Welcome to another episode of the Act ASAP Podcast, where we explore leadership, preparedness, and resilience to help families, businesses, schools, nonprofits, and communities become better prepared before disaster strikes.

Today's conversation began with a simple question inspired by a YouTube video from the Prepper Potpourri channel:

Has America lost a shared social language for preparedness?

That question led me to research how countries throughout Europe and Asia have made preparedness a normal part of everyday life—and what we here in the United States can learn from their approach.

The result is one of the most thought-provoking articles I've written to date: "Building a Culture of Preparedness." In it, I explore why preparedness should be viewed as an act of leadership rather than a reaction to fear, and how each of us can help create a culture where readiness becomes part of everyday life.

📘 You can read the full article at:
https://www.emergencyactionplanning.com/building-a-culture-of-preparedness/

I encourage you to read the article after today's episode and join the conversation by sharing your thoughts.

Now, let's get started.

Sometimes the plan fails. Leadership doesn't.

Every once in a while, life gives you an opportunity to practice the very principles you teach.

My recent conversation with retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Trey Morriss, author of DOOM 34, became one of those moments.

Trey and I had an outstanding discussion about leadership under pressure, communication, trust, accountability, endurance, and what real preparedness looks like when things don't go according to plan. Unfortunately, I discovered more than 40 minutes into our conversation that I had forgotten to start the recording.

Rather than discard an interview filled with valuable insights, I chose to do what leaders do when faced with an unexpected disruption: adapt.

What you'll hear is the recorded portion of our conversation. The complete story behind "The Lost Recording Session," along with additional leadership lessons from our discussion, is available in the companion blog article.

👉 Read the full article here:
https://www.emergencyactionplanning.com/the-lost-recording-session-with-trey-morriss/

I'm also pleased to share that Trey has agreed to return for a focused follow-up interview, where we'll dive deeper into DOOM 34, leadership under pressure, and the lessons every leader can apply when the stakes are high.

Enjoy the conversation, and remember:

Preparedness Is Leadership.

Stay Informed & Stay Safe,

Daniel Kilburn
Host, Act ASAP Podcast

Why do I keep repeating the same messages about preparedness, leadership, and communication?

Because human nature has not changed.

In this episode of the Act ASAP Podcast, I explore the timeless wisdom of Ecclesiastes 1:9–10: “What has been will be again… there is nothing new under the sun.” Although our world continues to evolve through technology, AI, and modern conveniences, people still make many of the same mistakes they made generations ago.

Leaders still delay difficult decisions.
Organizations still ignore warning signs.
Families still assume tomorrow will look like today.

Then disruption strikes.

Suddenly everyone wants answers.
Suddenly everyone wants a plan.
Suddenly everyone wishes they had acted sooner.

This episode is a direct and honest conversation about why repetition matters in leadership, why preparedness often feels boring until it becomes critical, and why pressure always reveals weakness.

I also discuss a hard truth many people avoid:

The world does not reward ignorance. It punishes it.

If you are responsible for protecting people, leading teams, running an organization, or caring for your family, this conversation is for you.

Preparedness is not about fear.
Preparedness is leadership.

Listen in as we discuss why truth worth hearing is truth worth repeating—and why real readiness begins long before disruption arrives.

📘 To go deeper into building real readiness, grab your copy of Why Plans Don’t Prepare You: What Real Readiness Looks Like When Leadership Is Tested here:
Get the Book Here

We were told technology would make life easier.

Instead, many people now face more barriers than ever.

Apps, portals, QR codes, AI chatbots, endless passwords, and digital verification systems are creating a new kind of exclusion—especially for the elderly and the underprivileged.

In my latest blog post, The Ever-Present Techno Babble, I explore how our growing dependence on technology may be creating hidden vulnerabilities in our homes, businesses, and communities.

Because when systems fail, people don’t follow apps… they follow leadership.

Read the full article here:
The Ever-Present Techno Babble

Welcome to the Act ASAP Podcast, where we talk about leadership, communication, and preparedness—because when disruption strikes, how you respond matters.

I’m your host, Daniel Kilburn, with Emergency Action Planning.

Today’s topic starts with a question you probably never expected to hear on a preparedness podcast: How long does beer last at room temperature?

Now before anyone gets too excited, this is not an endorsement to add beer to your emergency supplies. Beer just happens to be today’s teaching tool.

Because the real issue during a disaster is not whether your beer goes flat. The real issue is whether your food remains safe, your water supply holds out, and your family knows what to do when normal life gets disrupted.

In today’s episode, we use this lighthearted question to explore serious lessons about food storage, pantry rotation, home food preservation, and why real preparedness is about far more than stockpiling supplies.

As I often say, preparedness is leadership.

If you want to read the full companion blog post, the link is in today’s show notes at What’s The Plan Dan Blog.

Let’s get into it.

Welcome to another episode of Act ASAP, the show where we talk about leadership, communications, preparedness, and taking action before disruption forces your hand.

I’m your host, Daniel Kilburn, founder of Emergency Action Planning, retired U.S. Army Drill Sergeant, and author of Why Plans Don’t Prepare You.

Today’s conversation is one every leader, parent, and business owner needs to hear.

Cybercrime is evolving rapidly. Identity theft is growing. AI-generated scams, voice cloning, and deepfake fraud are making it harder than ever to know what is real and what is fake.

The reality is this: criminals no longer need to break into your home or office to cause damage. Sometimes they only need access to your password, your personal information, or your trust.

That is why preparedness today must include both physical and digital readiness.

My guest today is Robert Siciliano, a nationally recognized cybersecurity expert, author, speaker, and security awareness advocate who has spent decades helping individuals and organizations prevent fraud, reduce risk, and become harder targets.

In this conversation, Robert shares practical strategies to help you protect your identity, secure your digital life, recognize AI-driven scams, and strengthen your personal preparedness.

One of the biggest takeaways from this interview is simple but powerful:

Prepared people do not eliminate risk—they reduce vulnerability and improve response.

So whether you are protecting your family, your organization, or yourself, this conversation will give you practical insights you can use immediately.

Let’s get into it.

Here is my conversation with Robert Siciliano.

Welcome to the ACT ASAP Podcast.

I’m Daniel Kilburn.

When disruption comes, people do not follow binders—they follow leadership.

Today, we’re discussing why real readiness is built through training, communication, and leadership under pressure.

Let’s begin.

What happens when an ordinary person becomes the first responder during a life-threatening emergency?

In this episode of the ACT ASAP Podcast, Daniel Kilburn sits down with father-daughter team Brad Newbury and Kiera Newbury to discuss CPR preparedness, emergency response, the bystander effect, and the extraordinary ripple effects that can occur when a life is saved.

Drawing upon decades of experience in fire service, EMS, emergency medicine, and education, Brad and Kiera share the inspiration behind their upcoming book, The Saved Effect: How Ordinary People Create Extraordinary Outcomes.

During this conversation, we discuss:

• Why most cardiac arrests occur at home
• The importance of CPR preparedness for families
• Situational awareness during emergencies
• The psychology of the bystander effect
• Why confidence comes from training and practice
• How ordinary people can make extraordinary differences when seconds matter

One of the most powerful lessons from this discussion is that preparedness is not reserved for first responders. The person who saves a life is often a spouse, parent, friend, neighbor, or bystander who chose to prepare before the emergency occurred.

If you have ever wondered whether you could make a difference during a crisis, this episode is for you.

Preparedness Is Leadership.

Additional Resources

📘 The Saved Effect

🔗Brad Newbury 🔗Kiera Newbury

🔗 National MedicalEducation & Training Center

🔗Featured Blog Article

Welcome back to the Act ASAP Podcast.

I'm your host, Daniel Kilburn.

Over the past several weeks, I've shared the complete chapter-reading series of my newly released book, Why Plans Don't Prepare You: What Real Readiness Looks Like When Leadership Is Tested.

Today, we're doing something a little different.

Rather than reading another chapter, we're stepping back to review the key lessons, themes, and leadership principles that run throughout the entire book.

If you've followed this series from the beginning, thank you for joining me on the journey.

If you're just tuning in, this episode will provide an overview of why I wrote the book and what I hope readers take away from it.

The central message is simple:

Plans are important.

But plans alone do not create readiness.

Real preparedness is built through leadership, communication, practiced systems, resilience, and the ability to adapt when circumstances change.

In this episode, we'll discuss:

• the illusion of preparedness
• the hidden burden leaders carry
• why organizations delay readiness efforts
• the difference between binders and systems
• building a culture of preparedness
• calm, confident continuity
• the leaders people look for during uncertainty
• and the practical steps you can take to strengthen readiness today

Monday the 1st, Why Plans Don't Prepare You officially launched on Amazon, and I want to thank everyone who has supported the book, listened to the chapter readings, and helped share the message.

And I am announcing a special Leadership Readiness Bonus in the coming days for readers who are ready to take the next step in their preparedness journey.

For more information: whatstheplandan.com/book

So settle in, and let's take one final look at the lessons behind readiness.

Because when leadership is tested, preparedness becomes more than a plan.

It becomes a responsibility.

Let's begin.

Welcome back to the Act ASAP Podcast.

Yesterday, Why Plans Don't Prepare You: What Real Readiness Looks Like When Leadership Is Tested officially launched on Amazon. Today, we arrive at the final reading from the book.

Throughout this journey, we've explored leadership, communication, resilience, continuity planning, and preparedness. More importantly, we've examined what real readiness looks like when uncertainty tests our families, organizations, communities, and leadership.

In today's episode, I share the final section of the book:

Start Here: Your Readiness Path

This section is designed to help you move from learning to action.

Because preparedness is not something you achieve by reading a book.

Preparedness is developed through the decisions you make, the conversations you have, and the actions you take after the book is closed.

In this episode, we discuss:

• identifying your next step in preparedness
• building leadership readiness
• creating a practical preparedness roadmap
• strengthening resilience and continuity
• turning knowledge into action
• beginning your readiness journey

As you listen today, I encourage you to think about one question:

What is your next move?

Not next month.

Not next year.

Today.

Tomorrow, I'll be sharing a special summary and review of the book, highlighting some of the key lessons and themes we've explored together.

In addition, be on the lookout over the coming days for a special launch promotion designed to help readers take the next step toward greater readiness.

📘 Order Why Plans Don't Prepare You on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H28B8XSR

🌐 Learn more at:
https://www.whatstheplandan.com

Preparedness Is Leadership.

Till next time,

Stay Informed & Stay Safe.

Daniel Kilburn
Founder, Emergency Action Planning