The Safety Guru

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/

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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

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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/

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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/

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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

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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

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It’s Mental Health Awareness Month, and we’re thrilled to welcome Beverly Beuermann-King to the show! With over 25 years of experience helping organizations build strong, resilient teams, Beverly brings a wealth of wisdom on what it truly means to lead with care. She shares powerful insights on fostering a culture of both physical and psychological safety, addressing workplace toxicity, and emphasizing the importance of supportive conversations and peer-to-peer support systems to build a strong sense of connection and belonging. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation, packed with actionable tips for effective leadership to support mental health, enhance your team’s well-being, and strengthen team engagement in the workplace. Tune in now!

About the Guest:

Beverly Beuermann-King has over 25 years of experience helping individuals and organizations master their responses to stress, build resilience, and thrive using her innovative S-O-S Principle™. Since founding WorkSmartLiveSmart.com in 1995, she has transformed teams across diverse business sectors. Her presentations, grounded in psychology, sociology, management, and adult education, offer practical strategies to enhance mental health and workplace well-being. She is also a prolific author, respected podcaster, and trusted media spokesperson, with over 500 television and radio appearances. Beverly currently serves as the National President of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers. Prepare to be captivated as she empowers you to conquer stress, cultivate resilience, and unlock the secrets to a healthier, more fulfilling life.

For more information: www.WorkSmartLiveSmart.com

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Drawing from his extensive experience in high-performance aviation, Captain Ian Hollingworth joins The Safety Guru to share powerful insights on aviation learnings and human factors. In this engaging episode, Ian brings riveting real-world case studies to life and explores how key aviation principles can be applied to safety-critical industries. He also unpacks three essential elements of human factors that are vital to improving safety and performance. Whether you’re in aviation or another high-stakes field, Ian’s insights offer practical applications to elevate safety, decision-making, and problem-solving. Don’t miss this episode—you’ll walk away with valuable takeaways to help turn complex systems and challenges into simple, actionable solutions.

About the Guest:

Ian Hollingworth, with extensive experience in high-performance aviation, shares unique insights into world-class standards, behaviors, and cultures. Drawing from his background flying military fast jets and in commercial aviation, he engages audiences with anecdotes and tips on building winning teams, inspiring leadership, and overcoming adversity in challenging situations. Ian is extremely passionate about people reaching their full potential and setting big goals; for the past 20 years has worked with some of the world’s most respected businesses in order to develop the talent of tomorrow.

For more information: https://www.planetalks.com

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In recognition of Distracted Driving Awareness Month, we’re privileged to feature a special episode with Dr. Nicholas Mabbott, a seasoned fatigue risk management specialist, packed with actionable takeaways and groundbreaking insights. Dr. Nick shares the science behind sleep, health, and fatigue—and their significant impact on road safety. Backed by science and solid research, he emphasizes the importance of getting quality sleep every day and taking regular breaks while driving to stay alert. Tune in to explore the profound impact of fatigue on road safety and learn practical strategies to mitigate fatigue to ensure safer journeys for all.

About the Guest:

Dr. Nicholas Mabbott is a Fatigue Risk Management Specialist with over 28 years of experience in sleep and fatigue risk management. He has provided sleep and fatigue management training and education to over 34 thousand people from a wide range of industries. His recently published book, “The Wonder of Sleep: Beyond Midnight,” is a compilation of 27 years of learning about sleep and the benefits people get from appropriate sleep. The book challenges road safety professionals and sleep scientists to examine and test new theories on better managing sleep, workplace safety, and road safety. He also has a YouTube channel called “The Wonder of Sleep,” with 23 videos.

For more information: www.beyondmidnight.org

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In this episode of The Safety Guru, we welcome Dr. Nektarios Karanikas, Associate Professor in the Health, Safety, and Environment discipline at Queensland University of Technology. He shares enlightening insights from his recently published research on “Redefining Health, Risk, and Safety” and explores their interconnectedness. Dr. Karanikas emphasizes the importance of leaders recognizing that safety is a duty, actively engaging with safety professionals, and listening to foster a culture of safety within organizations. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable perspectives from Dr. Karanikas—listen now!

About the Guest:

Dr. Nektarios Karanikas is an Associate Professor in the Health, Safety, and Environment discipline at Queensland University of Technology (AU). He holds an MSc in Human Factors and Safety Assessment from Cranfield University (UK) and a PhD in Safety and Quality Management from Middlesex University (UK). Nektarios has 19 years of experience in the Hellenic Air Force, specializing in safety, quality management, and accident investigations, and served as a lecturer in safety and human factors. He has published two edited books and numerous peer-reviewed articles and has presented at over 100 events. Nektarios is also an active volunteer in various scientific and professional activities.

For more information: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nektarioskaranikas/

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