The SAFE Leader with Mark McBride-Wright

E667: From Response to Prevention with Mark McBride-Wright and Robert Mahoney

In this episode of The SAFE Leader Podcast, Mark McBride-Wright speaks with Robert Mahoney, founder and CEO of TVTP Solutions, about what it really takes to build safer organisations and communities. Drawing on his experience across emergency management, federal agencies and prevention work, Robert explores why safety cannot rely on reaction alone and why relationships, coordination and trust are essential when designing effective systems.
Together, Mark and Robert discuss the shift from protection and response towards prevention-led thinking, asking how leaders can move upstream before problems escalate. From breaking down silos to understanding human behaviour, this conversation challenges us to rethink what safety means and how leaders can create systems that are more connected, proactive and rooted in care.

E066: Learning to Lead Through Change with Mark McBride-Wright and Dr Meghan Waldron

In this episode of The SAFE Leader Podcast, Mark McBride-Wright speaks with Dr Meghan Waldron, educator, advisor and founder, about the power of education to change lives. From teaching in high-needs schools near Washington, DC, to supporting students in healthcare pathways and building a tutoring business focused on writing, Meghan reflects on what it means to help learners find confidence, resilience and their own voice.
Together, Mark and Meghan explore how education is changing in an age of AI, digital communication and post-pandemic disconnection. They discuss why learning must remain relational and relevant, the importance of intentional connection, and Meghan’s work launching Women in Change USA. Meghan also shares how living with MS has shaped her empathy, leadership and approach to supporting students as whole people.

E065: Science, Peace and Human Rights with Mark McBride-Wright and Zafra Lerman

In this episode of The SAFE Leader Podcast, Mark McBride-Wright is joined by Dr Zafra Lerman, chemist, educator, human rights advocate and founder of the Malta Conferences. Together we explore Zafra’s extraordinary journey from a childhood shaped by relentless curiosity to a global career using science as a force for peace. She reflects on the mentors who shaped her path, her groundbreaking work in science education, and why she believes access to science is a fundamental human right.
The conversation also dives into the power of science diplomacy in some of the world’s most divided regions. Zafra shares how the Malta Conferences have brought scientists together across political and cultural borders to collaborate on shared challenges, even in times of conflict.

E064: Leadership Takes All Forms with Mark McBride-Wright and Jay Jacobson

In this episode of The SAFE Leader Podcast, Mark McBride-Wright is joined by Jay Jacobson, entrepreneur, author, funeral professional and service-led business owner, for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, presence and the power of small human moments. Jay shares how early experiences, from delivering newspapers to building businesses, shaped his understanding of responsibility, trust and what it means to truly serve others.
Together, Mark and Jay explore how leadership shows up in unexpected places: in customer service, in saying thank you, in creating meaningful connections, and in staying clear about your purpose. From cookies and entrepreneurship to real-life stories behind Jay’s book Lead by Legendary Example, this episode is a thoughtful reminder that leadership is not just about titles or theories, but about how we show up for people every day.

E063: Engineering With Curiosity and Fun with Mark McBride-Wright and Dr Lucy Rogers

In this episode of The SAFE Leader Podcast, Mark McBride-Wright is joined by engineer, author and science communicator Dr Lucy Rogers for a conversation about curiosity, creativity and the many unexpected paths an engineering career can take. Lucy reflects on her early fascination with making things, the teachers and experiences that helped shape her journey, and how her career evolved from mechanical engineering and industrial research into storytelling, public engagement and writing.
They also explore the power of communication in engineering, the importance of making technical ideas accessible, and why fun and professionalism do belong together. Lucy shares insights from her latest book, her global travels researching the science of the sky, and her ambitious work on engineering for extreme environments, from Antarctica to space.

E062: From Visibility to Real Change with Mark McBride-Wright and Michael Bach

In this episode of The SAFE Leader Podcast, Mark McBride-Wright is joined by Michael Bach, internationally recognised inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility expert, author and speaker. Michael reflects on his unconventional journey from child actor to global DEIA leader, sharing how his early work in activism, his time at KPMG, and his leadership of the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion shaped his approach to creating meaningful change. Together, Mark and Michael explore what it really takes to move beyond compliance and towards cultures where people feel seen, valued and able to thrive.
The conversation also dives into the growing backlash against DEI, why change often moves more slowly than people hope, and how leaders can avoid performative action in favour of work that genuinely sticks. Michael speaks candidly about visibility, identity, resilience and the importance of making inclusion practical, honest and human.

E061: Leading with Humanity in the Workplace with Mark McBride-Wright and Anna Burgan

In this episode of The SAFE Leader podcast, Mark McBride-Wright sits down with Anna Burgan for a conversation about leadership, workplace culture, and what really happens when people are forced to choose between success and wellbeing. Anna shares her personal journey through career change, motherhood, and the realities of navigating systems that often say the right things about inclusion but fail to support people when it matters most.
Together, Mark and Anna explore what it means to lead with humanity, challenge outdated workplace mindsets, and create environments where people can thrive both professionally and personally. This is an honest and thought-provoking episode about culture, bias, parenthood, and the responsibility leaders have to shape workplaces that truly work for everyone.

E060: The AI Leadership Shift with Mark McBride-Wright and Andrew Brümmer

In this episode, Andrew Brümmer joins Mark McBride-Wright to challenge traditional ideas of leadership and explore why the future belongs to those who can think, adapt, and empower others. Drawing on his experience as a global operator and advisor, Andrew shares how leaders can move beyond control, avoid decision paralysis, and build teams that think independently rather than rely on constant direction.
From navigating generational divides to embracing AI-first thinking, this conversation dives into the deeper shifts happening beneath the surface of modern organisations. Andrew unpacks how trust, autonomy, and social awareness are becoming the true levers of effective leadership, and why the biggest risk isn’t AI itself, but how slowly we change our thinking.

E059: Everyone Needs a Buddy with Mark McBride-Wright and Stephanie Sylvestre

In this episode of The SAFE Leader Podcast, Mark McBride-Wright is joined by technologist, entrepreneur, and systems thinker Stephanie Sylvestre, whose career spans global corporations, public service, and community impact. From her early ambitions growing up in Belize to leading transformation in organisations like Burger King and The Children’s Trust, Stephanie shares how her work has always centred on one core idea: technology should uplift people, not replace them. The conversation explores leadership, trust, and how expectations shape human potential, from building homes through community volunteering to scaling social impact through technology.
Stephanie also takes us inside the story behind Avatar Buddy, her AI platform designed to give people intuitive digital mentors and create digital twins that preserve knowledge, culture, and lived experience. Together they discuss the future of AI, how leaders can stay human in a rapidly changing technological world, and why access to knowledge can unlock opportunity for communities everywhere.

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.