My Big Safety Challenge

Get ready—My Big Safety Challenge returns Monday, May 12!Host Merle Heckman is back, joined this season by new co-host John Fischer. Together, they'll dive into fresh conversations with inspiring guests, tackling real leadership challenges and the lessons they've learned along the way.Don't miss a moment—subscribe now and be part of the journey!

For Michael Langston, Vice President of ES&H at Clean Earth, safety boils down to one simple premise: Make sure the employees know the rules. Make sure the rules make sense. Make sure they're applicable.It seems easy enough, but as Michael quickly discovered as a young Industrial Hygienist at a steel factory, updating policies and procedures designed to protect the worker isn't always met with acceptance. Change can be difficult, but Michael suspects some of the resistance to change lies within the safety industry itself—a field he feels sometimes pushes rules and expectations that don't always make sense.In this episode of My Big Safety Challenge, Michael shares the twists and turns of his professional journey, from studying to be a pharmacist in college to leading safety initiatives for an international corporation. Along the way, he's learned to frame safety in a way where each person should treat themselves as the CEO of their own wellbeing.And don't miss the captivating story of how he used a jar of marbles to illustrate the dangers of distracted driving.

Would a workplace tragedy fundamentally alter your perspective on your career? For Sandra Merritt, CSP, ASP, a workplace fatality became a pivotal moment that redefined her career—and her purpose.In this episode of My Big Safety Challenge, Sandra recounts how the loss of a colleague, which left a four-year-old child fatherless, stirred her to shift her career from environmental management and compliance to the world of safety. Now the Global Health & Safety Manager at Moog, Sandra—known affectionally as Safety Sandy—shares how experiencing a workplace fatality shaped her hands-on approach to safety. Join us as Sandra expounds upon the power of building personal relationships, breaking down the “we've always done it this way” mindset, and navigating the emotional rollercoaster that is the safety profession.

For most people, witnessing a chemical spill would be a harrowing experience—but for others, it ignites a passion. We tend to call those people safety professionals. Autumn Crum is one such person who, after witnessing a lab spill while shadowing a safety professional at West Virginia University, instantly knew she had found her calling. The intricacies of managing risk and protecting people captivated her, setting her on a career she never knew she wanted. Today, as the Director of Global EHS at Xylem, Autumn is in the business of preventing those types of accidents. A self-described “continual learner,” she views every experience as a stepping stone toward becoming the safety professional she aspires to be. In this episode of My Big Safety Challenge, Autumn shares how that desire to continually learn led her to the oil and gas industry—one she admits she knew nothing about—but became a formative learning experience. You'll also hear why she believes influence begins with trust, why strong relationships are key, and how clear communication can transform safety practices.

Communication. Its importance is a common theme in the safety industry, but how to properly communicate eludes so many of us—on and off the job. Michelle Gladieux is here to fix that. Founder of Gladieux Consulting and author of Communicate with Courage, Michelle is the go-to communication expert for everyone from NFL players to C-suite executives who want to improve how they communicate.In this episode of My Big Safety Challenge, Michelle shares her insightful journey toward recognizing the critical role of communication—starting in elementary school when she corrected her teachers on how to properly engage with a spirited student to commanding the attention of packed auditoriums. You'll learn why Michelle thinks we all need a “spice file” (while also learning what that is), plus discover how the thousands of decisions you make each day shape the way you send and receive messages.Tune into this episode for practical advice and a fresh perspective on the art of communication.

What does it take to thrive across industries as diverse as healthcare, automotive, and food service? For Andrew Wehr, CSP, it's all about building—whether it's safety departments, cultures, or relationships. In this episode of My Big Safety Challenge, Andrew shares the twists and turns of a career he never planned for but has come to love.Starting with his pivot in college from a medical path to environmental sciences, Andrew takes us on a journey through his roles at a refinery, in retail safety, healthcare, and beyond—all the way to his current position as Corporate Stewardship and Employee Safety Leader at the T. Marzetti Company. Through it all, one theme remains constant: the power of saying “yes” and building something better wherever you go.Tune in to hear Andrew's advice on moving up in your safety career, finding the right mentor, and mastering the art of working through others to make an impact. Whether you're new to EHS or a seasoned pro, Andrew has a nugget of wisdom that is sure to inspire you.

On this episode of My Big Safety Challenge, we are thrilled to welcome our first international guest—Becky Hickman. Becky serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA)—one of the United Kingdom's oldest charity organizations dedicated to safeguarding lives and preventing serious injuries both on and off the job. With over 20 years of experience in occupational health and safety, Becky is a champion of the idea that good work is good for people. She's passionate about shining light on the unsung heroes of the safety profession—those performing good work who don't receive enough recognition. For Becky and RoSPA, bringing safety professionals together to celebrate their achievements isn't just important—it's a reinvigorating force that can propel safety professionals through tough stretches.Tune in to discover how Becky and our safety friends across the pond approach safety and offer a fresh perspective on fostering meaningful work—reminding us that one of the worst parts of an accident is the realization that it could have been avoided.

Like many safety professionals, John Fischer, CSP, sort of fell into the field. When first approached about a safety role and asked about lockout/tagout (LOTO), he wondered what the lottery had to do with safety.Now, 25 years later, John is the Director of Environmental Strategy and Corporate EHS at the Duke Energy Corporation. John has spent those 25 years between consulting and the energy sectors, gaining valuable experience and insights into the safety profession and the proper ways to get buy-in from the front-line to the C-suite.In this episode, John explains the three components you must have in order to learn, how relationship-based acquisition is the secret sauce of safety, and why he says safety is as much sales as it is technical.

Season 4 of My Big Safety Challenge is here! Joining host Merle Heckman this season is Jay Harf, Vice President of EHS&S at Xylem. Listen to the trailer and get a sneak peek of what to expect from season 4.

Join Merle Heckman, Master Trainer at Dale Carnegie, and all three guest hosts from seasons one, two, and three of the “My Big Safety Challenge” podcast. The team will talk through some of the inspiring guests and stories covered through the podcast. You'll walk away from this episode with valuable leadership and influence lessons that you can implement in your daily work.

Have you ever thought about how well you listen to others? Keith Mercurio is back for the second part of episode eight of My Big Safety Challenge, where he reveals how something as simple as being a generous listener can have a profound effect on how we perceive and how we are perceived. Keith illustrates this through his father, an English teacher of 35 years, detailing how in all those years, he never once complained about a student. His father saw what his students were capable of, saw them as big, saw the best in them, and by being a generous listener, he sent them home better than when he found them. Sound familiar?Join us for Part II of Keith's episode where he explores how a day at work sends ripples through the rest of our day, and how by shifting how we listen, we can elevate conversations, honor the speaker, and create a profound impact.

Have you ever purchased a new car, only to suddenly notice the same make and model is everywhere on the road? There hasn't been a sudden influx in the number of people driving the same car—it's a natural cognitive response resulting from how we focus. In this episode of My Big Safety Challenge, Keith Mercurio, CEO & Founder of Ethical Influence Global, delves into the science behind how what we focus on grows bigger, and eventually, we become what we focus on. Keith's expertise spans speaking, coaching, training, and consulting, with a focus on helping leaders transform their identities to better influence their organization's culture and performance. He advocates for the power of asking open-ended, novel questions instead of relying on conventional phrases like "accountability" or repeatedly asking "why." By fostering original thought through new kinds of inquiry, Keith asserts that we unlock unique insights. Join us for Part I of Keith Mercurio's episode, where we explore the cognitive science behind why the safety profession should stop focusing on zero and how today's groove can be tomorrow's rut.

Perry Logan, Ph.D., seemed destined to be a leader in the safety industry. Growing up in the Florida Keys during the 1970s and 80s, Perry often accompanied his father, an underwater welder—a job known for its extreme danger—to work, seeing firsthand at a young age the dangers of the profession. He recalls his dad attending diving school in preparation for the job with 8 other divers, and within a decade, half of them had tragically lost their lives on the job.Perry credits his father's acute sense of hazards, often emphasizing when he really needed Perry's focus while performing a dangerous task, with his affinity for the safety profession. Today, Perry is a Leader with the Health + Safety Leadership Partners, where he applies the science of health and safety to better protect people and our communities.Tune into this episode of My Big Safety Challenge and listen to Perry discuss the critical role listening plays in the safety field, how safety professionals need to act as coaches, and how a team diverse in skills and personality is key to a strong safety culture.

As the Vice President of Health and Safety at Mortenson, a leading construction company based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Marni Hogen has worked to create a safety culture that emphasizes personal connections, open communication, and employee empowerment. Marni believes that everyone in an organization, regardless of role or job title, has a responsibility for safety, and to truly create an effective safety culture, you must “make safety personal.”In this episode of My Big Safety Challenge, Marni shares her journey into the safety field, highlighting the critical role of mental health within the construction industry. She discusses how building personal relationships with the workforce, engaging in meaningful conversations, putting people over metrics, and sharing stories that may be tough to tell contribute to a culture of inclusion that makes the workplace more fun. Plus, you'll hear how she delivers tough news using the “sandwich technique,” and who doesn't love a sandwich?

Tyler Lorenzen, CEO of Puris—a plant-based food company dedicated to restoring knowledge, control, and trust within the food system—believes that in order to save people, we have to save food. If his name sounds familiar, it's because Tyler spent his Saturdays in college playing quarterback for the University of Connecticut before joining the New Orleans Saints, winning a Superbowl with the team in 2009. Tyler uses the leadership skills he learned on the field to hone his role as CEO, emphasizing the importance of a team-first culture: “A winning culture is how do you win as a team, not how do you win as an individual.”Listen to Episode 5 of My Big Safety Challenge to discover more about how Tyler's football career shaped his leadership style at Puris. Learn about his inspiring journey from the football field to the boardroom and how his sister's advice to “be 100% where your feet are” guides him as he balances being a new father, a husband, and a CEO.

As a keynote speaker, leadership advisor, sales expert, author, and speaker coach, Rene Rodriguez and his company Volentum have trained more than 100,000 people in applying behavioral psychology and neuroleadership methodologies to solve some of the toughest challenges in leadership, sales, and change.So, what does Rene and his company have to do with safety?On this episode of My Big Safety Challenge, you'll learn how Rene has become a trusted advisor to the leadership teams at 3M and Cargill, among others. In a world of short attention spans and endless content, Rene delves into the science behind what it takes to get people to pay attention, the importance of influence, and captivating an audience through storytelling—all elements that are of importance when communicating safety procedures and protocols to a workforce.

Allison Montgomery, Vice President of EHS at Applied Materials, isn't one to shy away from challenges. Upon graduating high school a year early, Allison enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps because, as she puts it, she's a bit of a risk taker, and she wanted to choose the branch she thought would be an excellent challenge. Join us for Episode 3 of My Big Safety Challenge and hear how Allison uses her experience in the military to teach teamwork, perseverance, and patience. You'll also learn how Allison leads with curiosity and how her love of animals eventually set her on the course to becoming a safety professional.

“When people know you care, they're going to care too.”A bachelor's degree in communications, a master's in leadership education, and a doctorate in training and development may not sound like the traditional path to a 37-year career in logistics safety, but for Dr. John Holland, they were steps that would lead to a vocation that, as he puts it, “loves and gets him out of bed in the morning.” Now the Safety Director at Venture Logistics, John discovered his affinity for safety while on a course he thought would lead him to a career in Human Resources (HR). Join us for this episode and learn more about why John changed his plan to pursue HR, his thoughts on the importance of leading with positivity and through storytelling, and how he uses a personal tragedy to emphasize the importance of road safety to his drivers.

Welcome to the Season 3 premiere of My Big Safety Challenge, produced by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) and Dale Carnegie (DC). In this episode, we are joined by Anthony Miller, CSP, Vice President of Sunbelt Rentals, Inc.—a leader in the equipment rental industry with over 1,200 locations, 18,000 team members, and 70 safety professionals. With more than 26 years of industry experience, Anthony speaks about the importance of consistency, using technology and data to predict results, and transforming safety messaging from an email or PDF into a story that resonates. When deciding how best to teach employees about exposure risk, Anthony and his team created a Monday Night Football-style video series where two “commentators” provide professional insight as a worker performs a task with exposure risk. As Anthony puts it, “Everybody loves a story, and that's all life is, it's a story.” Join us for this episode and hear Anthony's and Sunbelt's safety story.

Season 3 of My Big Safety Challenge is back! Host Merle Heckman is joined this season by Jason Kunz as co-host. This season will include more great guests who will share leadership challenges and lessons learned. Subscribe today so you don't miss an episode!

“Identify what people are good at; find opportunities for them to engage and grow.”Eli Friedman, EHS leader for a worldwide technology company, offers insight from a sustainability and safety journey that has taken him from offshore rigs to the apparel industry and now high tech, with a law school stop along the way. He shares his passion for psychological safety and his experience with overcoming cultural barriers by emphasizing principles like empathy, trust, finding common ground, and taking an interest in others.

Since 2019 Steve Myers has been the Director, Risk & Safety at Amy's Kitchen. Under Steve's leadership, Amy's has seen five straight years of improved safety performance. In 2023, the company attained its best safety record to date. Prior to specializing in safety, Steve was in private practice as a workers compensation defense attorney in California. His years of experience in workers compensation claims led to a deep understanding of the injuries that had the greatest impact on employees as well as the solutions required to mitigate risks. Steve is a safety champion and works to foster a positive safety culture that is at the core of improving safety. Steve works tirelessly to engage management and employees, and focuses his time on prevention, recognition and coaching.

The fourth episode of My Big Safety Challenge Season 2 features insight from Sim Kaur, Program Director for Global Environmental Health and Safety at Netflix. A fast riser in the profession, Kaur outlines leadership communication principles for concisely sharing your message to maximize effect and understanding employee behavior by asking questions. She advises new professionals to be adaptable when the real world isn't exactly like the textbook and to experience the front lines by getting out from behind the computer.To learn more about the safety leadership course from BCSP + Dale Carnegie, click here.

Montrese is the Vice President Human Resources for Global CBS News & Operations and is based in Washington, DC. She has worked in the media/news industry for over 20 years, providing support on all facets of human resources. In that role and others that she has held within the healthcare, cosmetics, and automotive industries, she has found herself at the intersection of HR, health, and safety. In her various roles and organizations, she's helped lead the charge of creating comprehensive benefits and health and safety plans that evaluate and support the physical, mental, and emotional needs of the employee populations she serves, understanding that HR has to help support the full individual through the various stages of their career.Montrese and her team support 1200+ employees and freelancers across the globe. She has significant experience coaching managers and employees on a variety of employee related issues including performance management/evaluations, coaching & feedback, conflict resolution, and leadership development. She provides high quality HR consulting services in support of organizational goals and objectives.Montrese holds a Masters in Applied Behavioral Science from Johns Hopkins University. She also has a Bachelor's from Virginia Commonwealth University with a specialty in Human Resources Management and Industrial Relations.She is from Severna Park, Maryland where she currently resides with her family. Montrese finds great joy in community service and spends her free time volunteering with various local and national organizations.

Jay is a value-based inspirational leader with a strong sense of purpose. His enthusiastic mindset fosters a collaborative culture of enablement. He serves as a role model, demonstrating the right behaviors to be successful as a business leader. Empathy is Jay's superpower and he is keen to mentor and coach other professionals. Jay considers everyone with kindness and his emotional intelligence endears him to all levels of organizations, from operations to executives. His sense of caring and "people first" attitudes are indisputable, which facilitates a high level of trust, engagement, empowerment, and performance.In this episode, Jay will share his insights on how to get past transactional leadership, finding your sweet spot, the importance of professional development, and much more.

Dr. Sharifa Batts currently serves as the Head of Environment & Sustainability at Ports America, the largest stevedore company in the U.S., operating in 33 ports in over 70 locations. She is an expert in risk mitigation and resiliency planning and oversees the company's Environment & Sustainability programs. With almost 24 years at Ports America, she is an inspirational leader who is respected as a credible voice as she prepares boardroom material and provides strategic guidance and professional expertise to various levels in the organization. She has extensive experience in project and people management and cross-enterprise collaboration to drive efficiency and compliance with Ports America's goals and objectives.Sharifa completed her Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Political Science with a minor in Psychology and Spanish at San Diego State University (SDSU). She later attained an MBA at PepperdineGraziadio School of Business & Management in August 2018, and she successfully completed her dissertation for the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree at Pepperdine Graziadio Business School, in July 2021. Her research focuses on the significance of diversity on organizational boards and the unique human and social capital minorities and women contribute, which impacts the company's overall success. Sharifa is an educator and continues research with a Postdoctoral Fellow at Pepperdine to further research on diversity and equity.Sharifa is a published author in the Group & Organization Management journal and a regular speaker at events that focus on diversity, inequality, systemic racism, and organizational leadership. She was appointed by the previous Mayor of Long Beach and serves on the Equity and Human Relations Commission. She serves as the President of Beta Pi Sigma Sorority, Tau Chapter, which is a nonprofit organization providing aid to the homeless and scholarships to the youth in the community of Long Beach. She is the Vice President of Athletics Fundraising on the Long Beach City College Foundation Executive Committee,Vice President of Programs on the American Association of University Women (AAUW) board, she is the Programs & Special Events Committee Vice-Chair on the Fairfield Family YMCA Board, in addition to participating on the Long Beach City College Foundation Boardand the St. Mary Medical Center Hospital Community Board. She also sits on the North America Terminal and Stevedoring Services LLC (NATSS) board and is a member of the National Maritime Safety Association (NMSA) Technical Committee.Sharifa believes the most significant asset for an organization is its people. This conviction springs from her deep corporate experience driving ESG initiatives fostering a safe, diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment. As an All-American Olympic class athlete, Sharifa brings a high level of commitment and discipline to all her endeavors, as well as a dedication to team play.

Fresh off an enlightening and entertaining first season, the My Big Safety Challenge podcast is back for more. More leadership insight, more guidance for overcoming challenges, and more inspiration for the critical work you do each day. Season 2 of the joint venture from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) and Dale Carnegie (DC) features new guest host Tiffany Felix and another notable lineup of safety leaders. Representing industries ranging from entertainment to food manufacturing, they will each share their personal stories of navigating real-life obstacles. Felix, the Senior Vice President for Environmental Health and Safety at Paramount Global, joins DC Master Trainer Dr. Merle Heckman behind the microphone. Together they will lead conversations delving into fundamental subjects including communication, generational differences, the business of safety, and much more.If you haven't already, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss the new episodes. If you have not yet listened to Season 1, make sure to go back and check it out.

Mr. Sams joined SBA Communications Corporation in September of 2000. He currently has over thirty years of experience as a Safety and Health Professional in the recognition, evaluation and control of workplace risks and hazards, both domestically and internationally. He is a graduate of the University of Tennessee with a BS in Public Health and MS in Safety Education. His qualifications include a thorough knowledge of industry (both domestic and international) regulations, consensus safety and health standards as well as risk management and insurance best practices and guidance.David has spent the last 23 years in the tower industry where he developed and implemented a complete risk assessment and a safety policy and procedure program, specifically designed for the telecommunications industry. He has had the privilege of speaking at many conferences, participating in round table discussions with industry leaders, setting on the boards of several different industry organizations, and serving as co-founder and Chairperson of the Telecommunications Industry Registered Apprenticeship (TIRAP) program. In addition, he is a member of many other organizations, NATE, NWSA, WIA, TIA, and ASSP.

Hannah Sesay is the Vice President of Health and Safety for Ferguson. She has over 30 years of progressive experience managing Global Health, Safety, and Environmental Programs. Twenty of which, as a member of executive leadership teams responsible for setting and executing global HSE strategies. Her experience spans multiple industries such as Insurance, food, and beverage; financial; manufacturing, retail, mining; Energy; construction; Aerospace, Defense, Oil, and gas; transportation; and wholesale distribution. Hannah is accomplished in the use of Loss Control and Risk Management skills to eliminate, control, or reduce HSE exposure. She has proven leadership skills acquired through directing cross-functional global teams to design and deploy safe-best practices. As an accomplished leader, Hannah has demonstrated expertise in the following areas: Systems improvement, auditing, Risk mitigation, Integration, due diligence, and performance metrics. Hannah's strength is empowering others to succeed while doing what they do best. She is most passionate about leading cross-functional global teams to execute a vision and inspire them to deliver outstanding performance. Hannah's value to the organization is her drive to lead, win as a team, and deliver exceptional results. Hannah receives her undergraduate degree in Safety Sciences and Environmental Health from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) and her graduate degree in Environmental Sciences from the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) and Rutgers University.

Michael is the Director, Health, Safety and Security for RYAM in Jacksonville, Florida. Drawing on more than 25 years of safety and health experience, he has helped lead his company's operations on a new journey to achieve world class safety performance. By establishing management systems and instilling progressive leading metrics he has consistently transformed company safety cultures.Michael spent most of his career as an environmental, health and safety leader and has helped more than 20 facilities enter the US OSHA's prestigious Voluntary Protection Program. Michael has worked in the glass and steel industries and with RYAM he rejoins the pulp and paper industry having worked for International Paper for 14 years.Mr. Dupont earned his bachelor's degrees in Fire Science, and Safety Engineering from Eastern Kentucky University. He also holds the CSP certification from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals.

Preston Wood is a passionate EHS professional and Eastern Kentucky University grad where he received a master's degree in Safety, Security, and Emergency Management. He began his career as an EHS consultant at EnSafe Inc., where he excelled in developing custom safety solutions for a diverse set of clients in industries across North America.Currently, Preston is the Director of EHS at Relativity Space, overseeing workforce well-being and driving safety advancements in additive manufacturing and aerospace. He played a key role in establishing a world-class EHS organization and culture, aiming to safeguard Relativity's talented aerospace technicians and engineers in the manufacturing of 3D printed reusable rockets.

Chris began his safety career in 1990 working as a Safety Technician for a large construction company. During his time in the construction industry Chris was able to grow his career to where he became an E, S & H Manager who led safety teams on major construction sites. This time also exposed him to a variety of industries like petro-chemical, fossil power, nuclear power, as well as administrative functions of the corporate office. Chris then transitioned to the power industry where he supported multiple generation facilities, as well as leading a number of corporate teams. After his time in the power industry, Chris spent several years in the entertainment industry providing safety leadership to teams who supported many different business units. Chris is now a Senior Regional Safety Manager for a large organization. In this role he provides strategic leadership to effective positive safety changes within the operations.Chris has a Bachelor's degree in Occupational Safety and Health and a Master's degree in Organizational Leadership, both from Columbia Southern University. Chris has been a CSP since 2008, and has also held the SMS and CHST certifications (both of which are not currently active).Chris and his wife will be married for 34 years this July, and they have two children who have both now graduated college. In his free time Chris enjoys time at the beach, being outdoors, working out and participating in martial arts.

Emily Gamblin is the Senior Environmental Health and Safety Manager for Advance Auto Parts. Emily specializes in positive safety culture development to create impactful, safe and sustainable work environments. Through innovative people-focused management initiatives, Emily has a proven track record to reduce work-place injuries. She graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Public Health (MPH) from the University of Tennessee. Emily also holds her ASP and CSP certifications.

Real People. Real Stories. Real Impact. Combining the safety expertise of BCSP with the leadership training mastery of Dale Carnegie to offer insight for tackling today's industry challenges. Learn from the experiences of proven safety leaders to influence positive outcomes in your own organization.

Steve began his career in occupational safety and health in 1986 as an Occupational Safety Specialist with the Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration. In 1999, he was appointed to the assistant administrator position. In 2012, he was appointed as the administrator of the agency. In his position as administrator, he managed the day-to-day operations of Tennessee OSHA, supervising eight managers with various program responsibilities. He led both the compliance and consultation programs. He also served as the liaison between the state's OSHA program and federal OSHA. He served five terms on the Federal Advisory Committee for Construction Safety and Health. In 2020, after serving 16 months as deputy commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Steve left the department to join FDRsafety. Steve leads a team of safety and health professionals who consult with employers and labor organizations on workplace safety and health issues, compliance challenges, and safety culture improvement. He frequently serves as an expert witness and presents topics at regional and national conferences.