Safety Chats Podcast
Safety Chats Podcast
Todd Thomas and Anne Marie Sollazzo
Welcome to Portside Safety Chats, a podcast for people responsible for keeping flight operations safe, compliant, and moving forward. Hosted by Todd Thomas and Anne Marie Sollazzo, each episode features practical conversations about safety management, reporting, and real-world challenges across aviation. Tune in for timely topics, thoughtful insight, and clear takeaways you can actually use, all in under 30 minutes. 
More Reports, More Insight: Unlocking the Power of ASAP
In this episode of the Portside Safety by Baldwin podcast, we explore why ASAP reporting is one of the most powerful and underused tools in aviation safety. The team discusses what low reporting really means, the barriers that prevent employees from speaking up, and how operators can build trust, simplify reporting, and turn insights into action. More reports don’t mean more problems; they mean better visibility into your operation. Contact Safety Chats Tweet us at @BaldwinAviationConne...
May 5
23 min
SMS Is a Team Sport: Culture, Communication, and Leadership in Aviation Safety
Meet Ryan Smith, Portside’s newest safety manager, as he shares his journey from the U.S. Air Force to civilian aviation. In this episode, the team explores why SMS is a team sport, how to build a strong safety culture, and practical ways to encourage reporting and trust across your organization. Contact Safety Chats Tweet us at @BaldwinAviationConnect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/baldwin-aviation-safety-&-compliance/ Follow on Facebook @BaldwinSafety Email...
Mar 30
26 min
Safety Chats: SMS in the Maintenance World
Anne Marie Sollazzo sits down with Jermaine “Caddy” Cadogan, President of Convergent Performance and former U.S. Marine Corps aviation maintainer, to discuss Safety Management Systems (SMS) in the maintenance world. They explore why maintenance teams often experience cultural resistance to formal SMS tools, how risk is managed differently in the hangar versus the flight deck, and what leaders can do to create real buy-in. The conversation highlights practical integration, ownership, and the i...
Mar 2
21 min
Beyond the ERP Binder: Building Real Emergency Readiness
An Emergency Response Plan is more than a document - it’s a living system. In this episode of Safety Chats, Senior Safety Managers Anne Marie Sollazzo and Todd Thomas discuss what real emergency readiness looks like beyond the ERP binder. Drawing from real-world experience, they explore common gaps in emergency planning, the value of drills and lessons learned, and why preparation can’t wait until after everything else is built. Contact Safety Chats Tweet us at @BaldwinAviationConnect o...
Feb 4
18 min
Navigating the Unpredictable: Why Complex Systems Defy Prediction
In this episode, Jason Starke explores the unpredictability of complex systems, using the example of raising children. Drawing on insights from John Gall’s System Antics, he challenges the concept of “predictive safety” in aviation, emphasizing that while we can’t fully predict complex systems, monitoring risk controls can help identify issues early. This discussion encourages safety practitioners to measure effectiveness for continuous improvement in organizational safety. Contact Safety Cha...
Nov 7, 2024
13 min
Is Safety Culture Measurable Without Surveys?
Jason Starke explores an intriguing question: Is it possible to measure an organization’s safety culture without relying on a formal survey? Jason shares insights and practical observations from his experience and proposes key indicators to gauge safety culture effectively. Tune in to learn more about the impact of leadership engagement, the physical environment, and communication practices on organizational culture, along with how these elements can reveal the strength of a safety culture. C...
Oct 29, 2024
19 min
Beyond the Numbers: Statistics That Drive Safety
Jason Starke dives into the world of statistics and how it plays a vital role in safety management. Whether it's understanding standard deviations, running t-tests, or using correlation coefficients, Jason breaks down complex concepts into practical, real-world applications for safety managers. You'll learn how to make sense of data, set meaningful alert levels, and turn statistical analysis into actionable safety insights. Contact Safety Chats Tweet us at @BaldwinAviationCo...
Oct 17, 2024
19 min
The Leadership Trap: How Over-Commitment Can Harm Safety
In this episode, Jason dives into a topic inspired by an article about Unethical Pro-Organizational Behavior. He explores how a strong commitment to an organization can sometimes lead to unintended consequences—specifically, actions that may be unethical or unsafe, all in the name of benefiting the organization. Jason breaks down the differences between strong organizational citizenship and safety citizenship, urging leaders to foster safety-oriented behaviors. Contact Safety Chats Twee...
Oct 8, 2024
12 min
Hazards vs. Risk: The Power of Semantics in Aviation Safety
In this episode of the Safety Chat Podcast, Jason delves into the critical importance of semantics in aviation safety, particularly focusing on the distinction between "hazards" and "risk." He explains how words like these, though often used interchangeably, carry specific meanings that are vital to understanding and improving safety management systems. Contact Safety Chats Tweet us at @BaldwinAviationConnect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/baldwin-aviation-safety-&-com...
Oct 2, 2024
13 min
Staying Safe in the Skies: A Guide to Weather Hazards
In this episode, Jason delves into the common hazards of clear air turbulence, thunderstorms, and extreme heat. Drawing from his meteorology expertise, he provides practical safety insights for aviation professionals and enthusiasts. From understanding atmospheric currents to protecting ground crews during severe weather and managing heat risks, Jason offers invaluable advice to enhance safety management and organizational excellence. Contact Safety Chats Tweet us at @BaldwinAviationCon...
May 29, 2024
22 min
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