In this episode of The SAFE Leader Podcast, host Mark McBride-Wright sits down with Adam Torres, global speaker, best-selling author, and co-founder of Mission Matters. Adam shares his journey from nervous first-time podcaster to leading one of the most influential media platforms in business podcasting. With honesty and warmth, he opens up about fear, growth, and what it means to create spaces where people can share their truth. Together, they explore how storytelling, vulnerability, and connection build the foundations of authentic leadership.

Through reflections on longevity, purpose, and the power of listening, Adam offers insights that resonate far beyond podcasting, touching on inclusion, empowerment, and what it truly means to lead safely and authentically. This conversation is an inspiring reminder that leadership isn’t about perfection; it’s about courage, curiosity, and creating environments where every voice can be heard.

In this episode of The SAFE Leader Podcast, Mark McBride-Wright sits down with Alex Knight, an award-winning engineer, social entrepreneur, and founder of STEMAZING. From a self-described “shy ginger kid” who avoided the spotlight to a national role model for women in STEM, Alex shares her deeply personal journey of courage, visibility, and purpose. She talks about leaving behind a secure engineering career to create a social enterprise dedicated to inspiring the next generation, and how being visible can ignite real change.

Together, Mark and Alex explore the power of authentic leadership, collaboration over competition, and why breaking down barriers in STEM begins with empowering people to find their voice. Whether you’re an engineer, educator, or leader seeking to make a difference, this conversation will remind you that courage doesn’t wait for confidence, it creates it.

In this episode, safety leader David Garner joins host Mark McBride-Wright to share his remarkable journey from growing up in a world where safety didn’t exist to leading cultures that put people first. Drawing on decades of hands-on experience across manufacturing, architecture, and the military, David reflects on what it takes to move beyond the outdated “name, blame, shame, and retrain” mindset and create systems that truly learn and adapt.

He speaks about trust, psychological safety, and the human side of industrial work, reminding us that leadership isn’t about punishment, it’s about understanding. Through vivid metaphors and lived experience, David offers a vision of safety rooted in empathy and growth, where every action plants a seed for future leaders to nurture and sustain.

What does it take to step away from a successful corporate career and build something more meaningful? In this episode of The SAFE Leader Podcast, host Mark McBride-Wright sits down with Trisha Daho, Founder and CEO of Empowered, to explore her journey from Big Four partner to cultural change leader. Trisha shares how a single question reshaped her path, why she built her business around a covenant of trust, and what it really means to empower people to thrive at work.

From tackling diversity challenges and creating cultures of safety to showing up with vulnerability and authenticity, Trisha offers bold insights for leaders ready to reimagine what’s possible. Whether you’re navigating leadership in a technical field or rethinking your company’s culture, this conversation will leave you inspired to lead with honesty, embrace transformation, and create lasting impact.

Natalie Desty, founder of STEM Returners, joins Mark McBride-Wright to share her inspiring journey of tackling inequality in engineering and creating pathways back into STEM for professionals after career breaks. From leaving a director-level role to launching what many thought was a risky idea, Natalie reveals how she turned personal challenges into a movement that has already helped hundreds of people restart their careers.

In this episode, Natalie and Mark explore the barriers that keep talent out of STEM, the life-changing impact of returner programs, and the importance of inclusive hiring for the future of engineering. With powerful stories of resilience, innovation, and transformation, this conversation shines a light on how STEM Returners is changing lives and redefining opportunity across the sector.

In this episode of The SAFE Leader Podcast, host Mark McBride-Wright sits down with Callum Thomas, founder and CEO of Thomas Thor, a global leader in workforce solutions for the nuclear industry. Callum shares his journey from discovering a lifelong passion for business to dedicating his career to building a diverse and resilient talent pipeline for one of the world’s most vital sectors. From the transformation of nuclear into a disruptor for climate change to the critical role of psychological safety alongside physical safety, Callum offers a rare insider’s view into the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of energy.

The conversation goes beyond industry insights to explore leadership, inclusion, and values. Callum reflects on privilege, the difficulty of creating lasting change, and why now is the time to double down on efforts that matter. He issues a powerful reminder that for new nuclear ventures and established organisations alike, inclusion is not optional, it is an existential imperative. This episode is a must-listen for leaders committed to safety, innovation, and building workplaces where both people and the planet can thrive.

In this episode of The SAFE Leader Podcast, Mark McBride-Wright sits down with executive coach and leadership strategist Yosi Kossowsky to explore a remarkable journey of growth and transformation. From starting out with no clear plan, to discovering a passion for computers and technology, Yosi shares the twists and turns that shaped his early career. He reflects on the challenges of moving from technical expertise into leadership, and the powerful lessons he learned when feedback revealed that emotional intelligence, not just technical skill, was the missing piece.

The conversation dives into vulnerability, self-awareness, and the hard but rewarding work of uncovering limiting beliefs. Yosi opens up about his experiences with emotional wellness practices, the importance of embracing the full range of human emotions, and the wisdom of learning to enjoy the journey rather than rushing toward goals. Honest, insightful, and inspiring, this episode offers leaders a fresh perspective on growth, resilience, and leading with both head and heart.

In this episode of The SAFE Leader Podcast, host Mark McBride-Wright sits down with physicist, entrepreneur and emotional intelligence advocate Randy Lyman. From early success in engineering and business to a profound personal transformation, Randy shares how uncovering and releasing hidden emotional baggage reshaped his approach to leadership and life. Their conversation explores the link between vulnerability, compassion, and high performance, showing how leaders can build stronger teams and deeper connections by embracing their emotional truth.

Through powerful stories and practical insights, this discussion challenges outdated ideas of masculinity, authority, and leadership. Together Mark and Randy uncover why engineers and technical leaders must recognise their human side, how authentic leadership creates belonging, and why true power comes not from titles or positions but from serving others. This is a must listen for anyone ready to rethink leadership and discover the lasting impact of emotional intelligence.