The Guardian Way

Garrett Thomas

The Guardian Way is a weekly podcast from Guardian Protection Force that turns real-world security experience into practical guidance you can use today. Hosted by Garrett Thomas with co-host Terry MacAdam, each episode breaks down an operations-level topic like executive protection, protective intelligence, workplace violence prevention, campus security, remote guarding, and patrol program design. We focus on what works in the field, why it works, and how to implement it with clear steps, policies, and metrics. Who it helps: HR and safety leaders, facilities and operations managers, campus and public-sector decision makers, and executive teams that want intelligence-led security without the jargon. Based in Northern California and serving wherever duty calls, GPF shares lessons learned while protecting people, places, and operations. New episodes every week. Subscribe and follow along to build a safer, more resilient organization.

  1. 2d ago

    Episode 146 – Managing People, Risk & Workplace Security Beyond the Loading Dock

    Warehouse and distribution center security goes far beyond fences, gates, and loading docks. Protecting employees, managing access, and preparing for unexpected incidents are equally important to maintaining a safe and secure operation. In Episode 146 of The Guardian Way, Garrett Thomas and Terry MacAdam discuss four critical areas of workplace security: Workplace Violence Prevention: Recognizing warning signs, de-escalating situations, and training employees.Employee & Visitor Safety: Protecting personnel through access controls, patrols, and security escorts.Driver & Contractor Management: Controlling facility access and reducing unauthorized entry.Emergency Preparedness: Planning for medical emergencies, evacuations, and other critical incidents. Is your facility prepared for the risks beyond the loading dock? Listen now and discover how to better protect your people and operations.

    Episode 146 – Managing People, Risk & Workplace Security Beyond the Loading Dock

  2. Oct 21

    Episode 145 – Protecting the Distribution Center: Security Starts at the Perimeter

    Protecting the Distribution Center: Security Starts at the Perimeter Stop Threats at the Gate Before They Become Losses Distribution centers and warehouses are critical links in today's supply chain, but they also present unique security challenges. From valuable cargo and equipment to loading docks, parking lots, and busy entry points, a single overlooked vulnerability can expose an entire operation to theft, vandalism, and costly disruptions. In this episode of The Guardian Way, Guardian Protection Force founder Garrett Thomas joins host Terry MacAdam to discuss why effective distribution center security begins at the perimeter and extends through multiple layers of protection. As Sacramento's distribution and warehousing industry continues to grow, Garrett outlines practical ways facility managers and business owners can reduce vulnerabilities and strengthen their security operations. In this episode, you'll learn about: Layered perimeter security and protecting facilities from the outside inPreventing cargo, inventory, equipment, trailer, and fuel theftManaging employee, visitor, vendor, and contractor accessSecuring loading docks, parking areas, and vulnerable entry pointsHow a visible professional security presence can discourage criminal activityThe value of security site assessments and proactive planning Protecting your distribution center means identifying vulnerabilities before someone else exploits them. 🎧 Listen now to discover how proactive, layered security can help safeguard your people, property, and operations.

    Episode 145 – Protecting the Distribution Center: Security Starts at the Perimeter

  3. Oct 14

    Episode 144 – Preventing Vehicle Crime: The Critical Role of Private Security

    Vehicle crime continues to be a major concern for businesses, commercial properties, parking facilities, and private sites across California and beyond. In this episode of The Guardian Way, Terry MacAdam speaks with Garrett Thomas about how proactive private security can help prevent vehicle crime before it escalates into costly losses, property damage, and safety concerns. The conversation covers practical prevention strategies such as visible security patrols, parking area risk assessments, surveillance, rapid incident response, access control, and suspicious activity management. Garrett also explains why organizations should review lighting, camera coverage, access points, fencing, landscaping, and blind spots before an incident happens, not after. This episode is especially relevant for organizations with employee, tenant, customer, or visitor parking areas that may be vulnerable to break-ins, theft, and other criminal activity. If you want practical ideas to help protect vehicles, parking facilities, and property, this episode delivers a helpful overview of where private security can make a real difference. Listen now to learn how proactive security strategies can help deter vehicle crime and strengthen site protection.

    Episode 144 – Preventing Vehicle Crime: The Critical Role of Private Security

  4. Oct 7

    Episode 143 – National Preparedness Month

    National Preparedness Month is a timely reminder that emergency readiness is not just a binder on a shelf. In this episode, Garrett Thomas and Terry MacAdam break down the practical steps businesses should take to better protect their people, operations, and reputation before a crisis occurs. They cover how to identify risks, build an emergency action plan, establish clear communication procedures, train employees, run realistic drills, integrate workplace violence prevention, protect critical operations, coordinate with first responders, strengthen business continuity, and review physical security vulnerabilities on a regular basis. If you are responsible for safety, operations, HR, facilities, or leadership, this episode offers practical guidance you can apply right away to improve readiness and response confidence. Listen now.

    Episode 143 – National Preparedness Month

  5. Sep 30

    Episode 142 – The High Cost of Workplace Violence Non-Compliance

    California's workplace violence prevention requirements are about far more than having a written document on file. In this episode, Garrett Thomas and Terry MacAdam break down the real cost of non-compliance and explain why employers should take an active Workplace Violence Prevention Program seriously. The conversation covers Cal/OSHA enforcement exposure, post-incident legal liability, employee injuries, lost productivity, work interruptions, workers' compensation costs, turnover, increased security expenses, reputational harm, and broader business disruption. Garrett also explains why a WVPP cannot simply sit on a shelf. It must be implemented, maintained, understood by employees, and supported by documentation, training, and corrective action. If your organization needs help assessing its readiness, Guardian Protection Force offers a no-fee site assessment to help identify workplace violence prevention needs and next steps. Listen now.

    Episode 142 – The High Cost of Workplace Violence Non-Compliance

  6. Sep 23

    Episode 141 – Implementing & Maintaining Your Workplace Violence Prevention Program

    California’s Workplace Violence Prevention Program requirements are not just about having a written document on file. In this episode, Garrett Thomas and Terry MacAdam explain how to turn your WVPP into a living, active part of your workplace safety strategy. As part three of our series on workplace violence prevention, this conversation covers the key steps organizations need to take after the plan is written: assigning clear program responsibility, identifying and correcting workplace risks, documenting incidents and patterns, training employees, reinforcing reporting procedures, and maintaining a continuous cycle of review and improvement. You will also hear why annual review matters, what commonly gets overlooked during implementation, and how organizations can move from “binder on the shelf” compliance to a practical, effective program that actually supports safer workplaces. If your organization needs help assessing its current readiness, Guardian Protection Force also offers a no-fee site assessment to help identify workplace violence prevention needs and next steps. Listen now.

    Episode 141 – Implementing & Maintaining Your Workplace Violence Prevention Program

  7. Sep 9

    Episode 140 – California Workplace Violence Prevention: Mandatory Compliance

    In this episode of The Guardian Way, Garrett Thomas and Terry MacAdam begin a 3-part series focused on California workplace violence prevention requirements. This episode breaks down the mandatory elements California employers must have, implement and maintain to support compliance, including a written workplace violence prevention plan, assigned program responsibility, hazard response procedures, reporting procedures, anti-retaliation protections, emergency response procedures, employee participation, employee communication, training and incident documentation. The discussion also highlights a common problem: many organizations may have a document, but they do not fully operationalize it. A compliant program is not just something written and stored away. Employees must be trained on it, understand it and know how to use it. The episode also explains why documentation and recordkeeping are ongoing responsibilities and why these details matter for both compliance and practical workplace safety. If you are a California employer, business owner, HR leader, operations leader or security professional, this episode offers a practical overview of what your organization should be doing now. Listen now.

    Episode 140 – California Workplace Violence Prevention: Mandatory Compliance

  8. Sep 2

    Episode 139 – When Armed Security Is the Right Choice

    In Episode 139 of The Guardian Way, Garrett Thomas and Terry MacAdam tackle an important question for organizations, property owners, and decision-makers: when is armed security actually the right choice? Rather than relying on gut feelings or personal opinions about firearms, this episode breaks down five critical situations where armed protection may be appropriate. The conversation covers credible threats of serious violence, high-risk locations and operations, executive and high-risk individual protection, exposure to armed criminal activity, and the protection of critical assets or high-consequence environments. It also explains why these decisions should be driven by a real risk assessment, clear planning, defined post orders, and coordination when appropriate. If you are evaluating how to better protect people, property, and business operations, this episode offers practical guidance to help you make a smarter, safer decision. Listen now.

    Episode 139 – When Armed Security Is the Right Choice
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The Guardian Way is a weekly podcast from Guardian Protection Force that turns real-world security experience into practical guidance you can use today. Hosted by Garrett Thomas with co-host Terry MacAdam, each episode breaks down an operations-level topic like executive protection, protective intelligence, workplace violence prevention, campus security, remote guarding, and patrol program design. We focus on what works in the field, why it works, and how to implement it with clear steps, policies, and metrics. Who it helps: HR and safety leaders, facilities and operations managers, campus and public-sector decision makers, and executive teams that want intelligence-led security without the jargon. Based in Northern California and serving wherever duty calls, GPF shares lessons learned while protecting people, places, and operations. New episodes every week. Subscribe and follow along to build a safer, more resilient organization.

Information

  • Creator
    Garrett Thomas
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    57
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Garrett Thomas
  • Show Website
    The Guardian Way