A Brief Word About US

Distill Coaching exists to help people and organizations refine what matters most. In moments of complexity, pressure, or transition, we create space for clarity, courage, and purposeful action—so what is essential can rise to the surface.

Our Journey

Our Story

Distill Coaching was born out of a single, telling moment.

During a coaching session with an executive leader navigating significant organizational pressure, the conversation moved slowly—from noise, competing demands, and internal confusion toward something quieter and clearer. As the session came to a close, the leader paused and said:

“This helped me move out of the noise. It helped me distill what’s actually important—and what the right first step is.”

That word—distill—stuck.

It named something essential about what was happening in the room: not problem-solving or advice-giving, but a process of refinement. Attention was focused. The unnecessary fell away. What remained was clarity, direction, and confidence rooted in the leader’s own values.

Distill Coaching grew from that experience and countless others like it. Again and again, we saw that people don’t usually need more input—they need space to clarify what already matters, and the courage to act on it.

Our Coaches

Our Team

Joshua R. Smith, D.Min., ACC

Lead Coach

Arianna G. Smith, MSN, PNP, ACC

Lead Coach

Distill Coaching is a collaborative practice made up of experienced, credentialed coaches who share a common commitment to presence, clarity, and formation.

Our coaches work with:

  • Executive and organizational leaders

  • Pastors and faith leaders

  • Women and men navigating life transitions, making meaning of identity, and discerning what comes next

Each coach brings a unique background and specialty, and we are united by a shared approach:

  • Deep listening

  • Respect for client agency and wisdom

  • Thoughtful, impactful coaching

  • Commitment to ethical, professional coaching standards

We hold space for clarity to emerge—and for clients to move forward with confidence and integrity.

Joshua R. Smith, D.Min., ACC

Joshua R. Smith is the founding coach of Distill Coaching, where he partners with leaders, pastors, and individuals navigating seasons of transition to clarify what matters most and take faithful next steps forward.

Joshua has served for over two decades as the founding pastor of Mountainside Communion, a Church of the Nazarene in Monrovia, California. Alongside his pastoral work, he is a founding director of the Immigration Resource Center of San Gabriel Valley, which provides low-cost legal services to individuals and families navigating the U.S. immigration system—reflecting his long-standing commitment to justice, belonging, and human dignity.

In addition to his pastoral leadership, Joshua is an Affiliate Faculty member at Fuller Theological Seminary, where he teaches courses in pastoral and organizational leadership, Christian community, and vocation. As both a pastor and professor, he has spent many years mentoring and coaching pastors, students, and organizational leaders as they discern leadership direction, vocational calling, and sustainable ways of living and leading.

Joshua holds a Doctor of Ministry in Missional Leadership from Fuller Seminary and is an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) with the International Coaching Federation. His coach training is grounded in the latest research on clergy and leadership wellbeing, shaping an approach that integrates deep listening, thoughtful questions, and attention to sustainable, whole-person flourishing.

A fourth-generation Angeleno, Joshua lives in Monrovia with his wife, Arianna. They have three adult children. Outside of his work, Joshua enjoys hiking, playing basketball, reading, listening to records, and camping with friends and family.

Arianna G. Smith, MSN, PNP, ACC

Arianna G. Smith is a coach with Distill Coaching, partnering with leaders, pastors, and individuals to cultivate clarity, wellbeing, and sustainable growth in both life and leadership.

Arianna brings a rich and interdisciplinary background shaped by her work in higher education, healthcare, nonprofit organizations, and community engagement. She is an experienced professor with a demonstrated history of teaching and mentoring students, as well as working with organizations and communities focused on health, education, and flourishing.

She holds a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner from the University of California, Los Angeles, and her professional experience includes obstetric nursing, adolescent education, public speaking, and wellness-focused programming. This background informs her coaching approach, which is attentive to the whole person—integrating physical wellbeing, emotional awareness, and relational health.

Arianna is an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) with the International Coaching Federation. Her coach training is grounded in the latest research on clergy and leadership wellbeing and flourishing, equipping her to support clients navigating complex roles, transitions, and seasons of care for others while learning to care well for themselves. 

Arianna is married to her husband, Joshua, and together they have three adult sons. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys hiking, spending time with friends and family, listening to music, and traveling.

Testimonial

What Clients Are Saying

Real Estate Broker & Property Management Owner

“In a volatile market with constant pressure, I realized that how I showed up as a person was shaping everything—my company culture, my team, and even my life at home. Coaching helped me get grounded as a leader, clarify what mattered most, and respond rather than react. As I became more steady, our culture improved, employee satisfaction increased, and I was more present with my family. The impact went far beyond the business.”

Lead Pastor Navigating Complexity

“Stepping into my first lead pastor role, the weight of preaching, leadership, pastoral care, and community engagement—along with expectations from every direction—nearly overwhelmed me. Coaching focused first on me as a person, helping me name what I was carrying and clarify my own voice in ministry. As I became more grounded and confident, I began leading from conviction rather than anxiety. That shift changed everything: our church grew healthier, our engagement in the local community became more just and compassionate, my relationships at home deepened, and I experienced a renewed sense of joy and steadiness in my calling.”

Life Coaching Client Focused on Identity and Growth

Life coaching met me in the middle of a major transition—navigating parenting challenges at home while stepping into a new executive role at work, all while wanting to maintain a healthy relationship with my spouse. Coaching helped me slow down and understand who I am beneath the pressure to perform. As I grew more confident and grounded in my identity and purpose—not just productivity—I showed up differently everywhere. I became a steadier parent, a clearer and more resilient leader at work, a more present partner at home, and more grounded in my relationships overall. The change wasn’t about doing more, but about becoming more rooted in who I am.

Partner Showcase

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Let's Begin the Work

Every coaching relationship begins with a conversation.


If you’re ready to distill what matters most—to find clarity in the midst of pressure and take your next faithful step—Distill Coaching is ready to walk with you.