Coaches On The Couch is the podcast from the coaches behind Step Up (stepuplondon.com) the leadership development programme for architects and built environment consultancies. Co-hosts Rachel Birchmore and Louise Rodgers bring their experience and knowledge of the sector and coaching insights to explore the world of work and progressive leadership through conversations with special guests. Our publication 'Learning from Lockdown' marking 12 months of the podcast is available at…
Rachel, Louise and Russell talk about the power of being provocative, weathering a ‘lumpy’ market, and finding joy in challenging times. Coaches On The Couch is co-hosted by Louise Rodgers and Rachel Birchmore who are exec and leadership coaches. They design and deliver bespoke leadership development programmes and coaching for architects, engineers and other consultancies across the built…
Louise and Rachel chat self-awareness with Jonny Wong of dMFK and he shares how learning more about himself, his immediate colleagues and the role they each play in the team, supports the business to grow itself and its people. Coaches On The Couch is co-hosted by Louise Rodgers and Rachel Birchmore who are exec and leadership coaches. They design and deliver bespoke leadership development…
As Rachel and Louise approach the 100th episode of the podcast, they talk to its producer Pauline Blanchet about the intersection of film-making and built environment leadership as explored through Coaches On The Couch. Coaches On The Couch is co-hosted by Louise Rodgers and Rachel Birchmore who are exec and leadership coaches. They design and deliver bespoke leadership development programmes and…
Sean Hatcher of MCM talks to Louise and Rachel about the ‘sliding door’ moments of his early career and how creativity is faring in a world of major disruptors, such as AI and globalisation. Coaches On The Couch is co-hosted by Louise Rodgers and Rachel Birchmore who are exec and leadership coaches. They design and deliver bespoke leadership development programmes and coaching for architects,…
Louise and Rachel introduce the four new strands of specialist coaching they are now offering, aimed at tackling the barriers to people not just surviving, but thriving, at work.
Chris Bryant of alma-nac explains to Rachel and Louise what the practice discovered about behavioural change when it applied architectural thinking to a project aimed at making schools more energy-efficient. Coaches On The Couch is co-hosted by Louise Rodgers and Rachel Birchmore who are exec and leadership coaches. They design and deliver bespoke leadership development programmes and coaching for…
The first episode of 2026 features Louise and Rachel in conversation with Nathan Spencer, Managing Director of UKREiif. They chat about his leadership journey; the values that underpin the culture of the organisation, including its commitment to D&I; and what’s next for this rapidly growing brand. Coaches On The Couch is co-hosted by Louise Rodgers and Rachel Birchmore who are exec and leadership…
For the last podcast of the year, Rachel and Louise are joined by Seb Wood, of international engineering firm Whitby Wood, for a chat about the importance of reflection for leadership, and for life. There is also a Christmas book recommendation! Coaches On The Couch is co-hosted by Louise Rodgers and Rachel Birchmore who are exec and leadership coaches. They design and deliver bespoke leadership…
In conversation with Rachel and Louise is Sarah Wigglesworth, MBE, who reflects on the 2023 closure of her eponymous practice and shares how she continues to build on that legacy, including through her work with Part W. Coaches On The Couch is co-hosted by Louise Rodgers and Rachel Birchmore who are exec and leadership coaches. They design and deliver bespoke leadership development programmes and…
Louise and Rachel talk books! Some nuggets from books they have been reading (on their respective couches of course); from the neuroscience of resting the brain, to the benefit of talking to horses, via the Let Them theory. Coaches On The Couch is co-hosted by Louise Rodgers and Rachel Birchmore who are exec and leadership coaches. They design and deliver bespoke leadership development programmes…
