Empowering Leaders

Aleda
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  • UPDATED WEEKLY

In this series, Luke Darcy is joined by iconic leaders to unpack learnings and life lessons from these game changers in their chosen field, whether it’s sports, art, business or education. We’ll break down the fundamentals of the new style of leadership, such as collaboration, integrity and innovation, through the stories of these iconic leaders.

  1. Alex Carey: When the Setback is Actually the Setup - for International Success.

    5 DAYS AGO

    Alex Carey: When the Setback is Actually the Setup - for International Success.

    The AFL dream ended in tears at 20. A decade later, he was lifting the World Test Championship. Alex Carey's journey to becoming one of Australian cricket's most trusted performers is one of the sporting world’s great second-act stories. A talented junior who played both codes at a high level, Alex took a chance on AFL and moved to Sydney as one of the GWS Giants' foundation players - only to be let go with barely 24 hours' notice. Back in Adelaide, he drifted through a football pre-season and a stint in finance before a quiet conversation with the South Australian Cricket Association gave him one more shot. He almost didn't take it. He nearly quit that too. But he didn’t and what came next … is all part of Alex’s incredible story. In this episode, Luke Darcy and Alex Carey hit: Growing up in a sporting household and the father who shaped his values The AFL dream, and the brutal moment it was taken away How two delistings and a finance job led him back to cricket… and eventually to Test cricket The 2023 Ashes 'spirit of the game' incident at Lord's: online threats, mental battles, and what he'd do differently Working with performance psychologist Ben Crowe, and the value of having someone outside the system Fatherhood, sacrifice, and how he and wife Eloise make it all work 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.

    43 min
  2. Jakara Anthony: What It Takes to Win Gold Twice

    28 APR

    Jakara Anthony: What It Takes to Win Gold Twice

    Jakara Anthony is Australia's most successful Winter Olympian…ever. A two-time Olympic gold medallist in mogul skiing, she's the first Australian to defend an Olympic title, doing it on the world stage against competitors from countries where skiing is practically a birthright.  And she's 27. In this conversation with Luke Darcy, Jakara pulls back the curtain on what being that successful actually takes.  The four-year Olympic cycles planned down to the finest detail.  The mental side of the sport that can't be measured or counted in reps.  The broken collarbone in the lead-up to her second gold. The fear every time she drops in.  And the coach she's worked with since she was 12 years old who she credits as the greatest leader in her life. Jakara gives a masterclass in performance, resilience, and what it means to do hard things consistently… even when it's uncomfortable. 04:20 What it means to be in a club of her own06:04 The four-year Olympic cycle - how it all gets planned08:21 Dropping in - what's going through her mind at the top of the course09:27 The edge - why consistency separates her from the field10:19 Carrying the target - defending Olympic gold at Milano Cortina11:12 Beating the Europeans at their own sport12:10 What she's found in herself at 2712:54 The hard things - fear, the mental game, and learning to cope14:33 Advice for young people who want to push themselves15:31 What's next - planning for the French Alps in 203016:38 What keeps her balanced outside the sport18:00 The curiosity rabbit hole - coffee, latte art & sustainable performance18:57 Her mantra - "be where your feet are"20:02 Sponsorship & who's backing Australia's greatest Winter Olympian22:42 Greatest leader in her life - coach Pete McNiel 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.

    23 min
  3. Peter Malinauskas: Why Leaders Must Spend Their Capital or Lose It

    21 APR

    Peter Malinauskas: Why Leaders Must Spend Their Capital or Lose It

    Recorded live at Adelaide Oval in front of a packed Aleda Connect audience during one of the most talked-about weekends in Australian sport, South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas sits down with Luke Darcy for a rich and candid conversation. In this episode, he reflects on: What it actually means to lead at the highest level The difference between authentic leadership and the kind people see straight through Why compassion in political leadership is mistaken for weakness and why he thinks the opposite is true  What it looks like to build a small circle of people brave enough to tell you you're completely wrong.  The Premier also talks about the discipline required to stay focused on big-picture vision when crises are landing on your desk every single day… from child protection to hospital systems to policing. He shares a defining leadership miscalculation that taught him to trust his instincts. And he makes a brilliant case that in a world of uncertainty, the leader's job isn't to commentate the problem… it's to Make. The. Call. And... there's also the story behind his now-legendary "Trump-style" negotiation tactic deployed in front of the AFL commission. That one you'll have to hear for yourself.  Gather Round. Adelaide Oval. The Premier of South Australia.  00:00 Welcome to Adelaide Oval01:20 Taking office - the vision for South Australia02:25 Defining great leadership04:19 The crisis of global leadership05:46 Who do you turn to when things get hard?07:59 A defining leadership mistake10:30 Long-term vision vs short-term fires12:21 Legacy - what does he hope South Australia looks like?13:48 One piece of advice for every leader in the room16:31 Greatest leader in his life - Bob Hawke20:08 Q&A - Federal ambitions?22:59 The Gather Round negotiation with the AFL26:51 Where does he switch off?29:01 Q&A - Immigration, growth & South Australia's identity See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    38 min
  4. Ian McKeown: Why Composure Is the Ultimate Superpower

    14 APR

    Ian McKeown: Why Composure Is the Ultimate Superpower

    If your team wins, who gets the credit… and what does your answer say about the culture you're building? ​​Ian McKeown has spent more than two decades at the cutting edge of elite sport…  from the AFL to the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers, and back to Australia as General Manager of Performance at the Adelaide Crows.  He holds a PhD in strength and conditioning, has published extensively on ecological dynamics and applied sports science, and is widely regarded as one of the most sophisticated performance architects in global sport. But spend five minutes with him and what strikes you most isn't the credentials… it's the human. In this episode, Ian unpacks what he's learned across three continents about the conditions that allow people - and teams - to truly thrive. He talks about why you can smell a dysfunctional culture the moment you walk in, and why the fanciest facility in the world means nothing if it doesn't feel right. He shares the Seth Godin book he read on the plane from Ireland to Australia that changed the way he thought about his career along with the winning philosophy he's carried ever since.  He explains why shared goals, shared ownership and shared success are the only things that actually build something sustainable. He also gets into the butterfly effect of great leadership, the two words he comes back to every single day - kindness and composure - and why he believes the scariest person in any room isn't the loudest one. It's the one who doesn’t flinch. Ian’s belief in the power of connection, curiosity and genuine human relationships runs through every single minute of this conversation. Learn. Lead. Collaborate. We are privileged to have Ian as part of our Aleda Connect community. 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.  Empowering Leaders is proudly partnered with Victoria University. Find more information about studying at VU here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    49 min
  5. Adam Wadewitz: The Iconic Winemaker on Passion, Precision and the Pursuit of World-Class Wine

    7 APR

    Adam Wadewitz: The Iconic Winemaker on Passion, Precision and the Pursuit of World-Class Wine

    What separates a good wine from a truly world-class one?  According to Adam Wadewitz, it comes down to balance, finesse… and a relentless commitment to the vineyard. Adam is the Chief Winemaker and Joint CEO at Shaw + Smith, one of Australia's most iconic cool-climate wineries, and one of the most decorated winemakers of his generation. In this episode, he takes us from the footy fields of Willunga in South Australia to the vineyards of Europe… sharing what drove him to the top of his craft, how great teams are built, and why he believes Australian Grenache is on the cusp of a new world chapter! He also generously shares with you the list of his five wines to drink before you die, the legendary story behind Wendouree and how he came to hold cuttings from one of Australia's most coveted vineyards, and what he’s learned from a Melbourne Symphony Orchestra conductor about leadership and energy. Learn. Lead. Collaborate. We are privileged to have Adam as part of our Aleda Connect community. 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.  Empowering Leaders is proudly partnered with Victoria University. Find more information about studying at VU here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    54 min
  6. Dr Kyle Daigle: What the Brain Can Do - Autism, Healing & Human Performance

    31 MAR

    Dr Kyle Daigle: What the Brain Can Do - Autism, Healing & Human Performance

    Last week, our guest Luke Tunnecliffe told the story of his son Jack… eight and a half years old, non-verbal and autistic… and the search that brought his family to a clinic in Lake Charles, Louisiana. This week, our guest is the doctor who runs that clinic. Dr Kyle Daigle is a clinician, author and global thought leader in functional neurology. From his clinic in Louisiana, which attracts families and athletes from over 78 countries, Kyle is doing what many doctors said couldn't be done. He's helping non-verbal children find their voice, uncovering the hidden connections between the gut, the sinuses and the brain, and working with Olympians and elite athletes to unlock peak performance. In this episode, Kyle shares the multi-system approach he uses to understand and treat complex neurological conditions, the surprising parallel between neurodiverse children and elite athletes, how sensory stimulation and light therapy are producing results that are changing families' lives, the leadership lessons forged through his own journey as an ADHD kid with a speech impediment, and the simple belief at the heart of everything he does - when you understand the brain, create safety and stay patient, incredible change is possible. This conversation reflects Dr Kyle's clinical experience and personal philosophy. 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.

    47 min
  7. Luke Tunnecliffe: Ed Sheeran Serenaded My Non-Verbal Son - A Family’s Search for Answers and the Treatment That Changed Everything

    24 MAR

    Luke Tunnecliffe: Ed Sheeran Serenaded My Non-Verbal Son - A Family’s Search for Answers and the Treatment That Changed Everything

    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.

    47 min
  8. Cate Campbell: Consistency’s not sexy but it’s the bedrock of success

    17 MAR

    Cate Campbell: Consistency’s not sexy but it’s the bedrock of success

    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.

    50 min
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Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

In this series, Luke Darcy is joined by iconic leaders to unpack learnings and life lessons from these game changers in their chosen field, whether it’s sports, art, business or education. We’ll break down the fundamentals of the new style of leadership, such as collaboration, integrity and innovation, through the stories of these iconic leaders.

Information

  • Creator
    Aleda
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    243
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Aleda
  • Show Website
    Empowering Leaders

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