What does it take to make life-or-death decisions when the world is watching? According to today’s guest - it’s every single thing that you have achieved, all the choices you have made and all the moments you have learned from in the years leading up to that moment. In this episode of Empowering Leaders, Luke speaks with Dr Craig Challen - veterinarian, adventurer, and one of the cave divers who helped rescue 12 boys and their soccer coach from a flooded cave in Thailand. Craig shares what it wa...
Aug 12, 2025•46 min•Season 1Ep. 206
What if our neighbourhoods are just as important to our health as our diet or exercise? Urban futurist and tech entrepreneur Lucinda Hartley has spent her career reimagining the cities we live in and in this episode of Empowering Leaders, she joins Luke Darcy to explore what it takes to build places that truly support human wellbeing. Lucinda has advised the United Nations, co-founded two tech startups, and worked across five continents. But her focus is deeply local: walkable streets, access to...
Aug 05, 2025•40 min•Season 1Ep. 205
What if every conversation is a transaction - but connection is the only currency that matters? In this episode of Empowering Leaders, Luke Darcy is joined by Todd Duncan - world-renowned mindset coach, NYT bestselling author and global speaker - whose work on transformation, leadership and culture has impacted millions around the world. As the founder and CEO of the Duncan Group, Todd has authored 17 books and been dubbed by CNN as the "Tony Robbins of the mortgage industry." Todd’s story is on...
Jul 29, 2025•55 min•Season 1Ep. 204
What does it take to lead at the highest level, consistently - across teams, cultures and continents? Michael Cheika has coached national rugby sides in Australia, Argentina and Lebanon, but his leadership journey began much earlier - shaped by the resilience, humility and drive of his immigrant upbringing in Western Sydney. In this episode of Empowering Leaders, Michael joins Luke Darcy for a candid and powerful conversation on emotional intelligence, public pressure, and the challenge of build...
Jul 22, 2025•47 min•Season 1Ep. 203
From busking in a bushfire-prone town in country Victoria to speaking on international stages like the UN, APEC and G20, Yasmin Poole has become one of Australia’s most compelling young voices for justice, inclusion, and systemic change. In this episode of Empowering Leaders, Luke sits down with the award-winning speaker, writer, advocate and Rhodes Scholar for a wide-ranging conversation. Yasmin opens up about her upbringing in regional Victoria, how her mother’s experiences as a Muslim woman i...
Jul 15, 2025•46 min•Season 1Ep. 202
What does it take to stay calm under pressure, bounce back from setbacks, and lead with humility? In this episode of Empowering Leaders, Luke sits down with Mike Hussey, Mr Cricket himself, for a conversation that goes far beyond the boundary line. Known for his resilience, consistency and quiet strength, Mike reflects on the long road to his debut for Australia, the mental demands of elite performance, and the routines that helped him thrive under pressure. Now a respected coach and commentator...
Jul 08, 2025•56 min•Season 1Ep. 201
Aubrey Pleasant has worked with some of the biggest names in the NFL, but it’s his emotional intelligence, presence and care for people that really set him apart. In this conversation on Empowering Leaders with Luke Darcy, the NFL coach opens up about the path that shaped him: from the classroom to the locker room, from ancient wisdom to modern leadership. He shares why titles don’t mean a lot without trust, how listening transforms teams and how his background in teaching has informed his appro...
Jul 01, 2025•42 min•Season 1Ep. 200
Brad Harrison is not your typical venture capitalist. A decorated US Army Airborne Ranger and West Point graduate turned founder of Scout Ventures, Brad now sits at the cutting edge of national security, investing in the technologies shaping our future—AI, space, cybersecurity, and autonomous systems. But beyond the battlefield and boardroom, Brad’s leadership journey is just as much about inner work as outer impact. In this episode, he opens up about his shift from combat missions to meditation...
Jun 24, 2025•56 min•Season 1Ep. 199
What if the most powerful tool in leadership isn’t what you say — but how you listen ? Julian Treasure’s TED Talk “How to Speak So That People Want to Listen” has been viewed more than 50 million times, making it the 6th most-watched TED Talk of all time. Why? Because in a noisy, distracted world, the ability to speak with purpose AND listen with intention has never been more valuable. In conversation with Luke, Julian explores the profound connection between sound, consciousness, and leadership...
Jun 17, 2025•52 min•Season 1Ep. 198
What if being a better human is the most underrated performance tool of all? In this episode, leadership expert and author Dr. Peter Rea joins Luke Darcy to explore why character - not talent - is the real game-changer in leadership, teamwork, and parenting. Drawing from years of teaching and research, Peter breaks down how timeless virtues like courage, humility, and forgiveness can transform the way we lead, live, and raise the next generation. Peter shares the three incredibly potent question...
Jun 10, 2025•55 min•Season 1Ep. 197
In this powerful episode of Empowering Leaders, Luke sits down with Bec Daniher, Executive Director of Fight MND and daughter of AFL legend Neale Daniher. Recorded and released just days ahead of Big Freeze 11 on June 9, this conversation explores Bec’s personal and professional journey as she leads the fight against one of the world’s most brutal diseases — motor neurone disease (MND, better known in the USA as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease). Bec reflects on the emotional toll of her father's ong...
Jun 03, 2025•32 min•Season 1Ep. 196
In this episode of Empowering Leaders, Luke is joined by Dr. Ben Hamer, a leading sociologist and futurist, to explore the seismic changes redefining work, leadership, and life in the 21st century. Ben discusses the evolving role of AI and predicts a future where autonomous agents play a key part in our daily lives. He also outlines the critical skills leaders must now cultivate—especially AI literacy, emotional intelligence, and above all, curiosity. The conversation touches on how younger gene...
May 27, 2025•45 min•Season 1Ep. 195
Can you have a big career, raise a family, and still feel like yourself at the end of the day? For Dixie Marshall, the answer is yes - and she’s done it with her signature mix of courage, clarity, and collaboration. In this episode of Empowering Leaders, Dixie shares her incredible journey from becoming Australia’s first female AFL boundary rider to leading high-stakes government communications and now serving on influential corporate and community boards. Along the way, she’s balanced her ambit...
May 20, 2025•52 min•Season 1Ep. 194
In this mind-expanding episode of Empowering Leaders, Luke sits down with Dr. Andy Walshe, one of the world’s foremost experts on elite human performance. In this conversation, Andy invites us to reimagine performance—not as a solitary pursuit, but as a collective journey toward becoming more human in an increasingly technological world. With over two decades of experience working with Olympic athletes, cultural leaders, special forces, and pioneering innovators, Andy brings a rare depth of insi...
May 13, 2025•54 min•Season 1Ep. 193
In this episode of Empowering Leaders, Luke sits down with Lorena Bernal—a celebrated actress, model, and entrepreneur whose life and work are rooted in elegance, intention, and inner strength. With a career that spans global television hits like CSI: Miami, NCIS, and Chuck, as well as appearances on the covers of Elle, Marie Claire, and more, Lorena is no stranger to the spotlight. But it’s her off-screen journey that reveals a deeper, more inspiring story. Today, as the founder of Live Love Be...
May 06, 2025•47 min•Season 1Ep. 192
In this episode, Luke sits down with one of Australia’s most celebrated portrait artists, Vincent Fantauzzo. Known for capturing the souls of icons like Heath Ledger, Paul McCartney, and Australia’s first female Prime Minister - Julia Gillard, Vincent shares the raw and deeply personal journey behind his acclaimed work. From his early life in Melbourne’s commission housing to global success, Vincent embodies resilience, passion, and purpose. Vincent tells Luke how despite the challenges of sever...
Apr 29, 2025•53 min•Season 1Ep. 191
In this episode, Luke Darcy is joined by Dr. Pippa Grange—renowned psychologist, author, and culture coach—for a moving and enlightening conversation on the soul of sport, the power of vulnerability, and the true meaning of performance. Best known for her groundbreaking work with England’s national football team, Pippa helped shift their fear-driven mindset into one of connection, courage, and psychological freedom. Her influence was pivotal in England’s transformative journey to the 2018 World ...
Apr 22, 2025•48 min•Season 1Ep. 190
In the world of sports broadcasting, they don’t come much more accomplished - or beloved - than the one and only Bruce McAvaney. Throughout his career, Bruce has covered an incredible 12 summer Olympic games, 20 AFL Grand Finals, the world swimming and world athletic championships, Rugby World Cup, Melbourne Cup and a slew of others. In this episode, you’ll hear about the early influences that ignited Bruce’s passion for sport, the mentors who have supported him throughout his career, and why he...
Apr 15, 2025•56 min•Season 1Ep. 189
In this episode of Empowering Leaders, Luke Darcy sits down with one of Australia’s sharpest and funniest stand-ups—comedian and TV host Wil Anderson. From growing up on a farm in country Victoria to making it big on stage and screen, Wil shares the real story behind the laughs and sheds some light on the gray area of comedians crossing the line. They chat about everything from Wil’s early days idolising Billy Connolly, the hilarious story Wil told Billy when they first met, and how learning to ...
Apr 08, 2025•1 hr 18 min•Season 1Ep. 188
In this episode of Empowering Leaders, host Luke Darcy sits down with Tyson Ballard, a visionary entrepreneur, legal tech innovator, and creative force shaping industries from law to music, lifestyle, and business transformation. As the founder and CEO of Stella Legal, Tyson is revolutionizing legal operations with AI-driven solutions. Beyond the legal world, he’s a music curator, DJ, and co-founder of All My Friends, Everywhere, a collective blending music, art, and travel into immersive experi...
Apr 01, 2025•55 min•Season 1Ep. 187
Mike Brey is a coaching legend. As the all-time winningest coach in Notre Dame history, he transformed the Fighting Irish into a powerhouse, guiding them to 13 NCAA Tournament appearances, multiple Sweet 16s, and back-to-back Elite Eight runs. Known for his loose yet fiercely competitive coaching style, Mike has mentored countless players, instilled a culture of confidence and resilience, and built lifelong relationships in the game. Now, as an assistant coach with the Atlanta Hawks, Mike joins ...
Mar 25, 2025•51 min•Season 1Ep. 186
What does it take to keep a world-class Formula One team moving? In this exclusive live episode hosted by Victoria University, Paul Barnes, Director of Support and Logistics at McLaren Racing, offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the immense planning and coordination required to compete at the highest level of motorsport. With over two decades at McLaren, Paul shares his leadership philosophy - emphasising continuous learning as key to building a high-performing team. In 2025, there are 24 Gr...
Mar 18, 2025•54 min•Season 1Ep. 185
This week on the Empowering Leaders Podcast, Luke is joined by Tania Obst, a true powerhouse of Australian netball. From her early days as a talented player to becoming the head coach of the reigning premiers Adelaide Thunderbirds, Tania’s passion for the game and her players is inspiring. Coming from a family of sporting legends, with her father, Trevor Obst, being a four-time premiership player with Port Adelaide, Tania has always been surrounded by resilience, strategy, and leadership. In thi...
Mar 11, 2025•34 min•Season 1Ep. 184
In this exclusive episode, host Luke Darcy sits down with Peter Dutton, one of Australia’s most prominent political figures and Leader of the Opposition, for an in-depth conversation about his personal and professional life. As the nation eagerly awaits the call of an election date, Peter offers a candid look at his journey from humble beginnings in a working-class family to his career as a police officer and his eventual rise in politics. He reflects on his time in various ministerial roles, hi...
Mar 04, 2025•52 min•Season 1Ep. 183
In this episode, we dive into the incredible life of John Wayne Parr, one of the most legendary figures in combat sports. A 10-time world champion and icon in Muay Thai and kickboxing, John Wayne Parr is described by podcasting phenomenon Joe Rogan as one of the "baddest dudes ever." As you'll hear, JWP's unbreakable determination, toughness, and unparalleled skill have cemented his place in combat sports history. Join Luke Darcy as he sits down with JWP to hear the inspiring story of a young Au...
Feb 25, 2025•30 min•Season 1Ep. 182
The sporting world is laser focused on the dangers of concussions but are they the greatest threat to an athlete's brain health or is something else at play? In this episode of Empowering Leaders, we dive into the latest science around repetitive head impacts or, as our guest refers to them, Brain Slosh, and we learn about an incredible new device that could help. While concussions make headlines, the real danger lies in the constant, subtle hits athletes endure every game and practice—hits that...
Feb 18, 2025•51 min•Season 1Ep. 181
At Aleda, we know there are consistent dimensions of what great leadership looks like, and we are exploring the great power of each of them during our Summer Series “Success Leaves Clues”. On every Empowering Leaders episode we hear from people at the top of their industries. They soar in the areas of sports, business, social venture, education, the arts and more. We know that having great leaders in your own life can shape your path and inspire you to reach greater heights. In this episode, we'...
Feb 11, 2025•15 min•Season 1Ep. 179
Just days out from the 2025 Super Bowl, our guest on today's special episode of Empowering Leaders is Jeff Scott - Vice President of Football Operations at the Philadelphia Eagles. In just a few days on Sunday 9th February, Jeff's Eagles will take on the Kansas City Chiefs in the biggest one day sporting event on the planet - Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans! In this conversation, Jeff talks us through his lead up to the game, gives his best tips for overcoming the hurdles life throws at all of us, ...
Feb 06, 2025•29 min•Season 1Ep. 180
In 2024, our audience had a front-row seat to conversations that reveal how Success Leaves Clues, featuring individuals who've mastered their craft in various fields. At Aleda, we know there are consistent dimensions of what brilliant leadership looks like, and we are exploring the great power of each of them during our Summer Series “Success Leaves Clues”. In our work, we see so many people in positions of leadership who are really conscious of how they POSITIVELY IMPACT OTHERS on a daily basis...
Feb 04, 2025•25 min•Season 1Ep. 178
On every Empowering Leaders episode we hear from people at the top of their industries. They soar in the areas of sports, business, social venture, education, the arts and more. In 2024, myself and our audience had a front-row seat to conversations that reveal how Success Leaves Clues, featuring individuals who've mastered their craft in various fields. At Aleda, we know there are consistent dimensions of what brilliant leadership looks like, and we are exploring the great power of each of them ...
Jan 28, 2025•23 min•Season 1Ep. 177
