Advertise on podcast: Me, Myself & Disaster

Deputy Commissioner of the WA Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) Melissa Pexton shares the recovery story of Fitzroy Crossing, a remote community devastated by tropical cyclone Ellie in 2022 / 2023. Located 400 kilometers east of Broome, this region faced unprecedented flooding that challenged traditional emergency management approaches. In this episode, Melissa shares how the recovery process focussed on community empowerment, provided economic opportunities to local Aboriginal businesses and harnessed community leadership. Over 90 Aboriginal businesses were contracted to deliver recovery works, securing more than $90 million in contracts. This strategy not only rebuilt physical infrastructure but also created significant economic opportunities, with local workers trained and employed in reconstruction efforts. A key lesson from the recovery effort was understanding the community context and allowing local leaders to guide the recovery process. Key insights from the discussion include the critical role of cultural navigation, the need for robust community discussions, and the importance of creating long-term sustainable recovery strategies. Disaster recovery can be a transformative process that goes far beyond rebuilding infrastructure – join Andrew, Josh and Mel as they discuss the recovery efforts in the Kimberley. Volunteers clean up flood affected properties in Fitzroy Crossing

Communities have always played an important role during disasters. Australia’s growing population, exposure to increasingly frequent and impactful severe weather events and evolving trends in volunteerism are transforming how communities respond to disasters. As natural hazards become more frequent and severe, non-government organisations and grassroots community groups will increasingly seek to – and must – play a role in during response and recovery efforts. In 2024, Andrew was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to travel to some of the most disaster affected countries and those which have experienced large numbers of community members mobilising to assist. Andrew and Josh visited Japan, Türkiye, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, the UK, US and Chile. In this episode, Andrew and Josh discuss insights and findings from the trip, and lessons for others considering how to better prepare for informal volunteers. Download the full report from the Churchill Trust website.

Veteran of the Royal New Zealand Navy Stephen Gibson joins the show this month to share his experience transitioning out of the military into humanitarian work, including in disaster zones across the Middle East. After 23 years in the Navy where he deployed as a peacekeeper to Yugoslavia and the Solomon Islands, Steve joined the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees. Steve quickly discovered that while his experience in the Navy set him up well for his new career – the humanitarian space was very challenging – he faced mortar attack, vehicle bombs, suicide bombers and a high risk of kidnapping – and one location was evacuated to the airport under gunfire. This episode provides a rare and insightful look into the realities of humanitarian work in some of the world’s most challenging conflict environments, and the personal toll it can take on those dedicated to helping the most vulnerable populations. Steve emphasises the importance of cultural understanding, building relationships with local staff, and maintaining mental health when living and working in these high-stress environments. Steve shares strategies for communicating, negotiating, and positioning the humanitarian role to be able to deliver aid effectively. The discussion also explores the challenges Steve faced in transitioning back to life in New Zealand after his humanitarian deployments, feeling unappreciated and struggling to find work that matched his unique experiences overseas. Join Andrew, Josh and Steve for this episode on your favourite podcast platform!

Community organisations are so critical to disaster recovery efforts, and many organisations emerge during and directly after disasters. Following the destructive Marshall Fire in Colorado, one community member co-founded a community organisation to support disaster survivors. Empowered by her experience, she then ran for Public Office and became a Trustee on the Local Council in the town of Superior, Colorado. Jenn Kaaoush joins Andrew and Josh on the show today to discuss how her experience as a resident impacted by the fire motivated her to become a voice for those impacted by running for public office. When the fire destroyed over 1,000 properties, she sprang into action, co-founding the Superior Rising community organisation to support disaster survivors. Jenn, a former diplomat and fourth-generation Army veteran, shares insights on the importance of communication, empathy and community organising in disaster recovery while reflecting on her own personal growth through the crisis. This episode offers a unique perspective on disaster recovery, highlighting the power of grassroots community organisations as part of the emergency response and recovery efforts, and the potential for community leaders in disasters to consider taking on a different role to make a difference in their community. Watch Jenn’s advocacy following the fire on CBS.

As climate change impacts our environment, communities might face a tough choice. Do they stay and accept a lower quality of life, mitigate the effects of climate change, or decide to leave? This episode explores the complex relationship between climate change, disaster risk reduction, and human mobility. Andrew and Josh speak with Professor Mo Hamza who has been researching people movement for 35 years. Mo provides a clear distinction between disasters and climate change, and how individual vulnerability shapes perceptions and impacts, as well as the challenges of addressing the root causes of vulnerability. Mo discusses how communities adapt to environmental changes through mobility both domestically and internationally. While international migration comprises a small portion of movement, it raises a range of challenges particularly for people leaving a location suffering environmental degradation. Listen to the episode to understand we can’t call those who move locations as ‘climate refugees’. Mo Hamza is a Professor of Risk Management and Societal Safety at Lund University in Sweden and has led numerous projects with international development organisations including the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, United Nations agencies, the Swedish Red Cross, the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency and many others. Mo has consulted across the world with a particular focus on the Middle East. Learn more about Professor Mo Hamza’s research at Lund University.

When disaster manager Brenden Winder arrived in Christchurch after the earthquake, he found a city with destroyed buildings, chimneys fallen to the ground and windows blown in. The devastation was confronting. As aftershocks continued, rescue crews worked around the clock to pull people from the rubble. In this episode, Andrew and Josh are joined in Christchurch by Brenden Winder, Head of Civil Defence and Emergency Management at Christchurch City Council. Brenden shares his story working as part of the massive recovery effort following the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes which struck the city. The conversation explores key aspects of coordinating the recovery, such as community involvement in decision making, housing and infrastructure planning, and navigating tensions around the property buybacks. Memorialisation and anniversary events are also discussed. Brendan shares how lessons from Christchurch informed his work providing demolition training to over 100 people after Nepal’s 2015 earthquake. Brenden started his career in the Royal New Zealand Navy before working for adventure tourism company in Queenstown and then moving into emergency management. When the quake struck, Brenden was deployed to Christchurch and ended up staying to help with the clean up. He now manages all hazards in the city and outside of his day job has also travelled overseas to help other nations recover from major disasters. Brendan is optimistic about Christchurch’s future resilience and growth. The city is modern, vibrant and more resilient to future earthquakes. Join Andrew and Josh on a walk around Christchurch with Brenden Winder on YouTube.

Research as far back as 1992 indicates a disturbing trend in Australia, with increased violence and aggression from men towards woman after a disaster. Today Josh and Andrew are exploring this hidden disaster – the rise in domestic violence following a disaster, such as a bushfire or flood. What can emergency managers to reduce this violent behaviour altogether? Experts Dr Debra Parkinson and Steve O’Malley AFSM from Gender and Disaster Australia join the show to discuss their research and links between disasters and increased violence towards women. They examine how societal expectations of gender roles can exacerbate relationship issues under the pressure of a disaster, and how expectations of masculinity, such as being strong and self-reliant, can discourage seeking help and lead to misdirected coping behaviours. The panel consider practical steps that can be taken to prepare for and address domestic violence in disaster planning, response and long-term recovery, including through policy, cultural competency training, mental health support and addressing underlying social factors that enable violence against women. Gender and Disaster Australia (GADAus) is an Australian organisation established to provide evidence-based education, training and resources to address the harmful impacts of gendered expectations in disaster. Dr Debra Parkinson is Executive Director of GADAus and is a social researcher and globally recognised researcher in the field of gender and disaster. She is an Adjunct Research Fellow at Monash University Disaster Resilience Institute (MUDRI) and has led extensive research, policy and advocacy work in the women’s health sector for over 25 years. Steve O’Malley AFSM is a Senior Leading Firefighter and the current Manager of Emergency Management sector engagement at Gender and Disaster Australia. He has been an operational firefighter for more than 30 years and is an experienced trainer and passionate presenter on gender, diversity and inclusion and passionate advocate for a more equitable and fairer society for all. If this episode has raised issues for you, please contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) in Australia. If you are in NZ contact Shine on 0508 744 633, in the UK contact Refuge’s National Domestic Abuse Helpline 0808 2000 247 or in the United States call 1800 799 7233.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6ulCOyCPzaZ8Y9OuMdAMEd Have you ever visited a location impacted by a disaster, such as Chernobyl, Ukraine or Fukushima, Japan? Dark Tourism involves people visiting sites of death or tragedy, where the extraordinary has occurred. In this episode, dark tourism expert Dr Philip Stone joins Andrew and Josh to understand the motivations for dark tourism and why people visit disaster sites. Philip explains the history behind dark tourism and examples from around the world. He also shares the challenges of balancing education with sensitivity when memorialising tragic events. Dr Philip Stone is the Executive Director of the Institute for Dark Tourism Research at the University of Central Lancashire in the UK and has a PhD in Thanatology which involves researching society’s reactions to and perceptions of mortality. He has written several books and published extensively about Dark Tourism and speaks regularly at conferences on the topic, in addition to teaching undergraduate and postgraduate courses in tourism, sociology and management at the University.

Gear up for the year ahead with our insights and highlights from Season 3 of Australia’s leading disaster podcast. During this season, Andrew and Josh spoke with guests from around the world about disasters. These are some of their favourite highlights.

Money is often said to make the world go round, and targeted investments in strategic projects can indeed wield significant influence, especially when directed towards mitigating disaster risks. In this episode, Andrew and Josh chat with Steven Goldfinch, Senior Disaster Risk Specialist at the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Steve explains ADB’s Strategy 2030, a comprehensive plan aligning the bank’s efforts with the pressing needs of the Asia Pacific Region. This includes reducing poverty, adapting to climate change, promoting gender equality, and developing sustainable cities. Steve discusses how the ADB collaborates with nations to integrate disaster risk considerations into infrastructure projects and support low-carbon development. He also highlights ADB’s role in providing both pre- and post-disaster financial assistance. Throughout the conversation, Steve shares insights into how ADB strategically prioritises projects, balancing developmental needs with climate action – a particular challenge in one of the world’s most disaster-prone regions. The discussion also covers gender considerations in disaster management, challenges of climate-induced displacement, and tools for assessing long-term climate risks. In his role, Steve Goldfinch works across the bank, supporting resilient development and recovery. Prior to joining the ADB in 2018, he worked for over a decade with the United Nations in New York, Dhaka and Kampala. Originally from Australia, he holds a master’s degree in peace and conflict studies from the University of Sydney and a bachelor’s degree in Asian studies and political science. Join Andrew and Josh as they unlock the bank vault and understand how the ADB are working to reduce the impact of disasters in the Asia Pacific.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0SRlyyX5hhp9JUfhHq4M8G Dr Albrecht Beck joins Andrew and Josh to discuss his award-winning disaster diplomacy work facilitating emergency management cooperation between Israel, Palestine, and Jordan – one of the world’s most complex regions.  Albrecht shares the challenges of building trust between the nations and how focusing discussions on shared risks from natural hazards such as earthquakes helped establish initial cooperation. Over a decade, the project grew to include joint training, exercises, and developing standard operating procedures. While political tensions remain high, day-to-day coordination between emergency services continues – showing how disaster management can open lines of communication even where diplomacy has stalled. This episode provides a rare behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and successes of using disaster resilience as a starting point for building understanding between adversaries in a high-risk, high-conflict area of the world,  and offers valuable lessons for other divided regions facing disaster threats.  Dr Albrecht Beck is the Director of Prepared International and a former United Nations staff member. Albrecht started work on the project while working for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). He has since worked for NATO, lectured at a University and started a consulting firm, Prepared International. 

The year was 2002, and Inspector Peter Baines was working with NSW Police in Sydney when he was deployed to Bali following bombings in two busy Kuta nightspots. Two and a half years later, Peter was deployed again overseas – this time to Thailand, to assist with victim identification following the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. In this episode, Peter Baines joins Andrew and Josh to discuss his leadership journey. Peter shares his experience working in challenging environments overseas, dealing with post-deployment blues, imposter syndrome, taking on a limitless mindset and the importance of having a presence as a leader during disasters. Peter’s experience and leadership lessons are also published in his new book, Leadership Matters.

Parts of the northern hemisphere have been suffering through record high temperatures. Canada has experienced the worst wildfire season on record. The world is becoming warmer and communities are struggling through seemingly endless heatwaves. Heatwaves are the silent killer. The 2003 European heatwave caused an estimated 70,000 excess deaths. 473 heat-related deaths were recorded in Australia in the 18 years to June 2018. This month Professor Ben Zaitchik joins the show to talk us through heatwaves. Ben is a Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Johns Hopkins University and explains what communities can do to mitigate the impacts of a warming climate. Ben’s research is directed at understanding, managing and coping with climatic and hydrologic variability. He holds a PhD in geology and geophysics from Yale University, a Masters in social sciences from Cornell University and a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Harvard College. Andrew and Josh ask Ben what we can do to minimise the impacts of heatwaves, the effects of climate change which lead to climate migration, early warnings, heat islands, humidity and what happens when cities become unliveable.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2xWAWXgt4NhLjjQifOyyya Have you ever worked or volunteered in an organisation where it felt toxic? It’s likely a result of poor leadership and culture. Expert leadership scientist Dr Darja Kragt joins the show to discuss leadership and culture in emergency management, and what leadership looks like now and into the future. Darja shares with Andrew and Josh the importance of emergency management and key challenges when leading volunteers. She explains the science behind leadership, influencing in a hierarchical culture of command and control, measuring culture and how to address improvements to the culture of an organisation. Darja is a leadership consultant and founder of The Leading Lab. She is a lecturer in work psychology at the University of Western Australia School of Psychological Science, and has recently completed a project working with the Western Australia SES.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0AEm74M6hQCldgopoMrxwh Innovation is everywhere – and technology is distrupting our lives faster than ever before. But what happens when we cross innovative technology with the climate crisis and the impact of more intense disasters? In this episode, Andrew and Josh speak with Associate Professor Roslyn Prinsley, Head of Disasters Solutions at the Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions at the Australian National University. Roslyn shares her experience living in Canberra during the Black Summer bushfires, and how the impact of the smoke prompted her into action, to look at new research and innovative technology to reduce or even prevent disasters. The team at ANU are currently working on surveillance technology to monitor for lightning ignition of bushfires, and then use drones to extinguish the fires at the source. Roslyn also discusses weather manipulation, hail cannons, cloud seeding, deflecting cyclones and early detection of earthquakes. Tune in as we look to the future on Me, Myself & Disaster. Learn more about Roslyn’s research into innovative disaster solutions here.