Illusion of Safety

Is there nothing new under the (safety) sun?

You think you’ve seen it all before when it comes to safety topics. Maybe you’ve even tried a few of them at your company. Then a “new” safety concept comes out reaching buzzword status but it’s just a rehash of something you’ve already heard a thousand times. How do you stay motivated and keep things fresh when it comes to safety? For the Illusion of Safety gang, turns out with a little bit of curiosity, humility, and openness you can find new angles even in safety topics that have been discussed on podcasts and conferences over and over.

How do you have conversations about mental health?

Since June is Men's Mental Health Awareness month, we're putting the "men" in "mental health" (see what we did there?) on this mini-episode! Josh and Gabe talk about the challenge of even starting a conversation about mental health when talking with other men, and how important it is to do so. Holding it all in doesn't work well, which is why it's so important to have honest, open conversations with others who are close to you. Whether it's a simple "you good?" check in, a listening ear, or even a hug, we all need others who care for us and we can be that caring person to others. Enjoy!

Is it ok to be a Safety Nerd? with Sam Goodman

Let's face it: we can be fans of the safety profession to the point of being absolute nerds about it. But is it possible to take it overboard? That's what we wanted to talk about with Sam Goodman, host of "The HOP Nerd" Podcast! We talk about terminology, safety debates (and beefs) and what's the best way to stay grounded to make sure safety is still applicable for everyone. Especially those who have a full time job other than safety!

What does collaboration look like in the safety profession? With the Case for Safety Podcast

Let our powers combine…on this crossover episode between The Case for Safety Podcast from the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) and the Illusion of Safety! The gang chats with Scott Fowler on how they’ve been impacted personally and professionally through collaboration with others in safety. Whether it’s through local connections or through big conferences like ASSP’s annual professional development conference (PDC) there are so many ways people can gain insight from others and give to others who need help. Who knows…those people may become great friends too!

Why is it important to "give back" in the safety profession?

The safety profession can be a demanding one, so why give even more? Turns out it’s beneficial for everyone! Generosity is a two-way street, benefitting both the person giving and the person receiving. Safety is a very people-oriented field where there’s a lot learned on the job. That kind of knowledge can best be passed down from one professional to another through different means. The gang talks about how there can be different ways to give–from mentoring to sharing your knowledge on a topic in a presentation. The best part is that you can give in a way that’s best for YOU! The important thing is to actually get past that hesitation and fear and take those first steps to invest in the lives of others in the safety profession.

How do we approach neurodiversity in the workplace? With Tim Vogus

You don't have to be in the working world long to realize that peoples' minds work differently, from how we process information and work on tasks to how we interact with others. This neurodiversity can be challenging in the workplace but there are also ways it can be an asset as long as we understand one another and how we work. This is a big part of the research done by Tim Vogus, which he shares with us on this episode. Tim shares how teams can benefit from understanding and embracing different ways of thinking and the challenges that lie ahead for organizations. For safety professionals, understanding neurodiversity and its effect on worker and organizational safety is important since safety professionals often find themselves working with all levels in the organization. They function as translators and intermediaries, so learning the mental language "spoken" by different people in their workplace is critical. For more information, check out the resources that Tim references in this episode:
"Neuro Tribes: the Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity" Steve Silberman
Frist Center for Autism and Innovation: https://www.vanderbilt.edu/autismandinnovation/
"Q&A: Vanderbilt expert discusses inclusive workplaces for people on the autism spectrum" https://news.vanderbilt.edu/2022/04/06/ask-an-expert-how-can-workplaces-be-more-inclusive-for-people-on-the-autism-spectrum/
"The value of  employment support services for adults on the autism spectrum and/or with intellectual disabilities: Employee, employer, and job coach perspectives" by Valerie Martin, Cynthia Di Francesco, Flavio Murahara, Tara Flanagan and Aparna Nadig https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.3233/JVR-211163
"Seeking help in the shadow of doubt: The sensemaking processes underlying how nurses decide whom to ask for advice." by David A. Hofmann, Zhike Lei, Adam Grant https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2009-12532-010

How do you make meaningful connections online? with Laurel Youngstrom

If you've spent any time on social media you've probably found yourself chasing some of those vanity metrics: likes, follows, smiley-face-emojis. But what do those really mean and do they translate to real connections with real people? That's what we want to learn from Laurel Youngstrom on this episode. She and her husband Russ are motivational speakers who talk about Russ's workplace injury changed their lives forever and what others can do to work safely. Laurel has built many connections online through her authentic interactions, care towards people, and maybe even a song or two, so she has some great insights on how to be intentional about building those connections without making it awkward or impersonal. If you want to learn about Laurel and Russ' story, check out their website at https://youngstromsafety.com/!

How do we grow and evolve in the safety profession? With Dr. Megan Tranter

Evolution, reinvention, progression…whatever you want to call it, change is inevitable, especially in the safety profession. What’s great, though, is that you can be in charge of your own growth and progression in your career because of all the different ways Safety can be applied in an organization. That’s what Dr. Megan Tranter found out as her safety career took her from Australia to leading safety at some of the top organizations in the world. She shares a bit about her journey, especially when it comes to being resilient and flexible in growing your career.

Do we need more curious safety professionals? with Brad Green

It’s clear that curiosity can benefit people in certain fields like the arts where creativity is necessary, or in the sciences when you’re experimenting and discovering. But what about in a field with lots of regulations like Safety? Brad Green joins the gang to explore how curiosity is helpful and even necessary for people in the Safety field and how to deploy it wisely. There are even connections to how curiosity can affect how we view people and how we’re able to help them work well. With almost 20 years in the Safety field, Brad has seen how being curious can help you and your team go far. Listen in for some tips and tricks to help you become a more curious safety professional and how to use it for good…instead of ending up like that proverbial cat!

What does being Professional mean? with Abby Holovach

We're here to put the "Professional" in "Safety Professional"...or are we? Hopefully Abby Holovach can shed some light on what it means to be professional in a field that doesn't exactly have a clear definition on what that even means. It's tricky to jump between situations as a safety professional--working with executive management one moment then being on a jobsite the next--and juggling how to act in a way that you can be taken seriously. On top of all that, how do you keep from losing your authentic self in any of those situations? As a safety manager, consultant, volunteer, and speaker, Abby knows a thing or two about showing up professionally and being authentic at the same time. Get ready to take some notes and maybe even learn a thing or two about how to up your professionalism! Brace yourself as Abby drops some knowledge and even makes her mark on the Illusion of Safety podcast by naming one of our regular segments!