Empowering Leaders

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...

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...

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 l...

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...

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 w...

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 n...

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 A...

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,...

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 influe...

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...

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 ...

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 resil...

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 freedo...

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 pass...

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 earl...

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, Everywh...

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 gam...

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 ...

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, Tani...