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

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

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

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.

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.

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 Even
• 00:05:00 The Importance of Joy in Leadership
• 00:10:00 Strategies for Incorporating Joy
• 00:15:00 Balancing Work and Joy
• 00:20:00 Creating a Ripple Effect of Positivity

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.

In this episode of the Coachful Coaching Leadership Podcast, David Fung interviews Markus van Alphen, a leadership psychologist and author, about the role of empathy in leadership. They discuss the importance of observational listening, the impact of fear-based management, and how creating psychological safety can enhance team performance. Markus shares insights on how mid-size organizations can lead change by adopting a more courageous and empathetic approach.Chapters00:00:01 Introduction to Markus van Alphen00:01:53 The Role of Empathy in Leadership00:04:02 Fear-Based Management vs. Empathy00:11:43 Creating Psychological Safety00:26:56 Leading Change in Mid-Size Organizations

In this clip, David Fung and leadership psychologist Markus van Alphen delve into the complexities of KPI management and its impact on workplace culture. They explore whether KPIs serve as a reward or punishment, and discuss the psychological effects of fear-based management. Discover how different approaches to KPIs can lead to diverse outcomes, from fostering a blame culture to driving genuine performance. This conversation offers practical insights for leaders aiming to create a more supportive and effective work environment.

David Fung explores the space between fear and action. Drawing from his experiences in the tech industry and insights, David reveals how the challenge mindset can transform stress into energy. Learn practical strategies to navigate uncertainty, harness the power of stillness, and turn fear into a catalyst for growth and clarity.