A military veteran with 25 years of service, Penny van den Berg shares her journey to founding her courses and coaching business called Gottaminute, which focuses on empowering introverts. Key themes discussed include overcoming self-doubt, course iteration, and the importance of reflection.

Penny van den Berg is a military veteran, experienced trainer, coach, and founder of Gottaminute.

In this episode, Ari, Abe, and Penny discuss:

• The value of integrating a coaching perspective into course design
• Penny’s background and journey into course creation
• The structure and focus of Penny’s course for introverts
• How Penny incorporates her coaching mindset into her courses
• The importance of practicing communication skills in safe environments
• Penny’s experience and approach to teaching assertive communication
• The concept of soft skills and their continuous practice
• Methods for ensuring that course participants achieve behavior change
• The iterative process of course development based on feedback and new findings
• Challenges related to teaching and applying soft skills

“If we’re basing our behaviors on acquired values more than our core values, there’s going to be a misalignment.”

— Penny van den Berg

Penny van den Berg is a military veteran having served in various roles over her 25 years in uniform. Her final ten years of service left an indelible mark and were the impetus to continue her educational pursuit in coaching. She had the opportunity and privilege to be a Conflict Management Coach for both military members and Department of National Defence employees, and it was this experience that solidified her focus on coaching after military retirement. She experienced the profound positive impact coaching provided with feedback such as “transformative” and “the skills I’ve learned have even helped my marriage”.

Penny is an experienced trainer and coach with a Bachelor’s degree in psychology and has specialized training in mediation, conflict management, conflict dynamic, and life coaching. She founded Gottaminute in 2023 and provides coaching and education services. Penny has worked separately with individuals in Europe and North America providing coaching services and product development.

Her vision is for introverts to have a deeper connection with themselves and others through conversation. And with this deeper self-connection, they can experience an increase in confidence to make their presence, voice, and ideas heard and understood.

Resources or websites mentioned in this episode:
Mirasee
Ruzuku
Penny’s website: GottaMinute.ca
Free downloadable resource for podcast listeners: Confident Conversations Success Path

Credits:
Hosts: Ari Iny and Abe Crystal
Producer: Michi Lantz
Editor: Michi Lantz
Executive Producer: Danny Iny
Audio Editor: Marvin del Rosario
Music Soundscape: Chad Michael Snavely
Making our hosts sound great: Home Brew Audio

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Music credits:
Track Title: Bossa BB
Artist Name: Marie
Writer Name: Chelsea McGough
Publisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION

Track Title: Coo Coos
Artist Name: Dresden, The Flamingo
Writer Name: Matthew Wigton
Publisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION

Track Title: Grace
Artist Name: Shimmer
Writer Name: Matthew Wigton
Publisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONS

Track Title: Carousel Lights
Artist Name: Chelsea McGough
Writer Name: Chelsea McGough
Writer Name: Matthew Wigton
Publisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION
Publisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONS

Special effects credits:
24990513_birds-chirping_by_promission used with permission of the author and under license by AudioJungle/Envato Market.