Picture this: It's a Tuesday afternoon. You're at work. Your kids are at school. Your partner is across town. And then something happens—an earthquake, a major storm, a power grid failure.You get one message out before the signal drops. Then nothing.Now what?If your answer is "I'm not sure"—you're not alone. Most families haven't thought this through. But here's the thing: a Family Communications Plan costs nothing to build, takes about an hour to put together, and could be one of the most important things your household does this year.In this episode, we cover:✓ Why your phone won't save you in a disaster✓ The five essential elements every plan needs✓ How to build redundancy into your communications✓ Action steps you can complete this weekPlus, we're sharing TWO free downloadable resources:📄 A printable quick-reference card (laminate and keep in go-bags)📄 A complete fillable Family Communications Plan PDF

Most of us never consider whathappens when the plumbing—and the systems we rely on—fail. In a disaster,sanitation isn't just uncomfortable; it becomes a serious health hazard. Ifyou've ever wondered how to stay clean and safe when the sewer system goesdown, this episode is a must-listen.

When infrastructurecollapses—whether from an earthquake, storm, or power outage—managing humanwaste becomes a matter of life and death. We examine real-world disasters likethe Carnival Triumph cruise and Hurricane Katrina, revealing how overwhelmedwaste systems turn neighborhoods into unsafe zones almost overnight. But it’snot just big disasters—neighborhood-level failures happen more often than youthink, and the consequences can spread illness quickly.

You'll discover practical, low-costsolutions for sanitation during outages, including the twin bucket system—aneffective way to manage waste without fancy gear. Charlie shares straightforwardtips on DIY setups, waste disposal, and maintaining hygiene with minimal water.Learn how to prep your household with simple supplies like buckets, absorbentmaterial, and rainwater collection methods that keep you clean when disasterstrikes.

Sanitation is a cornerstone ofcommunity resilience—when everyone is prepared, neighborhoods bounce backfaster, health risks diminish, and stress lowers. This episode emphasizes thatbeing ready isn’t just about a flashlight or food; it’s about safeguarding yourfamily’s health in the worst-case scenario.

Perfect for prepper enthusiasts,community organizers, or anyone looking to protect their loved ones duringunexpected outages, this episode equips you with essential knowledge to turn apotentially dangerous situation into a manageable challenge. Don't wait untilit’s too late—get ready to handle the mess before disaster hits.

When people think about preparedness, they often picture gear, Bugout Bags, Flashlights, radios, water filters, first‑aid kits — all the physical things you can buy and store. And those things matter, but they’re not the foundation. The real foundation of preparedness is your mindset. It’s how you think, how you react, and how you make decisions when something unexpected happens.

In every emergency I’ve been part of — whether through the Coast Guard, NET, CERT, or other response work — the first thing that gets challenged is your ability to stay calm and think clearly. Emergencies don’t wait for you to feel ready. They show up in the middle of dinner, or while you’re driving, or when you’re half asleep. And in those moments, your mindset becomes your most important tool.

A calm introduction to Cascadia Ready Radio — what the show is, why it exists, and how simple steps at home can make you more ready to help your community. In this episode, Charles shares his background in the Coast Guard and community preparedness, explains the purpose of the podcast, and outlines what listeners can expect from future episodes. If you’re new to readiness or looking for steady, practical guidance, this is the place to start.