Todd Thomas and Anne Marie Sollazzo
Safety Chats Podcast
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.
Author
Todd Thomas and Anne Marie Sollazzo
Category
Podcast website
Latest episode
Jul 1, 2026
Where to listen?
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Episodes
Normalization of Deviation: When Shortcuts Become Risk 01.07.2026 20:31
In this episode of Portside Safety by Baldwin Safety Chat , Anne-Marie Sollazzo, Todd Thomas, and Ryan Smith discuss the normalization of deviation and how everyday shortcuts can quietly become accepted practice across an operation. The conversation explores why deviations often start with good intentions, how operational pressure and tribal knowledge can move teams away from written procedures, a...
The Safety Conversations Aviation Leaders Need to Hear 03.06.2026 14:54
In this episode of Portside Safety Chats, the team recaps major themes from BASS 2026, including gaps in TCAS RA reporting, the importance of proactive safety data, and why accountable executives should attend safety conferences alongside their safety teams. Learn how leadership visibility, training, and engagement can directly influence SMS effectiveness and organizational safety culture. Contact...
More Reports, More Insight: Unlocking the Power of ASAP 05.05.2026 23:26
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 be...
SMS Is a Team Sport: Culture, Communication, and Leadership in Aviation Safety 30.03.2026 26:14
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 @BaldwinAviation Connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/compan...
Safety Chats: SMS in the Maintenance World 02.03.2026 21:05
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...
Beyond the ERP Binder: Building Real Emergency Readiness 04.02.2026 18:32
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 unti...
Navigating the Unpredictable: Why Complex Systems Defy Prediction 07.11.2024 13:46
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 practitioner...
Is Safety Culture Measurable Without Surveys? 29.10.2024 19:02
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 org...
Beyond the Numbers: Statistics That Drive Safety 17.10.2024 19:09
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 ana...
The Leadership Trap: How Over-Commitment Can Harm Safety 08.10.2024 12:34
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...
Hazards vs. Risk: The Power of Semantics in Aviation Safety 02.10.2024 13:46
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 T...
Staying Safe in the Skies: A Guide to Weather Hazards 29.05.2024 22:55
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 man...
Navigating Fairness in Organizational Responses 14.05.2024 14:22
This podcast episode discusses fairness within organizations, focusing on distributive and procedural justice. The host, Dr. Jason Starke emphasizes the need for formal procedures and policies to ensure fair responses to events like errors or violations. He highlights the importance of a just culture and recommends using resources like the GAIN Foundation's Roadmap to a Just Culture for guida...
Creating a Culture of Safety - Part 2 06.05.2024 17:59
This week's podcast, hosted by Mark Myers, features Part 2 of the engaging conversation with Jim Adams on safety leadership and risk management. They delve into creating a learning organization from top to bottom, emphasizing accountable leadership's crucial role. Jim emphasizes the significance of listening, empathy, humility, and continuous learning as crucial elements for effective le...
Creating a Culture of Safety - Part 1 29.04.2024 19:06
In Part 1 of this week's podcast, Mark Myers and Jim Adams discuss safety leadership. Jim, an industry expert, shares his journey from flight nurse to CEO, highlighting the importance of a safety-driven culture over regulatory compliance. The conversation focuses on accountable leadership and the challenges in maintaining effective safety practices for organizations of all sizes. Contact Safe...
Balancing Passion and Participation 10.04.2024 13:37
In this podcast we delve into the "Too Much of a Good Thing" effect, abbreviated as TMGT, relating it to organizational behavior and safety management. The discussion touches on Aristotle's perspective on moderation, leader humility's impact on followers, and the danger of excessive passion in safety management. The central idea is that while passion is valuable, it shouldn&apo...
The Global Impact of Aviation Standards and Beyond 25.03.2024 18:19
This podcast discusses the historical background of aviation standardization, particularly focusing on the Chicago Convention of 1944, where 52 countries met to create a framework for global aviation cooperation. It emphasizes the importance of standardization in air navigation to prevent conflicts and ensure safety. The discussion then shifts to safety management systems (SMS) and interface manag...
Understanding Risk Assessment Mathematics 29.02.2024 16:16
Join host Jason in Anaheim as he delves into risk assessment math. From marathon rankings to risk prioritization, Jason explores nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio measurements. Learn why ordinal numbers need careful handling and how bounded scales enhance precision. Gain practical tips to elevate safety practices in your organization. Contact Safety Chats Tweet us at @BaldwinAviation Connect...
Attribution Theory in Safety Management 15.02.2024 16:05
Host Jason explores Attribution Theory, investigating how people assign both external and internal factors to individual behaviors. He examines distinctiveness, consensus, and consistency, illustrating their impact on our interpretations of behavior causes. Jason stresses the significance of incorporating these dimensions into safety management systems to prevent inaccurate blame assignment and fo...
In Pursuit of Just Culture 08.02.2024 16:22
Host Jason reflects on incidents like the tragic case of Nurse Redonda Vaught, who faced criminal charges after a medication error led to a patient's death. By examining failures in controls and the reliance on humans as the last line of defense, the podcast prompts listeners to reconsider approaches to risk management and emphasizes the importance of fostering a culture of reporting and cont...
The Information Black Hole 30.01.2024 13:54
Explore captivating insights into black holes from the U.S. National Science Foundation. Uncover the correlation between the formidable characteristics of black holes and the organizational phenomenon termed the "Information Black Hole." Shedding light on how overlooking safety concerns and personal challenges can affect one's self-esteem. Informed by the wisdom of psychologist Dr....
Beyond Attention Bias 23.01.2024 21:42
Explore the intricate web of attention bias and fundamental attribution error. Discover how the Safety 2 approach challenges conventional safety thinking, encouraging a shift in focus from the negative to the positive, and learn innovative ways to capture and leverage everyday heroic actions for system improvement. Your daily adaptation and resilience matter – let's redefine safety narratives...
Learning from the Past 09.01.2024 18:18
Link the fates of iconic organizations to their ability to adapt and learn. Unravel the significance of organizational learning, its role in safety management, and the pivotal impact of leadership styles. Explore the depths of Absorptive Capacity Theory, understanding how organizations recognize, assimilate, and apply valuable information to foster continuous improvement and adaptation. Contact S...
Exploring Safety Management Objectives 03.01.2024 21:02
Delve into the importance of setting smart objectives, drawing parallels with personal New Year's resolutions. Discover practical tips on establishing safety performance objectives, involving stakeholders, and overcoming challenges. Learn how to monitor progress effectively, communicate with leadership, and foster a culture of continuous improvement. Tune in for valuable insights to enhance s...
Part 2: Navigating Safety and Compliance with BASC Founder Rick Malczynski 12.12.2023 22:32
In part two of this engaging conversation, Jason discusses the world of safety with Rick Malzinski, the President and Founder of the Business Aviation Safety Consortium (BASC). They delve into the unique aspects of BASC, exploring its commitment to continuing education and partnerships with operators. Rick shares insights into the training programs, international speakers, and innovative initiativ...
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