Shows
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoPremium Episode 4 (A Preview) How much free stuff should I give?Want to learn more about creating free events that will help you sell your programs? Check out my most recent episode on OnlineBound Premium: https://patreon.com/ElenaMutonono In this podcast I answer the questions I get a lot, "How is free content different from paid one?" "Why do I need to create it?" "How can I make sure it leads people into action?" I share not just why free content is important, but also 3 main principles that turn boring content (like, words of the day or 5 rules for the Present Simple) into o...2025-02-0709 minOnlineBound with Elena MutononoPremium Episode 1 (a Preview) How to get clientsGet more actionable tips on getting your clients, regardless of algorithms, the economy and other factors that we blame for not being able to get clients. Sign up for weekly OnlineBound Premium on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/c/ElenaMutonono2025-01-2406 minOnlineBound with Elena MutononoWhat's OnlineBound Premium?The Premium Podcast is only for teachers who are ready to take action, and they want specific, ongoing guidance from me. Consider this podcast as online audio coaching because many of the tips I’ll be sharing are the tips I share in my community and with private clients as well. When you join OnlineBound premium you get access to: Weekly podcasts full of actionable tips. Scripts with extra links and resources. 10% off on all of my courses and products. The podcast includes both strategic and mindset advice, and it...2025-01-2202 minOnlineBound with Elena MutononoThe Shop of Desires: a Parable by Yulia Minakova (transl. by Elena Mutonono)Friends, welcome to 2025! I hope this parable inspires you to reflect on what you want to achieve and what you're willing to give to achieve your goals in this new year. This parable was written by Yulia Minakova, inspired (possibly) by Stephen King's thriller "Needful Things," and translated by me. If you would like to learn to work sustainably in 2025, I invite you to check out my resources at my course page: https://courses.elenamutonono.com/ More new projects are coming, especially for all of you podcast lovers, so stay tuned!2025-01-0504 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoAurelie Grihangne on shifting to teaching through voice chats in less than 1 yearIn this episode, Aurelie Grihangne explains how she transformed her business in just a year. Like many teachers, she started teaching 1:1 on platforms that ate up all her time for little pay. She had a big audience on social media, but the long hours drained her energy and didn't leave time to create new content. She was struggling and didn't know how to move forward. After working with Elena, she started offering asynchronous programs and shifting away from 1:1. Now she has more time to experiment, create content, and her business is thriving! Your...2024-12-1425 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoAkvilė Dominyka on choosing to teach smarter when faced with a health challengeIn this episode, Akvilė describes how she made the transition from working 8-12 hours a day down to just 3-4 hours. She started feeling burned out and knew she needed a change. When she first tried working asynchronously, it was an experiment that she did as "something extra" on top of 1:1 classes. But then a health challenge prompted her to switch completely. Now she has the freedom to work when she wants and has time to experiment with new approaches to teaching and marketing. Self-coaching has been crucial to reaching her goals. ADCM l...2024-12-0726 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoMaurice Jeths on what he gained by moving into voice-chat based teachingIn this episode, Maurice shares the transformation he's made from teaching 36 hours a week to just 24 with an asynchronous program. He's also got more energy and better hours. Before, he was stuck where many teachers are, selling his time and taking on as many students as he could manage. Now he can be more selective about who he works with. He's also been able to increase his income even though he's working fewer hours. And his students are more engaged and getting better results with his new approach to teaching. Maurice's L...2024-11-2322 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoPhil Schiller on business, improv and letting go of controlIn this episode, Phil describes his business journey and how he found the focus that made him successful. After struggling for several years, he was ready to quit - but he didn't. He shares some of the most important steps he took to reach his goals. One of those steps was taking up improv, which has given him more empathy for himself and his clients. It has allowed him to let go and stop getting in his own way. He's been able to bring this approach to his students and clients as well - to...2024-11-0926 minOnlineBound with Elena MutononoPetra Bozoradi on reducing her workload by 50% while making moreIn this episode, Petra Bozoradi describes her journey to becoming a sustainable business owner. After joining the Smart Teachers Library, she was able to transform her approach. Learning new teaching formats were the most valuable part of her experience. When she joined the Library, she was working 50 hours a week teaching 1:1 and creating materials. Now, she's making more in half the time with asynchronous lessons and no amount of money could make her go back to 50-hour weeks. Her Read, Learn, Speak program is a success! Easy Hungarian website2024-10-2627 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoVera von Flüe on learning to sell with ease (in just a few months)In this episode, Vera von Flüe shares how working with a coach helped her to become more efficient. By changing her mindset, she was able to get the same results with less work. Now she doesn't feel so overwhelmed and has more energy for her clients. She no longer feels needy or pushy about selling, but just enjoys talking about her offer. Instead of being afraid of failure, she focuses on taking action and moving forward. This allows her to feel more confident and grateful for the success of her journey. Speak G...2024-10-1223 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoElena Mutonono on the price we pay for the results we wantWelcome to season 8 of OnlineBound! This season, I want to talk about the price of having a successful online teaching or coaching business and why we avoid paying it. After four years of documenting my own experience and talking with other teachers, I have many insights to share on this topic. It's a key component of building a sustainable business. Listen in to learn about three common forms of self-sabotage that I've observed. It's only once we go below the surface level that we can challenge ourselves to truly grow. Episode l...2024-09-2815 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoHow I can help you as a coach (the 2024 edition)Hey Friends! I'm so grateful you're here and I believe that I can help some of you make your business a reality. Here's how we can work together: Inside the Smart Teacher's Library: sign up for a waiting list to get a discount + bonus materials https://www.elenamutonono.com/smart-teachers-library-2/ 1:1 through my 8-week program called Business Clinic. To learn more, contact me directly through my website: https://www.elenamutonono.com/contact-elena-mutonono/ Through my courses and books: https://courses.elenamutonono.com/ Get 15% off on any course or book using the code PODCASTFAN15 I'm looking...2024-09-0325 minOnlineBound with Elena Mutonono3 steps to make your online teaching business sustainable in 1 year inside the LibraryIn the Smart Teacher's Library we achieve sustainability in 3 steps: By learning to teach in less time-consuming and more manageable formats. By building confidence and emotional resilience to market and sell programs. By collaborating with other teachers to grow our audiences faster. Join the Smart Teacher's Library today! It's open for a few days, I hope you can join this time: https://www.elenamutonono.com/library-early-enrollment/ 2024-08-1419 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoLeo Roux on the power of creating learning spaces that cater to queer language learnersIn this episode, Leo Roux shares his journey as a queer language teacher. After getting his CELTA certificate and starting to work with students, he noticed something wasn't right. Eventually, he realized that he didn't feel comfortable sharing his queer identity in the ELT community. Partly, this is because most ELT materials are biased toward straightness. He decided that he wanted to create a safe learning space for the queer community. Now he is able to be himself and provide a safe environment for queer language learners to thrive. Queer English website2024-06-2733 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoClare Whitmell on overcoming the fear of collaborationsIn this episode, Clare Whitmell talks about her first experience hosting a summit. She shares her enthusiasm for collaboration and describes how she has changed her mindset about it. A year ago, Clare was very uncomfortable with the idea of collaborating because she felt insecure and feared rejection. But once she approached it with curiosity, things shifted. By using the self-coaching tools in the Smart Teacher's Library, she was able to overcome her anxieties. Now she fully embraces collaboration and is already planning future summits! English at Home website2024-06-2034 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoChris Pontiroli on taking action before being readyIn this episode, Chris Pontiroli describes all the changes she's made since she joined the Smart Teacher's Library. After months of hesitation, she gave it to herself as a birthday gift. Once she made the decision, she was all in and immediately started putting the ideas into practice. She's already sold her asynchronous programs to 70+ students in the past year. The Library brought a sense of community to what can be an otherwise lonely career. And the self-coaching tools have allowed her to shift her mindset - a total game changer. Chris's website2024-06-0629 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoYann Le Bouhellec on taking tiny steps towards working more sustainablyIn this episode, Yann Le Bouhellec shares his journey as an online language teacher. After the first year, his calendar was full but he was looking for alternative ways of teaching. He tried to create an online course, but it ended up being even more work than his 1:1 sessions. He was wanted some direction and a support system to guide him. After discovering the Smart Teacher's Library, he's already making great progress. He's discovered the magic of asynchronous teaching and has already sold his first product! Yann's website2024-05-2325 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoAude Bellezanne on giving herself permission to fail and work on her own termsIn this episode, Aude Bellezanne and I talk about the benefits of a supportive community. She shares her insights about how her mindset and approach to teaching have transformed. After receiving her teacher training in isolation during Covid, Aude had a lot of clients but was overwhelmed. She knew she wanted to make changes and that she needed support to do it. After joining the Smart Teacher's Library, she learned that she could charge more and say no without second-guessing herself. She also discovered the power of teaching asynchronously. Fearless French website2024-05-0925 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoLuke Thompson on reaching 1 mln subscribers on YoutubeIn this episode, I'm speaking with Luke Thompson who just reached a million YouTube subscribers! We talk about why he loves making content and the challenges he's faced. Luke explains why language teachers feel burned out over time, whether teaching in-person or online. For him, creating videos provides a lasting satisfaction that he felt was missing. He also talks about his struggles to commercialize his creativity through premium content. Finally, he shares techniques for staying focused and keeping a healthy mindset at work. Luke's ENGLISH Podcast website 2024-04-2549 min
Luke's ENGLISH Podcast - Learn British English with Luke Thompson878. From Learning to Teaching and Beyond (with Elena Mutonono)These days Elena Mutonono is an experienced business coach who helps online English teachers to gain independence and control over their own careers, but Elena's journey started as a learner of English herself. In this conversation I ask Elena about how she learned English, making the step to becoming an English teacher, then teacher trainer and what challenges online English teachers face when trying to work in a crowded and demanding job market. 👉 Elena's website https://www.elenamutonono.com/👉 Elena's Instagram https://www.instagram.com/elenamutonono/👉 Elena's podcast https://www.elenamutonono.com/podcast/- - - - - 👉 Join Luke's Zoom...2024-04-151h 09
Luke's ENGLISH Podcast - Learn British English with Luke Thompson878. From Learning to Teaching and Beyond (with Elena Mutonono)These days Elena Mutonono is an experienced business coach who helps online English teachers to gain independence and control over their own careers, but Elena's journey started as a learner of English herself. In this conversation I ask Elena about how she learned English, making the step to becoming an English teacher, then teacher trainer and what challenges online English teachers face when trying to work in a crowded and demanding job market. 👉 Elena's website https://www.elenamutonono.com/👉 Elena's Instagram https://www.instagram.com/elenamutonono/👉 Elena's podcast https://www.elenamutonono.com/podcast/2024-04-151h 06OnlineBound with Elena MutononoOli Cooke on how to help yourself with money anxietyIn this episode, Oli Cooke shares insights about how he was able to overcome a lifetime of anxiety. By using Rapid Resolution Therapy, he has shifted his mindset and his coaching. As a language teacher, he first understood the role of the unconscious mind in learning. He discovered that miscommunication with the unconscious prevents clear thinking. Currently, he's focused on helping online entrepreneurs overcome their anxieties about money. He explains how it's possible to shift your mindset to move beyond fear. Oli Cooke Coaching website2024-04-1138 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoElena Mutonono on the power of reflectionWelcome to season 7 of OnlineBound! This season, I'm excited to share a revelation that has become an integral part of my business. To succeed, we need the power of evaluation. This can be scary for a lot of reasons. It's much more tempting to chase dopamine hits by running from one course, or program, or coach to the next, hoping for "the answer." Listen in to learn the three questions I ask myself after every launch. This was a game changer that took the focus off my disappointment and helped me move forward. 2024-03-2833 min
OnlineBound with Elena Mutonono7 Reasons for Resistance to Move Forward in Business + Join the Library!Our Smart Teacher's Library is now open! I invite you to join and make changes to your business this year: https://www.elenamutonono.com/smart-teachers-library-2/ If you choose the annual membership, you get a bonus diagnostic session with me + a few other lovely goodies. Looking forward to seeing you there, Elena2024-01-2633 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoTeach languages online more sustainably in 2024Welcome to 2024! Here's my tiny message to you, with some encouragement and a nudge to start moving towards building a sustainable business. First stop: my masterclass called From 1 to Infinity. https://www.elenamutonono.com/masterclass/ You can join and watch this 3-part training to get the tools and the how-tos on moving away from 1:1 classes AND you get an invite to my bonus class called Program Readiness Checklist, only available to the participants of the Masterclass! I hope you'll join yourself and invite your 1 teacher friend who might be exhausted from trading time for money...2024-01-1711 minOnlineBound with Elena MutononoSzilvia Papp on reviving her marketing by working on her mindsetIn this episode, Szilvia Papp describes how self-coaching helped her when her business hit a plateau. Despite having a successful community on Patreon, she knew she needed support. She talks about how going through a difficult time in her personal life was affecting her business. She wanted to find a way to create more stability and take control of her emotions. Through the use of self-coaching tools, she was able to turn her anxiety into curiosity. Channeling that curiosity into trying new things allows her to grow her business without fear. Hungarian with...2023-12-2134 minOnlineBound with Elena MutononoCara Leopold on being grateful for not quittingIn this episode, I'm talking with Cara Leopold about the temptation to quit her small business. She shares her thoughts on what gives her motivation when she's facing doubt. We talk about mindset and how self-coaching can help us identify our blind spots. We also discuss the value of promoting yourself and how to get more comfortable with promotion. Finally, Cara shares her revelations about what she wasn't doing in the past and how to own her mistakes. This process has helped her focus on what's important - helping her clients. L...2023-12-0737 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoThe Smart Teacher's Library is currently open for a short time!Are you looking for support on your online language teaching journey? Are you building your business but finding yourself overwhelmed and overworked? If this podcast has helped you and if the values communicated through my work resonated with you, I want to invite you into our community today! The enrollment is currently open through December 5, and you're welcome to join (the bonuses are dope!). Listen as I talk about it (in my own words and with a grass mower somewhere in the background -- sorry), and I hope you join us today! Here's...2023-11-3015 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoNina Asseng on bringing more playfulness into launchingIn this episode, Nina Asseng talks about how self-coaching helped her to recover from a disappointing first launch. She broke free of her negativity and gained mental stability. After taking her "failure" very personally, Nina became overwhelmed by the rollercoaster of emotions that come with selling. She sought support in the Library to help her manage them. Now, she has the tools to analyze her results, learn from them, and adjust her approach. Her launches are more playful and natural, and she feels proud of all the hard work she's done. G...2023-11-2330 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoMasha Honcharova on taking action after years of thinking about actionIn this episode, I'm talking with Masha Honcharova about how to move beyond ideas into taking action. She shares her transformation and describes her personal "aha" moment. She sought out coaching because she didn't have any family members who could advise her on her business. She knew she needed to find someone with similar experience. After spending years on courses, events, books, and other personal development, she decided to take the leap. And though it's been a big learning curve, she's getting results! English to Freedom Instagram2023-11-0924 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoEstefania Fernandez on shifting her mindset around moneyIn this episode, Estefania Fernandez talks about how she was able to change her money mindset. This allowed her to raise her prices and adjust her beliefs about teaching. After months of trying to reach a specific goal, Estefania decided to get help. Within a few months of starting her coaching program, she succeeded in making 1k euros/month. Now she uses the self-coaching tools from the Smart Teacher's Library to analyze her strategy. This practice allows her to learn from her experiences and grow her business. Auxiliar de Lenguas website2023-10-2624 minOnlineBound with Elena MutononoTalita Nakagawa Rochetti on cutting through overwhelm and getting clarityIn this episode, Talita Nakagawa Rochetti describes how self-coaching helped her gain clarity. She went from feeling distracted and overwhelmed to becoming empowered. She talks about her initial struggles with selling and marketing, and how she overcame them. She also describes how she was able to stop procrastinating and be more autonomous. Now she self-coaches when something is holding her back and focuses on serving her clients. She's found that by gaining clarity herself, she's able to market more clearly too. Talitalearn website2023-10-1228 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoClare Whitmell on what to do when nothing works (after years in business)In this episode, I'm speaking with Clare Whitmell, an online English teacher specializing in fluency. She tells the story of how she changed her mindset when nothing was working. For a long time she tried different strategies, looking for a tactic that would bring success. But with coaching, she realized that she needed to focus on her offer and how to launch it. Clare shares the ways that shifting her mindset has helped her feel confident about promoting her services. She's now saving time and getting better results than ever before. E...2023-09-2837 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoClaudia Alvarez Calderon on taking tiny steps towards big dreamsMy guest for this episode is Claudia Alvarez Calderon, an online teacher of Italian and Spanish. She shares her insights on how her confidence has grown over the past six months. She shares the reasons that she joined the Smart Teacher's Library and the benefits it has provided. She also talks about the power of community and having some accountability. We talk about how she's transitioning to teaching asynchronously, and the freedom it provides. She also shares the mindset shifts that come with teaching fewer 1:1 sessions. Claudia's Spanglitalian YouTube channel2023-09-1429 minOnlineBound with Elena MutononoThe Smart Teacher's Library and my thoughts on sustainabilityHey Friends! The Smart Teacher's Library is now open, and I hope you join us this time. There's a lot of materials to access, but I'm most excited about the group coaching, the collaborations and the self-coaching tools that will help you manage your emotions and shift the way you think about your business and your future. If sustainability is something you want to pursue, join us to find support and guidance on this journey! Learn more here: https://www.elenamutonono.com/smart-teachers-library-2/ Elena2023-09-1117 min
American SlangNew Orleans: Language and CultureIn this episode, we hear about the lively culture in New Orleans, Louisiana from Elena Mutonono.
Share the episode with your friends!
In this episode, we hear about the lively culture in New Orleans, Louisiana from Elena Mutonono. Elena goes into the overall vibe of New Orleans and tells us about what it is like to live there. She explains how the city “gets into you” and it is difficult to leave because there are so many advantages to living in such a diverse place in the United States. However, she explains that New Orleans isn’t a...2023-09-0735 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoSeason 6 TrailerOnlineBound is a podcast for online language teachers and coaches who are tired of cramming more client hours into their day and look for ways to grow their business in a smart, lean and sustainable way. In this podcast we explore the topics of authenticity, sustainability, values, efficiency, resilience and creativity when running an online teaching business in an oversaturated language teaching market. Listen to the trailer to learn more about the mission of this podcast.2023-09-0702 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoWhat it means "to make an offer."In this (final) episode of my mini-series on sales, I talk about the importance of making offers, why posting on social media doesn't qualify as "making an offer" and what you need to know about one of the most common objections your students will bring up, "Now is not the best time." To dig deeper into the subject of selling something that's not 1:1 classes, check out my upcoming training on sales: https://www.elenamutonono.com/sell-asynchronous-program/ 2023-08-2419 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoWhy it's hard for online language teachers to sell on social media or through contentIn this episode you'll hear about selling on social media and through your other channel: podcast, blog, Youtube channel, etc. I break down the process of sales in several important lessons I've learned over the years and give examples from my own experience as someone who used to resent sales and thought they were random and chaotic. Selling can actually be rewarding and help you grow as a person, especially if you want your message to sound authentic and compelling. If you want to learn more, join my training on sales at the e...2023-08-1722 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoYou can't opt out of sales when you teach onlineIn this episode I talk about my love-hate relationship with sales as an online language teacher. I resented sales for the longest time, which is why selling was too hard and unpleasant. But if there's anything I've learned from my struggle, it's this: the sooner you accept that sales are a part of your online teaching business journey, the sooner you'll be able to choose what to think about selling and how to improve your sales skills. Ready to learn more about sales? Join my 3-day training at the end of the month. You can...2023-08-1012 min
The Language Mastery ShowCoach Elena Mutonono on How to Build a Sustainable, Profitable & Rewarding Online Language Teaching BusinessElena Mutonono is a business coach, author, and former English teacher who helps overwhelmed online language teachers work less but make more while better serving students along the way.
In her words:
"I help overwhelmed and exhausted online language teachers change their teaching format so they can work less and make more. As a former ESL teacher myself, I know your struggles, fears and anxieties."
In this conversation, we discuss:
How Elena first fell in love with languages growing up in Ukraine.
Why she stopped doing 1-on-1 classes.
The most common mistakes...2023-07-2945 minOnlineBound with Elena MutononoMaritza Parra on shifting your mindset to get new resultsIn this episode, Maritza Parra talks about the power of thoughts and how they shape our reality. She describes how strategies aren't enough if your thoughts keep you from acting. Maritza shares her own journey of overcoming shame and transforming the way she views making money. This allowed her to build her business the way she wanted it to be. She also talks about selling and the importance of selling to yourself first. Only when you convince yourself of the value of your offer can you begin to see results. Maritza Parra website2023-06-2942 min
Teach Languages Online with Lindsay Does LanguagesHow to Attract New Clients with Old ContentWelcome back to Teach Languages Online!
This is the podcast for online language teachers who want to enjoy their work without sacrificing their other joys in life.
In this episode, I discuss how to attract new clients with old content. This topic is something I discussed at the recent Online Teacher Summit hosted by Elena Mutonono.
Take a listen, subscribe if you're not already, and leave a review to let others know you enjoy the show - it's good karma!
******
📖 Read the blog of this episode here.
🎥 Watch on...2023-06-2820 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoQuick announcement: Asynchronous Program in a BoxCheck it out here: https://elenamutonono.podia.com/10-summer-program-templates 2023-06-2111 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoTiffani Clairborne on creating engaging and life-changing contentIn this episode, I'm talking with Tiffani Clairborne, founder of Speak English with Tiffani. She describes how she built a successful YouTube channel - with over 2 million subscribers! Tiffani's core motivation is service, and it drives everything she does. Her goal is to help as many people as she can and loves seeing how her work has changed people's lives. She emphasizes the idea that you should always do your best, but resist comparing yourself to others. Instead, admire other creators and use them as inspiration to better yourself. Speak English w...2023-06-1532 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoTatiana Klimova on turning her podcast into a successful paid communityMy guest for this episode is Tatiana Klimova, founder of Russian Podcast and the Russian Dacha Community. She describes how she grew this project from a hobby into a full-time job. She emphasizes the importance of being clear about who your community is for. By filtering out people who aren't a good fit, she ensures that her members are enjoyable to work with. She also feels it's crucial to be open to criticism and listen to the needs of your audience. This has allowed her content to evolve over time based on feedback from her...2023-06-0833 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoAnnemarie Fowler on showing her face and sharing her work onlineIn this episode, I'm talking with Annemarie Fowler, the founder of Speak Confident English. She shares her journey in building her own confidence as an online business owner. We discuss how she had to shift her mindset to get comfortable showing her face when she started working online. Then we get into the benefits of saying no and staying small. Annemarie describes the value of taking time off as a business owner and what she does to unplug. She also invites us to ask what success looks like to us and how we measure it.2023-05-2530 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoOnline Teacher Summit starts tomorrow!Get your ticket here: www.onlineteachersummit.com Can't wait to see you there! Elena2023-05-1611 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoVanessa on balancing motherhood and businessMy guest for this episode is Vanessa, from Speak English with Vanessa. Listen as we share our ideas about how to keep a healthy balance between motherhood and business. Vanessa explains how she prepared her business for the transition to motherhood and the changes she had to make. She also talks about the importance of seeking support. She gives tips on how to shift your mindset to combat any feelings of guilt that arise. This includes knowing when to say no to extra work and taking time for yourself to recharge. ...2023-05-1132 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoOlly Richards on storytelling and mindset shifts in business - Part 2In the second part of this interview with Olly Richards, we continue talking about the relationship we have with money as business owners and the anxiety that can result. He shares insights from his journey to separate his feelings of self-worth from the expectations of others and describes the benefits of non-attachment. He concludes by sharing how we can do our best work when we're in alignment with ourselves, our business, and our students to create the kind of energy which leads to great things. Olly Richard's website: StoryLearning2023-04-2723 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoOlly Richards on storytelling and mindset shifts in business - Part 1In this episode, I'm speaking with Olly Richards, the founder of StoryLearning. In this first half of our interview, we discuss the importance of stories and the stress of growing a business. Olly describes the role of storytelling in language learning and how he built his methodology around it. He also shares what makes it so effective as a marketing tool for small businesses. Learn about the mindset shifts Olly made to scale his business, how he managed his anxieties throughout the process, and his thoughts on being successful yet small. O...2023-04-1325 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoElena Mutonono on the 1 condition of a successful launchWelcome to season 5 of OnlineBound! I'm very inspired to share this new season with you because my guests are all online educators, and mostly language teachers. In this episode, I talk about my belief that expanding your mindset is the most important strategy for a successful launch and share stories about how I've transformed my mindset. Join me to gain some insights into how you can transform your thoughts and emotions to get better results for your next launch. It's a bit scary, but that's a necessary part of growth! Check the episode...2023-03-3016 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoSeason 5 Trailer OnlineBound is a podcast for online language teachers and coaches who are tired of cramming more client hours into their day and look for ways to grow their business in a smart, lean and sustainable way. In this podcast we explore the topics of authenticity, sustainability, values, efficiency, resilience and creativity when running an online teaching business in an oversaturated language teaching market. Listen to the trailer to learn more about the mission of this podcast. 2023-03-1601 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoBurnout is optionalIn this episode, I'm sharing some reflections on burnout. I talk about my own experiences and what I realized about burnout at the end of last year. I also explain how I challenged the idea that consistent work leads to burnout. Now I find my tasks leave me more energized than ever! I'll also touch on how adjusting your mindset and boundaries can help you to be less affected by other people's criticisms.2023-02-1610 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoBy now my business "should"In this episode I share my thoughts on how to remove the word "should" from your thoughts and reframe it with something more empowering. You'll hear me talk about: How it's easy to give up when we compare ourselves to others. How a previous podcast guest, Marija Dobrovolska, felt pressured by gurus to grow and lost the heart of her business. How we can use our experience as language teachers to help us reframe our thoughts about our business and our progress. How a mindset shift can get your brain to work for you instead of ag...2023-02-0917 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoWaiting for the right timeFor full description, links and the transcript go to www.elenamutonono.com/podcast In this episode I share my thoughts on the idea of time, how we treat it and how it treats us. You'll hear me talk about: The notion of “time will heal all evils” or make all things better. The nature of time, how we can use it to our advantage and disadvantage. The concept of taking time to make a decision. The stories we tell ourselves about our relationship with time. At the end of this episode I’ll share with you a...2023-02-0221 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoThe yes, but first thought loopIt's easy to convince ourselves that we're not quite ready to try something new, and that we need to do something familiar first. In reality, this is just a stalling technique that prevents us from moving forward. The yes, but first thought loop can lead to endless excuses. Listen in to hear my suggestions on how to avoid this trap.2023-01-1917 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoThe all-or-nothing thought pattern and its impact on the way we run a businessCheck the episode page for notes and links: https://www.elenamutonono.com/2023/01/12/shift-your-thoughts/ In this first episode of Between the Seasons, I'm reflecting on the all-or-nothing mindset that many of us struggle with and how it affects our businesses. Listen to find out how adjusting your perspective can help you break the cycle, find acceptance, and move forward. I'll give suggestions to help you reframe your thoughts and allow the work you're doing to be enough. Want to learn more about teaching languages the smart way? Sign up to receive my free Smart T...2023-01-1212 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoMarija Dobrovolska on what happens when you (almost) shut down your businessCheck the episode page for notes and links: https://www.elenamutonono.com/2022/12/22/shut-down-business/ In this episode I'm speaking with Marija Dobrovolska, the founder of Deutsch mit Marija, who shares her experiences as she decided to (almost) shut down her business which was affected by the war between Russia and Ukraine. Listen in on how Marija navigated and is still navigating this challenge, how it shifted her mindset about what she really wants for her business, how she wants and doesn't want it to grow and how she was able to take ownership and make a h...2022-12-2246 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoBenny Lewis on his mental health struggles.In this podcast I'm speaking with Benny Lewis, aka the Irish Polyglot and the founder of Fluent in 3 Months. Benny opens up about his mental health struggles, the journey to recovery and the lessons he's learned along the way -- about himself, his values and his business. Check the episode notes for more links and information about Benny: https://www.elenamutonono.com/2022/12/08/benny-lewis-mental-health/ Find Benny Lewis on Instagram: @irishpolyglot Check out his website: https://www.fluentin3months.com/ Follow Elena Mutonono on Instagram: @elenamutonono Check o...2022-12-0833 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoMarlen McNally on the difference between coaching and teachingIn this episode I'm speaking with Marlene McNally, a life coach and a mentor who shares how teaching is different from coaching and what coaching involves when we help our clients succeed. Marlene uses her own experience as a language learner, why it was hard for her to master certain skills despite working really hard and what she wishes now she would have known then about the way our mindset keeps us from achieving our goals. Listen to learn how to coach your clients when they feel stuck or hit a wall on their language...2022-11-1734 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoGayle Macdonald on giving yourself permission to change your nicheIn this episode I'm speaking with Gayle Macdonald, a transformational sobriety coach at Sober Bliss, about changing her niche. I first met Gayle in one of my programs, back when she was an online English teacher exploring different ways of teaching languages online. In the course of the program, Gayle began to look for her niche -- something that would transform her personally and prompt others to long for a similar transformation. This is when her journey into sobriety began, and this is how she gradually moved away from teaching English. In t...2022-11-0336 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoBen Fox on self-publishing and promoting your book.My guest today is Ben Fox, the founder of Shepherd.Com -- a website that helps you find what to read next. Ben talks about the concept behind his project, how it started and how it is different from other similar websites. He shares tips on how to pitch your project to other people in such a way that they cannot say no. He gives a few key marketing strategies for self-published authors, how to improve their book and make it successful. As with many guests on OnlineBound, I ask Ben how he strikes balance...2022-10-2733 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoEric Turnnessen on personal growth when running a businessIn this episode I speak with Eric Turnnessen, the founder of a software company Membermouse, a musician, a coach and a teacher, among many things. Eric shares his unconventional advice about running a business that relies more on intuition and your vision rather than blueprints and failproof methods. We talk about patience and consistency, assessing your strengths, engaging with your customers to figure out how you can improve what's working and change what's not. Eric shares why "negative" emotions should not be perceived as a "sign to stop," rather to persevere. We talk a...2022-10-1333 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoLucy Simkins on unlearning to please everyone on YoutubeIn this podcast I'm speaking with Lucy Simkins, the owner of the English with Lucy Youtube Channel, about the danger we face when we show up online -- our urge to please everyone and make sure everyone likes us. Lucy talks about her own mental health challenges as some people criticized and attacked her work online, as well as the tools she is now using to accept that she would not be "everyone's cup of tea," and that's OK. She also shares the lessons she's learned in the years of running her own business, and...2022-09-2230 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoElena Mutonono on 5 years of running an online communityWelcome to season 4 of OnlineBound! In this episode I reflect on the last 5 years of running an online community for language teachers. The experience of growing together as a community of online business owners and teachers has been transformative for me. As someone who is used to doing things alone, I continuously see the power of being in a community, supported and nudged by people who really “get it.” Learn more about the Smart Teacher's Library. Ready to start working smarter? Download my free Smart Teacher's Kit and learn about new ways...2022-09-1518 min
Language & Travel Hacking#113 Elena Mutonono on Tutoring in Ukraine and Creating an Online BusinessElena Mutonono, former ESL teacher and now coach for language teachers, joins Benny Lewis and Shannon Kennedy to talk about language teaching, the ethics of the online language teaching space, and sustainable language teaching.Featured ResourcesOnline Bound PodcastPatreon Extended EpisodeEnjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to extended episodes and loads more content. Here’s what you’ll hear in the long-form episode:Redefining what a “good” language teacher isThings language students should be aware of when choosing a teacherOur roles as thought leaders in the l...2022-08-2238 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoSasha Maslov on visual storytelling, creative work and mental health.All podcast notes are here: www.elenamutonono.com/podcast Check for more information and extra links. In this interview I'm speaking with Sasha Maslov, a Ukrainian-American portrait photographer and storyteller based in New York City. His work has been exhibited in various photo galleries and art spaces around Europe and the United States. Sasha is a regular contributor to a number of magazines and leading publications in New York and around the globe, and is actively pursuing work on his documentary projects. Sasha and I talk about creativity, perfectionism, competition, finding your voice, visual storytelling...2022-06-3027 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoLindsay Williams on changing your mindset when you teach onlineAll podcast notes are found here: www.elenamutonono.com/podcast In this episode I'm speaking with Lindsay Williams about changing her mindset from a local language teacher to an online teacher to an online entrepreneur. Listen in to learn the story of Lindsay's first course launch and her initial struggles with marketing. We discuss why online language teachers find marketing most challenging, how teachers' altruistic nature, coupled with highly commoditized industry of language teaching, prevents them from making their businesses sustainable. Lindsay shares her insights on finding the balance between sharing our work...2022-06-1631 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoJames Martin on sharing your work even if it feels not good enoughMore detailed notes and links are available at: www.elenamutnono.com/podcast In this interview with James Martin, we talk about the source of joy and creativity, about motivation and perseverance through difficult times, and the art of sharing your work when it doesn't feel good enough. James shares his creative process, which he likens to a faucet that you must never turn off. He encourages us to stay open and keep generating ideas even if you don't use them at the moment. We also talk about the COVID pandemic, how he coped...2022-06-0227 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoShena Lashey on not dimming your light when you share your work with the worldIn this episode, Elena Mutonono talks to Shena Lashey. You’ll learn about the phenomenon of dimming your light when you share your work with the world. Have you ever felt guilty for your own success? Are you afraid that if you shine too bright, you may take the light away from others, make them envious or uncomfortable, or invite haters? You are not alone. Listen to this episode to learn what dimming your light means and why we do that, and also what we can do about it. Check out the show no...2022-05-1225 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoKerstin Cable on podcasting as a tool for self-discovery, creativity and connection buildingIn this episode, Elena Mutonono interviews Kerstin Cable about the power of podcasting for online language teachers. Kerstin, who has been podcasting since 2013, sees podcasting as an opportunity to stand out so you can stop using low pricing or the number of certificates to attract students – and make people fall in love with you instead. If you’ve been asking yourself if it’s still worth creating a podcast when the market is already oversaturated, if you need a product before you get started podcasting, or how you can monetize your podcast, then this episode is for y...2022-04-2829 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoSarah Morgan on mental health challenges when you're working onlineIn this episode, Elena Mutonono interviews Sarah Morgan. You’ll learn some practical tips on preventing and dealing with mental health challenges when you work online. There are many ways the world of online business can challenge our mental health: Being exposed to marketing messaging that makes you feel like you aren't enough and you're always missing out. Seeing success stories and income reports and comparing yourself to others. Dealing with money anxiety. You aren't in this alone. Tune in to hear about Sarah's and Elena's experiences with anxiety, and some practical tips on taking care of yo...2022-04-1427 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoHenneke Duistermaat on how blogging for 1 person helps you build relationships with larger communitiesIn this interview with Henneke Duistermaat, you’ll learn what you always wanted to know about blogging for business but were afraid to ask: Is blogging dead? If I want to blog, where do I start? How do I write faster? What does it actually mean to write for one person, and is it a good idea? How do I balance connection with readers and selling? Is a newsletter different from a blog post, and if so, what do I write in there? And how about blog images, how do I avoid clichés in my blog visuals? T...2022-03-3128 min
OnlineBound with Elena MutononoElena Mutonono on how to go through the hard timesWe are jumpstarting a new season of the Online Bound podcast with a solo episode about going through the hard times. Because toxic positivity stories and success stories are everywhere. But it’s stories about real struggles that make us feel less alone braver. So if you’re sick of toxic positivity, if you’re surrounding yourself with successful people only to find yourself feeling even more lonely, or if you’re telling yourself that you should have done or achieved more already, then this episode is for you. Download the Smart Kit for Online Language Teachers to break...2022-03-1725 min
The EFL Magazine PodcastTeach on Your Own Terms and Guarantee a Stable Income, with Elena MutononoSend us a textElena Mutonono is a seasoned business coach who helps online language teachers move beyond 1:1 lessons and create a smarter system that lets you teach on your own terms and guarantees a stable income.Elena is the author and co-author of 6 books, the creator of several online courses and the hostess in the Smart Teacher's Library -- a community for online language teachers and coaches.She is one of the organizers of the Online Teacher Summit -- an annual online conference that brings together hundreds of online language teachers and...2022-03-031h 04