safetyCast

About safetyCast

🎙️ SafetyCast by ecoPortal Your go-to podcast for real talk on workplace health, safety, and leadership. From expert interviews to practical insights, we explore what it really takes to build safer, smarter, more people-first organisations.

Publisher

ecoPortal

Category

technology

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

22 May 2025

Latest episode

17 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

14 of 19 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   17 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Critical Risks: What's Really at Stake in Your Industry?

   Host Craig Bleakley interviews Nada Wentzel, CEO of The Jonah Group, about critical risks beyond physical hazards, revealing how human decision-making under pressure leads to danger states and the need for distinct risk strategies.

2. 

   4 Aug 2026

   Storytelling in H&S: The “Why” Behind Getting Home Safe - safetyCast 18

   Host Craig Bleakley interviews Heidi Lance, Director of Real Learning New Zealand, exploring how powerful storytelling drives frontline safety engagement and reporting.

3. 

   24 Jun 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Loneliness: From Public Health Concern to Workplace Risk - safetyCast 17

   Host Craig Bleakley interviews Michele Grow, CEO of Mental Health & Wellness at APM, about loneliness as a critical workplace hazard and strategies for building connected teams.

4. 

   21 May 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Wellbeing as a Driver of Safety and Organisational Resilience - safetyCast - episode 16

   Craig Bleakley interviews Dr. Natalie Flatt, psychologist, about how prioritizing wellbeing builds organizational resilience and enhances safety in the modern workplace.

5. 

   29 Apr 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Building the Foundation of Trust: Care, Character, and Competence - safetyCast - 015

   From Compliance to Connection: The Psychology of a High-Trust Safety Culture Trust is the foundation of culture in every workplace. When it’s strong, people speak up, collaborate, and manage risks together. When it’s low, silence and disengagement take hold, quietly eroding both safety and wellbeing. In this insightful session, Clive Lloyd — Psychologist, Principal Consultant at GYST, and author of the best-selling book Next Generation Safety Leadership — joins Craig Bleakley, ecoPortal’s Safety and Risk Consultant, to explore how leaders can intentionally build the foundation of trust. We explore why trust is not just a soft skill, but the absolute cornerstone for establishing true psychological safety, managing risks effectively, and shifting organisational culture from mere compliance to genuine care and accountability. Key themes: The Three Drivers of Trust: Unpack how Care, Character, and Competence work together to shape a high-performing safety culture. Trust, Psychological Safety, and Risk Management: Understand the direct, measurable link between trust levels and an organisation’s ability to build a psychologically safe workplace to effectively manage risks and support psychosocial wellbeing. Leadership Trust Builders: Identify the specific, everyday leadership behaviours that either strengthen or actively erode trust in daily interactions. Strengthening Trust in Day-to-Day Interactions: Learn practical tools rooted in psychology to foster more open, honest, and accountable conversations about risk management within your team. This episode is essential listening for EHS and Risk Professionals, HR and People Leaders, C-level Executives, and Frontline Supervisors who are responsible for driving cultural change and want to build high-trust, productive, and accountable teams. Featuring: Clive Lloyd, Psychologist, Principal Consultant at GYST, and Author With extensive experience in psychological safety and safety leadership, Clive provides a deep dive into the psychology of trust. His practical, evidence-based tools will help you and your leadership team intentionally cultivate a culture where team members feel safe to speak up, report risks, and look out for one another. Available now on all major podcast platforms.

6. 

   7 Apr 2026TRANSCRIPT

   The 3 Strands of Safety: A Framework to Identify, Understand, and Act on Risk - safetyCast - 014

   Rethinking Risk: A Dynamic Framework for Health and Safety Leaders Frameworks are essential tools for health and safety leaders, providing a clear structure for decision-making, aligning teams on priorities, and ensuring risks are managed consistently across an organisation. But what happens when traditional models like the Hierarchy of Controls (HOC) reach their limitations? In this insightful session, Crystal Danbury, Director of Group Safety, Insurance & Occupational Wellbeing at Sainsbury's (UK), joins Peter Jenkins, ecoPortal’s UK Country Manager, to introduce a more dynamic framework centred on Identification, Understanding, and then Accepting, Mitigating, or Removing risk. We explore why frameworks are essential for driving clarity and accountability, and how the right approach can shift organisations from a culture of blame to one focused on causation. Key themes: The Role of Effective Frameworks: Understand how structured frameworks provide clarity, consistency, and accountability, helping organisations make better decisions, align teams, and manage risks effectively across all levels. Challenging Traditional Approaches: Examine the limitations of the traditional Hierarchy of Controls (HOC) and explore how more dynamic frameworks can guide better decision-making and more effective risk management. Identifying and Understanding Risk: Explore how to systematically recognise hazards—from operational processes to human factors—and learn methods to analyse and interpret their true impact on organisational vulnerabilities. Mitigating, Accepting, or Removing Risk: Practical approaches to managing risks, including mitigation strategies, informed risk acceptance, and the elimination of hazards, with real-world examples. This episode is essential listening for HR and People Leaders, EHS and Risk Professionals, Facilities and Operations Managers, Frontline Supervisors, and C-level Executives seeking to integrate proactive safety and wellbeing into organisational strategy and risk management. Featuring: Crystal Danbury, Director of Group Safety, Insurance & Occupational Wellbeing at Sainsbury's (UK) Grounded in a people-first and risk-acceptance approach, Crystal’s framework and extensive experience can help you and your organisation move from reactive to proactive safety management, gain deeper insights, and ultimately build safer, more resilient workplaces. Available now on all major podcast platforms.

7. 

   26 Feb 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Building a Psychologically Safe Workplace to Prevent Psychosocial Risks - safetyCast - 013

   Dr. Natalie Flatt, psychologist, and Craig Bleakley discuss how psychological safety prevents psychosocial risks by fostering open communication and secure reporting.

8. 

   17 Feb 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Designing Workplaces to Support Psychosocial Safety - safetyCast - 012

   Vanessa Cooper and Terry Buckingham discuss with Craig Bleakley how organizations design workplaces that prevent psychosocial harm by managing risks and fostering a culture of wellbeing, in this interview episode.

9. 

   26 Jan 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Behind the Counter: Rethinking Safety Amid Retail Violence - safetyCast - 011

   Michael Plunkett, Head of Safety at Kmart & Target, discusses with Craig Bleakley the escalating challenges of retail violence and evolving safety strategies for frontline teams, including risk assessment and psychosocial impacts; this is an interview.

10. 

    11 Jan 2026

    Cybersecurity and Safety in the Age of AI - safetyCast - Episode 10

    Cybersecurity and Safety in the Age of AI As AI adoption accelerates across safety-critical sectors, the line between digital security and physical safety is blurring. While AI offers immense potential as an ally for safety, it also introduces sophisticated risks that can compromise data, people, and operations. How do organisations secure their digital perimeter without hindering operational performance? In this forward-focused episode, we explore the intersection of cybersecurity, AI, and workplace safety. Host Sam Williams sits down with investigator Brian McKay (ICAM AU) to unpack the real-world risks emerging from the exponential growth of AI. We dive into how organisations can anticipate AI-related hazards, protect sensitive data, and respond effectively to incidents where digital failure leads to physical risk. Key themes: Securing the Digital Perimeter: What WHS leaders need to know to protect digital safety systems and sensitive data to ensure operations remain resilient and compliant. AI as a Hazard and Control: Unpacking how to identify, assess, and manage AI-related safety risks in your operations before regulators step in. Data Security as Safety: Understanding why data security is now a frontline safety issue, particularly regarding sensitive employee and incident information. Cyber Safety Culture: Strategies for building a cyber-aware workforce and strengthening investigations without creating panic or overwhelming teams. This episode is essential listening for WHS and Risk professionals, Executives managing digital transformation, and Safety Managers bridging the gap between tech and operations. Featuring: Brian McKay, Senior Investigator/Trainer at ICAM Australia With 30 years of experience spanning critical infrastructure, the U.S. Navy, and agencies like USINDOPACOM, Brian is a seasoned expert in cybersecurity and engineering. He brings deep expertise in developing cyber frameworks and AI-driven defence initiatives to the conversation on protecting critical systems. Available now on all major podcast platforms.

11. 

    20 Nov 2025TRANSCRIPT

    AI-Powered Risk Intelligence: Smarter Insights, Safer Workplaces - safetyCast - 009

    AI in Safety: Responsible Innovation for Smarter Risk Management AI is reshaping the way organisations manage risk, providing smarter, data-driven insights that improve workplace safety, compliance, and decision-making. But with evolving technology comes new challenges—how do we adopt AI responsibly while ensuring real impact? In this episode, we explore AI-driven risk assessment, data analytics, and how AI is acting as a co-pilot for safety professionals worldwide. We dive into real-world applications, including AI-driven heatmaps and chat functionality, while addressing the critical questions of transparency, accuracy, and ethical use. Key themes: Smarter Risk Management: Using AI-driven analytics like heatmaps to identify hazards proactively. Intelligent Safety Assistants: How AI co-pilots provide real-time insights to support frontline decision-making. Responsible Integration: Adapting workforce training and leadership to integrate AI while maintaining trust. Navigating Ethics & Compliance: Addressing surveillance concerns and building transparent frameworks for global compliance. This episode is essential listening for Health & Safety leaders, Operations Managers, and HR & Legal teams looking to navigate the AI landscape responsibly. Featuring: Liz Hancock, Director of HSE at DCC Technology With over 22 years of experience across diverse sectors and continents, Liz brings deep expertise in strategic leadership, enforcement, and safety management to the conversation on AI's future in the workplace. Available now on all major podcast platforms.

12. 

    10 Nov 2025TRANSCRIPT

    Women Leading Change: Redefining Health & Safety - safetyCast #008

    The Disruptor Mindset: How Women are Reshaping Safety Leadership In this essential safetyCast episode, we explore the evolving role and impact of women in Health & Safety. Featuring three of New Zealand's top female H&S leaders—Kristy Nicholson (Lockton), Deborah Douglas (ASB), and Nicola Knobel (Plunket)—this dynamic panel discussion explores their leadership journeys, the challenges they've faced, and the strategies they use to drive real change. Through real-world insights and their own lived experiences, this panel challenges the status quo. They discuss why H&S needs "the disruptor mindset" and how leveraging key strengths like empathy, communication, and influence is essential to move from reactive compliance (work as imagined) to proactive, people-first risk management (work as done). Key themes: Owning Your Space: Overcoming challenges and breaking barriers in traditionally male-dominated industries. Beyond Policies: Using "soft skills" like empathy and influence to manage real-world risk, not just SOPs. Lifting Women Up: The power of mentorship and structural change to support the next generation of H&S leaders. The "Disruptor Mindset": Using discomfort as a catalyst for driving positive organisational change. This episode is a must-listen for all H&S professionals, leaders, HR and diversity champions, and anyone passionate about building a more diverse, equitable, and effective safety industry. Featuring: Kristy Nicholson, National Head of Health & Safety at Lockton Deborah Douglas, Head of Health, Safety and Wellbeing at ASB Nicola Knobel, Head of Health, Safety and Wellbeing at Plunket Available now on all major podcast platforms.

13. 

    23 Sept 2025TRANSCRIPT

    Violence And Aggressive Behaviour In Workplaces - safetyCast #007

    Beyond the Bottom of the Hill: Proactively Tackling Workplace Violence In this essential safetyCast episode, we address the undeniable increase in violent and aggressive behavior in customer-facing workplaces. Featuring two of New Zealand's top retail safety leaders, Grace Cooper (Former GM of H&S at The Warehouse Group and currently Director of The Safety SOULutions) and Jo van den Berg (from Foodstuffs North Island), this conversation explores how to move beyond reactive measures that are often "the ambulance at the bottom of the hill". Together, we challenge the traditional approaches to safety. Michelle and Jo share why a proactive, multi-pronged strategy—focused on primary prevention, good workplace design, and effective de-escalation—is critical for protecting employees from the growing psychological harm this issue creates. Key themes: Why one-off training for violent and aggressive behaviour doesn’t work and what to do instead. How to address employee wellbeing in the face of more frequent aggressive behaviour. Simple and practical preventative initiatives that are proven to work. Real-world examples from workplaces that have implemented positive changes. This episode is a must-listen for retail leaders, HR and H&S professionals, and anyone in a customer-facing industry committed to proactively protecting their people from the growing threat of workplace aggression. Featuring: Grace Cooper, Former GM of H&S at The Warehouse Group and currently Director of The Safety SOULutions Jo van den Berg, Head of Safety & Wellbeing, Foodstuffs North Island Available now on all major podcast platforms.

14. 

    31 Aug 2025TRANSCRIPT

    Retail Crime: The New Frontline in Health and Safety - safetyCast #006

    Retail Crime: The New Frontline in Health and Safety In this crucial safetyCast episode, we confront the escalating issue of retail crime and its transformation into a major health and safety crisis for customer-facing industries. Featuring insights from Lisa White, Head of Protective Services at Bank of New Zealand (BNZ), this conversation explores the real-world challenges of protecting employees from increasing aggression and violence. Together, we go beyond the staggering financial costs to uncover the deep psychosocial impact on frontline staff. Lisa shares BNZ’s practical strategies for managing these evolving risks, from de-escalation techniques and staff training to rethinking the physical environment itself. Key themes: The scale of physical and psychological violence in retail. The hidden costs: burnout, trauma, and the impact on mental health. Actionable strategies for training, de-escalation, and safer workplace design. The future of long-term employee support in high-risk environments. Whether you're a retail manager, WHS professional, or C-suite executive, this episode provides essential, practical solutions for creating a safer, more supportive work environment for your team. Featuring: Lisa White, Head of Protective Services, Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) Available now on all major podcast platforms.

15. 

    4 Aug 2025TRANSCRIPT

    The Ambiguity of Wellbeing: Understanding Mental Health in the Workplace - safetyCast #005

    EY's Roberto C Garcia and Samantha Thomas discuss defining workplace wellbeing and implementing measurable mental health strategies with host [Host Name] to foster healthier organizations.

16. 

    16 Jul 2025TRANSCRIPT

    Psychosocial Safety Solutions: Building A Mental Health Strategy - safetyCast #004

    Conor Duffy, founder of Psychosocial Safety Solutions, shares with host [Host Name] how to build a robust mental health strategy for diverse workplaces.

17. 

    6 Jul 2025

    The Impacts of CSRD on WHS

    Matthew Cowie and Samantha Thomas from EY discuss how the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive impacts health, safety, and wellbeing reporting for organizations, offering insights to improve transparency and accountability in sustainability strategies in this interview episode.

18. 

    15 Jun 2025

    Transforming Safety Culture: Building a Foundation for Lasting Change

    Tim Hudson, Operational Risk Management Consultant, discusses building a strong safety culture through leadership commitment and employee engagement, offering practical tools for safer outcomes in this interview.

19. 

    22 May 2025

    Leadership, Influence and Impact - safetyCast #001

    Dr. Megan Tranter discusses how leadership influences workplace safety and health, drawing from her experience at Amazon and PepsiCo in an interview with the host.

Inside a recent episode

Critical Risks: What's Really at Stake in Your Industry?

Published 17 Sept 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] So educate people, encourage the reporting, make sure the feedback loop is great, and importantly, make sure you've got the right metrics going up and being communicated. Great answer. We'll touch on that control verification maybe a little bit later on. Let's get specific about some industry that may not traditionally see themselves as high risk. And looking through the attendee list, I spot many names that are of those traditional lower risk companies. Take banking or financial services. On the surface, that might look like office work, but what does critical risk actually look like in those environments? […]

Who has been a guest on safetyCast

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Nada Wentzel
• Heidi Lance
• Michele Grow
• Natalie Flatt
• Vanessa Cooper

Podcast Authority Score: 18 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

36

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

0

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Guest appearances

Books guests

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

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