DisasterClass Podcast | Your Masterclass in Disaster Preparedness.

Preparedness should make you more capable — not more paranoid. In this episode of the DisasterClass Podcast, Jason Perez and Pappy sit down with Jim Cobb, a nationally recognized authority on disaster readiness and the Editor in Chief of Backwoods Survival Guide magazine. Jim has spent roughly 40 years involved in preparedness, survival, self-reliance, and disaster readiness. He has written numero...

Emergency preparedness has a problem. Not because people do not care. Not because they are lazy. Not because they are ignoring risk on purpose. For many people, preparedness has become overwhelming. Wildfires. Floods. Extreme weather. Mass shootings. Infrastructure failures. Disease outbreaks. Alerts keep coming, but most people are still trying to figure out where to start. In this documentary-st...

You’ve seen Star Wars. But you’ve probably never looked at it like this. In this special May 4th episode of the DisasterClass Podcast, we break down Star Wars as a case study in emergency management, risk mindset, and real-world preparedness. From the Death Star’s catastrophic design flaw to the Rebel Alliance’s ability to operate under extreme constraints, every major moment in Star Wars reveals...

They got the alert. They heard the warning. They had time to leave. And they stayed anyway. In this episode of the DisasterClass Podcast, we break down one of the most dangerous patterns in emergency response: why people ignore warnings—even when the risk is real. From wildfires to hurricanes, tornadoes to floods, history shows that delayed decisions cost lives. But this isn’t about ignorance—it’s...

What would you do if someone collapsed right in front of you? In this solo episode of the DisasterClass Podcast, Pappy explores a hard truth about emergencies: you do not rise to the occasion—you fall back on your training. When stress hits, good intentions are not enough. In those first critical moments, people often freeze, hesitate, or wait for someone else to act. That is why training matters....

When someone collapses from cardiac arrest, brain injury begins in 4–6 minutes. In many communities, EMS arrival can take 10 minutes or more. So what exists in that gap? In this episode of the DisasterClass Podcast, we sit down with firefighter-paramedic and AED Empire co-founder Dustin Talacko to discuss the dangerous space between emergency and response — and why access to life-saving equipment...

Every day, thousands of Americans board international flights thinking about beaches, business meetings, and bucket lists. Very few think about embassy locations. Very few think about hospital systems. And almost no one thinks about what they would do if they were told to shelter in place in a country that isn’t theirs. Recently, tourists in parts of Mexico were advised to remain inside their hote...

In Part 1, we asked a difficult question: Why does preparedness fail so many people after disasters? In Part 2, we go deeper. This episode explores what changes when risk becomes visible — not as a checklist, not as a warning, but as something that can actually be understood, measured, and acted on before disaster strikes. As insurance companies, real estate markets, and governments increasingly p...

Across the country, people are doing what they’ve been told. They build emergency kits. They follow alerts. They evacuate when ordered. And still — they lose everything. Not during the disaster. After it. In Part 1 of this documentary-style episode, DisasterClass examines a hard truth most preparedness conversations avoid: survival is not the same as recovery. Homes may survive storms but become u...

What should kids actually know how to do during an emergency? In this episode of the DisasterClass Podcast, Jason Perez and Pappy break down emergency preparedness for kids by age, using real-world case studies, child development science, and practical experience to show what children are truly capable of when they’ve been prepared calmly and intentionally. This isn’t about scaring kids — it’s abo...

Preparedness isn’t about disasters — it’s about the systems you rely on every day. When people think about preparedness, they often focus on hazards: storms, outages, emergencies. But real-world outcomes aren’t determined by the event itself — they’re shaped by how that event disrupts essential systems and how those disruptions interact with household vulnerabilities. In this episode of the Disast...

2025 flew by — and in this Season 3 Year-in-Review episode, Jason Perez and Pappy (Jason Martin) look back at what made this year memorable: major disasters and real-time event breakdowns, standout guests and episodes, and the key preparedness lessons that kept showing up again and again. We also shift into winter weather preparedness with practical reminders for travel, vehicle readiness, power o...

In Part 2 of our interview with Chris Grollnek, one of the nation’s leading experts in active shooter prevention and response, we transition from mindset to real-world action. This episode breaks down the practical, proven steps schools, workplaces, and communities can take right now to build a true culture of preparedness. Chris shares decades of insight from law enforcement, consulting, and high...

🚨 “It’ll never happen here.” That mindset could cost lives. In this powerful episode, active-shooter prevention expert Chris Grollnek joins hosts Jason Perez and Wesley Long to break down what real readiness looks like—far beyond “run, hide, fight.” Chris shares how his on-duty experience changed his life and how schools, businesses, and families can prepare for the unthinkable without fear-monge...

In this episode of DisasterClass, hosts Jason Perez and Jason Martin (aka Pappy) welcome back Arthur Simental, founder of EM Disaster Gaming, and first-time guest Todd Manns, CEO of The Blue Cell Group. Together, they discuss Complex Coordinated Attack, a groundbreaking new disaster war game designed to push the limits of training, preparedness, and decision-making for emergency managers and first...

What if the biggest threat to your disaster readiness isn’t your gear… but your lack of sleep? In this episode of Disaster Class, Jason Perez and Wesley Long talk with Lori Oliver and Jill MacRae, co-founders of The Inactive Company, about why rest is one of the most overlooked tools in emergency preparedness. You’ll learn: Why sleep deprivation can impair judgment like alcohol 🚨 The Sleep 7 Play...

Wildfires are burning hotter, faster, and in more places than ever before. In this episode of the DisasterClass Podcast, IBHS Senior Director Steve Hawks shares how post-fire research, Wildfire Prepared Home, and Wildfire Prepared Neighborhoods are helping families and communities build resilience against a growing national threat. 📌 Learn more: www.wildfireprepared.org | IBHS: https://ibhs.org F...

Wildfires are spreading faster, burning hotter, and threatening communities across the U.S. — not just in California. But here’s the surprising truth: most homes don’t burn from flames… they burn from embers. In this debut episode of DisasterClass, we sit down with Steve Hawks, Senior Director for Wildfire at the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) and former CAL FIRE leader...

What does it really mean to be hurricane ready? 🌀 In this episode of the DisasterClass Podcast, we sit down with meteorologist Rachael Gauthier from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) to uncover the science-backed strategies that protect homes against hurricane damage. Rachael explains: ✅Why your roof is your home’s first line of defense ✅How wind-rated garage doors p...

In this episode of the DisasterClass Podcast by Instinct Ready, hosts Jason Perez and Wesley Long are joined by Anthony Escoto of Disaster Operations Group to take a deep dive into the Parks and Recreation Season 5 episode “Emergency Response.” You know—the one where Leslie Knope faces an avian flu outbreak drill on the exact same day as her big gala fundraiser. With Anthony’s real-world disaster...

Most people don’t know their local emergency manager—but they should. In this episode of DisasterClass, we celebrate the very first National Emergency Management Awareness Month and break down what emergency management really is, why it matters to your business, community, and family, and how to connect with the professionals working behind the scenes to keep you safe. Joining us is Arthur Simenta...

Looking for realistic emergency preparedness tips for your family? In this episode of the DisasterClass Podcast, we’re joined by Jen Heller, founder of Here Comes the Apocalypse—a modern, relatable take on family disaster preparedness and emergency planning. Jen shares how she turned personal fear into action by designing creative, paper-based emergency preparedness kits, disaster checklists, and...

Connecticut just raised the bar for bleeding control legislation — and the rest of the country is watching. In this episode of the DisasterClass Podcast, we dive into Connecticut’s groundbreaking new law that requires bleeding control kits and training across a wide range of public buildings — making it one of the most comprehensive bleeding control laws in the United States. Whether you're a pare...

June is National Pet Preparedness Month, and this episode is your guide to ensuring your pets are just as ready for emergencies as the rest of your family. 🐶🐱🐰🐴 Join Wesley and Pappy for an in-depth breakdown of: Episode Highlights: ✅ Pet Emergency Kit Essentials: What to include—food, water, medical records, collar, sanitation items, comfort items like toys and bedding—to reduce stress durin...

In this episode of the DisasterClass Podcast, Jason and Pappy sit down with the incredible JaNae F — better known online as @preparedlikeamother — a preparedness influencer, mother, and passionate advocate for family and community readiness. JaNae shares the story of how she got started in emergency preparedness, what sparked her journey, and how it quickly turned into a mission. We talk about the...