Inside the Castle

Latest Episodes:

Inside the Castle - Ep. 175 - Planning at the Speed of Relevance: Celebrating a Legacy of RAPID Innovation Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

How does the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) decide what to build, where to build it, and how to reduce water resource risks to our local communities? It all starts with Civil Works Planning. In this episode of “Inside the Castle,” we sit down with three leaders who are fundamentally modernizing this process: Mr. Eric Bush (Chief of Planning and Policy, USACE Headquarters), Mr. Joe Redican (Deputy Chief of Planning and Policy, USACE HQ), and Ms. Susan Werning (Deputy Chief, Planning Community of Practice, USACE Headquarters). Listeners will hear about the historic rollout of the new “RAPID” planning framework—which stands for Risk-Informed, Aligned, Proportional, Iterative, and Decisive—and how it streamlines feasibility studies to deliver water resources solutions years faster. We also celebrate a major milestone as Mr. Bush prepares for his retirement this November, reflecting on a career dedicated to environmental restoration, public safety and sustainable economic development, and planning excellence. Whether you are a local community partner, an engineering professional, or a taxpayer interested in how infrastructure is designed, join us to discover how USACE is delivering at the speed of relevance.

Inside the Castle - Ep. 174 Remembering 9/11: A Solemn Duty and the USACE Response Sep 10, 2026

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On the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Inside the Castle pauses to honor the nearly 3,000 precious lives lost and the unimaginable courage of the first responders who ran toward the danger. In this solemn episode, podcast hosts Reagan Lauritzen and Amy Snively talk with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Historian Dr. John Lonnquest and USACE Curator Eric Reinert to reflect on USACE’s rapid mobilization and the sacred duty of preserving that history. The discussion covers the critical, behind-the-scenes engineering efforts at the Pentagon and Ground Zero—from structural triage and environmental remediation to the painstaking debris recovery mission. The episode also highlights an incredible, lesser-known story of immediate response: amid the chaos, USACE boat crews from the Caven Point Marine Terminal in NJ shuttled thousands of stranded citizens across the Hudson River to safety, returning with critical fuel and supplies for the fireboats and emergency responders on station. Finally, the episode explores how the USACE Office of History has preserved these memories, featuring a selection of artifacts collected by the Office of History. These artifacts are now part of the “Steel and Stone: Engineering the Response to 9/11” exhibit at the National Museum of the United States Army. To read more about USACE's response and other significant events in the organization's history, read "The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: An Illustrated History, 1775-2025," and "Continuing the Mission: A History of the New York District from 1975-2005."

Inside the Castle - Ep. 173 The Future of Civil Works & Emergency Operations with Ryan Fisher Jul 30, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of "Inside the Castle," we are joined by Mr. Ryan A. Fisher, Executive Deputy for Civil and Emergency Operations, for a wide-ranging discussion on the future of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Drawing from his extensive experience—from the district level all the way to the Administration—Mr. Fisher provides his perspective on modernizing the agency to deliver its national missions more effectively. Listeners will hear about the "Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork" initiative, the critical role of trust and empowerment in executing projects, and the importance of creating a culture that embraces innovation. Plus, Mr. Fisher shares some exclusive breaking news about a significant milestone in his career. Join us to hear about the future of Civil Works, emergency response, and the commitment to delivering world-class engineering solutions for the nation.

Inside the Castle - Ep. 172 Build Strong With Us Series - the Caribbean District Apr 10, 2026

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In this edition we talk with US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Florence Kessel with the Caribbean District. Florence has been with USACE for 10 years and has spent the last two years helping stand up the newly formed Caribbean District. In this episode we will discuss her path into USACE, he passion for the work she does, and what she has learned about USACE over the past year.

Inside the Castle - Ep. 171 Build Strong With Us Series - The Voices Behind "Build Strong with Us" Mar 27, 2026

Show notes

In this special episode of the "Build Strong with Us" series, the hosts become the guests. Get to know the voices behind the microphone, Amanda Ray Marino and Warner Buckman, as they share their own unique journeys into and through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This episode offers an inside look at the diverse career paths and opportunities for growth within one of the nation's most impactful organizations.

Inside the Castle - Ep. 170 "Stone by Stone" Series - 2025 USACE National Award Winners Mar 16, 2026

Show notes

In the third installment of the "Stone by Stone" series for the "Inside the Castle" podcast, we celebrate the achievements of some of the 2025 USACE National Award winners. In this episode, we interview two winners: Norfolk District's Matthew S. Karlinchak and Sacramento District's Roxanne B. Carlson. Mr. Karlinchak is one the USACE Program Managers of the Year for his work on expansion for Arlington National Cemetery. Ms. Carlson is the 2025 recipient Hard Hat of the Year, which embodies dedication to quality assurance and safety enforcement in construction projects. This episode highlights the diverse talents and contributions within the organization that these award winners embody.

Inside the Castle - Ep. 169 Mapping the Mission with AGC Sep 30, 2025

Show notes

From floodplains to the front lines, geospatial intelligence makes the map the mission. Inside the Castle sits down with Army Geospatial Center leaders George Ohanion and Randy Reynolds to show how the AGC delivers the data, tools, and training that keep communities safe and warfighters ready.

Inside the Castle - Ep. 168 Partnership in Action: the Silver Jackets Sep 26, 2025

Show notes

Partnership in action: Inside the Castle explores the Silver Jackets program with USACE’s Brandon Brummett and PA’s Tom Hughes—sharing how federal, state, and local teams unite to reduce flood risk, deliver better data, and turn good ideas into on-the-ground results.

Inside the Castle - Ep. 167 Build Strong With Us Series - Dylan Edwards – Chief Ranger – Norfolk and Bull Shoals Lake Sep 19, 2025

Show notes

In this edition we talk with US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Dylan Edwards the Chief Ranger at Norfolk and Bull Shoals Lake within the Little Rock District of Arkansas

Inside the Castle - Ep. 166 "Stone by Stone" Series - Frannie Bui - National Hurricane Program Manager Aug 28, 2025

Show notes

In this second episode of “Stone by Stone,” a new “Inside the Castle” podcast series, we talk with Frannie Bui, the National Hurricane Program Manager for the National Planning Center of Expertise for Coastal Storm Risk Management, which is located in the Corps’ Baltimore District. Listen as Bui discusses hurricanes preparedness, the National Hurricane Program and the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. The National Hurricane Program is a federal interagency partnership between the Corps, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The program provides tools and resources to plan, prepare for and manage risk against hurricanes, delivers comprehensive hurricane evacuation training and technical support to partners and provides real-time information and guidance to state and local emergency managers in support of their hurricane evacuation decisions during hurricane approach. The “Stone by Stone” series is bite size in scope, providing listeners with a shorter, focused update on critical U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-related issues impacting our nation. The “Inside the Castle” podcast goes behind castle doors to have real conversations with real people about solving the nation’s toughest challenges.

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