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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 enforcement.  

Across the country, a powerful winter storm has brought heavy snow, ice, extreme cold, and deadly conditions to millions of Americans, with blizzard conditions, power outages, and dangerous travel reported from the Plains to the Northeast.  

At the same time, Minneapolis has become ground zero in a heated debate over federal immigration policy and law enforcement tactics. The city has seen federal Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations under Operation Metro Surge, which have included the fatal shooting of Minneapolis resident Alex Pretti and earlier fatal use of force in the city.  

Listeners will hear analysis of how these dual crises — the literal storm and the political storm — intersect and what they mean for civic leadership, public safety, and the national conversation on disaster management.

Whether you’re a resident of Minneapolis, a crisis leader, or someone trying to make sense of fast-moving national events in 2026, this episode connects the dots between weather chaos and political turbulence.

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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 this reflective episode of the Disaster Tough Podcast, host John Scardena looks back on the day he left a stable corporate career to go all-in on building Doberman Emergency Management. This conversation is not about COVID, headlines, or hindsight—it’s about decision-making under uncertainty, values-based leadership, and the personal cost of choosing purpose over comfort. John shares hard-earned lessons from years of entrepreneurship, emergency management, and crisis leadership—drawing parallels between disaster response and navigating business crises. He explains how mission-driven organizations endure, why comparison is corrosive to leadership, and how resilience is built not through ease, but through repeated adversity. The episode centers on three powerful leadership principles:

• Stop measuring success by comparison and instead focus on whether those around you have what they need.
• Ignore criticism from people you wouldn’t seek advice from, and be intentional about whose voices shape your decisions.
• Build resilience deliberately, understanding that mitigation matters—but storms will still come.

John also reflects on the poem Invictus by William Ernest Henley, using it as a lens to discuss grit, accountability, and personal responsibility in moments when circumstances feel overwhelming. The episode closes with a reminder that long-term leadership is about endurance, sacrifice, family, and learning to embrace the journey—come what may. This episode is essential listening for:

• Emergency managers and first responders
• Entrepreneurs and executives navigating uncertainty
• Leaders building mission-focused organizations
• Anyone facing burnout, criticism, or high-stakes decisions

If you’re building something that matters—and feeling the weight that comes with it—this episode offers perspective, clarity, and hard-won encouragement grounded in real experience, not theory.

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 why outages themselves are not the core problem, but rather how organizations, communities, and families plan for failure, degradation, and recovery. John explores the tension between embracing new technology and maintaining fundamental skills, pushing back on the idea that innovation should be avoided simply because systems can fail. Drawing on examples from emergency services, military operations, and everyday life, he reinforces the importance of structured thinking around primary, alternate, contingency, and emergency (PACE) planning.

The episode also highlights how advanced tools—when layered on top of strong fundamentals—can increase resilience, improve outcomes, and save lives. From mass notification systems to personal family plans, this episode encourages listeners to reassess how they communicate, prepare, and adapt when technology does not behave as expected.

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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 Scardena sits down with combat medic, warrior-educator, and humanitarian leader Travis Kaufman—a professional who deliberately went downrange into Ukraine to train combat medics operating under constant Russian drone warfare and frontline pressure. Travis didn’t observe from a distance. He embedded with Ukrainian forces, teaching lifesaving combat medicine in one of the most complex warfighting environments on earth—where FPV drones, AI-enabled targeting, electronic warfare, and prolonged field care are reshaping how wars are fought and how leaders lead. His mission: multiply capability, build confidence, and ensure medics could save lives when evacuation was impossible and every movement carried risk. This episode explores leadership as action, not theory: ·      Leading and teaching under live drone threat in active war zones·      How modern warfare in Ukraine has changed training, trust, and command·      The mindset required to mentor warriors in austere, high-risk environments·      Building resilient teams when technology, terrain, and tempo collide·      Why leadership rooted in purpose and service outlasts fear and fatigue·      What the Russia–Ukraine war reveals about the future of combat leadership  This is a story of service, courage, and responsibility—of a leader who chose to step forward, share hard-earned knowledge, and risk his own life so others could go home alive. It’s a rare, firsthand look at leadership where preparation, humility, and moral clarity matter more than rank or title. If you’re searching for insight into leadership in war, drone warfare, Ukraine, Russia, combat medicine, modern conflict, resilience, and warrior mentorship, this episode delivers unmatched perspective straight from the field.🎧 Leadership with purpose. Training under fire. Lessons from the front lines of modern war.

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 https://www.dobermanemg.com

The Readiness Lab Trailblazing disaster readiness through podcasts, outreach, marketing, and interactive events https://www.thereadinesslab.com

For Sponsorship Requests [email protected] 314-400-8848 Ext 2

Travis Kaufman, Ph.D. is a retired U.S. Army Combat APA Medic, former White House Medical Officer and Global Health & Disaster Leader. He current serves is President of Army Physician Associates, Program Director of the Doctor of Executive Leadership at Arkansas Colleges of Health Education, and CEO of  25th Parallel Med.

Leadership, Modern Warfare, Drone Warfare, Ukraine War, Russia Ukraine, Combat Medicine, Warrior Leadership, Battlefield Training, Frontline Leadership, Military Podcast, War Stories, Combat Leadership, Urban Warfare, Drones in War, Humanitarian Warrior, Special Operations, Resilient Leadership, Warzone Insights, Defense Leadership, Global Conflict

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
https://www.dobermanemg.com

The Readiness Lab
Trailblazing disaster readiness through podcasts, outreach, marketing, and interactive events
https://www.thereadinesslab.com

For Sponsorship Requests
[email protected]
314-400-8848 Ext 2

In this milestone year-end episode of the Disaster Tough Podcast, host John Scardena delivers a raw, strategic, and personal recap of 2025—highlighting leadership lessons learned in emergency management, business growth, disaster response, and life.

This final episode of Season 6 reflects on a year defined by complexity, transition, and decisive leadership. From FEMA uncertainty and disaster deployments to major shifts in business models and personal priorities, this episode is a candid breakdown of what worked, what failed, and what leaders must understand heading into 2026.Episode Highlights & Key Topics

🔹 Emergency Management & FEMA Reality Check

• Lessons from FEMA review councils and why strategy—not reaction—will determine the future of the emergency management profession
• Why emergency management risks “dying out” if it fails to prove long-term value
• The danger of self-fulfilling prophecies during institutional uncertainty

🔹 Business Leadership & Doberman’s Shift to Retainer Models

• Why project-based emergency management consulting fails organizations long-term
• How retainer-based models create sustained momentum instead of constant resets
• Supporting stadiums, counties, hospitals, and agencies without waiting for disasters to force action

🔹 Disaster Tough Podcast Growth & Media Impact

• Crossing the 250-episode milestone
• National media recognition including USA Today, Politico, ABC, and Fox
• Strategic evolution of the podcast and plans for expanded video and social content in 2026

🔹 Leadership Lessons Applied in 2025

• Work ethic when exhausted: doing the right thing even when it’s hard
• Purpose over passion: why passion fades and purpose sustains leaders
• Why it’s okay not to do the “cool thing” if it doesn’t align with strategy
• How to manage distractions without losing focus on priorities

🔹 Leadership Lessons Leaders Need to Hear

• Silence is an answer—and knowing when not to respond is powerful
• Listen and apply feedback before taking risks
• Why ego destroys leadership effectiveness
• Why “being shady” ruins credibility faster than failure
• Understanding your personality type—and the personality types around you

🔹 Personal Leadership & Mental Health

• Setting boundaries around travel and work
• Prioritizing family, faith, and health without sacrificing performance
• Reflections on fatherhood, loss, and legacy
• Why leadership is ultimately about character, not optics

🔹Core Leadership Principles from the Episode

• Work ethic beats talent when talent quits
• Purpose outlasts motivation
• Strategic restraint is leadership maturity
• Momentum matters more than optics
• Silence, when used correctly, is leadership
• Integrity compounds over time

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 in assessments, planning, and training
https://www.dobermanemg.com

The Readiness Lab
Trailblazing disaster readiness through podcasts, outreach, marketing, and interactive events
https://www.thereadinesslab.com

For Sponsorship Requests
[email protected]
314-400-8848 Ext 2

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 producer George Siegal about his documentary Built To Last: Buyer Beware, a hard-hitting examination of modern construction, disaster vulnerability, and the dangerous assumptions buyers make about safety and durability. The conversation goes beyond filmmaking into the real-world implications of building “to code,” exposing why minimum standards often fail homeowners when disasters strike. George shares the motivation behind the documentary, the systemic issues uncovered during production, and why resilience, mitigation, and long-term thinking are missing from most housing decisions. Together, they explore how poor construction practices amplify disaster losses, why recovery is rarely straightforward, and what buyers, policymakers, and communities must understand before the next catastrophe. This episode is essential listening for anyone interested in disaster resilience, housing risk, emergency management, climate impacts, or the hidden vulnerabilities baked into modern development.

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
https://www.dobermanemg.com

The Readiness Lab
Trailblazing disaster readiness through podcasts, outreach, marketing, and interactive events
https://www.thereadinesslab.com

For Sponsorship Requests
[email protected]
314-400-8848 Ext 2

Built To Last Buyer Beware, George Siegal, documentary film, disaster resilience, emergency management, disaster recovery, building codes, construction risk, hazard mitigation, housing vulnerability, climate risk, resilience planning, infrastructure failure, homeowner preparedness, public safety

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 through the leadership lessons she carried from early service in Kosovo, intelligence work in Iraq, and later senior roles guiding Reserve Soldiers at home and abroad.

Daniels explains her unexpected path into senior leadership, emphasizing that she never set out to be “the one in charge.” Instead, she focused on doing the job well, supporting others, and staying open to new opportunities. That mindset shaped her approach as she led Soldiers across diverse missions, including major domestic disaster support operations. Throughout the conversation, she shares how she learned to identify talent, communicate clearly, and maintain humility without lowering expectations.

A major portion of the discussion centers on the structure and capabilities of the U.S. Army Reserve. Daniels clarifies what the Reserve actually provides during large-scale disasters—logistics, engineering, medical support, transportation, civil affairs, and other essential functions that complement civilian response efforts. Scardena and Daniels talk through the practical realities of integrating military support with local, state, and federal partners, highlighting the value of experienced liaison officers and thoughtful coordination.

They also dive into organizational culture: how teams function, why trust matters, and how leaders cultivate an environment where people feel comfortable speaking honestly while maintaining professionalism. Daniels outlines the difference between being “in a position of impact” and “being influential,” reinforcing that titles alone don’t create effective leadership.

Toward the end of the episode, Daniels shares one of her guiding principles: choose purpose over passion. Passion can shift with time, but purpose—anchored in service, responsibility, and long-term commitment—creates clarity throughout a career. It’s the mindset that carried her from junior officer to her final role leading the Army Reserve. This episode offers a grounded look at leadership, service, and the realities of military support to disaster operations, delivered with the straightforward clarity Dr. Daniels is known for.

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
https://www.dobermanemg.com

The Readiness Lab
Trailblazing disaster readiness through podcasts, outreach, marketing, and interactive events
https://www.thereadinesslab.com

For Sponsorship Requests
[email protected]
314-400-8848 Ext 2

Jody Daniels, Army Reserve, U.S. Army Reserve, Army leadership, national security, emergency management, disaster response, military support to civil authorities, logistics support, military engineering, military medical support, FEMA coordination, homeland security, operational readiness, crisis leadership, leadership development, Reserve Component, military intelligence, Iraq War, domestic operations, liaison officers, emergency operations, organizational leadership, change leadership, purpose driven leadership, John Scardena, 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 space: gratitude as a persona, how to influence, and “come what may and love it.”

John starts with gratitude—not as a cliché, but as an intentional persona. With every guest and every episode, his rule has been: treat people with respect, even when you disagree, and appreciate the experience they bring to the table. That mindset has opened doors, deepened conversations, and kept the online persona aligned with the person he is in real life.

He then breaks down how influence actually works. Influence isn’t just about title or rank; it’s the compound effect of doing your homework, producing professional-grade work, building credibility over time, and treating people—at every level—as equals. He talks about moving from recording in a car under a blanket to hosting generals, chiefs, CEOs, and operators because the work quietly built trust before the big asks ever happened.

Finally, John shares the philosophy of “come what may and love it”, quote by Joseph B. Worthlin —taking the long view through wildfires, family life, deployments, changing FEMA and grant environments, and the roller coaster of running a podcast and business. The message: accept the hard, adapt, keep your sense of humor, stay mission-focused, and don’t run faster than you have strength.

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
https://www.dobermanemg.com

The Readiness Lab
Trailblazing disaster readiness through podcasts, outreach, marketing, and interactive events
https://www.thereadinesslab.com

For Sponsorship Requests
[email protected]
314-400-8848 Ext 2

#Leadership #Motivation #Mindset #Resilience #Inspiration #Success #Growth #Innovation #ProfessionalDevelopment #CareerDevelopment #SelfImprovement #PersonalGrowth #BusinessLeadership #LifeLessons #WorkCulture #PositiveLeadership #Goals #HumanPerformance #DecisionMaking #PublicSafety #EmergencyManagement #CrisisManagement #HomelandSecurity #MilitaryLeadership #FireService #LawEnforcement #FirstResponders #Veterans #DisasterResponse #Gratitude #Influence #MentalStrength #LongView #KeepGoing #NeverQuit #StayReady #LearningEveryDay

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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 Management Career Guide. Stephanie shares her dynamic career journey across nonprofit response, consulting, federal service, and local government, offering a rare look at how diverse experiences shape strong, adaptable emergency managers. She and John discuss the common challenges new professionals face when entering the field, from understanding what emergency management actually is to recognizing how many industries, organizations, and mission spaces rely on EM expertise.

Stephanie’s passion for mentoring is at the heart of the conversation. She explains why she wrote her book—to give newcomers the career guidance she wished she had starting out—and she outlines practical strategies for building confidence, exploring different roles, connecting with mentors, and developing the skills needed to thrive long term. John and Stephanie talk about the importance of professional curiosity, continuous learning, and saying yes to opportunities that broaden perspective, whether through volunteer deployments, community engagement, or cross-sector experience.

They also explore the value of career navigation tools such as credentialing options, leadership development programs, and project management training, while emphasizing that success comes from aligning strengths, interests, and lived experience—not box-checking. Stephanie’s message to emerging emergency managers is clear: the field needs creative, mission-driven professionals, and there is space for people with every background to find purpose and belonging. This conversation is insightful, encouraging, and packed with career wisdom for anyone seeking to build a meaningful path in emergency management, disaster response, resilience, and public safety leadership.

Purchase Navigating The Chaos on Amazon, here: https://www.amazon.com/Navigating-Chaos-Ultimate-Emergency-Management/dp/B0DWSJ2YBS

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 https://www.dobermanemg.com

The Readiness Lab
Trailblazing disaster readiness through podcasts, outreach, marketing, and interactive events https://www.thereadinesslab.com

For Sponsorship Requests
314-400-8848 Ext 2
Email [email protected]

DisasterToughPodcast, JohnScardena, StephanieDeLorenzo, EmergencyManagement, EmergencyManager, CrisisLeadership, DisasterResponse, PublicSafety, EMLeadership, CareerDevelopment, EMJobs, ProfessionalGrowth, EmergencyManagementCareers, LeadershipJourney, DisasterProfessionals, IncidentManagement, CrisisManagement, Mentorship, PublicSafetyLeadership, EMCommunity