The SAFE Leader with Mark McBride-Wright

E038: Building Safety and Inclusion in the Nuclear Industry with Mark McBride-Wright and Callum Thomas

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.

E037: Learning to Feel and Enjoy the Journey with Mark McBride-Wright and Yosi Kossowsky

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.

E036: Emotional Leadership and The Power of Vulnerability with Mark McBride-Wright and Randy Lyman

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.

E035: Winning Hearts, Minds and Market Share with Mark McBride-Wright and Barry LaBov

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 opens up about the unexpected path that led him into entrepreneurship, the mistakes and lessons learned in growing a business, and how he continues to inspire people through his philosophy of differentiation.
Together, Mark and Barry explore the power of brand re-engineering, the vital role of engaging employees before customers, and the importance of storytelling in leadership. Barry reflects on what it takes to win hearts and minds, how technology like AR and VR can bring hidden innovation to life, and why resilience and authenticity remain underrated but essential traits for leaders. This conversation is packed with insights for anyone looking to build stronger teams, stronger brands, and a stronger sense of purpose in their work.

E034: Taking the Leap in Innovation and Leadership with Mark McBride-Wright and Abi Hird

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 curiosity, resilience, and stepping into the unknown with confidence.
In this episode Abi unpacks what innovation really means beyond technology and products, revealing how culture, strategy, and communication are often the real game changers. She discusses how to create space for meaningful conversations, why innovation is relevant to everyone, and why sometimes the biggest risk is doing nothing at all. This is an inspiring conversation for anyone who wants to understand innovation differently and feel empowered to take the leap in their own career or leadership journey.

E033: Finding Your North Star and Helping People Thrive with Mark McBride-Wright and Francie Jain

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 through building relationships, fostering psychological safety, or guiding people through career transitions. From supporting manufacturing workers and veterans to transforming leadership in healthcare, she reveals the moments and insights that have shaped her mission.
Listeners will hear stories of personal discovery, lessons from scaling a business with purpose, and real examples of how coaching can create lasting change in workplaces. Francie’s passion for helping people find joy in their careers shines through, along with her belief that treating all stakeholders with respect and transparency can build not just a strong company, but a better world. Whether you are a leader, a coach, or someone navigating your own career path, this conversation offers inspiration, practical takeaways, and a reminder to always keep sight of your North Star.

E032: Why Strategy Always Comes Before Tactics with Mark McBride-Wright and Angelo Ponzi

In this episode of The SAFE Leader Podcast, host Mark McBride-Wright is joined by Angelo Ponzi, seasoned brand strategist, fractional CMO, and author of The Strategy Blueprint. With over 30 years of experience helping businesses grow through data-driven insights, Angelo shares what it really takes to move from scattered marketing tactics to clear strategic impact. From understanding your customer to aligning your internal teams, this conversation is a masterclass in thinking before acting.
Together, Mark and Angelo explore the traps founders fall into, why many businesses fail to listen to their audience, and how brands can differentiate themselves in saturated markets. Whether you’re a leader, marketer, or entrepreneur, this episode will leave you rethinking how you define success and where strategy truly begins.

E031: The Human Side of Work with Mark McBride-Wright and Jade Garratt

What does it really take to create teams that are not only high-performing, but also human-centred and resilient? In this episode, Mark McBride-Wright sits down with Jade Garratt, Director of Education at Psychological Safety, to explore the role of psychological safety in transforming how we work, learn, and lead. Drawing on her background in education, leadership, and yoga, Jade unpacks the difference between training and true learning, why fear-based environments fail us, and how embracing curiosity over blame can unlock better outcomes for people and organisations alike.
From challenging internalised beliefs to building inclusive cultures that actually work, this conversation is full of rich insight and practical wisdom. Whether you’re a leader, educator, or someone rethinking your relationship with work, Jade offers an honest, thoughtful perspective on why safe spaces aren't just nice to have, they're essential. Tune in for stories, strategies, and a deeper look at the future of leadership.

E030: Building Culture from the Inside Out with Mark McBride-Wright and Linda Carlisle

In this episode of The SAFE Leader Podcast, Dr. Mark McBride-Wright is joined by Linda Carlisle, a seasoned communications and culture strategist with over 30 years of experience helping organisations navigate moments that matter. From her early career in brand strategy to her deep dive into internal communications, Linda shares powerful insights into how culture is shaped by the behaviours we model, the messages we send, and the stories we choose to tell. Together, they explore the vital link between internal culture and external brand, the role of communication in fostering psychological safety, and why diversity and inclusion are essential business fundamentals, not just moral imperatives.
Linda also shares her perspective on how leadership styles are evolving, why empathy must sit at the heart of communication, and what organisations often get wrong during times of change. Whether it’s onboarding new employees or managing cultural integration during mergers, she emphasises the need for listening, care, and deliberate messaging. This episode is a must-listen for leaders, HR professionals, and culture builders seeking to create environments where people feel seen, heard, and empowered to thrive.

E029: Free Man from a Black Stream with Mark McBride-Wright and Dr Frank L. Douglas

In this episode of The SAFE Leader Podcast, Dr Frank L. Douglas shares his remarkable journey from growing up in Guyana to breaking barriers in the global pharmaceutical industry. A distinguished physician, scientist and author, Dr Douglas opens up about the discrimination he faced early in his career and how those experiences shaped his philosophy of reframing challenges into opportunities. He takes us behind the scenes of his time at Xerox and the boardrooms of top pharmaceutical companies, offering a deeply personal perspective on resilience, leadership and systemic change.
Dr Douglas introduces his reframing methodology and the Equity Inclusion and Individual Engagement principle that underpins his work today. With reflections on history civil rights and the current climate for DEI, he offers urgent insights into why the pendulum of progress feels like it is swinging backwards and what leaders can do to shift it forward again. This is a conversation about identity courage and the power of contribution over control one that will leave you questioning how you lead and what legacy you want to create.