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DisasterClass Podcast | Your Masterclass in Disaster Preparedness.

DisasterClass Podcast | Your Masterclass in Disaster Preparedness.

Written by: Jason Perez & Wesley Long | Instinct Ready Inc.
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About this listen

 Welcome to the DisasterClass Podcast, your trusted source for expert guidance on disaster preparedness, emergency management, and building resilience in a chaotic world. Hosted by real emergency responders, EMTs, and risk professionals, this show is dedicated to helping you educate, prepare, and equip yourself for life’s disruptions—whether personal, professional, or community-wide. Each episode features powerful insights, real-world case studies, interviews with industry leaders, and practical tips on topics like:
  • Emergency planning for families, businesses, and schools
  • Crisis leadership and decision-making under pressure
  • Bleeding control and life-saving medical interventions
  • Business continuity and disaster recovery strategies
  • Risk mindset development for everyday resilience
  • Emerging threats and real-time lessons from recent disasters
Whether you're an emergency manager, first responder, school administrator, business owner, or proactive individual, DisasterClass delivers actionable content that empowers you to face any crisis with clarity and confidence.

🔔 Subscribe now and join the class—because preparedness isn’t paranoia, it’s power.

disaster preparedness podcast, emergency management, emergency planning, bleeding control, business continuity, crisis leadership, disaster recovery, risk mindset, community resilience, emergency response podcast, family emergency planningAll Rights Reserved. Instinct Ready Inc Science Self-Help Social Sciences Success
Episodes
  • 83_Year in Review: Disasters, Lessons Learned & What’s Next

    83_Year in Review: Disasters, Lessons Learned & What’s Next
    Dec 15 2025
    2025 flew by — and in this Season 3 Year-in-Review episode, Jason Perez and Pappy (Jason Martin) look back at what made this year memorable: major disasters and real-time event breakdowns, standout guests and episodes, and the key preparedness lessons that kept showing up again and again. We also shift into winter weather preparedness with practical reminders for travel, vehicle readiness, power outages, cold exposure, pets, and checking on vulnerable neighbors. And before we close, we tease what’s coming next — including a major update to our Community Emergency Planning (CEP) course and what that means for bringing training into communities.

    Drop a comment: What was your favorite episode of 2025 — and what do you want more of in 2026?

    Featured / Mentioned Guests (Season 3 highlights):
    •Chris Grollnek (Active Shooter Prevention Project)
    •Arthur Simental (Disaster wargaming / tabletop training)
    •IBHS guests (home hardening, wildfire & hurricane mitigation)
    •Mariah Washington (NYC Emergency Management)
    •Anthony Escoto (Disaster Operations Group)

    Chapters
    00:00 - “Didn’t it just start?” 2025 flies by
    00:53 - DisasterClass intro + bell (Class is in session)
    01:36 - Thank you to listeners & sponsors
    02:18 - Favorite episodes? Tell us what you want more of
    03:05 - Live event breakdown: LA wildfires (Palisades & Eaton)
    04:32 - Do you want more real-time disaster breakdown episodes?
    05:02 - Ad Break: Sawyer Products
    05:47 - Favorite guest highlight: NYC Emergency Management (Mariah Washington)
    06:57 - Roundtable: AI in emergency management (ChatGPT “put to the test”)
    08:54 - AI as a tool: benefits, limits, and misuse risks
    11:49 - Favorite guest highlight: Arthur Simental + disaster wargaming
    12:56 - Arthur + Todd Manns: building scenario-driven games
    13:17 - IBHS episodes: resilient homes, hurricanes, wildfire science
    15:17 - Why full-scale testing matters (real-world vs computer models)
    16:07 - Chris Grollnek: active shooter preparedness insights
    16:45 - Winter weather readiness: why this matters right now
    17:14 - Winter travel + vehicle kit essentials
    18:30 - Power outages: generator safety, food safety, surge protection
    19:18 - Cold exposure safety + pets + wind chill risks
    20:50 - Check on neighbors: vulnerable populations & welfare checks
    21:39 - Real winter road shutdown lessons (why preparedness saves lives)
    23:38 - Looking ahead: big things coming in 2026
    24:06 - CEP course update teaser (major upgrade coming soon)
    25:07 - CEP expansion: hosting training in your own community
    25:41 - Partnership: Disaster Operations Group (Anthony Escoto)
    26:03 - Wrap-up: feedback, rewatch episodes, and stay tuned
    26:49 - Closing: Stay educated, prepared, and equipped

    🔗 Sponsors & Partners
    🧢 Sawyer Products
    Sawyer offers the most advanced solutions for protection against sun, bugs, water, and injuries—everything from high-quality water filtration systems to insect repellents. Every purchase supports clean water programs for those in need, both in the U.S. and around the world, including disaster relief efforts. 👉 Visit: https://www.sawyer.com

    🩸 STOP THE BLEED® Coalition Uncontrolled bleeding is a leading cause of preventable death after injury. But in just one hour, you can learn three simple steps to save a life. The STOP THE BLEED® Coalition is a nonprofit organization formed to support and scale the national STOP THE BLEED® campaign, helping bring bleeding control training and tools to communities across the country. Find a class near you and learn how you can get involved. 🌐 Visit: StopTheBleedCoalition.org

    🛡️ Instinct Ready DisasterClass is proudly brought to you by Instinct Ready, dedicated to educating, preparing, and equipping communities for emergencies and disasters through quality training, comprehensive planning, and premium products. 🎁 Get 10% off your order with code DISASTERCLASS 📞 Call: (845) 244-6360 🌐 Visit: https://www.instinctready.com.
    Show More Show Less
    28 mins
  • 82_How to Build a Culture of Preparedness with Chris Grollnek

    82_How to Build a Culture of Preparedness with Chris Grollnek
    Dec 1 2025
    In Part 2 of our interview with Chris Grollnek, one of the nation’s leading experts in active shooter prevention and response, we transition from mindset to real-world action.This episode breaks down the practical, proven steps schools, workplaces, and communities can take right now to build a true culture of preparedness. Chris shares decades of insight from law enforcement, consulting, and high-risk incident response to help organizations strengthen prevention, response, and recovery long before a crisis occurs.Whether you’re a school administrator, safety coordinator, business leader, or simply someone who cares about community resilience, this episode provides actionable guidance you can implement immediately.🔔 What You’ll Learn in This Episode• The core components of effective organizational preparedness• Why some training fails — and how to make it stick• Practical steps for schools, workplaces, and public venues• How leadership drives a culture of resilience • Real strategies that empower everyday people to act under stress• How to prepare communities without overusing fear🎙 About Our Guest: Chris GrollnekChris Grollnek is a nationally recognized expert in active shooter prevention, counterterrorism, and complex threat response. His work focuses on realistic, research-supported strategies that help organizations prevent incidents and respond more effectively when seconds matter.🔗 Connect with Chris — Through ASPPPRO For training, consulting, organizational support, and media inquiries, connect with Chris Grollnek through:👉 ASPPPRO — Active Shooter Prevention ProjectWebsite: https://aspppro.com/Contact: https://aspppro.com/contactTraining & Services: https://aspppro.com/services🔗 Sponsors & Partners🧢 Sawyer Products Sawyer offers the most advanced solutions for protection against sun, bugs, water, and injuries—everything from high-quality water filtration systems to insect repellents. Every purchase supports clean water programs for those in need, both in the U.S. and around the world, including disaster relief efforts.👉 Visit: https://www.sawyer.com🎲 EM Disaster GamingEmergency preparedness doesn’t have to be boring. EM Disaster Gaming brings emergency management training to life through interactive tabletop wargames like Wildfire Mayhem, created by a Certified Emergency Manager. These games teach coordination, decision-making, and disaster response in a fun and engaging way.🌐 Visit: EMDisasterGaming.com🩸 STOP THE BLEED® Coalition Uncontrolled bleeding is a leading cause of preventable death after injury. In just one hour, learn three simple steps to save a life. The STOP THE BLEED® Coalition is a nonprofit scaling the national campaign to bring bleeding-control training and tools to communities across the country.🌐 Visit: StopTheBleedCoalition.org🛡️ Instinct ReadyDisasterClass is proudly brought to you by Instinct Ready—educating, preparing, and equipping communities for emergencies and disasters through quality training, comprehensive planning, and premium products. 🎁 Get 10% off your order with code DISASTERCLASS 📞 Call: (845) 244-6360 🌐 Visit: https://www.instinctready.com0:00 Return on Regret – Cold Open 0:11 “That’s the shift we all need to make.” 0:16 DisasterClass Intro 0:52 Welcome Back / Episode Setup 1:22 Moving From Awareness to Action 1:53 Mindset Shift for Organizations 2:26 Corporate Disconnects in Readiness 3:08 Fortune 100 Leadership Example 4:01 Actuaries & the Cost of Prevention 6:00 How to Get Leadership Buy-In 7:02 Five-Question Assessment Method 7:17 Introducing the PRO Model (Prevention • Response • Options) 8:01 Why PRO Was Needed 9:00 The Shooting That Sparked the Shift 11:01 Faster Response ≠ Prevention 12:03 Prevention in Emergency Management 13:03 Bleeding Control Reality Check 14:14 Personal Connection to Sandy Hook 16:00 Tools Schools Can Implement 17:06 Communications, Interop & Detection 18:01 Gun Detection Technology (Types Explained) 21:00 How the U.S. Army Uses PRO 22:45 Gunshot Detection Accuracy 24:00 The 17 Elements of Prevention 25:04 Tabletop Exercises & Stakeholder Involvement 26:30 Why Traditional Drills Are Expensive 28:20 Harm of Hyper-Realistic Drills for Kids 29:17 Active Shooter Prevention Project Overview 30:54 Indoor Mapping & Real-Time Navigation 32:53 Mapping for EMS & Dispatch 34:44 All-Hazards Benefits of Prevention Tech 35:53 Free Resources at ASPPPRO.com 36:56 Closing Reflections from Jason & Wesley 37:52 Preparedness = Empowerment 38:25 Outro – Stay Educated, Prepared, Equipped
    Show More Show Less
    39 mins
  • 81_Hiding Is Not a Strategy: Chris Grollnek on Active-Shooter Reality

    81_Hiding Is Not a Strategy: Chris Grollnek on Active-Shooter Reality
    Nov 17 2025
    🚨 “It’ll never happen here.”
    That mindset could cost lives. In this powerful episode, active-shooter prevention expert Chris Grollnek joins hosts Jason Perez and Wesley Long to break down what real readiness looks like—far beyond “run, hide, fight.” Chris shares how his on-duty experience changed his life and how schools, businesses, and families can prepare for the unthinkable without fear-mongering.

    💡 In this episode:
    ✅ Why hiding is not a survival strategy
    ✅ What a survivable plan looks like for schools & staff
    ✅ The real timeline: police response vs. medical care
    ✅ Why bleeding-control skills save more lives than heroics
    ✅ How media & movies distort public expectations
    ✅ Free child-friendly guides for hard conversations 🎓 Guest:

    Chris Grollnek – Founder of the Active Shooter Prevention Project (ASPP), retired Marine & law-enforcement officer, and national threat-management consultant.
    🌐 Website: activeshooterpreventionproject.com

    🧩 Next Episode (Part 2): Chris shares his PRO Model and actionable prevention steps for every organization.

    ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – 🚨 Cold Open: “It’ll Never Happen Here”
    00:24 – 🎧 Title Sequence | DisasterClass Podcast Intro
    00:35 – 🙌 Hosts Introduction: Jason & Wesley
    00:53 – ⚖️ The Weight of the Topic
    01:12 – 👮 Meet Chris Grollnek – Active Shooter Expert
    02:45 – 🎖️ Chris’s Journey from Marine to Law Enforcement
    03:35 – 💥 The Day Everything Changed
    05:00 – 🎙️ Why Chris Rarely Speaks Out
    06:40 – 🧩 Preparedness vs. Perception
    07:30 – 🕐 Start Today: “Nothing Will Ever Be Perfect”
    08:50 – 🏫 Defining Preparedness for Schools
    10:20 – 📖 Redefining ‘Active Shooter’
    12:45 – 🎓 Training the Right Way
    13:30 – 👶 Free Children’s Resource Guide
    15:00 – 🚫 Run, Hide, Fight? Not Always.
    16:00 – 🧍‍♂️ Who Are the Real First Responders?
    18:20 – 💡 Fear Sells, But Fear Doesn’t Solve
    19:00 – 🎬 Media & Movie Influence on Public Perception
    21:30 – ⏳ The Real Response Timeline
    23:20 – 🩸 Bleeding Control Saves Lives
    27:00 – ❤️ Shift from Heroics to Help
    29:40 – 🛑 Stop the Bleed & Realistic Readiness
    30:10 – 🎲 Sponsor Break: EM Disaster Gaming – Wildfire Mayhem
    30:33 – 🔁 Reflection & Takeaways
    31:00 – 🧠 Next Episode Teaser: The PRO Model
    31:15 – 🎓 Outro | Stay Prepared. Stay Educated. Stay Equipped.

    🔗 Sponsors & Partners

    🔗 Sponsors & Partners
    🧢 Sawyer Products
    Sawyer offers the most advanced solutions for protection against sun, bugs, water, and injuries—everything from high-quality water filtration systems to insect repellents. Every purchase supports clean water programs for those in need, both in the U.S. and around the world, including disaster relief efforts.
    👉 Visit: https://www.sawyer.com

    🎲 EM Disaster Gaming
    Emergency preparedness doesn’t have to be boring. EM Disaster Gaming brings emergency management training to life through interactive tabletop wargames like Wildfire Mayhem, created by a Certified Emergency Manager. These games teach coordination, decision-making, and disaster response in a fun and engaging way.
    🌐 Visit: EMDisasterGaming.com

    🩸 STOP THE BLEED® Coalition
    Uncontrolled bleeding is a leading cause of preventable death after injury. In just one hour, learn three simple steps to save a life. The STOP THE BLEED® Coalition is a nonprofit scaling the national campaign to bring bleeding-control training and tools to communities across the country.
    🌐 Visit: StopTheBleedCoalition.org

    🛡️ Instinct Ready
    DisasterClass is proudly brought to you by Instinct Ready—educating, preparing, and equipping communities for emergencies and disasters through quality training, comprehensive planning, and premium products.
    🎁 Get 10% off your order with code DISASTERCLASS
    📞 Call: (845) 244-6360
    🌐 Visit: https://www.instinctready.com.
    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
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