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PODCAST

American Contingency

Inform, Equip, and Train so you can Prepare, Respond, and Recover

When a crisis hits, the clock starts ticking. Every day, get the insight, tools, and awareness you need to protect your family, stay in control, and face the unexpected with the confidence that comes from being ready. We cut through the noise to give you clear, actionable steps you can take right now. You’ll hear real-world strategies, quick wins, and timely intelligence that help you turn uncertainty into confidence—so your family’s safety never comes down to luck.

education self-improvement

All Episodes

6:30

Looking Back, Moving Forward

American Contingency ·

2025/08/31

In this lecture, we delve into the crucial practice of conducting a crisis retrospective, or "crisis retro," a structured conversation that families can engage in following a challenging experience or emergency situation. The session opens with reflections on the collective emotions that surface when returning home after a crisis—a mixture of relief, exhaustion, frustration, and even regret. By facing these feelings, the importance of evaluating the experience becomes apparent, as families recount

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03:43

The Return Home

American Contingency ·

2025/08/31

In this episode of the AmCon Daily Brief, Thom Rigsby explains why preparedness doesn’t stop when the order to evacuate is lifted—it shifts into recovery. Learn how to secure food and water when utilities and shelves aren’t reliable, why tools and budgets matter for quick repairs, and how recovery planning builds true resilience. Plus, take today’s challenge to check your shelf-stable food reserve so your family is ready for the return home.

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06:10

The Cost of Leaving

American Contingency ·

2025/08/29

In this episode of the AmCon Daily Brief, Thom Rigsby breaks down the true price of leaving when disaster strikes, from hotel surcharges and missed work to hidden costs that drain your wallet fast. Learn why cash is king in a crisis, how to budget evacuation into your preparedness plan, and why money in the bank can be just as vital as gear in your bag. Plus, take today’s challenge to start an evacuation fund you can count on when it matters.

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07:28

The Unplanned Stop

American Contingency ·

2025/08/28

This lecture begins with a vivid scenario: the stress of arriving at a shelter only to discover it is at capacity. The urgency of the situation underscores the importance of preparation and adaptability in leadership roles during crises. The discussion moves forward by emphasizing the necessity of having contingency plans - specifically a Plan B and Plan C. Participants are encouraged never to rely solely on their first choice, acknowledging the unpredictability of shelters, hotels, and road

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07:07

The Bottleneck

American Contingency ·

2025/08/27

On this episode of the AmCon Daily Brief, Thom Rigsby unpacks what happens when highways turn into holding pens during mass evacuations—and how smart planning keeps you moving. Learn why alternate routes matter, why fuel is freedom, and how calm leadership inside the car can make all the difference. Plus, take today’s challenge to scout two alternate routes before you need them.

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06:13

The First Bags

American Contingency ·

2025/08/26

In this episode of the AmCon Daily Brief, Thom Rigsby breaks down how stress exposes gaps in your family’s evacuation plan and why systems beat memory every time. Learn how to assign roles, prep kids and pets, and use checklists to turn chaos into order. Plus, try a five-minute drill tonight to reveal the gaps—before a real crisis does.

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06:56

The Notice

American Contingency ·

2025/08/25

When the evacuation notice comes, mindset determines your outcome.In this episode of the AmCon Daily Brief, Thom Rigsby explains why normalcy bias is the first threat in any evacuation scenario—and why leaving early gives you safer routes, less traffic, and more choices. Learn how to make clear, confident decisions that calm your family and neighbors, and take today’s challenge to check your local evacuation zones so you’re ready before the order arrives.

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07:34

Learning Without Blame

American Contingency ·

2025/08/24

In this Soulful Sunday edition of the AmCon Daily Brief, Thom Rigsby explains how to run a Crisis Retrospective (“Crisis Retro”) that strengthens your team instead of tearing it apart. Learn how to set the right tone, ask the three key questions, and turn setbacks into actionable improvements—without blame, finger-pointing, or burnout. Plus, try a simple reflection exercise to apply the retro method to your own preparedness plan this week.

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07:29

Leading From the Inside Out

American Contingency ·

2025/08/22

In a blackout, your gear might keep you alive—but your character keeps you steady.In this Soulful Sunday edition of the AmCon Daily Brief, Thom Rigsby unpacks why true leadership starts on the inside. Learn how your values and vision act as a compass in moments of crisis, why training under stress matters, and how to build the inner clarity that guides decisions when the pressure is on. Plus, get a simple exercise to define the three values you want driving your leadership when the lights go

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07:16

Holding the Perimeter Under Pressure?

American Contingency ·

2025/08/21

In this episode of the AmCon Daily Brief, Thom Rigsby unpacks how leaders hold the perimeter under pressure—keeping people calm, organized, and safe when security concerns emerge in a crisis. Learn how to stabilize mood, establish protocols, assign roles, and control information flow before fear takes over. Plus, get a simple exercise to identify weak points in your own “perimeter” and think through how you’d secure them without power or comms.

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06:23

Signals in the Static

American Contingency ·

2025/08/20

In this episode of the AmCon Daily Brief, Thom Rigsby explains how leaders keep people informed when phones and internet go dark. Learn how to layer your comms, establish neighborhood check-in systems, and practice information discipline so trust stays strong. Plus, get a simple challenge to identify two backup ways to communicate if the grid goes down.

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06:55

The First Decision: Clarity in the Fog

American Contingency ·

2025/08/19

In this episode of the AmCon Daily Brief, Thom Rigsby explores how to find clarity when the road ahead is flooded and the information is incomplete. Learn how to set priorities, filter out noise, and commit to action without getting stuck in hesitation. Plus, get a simple exercise to prepare alternate routes before you need them—because in a real crisis, waiting to “figure it out” can cost you everything.

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07:13

When the Heat is On, Leadership Steps Up

American Contingency ·

2025/08/18

Extreme heat doesn’t just test endurance—it tests leadership.In this episode of the AmCon Daily Brief, Thom Rigsby shows how stepping up during a heatwave can save lives and strengthen community. Learn how to identify who’s most at risk, map available resources, and coordinate simple actions that keep everyone safe when the temperature soars. Leadership under pressure isn’t about heroics—it’s about steady, proactive care that turns awareness into action.

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09:19

The Lights Go Out and the Phone’s Dead—Now What?

American Contingency ·

2025/08/16

In this Scenario Saturday edition of the AmCon Daily Brief, Thom Rigsby walks through what to do when a blackout and comms failure hit at the same time. Learn how the Preparedness Mantra—knowledge, equipment, and practice—keeps you moving when others freeze, and why your Community Assistance Group (CAG) is the real force multiplier in moments like these. Plus, get a practical weekend checklist (and a dry run challenge) to test your readiness before the next crisis moment arrives.

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08:41

5 Bullet Friday - 15 Aug 2025

American Contingency ·

2025/08/15

In this 5 Bullet Friday edition of the AmCon Daily Brief, Thom Rigsby shares highlights from the field, including a successful local Adventure Challenge in South Dakota, this weekend’s Huntsville Hamfest, August’s leadership training focus, upcoming member calls, and the Word of the Week. Stay connected, stay prepared, and find out what’s ahead for Scenario Saturday.

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06:47

Build Trust Before the Storm

American Contingency ·

2025/08/14

In this episode of the AmCon Daily Brief, Thom Rigsby explains why the time to build trust is before the storm—not during it. Discover the three pillars of trust that keep teams moving in the chaos—consistency, competence, and care—and learn simple, everyday actions to strengthen trust so it’s ready when you need it most.

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07:10

Control vs. Leadership in a Crisis

American Contingency ·

2025/08/13

In a crisis, control and leadership aren’t the same—and confusing the two can slow your response.In this episode of the AmCon Daily Brief, Thom Rigsby explains why trying to control every decision can create dangerous bottlenecks, while true leadership empowers others to act. Learn how to shift from being the choke point to becoming a force multiplier, and try a simple delegation challenge you can practice before the next crisis moment.

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07:26

Crisis Management 101: The First 90 Seconds

American Contingency ·

2025/08/12

The first 90 seconds of a crisis can make or break your response. In this episode of the AmCon Daily Brief, Thom Rigsby breaks down how to turn confusion into coordinated action before it’s too late. Learn the three-part framework—Assess, Decide, Act—and how to identify the roles that naturally emerge in those critical first moments. Plus, discover a simple drill you can run tonight to sharpen your team’s response when every second counts.

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07:48

Leadership Starts with the First Step

American Contingency ·

2025/08/11

In a crisis, leadership doesn’t come from a title—it comes from taking the first step. In this episode of the AmCon Daily Brief, Thom Rigsby shares a powerful reminder that the first person to act often sets the tone for everyone else. Through a blackout scenario, you’ll see how one small move can turn uncertainty into coordinated action. Learn why clarity and initiative matter more than rank, and how you can start leading today—no permission required.

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48:35

The State of Our Union: AmCon in 2024, 2025, and...

American Contingency ·

2025/01/01

Ep #46: Thom Rigsby joins us as we close out 2024, embark into 2025, and set our sights on growing American Contingency into the preeminent member-driven preparedness organization. Whether a current member or one someone thinking of joining - you will find your people here.As we say goodbye to this iteration of the podcast, I leave you as host of the AmCon show and bid you farewell by saying goodbye how I said hello - with Thom and I outlining what we've done, what we are doing, and what we will do

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