ReadyCorps Daily Brief

Awareness Is the First Step

In this lecture, Tom Rigsby explores the necessity of preparedness within families, using a relatable scenario involving the Johnson family who, during a dinner conversation, confront the reality of being unprepared for potential disasters. This moment of reflection prompts an important question: what would they actually do if faced with a week-long power outage? The uncertainty stirs a deeper realization among the family members; despite their general awareness of disasters, they have never specifically assessed the risks that could impact their lives directly. Rigsby emphasizes that authentic preparedness begins with awareness rather than simply accumulating supplies. He distinguishes awareness from paranoia, suggesting that what truly matters is having a clear understanding of the specific risks present in one’s environment. The lecture introduces the concept of a personal or family risk assessment, designed to methodically identify the most likely disruptions to daily life. He advocates for starting with immediate and obvious concerns, such as local weather events, crime rates, and health risks associated with family members. This straightforward yet crucial task involves looking around and evaluating common hazards in one’s state or region, as well as considering personal vulnerabilities linked to job demands, commutes, or local infrastructure. Rigsby encourages listeners to confront their fears by naming potential risks, thereby stripping them of their abstract power. This proactive approach allows individuals and families to shift their focus from a paralyzing array of "what ifs" to a manageable list of specific challenges they can prepare for. This transition is framed not as an engendering of fear, but as an enhancement of focus that fosters a sense of confidence within families. As part of the actionable steps for listeners, Rigsby instructs them to jot down the top three events most likely to disrupt their lives, not to overanalyze but to simply acknowledge these risks. By moving from contemplation to notation, individuals and families can experience a significant psychological shift; the risks evolve from vague anxieties into concrete plans of action, marking the initiation of real preparedness. In the following session, he promises to delve deeper into risk mapping, helping listeners visualize the hazards in their surroundings and rank them by potential impact. This strategy aims to cultivate a more profound understanding of one's environment, moving beyond basic awareness to truly knowing where dangers lie. Rigsby's core message resonates throughout the lecture: awareness leads to a clearer vision of one’s risk landscape, enabling families to prepare confidently for the unexpected.

Looking Back, Moving Forward

In this lecture, we delve into the crucial practice of conducting a crisis retrospective, or "crisis retro," a structured conversation that families can engage in following a challenging experience or emergency situation. The session opens with reflections on the collective emotions that surface when returning home after a crisis—a mixture of relief, exhaustion, frustration, and even regret. By facing these feelings, the importance of evaluating the experience becomes apparent, as families recount their stories and assess what aspects were successful or problematic. The crisis retrospective is framed as a method for reflection that builds resilience. The lecture emphasizes that addressing these questions—what worked, what didn’t, and what can be improved—should be viewed as an opportunity for growth rather than as a sign of failure. The approach encourages participants to shift focus from blame to constructive learning; identifying problems without pointing fingers helps maintain team unity and promotes a culture of resilience. Instead of assigning fault, the session advocates for examining the systems and actions taken during the crisis to derive meaningful insights. A key takeaway from the lecture is the notion that every disruption acts as a rehearsal for future challenges. Through this lens, families are encouraged to recognize that preparedness is a process of continual improvement rather than a one-time achievement. By framing frustrations as building blocks rather than setbacks, families can turn stress into strength, enhancing their ability to cope with future emergencies. An actionable step is presented toward the end of the lecture: families are invited to allocate 15 minutes to engage in this retrospective process collectively. This simple yet powerful exercise requires each family member to contribute their thoughts on three questions: what went well, what did not, and what actions will be taken moving forward. The importance of documenting these answers is highlighted, as capturing insights helps create a tangible plan for improvement. The session also encourages families to select at least one specific action to implement in the coming week, reinforcing the idea that every family member can contribute to resilience-building practices. The discussion wraps up with a preview of next week's topic, which will focus on the strategies for sheltering in place when evacuation is not the safest option. The lecture reinforces the broader message that preparedness encompasses both leaving a situation and holding one's ground when necessary, embodying a holistic approach to safety and resilience-building.

The Return Home

In this episode of the AmCon Daily Brief, Thom Rigsby explains why preparedness doesn’t stop when the order to evacuate is lifted—it shifts into recovery. Learn how to secure food and water when utilities and shelves aren’t reliable, why tools and budgets matter for quick repairs, and how recovery planning builds true resilience. Plus, take today’s challenge to check your shelf-stable food reserve so your family is ready for the return home.

The Cost of Leaving

In this episode of the AmCon Daily Brief, Thom Rigsby breaks down the true price of leaving when disaster strikes, from hotel surcharges and missed work to hidden costs that drain your wallet fast. Learn why cash is king in a crisis, how to budget evacuation into your preparedness plan, and why money in the bank can be just as vital as gear in your bag. Plus, take today’s challenge to start an evacuation fund you can count on when it matters.

The Unplanned Stop

This lecture begins with a vivid scenario: the stress of arriving at a shelter only to discover it is at capacity. The urgency of the situation underscores the importance of preparation and adaptability in leadership roles during crises. The discussion moves forward by emphasizing the necessity of having contingency plans - specifically a Plan B and Plan C. Participants are encouraged never to rely solely on their first choice, acknowledging the unpredictability of shelters, hotels, and road conditions during emergencies. The speaker highlights the multifaceted nature of security, stressing that it isn't solely reliant on physical barriers like locks and lights, but is significantly influenced by location. Key considerations include whether the parking area is well-lit and easily visible, as well as the presence of potential assistance in the vicinity. The proximity to a supportive crowd is identified as a crucial factor in maintaining safety and peace of mind. Leadership in moments of crisis requires composure. The speaker advises against succumbing to the panic that can often arise from fatigue and fear, which might compel individuals to make hasty, unsafe choices. A strong leader pauses and assesses the situation — channeling calmness sets the tone for those around them, contributing both to the reduction of stress and to the clarity needed for making rational decisions. Preparedness is thus framed not just as a logistical process, but fundamentally as the ability to exercise sound judgment under pressure. For immediate application, attendees are tasked with a concrete action step: to identify three alternate stopover points within a two-hour radius of home. These could include friends, family, or vetted shelters, and it is recommended to write these locations down to accompany evacuation plans. The speaker stresses the importance of having this information readily available, as stressful situations can impair memory and decision-making abilities. A practical suggestion includes keeping a list with a paper map, reinforcing the need for thoroughness in planning. Finally, the lecture concludes with a preview of the next discussion, which will delve into the financial aspects of evacuation, exploring how economic resilience is intertwined with overall crisis preparedness. The speaker closes with an invitation for listeners to further engage with the resources available through the American Contingency platform, reinforcing the key message of building personal and community readiness.

The Bottleneck

On this episode of the AmCon Daily Brief, Thom Rigsby unpacks what happens when highways turn into holding pens during mass evacuations—and how smart planning keeps you moving. Learn why alternate routes matter, why fuel is freedom, and how calm leadership inside the car can make all the difference. Plus, take today’s challenge to scout two alternate routes before you need them.

The First Bags

In this episode of the AmCon Daily Brief, Thom Rigsby breaks down how stress exposes gaps in your family’s evacuation plan and why systems beat memory every time. Learn how to assign roles, prep kids and pets, and use checklists to turn chaos into order. Plus, try a five-minute drill tonight to reveal the gaps—before a real crisis does.

The Notice

When the evacuation notice comes, mindset determines your outcome.

In this episode of the AmCon Daily Brief, Thom Rigsby explains why normalcy bias is the first threat in any evacuation scenario—and why leaving early gives you safer routes, less traffic, and more choices. Learn how to make clear, confident decisions that calm your family and neighbors, and take today’s challenge to check your local evacuation zones so you’re ready before the order arrives.