Inside the Castle

How does the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) decide what to build, where to build it, and how to reduce water resource risks to our local communities? It all starts with Civil Works Planning. In this episode of “Inside the Castle,” we sit down with three leaders who are fundamentally modernizing this process: Mr. Eric Bush (Chief of Planning and Policy, USACE Headquarters), Mr. Joe Redican (Deputy Chief of Planning and Policy, USACE HQ), and Ms. Susan Werning (Deputy Chief, Planning Community of Practice, USACE Headquarters). Listeners will hear about the historic rollout of the new “RAPID” planning framework—which stands for Risk-Informed, Aligned, Proportional, Iterative, and Decisive—and how it streamlines feasibility studies to deliver water resources solutions years faster. We also celebrate a major milestone as Mr. Bush prepares for his retirement this November, reflecting on a career dedicated to environmental restoration, public safety and sustainable economic development, and planning excellence. Whether you are a local community partner, an engineering professional, or a taxpayer interested in how infrastructure is designed, join us to discover how USACE is delivering at the speed of relevance.

On the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Inside the Castle pauses to honor the nearly 3,000 precious lives lost and the unimaginable courage of the first responders who ran toward the danger. In this solemn episode, podcast hosts Reagan Lauritzen and Amy Snively talk with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Historian Dr. John Lonnquest and USACE Curator Eric Reinert to reflect on USACE’s rapid mobilization and the sacred duty of preserving that history. The discussion covers the critical, behind-the-scenes engineering efforts at the Pentagon and Ground Zero—from structural triage and environmental remediation to the painstaking debris recovery mission. The episode also highlights an incredible, lesser-known story of immediate response: amid the chaos, USACE boat crews from the Caven Point Marine Terminal in NJ shuttled thousands of stranded citizens across the Hudson River to safety, returning with critical fuel and supplies for the fireboats and emergency responders on station. Finally, the episode explores how the USACE Office of History has preserved these memories, featuring a selection of artifacts collected by the Office of History. These artifacts are now part of the “Steel and Stone: Engineering the Response to 9/11” exhibit at the National Museum of the United States Army. To read more about USACE's response and other significant events in the organization's history, read "The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: An Illustrated History, 1775-2025," and "Continuing the Mission: A History of the New York District from 1975-2005."

In this episode of "Inside the Castle," we are joined by Mr. Ryan A. Fisher, Executive Deputy for Civil and Emergency Operations, for a wide-ranging discussion on the future of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Drawing from his extensive experience—from the district level all the way to the Administration—Mr. Fisher provides his perspective on modernizing the agency to deliver its national missions more effectively. Listeners will hear about the "Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork" initiative, the critical role of trust and empowerment in executing projects, and the importance of creating a culture that embraces innovation. Plus, Mr. Fisher shares some exclusive breaking news about a significant milestone in his career. Join us to hear about the future of Civil Works, emergency response, and the commitment to delivering world-class engineering solutions for the nation.

In this edition we talk with US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Florence Kessel with the Caribbean District. Florence has been with USACE for 10 years and has spent the last two years helping stand up the newly formed Caribbean District. In this episode we will discuss her path into USACE, he passion for the work she does, and what she has learned about USACE over the past year.

In this special episode of the "Build Strong with Us" series, the hosts become the guests. Get to know the voices behind the microphone, Amanda Ray Marino and Warner Buckman, as they share their own unique journeys into and through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This episode offers an inside look at the diverse career paths and opportunities for growth within one of the nation's most impactful organizations.