Podcast · Business

Empowering Leaders

In this series, Luke Darcy is joined by iconic leaders to unpack learnings and life lessons from these game changers in their chosen field, whether it’s sports, art, business or education. We’ll break down the fundamentals of the new style of leadership, such as collaboration, integrity and innovati

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 45 min
Latest: 13 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

13 Oct 2026 · 41 minNew

Scott Parkinson: People, Purpose and the Power of Women in Sport

This week we’re joined by Scott Parkinson, Head Assistant Coach at Seattle Reign FC in the US National Women’s Soccer League. In this episode, Scott reflects on his career in high performance sport, and the huge impact working in women’s football has had on his life, leadership, and the way he approaches feedback and communication. You’ll also hear about his passion for championing women in sport, and why creating opportunities for others has become such an integral part of his leadership. Scott explains why authenticity is a leadership superpower, how genuine human…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

S1 · E265 · 6 Oct 2026 · 38 min
Keith D’Amelio: Unlocking Elite Performance in Sport, Business and Beyond
This week we’re joined by performance strategy and innovation advisor, founder of Heretic Performance and the current Head of Innovation at the WNBA’s New York Liberty, Keith D’Amelio, For over two decades, Keith has worked with some of the world’s top sporting teams and organisations, including the NBA’s Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors, and Nike. In this episode, he shares the mindset, habits and leadership principles that drive high performance, and provides insight into what truly separates the very good from the very best. Keith discusses the key roles…
S1 · E264 · 29 Sep 2026 · 46 min
Dandapani: Master Your Mind by Mastering Your Awareness
In a world designed to constantly capture our attention, learning how to focus has become one of the most valuable skills we can develop. This week, Luke Darcy sits down with Dandapani, a Hindu priest, entrepreneur, bestselling author, speaker and former monk who spent 10 years living and training in a monastery. In this episode, Dandapani explains the important distinction between the mind and awareness, using simple imagery to reveal how, through practice, we can CHOOSE where our awareness goes, rather than allowing external factors to dictate it for us. You’ll hear Dandapani’s…
S1 · E263 · 22 Sep 2026 · 34 min
Jess Bala: Leading Through Life’s Biggest Challenges with Vulnerability and Humanity
This week’s guest is Jess Bala, the former Managing Director of General Motors Australia and New Zealand. In this deeply personal episode, Jess opens up about the devastating loss of her brother, beloved sports journalist Sam Landsberger. She shares how Sam’s passing has impacted her family, and shaped the way she approaches leadership, vulnerability and the relationship between work and life. Jess tells us about her unwavering passion for the Western Bulldogs, and the special way football connected her family, and continues to today. She reflects on building a global career with…
S1 · E262 · 15 Sep 2026 · 46 min
Hedley Thomas: A Storyteller’s Relentless Pursuit for Justice
This week, Luke Darcy sits down with one of Australia’s most respected investigative journalists and two-time Gold Walkley Award winner, Hedley Thomas. For over four decades, Hedley has been pursuing stories that matter, with a career that has taken him from the fall of the Berlin Wall, to the groundbreaking investigation into the disappearance of Lynette Dawson in The Teacher’s Pet podcast. In this episode, you’ll hear about the experiences that shaped Hedley’s career, including the influence of his parents on both his storytelling style, and commitment to facts and…
S1 · E261 · 8 Sep 2026 · 52 min
John Lynch: Making History in Melbourne with the San Francisco 49ers
What does it take to build a winning culture, and then sustain it at the highest level? In this special live episode of Empowering Leaders , we sit down with NFL legend and San Francisco 49ers General Manager John Lynch during the team’s historic visit to Melbourne. John shares the lessons behind his extraordinary journey; from struggling to establish himself as an NFL player, to helping transform the 49ers into a consistent championship contender. He reveals why culture starts with the people you surround yourself with, how the 49ers assess the character and “spirit” of…
S1 · E260 · 2 Sep 2026 · 38 min
Dr Martha Beck: What If Success Isn’t What You Think It Is?
For best-selling author, life coach and sociologist Dr. Martha Beck, living a successful and meaningful life isn't found in status or other people's expectations. It's found by discovering your own truth, and having the courage to live it. In this episode of Empowering Leaders, Martha explores why so many highly successful people often feel empty, how social and cultural expectations can pull us away from who we really are, and why small "one degree turns" can help us move towards a more authentic life. She shares deeply personal stories from her own journey, including the dramatic…
S1 · E259 · 25 Aug 2026 · 53 min
Chris Judd: The Mindset of an Outlier - From AFL Legend to Investment Powerhouse
Chris Judd is one of the most decorated players in AFL history, but his second chapter is proving to be equally as compelling as his first. In this conversation, Chris discusses his transition from elite sport to the world of finance and investing, and the attributes and lessons he has carried across both careers. From the discipline required to think differently and stay calm under pressure, to why great leaders are the most important factor when investing in a business, you’ll hear the mindset behind Chris’s approach to success. He also shares how he got his start in finance,…
S1 · E258 · 18 Aug 2026 · 28 min
Nick Truelson: Using the Power of Sport to Create Meaningful Change
Nick Truelson's career has taken him from a university work experience placement at Cadbury Schweppes, to senior leadership roles at some of Australia's most iconic sporting organisations. He has played integral roles at the AFL’s Essendon and Western Bulldogs football clubs, and now, he serves as CEO of the NBL’s Melbourne United basketball team. During his time as CCO of the Western Bulldogs, Nick played a pivotal role in the development of the Sons of the West Men’s Health Program, using the power of sport and community to support the health and wellbeing of men in…
S1 · E257 · 11 Aug 2026 · 42 min
Ben Cousins + Scott Miller: Addiction, Recovery, and the Courage to Ask for Help
Ben Cousins and Scott Miller have both experienced the extraordinary highs that come with sporting greatness. However, behind the wins and accolades, they were both fighting personal battles that would eventually play out on a very public stage. In this conversation, Ben and Scott open up about their experiences with finding (and losing) their identity through sport, the terrifying spiral into addiction, and the role that prison played in forcing the change they both needed to recover. Ultimately, this conversation is one that looks at the most important leadership of all - self-leadership,…
S1 · E256 · 4 Aug 2026 · 36 min
Dr Lucy Hone: How to Rebuild a Meaningful Life When the Unimaginable Happens
Dr Lucy Hone has spent her career researching resilience, wellbeing and human flourishing. But when her 12-year-old daughter Abi was tragically killed in a car accident, the science she had dedicated her life to suddenly became deeply personal. In this profoundly moving conversation, Lucy shares the lessons she has learned from both decades of research and her own experience of grief. She speaks about why adversity is an unavoidable part of life, how we can become active participants in our own recovery, and the practical habits that help us navigate both death and the "living losses" that…
S1 · E255 · 28 Jul 2026 · 51 min
Tom Allen: A Peek Behind The Curtain of Arsenal’s Transformation
Tom Allen has spent more than 15 years at the highest level of professional football, including leadership roles at Aston Villa and Arsenal FC, where he helped shape one of the Premier League's most admired high-performance environments. Tom shares the leadership principles that transformed Arsenal from a club in turmoil, into Premier League champions under Mikel Arteta. You’ll hear some of the creatively brilliant strategies used to deliver messages with lasting impact, and the importance of curiosity, connection and clarity in creating a club where culture, not tactics, are their…
S1 · E254 · 21 Jul 2026 · 39 min
Bruce Djite: How Elite Sport Shapes Business Success
Former professional footballer and Socceroo Bruce Djite knows what it takes to perform at the highest level on the field, but his most impressive achievement may be what came AFTER football. After retiring from a sporting career that saw him play across five countries, including representing Australia on the world stage, Bruce made the successful transition from elite sport into executive leadership. In this conversation, Bruce shares the mindset that made that transition possible, and the leadership lessons he's carried from the football pitch into the boardroom, where he now serves as…
S1 · E253 · 14 Jul 2026 · 43 min
Chris Lendrum: Winning with Mana: Why HOW You Win Matters at New Zealand Rugby
For more than two decades, Chris Lendrum has been immersed in the world of elite sport. A significant period of that time was spent leading the systems, culture and people behind one of the world's most successful high-performance sporting organisations, New Zealand Rugby, where he worked with the All Blacks, Black Ferns and the Olympic gold medal-winning sevens teams. In this episode of Empowering Leaders , Chris shares the leadership principles that have driven sustained success at the highest level of world sport. From building trust through connection and creating teams that thrive under…
S2 · E252 · 7 Jul 2026 · 31 min
Sally Gould: The Art of Staying Calm Under Extreme Pressure: Advice from a Paramedic
As an intensive care paramedic, Sally Gould has spent over 15 years on the front lines of emergency medicine, witnessing both the chaos of life-and-death situations and the quiet resilience that defines her profession. In this episode of Empowering Leaders, Sally reveals how she stays calm in high-pressure situations, the role humour and humanity play in managing trauma, and why empathy is one of the most important skills in a crisis. She also shares her thoughts on why building trust through great leadership, camaraderie and emotional support isn’t just advised - it’s critical.…
S2 · E251 · 30 Jun 2026 · 40 min
Bryony Cole: Intimacy, AI and What It Means to Be Human
What happens to our relationships when the most available, most responsive, most patient listener in our lives is an AI? Bryony Cole has been sitting with that question longer than almost anyone. As the founder of the Future of Sex platform, she stepped into one of the most uncomfortable conversations a person could choose to have, more than a decade ago, and never looked back. What started as a curiosity about technology and sexuality has expanded into something far broader: a serious, global reckoning with what intimacy, loneliness, and human connection look like in an increasingly digital…
S1 · E250 · 23 Jun 2026 · 49 min
Matt Wadewitz: What 250 Episodes Taught Us About Leadership
There's a moment in this conversation where Matt Wadewitz describes getting a phone call at 3am. He'd saved the name in his phone just in case - because he'd hoped it was coming. The voice on the other end had a beautiful Spanish accent. It was Mikel Arteta. That call is a good entry point into who Matt is and what he's built. Because Aleda Connect - the global leadership program he co-founded with Luke - didn't find Mikel Arteta through a cold pitch or a clever marketing strategy. It found him the same way it's found nearly every one of its 700-plus members: through word of mouth, through…
S1 · E249 · 16 Jun 2026 · 45 min
Brad Johnson: Bring What You've Got to the Table
Brad Johnson holds the Western Bulldogs games record - 364 games. 558 goals, six All Australian selections, a Hall of Fame inductee. He is, by any measure, one of the greats of his generation. This is a beautiful conversation with a genuinely extraordinary person that still trains like he's trying to earn his spot - he drove an hour to be first at the track the morning this conversation was recorded. He's genuinely, almost inexplicably, one of the happiest people you'll ever come across - and, according to Luke, has been that way since he was seventeen years old. In this episode of…
S1 · E248 · 9 Jun 2026 · 45 min
Timmy Bristow: A Voice for the Voiceless
Timmy Bristow was nine years old when he ruptured his pancreas playing footy at recess, crawled to the tap, and waited alone in a dark staffroom until his mum finished her shift. By the time she arrived he was blue. A few hours later he was on an ambulance plane to the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne with a thirty percent chance of surviving surgery. While Timmy was in hospital, of the young AFL players who showed up on the ward to help cheer up the young patient was… Luke Darcy. But in that moment - neither of them could have possibly known they'd end up here, having this…
S1 · E247 · 2 Jun 2026 · 24 min
Lexi Edmondson: Running Towards Danger, Finding Love - What Bondi Taught Us About Leadership & Life
When Lexi Edmondson walked down to Bondi Beach to celebrate finishing her master's degree, she had no idea her life was about to change forever. What began as a summer evening by the water for hundreds of people became one of Australia's most devastating acts of violence - and Lexi ran towards it. In her most in-depth interview since the December attack, Lexi sits down with Luke Darcy to take us inside the night itself. She talks about the chaos, the moment her training kicked in, and about how the iconic Bondi community responded in the aftermath. Lexi shares the healing power of…
S1 · E246 · 26 May 2026 · 1 hr 7 min
Harry Moffitt: Former SAS Operator on High Performance & What We've Forgotten About Living Well
Harry Moffitt spent decades inside one of the world's most demanding institutions - Australia's Special Air Service Regiment. He's served in conflict zones across the Middle East including Afghanistan, lost friends, mentored some of the country's most elite operators, and now works as a corporate psychologist helping leaders, athletes, and organisations perform under pressure. He's also the author of Eleven Bats and The Fourth Pillar , a book about a pillar he believes most high performance programs are missing entirely. In this conversation on Empowering Leaders , Luke and Harry explore…
S1 · E245 · 19 May 2026 · 47 min
Phil Hopley: The Burnout Tipping Point Every Leader Needs to Recognise
What separates the leaders and athletes who perform under pressure from those who crack? According to Dr Phil Hopley, it comes down to one overlooked discipline: daily recovery. Phil is a consultant psychiatrist and one of the world's leading experts in mental performance. Through Cognacity - the specialist psychology organisation he leads - Phil has worked inside elite sport, global boardrooms and high-performance teams across Premier League football, Formula One, rugby and Olympic sport. His organisation was the appointed specialist team for the London Olympics and Paralympics. In this…
S1 · E244 · 12 May 2026 · 47 min
Alisa Camplin: The Extraordinary Mind Behind Winning Gold
Alisa Camplin is one of Australia's most decorated and driven high performance leaders - an Olympic gold medallist in aerial skiing, Australia's first female winter Olympic gold medallist, and most recently, the first woman to lead an Australian Winter Olympic team as Chef de Mission at the 2026 Milano Cortina Games. Alisa shares so many of the mental frameworks that powered her greatest performances - and how those same skills carried her through the unimaginable loss of her son Finnan, who passed away after just 10 days following open heart surgery. Together with her husband, she…
S1 · E243 · 5 May 2026 · 43 min
Alex Carey: When the Setback is Actually the Setup - for International Success
The AFL dream ended in tears at 20. A decade later, he was lifting the World Test Championship. Alex Carey's journey to becoming one of Australian cricket's most trusted performers is one of the sporting world’s great second-act stories. A talented junior who played both codes at a high level, Alex took a chance on AFL and moved to Sydney as one of the GWS Giants' foundation players - only to be let go with barely 24 hours' notice. Back in Adelaide, he drifted through a football pre-season and a stint in finance before a quiet conversation with the South Australian Cricket Association…
S1 · E242 · 28 Apr 2026 · 23 min
Jakara Anthony: What It Takes to Win Gold Twice
Jakara Anthony is Australia's most successful Winter Olympian…ever. A two-time Olympic gold medallist in mogul skiing, she's the first Australian to defend an Olympic title, doing it on the world stage against competitors from countries where skiing is practically a birthright. And she's 27. In this conversation with Luke Darcy, Jakara pulls back the curtain on what being that successful actually takes. The four-year Olympic cycles planned down to the finest detail. The mental side of the sport that can't be measured or counted in reps. The broken collarbone in the lead-up to her…
S1 · E241 · 21 Apr 2026 · 38 min
Peter Malinauskas: Why Leaders Must Spend Their Capital or Lose It
Recorded live at Adelaide Oval in front of a packed Aleda Connect audience during one of the most talked-about weekends in Australian sport, South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas sits down with Luke Darcy for a rich and candid conversation. In this episode, he reflects on: What it actually means to lead at the highest level The difference between authentic leadership and the kind people see straight through Why compassion in political leadership is mistaken for weakness and why he thinks the opposite is true What it looks like to build a small circle of people brave enough to tell you…
S1 · E240 · 14 Apr 2026 · 49 min
Ian McKeown: Why Composure Is the Ultimate Superpower
If your team wins, who gets the credit… and what does your answer say about the culture you're building? Ian McKeown has spent more than two decades at the cutting edge of elite sport… from the AFL to the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers, and back to Australia as General Manager of Performance at the Adelaide Crows. He holds a PhD in strength and conditioning, has published extensively on ecological dynamics and applied sports science, and is widely regarded as one of the most sophisticated performance architects in global sport. But spend five minutes with him and what strikes you…
S1 · E239 · 7 Apr 2026 · 54 min
Adam Wadewitz: The Iconic Winemaker on Passion, Precision and the Pursuit of World-Class Wine
What separates a good wine from a truly world-class one? According to Adam Wadewitz, it comes down to balance, finesse… and a relentless commitment to the vineyard. Adam is the Chief Winemaker and Joint CEO at Shaw + Smith, one of Australia's most iconic cool-climate wineries, and one of the most decorated winemakers of his generation. In this episode, he takes us from the footy fields of Willunga in South Australia to the vineyards of Europe… sharing what drove him to the top of his craft, how great teams are built, and why he believes Australian Grenache is on the cusp of a…
S1 · E238 · 31 Mar 2026 · 47 min
Dr Kyle Daigle: What the Brain Can Do - Autism, Healing & Human Performance
Last week, our guest Luke Tunnecliffe told the story of his son Jack… eight and a half years old, non-verbal and autistic… and the search that brought his family to a clinic in Lake Charles, Louisiana. This week, our guest is the doctor who runs that clinic. Dr Kyle Daigle is a clinician, author and global thought leader in functional neurology. From his clinic in Louisiana, which attracts families and athletes from over 78 countries, Kyle is doing what many doctors said couldn't be done. He's helping non-verbal children find their voice, uncovering the hidden connections…
S1 · E237 · 24 Mar 2026 · 47 min
Luke Tunnecliffe: Ed Sheeran Serenaded My Non-Verbal Son - A Family’s Search for Answers and the Treatment That Changed Everything
Luke Darcy sits down with Luke Tunnecliffe - a man who has spent most of his career behind the scenes shaping the biggest moments in Australian sport and media. From walking into Collingwood at 17 to decades in the Triple M Footy chair and building JamTV alongside Eddie McGuire, Luke is a steady hand. A connector. A storyteller. He’s been in rooms with Usain Bolt. Backstage with John Farnham. In Shane Warne’s man cave while Ed Sheeran played DJ. But this conversation isn’t really about any of that. It’s about Jack. Luke and his wife Amy are raising three children,…

About Empowering Leaders

Empowering Leaders is a English business podcast from Aleda. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Aleda
Language: English
Category: Business
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 45 min
Latest episode: 13 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1579460058
Rights: 2026 Aleda

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