Coaching and The F Word

About Coaching and The F Word

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.

Publisher

Andrew Weakford & John Ferguson

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

15 May 2026

Latest episode

18 Jul 2026

Latest episodes

11 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   18 Jul 2026

   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...

2. 

   18 Jul 2026

   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 o...

3. 

   10 Jul 2026

   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, rec...

4. 

   14 Jun 2026

   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 lead...

5. 

   11 Jun 2026

   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....

6. 

   29 May 2026

   Season 1 Episode 6 - Feedback

   Feedback. We say we want it. We know it helps us grow. But when it actually arrives, it can feel uncomfortable, personal, and sometimes hard to process. In this episode of Coaching and the F Word, we explore why feedback often lands the way it does — and more importantly, how to use it in a way that genuinely supports your growth.We unpack the emotional side of feedback — the link to fear, identity, and ego — and why even well-intended feedback can feel like judgement. We also explore the dif...

7. 

   27 May 2026

   Season 1 Episode 5 - Framing

   Two people can face the same situation and walk away with completely different outcomes. Why? Framing. In this episode of Coaching and the F Word, we explore how the lens you apply to your experiences influences how you think, act, and lead. We unpack the difference between fact and interpretation, the hidden cost of unhelpful narratives, and how reframing can unlock confidence, growth, and new opportunities. Change the frame, and you don’t just see things differently—you start to act d...

8. 

   24 May 2026

   Season 1 Episode 4 - Future

   The future is something we all think about… but rarely stop to intentionally design. In this episode of Coaching and the F Word, we explore how the future isn’t something that simply happens to us — it’s something we actively shape through the decisions we make, the risks we take, and the conversations we’re willing to have. We talk about why so many people drift into a future they never consciously chose, the tension between comfort today and possibility tomorrow, and how coaching helps crea...

9. 

   21 May 2026

   Season 1 Episode 3 - Fear

   Fear is something we don’t often talk about it in our careers — but it shapes more decisions than we realise. In this episode of Coaching and the F Word, we explore the quiet, often hidden force behind hesitation, self-doubt, and staying in our comfort zones. Fear of stepping up. Fear of being visible. Fear of getting it wrong. This conversation unpacks how fear shows up — not loudly, but subtly — in the moments that matter most. From avoiding opportunities… to holding back in mee...

10. 

    18 May 2026

    Season 1 Episode 2 - Failure

    Failure is a word most of us avoid — but one that quietly shapes our confidence, our decisions, and ultimately, our leadership. In this episode of Coaching and the F Word, we explore what failure really means — beyond the label, beyond the emotion, and beyond the fear that often holds us back. From the pressure of perfectionism to the reality of leadership, we unpack why high performers struggle with failure — and how reframing it can unlock growth, resilience, and real progress. This isn’t a...

11. 

    15 May 2026

    Season 1 Episode 1 - First-steps

    Every meaningful change begins the same way. Not with a big decision. Not with a fully formed plan. But with a first step. In this opening episode of Coaching and the F Word, we explore First-steps—the small, often unseen moments where growth actually begins. Because first steps rarely feel significant when we take them. They feel uncertain, quiet and sometimes uncomfortable. This conversation also explores why taking the first step can feel harder than the hundredth and how hesitation, self-...

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.