Innovation is everywhere - and technology is distrupting our lives faster than ever before. But what happens when we cross innovative technology with the climate crisis and the impact of more intense disasters? In this episode, Andrew and Josh speak with Associate Professor Roslyn Prinsley, Head of Disasters Solutions at the Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions at the Australian National University. Roslyn shares her experience living in Canberra during the Black Summer bushfires, and how the impact of the smoke promoted her into action, to look at new research and innovative technology to reduce or even prevent disasters. The team at ANU are currently working on surveillance technology to monitor for lighting ignition of bushfires, and then using drones to extinguish the fires at the source. Roslyn also discusses weather manipulation, cloud seeding, deflecting cyclones and early detection of earthquakes. Tune in as we look to the future on Me, Myself & Disaster.

The emergency management workforce is rapidly changing. What does the future look like, and how do we attract volunteers in this new world? We ask expert Dr Blythe McLennan.

Shortly after taking off from Singapore in November 2010, a Qantas A380 suffered a severe engine failure. Engine No. 2 exploded and 400 pieces of shrapnel almost cut the engine off the wing and busted holes in fuel tanks. It took the flight crew an hour and a half to work through the problem before devising a plan to safely land the aircraft back at Changi Airport. Captain Richard Champion de Crespigny AM was in command of the flight and speaks with Andrew and Josh about the complexity of leading during an unfolding disaster. Richard continued to lead once back on the ground and he shares his approach to how communications were managed with passengers to ensure they were comfortable but also advocates when speaking externally about their experience. Richard has many lessons for those working in disaster management, including his approach to maintaining chronic unease and always been prepared for the unexpected. This episode covers a range of resilience, leadership and personal growth topics with stories from Richard's books QF32 and FLY!. Richard also shares his personal story of experiencing post traumatic stress following the incident. Richard's books (QF32 and Fly!) are available for purchase from his website. Learn more about the QF32 incident at QF32.com

The palm trees are swaying gently in the breeze, the water is crystal clear. Phuket, Thailand is picture perfect and an iconic holiday destination for travellers around the world. On Boxing Day 2004, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Northern Sumatra resulting in a tsunami that reached as far as South Africa. Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand were worst affected, with collectively more than 200,000 deaths and 1.7 million people displaced. In this episode, Andrew and Josh are joined by local restauranteur and Executive Manager of the Baan Rim Pa restaurant Group, Sue Ultmann. Sue was born in Australia and has lived and worked in Asia for more than 20 years. Prior to moving to Thailand, she was the Associate Publisher of TravelWeek magazine with staff across 23 countries. Back in 2004, Sue was in Phuket at the time of the tsunami, managing three restaurants within the Baan Rim Pa group. Today on the show, Sue shares her story and experience from the impact of the tsunami in 2004, how the business community recovered from the disaster, and what advice she has for communities preparing for the threat of a tsunami. Sue also discusses the risk perception in the community to future tsunami and what early warnings were received prior to the impact of the tsunami.

On a visit to Ishinomaki Japan. Andrew and Josh speak with the director of a museum on the ruins of a school impacted by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

Aaron and Shawn from FEMA share their insights about preparing American communities for future disasters.

On New Years Eve 2019, 'apocalyptic' bushfires ripped through the NSW South Coast, destroying 89 properties in Lake Conjola. It was 1030am and local resident Greg Webb was in his office. Within minutes the temperate jumped from 38˚C to 50˚C - which Greg described as same feeling as 'opening an oven' when he walked outside. Greg's house was engulfed in flames and destroyed in the bushfires - with only the steel and concrete components of the house visible in the smouldering wreck. While some other residents have chosen to leave the area, Greg is rebuilding - and has designed a resilient and sustainable house using the FORTIS principles. It has been a long recovery journey to this point, and Greg describes his excitement for building the new home as part of his post-traumatic growth. In this episode, Andrew and Josh speak with Greg about the impact of the fires, how his house is both resilient and sustainable, and how as a survivor, he’s managed to negotiate the many challenges in disaster recovery. Watch Greg's story on our YouTube Channel - @memyselfdisaster.

As Pakistan faces the impact of compounding flood disasters, Andrew and Josh speak with a leading researcher about the challenges of flood mitigation and recovery in the country

Driven by the severity and frequency of disasters, Australia is on the cusp of a transformation - according to Dr Robert Glasser. As the former Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, Robert has travelled extensively and worked with Governments across the world, witnessing a siloed approach to climate risk and disaster risk. In Australia, Robert says the usual approach following a major disaster would be to call for an inquiry or Royal Commissioner, however the impact of cascading disaster events is forcing a rethink on our approach consider climate change and disaster risk more holistically. In this episode, Andrew and Josh ask Robert how he rose to become one of the most senior figures in the United Nations, what more it will take to see real action on reducing disaster risk and the impact of climate change on our national security - given the risk facing our neighbours in the Pacific.

It was 1994 and Greg Mullins was camping with his family, when the weather changed and he smelt smoke in the distance. What followed next were some of the most significant bushfires in the State’s history and a moment when the “penny dropped” for Greg that the climate was changing. There’s no denying climate change is already impacting the way we plan for and respond to disasters. With disasters likely to become more frequent and intense, Josh and Andrew ask the question - what can we, as disaster professionals, do to make the world a safer place? Former Commissioner of Fire + Rescue NSW Greg Mullins joins the show this week to discuss how he gathered former fire and emergency services chiefs together to lobby for action on emissions reduction and his experience witnessing first hand the impacts of climate change. Greg has been fighting fires for more than 50 years with experience spanning many major disaster events including significant fires and earthquakes. In 2020 he chaired the The National Bushfire and Climate Summit following the Black Summer bushfires. In this episode, Greg discussed what more can be done to limit the impact of climate change, what we can expect to see in the future and what the Emergency Leaders for Climate Action are doing to bring attention to this issue.