Erin Scardena: Business Partner, Designer and Emergency “Momager”

In this special Mother’s Day edition of the Disaster Tough Podcast, host John Scardena welcomes his wife, business partner, and creative force behind the brand, Erin Scardena, for an authentic conversation on leadership, marriage, communication, and entrepreneurship. Dubbed the unofficial Emergency “Momager” episode, the discussion explores the realities of building a business while raising a family, balancing creativity with operations, and learning how different people process decisions under pressure. Erin shares insights from her professional background in graphic design and higher education, including work with major clients and her current role teaching typography and design principles, while also revealing how strong communication and trust have shaped both their marriage and their business success. The episode delivers practical leadership lessons for entrepreneurs, emergency managers, and professionals navigating high-performance environments at work and home. John and Erin discuss managing creative control, giving constructive feedback, and understanding different communication styles and emotional intelligence in both business and family life. Their candid reflections on working together, raising children, and supporting one another through career growth create a relatable and inspiring conversation about resilience beyond disaster response. The episode highlights how strong teams are built through trust, humility, communication, and shared purpose, whether in emergency management, entrepreneurship, or marriage. #DisasterTough #Momager #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #FamilyBusiness #Communication #MarriageAndLeadership #CreativeLeadership #EmergencyManagement #Resilience #SmallBusiness #WorkingParents