In this episode of The SAFE Leader Podcast, Mark McBride-Wright sits down with Kevin Wayne Johnson, founder and CEO of the Johnson Leadership Group, to explore the inner journey behind becoming a confident and resilient leader. Kevin shares how early mentors helped him uncover his hidden potential, why fear of judgment holds so many people back, and how true leadership begins with deep self awareness. Drawing on more than 34 years of public service and a lifetime of faith driven perspective, Kevin breaks down what it really means to respond to life’s challenges with intention, purpose and clarity.

Together they dive into the personal and professional transformations Kevin has guided across government, corporate, nonprofit and faith based sectors. From navigating leadership transitions to understanding the “sweet spot” of coaching, Kevin explains why leadership development is timeless and recession proof. Whether you are stepping into a new leadership role, building a portfolio career, or simply seeking to grow from the inside out, this conversation offers grounded wisdom, relatable stories and practical insights to help you walk into your leadership potential.

Mechanical engineer and Founder Téa Phillips joins Mark to share her journey from designing solutions in a university lab to building a purpose-driven medical device company. In this conversation, Téa opens up about the moment her grandmother inspired the invention of the MetaFlex glove, the courage it took to leave a stable engineering role, and why the leap into entrepreneurship demanded more resilience than she ever imagined. She speaks openly about the financial and regulatory barriers in the medical device world, the realities of being a woman founder in a biased investment landscape, and how her engineering mindset became her greatest advantage.

Throughout the episode, Téa reflects on the deeper mission that fuels her work: helping people regain mobility, independence, and confidence in their daily lives. Mark and Téa explore the intersection of innovation, inclusion, and impact, revealing what it takes to build products that genuinely change lives. This is an inspiring conversation for engineers, entrepreneurs, and anyone driven by purpose, showing how compassion, persistence, and a problem-solver’s mindset can transform challenges into breakthroughs.

In this episode of The SAFE Leader Podcast, Mark McBride-Wright sits down with leadership expert and author Jim Carlough to explore what truly defines effective leadership. With over 30 years of experience transforming teams and organisations, Jim shares powerful stories from his early life and career, from lessons in integrity and servant leadership to the hard truths of learning through failure. He reveals how leadership isn’t an inherited trait but a skill that can be developed through self-awareness, empathy, and an unwavering moral compass.

Listeners will gain insight into the principles behind Jim’s bestselling book The Six Pillars of Effective Leadership and hear why he believes integrity, humility, and accountability are non-negotiable for anyone guiding others. Packed with wisdom, relatable anecdotes, and honest reflection, this episode challenges traditional ideas about leadership and offers a grounded, inspiring roadmap for becoming a leader who truly makes a difference.