Resilient Forward

In this episode of Resilient Forward, the hosts sit down with Dr. Jennifer Jurado, Deputy Director and Chief Resilience Officer for Broward County, to talk through the county's newly completed resilience plan and the Section 203 study to upgrade the Central and Southern Florida Flood Control System. Jennifer breaks down how Broward put $5 million on the table to accelerate the federal study timeline, paving the way for five major pumps designed to tackle the county's flood control challenges head-on. The conversation also looks ahead to the Southeast Florida Climate Compact's 18th annual summit, taking place November 4–6 at the Broward County Convention Center, where Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe counties will come together around shared climate challenges, public-private partnerships, and emerging technologies.

In this episode of Resilient Forward, Paul Taylor, Growth Director for Resilient Services at Black & Veatch and former FEMA Region 7 Administrator, joins Irela Bagué, David Rathke, and Pepper Uchino to discuss what FEMA reform could mean for disaster recovery. They share practical steps that local governments can take to prepare for the next storm, emphasize the importance of getting funding into communities quickly, and explore how the return of BRIC grants indicates that mitigation funding may finally be heading in the right direction.

In this episode of Resilient Forward, Irela Bagué, David Rathke, and Pepper Uchino sit down with Florida Chief Resilience Officer Eddy Bouza II to discuss the progress of the Resilient Florida Program, the recent signing of Florida's Coastal Resilience legislation, and the investments helping communities prepare for future risks. From vulnerability assessments and infrastructure projects to supporting local governments and measuring long-term outcomes, the conversation explores how resilience is being put into action across the state.

In this episode of Resilient Forward, Irela Bagué, David Rathke, and Pepper Uchino are joined by Dr. Erik Stabenau of The Everglades Foundation to discuss the current drought and its impact on the Everglades. The conversation also touches on recent legislative developments shaping resilience and water management across the state.

As Florida navigates drought conditions, shifting Senate priorities, and evolving environmental policy, what role does the ocean economy play in shaping the state’s future? In this episode of Resilient Forward, Irela Bagué, David Rathke, and Pepper Uchino sit down with Dr. Colin Polsky — Professor of Geosciences at Florida Atlantic University and newly appointed leader of Florida’s Office of Ocean Economy — to explore the intersection of science, policy, and economic opportunity. From water scarcity and legislative impacts to the promise of Florida’s blue economy, this conversation unpacks the risks, realities, and strategies shaping the state's future.