Episode 47

Ep 47: Coaching Tools for Conflict: Insights from Mediator Polly Walker

Published on: 10th December, 2025

How does weaving together mediation and coaching unlock deeper transformation for clients? In this episode of the Coaching Catalysts Podcast, co-hosts Sarah Bramall and Rebecca Daniel welcome Polly Walker, coach, mediator, and member of the Supervision Collective, for a rich exploration of conflict resolution, leadership challenges, and the power of curiosity.

Polly shares her unique journey from mainstream teaching to working with excluded youth, her transition into mediation and restorative practices, and how coaching skills have been core throughout. Together, they discuss bringing joy and fun into coaching work, the challenges and rewards of group supervision, and practical strategies for supporting clients through conflict.

Highlights:

00:00 Introduction: Meet Polly Walker, coach and mediator

01:30 Polly’s background, mainstream teaching, special educational needs, and conflict resolution

04:00 Mediation in community, workplace, and special education; conflict coaching

06:25 Leadership coaching and what lights Polly up

07:11 Mediation training and what coaches gain from conflict skillsets

10:15 The coaching/mediation overlap, big questions and powerful tools

13:32 Supervision for coaches and mediators, reflecting on practice

18:38 Imposter syndrome, how supervision supports coaches (and leaders) in overcoming doubt

20:13 Polly’s upcoming work, mediation + community, training at Coaching Academy

21:39 Why supervision is fun and why every coach should “go for it”

22:24 The power of coaching community and genuine support.

Connect with us here:

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Website:

https://www.thecoachingcatalysts.com

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Work with us:

​FREE Supervision Experience for Coaches: Listening Partnerships, register here: https://bit.ly/supervisionexperience


Our roundtable discussions for internal coaches here:

https://www.thecoachingcatalysts.com/organisationalcoaches

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Find out more about our supervision service here: http://bit.ly/coaching-collective

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To book a call: https://tidycal.com/coachingcatalysts/explorationcall

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​To become a professional coach supervisor with The Coaching Catalysts, head here: https://www.thecoachingcatalysts.com/supervisiondiploma


For ICF mentoring see here: https://bit.ly/catalystsmentorcoaching


Social Media:

https://www.facebook.com/thecoachingcatalysts

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https://www.instagram.com/thecoachingcatalysts_

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https://www.linkedin.com/company/thecoachingcatalysts

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Sarah: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahbramallcoaching/

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Rebecca: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielrebecca/

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And our Whatsapp here:

https://wa.me/15557022689

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About Polly Walker:

Poly Walker is a mediator - working to resolve disputes within the community, the workplace and within special education. She is also a coach, specialising in conflict coaching and is the founder of Polly Walker Mediation and Coaching.


Connect with Polly:

Website: www.pollywalker.co.uk

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pollywalker_mediation/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pollymwalker/



Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

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About the Podcast

The Coaching Catalysts
Welcome to The Coaching Catalysts Podcast, the go-to place for coaches and professionals to elevate your coaching practice. Whether you’re just starting out as a coach, an experienced coach looking to deepen your skills, or you’re creating coaching cultures within your organisation - we've got you covered.

Co-hosts Sarah Bramall and Rebecca Daniel are highly experienced Accredited Coaches with thousands of hours of coaching experience, Coach Trainers for leading organisations and Coach Supervisors, supporting coaches via their supervision and coach development service and community.

As former teachers and leaders, with a combined thirty years’ experience in education, Sarah and Rebecca are uniquely positioned to support coaches in professional development and ethical practice, in a fast emerging industry.

With a wealth of experience, Sarah specialises in Leadership and Executive Coaching, Career coaching, confidence and Imposter Syndrome, and effective communication.

With a broad range of expertise, Rebecca’s coaching specialisms encompass leadership, neurodiversity, DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), mindset, resilience, and communication.

Get ready to uplevel your practice, enhance your mindset, and amplify your skills with The Coaching Catalysts Podcast. Each episode is jam packed with relatable conversations, practical advice and honest anecdotes. Dive into insightful discussions, expert interviews, and real-life stories that serve as catalysts for your personal and professional development.

Follow or subscribe to embark on a transformative journey with The Coaching Catalysts and ignite the spark for coaching within you!

Head to https://www.thecoachingcatalysts.com/podcast to access your free guide to Elevate your Coaching Practice and check out what we have to offer.


Connect with us here:

Website: https://www.thecoachingcatalysts.com

Social Media:
https://www.facebook.com/thecoachingcatalysts
https://www.facebook.com/groups/thecoachingcatalystscommunity
https://www.instagram.com/thecoachingcatalysts_
https://www.linkedin.com/company/thecoachingcatalysts

Sarah: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahbramallcoaching/
Rebecca: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielrebecca/

FREE Supervision Experience for Coaches: Listening Partnerships, register here: https://bit.ly/supervisionexperience

Find out more about our supervision service here: http://bit.ly/coaching-collective

For ICF mentoring see here: https://bit.ly/catalystsmentorcoaching

To book a call: https://tidycal.com/coachingcatalysts/explorationcall


About your host

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Rebecca Daniel

‘The Coaching Catalysts’ was founded by Sarah Bramall and Rebecca Daniel. As Qualified Coaches, accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and trainers for lead coach training organisations, Sarah and Rebecca are highly qualified and experienced coaches, coach supervisors and trainers.

With a combined thirty years’ teaching and leadership experience in the education sector, they create change through transformational coaching, supervision and training.

Sarah and Rebecca’s aligned passion for impact enables them to work with coaches and professionals to support them to excel personally and professionally, while developing their mindset and prioritising wellbeing in order to feel fulfilled in all aspects of their lives.