Russian Superyachts + A Beryl Analysis + Credentials & More
Profiles in Preparedness #15
I spent a lot of time in the air this week, which meant plenty of time to read—but not much time to write. So while I don’t have a new article for you, I did pull together some of the best pieces I came across during my flights.
One of the highlights of my week was speaking about Left of Bang and cybersecurity. It was a timely reminder that we’re at a real turning point in the field—something I wrote about last year. Seeing the changes firsthand made me even more confident that the shift is happening. If you missed that piece, you can check it out here:
Now, onto the articles that stood out this week.
This Week‘s Reads
Here are a few thought-provoking reads (and a podcast) that caught my attention this week and why I thought they were worth sharing.
Article | Seizing a Russian Superyacht Is Much More Complicated Than You Think. Seizing a Russian oligarch’s superyacht might make headlines, but what happens next sounds like a logistical and financial headache. Maintaining these massive vessels costs millions per year and this Bloomberg piece dives into the hidden complexities of yacht seizures beyond just taking possession. I stumbled across it recently (despite being from 2022), but it’s a fascinating read on the behind-the-scenes work of asset forfeiture.
Podcast | How Behavioral Indicators and Leadership Can Prevent School Violence. In December, I had the chance to join Kelly Moore and Ethan Woodman on the CrisisGo podcast to discuss how schools can get left of bang. We explored how behavioral indicators, leadership (a critical part of organizations getting left of bang), and preparedness can help schools both deter attacks and strengthen their response to incidents when prevention isn’t possible. Readiness isn’t just about reacting; it’s about building capabilities today to handle whatever comes tomorrow. If you’re involved in school safety, I hope you enjoy the conversation.
Article | Subjectivity in Productivity. Project progress isn’t always as clear-cut as we’d like—what feels like being halfway done can mean very different things to different people. Jason Fried makes this point in his article, highlighting how creative and complex work (like we see emergency planning, exercise development, or program assessments), often relies on subjective interpretation. In many cases, “it feels like we're about this far along” is a perfectly reasonable answer and probably more accurate than saying, "We are 72% complete." It’s a good reminder that you can set an end date that is fixed but where you are is really up to you.
Article | Hurricane Beryl postseason report finds it was 10 mph stronger, and slower to weaken. Space City Weather breaks down the National Hurricane Center’s post-storm analysis of Hurricane Beryl, which brought Houston to a standstill last July. The report highlights how forecast models performed and reveals that Beryl peaked as a Category 5 hurricane in the Caribbean, before making landfall as a strong Category 1 storm, and weakened more slowly than expected at landfall. Rapid intensification was a recurring theme last year, and Beryl’s evolution offers another case study in how storms are changing. If you’re tracking hurricane trends, this analysis is worth a read.
Article | Expertise and Credentials. I truly appreciate Seth Godin's knack for distilling complex ideas into simple, thought-provoking insights, and this piece is no exception. He defines an expert as “someone who can keep a promise,” while credentials are just proof that someone knows how to earn credentials. We probably all know people who embody both—and others who confuse the two. It’s a great read on what truly matters when evaluating capability.
Article | Why the Public Ignores Preparedness Week. Jeff Donaldson’s article highlights a harsh reality for emergency managers: public preparedness campaigns often fall flat. Traditional “have a kit, have a plan” messaging competes with countless other information sources and struggles to capture attention. Donaldson argues that trust and earned access—not relying solely on push notifications or forced alerts—are what will help people understand their role in disaster response and develop their own (and their community's) resilience.
I saved the most thought-provoking article (at least for me) for last this week. There is a line that stuck with me: “There is an unjustified expectation within EM that argues their message is by default critical and important, valuable and accurate, therefore it should be at the forefront of concern for residents.” It made me pause and ask—if that assumption is true, what are we doing ineffectively as a result? And more importantly, what should we be doing differently? Give this one a read.
For When You’re Ready
If you found this newsletter valuable, consider sharing it with a colleague or friend who might enjoy it. If you want more in-depth insights, you can become a paying subscriber to access exclusive content.
And if you’re thinking about how to strengthen your organization's preparedness, that’s what I do. Whether it’s assessments, planning, speaking, or exercises, I help teams build the skills and strategies to stay ahead of the next challenge.