Preparedness
Emergency preparedness, survival, resilience, and situational awareness
#824: The UX of Survival: Why Our Shelters are Failing
When the sirens sound, why are the doors locked? We explore the "UX of survival" and the dangerous gaps in our public shelter infrastructure.
#771: Beyond Backups: The High Stakes of Critical Redundancy
How do hospitals and data centers stay online during a disaster? Explore the engineering of "five nines" and the limits of redundancy.
#765: Radically Simple: Engineering Your Emergency SOPs
Learn how to build "radically simple" emergency plans and go-bags using AI, flowcharts, and local-first tech tools.
#764: Hardening the State: The Engineering of EMP Resistance
Explore the high-stakes engineering of military-grade shielding and how the state protects its "nervous system" from an electromagnetic pulse.
#756: Urban Survival: Practical Prepping in Volatile Regions
How do you prep for a crisis in a tiny apartment? Discover practical strategies for water storage, food tiers, and urban resilience.
#745: The Tech of Survival: Why Cell Broadcast Beats the App
Explore why emergency alerts work even when networks jam and how cell broadcast technology bypasses congestion to save lives in a crisis.
#691: The Long Alert: Survival Strategies for Sustained Conflict
As regional tensions rise, Herman and Corn discuss shifting from short-term survival to long-term sustainment and managing "alarm fatigue."
#612: Beyond Bandages: The Modern Guide to Home First Aid
Stop using peroxide! Herman and Corn break down the 2025 first aid essentials every family needs and how to keep your kit from expiring.
#542: The First First Responders: Inside Emergency Dispatch
Explore the high-stakes world of emergency dispatch, from multi-monitor command centers to the psychology of staying calm under pressure.
#538: Beyond the Pin: Modern Fire Safety for Your Home
Is your extinguisher just a red paperweight? Herman and Corn break down sizing, fire blankets, and why you should never practice in the shower.
#457: Why Your Smartphone Fails During a Family Emergency
Can your smartphone be trusted in a crisis? Explore why pagers and LoRa might be the ultimate "baby emergency" solution for parents.
#455: Stay Cool in a Crisis: The Ultimate Apartment Fire Guide
From smart sensors to the "tipping" trick for extinguishers, Herman and Corn break down how to survive a fire in a modern apartment building.
#431: Beyond the Lumen: Choosing High-End Emergency Lighting
Learn why a $150 flashlight is a vital tool, not a toy, and how advanced electronics and optics can save lives during a crisis.
#252: Breathe Easy: Navigating the World of 3M Respirators
Learn how to choose the right respirator for woodworking, mold, and wildfire smoke in this deep dive into 3M filter systems and safety.
#249: Digital Preparedness: A Guide to Portable Power Stations
Learn how to choose and maintain the right portable power station for emergencies, from LFP battery tech to the 80/20 charging rule.
#242: Beyond the Bunker: How Governments Plan for the End
Explore the high-stakes world of national war gaming and the shift from "just-in-time" efficiency to "just-in-case" resilience.