Ascent Testimonials
Kirk’s guidance and wisdom have been monumental in shaping my career and inner happiness! Working as Global Creative Director at Uber Eats, my sessions with Kirk have shifted my perspective and helped me identify the positive change I could achieve within my role and the company. It felt almost magical, but within weeks of starting with Kirk, new opportunities began to appear before me. After less than six months of our first session, I have launched a global campaign giving back to tens of thousands of drivers and delivery people, backed by the most senior stakeholders in the company, and has allowed me to transition and expand my role to focus on social impact within the organization. None of this would have happened without Kirk. I was able to better lives because he helped me see an opportunity where I hadn't thought to look.”
Einav Jacubovich
Global Creative Director, Uber Eats
Working with Kirk was a deeply valuable experience. His ability to bring clarity to complex questions, and to reframe issues in ways that enable you to open up to a greater range of possibility helps to create a blueprint for maximizing joy and professional purpose, meaning and impact.”
Gaby Darbyshire
CEO, QXR Studios / Board Director, Global Witness
Kirk Souder has been an incredible CEO coach and mentor for me. His intuitive, heart-led style mixed with real-world business practicality, all wrapped in a philosophy of love, kindness, and understanding, has helped me reach new levels as a leader and CEO.”
Sam Polk
CEO, Everytable
Living life in alignment with your soul is no easy task. First and foremost, you have to get in touch with what's authentic about you. Your true self. It can be very hard at times to distinguish between what is truly your soul purpose, and what you think or believe is your soul purpose based on your upbringing and the normal indoctrination that occurs in life. This work teaches you how to recognize the difference between what is authentically you, and what may be your facade. Having gone through that process personally, guided by Kirk and his team, I can honestly say that it's made a real difference to me and elevated the joy and sense of purpose I now experience in my life.”
David Paine
Co-Founder + CEO, 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance
Chemo and surgery had not only left me physically depleted but also mentally depleted as well. I was questioning everything. Work had lost meaning. I was asking myself questions like, “What now?” and “What next?”. But, working with Kirk has changed my life in many ways. He quickly helped me rediscover purpose and what I am pulled to do. My time with Kirk has not only led to greater successes, but I’m having more fun doing what I love to do.”
Taras Wayner
Chief Creative Officer, WundermanThompson NA
When I first reached out to Kirk for coaching, I had just accepted a new role. I wanted Kirk to help me make sure this new role didn’t become another default experience but one of purposeful design that would maximize meaning, joy and creativity for me. Kirk helped me accomplish that by reflecting the kind of leader that was already inside me, what I wanted to achieve and how to use the platform I had to advance those goals. Kirk helped me identify and run towards the things that bring me joy, and in doing so has made me a better leader, and brought greater authenticity and therefore innovation and fulfillment to the work I do every day.”
Scott Donaton
CMO, Hulu
I’ve gained practical skills and tools that lead to self-discovery – both personal and professional. I’ve experienced all of this and more working with Kirk Souder as my coach. Somehow through his deeply soul-centered and focused process I reach a knowing and clarity that unlocks my motivation. Through his teaching I am able to push beyond perceived barriers and manifest my intentions.”
Kim Culmone
SVP Global Product Design Lead, Mattel
Last year I faced one of my toughest challenges as a CEO, and individual, and I turned to Kirk as my executive coach because I instinctively knew that he could help me with both. I learned more about myself and my inner power than I would had I tried to handle it on my own. Together, we worked on overcoming some pretty big obstacles and turned them into a great opportunity for both me and my company. I am forever a fan of Kirk’s coaching.”
David Angelo
Founder & Chairman, David&Goliath
When he listens it is resounding and focused. When he speaks it is clear and focused. Our sessions have a sense of magic. As a result, I was re-ignited in my personal mission and able to activate it. If you ever have the opportunity to work with Kirk--grab it--you will not regret it.”
Howard Goldkrand
Innovation Director, Accenture Innovation Hub
I can say without a doubt that Kirk’s guidance has changed my life. He’s kind of like a soul whisperer. Kirk will introduce powerful tools and a results-oriented, co-creative process that’s practical and actionable. The days following my sessions with Kirk would be filled with joy and lightness. I would experience increased moments of overwhelming beauty and gratitude.. I invite anyone considering Kirk as a coach to experience what it’s like to overcome any limitation and step into the reality of who you truly are.”
Kai Fang
Chief Innovation Officer, HZGD
Basecamp Testimonials
Basecamp has been an incredible accelerant to my personal growth and happiness. During the group meetings, I reliably feel a level of peace and connection that I have rarely felt in other times and places. I’m able to show up as my true self and share what is most important to me at the time. Simply being witnessed, as myself, by others who care about me, is a wonderful feeling.
Dan Mindus
Founder, NextGen Ventures / Executive Coach
Basecamp is a place to deepen my connection to myself, to inspiring humans and to my spiritual path. The weekly sessions are a sacred part of my schedule. We witness each other in the ebbs and flows of life and support each other in coming home to our truest selves. I’m so honored to be part of it all!
Ana Laifer
Leadership Coach
I had achieved success in the business world but felt like other parts of my life were lacking and without peace. One of my dearest friends trusted James beyond measure and thought he could help me. What I’ve realized after working with him is that the liberation he is helping me achieve will have massive impact in all aspects of my life - including 10x impact in my professional life. Already at an early stage, I am seeing profound changes and others are noticing it. I can’t recommend James and HEI more highly - whether you think you are at your peak or not.”
Raj Kapoor
Strategic Advisor at Lyft, cofounder & managing partner at “stealth VC”, former CEO/cofounder of Snapfish and fitmob, former Managing Director at Mayfield
It is rare to come across a coach that has everything: wisdom, a strong skill set and knowledge base in many areas, sensitivity, heart, lives what they teach, challenges you, and is all around just an amazing human being. I looked for years for the perfect coach and that search stopped once I found James. I have worked with James for the past year, and over that year he has been my coach, my mentor, and has become my friend. He has been the perfect support in helping me grow individually, in my relationships, and in my business, challenging me to go past my comfort zone in each area, but never without heart and sensitivity. There are certain turning points that I can look back on in my life and think “that one made all the difference”. I am grateful that James has been one of those turning points for me, in helping me live a fuller, richer, and more authentic life.”
Cassandra Curtis
Cofounder/Chief Innovation Officer, Once Upon a Farm
Working with James has turned out to be one of the most important decisions of my life as I try to get better at this "being a human thing". He brings out the best in people. For me, it's been about opening up to all parts within me and being able to experience growth while being grounded in life's beauty and its endless possibilities. I can't imagine anyone better than James to guide me through this journey and I'm grateful for him and the people he has chosen to bring together through Basecamp.”
Faris Ghawi
CEO, Vytalize Health
Meeting James at the early stages of the pandemic was a happy accident; if not for someone else dropping the ball, we may never have met. James started coaching me mid-2020 and effective called “BS” on my excuses for not paying proper attention to my health and mental wellbeing. Long story short; this ultimately uncovered a chronic illness I have thankfully caught early. Understanding and navigating it has improved my health and my ability to move other Life Gauges.
Actively participating in Basecamp, I feel like I have an escape where I can be vulnerable and share my truth without judgment, which is often difficult in a leadership position. Being heard has been incredibly valuable to me and helped me through some very dark times. I will be eternally grateful to James for kicking me in the pants and for my participation in Basecamp.”
Adrian Queenan
CEO & President at ExpandaBrand, Inc.
James Price is a truly one-of-a-kind executive coach. He takes a holistic approach that focuses on who you are before delving into the actions and achievements that often define an executive. He entered my life at the perfect time as I planned my departure from corporate life at Google to doing my own thing. He compassionately challenged me to question old, limiting beliefs while inspiring me to become more of who he could see in me. As someone who has coached and worked extensively with executives for over 20 years, I give James mad props for his refreshing and liberating perspective that is anchored in love and abundance. He is a kind, generous spirit who won’t hesitate to tell you his truth. He is also incredibly resourceful, always willing to share what and who he knows, all for the greater good of all concerned. He exemplifies unity consciousness while being pragmatic and honest. Thank you, James, for being in my life—forever!”
Ginny Clarke, LLC
Former Google Senior Executive Recruiter | Advising Leaders & Empowering Careers | Talent Strategist | Organizational Builder | Force of Nature
Basecamp has blown me away with its impact. I have been practicing meditation and mindfulness, reading countless books, and participating in many healing practices over the past years. Yet Basecamp has been the most supportive. It combines weekly lessons and practices, an app to check-in with our small pod community, and my favorite part, a weekly Pod community meeting led by James and Jeff. With their guidance, and our supportive community, I am healing issues that I didn’t expect. I feel much closer to my family and have tools and habits I use daily in my personal and work life. I’m grateful for this experience and highly recommend it to anyone committed to finding liberation, love and peace.
Analiza Wolf
Former CEO / YPO / Leadership Coach
Working with James at the convergence of heart & mind has enabled me to reprioritize what matters most. James has been effective at holding me accountable to my goals and aspirations while also pushing me to see beyond my fears. He's a gentle compassionate advisor who also has the strength to be steady for me during moments of perceived crisis. James is also gifted at offering up non traditional methods for development which stimulate my intellectual curiosities while also offering me an expansive perspective on my personal and professional choices from the heart.”
Gina Rudan
Director/Cultural Alchemist, X, Alphabet’s Moonshot Factory and Best Selling Author of “Practical Genius”
My entry point to the Basecamp program was my multi-year, 1:1 coaching relationship with James Price, which I maintain because it continues to deliver benefits in virtually all sectors of my life (family, business, personal wellness).
“I was unsure what Basecamp’s group dynamic would feel like, but I quickly discovered that the highly-curated community of strangers—drawn from diverse geographies, demographics, and industries—is the heart of the experience. Don’t be surprised if you discover more real, trusting, deeply human connection in your first three months of Basecamp than you have in the decade leading up to it. I did.”
“I was unsure what Basecamp’s group dynamic would feel like, but I quickly discovered that the highly-curated community of strangers—drawn from diverse geographies, demographics, and industries—is the heart of the experience. Don’t be surprised if you discover more real, trusting, deeply human connection in your first three months of Basecamp than you have in the decade leading up to it. I did.”
Todd Beck
Founder and CEO at Beck Media and Marketing
I've been working with James for over seven years now and that work has changed me fundamentally. As someone looking to unlock my full potential as well as flow through life in a more present and authentic way, my work with James has helped propel me forward, stripping away the unhelpful inner chatter and limiting beliefs, and allowing me to thrive on many levels. Working with impactful decisions I've ever made; I couldn't be more grateful.”
Will Weisman
KittyHawk Ventures
James has proven himself to be a remarkably insightful coach and mentor. His heart-based, holistic approach to working through personal and professional issues. I've been impressed and touched by how well he's learned who I am and the things that drive me (work, family) and he walks me through the connections that block me from making that next big step. Armed with that knowledge, he's been able to tell me the things I don't want to hear—but need to understand in order to move forward. He's not one to tell me how or what to do, but shepherds me from idea to idea and allows me the freedom to discover the next revelation. I look forward to continuing to work with James and seeing where my path lies.”
Christopher Patnoe
Head of Accessibility and Disability Inclusion, EMEA @ Google, Board Member, Keynote Speaker
I want to express my deepest gratitude for your mentorship and guidance in finding my path of healing. Thank you for giving me permission to drop my rucksack and take a knee. Thank you for allowing me to have compassion for myself and for helping me marshal the strength to discover the wounds I’ve carried. Thank you for helping me see that without peace in this present moment, “success” is a stale finale. Thank you for illuminating the truth that we are all simply doing our very best with the tools we have and the burdens we bear. Thank you for giving me the courage to grieve and the understanding that the trail of healing is through honoring the tears of pain. Thank you for your generosity of spirit, for holding space, and for being my overwatch on this mission without end: to breathe deeply, to be present, and to live well.”
Derek Goeriz
Special Forces | CIA | AI/ML for Aerospace & Defense
James took me on a journey to appreciate and challenge the questions, to normalize my anxiety and to bring clear minded and quality thought to every conversation/ideation. My mind is a powerful machine that unnecessarily moves into overdrive with false assumptions, causing me to push friends, co-workers and loved ones away. James has gotten me to a state of being present in the moment and enjoying my professional and personal company, minimizing the assumptions, the criticism, and the scattered brained thought process and communications. Over the course of three months, I have been experimenting with James' coaching and I love the results. My relationships have gotten stronger and I have new mental tool sets/frameworks I can use to solve problems. James has taught me how to think again, how to solve problems again and has helped me realize what kind of leader I want to be. Without James, I’d still be approaching my life with resistance to and from everyone.”
Arthur Soroken
Was at Songza, now at Google via acquisition |
Technical Program Manager Google
Technical Program Manager Google
James has deep experience, is a mentor, is a life coach and has become a great friend. I came to James because I was feeling anxious, confused, angry and inexperienced. I was in a tug-of-war match with myself—life was moving too quickly and my current professional career was moving too slowly. I came from a fast-paced startup life—putting out fires and being engulfed by the daily grind for 4 years straight—to being acquired—joining a comfortable well-oiled machine. I didn’t know how to turn off battle mode and that mentality doesn’t work when there aren’t battles to be fought. Life seemed too easy in my new role—I didn’t have to figure out where my next round of funding was coming from, who was going to be let go because we could barely cover expenses, and how we were going to deal with legal suits without legal representation. I missed startup life and found myself questioning/doubting everything daily. “I’m getting older and running out of time to start a new venture.” “I’m getting married and will never have time to focus on building a new venture” “I work hard and everyone else seems to be phoning it in.”