In this episode of the Crisis Lab Podcast, host Kyle King examines the devastating aftermath of the Lahaina Fire through the lens of governance and emergency management. Drawing from the investigative article "The Most Expensive Report Ever Written," the episode explores how institutional decisions shaped the failure of response systems in Maui.
King analyzes official reports from the Maui Emergency Management Agency, arguing that treating emergency preparedness as a side function has deadly consequences. This episode makes the case for why emergency management must be re-centered as a core function of government.
Listen to uncover the moral and practical stakes of crisis response—and why change is urgently needed.
Show Highlights
[00:51] What happened in Lahaina—and why it matters [01:25] How governance shapes emergency response [03:01] When systems fail: the true cost of neglect [03:52] Making emergency management a priority
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5:31
Design Thinking in Integrated Crisis Management with Rick Fernandez
In this episode of the Crisis Lab Podcast, host Kyle King sits down with Rick Fernandez, an expert in emergency management, humanitarian aid, and international police assistance. Rick brings extensive experience from his work at the U.S. Department of Justice, the New York City Emergency Management Department, and international humanitarian missions.
Kyle and Rick explore how human-centered design thinking can enhance planning processes and build stronger community and organizational resilience. They discuss how design thinking can be integrated with traditional emergency planning, foster improved trust and collaboration across agencies, and support the effective use of technology in crisis response.
Show Highlights [02:06] Rick’s diverse career journey in emergency management [05:13] Explanation of design thinking and its core steps [06:35] Application of design thinking in emergency planning [08:12] Integrating design thinking with traditional planning methods [14:45] Challenges and solutions in inter-agency collaboration [25:11] The role of technology in supporting crisis planning
Connect with Rick Fernandez-Linkedin
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32:53
Alert to Action: Infection Prevention in Crisis Mode
In this episode of the Crisis Lab Podcast, host Kyle King sits down with Dr. Jim Wilson and Sharon Parrillo, two leading experts in health security and infection prevention.
Dr. Wilson, a health security specialist focused on early warning systems for high-risk infectious diseases, and Sharon, a board-certified infection prevention leader with two decades of experience, discuss the challenges of pandemic response, misinformation, and the evolving role of AI in health security.
From striking the right balance between early warnings and avoiding sensationalism to ensuring hospitals can maintain essential services during a crisis, this episode unpacks the critical role of trust and communication in emergency response.
Tune in to learn how health leaders navigate uncertainty and build resilience.
Show Highlights[02:55] How early warning systems detected COVID-19 before global recognition[05:12] The dangers of misinformation and the challenge of building public trust[17:57] The evolving role of telemedicine and AI in infection prevention[23:41] How hospitals balance infection control with keeping essential services running[28:55] Rewriting the playbook on pandemic response and lessons for the future of health security
Connect with Dr. James Wilson and Sharon Parrillo- Dr Wilson's Linkedin- Ms. Parrillo's Linkedin
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31:21
Adapt, Survive, Thrive: Building Climate-Resilient Health Systems with Nathan Gross
In this episode of the Crisis Lab Podcast, host Kyle King sits down with Nathan Gross, a public health and emergency management expert who has led major crisis responses at the CDC—including the Marburg Virus Disease task force and large-scale pandemic vaccination efforts.
With deep expertise in climate resilience, emergency preparedness, and crisis management, Nathan shares insights on how emergency management must evolve to address the growing impact of climate change and public health threats.
Show Highlights
[02:31] Climate change and emergency management [03:26] Social determinants of health and their impact on crisis response [06:37] Community resilience and the rise of climate refugees [09:35] Public health and climate resilience strategies [12:48] The role of emergency managers in shaping policy [15:20] How climate change is reshaping risk assessments and preparedness [18:05] Lessons learned from past climate-related disasters [21:32] Successful implementations of climate resilience strategies Connect with Nathan Gross - Linkedin
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29:10
The End of Emergency Management (as we know it) with Host Kyle King
In this first episode of season 4, the Crisis Lab Podcast looks at crisis management and emergency response. Host Kyle King talks about the need for a new emergency management system as disasters become more frequent and severe.
From the case study of the Los Angeles fires to the problems in FEMA, this episode explains why our current system is failing and what we can do to build resilience for the future.
Listen for insights from emergency planners, intelligence insiders, and strategists who share ways to prepare for, respond to, and recover from crises.
Show Highlights
[01:43] The future of emergency management in America [02:26] Governance failures and systemic vulnerabilities [03:34] The collapse of emergency management systems [04:34] Historical context and modern challenges [07:34] Universal principles of emergency management [10:58] Building a new framework for crisis response
When Crisis Management Requires More Than Expertise Alone
The Crisis Lab Podcast serves senior professionals ready to transform domain expertise into strategic influence. Each episode bridges critical intersections where today's most consequential crisis management insights emerge—between military and humanitarian perspectives, government and private sector approaches, technical knowledge and policy impact.
Our conversations go beyond tactical solutions to address the questions that experienced professionals actually face:
- How do you adapt established frameworks when crises refuse to respect traditional boundaries?
- Where are the opportunities to shape policy rather than simply implement it?
- What approaches work when complex challenges cascade across interconnected systems?
Hosted by crisis management veterans who understand the difference between theoretical frameworks and real-world application, each episode features decision-makers who have led through the world's most challenging crisis scenarios. These aren't academic discussions—they're strategic conversations that help you expand your influence beyond technical knowledge.
The Crisis Lab Podcast connects you with a community of 20,000+ senior professionals actively shaping how organizations and nations prepare for and respond to emerging threats. These relationships create opportunities that technical expertise alone cannot unlock.
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