Coachful Coaching Leadership Podcast

David Fung
  • 5.0 (4)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Join David Fung on the Coachful Coaching Leadership Podcast as he reveals the success mindsets of top leaders. Learn strategies and insights you can use right now to boost your leadership skills and Bring Joy to Your Hustle™️. Subscribe now and unlock your full potential! Globally ranked top 10% podcast. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@coachfulcoaching LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/coachfulcoaching Instagram: @coachfulcoaching Apple: https://apple.co/41Cz5gI

  1. 19H AGO

    What Are You Protecting By Staying the Same? (Dwayne Smith)

    We sit down with Dwayne Smith, host of the What Changed? podcast, for a real conversation about the question most of us avoid when we feel stuck:“What am I protecting by staying the same?” Dwayne unpacks why willpower-based change so often fails, and why the real work is an identity shift—from “I’m trying to stop…” to “I’m the kind of person who doesn’t…” He also shares a key leadership turning point: realizing you can’t motivate people, you can only create an environment that is motivating. If you’re in a season where your life looks fine on paper but something feels off, this one will land. In this episode, you’ll learn: * The difference between forcing behavior change vs shifting identity * The question that reveals what “stuck” is really doing for you * Why your internal environment (your story) matters as much as your external environment (your structure) * The moment Dwayne moved from “manager” to “leader” What Changed? https://linktr.ee/whatchangedpod Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/what-changed-with-dwayne-smith/id1511627465 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5UW6hWeJ3vzEOAQLFBoGrG YouTube (What Changed?): https://www.youtube.com/@whatchangedpod Dwayne Smith on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dwayne-smith-6a33751b6 Chapters 00:00 Intro + who Dwayne is 00:46 Quick catch-up: you were just on his show 01:33 “I wasn’t a leader, I was a manager” (his origin story) 03:32 The associate who broke down his “management wall” 04:22 The moment that shifted him toward real leadership 05:47 Identity wrapped in title — and why that’s dangerous 08:07 Upbringing, rigidity, and the “never good enough” loop 09:55 You can’t motivate people — you can only build the environment 11:45 Inside-out environment: the story in your head + the structure around you 13:09 Behavior vs identity (the “I stopped” vs “I don’t” example) 15:16 The interplay: who you are vs what you do 16:18 The question that cuts through it all: “What am I protecting?” 19:18 How hosting What Changed? has changed Dwayne 21:48 Parenting + self-leadership: homework, dopamine vs cortisol 24:41 The “make it fun” shift and the surprising result 26:19 Where he’s trying to make life more fun right now: reading 31:02 Susan Cain’s Quiet and embracing introversion 35:10 Two practical steps to start change today

    37 min

  2. MAR 1

    Stop Asking “What Do You Do?” The Better Question That Builds Real Connection

    Most networking starts with the wrong question: “What do you do?” In this conversation, executive coach and classically trained singer Jessica Wan breaks down why that question shuts people down, especially during layoffs, transitions, and identity shifts, and what to ask instead if you want a real connection. We also talk about rebuilding community outside of work, why “together” is her word for 2026, and how her best work happens when the creative side and the business side actually meet.If this hit home, drop a comment with the better question you want to start using. CONNECT WITH JESSICA Website: https://www.jessicawan.com/About: https://www.jessicawan.com/about-jessicaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicamwan/The Ampersand Manifesto: https://www.theampersandmanifesto.com/Ampersand on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5AMXZidOLLlcRSbjo57dC9Ampersand on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ampersand-manifesto-make-your-mark-in-multiple-fields/id1636945117 CONNECT WITH COACHFUL COACHING YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@coachfulcoaching Spotify: https://spotify.link/NTBgVJIL3yb Apple: https://apple.co/41Cz5gI CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro: why “what do you do” fails 02:09 Fear-based times and what leaders are feeling 04:20 Rebuilding community after leaving a role 10:53 How to talk about uncertainty without spiraling 14:15 When your network is tied to work identity 19:32 The hidden damage of “What do you do?” 23:58 Better questions: what are you excited about? 29:00 Jessica’s word for 2026: Together 30:45 Blending art + business: the Opera Parallel story 32:55 Create space and your life fills it 36:56 Jessica’s links + The Ampersand Manifesto

    33 min

  3. FEB 24

    The “10 Magic Minutes” Habit That Brings Joy Back (Even as a Parent) with Grace Brelje

    What if joy isn’t a big life overhaul… but a small daily practice? In this episode, David Fung sits down with Grace Brelje, Director of ESBP Development & Enablement at Salesforce, and former leader of Salesforce’s Global Leadership Coaching & Mentoring Center of Excellence for a real conversation about bringing joy back when life is full and work is demanding. Grace breaks down why joy is often found in the smallest moments, how to protect it with better boundaries, and the simple habit she swears by with her kids: “10 Magic Minutes”—10 minutes of fully present, intentional time that shifts the entire tone of your day. If you’re doing “well” on paper but feel flat, tired, or disconnected in real life… this one will hit. In this episode, you’ll hear: A practical definition of joy (no fluff) Loneliness vs. being alone—and why it matters Why high performance doesn’t have to mean low joy Burnout, boundaries, and reclaiming agency The “10 Magic Minutes” habit for parents How Grace makes self-care normal (without guilt) One simple weekly practice to start immediately Grace's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gracebrelje/ Chapters 00:01 — Intro + meet Grace Brelje 01:30 — Why we’re choosing joy (not fear-based clickbait) 02:27 — What “joy” actually means 03:51 — Perspective: the lens you choose changes everything 05:29 — The book that “appeared” on Grace’s dresser (Art of Happiness) 07:04 — Loneliness vs. being alone (and the post-COVID impact) 10:08 — If you shadowed Grace on a Tuesday, where you’d see joy 12:06 — What Grace is reading right now (and why curiosity matters) 13:11 — Joy inside a high-performance culture 15:44 — “Who takes care of HR?” Supporting the supporters 18:29 — Burnout: agency + boundaries + redesigning what’s unsustainable 21:17 — Why real change usually needs support (and a coach) 23:14 — Parenting + work: staying sane and joyful 23:56 — Grace’s theme this year: consistency 24:19 — How Grace keeps friendships alive as life gets full 25:59 — Yoga, the family calendar, and dropping the guilt 28:04 — Connection, aging, and why relationships predict long-term happiness 31:12 — Grace’s 1 piece of advice to bring joy back 32:05 — Wrap-up

    29 min

  4. FEB 10

    When Life Looks Fine But Feels Off | David Fung

    THIS IS FROM MY GUEST APPEARANCE ON "WHAT CHANGED?" PODCAST with Dwayne Smith. There’s a moment many people don’t talk about. Life looks fine on the surface. You’re capable, thoughtful, even successful. But internally, something feels off. Not broken. Not in crisis. Just unsettled in a way that’s hard to explain. In this episode, I sit down with David Fung - CEO & Executive Coach, to explore what’s really happening in those moments and why they matter more than we think. We talk about why clarity tends to disappear under pressure, how self-trust is actually built over time, and why most people don’t need to reinvent their lives so much as realign them. David shares his own early turning point, how discipline shaped his self-trust, and what he’s learned coaching leaders who look confident on the outside but feel uncertain underneath. This conversation isn’t about quick fixes or dramatic change. It’s about the quiet space before change. The honesty required to name what’s true. And the small, grounded actions that can bring more calm across work, relationships, and everyday life. If you’ve been moving forward but feeling misaligned, this episode offers a place to pause, reflect, and reconsider what your next step really needs to be. David Fung: http://coachfulcoaching.com/ 00:00 Episode introduction 01:14 When life feels off 03:19 An early breakup and awareness 05:19 Building self-trust 07:49 When quitting becomes a pattern 10:54 Success without certainty 12:44 Leaving corporate leadership 15:54 Leading with weakness 19:34 Why clarity requires distance 26:04 Clarity, alignment, action 30:54 Why action is hardest 36:20 Applying clarity in real life 44:10 Living aligned over time 52:30 What self-leadership really requires 01:04:14 Letter to my former self 01:07:00 Closing reflections

    1h 8m

  5. FEB 9

    Finding Joy in the Unglamorous

    In this clip from the Coachful Coaching Leadership Podcast, host David Fung sits down with Lisa Even, keynote speaker and leadership coach, to explore the role of joy in leadership and everyday life. Lisa shares her “crappy to happy” strategy, a practical way to turn mundane tasks into moments of purpose, energy, and growth. She also talks about how leaders can balance a busy, high-pressure life with real moments of happiness, let go of stress, and build cultures that feel lighter without losing performance. Tune in to learn how to integrate joy into your daily routine and create a ripple effect of positivity across your team and life.

    4 min

  6. FEB 6

    The Sneaker Trick That Makes People Trust You Faster (Salesforce SVP Mark Grimwood)

    Can a pair of sneakers teach you more about leadership than another “how to network” post? In this episode of the Coachful Coaching Leadership Podcast, I’m joined by Mark Grimwood, Senior Vice President at Salesforce, where he leads global Sales and Distribution Recruiting and Talent Attraction. Mark is well known for #sneakerwars, but this conversation is not really about shoes. It’s about authentic connection, trust, and how to bring more joy into the hustle without pretending work is always fun. We talk about: - The joy of recruiting and being part of someone’s career story - Why #sneakerwars works as a relationship builder and community builder - What leaders get wrong about vulnerability and how to make it practical - How AI and agents will change recruiting and what must stay human - The values Mark anchors on, like trusted relationships and intellectual humility Connect with Mark: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markgrimwood/ Follow Coachful Coaching Leadership Podcast: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@coachfulcoaching Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/41Cz5gI If this episode resonates, please follow, rate, and share it with a leader who could use more joy in the hustle.

    31 min

  7. JAN 29

    Make Joy Your Job: The Culture Playbook That Actually Works (Lisa Even)

    In this episode of the Coachful Coaching Leadership Podcast, host David Fung sits down with Lisa Even (ee-ven), keynote speaker, bestselling author, and leadership coach, to unpack what it really means to make joy a priority as a leader.Lisa shares her path from healthcare operations and team leadership into coaching, and why joy is not fluff. It is a leadership lever. You will learn her practical approach to building presence, creating trust fast, and shaping a culture where people actually want to show up. She also breaks down her signature “Crappy to Happy” strategy and how to turn unavoidable, everyday work into something your team does not dread.If you are leading under pressure, managing constant change, or feeling stuck in grind-mode, this conversation will help you reset without pretending life is easy.Learn more about Lisa at lisaeven.comGet her book, Joy Is My Job: https://lisaeven.com/books/In this episode, we cover:* Why joy is a leadership choice, not a personality trait* How leaders shape culture through energy, tone, and intention* Lisa’s “Crappy to Happy” method for draining tasks* How to build trust faster, especially in stressed teams* Simple ways to create a “Good Ripple Effect” at work and at home Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction to Lisa Even00:05:00 The Importance of Joy in Leadership00:10:00 Strategies for Incorporating Joy00:15:00 Balancing Work and Joy00:20:00 Creating a Ripple Effect of Positivity

    30 min

  8. JAN 26

    The Truth About Feedback Sandwiches

    In this clip, David Fung and Markus van Alphen discuss the effectiveness of feedback techniques in leadership. They critique the traditional "sandwich" method of feedback and explore the benefits of a more direct approach, known as "feedforward." Markus emphasizes the importance of context and understanding in delivering feedback, while David shares personal experiences that highlight the impact of straightforward communication. This conversation offers valuable insights for leaders seeking to foster a more open and effective feedback culture.

    5 min
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Join David Fung on the Coachful Coaching Leadership Podcast as he reveals the success mindsets of top leaders. Learn strategies and insights you can use right now to boost your leadership skills and Bring Joy to Your Hustle™️. Subscribe now and unlock your full potential! Globally ranked top 10% podcast. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@coachfulcoaching LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/coachfulcoaching Instagram: @coachfulcoaching Apple: https://apple.co/41Cz5gI

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