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Practical Prepping Podcast — Education
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 maintains clean, judgment-free advice that’s appropriate for all ages—prioritizing practicality over paranoia.

What Sets Us Apart

Unlike some other preparedness podcasts, we focus on practical readiness for realistic challenges:

Weather emergencies like tornadoes, hurricanes, and winter storms

Power outages and water disruptions

Financial preparedness and debt reduction

Family communication plans

Everyday carry essentials

Food storage and preservation

First aid and medical preparedness

Much more

Our Approach

Hosts Mark and Krista Lawley combine decades of experience in emergency response, outdoor skills, and home resilience to deliver advice that works in real-world situations. Whether you’re just starting your preparedness journey or looking to refine specific skills, our content meets you where you are with clear, actionable advice.

No bunkers. No zombies. No alien invasions. Just practical prepping.

Join Our Community

With over 500 episodes and a growing library of free and premium resources, we’re building a community of like-minded individuals focused on responsible preparedness. From our private Facebook group to our newsletter and online courses, we offer multiple ways to connect and learn.

Stuff happens. Stay prepared.

Copyright: © 2023 Practical Prepping Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode # 96, "Why Are Safety Pins Included In Survival Kits?" Sep 10, 2021

Show notes

Practical Prepping Podcast Episode # 96, "Why Are Safety Pins Included In Survival Kits?"

Please share this episode with friends. Here is the direct link: https://practicalpreppingpodcast.buzzsprout.com

"Why Are Safety Pins Included In Survival Kits?"
Because a safety pin has an almost infinite number of uses.

In this episode we discuss a number of uses, from a toothpick, first aid supply, and self defense weapon, and ask listeners to email even more uses.

If you find value in the podcast, please consider supporting the podcast by buying us a cup of coffee.
You can do that by going to www.buymeacoffee.com/practicalprep

We invite you to drop us an email at info@practicalprepping.info
Visit our website at www.practicalprepping.info
Join us on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for more episodes of Practical Prepping Podcast.

Episode # 95, "We Should Be Layering Our Food Storage" Sep 08, 2021

Show notes

Practical Prepping Podcast Episode # 95, "We Should Be Layering Our Food Storage"
Please share this episode with friends. Here is the direct link: https://practicalpreppingpodcast.buzzsprout.com

After a disaster, SHTF, job loss, economic collapse, or an alien zombie frog invasion we will still have to eat, so we must be storing food and water. Those food preps should be "layered."

In this episode, we explain what those layers are, why you should do it, and how, especially focusing on the middle layer and how you can make food buckets of these items.

Layering food preps

Short term storage, lasts for 1-3 years in storage
Longer term storage, lasts for 5-15 years depending on storage
Extremely long term, 25+ years of storage life

Short-term storage - lasts for 1-3 years in storage
Canned vegetables, canned meats, pasta, boxed meals (mac & cheese), frozen foods
Items that we buy two extra on every grocery trip
These are the foods that we eat regularly and will be rotating in and out of our food pantry as needed to maintain freshness.

Long termed food storage - lasts for 5-15 years depending on storage
It's a little hard to store more than one year of short-term foods without having some expire. term and extreme storage foods let us build our food preps to much longer than a year without having to rotate them.
Building long-term food buckets of rice, beans, and pasta lets you share with others in dire circumstances

Flour
Salt
Sugar
Honey
Peanut butter
Dry beans/peas
Rice
Various spices, sauces, and salt alternatives

All of these items will store well in food buckets if kept air-tight, out of direct sunlight, and protected from rodents.
We don't suggest that you build food buckets or buy twenty-five year foods until you have three months minimum worth of food and water stored up. Then, and only then, should you start building up some long-term storage foods.

Extreme long term storage (25+ years of storage life)
These are the twenty-five year storage foods, such as freeze dried foods, dehydrated foods, and powdered products like eggs and milk.
The whole point is that regardless of what happens, you will have to eat! It really doesn't matter how you do it, just properly store food and water. The best way is by layering.
If you find value in the podcast, would you please consider supporting the podcast by buying us a cup of coffee. You can do that by going to www.buymeacoffee.com/practicalprep

We invite you to drop us an email at info@practicalprepping.info

Visit our website at www.practicalprepping.info

Join us on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for more episodes of Practical Prepping Podcast.

Episode # 94, "Understanding Inflation And Hyperinflation, And How We Can Prepare For A Potential Crisis," Sep 06, 2021

Show notes

Practical Prepping Podcast Episode # 94, "Understanding Inflation And Hyperinflation, And How We Can Prepare For A Potential Crisis,"

Please share this episode with friends. Here is the direct link: https://practicalpreppingpodcast.buzzsprout.com

Reading the title of this episode, some might believe that we are just peddling fear. Far from that, we are peddling PEACE.

One, we are not saying that we will see hyperinflation in first world countries; in fact, we have our doubts that we will.

However, we ARE seeing inflation rates rising, and we know that it is going to rise for a while. How long and how high we do not know.

We do know that God is still in control, and that He teaches us to be prepared, and that brings us peace..

Inflation rates over the last 15 months:
May 2020 - 0.12%
Nov 2020 - 1.17%
Mar 2021 - 2.62%
Apr 2021 - 4.16%
May 2021 - 4.99%
Jun 2021 - 5.39%
Jul 2021 - 5.4%

Current inflation rates are far from the hyper inflation rate of 50% or more for a month, or even the double digit rates of the 1970s, but are still putting the crunch on the economy, and on families that can least afford it.

While June 2021 US rate was at 5.4%, individual items rose dramatically.
Gasoline 45 %
Fuel Oil 44 %
Natural gas. 15 %
Used vehicles rose 45 %

Understand the basics of inflation
More money competing for less product causes prices to rise. That is inflation. Your money has less buying power.

Now, if the inflation is not bad enough, analysts analysts seem to agree that there will be shortages in the food supply this fall and winter.

Grocery stores are ordering like crazy, and U.S. food distributers cannot fill all their orders. Production is down. The workforce is down. Crop production is down.

What does that mean for the prepper with a limited budget?

We can purchase things today that we know we will need at some future time. Food is a good example. We know we will need food next week, next month, next year, and so on.

A good hedge against inflation for the everyday-Joe-practical-prepper is to pre-purchase long shelf-life food and supplies we know we will need later.

With this in mind, we have put together a list of things that the everyday-Joe-practical-preppers can invest in now and save money later, OR things that may not be available in a period of hyperinflation.

FIRE

Matches, lighter, charcoal, lighter fluid, commercial Tinder

HEAT

Wood stoves, Firewood, Generators, Supplimental natural gas space heaters, Propane heaters, Kerosene hearters
Buy & store extra fuel

LIGHTING

Flashlights, LED lanterns, Propane lanterns, Oil lamps, Candles and Batteries

FOOD and food prep items

WATER

CLEANING SUPPLIES

PERSONAL HYGIENE ITEMS

FIRST AID SUPPLIES

OTC MEDICATIONs

If you anticipate the time will come to barter, (and with hyperinflation it will) then store some items for that purpose.

Link to the data used for this episode: www.inflation data.com

Please consider supporting the podcast by buying us a cup of coffee. You can do that by going to www.buymeacoffee.com/practicalprep

We invite you to drop us an email at info@practicalprepping.info

Visit our website at www.practicalprepping.info

Join us on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for more episodes of Practical Prepping Podcast

Episode # 93, "Lessons Learned From Ida and Other Hurricanes" Sep 03, 2021

Show notes

Episode # 93, "Lessons Learned From Hurricanes"

For more information on being prepared for hurricanes, you might consider listening to these previous podcast episodes:

Episode # 62, "Prepping For Hurricanes And Other Weather Related SHTF."
Episode # 34, "Preparing For Hurricanes"
Episode #53, "Dealing With Heat Related Illnesses"

In a news briefing just ahead of hurricane Ida, a government official said, "the first 72 hours are on you"

Another said, "If you call 911, we can't help you"

That's why we've say stay prepped for a minimum of a week on your own, but a month is even better.

Lessons:

Help Isn't coming

No EMS
No Firefighters
No Law enforcement
The time comes when it is just too dangerous to put personnel in harms way

If you ignore an evacuation order, do you really have a right to ask someone else to risk their life to come to you when you should have evacuated?

When help does come, it will be delayed.

They must triage & prioritize
Why proficiently in first aid is so important
Why having a well stocked first aid kit is so important
Why storing medications is so important

People get displaced

Have an evac plan
Motels get filled to the north
May be better to go east or west by 100 miles
Take a weeks worth of clothes when evacuating, extra shoes, at least one of which is sturdy work or walking shoes/books

Some people lose everything

Preps should be split to store in several areas, even if it is two areas inside the same house, or in the house and the garage

The power goes out

Generator
Have enough fuel stored for generator to last several weeks.
Run generators outdoors only
Carbon monoxide KILLS !
Cannot be used indoors, in the garage, or below open windows.
Safest to have a battery operated CO detector nearby
Batteries & inverter for CPAP and life sustaining equipment

Keep a Lights out kit

Flash lights
LED lanterns
Headlamps
Glow sticks

Plan for aux heat & cool

Propane heater for cold weather
Window unit A/C w/ generator for hot weather

Food delivery stops for a while

No pizza delivery, no Steak Out, no Grub Hub
Be prepared to either cook food with a non-electric method, or have plenty of no prep needed foods.

Food may not be available

Grocery stores are closed due to damage
There are power outages

Cash becomes king

Credit/debit cards may not work
ATMs can go down due to power outage, Internet outage, or being empty.

Plan for mosquitoes

There is a lot of standing water after hurricanes. Be prepared with insect repellant.

Communications are interrupted

Cable TV gets interrupted
Cellular network are quickly overloaded
Text msg uses less bandwidth and may work when voice doesn't
Have a battery operated AM/FM for local information, with extra batteries.
It's a good time to have ham radio, if you have the license.
Check out episodes #16 & #25

If you find value in the podcast, would you consider supporting us by buying us a cup of coffee? You can do that by going to www.buymeacoffee.com/practicalprep
Your support helps us keep the podcast up and running, as well as growing.
We have a few things in the planning, and your support will really help make these things happen

Episode #92, "Learning as you go, in life, as well as in prepping" Sep 01, 2021

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Please share this episode with friends. Here is the direct link: https://practicalpreppingpodcast.buzzsprout.com

Practical Prepping Podcast Episode #92, "Learning as you go, in life, as well as in prepping"

We want to strive to improve each time we do something, in all areas of life.
Seek to increase your prepping knowledge regularly
Work to improve our prepping skills each week or each month

Understand That We Will Make Mistakes
Do not fear failure, or making mistakes, unless you are a bomb disposal technician.
Thomas Edison, when questioned about having unsuccessfully tried thousands of times to make a working lightbulb, replied, "I have not failed.... I've just found 10,000 ways that wont work"

Learn from our mistakes
What went right?
What went wrong?
What can we do better next time?

Learn from the mistakes of others
What did they do wrong?
What could they have done to avoid the mistake?

Try doing old things in new ways
We're not reinventing the wheel here, but looking for little improvements in systems or procedures
ie: A better way to inventory your food or your water storage, or rain water collection

Remember that we can learn something from everyone
Sometimes What/How to do
Sometimes What/How not to do

Doing a "hot wash," "post mortem," or "after-action" of an event or practice and make notes
What did we do right? Or what went right?
What did we do wrong? Or What went wrong?
Analyze the information
And Develop a plan

Commit to the learning process !
Learn something every day
Read something every day
Books, journals, website, articles, magazines, forums, social
media groups (may have to filter thru the clutter)
Even if only for a few minutes each day
Watch/listen to something once or twice each week
Youtube videos, podcasts, especially while driving

Recapping
Learn as you go
Don't fear mistakes
Figure out what you did right or did wrong
Try doing old things in new ways
ie: Fire starting, water filtration,
Commit to the learning process
Do these things and you will be light years ahead down the road.

If you find value in the podcast, would you consider supporting us by buying us a cup of coffee? You can do that by going to www.buymeacoffee.com/practicalprep

Your support helps us keep the podcast up and running, as well as growing.

We have a few things in the planning stage, and your support will really help make these things happen.

We invite you to drop us an email at info@practicalprepping.info

Visit our website at www.practicalprepping.info

Join us on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for more episodes of Practical Prepping Podcast

Episode # 91, "Items That Disappear From Shelves When People Panic" Aug 25, 2021

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Please share this episode with friends. Here is the direct link: https://practicalpreppingpodcast.buzzsprout.com

Practical Prepping Podcast Episode # 91, "Items That Disappear From Shelves When People Panic"

People panic because they are not prepared.

Covid fears, weather issues, reported or perceived supply chain issues can all lead to panic buying, which can lead to empty shelves.

In this episode, we discuss many of the items which can become in short supply when people panic.

Please consider supporting the podcast by buying us a cup of coffee. You can do that by going to www.buymeacoffee.com/practicalprep

We invite you to drop us an email at info@practicalprepping.info

Visit our website at www.practicalprepping.info

Join us on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for more episodes of Practical Prepping Podcast

Episode # 90 "Prepper Tips New Preppers Need To Know, When Starting Out, And Reminders For The Rest Of Us." Aug 23, 2021

Show notes

Practical Prepping Podcast Episode # 90

Please share this episode with friends. Here is the direct link: https://practicalpreppingpodcast.buzzsprout.com

"PREPPER TIPS NEW PREPPERS NEED TO KNOW, WHEN STARTING OUT, And Reminders For The Rest Of Us."

MAKE A WRITTEN PLAN

Decide on a prepping budget
$5, $10, $20 whatever per week or month,
Plan on a reasonable timeline
Set some goals

Cover these catagories in your plan:

Food
Water
Fire/Heat
Shelter
First aid
Security

Listen to Episode #19, "Safety Tips For The Home,
And While You Are Out"

DO NOT Start out buying gear!

Lots of things you can begin DOING, such as reading, learning, listening to podcasts, watching youtube videos....
But Dont Buy Gear - - yet.
You'll eventually need some gear, but it will save you a lot of money if you don't buy gear when you first start prepping.

You can start collecting what you already have.

Probably have a knife of some type
Probably have a lighter, or matches
Probably have some type of bag
Collect these things

Begin by filling your prepping pantry w/ food & water
Store only what your family will eat

When starting out, ONLY BUY the following:

Food & water
First aid & medications
Personal hygiene items
- Toilet paper
- Soap, shampoo
- Tooth paste
- Feminine items

Store lots of water

Minimum one gallon per day per person

When you have a three months of food storage, then slowly start buying gear

DO NOT STOP ADDING FOOD!
Spend gear $$ wisely
Purchases needs to fit an identified NEED
Don't buy "cool stuff" someone else says you need
Make sure it fills a need YOU have identified

Start living below your means

Do it now
Quit racking up credit card debt - NOW

Don't get frustrated

Be patient
Take small steps
Work your plan

Prioritize Sanitization (makeshift restroom)

Even for short term

Get/Stay in shape

Dont go it alone

Get your family involved

Please consider supporting the podcast by buying us a cup of coffee. You can do that by going to www.buymeacoffee.com/practicalprep

We invite you to drop us an email at info@practicalprepping.info

Visit our website at www.practicalprepping.info

Join us on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for more episodes of Practical Prepping Podcast.

Episode # 89, "Your Emergency Binder... you DO have one, don't you?" Aug 20, 2021

Show notes

In this episode we discuss building an EMERGENCY BINDER and suggest items it should contain.

Episode # 89, Your Emergency Binder... you DO have one, don't you?

Please share this episode with friends. Here is the direct link: https://practicalpreppingpodcast.buzzsprout.com

First item is to include in your Emergency Binder is a Copy Of Your Emergency Plan

Next is a one page Personal Information Sheet

Height, weight, DOB, Social Security Number,
Drivers lic number, phone number, address
Medical history, Doctors name & number

A written copy of your Emergency Contacts

A list of Financial & utility accounts/information

Banking, mortgage, loan payments, IRAs, 401-Ks
Name
Address
Phone
Account number
Username & password
Investment accounts

Copies of all pertinent Legal Documents

Marriage license
Divorce agreements
Social Security Card
Birth certificate
Driver's License
Property Deeds
Vehicle titles
Wills
Living wills, advanced directives, etc.
Citizenship documentation (if nationalized)
Passport
Business ownership documents

Copies of all your Insurance Documents

Home
Auto
Health insurance card
Life
Boat/RV/other properties

A record of the Serial numbers of expensive items
or copy of sales receipt w/ serial number

Vehicle info, year, make, model, tag, vin, etc
Firearms
Computers
Cell phones
Cameras
Televisions
Anything expensive w/ serial numbers

(Items with serial numbers can be entered as stolen)

Put a scanned copy of all this information on a USB drive, for replacement or duplication purposes, or for emailing individual documents as needed.

Store a copy in an offsite secure location, trusted family or safe deposit box

You can also make a "Lite" version without passwords, or sensitive information, to carry with you.

Each of our needs are different, so build your binder to fit your own personal needs. We hope you never need it, but you'll have it if you do.

Please consider supporting the podcast by buying us a cup of coffe. You can do that by going to www.buymeacoffee.com/practicalprep

We invite you to drop us an email at info@practicalprepping.info

Visit our website at www.practicalprepping.info

Join us on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for more episodes of Practical Prepping Podcast.

Episode #88, "Building A Get-Home-Bag, Car-Bag, And Kit For Our Children Who Drive To And From School Or College" Aug 16, 2021

Show notes

Practical Prepping Podcast Episode #88, "Building A Get-Home-Bag, Car-Bag, And Kit For Our Children Who Drive To And From School Or College"

Please share this episode with friends. Here is the direct link: https://practicalpreppingpodcast.buzzsprout.com

We build GHBs, BOBs, car kits, emergency kits, and such for ourselves, but what about for our children?

How have we prepared our driving age children for an emergency?

How about a SHTF event?

If they are away at college, do you have them prepared to be self sufficient for several days after a natural disaster?

If they travel to & from college, are they equipped with 72 hour bag?

Do they have some skills to use what is in that bag?

In this episode we discuss many of thr items they need to be carrying, some of the principles they need to be taught, and some skills they need to have.

Please consider supporting the podcast by buying us a cup of coffe. You can do that by going to www.buymeacoffee.com/practicalprep

We invite you to drop us an email at info@practicalprepping.info

Visit our website at www.practicalprepping.info

Join us on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for more episodes of Practical Prepping Podcast.

Episode # 87, "Freedom, Choice, And Personal Responsibility" Aug 13, 2021

Show notes

Practical Prepping Podcast Episode # 87, "Freedom, Choice, And Personal Responsibility"
Please share this episode with friends. Here is the direct link: https://practicalpreppingpodcast.buzzsprout.com

This episode is an adaptation of an opion piece that I wrote and posted, including on social media, about six weeks ago. The information given here will be a little dated, as the numbers change by the day, if not by the minute.

This is MY opinion. Your opion may differ. That is ok. That is supposed to be the beauty of our country, the freedom to choose.

Please consider supporting the podcast by buying us a cup of coffe. You can do that by going to www.buymeacoffee.com/practicalprep

We invite you to drop us an email at info@practicalprepping.info

Visit our website at www.practicalprepping.info

Join us on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for more episodes of Practical Prepping Podcast.

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