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Podcast Notes

Episode 478 Brushstrokes & Breakthroughs with Mark Ross
Hosts: Brian Miller, PCC
Guest: Mark Ross
Date: August 14th, 2025

In this episode, Brian Miller talks with Mark Ross — a coach, artist, and founder of Next Thing Group — about the parallels between painting and coaching, the value of curiosity, and the journey of navigating career transitions. Mark shares how art serves as a creative escape and a process of discovery, while coaching provides a similar space for exploration and growth. He recounts how burnout in his former career led him to seek coaching, eventually becoming a coach himself, and emphasizes the power of intentional relationships and openness to new opportunities.

Key Highlights:

• Mark’s art process mirrors coaching — both involve starting without knowing the exact outcome and staying curious throughout.

• Painting serves as a form of mental reset, drawing Mark into a world of focus, experimentation, and discovery.

• Mark’s transition into coaching began during a period of burnout, sparked by guidance from influential mentors like Dan Miller.

• The International Coaching Federation’s (ICF) competencies gave Mark a clear framework to assess and grow his coaching skills.

• Relationships and intentional conversations have been the driving force behind Mark’s personal and professional growth.

Takeaways:

• Creativity and coaching both thrive in environments of openness, exploration, and adaptability.

• Burnout can serve as a catalyst for reinvention when paired with intentional action and mentorship.

• Structured professional standards, like those from ICF, can provide valuable benchmarks for skill development.

• Building genuine relationships through curiosity-driven conversations can open unexpected doors and opportunities.