The Safety Guru

We welcome back Brandon Williams, former fighter pilot and seasoned expert in human factors and safety leadership, for another profound episode of The Safety Guru that you won’t want to miss! In this intriguing conversation, we explore The Debrief Culture, a powerful approach rooted in the debriefing method and mindset of elite fighter pilots that transforms organizational performance and builds a culture of continuous improvement. Drawing on his experience in high-stakes aviation environments, Brandon shares insights on creating a structured debrief culture that can be applied across industries to drive consistent accountability, clear communication, continuous learning, and sustainable growth. Tune in for a contemplative discussion on human factors leadership for accountability and learning, as Brandon unpacks actionable, practical strategies to help leaders build an effective debrief culture that fosters a high-growth mindset, combats complacency, and drives learning from both wins and missteps. Join us! About the Guest: Brandon Williams is a highly sought-after speaker, airline pilot, and human factors professor with over two decades of experience leading teams in some of the world’s most dynamic, complex, and high-risk environments. A former U.S. Air Force Fighter Pilot, Lieutenant Colonel, and Safety Officer, Brandon brings a unique blend of military precision, safety expertise, and real-world leadership to organizations striving for excellence in high-reliability industries. As a recognized expert in Human Factors and organizational safety, Brandon equips leaders with the strategies and tools to build High-Reliability Organizations (HROs) and High-Performance Teams across sectors, including transportation, healthcare, energy, construction, and manufacturing. His powerful keynotes and training sessions are grounded in military aviation principles and safety science, offering actionable insights into system-level thinking, human error mitigation, and decision-making under pressure. For more information: https://brandonwilliamsspeaker.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

Discover how to keep your workplace safer, stronger, and more in control—one smart move at a time. In this engaging and informative episode of The Safety Guru, we welcome Robert Pater, founder of MoveSMART®. Robert brings a unique perspective, blending martial arts principles with cutting-edge safety and ergonomics to explore how internalizing mental and physical safety practices can elevate your safety culture. Drawing on decades of expertise, he shares practical strategies to rethink ergonomics for safer workplaces, engage senior leaders in safety initiatives, make safety changes easy to boost compliance and effectiveness, and tap into “eureka moments” that enhance learning retention while driving deeper, lasting behavioral shifts. Don't miss this conversation packed with actionable ways to reduce injuries, improve ergonomics, and empower workers to take control of their safety. About the Guest: Robert Pater is the Founder and Managing Director of the MoveSMART® system for significantly reducing soft-tissue injuries and slips/trips/falls while simultaneously elevating Safety culture and leadership. He has published over 370 articles (in Professional Safety, Occupational Health & Safety, and many others). He's also the author of "Leading From Within", in 5 languages. Globally, their client list has included: Airgas, Alcoa, American Airlines, BHP Billiton, BMW, BorgWarner, BP, Cummins, Cushman & Wakefield, DuPont, Frito-Lay, Hawaiian Airlines, Honda, Honda Canada, Kimberly-Clark, Kinross Gold, Kloeckner, Marathon Oil, Michelin, Nissan, Nutrien, ONE Gas, Pfizer, Prysmian, Solventum, United Airlines, U.S. Steel, and many others. For more information: www.movesmart.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

In this unforgettable episode of The Safety Guru, we’re joined by Dave Sanderson, a survivor of US Airways Flight 1549, widely known as The Miracle on the Hudson. Dave takes us behind the scenes of that extraordinary day in 2009, when the plane crash-landed into the freezing Hudson River and every passenger made it out alive. He shares what it truly means to step up under pressure and help others stay safe in urgent, high-stakes situations. Through his gripping firsthand account, Dave shares life-saving safety lessons and emphasizes the power of clear communication, leading with intention, and practical strategies for managing your mind under pressure. He explains why casual leads to casualty, emphasizing that pattern recognition, quick decision-making, situational awareness, and decisive action can make all the difference when every second counts. Tune in to gain powerful lessons learned from the Miracle on the Hudson and pivotal insights that extend far beyond the cabin of an aircraft. About the Guest: Dave Sanderson is a nationally recognized leadership speaker, accomplished author, and inspirational survivor of what is known as "The Miracle on the Hudson." As the last passenger off US Airways Flight 1549, which had to ditch into the river, he took the lessons he learned from that profound experience in the frigid water and emerged from the wreckage with a mission to encourage others to do the right thing and share coping skills to address any adversity they may face. Named one of Inc.com's Top 100 Leadership speakers, Dave travels the world to share his inspirational leadership lessons and has raised over $14.8M USD for the American Red Cross over the last ten years through his talks. For more information: https://davesandersonspeaks.com/ 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

What can safety leaders learn from the football field? In this high-energy and captivating episode of The Safety Guru, we’re joined by Dan Comiskey, a former Canadian Football League star turned safety leadership expert. Dan shares powerful leadership lessons learned under the stadium lights to inspire a winning safety culture. He brings to life what it means to lead by example and foster a culture grounded in accountability and care. Discover how building mindful habits and empowering team members to take ownership can strengthen a resilient and high-performing team. Don’t miss this episode! It’s packed with game-changing takeaways to help you develop a Champion Mindset and put your game plan for safety into action. About the Guest: Dan Comiskey is a dynamic and inspirational speaker renowned for his ability to deliver impactful keynote presentations to audiences across diverse industries. Drawing on over 20 years of professional football experience and more than a decade in industrial safety leadership, Dan has honed his expertise in leadership, accountability, resilience, and the power of creating mindful habits. From cultivating a culture of safety to fostering resilience and teamwork, Dan’s keynote presentations go beyond inspiration—they provide actionable insights that empower his audience to create huge changes over time. For more information: https://www.dancomiskey.com/ 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

In this inspiring and unforgettable episode, Alan Mallory shares his remarkable journey to the summit of Mount Everest, unpacking countless connections to workplace safety and powerful leadership lessons gained with every step toward the peak. Drawing from his record-setting ascent, Alan reveals how to confront blind spots, overcome complacency, and navigate adversity to safely reach the summit of the world’s highest mountain with his team. He emphasizes the importance of increasing awareness, embracing continuous learning, and building strong team relationships to help keep ourselves and others safe. Don’t miss this gripping conversation packed with real Everest lessons to elevate safety and help you reach new heights. Tune in now! About the Guest: Alan Mallory is an international speaker, author, and performance coach who is passionate about reaching new heights in all that we do. He has a degree in Engineering from Queen’s University and a Master's in Psychology from Adler University, giving him a well-balanced approach to the inner and outer challenges we all face. Building experience through a lifestyle of adventure and challenge, Alan embarked on the journey of a lifetime and set a world record on Mount Everest along with three members of his immediate family. He believes in empowering people and embracing an agile mentality focused on relationships and results. For more information: https://alanmallory.com 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