Disrupting Disasters

Elizabeth speaks with former Cabinet Minister and lawyer, Kiri Allan. Kiri was a member of Parliament in the New Zealand House of Representatives from 2017 to 2023, as a List MP and then representing the Labour Party in the East Coast electorate. She held the positions of Minister for Emergency Management and Minister of Conservation (Nov 2020-June 2022), and Minister of Justice (June 2022-July 2023), among others.In this episode, Kiri and Elizabeth discuss what it’s like managing public communications during a crisis. Kiri shares personal stories of hardship and hope from responding to events like the Whakaari/White Island eruption, Christchurch mosque attack, COVID, and Cyclone Gabrielle. The conversation explores the importance of incorporating local and indigenous knowledge in disaster response, the integration of Mātauranga Māori into emergency management, and the investment and systemic changes needed for a more climate-resilient Aotearoa. Kiri also touches on the personal impact of her roles, the importance of vulnerability in leadership and sharing your story, and about her new book.Join our newsletter at www.disastrous.co for more resources from this episode.

Elizabeth speaks with Megan Stiffler, Deputy Commissioner of Fire & Rescue NSW. Megan is a career firefighter and senior officer, leading the way for change in her industry, while leading Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams on deployment across large-scale events, and representing the sector internationally. She holds an MBA, is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and her leadership was recognised as a Queensland Finalist in the 2020 Telstra Business Women's Awards. In this episode, they discuss Megan’s journey from insurance desk job to joining the fire service, and how her family upbringing shaped her leadership skills. They dive into meaningful experiences with communities on the ground and how they influenced Megan’s perspective on effective disaster response. They speak about what needs to change in the industry, like resourcing, representation and gender diversity, and what it means to truly listen as a leader. They speak about how to process challenging times to grow, agree on the importance of advocacy and storytelling for change, and land on the power of walking your own path with confidence and humility. This one’s a goodie, enjoy! Join our newsletter at www.disastrous.co for more resources from this episode.

Elizabeth speaks with Dan Neely, Manager of Community Resilience and Group Recovery Manager at the Wellington Region Emergency Management Office–aka WREMO. Dan began his career in the Peace Corps in Honduras during the recovery from Hurricane Mitch, contributed to post-tsunami efforts in Sri Lanka with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and since 2012 has led teams based in New Zealand reshaping Emergency Management through human-centered community development practices, with their resources being adopted across the globe. In this episode, Elizabeth and Dan discuss the powerful role communities play in emergency response, and how WREMO’s Community Emergency Hub model enables local communities to support each other immediately after a disaster better, faster, and safer. They cover Design Thinking, the sector’s responsibility to ask better questions, and why building on existing community capacities and capabilities (a ‘strengths-based’ approach to Community Development) is imperative. They draw inspiration from Vanilla Ice and The Big Lebowski, agree that everyone in society is an emergency manager and why we should all ‘Provoke with love.’ Ultimately, they land on why they’re hopeful for the future. Join our newsletter at www.disastrous.co for more resources from this episode.

Elizabeth speaks with Dr Carrie Timko Santos. Carrie is currently based in Poland, working for American Red Cross, supporting the national Red Cross societies impacted by the Ukraine war and influx of refugees. Among her many roles, she has served as CEO of Entrepreneurs’ Organization, led international programs for the American Red Cross, and managed a $150 million portfolio in humanitarian donations for the U.S. Department of State. She is the mother of two grown daughters that she considers her best investment in the future. In this episode, Elizabeth and Carrie cover the importance of diplomacy, gender disparity and what it’s like to be a woman in leadership. They discuss entrepreneurial mindsets, finding purpose through your values, and the power of bearing witness to others’ experiences. Carrie shares insights on the impact of storytelling in humanitarian diplomacy, and how the many threads in her own story have led her to this moment.  Join our newsletter at www.disastrous.co for more resources and content mentioned in this episode.

Elizabeth speaks with Richard MacGeorge, a futures expert and infrastructure financial advisor. Since the 1980s Richard has worked on projects around the world, including a time at the World Bank, focusing on financing infrastructure projects in low and middle-income countries. In 2011, he returned home to Christchurch, New Zealand on sabbatical to support earthquake recovery. He started pursuing a PhD in Futures Studies in 2020. In the conversation, Richard introduces us to futures studies, and the concept of imagining multiple potential futures rather than making predictions. They discuss the power of generative AI, adaptive strategies, and the integration of foresight and backcasting in planning. They consider the need for long-term thinking in disaster management, and Richard shares his vision for green and living infrastructure as part of a holistic approach to recovery and resilience. They discuss Richard’s PhD studies, storytelling and his Vanishing Point comic, and also courage and the importance of trusting our intuition and inner voices. Join our newsletter at www.disastrous.co for more resources and content mentioned in this episode.

Elizabeth speaks with her 'disaster buddy' Dr Kate Brady. Kate has a PhD in Public Health with a focus on disaster recovery. She is the National Recovery Adviser for Australian Red Cross Emergency Services and Senior Research Fellow at the University of New South Wales. In this episode, they discuss why imagination isn’t always helpful, the pragmatic reality of systems change, and pros of asset-based community development. They touch on burnout, the emotional toll of recovery work and how it’s changed their world views. Kate tells us about her podcast, her newest research project, and what life was like juggling work with newborn twins during the pandemic. Elizabeth and Kate agree on the need for more support and training for anyone working in disasters. Join our newsletter at www.disastrous.co for more resources and content mentioned in this episode.

Elizabeth speaks with Dr David Lallemant, Assistant Professor, Disaster Risk Analytics at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, and Head of Disaster Analytics for Society Lab. David’s background is in earthquake sciences and engineering, predictive modelling, geostatistics, and reliability analysis, all supporting research into resilient societies. He supported recovery following earthquakes in Haiti (2010), Christchurch (2011), and Nepal (2015).  In this episode, Elizabeth and David discuss balancing both the built and social environments, risk mitigation, optimism biases, and finding hope amidst climate anxiety. They cover Black Swan events, counterfactual analysis, and how understanding what could have happened means we can celebrate important work of disaster preparedness; also how this idea led to David and his colleagues to launch the Averted Disaster Awards. They discuss the role of urgency, leadership, and even what life lessons can be learned from the classic book, The Little Prince.  Join our newsletter at www.disastrous.co for more resources and content mentioned in this episode.

In this episode Elizabeth speaks with Dr Lucy Easthope, the UK’s leading authority on recovering from disaster and author of the book When The Dust Settles: Stories of Love, Loss and Hope from an Expert in Disaster. They discuss the need for reflection time, the Welsh concept of Hiraeth (a feeling of longing and heart sickness for something lost), and the gap between policies and experience on the ground during disaster. They discuss control, truth, imagination, and their experience as parents; also how important it is to surround yourselves with support, and how nothing is ever unprecedented. Join our newsletter at www.disastrous.co for more resources and content mentioned in this episode.

This is a podcast about doing disasters differently. It's for people involved in disaster recovery, emergency management, crisis leadership, or for anyone interested in what we can learn together to disrupt disaster. Join Elizabeth as she introduces Disrupting Disasters.