The HazMat Guys

In this episode, Mike revisits a question raised during one of the show’s happy hours and explains why he thought it deserved a deeper conversation. Bob and Jake come into the discussion with their own reactions, but over the course of this two-part episode, the conversation takes some unexpected turns. What begins as a simple, offhand idea becomes a more meaningful debate about perspective, assum...

Fresh off our Baltimore keynote, From Compliance to Competency, this episode digs into why moving beyond simple compliance matters for real growth, better practice, and more meaningful engagement. We got some strong traction and thoughtful responses from the audience, we wanted to continue the conversation around compliance versus competency in a deeper way. In this episode, we explore the philoso...

In this episode, we discuss the current software offerings, Haven Metering and Haven Incident Mapping, and share a look at where the project stands right now. John is developing the tools behind the scenes, and we’re excited to give listeners a better sense of what’s coming. We also talk about the upcoming opportunity to see the software in action with a live demo in Baltimore. If you’ve been foll...

Mike and I dust off an older Ebola episode from the last time the virus made headlines and bring it up to date with the current outbreak context. We talk through the Ebola situation as it’s being reported, why people are paying attention again, and how to think about practical preparedness without panic. This episode is focused on helping listeners understand the basics of Ebola preparedness and w...

In this conversation, Jesse Taylor walks us through what’s new at Rigaku, featuring the Icon-X Raman analyzer, as well as the Vector standoff accessory.  The discussion focuses on the significance of Rigaku’s use of 1064 nm Raman technology in the new Icon-X platform, the Vector’s 1-3 meter standoff capability, and what that means for users responding to potentially dangerous chemical threats. We...

Mike and I dust off an older Ebola episode from the last time the virus made headlines and bring it up to date with the current outbreak context. We talk through the Ebola situation as it’s being reported, why people are paying attention again, and how to think about practical preparedness without panic. This episode is focused on helping listeners understand the basics of Ebola preparedness and w...

We explain polymerization in clear, approachable terms, connecting the chemistry concept to the recent California-related headlines that brought it into public conversation. If you’ve heard the term in news coverage and weren’t sure what it referred to, this episode offers a straightforward overview without getting overly technical. The discussion focuses on what polymerization means, why it can b...

Jeff Wynn, who listeners may remember from a previous episode, shares new information that builds on our earlier discussion of civilian support teams and military support for local assets. The conversation explores how these teams can help organizations and personnel get to the next level, with practical insight into scaling support and improving effectiveness. We talk through the broader role the...

Jeff Wynn, who listeners may remember from a previous episode, shares new information that builds on our earlier discussion of civilian support teams and military support for local assets. The conversation explores how these teams can help organizations and personnel get to the next level, with practical insight into scaling support and improving effectiveness. We talk through the broader role the...

Recorded on-site at the Cold Zone Hazmat Conference, this conversation focuses on the key chemical and physical properties that help responders monitor hazards safely and effectively. Jake and Bob walk through the five core properties every hazmat professional should know, with practical discussion grounded in real-world hazardous materials monitoring. The episode is especially relevant for anyone...

We start by unpacking common AI fails and how the quality of your input directly shapes the output. From there, Bob goes deeper into long-term context that may already be set up in your account without you realizing it, and how that hidden context can influence what an AI assistant generates over time. You’ll hear practical guidance on spotting when account-level memory or context is affecting res...

In this episode, the guys run a full-on draft where each person picks 10 different hazmat products while boxing the others out from grabbing the same items. As the rounds unfold, the conversation turns into a lively breakdown of choices, priorities, and the trade-offs that come with building a hazard response lineup. The result is a Frankenstein-style hazmat company, kind of weird on paper, but su...

We sit down with Mark Feldman and Ralph Suppa to talk through the growing wave of questions we’ve been getting by email about class accreditation and what it really means in practice. To bring clarity and visibility to the current state of things, we teamed up with the gentlemen from JOIFF for a grounded conversation on how accreditation works and where the industry is headed. Along the way, we di...

Right before hitting record, the crew has a lightning-bolt idea: Bob might not be able to join the conversation, but he can still shape it. Instead of sitting out completely, he drops five questions for Mike and Jake to tackle, spar, and “fight it out” over as the discussion unfolds. The result is a lively, question-driven episode where the energy comes from reacting in real time and debating each...

In this mailbag-style episode, we pull a handful of standout emails and mix them with questions that come up in class. It’s a quick, conversational Q&A where we respond to real questions and talk through them in a practical way. If you like episodes that feel more interactive, built from listener feedback and classroom discussions, this one’s for you. We cover a few different topics based on w...

In this episode, we break down the United States’ emerging threats document and translate it into practical takeaways you can actually use. This is part of a two-part series, where we walk through six key points from the document and discuss how each one connects to the Hazard's Materials branch. Along the way, we focus on what these threat trends could mean for operations, readiness, and the...

In this episode, we break down the United States’ emerging threats document and translate it into practical takeaways you can actually use. This is part of a two-part series, where we walk through six key points from the document and discuss how each one connects to the Hazard's Materials branch. Along the way, we focus on what these threat trends could mean for operations, readiness, and the...

Jake takes the lead in this episode to break down the top 10 chemicals you’re most likely to encounter on the road in the United States, and why knowing what’s around you matters. We count down from #10 to #1, unpacking the most common roadside chemicals and what makes each one noteworthy along the way. It’s a fast-moving discussion built around real-world exposure and the kinds of materials you m...

Cybersecurity isn’t just an IT problem, it can directly affect your hazmat operation and the safety decisions you make every day. In this episode, we pause amid everything happening in the world to talk about why cyber risks matter in hazardous materials work. Also, quick heads-up: the show’s format is shifting a bit. We’ll be bringing on regular guests, and some episodes will have Bob and/or Mike...

In this episode, Mike’s off on assignment, so Bob gets to team up with Jake again—and we’re kind of hoping this turns into a regular thing. It’s four quick questions pulled from the old mailbag, and it always gets things moving. Give it a listen. 1. How important is actual chemistry in hazmat response? 2. What the hell does octane mean on the gas pump? 3. What tools are non-negotiable when dealing...

In this episode, Jake and Bob, sit down to chat about exposure limits, looking at them through an industrial hygienist’s lens and a “Haz Mat Response” perspective. We’ll cover a mix of the common ones, the lesser-known ones, and a few you might not really care about, but knowing them can help you sound sharp when you’re talking with people on scene. Also, quick heads-up: the show’s format is shift...

We're not going to plan on doing these often, but periodically it's nice to let everybody know what's going on with what we're doing, where the show's going, and get your input. Take a listen.

We had great traction with the last AI episode, so we dived a little deeper and created a miniseries on the topic. More to come on this one, so strap in, this landscape is shifting quickly. EPISODE SPONSORS Rigaku Analytical Devices Rigaku provides handheld Raman analyzers for first responders facing unknown hazards. Their 1064 nm Raman technology reduces fluorescence interference, enabling chemic...

We had great traction with the last AI episode, so we dived a little deeper and created a miniseries on the topic. More to come on this one, so strap in, this landscape is shiftingquickly. EPISODE SPONSORS Rigaku Analytical Devices Rigaku provides handheld Raman analyzers for first responders facing unknown hazards. Their 1064 nm Raman technology reduces fluorescence interference, enabling chemica...

Since we are wrapping up our first conference in lovely downtown Key West Florida we stepped back and had our intrepid interviewer Jake Ryks who got the chance to sit down with Dr. Mark Norman. Check out this background interview and learn who the man is. It’s seriously inciteful if your thinking about doing Chemistry. EPISODE SPONSORS Rigaku Analytical Devices Rigaku provides handheld Raman analy...