The Disaster Response
The Disaster Response
Each episode tells the story of a different natural disaster and its aftermath. Hosts Paul and Josiah have several years’ experience working and volunteering on disaster recovery programs worldwide – but only Paul knows what the topic will be before the episode starts. We hope to educate, entertain, and spread appreciation for the power of natural disasters, the process of recovery, and the impact a disaster can have on the community where it strikes.
Author
The Disaster Response
Category
Podcast website
Latest episode
Mar 23, 2026
Where to listen?
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Episodes
Announcement 23.03.2026 11:12
A Disaster Response announcement
021. The Granite Mountain Hotshots (2013) 01.11.2025 2:16:24
The Granite Mountain Hotshots tackle three fires near Prescott, AZ. 00:01:32 Introduction 00:11:10 Hotshottin' 00:47:22 The Doce Fire 01:02:20 The Yarnell Hill Fire 01:32:14 The Granite Mountain Hotshots 01:44:28 Paying Hotshots 01:57:55 Prison Labor & Conclusion Our Instagram - Our Patreon
020. Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan (2013) 30.09.2025 1:28:49
A tropical storm devastates the Philippine islands of Leyte & Samar. 00:01:30 Introduction 00:05:02 Typhoon Yolanda 00:37:22 Reconstruction 01:05:10 Preparedness & the Climate 01:18:58 Conclusion Our Instagram - Our Patreon
019. The Great Hunger (1845-1852) 28.08.2025 1:23:56
Josiah & Paul discuss The Great Hunger, also known as the Irish Potato Famine. Our Instagram - Our Patreon
018. The London Smog (1952) 22.07.2025 1:52:49
A killer fog rolls through London. 00:01:30 - Introduction 00:07:50 - Pea Soup 01:00:21 - The Killer Fog 01:24:17 - The Clean Air Acts & Conclusion Our Instagram - Our Patreon
017. The Schoolchildren’s Blizzard (1888) 25.05.2025 2:29:03
January 12, 1888 is a bad time to be on your way home from school as Paul & Josiah discuss their most chilling story yet. 00:01:20 - Introduction 00:08:40 - Walter 00:18:23 - Background 00:53:15 - Blizzard 01:30:34 - Walter, Part II 01:36:43 - Recovery & Review 02:17:33 - Conclusion Sources - Our Instagram - Our Patreon
016. Mt. Tambora & the Year Without Summer (1815-16) 28.04.2025 2:44:50
Paul & Josiah discuss the most powerful volcanic eruption ever recorded. 00:01:24 Introduction 00:09:00 The Eruption of Mt. Tambora 00:30:30 Background 00:45:07 Recovery 01:02:19 The Year Without Summer 01:41:48 Recovery #2 02:14:41 Context Corner 02:36:25 Conclusion Sources - Our Instagram - Our Patreon Paintings mentioned in the episode: ‘The Scarlet Sunset: A French Town on a River‘, Joseph...
015. The Great Bhola Cyclone (1970) 28.03.2025 2:51:53
Paul & Josiah discuss the deadliest tropical cyclone of all time, and the genocide that happened because of it. 00:01:57 Introduction 00:12:48 Disaster 00:25:52 Background 00:58:08 Recovery 01:22:11 Election 1970 01:22:44 Manpura 01:41:18 Operation Searchlight 01:50:01 War 02:41:41 Conclusion Expansion Empoderando a Inmigrantes Sources - Our Instagram - Our Patreon
014. El Niño Costero (2017) 26.02.2025 2:38:54
Cat and Josiah discuss the El Niño costero of 2017. Our Instagram • Our Patreon • Photos & Sources
013. The San Francisco Earthquake (1906) 27.01.2025 2:06:30
Paul & Josiah discuss the San Franciso Earthquake of 1906. Patreon: https://patreon.com/thedisasterresponsepodcast Instagram: @thedisasterresponse Sources: https://thedisasterresponse.com/2025/01/27/013-the-san-francisco-earthquake-1906/
012. The Polar Vortex (2014) 16.12.2024 1:36:39
Josiah & Paul spend a snowy winter holiday discussing a snowy winter disaster. This will be the last episode of 2024. Thank you so much for listening and supporting our podcast! Next year, we’re moving to a monthly schedule instead of semi-weekly. Patreon: https://patreon.com/thedisasterresponsepodcast Instagram: @thedisasterresponse Sources: https://thedisasterresponse.com/2024/12/16/012-the...
011. The Great Johnstown Flood (1889) 04.12.2024 2:24:11
Paul, Josiah and a surprise special guest discuss the Johnstown flood of 1889. Images Referenced: Image 1: Title “Johnstown Flood” at https://digital.library.pitt.edu/islandora/object/pitt%3A000579.PIC Image 2: Captioned “House ripped from its foundation by the flood in Johnstown, with a tree trunk sticking out of a window. (Credit: Bettmann/Getty Images)” at https://www.history.com/news/how-ameri...
010. Hurricane Harvey (2017) 18.11.2024 2:28:03
Paul & Josiah talk about the first of 2017's hurricane trifecta. Texas gets record breaking rain, chemicals combust, and Trump issues a pardon. Also, baseball happens. Our Patreon: https://patreon.com/thedisasterresponsepodcast We're on Instagram @thedisasterresponse Photo 1: https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2017/08/28/gettyimages-839916710_wide-9b92a19465db27d8974b7928e5ebc82745d2513f.jpg?s=1...
009. The Haiti Earthquake (2010), Part 2 06.11.2024 1:10:29
Paul & Josiah wrap up discussion of one of the most impactful earthquakes in history. Our Patreon: https://patreon.com/thedisasterresponsepodcast We're on Instagram @thedisasterresponse Episode 009 sources: https://thedisasterresponse.com/2024/11/06/episode-009-the-haiti-earthquake-2010-part-2/
009. The Haiti Earthquake (2010), Part 1 04.11.2024 1:51:57
Paul & Josiah discuss a very short event with a very long impact. Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thedisasterresponsepodcast We're on Instagram @thedisasterresponse Episode 009 sources: https://thedisasterresponse.com/2024/11/04/episode-009-the-haiti-earthquake-2010-part-1/ Episode 007 follow-up: https://amp.theguardian.com/culture/2016/jun/21/17th-century-fire-engine-restored-for-gr...
008. The Tri-State Tornado (1925) 21.10.2024 2:02:38
If you feel it, chase it! Paul & Josiah aren't in Kansas anymore; instead, they're chasing the USA's deadliest tornado across Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana. NVOAD: https://www.nvoad.org/ Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thedisasterresponsepodcast We're on Instagram @thedisasterresponse Episode 008 sources: https://thedisasterresponse.com/2024/10/21/008-the-tri-state-tornado-1925/ Episode...
007. The Great Fire of London (1666) 07.10.2024 2:17:22
Paul & Josiah hop across the pond to discuss an apocalyptic nightmare with a shockingly low death toll. To donate or assist in Hurricane Helene recovery, go to www.nvoad.org Episode 007 sources: https://thedisasterresponse.com/2024/10/07/007-the-great-fire-of-london-1666/ Episode 006 follow-up: https://thedisasterresponse.com/2024/10/10/episode-006-follow-up-notes/
006. Mt. St. Helens (1980) 23.09.2024 1:48:57
Paul & Josiah discuss the most famous volcanic eruption of the modern era. Spirit Lake Outflow Project: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/giffordpinchot/landmanagement/?cid=fseprd488792 Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thedisasterresponsepodcast We're on Instagram @thedisasterresponse Episode 006 sources & eruption pictures: https://thedisasterresponse.com/2024/09/23/006-mt-st-helen...
005. Hurricane Dorian (2019) 09.09.2024 1:58:24
Paul & Josiah discuss their first hurricane. National Hurricane Center homepage: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/index.shtml Our Patreon: https://patreon.com/thedisasterresponsepodcast We're on Instagram @thedisasterresponse Episode 005 sources: https://thedisasterresponse.com/2024/09/09/005-hurricane-dorian-2019/ Episode 004 follow-up: https://thedisasterresponse.com/2024/09/09/episode-004-follo...
004. The Camp Fire (2018) 26.08.2024 1:58:28
Paul & Josiah enter the 21st century by discussing a devastating California wildfire. Frank's book: https://www.gameoverbooks.com/store/p/dont-thank-god-thank-the-crash-test-dummies-that-came-before-you Go-bags: http://ready.com/kit https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-gear-for-your-bug-out-bag/ Additional preparedness resources: https://readyforwildfire.org/prepare-for-wildfire...
003. FEMA 12.08.2024 1:37:20
Paul & Josiah lay a foundation for the future by discussing FEMA, the U.S Federal Emergency Management Agency. Also, Josiah's new microphone doesn't work. Sources: https://thedisasterresponse.com/2024/08/12/003-fema/
002. Pompeii: The Eruption of Mt. Vesuvius (79) 29.07.2024 1:51:46
Paul & Josiah discuss one of the most famous disasters ever. Also, Paul sings. Sources: https://thedisasterresponse.com/2024/08/12/002-pompeii-the-eruption-of-mt-vesuvius-79/
001. The Great Mississippi River Flood (1927) 15.07.2024 1:48:42
Paul & Josiah discuss one of the most devastating disasters in U.S. history. The podcast finds it feet. Josiah's dad's podcast: https://pausepurposepossibility.podbean.com Referenced song: Lonnie Johnson - Broken Levee Blues https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nB2JdpInIiE Sources: https://thedisasterresponse.com/2024/08/12/001-the-great-mississippi-river-flood-1927/
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