How to Disaster
Jennifer Gray Thompson
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About This Podcast
How to Disaster is a podcast for people navigating the aftermath of disaster — and for the leaders, helpers, and decision-makers working to support them.
Hosted by Jennifer Gray Thompson, CEO of After the Fire USA, the show makes disaster recovery clearer, more human, and less overwhelming. Each episode helps listeners understand what happens after the headlines fade: how recovery systems work, why decisions matter, what communities need, and how people find their way forward.
Through thoughtful conversations with survivors, practitioners, policymakers, storytellers, and community leaders, How to Disaster translates complex issues into grounded, accessible insight. Alongside Jennifer’s conversations, wildfire survivor, Kim Marshall, brings listeners closer to the lived reality of recovery through on-the-ground conversations with people impacted by disaster.
The show does not sensationalize crisis or debate climate politics. Instead, it offers clarity, context, and connection for people living through disaster and those trying to help.
If you are recovering, supporting someone who is, or trying to better understand how disaster reshapes lives and communities, this podcast is here to help you feel less alone and understand what comes next.
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Recent Episodes
8. What Disaster Leaves Behind: Brian Fies on Memory, Loss, and Recovery
In this episode of How to Disaster, Jennifer Gray Thompson speaks with cartoonist and author Brian Fies about A Fire Story, his graphic memoir about losing his home in the 2017 Tubbs Fire. Brian…
7. Wildfire Recovery: Insurance, Community, and the Path Home | Jen Goodlin and Valerie Brown
A home can be rebuilt after wildfire and still be hard to keep if insurance becomes unaffordable or unavailable. Jennifer Gray Thompson talks with Jen Goodlin of Rebuild Paradise Foundation and…
6. Ready Is the New Well: What the Data Says About Disaster, Resilience, and the Coming Culture Shift | Cecelia Girr
Cecelia Girr is Director of Cultural Strategy at Backslash, the cultural intelligence unit of Omnicom Advertising, and the author of Ready Is the New Well, a landmark report for the Global Wellness…
5. Fire Survivors Are Being Left to Figure It Out: iO Wright on Building PostFire
Jennifer Gray Thompson speaks with Eaton Fire survivor, journalist, and PostFire co-founder iO Wright about what happens when a person loses their home and is suddenly forced to navigate a recovery…
4. We Threw Away Our Political Identities. Then We Started Getting Things Done. | Joel Pollak
Joel Pollak is a journalist, opinion editor at the California Post, and a Palisades Fire survivor, devoted husband and father of four whose home survived the fire but was badly smoke-damaged, and…
3. "We've Been Fighting Fire Wrong for 100 Years" - Ralph Bloemers on What the Fire Service Can't Tell You
Ralph Bloemers is an environmental law attorney, filmmaker, and storyteller whose work has taken him from burn landscapes in eastern Oregon to the halls of Congress and the screens of PBS. He is the…
2. They Said It Wasn’t His Lane. He Built It Anyway | John Mills of Watch Duty
John Mills is the co-founder and CEO of Watch Duty, a nonprofit emergency alerting app that gives civilians real-time wildfire intelligence drawn directly from first responder radio traffic. In this…
1. Why We Relaunched How to Disaster, and What Survivors Need Most
In this relaunch episode, Jennifer Gray Thompson explains why How to Disaster is returning now and what the show is here to offer people living through disaster and recovery. She shares how After the…
029: Day 3 Closing Remarks
In this heartfelt closing session of the Wildfire Leadership Summit, Jennifer Gray Thompson reflects on the journey from disaster to recovery. She shares the powerful story of how communities across…
028: Day 3 Closing Keynote: The Heart of Ohana: Leading with Hope Through Loss
A heartfelt address on Maui's wildfire recovery, community resilience, and rebuilding efforts, delivered by a local leader. The speaker reflects on the importance of community-led recovery, cultural…
027: Day 3 Tech Driven, People Centered
Join moderator Reva Feldman and an expert panel as they explore the role of technology in disaster response and recovery. Panelists include iO Wright, co-founder of Post Fire; John Mills CEO, Watch…
026: Day 3 Video Presentation: Ben Allen
State Senator Ben Allen shares a heartfelt message at the After the Fire 2025 Wildfire Leadership Summit, highlighting the challenges and progress in wildfire recovery for communities across Los…
025: Day 3 From the Ground Up: Local Voices in Advocacy
In this insightful panel discussion, community leaders share their powerful stories and strategies for equitable wildfire recovery. Tawnya Somauroo, Co-Founder, Marshall Together, discusses how her…
024: day 3 Ashes to Action: Startups Post-Disaster
Join Jennifer Gray Thompson as she moderates an insightful panel discussion with Christine Kwon, Jen Goodlin, and Nicole Huguenin on leadership and community-driven disaster recovery. Drawing from…
023: Day 3 Video Presentation: AC Disaster
In September 2020, historic windstorms sparked massive wildfires across Oregon, scorching over 1 million acres and forcing thousands to evacuate. Communities faced unprecedented fire behavior due to…
022: Day 3 Hubs of Hope: How Technology and Partnerships Power Preparedness
At the After the Fire 2025 Wildfire Leadership Summit, Sam Shockley of Amazon shares how strategic preparation, partnerships, and technology have transformed the company's disaster response. From the…
021: Day 3 Morning Welcome
In this welcome remark of the After the Fire 2025 Wildfire Leadership Summit Day 3, participants reflect on resilience, recovery, and innovation in disaster preparedness. The session features remarks…
020: Day 2 Mandate for the Future: A Climate Resilient Rebuild
In this compelling session from the After the Fire 2025 Wildfire Leadership Summit, moderator Lisa Micheli leads a powerful discussion on building long-term climate resilience with Abby Ross,…
019: Day 2 Through the Federal Maze:Securing Resources in Uncertain Times
Former FEMA Administrator and Bright Harbor President Pete Gaynor delivers a powerful keynote at the After the Fire 2025 Wildfire Leadership Summit, sharing candid insights on the future of federal…
018: Day 2 Toxic Trails: What Fire Leaves Behind in Air, Soil, and Water
In Toxic Trails, moderator Lisa Micheli leads a powerful discussion with panelists Katie Simmons (Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Butte County), Sarah Ali (Managing Director - Philanthropy,…
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Disaster has published 165 episodes since March 2021, covering topics in Documentary, News.
How to Disaster is currently highly active with new episodes weekly. Average episode length is 39m.
Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for How to Disaster, including email and social media links.
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