The SAFE Leader with Mark McBride-Wright

In this episode of The SAFE Leader Podcast, Mark is joined by quality and reliability engineer Dianna Deeney to explore what really happens in the early stages of product design. With over 25 years of experience across medical devices, manufacturing and consumer products, Dianna explains why teams don’t fail because they lack effort or expertise, they fail because of assumptions, misalignment and...

In this episode, Ben shares the deeply personal story that reshaped his life and set him on a path from aspiring Army Air Corps pilot to one of the UK’s leading mental health campaigners. After losing his younger brother Sam to suicide at just 15, Ben channelled his grief into action, interrogating the systems around education, healthcare and policy to understand what went wrong and how it can be...

When a hydrochloric acid pipe ruptured early in her career, Sarah Ischer’s life changed forever. What followed was not just a workplace investigation, but a personal reckoning that reshaped her entire professional path. In this episode, Sarah shares how being questioned instead of supported sparked her determination to ensure no worker ever feels unsafe, unheard, or unseen again. From late night G...

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...

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...

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 momen...

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 tod...

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 resil...

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 stori...

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 awaren...

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 re...

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....

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 endu...

In this episode of The SAFE Leader Podcast, Dr Mark McBride-Wright sits down with Paul Bailey, Chief Executive Officer of the Engineering Council, to explore what it truly means to lead with authenticity in today’s engineering world. From his early career influences to his reflections on trust, ethics, and inclusion, Paul shares insights into how values-driven leadership shapes teams and builds co...

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 wh...

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 engineer...

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...

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 covenan...

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...

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...

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 t...

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...

In this episode of The SAFE Leader Podcast, Mark McBride-Wright sits down with Barry LaBov, two time Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year, celebrated author, and founder of LaBov and Beyond. From unloading parcels at 3am and chasing dreams in a rock band to building a nationally recognised marketing and communications firm, Barry shares the resilience and creativity that shaped his journey. He...

Abi Hird joins Mark McBride-Wright to share her journey from unexpected career beginnings to becoming a leader in innovation. From early dreams of being an art teacher to navigating academia and industry, Abi speaks candidly about embracing challenges, following opportunities, and finding her place in shaping how organisations think about growth and change. Her story highlights the importance of c...

In this episode of The SAFE Leader Podcast, Mark McBride-Wright sits down with Francie Jain, Founder and CEO of Terawatt, to explore her journey from Wall Street to wellness and the creation of a platform dedicated to making professional coaching accessible and impactful. Francie shares how her work connects head, heart, and gut to help individuals and organisations unlock potential, whether throu...