Explore every episode of the podcast SafeTalk with SafeStart

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Deer season has a way of making smart people move too fast. The alarm goes off in the dark, you’re running on too little sleep, the truck heads out before dawn, and suddenly you’re climbing a stand in bulky boots doing something you’ve done a hundred times. That’s exactly why we focus on hunting safety through human factors, not lectures. We want you to spot the moment complacency, rushing, or fatigue starts steering the wheel.

Danny Smith-Host

Kevin Nix-Guest

https://outlook.cloud.microsoft/mail/inbox/id/AAQkADNlOTQ1NmNhLWJhMWItNDQ1OS05MzVjLTFmYjMzNTNhNmQ5MAAQAMOKZjsrUd9Fp0Prn06qtoQ%3D/sxs/AAkALgAAAAAAHYQDEapmEc2byACqAC%2FEWg0AZdDK8h9n5EG681XHDdYihgAAgnfz%2BwAAARIAEABJgucTwzmTRr58RoFvfYQx?culture=en-us&country=us

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Skeptical about safety training because it never seems to stick? This conversation might change your mind. Danny Smith welcomes new SafeStart consultant Sammy Rutledge, a seasoned environmental health and safety leader with deep experience in manufacturing, production management, incident investigation, and regulatory compliance, and asks a simple question: what makes SafeStart different in the real world?

Danny Smith: Host

Sammey Rutledge: Guest

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The most dangerous moment is often right after you think you’ve won. We talk with Everest climber, entrepreneur, and 2026 SafeStart Forum keynote speaker Jamie Clarke about what risk management really looks like when your body is tired, your emotions are loud, and the margin for error is thin.

Danny Smith-Host

Jaime Clarke-Guest

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Danny sits down with Certified Safety Professional and one of SafeStart's new consultants, David Sipe, to talk about how human factors shape the everyday moments where injuries happen. Hear how SafeStart changed the safety culture at his site, why safety skills matter beyond the workplace, and how simple techniques can help prevent errors before they lead to bigger outcomes.

Host: Danny Smith
Guest: David Sipe

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Summer may be winding down, but the warm weather isn’t necessarily going anywhere just yet, and we could still have some extremely hot days ahead. Heatstroke can be deadly and it happens when your body temperature rises rapidly. Knowing the warning signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses is the first step to preventing them. Let Tim enlighten you on how to stay cool in the hazardous energy that comes along with warming temperatures.

Host: Tim Page-Bottorff

 https://www.bcm.edu/news/know-the-signs-heat-exhaustion-can-quickly-turn-to-heat-stroke

https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/3431_wksiteposter_en.pdf

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Danny sits down with one of our new safety consultants, Rick Ricker, to talk about why SafeStart clicked for him after decades in high-risk industries and behavior-based safety work. Dig into human factors, telltale signs, and the real-life moments where a small reset can prevent a big outcome.

Host: Danny Smith
Guest: Rick Ricker

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S15Ep12 The Map is Not the Terrain: Charting a New Course for Leadership

Jamie Clarke is a world-renowned adventure leader, elite climber and performance coach who has inspired audiences as a sought-after speaker for more than 25 years. That’s exactly why we selected him as the opening keynote speaker for the 2026 SafeStart Forum. While some may see Jamie as a risk-taker, his perspective is rooted in risk management—understanding how to adapt when the plan no longer matches the reality in front of you. In his keynote, he’ll share powerful lessons on leadership, decision-making and resilience, drawn from extraordinary experiences in some of the world’s toughest environments. Expect compelling stories, practical insights, high energy and plenty of humor. Get a quick preview of what’s to come in this conversation between Danny and Jamie.

Host: Danny Smith
Guest: Jamie Clarke

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Now that summer is here, it's time to take our SafeStart skills on the water. Join Captain Danny and Captain Keith as they embark on ensuring safe passage this boating season.

Host: Danny Smith
Guest: Keith Carpenter

Resources:
http://www.americasboatingcourse.com/lawsbystate.cfm
https://canadaboatsafety.com/?msclkid=af56ab55deaf12e22c18cd0529d01f72
https://www.boaterexam.com/safety/safety-common-hand-signals/

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Danny sits down with one of our newest consultants, Lauren, to explore how a human factors approach—brought to life through SafeStart—has become a valuable addition to her toolkit, helping her better manage her complicated relationship with focusing and staying on track in the face of everyday challenges like "adulting". Tune in for this light-hearted chat and come away with a candid look at SafeStart.

Host: Danny Smith

Guest: Lauren Lamontagne

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Workers' Memorial Day focuses on workers who lost their lives on the job. A lot of organizations use this day to raise awareness about safety issues, but that doesn't always reach the workers. Impacting workers can do a whole lot more. Join Tim and Abby as they break it all down.

Host: Tim Page-Bottorff

Guest: Abby Ferri

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You can spend months rolling out safety leadership training and still watch the impact fade if leaders do not have easy tools to reinforce it. That is why we put the spotlight on a resource many clients overlook: the SafeLead Client Portal. Tim Page-Bottorff sits down with SafeStart consultant Jeremy Hyde for a practical walkthrough of what is inside, how to get access, and how to use it to make SafeLead stick in the real world.

Host: Tim Page-Bottorff

Guest: Jeremy Hyde

https://safestart.com/file/idclip/

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What if the biggest safety lever isn’t another rule, but a simple shift in how we manage our own states?  We sat down with one of our newest consultants, Tom Raught (a certified safety professional whose 40-year career spans hazardous waste, steel, chemical, telecom, oil and gas, and manufacturing), to unpack how safety transformed from equipment and checklists to human factors, practical habits, and real behavior change that lasts.

Host: Danny Smith
Guest: Tom Raught

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Habits, not policies or procedures, decide what happens in the split second before an incident. We sit down with Cristian, a safety leader and author from Sydney, to unpack why the brain’s automatic systems drive most on-the-job behavior and how to reshape those systems toward safer defaults. Instead of shaming “bad choices,” we trace how repetition wires neural pathways that turn yesterday’s lucky shortcuts into today’s risky routines.

Host: Tim Page-Bottorff

Guest: Cristian Sylvestre

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Want more time with your people and less time buried in reports? In this episode, Danny sits down with Eduardo Lan to unpack how generative AI can shoulder the data grind so that safety leaders can focus on human things like culture and coaching. Understand AI in plain language—separating hype from practical value—and learn how you can turn a generic assistant into a sharp partner for safety performance.

Host: Danny Smith
Guest: Eduardo Lan

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The moments that change safety aren’t always dramatic. Sometimes it’s a quiet nudge, a shared phrase, or a supervisor who chooses to coach instead of blame. We dig into the power of intervention—how speaking up with care, using clear safety language, and building psychological safety can stop injuries before they start and keep quality on track.

Hosts:

Danny Smith

Tim Page-Bottorff

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What if human factors were your organization’s secret advantage, not a list of hazards to police? We sat down with returning guest Peter Batrowny to flip the script—spotlighting intelligence, creativity, adaptability, empathy, intuition, passion, and especially resilience as performance multipliers across safety, quality, and culture.

Host: Tim Page-Bottorff

Guest: Pete Batrowny

Individual-organizational-learning-loops

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The fuse catches, your heart jumps, and instinct says run. That split second is where most firework injuries begin—not in the explosion, but in the rush, the stumble, and the moments when excitement outruns preparation. We unpack how holiday celebrations trigger the human states that lead to errors, and we turn that insight into a simple, repeatable plan you can trust.

Host:  Danny Smith

Aerial  fireworks: Determine the height that the device can shoot up plus the blast radius, which is usually 45-55' per inch. So after traveling 250' in the air, the fallout on a 2.5" would be 150' or so and then double that.

* Note SafeTalk  will return 1/5/26. Happy and Safe Holidays!

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What happens when a rising manager in a high-output factory realizes that the current tactics of fear, pressure, and blame don’t actually make people safer—or more successful? 

SafeStart consultant Eduardo Lan sat down with us to recount his candid journey from toxic leadership to a people-first approach that blends systems thinking, human factors, and practical skill-building you can use on the job and at home.

Host: Danny Smith
Guest: Eduardo Lan

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The first cold mornings call us to the woods, but the most important ritual of deer season isn’t sighting in or scouting—it’s how we manage risk when the headlamp clicks on. We sit down with to unpack why the most dangerous moments aren’t always the shot, but the climb, the drive, and the quiet drift toward complacency. From national trends that show firearm fatalities falling to the stubborn injuries caused by falls and field dressing, we trace the real hazards and the simple habits that stop them.

Host: Danny Smith

Guest: Kevin Nix

https://safestart.com/file/nctrb2/Safe%20Treestand%20and%20Firearm%20Use.pdf 

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What if “human error” is the starting point—not the end—of a safer, smarter workplace? David Bianco sat down with us and discussed what a fair and just culture truly looks like under pressure, why trust always surpasses fear, and how small signals from leaders can influence how work is approached.

Host: Danny Smith

Guest: David Bianco

https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/1032442/episodes/9825473-s6ep7-psychological-safety

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Imagine yourself cruising down the highway, you're feeling confident, the engine hums, and the sun is just starting to dip below the horizon. But what if I told you that confidence could be your downfall? That's precisely the conversation we had with Robyn Robertson from the Traffic Injury Research Foundation.

Host: Danny Smith

Guest: Robyn Robertson 

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Description 2

The integration of human factors principles into traditional behavioral observation processes transforms safety from a checkbox exercise into meaningful conversations that actually reduce risk. In this deep-dive discussion, consultant Shayne Arnaud draws on decades of experience to reveal why many BBS programs fail to deliver lasting results. 

Host: Danny Smith
Guest: Shayne Arnaud

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Safety expert Joe Tantarelli joins Tim Page-Bottorff once again to conduct a "postmortem" on failed behavior-based safety (BBS) programs, examining the root causes with surgical precision. So, what's really wrong with BBS? Short answer: nothing. Tune in to find out what the problem is.

Host: Tim Page-Bottorff
Guest: Joe Tantarelli

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What separates the world's safest organizations from the rest? In this riveting conversation with our closing keynote speaker for the 2025 SafeStart Forum, Larry Pearlman, we'll take a deep dive into the practices that truly elite companies employ to achieve exceptional safety performance.

Host: Danny Smith
Guest: Larry Pearlman

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What do country music songwriting and safety culture have in common? More than you might think, according to Nashville songwriter Jimmy Yeary.

Jimmy, who has written hits for Kenny Chesney, Martina McBride, Tim McGraw, and George Strait, shares his philosophy on storytelling that has made him a sought-after songwriter in the country music world. 

He also happens to be this year's opening keynote at the SafeStart Forum!

Host: Danny Smith

Guest: Jimmy Yeary

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Safety doesn't clock out when we leave work—it becomes even more personal when applied to those we love most. Tyler Keith, a 14-year veteran at SafeStart, takes us on a journey through the everyday moments where safety concepts transform from workplace principles to family wisdom.

Host: Danny Smith

Guest: Tyler Keith

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Over the years, there have been many discussions about the usefulness of behavior-based safety (BBS). This discussion (not interview) between Tim and Shayne takes us behind the curtain of BBS implementation, revealing both its foundational strengths and historical missteps.

Host Tim Page-Bottorff
Guest: Shayne Arnaud

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Ready to revolutionize your safety program? SafeStart's Client Portal is the game-changer you've been waiting for. This comprehensive digital hub centralizes all SafeStart resources, making safety implementation more streamlined and effective than ever before.

Host: Tim Page-Bottorff

Guest: Dennis Carnrike

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Lake living offers tranquil beauty and endless recreation, but boating safety demands vigilance even from experienced enthusiasts. Danny Smith and Keith Carpenter, both lakeside residents and avid boaters, share essential wisdom acquired through years on the water, including a sobering reality check on recent statistics.

Host: Danny Smith

Guest: Keith Carpenter

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As temperatures climb across North America, the dangers of heat-related illnesses loom large for everyone—not just those in desert climates. This critical episode dives deep into the potentially life-threatening nature of heat stroke, a condition that strikes when the body's core temperature exceeds 104°F (40°C).

Host: Tim Page-Bottorff

https://safestart.com/news/beware-hidden-human-factors-hot-weather/

https://safestart.com/news/youre-not-just-hot-how-to-identify-heat-related-illness

https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/3431_wksiteposter_en.pdf

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 The age-old question faced by many safety professionals isn't whether to implement human factors safety training, but rather where to begin. Should you start with leadership development through SafeLead or build individual safety skills with SafeStart? Our safety implementation specialists join us to help answer this crucial question.

Host: Danny Smith
Guests: Deric Ostrum and Kevin Nix

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What happens when safety leaders don't have accurate information about their own organization's safety culture? In this enlightening conversation with Rodd Wagner, New York Times bestselling author and SafeStart executive advisor, we explore the dangers of "flying blind" when it comes to workplace safety management.

Host: Tim Page-Bottorff

Guest: Rodd Wagner

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Join us as we look behind the scenes at the world's safest organizations—companies operating in high-risk industries like chemicals, utilities, and transportation that have achieved extraordinary safety records. This is just a snippet of what you'll get with Larry as the closing keynote speaker at this year's SafeStart Forum. His keynote will be an interactive capstone activity on what it takes to achieve these extraordinary results, which he learned from his 20-plus years in the safety business.

Host: Danny Smith
Guest: Larry Pearlman

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What happens when a Nashville hitmaker's approach to crafting chart-topping songs collides with workplace safety? 

Meet Jimmy, the country music songwriter behind hits for Kenny Chesney, Martina McBride, Tim McGraw, and George Strait. He's our opening keynote speaker at the SafeStart Forum this year, and he explains the similarities between writing a hit song and telling an impactful safety story.

Host: Danny Smith
Guest: Jimmy Yeary  

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The SafeLead client portal might be the most valuable safety resource you've never heard of. In this enlightening conversation, host Tim Page-Bottorff welcomes Jeremy Hyde, a passionate SafeStart and SafeLead consultant, to reveal the hidden power of this comprehensive digital toolkit that many organizations overlook.

Host: Tim Page-Bottorff

Guest: Jeremy Hyde

https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/1032442/episodes/13773325-s11ep14-success-factors-for-safestart-the-white-paper

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Have you ever heard your office personnel say things like, "Why do we have to attend safety training? We never go out into the plant."?

This podcast explores several key office safety concerns, beginning with the universal risk of driving to and from work that affects all employees regardless of position. 

Host: Danny Smith

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What happens when a multigenerational steel company with deep-rooted traditions transforms its approach to safety leadership? 

The results extended far beyond incident rates, creating ripple effects throughout the organization's culture and performance. Take a look behind the scenes of Metallus' remarkable journey with SafeLead. This candid conversation reveals how the frontline leadership process changed not only their organization but their personal lives as well.

Host: Danny Smith
Guests: Andrew Bissot and Brent Vogt of Metallus 

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Can resilience be the secret ingredient that transforms an organization's safety culture? Flip your thinking of human factors from human error to the positive aspects with things like intelligence, creativity, adaptability, and empathy. This discussion highlights the significance of fostering resilience, enabling businesses to respond effectively to undesired events and proactively prevent them, creating a culture that thrives on learning and improvement.

Host: Tim Page-Bottorff
Guest: Pete Batrowny

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Unlock the secrets to benefitting from the SafeLead Refresher course. Learn how to rejuvenate your leadership approach to human factors. With any new skill set, you get a lot of tools to go in your toolbox. The SafeLead Refresher course brings all of the tools out of the toolbox to ensure they're being used to their full potential. This episode explores the myriad ways this process empowers leaders—boosting confidence in team communication, learning how to use the learning loops and refining relationship-building techniques. 

Host: Danny Smith
Guest: Teena Blount

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 Discover how intelligence, creativity, and adaptability can redefine your organization’s approach to safety and performance. Learn why resilience is crucial for bouncing back from setbacks and preventing them in the first place. 

These principles are universally relevant, whether you're leading a team or simply looking to enhance your personal growth. 

Host: Tim Page-Bottorff

Guest: Pete Batrowny

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How do effective touchpoint management strategies impact SafeLead (and even SafeStart)? Delve into the art of intentional communication and the need to schedule these crucial interactions—learn the benefits of these touchpoints and the pitfalls of not having these touchpoints. You'll also get a list of resources that can help. 

Host: Tim Page-Bottorrff
Guest: Tyia Grant

https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/1032442/episodes/13773325-s11ep14-success-factors-for-safestart-the-white-paper

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From there, we translate the lesson to the factory floor. We unpack the state-to-error pattern—how human factors like fatigue, frustration, and time pressure predict mistakes—and show how teaching people to spot these states turns average observers into high-value risk identifiers. Instead of relying solely on managers or audits, we can build a wide network of trained eyes that surfaces hazards earlier and more often. Some fixes require capital, like the curb; many only need small workflow adjustments, clearer cues, or default-safe layouts that make the right action the easy action.

Host: Danny Smith

https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/1032442/episodes/8198426-s3ep10-safestart-s-individual-organizational-learning-loops

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Have you ever consciously prevented an injury from happening? Our Story Series continues as Renée recounts a day that she was working on her habits and her common near miss in the office did not become a serious injury as a result of her new habit.

Host: Tim Page-Bottorff
Guest: Renée Metherel 

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Have you ever found yourself on autopilot during your daily routine? Accept our invitation to recognize and combat complacency, which could have far-reaching consequences in our lives.

Host: Tim Page-Botorff
Guest: Yvonne Wallace

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What if traditional safety strategies are failing to prevent serious injuries and fatalities (SIFs)? Join us as we chat with experts about situational precursors in risk management. Learn how leaders can manage human elements—especially during unplanned or emergency situations—and discover the importance of preparedness in high-pressure situations.

Host: Danny Smith
Guests: Peter Batrowny and Teg Matthews

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What if the secret to a safer workplace lies in happiness? Join us for a compelling discussion with Rodd Wagner, a New York Times bestselling author and executive advisor to Safestart, as we challenge the conventional wisdom that disengaged workers are naturally more self-preserving. 

We highlight the importance of adhering to ISO 45003 standards for managing psychosocial risks, and how individualized management can unlock each employee's potential. 

Tim Page-Bottorff: Host
Rodd Wagner: Guest

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Our Stories Series continues with Performance Errors. Sometimes the mistakes cost us time and money but in this case, it could cost you much more.

Danny Smith: Host 
Shayne Arnaud: Guest

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Embedding SafeStart into the organizational DNA takes leadership focusing the concept of "white space." In this episode practical tools for sustaining momentum and avoiding the "flavor of the month" syndrome,

Host: Tim Page-Bottorff
Guest: Chris Ross

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Unlock the secrets to maintaining safety in a world with dwindling attention spans. Discover how SafeChat can seamlessly integrate into your safety briefings, whether at work, home or on the road, to foster an environment where safety is prioritized naturally.

Host: Danny Smith

https://safestart.com/news/the-ultimate-guide-to-safety-posters/

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Discover the essential strategies for onboarding new hires, contractors, and visitors with SafeStart. Learn why timing is crucial in introducing SafeStart concepts.

You can't afford to miss this game-changer in easing new hires into the safety methodology.

Host: Tim Page-Bottorff
Guest: Amy Hutchinson

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1032442/episodes/9672362-s6ep10-the-safestart-client-portal?t=0