Empowering Leaders

• Curtis McGrath: Finding Purpose When the World Falls Apart

  Thirteen years ago, Curtis McGrath lay on a battlefield in Afghanistan, having just lost both legs to an IED. As his mates carried him away, he promised they would see him at the Paralympics. He kept that promise ... FOUR gold medals later, Curtis is one of the most dominant paracanoe athletes in history. In this episode of Empowering Leaders, Curtis shares the ways that humour has carried him through his darkest moments, why he writes his goals on the wall, and the discipline that has defined his success in life. He is serious about celebrating wins before chasing the next mountain, and shares how fatherhood has reshaped his perspective on leadership and purpose. 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. Empowering Leaders is proudly partnered with Victoria University. Find more information about studying at VU here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• Dan Rutstein: British Diplomacy to American Soccer Leadership

  What do whiskey, Madonna’s bagpipe player, and American soccer have in common? The answer: today's guest, Dan Rutstein! A former British diplomat and award-winning journalist, Dan is now President of Orange County Soccer Club, where he’s overseen record crowds, commercial growth, and a remarkable transformation of the club. Along the way he’s also built a reputation as a gifted communicator and storyteller, hosting his own podcasts and pioneering the idea of “whiskey diplomacy” as a way to connect people and ideas. In this wide-ranging conversation with Luke Darcy on Empowering Leaders, Dan reflects on what he’s carried from diplomacy into sport, why building memorable experiences matters more than metrics, and how relationships remain at the heart of leadership even in an AI-driven world. He shares stories of learning from bad bosses, the loneliness of leadership, and the communication trick he swears by - the magic of three. Dan offers so much insight into what it really takes to lead with curiosity and connection across industries. Dan & Luke mention Soccer for Hope and Dan’s podcasts: Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss, America the Beautiful Game, United States of Dramerica 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. Empowering Leaders is proudly partnered with Victoria University. Find more information about studying at VU here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• Emma Hayes LIVE from London: For Women, By Women, Football & Beyond

  How do you reshape an entire sport through a female lens? Recorded LIVE in London on 5 September 2025 at Lead Better, Live Better - a transformational leadership and wellness conference co-created by Aleda and Live Love Better - Emma Hayes shares her journey from a career-ending injury at 17 to leading Chelsea and now the US Women’s National Team. Speaking to an audience of global leaders gathered at The Londoner Hotel, she makes the case for coach education that accounts for the menstrual cycle, workplace policies that support women through menopause, and leadership that puts wellbeing at its core. Emma’s candid reflections sit alongside other standout sessions from the two-day event - including Steve Kerr and Mikel Arteta’s Leadership Playbook - but her voice cuts a distinct path. She shows why vulnerability is a strength, how collaboration fuels performance, and why inclusive environments are the future of sport, business, and culture. Along the way: lessons from winning at the highest level; challenging outdated leadership models; what it takes to sustain excellence without losing balance; and how sport can become a blueprint for wider systemic change. Plus live audience Q&A on resilience, identity, and the future of women’s sport. 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. Empowering Leaders is proudly partnered with Victoria University. Find more information about studying at VU here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• Steve Kerr & Mikel Arteta LIVE: The Leadership Playbook

  How do you create a culture your people love to walk into AND still win when it matters most? Recorded LIVE in London on 5 September 2025, 'Steve Kerr & Mikel Arteta: The Leadership Playbook' brings two elite coaches together for a rare, unguarded conversation about modern leadership. Brought to you by Aleda, in collaboration with Live Love Better, Steve and Mikel unpack the jump from player to coach; what clarity really feels like; how to communicate hard truths; and the daily habits that keep a group aligned under pressure. They compare approaches to culture-building (from the guard at the gate to the locker room vibe), managing “difficult” talent, and designing environments where diverse personalities can thrive. Along the way: Michael Jordan, Tim Duncan and Steph Curry; Phil Jackson’s mindfulness; Steve’s letters to players; Pep Guardiola’s decisiveness; the Federer success routine; why authenticity always wins; and how sport can unite people in a divided world. There’s family, perspective, and the simple rituals that refill the tank PLUS audience Q&A on toxic vs. high-impact personalities, mindfulness in high performance, and delivering tough messages with compassion and precision. It’s, quite frankly, awesome! 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. Empowering Leaders is proudly partnered with Victoria University. Find more information about studying at VU here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• Natalie Kyriacou: Leadership during the Climate Crisis

  How do you inspire people to care for a world they forget they are a living, breathing part of? Natalie Kyriacou OAM, founder of My Green World, Forbes 30 Under 30 honouree and recipient of an Order of Australia Medal, has spent her life answering that question. In this episode of Empowering Leaders, she joins Luke to share how a childhood passion for wildlife grew into global advocacy. Natalie explores the role of empathy in leadership, the power of technology and citizen science, and why storytelling may be our strongest tool in protecting the planet. It’s a conversation about reimagining leadership in the face of climate change. The Leadership Playbook in London on September 5, 2025 Discover leadership insights from two of the world’s most respected coaches. Aleda invites you to “The Leadership Playbook”, a live panel discussion with NBA legend Steve Kerr and Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta. This exclusive 90-minute session will share raw, unfiltered insights on: Building teams that thrive under pressure Leading with authenticity and clarity Driving performance through challenges These strategies translate directly into business and leadership, empowering you to build high-performing teams and lead with confidence in any environment. Event Details Date - Friday, 5 September Time - 3:30pm to 5:00pm Location - The Londoner Hotel Special Offer for listeners of the Empowering Leaders podcast Enjoy 20% off General Admission and Front Row Tickets with code ALEDA20. For tailored group discounts, please reach out to the team at Aleda via [email protected] Book your ticket here Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn directly from two of the greatest minds in leadership and performance. This session is being run as part of the Lead Better, Live Better Summit 2025, hosted over 4 and 5 September at the Londoner Hotel. The conference features many other incredible, high profile speakers from the world of leadership and wellness and spots are limited. If you are interested in attending or learning more about the conference, please check out the What's Happening page on Aleda's website. 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. Empowering Leaders is proudly partnered with Victoria University. Find more information about studying at VU here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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