750. Why Embodied Coaching Still Matters in an AI World - With Rod Francis

750. Why Embodied Coaching Still Matters in an AI World - With Rod Francis

Author: Mark Walsh January 7, 2026 Duration: 53:23

Rod Francis joins me to explore what coaches need to learn as AI becomes more present in our work. We talk about embodiment as lived experience rather than technique, and why presence, unpredictability and felt sense are things machines struggle to replicate. We also get into transhumanism, Western culture's tendency to objectify the body, and the deeper question of what it actually means to be human.

We cover learning through practice, beginner's mind, working responsibly with trauma, and the challenges of training coaches in a world where people arrive over-informed but under-practiced. A grounded, honest conversation about learning, coaching, and why real human connection still matters.

Rod's coach training is: https://www.interactualizer.com/emergent-coach-training/ 
Rod's personal coaching: https://www.rodfranciscoaching.com/ 

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Rod Francis is a US-based coach, educator, storyteller, researcher and writer who has led professional coach training programs across Europe and the USA for more than fifteen years. As founder and creator of the ICF-accredited Emergent Coach Training and a Certified Focusing Professional, he's pioneered a model of Focusing-Oriented Coaching that unites presence, embodiment, and awareness-based practice with professional coaching competencies. A former professional dancer, performer, and entrepreneur, Rod's work explores the confluence of ancient wisdom traditions, somatic intelligence, mindfulness, systems thinking, and contemporary science to foster human transformation, optimization and the easing of individual, social, and ecological suffering.

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Join our membership program for coaches, facilitators, therapists and educators who want sustainable growth:
https://embodimentunlimited.com/flourish/

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For seven years, The Embodiment Coaching Podcast has been a gathering place for a curious community. Host Mark Walsh sits down each week with pioneering thinkers and practitioners from across the globe, exploring the profound intelligence of the human system. While it’s essential listening for coaches and embodiment teachers, this series truly speaks to anyone who senses the body is far more than just a vehicle for the brain. Conversations flow naturally through a rich landscape of topics-from the practicalities of coaching and the subtlet of somatics to the grounded wisdom found in martial arts, yoga, and various movement practices. You’ll also find deep dives into mindfulness, meditation, and trauma-informed approaches, all discussed with a light-hearted and accessible tone. The focus remains on tangible, real-world application, stripping away unnecessary jargon. Tuning into this podcast feels like joining a thoughtful, ongoing dialogue where theory meets practice, offering insights you can feel in your bones and apply in your daily life. Mark’s genuine curiosity and the diverse range of guests ensure that every episode brings a fresh perspective on what it means to live fully in our skin.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Embodiment Coaching Podcast
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