In episode 160 of The PreparedEx Podcast, host Rob Burton explores why human crisis analysts, particularly those with military and intelligence backgrounds, continue to outperform AI in crisis scenario design. As AI becomes more capable, some predict it will replace human analysts, but the real strength lies in combining both. Force shapers understand intent, emotion, friction, and cascading impacts in ways machines cannot. They create realistic, high-pressure environments that reveal true leadership, adapt dynamically in real time, and design scenarios that push decision-makers beyond predictable patterns. While AI can generate simulations, only humans can shape experiences that build stronger, more resilient leaders for the complex crises of the future.

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In this episode of The PreparedEx Podcast, host Rob Burton sits down with Austin Cruz, Associate Director of Crisis Management and Strategic Innovation at Witt O’Brien’s and newly elected leader of the Business Continuity Institute’s AI Special Interest Group. Together, they explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the world of crisis management, business continuity, and organizational resilience.

From turning static crisis plans into AI-powered assistants to building custom-coded exercise interfaces without writing a line of code, Rob and Austin discuss the rapid evolution of technology in preparedness and what it means for practitioners today. They dive into real-world use cases, the ethical and security implications of AI adoption, and how leaders can strike the right balance between innovation and realism in exercises.

The conversation also looks ahead to the next three to five years, envisioning a future where AI-guided crisis simulations, sentiment analysis, and automated after-action reporting redefine how organizations train and respond to disruptions.

Whether you’re a resilience professional, emergency manager, or simply curious about AI’s growing impact on preparedness, this episode offers practical insights, cautionary tales, and a glimpse into the future of the industry.

Topics Covered:

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Too many organizations treat crisis simulations and tabletop exercises as the finish line, when in reality they’re just the starting point. In this episode, Rob Burton explores why the real value lies in what comes after the exercise: prioritizing findings, assigning ownership, keeping leadership engaged, and measuring improvement.

Rob shares common challenges resilience leaders face, practical strategies for turning lessons into action, and contrasting case examples—from financial services firms that ignored findings and paid the price, to healthcare organizations that invested in follow-up and entered COVID-19 better prepared.

Listeners will walk away with a practical checklist and actionable steps to ensure their next crisis exercise doesn’t just check a box but actually strengthens resilience.

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As organizations begin planning for 2026, one critical area often overlooked—or left until it’s too late—is budgeting for resilience. In this episode, we explore why resilience should be treated as a strategic investment, not just a line item. Drawing from our latest PreparedEx blog, we’ll discuss how early planning and thoughtful proposals provide more than just numbers: they offer clarity, insight, and flexibility to strengthen your preparedness program. We’ll also highlight a real client testimonial that shows the impact of investing in resilience services before a crisis strikes.

Whether your organization is building resilience from the ground up or enhancing a mature program, this episode offers practical steps to ensure your 2026 budget supports confidence, readiness, and long-term value.

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In this episode, we share a summer recap and update you on upcoming activities and programs. Hear about recent travels, fall and winter exercise plans, and new resiliency initiatives launching soon. We highlight the upcoming International Crisis Management Conference (ICMC) one-day workshop in Vancouver, scheduled for March 2026, the first West Coast event, featuring expert speakers, training, and tabletop exercises.

Plus, get details on upcoming virtual resiliency courses this fall and a custom in-person training session in upstate New York focused on operational resilience principles. We also discuss how to stay connected via the newsletter and ways to engage with exercises tailored to your organization’s needs, including those addressing recent active shooter challenges.

Stay tuned and get involved as we head into a busy season of crisis management and resiliency programming!

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In this episode, we sit down with John Iliffe to explore his first-hand experience managing evacuations from conflict and crisis zones including Afghanistan, Myanmar, and South Sudan. With a background in NGO operations and international crisis response, John shares valuable insights and practical lessons for organizations preparing for or executing a country evacuation. 

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Your cyber incident response will fail if you:   

Don’t train your team regularly   

Don’t stress-test your plan with tabletop exercises   

Don’t remediate weaknesses after real incidents or simulations   

The good news? These failures are entirely preventable. The organizations that train, test, and improve are the ones that survive—and even thrive—when an attack happens.   

If you’re serious about protecting your business, start taking action today. Run a tabletop, train your team, and fix what you find. Because in cybersecurity, it’s not if an attack happens, but when.  

Want to learn more? Stay tuned for our next episode, where we break down the must-have elements of an effective cyber crisis simulation. 

The post Why Your Cyber Incident Response Will Fail – And How to Fix It  appeared first on PreparedEx.

In this episode of the PreparedEx podcast, we dive into the world of crisis and business continuity exercises with Charlie Maclean-Bristol, founder of PlanB Consulting. With his extensive experience in designing exercises that challenge and prepare organizations for crises, Charlie shares invaluable insights on best practices, overcoming common challenges, and the importance of realism. Whether you’re new to business continuity or looking to enhance your organization’s preparedness strategies, this episode is filled with actionable advice and forward-looking perspectives. Don’t miss this engaging discussion on building resilience through exercises. 

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In this episode (151) of the PreparedEx Podcast, we sit down with Christopher Beard, a leading expert from The Crisis Shop, to discuss the crucial role of reputational risk analysis in today’s business environment. With reputational risks being as impactful—if not more so—than operational or financial risks, organizations can no longer afford to overlook this...

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In this milestone 150th episode of the PreparedEx podcast, we’re excited to unveil the 10th Annual International Crisis Management Conference. Discover what’s in store for this year’s event, including key themes, speakers, and networking opportunities that make this conference a must-attend for resilience and crisis management professionals. Tune in to hear how this decade-long tradition...

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