PreAccident Investigation Podcast

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 co...

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 sup...

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. Anecdote...

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 a...

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 (includin...

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 offe...

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 improv...

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,...

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...

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 ro...

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 poten...

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 e...

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...

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...

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 drivi...

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 refre...

Officetoddconklin@gmail.com 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...

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 c...

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 insight...

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...

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 a...

In this episode of the Pre-Accident Investigation Podcast, Todd Conklin reflects on the importance of masterfully understanding the fundamentals. Through a fascinating conversation with a renowned physicist, he discusses the intersection of chaos physics and human performance, emphasizing the need to begin every discourse at the start, not where we currently are. Todd shares insights into a thrill...

In this insightful episode, Todd Conklin leads a fascinating discussion on the concept of counterfactuals with experts Robert Waterhouse and Zoe Gulley from Energy Safety Canada. They delve into the limitations of traditional accident investigations and how long-standing practices may not serve us well in truly understanding incidents and improving performance. The conversation focuses on causal r...

In this engaging episode, host Todd Conklin kicks off with a delightful chat about Milo's tea, leading into a compelling panel discussion with Bob Edwards, Mark Yeston, and Andrea Baker. The conversation explores the journey of organizational transformation, focusing on shifting from traditional safety views to a new perspective that emphasizes human performance and operational learning. Join the...