How to Disaster
By Jennifer Gray Thompson
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Episodes: 160
Description
How to Disaster is a podcast for people navigating the aftermath of disaster — and for the leaders, helpers, and decision-makers working to support them.
Hosted by Jennifer Gray Thompson, CEO of After the Fire USA, the show makes disaster recovery clearer, more human, and less overwhelming. Each episode helps listeners understand what happens after the headlines fade: how recovery systems work, why decisions matter, what communities need, and how people find their way forward.
Through thoughtful conversations with survivors, practitioners, policymakers, storytellers, and community leaders, How to Disaster translates complex issues into grounded, accessible insight. Alongside Jennifer’s conversations, wildfire survivor, Kim Marshall, brings listeners closer to the lived reality of recovery through on-the-ground conversations with people impacted by disaster.
The show does not sensationalize crisis or debate climate politics. Instead, it offers clarity, context, and connection for people living through disaster and those trying to help.
If you are recovering, supporting someone who is, or trying to better understand how disaster reshapes lives and communities, this podcast is here to help you feel less alone and understand what comes next.
| Episode | Date |
|---|---|
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3. "We've Been Fighting Fire Wrong for 100 Years" - Ralph Bloemers on What the Fire Service Can't Tell You
|
May 08, 2026 |
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2. They Said It Wasn’t His Lane. He Built It Anyway | John Mills of Watch Duty
|
May 01, 2026 |
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1. Why We Relaunched How to Disaster, and What Survivors Need Most
|
May 01, 2026 |
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029: Day 3 Closing Remarks
|
Oct 13, 2025 |
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028: Day 3 Closing Keynote: The Heart of Ohana: Leading with Hope Through Loss
|
Oct 13, 2025 |
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027: Day 3 Tech Driven, People Centered
|
Oct 13, 2025 |
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026: Day 3 Video Presentation: Ben Allen
|
Oct 13, 2025 |
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025: Day 3 From the Ground Up: Local Voices in Advocacy
|
Oct 13, 2025 |
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024: day 3 Ashes to Action: Startups Post-Disaster
|
Oct 13, 2025 |
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023: Day 3 Video Presentation: AC Disaster
|
Oct 13, 2025 |
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022: Day 3 Hubs of Hope: How Technology and Partnerships Power Preparedness
|
Oct 13, 2025 |
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021: Day 3 Morning Welcome
|
Oct 13, 2025 |
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020: Day 2 Mandate for the Future: A Climate Resilient Rebuild
|
Oct 13, 2025 |
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019: Day 2 Through the Federal Maze:Securing Resources in Uncertain Times
|
Oct 13, 2025 |
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018: Day 2 Toxic Trails: What Fire Leaves Behind in Air, Soil, and Water
|
Oct 13, 2025 |
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017: Day 2 Block Captains: From Sonoma to Los Angeles
|
Oct 13, 2025 |
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016: Day 2 Leading and Healing After the Fire
|
Oct 13, 2025 |
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015: Day 2 Backing Community Leaders Beyond the Crisis
|
Oct 13, 2025 |
|
014: Day 2 Video Presentation: Rogue Food Unites
|
Oct 13, 2025 |
|
013: Day 2 Land After Fire: Reimagining Home Post-Disaster
|
Oct 13, 2025 |
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012: Day 2 Built to Withstand: Creating Wildfire-Prepared Homes
|
Oct 13, 2025 |
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011: Day 2 The Heart of Leadership in Disasters: Honest Lessons from Years on the Frontline
|
Oct 13, 2025 |
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010: Day 2 Morning Welcome
|
Oct 13, 2025 |
|
009: Day 1 Linked by Fire, United by Hope
|
Oct 13, 2025 |
|
008: Day 1 Invisible Infrastructure: How Social Capital Builds Disaster Resilience
|
Oct 13, 2025 |
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007: Day 1 Funding Futures: Investing in Community Fire Recovery
|
Oct 13, 2025 |
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006: Day 1 We Are the Ones We've Been Waiting For
|
Oct 13, 2025 |
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005: Day 1 Video Presentation: Rep. Mike Thompson and Rep. Doug LaMalfa
|
Oct 13, 2025 |
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004: Day 1 Home Plan Libraries from Paradise to Los Angeles
|
Oct 13, 2025 |
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003: Day 1 Resilience in the Face of Relentless Disasters: Supporting California Through Philanthropy
|
Oct 13, 2025 |
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002: Day 2 Welcome! The Power of Ohana: Community-led Recovery in a Disrupted World
|
Oct 13, 2025 |
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001: Day 1 Welcome Los Angeles into the Worst Club of the Best People
|
Oct 13, 2025 |
|
032: Day 3: Closing Remarks with Jennifer Gray Thompson
|
Oct 14, 2024 |
|
031: Day 3: KEYNOTE: Aloha, Hello and Goodbye with Kuʻuleinani Maunupau
|
Oct 14, 2024 |
|
030: Day 3: TALK STORY: IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home Program: The Road to Implementation with Amanda West and Mark Vaughn
|
Oct 14, 2024 |
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029: Day 3: KEYNOTE: Funding Disaster Recovery Through a CDFI with Emily Nilsen
|
Oct 14, 2024 |
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028: Day 3: KEYNOTE: Empowering Heirs: Fannie Mae's Program for Retaining Ownership and Returning Home After Disaster with Tim Carpenter
|
Oct 14, 2024 |
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027: Day 3: PANEL: Federal Advocacy: Championing Megafire Communities and Raising Awareness in DC
|
Oct 14, 2024 |
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026: Day 3: TALK STORY: State-Level Perspectives: Future-Proofing Recovery Senator Angus McKelvey and Senator Troy Hashimoto
|
Oct 14, 2024 |
|
025: Day 3: WORKSHOP: Paying It Forward: Creating a Community of Practice for Long-Term Fire Recovery
|
Oct 14, 2024 |
|
024: DAY 3! From Flames to Futures: Navigating Wildfire Leadership with Hope and Resilience with Jennifer Gray Thompson
|
Oct 14, 2024 |
|
023: Day 2: KEYNOTE: Ohana Means More Than Family: Maui's Response Through the Lens of Cultural Values with Kainoa Horcajo
|
Oct 14, 2024 |
|
022: Day 2: Frontline Support of the Most Vulnerable Through Grassroots Leadership After Megafires
|
Oct 14, 2024 |
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021: Day 2: PANEL: Business Recovery Post-Megafire: The Crucial Role of Private Sector Support
|
Oct 14, 2024 |
|
019: Day 2: KEYNOTE: Future-Proofing Our World: Nanotech's Innovations in Climate Resilience for Homes, Vehicles, and Beyond
|
Oct 14, 2024 |
|
018: Day 2: TALK STORY: From Past Lessons to Future Innovations— Climate Resilience and Land Management in the Age of Megafires
|
Oct 14, 2024 |
|
017: TALK STORY: Revolutionizing Wildland Management—Integrating Technology and Wisdom for Better Mitigation
|
Oct 14, 2024 |
|
016: Day 2: TALK STORY: From Ashes to Allies: Local Government Leaders Discuss Mutual Aid and Best Practices Post-Megafires
|
Oct 14, 2024 |
|
015: Day 2: Keynote: Innovative Living— ICON's Vision for 3D Printed Homes and AI-Driven Architecture Focused on Humanity
|
Oct 14, 2024 |
|
014: Day 2: TALK STORY: Rebuilding Stronger: Climate Resilience with Equity and Community at the Center
|
Oct 14, 2024 |
|
013: Day 2: Day 2: Embracing Relentless Imperfect Progress in Disaster Recovery with James Gore
|
Oct 14, 2024 |
|
012: WELCOME TO DAY 2! From Flames to Futures: Navigating Wildfire Leadership with Hope and Resilience with Jennifer Gray Thompson
|
Oct 14, 2024 |
|
011: Day 1: KEYNOTE: Embracing Personal Responsibility and Future Thinking with Watch Duty with John Mills
|
Oct 14, 2024 |
|
010: Day 1: TALK STORY: From Crisis to Community: Service and Integration Post-Maui Fires
|
Oct 14, 2024 |
|
009: Day 1: KEYNOTE: Enhancing Survivor Assistance - Adapting to Unprecedented Climate Disasters with Chris Smith
|
Oct 14, 2024 |
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008: Day 1: TALK STORY with The Little Dozer with Ken Donnell and Nance Presser
|
Oct 14, 2024 |
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007: Day 1: PANEL: Enduring the Crisis: Ensuring Personal Sustainability for Leaders in Disaster Management
|
Oct 14, 2024 |
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006: Day 1: KEYNOTE: The Power of Recovery Knowledge for Fire Impacted Communities with Jolie Wills
|
Oct 14, 2024 |
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005: Day 1: KEYNOTE: Disrupting FEMA— Innovating Service Delivery in the Era of Climate Disasters with Brock Long
|
Oct 14, 2024 |
|
004: Day 1: TALK STORY: The Maui Fires and Leadership with ʻĀina at the Center
|
Oct 14, 2024 |
|
003: Day 1: The Sail Plan: A Vision for Reimagining Lahaina For All with Archie Kalepa
|
Oct 14, 2024 |
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002: Day 1: KEYNOTE: Opening Remarks with Richard Bissen, Mayor of Maui
|
Oct 14, 2024 |
|
001: WELCOME TO DAY 1! From Flames to Futures: Navigating Wildfire Leadership with Hope and Resilience with Jennifer Gray Thompson | Land Acknowledgement with Paʻele Kiakona
|
Oct 14, 2024 |
|
020: Day 2: TALK STORY: Caring for Kids: Effective Strategies for Supporting Children After Megafires
|
Oct 10, 2024 |
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019 Encore: Coordinating Response and Maximizing Resources During Crisis with Aristotle Wolfe
|
May 07, 2024 |
|
018 Encore: Managing the Wildland— Strategies for Protecting Private Lands from Mega Fires with Algeo Che Casul
|
Apr 23, 2024 |
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017 Encore: Emergent Leadership: The Power of Community in Disaster Recovery and Rehousing Efforts with Margie Foster
|
Apr 09, 2024 |
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016 Encore: Prepared Citizen, Prepared Community— Checklist of Essential Supplies to Extend Your Impact with Joshua Farrell (PART 2)
|
Mar 26, 2024 |
|
015 Encore: Prepared Citizen, Prepared Community— Checklist of Essentials for Your Go-Bag with Josh Farrell (Part 1)
|
Mar 12, 2024 |
|
014 Encore: How to Lighten the Load for Those Who Bear It with Sue Farren and Bailey Farren
|
Feb 27, 2024 |
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013 Encore: How Unexpected Moments Can Reveal Your Inner Leader with Jocksana Corona
|
Feb 13, 2024 |
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012 Encore: How to Rebuild as a Public Sector Official with Tennis Wick
|
Jan 30, 2024 |
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011 Encore: How to Serve Vulnerable Communities with Alma Bowen
|
Jan 16, 2024 |
|
010 Encore: How to Serve Communities Pre and Post Disaster with Christa López PhD CEM
|
Jan 02, 2024 |
|
009 Encore: How to Design and Implement a Mental Health Collaborative with Adrienne Heinz, Ph.D.
|
Dec 19, 2023 |
|
008 Encore: How to Create a Rebuild Organization with Charles Brooks
|
Dec 05, 2023 |
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007: How to Overcome the Challenges of Meeting Urgent Needs Post-Disaster While Building Future Resilience with Michael Morter
|
Nov 21, 2023 |
|
006: Ensuring Equitable Recovery— How to Support Diverse Communities with Alicia Johnson and Dave Reid
|
Nov 07, 2023 |
|
005: How to Self-Care— Recovery Leaders and Helpers with Jolie Wills
|
Oct 03, 2023 |
|
004: Navigating Financial Challenges in a Disaster with Kate Bulger
|
Sep 19, 2023 |
|
003: HTD Quick Tips with Reina Pomeroy
|
Sep 05, 2023 |
|
002: How to Address Childcare In the Midst of Disaster with Mikey Latner
|
Aug 22, 2023 |
|
001: Embracing Climate Resiliency— How to Disaster Season 5
|
Aug 08, 2023 |
|
010: How to Improve Community Preparedness After a Wildfire with Pamela Van Halsema
|
Nov 21, 2022 |
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009: How the North Bay Forest Improvement Program Mitigates Wildfire Risks with Molly Curley O'Brien
|
Nov 14, 2022 |
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008: How Building Materials Make a Difference in Disasters with Alister Watt and Daniel Gorham
|
Nov 07, 2022 |
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007: How Our Homes Can Improve Disaster Resilience with Louie Delaware
|
Oct 31, 2022 |
|
006: How to Improve the Impact of Distributed Goods and Charities with Jim Alvey
|
Oct 24, 2022 |
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005: How to Finance MicroGrid and Green Building in Disaster with Will Heegaard
|
Oct 17, 2022 |
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004: Home Hardening Best Practices to Mitigate Wildfire with Stuart Mitchell
|
Oct 10, 2022 |
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003: How the Readiness for Resilience Program Helps Communities Build Disaster Resilience with Steve Crout
|
Oct 03, 2022 |
|
002: How to Improve Community Resilience and Preparedness with Michelle Luckett
|
Sep 26, 2022 |
|
001: Welcome to the FOURTH Season of HTD
|
Sep 19, 2022 |
|
024: What We Learned in Season 3
|
Jul 04, 2022 |
|
023: How to Prepare for Disaster: Our Pets, Livestock, and Animal Companions with Julie Atwood
|
Jun 27, 2022 |
|
022: How Buildings with LEED and PEER Certification Make us More Resilient to Disaster with Hon. Katherine Hammack
|
Jun 20, 2022 |
|
021: Take 5 - After the Hurricane - Puerto Rico, New Orleans, Florida
|
Jun 13, 2022 |
|
020: How Nonprofits Can Improve Disaster Response and Preparedness with Jim White
|
Jun 06, 2022 |
|
019: Take 5— Three Rs- Be Disaster Ready
|
May 30, 2022 |
|
018: The Role of Art in Recovery After a Disaster with Rina Faletti, PhD
|
May 23, 2022 |
|
017: Take 5— Media and Disaster Reporting- A Focus on Information Transfer and Responsibility
|
May 16, 2022 |
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016: How to Manage Charitable Donations Post-Disaster with Jake Bentz
|
May 09, 2022 |
|
015: Take 5— Three Rs - Insurance, Rebuilding, and Legal Aid Relating to Disaster
|
May 02, 2022 |
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014: How ToolBank USA Helps Improve Recovery and Community Preparedness with Trey Bearden
|
Apr 25, 2022 |
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013: Take 5 — Resilience and Technology- A Focus on Future Solutions
|
Apr 18, 2022 |
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012: How Data and GIS Helps FEMA Equitably Allocate Resources with Heather Milton
|
Apr 11, 2022 |
|
011: Take 5 - Before the Fire - A Focus on Vegetation and Land Management
|
Apr 04, 2022 |
|
010: How to Persevere Through the Turbulence of Disaster Recovery with Zack Rosenburg
|
Mar 28, 2022 |
|
009: Take 5- Three Rs - A Focus on Helping the Helpers
|
Mar 21, 2022 |
|
008: Understanding Air Quality Impacts of Wildfires with Chisato Fukuda Calvert Ph.D
|
Mar 14, 2022 |
|
007: Take 5- Advice from Policy Makers
|
Mar 07, 2022 |
|
006: How to Memorialize Our Fire Story, A Conversation with Author Brian Fies
|
Feb 28, 2022 |
|
005: Take 5- Community Engagement
|
Feb 21, 2022 |
|
004: How to Address Compound Disasters with Renae Hanvin Part 2
|
Feb 14, 2022 |
|
003: Take 5- Fire Survivor Stories
|
Feb 07, 2022 |
|
002: How to Get Federally Declared Disaster Assistance Through FEMA with Cherry Jochum
|
Jan 24, 2022 |
|
001: What to Expect from Season 3 of the How to Disaster Podcast
|
Jan 17, 2022 |
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023: What We Learned from Season(s) [One &] Two of the How to Disaster Podcast
|
Oct 18, 2021 |
|
022: How to Heal from Trauma and Rebuild Your Property After a Fire- Practical Lessons from a Woolsey Fire Survivor with Gary Jones Part 2
|
Oct 04, 2021 |
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021: How to Help Firefighters (Volunteer Firefighters Specifically) with Jacqui Jorgenson
|
Sep 27, 2021 |
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20: How to Heal from Trauma and Rebuild Your Property After a Fire- Practical Lessons from a Woolsey Fire Survivor with Gary Jones Part 1
|
Sep 20, 2021 |
|
019: How to Address Wildfire Risks and Insurance with Indigenous Practices and Community-Wide Preventative Responses with Wendy E. Nystrom
|
Sep 13, 2021 |
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018: How Equity Can be Enhanced in Sustainability and Disaster Preparedness with Amy Simpkins
|
Sep 06, 2021 |
|
017: How to Bridge the Gap Between Federal and Local Policy with George Laws Garcia
|
Aug 30, 2021 |
|
016: How to Provide Legal Aid to Disaster Survivors with Kendall Jarvis, Esq.
|
Aug 23, 2021 |
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015: How to Rebuild as a Public Sector Official with Tennis Wick
|
Aug 16, 2021 |
|
014: How to Implement Ecosystem & Forest Restoration Using Indigenous Practices with Marko Bey and Belinda Brown
|
Aug 09, 2021 |
|
013: How to be an Emergent Leader with Jocksana Corona
|
Aug 02, 2021 |
|
012: How to Inform the Public as an Information Gatekeeper During a Disaster with Sydnie Kohara
|
Jul 26, 2021 |
|
011: How to Manage Wildlands Collaboratively in the Era of Megafire with Lisa Micheli, Ph.D
|
Jul 05, 2021 |
|
010: How to Serve a Tribal Nation with Reno Franklin
|
Jun 28, 2021 |
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009: How to Serve Communities Pre and Post Disaster with Christa López, Ph.D., CEM
|
Jun 21, 2021 |
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008: How to Navigate Insurance Before, During, and After a Disaster with Amy Bach Part 2
|
Jun 14, 2021 |
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007: How to Navigate Insurance Before, During, and After a Disaster with Amy Bach Part 1
|
Jun 07, 2021 |
|
006: How to Serve Vulnerable Communities with Alma Bowen
|
May 31, 2021 |
|
005: How to Manage Private Lands in the Era of Mega Fires with Algeo Che Casul
|
May 24, 2021 |
|
004: How to Protect and Serve During a Disaster with Aristotle Wolfe
|
May 17, 2021 |
|
003: How to Design and Implement a Mental Health Collaborative with Adrienne Heinz, Ph.D.
|
May 10, 2021 |
|
002: How to Help Communities Prepare and Respond to Disaster with Nancy Brown
|
May 03, 2021 |
|
001: How to Broadcast Media: Radio with Pat Kerrigan
|
Apr 26, 2021 |
|
020: How to Lead a Community Post Disaster with Margie Foster
|
Apr 19, 2021 |
|
019: How to Lead: Public Sector (Local) with James Gore
|
Apr 12, 2021 |
|
018: How to Execute a Successful Disaster Response with Gerardo Castillo
|
Apr 05, 2021 |
|
017: How to Zone Captain: Rural Area with Jenna Murray Johnson
|
Mar 29, 2021 |
|
016: How to Face Disaster on an Island (Hurricane Maria) with Kelly Thompson and Martin Bras
|
Mar 22, 2021 |
|
015: How to Heal Through Art with Peter Alan
|
Mar 08, 2021 |
|
014: How to Lead During a Disaster & Racial Reckoning with Lorez Bailey
|
Mar 08, 2021 |
|
013: How to Advocate: Public Sector (Local) with Belia Ramos
|
Mar 08, 2021 |
|
012: How to Help the Helpers (First Responders) with Sue Farren and Bailey Farren
|
Mar 08, 2021 |
|
011: How to Engage the Private Sector
|
Mar 08, 2021 |
|
010: How to Create a Mental Health System with Debbie Mason
|
Mar 01, 2021 |
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009: Communication Failures in Disaster: A Case Study in Equity Issues, Napa, California with Belia Ramos
|
Mar 01, 2021 |
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008: Communication Failures in Disaster: The Impact on the Private Sector with Cynthia Murray
|
Mar 01, 2021 |
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007: Communication Failures in Disaster: A Case Study in Malibu, California with Reva Feldman
|
Mar 01, 2021 |
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006: How to Create a Rebuild Organization with Charles Brooks
|
Mar 01, 2021 |
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005: How to Advocate: Local and State with Brad Sherwood
|
Mar 01, 2021 |
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004: How to Block Captain with Pamela Van Halsema
|
Mar 01, 2021 |
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003: How to Prepare: Citizen Prepper with Joshua Farrell (PART 2)
|
Mar 01, 2021 |
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002: How to Prepare: Citizen Prepper with Joshua Farrell (PART 1)
|
Mar 01, 2021 |
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001: How to Disaster Recover. Rebuild. Reimagine
|
Mar 01, 2021 |