Practical Prepping Podcast

When cell service fails, how will you reach your family? Mark and Krista explore emergency communication options, including two-way radios, ham radio, satellite messengers, and the importance of a good antenna. Then, learn how to identify local threats beyond severe weather, find reliable information, and sign up for emergency alerts. Build a practical household plan based on the risks that matter...

Cell phones are great until service disappears, batteries die, or your group gets separated. In this episode, we explain how GMRS radios can help families, campers, off-road groups, farms, neighborhoods, and small teams stay connected during emergencies. We compare GMRS with FRS, discuss licensing, channels, repeaters, privacy codes, range expectations, and common radio types. We also cover the im...

We have several in the practical Prepping Private Facebook Group and other groups who have asked about how to keep frozen and refrigerated foods safe during a power outage, so we're doing a segment on that.  We are also doing a segment on refreshing our everyday carry, car, and bug-out bags. Mentioned in this episode: Support The Show   Practical Prepping Facebook Group See the expanded episo...

In this episode, we break down two personal everyday carry setups. Krista shares why she carries the Smith and Wesson M&P 380 Shield EZ, and Mark discusses his Springfield RDP 9mm. We also talk with Adam Baker, cofounder of ReadyFam.app, about using technology to organize emergency preparedness supplies, track expiration dates, and build a better family preparedness plan. Krista’s everyday car...

In this episode of Practical Prepping, we discuss practical inflation busting ideas to help you stretch your money and prepare for uncertain economic times. As groceries, gas, utilities, medication, and everyday essentials continue to cost more, many families are feeling real pressure on their budgets. We talk about three basic ways to deal with inflation and recession concerns: having more money,...

Preparedness advice often assumes there are multiple capable adults in the home, but that is not always reality. Some people live alone, and others have a spouse who may be out of town, sick, injured, caring for others, or unable to help during a crisis. In this episode, we talk about building an emergency plan that works when you are the only functioning adult available. You will learn how to cre...

What happens if an emergency starts while you are not home? In this episode, we discuss the often-overlooked problem of being away from your supplies when roads close, cell service slows, or your family is separated. We cover how to assess whether to stay, move nearby, or go home, and why a get-home plan is really a transportation, communication, and reunification plan. We also discuss everyday ca...

Today’s episode of Practical Prepping focuses on staying safe during extreme heat, especially if the air conditioner goes out or you have to be outside. We discuss practical ways to stay cooler and reduce the risk of heat-related problems.  Start with hydration. Drink water regularly and avoid too much caffeine or alcohol, which can contribute to dehydration. Use battery-powered fans, handheld fan...

In this episode, we look at the major categories of prepping and why balance matters. Preparedness is more than food, firearms, or gear. We discuss starting with the needs that apply to nearly every emergency, including water, food, finances, first aid, sanitation, shelter, lighting, power, communications, safety, and security.   We share some practical advice on avoiding debt, building emergency...

Preparedness is not only about buying specialized gear. It is also about recognizing how everyday items can solve urgent problems when normal systems fail. In this episode, we look at ordinary office supplies and the practical survival uses hidden in desks, break rooms, mailrooms, and supply closets. From paper, tape, binder clips, and trash bags to furniture, cardboard, cleaning supplies, and ele...

In this episode, we explore the world of home backup power and break down the essentials of generators and solar power systems. From portable solar generators to gasoline, propane, natural gas, and diesel units, we explain how each option works and what it can realistically power during an outage. We also discuss generator sizing, wattage requirements, and how to determine the right system for you...

If your paycheck stopped for thirty days, would your household stay steady or start scrambling by week two? If extreme heat knocked out the power, would you know how to recognize heat stroke before it turned deadly? Today we are talking about building a simple thirty day buffer on a real life budget and handling heat related illnesses the right way.  Real risks. Practical steps. No drama. Mentione...

Walk through your house with me for a minute. That baking sheet in your oven? It’s not just for cookies, it’s a radio antenna ground plane, a cooking surface over coals, and a drying rack for seeds. That petroleum jelly in the medicine cabinet? Fire starter, skin protection, rust prevention. That five‑gallon bucket in the garage? Sanitation system, water hauler, food storage, even rain catchment....

What if survival is not about expensive gear but about mindset? Redneck engineering proves that resilience comes from creativity, grit, and knowing how to use what is already in your hands. When things break or systems fail, practical self reliance becomes your greatest advantage. Mentioned In This Episode: Support Practical Prepping 72 Hour Prepping Checklist Proof Vanguard Pen   Use discount cod...

Flooding kills more Americans each year than many storms that get far more headlines. Over 100 lives are lost annually, and most of those deaths follow the same predictable pattern. The water doesn’t surprise us. Our decisions do. Today, we’re talking about why.  Flooding remains one of the deadliest weather hazards in the United States. Yet most flood deaths and some flood damages are preventable...

Emergency preparedness is more than checklists and supplies. It is about making critical decisions under pressure and navigating the emotions that come with them. In this episode, we look at the essentials of evacuation planning, including how to identify clear triggers for leaving, choose multiple evacuation routes, create a family communication plan, and understand your sheltering options. We al...

A get home bag is designed to get you home within 24 to 72 hours. It is not a long term survival kit. The goal is simple. Carry efficient fuel that supports movement, not full meals that slow you down. Every item in your bag should earn its place. Mentioned In This Episode: ReadyFam Preparedness App   Use code:: Practical20 Support Practical Prepping 72 Hour Prepping Checklist Mainstay Emergency F...

This episode has three segments: Building A Lights Out Kit, Paying Less At The Gas Pump, and Often Forgotten Small Things. Mentioned In This Episode: ReadyFam Preparedness App Support Practical Prepping 72 Hour Prepping Checklist Download this episode   If you find value in what we do , if you've learned something new, gotten an idea for something you need to do, been entertained, or just lik...

What can preppers learn from the military? In this episode, we look at 12 proven military principles that can strengthen your preparedness plan. From logistics and redundancy to teamwork, fitness, and mental resilience, these lessons will help you move beyond collecting gear and start building a system that actually works when it matters most.  Mentioned In This Episode: Financially Confident Chri...

If you were stuck on the side of the road, or hung up in stand-still traffic for three hours this summer, would you be comfortable… or suffering?  Most people assume they’re fine, until they’re not. Krista sat alone for five hours due to an earlier wreck on one trip, and we sat for a couple of hours on another trip, We'll tell you about those adventures (or misadventures).  Today, we’re talki...

Today we are talking about six of the most frequently asked prepping questions, the ones that I see in our inbox, or that are asked in prepping groups, again and again. If you are just getting started or even if you have been at this for years, you have probably asked at least one of these yourself.  Mentioned in this episode:   Featured Items Page - Gear Episode #542 - The Top Three High Probabil...

The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season is officially underway — and while forecasts call for 12 to 15 named storms, 5 to 9 hurricanes, and up to 3 major storms, there’s one number that matters most: one. It only takes one storm making landfall in your community to turn an ordinary week into a life‑changing event.  In this episode, we break down what you need to know, and what you need to do, before th...

17 Multi Use Items That Earn Their Keep When Things Go Sideways When things go wrong, it is rarely the big, expensive gear that saves the day. More often, it is the small, overlooked items that can handle multiple problems without missing a beat. The challenge is that most people prepare for comfort instead of capability. They pack single purpose items that take up space but fall short when situat...

Download This Episode Here Today we’re taking a hard look at the gaps that can quietly undermine even the most well-intentioned preparedness plans. Because the truth is, most failures in a crisis don’t come from a lack of effort, they come from blind spots. The things you didn’t practice, didn’t question, or assumed would just work out when the time came. And those gaps have a way of showing up at...

15 Prepper Uses for Honey That You Should Know Mentioned in this episode: Manuka Honey Additional Manuka Honey Options Download This Episode Here Most preppers have a jar or two of honey tucked away in their supplies, but very few realize just how much this single item can actually do. In this episode, we break down 15 practical, proven uses for honey that cover everything from emergency medicine...