Katrina Stories

Despite all New Orlean's problems, we have awesome people.  It's the community of people that makes us stay.  It's what sucks outsiders in and it's what people miss when they leave.  We are resourceful, creative, beautiful, tough, loving, and we know how to have a good time.  Today we hear from Shana, Vuong, Junior, Emma Hao, and Carol.  Their voices speak to what it means to belong, to hold on to culture, to create, and to care for one another when everything else is uncertain. Katrina Stories is a documentary podcast built from first-person accounts recorded after Hurricane Katrina as part Mondo Bizarro's I-10 Witness Project. Each episode weaves together voices that reveal the human impact of the storm—stories of loss, resilience, anger and hope. The series preserves these testimonies as living history, offering listeners an intimate connection to the people and places forever changed by the disaster.   For more information about Mondo Bizarro visit www.mondobizarro.org. If you are inclined to financially support this show and other programs of Mondo Bizarro you can make a one-time or recurring donation here.   Our theme music was composed by Peter Bowling.

Today, we hear from Venice, Arnold, Rose, Joe & Lucien—five people whose stories remind us just how humbling nature can be. As a species, we've harnessed science, built remarkable technologies, and solved problems that once seemed insurmountable. But these stories ask us to consider: what happens when all that meets a force beyond our control? At some point, we're reminded—we're not above nature. We're part of it. Katrina Stories is a documentary podcast built from first-person accounts recorded after Hurricane Katrina as part Mondo Bizarro's I-10 Witness Project. Each episode weaves together voices that reveal the human impact of the storm—stories of loss, resilience, anger and hope. The series preserves these testimonies as living history, offering listeners an intimate connection to the people and places forever changed by the disaster.   For more information about Mondo Bizarro visit www.mondobizarro.org. If you are inclined to financially support this show and other programs of Mondo Bizarro you can make a one-time or recurring donation here.   Our theme music was composed by Peter Bowling.

In a previous introduction we told you about how we teamed with organizations like VAYLA to document their membership's experiences.  Another group we spent a lot of time with were teachers and staff at George Cox Elementary in Gretna and that's especially thanks to the generosity of their principal Dr. Scott Steckler.  Today you'll hear Linda, Sheryl, Sara and Meg discuss what school was like in the aftermath of Katrina when the population was in flux and schools were limited.   Katrina Stories is a documentary podcast built from first-person accounts recorded after Hurricane Katrina as part Mondo Bizarro's I-10 Witness Project. Each episode weaves together voices that reveal the human impact of the storm—stories of loss, resilience, anger and hope. The series preserves these testimonies as living history, offering listeners an intimate connection to the people and places forever changed by the disaster.   For more information about Mondo Bizarro visit www.mondobizarro.org. If you are inclined to financially support this show and other programs of Mondo Bizarro you can make a one-time or recurring donation here.   Our theme music was composed by Peter Bowling.

After the storm, the challenge wasn't just returning home.  It was being able to afford to stay.  A problem that persists to this day.  Rising rents, lost jobs, and changing neighborhoods reshaped the lives of so many New Orleanians. In today's episode, we hear from Catherine, Dennis, Norma, Joshua and Sondra as they describe the weight of gentrification and the high cost of living in a city still trying to rebuild. Katrina Stories is a documentary podcast built from first-person accounts recorded after Hurricane Katrina as part Mondo Bizarro's I-10 Witness Project. Each episode weaves together voices that reveal the human impact of the storm—stories of loss, resilience, anger and hope. The series preserves these testimonies as living history, offering listeners an intimate connection to the people and places forever changed by the disaster.   For more information about Mondo Bizarro visit www.mondobizarro.org. If you are inclined to financially support this show and other programs of Mondo Bizarro you can make a one-time or recurring donation here.   Our theme music was composed by Peter Bowling.

Our two interviewees today describe issues with insurance companies and government bureacracies.  Let's put it like this - if the recovery from Katrina was a stool it would have three legs:  the community, the government, and insurance companies…and that stool would wobble every time you sat on it. Katrina Stories is a documentary podcast built from first-person accounts recorded after Hurricane Katrina as part Mondo Bizarro's I-10 Witness Project. Each episode weaves together voices that reveal the human impact of the storm—stories of loss, resilience, anger and hope. The series preserves these testimonies as living history, offering listeners an intimate connection to the people and places forever changed by the disaster.   For more information about Mondo Bizarro visit www.mondobizarro.org. If you are inclined to financially support this show and other programs of Mondo Bizarro you can make a one-time or recurring donation here.   Our theme music was composed by Peter Bowling.

This is part 2 of our 2 part series on Rebuilding.  As the city pulled itself out of the floodwaters, the question quickly shifted from "Can we go back?" to "How do we move forward?"  Today's voices, Dawn, Debra, Dee, and Marshall, remind us that rebuilding was about more than homes. It was about restarting an economy, restoring dignity, and proving New Orleans could come back. Katrina Stories is a documentary podcast built from first-person accounts recorded after Hurricane Katrina as part Mondo Bizarro's I-10 Witness Project. Each episode weaves together voices that reveal the human impact of the storm—stories of loss, resilience, anger and hope. The series preserves these testimonies as living history, offering listeners an intimate connection to the people and places forever changed by the disaster.   For more information about Mondo Bizarro visit www.mondobizarro.org. If you are inclined to financially support this show and other programs of Mondo Bizarro you can make a one-time or recurring donation here.   Our theme music was composed by Peter Bowling.

In the aftermath of the storm, rebuilding wasn't just about bricks, wood, and drywall. It was about piecing together lives, neighborhoods, and a sense of home.  In this episode, you'll hear from Janet, Hung, Conard, and Mabel as they describe what it meant to start again, sometimes with frustration, sometimes with grit, but always with the hope of holding the community together. Katrina Stories is a documentary podcast built from first-person accounts recorded after Hurricane Katrina as part Mondo Bizarro's I-10 Witness Project. Each episode weaves together voices that reveal the human impact of the storm—stories of loss, resilience, anger and hope. The series preserves these testimonies as living history, offering listeners an intimate connection to the people and places forever changed by the disaster.   For more information about Mondo Bizarro visit www.mondobizarro.org. If you are inclined to financially support this show and other programs of Mondo Bizarro you can make a one-time or recurring donation here.   Our theme music was composed by Peter Bowling.

Today you're going to hear from two people we met through VAYLA: the Vietnamese American Young Leaders Association.  This group started in the wake of Katrina as officials were skating around environmental laws and concerns about where to dispose of the thousands of tons of debris the city was accumulating.  The trash was a toxic stew and New Orleans chose a site in New Orleans East as it's dumping ground.  Concerned about the effect on the community and the local environment a group of young people organized to make their voices heard.  Today we have Truong-An and John to tell us more. Katrina Stories is a documentary podcast built from first-person accounts recorded after Hurricane Katrina as part Mondo Bizarro's I-10 Witness Project. Each episode weaves together voices that reveal the human impact of the storm—stories of loss, resilience, anger and hope. The series preserves these testimonies as living history, offering listeners an intimate connection to the people and places forever changed by the disaster.   For more information about Mondo Bizarro visit www.mondobizarro.org. If you are inclined to financially support this show and other programs of Mondo Bizarro you can make a one-time or recurring donation here.   Our theme music was composed by Peter Bowling.

Approximately 1,833 people died in Hurricane Katrina.  986 of those deaths happened in New Orleans.  Today we have two stories for you and these two will be enough.  Both of our interviewees, Melvin and Lance, had first-hand experience in dealing with people who died in the storm.  We want to give a fair warning to you that what you're going to hear is heartbreaking and had a profound effect on the storytellers so you should proceed with caution and decide if you're in the right state of mind to hear about these experiences.  Katrina Stories is a documentary podcast built from first-person accounts recorded after Hurricane Katrina as part Mondo Bizarro's I-10 Witness Project. Each episode weaves together voices that reveal the human impact of the storm—stories of loss, resilience, anger and hope. The series preserves these testimonies as living history, offering listeners an intimate connection to the people and places forever changed by the disaster.   For more information about Mondo Bizarro visit www.mondobizarro.org. If you are inclined to financially support this show and other programs of Mondo Bizarro you can make a one-time or recurring donation here.   Our theme music was composed by Peter Bowling.

Today's four interviewees, Cheryl, Lakeisha, John and Haley, all talk about the role of the media in shaping our perceptions of what happened during Katrina.  Some voice their frustration with obvious mistakes by journalists, others describe a disconnect between what they knew to be true vs what they saw on television, and one journalist describes how his work helped him process what was happening to his city.  As promised, here is a link to Mondo Bizarro's performance entitled Just the Facts, a satirical take on the media post-Katrina, performed at the Ashe Cultural Arts Center.  If this episode frustrates you, this video may take the edge off. Katrina Stories is a documentary podcast built from first-person accounts recorded after Hurricane Katrina as part Mondo Bizarro's I-10 Witness Project. Each episode weaves together voices that reveal the human impact of the storm—stories of loss, resilience, anger and hope. The series preserves these testimonies as living history, offering listeners an intimate connection to the people and places forever changed by the disaster.   For more information about Mondo Bizarro visit www.mondobizarro.org. If you are inclined to financially support this show and other programs of Mondo Bizarro you can make a one-time or recurring donation here.   Our theme music was composed by Peter Bowling.

Today our interviewees are going to vent.  No matter where you fell on the political spectrum in 2005, you were disappointed in every level of your government.  These three Katrina survivors, Corey, Jay and Frances, describe what they saw as the failings of local and federal government officials and agencies.  While we, and that includes you the listener, may not agree with all the views expressed here, we're sure you will be able to understand the interviewees' feelings of frustration. Katrina Stories is a documentary podcast built from first-person accounts recorded after Hurricane Katrina as part Mondo Bizarro's I-10 Witness Project. Each episode weaves together voices that reveal the human impact of the storm—stories of loss, resilience, anger and hope. The series preserves these testimonies as living history, offering listeners an intimate connection to the people and places forever changed by the disaster.   For more information about Mondo Bizarro visit www.mondobizarro.org. If you are inclined to financially support this show and other programs of Mondo Bizarro you can make a one-time or recurring donation here.   Our theme music was composed by Peter Bowling.

This is the second half of our stories about being in a new town as a high school student; a challenge that only multiplied the stress of the hurricane.  Some students found their way while some faced hostilities from their new classmates.  Let's hear what happened to Christopher, Ryan, Steven and Aarion. Katrina Stories is a documentary podcast built from first-person accounts recorded after Hurricane Katrina as part Mondo Bizarro's I-10 Witness Project. Each episode weaves together voices that reveal the human impact of the storm—stories of loss, resilience, anger and hope. The series preserves these testimonies as living history, offering listeners an intimate connection to the people and places forever changed by the disaster.   For more information about Mondo Bizarro visit www.mondobizarro.org. If you are inclined to financially support this show and other programs of Mondo Bizarro you can make a one-time or recurring donation here.   Our theme music was composed by Peter Bowling.

This is Part 1 of 2 where we listen to reflections from high school students.  No one was allowed back into the city for at least a month after hurricane Katrina.  It took many more months to get schools up and running, which forced students to enroll in new schools in unfamiliar towns.  Most students were met with some level of tension and difficulty in making this transition.  In this episode, Patti, Sylvester and Derrick, Justine and Jimmy tell us about the hardships they faced in making this transition to new environments. Katrina Stories is a documentary podcast built from first-person accounts recorded after Hurricane Katrina as part Mondo Bizarro's I-10 Witness Project. Each episode weaves together voices that reveal the human impact of the storm—stories of loss, resilience, anger and hope. The series preserves these testimonies as living history, offering listeners an intimate connection to the people and places forever changed by the disaster.   For more information about Mondo Bizarro visit www.mondobizarro.org. If you are inclined to financially support this show and other programs of Mondo Bizarro you can make a one-time or recurring donation here.   Our theme music was composed by Peter Bowling.

In this episode, five people share stories that pull back the curtain on the state of healthcare in New Orleans during and after the storm. Angel, Renee, Willie, and Wayne each recount what it was like inside local hospitals—scenes marked by confusion, desperation, and a system buckling under pressure. Then there's Jairo, whose words shift us toward the future, raising urgent questions about Charity Hospital and the fate of care for the city's poor. Katrina Stories is a documentary podcast built from first-person accounts recorded after Hurricane Katrina as part Mondo Bizarro's I-10 Witness Project. Each episode weaves together voices that reveal the human impact of the storm—stories of loss, resilience, anger and hope. The series preserves these testimonies as living history, offering listeners an intimate connection to the people and places forever changed by the disaster.   For more information about Mondo Bizarro visit www.mondobizarro.org. If you are inclined to financially support this show and other programs of Mondo Bizarro you can make a one-time or recurring donation here.   Our theme music was composed by Peter Bowling.

One significant positive outcome was the amount of grassroots organizing that took place.  Whether it was for providing relief services or building coalitions to advocate for one's community -- a lot of new connections were made and a lot of new organizations were formed.  Let's listen to Minh, Robert, Bill, John, and Jaqueline tell us about their experiences doing just that. One organization that is represented in this episode and whose members show up in various episodes of Katrina Stories is VAYLA.  They are still active today continuing their mission to incubate AAPI leaders for a more just tomorrow. Katrina Stories is a documentary podcast built from first-person accounts recorded after Hurricane Katrina as part Mondo Bizarro's I-10 Witness Project. Each episode weaves together voices that reveal the human impact of the storm—stories of loss, resilience, anger and hope. The series preserves these testimonies as living history, offering listeners an intimate connection to the people and places forever changed by the disaster.   For more information about Mondo Bizarro visit www.mondobizarro.org. If you are inclined to financially support this show and other programs of Mondo Bizarro you can make a one-time or recurring donation here.   Our theme music was composed by Peter Bowling.

If you live in New Orleans you know we've got problems and unfortunately they're nothing new.  Today's four interviewees, Yvonee, Jeffrey, Jennifer and Daniel lament and vent about the broken systems New Orleans faced before the storm that were only exacerbated with Katrina's landfall as well as discuss new issues that sprang up in the efforts to help the city.  As always, we appreciate you spreading the word about this podcast.  We don't have a giant marketing budget to spread the word across the country.  We've got you.  Please hit the like and subscribe button on your podcast app, consider leaving us a review, and spread the word on social media.  Katrina Stories is a documentary podcast built from first-person accounts recorded after Hurricane Katrina as part Mondo Bizarro's I-10 Witness Project. Each episode weaves together voices that reveal the human impact of the storm—stories of loss, resilience, anger and hope. The series preserves these testimonies as living history, offering listeners an intimate connection to the people and places forever changed by the disaster.   For more information about Mondo Bizarro visit www.mondobizarro.org. If you are inclined to financially support this show and other programs of Mondo Bizarro you can make a one-time or recurring donation here.   Our theme music was composed by Peter Bowling.

This episode is gonna hurt because it's about people returning to the remnants of their homes after the storm.  These three interviewees: Cassandra, Alexandria, and Mikey, experienced anywhere from massive damage to total loss of their homes and their family's homes.  Katrina Stories is a documentary podcast built from first-person accounts recorded after Hurricane Katrina as part Mondo Bizarro's I-10 Witness Project. Each episode weaves together voices that reveal the human impact of the storm—stories of loss, resilience, anger and hope. The series preserves these testimonies as living history, offering listeners an intimate connection to the people and places forever changed by the disaster.   For more information about Mondo Bizarro visit www.mondobizarro.org. If you are inclined to financially support this show and other programs of Mondo Bizarro you can make a one-time or recurring donation here.   Our theme music was composed by Peter Bowling.

With New Orleans and surrounding areas being completely devastated, every resident who sought refuge in a new town had to contemplate the question, "If I can go home, should I?"  The four interviewees today, Leo, Jason, Duc and Jaqueline all decided to return.  Their love for the city, their vision for its potential rebirth and their bond to their community is some of the magic that Katrina couldn't wash away.  Whether you moved back to New Orleans, decided to move away, or you just enjoy visiting, you're listening to this podcast because you also love New Orleans.  We'd love to hear from you.  Send us an email at [email protected].  We'd love to hear your perspective looking back 20 years on Katrina and your thoughts on this podcast.   Katrina Stories is a documentary podcast built from first-person accounts recorded after Hurricane Katrina as part Mondo Bizarro's I-10 Witness Project. Each episode weaves together voices that reveal the human impact of the storm—stories of loss, resilience, anger and hope. The series preserves these testimonies as living history, offering listeners an intimate connection to the people and places forever changed by the disaster.   For more information about Mondo Bizarro visit www.mondobizarro.org. If you are inclined to financially support this show and other programs of Mondo Bizarro you can make a one-time or recurring donation here.   Our theme music was composed by Peter Bowling.

The throughline of today's stories is racism.  Our interviewees today, Danita, Scott and Laurie, give some thoughtful insights into how and why New Orleanians were treated the way we were in the media and in person.  We finish this episode with a poem written and read by our friend Valentine Pierce entitled Reluctant Immigrants that addresses the perceptions people hold about people from New Orleans.  It's a poem filled with anger and pride that will remind you that Katrina didn't happen in some far away exotic land loaded with wild, uncivilized heathens, rather it happened in an American city filled with hard working, tax paying human beings who got a raw deal.  Katrina Stories is a documentary podcast built from first-person accounts recorded after Hurricane Katrina as part Mondo Bizarro's I-10 Witness Project. Each episode weaves together voices that reveal the human impact of the storm—stories of loss, resilience, anger and hope. The series preserves these testimonies as living history, offering listeners an intimate connection to the people and places forever changed by the disaster.   For more information about Mondo Bizarro visit www.mondobizarro.org. If you are inclined to financially support this show and other programs of Mondo Bizarro you can make a one-time or recurring donation here.   Our theme music was composed by Peter Bowling.

This episode is about connections — the kind you don't expect to find and the kind you need to make it in tough times.  Amid the destruction and chaos that followed Katrina, moments of generosity stood out.  In this episode, Alta, Rob and Desmond share stories of the kindness of strangers, the bond we feel to our community, and how we can come together despite perceived differences.  Their stories and perspectives remind us how in times of crisis we need one another. Katrina Stories is a documentary podcast built from first-person accounts recorded after Hurricane Katrina as part Mondo Bizarro's I-10 Witness Project. Each episode weaves together voices that reveal the human impact of the storm—stories of loss, resilience, anger and hope. The series preserves these testimonies as living history, offering listeners an intimate connection to the people and places forever changed by the disaster.   For more information about Mondo Bizarro visit www.mondobizarro.org. If you are inclined to financially support this show and other programs of Mondo Bizarro you can make a one-time or recurring donation here.   Our theme music was composed by Peter Bowling.

Like many areas of the city, Xavier University of Louisiana was hit hard by the storm.  In this episode three people including two students, Jamari, Ryan, and Kerwin, recount their experiences staying on campus for six days surrounded by flood waters, looking for food, being rescued by boat, and the feelings of homesickness and frustration they felt while having to attend Howard University in Washington D.C. Katrina Stories is a documentary podcast built from first-person accounts recorded after Hurricane Katrina as part Mondo Bizarro's I-10 Witness Project. Each episode weaves together voices that reveal the human impact of the storm—stories of loss, resilience, anger and hope. The series preserves these testimonies as living history, offering listeners an intimate connection to the people and places forever changed by the disaster.   For more information about Mondo Bizarro visit www.mondobizarro.org. If you are inclined to financially support this show and other programs of Mondo Bizarro you can make a one-time or recurring donation here.   Our theme music was composed by Peter Bowling.

This is part 2 of 2 of our interviews focusing on the police and National Guard.  Our first two interviewees, Sam and Larry, recount their interactions and perspectives on NOPD and the National Guard, while our third, Matthew, was an actual National Guardsman at the time of the interview who told us about some of the similarities and differences between being deployed overseas and being deployed at home.  Katrina Stories is a documentary podcast built from first-person accounts recorded after Hurricane Katrina as part Mondo Bizarro's I-10 Witness Project. Each episode weaves together voices that reveal the human impact of the storm—stories of loss, resilience, anger and hope. The series preserves these testimonies as living history, offering listeners an intimate connection to the people and places forever changed by the disaster.   For more information about Mondo Bizarro visit www.mondobizarro.org. If you are inclined to financially support this show and other programs of Mondo Bizarro you can make a one-time or recurring donation here.   Our theme music was composed by Peter Bowling.

This is episode one of two about the police and National Guard.  New Orleans was in chaos during the aftermath of the hurricane and for a long while was virtually a non-functioning city.  In this episode Andrea, Baruch, Scott and Noah tell us about their positive and negative interactions with those tasked with keeping order.  Katrina Stories is a documentary podcast built from first-person accounts recorded after Hurricane Katrina as part Mondo Bizarro's I-10 Witness Project. Each episode weaves together voices that reveal the human impact of the storm—stories of loss, resilience, anger and hope. The series preserves these testimonies as living history, offering listeners an intimate connection to the people and places forever changed by the disaster.   For more information about Mondo Bizarro visit www.mondobizarro.org. If you are inclined to financially support this show and other programs of Mondo Bizarro you can make a one-time or recurring donation here.   Our theme music was composed by Peter Bowling.

Today we hear from Deonta, Ismaelite, Kenya, Ngoc-Dung, Terionne, and Louise.  Each of these interviewees describe how they and loved ones made it through the immediate aftermath of the storm with flood waters rising around them. Katrina Stories is a documentary podcast built from first-person accounts recorded after Hurricane Katrina as part Mondo Bizarro's I-10 Witness Project. Each episode weaves together voices that reveal the human impact of the storm—stories of loss, resilience, anger and hope. The series preserves these testimonies as living history, offering listeners an intimate connection to the people and places forever changed by the disaster.   For more information about Mondo Bizarro visit www.mondobizarro.org. If you are inclined to financially support this show and other programs of Mondo Bizarro you can make a one-time or recurring donation here.   Our theme music was composed by Peter Bowling.

Our six storytellers today, Sharon, Francis, Kristen, Mai, Jenny and Cindy, tell us some eye opening stories about taking care of one another, especially the very young and the very old, assuming responsibility, and keeping it together when tensions are high and you're packed like sardines in a three bedroom house with 54 people.  Katrina Stories is a documentary podcast built from first-person accounts recorded after Hurricane Katrina as part Mondo Bizarro's I-10 Witness Project. Each episode weaves together voices that reveal the human impact of the storm—stories of loss, resilience, anger and hope. The series preserves these testimonies as living history, offering listeners an intimate connection to the people and places forever changed by the disaster.   For more information about Mondo Bizarro visit www.mondobizarro.org. If you are inclined to financially support this show and other programs of Mondo Bizarro you can make a one-time or recurring donation here.   Our theme music was composed by Peter Bowling.  

In this episode we talk with the founders of the I-10 Witness Project to learn how Mondo Bizarro got into the business of oral histories.  We hope this episode will provide you with some context and background on all of the stories you'll hear on this podcast.  We will return next week with more first-hand accounts from Hurricane Katrina. Katrina Stories is a documentary podcast built from first-person accounts recorded after Hurricane Katrina as part Mondo Bizarro's I-10 Witness Project. Each episode weaves together voices that reveal the human impact of the storm—stories of loss, resilience, anger and hope. The series preserves these testimonies as living history, offering listeners an intimate connection to the people and places forever changed by the disaster.   For more information about Mondo Bizarro visit www.mondobizarro.org. If you are inclined to financially support this show and other programs of Mondo Bizarro you can make a one-time or recurring donation here.   Our theme music was composed by Peter Bowling.

The Louisiana Superdome was meant to be a shelter of last resort — a place of safety during the storm. But for many who took refuge there, it became a place of terror, confusion, and turmoil. In this episode, we hear from Lanisha, Errol, Cheryl and Gloria who lived through the chaos inside the Dome.  Their stories offer a firsthand account of what it was like inside. A word of caution: while almost every episode of this podcast will come with some amount tragedy because of our subject matter, this episode contains graphic and disturbing details, including references to death and sexual assault. Listener discretion is advised. Katrina Stories is a documentary podcast built from first-person accounts recorded after Hurricane Katrina as part Mondo Bizarro's I-10 Witness Project. Each episode weaves together voices that reveal the human impact of the storm—stories of loss, resilience, anger and hope. The series preserves these testimonies as living history, offering listeners an intimate connection to the people and places forever changed by the disaster.   For more information about Mondo Bizarro visit www.mondobizarro.org. If you are inclined to financially support this show and other programs of Mondo Bizarro you can make a one-time or recurring donation here.   Our theme music was composed by Peter Bowling.

As Hurricane Katrina bore down on New Orleans, not everyone had the means or opportunity to evacuate. In this episode, we hear from Courtney, Robin, Adonica and Rose— four residents who lived through the storm in New Orleans. Courtney recalls how fast the water rose, cutting off options for escape. Abram found herself wading through flood waters along the I-10 in the heat with no food. Adonica was eventually rescued, but first she also had to face flood waters and find her mother in the Super Dome. Rose describes the scene from the interstate where she stayed for four days.  Their stories offer a glimpse into the early hours of the crisis.  Katrina Stories is a documentary podcast built from first-person accounts recorded after Hurricane Katrina as part Mondo Bizarro's I-10 Witness Project. Each episode weaves together voices that reveal the human impact of the storm—stories of loss, resilience, anger and hope. The series preserves these testimonies as living history, offering listeners an intimate connection to the people and places forever changed by the disaster.   For more information about Mondo Bizarro visit www.mondobizarro.org. If you are inclined to financially support this show and other programs of Mondo Bizarro you can make a one-time or recurring donation here.   Our theme music was composed by Peter Bowling.

There were a lot of reasons why people stayed in New Orleans for Katrina.  Some people stayed because that's what they always did for hurricanes, they even threw parties for the occasion.  Some people wanted to be on hand to help others and protect their property.  The majority of people who stayed simply didn't have a choice.  Today Christine and Ashley talk about the circumstances of many New Orleanians that rings just as true today as it did in 2005. Katrina Stories is a documentary podcast built from first-person accounts recorded after Hurricane Katrina as part Mondo Bizarro's I-10 Witness Project. Each episode weaves together voices that reveal the human impact of the storm—stories of loss, resilience, anger and hope. The series preserves these testimonies as living history, offering listeners an intimate connection to the people and places forever changed by the disaster.   For more information about Mondo Bizarro visit www.mondobizarro.org. If you are inclined to financially support this show and other programs of Mondo Bizarro you can make a one-time or recurring donation here.   Our theme music was composed by Peter Bowling.

Welcome to the first episode of Katrina Stories: Tales from the I-10 Witness Project.  Whether you evacuated before or after Hurricane Katrina, the road out of New Orleans was often just the beginning of a new set of hardships. In this episode, we hear from Verna, Ruby, Maeci, Thien-An, and Bob— each offering a different perspective on what it meant to leave. From overcrowded buses and unwelcoming shelters to the emotional toll of separation and uncertainty, their stories highlight how evacuation was not always an escape, but sometimes a journey into its own kind of crisis.  Katrina Stories is a documentary podcast built from first-person accounts recorded after Hurricane Katrina as part Mondo Bizarro's I-10 Witness Project. Each episode weaves together voices that reveal the human impact of the storm—stories of loss, resilience, anger and hope. The series preserves these testimonies as living history, offering listeners an intimate connection to the people and places forever changed by the disaster.   For more information about Mondo Bizarro visit www.mondobizarro.org. If you are inclined to financially support this show and other programs of Mondo Bizarro you can make a one-time or recurring donation here.   Our theme music was composed by Peter Bowling.

Katrina Stories is a documentary podcast built from first-person accounts recorded after Hurricane Katrina as part Mondo Bizarro's I-10 Witness Project. Each episode weaves together voices that reveal the human impact of the storm—stories of loss, resilience, anger and hope. The series preserves these testimonies as living history, offering listeners an intimate connection to the people and places forever changed by the disaster.  This episode gives you a general introduction to what you'll hear in this series.   For more information about Mondo Bizarro visit www.mondobizarro.org. If you are inclined to financially support this show and other programs of Mondo Bizarro you can make a one-time or recurring donation here.   Our theme music was composed by Peter Bowling.