Disaster Tough Podcast

What separates exceptional leaders from everyone else? It isn't intelligence, experience, or authority—it's the ability to solve the right problems. In this episode of the Disaster Tough Podcast, we explore executive problem solving through the lens of emergency management and explain why the principles used to coordinate disasters can improve decision-making in any profession. We begin by definin...

As the FIFA World Cup 2026 approaches, emergency managers, stadium operators, law enforcement, hospitals, transportation agencies, airports, and public safety leaders are entering a critical final phase of readiness. In this episode of the Disaster Tough Podcast, John Scardena breaks down the six core pillars of Dynamic Population (DyPop) emergency management planning and response that every host...

In this episode of the Disaster Tough Podcast, host John Scardena sits down with emergency management thought leader and Logista co-founder Drew Downing for a candid discussion on the future of emergency management, readiness, and disaster resilience. Known for his influential social media content and honest takes on the profession, Downing explores why the field struggles with credibility, burnou...

Check out more DTP content here: www.thereadinesslab.com/dtplinks In this special Mother’s Day edition of the Disaster Tough Podcast, host John Scardena welcomes his wife, business partner, and creative force behind the brand, Erin Scardena, for an authentic conversation on leadership, marriage, communication, and entrepreneurship. Dubbed the unofficial Emergency “Momager” episode, the discussion...

In this episode of Disaster Tough Podcast, John Scardena breaks down the latest FEMA developments, including the FEMA Review Council recommendations and @Cameron Hamilton’s nomination for Senate confirmation. More importantly, this episode focuses on what emergency managers, crisis leaders, and public safety professionals should actually do when major news occurs. Rather than getting consumed by r...

Check out more of our content here: www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links In this latest episode of the Disaster Tough Podcast, host John Scardena welcomes back Major General Jason Kelly of the United States Army Corps of Engineers for a deep dive into leadership, resilience, and national readiness heading into the 2026 disaster season. The conversation centers on executive decision-making under press...

In this episode of the Disaster Tough Podcast, John Scardena breaks down one of the most misunderstood concepts in emergency management: forecasting. Moving beyond weather models and into real-world application, he outlines three critical truths every emergency manager needs to understand. First, forecasting is not a decision—it’s decision support. Second, risk is more than probability; it’s the c...

In this episode of Disaster Tough, John Scardena explores how emergency management principles apply to modern conflict and large-scale disasters, using the war in Iran as a case study. The discussion focuses on integrating military concepts like the three-block war with core emergency management frameworks such as ASCOPE and the Planning P.Listeners will learn how to assess complex environments, p...

This episode explores what truly motivates high-performing individuals and leaders, particularly in emergency management and government environments. Moving beyond the common excuse of being “too busy,” the discussion reframes time through the lens of return on investment (ROI)—distinguishing between what is costly but worthwhileversus what feels expensive and not worth the effort. Three core moti...

looking for more DTP content and swag? www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links January 10, 2020: Leadership, Resilience, and Building a Mission-Driven Life January 10, 2020, is a defining date—not just for this podcast, but for leadership, resilience, and what it truly means to commit to a mission. In this reflective episode of the Disaster Tough Podcast, host John Scardena looks back on the day he left...

DTP Content & Swag: www.threadinesslab.com/dtp-links Show Summary In this short-format Thursday episode of Disaster Tough, John reflects on recent technology disruptions—including the Verizon outage—and what they signal about society’s reliance on communications systems. The discussion focuses on why outages themselves are not the core problem, but rather how organizations, communities, and fa...

Looking for more DTP Content? Check us out: www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links Leadership Forged in War: Drones, Ukraine & Combat Medicine with Travis Kaufman   What does leadership look like when courage, skill, and purpose are tested in real combat? In this episode of Disaster Tough, host John Scardena sits down with combat medic, warrior-educator, and humanitarian leader Travis Kaufman—a pro...

Looking for more DTP Content? Click here: www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links Major Endorsements Impulse Bleeding Control Kits by Professionals for Professionals https://www.impulsekits.com Doberman Emergency Management Subject matter experts in assessments, planning, and training https://www.dobermanemg.com The Readiness Lab Trailblazing disaster readiness through podcasts, outreach, marketing, and...

Looking for more DTP Content? Click here: www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links Grounded Boots Relief: https://groundedbootsrelief.org Major Endorsements Impulse Bleeding Control Kits by Professionals for Professionals https://www.impulsekits.com Doberman Emergency Management Subject matter experts in assessments, planning, and training https://www.dobermanemg.com The Readiness Lab Trailblazing disast...

Looking for more DTP Content? Check out our website at: www.threadinesslab.com/dtp-links Promo Code: DISASTERTOUGHPODCAST Link: https://movetheworldfilms.gumroad.com/l/kaywco *First 10 users get this extended director's cut version for free In this episode, host John Scardena interviews film producer George Siegal about his documentary Built To Last: Buyer Beware, a hard-hitting examination of mod...

Looking for more DTP Content? Check out our website at: www.threadinesslab.com/dtp-links In this episode of the Disaster Tough Podcast, host John Scardena sits down with LTG (Ret.) Dr. Jody Daniels, former Chief of Army Reserve and former Commanding General of the U.S. Army Reserve. Daniels walks through the leadership lessons she carried from early service in Kosovo, intelligence work in Iraq, an...

Looking for more DTP Content? Check us our here: www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links For the 250th episode of the Disaster Tough Podcast, host John Scardena turns the mic on himself to share three core lessons that have shaped the show, his career, and how he shows up in the emergency services space: gratitude as a persona, how to influence, and “come what may and love it.” John starts with gratitud...

Looking for more DTP Content? Check us out: www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links DTP Season 6, EP 249 In this episode of the Disaster Tough Podcast, host John Scardena welcomes Stephanie DeLorenzo, emergency management professional and author of Navigating the Chaos: The Ultimate Emergency Management Career Guide. Stephanie shares her dynamic career journey across nonprofit response, consulting, fede...

In this episode of the Disaster Tough Podcast, host John Scardena sits down with Dr. Chris Ellis, a military veteran, scholar, and author of  Resilient Citizens: The People, Perils, and Politics of Modern Preparedness. Together, they explore the evolution of what it means to be a resilient citizen—someone capable of surviving and thriving during crisis through community, faith, and proactive readi...

Looking for more DTP Content? Check us out: www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links In this gripping episode of the Disaster Tough Podcast, host John Scardena speaks with Lauren Taylor, a 911 dispatcher who coordinated the emergency response during the October 1, 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting at the Mandalay Bay. Lauren shares her firsthand account of one of the most devastating active shooter incidents...

Looking for more DTP Content? Check us out: www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links On this episode of the Disaster Tough Podcast, I sit down with Andrew Donawa, Emergency Management Coordinator for the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, to talk about what it really takes to bridge the gap between law enforcement and emergency management. Andrew brings a rare perspective—combining the mindset of a responder...

Looking for more DTP Content? Check us out: www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links Host John Scardena sits down with Moose Mutlow, Search and Rescue (SAR) expert, author, and instructor based in Yosemite National Park. With over 20 years of frontline experience in swiftwater rescue, recovery, and family liaison operations, Moose shares hard-won lessons about humility, leadership, and resilience in the...

Looking for more DTP Content? Check us our here: www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links In this episode of the Disaster Tough Podcast, host John Scardena sits down with Juliette Murphy, CEO and co-founder of FloodMapp, to explore how cutting-edge technology is transforming flood forecasting and disaster response. Juliette shares her journey from water resource engineering in Australia and Canada to bui...

Looking for more DTP Content? Check us our here: www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links In Part 3 of this three-part series, host John Scardena wraps up his conversation with Jim Balthazar, exploring how churches and faith-based organizations can strengthen safety while preserving their mission of sanctuary. With decades of law enforcement, ATF Special Response Team service, and experience leading secu...

Looking for more DTP Content? Check us our here: www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links In Part 2 of this three-part series, host John Scardena continues his conversation with Jim Balthazar, drawing on Jim’s background in law enforcement, ATF Special Response Teams, and faith-based security leadership to unpack lessons from high-profile incidents and what they mean for community safety today. Topics Co...