When Hurricane Helene tore through Western North Carolina, it didn't just reshape the riverbanks — it challenged an entire community to step into the unknown and take action, even when no one felt "ready."

In this powerful episode of The Discomfort Zone, I sit down with French Broad Riverkeeper Anna Alsobrook and MountainTrue River Cleanup Operations Manager Jon Stamper, two leaders who stepped straight into the chaos with courage, clarity, and a whole lot of heart.

We explore:

🌧 What discomfort really feels like — from itchy armpits to butterflies to the moment you realize the problem is bigger than anything you've ever seen

🏞 Behind-the-scenes stories from Hurricane Helene — including flooded wells, destroyed river access points, entire houses swept downstream, and shipping containers wrapped around bridge pilings

🤝 How community action becomes the antidote to overwhelm From grilling hot dogs for displaced neighbors to launching the largest river-cleanup operation in North Carolina history, Anna and Jon share how small steps created massive impact.

💪 Why taking action before you feel "ready" is sometimes the most powerful move, and how doing so expands our capacity for courage — on the river and in life.

🌊 A paddler's mindset for disaster, uncertainty, and leadership including "one spoonful at a time," reading the water ahead, and grounding the nervous system when everything feels like too much.

This conversation is raw, inspiring, and deeply rooted in the heart of The Discomfort Zone: start where you are, trust yourself, and keep moving one paddle stroke at a time.

If you're a paddler, adventurer, or someone navigating your own personal floodwaters, this episode will remind you that courage isn't about having the perfect plan… it's about looking where you want to go, and making the next right move.

🎧 Listen now and paddle into more courage, clarity, and community.