Coaching and The F Word

Andrew Weakford & John Ferguson
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Coaching and The F Word is a straight-talking podcast about the moments that shape our lives, careers, confidence, and leadership. Hosted by two experienced coaches and former accountants — Andrew Weakford, specialising in midlife transformation and John Ferguson, in finance leadership — this podcast explores the real stories behind growth, change, and stepping up. Each episode tackles a different “F word” that shows up in life and work: from First Steps, Failure, Fear, and Feedback to Future, Framing, and beyond. This isn’t theory. It’s practical, honest conversation grounded in lived experience — what it really takes to move forward when things feel uncertain, uncomfortable, or stuck. Whether you're a mid-career professional, an aspiring finance leader, or simply someone navigating change, you’ll find insights you can actually use: ·       How to build confidence and take action ·       How to handle failure and reframe setbacks ·       How to give and receive feedback effectively ·       How to develop a growth mindset in your career ·       How to step into leadership with clarity and intent Expect real conversations, relatable stories, and coaching insights that help you think differently — and act with purpose. If you're ready to stop overthinking and start moving forward, this podcast is for you.

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  1. Episode 1

    Season 2 Episode 1 - Football

    F is for Football...... Football is much more than a game. It’s a masterclass in leadership, teamwork, resilience and coaching. In this first episode of Season 2, Andy Weakford and John Ferguson discuss Arsenal’s Premier League triumph after years of near misses, the leadership of Mikel Arteta, the relentless pursuit of excellence demonstrated by Pep Guardiola, lessons from grassroots coaching, and what the upcoming World Cup in North America might teach us about performance under pressure. Along the way, they reflect on listener feedback and the F words from Season 1 and uncover surprising parallels between football pitches, growth and leadership journeys. Whether you’re a football fan, a finance leader, a coach, or someone navigating your own next step, this episode offers insights into what it really takes to build high-performing teams and sustain success. Because great coaching isn’t just found in coaching conversations—sometimes it’s found on the touchline. We'd love to have your feedback. This is a first-step for us and we're learning along the way.

  2. Episode 2

    Season 2 Episode 2 - Focus

    After talking Football in the opening episode of Season 2, the conversation moves from the pitch to the mind where the F Word is Focus. In a world full of constant notifications, distractions, competing priorities and endless demands, focus has become one of the most valuable skills anyone can develop. But focus isn’t simply about concentrating harder. It’s about choosing what matters. In this episode, Andy Weakford and John Ferguson explore and exchange insights on how focus shapes leadership, productivity, wellbeing, coaching conversations and ultimately the results we achieve. They discuss practical techniques for staying focused, why clarity beats busy-ness, how listeners can avoid being overwhelmed by digital noise, and how coaching helps people reconnect with what is truly important. Whether you’re leading a finance team, navigating career change, managing competing priorities or simply trying to get more done without burning out, this episode offers practical ideas and fresh perspectives to help you focus on what matters most. We'd love to have your feedback. This is a first-step for us and we're learning along the way.

  3. Episode 3

    Season 2 Episode 3 - Fitness

    When you hear the word fitness, what comes to mind? For many of us it’s the gym, running shoes or step counts. But what if fitness is about far more than physical health? In this episode of Coaching and the F Word, Andy and John explore what it really means to be fit for leadership, work and life. From physical wellbeing and mental resilience to emotional strength and sustainable performance, they discuss why the best leaders don’t simply work harder—they learn how to manage their energy, recover well and perform consistently over the long term. Drawing on their coaching experiences, they share practical habits, personal reflections and coaching questions to help you think differently about fitness—not as a destination, but as the capacity to show up at your best when it matters most. Whether you’re leading a finance team, navigating change, coaching others or simply trying to balance the demands of work and life, this episode offers ideas to help you build your own personal or leadership fitness. Because life isn’t a sprint. It’s an endurance event. We’d love to hear your thoughts. What does fitness mean to you? Share your reflections, leave us a review, or get in touch—we’re learning and growing alongside you. We'd love to have your feedback. This is a first-step for us and we're learning along the way.

  4. Episode 4

    Season 2 Episode 4 - Fault

    When something goes wrong, our first instinct is often to ask, “Whose fault is it?” But what if that’s the wrong question? In this episode of Coaching and the F Word, Andy Weakford and John Ferguson are joined by Karl Barker, guest coach with extensive experience in customer service, fault reporting and complaint resolution. Together, they explore how the way we respond to faults, mistakes and problems can either build trust—or destroy it. From leadership and finance to customer service and organisational change, fault is something every team, every business and every individual will face. The real test isn’t avoiding mistakes altogether; it’s how we respond when they happen. The conversation explores: ● Why blame and accountability are not the same thing. ● How leaders can create a culture where people feel safe to speak up. ● What finance, transformation and customer service can learn from one another when things go wrong. ● Why listening, ownership and empathy often resolve more than the problem itself. ● How coaching helps move conversations from blame to learning and growth. Whether you’re leading a finance team, managing customer relationships, driving organisational change or simply navigating the challenges of everyday work, this episode offers practical insights into turning faults into opportunities for stronger relationships, better leadership and continuous improvement. Because mistakes are inevitable. Blame is optional. Learning is a choice. We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Have you ever worked in a blame culture—or experienced a leader who turned a difficult situation into a powerful learning opportunity? Get in touch and join the conversation. We'd love to have your feedback. This is a first-step for us and we're learning along the way.

  5. Episode 5

    Season 2 Episode 5 - Final

    This weekend, millions of people around the world will be watching the FIFA World Cup Final. Two teams. One trophy. Years of preparation coming down to one defining moment. But finals aren’t just found in sport. We all face them throughout our lives and careers—the final interview before landing your dream job, the final presentation to the board, the final coaching session, the final day in a role, or the final decision before taking a leap into something new. In this episode of Coaching and the F Word, Andy Weakford and John Ferguson explore what “final” really means. Is it the end of the journey, or simply the start of the next chapter? Drawing on coaching, leadership, personal transformation and finance, they discuss why finals don’t create success—they reveal the preparation, habits, resilience and mindset that have been built long before the big moment arrives. Together they explore why endings can be difficult to embrace, how leaders perform under pressure, why preparation always beats panic, and what every “final” teaches us about growth and moving forward. Whether you’re preparing for a promotion, leading a major project, facing an important life decision or simply enjoying the drama of the World Cup Final, this episode offers practical coaching insights and fresh perspectives to help you approach your own defining moments with confidence. Because every final is also the beginning of something new. We’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback. Which “F Word” should we tackle next for the coming new Season 3 of Coaching and the F Word?  We'd love to have your feedback. This is a first-step for us and we're learning along the way.

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About

Coaching and The F Word is a straight-talking podcast about the moments that shape our lives, careers, confidence, and leadership. Hosted by two experienced coaches and former accountants — Andrew Weakford, specialising in midlife transformation and John Ferguson, in finance leadership — this podcast explores the real stories behind growth, change, and stepping up. Each episode tackles a different “F word” that shows up in life and work: from First Steps, Failure, Fear, and Feedback to Future, Framing, and beyond. This isn’t theory. It’s practical, honest conversation grounded in lived experience — what it really takes to move forward when things feel uncertain, uncomfortable, or stuck. Whether you're a mid-career professional, an aspiring finance leader, or simply someone navigating change, you’ll find insights you can actually use: ·       How to build confidence and take action ·       How to handle failure and reframe setbacks ·       How to give and receive feedback effectively ·       How to develop a growth mindset in your career ·       How to step into leadership with clarity and intent Expect real conversations, relatable stories, and coaching insights that help you think differently — and act with purpose. If you're ready to stop overthinking and start moving forward, this podcast is for you.

Information

  • Creator
    Andrew Weakford & John Ferguson
  • Episodes
    11
  • Seasons
    2
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Coaching and The F Word
  • Show Website
    Coaching and The F Word