PODCAST · society
Disaster Tough Podcast
by The Readiness Lab
The Disaster Tough Podcast is for emergency managers, by emergency managers. We share stories, lessons learned, and tips to help you make informed decisions. Our host, John Scardena is a former Federal Emergency Response Official with Type 1 response experience. He now leads Doberman Emergency Management, from which this is being recorded. Our guests are also field experts who provide their insights in our conversation based podcast. Discussions with emergency managers revolve around the entire disaster life-cycle. We provide solutions based on training and backed by data. We share experiences of emergency response and identify the lessons learned through our own version of after action reporting. This is conversation mode activated. We are known for flipping from serious to humor without warning. Try to keep up in our weekly podcasts! About Doberman Emergency Management. We provide customized plans, mitigates hazards, delivers training, and supplies emergency products to me
Episodes
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As I Exit... The Bridge Builder, New Beginnings, and Gratitude
Thank you for everyone who supports the journey, we are about a great work!
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5 Executive Problem Solving Skills For Emergency Managers
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...
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2026 FIFA World Cup Final Prep
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...
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Drew Downing: Choosing the Right Hard, Gratitude & Building Trust
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…
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Erin Scardena: Business Partner, Designer and Emergency “Momager”
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,...
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So What? Now What? Change & Big News at FEMA
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...
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Major General Kelly, US Army Corps of Engineers- Leadership, Resilience, and National Readiness
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...
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Stop Guessing. Start Forecasting.
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,...
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War in Iran: Using ASCOPE, the Planning P, and Three-Block War to Navigate Complex Disasters
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...
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Overcoming Pushback: A Guide To Motivation
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...
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Minneapolis, Snowstorms, and ICE: A Nation on Edge
Looking for more content www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links In this episode, we take listeners to the eye of two converging storms shaping national headlines: a major winter snowstorm sweeping across the United States and a political crisis unfolding in Minneapolis around federal immigration...
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January 10, 2020: Leadership, Resilience, and Building a Mission-Driven Life | John Scardena
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...
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What Did the Verizon Outage Remind Us About Emergency Services? | Thursday Thoughts with John
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...
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Travis Kaufman | Drone, Medics, & Training in Ukraine
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...
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The Gratitude Sandwich - 2025 Leadership Lessons For 2026
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...
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John Badger | Grounded Boots Relief
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…
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George Siegal | Film Producer | Built To Last: Buyer Beware
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...
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Lt. Gen. Jody J. Daniels | Former Chief & Commanding General | U.S. Army Reserve Command
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...
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Building The Disaster Tough Podcast
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…
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Stephanie DeLorenzo | Author | Navigating The Chaos
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…
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Dr. Chris Ellis | Author of Resilient Citizens
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...
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Lauren Taylor | Dispatcher | Oct 1 2017 Las Vegas Active Shooter Incident
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...
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Andrew Donawa | Pasco County Sheriffs Office
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...
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Moose Mutlow | Yosemite SAR Expert & Author
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…
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Juliette Murphy | FloodMapp
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…
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Part 3: Church Security | Jim Balthazar | Security & Law Enforcement Expert
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...
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Part 2: Charlie Kirk, Schools, & Mitigation | Jim Balthazar | Security & Law Enforcement Expert
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...
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Part 1: Leadership In The Field | Jim Balthazar | Security & Law Enforcement Expert
Looking for more DTP Content? Check us our here: www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links In Part 1 of this three-part series, host John Scardena talks with Jim Balthazar, a seasoned law enforcement and emergency management professional, about the realities of leadership in the field.Jim shares insights...
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Joel Wish & Pete Gaynor | Bright Harbor
Looking for more DTP content? Check us out at www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links 🎙️ Disaster Tough Podcast – Joel Welsh & Pete Gaynor | Bright Harbor In this episode of the Disaster Tough Podcast, host John Scardena talks with Joel Welsh, founder of Bright Harbor, and Pete Gaynor, former FEMA...
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Erik Kramer | National Center For Urban Operations
Looking for more DTP content? Check us out here: https://www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links In this episode of the Disaster Tough Podcast, host John Scardena interviews Erik Kramer, a 26-year U.S. Army Special Forces veteran, tech innovator, and senior leader with the National Center for Urban...
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Cameron Hamilton | Former Acting FEMA Administrator
Looking for more DTP content? Check us out here: https://www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links On May 7, Cameron Hamilton testified before Congress that abolishing FEMA would put Americans at risk. Hours later, his access was revoked, and he was effectively fired by the Trump Administration. In this...
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Gwyn Winfield & Zoe Rutherford | CBRNe World
Episode Summary: In this episode of Disaster Tough, host John Scardena sits down with Gwyn Winfield and Zoe Rutherford from CBRNe World for a deep dive into the evolving landscape of CBRN threats—chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives—and how they intersect with hazmat...
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Major General Jason Kelly | US Army Corps of Engineers - Celebrating 250 Years!
Listen, Watch, & Support DTP: www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links Boost the signal with a $5 monthly donation! Become a TRL Insider Member with a ton of extra content! -------------- "We solve complex problems, and we help people." This mantra has embodied the work of the US Army Corps of Engineers...
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Bill Gregory & Michael Schmidt | Founder/CEO & Director of Operations | RSET
Listen, Watch, & Support DTP: www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links Boost the signal with a $5 monthly donation! Become a TRL Insider Member with a ton of extra content! -------------- Revolutionizing Emergency Response with RSET’s 3D Digital TwinsEmergency response starts with understanding the…
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Andre Mackey | Chair of the Specific Environments Panel | NATO
Listen, Watch, & Support DTP: www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links Boost the signal with a $5 monthly donation! Become a TRL Insider Member with a ton of extra content! -------------- This week on the Disaster Tough Podcast, we’re joined by Andre Mackey, Chair of NATO’s Specific Environments Panel...
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Pete Gaynor | Vice President - Hill International, Inc. | Former FEMA Administrator
Listen, Watch, & Support DTP: www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links Boost the signal with a $5 monthly donation! Become a TRL Insider Member with a ton of extra content! -------------- The more you worry about the future, the less you enjoy the present.” Many working for federal agencies, such as…
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Emergency Management: Unfiltered Thoughts from the Field
In this episode of the Disaster Tough Podcast, host John Scardena shares candid reflections on the state of emergency management and calls for actionable solutions, not just commentary. Fresh from a deployment, John goes live and speaks directly to professionals facing job loss, early retirement,...
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Is The World On Fire?
In this episode of the Disaster Tough Podcast, John catches up with the audience after his first break in six years. He breaks down the state of emergency management (EM), FEMA reform, and the urgent need for data-driven decision-making and brand standards. With growing concerns about the future…
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Director Travis Kaufman | DMSc, APA-C | Colorado Academy of PAs | Former White House Medical Officer
Listen, Watch, & Support DTP: www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links Boost the signal with a $5 monthly donation! Become a TRL Insider Member with a ton of extra content! #emergencymanagement #disastertough #leadership #emergencyservices -------------- One day after Inauguration Day in the United...
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JT White & Susanna Pho | Co-Founders, Forerunner
Listen, Watch, & Support DTP: www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links Boost the signal with a $5 monthly donation! Become a TRL Insider Member with a ton of extra content! #emergencymanagement #disastertough #leadership #emergencyservices -------------- Creating resilient communities is the goal of...
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Krista Haugen | MN, RN, CMTE | National Director of Patient Safety | Global Medical Response
Listen, Watch, & Support DTP: www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links Boost the signal with a $5 monthly donation! Become a TRL Insider Member with a ton of extra content! #emergencymanagement #disastertough #leadership #emergencyservices -------------- Learning from experience and dealing with...
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The Double-edged Sword of Sacrifice
Listen, Watch, & Support DTP: www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links Boost the signal with a $5 monthly donation! Become a TRL Insider Member with a ton of extra content! #emergencymanagement #disastertough #leadership #emergencyservices -------------- Host John Scardena shares personal insights into...
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Director John Scrivani, Office of Safety, Security & Emergency Management | Virginia Department of Transportation
Listen, Watch, & Support DTP: www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links Boost the signal with a $5 monthly donation! Become a TRL Insider Member with a ton of extra content! #emergencymanagement #disastertough #leadership #emergencyservices -------------- Good leaders usually allow do so alongside or…
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Author & OEM Director Lori Hodges | Larimer County, Colorado
Listen, Watch, & Support DTP: www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links Boost the signal with a $5 monthly donation! Become a TRL Insider Member with a ton of extra content! #emergencymanagement #disastertough #leadership #emergencyservices -------------- Thinking ahead, talking through difficult...
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Tim Page-Bottorf MS, CSP, CIT | Safety, Health & Environmental Expert
Listen, Watch, & Support DTP: www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links Boost the signal with a $5 monthly donation! Become a TRL Insider Member with a ton of extra content! #emergencymanagement #disastertough #leadership #emergencyservices -------------- At this time of year, when we express gratitude…
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Jeremy R. Urekew, WP-C, TP-C, HTM | Hoist Rescue Paramedic | Emergency Manager
Listen, Watch, & Support DTP: www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links Boost the signal with a $5 monthly donation! Become a TRL Insider Member with a ton of extra content! #emergencymanagement #disastertough #leadership #emergencyservices ------------- Frontline experience, training, and subject matter...
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Author & Former Green Beret Herb Thompson | Principal Program Manager of Veterans Services at ServiceNow
Listen, Watch, & Support DTP: www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links Boost the signal with a $5 monthly donation! Become a TRL Insider Member with a ton of extra content! #emergencymanagement #disastertough #leadership #emergencyservices ------------- It's no secret the transition from military…
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Emergency Manager Ashley Ahlquist | Yavapai County Office of Emergency Management
Listen, Watch, & Support DTP: www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links Boost the signal with a $5 monthly donation! Become a TRL Insider Member with a ton of extra content! #emergencymanagement #disastertough #leadership #emergencyservices ------------- When describing your county's Emergency Management...
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Emergency Manager & City Councilmember Brenden Winder | Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand
Listen, Watch, & Support DTP: www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links Boost theSignal with a $5 monthly donation! Become a TRL Insider Member with a ton of extra content! #emergencymanagement #disastertough #leadership #emergencyservices ------------- According to a 2017 article in Forbes magazine, "A...
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Meteorologist John Honoré | Texas Division of Emergency Management
Listen, Watch, & Support DTP: www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-links Boost the Signal with a $5 monthly donation! Become a TRL Insider Member with a ton of extra content! #emergencymanagement #disastertough #leadership #emergencyservices ------------- "Don't mess with Texas" has been a popular slogan...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The Disaster Tough Podcast is for emergency managers, by emergency managers. We share stories, lessons learned, and tips to help you make informed decisions. Our host, John Scardena is a former Federal Emergency Response Official with Type 1 response experience. He now leads Doberman Emergency Management, from which this is being recorded. Our guests are also field experts who provide their insights in our conversation based podcast. Discussions with emergency managers revolve around the entire disaster life-cycle. We provide solutions based on training and backed by data. We share experiences of emergency response and identify the lessons learned through our own version of after action reporting. This is conversation mode activated. We are known for flipping from serious to humor without warning. Try to keep up in our weekly podcasts! About Doberman Emergency Management. We provide customized plans, mitigates hazards, delivers training, and supplies emergency products to me
HOSTED BY
The Readiness Lab
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Disaster Tough Podcast have?
Disaster Tough Podcast currently has 252 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Disaster Tough Podcast about?
The Disaster Tough Podcast is for emergency managers, by emergency managers. We share stories, lessons learned, and tips to help you make informed decisions. Our host, John Scardena is a former Federal Emergency Response Official with Type 1 response experience. He now leads Doberman Emergency...
How often does Disaster Tough Podcast release new episodes?
Disaster Tough Podcast publishes regularly with 252 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Disaster Tough Podcast?
You can listen to Disaster Tough Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Disaster Tough Podcast?
Disaster Tough Podcast is created and hosted by The Readiness Lab.
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