Brandon Baronner, CSP: From Afghanistan To EHS Leadership

Welcome back to The Safety Knights Podcast — the roundtable for protectors of the industry.In this episode, we sit down with Brandon Baronner, CSP, for one of the most real and insightful conversations we’ve ever had about safety, leadership, culture, and the future of the profession.From military service in Afghanistan…to landing a safety job in a bar during a Penguins vs. Capitals game…to leading high-risk programs and shaping culture across major organizations—Brandon’s story is the perfect example of how no one chooses safety… safety chooses you.🔥 What we cover in this episode:How Brandon got pulled into safety (the real story)Why traditional education and third-party certifications both matterHow to build trust with the field & overcome “safety cop” stereotypesThe moment he realized safety wasn’t just a job — it was a callingWhy EMR & TRIR are overrated (and what leaders should measure instead)How great leaders pre-plan safety into the workThe true role of mental health in preventing incidentsWhy AI + tech will help, not replace, safety prosAdvice for new safety professionals entering the field🔥 Most powerful message in this episode:“Safety isn’t a secret. It’s not proprietary. Share what you know.”Every week, we sit down with elite safety leaders to explore the mindset, frameworks, battle scars, and breakthroughs shaping the EHS profession.If you’re a safety pro — this is your new home.🛡️ Join the community: https://SafetyKnights.com/join-us🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts🔔 Subscribe for more conversations from the frontlines of safety⚙️ About the Safety Knights PodcastEvery week, we sit down with elite safety leaders to explore the mindset, frameworks, battle scars, and breakthroughs shaping the EHS profession.If you’re a safety pro — this is your new home.🛡️ Join the community: https://SafetyKnights.com/join-us🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts🔔 Subscribe for more conversations from the frontlines of safety