Following the 14th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, and as we anxiously watch Hurricane Dorian looming off the southeastern coast of the United States, I speak to Kenny Bellau, who has an inspiring story to share. That’s because he rescued over 400 people in New Orleans in the chaotic aftermath of Katrina. It’s a portrait in resilience, courage, resourcefulness, with a surprisingly optimistic outlook about human nature. (Content heads-up: this podcast includes a couple of accounts of corpses that Kenny saw.) I hope you enjoy his story as much as I did.

Also, to look at photos Kenny took of New Orleans during his rescue work, click here.