So, apparently, companies have cracked the code on engagement: just gamify everything, because who doesn’t love a good game to make safety training less of a snooze-fest? Tony from jobTopia, self-proclaimed guru of learning and development, dives into the oh-so-thrilling world of workplace safety—a topic that, shockingly, only gets attention when someone’s already hurt. It’s not just manufacturing; industries far and wide treat safety like that one mandatory meeting everyone forgets until the last minute.
Meet Jen Lastra.
The conversation pivots to a gamification expert who’s practically vibrating with enthusiasm for virtual reality (VR) and its magical ability to make safety training less like watching paint dry. Apparently, VR can simulate delightful scenarios like trench collapses or three-story falls—because nothing says “learn safety” like a virtual near-death experience. These simulations, we’re told, can be slapped onto any device—VR headsets, iPads, your grandma’s desktop—to cater to every worker, from the neurodivergent to the multilingual. How inclusive.
The crux? Safety training is a mess—dull, compliance-driven, and about as inspiring as a company handbook. But fear not, because prioritizing safety supposedly boosts retention and makes your workplace the talk of the town. Who knew caring about humans could be a competitive edge? Yet, companies still act like safety’s a “nice-to-have,” not a must, until someone’s carted off in an ambulance. The expert’s big idea? Ditch the check-the-box mentality and embrace a “holistic” approach—think mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and box breathing to calm workers in high-stress jobs like construction.
Adopting VR and gamification isn’t all sunshine and rainbows, though. It’s expensive, and some trainers clutch their clipboards, terrified of being replaced by a headset. Change management? More like change avoidance. Still, the expert insists VR is the “cherry on top,” not a full replacement for human trainers—just a shiny new tool to make safety less of a yawn. And while they’re at it, they’re on a mission to fix the “foundationally broken” state of online safety training, because apparently, if your content hasn’t been updated since pre-COVID, you’re basically sabotaging your workforce.
The grand vision? Impact a million lives a year by making safety training actually matter—not just at work but in workers’ homes and communities. Noble, sure, but let’s see if the industry catches up to this VR-fueled, mindfulness-infused utopia before we all start breathing in sync for 30 seconds to “recenter.” Stay tuned for when Tony tries on a VR headset—because nothing screams innovation like a guy flailing in a virtual warehouse, spotting rogue forklifts.
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
Cardiac Cowboys
The heart was always off-limits to surgeons. Cutting into it spelled instant death for the patient. That is, until a ragtag group of doctors scattered across the Midwest and Texas decided to throw out the rule book. Working in makeshift laboratories and home garages, using medical devices made from scavenged machine parts and beer tubes, these men and women invented the field of open heart surgery. Odds are, someone you know is alive because of them. So why has history left them behind? Presented by Chris Pine, CARDIAC COWBOYS tells the gripping true story behind the birth of heart surgery, and the young, Greatest Generation doctors who made it happen. For years, they competed and feuded, racing to be the first, the best, and the most prolific. Some appeared on the cover of Time Magazine, operated on kings and advised presidents. Others ended up disgraced, penniless, and convicted of felonies. Together, they ignited a revolution in medicine, and changed the world.