ReadyCorps Daily Brief

Build Trust Before the Storm

In this episode of the AmCon Daily Brief, Thom Rigsby explains why the time to build trust is before the storm—not during it. Discover the three pillars of trust that keep teams moving in the chaos—consistency, competence, and care—and learn simple, everyday actions to strengthen trust so it’s ready when you need it most.

Control vs. Leadership in a Crisis

In a crisis, control and leadership aren’t the same—and confusing the two can slow your response.
In this episode of the AmCon Daily Brief, Thom Rigsby explains why trying to control every decision can create dangerous bottlenecks, while true leadership empowers others to act. Learn how to shift from being the choke point to becoming a force multiplier, and try a simple delegation challenge you can practice before the next crisis moment.

Crisis Management 101: The First 90 Seconds

The first 90 seconds of a crisis can make or break your response.
In this episode of the AmCon Daily Brief, Thom Rigsby breaks down how to turn confusion into coordinated action before it’s too late. Learn the three-part framework—Assess, Decide, Act—and how to identify the roles that naturally emerge in those critical first moments. Plus, discover a simple drill you can run tonight to sharpen your team’s response when every second counts.

Leadership Starts with the First Step

In a crisis, leadership doesn’t come from a title—it comes from taking the first step.
In this episode of the AmCon Daily Brief, Thom Rigsby shares a powerful reminder that the first person to act often sets the tone for everyone else. Through a blackout scenario, you’ll see how one small move can turn uncertainty into coordinated action. Learn why clarity and initiative matter more than rank, and how you can start leading today—no permission required.

The State of Our Union: AmCon in 2024, 2025, and Beyond with Thom Rigsby

Ep #46: Thom Rigsby joins us as we close out 2024, embark into 2025, and set our sights on growing American Contingency into the preeminent member-driven preparedness organization. Whether a current member or one someone thinking of joining - you will find your people here.

As we say goodbye to this iteration of the podcast, I leave you as host of the AmCon show and bid you farewell by saying goodbye how I said hello - with Thom and I outlining what we've done, what we are doing, and what we will do as AmCon sets its sights on goals you can help us fulfill by becoming active in your local area and being the leader we all know you will be once you step outside your comfort zone.

Let's do this one more time, and then it's up to all of y'all to help us make this happen.

It's not goodbye...just see you later.

When you’re ready to build the skills, network, and confidence to be prepared for whatever comes next, join us at AmericanContingency.com. We’re here when you’re ready. We’ll keep the fire going for you so you can find your way.

Myths, lies, and misinformation of prepping

Ep #45: You wanna talk about prepping. You want to talk about being peppered. Then you go to bring it up, and the myths people believe, the lies they have been told, and the misinformation coming from those who'd rather have the country be dependent on them for survival than have citizens able to take care of themselves, their loved ones, and their community - well, it practically closes their ears and shuts them down before you even get to the good parts.

You know, like, have water and food for everyone in your house for a week. Have a way to start a fire when it is wet. Run straight at bears and alligators because why not?!

In this episode, I will laugh at, with, and about some of the most popular myths I found on the inter-webs as I researched this topic.

Sit by the fire with me. This is gonna make you laugh...well, at least it did me.

When you’re ready to build the skills, network, and confidence to be prepared for whatever comes next, join us at AmericanContingency.com. We’re here when you’re ready. We’ll keep the fire going for you so you can find your way.

Building Family Resilience: Communication, First Aid, and Defense

Ep #44: Are you prepared to keep your family safe in every situation? In this episode, we dive into essential family defense strategies to help you communicate effectively during conflicts, master critical first-aid skills, and incorporate personal defense tools into your routine. Plus, learn how your canine companions can be more than just pets—they can be key players in your home’s security. With actionable tips for staying calm under pressure, training dogs for defense, and building a comprehensive safety plan, this episode equips you to handle emergencies confidently and keep your loved ones safe, no matter what.

When you’re ready to build the skills, network, and confidence to be prepared for whatever comes next, join us at AmericanContingency.com. We’re here when you’re ready. We’ll keep the fire going for you so you can find your way.

The importance of mental wellness to your preparedness and health

Ep #43: Life can feel chaotic. Work, bills, family, social pressures, the impending doom you might feel in the pit of your stomach because the world is spinning faster and faster as technology follows Moore's Law - and let's not leave out politics, considering what occurred just a few days ago. I hope you can manage your conversations around the election in a way that doesn't ruin friendships - nor keeps you in an echo chamber. Regardless of everything happening around you, your mental and emotional wellness will be a desired priority in your life to maximize your overall health. 

In this week's episode, we welcome AmCon's own Chad Davis from the Southeast region to discuss mental health and wellness. He has years of experience in this field as a mental health counselor and leads our mental resilience training subgroup inside the common interest groups. Go join and check out that group if you are interested in more information we discuss during this episode.

When you’re ready to build the skills, network, and confidence to be prepared for whatever comes next, join us at AmericanContingency.com. We’re here when you’re ready. We’ll keep the fire going for you so you can find your way.