Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast The Human Side Of Emergency Management Podcast

This conversation with Carlene explores how she leads with trust, steady guidance and genuine care for the people around her. She reflects on the experiences that shaped her approach to leadership, the moments that challenged her, and the values that continue to anchor her. As she talks, she shares stories about the moments that influenced her, the environments that taught her resilience, and the quiet, consistent habits that help her show up with clarity and integrity. What emerges is a portrait of leadership that is grounded, intentional and deeply human, the kind that grows from lived experience and a genuine commitment to others.

This conversation stayed with me long after we stopped recording. Rev Dr Mark Layson CESM MAIES brings an extraordinary blend of research, chaplaincy and lived experience to the realities of moral injury, psychosocial risk and the cultural pressures carried by people in emergency roles.
What unfolded between us was not just an exploration of systems and stressors, but a deeply human dialogue about courage, compassion and the quiet toll this work can take. Mark speaks with a gentleness that invites honesty, and a clarity that challenges us to rethink how we support the people who show up when everything else is falling apart.
This episode is for anyone who wants to understand the emotional truth of our sector and the leadership required to protect the hearts and minds of those who work in emergencies.

If you’ve ever wondered what leadership feels like behind the scenes, this episode is for you.

In Episode 6, I sit down with Mike DeGrosky for a powerful conversation about leading under pressure — the decisions, the emotions, the integrity, and the humanity behind it all. Mike brings rare insight and humility as we unpack what it means to show up for people when it matters most. It’s honest, thoughtful and full of the kind of wisdom you only get from lived experience.

In this powerful conversation, Angela opens up about the confronting reality of being a witness in a coronial investigation — a silent stressor faced by so many in emergency services after catastrophic events.

Angela shares a thoughtful, deeply human perspective on what it’s like when everything feels out of your control: processing the fire and devastation, trying to reconnect with your team, your community, your friends and family, all while being treated as an isolated individual in a system that overlooks the importance of your network.

Her honesty, courage, and vulnerability make this an episode you won’t forget.
Listen now and sit with a story that deserves to be heard.

A grounded, generous conversation with Fabio Silva from Portugal, on leading through complexity, communicating risk with clarity, and staying human in high‑pressure environments. Episode 4 cuts through the noise and gets to the real work of communicating leadership in a changing climate.

What if the suffering we face — personally and professionally — is actually what shapes us into better leaders? In episode 3, I sit down with Dr Mark Crosweller to explore how loss, Buddhist philosophy and the realities of crisis work have influenced his approach to leadership. It is an honest, thoughtful conversation about the changing nature of life, compassion and the inner work required to lead well in high‑stakes environments. Mark’s reflections invite us to rethink strength, vulnerability and what communities truly need from their leaders.

In this episode, Scott Dehnisch takes us inside the human reality of working across fragile countries and high‑risk environments. From the moral weight of decision‑making to the moments that reshape a leader under pressure, Scott shares raw insights working in international emergency operations. It’s an honest, grounded conversation about courage, consequence, and what it really means to serve communities on the edge.

In Episode 1, Greg Mullins AO AFSM opens up about the moments that defined him — the fires, the losses, and the truths leaders carry long after the fire is out. It’s a raw, honest conversation about courage, vulnerability, and what it takes to show up when everything is on the line.

When the pressure hits, humanity matters most — this podcast goes straight to the heart.

The Human Side of Emergency Management Podcast is a raw and honest look at the people behind emergencies — the leaders, paid and volunteers, who carry the emotional weight of this work. Hosted by Australian emergency management leader Vivien Thomson, the podcast explores the courage, compassion, connection, and lived experience that shape real leadership in high‑stakes environments. Through open conversations and shared wisdom from around the world, listeners are invited to reflect on what they’re learning, how they’re growing, and what it truly means to lead with humanity. Because at the end of the day, that’s the heart of what we do.