The Human Side Of Emergency Management Podcast

This conversation stayed with me long after we stopped recording. Rev Dr Mark Layson CESM MAIES brings an extraordinary blend of research, chaplaincy and lived experience to the realities of moral injury, psychosocial risk and the cultural pressures carried by people in emergency roles. What unfolded between us was not just an exploration of systems and stressors, but a deeply human dialogue about...

If you’ve ever wondered what leadership feels like behind the scenes, this episode is for you. In Episode 6, I sit down with Mike DeGrosky for a powerful conversation about leading under pressure — the decisions, the emotions, the integrity, and the humanity behind it all. Mike brings rare insight and humility as we unpack what it means to show up for people when it matters most. It’s honest, thou...

In this powerful conversation, Angela opens up about the confronting reality of being a witness in a coronial investigation — a silent stressor faced by so many in emergency services after catastrophic events. Angela shares a thoughtful, deeply human perspective on what it’s like when everything feels out of your control: processing the fire and devastation, trying to reconnect with your team, you...

A grounded, generous conversation with Fabio Silva from Portugal, on leading through complexity, communicating risk with clarity, and staying human in high‑pressure environments. Episode 4 cuts through the noise and gets to the real work of communicating leadership in a changing climate.

What if the suffering we face — personally and professionally — is actually what shapes us into better leaders? In episode 3, I sit down with Dr Mark Crosweller to explore how loss, Buddhist philosophy and the realities of crisis work have influenced his approach to leadership. It is an honest, thoughtful conversation about the changing nature of life, compassion and the inner work required to lea...

In this episode, Scott Dehnisch takes us inside the human reality of working across fragile countries and high‑risk environments. From the moral weight of decision‑making to the moments that reshape a leader under pressure, Scott shares raw insights working in international emergency operations. It’s an honest, grounded conversation about courage, consequence, and what it really means to serve com...

In Episode 1, Greg Mullins AO AFSM opens up about the moments that defined him — the fires, the losses, and the truths leaders carry long after the fire is out. It’s a raw, honest conversation about courage, vulnerability, and what it takes to show up when everything is on the line.

When the pressure hits, humanity matters most — this podcast goes straight to the heart. The Human Side of Emergency Management Podcast is a raw and honest look at the people behind emergencies — the leaders, paid and volunteers, who carry the emotional weight of this work. Hosted by Australian emergency management leader Vivien Thomson, the podcast explores the courage, compassion, connection, an...