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.

In this episode, Mark McBride-Wright sits down with Iain McKechnie to explore the human side of engineering, where values like safety, care, and inclusion take centre stage. Drawing on years of experience across academia and industry, Iain shares stories of mentorship, bold career shifts, and the importance of designing systems not just for efficiency, but for the people who use them. From assembling diverse teams to embedding reliability into service-based models, the conversation invites listeners to reimagine what leadership in engineering can and should look like.

Together, Mark and Iain unpack how curiosity, empathy, and a commitment to impact can reshape the way we approach engineering challenges. Whether it's rethinking physical assets as services or ensuring that no one gets left behind in the design process, this episode offers practical insight for professionals, educators, and future engineers alike. Tune in for a powerful reflection on building better systems, and a better profession, from the inside out.

In this episode, I sit down with Karen Aitchison, Global Head of Wellbeing and Partner at ERM, who brings heart, humour and honesty to the centre of the workplace conversation. From tackling imposter syndrome to rethinking how curiosity can drive stronger connections, Karen shares deeply personal insights and practical tools for creating cultures where people feel safe to show up as themselves. We explore how understanding the brain and human behaviour can shift leadership from reactive to reflective, and why wellbeing is no longer a nice-to-have but a vital governance issue.

Whether you're navigating fear-based decision making or striving to lead with authenticity, this episode will leave you inspired to act with greater intention. Tune in to hear how engineers can apply the same curiosity they have for problems to the people around them, and why being remembered as an authentic soul who helped others grow is the ultimate legacy.

Adriènne Kelbie CBE joins The SAFE Leader Podcast to unpack the reality of leadership beyond titles and job descriptions. From her early experiences navigating personal hardship to becoming Chief Executive of the UK’s nuclear regulator, Adriènne shares a raw and honest account of what it means to lead with resilience, emotional intelligence, and courage. She reflects on the cost of poor leadership, the danger of staying in your comfort zone, and why tuning into your emotions is not just useful, but essential, for making real impact.

In this wide-ranging conversation with host Mark McBride-Wright, Adriènne explores how engineering must evolve to become more human, how psychological safety fuels innovation, and why meaningful change starts with those willing to be different. Whether you’re early in your leadership journey or already at the top, this episode will challenge, inspire, and encourage you to think differently about what kind of leader you want to be, and the legacy you want to leave.

In this special minisode of The SAFE Leader Podcast, host Mark McBride-Wright reflects on the journey so far, sharing personal insights behind the creation of The SAFE Leader framework and the motivations driving his mission. From moving to New York and building new community, to piloting The SAFE Leader Training Course with Rolls-Royce SMR, Mark explores the critical role of psychological safety, authentic leadership, and inclusive workplace culture. He opens up about mental health in engineering, the power of storytelling, and why systemic change must begin with those already in the profession. It’s an honest, thought-provoking solo episode designed to inspire connection, courage, and action.

In this episode of The SAFE Leader Podcast, we explore what it truly means to lead with integrity, empathy, and long-term vision. Our guest, Dame Judith Hackitt, shares a compelling personal journey from growing up in a mining village surrounded by industrial risk to becoming a key voice in national safety reform. We discuss how core values should anchor leadership, and why embedding health and safety into culture is non-negotiable.

From challenging outdated norms to calling for inclusion that truly includes everyone, this conversation offers hard-won insights on creating safer, more compassionate workplaces. Whether you're an engineer, a leader, or someone passionate about culture change, this episode will inspire you to speak up, stay true to your values, and lead in a way that empowers others.

What does it really take to lead with strength and humanity? In this episode of The SAFE Leader Podcast, Mark McBride-Wright is joined by Urs Koenig, UN and NATO peacekeeper, ultra-endurance athlete, executive coach, and bestselling author of Radical Humility. Urs shares his powerful philosophy of being tough on results and tender on people, drawing on deeply personal stories from the battlefield, the boardroom, and the racecourse. With raw honesty and hard-won wisdom, he unpacks why humility is not weakness but a competitive edge, and how psychological safety, vulnerability, and meaningful feedback are the true markers of bold leadership.

From rejoining the military after 22 years to racing 3000 miles across America, Urs reflects on the leadership lessons that shaped his approach to high-stakes environments. He challenges common misconceptions about humility, explores the emotional power of sharing stories, and lays out practical tools for building trust and empowering teams. Whether you’re leading a company, a team, or just yourself, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone who wants to lead with courage, clarity and compassion.

In this episode of The SAFE Leader Podcast, Mark McBride-Wright sits down with Malcolm Staves, Global Vice President of Health and Safety at L’Oréal, to explore what it means to lead with purpose, care, and conviction. Malcolm shares the story of the hummingbird, a simple but powerful metaphor that has come to define his approach to leadership and culture change. From global safety systems to grassroots impact in schools and communities, Malcolm shows how small actions, taken consistently, can drive transformational change.

The conversation moves beyond corporate health and safety into the emotional core of leadership. Malcolm opens up about mental wellness, prevention over reaction, and the need to break the silence around topics like suicide and stress. With reflections on engineering, empathy, and evolving leadership styles, this episode will leave you inspired to become a hummingbird in your own world, doing what you can, where you are, with what you have.