Portage County Safety Council Podcast

Episode 313: In this episode of the Safety Leadership Collective, Merle Heckman joins hosts Nicholas Coia and Mike Thompson to discuss the overlooked art of listening and how it shapes leadership, safety culture, and trust. Merle shares practical techniques—asking questions, pausing, and putting ego aside—to influence others and create real change. They explore examples from sports, business, and frontline work, and end with a simple call to action: practice focused listening for one week to begin building stronger connections at work and home. Connect with Merle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/merleheckman/ For more information on the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website at: https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/

Episode 312: This explores the alarming rise in distracted driving—over 3,200 deaths and 315,000 serious injuries in 2024—and discusses practical steps employers and drivers can take to prevent crashes. Host Nicholas Coia and guest Tracy LeMaire from the National Safety Council share data, real-world examples, policy and training solutions, and free resources to help organizations protect employees on and off the road. For more information about the National Safety Council, please visit their website at: https://www.nsc.org/ For more information on the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website at: https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/

Episode 311: In this episode, Nicholas Coia and Tim Brewster examine the growing crisis of distracted driving. They break down the visual, cognitive, and manual causes and share striking statistics and real-world examples that highlight how dangerous even brief distractions can be. They also explore practical solutions for fleets. These include hiring standards, clear policies, targeted training, telematics, video-based cameras, and AI alerts. The discussion emphasizes the importance of coaching, leadership commitment, and building a safety-focused culture to reduce crashes and protect both drivers and the public. Listeners will leave with actionable steps to improve driver safety. The episode also provides resources for Distracted Driving Month and practical tips for using data to coach drivers, support accountability, and reinforce safe driving habits. Resources for Distracted Driving Awareness Month: Distracted Driving Awareness Month - National Safety Council: https://www.nsc.org/road/distracted-driving-

Episode 310: In this episode, host Nichloas Coia talks with Lori Fisher of the Systems Thinking Standard Institute about applying systems thinking (DSRP) to safety and health management. They explain the four core elements of systems thinking and the six practical moves organizations can use to uncover hidden structures, align perspectives, and turn broad safety statements into measurable systems. The conversation includes real-world examples, implementation tips (like the is/is-not list), and resources for getting started, including the SCSI Basecamp and Lori’s contact information for workshops and further guidance. Connect with Lori on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorigfisher/ To learn more about the Systems Thinking Standard Institute, check out their website at: https://www.stsi.pro/ To learn more about PLS Management Consulting, check out their website at: https://www.purposeleapsurge.com/ For more information on the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website at: https://portagecoun

Episode 309: When leaders prioritize safety over production and speed, employees follow procedures and report hazards. This episode emphasizes the "tone from the top" and the importance of clear, consistent leadership to drive real safety culture. Justin DeFlumeri, CEO of Optimal Safety Inspections, joined us to discuss keeping safety simple, engaging frontline workers with practical activities like "find it, fix it," and using measurable actions to turn employee feedback into faster, lasting safety improvements.  Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-deflumeri-ms-5271a7b8/ To learn more about Optimal Safety Inspections, check out their website at: https://www.optimalsafetyinspections.com/ For more information on the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website at: https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/  

Episode 308: Fatigue and burnout aren’t just personal challenges—they’re workplace safety risks. Dr. Michael Atta and Dr. Xuan-Lan Griffith of Summa Health break down the key differences between the two and explain how each can quietly undermine safety, decision-making, and productivity. Through real workplace examples, they highlight what happens when warning signs are missed. This episode delivers practical steps for employees, leaders, and organizations to recognize risks early, improve communication, strengthen culture, and implement policies that safeguard both people and performance. To learn more about Summa Health, please visit their website at: https://www.summahealth.org/ For more information on the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website at: https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/  

Episode 307: In this episode of the Safety Leadership Collective Podcast, Nic Coia, Mike Thompson, and Ralph Suppa from Cervitas Solutions explore servant leadership in safety roles. They discuss how trust, vulnerability, and leading by example strengthens teams, prevent incidents, and create value within organizations. Listeners will hear real stories from fire and special operations experience, practical steps for middle managers and frontline leaders, and a clear call to build trust as the foundation of effective safety leadership. To learn more about Cervitas, please visit their website at: https://www.cervitas.com/ For more information on the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website at: https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/  

Episode 306: Clinical therapist and Mental Wealth Consultant, Kelly Younkins, explains how trauma and stress responses—fight, flight, freeze, and fawn—show up at work, why these reactions depend on individual capacity more than the event itself, and how they drive burnout and disengagement. The episode offers simple, practical guidance for leaders and coworkers: be curious and compassionate, invest time in regular check-ins and mental health checkups, use EAPs proactively, and adopt language and behaviors that create psychological safety and improve performance. To learn more about Kelly, please visit her website at: https://www.kellyyounkinsclinicalconsultant.com/ For more information on the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website at: https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/

Episode 305: In this episode, Chuck Marting, author of Mastering the Impairment Code, discusses how legalization of marijuana and psychedelics, increasing medical treatments like ketamine, and evolving workplace policies affect safety and impairment. He shares real examples from law enforcement and employers to show why testing, supervisor training, and compassionate intervention can prevent accidents and help employees get treatment. To learn more about Chuck, please visit his website at: https://www.chuckmarting.com/ For more information on the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website at: https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/  

Episode 304: Join the Portage County Safety Council as they relaunch the podcast under the new Safety Leadership Collective brand. After humble beginnings in 2017 and 2018, the show has grown to 303 episodes, 141 experts, over 87 hours of content, and listeners in more than 81 nations. This episode outlines the relaunch goals for 2026, the focus on safety, leadership, and well-being, and invites safety professionals and listeners to join the collective and share expertise. For more information, please visit our podcast webpage at: https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/podcasts/ For more information on the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website at: https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/  

Episode 303: Bernie Torrance, the International Director of the La Red Business Network and Founder of Global Priority Solutions, joined us to talk about values-based leadership and the roundtable model that transformed prisons, courts, and workplaces across Latin America and the U.S., cutting violence and turnover dramatically. Bernie explains how short, weekly roundtables build trust, create measurable behavior change with simple action steps, and deliver real business results — including a documented $1 million improvement in one year. Check out some of the organizations that Bernie mentioned in the interview: Global Priority Solutions The Global Entrepreneur's Institute   LaRed Business Network For more information about the PCSC, visit their website at:  https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/

Episode 302: Ruth Bowdish of On Demand Occupational Medicine and Dave Constantino joined us to chat about the 2025 NE Ohio Safety Expo! This event will take place on Thursday, September 25, 2025, 9am-4pm, at the Holiday Inn in Boardman, OH. Now available on your favorite podcast app! For more info on the 2025 NE Ohio Safety Epo, visit the website at: https://ondemandoccupationalmedicine.com/neo-ohio-safety-expo/ For more information about the PCSC, visit their website at:  https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/

Episode 301: Martin Franchi & Shelly Meadows, Co-Founders of Navigation Consulting & Training, joined us to talk about the importance of mental health and psychological safety at work. They will be presenting on this topic at the 2025 Ohio Safety Congress in April at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Now available on your favorite podcast app! For more info on OSC25, visit the website at: https://www.ohiosafetycongress.com/ To learn more about Martin & Shelly, visit their website at: https://navct.ca/ For more information about the PCSC, visit their website at:  https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/

Episode 300: Merle Heckman, a Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, joined us to talk about the importance of relationships when it comes to leadership & safety. He will be presenting on this topic at the 2025 Ohio Safety Congress in April at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Now available on your favorite podcast app! For more info on OSC25, visit the website at: https://www.ohiosafetycongress.com/ To learn more about Merle, visit his LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/merleheckman/ For more information about the PCSC, visit their website at:  https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/

Episode 299: Tracy LeMaire, Mobility Safety Program Manager at the National Safety Council, joined us to talk about the importance of transportation safety at work. She will be presenting on this topic at the 2025 Ohio Safety Congress in April at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Now available on your favorite podcast app! For more info on OSC25, visit the website at: https://www.ohiosafetycongress.com/ To learn more about Tracy, visit her LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-lemaire-2625b6a/ For more information about the PCSC, visit their website at:  https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/

Episode 298. Joe Tantarelli, owner of Trinity Safety Consulting, joined us to share about what he learned from surviving a tragic trench collapse. He will be presenting on this topic at the 2025 Ohio Safety Congress in April at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Now available on your favorite podcast app! For more info on OSC25, visit the website at: https://www.ohiosafetycongress.com/ To learn more about Joe, visit his LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-tantarelli-232a812a/ For more information about the PCSC, visit their website at:  https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/

Episode 297: Nick Zamiska, President & Senior Instructor at Bad Day Training & Consulting, joined us to chat about Lithium-ion battery emergencies. He will be presenting on this topic at the 2025 Ohio Safety Congress in April at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Now available on your favorite podcast app! For more info on OSC25, visit the website at: https://www.ohiosafetycongress.com/ To learn more about Nick, visit his website at: https://baddaytraining.com/ For more information about the PCSC, visit their website at:  https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/

Episode 296: Dianne Grote Adams, President of Safex, Inc., joined us to provide a preview of her 2025 Ohio Safety Congress presentation entitled, Leading the Charge: It’s more than OSHA knowledge! Now available on your favorite podcast app! For more info on OSC25, visit the website at: https://www.ohiosafetycongress.com/ To learn more about Dianne, visit her website at: https://www.safex.us/ For more information about the PCSC, visit their website at:  https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/

Episode 295: Gary Fowler, Executive Coach at Orange Diamond Safety, joined us to provide a preview of his 2025 Ohio Safety Congress presentation entitled, Emotionally Healthy Leader. Now available on your favorite podcast app! For more info on OSC25, visit the website at: https://www.ohiosafetycongress.com/ To learn more about Gary, visit his website at: https://www.thegaryfowler.com/ For more information about the PCSC, visit their website at:  https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/

Episode 294: Steven Click, Director at the Ohio Office of First Responder Wellness, joined us to provide a preview of his 2025 Ohio Safety Congress presentation. Now available on your favorite podcast app! For more info on OSC25, visit the website at: https://www.ohiosafetycongress.com/ To learn more about Steven and his program, visit its website at: https://publicsafety.ohio.gov/what-we-do/our-programs/office-of-first-responder-wellness For more information about the PCSC, visit their website at:  https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/