Practical Prepping Podcast

Most people picture preparedness as expensive and overwhelming. A garage full of gear. Thousands of dollars spent. Months of planning. In reality, the gap between no preparation and meaningful preparation is much smaller. It comes down to having a handful of the right items and knowing how to use them. In this episode, we walk through ten affordable, practical tools that cover the most likely emer...

Most disruptions don’t arrive as dramatic failures, they show up as small, compounding inconveniences. In this episode, we explore what happens when the digital systems you rely on every day become unreliable, and how to build simple, practical redundancy across your data, finances, and communication so you’re not caught off guard when things don’t work like they should. Mentioned In This Episode:...

Most preparedness advice is built around a healthy, mobile adult who can adapt on the fly. But real life looks different for millions of households. If you rely on dialysis, insulin, oxygen, CPAP, a ventilator, or time sensitive prescriptions, your safety is tied to systems that can and do break. This episode focuses on chronic illness emergency preparedness that works for real world disruptions,...

This episode focuses on the kind of preparation that rarely looks exciting on social media but makes the biggest difference when real life hits hard. The theme is simple and consistent throughout the conversation: prepping is not about fantasy scenarios or expensive gear. It is about the everyday, practical items that prevent a manageable emergency from turning into a life changing disaster. Menti...

Today we wrap up a three part series on the basics of prepping. We’ve covered the planning and protection stages. And in this episode we are covering the provisions stage; what it takes to keep daily life functional when the power goes out, the grocery shelves are empty, or a winter storm traps you at home for days. This is what it takes to make that happen. Mentioned in this episode: Three episod...

 Preparedness isn’t about collecting gear, it’s about taking action. In this episode, we move beyond planning and focus on practical steps to secure your home and protect your family. We cover the non‑negotiable safety essentials every household should have, including smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, and NOAA weather radios. You’ll learn how to set up a safe room, build an...

Prepping doesn’t start with gear, it starts with a clear head and a realistic plan for the emergencies you’re most likely to face. In this episode, we walk through building a practical prepper mindset, doing a simple risk assessment for your region and household, and choosing your top priorities so you can prepare without getting overwhelmed.  Download The Episode Here If you find value in what we...

 Preparedness isn’t a pile of equipment - it’s proof under pressure. Today we’re talking gear failure testing: how to find the parts that snap, clog, drain, or freeze before they cost you. We’ll also share a simple After Action Review format to capture what happened, what went wrong, and what to change next. Small tests now prevent big surprises later. Download The Episode Here If you find value i...

Cold doesn’t just make you miserable. It makes you sloppy, and that’s usually where people get into trouble. Once you’re cold, you start cutting corners without even thinking about it. You skip a snack. You don’t drink anything. You leave your gloves off “just for a second.” You keep pushing because you’re like, “I just want to be done and back inside.” Now toss in wind, wet clothes, being tired,...

Across much of the country, winter weather is disrupting power, travel, and daily life. For most people, nothing dramatic happened — conditions just kept getting worse. That slow deterioration is what makes winter emergencies so dangerous. This episode explains what to watch for and when to act before inconvenience turns into real risk.   Mentioned in this episode: Big Buddy Propane Heater  - Indo...

Most emergency plans fail for one simple reason: they expect you to be calm, rested, and thinking clearly. But real emergencies don’t wait for your best day. In this episode, we discuss why fatigue silently sabotages even “good” plans, and how real preparedness works when you’re tired, stressed, and already running on empty.  Mentioned in this episode: Proof RFID Blocking Pocket Wallets    Use the...

If we’re blessed to live long enough, we’re going to grow old, and that can mean less strength, less mobility, and less mental bandwidth (especially under stress). So the real filter for every prep becomes: “Can I do this on my worst day, injured, tired, or stressed?” The good news is that you don’t need extreme fitness to be prepared for older age, or prepping in your senior years,  you need a re...

When people get stuck in a winter storm, their instincts often push them toward the most dangerous choice they can make. In this episode, we’re exposing the biggest blizzard survival myths—and explaining why staying in your car, managing heat correctly, and avoiding carbon monoxide could save your life.  Download The Episode  Here "The 31-Day Devotional For Preppers" If you find value in...

In this episode, Mark and Krista dive into twelve essential categories of preparedness gear, not specific brands or fancy gadgets, but foundational items that every prepper should have ready . From water and food to cash and fire‑starting tools, this conversation is a practical guide for building or improving your emergency supplies. They share personal experiences, listener insights, and even a f...

You’re halfway across the city when the power grid goes down. Streets jam. Transit stops. Your phone’s dead, and there’s no Uber, no train, no help coming. How long would it take you to get home — and what would you need to survive the trip?  Today, we’re talking about building an Urban Get‑Home‑Bag — your lifeline when city life stops working.  Imagine your power goes out tonight; no lights, no p...

Imagine your power goes out tonight; no lights, no phone charger, no warning.  Could you navigate your home in the dark, cook a meal without electricity, or contact your family if the grid stayed down for days?  In this episode, we’re going into simple, no‑cost and low‑cost prepping steps that build real resilience, things you can do right now with what you already have.  From making a family code...

Water is essential for survival, especially in emergency situations. Today, we debunk twelve common myths and misconceptions about water preparedness within the prepping community. Knowing the truth can help you stay safe and hydrated when it matters most.  Mentioned In This Episode: Expanded Show Notes Download The Episode Here Free Guide on "Choosing The Right Water Storage Containers"...

In this episode, Krista and Mark discuss the real-world impact of the government shutdown on SNAP and EBT recipients and what that could mean for community safety and personal awareness.  They share practical tips on staying alert, protecting yourself while shopping, and preparing for supply disruptions.  In the second segment, they tackle seven of the most common prepping questions, from food and...

When disaster hits, panic spreads fast, but calm is contagious. In this episode, Mark and Krista talk about one of the most powerful, and overlooked, preparedness skills: your mindset. You’ll learn how to manage stress when life gets chaotic, what to watch for when anxiety sneaks up on you, and how to recognize when others might be struggling, too. They share simple, practical tools, like breathin...

You’ve heard the frustration. You’ve seen the memes. Maybe you’ve even wondered — what does FEMA actually do? In this episode of we look beneath the public perception to uncover FEMA’s real purpose, its response process, and how that understanding can make you more personally prepared for disaster. We’ll pull back the curtain on how FEMA coordinates federal disaster relief, supports state and loca...

It's not a conspiracy, and we bring proof of that today from our own phones and computers. We are talking about Government Over Reach , and you had better believe that they are listening, and watching, and still being nosey. Expanded Show Notes If you find value in the podcast , would you be willing to give back a little? You can do that one of several ways.       Go to our support page      ...

 What's in YOUR bag? What needs to be? What does NOT need to be in your bag? Inquiring minds want to know and that's what we are going to cover today - the Every Day Carry bag. Please share this podcast with your friends, family, and on social media accounts. Here's the link:  https://www.practicalprepping.info/podcast If you would like to have the expanded notes on today's epi...

Are you the reason your prepping efforts might fail?  Could your own actions, or inactions, be setting you up for disaster when a crisis hits? What if, despite all your efforts, you're unknowingly ensuring your survival plan collapses when it matters most? Mentioned In This Episode: Muirhead Canning (Discount code PREP10) Proof Minimalist Wallets (Discount code PREPPER)  1791gunleather.com (D...

We've all seen the memes of the 400 lb dude carrying a 400 lb bug out bag Everything he could ever want in there. That's not at all practical. Actually, many of us probably carry more in our bags than we need, and that adds weight, especially in a get home bag we might have to wear for an extended period of time. On today's episode we are going to discuss How To Practice "Minim...

"In today’s episode we are discussing How to make safe drinking water, calculate post-disaster calorie needs, master the art of bugging in, and reduce your dependence on survival gear." Mentioned In This Episode: Muirhead Canning (Discount code PREP10) Proof Minimalist Wallets (Discount code PREPPER)  1791gunleather.com (Discount code: PREP15)   Getting Started In Prepping and Building A...