Illusion of Safety

How Do Safety Pros Make Training Better?

Training is part of the job. Sometimes that training can be interesting, exciting, and engaging while other times it could be a slog. So, what makes a training effective? Whether you're using material you've created yourself or a pre-packaged training, doing it voluntarily or being told to do it, there are ways that safety pros can make training more effective. And no, we don't mean just add a quiz at the end to check understanding.

Why Do We Even Need This Policy?

Policies and procedures. They go together like peanut butter and jelly, and like a PB&J sandwich they can get really messy if you don't handle them properly. In this episode we look at why we need proper documentation and how to make them a little more engaging (spoiler alert: know your audience). Whether it's a multi-step, multi-section, see-paragraph-E-subpart-1-section-J kind of policy or just something as simple as foods that are NOT ok to put in the breakroom microwave, safety pros and others can always learn a thing or two that will make their policies and procedures meaningful and effective.

How do you gamify Safety? with Dr. Jonathan Smith

Worker safety is serious business, but that doesn't mean you can't introduce element some fun into it! In this episode with Dr. Jonathan Smith, the gang explores how gamification can be used in the workplace to positively drive results and even make safety part of the organization's culture. People play games from a very early age as a way to learn concepts and interact with one another, so it makes sense that elements of games can be used to help people embrace safety concepts and help one another to work safely each day. The benefits go far beyond just the pizza party or high fives. Gamification is a great way to make worker safety really stick and help people cooperate to get that win!

Are New Year Resolutions a thing?

New Year, who dis? We're back in action and ready to start 2026 with a bang! There's something special about starting the year with some goals in mind, but what is the best way to approach those goals to see that they're actually accomplished and not just abandoned after a couple months...or days?! Whether your goal is personal (like drinking more water) or professional (like actually making safety part of the work) it seems like there are many ways to accomplish those goals. One thing we do know, though, is that setting goals is a lot easier than doing them, so it might help to have some accountability with others on your journey. Regardless of how you approach those goals, we wish you the best as you get ready to make 2026 YOUR year!
 

Mini-episode: Wait, 2026 is just around the corner? with Allison Short

It's our third mini-episode and we have our very own Allison Short taking a look at how things have changed over the last year, and even over the course of this podcast! As new opportunities and challenges arise, it's important to give yourself some grace and room for error. No one is perfect (gasp!) and we all need to be kind to ourselves, especially when starting something new. 2025 was definitely quite the year and we're looking forward to jumping into 2026 with all of YOU!

Mini-episode: What the Heck Happened in 2025? With Josh Russell

Bit of a different episode this time, in more ways than one! We're looking back at 2025 and if your year was anything like Josh's, it was a vibe. Whether it's hitting professional milestones, experiencing personal growth, or a wild and wacky combination of both, there's no doubt that 2025 had plenty going on for Josh and many of you in our amazing collective of safety pros. Enjoy!

Mini-episode: What was 2025 all about? with Gabe Encarnacion

As the year comes to a close, we're individually going over some of the lessons we learned in 2025 and how they will (might?) affect how we approach 2026. Does Gabe find it awkward to record a mini-episode by himself? Yes. Did he still manage to laugh at himself as he answered Josh's crazy questions in our "Proceed with Caution" segment? Also yes. Enjoy!

How do Safety Pros address burnout?

In this episode of The Illusion of Safety Podcast, we dive into a topic every safety pro knows too well: burnout. We talk about what it feels like when the spark fades and how community, connection, and honest conversations can help us get it back. Burnout doesn’t mean you’re broken, it means you’ve been carrying too much for too long. Kick back, listen in, and unpack how to recharge, lean on each other, and keep your passion for the safety profession alive!

How do Safety Pros avoid being jaded at work?

You know the sinking feeling that creeps up on a Sunday night. The dread of dealing with people and issues at work, the stress of the unknown, and why is everything so stinkin’ loud?! Take a deep breath, friend…we’re here for you, and it sounds like you’re getting a bit burnt out. From dealing with people to feeling like there’s never a time when you can “turn off” the work, Safety professionals face a host of issues that can set them up for burnout on the job. What better way to talk about supporting one another in those challenging times than with an episode where Josh, Allison, and Gabe talk about how they’ve found help when that work pressure builds? You’re not alone in this struggle. If you need help finding a group of like-minded people to help you when the going gets tough in your work, drop us a line and we’ll see how we can help you get connected. That’s what this awesome collective in the safety profession is all about!

Re-visit: Can our work align with our values? with Subena Colligan

Time to set the Wayback Machine to 2023 when we had our very first podcast guest: Subena Colligan! We're pretty sure 2023 Subena would be pretty amazed at what would happen just a couple years later with the launch of the BOLD Summit in Atlanta, GA. Whether it's discussing purpose and legacy or exploring finding joy in work, we love hearing what Subena has to say.
For more info about BOLD (Blacks in OEHS Leading Distinctively) check out https://www.bold4oehs.org/