I love calling this "The Definitive* Episode" because any conversation about AI is outdated nearly the moment it wraps recording, let alone the time it takes to edit and publish. I'm looking forward to releasing the next "definitive" AI episode, but in the meantime this interview is NOT what you may be expecting.

This was recorded a few weeks ago with my friends, the good doctors, Sarah Miller and Ryan Rockabrand, who are both emergency management practitioners with PhDs in artificial intelligence. And wow this was not a conversation that I thought we were going to have. This is not the AI episode that you’re expecting. I promise. We blasted right past generative AI and landed on humanoids, nuclear reactors being built in your backyard, and the liability of not using AI for our work in the near future.

The premium version episode is the length of a feature film, and it’s been live, ad-free, with video on stateofdisaster.com for about a week for premium subscribers. If you head over there, you’ll hear the bonus content about Ethics and laws about using AI to emulate someone or create a bot using their likeness. Like Sarah may or may not have done with Ryan. We also talk about the criminal use of AI and how malicious human engineering is evolving and escalating rapidly. Premium subscribers also get to ask my guests questions before and after their episodes air, and that’s how you can get your questions asked on the show, maybe even with a recording of your voice. Head over to stateofdisaster.com and enjoy all the cool stuff I’ve published along with extras from some of the awesome people you’ve heard on the show.

This is a very special episode, because this is the recording of the first Emergency Management Roundtable hosted through a partnership with Aspiring Emergency Managers Online, the Emergency Management External Affairs Association, and me, your Friendly Neighborhood Emergency Manager and show host.

The Emergency Management Roundtable series is a fun way for us to bring your questions and comments to leaders and innovators in the field about the current and future state of emergency and disaster management.

When you register, you can submit your questions and you can also participate in the live Q&A. These are all opportunities for you to claim your seat at the roundtable. Get it? Great. Because I love this concept and I love this episode because it’s with the incredible MaryAnn Tierney.

On October 15th, we’re going to be interviewing Dr. Kate Starbird on her work with disaster disinformation, misinformation, and of course, the questions you ask from your seat at the table. Register here.

Alysha Kaplan is the current president of the Washington State Emergency Management Association. She's been an emergency manager for almost 20 years, and she's also the Deputy Director of King County Emergency Management. In this episode, we start with her incredible journey through the field, her experience coordinating with FEMA to manage disasters locally, and of course, the (potential) power of your local emergency management association.

When we recorded this interview, the Washington State Emergency Management Association was striving for 300 members. I am so thrilled to announce that they have since surpassed that goal and continue to grow.