Inside the Castle

Dredging serves as the critical, often unseen foundation of global trade, national defense, and supply chain resilience. In this episode of Inside the Castle, hosts Reagan Lauritzen and Amy Snively sit down with Ms. Erica Janocha, Dredging Program Manager at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Headquarters, to discuss how USACE is modernizing the way it delivers the Nation’s dredging mission. The...

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 (D...

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’...

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 mission...

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...

In the third installment of the "Stone by Stone" series for the "Inside the Castle" podcast, we celebrate the achievements of some of the 2025 USACE National Award winners. In this episode, we interview two winners: Norfolk District's Matthew S. Karlinchak and Sacramento District's Roxanne B. Carlson. Mr. Karlinchak is one the USACE Program Managers of the Year for his work on expansion for Arling...

From floodplains to the front lines, geospatial intelligence makes the map the mission. Inside the Castle sits down with Army Geospatial Center leaders George Ohanion and Randy Reynolds to show how the AGC delivers the data, tools, and training that keep communities safe and warfighters ready.

Partnership in action: Inside the Castle explores the Silver Jackets program with USACE’s Brandon Brummett and PA’s Tom Hughes—sharing how federal, state, and local teams unite to reduce flood risk, deliver better data, and turn good ideas into on-the-ground results.

In this edition we talk with US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Dylan Edwards the Chief Ranger at Norfolk and Bull Shoals Lake within the Little Rock District of Arkansas

In this second episode of “Stone by Stone,” a new “Inside the Castle” podcast series, we talk with Frannie Bui, the National Hurricane Program Manager for the National Planning Center of Expertise for Coastal Storm Risk Management, which is located in the Corps’ Baltimore District. Listen as Bui discusses hurricanes preparedness, the National Hurricane Program and the 20th anniversary of Hurricane...

Welcome to the first installment of “Stone by Stone,” a new "Inside the Castle" podcast series that is bite size in scope, providing listeners with a shorter, focused update on critical U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-related issues impacting our nation. Listen as we delve into the critical issues facing the Mississippi River with Dr. Robert L. Miller, following the conclusion of the Mississippi Rive...

Welcome to the first installment of “Stone by Stone,” a new "Inside the Castle" podcast series that is bite size in scope, providing listeners with a shorter, focused update on critical U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-related issues impacting our nation. Today, we delve into the critical issues facing the Mississippi River with Dr. Robert L. Miller, following the conclusion of the Mississippi River C...

Welcome to the Build Strong With Us series where we give our listeners an opportunity to learn more about the diverse people, mission impact, and career opportunities our personnel experience within the US Army Corps of Engineers. In this edition we talk with US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Anthony Watters, a Maintenance Supervisor for Wolf Creek and Laurel Power Plants working on the front lin...

In this episode of Inside the Castle, we spotlight the critical and often lesser-known role of tribal liaisons within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Join us as we sit down with Melissa Leslie (Seattle District) and Sean O'Donnell (Alaska District) to explore how these dedicated professionals build government-to-government relationships with Tribal Nations and Alaska Native communities. From hon...

In this special episode, we sit down with Mr. Edward Belk, Director of Civil Works for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as he prepares to retire after 38 years of extraordinary service. From humble beginnings as a temporary GS-9 on a Mississippi River survey crew to leading the entire Civil Works Directorate, Mr. Belk shares the stories, challenges, and human connections that defined his career....

In this edition we talk with US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Brittany Bruder a Coastal Research Engineer with the US Army Corps of Engineers Engineer Research and Development Center, Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory – Field Research Facility.

In this edition we talk with US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Brian Ellis with the US Army Corps of Engineers Aviation Program Office based in Huntsville, Alabama. Brian spent a career in uniform in the aviation field, and is now applying that expertise and knowledge to drive innovation within the Corps of Engineers.

Welcome to the Build Strong With Us podcast series where we give our listeners an opportunity to learn more about the people, mission impact, and career opportunities our personnel experience within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In this edition, we talk with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' (USACE) Eric Daniels with the Talent Acquisition Center of Excellence. Eric began working in the field of t...

In this episode, we are joined by COL Pabis, Commander of the New England District. We’ll hear about the District’s role in shaping USACE, and the valuable work being done today and in the future.

Episode title: People First series – Portland District’s Public Affairs Office on Being Responsibility Unhinged Episode description: Today’s episode is part of our “People First” series where we celebrate unity, empowerment and the Corps great asset, our people! In this episode, the Inside the Castle team is joined by Chris Gaylord and Kerry Solan with the Portland District - the team behind one o...

Welcome to the Build Strong With Us podcast series where we give our listeners an opportunity to learn more about the people, mission impact, and career opportunities our personnel experience within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In this edition, we talk with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' (USACE) Crystal Torgerson with the Logistics Activity. Crystal started her career as a federal employee wor...

This past fall the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers welcomed Major General Jason E. Kelly as the Deputy Commanding General for Civil Works and Emergency Operations. In this episode, we have a candid conversation with Major General Kelly about his career, the Corps focus areas, and how he is helping the Corps deliver the mission for the Nation.

Welcome to the Build Strong With Us podcast series where we give our listeners an opportunity to learn more about the diverse people, mission impact, and career opportunities our personnel experience within the US Army Corps of Engineers. In this edition we talk with US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Nikki Edelenbos with the Jacksonville District. Nikki has been with USACE just about one year. In...

This is part one of a three-part series focused on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer's (USACE) Critical Incident Stress Management Program (CISM). The mission of the CISM program is to provide education, support, and assistance to USACE employees for incidental or cumulative critical incident stress experienced in the performance of their jobs and/or in the event of major civil emergencies, natural...