Advertise on podcast: Candid Conversations with Charles Hsuan from Flying Kite

At the height of his corporate banking career, Brad Sadler had it all—title, influence, and respect. But with each decision, the lines blurred… until the day they didn’t. In 1994, Brad was arrested for fraud, accused of defrauding a bank of R70 million. Denial, shame, and a four-year court case followed. And then—prison. In this raw and redemptive episode, Brad sits down with Charles to share what truly happened: how small compromises led to a complete downfall, what life inside a South African prison was like, and how he rebuilt not just his life—but his purpose. You’ll hear about the “guard dogs” he ignored—policies and procedures designed to protect, but gradually silenced by success and pressure. You’ll also hear how humour, faith, and handwritten letters helped him survive behind bars—and how he maintained his marriage and sanity during a sentence that nearly broke him. Brad doesn’t sugarcoat prison. He shares stories of danger, courage, kindness in unexpected places, and lessons from unlikely teachers—like an inmate named “2 Rand” and a trickster called “Shortcut.” Each story reveals hard truths about value, shortcuts, and the cost of ignoring the small barks before the big bite. Now a pastor at GraceHill Family Church, Brad helps others avoid the path he once took. He also works to transform lives—whether through education in prison or powerful conversations like this one. If you’ve ever faced pressure to bend the rules, or wondered if someone can truly rebuild after failure—this episode is for you.

What does freestyling in a rap battle have in common with delivering a TEDx talk? More than you think. In this powerful episode, Charles sits down with Robin to explore how the rhythm of hip-hop helped him find his voice on the world’s most respected stages. But this isn’t just a story about performance. It’s about purpose, perseverance, and personal transformation. Robin shares how chasing his dream of joining Wu-Tang Clan in the ’80s shaped his confidence as a speaker decades later. You’ll learn how a chance encounter at an art festival led to his first TEDx opportunity — and how helping others go viral eventually opened the door for his voice to be heard. But not everything went as planned...Tune in to find out what happened. 🎧 Listen now and discover what rap, resilience, and redemptive storytelling can teach you about finding — and landing — your voice. 🔗 Learn more about Robin at landthetalk.com

Meet Keith Fairhurst. He wasn’t born into business. In fact, he grew up in a family shaped by war and frugality—his parents from the working-class streets of Liverpool during WWII, later starting fresh in South Africa in the 1950s. Back then, the dream was simple: Get a stable job, stick with it for 40 years, and retire with a pension. But Keith’s dream? It started with a surfboard. At 13, Keith wanted to ride the waves—not just metaphorically, but literally. So, he found a way to fund it. Leatherwork was booming, so he learned the craft, made belts and bags by hand, and sold them at school. His first lesson? You can turn your curiosity into cash. That experiment led to a bigger idea: test small, learn fast, and never wait for permission. From leather belts to national marketing roles, to building and selling companies—Keith’s path is anything but linear. He’s lived the scrappy start-up grind and the corporate climb. But through it all, one insight stayed true: Selling isn’t just a skill—it’s the heartbeat of every great business. Today, Keith helps founders who are great at what they do but struggle to sell what they’re worth. This episode unpacks the truth behind the 94% of businesses that fail to sell—and what you can do to make sure you're not one of them.

In this episode, Charles welcomes franchise finance expert Laurette Pienaar from Finco Select to the mic to break down what every franchise owner should know but often doesn’t. If you're thinking about becoming a franchisee—or already own one or more stores—this episode will save you time, stress, and money. Laurette, explains why franchising has evolved and why the old one-store model no longer cuts it. Here’s what you’ll learn: Why 70%+ of franchisees now own multiple stores What banks really need to see to approve finance Why understanding industry jargon can save your business The one question franchisees should ask before joining a brand How packaging finance deals properly can unlock growth You’ll also hear how Laurette's company helps franchisors, franchisees, and banks speak the same language—literally. From end-to-end support, cash flow advice, and even training for banks, this is the episode that reveals how funding a franchise actually works. Listen now if you’re ready to build a saleable, scalable franchise business.

Prina Shah believes work isn’t just about money—it’s about impact. She shares how her father’s experience as a migrant worker influenced her HR career and later, her book, Make Work Meaningful. In this episode, she and Charles explore the power of leadership, trust, and patience in culture-building. Plus, Prina reveals how she turned her book into a tool for business growth.

“I’ve yet to meet anyone who can hit a golf ball further than me,” claims John Watson. Well, I say, challenge him to a longest-drive competition! From growing up as a pastor’s kid, working retail jobs, handing out flyers, and waitering to fund his chartered accountant degree, John never imagined he’d become self-employed or host The Right Place Podcast and Clara Business Network. What changed? In this episode, we talk about common financial mistakes business owners make, how fatherhood impacts families, and why networking is more valuable than you think. A quick shoutout to Chris Fenning and Rudolf Rautenbach for reconnecting us after more than 20 years.

Ever been stuck without cash to tip? Kimlynn Temple turned that frustration into Tipped—a cashless tipping platform that’s lifting incomes for service workers by 40%. In this episode, Kimlynn opens up about her journey as a faith-driven entrepreneur. Tipt isn’t just about convenience; it’s about creating dignity and financial inclusion, especially for underserved communities. We’ll talk about the hurdles she’s faced, from moments of doubt to constant product innovation, and how her focus on purpose has guided her through it all. Get ready for an uplifting chat on leadership, innovation, and the power of staying true to your mission. Kimlynn’s insights will leave you inspired to think bigger about making a difference.

Choosing a career like sales coaching wasn't even on the school's radar when I picked my subjects. It's not something you can study at university either. But here's the twist: my Commercial Law lecture unknowingly planted a seed in me. That little nudge set me on a path I never saw coming. It just shows that sometimes the most unexpected moments shape our future the most.

On today’s Candid Conversations, Charles Hsuan and Jordaan Jacobs discuss what it truly takes to make a business thrive—beyond the bottom line. Jordaan opens up about his career transition, the systems thinking that guides his approach to problem-solving, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. They talk about the power of intentional habits, strategic partnerships, and the courage to embrace uncertainty. Tune in to hear how Jordaan is helping companies grow sustainably and how he’s shifting his focus from personal success to empowering others for lasting change.

Imagine growing up in a Zulu community while being white—your views and experiences would be unique compared to those around you. Over time, you realize these unique insights can be valuable, and you start a business called "Minanawe Marketing" (which means "You and Me"). Along the way, you also educate others about the Township economy (KasiNomic) and give back to the community that raised you. This is the journey GG Alcock shared with me. He's the author of 'Born White Zulu Bred,' 'KasiNomic Revolution,' 'KasiNomics,' and 'Third World Child.' Join us as GG challenges myths about KasiNomics, explains what it means to be an 'Economic activist,' and shares how he shifted Capitec's CEO Gerrie Fourie’s way of thinking. Enjoying the conversation? Be sure to rate, comment, and subscribe.

Growing up with an alcoholic and absent father, Danny didn't have an easy life. He envied kids with a 'normal' life and knew he didn't want to repeat his family's history. Determined, Danny became the first in his family to earn a degree. Danny found his calling in accounting. With the support of his wife and mentors, he started his business theAteam, in 2017. Since then, he's made a significant impact on his community. During the COVID years, his team did pro bono work, helping local businesses secure safe retirements for founders and ensure continuity for future generations.

I recently chatted with Arthur Goldstuck, who's pretty unique because he's got his own wiki page—talk about impressive! Arthur's been diving into tech since '95 with his book Hitchhikers guide to the internet, followed by Hitchhiker's Guide to Going Mobile and The Hitchhiker's Guide To Going Wireless. Now, he's onto The Hitchhiker's Guide to AI. Apart from tech, Arthur's also penned 5 books on South Africa's urban legends. I asked him about his favorite stories from those. We also delved into the top 3 questions he gets about AI and who's the bigwig in his field. Tune in and enjoy this episode as much as I did!

Today, we're diving into a story that many of us can relate to—fear of rejection and the journey to mastering communication. Our guest, Chris Fenning once avoided selling because he dreaded hearing a "no." But now? He embraces those "no's" because he knows they're steps closer to a "yes." Chris is passionate about "Making communication less painful" because he's lived through the chaos of endless meetings and emails that seemed to never end. He's been there, delivering tough news to senior folks, and he's learned a thing or two along the way. One of his early blunders? Thinking that "Talking more = A better communicator." Thankfully, a mentor named Carlos set him straight. Stick around for this interview— join us as we uncover Chris's journey to making communication less painful.

Ever heard the word "strategy" and thought, "What's that all about?" It's a fancy term, but let's break it down. Imagine your orthodontist telling you, "You don't HAVE to brush every tooth, but if you only brush the ones you want to keep, that's pretty smart." That's strategy! It's about choosing to do what really matters. Now, lots of companies come up with plans, but not all of them follow through. That's where Leander Opperman of Unlok Consulting steps in. He helps law firms and their young leaders make and stick to their plans. With over ten years as a partner at Adams and Adams, he's been in your shoes. So, whether you're deciding which teeth to brush or planning your next big move, stay tuned. You won't want to miss what Leander has to share! ABOUT YOUR HOST, CHARLES HSUAN Charles Hsuan (Shu-wen) the founder of Flying Kite Sales coaching, was born with ADHD. Although his Taiwanese parents wanted him to achieve in school, he struggled to meet their expectations - Despite his best efforts. In the last year of his Financial Management degree, Charles discovered the power of words to persuade and influence, persuading his lecturer…just in time! Charles entered the sales world by chance in 2004 and realised that he had a natural gift for it. As a result, he won many sales awards and earned the respect of clients, who were wowed by his unique approach. Today, some of Charles's clients have doubled their sales. If you're eager to learn and hungry for success, you will be a perfect fit.

Do you know the person who sits next to you every day at work? 🤔 I remember sitting beside Yoke van Dam back in 2013, both of us navigating the challenges of sales roles under a demanding boss (rightly so!). We celebrated our victories when we hit our sales targets, and we lifted each other when we fell short. You see someone every day and think you have a good grasp of who they are, but sometimes, there's more to discover... I was recently reminded that to truly understand someone, you need to ask questions and listen. So, I did just that. Yoke shared a fascinating journey with me: from selling homemade pizzas in primary school to earn pocket money, to honing her skills in sales, customer service, and influencing others. Then, there was y-connect.biz, where she dedicated herself to transforming dysfunctional teams, inspired by the Japanese kintsugi art of repairing broken pottery with gold. Her clarity in messaging attracted clients dealing with similar issues, leading to remarkable transformations. Happy listening!