Yasuteru Aoki has been involved with SF since he first acted as a translator for SF therapists, such as Scott D. Miller, Bill O’Hanlon, Andrew Turnell and many others and recognised that the principles involved could be used in organisations. He has gone on to promote SF in Japan through his training courses and through J-SOL conferences, that many SF practitioners globally, had the privilege to attend and learn from.

In this audio conversation, recorded with Jenny Clarke and John Brooker, Aoki-san talks about how SF helped develop a positive atmosphere in a division of Canon and other companies and how it works well in the atmosphere of mutual respect found in Japan – as SF helps develop respect not built on hierarchy.

He reflects on the need to use SF to nurture this non-hierarchical respect and harmony in organisations and society. 
He and Jenny discuss the concept of mutuality, that SF helps people to collaborate and compromise, without feeling compromised. 

Aoki assumes many people naturally have SF inside them, that it is our job as practitioners to honour and respect this and make it noticeable. He calls this a Chain of Natural Positive Response which lifts a group beyond the individual to a point where, when the relationship is good, I don’t care if the solution comes from me or someone else in the group. He adds wryly that “SF is too simple, so people want to decorate it”. 

After this very interesting philosophical discussion, Aoki explains how he has helped train people working in local government over ten years and gives excellent examples from diverse areas such as the fire service, tax collection and intercultural services. Some self-organized study groups born out of those training courses are still continuing and even expanding.
Finally, he reflects with Jenny on his experience at Zacros, an organisation led by a President who is a great exponent of SF. He has been using SF for ten years, yet recognises that not everybody wants to adopt a solution focus. 

The interview ends with a discussion on the danger of being solution forced (or perhaps SF forced) and how it may be enough for an organisation to have pockets of “SF Inside”.

Solution Focus Philosophy and Experience from Japan - A  Conversation With Yasuteru Aoki

In this podcast, we hear Will Reed, a 19-year-old solution-focused practitioner, in conversation with Kati Hankovszky. 
Will is an active and bright young man who talks with a lot of fire and enthusiasm about the relevance and need of Solution Focused skills for young people.

Time for Youth - A Solution Focus Conversation with Will Reed

A CHAPTER WITH THE AUTHOR - Haesun Moon
Brew a coffee and sit back, or go for a walk and listen while you let this conversation lift your spirits and deepen your understanding of the Solution Focus approach.
This is an intimate interview with Haesun Moon, one in which she reveals background stories to chapters in her book ‘Coaching A-Z’, The Extraordinary Use of Ordinary Words’ and provides valuable insights to improve SF coaching and consulting. Julia Mines, wrote the accompanying book review for this SFiO InterAction feature. As Julie says about Haesun in this video, “Haesun normalises the whole of the human experience. It’s not our ‘secret, grieving selves’ over here and our ‘public happy selves,’ over there. We are all of one piece.” 
Videod during a recent SFiO Global Chapter, Annette Gray provides a masterclass in leading the conversation, and there are, too,  excellent contributions from the audience.

Haesun Moon on Coaching A - Z SFiO Chapter with the Author

Why problem solvers are infinitely more valuable. 

I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but employees tend to be much better at pointing out problems than fixing them. “Hey Boss, just wanted to let you know that [insert business issue you’re already abundantly aware of here]. We should really do something about that, hey?” 

Staff drops problems in your lap as consistently as a golden retriever drops a tennis ball at your feet. 

But what if you could instill a culture of problem-solving within your team? How much easier would your life be if, instead of you being the single source of critical thinking, your entire team was encouraged and even rewarded for making problems go away on their own? 

In today’s episode of Contractor Evolution, I talk about why problem-solving is one of the most critical traits to look for in new hires and even how you can develop it with the team you already have. 

Watch this episode to find out why problem solvers are infinitely more valuable than problem finders. 

Highlights
- Why finding problems is easy﻿
- How to interview to find problem solvers
- How to spot Problem Solvers﻿
- How to instill a culture of problem-solving into your current team﻿ 

<a href="https://www.pcaoverdrive.org/videos/tired-of-endless-complaints">Watch the episode on PCA Overdrive</a>

PCA Overdrive is free for members.
Not a member? Try our 7-day free trial. 
Download the app on the Apple Store or Google Play.

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Tired of Endless Complaints: Contractor Evolution

Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy Relaxation track 
Spoken word by Anna B Sexton 
Mixed By Ben Christodoulou

This track is for relaxation purposes, just before bed or at any other time in your day to ease into relaxation.

Please use this track responsibly i.e. not while driving, not while using machinery 

Please consult your GP or physician if you have any questions or concerns before using this track.

You can email Anna B Sexton yourrootsgodeep@gmail.com if you have any questions.

The Cosmos

Better sleep, focus & rest solution focused guided relaxation: Anna B Sexton HPD DSFH AfSFH NCH

In times of debate and division, this dialogue format is a true treasure to experience.
Lily Deforce, Vonneke Beeker and their colleagues at Ilfaro embraced an initiative that brings people together around significant yet divisive questions. With their solution-focused approach, they designed the "Different Opinions Dialogue," a structured process allowing two people to listen deeply to each other and understand one another’s perspectives. In less than an hour, a truly enriching experience unfolds.

Different Opinions Dialogue

SF - Draft Podcast - DS

Scaling up SF and Agile Frameworks

Elvira Kalmar is a seasoned organizational development coach and facilitator who brings warmth, clarity, and curiosity to every encounter. Her work blends solution-focused coaching with a deep respect for the wisdom already present in teams. Rather than offering quick fixes, she invites leaders and organizations to pause, reflect, and create change from within. Elvira’s calm presence and skillful questions turn ordinary conversations into moments of insight.

At the heart of practice is the idea of "walking with clients". She believes transformation happens when we share the journey, not when we stand apart as experts. Through engaging dialogue, playful experimentation, and powerful reflection, she guides the participants to discover their own next steps. Her session feel less like lectures and more like shared explorations, where learning unfolds naturally.

By watching this session, you’ll gather practical ways to nurture leadership in your team, spark creativity in everyday conversations, and experience a coaching method that feels refreshingly human. You’ll hear how “best hope” dialogues can unlock hidden potential and watch a live demonstration of her approach in action. And just when you think you know where it’s going, Elvira offers a closing invitation that quietly shifts everything.

Scaling Coaching Tools to a Company Level

A short overview of solution-focused therapy. Subscribe for upcoming episodes all about clinical social work practices.

Solution Focused Therapy Study Session

I am a UK based solution focused hypnotherapist, creative coach and artist who inspires Everyday creativity 

Your Roots Go Deep Solution Focused Hypnotherapy 

Relax - Reframe - Rediscover the Real You

Instagram @your_roots_go_deep

Open To Create...
Growing robust, healthy & sustainable humans through creative coaching, fun workshops & creative retreats 

Instagram @opentocreate_

Podcast produced by the Painting Contractors Association (PCA). 

Join PCA as we interview industry experts on how to build stronger businesses.

Founded in 1884, PCA is the only national trade association dedicated to the success of painting contractors through ethics, education and excellence. Today, PCA is recognized and supported by many industry manufacturers and suppliers as the premier organization committed to helping professional painting contractors improve their business.

Soundcloud features our audio features on Solution Focus in organisations, from The InterAction Collection. We are an international community of Solution Focus practitioners who continue learning and developing the SF approach in organisations.

Popular tracks tagged #solutionfocused