In this first of a two-part exploration, Andrew and Ellen delve into the rise, and rapid unraveling of Anakin Skywalker. Once the galaxy’s most promising Jedi, Anakin’s story is a masterclass in unfulfilled potential and emotional volatility. From his precocious brilliance and battlefield instincts to his catastrophic lack of emotional regulation, we unpack how the Jedi Order’s rigid system, flawed mentorship, and poor support structure created a perfect storm for his downfall.

Was Anakin doomed from the start, or simply failed by those around him? And could the right mentor (or executive coach) have saved him from turning to the dark side?

Ellen and Andrew step into the shadows with Natasha Romanoff, aka. Black Widow, the spy, the assassin, the Avenger, and, perhaps, the most emotionally intelligent leader in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

From her Red Room origins to her quiet command of the post-snap Avengers, we unpack how Black Widow’s empathy, adaptability, and moral complexity make her the unsung heart of Earth’s mightiest heroes. We explore her evolution from lone wolf to team glue, her mentor-like influence on Captain America and Hulk, and why emotional intelligence beats bravado every time.

Plus: what would happen if Black Widow swapped universes? Could she outsmart Homelander, survive on the Wall, or outrank Riker on the Enterprise?

In this special one-off episode of The Leadership Multiverse, Ellen is joined by Major Sam McEvoy, Royal Corps of Signals, to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the idea of leadership, in science fiction and in real life.

From Star Trek’s M-5 and Data to The Avengers’ Ultron and Interstellar’s TARS, Ellen and Sam unpack what these fictional AIs reveal about intuition, ethics, and decision-making. They discuss the line between automation and authority, why humans remain essential in moments of moral choice, and how AI might one day become not just a tool but a teammate.

It’s a fascinating conversation about logic, leadership, and the limits of programming, from warp speed to real-world command.