Crisis Designer Podcast

In this episode of the Crisis Designer Podcast, we speak with Clémentine Gaspar, Senior Project Officer in Crisis Management at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP) and Swiss Army officer. With over eight years of experience designing and delivering immersive crisis training, from high-level diplomatic workshops to field simulations in high-risk environments, Clémentine brings a unique blend of strategic vision and hands-on facilitation.We dive into what makes a crisis simulation feel real: ambiguity, immersion, decision pressure, and trust. Clémentine shares how her team uses background research, mixed media injects, dynamic facilitation, and behavioral reviews to stretch participants and build genuine muscle memory.We explore:How to design realistic simulations across sectorsWhat makes an inject meaningful and what breaks immersionWhy parallel narratives and misinformation matterBest practices for behavioral After-Action ReviewsUsing live injects and role players to boost engagementHow trust, leadership, and pressure shape decision-makingIf your goal is to move beyond static tabletop exercises and into living, evolving simulations, this conversation is full of practical wisdom.

In this episode, we speak with Gayle Anders, Global Business Continuity Program Manager at Netflix and Head of the BCI USA Chapter, to explore what it really takes to build resilience across a fast-moving, global organization.Drawing on his background as a U.S. Marine Corps officer and experienced crisis planner, Gayle shares how his team designs lightweight but effective continuity programs that don’t disrupt the business—but still deliver measurable value. From 30-minute resilience assessments to Netflix’s unique "resilience score" model, we dive into a data-driven, culture-aware approach that prioritizes outcomes over paperwork.We discuss:How Netflix adapts continuity planning to its decentralized cultureMoving from compliance checklists to actionable insightLessons from military-to-corporate crisis leadershipGaining buy-in from stakeholders without adding unnecessary burdenMaking After-Action Reviews short, sharp, and effectiveIf you want to make your crisis management program smarter, leaner, and more relevant—this episode is for you.

In this episode, we speak with Marcel Baschisada, cyber resilience expert at Kudelski Security, about why many organizations aren’t as prepared for cyber crises as they think.Marcel takes us through his journey from Big Four IT audit to cyber incident response and explains why simply having a plan isn’t enough—you need to know if you can act on it under pressure. We explore the limits of generic tabletop exercises, the value of industry-specific threat intelligence, and the design of dynamic, high-stakes simulations for sectors like pharma, healthcare, and OT.If you want to move beyond checklist compliance and build real crisis muscle memory across your organization, this episode is for you.

In this episode of the Crisis Designer Podcast, we speak with Daniel Valdepeña Cross, Senior Risk Analyst at Nestlé. Daniel shares his expertise in designing immersive cyber crisis simulations, highlighting the evolution from traditional tabletop exercises to dynamic, interactive scenarios that engage decision-makers in real-world crisis responses.He discusses the challenges of translating complex IT issues into business-relevant concerns, emphasizing the need for realistic, localized content that resonates with leadership. Daniel also reflects on his journey in cybersecurity and crisis management, offering valuable insights into how immersive simulations can prepare organizations to handle cyber crises effectively, with a focus on decision-making, impact assessment, and continuity planning.

In this episode of the Crisis Designer Podcast, we speak with Katie Kotke, Global Lead of the E.Y. Center of Excellence for Crisis Simulations. Katie shares her expertise in designing immersive and realistic crisis simulations, emphasizing the importance of mixing media channels to engage participants and make exercises feel lifelike. She discusses the process of tailoring simulations to different audiences, from crisis management teams to executive boards, ensuring that each scenario aligns with specific objectives. Katie also reflects on her unconventional journey into resilience and crisis management, offering valuable insights into how immersive simulations can enhance organizational preparedness and resilience across industries.

In this episode of the Crisis Designer Podcast, we speak with Eren Karatas, Senior Information Security Professional at PMI. Eren shares his expertise in designing crisis simulations that test and improve organizational processes, emphasizing the importance of creating realistic, immersive exercises. He highlights the role of communication and engagement in effective crisis training, explaining how tailored scenarios help teams identify gaps and improve their responses. Eren also reflects on his career journey, from sales to IT and finally to information security, and discusses the challenges of leading crisis simulation exercises for diverse departments. He offers valuable insights into how crisis simulation can be a powerful tool for both training and awareness, ultimately helping organizations strengthen their resilience.

In this episode of the Crisis Designer Podcast, we speak with Ross Hold, Business Resilience Manager at Sage. Ross shares his insights on designing crisis simulations that prepare teams for high-pressure situations, drawing from his extensive background in military crisis management. He emphasizes the importance of crafting realistic, narrative-driven scenarios that help teams immerse themselves in crisis situations and respond effectively. Ross also discusses the unique challenges of transitioning from the military to the corporate world, highlighting how military training principles can be applied to enhance business continuity and crisis preparedness.

In this episode of the Crisis Designer Podcast, we talked to Alba Redondo, Senior Global Crisis Officer at Amadeus, a technology company that powers the global travel and tourism industry. She shares how tailored crisis simulations strengthen response capabilities and build resilience. Drawing from her background in crisis communications, Alba emphasizes the importance of clear goals, collaboration, and engaging, realistic scenarios.She highlights the value of after-action reviews to drive improvement and reflects on the creative and collaborative aspects of crisis management, encouraging others to explore this rewarding field.

In this episode of the Crisis Designer Podcast, André Borlido, Crisis Management & Business Continuity Specialist working in the luxury goods industry, shares insights on building resilience in a volatile, interconnected world. Drawing from his experience working with over 20 prestigious luxury Maisons, André highlights the value of crisis simulations in improving preparedness, decision-making, and response times. André emphasizes the importance of tailoring scenarios to team maturity, incorporating realism to drive engagement, and fostering a safe environment for learning. He also shares best practices for scenario design and after-action reviews, stressing agility and adaptability as key to resilience in the luxury industry and beyond.

In this episode of the Crisis Designer Podcast, Adam Barrett, Resilience Director at dentsu, shares insights into designing and executing impactful crisis exercises. With over 15 years of experience in business continuity and resilience, Adam emphasizes the importance of identifying critical activities, mitigating risks, and fostering team collaboration. Adam explains how crisis exercises help organizations validate processes, enhance communication, and build resilience. He highlights best practices for scenario creation, including using risk analysis, incorporating realistic elements, and balancing participant roles. He also discusses maintaining immersion through in-world facilitation and leveraging personas to enrich scenarios. Finally, Adam underscores the importance of relationships in resilience planning, advising practitioners to prioritize relationship-building over technical expertise for long-term success.