Women in Safety Podcast

Some careers are planned. Kirra’s was not. She fell into health and safety through workers’ compensation, then found purpose in injury recovery and education. In this candid conversation, Alanna Ball and Kirra unpack what really helps people get back to work and back to themselves. They talk about the stigma around workers’ compensation, why clear education matters, and how honest communication su...

In this episode of the Women in Safety podcast, Alanna Ball sits down with Amy Morris to talk about her unexpected but fulfilling path into health and safety. Amy shares what it’s like to build a career in a male-dominated industry, the moments of self-doubt she’s had to push through, and the role community plays in lifting women up. The conversation covers everything from work-life balance to why...

In this episode of the Women in Safety podcast, Alanna Ball takes us down an unexpected path: the history of high heels . Once designed as a safety measure for men in war, heels have shifted through time to become a symbol loaded with stereotypes. Alanna unpacks why the Women in Safety logo features a high heel and what it really stands for. It’s not about fashion.  It’s about strength, visibility...

In this episode of the Women in Safety podcast, Alanna Ball tackles Tall Poppy Syndrome and how it holds women back in the health and safety profession. Too often, women downplay their achievements or hesitate to step into the spotlight out of fear of being judged. Alanna shares practical strategies to counter this, like keeping a “brag book” to record wins, normalising recognition, and building n...

In this episode of the Women in Safety podcast, Alanna Ball explores how technology is reshaping the health and safety profession and why women can’t afford to sit on the sidelines. She digs into the rise of data analytics, drones, and wearables, showing how real-time information is changing the way safety decisions are made. These tools aren’t just gadgets, they’re giving professionals sharper in...

In part two of this thoughtful conversation, Alanna and Andy Csontos dig into what success really means in the health and safety space. It's not about titles or ticking boxes. It's about showing up with energy, staying true to your values, and feeling connected to the work you do and the people around you. They talk honestly about what it feels like to be stuck, and how rethinking your ide...

In this Part 1 of the 2-part episode of the Women in Safety podcast, Alanna sits down with Andy Csontos for a warm and honest chat about the unexpected turns in her health and safety career. From starting out in the field to making the leap into consulting with Veyter, Andy reflects on what flexibility, purpose, and personal resilience have come to mean for her. She opens up about her experience w...

In this episode of the Women in Safety podcast, Alanna Ball explores the pressing issue of burnout in the health and safety profession. Drawing from a recent article by Amanda Lyras, a partner at Clayton Utz, Alanna explores the psychosocial risks associated with long working hours and the cultural shift needed to address them. Alanna shares her personal journey of overcoming burnout and the impor...

It’s not just you. Burnout in health and safety is becoming far too common. In this episode, Alanna Ball opens up about the emotional exhaustion many professionals are quietly dealing with. She talks about the pressure to always be available, the guilt of saying no, and how burnout often hides behind being busy and capable. Women in safety often carry more than just their job titles. Alanna shares...

What happens when women stop waiting for permission and start creating space for each other?  In this episode, Alanna Ball sits down with Leah Selfe, also known as The Productivity Queen , to talk about what it really means to build community in the health and safety space. They dive into the weight of working in a male-dominated industry, the power of integrity, and why celebrating your wins isn&...

In this solo episode, Alanna speaks from the heart about a challenge many of us know too well - how do we close the gap between corporate safety strategies and what’s really happening on the ground? With years of experience across both sides, Alanna shares honest insights into what gets in the way of alignment and what it truly takes to build trust and collaboration between corporate and operation...

In this episode, Alanna Ball chats with Ashleigh Boutell, a seasoned health and safety professional whose journey reminds us that safety is always about people first. Ashleigh opens up about her career path—from navigating male-dominated spaces to building trust with frontline teams—and how curiosity, empathy, and strong relationships have shaped her approach to safety. They talk honestly about th...

This week on the Women in Safety podcast, Alanna Ball sits down with Amy McKie for an honest conversation about navigating the twists and turns of a career in health and safety. Amy shares how her journey into safety wasn’t planned—but it turned out to be exactly where she was meant to be. From early experiences with imposter syndrome to carving her own path in consulting, Amy reflects on what it...

When HR and safety teams work together, real change happens.   In this episode of the Women in Safety podcast, Alanna Ball chats with Lucy Skelton, Chief People and Safety Officer at City Parklands, about what it truly takes to create a supportive and people-first workplace. Lucy shares her personal experiences navigating the space between HR and safety—two functions that are often siloed but need...

In this episode of the Women in Safety podcast, Alanna Ball sits down with Sarah Alexander for a real and refreshing conversation about the ups and downs of navigating a career in health and safety. Sarah shares her journey from the UK to Australia, how redundancy became a turning point, and why having the right support network can make all the difference — especially early in your career. From co...

In this episode of the Women in Safety podcast, Alanna Ball chats with Edel Langan about her inspiring professional journey — from studying in Ireland to building her career in health and safety here in Australia. Edel shares what it was like moving across the world, navigating new industries, and finding her footing in the construction space. She talks openly about the gender challenges women oft...

In this episode of the Women in Safety podcast, Alanna Ball sits down with the inspiring Anna Beaumont to talk about the real stories behind building a career in health and safety. Anna opens up about how her journey started with her father's work in the unions, and how those early lessons shaped her passion for creating safer workplaces. She shares why personal stories—like the moving story o...

Ever felt like you stumbled into a career you never planned for, only to find it’s where you’re meant to be? That’s exactly what Courtney Newman shares in this heartfelt episode of the Women in Safety podcast. Alanna Ball sits down with Courtney, a trailblazer in the health and safety industry, to unpack her inspiring career journey, the power of community support, and the grit it takes to carve y...

👉 Heads up: This episode was recorded around International Women’s Day—so if you hear a few references to Women’s Month, that’s why! Mentorship matters—but so does knowing the difference between mentoring and sponsorship. In this episode of Women in Safety , Alanna Ball sits down with Nicole Neal from McConnell Dowell for a powerful conversation on what it truly means to grow as a woman in the he...

Life doesn’t always go to plan. And sometimes, pressing pause is exactly what we need. ​ In this honest and heartfelt episode, Alanna Ball , founder and host of Women in Safety , opens up about her personal journey , including a recent ADHD diagnosis that changed how she sees herself—and her work. ​ After stepping away from the mic for a while, Alanna shares the real reasons behind the podcast hia...

How do you build credibility in a male-dominated industry? Diane Waghorne didn’t start out in health and safety. But after the 9/11 attacks, she saw a need for better workplace safety solutions—and she built a business that’s now making a global impact. In this episode of Women in Safety , Alanna Ball chats with Diane about her journey from being a stay-at-home mum to leading Tech Safety Lines , a...

What does a truly safe workplace look like? It’s not just about policies and procedures—it’s about people. In this episode, Kathy Wilson shares her journey from recruitment to founding Workplace Village, where she helps businesses prioritise mental health, workplace wellbeing, and safety leadership. Kathy dives into the importance of emotional and psychological safety , why change management is cr...

Where do you see yourself in five years? Career planning isn’t about having every step mapped out—it’s about knowing what truly matters to you and making choices that align with your values. In this episode, Alanna Ball dives deep into career planning for women in safety, sharing practical ways to set meaningful goals, navigate career shifts, and build a future that feels right for you. Your caree...

What does it take to thrive in a high-risk industry and break through barriers in a male-dominated field? In this episode of the Women in Safety podcast, Alanna sits down with Claudia, the 2024 Professional of the Year, to uncover the realities of working in health and safety. Claudia’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. She shares how her passion for working with people led her into the field...

Reflecting on 2024 and Thriving Together in 2025 The Women in Safety community has seen an incredible year filled with milestones, growth, and meaningful connections. But as 2025 approaches, there’s even more to look forward to! In this episode, Alana Ball takes us on a heartfelt journey through the achievements of 2024 and shares her vision for what’s next. But this isn’t just a look back—it’s an...