The SAFE Leader with Mark McBride-Wright

E058: Fun To Do The Impossible with Mark McBride-Wright and Russell Van Brocklen

In this episode of The SAFE Leader Podcast, Mark McBride-Wright speaks with dyslexia researcher, educator and keynote speaker Russell Van Brocklen, whose life took an unexpected turn after being failed at university because of his dyslexia. What followed became a mission to transform how we understand literacy, learning and neurodiversity. Russell shares the personal story that drove him to challenge traditional education models and explains how his research led to a radically different approach to teaching reading and writing.
The conversation explores the science behind dyslexia, why many conventional teaching methods fail neurodivergent learners and how focusing on a person’s strengths can unlock extraordinary results. Russell also discusses what this means beyond the classroom, including how organisations can harness neurodiverse talent in the workplace and why dyslexic thinkers may be uniquely suited to solve complex problems in an AI-driven world.

E057: Piercing The Design Fog with Mark McBride-Wright and Dianna Deeney

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 what she calls “the design fog.” Together, they unpack how better conversations in concept development can prevent late stage failures, reduce costly rework and empower engineers to make stronger decisions from the very beginning.
From implantable heart pumps to brand defining product pivots, Dianna shares practical insights on design justice, customer experience, usability and why quality is not a department but a mindset. This is a powerful conversation for engineers, product leaders and anyone building solutions for real people. If you care about clarity, collaboration and designing products that truly work for their users, this episode will change how you think about quality forever.

E056: Engineering Better Mental Health with Mark McBride-Wright and Ben West

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 prevented for others. What emerges is not just a story of loss, but one of determination, courage and a refusal to accept surface-level solutions.
Together, Mark and Ben explore why awareness alone is not enough, the critical importance of strengthening foundations like teacher training, and how real systems change happens behind the scenes in government and the NHS. This conversation unpacks leadership, responsibility and the small “boring” changes that can ultimately save lives. Honest, thoughtful and solutions-focused, this episode challenges us all to rethink what meaningful mental health reform really looks like.

E055: Safety Works When People Are Included with Mark McBride-Wright and Sarah Ischer

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 Googling industrial hygiene programs after a 12 hour shift to becoming a nationally respected leader in workplace health and safety, her journey is a story of purpose forged through experience.
Now Senior Director of Expertise at the What Works Institute, Sarah brings a human centred lens to safety leadership. She challenges the myth that safety is common sense, argues that safety is not to people but with people, and explains why workers are not resisting safety but resisting systems that exclude them. This conversation explores trust, inclusion, advocacy, metrics, AI, and the future of health and safety through one clear message these are not data points they are people.

E054: Leading With Courage In Complex Times with Mark McBride-Wright and Jodi Vandenberg-Daves

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.

E053: Why Nobody Should Work For A Bad Boss with Mark McBride-Wright and Andy Neillie

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.

E052: SAFE Leaders Build Better Worlds with Mark McBride-Wright and Lance Cayko

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.

E051: Be Yourself, Lead Better with Mark McBride-Wright and Greg Turner-Smart

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.

E050: Wintering As A Leader With Us with Mark McBride-Wright

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.

E049: The Power of Unexpected Connection with Mark McBride-Wright and James Eder

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.