve Strategic's exciting plans for global expansion and online classes.
In this engaging episode of Growth Dialogues, Venkat sits down with Vikki Nicometo, a seasoned coach with a rich background in talent development. Vikki shares her inspiring journey from a single mom and non-traditional college student to becoming a certified coach with multiple specializations. She delves into the nuances of coaching within organizations, highlighting the importance of technology in streamlining coaching processes and the impactful role of Simply.Coach in her current firm.
Vikki discusses the evolution of coaching cultures in companies, the distinction between coaching and training, and the vital support coaches provide to both employees and leaders. She also offers valuable insights for aspiring coaches, emphasizing the importance of meeting clients where they are and focusing on improving their thinking rather than just making them feel better.
Tune in to learn about the transformative power of coaching, the potential of group coaching, and Vikki's thoughts on the future of AI in coaching. Whether you're a seasoned coach, an aspiring one, or simply curious about the world of professional coaching, this episode is packed with wisdom and practical advice.
Don't miss Vikki's generous offer to connect with new coaches on LinkedIn for guidance on transitioning from independent coaching to corporate in-house roles. Listen now for an enriching conversation filled with actionable insights and heartfelt experiences.
In this heartfelt episode of Growth Dialogues, leadership & team coach Evelina Dumašienė talks to host Venkat G about how she was introduced to the field of coaching, offers a glimpse of the coaching landscape in Lithuania, and her opinion on the market of 1:1 vs team coaching.
She goes into depth talking about the role technology plays not only in elevating the coaching experience, but helping coaches run successful businesses - an aspect of coaching, she feels, that is often downplayed.
Evelina also talks in detail about her approach to coaching, the idea of coaching being a partnership, and what her advice would be to those considering becoming coaches.
As you listen to Evelina talk with passion about her calling, you'll see that this episode brings forth the true essence of why coaching professionals choose this career path - to enrich the lives of those around them.
To quote Evelina, "I love actually the idea [that coaching is] how to unleash the potential of people, how to help them move forward faster and, you know, be a little happier in this world. This is what we aim for."
What does it take to be a solopreneur in the industry of service professionals today?
Join host Venkat G and coach Raj Dharmaraj as they talk about what you need to do to be a successful solopreneur today. This episode is packed with first-hand insights, from building your brand to networking, going beyond credentialing and methodologies and more.
Raj takes us back to his times in the consulting world, and talk about how he draws upon the commonalities between consulting and coaching and then customizes his approach for each client.
Listeners are also introduced to Raj's favourite quote "All coaching is life coaching", and what that really means.
Tune in for insights on the democratization of coaching, challenges and trends in corporate coaching, the role of technology in coaching, and more tidbits from Raj - an expert in consulting and coaching.
Join host Venkat G in a conversation with veteran coach Stephen Taylor. Stephen brings over 4 decades of coaching experience to the table as he shares insightful tips and advice for those transitioning from the corporate world to the coaching industry.
He brings in provocative viewpoints as he dismisses the need for branding, actionable advice such as focusing on critical behaviors and taking a systemic approach to coaching.
Stephen also brings to the table his unique viewpoints on subjects such as technology in coaching, measuring coaching outcomes, and AI in coaching (with an anecdote you don't want to miss!).
Tune in as he shares actionable insights for those moving from corporate to coaching - learning to sell, finding a guru (or two) to stay inspired, how to build trust in prospective clients, and how to focus on delivering results.
Listen now and set yourself up for success in the coaching industry, with countless insights (all very actionable too!) from someone who has successfully been there done that and how!
About Stephen Taylor:
Stephen is a leadership coach with over 4 decades of experience, specializing in behavioral coaching. He's worked with some of the biggest brands, including Kraft Foods, MAC Cosmetics, GlaxoSmithKline, and Ford, not to mention hundreds of SMBs.
Join host Venkat G in an enlightening conversation with career coach and branding expert, Ari Weinstein, as they delve into the dynamic world of solopreneurship and personal branding.
In this episode, Weinstein generously shares his journey, offering invaluable insights for coaches seeking to carve their niche in the industry. Through his wealth of experience, Weinstein emphasizes the importance of transcending labels in personal branding.
Discover Weinstein's expert strategies for productizing coaching services and harnessing technology to amplify your business reach. From crafting outcome-based coaching engagements to pinpointing ideal clients, this episode is a treasure trove of actionable advice for aspiring and established coaches alike.
Tune in as Weinstein unveils three key principles essential for coaches navigating the competitive landscape. Whether you're just starting out or looking to elevate your coaching practice, this episode is a must-listen for anyone aiming to establish a strong personal brand and thrive in the coaching arena.
Listen now to unlock the secrets of building a thriving coaching practice and crafting a compelling personal brand that resonates with your audience.