Structurally Sound - Institute for Homeland Security

Structurally Sound - Institute for Homeland Security

Structurally Sound is a podcast produced by the Institute for Homeland Security (IHS) at Sam Houston State University. The podcast will be a game-changer for small to medium-sized businesses looking for the latest best practices in security and resilience. We want to inspire professionals like you to help you achieve your goals. New episodes are available on first and third Mondays each month!

Episodes

November 12, 2025 37 mins
What makes a great chief security officer, or chief information security officer? It's not only about security knowledge - intentionality, agility and personnel development all play a big role. This week, we chat with Jim Hutton, a former CSO for Procter & Gamble and other major companies as well as a member of the inaugural Hall of Fame Speaker series at our recent Thought Leaders conference. We're also joined by IHS Prog...
Mark as Played
If you put the right camera on a drone, it can spot cracks in a rooftop or nitrogen levels in crops, among other versatile and positive uses. If you're up to no good, though, the same drone could cause plenty of problems for public- and private-sector critical infrastructure operators. This week, we chat with Dr. Art Wolfskill, professor and head of the agribusiness program at Sam Houston State, about the benefits and risks of...
Mark as Played
Safety, security and resilience require planning and agility. They also require partnerships both within a company and between private and public groups - especially in critical infrastructure. This week, we chat with Julio Gonzalez, the CEO of Sentinel Resilience Group, about building resilient frameworks and avoiding silos.
Mark as Played
Most critical infrastructure is operated by private companies, not the government - and those corporations are facing existential threats emerging from cybersecurity, social media and international adversaries. This week, IHS Program Executive Scott McHugh and IHS Coordinator Shelby Payne introduce our upcoming Thought Leaders Conference featuring seasoned leaders innovating solutions and strategies for those threats. More inf...
Mark as Played
Historically, nuclear energy has faced two major obstacles - it's expensive and scary. Both may be changing rapidly. This week, we chat with Robin Gaster, the research director for the Center for Clean Energy Innovation at the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, about how small modular reactors could make nuclear power more affordable and accessible at home and abroad. We also talk about shifting public opinion a...
Mark as Played
All disasters are local. Disaster preparation often comes down to reliable information and accessible routine. This week, we chat with Justen Noakes, the Executive Director of Before/During/After and HEB's former "hurricane guy," about how an accessible and localized information hub can help small business plan, react and recover from crises. Noakes has also written a research paper for IHS on supply chain management and problem so...
Mark as Played
We all depend on products delivered by trucks. Shipping industries are a vital part of critical infrastructure at risk of unique scams and fraud - even when goods themselves make it from Point A to Point B just fine. This week, we chat with Matthew Wood, vice president of strategic relationships and general manager of Cedar Bluff Companies, about proactive steps to detect and avoid freight fraud. You can also learn more f...
Mark as Played
July 14, 2025 30 mins
This week, we give a fond send off to Grant Threat, transportation project manager and podcast co-host extraordinaire, who is moving to a new role in critical infrastructure. We also chat a bit about the devastating flooding in Kerrville, Texas. Here's a list of charities collecting donations: https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/where-to-donate-help-central-texas-flood-recovery/
Mark as Played
Artificial intelligence is evolving rapidly, emerging in a variety of programs and technologies in critical infrastructure. Michael Echols from MAX Cybersecurity argues that adoption needs to be measurable and intentional - not surprising or under the radar. We also touch on news that AI programs can decline instructions to shut down and Echol's book on cybersecurity and his new book on AI.
<...
Mark as Played
Embracing new technology brings risks and rewards. On the one hand, adopting the right emerging tech and tools can enhance, elevate and streamline your business. On the other hand, adopting the wrong new tools can be expensive and burdensome for employees or customers. The key is strategy - planning deliberately, not hopping on a bandwagon. This week, we explore that strategy in the transportation sector with digital transform...
Mark as Played
The Arctic environment is shifting - literally and figuratively. There are unique and varied opportunities and risks for critical infrastructure and national security in and around Alaska and the Arctic Circle. This week, we're joined by IHS program executives Scott McHugh and Robert Crane to chat about last week's Maritime Risk Symposium and the emerging arctic landscape.
Mark as Played
How do you plan for a disaster? There's only so much you can do with paperwork and theory, but you also don't want to wait for an actual crisis to develop a strategy. That's where simulations come in - and, often, adaptive board games and training exercises. This week, we chat with James Meaux, the regional training and exercise coordinator for SETRAC, and John Suarez, project manager for the health and public health sectors at IHS...
Mark as Played
is recognizing when circumstances have changed and adapting to compensate, even if it means changing plans. We've got a short podcast today about responding honestly to curve balls.
Mark as Played
Current computers use binary code, a series of ones and zeroes that are arranged methodically in lines of code. They're entirely linear - everything is step by step by step, a one or a zero at a time. That's not the case for quantum computers, the "weird" new computational technology that could shred conventional encryption methods and turn digital infrastructure upside-down. This week, we explore quantum computing w...
Mark as Played
This week on Structurally Sound, we share our biggest takeaways from our water infrastructure mini-series and discuss the future of water in Texas. We chat with Reyna Loosmore, Water & Wastewater Sector Project Manager and feature the triumphant return of co-host Grant Threatt, Transportation Systems Project Manager.

Mark as Played
The vast majority of community water systems in Texas are rural, with 10,000 or fewer residential connections. That's also where most of our population growth is headed. How can small water systems plan, update and adapt their aging infrastructure? This week, we chat with Ms. Lia Clark, Community Engagement Manager with the Water Finance Exchange, and Mr. Jason Knobloch, Deputy Executive Director with the Texas Rural Water Ass...
Mark as Played
What happens if the water goes out at a hospital? What if the tap dries up during a broader crisis, like a hurricane or a winter storm? With thoughtful planning and careful training, plus cooperation and coordination between sectors, some of those risks can be reduced. This week, we chat with Mike Mastrangelo, Emergency Management and Public Health Expert, and Elston Johnson, president and owner of Elston Johnson & As...
Mark as Played
There are at least two ways of approaching water challenges - conserving and maximizing the water we have and strategizing solutions for water we don't have. That's especially true in the Rio Grande Valley. This week, we chat about both with the newly appointed Chairwoman of the Texas Water Development Board, L'Oreal Stepney and Assistant Texas Agriculture Commissioner, Dan Hunter. We also explore an important water treat...
Mark as Played
Texas is big. So are our water challenges. This week, we chat with guests in the far corners of the Lone Star State about varied challenges and opportunities in water infrastructure and preservation. We're joined by Trey Gerfers, General Manager with the Presidio County Underground Water Conservation District in Marfa and Dominik Sobieraj, Chief Operating Officer, with the Northeast Texas Municipal Water District in ...
Mark as Played

Water and wastewater are essential parts of our daily routines and our critical infrastructure. It only works, though, if talented employees sign up to build and innovate the field. How can we encourage folks to explore water careers? This week, we chat with Adelaida Mayorga, Continuing Education Professor at Houston Community College Northeast Campus, and Jacquelyn Knobloch, Apprenticeship Progra...

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!

    Ruthie's Table 4

    For more than 30 years The River Cafe in London, has been the home-from-home of artists, architects, designers, actors, collectors, writers, activists, and politicians. Michael Caine, Glenn Close, JJ Abrams, Steve McQueen, Victoria and David Beckham, and Lily Allen, are just some of the people who love to call The River Cafe home. On River Cafe Table 4, Rogers sits down with her customers—who have become friends—to talk about food memories. Table 4 explores how food impacts every aspect of our lives. “Foods is politics, food is cultural, food is how you express love, food is about your heritage, it defines who you and who you want to be,” says Rogers. Each week, Rogers invites her guest to reminisce about family suppers and first dates, what they cook, how they eat when performing, the restaurants they choose, and what food they seek when they need comfort. And to punctuate each episode of Table 4, guests such as Ralph Fiennes, Emily Blunt, and Alfonso Cuarón, read their favourite recipe from one of the best-selling River Cafe cookbooks. Table 4 itself, is situated near The River Cafe’s open kitchen, close to the bright pink wood-fired oven and next to the glossy yellow pass, where Ruthie oversees the restaurant. You are invited to take a seat at this intimate table and join the conversation. For more information, recipes, and ingredients, go to https://shoptherivercafe.co.uk/ Web: https://rivercafe.co.uk/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/therivercafelondon/ Facebook: https://en-gb.facebook.com/therivercafelondon/ For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iheartradio app, apple podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

    The Joe Rogan Experience

    The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

    The Breakfast Club

    The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.