Practical Prepping Podcast
Practical Prepping Podcast Real solutions for real emergencies—no apocalypse required.The Practical Prepping Podcast cuts through the noise of extreme doomsday scenarios to focus on what actually matters: simple, actionable steps that help everyday people safeguard their families and lifestyles. Why Listen?Knowledge Over Gear: "The more you know, the less you have to carry." We emphasize skills that lighten your load because the right know-how beats an overloaded bug-out bag every time.Real Threats, Real Solutions: From power outages to wildfires, snowstorms to supply shortages, we tackle the emergencies you're most likely to face.Family-Friendly Content: Our podcast main...
17 Overlooked Everyday Items With Real Survival Uses
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. Most people see clutter. Preppers see capability.
In this episode we look at 17 overlooked everyday items with real survival uses.
Aluminum foil becomes a heat reflect...
Redneck Engineering and the Lost Art of Self Reliance
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.
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Proof Vanguard Pen Use discount code "Prepper"
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Redneck engineering is more than a stereotype. It is a mindset rooted in resourcefulness, adaptability, and practical problem solving. Originally, the t...
Flooding Is One of America’s Deadliest Weather Hazards. These Decisions and Actions Save Lives and Property
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, if we take the right steps.
Mentioned In This Episode:
ReadyFam Preparedness App
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Emergency Evacuation and Getting Family Onboard in Prepping
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 also cover special considerations for pets, medical needs, and disaster specific risks, along with the most common mistakes that delay safe evacuation.
But planning is only half the challenge. What happens when your spouse or family thinks you are...
Get-Home Bag Food Guide: Lightweight, Heat-Stable, Ready-to-Eat Options
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
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72 Hour Prepping Checklist
Mainstay Emergency Food Rations (Coast Guard Approved Rations)
Datrex Emergency Rations (Coast Guard Approved Rations)
SOS Emergency Food Rations (Coast G...
Power Outage, Gas Savings, and Forgotten Small Things
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
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72 Hour Prepping Checklist
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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 like Krista's Southern charm, would you be willing to give back a little?
You can do that one o...
12 Military Principles That Improve Our Preparedness Plan
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 Christian
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If you find value in what we do, if you've learned something new, gotten an idea for something you ne...
Road Trip Readiness: Preparing Your Vehicle for Travel
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 talking about how to prepare your vehicle before you start off on your road trip.
Mentioned In This Episod...
The Six Most Frequently Asked Prepping Questions
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 Probability Emergencies To Prepare For First
Episode #491 - Risk Assessment Reality Check; Common Mistakes And How To Av...
The Calm Before the Chaos; Preparing For Hurricane Season
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 the peak of hurricane season arrives. From understanding your local evacuation zone to reviewing your insurance coverage, building a family emergency plan, and assembling a supply kit that can sustain...
17 Multi Use Items That Earn Their Keep When Things Go Sideways
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 situations become unpredictable.
In this episode, we focus on 17 multi use items that consistently prove their value. These are the tools that help...
Sometimes Life Gets In Your Way
Sometimes Life Gets In Your Way
Practical Prepping Podcast Previous Episodes
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 like out Southern charm, would you be willing to give back a little?
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Prepping Pitfalls: The Mistakes, Myths, Failures, and Lessons Learned
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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 the worst possible moment.
We start by looking at some of the most common prepping mistakes. Things like going it...
15 Prepper Uses for Honey That You Should Know
15 Prepper Uses for Honey That You Should Know
Mentioned in this episode: Manuka Honey
Additional Manuka Honey Options
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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 to food preservation to fire starting. If you think honey is just a sweetener, this episode is going to change the way you...
Ten Prepping Items That Could Save Your Life
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 emergencies the average person will face. These are not edge-case scenarios. These are everyday disruptions and accidents. Power outages. Injuries. Water issues. Situations where simple tools and basic...
Cyber Disruptions Are Coming. Build Redundancy for Data, Money, and Communication
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:
WD 2TB My Passport, Portable External Hard Drive, Black, backup software with defense against ransomware
Rand McNally Road Atlas Large Scale 2026
Garmin inReach Mini 2
4...
When the Grid Fails: Chronic Illness Continuity Planning
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, not movie scenarios. We are talking about interruption, not apocalypse, and how to build a plan that reduces fragility without turning your life into a constant drill.
A key concept we return to...
Top Twelve Prepping Items After Water And Food
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.
Mentioned in this episode:
Proof Minimalist Wallets (Discount code PREPPER)
Mr Heater Big Buddy Indoor Safe Heater
The Poop Plan Episode, #215
...
Home Preparedness Basics: Water, Food Storage for Emergencies, and the “Poop Plan”
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 episodes on prepping in small spaces:
Episode #56
Episode #454
Episode #504
The "Poop Plan" Episode # 215<...
From Plan to Action: How to Protect Your Family Before Disaster Strikes
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 effective emergency and trauma kit, and prepare for power outages. We also discuss staying warm without electricity and choosing safe backup heat options. Simple steps that turn preparation into real protection.
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How to Prioritize Preps: The Top 3 High Probability Emergencies to Plan for First
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.
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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 like out Southern charm...
Make Reality Your Training Partner: Break Your Prepping Gear Before Life Does
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.
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If you find value in what we do, if you've learned something new, gotten an idea for something you need to do, been entertain...
Cold Makes You Stupid: How Hypothermia and Frostbite Sneak Up on You
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, or even a little alcohol and all those “it’s fine” choices pile up quick.
So today we’re talking abou...
When Winter Weather Becomes the Emergency You Didn’t See Coming
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 - Indoor safe and portable
The 31 Day Devotional For Preppers
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If you...
Why Good Plans Fail When You’re Tired
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 code PREPPER for a 10% discount
Big Buddy Propane Heater - Indoor safe and portable
Download The E...
Prepping for the Inevitable; How to Prepare as We Get Older
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 realistic plan that fits your real life.
Download The Episode Here
"The 31-Day Devotional For Preppers...
Cold, Dark, and Dangerous: Surviving a Winter Storm in Your Car
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.
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"The 31-Day Devotional For Preppers"
If you find value in what we do, would you be willing to give back a little?
You can do that one of several ways.
Go to our su...
12 Must Have Items for Prepping, Survival, and Self Reliance
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 few laughs (yes, including a very nerdy H₂O joke) while keeping things rooted in real‑world preparedness wisdom.
Other episodes mentioned:
Episode # 344, “Ways to c...
Building an Urban Get‑Home‑Bag; Surviving in the City
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 phone charger, no warning.
Could you navigate your home in the dark, cook a meal without electricity, or contact your family if the...
Building Resilience Without Spending a Fortune: Eighteen No-Cost and Low‑Cost Prepping Activities
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 word to crafting DIY fire starters, you’ll learn how to get prepared without spending big, just planning smart.
Men...
Don’t Drink That! Busting 12 Common Water Myths in Prepping
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
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Free Guide on "Choosing The Right Water Storage Containers"
If you find value what we do, would you be willing to give back a little?
You can do that one of several ways.
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Government Shutdown & Safety Awareness: How to Stay Ready
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 water storage to bug-out bags, communication when the grid is down, and prepping on a budget.
Mentioned In This Episode:
Expanded Show Notes
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Mental Fortitude: Staying Calm & Thinking Straight When Disaster Strikes
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 breathing techniques, building routines, and limiting information overload, that help you think clearly when it matters most.
Because when the power’s out, the storm’s raging, or eve...
“Beyond the Headlines: The Real Work of FEMA”
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 local governments, and what practical steps you can take to make sure your family doesn’t just survive a crisis, but recovers faster because of the groundwork you’ve laid.
Ful...
Big Brother Is Listening, Watching, And Tracking Us, And He Is Being Nosey
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?
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Every Day Carry And A Complete EDC Dump
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 episode, along with the links mentioned in the episode, you'll find them at practicalprepping.info/444
Expanded Show Notes
If you find va...
Ten things that a prepper should not do
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 (Discount code: PREP15)
Expanded Show Notes
Download The Episode Here
If you find value in the podcast, would you be wil...
How To Practice "Minimalist Prepping" In Our Get Home Bags
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 "Minimalist Prepping" In Our Get Home Bags, and these principles can be practiced in our prepping at home as well.
If you...
Water, Calories, Bugging In, and Ditching Gear Dependence
"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 72-Hour Emergency Kit Workshop
Expanded Show Notes
Download The Episode Here
If you find value in the podcast, would you be willing to g...
Low-Tech Prepping, Evaluating Your Core Preps, and Building Reliable Habits
When it comes to preparedness, it’s easy to get distracted by shiny gear and high-tech gadgets. But here’s the truth: batteries die, circuits fry, and the grid can go dark without warning. Real preparedness is about resilience. In this episode, we’ll cover three practical areas of prepping you can strengthen today.
Evaluating your core preps for bugging in, Leaning on low-tech solutions when the gadgets fail, and Building situational awareness - the invisible skill that keeps you ahead of danger.
Mentioned In This Episode:
Muirhead Canning (Discount code PREP10...
