Andrew Daddo hosts the Reliability Hero podcast, discussing mental health and stress management with Tomas Jajesnica, the Chief Meditation Officer of Mr. Meditate. Tomas shares his journey from a successful legal career to teaching meditation, emphasizing its benefits for stress reduction, mental fitness, and overall well-being. They highlight how meditation can prevent, maintain, and improve mental health, and address misconceptions about it being merely a relaxation tool. The conversation covers practical steps for incorporating meditation into daily life and the importance of understanding one's 'why' for practicing it.

Andrew Daddo interviews Michael Johnston, the head of renewables and firming operations at CS Energy. They discuss the importance of process safety in asset management and the impact of catastrophic failures on businesses. Johnston emphasizes the need for thorough risk assessment, education, and integrating safety into maintenance practices. They also explore the exciting opportunities and challenges in the renewable energy sector, highlighting the importance of skill transfer and continuous learning as the industry evolves.

Andrew Daddo interviews Shereya Parashar, a mechanical engineer turned digital reliability expert from Woodside Energy. Shereya explains her transition to the digital realm, emphasizing the significance of data in reliability engineering and the necessity of understanding basic reliability principles before adopting advanced technologies like AI. She outlines three key components in developing digital tools: understanding the 'why,' recognizing the value, and involving the right people, tools, and processes. Shereya also discusses the importance of integrating digital products into existing workflows and maintaining them to stay competitive. The conversation touches on challenges and excitement around technological advancements in the field.

Andrew Daddo interviews David Kelly, manager of QE Business Tech and Enablement at Qantas. The discussion covers David's extensive 35-year career at Qantas, including his initial aviation training in the Air Force and subsequent roles in aircraft engineering. David shares his experiences in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, detailing the challenges of parking and maintaining aircraft during lockdowns. He discusses the impact of the pandemic on Qantas' operations, the shift to digital logbooks, and efforts to integrate technology like augmented reality. The conversation underscores the crucial role of maintenance and reliability in keeping aviation running smoothly.

An in-depth conversation with Chris Carroll, CEO and co-founder of Mainstream, and Drew Troyer from Anglo American. Chris shares the origins of Mainstream and its unique approach to maintenance conferences that focus on both technical aspects and people-centric issues like change management and leadership. The discussion highlights how the conference successfully integrates sessions on meditation, yoga, and diversity to enhance engagement. Drew praises the conference's emphasis on human factors and its innovative approach to fostering communication among attendees. The podcast concludes with insights into Mainstream's future expansion plans, including a new conference in the UK.

In this episode of Reliability Hero, host Andrew Daddo interviews Ed Welch, an adjunct instructor at the University of Kentucky and former engineering and maintenance manager at Toyota. Welch shares his journey from being laid off during the oil and gas crisis to his transformative career at Toyota. He discusses the cultural shift he experienced, moving from a 'me first' American mindset to Toyota's team-first, consensus-driven Japanese approach. Key topics include the importance of continuous improvement, developing a 'Kaizen eye' for inefficiencies, the role of maintenance in modern industry, and fostering a cooperative work environment. Welsh’s insights highlight that maintenance is not just about machines, but also about people and culture.

In this insightful episode, Andrew Daddo interviews Manuel Cifuentes, Head of Maintenance Strategy Governance at BHP. Manuel reflects on his 18-year journey with the company, discussing the evolution of maintenance from a "nerdy" technical focus to a critical business strategy. He explains the challenge of translating complex technical data into language that resonates with business leaders. By simplifying terms like MTBF and highlighting the financial impact of equipment failures, Cifuentes helped shift organizational culture. He emphasizes that success required not just technical improvements but also fostering better communication and soft skills across the company. 

Content Warning: This episode discusses suicide.

In this candid conversation with host Andrew Daddo, Dan Allen and Ed Ross tackle the often-overlooked challenge of mental health discussions —people talking about the need to address mental health without truly opening up about their own struggles. They explore the idea that real change starts with sharing personal experiences, highlighting the importance of vulnerability and peer support in both personal and professional settings. The duo emphasizes that mental health is an ongoing journey, requiring tailored approaches, whether it's therapy, yoga, or strengthening relationships. With humor and honesty, they encourage more meaningful dialogue and self-care practices. 

Andrew Daddo sat down with Dr. John L. Ross Jr., a 30-year veteran in maintenance and reliability, former Air Force captain, and founder of both the American Reliability and Maintenance Institute and Maintenance Innovators, his primary company of 17 years. Dr. Ross shared insights on leadership in maintenance and reliability, emphasizing that true change requires more than simply replacing leadership—it’s about fundamentals. He used the analogy of growing an apple tree to highlight that the right conditions (seed, nutrients, sunlight) are essential, just as in business, where you need the right leadership, tools, and approach to thrive.

He explained how leadership has evolved from a top-down, authoritarian model to one of inclusion and accountability. Drawing from his extensive experience, Dr. Ross described how today’s workforce, with access to technology and higher education, requires a different leadership style—one that involves engaging employees, valuing their input, and fostering a sense of ownership in the decision-making process.

Dr. Ross highlighted the importance of building leadership skills, rather than simply managing people and processes. He noted that creating an inclusive culture where everyone’s input is valued can significantly improve morale and lead to better outcomes. Finally, he discussed the significance of conferences like MAINSTREAM, where industry leaders can exchange fresh ideas, learn best practices, and inspire real change in their organizations.

This episode of the Reliability Hero delves into the often-overlooked yet critical role of reliability engineers in asset-intensive organizations. The podcast explores why these professionals, despite their pivotal function in ensuring equipment efficiency and effectiveness, often find themselves undervalued. Through conversations with experts like Mike Greyling, the episode sheds light on the disconnect between the imperative of reliability and its integration into organizational structures. It highlights the importance of redefining perceptions and acknowledging the indispensable contribution of reliability engineers in driving business success.