

Safety FM with Jay Allen
Safety FM
Safety FM with Jay Allen is a twice-weekly podcast exploring the evolving world of safety culture, human and organizational performance (HOP), and systems thinking—plus the occasional detour into topics that deserve a little disruption.Each week, you'll hear two distinct formats:A full-length episode featuring in-depth conversations with thought leaders, innovators, and unconventional voices from the world of safety, leadership, and work.A shorter, focused mini-episode offering insight, perspective, or commentary directly from host Dr. Jay Allen.Whether you're rethinking how systems function or questioning the status quo, this show invites you to engage with the complexity behind modern safety and performance.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 15, 2025 • 7min
EP 749 - Mini - HOP-Lite: When Safety Change is Just Wallpaper
Ripped from the headlines of the Rated R Safety Show, this episode takes a hard look at how Human & Organizational Performance (HOP) has been reduced to catchphrases and cosmetic fixes. Jay calls out the “HOP-Lite” approach—where organizations adopt the language of change without the thinking or system redesign to back it up. From muted blame to top-down decision-making dressed up in new jargon, we unpack why fear of real change and the lure of quick wins keep companies stuck in old patterns. If you’re only wallpapering over the cracks, you’re not doing HOP—you’re just making the noise look prettier.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Aug 12, 2025 • 23min
EP 748 - Aging Out in the Safety Profession: Staying Relevant in a Changing Industry
What happens when decades of hard-earned safety experience start being seen as “old school” instead of invaluable? In this episode, Dr. Jay Allen dives into the often-ignored reality of aging out in the safety profession — when perception, bias, and organizational shifts begin to edge seasoned professionals toward the sidelines.We’ll explore the challenges older safety pros face, the hidden strengths they bring to the table, and practical strategies for staying relevant, respected, and engaged in a rapidly evolving industry. Plus, we’ll talk about what organizations risk losing when they let experience walk out the door — and how they can retain that critical knowledge before it’s gone.Whether you’re a veteran safety leader or just starting out, this conversation will challenge how you think about career longevity, mentorship, and the future of the safety field.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Aug 8, 2025 • 4min
EP 747 - Mini -The Conversation We Need to Have About Mental Health
In this Safety FM Mini, Jay Allen steps away from the usual safety talk to address an often-overlooked topic—mental health. Triggered by heartbreaking news of a friend’s loss, Jay reflects on why these conversations matter at every age and how we can better support one another. He also shares a resource he values, To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA.com), offering information, help, and ways to get involved. Even if mental health isn’t something you’re personally struggling with, someone you know might be—and knowing where to turn can make all the difference.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Aug 5, 2025 • 27min
EP 746 -Cutting Through the Noise – Your Questions, My Signal
In this special episode of Safety FM with Jay Allen, Jay takes a break from the usual format to answer the questions you've been sending in about his latest body of work—The Signal Transmission Trilogy. From the origins of Safety, In My Opinion, to the systemic challenges explored in Safety Mutation, and the intentional clarity of Safety Transmission, Jay dives deep into what inspired the books, how they're meant to be used, and what they really mean for the future of safety, leadership, and culture.You’ll hear first names and towns, as Jay responds directly to real questions from listeners across the globe—covering everything from distortion in metrics to how storytelling changes the way we think about safety.If you've ever wondered how to move from managing risk to influencing systems, this episode delivers. Raw, reflective, and real—this isn’t just another safety episode. It’s a signal worth catching.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Aug 1, 2025 • 3min
EP 745 - Mini - What's Happening When Nothing's Happening?
In Episode 745 of Safety FM, Dr. Jay Allen poses a simple but powerful challenge: What’s really happening when it seems like nothing is happening? While safety professionals often focus on red and yellow indicators—flags that something is wrong or about to be—Dr. Allen encourages us to look closer at the green. Could the "all clear" be hiding the real story? Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion about the unseen layers of safety performance and how shifting your focus might change everything.Brought to you by Safety Focus Moments – helping you build the safety culture you’ve been looking for. Learn more at SafetyFocusMoments.com.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jul 29, 2025 • 10min
EP 744 – What the Forklift Taught Me
In today’s special episode of Safety FM with Jay Allen, we shift gears from the usual and dive deep into Chapter Four of Safety, In My Opinion — part of the newly released Signal Transmission Trilogy.Jay shares a gripping narrative about a series of forklift incidents that expose the hidden disconnect between rules and reality. This chapter—“The Forklift and the Pedestrians”—challenges the illusion of compliance and explores how systems, not just individuals, shape safety outcomes. It’s about context, design, behavior, and the moment safety culture stops being theory and starts being felt.Whether you're new to the Trilogy or have been following the Signal since the start, this episode delivers a thought-provoking listen that may just change how you see your workplace.📘 Grab the complete Signal Transmission Trilogy now on Amazon or visit SafetyFM.com to learn more.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jul 25, 2025 • 4min
EP 743 - Mini - When the Signal Goes Silent
In this somber and reflective edition of Safety FM Mini, Jay Allen returns from travel to share thoughts on a week marked by loss. With the recent passing of cultural icons Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Ozzy Osbourne, and Hulk Hogan (Terry Bollea), Jay discusses how these figures shaped his early life and why their absence hits differently.This isn’t just about celebrity deaths—it’s a reminder of how fragile and unpredictable time can be. If someone’s been on your mind, today might be the day to reach out. Because you never know when the last conversation will be.Take a moment. Make it count.Brought to you by Safety Focus Moments — helping you build the safety culture you’ve been looking for.#SafetyFM #SafetyCulture #LifeIsShort #ConnectionMattersAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jul 22, 2025 • 6min
EP 742 - Colliding Mindsets: Old Metrics vs. New Performance
In this episode, Dr. Jay Allen opens the curtain just a bit to share a candid reflection on the clash between traditional safety mindsets and the emerging world of Human and Organizational Performance (HOP). As companies rush to implement learning teams and HOP frameworks, Jay explores how legacy systems—especially those driven by bonus structures and outdated metrics—often sabotage meaningful progress.From multiverse metaphors to boardroom realities, this episode challenges you to rethink how performance is measured, rewarded, and ultimately implemented. Can true change happen if we’re still playing by old rules?🧠 Thought-provoking. 💥 Unfiltered. 📈 Necessary.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jul 18, 2025 • 3min
EP 741 - Mini - Can You Afford an "Off Day" in Safety?
Ever find yourself thinking, “I’m just not feeling it today”? In this episode of Safety FM Mini, Dr. Jay Allen explores what that really means when you're the go-to person for safety in your organization. Can safety professionals afford to have an off day—and what happens when they do? Tune in for a quick but powerful reflection that challenges how we show up when it matters most.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jul 15, 2025 • 6min
EP740 - Training for a World That Doesn’t Exist
In Episode 740 of Safety FM with Jay Allen, we dive deep into a critical question: Are we training people for the real world, or just for the checkbox version of it?Dr. Jay Allen challenges the traditional safety and organizational training models that rely on unrealistic simulations and one-off learning events. Drawing on insights from The Signal Transmission Trilogy, Jay examines how we expect people to respond perfectly in chaos—based on training delivered in sterile, artificial environments they've never actually encountered.This episode explores:Why core principles matter more than memorized protocolsThe difference between reactive behavior and principled decision-makingHow military, martial arts, and sports training tie into organizational learningThe real meaning of “adaptability” in high-stakes environmentsIf your safety program still treats training as a one-and-done checklist, this episode might sting a little—but it’s a necessary wake-up call.🔊 Listen now for a raw, reflective breakdown on why we need to stop teaching safety like it’s a scripted rehearsal—and start building real-world readiness.#SafetyFM #SafetyCulture #TrainingReality #HumanPerformance #DrJayAllen #SignalTransmission #RealTalkSafety #SafetyLeadershipAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy