Catastrophe

Brady Podloski

5.0 (4)
Documentary
Updated Weekly

This podcast is about disasters, why some happen while others are avoided. I explore the factors that worsen disasters and how human actions influence the outcomes. In particular, I examine vulnerability, looking at how the way we build our cities and structure our disaster management systems can significantly shape the consequences.

Sep 7

Ep. 50: The Signs of an Ecological Collapse - Honey Bees, Native Bees, and Climate Change

There are growing signs of ecological disruption in ecosystems around the world. But what is driving these changes? How are species responding? And what does ecological collapse actually look like? We have to start with bugs, and the growing concern over an Insect Apocalypse. This series explores how and why ecosystems are changing, beginning with one of the most important groups of pollinators: bees. In the first episode, I speak with Ron Miksha, a longtime beekeeper and researcher, about how bees are adapting to rising temperatures and a changing environment. We explore the differences between honey bees and native bees, the threats facing both, and what these changes could mean for the ecosystems that depend on them. Most importantly, we discuss what can be done to protect bees, and the ecosystems they help sustain. Catch Ron’s Podcast: About Bees, Culture, & Curiosity here: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/about-bees-culture-curiosity/id1760959092⁠ ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/2HrnLubh4qSlzAOF3j0Mmc⁠
Jun 27

Ep. 48: The 481 Metre Tsunami that Nearly Hit a Cruise Ship

A 481 metre tsunami struck an Alaskan Fjord, a popular cruise ship destination, on August 10, 2025. Thankfully, it occurred before any cruise ships arrived that day, but the Fjord sees large ships which can carry thousands of passengers each day. Interestingly however, the tsunami wasn't caused by an earthquake. It was caused by a landslide. This near miss raised several questions for me, the most important being: as human-induced climate change accelerates, are we facing a new generation of hazards in mountains and coastal areas, or was this a one off event? In this episode, I discuss landslide induced tsunamis with Dr. Dan Shugar. We talk about why these hazards are becoming a growing concern in glacier regions and Alaskan Fjords, and what they mean for surrounding communities and the cruise ship industry. You can read the paper Dan and his colleague wrote here: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aec3187
Apr 30

Ep. 47: Climate Adaptation in the Canadian Arctic

In this episode, I interview Nicole Bonnett, a PhD Planning Candidate at the University of Alberta and a Researcher at the Climate Adaptation and Resilience Lab, to explore how Arctic communities are responding to a rapidly changing environment. We examine the impacts of coastal erosion, sea level rise, and a warming climate, along with the difficult choices communities face: protect, accommodate, retreat, or avoid. We talk about Tuktoyaktuk, NWT, and explore the communities journey through adaptation. What relocation actually involves, why it can take decades, and what happens when protection efforts fall short.
Apr 1

Ep. 46: The Future of Drought for the Canadian Prairies

In this episode, I interview Dr. Barrie Bonsal, a Research Scientist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, about the future of drought across Canada. We explore what drives drought, how it can be measured, and why understanding drought and water management is significant to climate change. We discuss how cities and people can contribute to drought, the metrics and indicators experts use to monitor it, some emerging technologies, and how drought conditions can vary across regions and seasons. If you’ve ever wondered how drought is measured, what causes it, and what the future may hold for Canada, this episode is for you.
Mar 18

Ep. 45: The Big One - the Cascadia Earthquake and Vancouver

What could the Cascadia earthquake look like for Vancouver? In this episode, I interview Dr. Tiegan Hobbs about what a major Cascadia earthquake could realistically look like for Vancouver. We discuss the science, the myths, and the consequences of a potential major earthquake. We explore which buildings are susceptible, population demographics, risk mapping, and the kinds of damage most people should actually expect. We discuss: • What the Cascadia earthquake is and why it matters for Vancouver. • Which communities and demographics are most vulnerable. • Common myths about “The Big One”. • What is most likely to cause deaths and destruction. • What types of homes and buildings are most at risk. • Where the damage is most likely to occur. • How risk mapping helps us understand exposure. If you’ve ever wondered what the Cascadia earthquake could actually look like in Vancouver, and who will be most affected, this is the episode for you.
Mar 8

Ep. 44: Avalanches: Forecasting Risk in the Mountains

What causes avalanches and what are the signs they will occur? In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Horton, an avalanche forecaster, to talk about how avalanches form, the systems used to classify them, and how they threaten communities and ski resorts. We also explore avalanche mapping and the tools experts use to reduce risk in mountain environments. You can see the Canada avalanche map here: https://avalanche.ca/map?lat=49.713712&lng=-121.560682
Feb 26

Ep. 43: Cyclones and Spices in Madagascar

On January 31, Tropical Cyclone Fytia hit northwestern Madagascar. It was followed by Tropical Cyclone Gezani, which made landfall in eastern Madagascar on February 10. The impacts were widespread, and I wanted to understand how they affected the average worker. In Madagascar, vanilla and cloves aren’t just spices, they’re livelihoods and shape the economics and employment in the country. The two cyclones, Gezani and Fytia, struck key growing regions, and the impacts weren't limited to damaged homes. Vanilla couldn't be shipped, clove harvests were disrupted, and curing processes were interrupted, all while workers experienced loss. That’s why I interviewed Gianna Palmaro, CEO of APL Vanilla & Spices Madagascar, about her experience with the cyclones, how her company navigated their impacts, and what this means for long-term recovery. We discuss: What vanilla and cloves actually are and how they are harvest. How the cyclones damage spice production and curation. Why recovery is more complex than simply replanting and rebuilding homes. How disasters influence more than prices, but entire livelihoods. This episode sets out to discuss Gezani and Fytia's influence on the spice trade, the communities impacted, and where recovery begins. Credit to Dr. Tapiwa Gomo for the map of Gezani and Fytia. Link to donate: https://www.leetchi.com/fr/c/stand-with-apl-our-team-after-gezani-cyclone-devastation-1507666?utm_source=native&utm_medium=social_sharing&utm_campaign=pot
2025-12-31

Ep. 42: The Future of Droughts? Rural Türkiye: Sinkholes and a Water Crisis

In rural Türkiye, drought is doing more than drying out fields, it’s causing the ground itself to sink. As this problem persists, it raises a question that will be answered around the world: what happens when the food and soil systems we rely on to sustain livelihoods actively undermine the environment beneath them? In this episode, I explore how long-term drought, groundwater over-extraction, and the mismanagement of water as a resource are driving the (not so sudden) appearance of sinkholes across agricultural regions. This is a story about trade-offs. Farmers are forced to choose between staying economically afloat and placing even more pressure on already-stressed water systems.

5

out of 5

4 Ratings

This podcast is about disasters, why some happen while others are avoided. I explore the factors that worsen disasters and how human actions influence the outcomes. In particular, I examine vulnerability, looking at how the way we build our cities and structure our disaster management systems can significantly shape the consequences.

Creator

Brady Podloski
Years Active

2024 - 2026
Episodes

50