Doing Disasters Differently: The Podcast with Renae Hanvin

Today’s guest is Nicole Blackwell, an experienced emergency management leader working at NBN Co , helping strengthen preparedness, response and resilience across complex systems and critical infrastructure. With deep expertise in emergency management, stakeholder collaboration and cross-sector coordination, Nicole sits at the intersection of technology, connectivity, and community resilience - wor...

Today’s guest is Dr Barbara Ryan - an award-winning disaster behaviour researcher, communicator and long-time leader in emergency management communication across Australia. Barbara has spent more than 40 years working across journalism, public relations, research and teaching, with a strong focus on how people seek information, respond to risk and engage during disasters. She is the founder of Cic...

In this episode of Doing Disasters Differently ,  Renae talks with Professor Daniel Aldrich , a full professor at Northeastern University. They explore the groundbreaking development of a national framework for measuring social capital and social infrastructure in Australia, featuring insights from Professor Daniel Aldrich.  Discover how these tools can transform community resilience, disaster pre...

In this episode, I'm talking with Tony Pearce about Tony's Trek. Tony shares his inspiring journey of raising awareness for mental health in emergency services through daring treks, including walking from Melbourne to Brisbane, Everest Base Camp, and paddling the Murray River. Discover how community engagement, early intervention, and systemic change can improve mental health support for...

In this episode of Doing Disasters Differently , Renae is joined by John de Rooy, a respected business and community leader with a strong background in regional development and business chambers. A leader of the Malanda Chamber of Commerce in Far North Queensland, he’s spent years helping local businesses stay connected, supported, and resilient - especially in times of disruption. This episode ex...

In this episode of Doing Disasters Differently , Renae is joined by Dave Owens, an experienced emergency manager and former police officer who now works with governments and organisations to strengthen risk and crisis leadership. Drawing on more than three decades of experience across emergency management, Dave shares why traditional leadership approaches often fall short in complex and uncertain...

In this week's episode of Doing Disasters Differently, Renae is joined by David Younger, a clinical psychologist and consultant to governments and communities who is deeply passionate about stress and wellbeing when it comes to before, during and after disasters. David especially recognises the double impact that business people have and how important everyday self-care is so you can thrive t...

In this episode of Doing Disasters Differently , Renae is joined by David Sanderson, the Inaugural Judith Neilson Professor of Architecture at UNSW, and Founder and lead of HowWeSurvive. With a true passion for disaster resilience and recovery, David talks about the importance of letting recovery be led by the social fabric of the community. 

In this week’s episode of Doing Disasters Differently, Renae is joined by Mark Duckworth, Associate Director at the Centre for Resilient and Inclusive Societies (CRIS) and Senior Research Fellow at the Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation at Deakin University, with more than 30 years’ experience in senior public sector and resilience roles, including contributing to the Nation...

In this week’s episode of Doing Disasters Differently , Renae is joined by Leanne Schmidt, Manager Emergency Support at the Local Government Association of South Australia. With decades of experience across SES and fire services, Leanne shares insights into South Australia’s emergency management approach and the vital role of local government in building community resilience. 

In this special 40th episode of Doing Disasters Differently, Renae reflects on standout conversations from the last ten episodes with thought leaders in disaster resilience.  Renae highlights the growing momentum around social capital, the importance of shared responsibility, and how Resilient Ready is translating policy and research into action for communities and small businesses across Australi...

In this week’s episode of Doing Disasters Differently Renae chats with Dr Briony Towers, founder of Leadrrr and expert in child-centered disaster risk management. They explore the role of schools in building social capital and how empowering children and youth can drive real change in disaster resilience. From bushfire education to youth-led initiatives, Briony shares how schools can be true hubs...

In this week’s episode of Doing Disasters Differently, Renae is joined by Joe Buffone, Deputy Coordinator General at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). With over 40 years in security and disaster management, Joe has played a key role in emergency response across Australia and internationally. Today, we explore his journey—from the Country Fire Authority (CFA) to leading efforts in di...

In this week’s episode of Doing Disasters Differently, Renae is joined by the Hon Bruce Billson, Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO), a tireless advocate for small businesses across the country. Today, we are exploring Bruce’s journey—from launching his own advisory business to his leadership in fostering resilience and growth for Australia’s small business sector. 

In this week’s episode of Doing Disasters Differently, Renae is talking with Professor Paul Arbon AM, a distinguished leader in emergency and disaster resilience and Director of the Torrens Resilience Initiative at Flinders University. Today, we are diving into resilience in South Australia’s grape and wine sector. With decades of experience as a researcher, academic, and organisational leader—inc...

In this week’s episode of Doing Disasters Differently, Renae is talking with Kruthika Nagananda, a passionate advocate for resilience who moved from India to Australia to pursue her dream of strengthening communities in times of crisis. Today, we are talking about Kruthika’s journey, from completing her Master’s in Disaster Resilience and Sustainable Development at the University of Newcastle to h...

In this week’s episode of Doing Disasters Differently, Renae is talking with Fiona Jago, a former dairy farmer and small business owner with deep roots in regional Victoria. Fiona and her husband, Mark, made a bold move to purchase and run a caravan park on Kangaroo Island, South Australia, where they became active community members. However, the devastating 2019-2020 bushfires profoundly impacted...

In this week’s episode of Doing Disasters Differently, Renae is talking with Johanna Garnett who is the Manager of Disaster Resilience & Risk Reduction at the South Australian Fire and Emergency Services Commission (SAFECOM). Today we are talking about building cultural heritage resilience. 

In this week’s episode of Doing Disasters Differently, Renae is talking with Dr Val Ingham who is the Associate Professor, Emergency Management at Charles Sturt University. Today we are talking about Indicators of Community Disaster Fatigue. 

In this week’s episode of Doing Disasters Differently, Renae is talking with Professor Daniel Aldrich, Director of the resilience and security studies program at Northeastern University in the USA who’s also a volunteer advisory member of Resilient Ready and project delivery partner. Today we are talking about bringing social capital and social infrastructure measurement to Australia. 

In this episode, Renae reflects on the increasing complexity of disasters in Australia, from bushfires and floods to smaller disruptions like power outages and staffing shortages. She emphasises the critical role small businesses play in community resilience, noting that "if small businesses get impacted, it actually affects the whole community."  Renae discusses the development of the B...

In this week’s episode of Doing Disasters Differently, I sat down with David Parsons, crisis management expert, and volunteer advisor and delivery partner at Resilient Ready and today we are talking about safeguarding livelihoods and services after disasters. 

In this week’s episode of Doing Disasters Differently, I sat down with Tracy Collier, GM of Strategy and Programs for the Thriving Communities Partnership and today we are talking about building thriving communities. 

In this week’s episode of Doing Disasters Differently the Podcast, I sit down with Jenn Donovan from Spend with us and we are discussing ‘Getting Australia to Buy from the Bush’. 

Today Renae sits down with Bridget Tehan, the Senior Policy Advisor at the Victorian Council of Social Services, also called VCOSS. We are sitting down to discuss the role of community organisations in disasters. Bridget has worked for more than 10 years in emergency management in both the government and not-for-profit sectors. Bridget is currently a senior policy advisor at the Victorian Council...