A Day in the Life of Helen O'Grady: Health and Social Care Coach

Host Maxine Bell sits down with Helen O’Grady, an experienced coach and supervisor who brings her background in paediatric nursing into her coaching work within the health, social care, and education sectors. Helen shares her powerful journey from healthcare to coaching, shedding light on the unique challenges and opportunities in supporting professionals working on the front lines. Maxine and Helen explore how coaching can transform leadership and client care in health and social care, the emotional toll of frontline work, and how coaching supports burnout prevention and emotional wellbeing. They also discuss the persistent funding challenges and why coaching should be prioritised in high-impact environments like the NHS, social work and education.

Helen also discusses the importance of supervision for coaches and the evolving conversation around professional regulation in the coaching field. She shares honest reflections on the mindset shifts required in helping professions—from "rescuing" to empowering clients — and why self-trust and community support are vital for sustainable coaching practices.

Full of insights, inspiration and tips, Helen’s passion and care for coaching and supervision light up the conversation. If you are feeling uncertain about coaching in any way or seeking a new perspective and purpose in your practice, this podcast episode is for you!

You Will Learn

• Discover the value and impact of coaching in the health, social care, and education sector
• Learn how to shift from a "rescue" mindset to one that supports agency and empowerment
• Understand the critical role of supervision in sustaining ethical, reflective, and resilient coaching

Coaching Supervision Uncovered - An 11 Part Series with Helen O'Grady Join Helen O’Grady and top coaching experts as they explore how supervision elevates coaching excellence, enhances reflective practice, supports wellbeing, and drives lasting professional development. **New Episodes released each Monday Full Episode details below. Quicklinks - access Podcast here or read more below Ep 1 ~ What Supervision Really Means for Your Coaching Practice with Marie Faire Ep 2 ~ The Role of Contracting in Supervision with Anna Springett Ep 3 ~ Exploring Coaching Readiness Through Supervision with Clare Norman Ep 4 ~ The Essential Role of Vulnerability and Humanness in Coaching Supervision with Claire Pedrick

Ep 1 ~ What Supervision Really Means for Your Coaching Practice with Marie Faire

Guest: Marie Faire, a master executive coach and supervisor to introduce the topic and talk about the essential role of coaching supervision. Marie explains what supervision is, emphasizing trust, self-reflection and continuous learning.

The conversation explores differences between supervising novice and experienced coaches, the benefits of individual and group supervision, and common misconceptions about supervision. Marie also discusses the importance of practical experience, the supervisor’s dual role as supporter and challenger, and the evolving future of supervision in coaching. Whether you’re a seasoned supervisor, a coach curious about supervision, or simply interested in the dynamics of reflective practice, then this conversation is for you.

You Will Learn

• The definition and essence of coaching supervision
• The key benefits of regular supervision for coaching
• How to find a good supervisor that is right for you

Ep 2 ~ The Role of Contracting in Supervision with Anna Springett

Do you really understand the role of contracting in supervision? This week, join host Helen O’Grady as she speaks with coaching psychologist and supervisor, Anna Springett as they discuss the skill and practice of contracting in supervision. They discuss how it compares to contracting in coaching and the broad range of factors that practitioners need to consider. Anna explains the psychological aspects of containment in supervision and the significance of checking assumptions in supervision relationships.

They explain what questions a coach can ask when looking for a supervisor and explore cultural differences in perceptions of time and group dynamics, emphasising the need for ongoing, adaptive contracting. Anna introduces her 8 Ps model and what emerging trends and challenges she sees for coaching supervision, including technology and global awareness. This conversation defines the vital role contracting has in supervision, with tips and insights to help both supervisors and coaches improve their contracting practices.

You Will Learn

• What contracting is and its pivotal role in supervision
• The psychological concepts of containment
• What questions a coach can ask to find the right supervisor

Ep 3 ~ Exploring Coaching Readiness Through Supervision with Clare Norman

We take a deep dive into coaching readiness and coachability, as host Helen O’Grady is joined by Clare Norman, Master Certified Coach and author of two key coaching books. When coaches come to supervision doubting themselves, because their client is not engaged, Clare encourage supervisors to go beyond asking what the contract said, and to ask a second question, ‘Was the client and their organisation coaching ready?’

With this question in mind, Clare explores the difference between ‘coaching readiness’ and ‘coachability’. She emphasizes the crucial role of organisational ‘coaching custodians’ in aligning coaching with strategic goals and the importance of specific compatibility calls that focus on four key questions to assess whether coach and client are a good match. Clare also discusses the misconception that coaching is universally beneficial for everyone. This episode offers clarity and practical tips for coaches and organisations, highlighting the need for supervision to unpack coaching readiness issues, ethical practice and a systemic approach to successful coaching outcomes.

You Will Learn

• The definition and differentiation of "coachability" and "coaching readiness”
• Ethical considerations and complexities in coaching relationships
• The value of supervision for coaches to reflect on their experiences with coaching readiness

Ep 4 ~ The Essential Role of Vulnerability and Humanness in Coaching Supervision with Claire Pedrick

Claire Pedrick, master coach and co-author of ‘The Human Behind the Coach’, joins host Helen O’Grady to explore the vital role of humanness in coaching supervision. They discuss the importance of authenticity, vulnerability, and why the supervisee, rather than supervisor, decides if a space is safe or not. Claire shares personal insights on power dynamics, the value of self-reflection, and the ethics of supervisors bringing their humanity to their sessions. The conversation highlights the evolving nature of supervision, the need for continuous growth, and the courage required to foster genuine human connection within coaching relationships.

You Will Learn

• What humanness in supervision means
• The benefits of being human and vulnerable as a supervisor
• The concept of self-supervision and the significance of reflection

Ep 5 ~ Coaching Supervision Through a Neurodivergent Lens with Katie Friedman

Host, Helen O’Grady interviews ADHD coach and trainer Katie Friedman about coaching supervision through a neurodivergent lens. Katie explains the concepts of neurodiversity and neurodivergence, addresses common misconceptions, and highlights the importance of psychological safety and inclusivity in coaching.

The conversation explores the challenges neurodivergent individuals face in identity integration, the need for humility and awareness of positionality, and the value of specialized training. Katie also discusses the evolving landscape of ADHD coaching and her belief that specialist coaching will replace the medical models and continue to grow, and the transformative power of community and ongoing self-discovery. This episode offers a nuanced and compassionate look at building inclusive coaching practices that truly support all minds.

You Will Learn

• The difference between neurodiversity and neurodivergence
• The many misconceptions about neurodiversity
• The role of supervision and specialized training in creating and supporting inclusive coaching spaces

Ep 6 ~ Dancing with Uncertainty: Developmental Artistry in Coaching and Supervision with Neel Arya

Host Helen O’Grady is joined by executive coach and coach supervisor Neel Arya for a fascinating conversation about developmental artistry - a creative, embodied approach to coaching and supervision and its relevance in times of significant change. Neel explains how this philosophy, co-developed with Carissa Bub, encourages practitioners to embrace uncertainty, experimentation, and the exploration of liminal spaces - the ‘messy middle’ of growth - and their significance in the developmental process.

Neel explains cultural dimensions and individual personality's influence on the openness to developmental artistry, and they discuss using creative techniques, such as works of art and poetry, to foster deeper awareness and learning. The conversation highlights the importance of presence, playfulness, emergent conversations and courage, challenging traditional reliance on structured models and inviting coaches to explore emergent, experiential ways of knowing. Neel also shares his experience using the dark and invites listeners to join his Dark Workshop series this autumn, using the discount code found on the AC website below.

You Will Learn

• The concept of ‘developmental artistry’ in coaching and supervision
• How to apply developmental artistry for both experienced and novice coaches
• How the dark can be used to explore liminal space