Human Factors Cast

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428

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Aug 2026

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About the show

Take a deeper look into the human element in our ever changing digital world. Human Factors Cast is a podcast that investigates the sciences of psychology, engineering, biomechanics, industrial design, physiology and anthropometry and how it affects our interaction with technology. Hosted by Nick Roome, Blake Arnsdorff, and Barry Kirby.

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August 21, 202657 min

E323 - AI The Teammate Guy

Episode Link: http://www.humanfactorscast.media In episode 323 of Human Factors Cast (recorded August 20, 2026), Nick Roome and Barry Kirby discuss a paper on the “social cost” of adding an AI teammate to small teams, comparing three-human teams with teams of two humans plus an AI in a high-stakes decision task. They also share conference updates (ASPIRE paper/panel, IEA 2027 deadlines), and answer a question on the future of human factors in the return of the "It Came From" segment. Support us: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/humanfactorscast Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hfactorspodcast Merchandise Store: https://www.humanfactorscast.media/p/Store/ Human Factors Cast Socials: Join us on Discord: https://go.humanfactorscast.media/Discord Twitch: https://twitch.tv/HumanFactorsCast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HumanFactorsCast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/humanfactorscast Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/HFactorsPodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumanFactorsCast Our official website: www.humanfactorscast.media Reference: Our tools and software: https://www.humanfactorscast.media/p/resources/ Our Ethics Policy: https://www.humanfactorscast.media/p/ethics-policy/ Logo design by E Graphics LLC: https://egraphicsllc.com/ Music by Kevin McLeod: https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/ Feedback: Have something you would like to share with us? (Feedback or news): https://go.humanfactorscast.media/feedback Disclaimer: Human Factors Cast may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through the links here! Mentioned in this episode: 1202 - The Human Factors Podcast Listen here: https://www.1202podcast.com Listen to Human Factors Minute Step into the world of Human Factors and UX with the Human Factors Minute podcast! Each episode is like a mini-crash course in all things related to the field, packed with valuable insights and information in just one minute. From organizations and conferences to theories, models, and tools, we've got you covered. Whether you're a practitioner, student or just a curious mind, this podcast is the perfect way to stay ahead of the curve and impress your colleagues with your knowledge. Tune in on the 10th, 20th, and last day of every month for a new and interesting tidbit related to Human Factors. Join us as we explore the field and discover how fun and engaging learning about Human Factors can be! https://www.humanfactorsminute.com https://feeds.captivate.fm/human-factors-minute/

July 24, 202654 min

E322 - AI Research is finally discovering Human Factors

Episode Link: https://www.humanfactorscast.media/322 In this episode of Human Factors Cast (recorded July 23, 2026), Nick Roome and Barry Kirby discuss a new Technical University of Munich paper arguing that major AI safety risks come less from model errors and more from how people and organizations interact with AI, including over-reliance and loss of oversight. News: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s43681-026-01132-0 Support us: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/humanfactorscast Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hfactorspodcast Merchandise Store: https://www.humanfactorscast.media/p/Store/ Human Factors Cast Socials: Join us on Discord: https://go.humanfactorscast.media/Discord Twitch: https://twitch.tv/HumanFactorsCast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HumanFactorsCast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/humanfactorscast Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/HFactorsPodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumanFactorsCast Our official website: www.humanfactorscast.media Reference: Our tools and software: https://www.humanfactorscast.media/p/resources/ Our Ethics Policy: https://www.humanfactorscast.media/p/ethics-policy/ Logo design by E Graphics LLC: https://egraphicsllc.com/ Music by Kevin McLeod: https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/ Feedback: Have something you would like to share with us? (Feedback or news): https://go.humanfactorscast.media/feedback Disclaimer: Human Factors Cast may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through the links here! Mentioned in this episode: Listen to Human Factors Minute Step into the world of Human Factors and UX with the Human Factors Minute podcast! Each episode is like a mini-crash course in all things related to the field, packed with valuable insights and information in just one minute. From organizations and conferences to theories, models, and tools, we've got you covered. Whether you're a practitioner, student or just a curious mind, this podcast is the perfect way to stay ahead of the curve and impress your colleagues with your knowledge. Tune in on the 10th, 20th, and last day of every month for a new and interesting tidbit related to Human Factors. Join us as we explore the field and discover how fun and engaging learning about Human Factors can be! https://www.humanfactorsminute.com https://feeds.captivate.fm/human-factors-minute/ 1202 - The Human Factors Podcast Listen here: https://www.1202podcast.com

July 3, 202657 min

E321 - Let's try that announcement again...

Episode Link: https://www.humanfactorscast.media/321 Nick Roome and Barry Kirby return live for Human Factors Cast Episode 321 after a month off. The main announcement is that Human Factors Cast has transitioned into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation aimed at improving human factors visibility through education, outreach, community, grants, and research on human factors communication, with stated core values including accessibility, scientific integrity, public education, experimentation, community, transparency, sustainability, and passion for human factors. This episode also includes two Aerospace Systems Technical Group segments covering US efforts to lift the overland supersonic ban, NASA’s X-59 Quiet Supersonic Technology with a windowless cockpit using an external vision system, other supersonic programs, and business jet human factors topics including the Dassault Falcon 10X’s touchscreen avionics, combined vision system, and single throttle lever design News: https://www.humanfactorscast.media/blog/human-factors-cast-announces-transition-to-nonprofit-foundation/ Support us: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/humanfactorscast Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hfactorspodcast Merchandise Store: https://www.humanfactorscast.media/p/Store/ Human Factors Cast Socials: Join us on Discord: https://go.humanfactorscast.media/Discord Twitch: https://twitch.tv/HumanFactorsCast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HumanFactorsCast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/humanfactorscast Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/HFactorsPodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumanFactorsCast Our official website: www.humanfactorscast.media Reference: Our tools and software: https://www.humanfactorscast.media/p/resources/ Our Ethics Policy: https://www.humanfactorscast.media/p/ethics-policy/ Logo design by E Graphics LLC: https://egraphicsllc.com/ Music by Kevin McLeod: https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/ Feedback: Have something you would like to share with us? (Feedback or news): https://go.humanfactorscast.media/feedback Disclaimer: Human Factors Cast may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through the links here! Mentioned in this episode: Listen to Human Factors Minute Step into the world of Human Factors and UX with the Human Factors Minute podcast! Each episode is like a mini-crash course in all things related to the field, packed with valuable insights and information in just one minute. From organizations and conferences to theories, models, and tools, we've got you covered. Whether you're a practitioner, student or just a curious mind, this podcast is the perfect way to stay ahead of the curve and impress your colleagues with your knowledge. Tune in on the 10th, 20th, and last day of every month for a new and interesting tidbit related to Human Factors. Join us as we explore the field and discover how fun and engaging learning about Human Factors can be! https://www.humanfactorsminute.com https://feeds.captivate.fm/human-factors-minute/ 1202 - The Human Factors Podcast Listen here: https://www.1202podcast.com

May 18, 202656 min

E320 - The Human Factors Of Letting AI Cook

Episode Link: https://www.humanfactorscast.media/320 Support the show, and the mission of better science communication in Human Factors: Support this Podcast Join us for episode 320 of Human Factors Cast, recorded live May 15, 2026,. Nick Roome and Barry Kirby share updates including a recap Barry’s EHF conference highlights. They discuss Stanford’s 2026 AI Index and an MIT Tech Review report on agentic AI in software engineering, focusing on rapid adoption, the “jagged frontier” where AI excels on benchmarks yet fails basic tasks, and human factors issues like trust calibration, workload, supervision, permissions, and accountability in human-AI teaming. This Week in Aerospace is back to talk about NASA’s Routine Autonomous Multi-Aircraft Operations (RAM AO) work to enable small teams managing large autonomous fleets, including interventions/exception taxonomies, Monte Carlo modeling to justify safe human-to-vehicle ratios, and the need for industry consensus standards to support future FAA regulation. Support us: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/humanfactorscast Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hfactorspodcast Merchandise Store: https://www.humanfactorscast.media/p/Store/ Human Factors Cast Socials: Join us on Discord: https://go.humanfactorscast.media/Discord Twitch: https://twitch.tv/HumanFactorsCast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HumanFactorsCast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/humanfactorscast Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/HFactorsPodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumanFactorsCast Our official website: www.humanfactorscast.media Reference: Our tools and software: https://www.humanfactorscast.media/p/resources/ Our Ethics Policy: https://www.humanfactorscast.media/p/ethics-policy/ Logo design by E Graphics LLC: https://egraphicsllc.com/ Music by Kevin McLeod: https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/ Feedback: Have something you would like to share with us? (Feedback or news): https://go.humanfactorscast.media/feedback Disclaimer: Human Factors Cast may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through the links here! Mentioned in this episode: Listen to Human Factors Minute Step into the world of Human Factors and UX with the Human Factors Minute podcast! Each episode is like a mini-crash course in all things related to the field, packed with valuable insights and information in just one minute. From organizations and conferences to theories, models, and tools, we've got you covered. Whether you're a practitioner, student or just a curious mind, this podcast is the perfect way to stay ahead of the curve and impress your colleagues with your knowledge. Tune in on the 10th, 20th, and last day of every month for a new and interesting tidbit related to Human Factors. Join us as we explore the field and discover how fun and engaging learning about Human Factors can be! https://www.humanfactorsminute.com https://feeds.captivate.fm/human-factors-minute/ 1202 - The Human Factors Podcast Listen here: https://www.1202podcast.com

April 17, 202658 min

E319 - Turns out Space is still a Human Factors Problem

Episode Link: https://www.humanfactorscast.media/319 This week on the show we discuss Artemis II’s 10-day crewed mission around the Moon as a major milestone and a human factors reality check. From core issues of living and working in Orion’s cramped space—limited privacy, disrupted sleep, fatigue, team dynamics, autonomy, tight workload, and the gap between engineering readiness and human readiness—to post-landing physical effects and recovery logistics. We examine NASA’s communications and public transparency, including live visuals, commentary, and openness about problems. Specific incidents include a clogged/frozen wastewater vent line that was fixed by orienting the capsule toward the Sun, and a crew email issue involving two versions of Outlook. View the full article here: https://www.humanfactorscast.media/blog/artemis-ii-and-human-factors-in-deep-space/ Support us: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/humanfactorscast Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hfactorspodcast Merchandise Store: https://www.humanfactorscast.media/p/Store/ Human Factors Cast Socials: Join us on Discord: https://go.humanfactorscast.media/Discord Twitch: https://twitch.tv/HumanFactorsCast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HumanFactorsCast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/humanfactorscast Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/HFactorsPodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumanFactorsCast Our official website: www.humanfactorscast.media Reference: Our tools and software: https://www.humanfactorscast.media/p/resources/ Our Ethics Policy: https://www.humanfactorscast.media/p/ethics-policy/ Logo design by E Graphics LLC: https://egraphicsllc.com/ Music by Kevin McLeod: https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/ Feedback: Have something you would like to share with us? (Feedback or news): https://go.humanfactorscast.media/feedback Disclaimer: Human Factors Cast may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through the links here! Mentioned in this episode: 1202 - The Human Factors Podcast Listen here: https://www.1202podcast.com Listen to Human Factors Minute Step into the world of Human Factors and UX with the Human Factors Minute podcast! Each episode is like a mini-crash course in all things related to the field, packed with valuable insights and information in just one minute. From organizations and conferences to theories, models, and tools, we've got you covered. Whether you're a practitioner, student or just a curious mind, this podcast is the perfect way to stay ahead of the curve and impress your colleagues with your knowledge. Tune in on the 10th, 20th, and last day of every month for a new and interesting tidbit related to Human Factors. Join us as we explore the field and discover how fun and engaging learning about Human Factors can be! https://www.humanfactorsminute.com https://feeds.captivate.fm/human-factors-minute/

April 3, 20261 hr 4 min

E318 - SXSW 2026

Episode Link: http://www.humanfactorscast.media News: Human Factors Cast episode 318 (recorded April 2, 2026) - This week, Nick Roome is joined by Megan Michaels to recap SXSW 2026 (March 12–18 in Austin) and its dominant themes, especially AI’s real-world impact, ethics, and the growing need to make “the human piece” explicit. Megan describes SXSW as a convergence of tech, film, music, startups, and government/defense, shares her work as a startup pitch coach (63 teams; she coached about 30), and highlights examples like MyFleetAI (truck fleet safety via sensors and AI) and Tube Bender (efficient conduit-bending for electricians). Support us: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/humanfactorscast Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hfactorspodcast Merchandise Store: https://www.humanfactorscast.media/p/Store/ Human Factors Cast Socials: Join us on Discord: https://go.humanfactorscast.media/Discord Twitch: https://twitch.tv/HumanFactorsCast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HumanFactorsCast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/humanfactorscast Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/HFactorsPodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumanFactorsCast Our official website: www.humanfactorscast.media Reference: Our tools and software: https://www.humanfactorscast.media/p/resources/ Our Ethics Policy: https://www.humanfactorscast.media/p/ethics-policy/ Logo design by E Graphics LLC: https://egraphicsllc.com/ Music by Kevin McLeod: https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/ Feedback: Have something you would like to share with us? (Feedback or news): https://go.humanfactorscast.media/feedback Disclaimer: Human Factors Cast may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through the links here! Mentioned in this episode: 1202 - The Human Factors Podcast Listen here: https://www.1202podcast.com Listen to Human Factors Minute Step into the world of Human Factors and UX with the Human Factors Minute podcast! Each episode is like a mini-crash course in all things related to the field, packed with valuable insights and information in just one minute. From organizations and conferences to theories, models, and tools, we've got you covered. Whether you're a practitioner, student or just a curious mind, this podcast is the perfect way to stay ahead of the curve and impress your colleagues with your knowledge. Tune in on the 10th, 20th, and last day of every month for a new and interesting tidbit related to Human Factors. Join us as we explore the field and discover how fun and engaging learning about Human Factors can be! https://www.humanfactorsminute.com https://feeds.captivate.fm/human-factors-minute/

March 20, 202658 min

E317 - Monthly Moon Missions Missing Mishap Management

Episode Link: https://www.humanfactorscast.media/317 In this episode, Nick Roome and Barry Kirby shift from AI back to space, using two moon-related stories to frame human factors risks. We discuss proposals for monthly lunar landings by 2027 and argue that higher cadence turns engineering success into a human performance problem involving fatigue, procedural drift, maintenance pressures, training handoffs, coordination across contractors, and the risk of complacency as missions become routine. We also examine the lack of a credible lunar rescue capability, emphasizing designing for failure cases, autonomy under extreme constraints, and what infrastructure (habitats, medical capability) would be needed if crews must endure until the next mission. Support us: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/humanfactorscast Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hfactorspodcast Merchandise Store: https://www.humanfactorscast.media/p/Store/ Human Factors Cast Socials: Join us on Discord: https://go.humanfactorscast.media/Discord Twitch: https://twitch.tv/HumanFactorsCast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HumanFactorsCast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/humanfactorscast Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/HFactorsPodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumanFactorsCast Our official website: www.humanfactorscast.media Reference: Our tools and software: https://www.humanfactorscast.media/p/resources/ Our Ethics Policy: https://www.humanfactorscast.media/p/ethics-policy/ Logo design by E Graphics LLC: https://egraphicsllc.com/ Music by Kevin McLeod: https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/ Feedback: Have something you would like to share with us? (Feedback or news): https://go.humanfactorscast.media/feedback Disclaimer: Human Factors Cast may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through the links here! Mentioned in this episode: 1202 - The Human Factors Podcast Listen here: https://www.1202podcast.com Listen to Human Factors Minute Step into the world of Human Factors and UX with the Human Factors Minute podcast! Each episode is like a mini-crash course in all things related to the field, packed with valuable insights and information in just one minute. From organizations and conferences to theories, models, and tools, we've got you covered. Whether you're a practitioner, student or just a curious mind, this podcast is the perfect way to stay ahead of the curve and impress your colleagues with your knowledge. Tune in on the 10th, 20th, and last day of every month for a new and interesting tidbit related to Human Factors. Join us as we explore the field and discover how fun and engaging learning about Human Factors can be! https://www.humanfactorsminute.com https://feeds.captivate.fm/human-factors-minute/

March 6, 202658 min

E316 - When the Sky Won't Sleep and the Moon Must Wait

Nick Roome and Barry Kirby discuss NASA’s Artemis program overhaul, including a 2028 target for the first crewed lunar landing, added testing to reduce risk from complex first-time operations, a 2027 mission placing at least one lunar lander into low Earth orbit, and testing Axiom Space’s new spacesuit, alongside reflections on safety culture, organizational decision-making, public trust, and trade-offs of higher launch cadence. Our second story is on the Vera C. Rubin Observatory generating 800,000 automated change alerts in one night (with a goal of 7 million), framing it as an information-overload and alert-management problem requiring filtering, metadata, and effective human–machine collaboration, with implications for democratized access and expectation setting. Support us: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/humanfactorscast Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hfactorspodcast Merchandise Store: https://www.humanfactorscast.media/p/Store/ Human Factors Cast Socials: Join us on Discord: https://go.humanfactorscast.media/Discord Twitch: https://twitch.tv/HumanFactorsCast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HumanFactorsCast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/humanfactorscast Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/HFactorsPodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumanFactorsCast Our official website: www.humanfactorscast.media Reference: Our tools and software: https://www.humanfactorscast.media/p/resources/ Our Ethics Policy: https://www.humanfactorscast.media/p/ethics-policy/ Logo design by E Graphics LLC: https://egraphicsllc.com/ Music by Kevin McLeod: https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/ Feedback: Have something you would like to share with us? (Feedback or news): https://go.humanfactorscast.media/feedback Disclaimer: Human Factors Cast may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through the links here! Mentioned in this episode: Listen to Human Factors Minute Step into the world of Human Factors and UX with the Human Factors Minute podcast! Each episode is like a mini-crash course in all things related to the field, packed with valuable insights and information in just one minute. From organizations and conferences to theories, models, and tools, we've got you covered. Whether you're a practitioner, student or just a curious mind, this podcast is the perfect way to stay ahead of the curve and impress your colleagues with your knowledge. Tune in on the 10th, 20th, and last day of every month for a new and interesting tidbit related to Human Factors. Join us as we explore the field and discover how fun and engaging learning about Human Factors can be! https://www.humanfactorsminute.com https://feeds.captivate.fm/human-factors-minute/ 1202 - The Human Factors Podcast Listen here: https://www.1202podcast.com

February 20, 20261 hr 3 min

315 - The Side Effects of AI

Episode Link: https://www.humanfactorscast.media/315 News: This week we discuss AI’s indirect effects on work and mental health, plus a major update on US air traffic control modernization. We cover “AI replacement dysfunction,” described as stress, anxiety, insomnia, and identity loss driven by the narrative that AI will make workers obsolete, and debate whether it reflects AI-specific harm or broader workplace insecurity and poor management messaging. We also explore the concept of “cognitive debt,” where heavy chatbot reliance and cognitive offloading may erode skills or leave partially developed ideas and externalized reasoning trapped in chat histories. Support us: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/humanfactorscast Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hfactorspodcast Merchandise Store: https://www.humanfactorscast.media/p/Store/ Human Factors Cast Socials: Join us on Discord: https://go.humanfactorscast.media/Discord Twitch: https://twitch.tv/HumanFactorsCast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HumanFactorsCast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/humanfactorscast Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/HFactorsPodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumanFactorsCast Our official website: www.humanfactorscast.media Reference: Our tools and software: https://www.humanfactorscast.media/p/resources/ Our Ethics Policy: https://www.humanfactorscast.media/p/ethics-policy/ Logo design by E Graphics LLC: https://egraphicsllc.com/ Music by Kevin McLeod: https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/ Feedback: Have something you would like to share with us? (Feedback or news): https://go.humanfactorscast.media/feedback Disclaimer: Human Factors Cast may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through the links here!

February 6, 202655 min

E314 - Reluctantly, another episode on AI

Join Nick Roome and Barry Kirby in Episode 314 of Human Factors Cast! In this live-recorded episode, the focus is on artificial intelligence (AI) and its unavoidable presence in human factors and UX. The duo dives deep into security, trust, and teamwork between humans and AI. You'll also hear the latest from the new segment, This Week in Aerospace, which covers advanced air mobility's future in the US. Support us: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/humanfactorscast Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hfactorspodcast Merchandise Store: https://www.humanfactorscast.media/p/Store/ Human Factors Cast Socials: Join us on Discord: https://go.humanfactorscast.media/Discord Twitch: https://twitch.tv/HumanFactorsCast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HumanFactorsCast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/humanfactorscast Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/HFactorsPodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumanFactorsCast Our official website: www.humanfactorscast.media Reference: Our tools and software: https://www.humanfactorscast.media/p/resources/ Our Ethics Policy: https://www.humanfactorscast.media/p/ethics-policy/ Logo design by E Graphics LLC: https://egraphicsllc.com/ Music by Kevin McLeod: https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/ Feedback: Have something you would like to share with us? (Feedback or news): https://go.humanfactorscast.media/feedback Disclaimer: Human Factors Cast may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through the links here! Mentioned in this episode: Listen to Human Factors Minute Step into the world of Human Factors and UX with the Human Factors Minute podcast! Each episode is like a mini-crash course in all things related to the field, packed with valuable insights and information in just one minute. From organizations and conferences to theories, models, and tools, we've got you covered. Whether you're a practitioner, student or just a curious mind, this podcast is the perfect way to stay ahead of the curve and impress your colleagues with your knowledge. Tune in on the 10th, 20th, and last day of every month for a new and interesting tidbit related to Human Factors. Join us as we explore the field and discover how fun and engaging learning about Human Factors can be! https://www.humanfactorsminute.com https://feeds.captivate.fm/human-factors-minute/ 1202 - The Human Factors Podcast Listen here: https://www.1202podcast.com