What does it take to step away from a successful corporate career and build something more meaningful? In this episode of The SAFE Leader Podcast, host Mark McBride-Wright sits down with Trisha Daho, Founder and CEO of Empowered, to explore her journey from Big Four partner to cultural change leader. Trisha shares how a single question reshaped her path, why she built her business around a covenant of trust, and what it really means to empower people to thrive at work.

From tackling diversity challenges and creating cultures of safety to showing up with vulnerability and authenticity, Trisha offers bold insights for leaders ready to reimagine what’s possible. Whether you’re navigating leadership in a technical field or rethinking your company’s culture, this conversation will leave you inspired to lead with honesty, embrace transformation, and create lasting impact.

Natalie Desty, founder of STEM Returners, joins Mark McBride-Wright to share her inspiring journey of tackling inequality in engineering and creating pathways back into STEM for professionals after career breaks. From leaving a director-level role to launching what many thought was a risky idea, Natalie reveals how she turned personal challenges into a movement that has already helped hundreds of people restart their careers.

In this episode, Natalie and Mark explore the barriers that keep talent out of STEM, the life-changing impact of returner programs, and the importance of inclusive hiring for the future of engineering. With powerful stories of resilience, innovation, and transformation, this conversation shines a light on how STEM Returners is changing lives and redefining opportunity across the sector.

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.