A Great Reinvention: What a Fed Learned by Going Back to School

A Great Reinvention: What a Fed Learned by Going Back to School

In this episode, Benjamin DeAngelo shares the story of his transition from shaping national climate policy to shaping young minds at Howard University. We talk about identity, purpose, and the unexpected freedom that comes with redefining your lane after nearly three decades in public service. And with graduation season underway—a time of profound transition for students, parents, and professionals across the country—we explore how Ben’s journey mirrors the broader moment: a reminder that reinvention is always possible, and that the future of climate resilience will be built by the communities we teach, mentor, and empower.

After the Sirens: How Women Carry Community Recovery

This Women’s History Month, Ashley and Jon sit down with Sybil Brown — New York–based therapist, mother, community‑builder, and founder of The Calming Suite (https://www.thecalmingsuite.com [https://www.thecalmingsuite.com/]) — for a powerful conversation about the emotional backbone of disaster recovery. Sybil has spent her career helping people rebuild safety after instability, trauma, and crisis, including supporting communities long after Hurricane Sandy. As Ashley notes, Sybil brings “an incredibly grounded understanding of what emotional recovery looks like long after the headlines fade.” Together, they explore the unseen labor women carry in families and neighborhoods, what happens when the cameras and funding disappear, and how women’s quiet leadership becomes the hidden infrastructure of community resilience. They unpack survival mode, modern stressors, and the impact of disrupted support systems — especially for women and mothers — while highlighting the role of sisterhood, neighbors, and chosen family in helping people heal. Sybil also shares practical tools listeners can use to process stress and rebuild emotional safety in their own lives.

A Connected Community Isn’t Scared of Cyber

Cybersecurity often feels confusing and intimidating—full of jargon, invisible risks, and threats most people don’t know how to plan for. In this episode, we simplify it. CJ Dixon joins us to break down the cyber side of community resilience in a way that’s clear, human, and rooted in everyday life. CJ explains why the most important layer of cybersecurity isn’t technical—it’s people. We explore how to talk about cyber risks without fear, how to communicate during a crisis, and why trust depends on speed, accuracy, empathy, and humility. This conversation is about awareness: understanding the digital tools and services your community already relies on and recognizing how they support daily life. When people know what they’re connected to, cybersecurity becomes far less intimidating and far more actionable. This episode gives listeners a practical way to think about cyber that feels manageable, grounded, and aligned with how communities actually function. It’s a human look at trust, technology, and how we stay resilient as digital systems become inseparable from how we live.

New Year, New Generations: A Playbook for the Next Era

Ashley and Jon bring in a Gen Z Emergency Manager to get new perspectives on preparedness plans, social media, and what community means to a generation ready to rewrite history and redesign the rules for everything.

Beyond Disruption: The Power of Personal Resilience

This month, we’re joined by Behati Hart, a resilience strategist and advocate whose work bridges personal well-being with community strength. Together, we explore what it means to not only withstand disruption but tips on how to survive and help others through it.   Behati’s perspective reminds us that resilience is as much about people and relationships as it is about systems and strategies. Tune in to hear how personal resilience and community resilience intersect—and how we can all play a role in shaping a healthier, more prepared community.  For more information about Behati's work and the BETi method visit her website: Home [https://behatihart.com/]