ReadyCorps Daily Brief

Ep #39: From buying the right gear for the job to utilizing the feed to connect with other like-minded members to utilizing the in-person and online training AmCon provides, Sam (@smith29) knows the ins and outs of the AmCon world, and this week, he visits us. We will discuss the AmCon Adventure Challenge, the AmCon Information and Situational Awareness Team [AISAT], and how you can maximize every...

Ep #38: In part two of our series on discussing American Contingency with those close to you, we focus on practical topics like mobility and evacuation plans, medical preparedness, and essential documents. We explore how to initiate conversations around having a quick evacuation plan, assembling bug-out bags for the whole family (including pets), and keeping vehicles ready for emergencies. We also...

Ep #37: In today's fast-paced world, being aware of your surroundings can mean the difference between safety and danger. Join me as I delve into the art of situational awareness, exploring the secrets behind the OODA Loop (observation, orientation, decision, and action) and the Perception, Comprehension, and Projection model. Discover how to break free from phone-induced distractions and sharpen y...

Ep #36: Discussing how you can casually and effectively talk to your neighbors, friends, and family about the importance of emergency preparedness is imperative if you want them to be ready for whatever comes next. In this episode, I'll provide practical conversation starters on topics such as food and water storage, home security, mobility, medical preparedness, and essential documents, aiming to...

Ep #35: You know your time is valuable. People say there aren't enough hours in the day, but that is a fallacy. The truth is we aren't spending our time effectively. In the pursuit of preparation, AmCon will save you time, energy, and confusion by introducing you to an entire community of people who want to help prepare one another. Growing and sharing are choices you make. We can show you the way...

Ep #34: Entering into American Contingency membership is all about getting connected with your regional, state, county, and interest groups right away. We are not an organization where sitting on the sidelines will help you. If you want the total value of AmCon to manifest, it is imperative that you actively join your regional, state, and county groups. From there, you can find and participate in...

Ep #33: Credit card debt can feel like King Kong on your chest, and if you live on a fixed income, then figuring out a strategy to get yourself out from under the debt beast can feel like a never-ending carousel of balances going up and down. Let's discuss some strategies for elevating this burden so you can walk freely again, taking deep breaths, without the anxiety of a potentially missed payche...

Ep #32: Discover how to make the most of summer with strategies for fun activities, winter preparation, saving money, and enhancing family time. Explore various outdoor activities like hiking, biking, swimming, and camping that boost physical and mental health. Learn practical gardening and home maintenance tips to prepare for the colder months, including planting vegetable gardens and performing...

Ep #31: Tornado sirens going off in my community. Alerts blasting over cell phones. Lightening lighting up the sky as if Zeus is furious with everything below Mt. Olympus. Thunderstorms and tornado cells roaming your community can bring with them massive levels of uncertainty; I know it did for me recently. For me, when weather systems rock my home, being a part of American Contingency affords me...

Ep #30: Explore the critical aspects of mobility across personal readiness, community engagement, and practical strategies in our latest podcast episode. We delve into how physical fitness and psychological preparedness enhance personal safety, the benefits of community-led safety initiatives, and the essentials of navigating outdoor environments. Learn about the importance of rapid departure read...

Ep #29: Today, we're talking about something super important: being ready for anything, whether a natural/man-made disaster or something unexpected. It's all about having those critical conversations with your family, friends, co-workers, loved ones, church, and community to ensure everyone's on the same page. I'll share some key tips on why certain ways of discussing this pertinent topic will mot...

Ep #28: Have you ever considered how the emotions of anxiety, judgment, and anger shape our lives and our decisions, for better or for worse? Preparing for emergencies or disasters transcends the realm of tangible supplies and bug-out bags; it fundamentally entails cultivating mental resilience and maintaining mental health and wellness to navigate crises effectively. Today, I delve into the dual...

Ep #27 - HAM radio offers a versatile and powerful means of communication for enthusiasts and emergency responders alike - as they operate across a wide range of frequencies, allowing users to transmit voice, data, and even images to other operators anywhere in the world, depending on the frequency band and atmospheric conditions.  In this episode, I talk to member Max Williams about HAM radio, ho...

Ep #26 - The Adventure Challenge is your opportunity to test your skills in a semi-controlled environment so you can be prepared and respond effectively to any challenge that comes your way. Today, we welcome back Thom Rigsby to discuss the ins and outs of the Adventure Challenge. For members, you already know when your region is scheduled to participate. For non-members, the degree to which you p...

Ep #25 - Everything is fine in your world until it is not. A fall, cut, burn, crash, illness, or catastrophe doesn't send you a text to let you know it is on the way - it slams through your metaphorical door of life and abruptly stops you in your tracks to demand you go into immediate action. Emotional resilience is your fortress when times go sideways. It is not enough to think about what you wou...

Ep #24 - Communication is critical during severe weather emergencies. As extreme weather events become increasingly frequent, understanding how to communicate effectively in these situations is essential for safety and preparedness. Join us as we discuss strategies across our 12 different preparedness categories, delving into the nuances of personal and family preparedness, emphasizing the signifi...

Ep #23 - In 2024, American Contingency is bringing an Adventure challenge to our membership with the audacious goal that everyone in the nation will one day take part in learning, participating, and practicing skills necessary for life, not just disaster or crises.  In this episode, we welcome back Thom Rigsby to discuss the Adventure Challenge and what AmCon has in store for our members in 2024....

Ep #22 - Thom Rigsby joins us to discuss the support of the AmCon community, how our regional events and training guide members to improve their preparedness and crisis skills, and how our daily situational report brings unbiased, reliable information and news to the membership. When you’re ready to build the skills, network, and confidence to be ready for whatever comes next - join us at American...

Ep #21 - It's been a whirlwind of a 2023. Let's dive into the world of resilience in this empowering episode, where we merge the concepts of emotional and psychological resilience to arm you with the tools you need to stand firm in the face of life's adversities. We'll explore seven key strategies to build your emotional resilience, from nurturing a positive outlook to embracing the inevitability...

Ep #20 - Strengthening our community bonds, building effective communication strategies, and preparing ourselves for the unexpected by learning and training is the heartbeat of American Contingency. We care about you because we care about our world, our country, our city, our neighborhood, our street, our social circle, our loved ones, ourselves! In this week's episode, we welcome back Denny G, ou...

Ep #19 - Cultivating strong neighborhoods and communities, active listening, and conflict resolution are keystone attributes of an effective leader in any community. American Contingency focuses so intently on leadership because we know that while we might go faster alone, we go further together - and during a crisis, man-made and mother nature, knowing there are people who have your back can make...

Ep #18 - What direction do you think the country is going? There are rumblings of discontent from all sides of the aisle and within every demographic, but...are we collectively being blinded by the immediate noise of the media machine and missing a huge opportunity to be grateful for everything we are privy to here in the United States? Mario Q (Southeast Regional Coordinator) has a unique perspec...

Ep #17 - National Preparedness Month is a time to focus on what you can do within our 12 categories to ensure you are as prepared as possible for any given Tuesday. These 7 powerful principles will guide you along your journey. Whether you are a newbie to the world of preparing or an old GOAT who loves to pass along their wisdom, these principles will speak to you and inspire you to go that extra...

Ep #16 - Emergency communication. We talk about that so much within AmCon because we know that most people rely solely on their cell phones as their only way of communicating with anyone not directly in their immediate space. When Mother Nature blasts her chaos into our lives, that same network we love to watch funny videos on and order things so we don't have to leave our houses becomes overloade...

Ep #15 - September is National Preparedness Month! Picture this: It's any given Tuesday, and suddenly, a situation arises that you never saw coming. It could be a man-made incident like civil unrest or a public shooting, leaving you feeling uncertain about your safety, or a natural event like a severe thunderstorm hitting your neighbor's house with lightning and knocking your power out. These are...