Empowering Leaders

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, including their son Jack, who is nonverbal and autistic. Unwilling to accept treatment with no promise of positive change, they have spent years trying to understand what might help, and how to hold a family together when life doesn’t look the way you thought it would. Luke speaks honestly about the strain - the financial weight, the exhaustion, the impact on siblings, the friendships that fall away and the ones that step up. He talks about the way music became a lifeline for Jack. And how in one extraordinary moment, Ed Sheeran sat with his guitar beneath the MCG and sang to him - calming him in a way few others could.  And then came a treatment plan that has changed everything. While there’s still a long journey ahead, the treatment has already led to the moment that Luke will hold onto for the rest of his life - Jack putting his arms around his neck and saying the three words he’d been waiting years to hear. This is an episode about resilience, fatherhood, mateship - and what it feels like when hope slowly starts to return. This conversation reflects Luke and his family’s personal experience. It is not intended as medical advice. Listeners should always seek guidance from qualified healthcare professionals when making decisions about their own health. Learn. Lead. Collaborate. Start your leadership journey today. Head here to find out more about our signature, cross industry collaboration program, Aleda Connect. Curated and facilitated by experts, running for 8 fortnightly sessions, Aleda Connect is the learning experience of a life-time. Book a discovery call today. Empowering Leaders is proudly partnered with Victoria University. Find more information about studying at VU here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it actually take to perform at the highest level - not just once, but across a career? Luke Darcy sits down with Cate Campbell, four-time Olympic gold medallist and one of the most respected voices in Australian sport. Cate doesn't just talk about the wins. She reflects on the dream she and her sister Bronte cooked up as children in Malawi, the surreal experience of becoming an Olympian at 16, and what it meant to carry the Australian flag at Tokyo. But she also goes somewhere far more honest - into the parts of elite sport that rarely make the highlight reel: identity, failure, body image, team culture, and what it means to figure out who you are when the sport that shaped you is finally over. Cate also shares what real resilience looks like, why the most powerful shift in Swimming Australia was moving from valuing performance to valuing people, and the three pieces of advice she'd give any young person chasing a dream. Cate and Bronte recently launched their podcast, Campbells and Co. Check it out here. We are privileged to have Cate as part of our Aleda Connect community. If you want to learn and grow alongside people like her, find out more via the link below. Learn. Lead. Collaborate. Start your leadership journey today. Head here to find out more about our signature, cross industry collaboration program, Aleda Connect. Curated and facilitated by experts, running for 8 fortnightly sessions, Aleda Connect is the learning experience of a life-time. Book a discovery call today. Empowering Leaders is proudly partnered with Victoria University. Find more information about studying at VU here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are we paying enough attention to our young men? Do we know how to raise healthy, confident young men in the world we live in? Luke Darcy sits down with Scott Galloway, professor at NYU Stern, entrepreneur, bestselling author and host of the wildly successful Prof G and Pivot podcasts. In this conversation on Empowering Leaders, Luke and Scott explore the pressures facing young men right now and why the path to adulthood seems harder than it once was. Scott reflects on the role his mother played in shaping his life, why learning to handle rejection has served him so well, and how becoming a father completely shifted his sense of purpose. He shares why boys need strong role models around them now more than ever, reminds us why empathy matters more in leadership than many people realise, and why learning to recover from failure might be one of the most important life skills we can develop. You’ll also hear about Scott’s upcoming plans for his huge Resist & Unsubscribe movement, his disappointment in most big tech companies at this time and his belief that sometimes the most powerful thing individuals can do is simply choose not to participate. Scott, authentic as always, offers the kind of leadership our next generation may need most. Learn. Lead. Collaborate. Start your leadership journey today. Head here to find out more about our signature, cross industry collaboration program, Aleda Connect. Curated and facilitated by experts, running for 8 fortnightly sessions, Aleda Connect is the learning experience of a life-time. Book a discovery call today. Empowering Leaders is proudly partnered with Victoria University. Find more information about studying at VU here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recorded live overlooking the 18th at LIV Golf Adelaide 2026, Luke sits down with Scott O’Neil, CEO of one of the most talked about organisations in global sport. Scott has led at the highest levels of the NBA, NFL and NHL, and now finds himself as CEO of LIV Golf, guiding a competition that has challenged golf’s traditions while attracting a new generation to the game. In this conversation, he reflects on disruption and humility, the balance between innovation and respect for history, and why free agency matters in modern sport. He shares the philosophy behind his book Be Where Your Feet Are, what it means to lead under scrutiny, and how he keeps perspective when the criticism inevitably comes. From coaching his four daughters in basketball to learning golf at 50 in front of a global audience (a great story!), Scott speaks candidly about ambition, family, pressure and giving grace. Learn. Lead. Collaborate. Start your leadership journey today. Head here to find out more about our signature, cross industry collaboration program, Aleda Connect. Curated and facilitated by experts, running for 8 fortnightly sessions, Aleda Connect is the learning experience of a life-time. Book a discovery call today. Empowering Leaders is proudly partnered with Victoria University. Find more information about studying at VU here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it really take to build a championship organisation in one of the most competitive leagues in the world? On this episode of Empowering Leaders, Luke sits down with Jon Horst, General Manager of the Milwaukee Bucks and one of the most respected executives in the NBA. From starting as an intern to becoming the youngest GM in the league, Jon shares the mindset that shaped his rise - and the leadership principles that helped deliver an NBA championship and sustained excellence. He reflects on building a team around Giannis Antetokounmpo, what makes Giannis so rare beyond talent, and why character is non-negotiable when constructing a winning culture. Big topics: Jon's reputation for recruitment and the “IP” behind their decision-making process The balance between analytics and instinct How clear communication cuts through high-stakes pressure Why sustained success is about people, not just performance Jon also speaks about the cross-pollination of leadership across sport - you’ll hear him mention leaders like Matt LaFleur (listen to Matt’s Empowering Leaders episode here) - and how community and shared learning elevate teams beyond what any individual can do alone. Learn. Lead. Collaborate. We are privileged to have Jon as part of our Aleda Connect community. Book a discovery call today to find out more about how you can learn and grow alongside people like Jon within our signature leadership program. Head here to find out more about our signature, cross industry collaboration program, Aleda Connect. Curated and facilitated by experts, running for 8 fortnightly sessions, Aleda Connect is the learning experience of a life-time. Empowering Leaders is proudly partnered with Victoria University. Find more information about studying at VU here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What’s it like to be part of a small, trusted leadership group? Inside Aleda Connect, leaders from more than 20 countries come together each month in small groups to learn, reflect and collaborate. In this episode of Empowering Leaders, Luke Darcy shares the voices of ten leaders who are part of the Aleda Connect Global Leadership Program. From elite sport to global business, from diplomacy to AI, they offer honest reflections on what it means to step into a trusted leadership community. You’ll hear from Adam Driussi, Dan Rutstein, Emma Hayes, Jeremy Kodomichalos, Dixie Marshall, Paul Barnes, Sami Whitcomb, Aubrey Pleasant, Jenny Boucek and Jeff Scott - each responding to a simple question: What’s it actually like to be part of a small, trusted leadership group? What comes through isn’t theory. It’s lived experience. Conversations about vulnerability, accountability, imposter syndrome, loneliness at the top, and the compound effect of learning alongside people who think differently to you. We're privileged to work with this incredible collection of leaders who believe growth doesn’t happen in isolation. Find the full conversations with each of these guests right here: Aubrey Pleasant: The NFL Coach’s Emotional Intelligence Playbook Dan Rutstein: British Diplomacy to American Soccer Leadership Dixie Marshall: The Power of Storytelling in Leadership Adam Driussi: The Moment AI Saved My Company a Million Dollars Emma Hayes LIVE from London: For Women, By Women, Football & Beyond Jenny Boucek: How Servant Leadership Takes You to the Highest Level Jeremy Kodomichalos: There’s No Standard Path in Life or Business Paul Barnes: Navigating the Fast Lane of Formula One Sami Whitcomb: From Undrafted to WNBA Champion Super Bowl 2025 Leadership: Jeff Scott VP of Football Operations, Philadelphia Eagles To discover how you can learn and grow alongside leaders like the ones you've heard from today head here. Empowering Leaders is proudly partnered with Victoria University. Find more information about studying at VU here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you listen to leaders long enough, certain names keep coming up. In this Success Leaves Clues episode of Empowering Leaders, Luke asks a simple question: who has been the greatest leader in your life? The answers are intimate and often unexpected. A television director who kept a young host’s ego in check. A boss who held a job open throughout chemotherapy. A father with “magic dust.” A partner who quietly led the family while the world watched the cricket. A wife building programs for kids with neurodiversity. A dad who could walk with kings and keep the common touch. A dentist who modelled what it meant to run a values-led practice. It is a moving reminder that leadership is often most present in the home, the clinic, the training track and the everyday conversations nobody else sees. Find the full episodes right here: Wil Anderson: "I'm a storyteller, not a documentarian!" Jamila Rizvi: Leadership, Legacy, and Living With a ‘Broken Brain’ Bec Daniher: Why Action Speaks Loudest — $115M and Counting Mike Hussey: How to Lead When the Heat Is On Jeremy Kodomichalos: There’s No Standard Path in Life or Business Super Bowl 2025 Leadership: Jeff Scott VP of Football Operations, Philadelphia Eagles Dr Tim McGrath: How to Beat Burnout and Find Balance at the Top Many of the leaders featured in this episode are members of our Aleda Connect community. To discover how you can learn and grow in a group alongside leaders like them, book a discovery call today and learn more about our signature program. Learn. Lead. Collaborate. Start your leadership journey today. Head here to find out more about our signature, cross industry collaboration program, Aleda Connect. Curated and facilitated by experts, running for 8 fortnightly sessions, Aleda Connect is the learning experience of a life-time. Book a discovery call today. Empowering Leaders is proudly partnered with Victoria University. Find more information about studying at VU here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes the best leadership wisdom fits on a Post-it note. In this Success Leaves Clues episode of Empowering Leaders, Luke asks his guests for the one piece of advice they keep returning to. The answers range from the disarmingly simple to the deeply strategic. “Wake up each day and don’t be a wanker.” Keep the team at the centre but honour the individual. Keep dreaming and prepare for your chance. Catch people doing things right. Coach the way you’d want someone to coach your own kids. Lean into authenticity, even when it costs you. Say yes to leadership, even if you doubt yourself. And get to know yourself properly, especially the things you’d rather avoid. These are small sentences that shape entire cultures. Find the full episodes right here: Natalie Kyriacou: Leadership during the Climate Crisis Emma Hayes LIVE from London: For Women, By Women, Football & Beyond Bruce McAvaney: The voice behind the most unforgettable moments in Australian sport Todd Duncan: The 10 Word Question You Need To Ask Every Client Mike Brey: From Notre Dame to the NBA Brad Harrison: A Warrior’s Take on AI, Ayahuasca, and the Future of Defence Jacinda Ardern: The Cost and the Power of Compassionate Leadership Pippa Grange: Leading with Soul in a World Obsessed with Winning Many of the leaders featured in this episode are members of our Aleda Connect community. To discover how you can learn and grow in a group alongside leaders like them, book a discovery call today and learn more about our signature program. Learn. Lead. Collaborate. Start your leadership journey today. Head here to find out more about our signature, cross industry collaboration program, Aleda Connect. Curated and facilitated by experts, running for 8 fortnightly sessions, Aleda Connect is the learning experience of a life-time. Book a discovery call today. Empowering Leaders is proudly partnered with Victoria University. Find more information about studying at VU here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

True collaboration is not just getting along. It is committing to a mission together. In this episode of the Empowering Leaders Success Leaves Clues, Luke talks with people who have lived collaboration in very different ways. Peter Rea explores character, growth and post-traumatic growth. Mikel Arteta reflects on a simple object, a football, and how it can change a life and even a country. Adam Driussi explains why his most important business relationship feels like a marriage. Paul Barnes talks about clarity and communication under race pressure. Dixie Marshall shares what happens when creatives, strategists and data people actually listen to each other. Lucinda Hartley and Andy Walshe bring in cross-sector collaborations that reimagine housing, cities and human performance. It is a wide-ranging look at what happens when you put different experiences in the same room and ask them to build something together. Find the full episodes right here: Dr. Peter Rea: Ask Your Kids This Instead - The 3 Questions That Cut Anxiety & Build Character Steve Kerr & Mikel Arteta LIVE: The Leadership Playbook Adam Driussi: The Moment AI Saved My Company a Million Dollars Paul Barnes: Navigating the Fast Lane of Formula One Dixie Marshall: The Power of Storytelling in Leadership Lucinda Hartley: How Our Spaces Shape The People We Become Andy Walshe: Has Human Potential Peaked? Many of the leaders featured in this episode are members of our Aleda Connect community. To discover how you can learn and grow in a group alongside leaders like them, book a discovery call today and learn more about our signature program. Learn. Lead. Collaborate. Start your leadership journey today. Head here to find out more about our signature, cross industry collaboration program, Aleda Connect. Curated and facilitated by experts, running for 8 fortnightly sessions, Aleda Connect is the learning experience of a life-time. Book a discovery call today. Empowering Leaders is proudly partnered with Victoria University. Find more information about studying at VU here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everyone says communication is important. But how do you master it? In this episode of the Empowering Leaders Success Leaves Clues, Luke brings together people who think deeply about how words land. Dan Rutstein talks about the power of three. Julian Treasure shares why listening is a radical act. Steve Kerr explains why he sometimes writes letters instead of speeches. Michael Cheika leans into honest conflict. Yasmin Poole walks toward hard truths. Suzanne Eyler Williams reminds us to say less and hear more. And Gilbert Enoka talks about the internal shift that needs to happen before any external change can stick. It’s a collection of stories about communication that is clear, human and often uncomfortable, but always in service of something bigger than ego. Find the full episodes right here: Dan Rutstein: British Diplomacy to American Soccer Leadership Julian Treasure: The Real Power Move? Saying Less, Listening Better Steve Kerr & Mikel Arteta LIVE: The Leadership Playbook Michael Cheika: Leading Across Cultures - What Business Can Borrow From Sport Yasmin Poole: How to Speak Up - Even When It’s Hard Suzanne Eyler Williams: Cushioning the effects of concussion and repetitive impact Gilbert Enoka: The Mind Behind the All Blacks Many of the leaders featured in this episode are members of our Aleda Connect community. To discover how you can learn and grow in a group alongside leaders like them, book a discovery call today and learn more about our signature program. Learn. Lead. Collaborate. Start your leadership journey today. Head here to find out more about our signature, cross industry collaboration program, Aleda Connect. Curated and facilitated by experts, running for 8 fortnightly sessions, Aleda Connect is the learning experience of a life-time. Book a discovery call today. Empowering Leaders is proudly partnered with Victoria University. Find more information about studying at VU here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.