Port of Cultures

Cracks in the Crescent

Episode 5 — Cracks in the Crescent   After a brief pause due to health challenges and life’s unavoidable demands, Resilience Rewind returns—because resilience doesn’t mean uninterrupted momentum, it means continuing anyway.   Before Hurricane Katrina ever appeared on the forecast, the ground beneath New Orleans was already unstable.   This episode steps back from the storm itself to examine the world it was about to collide with. In the early 2000s, America was living through compounding crises—political turmoil, national trauma, and a growing distrust in institutions. At the same time, New Orleans was navigating its own deep fractures: aging infrastructure, entrenched inequality, weakened disaster preparedness, and systems stretched far beyond their limits.   Cracks in the Crescent explores the national and local failures that left New Orleans exposed—fragile leadership, dismantled disaster response, and communities already pushed to the edge.   Episode 5 of Resilience Rewind reveals how Katrina didn’t create these failures—it exposed them, all at once, under rising water.   The storm hasn’t made landfall yet—but the cracks are already everywhere.   Episode 6 arrives soon.   Music: “Tree of Life” by Broad Sky

Marshes In Peril

Episode 4 – Marshes in Peril: Before Hurricane Katrina ever formed, Louisiana’s first line of defense was already disappearing. The wetlands—vast marshes that once shielded the coast from storm surges—were being eaten away by time, industry, and neglect.   This episode unravels how decades of oil and gas extraction, levee construction, and environmental mismanagement transformed a natural buffer into a fragile floodplain. As we trace the erosion of these marshes, we uncover the quiet crisis that left New Orleans dangerously exposed long before the storm arrived.   Episode 4 of Resilience Rewind dives into the geography, ecology, and policy failures that turned Louisiana’s wetlands from protectors into victims—setting the stage for disaster. Stay tuned — the storm is getting closer. Music: “Tree of Life” by Broad Sky

Port of Cultures

Episode 3 – Port of Cultures: A City Built on Resilience   This episode explores how the history of New Orleans shows culture itself as a survival strategy. Through music, food, faith, and community, generations turned hardship into resilience. From Congo Square to Creole traditions, the city’s identity became its greatest defense against disaster.   Stay tuned — the storm is getting closer.   Music: “Tree of Life” by Broad Sky

Storms Within

Episode 2 – Storms Within: Trauma and Resilience In this special episode, we’re taking a brief detour before diving into episode 3: Port of Cultures to share a bit of my own lore as your host. This episode delves deep into what trauma and resilience truly mean, weaving in some of my personal journey and favorite resources on the topic.   We’ll explore lessons from Resilience for Dummies, What Happened to You? by Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Bruce Perry, and The Body Keeps the Score. Plus, we’ll highlight Tear Soup, another cherished book on grief and healing. Check out a read-aloud version of Tear Soup on YouTube: https://youtu.be/-S-sxHSaE2M?si=AvMN2Ov9KEUxLrlQ   Enjoy a free PDF of the official DBT workbook to explore these practices yourself: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/577d2ce937c58194f7d39816/t/60c7e92fa3583448b8c6fa19/1623714139969/dbt_skills_training_handouts_and_worksheets_-_linehan_marsha_srg_.pdf   Most importantly, this episode is dedicated to the memory of Lauren Colby, my eight-year-old sister who passed away from cancer in 2007. Her strength is a reminder of the resilience this podcast seeks to honor.   Music: “Tree of Life” by Broad Sky  Episode 3 arrives soon.

Before the Storm: Resilience Rewind Trailer

Resilience rewind explores events that have shown the resilience of humans in face of difficult circumstances. It’s been 20 years since Hurricane Katrina shocked the world. The devastation and trauma of Katrina is still felt today. This is the story of the inspiring people who overcame insurmountable obstacles and odds.