The following podcast episodes are listed here in chronological order.

To listen to any of the following safety podcasts simply click on the title of each episode below.

• Episode 250 – Let’s Talk About Suicide. Katie Cretella, Director of Clinical Services, Trumbull County Mental Health & Recovery Board, joined us to talk about suicide for Mental Health Awareness Month. (23:30) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
• Episode 251 – Leading vs. Lagging Indicators. Justin Deflumeri, MS, GSP, Owner of Optimal Safety Inspections, joined us to chat about leading vs.lagging indicators. Justin also shares fun stories on how he often makes safety fun and more engaging. (23:00) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
• Episode 252 – How to Prevent Compassion Fatigue & Employee Burnout. From compassion fatigue to burnout, Barbare Rubel, keynote speaker and Executive Director at the Griefwork Center, shares with us how employers can use her FABULOUS model to prevent these and more. (32:10) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
• Episode 253 – How to Talk to Employees About Stress. Since the beginning of the pandemic, stress has been at an all time high. In this interview from November 2020, Luci Payne and Barb Furst of IMPACT Solutions EAP joined us to discuss how we can talk to employees about stress. (41:03) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
• Episode 254 – Making Safety Personal. Safety compliance can often fall short because the messaging is too broad or the communications from management are not relevant or relatable to employees. In this excerpt from episode 253, Nicholas Coia, Industrial Safety Consultant from the Ohio BWC, talks about how employers can improve compliance by making safety personal. (4:45) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
• Episode 255 – [Community Spotlight] Portage Development Board. Brad Ehrhart, President of the Portage Development Board, shares about the economic development work they’re doing and how they can help companies locate, stay & grow in Portage County! (2:56) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
• Episode 256 – Driving Safety Forward with Kindness (Live). Bryan McWhorter, Lead Safety Advisor for Safeopedia, presented to our safety council on how valuing people can improve your safety performance. Bryan is also a noted speaker and the author of several books on various topics including Lean, workplace safety and more. (36:50) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
• Episode 257 – 2022-23 Rebate Program Information. In this information session, we covered the details of the FY23 rebate qualifications, outlined the upcoming safety education programming and shared how to become a Portage County Safety Council member. (19:03) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
• Episode 258 – [Safety Blast] Diminished Hearing Protection Standard. Nicholas Coia, Industrial Safety Consultant from the Ohio BWC, answers the question of the month regarding whether or not workers with diminished hearing still need to wear hearing protection. (1:53) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
• Episode 259 – [Community Spotlight] Portage County Becomes StormReady. Brett Lee, Deputy Director of the Portage County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management, joined us to talk about the county’s recent StormReady designation, tornadoes & more! (19:18) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
• Episode 260 – Construction Life 365: Bringing Connection & Camaraderie Back to Construction. Jarrod Tomassi, President & Founder of Construction Life 365, joined us to talk about how he’s helping to restore meaning, connection & camaraderie back to the construction industry! (17:31) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
• Episode 261 – NE Ohio Safety Expo Preview] Workers’ Compensation 101 – Basics from a MCO Perspective. Cheryl Altizer, Account Executive at Promedica Medical Management, joined us to talk about her 2022 NE Ohio Safety Expo presentation titled, Workers’ Compensation 101 – Basics from a MCO prospective. (11:13) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
• Episode 262 – [NE Ohio Safety Expo Preview] Lockout Tagout. Brian Zachetti, Industrial Safety Consultant Specialist at the Ohio BWC, joined us to talk about his 2022 NE Ohio Safety Expo presentation on Lockout/Tagout. (13:31) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
• Episode 263 – [NE Ohio Safety Expo Preview] Confined Space Identification and Hazards. Jennifer Wasilk, owner of Sandstone EHS Services, LLC  joined us to talk about her 2022 NE Ohio Safety Expo presentation titled, Confined Space Identification and Hazards. (9:56) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
• Episode 264 – [NE Ohio Safety Expo Preview] How to Reduce Complacency & Inspire Safety Excellence. Cari Gray, Industrial Safety Consultant at the Ohio BWC, joined us to talk about her 2022 NE Ohio Safety Expo presentation titled, How to Reduce Complacency & Inspire Safety Excellence. (9:58) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
• Episode 265 – [NE Ohio Safety Expo Preview] Are Transitional Work Programs Really Worth the Effort? Shanna Dunbar, President at Workplace Health Inc., joined us to talk about her 2022 NE Ohio Safety Expo presentation titled, Are Transitional Work Programs Really Worth the Effort? (10:03) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
• Episode 266 – 2022 NE Ohio Safety Expo. David Costantino, co-founder of the annual NE Ohio Safety Expo, joined us to talk about the event which will take place on Thursday, October 2022, at the Eastwood Event Centre in Niles, OH. (9:04) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
• Episode 267 – The Need for Leadership in Safety & Beyond! Kevin Mowers, President of Crestcom-Extended Management, Inc.,  joined us to talk about the need for leadership in safety and beyond! (34:12) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
• Episode 268 – Creating Space for Employees to Share Insight. Laurin Mooney, Founder & Innovator of Speaking IN, joined us to talk about how to create space for employees to share their wealth of insight and why leaders should embrace it. (25:40) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
• Episode 269 – [Community Spotlight] US Safety Gear Opens in Streetsboro. One of our sponsors, US Safety Gear, hosted a grand opening for their new retail store in Streetsboro, OH. We were honored to participate in the ribbon cutting ceremony with two other safety council members! Afterwards, we caught up with Niki Leeworthy, their Territory Sales Rep, to learn more about what they do. (3:19) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
• Episode 270 – Risk Assessment or Hazard Assessment? We caught up with Mark Eitzman, Safety and Project Manager at Integrated Mill Systems, for a post-presentation interview after this month’s workplace safety luncheon. Mark did a great job as always, presenting on Staying Safe Around Automation. (8:46) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
• Episode 271 – OSHA Recordkeeping Tips. We caught up with Cari Gary, Safety Consultant Specialist at the Ohio BWC, for a post-presentation interview after this month’s workplace safety luncheon. Cari did a great job as always, presenting on OSHA Recordkeeping. (5:24) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
• Episode 272 – [OSC23 Preview] Believe in Safety. Brandon Schroeder survived a nearly fatal ARC flash accident that changed his life forever.  He joined us on Zoom to share his story and give us a preview of his 2023 Ohio Safety Congress presentation titled, Believe in Safety. (14:34) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
• Episode 273 – [OSC23 Preview] Stress and Healing the Human Brain. A speaker, lawyer & HR consultant by trade, Scott Warrick overcame PTSD and OCD by learning how to heal his brain through neuroscience. He joined us on Zoom to share his story and give us a preview of his 2023 Ohio Safety Congress presentation titled, Stress and Healing the Human Brain. (29:59) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
• Episode 274 – [OSC23 Preview] Safety in a Production Driven World. Having years of experience on both sides, Renee Onesti, Director of Operations at Kent Elastomer Products, understands how to bridge the gap between safety & production! She joined us on Zoom to share her insight and give us a preview of her 2023 Ohio Safety Congress presentation titled, Safety in a Production Driven World. (15:03) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
• Episode 275 – [OSC23 Preview] The Buried Truth Uncovered. Eric Giguere was working on a sewer line project when the 6ft trench collapsed on top of him, nearly costing him his life and so much more!  He joined us on Zoom to share his story and give us a preview of his 2023 Ohio Safety Congress presentation titled, The Buried Truth Uncovered. (15:28) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
• Episode 276 – [OSC23 Preview] Thrive in the Age of Disruption – Cultivate Peak Performance. Author & speaker, Mike Evans, says that “change is constant as business, technology, and society itself continue to evolve at an unprecedented pace.” He joined us on Zoom to talk about how we can shape our safety culture and give us a preview of his 2023 Ohio Safety Congress presentation titled, Thrive in the Age of Disruption – Cultivate Peak Performance. (28:40) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
• Episode 277 – [OSC23 Preview] Positive Psychology: The Science of Being Happy. Ruth Bowdish, Managing Director at On Demand Occupational Medicine, says that “employees are becoming more prone to experiencing symptoms related to disengagement, fatigue, burnout, and an overall mental distress” which costs us when it comes to safety. She joined us on Zoom to share her insight and give us a preview of her 2023 Ohio Safety Congress presentation titled, Positive Psychology: The Science of Being Happy. (20:12) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
• Episode 278 – Program Information. In this episode, we provide new, current & prospective members an overview of the Portage County Safety Council, the corresponding Ohio BWC workers’ compensation premium rebate, and other related program information. Listen/Download via Google Drive.
• Episode 279 – How to Evaluate Your Training Programs. Dr. Drew Hinton, President & CEO of Arrow Safety, LLC, joined us to talk about how to evaluate and improve your safety training programs. Listen/Download via Google Drive.
• Episode 280 – 3 Keys to Diffusing Angry Employees. In this interview, Mike Thompson and Nicholas Coia discuss how to diffuse angry or contentious employees through power, choice and future orientation. Listen/Download via Google Drive.
• Episode 281 – [OSC24 Preview] Overlooked to Influential: Dale Carnegie’s Guide. Merle Heckman, Ph.D., is the Chief Culture Officer and a Master Trainer at the Dale Carnegie Training of the Heartland.  He joined us on our podcast to give us a preview of his 2024 Ohio Safety Congress presentation titled, Overlooked to Influential: Dale Carnegie’s Guide. Listen/Download via Google Drive.
• Episode 282 – [OSC24 Preview] How to Deal with Difficult People. In this interview, Matt Lis, President of RM Leadership Group LLC (Crestcom), gives us a preview of his 2024 Ohio Safety Congress presentation titled, How to Deal with Difficult People. Listen/Download via Google Drive.
• Episode 283 – [OSC24 Preview] Stretching for the Industrial Athlete. Taylor Anderson, an HSE Consultant at Safex in Columbus, OH, joined us on the podcast to answer these questions and give us a preview of her 2024 Ohio Safety Congress presentation titled, Stretching for the Industrial Athlete. Listen/Download via Google Drive.
• Episode 284 – [OSC24 Preview] Confronting Difficult Underperformers. Randy Anderson is the co-founder of E3 Professional Trainers, LLC. He joined us on our podcast to give us a preview of his 2024 Ohio Safety Congress presentation titled, Confronting Difficult Underperformers. Listen/Download via Google Drive.
• Episode 285 – [OSC24 Preview] Effective Written Communication in the Workplace. Tommie Jo Brode is the President of Venice Solutions Group LLC, a practicing lawyer and business consultant. She joined us on our podcast to give us a preview of her 2024 Ohio Safety Congress presentation titled, Effective Written Communication in the Workplace. Listen/Download via Google Drive.
• Episode 286 – [OSC24 Preview] The First Response to Human Trafficking. Thomas Beers is the EMS Program Manager for the Cleveland Clinic and a Full-time Firefighter/Fire Investigator in Cleveland Heights. He joined us on our podcast to give us a preview of his 2024 Ohio Safety Congress presentation titled, The First Response to Human Trafficking. Listen/Download via Google Drive.
• Episode 287 – [OSC24 Preview] Public Speaking Tips and Tricks. Public speaking is one of the biggest fears of safety professionals. Rachel Ippolito of Rippolito Strategies joined us to give a few tips & tricks and provide a preview of her 2024 Ohio Safety Congress presentation. Listen/Download via Google Drive.
• Episode 288 – [OSC24 Preview] New Drug Trends Threatening Ohio’s Workplaces. Allison Sharer, Senior Consultant at Working Partners, and Katie Szumigala, Training Coordinator at Safex, joined us to talk about new drug trends threatening Ohio’s workplaces and give us a preview of their 2024 Ohio Safety Congress presentation. Listen/Download via Google Drive.
• Episode 289 – [Community Spotlight] Solar Eclipse Safety Tips. McKenzie Villatoro, the EM Specialist and LEPC Information Coordinator for the Portage County EMA, joined us to chat about the solar eclipse and share some safety tips to keep in mind for this once in a lifetime event. Listen/Download via Google Drive.
• Episode 290 – Find It, Fix It: How Pyrotek Fixed over 250 Safety Issues in 9 Months! In this episode, Mike is joined by Kim and George from Pyrotech in Aurora, Ohio, to discuss their innovative safety program, “Find It, Fix It.” Listen/Download via Google Drive.
• Episode 291 – Safety in Action: Keeping Employees Engaged in Safety Culture. In this episode, we dive into the concept of “Safety in Action” with Matt Mohler, the EHS Manager at Delta Systems in Streetsboro, OH. Matt shares his extensive experience as a safety manager and the journey of fostering a proactive safety culture in the workplace. Listen/Download via Google Drive.
• Episode 292 – How Miller Transfer & Rigging Reduced Accidents By 40% In One Year! In this episode, Diane Conner, Safety Manager at Miller Transfer and Rigging, and the 2024 Safety Improvement Award winner, shares her journey of transforming the safety culture at Miller Transfer and Rigging over the past two years. Listen/Download via Google Drive.
• Episode 293 – Turning Challenges Into Success: How KEP is Refocusing on Safety to Strengthen Their Programs. In this episode, Renee Onesti from Ken Elastomer Products joined us to discuss effective strategies for maintaining a sustainable safety program in the manufacturing industry. Listen/Download via Google Drive.

Disclaimer: Views expressed in the podcasts may not reflect the views of any affiliated or sponsoring individuals or organizations. Listeners should carefully weigh information provided and seek advice from an appropriate professional before implementing. Listener discretion is advised.