Road to Resilience

Ashley and Jon Ray zoom in on the Lowcountry with someone who knows its roots and its roads better than most, John Mitchell. As a college classmate, community leader, and chief of “showing up,” John brings decades of experience in civic engagement, placemaking, and equity strategy to a conversation that somehow made space for laughter, transportation debates, and survival stories that only happen when you’re talking to family.We revisit the legacy of Hurricane Hugo, explore how history shows up as pride across generations, and dig into what it means to be a survivor in a place shaped by storms, settlement, and devotion. Jon Ray adds his own perspective as a former public servant and yes, a few jokes that only land when you’ve lived through both bureaucracy and Charleston traffic. Because on Road to Resilience, the roads are never just roads; they’re symbols of access, equity, and the choices communities make to stay rooted.This episode moves between humor and heart, offering a thoughtful look at why some people remain fiercely committed to home even when leaving might be easier. If you’ve ever wondered what resilience looks like when it’s tied to legacy, land, and love for community, this conversation will meet you right where you are. It’s reflective, funny, grounded and a reminder that being “resilient enough to stay” is its own kind of courage.

Hey y’all we’re "greenlit" for Season 2! After a brief summer break we dropped in with a quick hello. Now Road to Resilience is back, and we’re jumping into more complex topics, fun guests, and challenging ideas that will expand how we think about what resilience means for a community.Expect focused interviews, deeper dives on crisis response, and conversations that mix history, policy, and the everyday work of keeping places rooted. Subscribe, tell a friend, and stay tuned-- new episodes drop soon.

In this episode, Benjamin DeAngelo shares the story of his transition from shaping national climate policy to shaping young minds at Howard University. We talk about identity, purpose, and the unexpected freedom that comes with redefining your lane after nearly three decades in public service. And with graduation season underway—a time of profound transition for students, parents, and professionals across the country—we explore how Ben’s journey mirrors the broader moment: a reminder that reinvention is always possible, and that the future of climate resilience will be built by the communities we teach, mentor, and empower.

This Women’s History Month, Ashley and Jon sit down with Sybil Brown — New York–based therapist, mother, community‑builder, and founder of The Calming Suite (https://www.thecalmingsuite.com) — for a powerful conversation about the emotional backbone of disaster recovery. Sybil has spent her career helping people rebuild safety after instability, trauma, and crisis, including supporting communities long after Hurricane Sandy. As Ashley notes, Sybil brings “an incredibly grounded understanding of what emotional recovery looks like long after the headlines fade.”Together, they explore the unseen labor women carry in families and neighborhoods, what happens when the cameras and funding disappear, and how women’s quiet leadership becomes the hidden infrastructure of community resilience. They unpack survival mode, modern stressors, and the impact of disrupted support systems — especially for women and mothers — while highlighting the role of sisterhood, neighbors, and chosen family in helping people heal. Sybil also shares practical tools listeners can use to process stress and rebuild emotional safety in their own lives.

Cybersecurity often feels confusing and intimidating—full of jargon, invisible risks, and threats most people don’t know how to plan for. In this episode, we simplify it. CJ Dixon joins us to break down the cyber side of community resilience in a way that’s clear, human, and rooted in everyday life.CJ explains why the most important layer of cybersecurity isn’t technical—it’s people. We explore how to talk about cyber risks without fear, how to communicate during a crisis, and why trust depends on speed, accuracy, empathy, and humility.This conversation is about awareness: understanding the digital tools and services your community already relies on and recognizing how they support daily life. When people know what they’re connected to, cybersecurity becomes far less intimidating and far more actionable.This episode gives listeners a practical way to think about cyber that feels manageable, grounded, and aligned with how communities actually function. It’s a human look at trust, technology, and how we stay resilient as digital systems become inseparable from how we live.

Ashley and Jon bring in a Gen Z Emergency Manager to get new perspectives on preparedness plans, social media, and what community means to a generation ready to rewrite history and redesign the rules for everything.

This month, we’re joined by Behati Hart, a resilience strategist and advocate whose work bridges personal well-being with community strength. Together, we explore what it means to not only withstand disruption but tips on how to survive and help others through it.  Behati’s perspective reminds us that resilience is as much about people and relationships as it is about systems and strategies.Tune in to hear how personal resilience and community resilience intersect—and how we can all play a role in shaping a healthier, more prepared community. For more information about Behati's work and the BETi method visit her website: Home 

This month, Jon and Ashley sit down with Sean Lahav, a longtime Florida resident and a leading voice in the state’s resilience movement. With over a decade of experience navigating Florida’s evolving climate, infrastructure, and policy landscape, Sean offers a candid and insightful look at the challenges facing the Sunshine State—from rising seas and extreme weather to community adaptation and future-proofing. It's a grounded, forward-looking conversation about what resilience really means in one of America’s most vulnerable and visionary regions.

You can't manage what you can't imagine. Jon and Ashley sit down with Vivek to talk about how individuals succeed (and fail) to prepare for disasters and the tools available to make life a little less scary. For more information visit about the road to resilience summit see below: Home | Florida Road to Resilience Summit

Jon and Ashley introduce themselves and talk about their "why" when it comes to community resilience. For more information about the Florida Road to Resilience Summit mentioned in the episode (several times!) click the link below: https://www.floridaroadtoresiliencesummit2025.com/