

Counter Errorism
Ken Madson, James Newman
Human and Organizational Performance (HOP): In the wide world of Safety improvement, we discuss how humans detect, prevent, and correct errors. Learn some tips on implementing HOP or teaching others about it.
"Counter-errorism" is a captivating podcast that delves into the world of High-Reliability Organizations and error mitigation strategies. Hosted by two seasoned HOP practitioners with surprise guests, this show offers listeners a unique blend of technical expertise and practical insights. Each episode explores things affecting HOP, innovative techniques, and cutting-edge approaches to enhance the reliability of work. The hosts' engaging banter and real-world examples make complex topics accessible to both experts and enthusiasts alike. From discussing the latest advancements in error management (that we know of) to focusing on things that work. "Counter-errorism" is an essential listen for anyone interested in the challenging yet crucial field of Human and Organizational Performance.
Any views expressed are our own (or our guests), not those of our employers or the Department of Energy.
"Counter-errorism" is a captivating podcast that delves into the world of High-Reliability Organizations and error mitigation strategies. Hosted by two seasoned HOP practitioners with surprise guests, this show offers listeners a unique blend of technical expertise and practical insights. Each episode explores things affecting HOP, innovative techniques, and cutting-edge approaches to enhance the reliability of work. The hosts' engaging banter and real-world examples make complex topics accessible to both experts and enthusiasts alike. From discussing the latest advancements in error management (that we know of) to focusing on things that work. "Counter-errorism" is an essential listen for anyone interested in the challenging yet crucial field of Human and Organizational Performance.
Any views expressed are our own (or our guests), not those of our employers or the Department of Energy.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 6, 2026 • 1h 27min
Counter-Errorism - Episode 15 - David Woods
Get to know David Woods:
Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidwoods3/
email: woods.2@osu.edu
books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/David-D.-Woods/author/B001ITTKTY?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1774154901&sr=8-1&shoppingPortalEnabled=true
Please check out the amazing people doing amazing things on these podcasts we listen to and love:
Leading Safely Podcast with Georgina Poole
Punk Rock Safety with Ben Goodheart, Dave Provan, and Ron Gantt
Counter-Errorism in Diving: Applying Human Factors to Diving with Gareth Lock
How Did It Make Sense? with Gareth Lock
The HOP Nerd with Sam Goodman
A HOP Podcast (With No Name) with Andrea Baker and Matt Florio
Health & Safety Conversations with Tom Bourne
Pre-Accident Investigations with Todd Conklin
Safety on Tap with Andrew Barrett
(Not HOP-related, but an AMAZING untold history podcast) The Missing Chapter Podcast with Philip Horrender and Phil Schoff

Mar 30, 2026 • 19min
Counter-Errorism - Episode 14 - Bob Edwards
Get to know Bob:
Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-edwards-48577492/
Website: www.youtube.com/@bobedwards4253
Please check out the amazing people doing amazing things on these podcasts we listen to and love:
Leading Safely Podcast with Georgina Poole
Punk Rock Safety with Ben Goodheart, Dave Provan, and Ron Gantt
Counter-Errorism in Diving: Applying Human Factors to Diving with Gareth Lock
How Did It Make Sense? with Gareth Lock
The HOP Nerd with Sam Goodman
A HOP Podcast (With No Name) with Andrea Baker and Matt Florio
Health & Safety Conversations with Tom Bourne
Pre-Accident Investigations with Todd Conklin
Safety on Tap with Andrew Barrett
(Not HOP-related, but an AMAZING untold history podcast) The Missing Chapter Podcast with Philip Horrender and Phil Schoff

Mar 21, 2026 • 14min
Counter-Errorism - Episode 13 - Becky Ray
Get to know Becky Ray:
Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-ray-culturekick/
Website: https://www.culturekick.co.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-ray-culturekick/
The Psychological Safety Playbook: Lead More Powerfully by Being More Human by Karolin Helbig & Minette Norman
The Gap and The Gain: The High Achievers' Guide to Happiness, Confidence, and Success by Dan Sullivan & Dr. Benjamin Hardy
Please check out the amazing people doing amazing things on these podcasts we listen to and love:
Leading Safely Podcast with Georgina Poole
Punk Rock Safety with Ben Goodheart, Dave Provan, and Ron Gantt
Counter-Errorism in Diving: Applying Human Factors to Diving with Gareth Lock
How Did It Make Sense? with Gareth Lock
The HOP Nerd with Sam Goodman
A HOP Podcast (With No Name) with Andrea Baker and Matt Florio
Health & Safety Conversations with Tom Bourne
Pre-Accident Investigations with Todd Conklin
Safety on Tap with Andrew Barrett
(Not HOP-related, but an AMAZING untold history podcast) The Missing Chapter Podcast with Philip Horrender and Phil Schoff

Oct 31, 2025 • 1h 20min
Counter-Errorism - Episode 12 - Sam Goodman
Get to know Sam:
Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-goodman-03a95391/
Website: https://www.thehopnerd.com/meetsam or https://www.thehopnerd.com/podcasthttps://www.thehopnerd.com/podcast
Please check out the amazing people doing amazing things on these podcasts we listen to and love:
Leading Safely Podcast with Georgina Poole
Punk Rock Safety with Ben Goodheart, Dave Provan, and Ron Gantt
Counter-Errorism in Diving: Applying Human Factors to Diving with Gareth Lock
How Did It Make Sense? with Gareth Lock
The HOP Nerd with Sam Goodman
A HOP Podcast (With No Name) with Andrea Baker and Matt Florio
Health & Safety Conversations with Tom Bourne
Pre-Accident Investigations with Todd Conklin
Safety on Tap with Andrew Barrett
(Not HOP-related, but an AMAZING untold history podcast) The Missing Chapter Podcast with Philip Horrender and Phil Schoff

May 16, 2025 • 58min
Counter-Errorism - Episode 11 - William Scarberry
Get to know Bill:
Profile linkedin.com/in/william-scarberry-160a2256
Website: https://www.gevernova.com/ or nuclear.gepower.com/
Please check out the amazing people doing amazing things on these podcasts we listen to and love:
Leading Safely Podcast with Georgina Poole
Punk Rock Safety with Ben Goodheart, Dave Provan, and Ron Gantt
Counter-Errorism in Diving: Applying Human Factors to Diving with Gareth Lock
How Did It Make Sense? with Gareth Lock
The HOP Nerd with Sam Goodman
A HOP Podcast (With No Name) with Andrea Baker and Matt Florio
Health & Safety Conversations with Tom Bourne
Pre-Accident Investigations with Todd Conklin
Safety on Tap with Andrew Barrett
(Not HOP-related, but an AMAZING untold history podcast) The Missing Chapter Podcast with Philip Horrender and Phil Schoff

Apr 21, 2025 • 33min
Counter-Errorism - Episode 10 - Georgina Poole
Are you interested in some ideas on getting workers comfortable enough to share their experiences without fear of judgement? In this episode we chat about easing people into Psychological Safety and the importance of FOOD in these situations. You have to create the time for curiosity.Georgina's cool stuff:Profile linkedin.com/in/georginapooleWebsite georginapoole.com.au (Personal)Email georginapoole@outlook.comPodcast LEADING SAFELY with Georgina Poole Please check out the amazing people doing amazing things on these podcasts we listen to and love:Leading Safely Podcast with Georgina Poole (yup, the same one as above)Punk Rock Safety with Ben Goodheart, Dave Provan, and Ron GanttCounter-Errorism in Diving: Applying Human Factors to Diving with Gareth LockHow Did It Make Sense? with Gareth LockThe HOP Nerd with Sam GoodmanA HOP Podcast (With No Name) with Andrea Baker and Matt FlorioHealth & Safety Conversations with Tom BournePre-Accident Investigations with Todd ConklinSafety on Tap with Andrew Barrett(Not HOP-related, but an AMAZING untold history podcast) The Missing Chapter Podcast with Philip Horrender and Phil Schoff

Apr 14, 2025 • 39min
Counter-Errorism - Episode 9 - Ron Gantt
In this engaging discussion, Ron Gantt, a safety expert with a Ph.D. from The Ohio State University, shares his insights on trust and decision-making in high-pressure environments. He explores how to shift perspectives from viewing individuals as vulnerable to recognizing their expertise. Gantt emphasizes the importance of effective communication and curiosity during challenges. With reflections on the impact of media and personal experiences on safety perceptions, he encourages asking better questions to foster understanding and collaboration.

Oct 28, 2024 • 35min
Counter-Errorism - Episode 8 - Charles Tetteh
Part 1: Making people feel heard makes them feel empowered. Charles relishes the opportunity to remind us all of the importance of helping people feel heard and seen. Meeting Charles through LinkedIn has been a wonderful experience, and thought it would be wonderful to give you an insight into one of our conversations. Charles and I have spoken a few times and we talk about our motivation for change and we think the "Root Cause" is a Dissatisfaction Attitude. Beauty, family, immigration, fear, culture, humility, and what makes us curious - it will get deep. When you meet Charles, you will learn, it's okay to get personal and let go of judgment.As a leadership tool - I want to spend a day with you and be curious - I will let go of judgment and bias and be an open book with a focus on building our relationship and I will meet you where you are (physically and emotionally). At the 10 minute mark, the book Charles discusses is "Random Noise" by Georgina Poole and Sidney Dekker.Part 2: Leadership Response MattersPower and influence are mostly controlled by the leadership team, so after an event how we move forward will greatly depend on the leadership team. There is a unique opportunity following an incident where a leader can improve the relationship and level of trust - not just for those involved, but for anyone who finds out. Please check out the amazing people doing amazing things on these podcasts we listen to and love:Leading Safely Podcast with Georgina PoolePunk Rock Safety with Ben Goodheart, Dave Provan, and Ron GanttCounter-Errorism in Diving: Applying Human Factors to Diving with Gareth LockThe HOP Nerd with Sam GoodmanA HOP Podcast (With No Name) with Andrea Baker and Matt FlorioHealth & Safety Conversations with Tom BournePre-Accident Investigations with Todd ConklinSafety on Tap with Andrew Barrett(Not HOP-related, but an AMAZING untold history podcast) The Missing Chapter Podcast with Philip Horrender and Phil Schoff

Sep 29, 2024 • 29min
Counter-Errorism - Episode 7 - Gareth Lock
All about Gareth Lock. PLEASE check him out on LinkedIn hereWebsite (Non-diving) : Human in the System (www.humaninthesystem.co.uk)Website (Diving):The Human Diver (www.thehumandiver.com)Podcast: Counter-Errorism in Diving: Applying Human Factors to DivingBook: "Under Pressure" (I have the audio version!!!)Documentary: "If Only..." (free- watch this over and over)Regarding the tool that Gareth recommends in this episode, you can get a copy of the DEBrIEF guide from: https://www.humaninthesystem.co.uk/hits-debrief-oi-2024IMPORTANT NOTE: Gareth is certainly well established in the Diving niche, but he is ALSO opening up his content and efforts into ANY organization wanting training or other consultative services. He's an amazing instructor and content creator, and is someone you just know is bound for even more success. New addition to the CE podcast: Transitions between a few placesNew problem: Used a new tool for recording called "Otter" and it seriously affected the audio quality in places - We had to make 145 separate edit points to get it at the level where it is now. We hope it's difficult for listeners to tell. Lesson learned: We will NOT be using Otter in the future.Please check out the amazing people doing amazing things on these podcasts we listen to and love:Leading Safely Podcast with Georgina PoolePunk Rock Safety with Ben Goodheart, Dave Provan, and Ron GanttCounter-Errorism in Diving: Applying Human Factors to Diving with Gareth LockThe HOP Nerd with Sam GoodmanA HOP Podcast (With No Name) with Andrea Baker and Matt FlorioHealth & Safety Conversations with Tom BournePre-Accident Investigations with Todd ConklinSafety on Tap with Andrew Barrett(Not HOP-related, but an AMAZING untold history podcast) The Missing Chapter Podcast with Philip Horrender and Phil Schoff

Aug 19, 2024 • 30min
Counter-Errorism - Episode 6 - Stephen Harvey
Fun fact - you may not know Steve recently took up boxing as a positive and fun way to exercise and every inch of him was hurting when he sat down with us to record. Steve is another CHOLearning.org buddy Ken and I met this year and didn't nearly get to spend enough time with him, and this won't be the only time we chat with him with the microphone recording. He has a wonderful sense of humor and a genuine humility when it comes to talking about how nervous he was before getting on stage (at CHOL) and adding a whole segment on HOP and why humor is important. If you're an American (like me), that loves awesome accents and dialects, you're in for a treat!It's fun to be the "weird safety guy"!New KPI suggestion: How many Christmas parties do you get invited to?From Ken: Has anybody asked if the workers even know what they did was a violation? This could be a different starting point.Recipe for an awesome chat:Take one Scotsman and train him in HOP for ten years.Plant him in Australia assisting High Reliability Operations.Give him stand up comedy lessons.Invite him for a talk about anything!Please check out the amazing people doing amazing things on these podcasts we listen to and love:Leading Safely Podcast with Georgina PoolePunk Rock Safety with Ben Goodheart, Dave Provan, and Ron GanttCounter-Errorism in Diving: Applying Human Factors to Diving with Gareth LockThe HOP Nerd with Sam GoodmanA HOP Podcast (With No Name) with Andrea Baker and Matt FlorioHealth & Safety Conversations with Tom BournePre-Accident Investigations with Todd ConklinSafety on Tap with Andrew Barrett(Not HOP-related, but an AMAZING untold history podcast) The Missing Chapter Podcast with Philip Horrender and Phil Schoff


