The Safety Guru

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re proud to feature an inspiring conversation with our returning guest, Dr. Keita Franklin. Drawing from fascinating research in her latest book, The Humanity Cure: How Small Acts Can Change the World, we explore how small, intentional acts of care can make a significant impact on workplace safety and mental health. Dr. Franklin discusses how being present, showing compassion, and fostering a sense of belonging can create meaningful change across entire organizations and communities. She also highlights the critical link between mental health and safety, emphasizing how frontline leaders who demonstrate active care, along with peers who consistently support one another, help build psychologically safe workplaces where people feel valued, engaged, and committed to working safely. We also explore the transformative ripple effect of small acts of kindness and how helping others fuels a cycle of connection, resilience, and forward momentum. Don’t miss this impactful episode as we take a deep dive into how small acts can make a big impact in elevating both safety and mental health. About the Guest: Dr. Keita Franklin is a nationally recognized public health leader and senior executive with more than 25 years of experience advancing large-scale systems change across federal and healthcare sectors. Her work has focused on suicide prevention, behavioral health, substance use, and the integration of public health approaches within complex organizations. A recognized expert in suicide prevention and public health leadership, she serves as Co-Director of the Columbia Lighthouse Project, where she leads national and international efforts to support the implementation and dissemination of evidence-based suicide risk screening protocols across healthcare, community, and organizational settings. Dr. Franklin holds a PhD in Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University. For more information: https://thehumanitycure.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re thrilled to welcome back Dr. E. Kevin Kelloway, Professor of Psychology and Management at Saint Mary’s University, to The Safety Guru for a powerful conversation on the critical role of work readiness and the simple yet impactful REDI framework for creating safer workplaces. In this insightful episode, Dr. Kelloway introduces the REDI model, a practical, human-centered approach to assessing work readiness through four key factors: Rested, Emotionally Calm, Distracted, and Impatient/In a hurry. When people are not fully ready for the task at hand, the risk of errors and incidents can rise, especially in high-risk environments. Dr. Kelloway explains how each element of the model influences safety outcomes and decision-making. Through real-world examples, he shares how leaders and teams can apply this framework in practice to spark meaningful conversations before risk is introduced. Tune in to explore how organizations can use this straightforward framework to strengthen safety culture, increase awareness, and create safer workplaces by ensuring every team member is truly REDI for the work ahead. About the Guest: Dr. E. Kevin Kelloway is the University Research Professor and Professor of Psychology and Management at Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, Nova Scotia. A prolific researcher, he has authored over 200 articles and chapters and has authored/edited 15 books to date. His research focuses on occupational health psychology and, in particular, how leaders affect health and safety within organizations. Kevin has been elected a Fellow of the Association for Psychological Science, the Canadian Psychological Association, the International Association for Applied Psychology, and the Society for Industrial/Organizational Psychology. In 2016, he served as President of the Canadian Psychological Association. Kevin works with both private and public sector clients on issues related to leadership, safety, and HR management, and is a popular speaker at conferences and corporate events. For more information: https://www.smu.ca/psychology/faculty-and-staff.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this informative and enlightening episode, Dr. Jared Dempsey, a seasoned industrial psychologist, explores the powerful psychological factors that influence human behavior in safety-critical environments. Dr. Dempsey unpacks why understanding error-producing conditions is essential, takes a deeper look into human performance, and explains how cognitive and social psychology influence safety practices. He also highlights the need to move beyond blame, foster psychological safety, encourage open communication, and strengthen proactive risk management to improve safety performance. Don’t miss these exclusive insights into how psychology influences human behavior in safety and what leaders and organizations can do to create safer workplaces. Tune in! About the Guest: Dr. Jared Dempsey is an industrial psychologist who believes safety shouldn’t be boring — and it certainly shouldn’t live in spreadsheets and policy binders. Working across energy and construction, he focuses on how work really happens in messy, imperfect, real-world conditions — not sanitised versions imagined far from site. He pushes back on blaming workers and focuses on the conditions that actually drive performance. Because when you understand psychology, safety stops being dry and compliance-driven and starts making sense — it becomes human, practical, and something people actually connect with. For more information - Americas: www.excel-erate.org or UK, Europe & Rest of World: www.kognivate.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Safety Guru, we’re joined by certified aviation psychologist Aleksandra Kapela for a deep dive into aviation psychology and human factors, exploring what other safety-critical industries can learn from aviation. Aleksandra shares how modern thinking on human factors has evolved, emphasizing the importance of understanding the environment in which we operate, as well as the capabilities and limitations of the human brain. She breaks down the importance of identifying core competencies and explains why competency-based training and assessment (CBTA) is essential for preparing individuals to perform effectively in unpredictable, safety-critical situations and how these principles can be applied across a wide range of industries. She also explains why a broader, more holistic view of human factors is essential for improving safety performance and building sustainable safety cultures where people feel supported, are encouraged to speak up, and perform at their best. Don’t miss this informative episode packed with valuable lessons from aviation psychology! About the Guest: Aleksandra Kapela is a certified aviation psychologist, speaker, author, and independent consultant specializing in human factors, safety, and competency-based training and assessment (CBTA) programs. She works with airlines, flight schools, and other safety-critical industries, supporting organizations where performance, decision-making under pressure, and human reliability are critical. Her work focuses on human potential, well-being, operational performance, and modern, evidence-based approaches to human behavior in complex systems. Aleksandra is the founder of MyWingman.eu and the author of an upcoming book on human factors for pilots and aviation professionals. For more information: https://www.mywingman.eu/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Start our new season with a powerful episode featuring Dr Tony Power, a leading expert in justice and safety management. In this insightful conversation, Dr Power explains what Just Culture truly means and emphasizes its critical role in improving safety management and driving organizational learning. Through real-world examples, he shares why a meaningful Just Culture must be grounded in values, purpose, and consistent behaviors, not simply treated as a checklist. Dr Power underscores the importance of engaging in open dialogue with all stakeholders and provides practical strategies for implementing Just Culture effectively across organizations. He also offers guidance on how leaders can navigate the legal and regulatory complexities that are often challenging to address. Tune in as Dr Power explores how to build fairness, trust, and a learning culture within your organization, offering actionable insights for bringing Just Culture into action in a meaningful and sustainable way. Don’t miss this enlightening episode of The Safety Guru! About the Guest: Dr Tony Power is a leading specialist in justice and safety management, with over 17 years of experience spanning the aviation, legal, and higher education sectors. He holds a PhD from Swinburne University, where he developed risk management frameworks for regulating safety-critical industries in changing environments. He is the Founder & Principal Consultant of Just Culture Consulting, a specialist consulting practice helping organisations embed just culture to build fairer, safer, and more innovative workplaces. For more information: www.justculture.com.au Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us for a deeply moving and powerful episode featuring Patrizia Cassaniti, a passionate safety advocate who transformed unimaginable tragedy into a mission for change. Patrizia recounts the heartbreaking loss of her son, Christopher, in a preventable construction incident caused by complacency and poor safety decisions. Through her story, she underscores the critical importance of putting workers’ safety first, fostering open communication, and creating a culture where workers feel empowered to speak up and know their safety concerns will be heard and respected. With passion and unwavering commitment, Patrizia challenges the production pressures so common in many workplaces and reminds us that every safety decision matters because everyone deserves to return home safely to their loved ones. Join us for this inspiring and heartfelt conversation about a mother’s mission to make workplaces safer and advocate for a safer tomorrow for all. About the Guest: Patrizia Cassaniti is an international award-winning work health and safety advocate whose lived experience has become a catalyst for cultural change across Australia’s workplaces. In 2019, her 18-year-old son, Christopher, was tragically killed when a scaffold collapsed—an incident that was entirely preventable. Since then, Patrizia has dedicated her life to confronting complacency and inspiring workers to speak up for safety without fear. Her presentations are raw, emotional, and unforgettable—reminding every worker why their family is the reason to work safely every day. Through her foundation, Touched by Christopher, Patrizia supports families who have lost a loved one at work, helping them grieve without the burden of financial stress. For more Information: https://www.letstalkaboutsafety.com.au/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"When we sleep, the brain produces tomorrow's fuel." Back for another compelling episode of The Safety Guru, sleep expert Dr Nicholas Mabbott returns to explore the fascinating sleep science for safer workplaces and its profound impact on our daily lives. Dr Nick breaks down the stages of sleep, emphasizing how quality sleep fuels our health, well-being, and overall safety. He reveals the dangers of sleep deficits, shares how fatigue impacts workplace performance, and provides practical strategies organizations can use to promote better sleep, reduce risk and absenteeism, and strengthen safety outcomes by proactively addressing fatigue risk. If you're ready to wake up to the hidden risks fatigue brings and learn more about sleep science and its impact, this episode delivers powerful insights and practical tools to drive meaningful change. Tune in now to discover how better sleep can lead to safer, healthier, and more productive workplaces. About the Guest: Dr Nicholas Mabbott is a Fatigue Risk Management Specialist with over 28 years of experience in sleep and fatigue risk management. He has provided sleep and fatigue management training and education to over 34 thousand people from a wide range of industries. His recently published book, “The Wonder of Sleep: Beyond Midnight,” is a compilation of 27 years of learning about sleep and the benefits people get from appropriate sleep. The book challenges road safety professionals and sleep scientists to examine and test new theories on better managing sleep, workplace safety, and road safety. He also has a YouTube channel called “The Wonder of Sleep” with 23 videos. For more information: www.beyondmidnight.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In recognition of World Mental Health Day, we present a powerful and timely conversation with our returning special guest, Beverly Beuermann-King, a seasoned expert in workplace mental health. Beverly shares her insights on two critical threats to workplace safety and well-being today: toxicity in the workplace and the importance of self-care for leaders. She explores real examples of toxic workplaces and offers actionable strategies to help leaders recognize warning signs, communicate effectively, and engage in difficult conversations to address issues head-on. Beverly also unpacks the deeper drivers behind workaholism, sharing how leaders can identify root causes, set healthy boundaries, and intentionally create space to rest, recharge, and reflect, prioritizing self-care to enhance both their own well-being and that of their teams. This episode highlights why mental health isn’t just a personal wellness matter; it’s a workplace safety issue that fosters a healthier, more resilient workplace culture. Tune in for expert insights to help leaders prevent burnout, navigate toxicity in the workplace, and build environments where people and organizations can truly thrive. About the Guest: Beverly Beuermann-King has over 25 years of experience helping individuals and organizations master their responses to stress, build resilience, and thrive using her innovative S-O-S Principle™. Since founding WorkSmartLiveSmart.com in 1995, she has transformed teams across diverse business sectors. Her presentations, grounded in psychology, sociology, management, and adult education, offer practical strategies to enhance mental health and workplace well-being. She is also a prolific author, respected podcaster, and trusted media spokesperson, with over 500 television and radio appearances. Beverly currently serves as the National President of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers. Prepare to be captivated as she empowers you to conquer stress, cultivate resilience, and unlock the secrets to a healthier, more fulfilling life. For more information: www.WorkSmartLiveSmart.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do you energize your safety programs to be effective, engaging, and inspire action with lasting real impact? Join us for a dynamic conversation with Michael Melnik, owner and president of The Energized Approach®, as he shares how safety programs can be reimagined to be more sustainable, fun, and meaningful. With decades of experience helping organizations “energize” their workplaces, Michael introduces the 10 energy sources—the core drivers behind truly successful and sustainable programs. Michael emphasizes the importance of safety programs that resonate with workers, engage teams at every level, and drive lasting success through leadership commitment and communication. He also shares how to revitalize existing safety programs to build a strong safety culture. Don’t miss this episode as we dive into the energized approach for real impact, putting safety in motion across your organization. About the Guest: Michael Melnik is an occupational therapist with a master’s degree in exercise physiology. He is the owner and president of The Energized Approach, a company that helps organizations “Energize” their workplaces, their safety programs, and their people. For more than 30 years, he has presented his practical, high-energy, and humorous approach to more than 750,000 participants around the world. He is the author and talent in several award-winning injury prevention videos that are used by thousands of companies, and is the creator of the ReachOut365 Video Coaching Platform. Clients include Delta Airlines, The Home Depot, Coca Cola, Wells Fargo, PetSmart, Wal-Mart, Willis Towers Watson, Best Buy, Exxon Mobil, and many more. For more information: www.energizedapproach.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us for a deeply moving episode of The Safety Guru as we welcome Jacqueline Quinlivan, who courageously shares her story of unimaginable loss and the lasting ripple effects that followed. In 2018, Jacqueline’s husband, Lyndon, lost his life in a completely preventable workplace incident. Since that tragic day, Jacqueline has transformed her grief into a powerful mission—advocating for safer workplaces so that no one else has to endure the same devastating loss. In this heartfelt conversation, she recounts the heartbreak of that day and highlights the profound impact it had on her family, coworkers, and the broader community. Her story is a sobering and urgent reminder of what’s truly at stake when safety is compromised. Tune in as Jacqueline calls for a culture where safety is lived every day, where workers are empowered to speak up for safety, and leaders actively influence safety for their teams because everyone deserves to come home safe. About the Guest: In the aftermath of a heartbreaking loss, Jacci Quinlivan, a young widow with two children, embarked on a journey fuelled by a promise to her late husband. Her unwavering commitment to pursue justice, ensuring accountability, and championing transformation reforms is rooted in a personal vow to prevent others from enduring similar pain. Jacci's moving story strikes a chord whilst reshaping perspectives on workplace safety. Through her poignant narrative, she aims to spark essential conversations with organisations and individuals alike. Her goal is to promote a proactive stance on safety whilst acknowledging the lasting repercussions of such tragedy on individuals and communities. For more information: https://jacquelinequinlivan.com.au/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us on The Safety Guru for a thought-provoking conversation with Dr Paul Salmon, professor and seasoned expert in applied human factors and systems science research. In this insightful episode, Paul breaks down how interconnected systems and both direct and indirect decision-making impact safety outcomes, and how every individual plays a role. He also explains the difference between the old and new views of safety, sharing real-world examples to deepen our understanding of complex systems. Discover why systems thinking matters for safety and learn how to apply it across your organization with practical, actionable strategies. Don’t miss this powerful episode! About the Guest: Dr Paul Salmon is a professor of Human Factors and creator of the Centre for Human Factors and Sociotechnical Systems at the University of the Sunshine Coast. He has almost 25 years’ experience of applied Human Factors and systems science research in a diverse set of domains. Paul has co-authored 23 books and over 300 peer-reviewed journal articles. His current research interests are focused on the application of Human Factors and systems science to manage societal and global risks. Paul has received several prestigious awards from the International, Australian, US, and UK Human Factors and Ergonomics societies, and for the past 5 years, The Australian has identified him as Australia’s field leader in the area of quality and reliability. For more information: https://www.usc.edu.au/staff/professor-paul-salmon#research Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're thrilled to welcome back Dr. David Hofmann for another compelling and thought-provoking episode of The Safety Guru! In this episode, Dave dives into his latest groundbreaking research: "Out of Sight, Out of Mind: How High-Level Construals Can Decrease the Ethical Framing of Risk-Mitigating Behavior." He explores how psychological distance, an often-overlooked barrier, can influence perceptions, increase risk, and lead to unsafe behaviors and decisions. Grounded in solid research and real-world organizational examples, Dave highlights what leaders can do to bridge that gap, bringing risks back into focus and reducing them effectively to improve safety. Learn how organizations can keep risk-mitigating considerations front and center, ensuring that every safety decision reflects a deep commitment to protecting frontline team members and maintaining safety as a clear and consistent value and priority. Don't miss this must-listen episode filled with practical insights to elevate safety so that it's never out of sight, out of mind! About the Guest: Dr. Dave Hofmann's research focuses on organizational climate, leadership, organizational change, organizational design, and decision-making. A specific focus of Dr. Hofmann's research is the impact of leadership and organizational culture on safety and errors in organizations that operate in high-risk environments. He received the American Psychological Association's Decade of Behavior Research Award and a Fulbright Senior Scholar Award to study errors and safety issues in organizations at the University of Giessen in Germany. Dr. Hofmann has presented his research and conducted executive development sessions around the world. For more information: https://www.kenan-flagler.unc.edu/faculty/directory/david-hofmann/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us for a compelling conversation with Trish Kerin, an award-winning international expert in process safety leadership, as she explores the concept of weak signals—those subtle early warnings that often go unnoticed until it’s too late. In this insightful episode, Trish introduces The Platypus Philosophy®, a powerful and memorable metaphor that provides a framework for identifying and managing weak signals in the workplace. She shares a practical action plan built around engaging acronyms and explains how to train our brains to see beyond the obvious to foster safer work environments. Trish also highlights the essential role of curiosity in leadership and teams, empowering organizations to spot these weak signals and take timely, proactive steps to mitigate risk. Tune in to discover how recognizing and acting on weak signals can lead to stronger safety outcomes and improved performance. Don’t miss this thought-provoking episode! About the Guest: Trish Kerin is an award-winning international expert and keynote speaker on process safety leadership. A master storyteller and self-professed safety geek, she works with organisations globally to share and learn in process safety, leveraging her engineering, operational, and executive experience. She is a Chartered Engineer, registered Professional Process Safety Engineer, Fellow of IChemE and Engineers Australia, and a Senior Member of AIChE. Trish holds a Diploma in OHS, a Master of Leadership, and is a Graduate of the AICD. For more information: www.leadlikekerin.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices