Townsend Institute Podcast Series - 091 | Jonathan Reitz: The Intersection of Coaching and A.I.

Is AI a Threat to Coaching, or the Ultimate Tool for Human Transformation?

Many coaches feel "twitchy" about the rise of artificial intelligence, fearing a loss of connection or the total substitution of the human element. But what if AI could actually deepen your cognitive engagement rather than replace it? The secret lies in knowing the difference between outsourcing your brain and augmenting your impact.

In this episode of TIPS, hosts Ashlie and Gilbert welcome back Jonathan Reitz, a Master Certified Coach (MCC), Director at Fluxify, and a leading pioneer in AI-integrated coaching. Jonathan breaks down a powerful four-part framework for AI deployment, moving beyond simple inversion to true augmentation and redefinition.

You’ll discover:

• The Moneyball of Coaching: How to value client contributions in a way that predicts higher success rates and organizational change.
• The Four Levels of AI Engagement: Why you should never outsource your cognitive engagement to a bot mid-session.
• The Mercenary Breakthrough: How a simple code error revealed the massive value of automated, long-term client reflection.
• Ethics & Transparency: Navigating AI clauses in contracts and the one deal-breaker rule for recording sessions.
• AI Literacy: Why learning the language of AI is the most important skill for the 2026 practitioner.

Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or a skeptic, this conversation offers a roadmap for leveraging technology to serve your clients with greater depth, clarity, and integrity.

Perfect for: Executive coaches, leadership consultants, HR professionals, and anyone committed to the future of human-centric leadership.

Links:

• JonathanReitz.com
• Bauer, E., Greiff, S., Graesser, A. C., Scheiter, K., & Sailer, M. (2025). Looking Beyond the Hype: Understanding the Effects of AI on Learning. Educational Psychology Review, 37(45).

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The Townsend Institute at Concordia University Irvine offers fully accredited online graduate degrees and professional certificates in three content areas: Organizational Leadership, Executive Coaching and Consulting, and Counseling. Experience transformational education that operates at the crossroads of competence, character, and connection through the Townsend Institute’s life-changing counseling and leadership programs. To find out more, visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.cui.edu/townsend⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. 

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Episode music is "Psalm 1 (That Man)" featuring Tommy Walker, Ben Lange, & Kip Fox, produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Songwriter Initiative⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ of The Center for Worship Leadership at Concordia University Irvine.