Send us a text

A Category Five hurricane slams Jamaica, the airport floods, roofs vanish, and power is scarce—yet a viral video fixates on breakfast. We dive into the uncomfortable gap between what travelers think they’re owed and what disaster-struck communities can realistically provide. From boxed lunches to shelter-in-place protocols, we talk through how crisis hospitality actually works, why safety must outrank perks, and what gratitude looks like when staff have families of their own to find and protect.

Along the way, we unpack the social media storm: snap judgments, nationality assumptions, and the reveal that the angry guest was from Bermuda—an island familiar with hurricanes. That twist reframes the point: empathy should not depend on passports. We layer in a vital perspective from a caller on trauma responses and culture, exploring why people grasp for control under stress and how a calm friend, a short walk, and a deep breath can de-escalate a combustible moment. Practical compassion isn’t abstract; it’s a choice to prioritize safety, to thank the people holding the line, and to accept that recovery is messy.

We close by widening the lens to another crisis too often ignored: domestic violence. Survivors need more than sympathy—they need community, resources, and policy that centers their safety. Abuse is not only physical; it’s emotional, financial, and coercive, and it escalates when silence lets it. The thread connecting everything is simple and urgent: in disaster or behind closed doors, our first job is to protect one another. If you’re traveling during hurricane season, prepare, respect local guidance, and be ready to adapt. If you know someone trapped in harm, reach out with care and concrete help.

If this conversation moved you, subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review. Your voice helps more people find the message—and helps us keep building a community that chooses empathy over entitlement.