In this episode of Powering Your Career, David Smith is joined by Mitch Wallis, founder of Heart On My Sleeve and one of Australia’s leading voices on mental health, psychology, and human performance.

This episode takes a different lens on leadership, focusing on the capability that will define the future of work, connection.

As the energy sector faces unprecedented pressure and transformation, the ability to lead people, not just projects, has never been more critical.

Mitch shares his personal journey from Microsoft to a global mental health movement, and the moment that changed everything.

In this conversation, we cover:

• The difference between mental health and mental illness
• Why regulation, not happiness, is the real goal
• The two core skills every human needs, resilience and connection
• Why most leaders get communication wrong
• The biggest mistakes people make in difficult conversations
• How to build genuine connection in teams, not surface-level check-ins
• Why technical experts often struggle when stepping into leadership
• The future of leadership in an AI-driven world
• The power of saying “I’m not okay”

This is a must-listen for leaders, managers, and professionals across energy, infrastructure, and high-performance environments.

If you want to build stronger teams, have better conversations, and lead with impact, this episode will challenge how you think about leadership.

Episode 018 | Rakhesh Martyn | Founder & CEO of Hachiko

In this episode of Powering Your Career, Dave sits down with Rakhesh Martyn, engineer, startup founder and former stand up comedian turned energy tech CEO.

Born in Sri Lanka and trained in the UK, Rakhesh shares his journey from chemical engineering into Australia’s energy sector, and the leap into building a venture backed startup from scratch.

This is a candid conversation about risk, rejection, reinvention and the mindset required to lead in the energy transition.

They cover:

⚡ The sliding door moment that changed his life at university
⚡ Moving from engineering into renewables and energy software
⚡ Spotting a market gap and founding Hachiko
⚡ Surviving more than 90 investor rejections before raising capital
⚡ Why most people should not start a business
⚡ What stand up comedy taught him about pitching and leadership
⚡ The fragmentation in Australia’s energy market
⚡ Burnout, therapy and building real self awareness as a founder

Honest, sharp and practical.

If you are navigating the energy industry or thinking about building something of your own, this episode is worth your time.

🎙️ Episode 017 – Guy Chalkley Returns

In this special returning guest episode of Powering Your Career, David Smith sits down again with Guy Chalkley, outgoing CEO of Endeavour Energy, for an honest conversation about leadership, timing, succession and what comes next.

After six years leading one of Australia’s largest electricity distribution networks, Guy shares why now was the right time to step away from the CEO role and what a good handover really looks like.

This conversation goes far beyond career milestones. It explores:

⚡ The difference between being a boss and being a leader
⚡ Why attitude often beats aptitude
⚡ Knowing when it’s time to move on
⚡ Building culture people genuinely feel, not just talk about
⚡ The reality of board roles and governance
⚡ What the Australian energy sector must get right in the years ahead

One of the most powerful reflections from the episode:

“Attitude has taken me further than aptitude. Listening more than talking. Humility and honesty over big ego.”

For leaders, aspiring executives, board directors, and anyone navigating the energy transition, this is a conversation grounded in real experience.

If you’re thinking about succession, career longevity, executive leadership or the future of Australia’s energy ecosystem, this one is worth your time.

🎧 Episode 017 is live now.