The Response

Last month, Shareable writer Aaron Fernando spoke at length with Dr. Gordon, about his innovative approach to working with trauma caused by social, political, and environmental disasters. From the ongoing occupation in Gaza to wildfire survivors in Sonoma County, students and teachers in Parkland after the school shooting, military veterans returning home with PTSD, and the systemic marginalization of the Lakota people on the Pine Ridge reservation, Dr. Gordon and his team have seen and supported the many faces of Trauma happening around the world.

Going beyond simply analyzing the dynamics of the 2017 Tubbs Fire and Undocufund, the interview explores the broader issues faced by the undocumented community in California, as well as the importance of organizing and community empowerment when it comes to minimizing the effects of not just environmental disasters—but economic, social, and racial injustices as well.

The third episode of The Response travels to Northern California to provide a unique perspective on the topics of climate change and immigration. We put the focus on last year's Tubbs Fire in Santa Rosa, California — the state's most destructive fire to date — and how it impacted the undocumented community. We explore how, in the face of ICE raids, labor violations, a housing crisis, and climate-fueled wildfires, the broader community is coming together to stand in solidarity with those who are being forced into the shadows. California's climate-fueled drought has left the state in an extremely precarious condition and has led to an unprecedented number of wildfires that are burning hotter, faster, and ever more acreage. The largest wildfire in the state's recorded history was the Mendocino Complex Fire, which scorched well over four-hundred thousand acres during the Summer of 2018. And the second largest fire in California burned just a year before that. As California Governor Jerry Brown says, "Since civilization emerged 10,000 years ago, we haven't had this kind of heat condition, and it's going to continue getting worse." We've already reached a one degree celsius increase in average global temperatures, and we may be on track for four by the end of the century. As the reality of an increasingly chaotic climate begins to settle in, it must be viewed through a lens of social, economic, and political circumstances as well. What does the growing threat of climate-fueled disasters mean for the most vulnerable among us? For more visit TheResponsePodcast.org Executive Producer/Host: Tom Llewellyn Producer/Writer: Robert Raymond Field Producers: Ninna Gaensler-Debbs and Robert Raymond Music: Chris Zabriskie and Lanterns Voice Over Narration: Luisa Cardoza

In this second episode of our new radio documentary series The Response, we shine a spotlight on Puerto Rico. When Hurricane Maria slammed into the island about a year ago, it resulted in thousands of deaths and knocked out power for almost an entire year. The result was what many consider to be the worst disaster in the United States. Further, the devastation wrought by Hurricane Maria exacerbated the ongoing debt crisis that has been crippling the country's public services for years — a crisis that has forced many communities on the island abandon hope that the government will ever come to their assistance. And so when Hurricane Maria hit, it wasn't a surprise to many of these already-abandoned communities when the official response was often nowhere to be seen. This conversation has been told before by many mainstream news outlets. What you might not have heard, however, is the story of the grassroots response that arose after Maria. In the midst of all the austerity and hurricane-driven chaos, a quiet revolution has been slowly taking place on the island. What began as an impromptu community kitchen meant to help feed survivors in the town of Caguas has since grown into an island-wide network of mutual aid centers with the ultimate aim of restoring power — both electric and civic — to the people. We'll hear from many of those involved in these centers and find out why they are growing so quickly and what they are doing to begin addressing both the acute and chronic disasters that Puerto Ricans are facing today. For more visit TheResponsePodcast.org Executive Producer/Host: Tom Llewellyn Producer/Writer: Robert Raymond Field Producer: Juan Carlos Dávila Music: Vladi (feat. Skew.One) and Papel Machete

How do we respond to natural disasters? What comes to mind? Large relief organizations like the American Red Cross? Or perhaps the Federal Emergency and Management Agency? Well, those images are certainly part of the story—but they're not the whole story. In our new podcast series, The Response, we aim to share a perspective that isn't extensively covered in the mainstream media. Specifically, we ask the question: how do communities come together in the aftermath of disasters—often in the face of inadequate official response—to take care of each other? In the first episode of this series, we answer that question by taking a deep dive into the Rockaway Peninsula in New York City, to explore how, in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, a grassroots network of activists and volunteers emerged to coordinate one of the most effective relief efforts in the city. The group became known as Occupy Sandy, and in this episode, we hear the personal narratives of three New Yorkers who were thrown into this spontaneous relief effort. We'll explore how, in the midst of the unfolding catastrophe, unlikely friendships were formed, deep bonds were cultivated, and a perhaps dormant side of New York City was awakened — one based on collectivity, mutual aid, and solidarity. For more visit TheResponsePodcast.org Host/Executive Producer: Tom Llewellyn Producer/Writer: Robert Raymond Field Producer: Paige Ruane Music: Chris Zabriskie, Pele, and Lanterns

The Response from Shareable.net, is a documentary film, book, and podcast series exploring how communities are building collective resilience in the wake of disasters. Climate-fueled disasters are radically transforming the world we live in; with the increasing amount of deaths, displacements, and economic damages acting as a wake-up call for many. The severe storms, wildfires, inland floods, crop freezes, droughts, and tropical cyclones have touched nearly everyone around the world. And yet, news coverage routinely underplays the central drama of these disasters. More often than not, it's the people living in the affected communities that, despite all the obstacles, rise to the occasion to save lives, reduce suffering, and form a community of care. And the re-imagining of what's possible doesn't stop after the initial recovery is over; instead, it continues as communities regenerate; often increasing their equity, resilience, and capacity for joy. Subscribe to The Response for in-depth interviews, round table discussions, and immersive audio documentaries. Listen to every episode here (or wherever you get your podcasts). "The Response: Building Collective Resilience in the Wake of Disasters" (book) features over 30 case studies, interviews, and how-to guides to deepen your understanding of community-led disaster response and collective resilience. Download a free ebook. Shareable's award-winning 30-minute micro-budget film, "The Response: How Puerto Ricans Are Restoring Power to the People," explores how the mutual aid centers sprung up across the island of Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. Learn more about The Response film here. Stay up to date on all things The Response by subscribing to Shareable's weekly newsletter.