The Workplace Violence Mitigation Podcast

Discussion of the future of the security industry as well as the responsibilities and expectations of the entities that hire private security agents. Raising the bar on training.

Discussion with former Federal Agent Darlene Bradley and Heather Maravilla, (a former victim of human trafficking turned advocate) about combating the human trafficking problem through prevention and situational awareness.

Conversation with Meghan Martinsen from Red Trends, regarding the huge failures in vetting and screening coaches in youth sports. We identified the major short comings and what needs to actually happen to protect our kids. Meghan and I are both in the background screening profession but more importantly we are both parents who have witnessed these failures first hand.

Samantha (Sam) shares her story of surviving a brutal stabbing attack and ultimately saving her own life by administering her own first aid.

In this episode of the Workplace Violence Mitigation Podcast, Lieutenant Dan speaks with Pastor Stacey Brown of Living Water Community Church about how houses of worship can stay safe amid rising incidents of violence. They discuss balancing faith and security, addressing mental health challenges, and building partnerships with local law enforcement to keep congregations protected.

In this episode of the Workplace Violence Mitigation Podcast, Lieutenant Dan interviews retired SWAT Sergeant Grant Whitus, who shares his experiences in law enforcement, particularly during the Columbine and Albertsons incidents. Grant discusses the evolution of police response to active shooter situations, the importance of immediate action, and the emotional toll on first responders. He emphasizes the need for training and preparedness in law enforcement and offers practical advice for civilians on how to respond in dangerous situations.

In this episode of the Workplace Violence Mitigation Podcast, host Dan Skoczylas speaks with Kristen Ziman, former Chief of Police of Aurora, Illinois, about her experiences in law enforcement, particularly during the Henry Pratt shooting incident in February 2019. They discuss the challenges faced during the active shooter situation, the importance of leadership and preparation, and the cultural issues surrounding reporting threats in the workplace. Kristen emphasizes the need for organizations to create a culture of safety and awareness to prevent such tragedies in the future. In this conversation, Kristen Ziman and Lt. Dan discuss the critical importance of workplace safety, particularly in the context of preventing violence. They explore the need for a culture of reporting concerns, the role of management in addressing potential threats, and the significance of recognizing behavioral red flags. The discussion also covers best practices for handling high-risk terminations, the response of law enforcement during crises, and the lessons learned from a specific incident. Emphasis is placed on the necessity of communication, coordination, and training to ensure the safety of employees and the effectiveness of response teams.

In this episode of the Workplace Violence Mitigation Podcast, Lt. Dan talks with Mike Ruggiero, President of Bo Giddle & Associates, about recent active shooter events in New York, the challenges law enforcement and private security face in responding to them, and how companies can better prepare employees through proactive training and safety assessments.

In this episode of the Workplace Violence Mitigation Podcast, Lt. Dan talks with Chris Harrington, owner of HBT Security and HBT Training Academy. They discuss the growing role of security professionals in preventing workplace violence, the importance of advanced guard training, and how social media and rising threats have changed the security landscape. Chris also shares insights on situational awareness, the need for collaboration between law enforcement and private security, and practical safety tips for everyday life.

Lt. Dan sits down with entrepreneur and video producer George Vroustouris to discuss how their collaboration helped shape the Workplace Violence Mitigation Institute (WVMI). George shares his journey from the video industry to cybersecurity and explains how witnessing Lt. Dan’s powerful active shooter training inspired him to get involved. Together, they talk about expanding in-person training into online programs to help organizations nationwide create safer workplaces and comply with new safety laws like California SB 553.