PreAccident Investigation Podcast

Host Todd chats with Mousa Yassin about shifting safety culture from blaming individuals to designing systems that tolerate failure and recover quickly. They cover life-saving rules, the concept of recoverability, lessons from software engineering like chaos testing, and the importance of learning over punishment. The episode emphasizes practical ways to build resilient systems, nurture learning teams, and make safety training engaging and effective.

Todd Conklin tells the origin story of "learning teams," sparked by a self-reported near-miss at Los Alamos involving a postdoc and an arcing wrench. Rather than pursuing a punitive investigation, a group of workers gathered to identify what needed to be learned, uncovering broader gaps in postdoc training and safety planning. The episode explains how learning teams prioritize asking better questions, collecting the right data, and designing system-focused solutions. Conklin describes how this approach spread across the lab and why it remains a fast, effective tool for operational improvement.

Todd Conklin talks with Corey Pitzer about fatality prevention, Human and Organizational Performance (HOP), and how safety thinking has shifted globally. They explore controversial views—treating workers as problem-solvers, tensions between engineering/energy-based approaches and systemic/new-view thinking—and use real examples to show why designing systems that absorb variation matters more than trying to eliminate risk.

Todd interviews Professor David Woods about recent NASA mishaps and a growing cultural shift toward "cheaper, faster" decision-making that sacrifices safety. They explore how past safety gains have lost vitality, highlight cascading modern risks (the "messy nine"), and argue for mutual assistance and revitalized resilience practices. Wood's most recent writing on this is available in the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists called: Cheaper, Faster, and Who Gives a Damn about Anything Else. The episode connects space, aviation, cloud outages, and AI-driven engineering to show why coordinated foresight and cross-disciplinary cooperation are essential to prevent far-reaching harm in today’s complex systems.

In this episode, Todd Conklin joins Amir Shahzad to discuss human and organizational performance, resilience, and how to design systems that allow failures to be caught and recovered before they become disasters. They explore the gap between work as imagined and work as done, the value of learning from everyday work, and practical steps leaders can take to create safer, more resilient workplaces. They also cover cultural change, the role of procedures, adaptive behavior, and the potential—and risks—of AI in safety, all delivered with a mix of practical advice and light-hearted rapid-fire questions.

Hosts Todd and Brent discuss an upcoming restorative workshop centered on RaDonda Vought's account of the Emory Hospital event. The episode highlights how normal performance variability can combine into serious failures, the value of storytelling, and the importance of learning and building resilience across complex systems. The workshop in Santa Fe (March 31–April 1) invites healthcare and high‑risk industry professionals to move from “what” happened to “how” to apply lessons in practice. For more information or to register, contact [email protected].

Host Todd Conklin interviews fatigue expert Mark Rosekind, PhD about his path from sleep research to roles at NASA, the NTSB, and NHTSA, and how sleep science applies across transportation and safety-critical work. Key takeaways: think of sleep like a bank account (sleep debt), "start in the black" before major schedule changes, the benefits of strategic naps, and systemic ways organizations can reduce fatigue to improve performance, health, and safety.

Todd Conklin discusses VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Adaptation) and argues that innovation and safety improve when organizations embrace uncertainty and gather more diverse information and perspectives. He mixes personal travel and Olympics anecdotes, touches on aviation and healthcare examples, and invites listeners to a hands-on workshop to explore these ideas further.

In this clip from the Pre‑Accident Investigation Podcast and Punk Rock Safety, Todd joins Ron, Ben, and David to debate why safety innovation is stalling, where new ideas are coming from, and who’s pushing practice forward. They explore barriers like regulatory pressure, the pull of “normal,” and the difference between improving safety and redesigning work. Using examples from pediatric intensive care and other domains, the conversation highlights pockets of progress, the danger of idea corruption, and the need to embrace experimentation, rethink systems, and find the next generation of thinkers to advance safety practice.

This episode tells the real-life story of how the Society for Patient Safety and a network of children’s hospitals used learning teams, proactive safety huddles, and simulations to reduce unplanned extubations in neonatal ICUs — cutting rates by 60% and preventing thousands of deaths. It covers the data, the frontline-led solutions, the narrowing of racial disparities, and an invitation to a small conference in Santa Fe to learn and share improvement practices.

This episode previews a small workshop in Santa Fe where Todd Conklin, Ann Lyren, and guest ReDonda Vaught will explore a tragic patient safety case. They frame accidents as the unexpected combination of normal performance variability and discuss how to learn from such incidents. Listeners will hear about the meeting goals (March 31–April 1), opportunities to chart the event, and practical tactics for organizations to identify and respond to accumulating risks, with cross-industry lessons and a focus on improving safety culture.

Todd Conklin breaks down why accountability is an act of clarity, not blame or discipline, and why leaders and workers share responsibility for operational safety. He highlights the need to set roles before incidents occur, contrasts accountability with performance management, and announces a case-study workshop about Redonda’s Vanderbilt story in Santa Fe (March 31–April 1).

Todd Conklin explores why its so difficult to measure events that never happen and how traditional safety metrics can mislead organizations. He argues for focusing on metrics that validate safeguards and create desired outcomes rather than only counting accidents. The episode also touches on automation risks, the limits of frequency-based measures, and the need for better leading indicators and verification practices to keep systems safe even when nothing appears to go wrong.

Todd Conklin opens 2026 reflecting on why how we begin interactions and jobs matters more than we often realize. He uses stories from travel, aviation, and workplace examples to show that the start of an encounter often predicts its outcome. Conklin urges listeners to choose kindness, psychological safety, and deliberate planning—start the job when the right controls are in place—rather than beginning from hate, division, or aggression. He links these opening choices to organizational resilience, safety, and reliability. The episode is a New Year’s call to focus on how we start conversations and work: start safe, be kind, and build cultures that help people succeed in difficult and high-risk environments.

10. New Year’s Eve recap reflecting on a busy 2016 and the journey ahead into 2017. 9. Host shares personal travel highlights and experiments in gratitude and generosity. 8. Announces a 2017 focus on seeking and affirming the fundamental goodness in people. 7. Reviews safety’s evolution: from compliance (Safety One) to safety-by-design (process safety). 6. Explains the current phase emphasizing human performance and managing variability rather than blaming workers. 5. Notes that incidents have become rarer and traditional metrics are less predictive. 4. Discusses fatalities as outlier events that require different thinking and study. 3. Invites listeners to run small sociological experiments to improve everyday interactions. 2. Celebrates the collective progress in safety and the privilege of contributing to that change. 1. Ends with a New Year’s wish: be with each other, keep managing uncertainty wisely, and have a great 2017.

This special Thanksgiving 2021 episode shares one simple piece of advice: be grateful. It highlights the power of gratitude during hard times and encourages you to pause and appreciate what you have. When the world feels difficult, instead of meeting pain with pain, reflect on the people, support, and good things in your life. Gratitude helps you move forward with strength and perspective. Learn something every day, have fun, and be good to each other.

In this episode Todd Conklin uses the season of gift-giving to explain near-miss reporting: why it matters, how it shows whether controls worked or luck saved the day, and how organizations should respond with gratitude and learning—not punishment.

This episode shifts the safety conversation from continuous improvement to continuous capacity, introducing a practical dashboard of 10 operational indicators—five system capacities (exposure to unforgiving energy, robustness of safeguards, error tolerance/recoverability, detectability of variance, and recovery capacity) and five human capacities (sensitivity to variation, frontline insight, quality of learning, psychological safety, and supervisor load). Host Todd Conklin explains how these measurable and observable indicators link engineering controls with human and organizational factors, and why monitoring them regularly helps leaders improve resilience and manage high‑risk operations more effectively.

Todd Conklin talks with Brent Sutton and Jeff Lyth about the upcoming HOP Workshop in Vancouver (Jan 28–29, 2026), centered on Redonda’s powerful firsthand story of patient safety, complex systems, restorative justice and resilience — lessons that translate across industries. Day one features Redonda’s narrative and panel discussion; day two focuses on hands‑on learning and innovation. Please attend, this workshop will be amazingly good for the soul! For tickets and details visit hopconference.com.

This episode explores human performance and aviation safety, contrasting airline procedures with general aviation risks. Guests discuss building safety margins, the importance of planning vs. acting, and how economic pressures can erode resilience. Highlights include treating near-misses as learning opportunities, practical tips for pilots to increase recoverability, and real-world examples from naval operations and long-term flying experience.

Jay Allen interviews Todd Conklin about his new book, The Stability Trap, exploring why even safe, stable organizations can fail. They discuss the "drive to zero," complacency, pressures on middle management, wearables and data, and lessons from aviation and the pandemic. The episode also covers how AI was used to reorganize the book’s ideas and help craft its ending, and offers practical reframes: treat safety as a capacity, see workers as system monitors, and retool systems to match capacity with risk. The book is available now.

Host Todd introduces his new book, The Stability Trap, and shares a sneak peek episode created with an AI-generated interview. The episode explores why organizations that appear safe can still experience accidents and how success itself can erode safety capacity. The discussion outlines the core ideas: safety as the presence of capacity, the three R's (redefine safety, reframe the worker, relearn investigation), and a five-stage practical blueprint for leaders, safety professionals, frontline workers, supervisors, and system integration. Short and practical, the episode is a teaser for the book and invites listeners to reflect on whether their organizations maintain the resilience, confidence, and systems needed to recover when things go wrong.

In this episode Todd Conklin joins Jowanza Joseph to explore modern safety thinking: why human error is normal, how context shapes behavior, and why leadership response and system recoverability matter more than blame. They draw on examples from Los Alamos, AWS outages, SpaceX and everyday technology to show how organizations can design systems that tolerate failure and learn from it. Listeners will get practical insights into the five principles of human performance and how to build resilient systems that fail safely and recover quickly.

Todd Conklin joins the Brisbane Safety Differently Book Lab in Auckland for a lively discussion about leadership, accountability, and learning from everyday work. The group explores why safety is the presence of control, how leaders should respond after incidents, and why learning is the new currency of safety. Todd shares stories about writing his books, engaging with workers, and practical steps leaders can take to build confidence and capacity while fostering a learning culture.

Part two of the RaDonda Vaught story examines what emerged after the event: investigation details, system design flaws, communication breakdowns, and the tiny timing error that mattered. RaDonda Vaught recounts how normalized overrides, software defaults, and organizational assumptions created conditions for failure. The episode explores the chilling effects of criminalizing mistakes, the human cost across patients and providers, and the case for shifting from blame to system-focused learning and improvement.

In this episode, nurse RaDonda Vaught tells the detailed, context-rich story of a medication error at Vanderbilt that led to criminal charges. She walks through the events, system issues (including a recent EHR rollout and medication-dispensing delays), distractions, and decision points that contributed to the mistake. RaDonda describes how workarounds, unclear documentation in radiology, drug supply changes, and interruptions combined to produce a tragic outcome, and she explains the immediate clinical response. The episode sets up a follow-up discussion about what was learned and how systems can be improved.

Episode: an extended open Q&A from the Pre-Accident Investigation Conference in Santa Fe covering big-picture safety topics. Speakers discuss the limits of traditional metrics, the power of real-time monitoring, shifting focus from managing risk to maintaining control, validating controls in the field, learning teams, contractor relationships, and prioritizing high-information events. Anecdotes and practical guidance illustrate how organizations can learn without blame.

Todd Conklin explores how blame shuts down learning and prevents organizational improvement, arguing that blaming individuals creates a chilling effect that blocks thousands of future learning opportunities. He connects blame to misunderstandings about human error, emphasizes psychological safety, and urges leaders to ask "what failed" before asking "who failed," while sharing personal anecdotes and reflections.

Todd Conklin and Brent Sutton discuss the short-term future of safety thinking—covering the rise and fall of lean/TQM, how commodification can slow innovation, and why fear, FOMO and complacency shape which ideas stick. They explore leaders' responsibility, weak signals, and the need for small 'safe-to-fail' experiments to keep systems resilient. Set in Santa Fe with lighthearted moments (including breakfast burritos and a cheese debate), the episode blends history, practical insight and a call to stay curious about evolving workplace complexity.

Recorded live at Meow Wolf in Santa Fe, this episode features a wide-ranging conversation between Todd and Andy Baker about learning, safety culture, and leadership influence. They dig into HOP and related safety approaches, debate top-down versus middle-out change, discuss the importance of language and unlearning, and explore how to turn belief into practical skill and behavior. The episode offers real-world insights on piloting change, engaging leaders and middle managers, and learning from others who have adapted these ideas in novel ways.

Tiny Todd Conklin joins the No Way Out podcast to explore Human and Organizational Performance (HOP), high-reliability organizing, and how safety emerges from complex systems rather than individual mistakes. They critique traditional investigations, surveys, and risk matrices, and discuss practical ideas for building capacity, worker agency, psychological safety, and resilient operations.

This episode examines the growing problem of children accidentally left in hot cars, explains why memory failures can happen to anyone, and argues that punishment is not the solution. It summarizes practical approaches—accepting the risk, assuming "when, not if," using technology and visual reminders, and responding with understanding rather than judgment—to create system-level changes that improve recoverability and prevent future tragedies.

Todd talks with Lauren Mooney about her book High Reliability in Action and how to translate HRO concepts into practical behaviors. They cover the rise of HRO, the 'Speaking In' approach, nine guiding questions, and the animal avatars that represent attitudes like humility, courage, and curiosity. The episode emphasizes leadership’s role, DIY team practices for recognizing risk, responding early, and adapting effectively across industries—from frontline staff to executives.

This episode of the Pre-Accident Investigation Podcast features patient safety leader Lisa Zegan, host of Tales from the Sharp End, in a candid conversation with Todd about the 2017 Vanderbilt medication error and what it reveals about healthcare systems. They explore why criminalizing mistakes harms learning, how design and billing pressures shape medication cabinets and workflows, the limits of “zero harm,” and the case for recoverability/rescuability, cross-industry learning, and leadership-driven transparency across hospitals.

Join Todd as he delves into a captivating discussion with Tom Krause, founder of Behavioral Science Technology, on the Pre-Accident Investigation Podcast. This episode unravels the evolution of safety protocols from traditional behavioral-based approaches to modern leadership-driven strategies. Krause shares his journey from pioneering behavioral-based safety techniques to exploring the pivotal role leaders play in mitigating catastrophic events. The conversation highlights the significance of leadership decision-making in shaping organizational culture and safety outcomes. Discover how historical safety models have informed current practices and gain insights into the challenges and advancements in the safety domain, all set against the vibrant backdrop of their meeting in Santa Fe. Tune in to uncover these transformative ideas and the evolving landscape of workplace safety.

Welcome to an engaging episode of the Pre-Accident Investigation Podcast with your host Todd Conklin. In this episode, Todd delves into a thought-provoking discussion about the evolving role of AI in our workplaces and lives with guest expert Dox Brown, also known as Drew. Together, they explore the intricacies of artificial intelligence beyond surveillance products, focusing on its positive potential as a strategic partner in understanding and enhancing human tasks. Throughout this conversation, Dox Brown, an enthusiast in AI's educational implications, shares insights into how AI can augment human roles rather than replace them. Discover AI's capability to handle large data analysis, predict patterns, and assist in creative processes, transforming how we interact with technology in our day-to-day routines. This episode challenges common fears by offering a refreshing perspective on AI's role as a tool of kindness and empathy, encouraging a broader dialogue about its place in future workplaces. Tune in for a fascinating journey into how AI may redefine human-oriented work and what it truly means to collaborate with intelligent systems.

Welcome to the latest episode of the Pre-Accident Investigation Podcast, hosted by Todd Conklin. In this engaging discussion, Todd chats with Jennifer Long about their unexpected journey in writing "Workers Are the Solution, Not the Problem: A Guidebook for Leading Differently." The conversation delves into the transformative insights they discovered about leadership, accountability, and how the evolving workforce requires fresh approaches. Throughout the episode, Todd and Jennifer explore how traditional views on leadership and workforce development are outdated, urging leaders to see workers as solutions rather than problems. They share their experiences and learning moments that shifted their paradigms and offer guidance for navigating the chaotic and unpredictable modern business environment. Join Todd and Jennifer as they reflect on their collaborative process and the critical lessons from their book, offering valuable perspectives for leaders aiming to adapt and thrive in today's dynamic world.

Join Todd Conklin in the final episode of the Pre-Extended Investigation Podcast as he hosts an insightful conversation with Shane Bush and Professor David Woods. This concluding episode offers a compelling discussion on the evolution of safety practices across industries, the impact of leadership on organizational sustainability, and the challenges faced by modern safety paradigms. Dive into the nuances of human and organizational learning as Shane and Todd reflect on their decades-long journey, touching upon personal anecdotes and professional insights. Professor Woods contributes his expertise on the complexities of maintaining safety in aviation and beyond, highlighting the essential interplay of technology, human factors, and leadership in high-stakes environments. This episode is a thought-provoking exploration of the past, present, and future of safety and learning—an invaluable listen for anyone interested in organizational excellence.

Join Todd Conklin and Rob Fisher on the Pre-Accident Investigation Podcast as they delve into their experiences and reflections from past podcast episodes, discussing the art of leadership and the significance of effective communication with senior leaders. With anecdotes from previous recordings, they explore the value of predictions made unknowingly and how iteration and experience shape success. Rob shares insights into transitioning from operational roles to a leadership position, focusing on listening and adapting to the needs of the company, while providing a compelling narrative on using past experiences to build future strategies. In a dynamic conversation, Todd and Rob discuss the ever-changing landscape of work and the complexities organizations face due to technological advancements, as well as the human elements that impact safety and resilience. They emphasize the importance of keeping dialogues open, inviting new ideas, and making space for the next generation to lead the way. Listen in for practical takeaways and thought-provoking insights into building organizational resilience and the human factors that drive success. A conversation not to be missed for anyone looking to enhance their leadership capabilities and embrace the inevitable evolution of work.

Welcome to the Pre-Accident Investigation Podcast hosted by Todd Conklin, featuring an engaging conversation with Bob Edwards from the Community of Human and Organizational Learning. In this episode, Todd and Bob dive into the significance of operational learning and how it is reshaping leadership responses within organizations. Discover how learning teams are providing valuable insights and driving improvements across various sectors, going beyond the realm of safety to address broader operational challenges. Listen as they discuss the importance of fostering a culture where reporting is appreciated, not feared, and explore the role of leaders in utilizing data gathered from learning teams for continuous improvement. Bob shares his experiences and insights on encouraging leaders to look for opportunities to say 'yes' rather than just identifying problems, fostering a collaborative environment that propels organizations forward. Join the conversation on redefining success, breaking away from traditional blame-oriented responses, and focusing on systemic improvements that benefit not just safety, but quality and productivity as well. Gain valuable perspectives on how to effectively engage leaders in the learning process and inspire them to make data-driven decisions that promote growth and innovation.

Join Todd Conklin in an engaging conversation with Shane Bush at the Pre-XMet Podcast, as they dive into Shane's unexpected Hall of Fame induction and the surprising gift of his own bobblehead. Throughout the episode, they explore the dynamics of safety conferences, focusing on the interaction between academia and practitioners. Shane shares insights into how historical discussions are being refreshed with new perspectives, emphasizing the significance of both fields in improving systems. The conversation also touches on the evolution of conference content, reflecting on past and present trends, while highlighting the role of academia in shaping the themes. Shane, known for his resilience work, discusses how safety measures evolve, often leading to unexpected outcomes. The hosts further explore ideas from renowned experts, updating concepts like just culture and shifting focus towards more dynamic monitoring and assurance in organizations. With humorous anecdotes and reflective moments, this episode offers a unique perspective on the future of safety and the importance of embracing both change and continuity in professional learning environments.

[email protected] Join Todd Conklin on this episode of the Pre-Accident Investigation Podcast as he delves into a fascinating open Q&A session recorded during a conference in Santa Fe. Our expert panel, including Bob Edwards, Andrea Baker, and Martha Acosta, shares valuable insights into transforming skepticism into a driving force for change within workplace safety culture. Explore how leaders can foster curiosity, handle resistance, and leverage skepticism to drive meaningful discussions around safety and performance improvement. Whether dealing with management skepticism or the challenges of workforce accountability, this episode offers practical advice and strategies to enhance learning and engagement in your organization. Listen in as Todd and the panel navigate complex questions, providing a wealth of knowledge and experience on how to approach learning and change from a proactive standpoint. Discover how to shift from reactive to proactive strategies by addressing weak signals and enhancing resilience, all while honing your leadership and communication skills. Don't miss this opportunity to gain insights into fostering a culture of openness, safety, and continuous improvement in your organization.

Join host Todd Conklin on the Pre-Accident Investigating Extra podcast as he delves into the complexities of everyday life and work. In this episode, explore the philosophical musings of how each day of the week shapes our lives and dive into a lively discussion on turning uncertainties into opportunities. Todd shares his recent cooking experiment with papas rellenas, highlighting how creativity can emerge from chaos. The episode also features a captivating conversation with Sam Olliges, a young safety professional from Landmark Structures, who sheds light on the challenges and rewards of attracting and retaining skilled workers in the water tower construction industry. Discover the importance of micro experimentation, the art of making safety seamless, and how leadership can embark on a journey with their teams towards a safer future. Whether you're interested in innovative safety solutions, the intricacies of human behavior, or simply want to hear insightful discussions from industry professionals, this episode offers valuable perspectives for all listeners. Don't miss out on this engaging exploration of safety, creativity, and resilience!

In this compelling episode of the Pre-Exit Investigation Podcast, host Todd Conklin delves into a deeply personal story that challenges perspectives and ignites conversation around resilience and adaptation in organizations. Through the eyes of Hector, a familiar figure from a local restaurant, Todd explores the impact of fear and leadership response in today’s rapidly changing world. With insightful anecdotes, the episode brings to light the unseen pressures faced by individuals and the significant role leaders play in shaping organizational culture. As systems are pushed to their limits, Todd invites listeners to reflect on their own leadership choices and the type of world they want to help create. It's a thought-provoking episode that encourages deep reflection and meaningful dialogue.

Welcome to the latest episode of the Pre-Accident Investigation Podcast with Todd Conklin! Join us on June 1st, 2025, as Todd shares anecdotes about free summer concerts, revealing the intriguing story behind the symbols 'ampersand' and 'ampersat'. Discover how these symbols connect to our understanding of progress and improvement. In this insightful episode, we delve into the dynamics of progress, challenging the notion that it is linear. Todd explores the concept of 'aim small, miss small', encouraging small, deliberate changes for significant impact. He touches on leadership in times of uncertainty, emphasizing the role of strategic improvement in organizational success. Stay tuned for exciting announcements, including upcoming conference details and groundbreaking book discussions. This episode is packed with innovative ideas, engaging stories, and practical strategies to enhance both personal and professional growth. Don't miss out - there's something for everyone!

Welcome to the latest episode of the Pre-Accident Investigation Podcast, where we delve into the critical topic of psychological safety and reporting culture in the workplace. Today's discussion is sparked by insights from Brett Torrent, who has observed over his 20-year management career four distinct reasons why employees may hesitate to report issues. These reasons are rooted in fear of blame and punishment, previous reporting fatigue, unawareness of risks, and concerns about complicating work. The conversation highlights the importance of creating an environment where employees feel safe to share concerns without apprehension of repercussions. Effective communication and feedback play pivotal roles in fostering a culture where open dialogue is encouraged and valued. Join us as we explore the elegant yet powerful insights into psychological safety, offering leaders practical strategies to enhance transparency and trust within their organizations. Learn why the way leaders respond to concerns is vital in shaping a resilient and proactive workforce.