I recently had the opportunity to speak for FlatironDragados during Construction Safety Week, and this presentation came with a few unexpected blessings. I had originally been scheduled with a client in Texas that day, so getting to stay close to home—and skip the flight—was already a win. 😊 We had...
On August 13, a school bus in Clay County, Florida, was stopped along its morning route. Its warning lights were flashing and the stop arm was out when authorities say an SUV approaching from behind failed to slow down or stop. The vehicle went onto the shoulder before coming back
Some trips are vacations. Some trips are adventures. And some trips carry a little more with them. This trip to Alaska was one of those. I was headed back to Whaler’s Cove Lodge, about a 45-minute float plane ride from Juneau, Alaska—a place that holds so many memories of Russ
Here in the Pacific Northwest, wildfire season is something we know to expect. But this year, it started feeling serious pretty early. I have family members who work at an airport fueling the planes that help fight wildfires. My niece, brother-in-law, and nephew are part of that work, so I
Some trips are remembered because everything goes exactly as planned. This wasn’t one of those trips. Traveling with a wheelchair, presentation materials, bags, and what felt like millions of yellow bracelets is never simple. But once again, I was reminded that God often places little blessings along the way if
I recently had the opportunity to travel to Phoenix, Arizona, to share our story with the team at Archer Western. The presentation was a success, and I was honored to be invited. But when I got home, I realized the presentation wasn’t what I kept thinking about. I kept
Father’s Day always makes me think about Russ and Spencer (I lost my father when I was 16, so Russ was the only one I had celebrated, in my adult life, until Spence became a daddy, four years ago…) They loved fishing together. Looking at these photos, I can almost
June is National Safety Month — and for many industries, it also marks the beginning of some of the hottest, busiest, and most demanding weeks of the year. Construction schedules pick up. Utility crews work longer hours. Maintenance shutdowns ramp up. Road crews, electricians, operators, and field teams push through
A crane operator in Colorado Springs went to work and did not come home. The El Paso County Coroner has identified him as 32-year-old Alexander Disher, killed at a construction site south of the Colorado Springs Airport. According to reports, he was killed in an entrapment accident, and OSHA is
There are really no perfect words for this… only a very full heart. Over the past few days, I’ve been going through the messages, the cards, the kind notes, and all the memories that were shared… 💌And I just keep coming back to the same feeling— I am so incredibly
A Celebration of Life Some of you have already heard the news. Many of you have reached out with kind words, prayers, and support. Russ Youngstrom — co-founder of Youngstrom Safety and Laurel’s partner in both life and mission — passed away recently. For more than three decades, Russ stood
Behind every worker is someone who loves them and wants them home safe.In this short video, Laurel shares that message in a light-hearted, heartfelt way — through song — as a reminder that safety is one of the ways we take care of the people who matter most. Safety Is
Over time, we’ve learned that safety isn’t something you can force with rules or reminders. Real change happens when safety moves from the head to the heart — when people feel seen, valued, and genuinely cared for. This video reflects that journey. The lessons learned. The moments that stayed with
The hospital visitor bracelets in this video represent more than dates and times.They represent presence. Each band marks a day Laurel showed up — not once, but again and again — during a season shaped by a workplace decision that changed their lives forever. In the video, Russ gently cuts
This year, Thanksgiving came early – not with turkeys, pies, or dressings, but quiet acts of kindness, sprinkled softly, were the blessings…✨ Traveling with Russ is never simple, every step can feel uphill, yet helpers met us on the journey, with gentle hearts and steady skill…🤝 TSA moved
The flight to Arkansas started like any other presentation trip — coffee in hand, checklist on a piece of paper, and that quiet mix of excitement and responsibility humming underneath it all. I’ve been on plenty of safety visits, but something about this one felt different. Maybe it was the
Halloween is supposed to be fun — hayrides, laughter, and just the right amount of scare.But last October, two families in different states experienced the kind of fear no parent ever should. In Tennessee, 12-year-old Samuel Jessen was hiding with friends along a haunted hayride route, waiting for the perfect
Lessons from the Martinez Refinery Blaze On February 1, 2025, a fire broke out at the Martinez Refinery in California. What began as routine maintenance turned into a three-day fire and chemical release that injured six workers and sent thick smoke drifting across nearby neighborhoods. Residents were told to stay
I’ve kept a quiet habit for years: an “ABC Blessings” list. Wherever we are—on the road, at a client site, or back home—I write down positive experiences from A to Z. It keeps my eyes on people and the small mercies that help us all get home safe. On a
True safety lives in everyday care—not just policies. In 2025, top safety organizations recognized professionals and companies who put people first. These stories matter because they show that when safety comes from the heart, entire cultures shift. Here are some of the 2025 Award Winners Hensel Phelps Award: AGC Construction
When safety meets genuine hospitality, teams thrive. Our recent visit to Kiewit in Baltimore perfectly demonstrated this—combining heartfelt care with their unwavering commitment to safety. Mike Roberts (CHST) and the entire Kiewit team warmly welcomed us with genuine gestures of hospitality: Kiewit proved that the strongest safety cultures grow from
Traveling with accessibility needs involves careful planning—but heartfelt hospitality truly eases the journey. Our recent trip from Seattle to Baltimore illustrated perfectly how genuine care makes travel not only manageable but deeply meaningful. From start to finish, we experienced remarkable hospitality: Every act of kindness and genuine consideration turned this
On August 13, a school bus in Clay County, Florida, was stopped along its morning route. Its warning lights..
Some trips are vacations. Some trips are adventures. And some trips carry a little more with them. This trip..
Here in the Pacific Northwest, wildfire season is something we know to expect. But this year, it started feeling..
Some trips are remembered because everything goes exactly as planned. This wasn't one of those trips. Traveling with a..
I recently had the opportunity to travel to Phoenix, Arizona, to share our story with the team at..
Father’s Day always makes me think about Russ and Spencer (I lost my father when I was 16, so..
June is National Safety Month — and for many industries, it also marks the beginning of some of the..
A crane operator in Colorado Springs went to work and did not come home. The El Paso County Coroner..
There are really no perfect words for this… only a very full heart. Over the past few days, I’ve..
A Celebration of Life Some of you have already heard the news. Many of you have reached out with..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iP4lKgj3pnY Behind every worker is someone who loves them and wants them home safe.In this short video, Laurel shares..
https://youtu.be/wUidl8yQJRY Over time, we’ve learned that safety isn’t something you can force with rules or reminders. Real change happens..
https://youtube.com/shorts/hw_YWrzJdgA?si=Hqi2uyOiNFMY9E6I The hospital visitor bracelets in this video represent more than dates and times.They represent presence. Each band marks..
This year, Thanksgiving came early - not with turkeys, pies, or dressings, but quiet acts of kindness, sprinkled softly,..
The flight to Arkansas started like any other presentation trip — coffee in hand, checklist on a piece of..
It’s easy to let safety slip your mind. But when a slip up occurs, that’s all that’s on your mind. We understand how easy it is to forget to mention the importance of safety, so we’ve put together a dozen Safety Prompts that take less than 5 minutes! Enter your information below and we’ll send you our free Safety Prompts download.