Confessions of a Food Safety A**Hole

About Confessions of a Food Safety A**Hole

Confessions of a Food Safety A**Hole is a raw, honest, and surprisingly light listen about a serious subject: the failures that still threaten the safety of the food we eat. Hosted by Dr. Darin Detwiler—a man who turned personal tragedy into decades of public advocacy—and his wife Gennette Zimmer; this podcast pulls no punches. Together, they unpack the moments when speaking up wasn’t popular, but absolutely necessary. From the lens of experiencing every day food safety failures, Darin shares what it’s really like to challenge the system from the inside out. Equal parts storytelling, reflection, and real talk, Confessions is for anyone who’s ever wondered why preventable tragedies still happen—and what it takes to stop them. Because silence might be easier, but it’s never safer.

Publisher

Pep Nexus, LLC

Category

education · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

29 Jul 2025

Latest episode

24 Jul 2026

Latest episodes

15 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   24 Jul 2026

   The Certainty Gap part Deux; plus a special guest

   Though the original plan was to wait until Darin and Gennette returned from IAFP in New Orleans before releasing another episode, the chaotic and fast-moving Cyclospora outbreak made that impossible. As new and conflicting information seemed to emerge by the hour, Darin realized there was an opportunity to take the conversation in a direction beyond the what and how. The episode begins with a candid discussion of the unfolding Cyclospora outbreak and the confusion surrounding recalls, social media speculation, shifting public health information, consumer trust, and what happens when uncertainty becomes the story itself. Darin and Gennette examine how misinformation spreads, why consumers struggle to know whom to trust, and what leaders can learn from moments when facts are still evolving. In the second half of the episode, they're joined by their coach and friend, celebrity mindset coach Laura St. John, whose work has influenced both of their personal and professional lives for nearly four years. Together, they explore an unexpected but powerful connection between mindset and food safety leadership. Rather than focusing solely on reacting to crises, they discuss how leaders can develop the mental habits, clarity, and decision-making tools needed to prepare for uncertainty before it happens. The conversation bridges food safety, leadership, psychology, and systems thinking to show how narrowing The Certainty Gap isn't just about gathering more information, it's about learning how to think more effectively when certainty is impossible. Whether you're following the latest outbreak news, work in the food industry, lead a team, or simply want better tools for making decisions in uncertain situations, this episode offers a fresh perspective on one of the most important (and most overlooked) skills of modern leadership. To learn more about Laura St.John and her mindset classes go to Strong Confident Living at https://www.strongconfidentliving.com (https://www.strongconfidentliving.com) For up to date information on the Cyclospora outbreak go to the Marler Blog at https://www.marlerblog.com/ (https://www.marlerblog.com/) Sponsored by Eagle Protect, the only glove company that third-party tests its gloves because “trust us” isn’t a food safety strategy. Learn more at www.eagleprotect.com (http://www.eagleprotect.com) and Safeguard What Matters. Don't forget to watch Darin's Ted Talk at https://youtu.be/rEIWcW__Mb8 (https://youtu.be/rEIWcW__Mb8)

2. 

   10 Jul 2026

   The Certainty Gap

   After an unexpected six-week break, we’re back and we have a lot to catch up on. From road trips through Michigan and TEDx milestones to retirement announcements and cereal box nostalgia, this episode takes a few classic Confessions detours before diving into a much bigger question: What happens in the space between knowing something is wrong and actually doing something about it? Darin breaks down The Certainty Gap the concept behind his TEDx talk: that dangerous delay where leaders search for more proof, more data, or more justification while risks continue to grow. We explore how that gap shows up in food safety failures, corporate accountability, consumer decisions, and even the mystery items hiding in the back of our pantries. Because whether you’re leading a company or deciding if Grandma’s 20-year-old jar of jelly needs to go, uncertainty affects the choices we make. And sometimes, waiting for certainty is the riskiest decision of all. Sponsored by Eagle Protect, the only glove company that third-party tests its gloves because “trust us” isn’t a food safety strategy. Learn more at www.eagleprotect.com (http://www.eagleprotect.com) and Safeguard What Matters. Watch Darin's Ted Talk at https://youtu.be/rEIWcW__Mb8 (https://youtu.be/rEIWcW__Mb8)

3. 

   22 May 2026

   On the Road - Salinas

   In this special “On the Road” edition of Confessions of a Food Safety A-Hole, Darin and Gennette head north on California’s 101 toward Salinas for the Western Food Safety Conference: recording live from the car, and even the Renaissance Fair along the way.  What starts as a road trip becomes a deeper conversation about food safety leadership, storytelling, state-by-state policy inconsistencies, and the people behind the systems that protect our food supply. Darin reflects on what it really means to lead in food safety beyond compliance checklists and regulations, while Gennette explores the human side of conferences, farming culture, and the sensory experience of being surrounded by the land that feeds us. Along the way, they discuss: Why food safety standards can vary dramatically depending on your zip code The challenge of leadership during recalls and public scrutiny What composting, storytelling, and produce farming unexpectedly have in common Why conferences need more authentic storytelling—and fewer PowerPoint slides The surprisingly robust food safety operations at a Renaissance Fair Plus: artichokes, loaded baked potatoes, recall controversies, and a live “Ren Fair Report.” This episode is part travelogue, part industry debrief, and part meditation on why food safety is never just about policy; it’s about people.

4. 

   1 May 2026

   The Double Life of Social Media

   Social media has a food safety problem; and it’s not subtle. In this episode of Confessions of a Food Safety A**Hole, Darin and Gennette dig into the weird, messy reality of how people decide what’s “safe” to eat based on not the most credible person but the most entertaining. From viral “life hacks” that make you question humanity…to influencers selling unsafe products…to commenters who would rather argue than learn…we discuss the double life of social media: where it can educate or mislead at scale. And somewhere in the middle? A food safety professional trying to save lives… and getting called an a**hole for it. If you’ve ever trusted a TikTok recipe, rage-commented on a video, or wondered why people ignore actual science this episode is for you. Shout out to the Don't Eat Poop Podcast for their take on food safety and social media in April. https://dont-eat-poop.transistor.fm/episodes/food-safety-compliance-in-home-kitchens-the-hidden-risks-of-social-media-food-businesses-episode-162 (https://dont-eat-poop.transistor.fm/episodes/food-safety-compliance-in-home-kitchens-the-hidden-risks-of-social-media-food-businesses-episode-162) Confessions of a Food Safety A**Hole is sponsored by Eagle Protect, the only glove company that third-party tests its gloves because “trust us” isn’t a food safety strategy. Learn more at www.eagleprotect.com (http://www.eagleprotect.com) and Safeguard What Matters.

5. 

   10 Apr 2026

   The Lasagna Theory of Food Safety

   ⚠️ Spoiler Alert This episode contains major spoilers for the AppleTV show Pluribus. If you haven’t watched it yet and want to go in blind, you may want to pause on listening to this episode and come back later. In Episode 11 of Confessions of a Food Safety A**Hole, Gennette challenges Darin to unpack the noticeable shift in his writing and what’s driving it. What started as personal storytelling has evolved into something sharper: pattern recognition turned real-time accountability. He’s no longer just reflecting on what’s happened, he’s naming behaviors and leadership decisions as they unfold. And the change isn’t just in what he writes, but how he writes it: more personal, more grounded, and more willing to use everyday moments to expose much bigger systemic failures. From there, the conversation digs into what Darin calls his “lasagna theory” of food safety [science, policy, leadership, behavior, communication] all layered together and impossible to separate once they’re in motion. Beneath it all is a harder, more uncomfortable question: how do you make truth travel faster than what’s sensational? This episode sits in that tension between urgency and responsibility, speed and precision and pushes toward something deeper than awareness: making the right conversations impossible to ignore. Confessions of a Food Safety A**Hole is sponsored by Eagle Protect, the only glove company that third-party tests its gloves because “trust us” isn’t a food safety strategy. Learn more at www.eagleprotect.com (http://www.eagleprotect.com) and Safeguard What Matters. Detwiler, D. (2026, April 2). “Do you recall this? The 1906 parallel: History repeating Itself.” Food Safety News. Available online at: https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2026/04/do-you-recall-this/ (https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2026/04/do-you-recall-this/) Detwiler, D. (2026, March 19). “Food Safety Leadership Must Begin Before People Die.” QA Magazine. Available online at: https://www.qualityassurancemag.com/article/food-safety-leadership-must-begin-before-people-die/ (https://www.qualityassurancemag.com/article/food-safety-leadership-must-begin-before-people-die/) Detwiler, D. (2026, January 22). “‘Pluribus,’ Complacency and the Reluctant Steward.” QA Magazine. Available online at: https://www.qualityassurancemag.com/article/pluribus-complacency-and-the-reluctant-steward/ (https://www.qualityassurancemag.com/article/pluribus-complacency-and-the-reluctant-steward/)

6. 

   20 Mar 2026

   When No One’s Watching (Except the A**hole on a Morning Walk)

   A morning walk. A stack of food deliveries left on a curb. No one around. And over the course of a few days, that realization that something about it isn’t right. In this episode, we follow a thread, one that starts at curbside deliveries and missing accountability and moves into the parallels between failures in food safety and a 1947 Arthur Miller play. What starts as an observation turns into a series of conversations; with a restaurant, a farm, a health department, and a distributor and what emerges is less about one mistake and more about the space in between. The place where responsibility gets blurry, communication breaks down, and accountability becomes… negotiable. From there, the conversation shifts into something bigger. After seeing a production of All My Sons, Gennette and Darin found themselves sitting with the same questions the play wrestles with, denial, responsibility, the stories people tell themselves to make their decisions feel acceptable, even when the consequences are anything but. And once you see those parallels, it’s hard to unsee them.

7. 

   27 Feb 2026

   How Rare is Real Accountability

   When it comes to failures in food safety, accountability isn’t just legal; it’s cultural, ethical, and deeply personal. Fines get paid. Headlines fade. But is anyone really held accountable? In this episode Darin and Gennette are joined by Bill Marler for a raw, honest conversation about economic penalties, prison sentences, public health secrecy, and the culture of “it wasn’t me.” We talk about insulating executives, the power of peer pressure, and why true accountability requires more than legal strategy; it requires integrity. If food safety is about protecting every plate, this episode asks who’s protecting the truth. This candid conversation is sobering yet still holds the optimism of possibility. In this episode we discuss: • Why real criminal trials are rare • How fines fail to shift behavior • The problem of regulatory “insulation” • The role of peer pressure in leadership • Why food safety culture begins with moral courage

8. 

   6 Feb 2026

   Leadership isn't comfortable. Should it be?

   Welcome back. Episode 8 opens 2026 with a single focus: leadership, leadership, and more leadership. When the stakes are high, do leaders rise to the moment, or do they take the easier path that creates bigger problems later? Darin reflects on recent meetings in Washington, D.C. with FDA and USDA officials around recall readiness, using real-world analogies to explore why preparation on paper is not the same as being ready when it counts. Gennette introduces a new recurring segment inspired by a sub-Reddit “Am I the A-Hole?” post, using it to unpack what happens when people who follow the rules become the problem in broken cultures. At the heart of the episode is a gripping conversation sparked by Arthur Miller’s All My Sons, a play the hosts recently explored in a live table read. Its central question feels uncomfortably current: when harm occurs, who truly owns responsibility? The episode closes with a look ahead as Darin shares news about his upcoming TEDx Northeastern University talk and the question that continues to drive his work: “Why didn’t someone stop this?”

9. 

   12 Dec 2025

   From Camel Rides to Courage: Wrapping 2025 with Heart

   Episode 7 closes out 2025 with a lively mix of stories, travel moments, and big reflections. Gennette and Darin look back on the year and revisit Darin’s latest trip to the Dubai International Food Safety Conference, where conversations, connections, and a few surprises shaped the experience. They also share a rapid set of New Year’s resolutions gathered from food safety leaders around the world, offering a snapshot of where the field is headed. And to cap it off, the episode ends with Darin’s full Dubai keynote, a powerful message about invisible risks, responsibility, and the future of food safety.

10. 

    14 Nov 2025

    We Swear This Is About Food Safety

    Darin and Gennette debrief recent events, talk Poisoned, lapdogs in restaurants, and going viral (not the pathogen kind). Plus, a military vet turned food safety pro reminds us why speaking up matters even if it makes you the a**hole.

11. 

    24 Oct 2025

    Darin's Journey From Reactor Rooms to Recall Culture

    In Episode 05 of Confessions of a Food Safety A**Hole, Gennette flips the script and interviews co-host Dr. Darin Detwiler about Silent Enemies, his serialized story tracing the eerie parallels between life on a nuclear submarine and the hidden dangers of food safety failures. It’s part memoir, part moral map, and a reflection on what it means to act before the invisible becomes irreversible.

12. 

    3 Oct 2025

    The Podcast, the Past, and the Produce

    In Episode 04 of Confessions of a Food Safety A**Hole, Gennette Zimmer and Dr. Darin Detwiler open with a check-in and an invitation behind the scenes. They reflect on what it means to be four episodes in, the surprising ways listeners are responding, and the purpose that keeps them showing up (even when things go off script). The conversation flows into a thoughtful unpacking of their “Four A’s” framework: awareness, allies, advocacy, and activism. Darin shares a personal moment of wrestling with the limits of his own advocacy, while Gennette brings it back to a long drive where the whole framework took shape. It's reflective, warm, and full of the kind of transparency that sets the tone for the episode’s deeper theme: seeing what usually stays hidden. Then comes a detour featuring an unlikely discussion with early 20th-century activist and journalist Olive Christian Malvery. Our hosts uncover her experiences finding the disturbing practices of how food was produced in England 1906. Malvery shines a light on the persistent gaps between image and reality in food safety, and asks what it really takes to make a system transparent, accountable, and safe. It’s part satire, part history lesson, and all heart. The episode closes with Gennette and Darin getting their boots literally dirty on a field trip to produce farms, a composting business, and a packaging/shipping facility. They talk with the people who are doing food safety not just by the book, but by conviction. It’s a look at the systems that work quietly, often invisibly, to keep food safe and the people who believe transparency is worth the extra work. This episode moves from podcast reflection to performance to produce fields. Along the way, they ask: What does it mean to go behind the curtain and beyond awareness? Links of note: Food Safety Education Month link: https://www.pepnexus.com/blog/categories/food-safety-education-month Silent Enemies Part 1: https://www.newfoodmagazine.com/article/255304/silent-enemies-part-1-under-pressure/ Silent Enemies Part 2: https://www.newfoodmagazine.com/article/255304/silent-enemies-part-1-under-pressure/ Olive Christian Malvery - The Soul Market (Read for free): https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Soul_Market/52NGAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1

13. 

    12 Sept 2025

    The Verdict, the Gloves, and the Gray Area

    In this third episode of Confessions of a Food Safety A**Hole, Darin and Gennette reflect on the ten year anniversary of the PCA landmark conviction and interview their first guest about Global Glove Safety Day on September 18, 2025 and the importance of quality gloves for food safety.

14. 

    22 Aug 2025

    Lunch Meat and Legacy

    What do un-refrigerated lunch meat, food safety conferences, and unexpected recognition from comedians have in common? In Episode 02, Gennette Zimmer and Dr. Darin Detwiler unpack what it means to build a legacy in a field most people ignore—until they can’t. This one’s about voice, memory, and why being called a “food safety a**hole” might be more compliment than insult.

15. 

    29 Jul 2025

    What exactly IS a Food Safety A**Hole?

    In this kickoff episode, Gennette Zimmer and Dr. Darin Detwiler pull back the curtain on what it really means to be a “food safety a-hole”—and why that label, while uncomfortable, might actually be a badge of honor.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

8 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

Contact Confessions of a Food Safety A**Hole

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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