The SAFE Leader with Mark McBride-Wright

In this episode, Mark is joined by leadership strategist, keynote speaker and author Jodi Vandenberg-Daves to explore what it truly means to lead with courage in complex and uncertain times. Drawing on more than 25 years in higher education, social justice scholarship and leadership development, Jodi shares the personal influences that shaped her path and the values that continue to guide her work today. From the power of history and social imagination to the importance of relationships and responsibility, this conversation uncovers how leadership can be practiced from anywhere, not just from positions of authority.

Together, Mark and Jodi dive into the realities of modern leadership, discussing emotional intelligence, inclusive workplaces, caregiving, gender equity and the evolving role of men in building more compassionate and psychologically safe environments. With honesty, warmth and deep insight, Jodi reflects on resilience, connection and the courage it takes to bring your values into your career. This episode offers an inspiring and thought-provoking look at leadership that centres humanity, hope and the belief that we are all connected.

In this episode of The SAFE Leader Podcast, Mark McBride-Wright sits down with leadership coach and business owner Andy Neillie for a conversation about what truly defines great leadership. Drawing on decades of experience leading teams, running businesses, and coaching executives, Andy shares why leadership is less about status or authority and more about character, humility, and the willingness to serve others. From lessons learned through bad bosses to the importance of maturity and self-awareness, the discussion explores why leadership remains a lifelong journey rather than a destination.

The conversation also dives into the realities leaders face every day, balancing results with people, navigating difficult conversations, and learning to lead yourself before trying to lead others. Together, Mark and Andy challenge ego-driven leadership and unpack why the best leaders often do their most important work behind the scenes. Honest, reflective, and practical, this episode offers powerful insights for anyone wanting to become the kind of leader people genuinely want to follow.

In this episode, Mark sits down with Lance Cayko for a wide-ranging conversation about what drives ambitious people to keep building, experimenting, and pushing forward. Lance shares his “Renaissance” approach to life and work, blending old and new ideas while staying addicted to the process of creating, even when things don’t go to plan. Together, they explore how curiosity, resilience, and momentum shape careers, businesses, and personal growth over time.

They also dig into the mindset shifts that help people navigate challenge with confidence, including Lance’s belief in polarity, how positive and negative forces can exist side by side and fuel progress. The conversation touches on what it means to lead in a way that people trust, how to create environments where others feel safe to speak up, and why the best leaders aren’t the most intimidating, but the most approachable.

In this episode, Mark McBride-Wright sits down with Greg Turner-Smart, a mechanical engineer turned inclusion and culture leader, to explore how authenticity can transform not only personal confidence, but professional success. Greg shares what it was like growing up in Ashington, a former mining town in Northumberland, where community, hardship, and identity shaped the values he still carries today. From navigating a tough environment as a young gay man to finding his place in engineering, Greg reflects on the experiences that built his resilience and ultimately influenced the direction of his career. He speaks about the fear that can come with hiding who you are, and the moment he realised that being himself was not a risk, but a turning point.

Greg also unpacks what changed when he came out at work, describing how his career started to take off and why his performance genuinely improved once he was able to show up as his authentic self. Together, Mark and Greg discuss the realities of workplace culture, the power of allyship, and why small moments of support can have a lasting impact on someone’s life.

In this minisode marking the end of the year and episode #50, Mark pauses to reflect on 2025 as a season of transition rather than transformation. Drawing on the idea of wintering he explores what it means to slow down sit with uncertainty and lead honestly through the in between moments where growth is quiet and clarity is still forming. This episode is an invitation to rethink productivity resilience and psychological safety reminding us that some years are about maintenance not momentum and that leadership does not require having all the answers only the courage to listen reflect and rest as we prepare for what comes next.

In this episode, Mark McBride-Wright sits down with James Eder, a seasoned entrepreneur, author, and speaker, whose journey has been shaped by the power of human connection and resilience. From co-founding Student Beans to launching multiple ventures, James has always been driven by a single question: how can we connect more deeply in a digital world? In this conversation, he shares personal stories of growth, transformation, and unexpected moments of serendipity that have reshaped his perspective on life and leadership. James also discusses the profound impact of his heart condition diagnosis, which led to the creation of his book The Collision Code, a guide for breaking down the barriers that isolate us and unlocking the power of empathy, vulnerability, and purpose.

James also delves into his philosophy of leadership, emphasising the importance of permission, confidence, and context in building meaningful connections. Whether it’s offering a simple hello to a stranger or creating deeper engagement in the workplace, James highlights how small, intentional actions can have a ripple effect on our personal and professional lives. Tune in to hear how you, too, can apply the principles of the Collision Code to foster authentic connections, embrace vulnerability, and lead with purpose in today’s fast-paced world.

In this episode of The SAFE Leader Podcast, Mark McBride-Wright sits down with Kevin Wayne Johnson, founder and CEO of the Johnson Leadership Group, to explore the inner journey behind becoming a confident and resilient leader. Kevin shares how early mentors helped him uncover his hidden potential, why fear of judgment holds so many people back, and how true leadership begins with deep self awareness. Drawing on more than 34 years of public service and a lifetime of faith driven perspective, Kevin breaks down what it really means to respond to life’s challenges with intention, purpose and clarity.

Together they dive into the personal and professional transformations Kevin has guided across government, corporate, nonprofit and faith based sectors. From navigating leadership transitions to understanding the “sweet spot” of coaching, Kevin explains why leadership development is timeless and recession proof. Whether you are stepping into a new leadership role, building a portfolio career, or simply seeking to grow from the inside out, this conversation offers grounded wisdom, relatable stories and practical insights to help you walk into your leadership potential.

Mechanical engineer and Founder Téa Phillips joins Mark to share her journey from designing solutions in a university lab to building a purpose-driven medical device company. In this conversation, Téa opens up about the moment her grandmother inspired the invention of the MetaFlex glove, the courage it took to leave a stable engineering role, and why the leap into entrepreneurship demanded more resilience than she ever imagined. She speaks openly about the financial and regulatory barriers in the medical device world, the realities of being a woman founder in a biased investment landscape, and how her engineering mindset became her greatest advantage.

Throughout the episode, Téa reflects on the deeper mission that fuels her work: helping people regain mobility, independence, and confidence in their daily lives. Mark and Téa explore the intersection of innovation, inclusion, and impact, revealing what it takes to build products that genuinely change lives. This is an inspiring conversation for engineers, entrepreneurs, and anyone driven by purpose, showing how compassion, persistence, and a problem-solver’s mindset can transform challenges into breakthroughs.

In this episode of The SAFE Leader Podcast, Mark McBride-Wright sits down with leadership expert and author Jim Carlough to explore what truly defines effective leadership. With over 30 years of experience transforming teams and organisations, Jim shares powerful stories from his early life and career, from lessons in integrity and servant leadership to the hard truths of learning through failure. He reveals how leadership isn’t an inherited trait but a skill that can be developed through self-awareness, empathy, and an unwavering moral compass.

Listeners will gain insight into the principles behind Jim’s bestselling book The Six Pillars of Effective Leadership and hear why he believes integrity, humility, and accountability are non-negotiable for anyone guiding others. Packed with wisdom, relatable anecdotes, and honest reflection, this episode challenges traditional ideas about leadership and offers a grounded, inspiring roadmap for becoming a leader who truly makes a difference.

In this episode of The SAFE Leader Podcast, Mark sits down with Enoch Adeyemi for an open conversation about resilience, belonging, and humanity. From childhood in a tough Nigerian boarding school to building community and inclusion in Scotland, this discussion explores what it means to grow through adversity and to lead with empathy. It’s a story of learning that strength comes not only from endurance, but from understanding others’ experiences and perspectives.

Together, they unpack how conversation can be the bridge that connects difference, across culture, race, and identity. This episode challenges us to move past fear and speak honestly, reminding us that we are all human first.