What happens before the sirens?

That simple question became the foundation for everything you've heard throughout this series.

The STARS Framework for Vigilant Living was not created to predict the future.

It was not created to eliminate uncertainty.

And it was never intended to make people fearful of the world around them.

Instead, it was created to help us move through life more intentionally.

More aware.

More prepared.

More resilient.

Throughout this Foundation Series, we've explored five questions:

⭐ Scenarios — What can happen here?

⭐ Triggers — What feels slightly off?

⭐ Action — What will you do about it?

⭐ Routines — What habits keep you safe?

⭐ Stoicism — Can you stay calm when everything isn't?

Simple questions.

But not always easy questions.

Questions that invite us to pause.

To think differently.

To pay attention.

To consider the role that awareness, preparation, habits, decision-making, and resilience play in our lives long before a crisis ever arrives.

In this closing reflection, Lori Baxley looks back on the STARS Framework and the experiences that inspired it—from a career in criminal justice to surviving a violent home invasion and the long road of recovery that followed.

Most importantly, she reflects on why the goal of Vigilant Living is not fear.

It is wisdom.

Because uncertainty is part of being human.

We don't get to avoid hardship.

We don't get immunity from loss, disappointment, betrayal, tragedy, or adversity.

But we can choose how we prepare.

We can choose how we respond.

And we can choose how we move forward.

The goal is not to live in fear of what might happen.

The goal is to live fully while being prepared for the reality that life is uncertain.

The STARS Framework is simply an invitation to ask better questions before the sirens arrive.

About the STARS Framework

The STARS Framework is built around five questions designed to help us navigate uncertainty before crisis arrives:

⭐ Scenarios — What can happen here?

⭐ Triggers — What feels slightly off?

⭐ Action — What will you do about it?

⭐ Routines — What habits keep you safe?

⭐ Stoicism — Can you stay calm when everything isn't?

Together, these five questions create a practical framework for Vigilant Living.

About the Host

Lori Baxley is the host of Three Sips to Shots Fired: What Happens Before the Sirens.

A survivor of a violent home invasion, former police officer, probation officer, criminal justice professional, educator, and advocate for vigilant living, Lori developed the STARS Framework to help individuals think more intentionally about preparedness, awareness, and resilience in everyday life.

Her mission is simple:

To encourage thoughtful conversations about what happens before crisis arrives—and how awareness, preparation, and intentional action can help us navigate uncertainty more wisely.

STARS Foundation Series

Part 1: Origin Story of the STARS Framework

Part 2: Scenarios — What Can Happen Here?

Part 3: Triggers — What Feels Slightly Off?

Part 4: Action — What Will You Do About It?

Part 5: Routines — What Habits Keep You Safe?

Part 6: Stoicism — Can You Stay Calm When Everything Isn't?

Part 7: Closing Reflection

Continue the Conversation

The STARS Foundation Series introduces the framework.

Future episodes of Three Sips to Shots Fired explore these concepts through conversations with experts, practitioners, survivors, and individuals whose experiences bring the framework to life.

Because understanding the questions is only the beginning.

The real journey is learning how to apply them.

Subscribe for future episodes and conversations exploring what happens before the sirens.

#STARSFramework #VigilantLiving #Preparedness #SituationalAwareness #Resilience #ThreeSipsToShotsFired #WhatHappensBeforeTheSirens #PersonalGrowth #LifeLessons #Stoicism

Sometimes the greatest challenge isn't what is happening around us.

It's what is happening within us.

Fear.

Stress.

Uncertainty.

Frustration.

Loss.

Adversity has a way of testing not only our preparedness, but also our ability to remain grounded when life doesn't go according to plan.

The STARS Framework for Vigilant Living was created to help people think more intentionally about uncertainty, preparedness, decision-making, and resilience before a crisis arrives.

In this Foundation Series, we're exploring each pillar of the STARS Framework one at a time.

Today's episode focuses on the fifth and final pillar:

Stoicism — Can You Stay Calm When Everything Isn't?

Stoicism is often misunderstood.

It isn't about suppressing emotions, pretending everything is fine, or becoming indifferent to life's challenges.

Instead, Stoicism teaches us to focus our energy on what we can control while accepting what we cannot.

It invites us to cultivate perspective, discipline, resilience, and emotional steadiness in the face of uncertainty.

In this episode, Lori Baxley explores how Stoic principles can help us navigate difficult conversations, personal setbacks, unexpected crises, and the everyday challenges that come with being human.

Because no amount of preparation can eliminate uncertainty.

No framework can prevent hardship.

And no one moves through life without encountering adversity.

The question is not whether difficult moments will come.

The question is:

When they do, can you remain calm enough to respond wisely?

As the Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius wrote:

"You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength."

The ability to stay grounded during uncertainty may be one of the most important skills we ever develop.

About the STARS Framework

The STARS Framework is built around five questions designed to help us navigate uncertainty before crisis arrives:

⭐ Scenarios — What can happen here?

⭐ Triggers — What feels slightly off?

⭐ Action — What will you do about it?

⭐ Routines — What habits keep you safe?

⭐ Stoicism — Can you stay calm when everything isn't?

About the Host

Lori Baxley is the host of Three Sips to Shots Fired: What Happens Before the Sirens.

A survivor of a violent home invasion, former police officer, probation officer, criminal justice professional, educator, and advocate for vigilant living, Lori developed the STARS Framework to help individuals think more intentionally about preparedness, awareness, and resilience in everyday life.

Through lived experience, professional experience, and a deep interest in what happens before crisis arrives, Lori encourages listeners to think critically, act intentionally, and cultivate resilience in an uncertain world.

STARS Foundation Series

Part 1: Origin Story of the STARS Framework

Part 2: Scenarios — What Can Happen Here?

Part 3: Triggers — What Feels Slightly Off?

Part 4: Action — What Will You Do About It?

Part 5: Routines — What Habits Keep You Safe?

Part 6: Stoicism — Can You Stay Calm When Everything Isn't?

Part 7: Closing Reflection

Subscribe for future episodes of Three Sips to Shots Fired and conversations exploring what happens before the sirens.

#STARSFramework #Stoicism #MarcusAurelius #Resilience #MentalStrength #Preparedness #VigilantLiving #ThreeSipsToShotsFired #PersonalGrowth #WhatHappensBeforeTheSirens

What happens before the sirens?

Often, the answer has less to do with what we do in a crisis and more to do with what we do every day.

The small habits.

The repeated behaviors.

The routines we build long before we ever need them.

The STARS Framework for Vigilant Living was created to help people think more intentionally about uncertainty, preparedness, decision-making, and resilience before a crisis arrives.

In this Foundation Series, we're exploring each pillar of the STARS Framework one at a time.

Today's episode focuses on the fourth pillar:

Routines — What Habits Keep You Safe?

When people think about preparedness, they often focus on equipment, plans, or knowledge.

But routines are what make those things actionable.

Routines help us remember what matters when life becomes busy.

They reduce the likelihood of mistakes.

They create consistency.

And they often influence outcomes long before a crisis ever occurs.

In this episode, Lori Baxley explores how intentional routines can support personal safety, health, relationships, finances, resilience, and everyday decision-making.

Because the habits we practice repeatedly become the behaviors we rely on under pressure.

You don't rise to the occasion.

You often fall to the level of your preparation.

The question is:

What habits are helping you move through life more safely, intentionally, and effectively?

And just as importantly:

Which habits might be putting you at risk?

About the STARS Framework

The STARS Framework is built around five questions designed to help us navigate uncertainty before crisis arrives:

⭐ Scenarios — What can happen here?

⭐ Triggers — What feels slightly off?

⭐ Action — What will you do about it?

⭐ Routines — What habits keep you safe?

⭐ Stoicism — Can you stay calm when everything isn't?

About the Host

Lori Baxley is the host of Three Sips to Shots Fired: What Happens Before the Sirens.

A survivor of a violent home invasion, former police officer, probation officer, criminal justice professional, educator, and advocate for vigilant living, Lori developed the STARS Framework to help individuals think more intentionally about preparedness, awareness, and resilience in everyday life.

STARS Foundation Series

Part 1: Origin Story of the STARS Framework

Part 2: Scenarios — What Can Happen Here?

Part 3: Triggers — What Feels Slightly Off?

Part 4: Action — What Will You Do About It?

Part 5: Routines — What Habits Keep You Safe?

Part 6: Stoicism — Can You Stay Calm When Everything Isn't?

Part 7: Closing Reflection

Subscribe for future episodes of Three Sips to Shots Fired and conversations exploring what happens before the sirens.

#STARSFramework #Routines #Preparedness #Habits #PersonalSafety #SituationalAwareness #Resilience #VigilantLiving #ThreeSipsToShotsFired #PersonalGrowth

Sometimes we recognize the scenario.

Sometimes we notice the trigger.

We know something isn't right.

We know a decision needs to be made.

And then we arrive at one of the most important questions in the STARS Framework:

What will you do about it?

The STARS Framework for Vigilant Living was created to help people think more intentionally about uncertainty, preparedness, decision-making, and resilience before a crisis arrives.

In this Foundation Series, we're exploring each pillar of the STARS Framework one at a time.

Today's episode focuses on the third pillar:

Action — What Will You Do About It?

Awareness matters.

Preparation matters.

But awareness without action changes nothing.

In this episode, Lori Baxley explores the role of decision-making when faced with uncertainty, risk, opportunity, and adversity.

Whether the situation involves personal safety, health, finances, relationships, business, or everyday life, there often comes a moment when information alone is no longer enough.

A choice must be made.

An action must be taken.

A step must be taken forward.

Drawing from personal experience, criminal justice, preparedness principles, and lessons learned through adversity, Lori discusses why decisive action often matters more than perfect action.

As Theodore Roosevelt famously observed:

"In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing."

The question is not whether uncertainty exists.

The question is:

What will you do about it?

About the STARS Framework

The STARS Framework is built around five questions designed to help us navigate uncertainty before crisis arrives:

⭐ Scenarios — What can happen here?

⭐ Triggers — What feels slightly off?

⭐ Action — What will you do about it?

⭐ Routines — What habits keep you safe?

⭐ Stoicism — Can you stay calm when everything isn't?

About the Host

Lori Baxley is the host of Three Sips to Shots Fired: What Happens Before the Sirens.

A survivor of a violent home invasion, former police officer, probation officer, criminal justice professional, educator, and advocate for vigilant living, Lori developed the STARS Framework to help individuals think more intentionally about preparedness, awareness, and resilience in everyday life.

STARS Foundation Series

Part 1: Origin Story of the STARS Framework

Part 2: Scenarios — What Can Happen Here?

Part 3: Triggers — What Feels Slightly Off?

Part 4: Action — What Will You Do About It?

Part 5: Routines — What Habits Keep You Safe?

Part 6: Stoicism — Can You Stay Calm When Everything Isn't?

Part 7: Closing Reflection

Subscribe for future episodes of Three Sips to Shots Fired and conversations exploring what happens before the sirens.

#STARSFramework #Action #DecisionMaking #Preparedness #SituationalAwareness #VigilantLiving #Resilience #ThreeSipsToShotsFired #Leadership #PersonalSafety

Often, long before a crisis unfolds, there are subtle signals that something isn't quite right.

A comment that doesn't sit well.

A situation that feels off.

A change in behavior.

A feeling you can't immediately explain.

The STARS Framework for Vigilant Living was created to help people think more intentionally about uncertainty, preparedness, decision-making, and resilience before a crisis arrives.

In this Foundation Series, we're exploring each pillar of the STARS Framework one at a time.

Today's episode focuses on the second pillar:

Triggers — What Feels Slightly Off?

Triggers are the cues, observations, instincts, and warning signs that capture our attention and cause us to pause.

Sometimes they're obvious.

Sometimes they're subtle.

And sometimes they show up as nothing more than a quiet sense that something isn't right.

In this episode, Lori Baxley explores the role of intuition, situational awareness, pattern recognition, and critical thinking in identifying potential threats and opportunities before they fully develop.

This isn't about becoming fearful or suspicious of everyone around you.

It's about learning to pay attention.

Because the worst outcomes are often preceded by warning signs—and the people who notice them are often better positioned to make informed decisions.

The question is:

When something feels slightly off...

Will you notice?

About the STARS Framework

The STARS Framework is built around five questions designed to help us navigate uncertainty before crisis arrives:

⭐ Scenarios — What can happen here?

⭐ Triggers — What feels slightly off?

⭐ Action — What will you do about it?

⭐ Routines — What habits keep you safe?

⭐ Stoicism — Can you stay calm when everything isn't?

About the Host

Lori Baxley is the host of Three Sips to Shots Fired: What Happens Before the Sirens.

A survivor of a violent home invasion, former police officer, probation officer, criminal justice professional, educator, and advocate for vigilant living, Lori developed the STARS Framework to help individuals think more intentionally about preparedness, awareness, and resilience in everyday life.

STARS Foundation Series

Part 1: Origin Story of the STARS Framework

Part 2: Scenarios — What Can Happen Here?

Part 3: Triggers — What Feels Slightly Off?

Part 4: Action — What Will You Do About It?

Part 5: Routines — What Habits Keep You Safe?

Part 6: Stoicism — Can You Stay Calm When Everything Isn't?

Part 7: Closing Reflection

Subscribe for future episodes of Three Sips to Shots Fired and conversations exploring what happens before the sirens.

#STARSFramework #Triggers #SituationalAwareness #TheGiftOfFear #VigilantLiving #Preparedness #ThreeSipsToShotsFired #PersonalSafety #Resilience

The STARS Framework for Vigilant Living was created to help people think more intentionally about uncertainty, preparedness, decision-making, and resilience before a crisis arrives.

In this Foundation Series, we're exploring each pillar of the STARS Framework one at a time.

Today's episode focuses on the first pillar:

Scenarios — What Can Happen Here?

Most people spend far more time planning for what they expect than considering what they don't.

Yet the ability to recognize potential scenarios—whether related to personal safety, health, finances, relationships, travel, business, or everyday life—often determines how effectively we respond when the unexpected occurs.

In this episode, Lori Baxley explores why scenario thinking matters, how it influences decision-making, and why asking "What can happen here?" is not about fear, paranoia, or assuming the worst.

It's about awareness.

Because when we take time to consider possibilities before a crisis arrives, we gain the opportunity to think more clearly, prepare more effectively, and respond more confidently.

The goal isn't to predict the future.

The goal is to be less surprised by it.

About the STARS Framework

The STARS Framework is built around five questions designed to help us navigate uncertainty before crisis arrives:

⭐ Scenarios — What can happen here?

⭐ Triggers — What feels slightly off?

⭐ Action — What will you do about it?

⭐ Routines — What habits keep you safe?

⭐ Stoicism — Can you stay calm when everything isn't?

About the Host

Lori Baxley is the host of Three Sips to Shots Fired: What Happens Before the Sirens.

A survivor of a violent home invasion, former police officer, probation officer, criminal justice professional, educator, and advocate for vigilant living, Lori developed the STARS Framework to help individuals think more intentionally about preparedness, awareness, and resilience in everyday life.

STARS Foundation Series

Part 1: Origin Story of the STARS Framework

Part 2: Scenarios — What Can Happen Here?

Part 3: Triggers — What Feels Slightly Off?

Part 4: Action — What Will You Do About It?

Part 5: Routines — What Habits Keep You Safe?

Part 6: Stoicism — Can You Stay Calm When Everything Isn't?

Part 7: Closing Reflection

Subscribe for future episodes of Three Sips to Shots Fired and conversations exploring what happens before the sirens.

#STARSFramework #VigilantLiving #SituationalAwareness #Preparedness #Resilience #ThreeSipsToShotsFired

What does a lifetime spent studying threats, intelligence, and force protection teach us about protecting our homes and families?

In this episode of Three Sips to Shots Fired: What Happens Before the Sirens, Lori Baxley sits down with Lt. Col. Edmund S. McAlister (Ret.), a retired U.S. Army Military Intelligence Officer, attorney, firearms instructor, and expert in tactical intelligence, counterintelligence, and force protection.

Drawing from decades of experience analyzing threats and preparing for uncertainty, Ed shares practical insights that every homeowner can apply—regardless of their background, training, or experience.

Together, Lori and Ed explore:

✅ What Military Intelligence teaches us about personal safety
 ✅ The mindset differences between awareness and fear
 ✅ How criminals identify vulnerable targets
 ✅ Home defense beyond firearms
 ✅ Situational awareness and environmental design
 ✅ Layers of security that buy time and create options
 ✅ Common mistakes homeowners make when planning for emergencies
 ✅ The role of preparation, training, and decision-making under stress
 ✅ Why mindset may be your most important home defense tool

This conversation goes far beyond locks, alarms, and weapons.

It is about developing the ability to recognize risk, think critically, and make sound decisions before a crisis unfolds.

At its core, home defense is not about paranoia.

It is about preparedness.

It is about protecting what matters most.

And it begins long before an intruder ever reaches your front door.

About Ed McAlister

Edmund S. McAlister is a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army specializing in Military Intelligence, Tactical Intelligence, Counterintelligence, and Force Protection.

He holds a Juris Doctor from DePaul University College of Law and has extensive experience as a firearms instructor, security professional, and educator. Throughout his career, Ed has focused on helping individuals and organizations better understand threats, vulnerabilities, preparedness, and risk mitigation.

About Three Sips to Shots Fired

Hosted by Lori Baxley, Three Sips to Shots Fired: What Happens Before the Sirens examines the decisions, warning signs, habits, and human factors that shape outcomes before crisis occurs.

The podcast is built around the STARS Framework:

⭐ Scenarios – What can happen here?
⭐ Triggers – What feels slightly off?
⭐ Action – What will you do about it?
⭐ Routines – What habits protect what matters most?
⭐ Stoicism – Can you remain calm when life isn't?

Memorable Takeaway

Subscribe for More Conversations About

✔ Home Defense
 ✔ Situational Awareness
 ✔ Military Intelligence
 ✔ Personal Safety
 ✔ Force Protection
 ✔ Preparedness
 ✔ Decision-Making Under Stress
 ✔ Leadership
 ✔ Vigilant Living
 ✔ The STARS Framework

#ThreeSipsToShotsFired #EdMcAlister #HomeDefense #MilitaryIntelligence #SituationalAwareness #PersonalSafety #Preparedness #ForceProtection #VigilantLiving #STARSFramework #WhatHappensBeforeTheSirens #LoriBaxley #SecurityMindset #ProtectWhatMattersMost #DecisionMakingUnderStress #Resilience

What happens when tragedy becomes a mission?
In this powerful episode of Three Sips to Shots Fired: What Happens Before the Sirens, Lori Baxley sits down with Barbara Jordan, founder of Always BEV, personal safety educator, speaker, and advocate for vigilant living.
Barbara's journey began with an unimaginable loss—the murder of her sister, Beverly.  Rather than allowing that tragedy to define her, Barbara transformed her grief into a mission to educate, empower, and protect others.
Together, Lori and Barbara explore:
✅ The story behind the creation of Always BEV
✅ The warning signs we often overlook
✅ Why intuition frequently begins with the thought, "That's weird"
✅ Situational awareness and personal safety for everyday life
✅ Lessons for Realtors, professionals, and anyone who meets strangers as part of their work
✅ The difference between living in fear and living with awareness
✅ How tragedy can be transformed into purpose
This conversation is not just about personal safety. It is about resilience, courage, healing, and learning to move through the world with greater awareness.
At the heart of this discussion is the belief that preparation is not paranoia—it is empowerment.
About Barbara Jordan
Barbara Jordan is the founder of Always BEV, a nonprofit organization created in memory of her sister. Through speaking engagements, training programs, media appearances, and community outreach, Barbara helps individuals and organizations improve situational awareness, personal safety, and violence prevention.
🌐 Website: alwaysbev.com
📱 Instagram: @always_bev

Three Sips to Shots Fired
What Happens Before the Sirens
Most podcasts about tragedy focus on what happened.
This podcast asks a different question:
What happened before?
Hosted by Lori Baxley, Three Sips to Shots Fired: What Happens Before the Sirens explores the moments, decisions, behaviors, warning signs, routines, and human factors that shape our lives long before crisis arrives.
Drawing from Lori’s experience as a former police officer, probation officer, criminologist, educator, and survivor of a violent home invasion, each episode examines the often-overlooked space between ordinary life and extraordinary events.
Through conversations with survivors, experts, investigators, advocates, military leaders, first responders, authors, and everyday people whose lives were forever changed in a single moment, the podcast seeks to answer one central question:
How can we live more intentionally before the sirens?
At the heart of the show is the STARS Framework:
⭐ Scenarios — What can happen here?
⭐ Triggers — What feels slightly off?
⭐ Action — What will you do about it?
⭐ Routines — What habits protect what matters most?
⭐ Stoicism — Can you remain calm when life isn't?
This is not a podcast about fear.
It is a podcast about awareness.
About preparation.
About resilience.
About learning from lived experience.
And about making small decisions today that may change everything tomorrow.
Whether the topic is personal safety, crime prevention, addiction, domestic violence, resilience, parenting, leadership, faith, mental toughness, or recovery, every episode explores what happens before crisis—and what we can learn from it.
Because sometimes the distance between three sips and shots fired is much shorter than we think.
Host Bio
Lori Baxley
Lori Baxley is the host of Three Sips to Shots Fired: What Happens Before the Sirens, a podcast dedicated to exploring the decisions, warning signs, habits, and human behaviors that shape outcomes before crisis occurs.
Lori's professional background spans more than two decades in criminal justice, higher education, and public safety. She holds a degree in Criminology, completed advanced studies in forensic psychology and gang behavior, served as a police officer and probation officer, and spent years teaching and mentoring others in higher education.
Her perspective, however, extends far beyond the classroom and the criminal justice system.
In December 2019, Lori survived a violent home invasion that left her fighting for her life. She endured catastrophic injuries, multiple surgeries, life support, temporary dialysis, and ultimately the loss of her right leg below the knee. Her survival journey transformed not only how she viewed safety and preparedness, but how she viewed life itself.
Today, Lori uses her experience, education, and hard-earned perspective to help others think differently about awareness, resilience, preparedness, and personal responsibility.
She is the creator of the STARS Framework:
Scenarios. Triggers. Action. Routines. Stoicism.
A practical approach to navigating uncertainty, recognizing warning signs, making better decisions, and responding effectively when life becomes difficult.
Through her podcast, speaking, writing, and advocacy, Lori encourages others to move through the world with greater awareness—not fear; preparation—not paranoia; and resilience—not helplessness.
Her mission is simple:
To help people think more intentionally about what happens before the sirens.