When The Storm Comes

In Episode 14, Mike Smith and Neal Rickner return from vacation into a week of devastating headlines: a deadly ambush on firefighters in Idaho, catastrophic flooding in Texas, and the passage of a sweeping GOP-backed bill that slashes social and scientific funding. They dig into the failures of mental health care, climate preparedness, and political courage—all while reflecting on leadership, legacy, and the importance of community. From energy policy to public service, it’s a powerful look at where the country is heading—and what we can still do about it.