Act ASAP – Details, episodes & analysis

Welcome back to the podcast.

Today we’re taking a moment to look back at the conversations we had throughout February around Financial Foundations for Family Security and Financial Habits for Stability.

Over the past month we explored a simple but powerful idea: strong families build stability before disruption ever arrives.

We talked about the everyday financial habits that quietly protect households—things like the 15-minute money check-in, automating savings, planning food and household expenses, and having honest financial conversations at home.

None of these habits are dramatic. But together they create something incredibly important: confidence and calm when life becomes unpredictable.

Because when disruption comes, families don’t rise to their intentions—they fall to their habits.

In this episode we’ll recap the key ideas from February and reflect on how those small habits help families lead with clarity, stability, and preparedness.

Let’s get into it.

Blog Link: https://wp.me/p7NwNC-2sH

Every year, disruption gets a little more complex—and a little more expensive for organizations that aren’t ready.

The 2026 disaster preparedness outlook lays out the trends leaders are facing and the practical steps that protect people, operations, and revenue before disruption hits.

If you lead a team, organization, or community group, this is worth your time.

Read the full outlook here:
https://wp.me/p7NwNC-2qZ

When disaster strikes and the systems we rely on collapse, who steps in to reconnect communities, restore communication, and bring real help where it’s needed most? In this powerful interview, I sit down with Mark Matheson, founder of the eCERT Disaster Response Program, to explore how his team is building the future of emergency readiness in America.

From nationwide volunteer deployability to cutting-edge mobile tech platforms like the Mavis units, eCERT represents a new national model for disaster response—faster, smarter, and built for the realities we face today. Whether you’re an emergency manager, first responder, preparedness advocate, or simply someone who wants their family safe when everything else fails, this conversation will change the way you think about readiness.

Subscribe for more episodes focused on leadership, resilience, and protecting what matters most.

And remember not to forget to join the Holiday Housefire Prevention Webinar at: www.holidayfireprevention.com

20220613 Word of the Week - Conversation

Halfway through June and my Conversation skills are being tested daily.

As a leader it is crucial to speak clearly.

Let's look at some tools and techniques you can use to have an important conversation with anyone.

Before going into the conversation, ask yourself some questions.

What is your purpose for having the conversation?

What do you hope to accomplish?

What would be an ideal outcome?

Whom are you talking to?

When are you going to talk to them?

Engage them in the conversation and ask for feedback.

Think of the person you need to have an important conversation with. Is he or she similar or different from you when it comes to how they communicate?

Is the person:

· Controlling

· Analyzing

· Supporting

· Promoting

These are all different communication styles. And, knowing your own style and the style of the person you're talking to is important so that you can adjust your style to fit the situation.

You may want to avoid having the conversation if:

You're not ready. You need more information or time to think about what you want to say.

The other person isn't ready. If they're not in the right frame of mind, it's best to wait until they are.

You're both too emotional. It's important to be able to have a conversation without getting defensive or angry. If you're feeling too emotionally charged, it's best to wait until you've calmed down.

You're not in the right place. If the environment isn't conducive to a productive conversation, it's best to wait until you can talk in a more private or relaxed setting.

The time isn't right. If you try to have a conversation when the other person is rushed or doesn't have time, it likely won't be productive.

Scheduling a time to talk can help ensure that both parties are ready and willing to have a productive conversation.

Some final tips:

Listen more than you speak. You'll learn more about what the other person is thinking and feeling, and they'll be more likely to listen to you if you've listened to them.

Don't interrupt. It shows that you are not listening.

Plan your conversation to the style that matches the person you are talking with and give them what they need to be in the conversation.

Plan your conversation to the style that matches the person you are talking with

and give them what they need to be in the conversation.

Do not over-analyze it. Get the momentum going.

Till next time

“Be Safe”

P.S Go ahead, have the conversation, find out just how prepared you really are? Take the free Disaster and Emergency Planning Assessment and learn the truth.

Officially the first weekend of summer is done. And I have already seen several people at the local grocery store buying Aloe Vera for their beet red burn.

Sunscreen; I buy 100% Zink Oxide in a tube and rub it evenly on all parts of exposed skin.

If you must use spray on sunscreen rub it evenly on all parts of exposed skin.

Wide Brimmed Hat; 

https://www.emergencyactionplanning.com/2022/04/26/bob-is-your-friend/

Eye Protection

https://www.emergencyactionplanning.com/2022/02/07/20220207-word-of-the-week-clothings/

Drink Water

https://www.emergencyactionplanning.com/2021/11/22/word-of-the-week-is-water/

AccuWeather’s 2022 US summer forecast: https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-forecasts/accuweather-2022-us-summer-forecast/1178198

Southwest sizzle: Hottest weather yet this year on tap: https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-forecasts/southwest-sizzle-hottest-weather-yet-this-year-on-tap/1197516

8 Ways to Treat Sunburn at Home; https://www.healthline.com/health/sunburn

Till next time

“Be Safe”

P.S Go ahead, take the chance, find out just how prepared you really are? Take the free Disaster and Emergency Planning Assessment and learn the truth.

20220530 Word of the Week – Belief

Vlog can be found here: https://wp.me/p7NwNC-1c0

On this day, May 30th,2022, Memorial Day I honor all service members who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom of speech. And the responsibility that comes with it.

Don’t Believe everything you hear and only half of what you see.

Of note is the fabricated photo in this article.

https://theintercept.com/2022/05/26/ar-15-uvalde-school-shooting-vietnam-war/

This photo does show what appears to be a modern AR-15. However, it is obvious the photo has been fabricated, or the caption is fabricated.

The facts of photo fabrication are the collapsible buttstock and cylindrical forward hand grips. These were not issued on the Military M4 until 1994, 27 years after this photo was taken

The apparent full flash suppressor has never been in use on an M16 rifle. A three-pronged flash hider was used in 1967. And the length of the barrel identifies this as a short-barreled rifle. Not in production during the Vietnam Conflict. The photo is a fabrication or was taken after Vietnam, and the caption has been fabricated

Compare the two photos to see what a standard-issue battle rifle of the time looked like. No, they are not the same.

http://www.vietnamgear.com/

If this is an actual A.P. photo, why the fabrication. I think the photo historians at Associated Press (A.P.) would know better, or are they intentionally lying about the photo? Yes I did say lying.

Another option, this being passed off as an A.P. photo by the editors of The Intercept? Someone is lying here.

The real question is whether someone is lying. If news media is willing to lie to the public with a photo, what else are they lying about with their words?

“The recognition that something has gone terribly wrong with how people consume information has led to calls for censorship or even appointing a government “reality czar.”

https://theintercept.com/2021/02/13/news-rage-economy-postjournalism-andrey-mir/

Censorship and a Reality Cazar would be suspect in itself.

When the organizations we rely on for information are lying to us for profit, the entire system becomes suspect. When the information we rely on becomes suspect, we retreat into our own bubble of information and what we believe to be true. The danger here is that we really should not believe what we believe.

Trust, but verify.

Never Believe what you Believe; https://humanparts.medium.com/do-you-really-believe-what-you-believe-635098e3b456

Till next time

“Be Safe

Today's guest speaker is Lisa Peranzo,

Lisa has over 10 years of experience in the fitness industry. Lisa has worked with a diverse population, including first responders, athletes and adolescents. Her experience in the fitness industry has also included working with clients to rehab from a variety of injuries.

And today we will be discussing Immediate Post Pandemic Recovery

• What does post pandemic recovery mean to you and why should we embrace it?

• Post pandemic recovery is broken down into a multifaceted approach.

• What are each of those sections and how do they all fit together to help someone recover from the pandemic?

• And how does it relate to the family perspective

For more information on how Lisa can support your Post Pandemic Recovery go to her website: www.ahealthfullife.org/eap

Grab your copy of the Disaster Psychology pdf here: Disaster Psychology

Till next time

"Be Safe"

P.S. Remember not to forget to take the free Disaster and Emergency Planning Assessment.

20220523 Word of the Week – No

The most significant reason I hear about why someone cannot do something is. "I do not have the time." Not enough time is one of the biggest lies, excuses, and stories ever contrived to avoid something. And it might not be your fault.

Diving deep into the reasons shows that we often attempt to do more than we can if the limited time of our day. And I am so saddened that I do things better left undone because of personal fears.

https://www.dictionary.com/browse/no

5 Reasons to Say No

You're responsible for yourself

Self-responsibility. True leaders are responsible for their actions.

https://hackspirit.com/taking-responsibility/

You are not responsible for anyone else

Accepting others' responsibilities can become toxic and prevent us from accomplishing our needs.

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-to-stop-feeling-overly-responsible/

Your intuition is one of your greatest advocates.

Trust your gut. Analysis has its place so does intuition.

https://hbr.org/2022/03/how-to-stop-overthinking-and-start-trusting-your-gut

When we stretch ourselves thin, we're not helping anyone

Know when you have your plate filled too high.

https://medium.com/@vinnygaliano/knowing-when-youve-stretched-yourself-too-thin-f18d93e1ff8e

Successful people know how to say no

Saying no can become saying yes to something better for you.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/amyblaschka/2019/11/26/this-is-why-saying-no-is-the-best-way-to-grow-your-career-and-how-to-do-it/?sh=38f8f657479d

"Some men have thousands of reasons why they cannot do what they want to when all they need is one reason why they can." ~ Willis Whitney

The Power of No; https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/201311/the-power-no

What You Are and Are Not Responsible For; https://www.counselingbytheseanj.com/single-post/2019/04/11/what-you-are-and-are-not-responsible-for

Tip of the Day- Time; https://www.emergencyactionplanning.com/2022/04/22/tip-of-the-day-time/

Subscribe, like, and share this post with your friends and loved ones.

Till next time

"Be Safe"

PS. Do you know your actual disaster/emergency planning status?

Say yes to protecting yourself and your loved ones. Take the free Disaster/Emergency Planning Assessment and schedule a free consultation on what you can do to improve your plans.

https://www.eapworkshop.com/f/dep-assessment

20220516 Word of the Week – One

What is the number one thing holding you back?

If you knew that you would not fail, what would you do?

Many of us let our dreams die for no reason, but our little voice inside tells us we can’t do it.

No proof, no evidence of failure. There is no burden of proof that you will fail until you have failed.

Thomas Edison said he found 10,000 ways not to make a light bulb. He didn’t fail.

We struggle daily with the decision to succeed.

Commit to your family, business, your  life. Are you a parent, business executive, business owner,  entrepreneur, or a human being? If you are alive today, you are a leader. Lead something.

But I don’t know-how. Learn.

What if I fail? You cannot fail at  something if you do not do it. Failure is part of the process. You  cannot learn to succeed until you know what does not work.

But I need permission. No, you don’t. You do not require anyone’s approval but your own.

I learned long ago that asking for  permission is a guaranteed failure. Those who decide if we need  permission want us to fail so we can stay where we are.

Are you happy where you are?

You are the one who is here to succeed. Do something. Have a plan, be playful, and persevere. And you will succeed.

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Till next time

“Be Safe”

As leaders we accept risk. There is risk in everything we do.

That is why we have contingency plans.

When developing plans for any venture. Have the designated Nervous Nellie who’s only function is to break the plan. Learn from it and make the plan better.

Have fun with it and let others become your Nervous Nellie.

Remember there is no perfect plan. And there are good plans executed aggressively to accomplish the mission.

Accept no unreasonable risk.

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Till next time

"Be Safe"