Safety Chats Podcast

Hosted by Todd Thomas and Anne Marie Sollazzo

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Episodes

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

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.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 31, 2026Episode 822 min

Bridging the Gap Between Flight Ops & Maintenance

Better safety starts with better communication. In this Safety Chat, the Portside Safety by Baldwin team explores how flight operations and maintenance can work more effectively together, from clearer write-ups and standardized communication to building stronger relationships across teams. They also discuss how communication gaps can contribute to normalization of deviance and why a strong SMS and safety culture help teams identify issues before they become bigger problems. Contact Safety Chats Tweet us at @BaldwinAviation Connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/baldwin-aviation-safety-&-compliance/ Follow on Facebook @BaldwinSafety Email us at baldwin@ portside.co Learn more about Safety Management System’s at www.BaldwinSMS.com Thanks for listening and stay safe!

August 3, 2026Episode 730 min

Hazard vs. Risk: Why the Difference Matters

Hazards and risks are often treated as the same thing, but understanding the difference is essential for effective safety management. Todd Thomas and Ryan Smith explain how identifying potential harm, evaluating likelihood and severity, and applying the right controls can lead to stronger decisions, clearer reporting, and a more proactive safety culture. Contact Safety Chats Tweet us at @BaldwinAviation Connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/baldwin-aviation-safety-&-compliance/ Follow on Facebook @BaldwinSafety Email us at baldwin@ portside.co Learn more about Safety Management System’s at www.BaldwinSMS.com Thanks for listening and stay safe!

July 1, 2026Episode 620 min

Normalization of Deviation: When Shortcuts Become Risk

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, and why a successful outcome does not always mean a safe process. The team also shares practical ways to identify drift, encourage fresh-eyes reviews, support open reporting, and close the feedback loop through a strong SMS. Contact Safety Chats Tweet us at @BaldwinAviation Connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/baldwin-aviation-safety-&-compliance/ Follow on Facebook @BaldwinSafety Email us at baldwin@ portside.co Learn more about Safety Management System’s at www.BaldwinSMS.com Thanks for listening and stay safe!

June 3, 2026Episode 514 min

The Safety Conversations Aviation Leaders Need to Hear

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 Safety Chats Tweet us at @BaldwinAviation Connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/baldwin-aviation-safety-&-compliance/ Follow on Facebook @BaldwinSafety Email us at baldwin@ portside.co Learn more about Safety Management System’s at www.BaldwinSMS.com Thanks for listening and stay safe!

May 5, 2026Episode 423 min

More Reports, More Insight: Unlocking the Power of ASAP

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 better visibility into your operation. Contact Safety Chats Tweet us at @BaldwinAviation Connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/baldwin-aviation-safety-&-compliance/ Follow on Facebook @BaldwinSafety Email us at baldwin@ portside.co Learn more about Safety Management System’s at www.BaldwinSMS.com Thanks for listening and stay safe!

March 30, 2026Episode 326 min

SMS Is a Team Sport: Culture, Communication, and Leadership in Aviation Safety

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/company/baldwin-aviation-safety-&-compliance/ Follow on Facebook @BaldwinSafety Email us at baldwin@ portside.co Learn more about Safety Management System’s at www.BaldwinSMS.com Thanks for listening and stay safe!

March 2, 2026Episode 221 min

Safety Chats: SMS in the Maintenance World

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 do to create real buy-in. The conversation highlights practical integration, ownership, and the importance of designing SMS with maintainers, not just for them. Contact Safety Chats Tweet us at @BaldwinAviation Connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/baldwin-aviation-safety-&-compliance/ Follow on Facebook @BaldwinSafety Email us at baldwin@ portside.co Learn more about Safety Management System’s at www.BaldwinSMS.com Thanks for listening and stay safe!

February 4, 2026Episode 118 min

Beyond the ERP Binder: Building Real Emergency Readiness

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 until after everything else is built. Contact Safety Chats Tweet us at @BaldwinAviation Connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/baldwin-aviation-safety-&-compliance/ Follow on Facebook @BaldwinSafety Email us at baldwin@ portside.co Learn more about Safety Management System’s at www.BaldwinSMS.com Thanks for listening and stay safe!

November 7, 2024Episode 513 min

Navigating the Unpredictable: Why Complex Systems Defy Prediction

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 practitioners to measure effectiveness for continuous improvement in organizational safety. Contact Safety Chats Tweet us at @BaldwinAviation Connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/baldwin-aviation-safety-&-compliance/ Follow on Facebook @BaldwinSafety Email us at baldwin@ portside.co Learn more about Safety Management System’s at www.BaldwinSMS.com Thanks for listening and stay safe!

October 29, 2024Episode 419 min

Is Safety Culture Measurable Without Surveys?

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 organizational culture, along with how these elements can reveal the strength of a safety culture. Contact Safety Chats Tweet us at @BaldwinAviation Connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/baldwin-aviation-safety-&-compliance/ Follow on Facebook @BaldwinSafety Email us at baldwin@ portside.co Learn more about Safety Management System’s at www.BaldwinSMS.com Thanks for listening and stay safe!