In this episode of the Women in Safety podcast, host Alana Ball reflects on the past year and shares insights into the upcoming 2026 season.
Alanna discusses the importance of professional development, the INSHPO Global Capability Framework, and how Women in Safety aims to empower and elevate careers in the health and safety profession. Alana emphasises the value of mentorship, continuous learning, and strategic thinking in shaping successful safety professionals.
Key Takeaways:
Kylie Long swapped nursing for health and safety to make a bigger impact. In this candid chat, Alanna Ball digs into the leap, the sting of redundancy, and how those moments pushed Kylie toward building a business in psychosocial safety.
They unpack what it takes to work in male-dominated industries with confidence, why mentorship and collaboration matter for career development, and how trust turns stakeholders into allies. Kylie shares how webinars, networking, and lifelong learning keep her sharp, and how work-life balance protects the energy needed to lead well.
If you are stepping into health and safety or shaping psychosocial safety in your organisation, this will help. Listen, then tell us one practical step you will take this month, a mentor to contact, a webinar to attend, or a boundary you will hold.
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Psychological injuries are complex. They are also manageable when the right people work together. In this episode of the Women in Safety podcast, Alanna Ball brings a panel of experts to the table to unpack how health and safety, HR, line managers, and occupational physicians can support recovery without adding red tape.
They talk about early intervention that starts with a simple check-in, clear communication that reduces fear, and practical steps that keep employees connected while on leave. The panel shows how empowering the right people on the ground, supervisors with the trust of their teams, can change outcomes. Data helps here too, not as a stick, but as insight to fix workplace stressors before they escalate.
You will hear candid advice on claims management, building a supportive workplace culture, and tackling stigma around mental health with facts and care. The message is clear. Effective management of psychological injuries is a collective responsibility, and it starts with listening.
Listen, then tell us one action you will take this month to strengthen collaboration between health and safety, HR, and your occupational physician. Your idea could help another team act sooner.
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In this episode of the Women in Safety podcast, Alanna Ball sits down with Gemma Balme, a health and safety manager who started in recruitment and found her calling years after her father was injured at work. She talks about stepping into construction safety, learning the rhythm of site life, and why honesty about what you do not know builds trust fast.
They unpack gender dynamics in a male-heavy field, the hesitation women feel when a job ad lists ten boxes to tick, and how mentorship and community support change the game for career development. Gemma shares how she stays on top of legislation by knowing where to look, not by carrying it all in her head, and why adaptability matters more than perfection on any project.
Work-life balance shows up here too. Gemma protects time for family and interests, then celebrates small wins so momentum sticks. Her take is simple, tackle complex safety problems bit by bit, ask questions, and keep learning.
Listen, then tell us one small win you will celebrate this week in health and safety. Add it in the comments so the community can back you.
Connect with Gemma on:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemmalee3658
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In this episode of the Women in Safety podcast, Alanna Ball gets practical about career development in health and safety. She invites you to name your strengths, spot the barriers, and run a simple career assessment so you can choose your next step with intent. Personal growth and professional development work best when you set clear boundaries and back yourself.
Alanna talks about what energises you, what drains you, and why small, consistent actions beat grand plans that never leave the page. She covers self-advocacy in the workplace, how to ask for what you need, and why a supportive network makes progress stick. The goal is simple, build a career that serves your wellbeing, not the other way around.
Listen, then write down one strength you will use more this month and one boundary you will hold. Tell us in the comments or tag @womeninsafety so the community can back you.
_______________________
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We are resharing this April conversation to support the current Women in Safety Mentoring Program, running 6 Oct to 29 Nov 2025. The timing is perfect.
Alanna Ball sits down with Nicole Neal from McConnell Dowell to get clear on mentoring and sponsorship. Mentors help you grow skills and think things through. Sponsors use their influence to open doors and say your name when you are not in the room. Most careers need both.
They dig into common barriers for women in safety, how to prepare as a mentor or mentee, and why real connection beats a tick-box process. You will hear practical ways to ask better questions, set goals that matter, and involve senior leaders who can advocate for emerging talent.
If you are in this cohort, listen with a notebook. Define one mentor ask and one sponsor ask for the next six months. If you want to join a future cohort, send us an email so we can add you to the waitlist for the next cohort in February 2026.
Have a mentor or sponsor story to share? Tell us in the comments or email admin@womeninsafety.net.
Connect with Nicole on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolelouiseneal/
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Bullying should have no place in health and safety. Yet senior women keep telling us the same story. Quiet digs. Public undercutting. Confidence worn thin by a thousand small cuts.
In this episode, Alanna Ball names the behaviour and calls for change. She looks at how gender dynamics shape who is heard and who is second-guessed, why resilience matters, and where it is not enough on its own. She talks about practical steps too. Document what happens. Seek witnesses. Escalate with facts. Ask for support and keep asking.
Policies look good on paper. Accountability lives in what leaders tolerate. Organisations have a duty to protect mental wellbeing, not just write a policy and move on. Strong networks help, because isolation is where confidence goes to die. Community puts it back.
If you have been pushed out of meetings, talked over, or made to doubt yourself, you are not the problem. Listen in, then tell us what support would help you right now. Your story might be the nudge another woman needs to speak up.
_______________________
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Some careers are planned. Kirra’s was not. She fell into health and safety through workers’ compensation, then found purpose in injury recovery and education. In this candid conversation, Alanna Ball and Kirra unpack what really helps people get back to work and back to themselves.
They talk about the stigma around workers’ compensation, why clear education matters, and how honest communication supports injured workers. Kirra shares why authenticity in leadership builds trust, and how confidence grows when women back themselves and each other in the industry.
Self-employment gave Kirra room to widen her impact. She now uses her experience to teach, to challenge myths, and to make complex rules simple. The thread through it all is empowerment, professional growth, and leadership that looks like the behaviour we want in our teams.
If you work in Women in Safety, health and safety, or workers’ compensation, this will land. Listen, reflect on your own practice, then tell us one change you will make to better support injury recovery in your workplace. Your example might be the one others follow.
Connect with Kirra Benedetti:
LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/kirra-benedetti-7587b21ba
Website - https://www.instinctiveshift.com.au/
_______________________
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In this episode of the Women in Safety podcast, Alanna Ball sits down with Amy Morris to talk about her unexpected but fulfilling path into health and safety. Amy shares what it’s like to build a career in a male-dominated industry, the moments of self-doubt she’s had to push through, and the role community plays in lifting women up.
The conversation covers everything from work-life balance to why communication matters as much as technical skill. Amy also highlights how context can change the story behind data, the need to keep learning, and the importance of finding joy in small wins along the way.
This is a candid, encouraging look at the realities of professional growth, gender dynamics, and the resilience needed to succeed in health and safety.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received in your career?
Share it with us and join the conversation.
Connect with Amy:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyleahmorris/
_______________________
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In this episode of the Women in Safety podcast, Alanna Ball takes us down an unexpected path: the history of high heels. Once designed as a safety measure for men in war, heels have shifted through time to become a symbol loaded with stereotypes.
Alanna unpacks why the Women in Safety logo features a high heel and what it really stands for. It’s not about fashion.
It’s about strength, visibility, and claiming space in an industry where women’s presence is often overlooked.
This episode challenges how we think about safety branding and the stories we tell about who belongs in the profession. Logos and colours might seem surface level, but they carry deeper meaning when they reflect values like empowerment, recognition, and authority.
If you’ve ever wondered why the Women in Safety heel matters, this conversation will leave you seeing it in a whole new light.
How do you think women’s visibility in safety should be represented? Join the conversation and share your perspective.
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In this episode of the Women in Safety podcast, Alanna Ball tackles Tall Poppy Syndrome and how it holds women back in the health and safety profession. Too often, women downplay their achievements or hesitate to step into the spotlight out of fear of being judged.
Alanna shares practical strategies to counter this, like keeping a “brag book” to record wins, normalising recognition, and building networks that lift each other up rather than cut each other down. She reminds us that self-doubt is common, but it shouldn’t stop anyone from putting their hand up for awards, nominations, or leadership opportunities.
This conversation is a call to women in safety to own their achievements, support their peers, and understand that every win—big or small—matters.
Have you ever caught yourself shrinking your success? It’s time to stop. Listen in and let’s start celebrating the work that deserves to be seen.
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In this episode of the Women in Safety podcast, Alanna Ball explores how technology is reshaping the health and safety profession and why women can’t afford to sit on the sidelines.
She digs into the rise of data analytics, drones, and wearables, showing how real-time information is changing the way safety decisions are made. These tools aren’t just gadgets, they’re giving professionals sharper insights and new ways to protect people.
Alanna also highlights how technology can create flexibility in careers, open doors for visibility, and break down barriers for women who want to have a stronger voice in the industry. Her advice: start small, stay curious, and be willing to learn.
If you’ve ever felt like tech was “for someone else”, this episode is a reminder that the future of safety belongs to those who are ready to adapt.
How are you using technology in your safety work? Share your thoughts with us and join the conversation.
_______________________
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In part two of this thoughtful conversation, Alanna and Andy Csontos dig into what success really means in the health and safety space. It's not about titles or ticking boxes. It's about showing up with energy, staying true to your values, and feeling connected to the work you do and the people around you.
They talk honestly about what it feels like to be stuck, and how rethinking your idea of success can shift everything. Andy shares how her personal health challenges made her stop, reassess, and choose a career path that fits her—not just a job description.
There’s a clear call here for safety professionals to widen their lens. Read outside the usual safety books. Learn how business decisions get made. Speak the language of influence. And most of all, recognise that leadership isn't just about being in charge. Sometimes, it's about showing up with quiet strength and making space for others.
A powerful reminder that values-led work isn't fluffy. It's how you stay in it for the long run.
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In this Part 1 of the 2-part episode of the Women in Safety podcast, Alanna sits down with Andy Csontos for a warm and honest chat about the unexpected turns in her health and safety career. From starting out in the field to making the leap into consulting with Veyter, Andy reflects on what flexibility, purpose, and personal resilience have come to mean for her.
She opens up about her experience with breast cancer and how it changed the way she views work, success, and what really matters. The conversation dives into how understanding what drives people can shape safer, more human workplaces, and why meeting people where they’re at—especially in times of change—makes a difference.
Andy shares how consulting has given her room to engage differently, work more creatively, and build a safety culture that supports real life, not just KPIs.
This one’s for anyone rethinking the 9 to 5, or asking, “What does success look like now?”
Listen in and tag a friend who needs to hear this and stay tuned for Part 2!
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In this episode of the Women in Safety podcast, Alanna Ball explores the pressing issue of burnout in the health and safety profession. Drawing from a recent article by Amanda Lyras, a partner at Clayton Utz, Alanna explores the psychosocial risks associated with long working hours and the cultural shift needed to address them.
Alanna shares her personal journey of overcoming burnout and the importance of creating a balanced work environment. She discusses practical strategies like time blocking and self-care, urging listeners to reflect on their own work habits and the systemic issues within their organisations.
Key takeaways:
- Recognising the signs of burnout and fatigue in yourself and your team.
- Implementing practical controls to manage workloads and track working hours.
- Encouraging open conversations about overwork and its impact on health and safety.
Join Alanna and the Women in Safety community as they empower each other to thrive in their careers without sacrificing well-being.
Don't miss this insightful episode that challenges the hustle culture and promotes a healthier approach to work.
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It’s not just you. Burnout in health and safety is becoming far too common.
In this episode, Alanna Ball opens up about the emotional exhaustion many professionals are quietly dealing with. She talks about the pressure to always be available, the guilt of saying no, and how burnout often hides behind being busy and capable.
Women in safety often carry more than just their job titles. Alanna shares why setting boundaries matters, how to recognise when you’re pushing too hard, and why rest is not a reward - it’s necessary. She reminds us that peer support, honesty, and giving ourselves permission to pause can make all the difference.
This one’s a quiet nudge to stop pushing through and start paying attention—to your needs, your energy, and your limits.
If you’ve felt it too, let’s talk. Share what burnout looks like for you or the ways you’ve set boundaries that actually work. Your story might be the one that helps someone else take a breath.
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What happens when women stop waiting for permission and start creating space for each other?
In this episode, Alanna Ball sits down with Leah Selfe, also known as The Productivity Queen, to talk about what it really means to build community in the health and safety space.
They dive into the weight of working in a male-dominated industry, the power of integrity, and why celebrating your wins isn't self-indulgent, it’s necessary. Leah shares how she helps women in business step into their value without burning out, while Alanna reflects on how far the Women in Safety community has come by doing just that—showing up, speaking up, and lifting each other along the way.
This one’s for the women who’ve had to make their own noise. For those still learning to. And for anyone who believes that authenticity and community can be a professional strength, not a liability.
Have you found your voice in a space that wasn’t built for you?
Tell us what helped or what’s still holding you back. Jump into the comments or tag @womeninsafety to keep the conversation going.
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In this solo episode, Alanna speaks from the heart about a challenge many of us know too well - how do we close the gap between corporate safety strategies and what’s really happening on the ground?
With years of experience across both sides, Alanna shares honest insights into what gets in the way of alignment and what it truly takes to build trust and collaboration between corporate and operational teams.
She dives into the power of empathy in leadership, the importance of listening before launching, and how translating risk into language that resonates with frontline workers can shift outcomes.
Whether you’re in a corporate office or out in the field, the message is the same: it starts with trust, and it grows with connection.
What’s one way you’ve helped close the gap between policy and practice? Let us know in the comments or tag @womeninsafety to share your thoughts.
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In this episode, Alanna Ball chats with Ashleigh Boutell, a seasoned health and safety professional whose journey reminds us that safety is always about people first.
Ashleigh opens up about her career path—from navigating male-dominated spaces to building trust with frontline teams—and how curiosity, empathy, and strong relationships have shaped her approach to safety.
They talk honestly about the gender challenges many women still face, the role of mentorship, and why safety documents mean nothing if they don’t reflect the reality of the work. Ashleigh also shares how she maintains work-life balance and keeps up with the ever-changing health and safety landscape.
This is a conversation for anyone wanting to lead with heart, build better safety cultures, and support women to thrive in this profession.
We’d love to know—what’s one people-first approach that’s made a difference in your safety work? Tag @womeninsafety and let’s open the discussion.
Tune in now and be reminded: the most powerful safety strategies start with listening, learning, and leading with care.
Connect with Ashleigh:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleighbouttell/
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This week on the Women in Safety podcast, Alanna Ball sits down with Amy McKie for an honest conversation about navigating the twists and turns of a career in health and safety.
Amy shares how her journey into safety wasn’t planned—but it turned out to be exactly where she was meant to be. From early experiences with imposter syndrome to carving her own path in consulting, Amy reflects on what it truly means to grow, lead, and stay grounded in a profession that constantly evolves.
This episode touches on something many of us can relate to—feeling unsure if we belong, especially when stepping into new or senior roles. Amy talks about learning to trust herself, asking better questions, and the importance of finding your learning style so you can grow with confidence.
You’ll hear how building genuine relationships, advocating for yourself, and embracing curiosity can open doors in unexpected ways. There’s also a powerful reminder that being you—fully and honestly—is one of your greatest strengths in this industry.
If you’ve ever questioned your place, juggled work and life, or considered taking the leap into consulting or leadership, this episode is for you.
Let’s keep the conversation going. What’s helped you push through self-doubt in your career? Share your thoughts and tag @womeninsafety on LinkedIn or Instagram—we’d love to hear your story.
Listen now and be reminded: you don’t need to have it all figured out to take the next step forward.
Connect with Amy:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amymckie/
Website: https://veyter.com/
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