Burning Questions

This episode of the ‘Burning Questions’ podcast tackles the complex and costly nature of disasters, focusing on prevention, response, and recovery. Host Ryan Maye Handy discusses the role of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), its historical context, and President Trump’s proposed changes to FEMA’s responsibilities. Joined by colleagues Kristen Smith and Bridget...

Rebuilding after a disaster is in our DNA as Americans. Often, it is the measuring stick for our disaster recovery efforts. Rebuilding can also be an incredible boon for local economies . But rebuilding doesn’t necessarily mean that our homes and communities are safer. It doesn’t mean that the risk is gone. Join Doug, Ryan and their colleague Kristin Smith, a flooding expert, as they discuss how a...

Hutchinson, Kansas, Norman, Oklahoma, Auburn, Alabama, Biloxi, Mississippi, Fort Smith, Arkansas, Sioux City, Iowa. All these places now face the rising threat of urban conflagrations. Traditionally seen as a Western state’s problem, wildfires are now affecting regions nationwide. Join Ryan and Doug in this episode as they discuss how recent devastating wildfires defy traditional classificat...

At Headwaters Economics we map wildfire risk, and the recent wildfires in Los Angeles show that those maps are – tragically - very accurate. But across the United States, fire chiefs, elected officials and resident are pushing back on efforts to map wildfire risk claiming that these maps only increase insurance premiums for residents. Join Ryan and Doug in this episode to discuss the history of ha...

We’re starting something new here at Headwaters Economics, a podcast called “Burning Questions” hosted by our very own Ryan Handy and Doug Green. They will be diving into the issues surrounding wildfire and the built environment, like risk mapping, urban conflagrations, and building codes.