A podcast about leading a more self-reliant, resilient life in the face of 21st century climate change, disasters, pandemics and government policy. A series-based thought provoking discussion on important topics, with humour, candour and facts. Your host Jeff is an Army veteran and PhD Candidate bringing lived experience, scholarly evidence and some seriously earned sarcasm.
Send a textIn a world of constant political upheaval, economic shocks, supply chain chaos, and unexpected disruptions, 91% of small businesses face a major hit every single quarter (Small Business Administration data). It's not if you'll get punched, it's when. The real question: Will you just survive, or will you seize the massive opportunities that open up in the chaos?Welcome to this eye-opening episode of the Preparedness Labs show with Dr. Jeff Donaldson, army veteran, disaster & emergency management professor, and founder/CEO of Preparedness Labs Incorporated.Discover the game-changing power of a Fractional Chief Risk Officer (FRCO), expert-level risk, resilience, and business continuity guidance at a fraction of the cost of a full-time CRO or high-priced consultant. Designed specifically for small and medium businesses (especially those under $1M in revenue, representing 95% of U.S. companies), this approach wraps your operation in a protective "blanket of insulation" against threats you can't control, while positioning you to leap ahead when competitors falter.Dr. D breaks down:-Why certainty is an illusion in today's volatile world-The overlapping worlds of business continuity, enterprise risk management, supply chain resilience, crisis management & moreYour 3 real choices during disruption: Hold fast, retreat to safe harbor, or confidently expand market shareHow Preparedness Labs makes elite risk strategies affordable and actionable for everyday entrepreneursWhether you're running a family-owned shop, a six-figure startup, or a five-figure side hustle, learn how to mitigate downside risks, amplify upside opportunities, and navigate uncertainty like a pro, without draining your budget.Ready to stop reacting and start leading through chaos? Watch now and take the first step toward unbreakable business resilience. Subscribe for weekly insights on risk, preparedness, and thriving in uncertain times. https://preparednesslabs.caDISCLOSURE Information shared here is for educational purposes only. Individuals and business owners should evaluate their own business strategies, and identify any potential risks. The information shared here is not a guarantee of success. Your results may vary.Copyright © 2026.Support the showhttps://preparednesslabs.ca/
Send a textIn today's unpredictable economy, plagued by cyber threats, supply chain disruptions, political shocks, reputational attacks, and regulatory surprises, most entrepreneurs operate without a real safety net. The result? One bad event can wipe out years of hard work.In this episode of Mastering Risk, Dr. Jeff Donaldson (PhD in Disaster & Emergency Management) reveals the three essential, mostly free systems every founder-led business (especially those under $1M in revenue) needs to implement immediately to mitigate downside risk and thrive amid chaos.You'll learn:Financial System: How to calculate your true runway, set up smart budgeting, map overhead + marketing spend, and secure a low-dependency line of credit so you can survive 3–6 months of zero revenue without panic.Data Security Program: The simple 3-2-1 backup rule (3 copies, 2 media types, 1 off-site/air-gapped), how to identify truly critical data, and why practicing recovery is more valuable than any expensive software.Content Production System: Build a repeatable, aggressive-patience machine to tell the world you exist, define your avatar, choose platforms where they live, leverage AI for scale (without replacing your voice), block time daily, and test for 6 months before pivoting.These aren't theoretical consultant decks, they're battle-tested, low-to-no-cost actions Dr. D uses in his own five-figure businesses and teaches to founder-led companies just like yours.Whether you're just starting, running a side hustle, or scaling a six-figure operation, these three systems create resilience against cyber, operational, strategic, and reputational threats. Visit Preparedness Labs: https://preparednesslabs.ca Subscribe + turn on notifications for weekly risk-mastery episodesDISCLOSURE Information shared here is for educational purposes only. Individuals and business owners should evaluate their own business strategies, and identify any potential risks. The information shared here is not a guarantee of success. Your results may vary.Copyright © 2026.Support the showhttps://preparednesslabs.ca/
Send us a textTired of endless "scale to $1M in months" gurus promising overnight success? The data tells a different story: 95% of registered businesses never reach $1 million in annual revenue, and 70% never even break six figures (SBA stats). As a disaster and emergency management professor and founder of Preparedness Labs Incorporated, Dr. Jeff Donaldson cuts through the hype on Mastering Risk.In this episode, discover why chasing unicorn stories sets most entrepreneurs up for failure, and how real evidence-based risk management helps everyday small business owners (yes, including those proudly running profitable five-figure operations) thrive amid chaos.You'll learn the straightforward Steps to Risk framework:Step 1: Ask the brutal question: "What could realistically hurt my business?" (Think people, systems, environment, not aliens or nukes.)Step 2: Scan the 4 Spheres of Risk every business faces: Cyber, Operational (your "home game"), Strategic (regulatory/industry shifts), and Reputational (cancel culture nightmares).Step 3: Measure what actually matters with a simple risk matrix, no fancy software needed, just a whiteboard and 30 minutes a month.Step 4: Mitigate smartly, focus on controls you control (insurance is just one tool; cyber coverage is often too expensive for smaller ops), plus rehearsals and building a true culture of risk awareness.Whether you're running an Etsy shop, print-on-demand store, digital courses, SaaS, or solo consulting gig, this no-BS approach helps you identify threats, reduce likelihood and impact, and jump into uncertainty with confidence, not blind optimism.Stop reacting to headlines. Start proactively protecting your dream.Drop a comment: What's the #1 thing keeping YOU up at night as a business owner? What risk topics do you want covered next?Like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more evidence-based insights for small and medium entrepreneurs. Let's master risk together.https://preparednesslabs.caDISCLOSURE Information shared here is for educational purposes only. Individuals and business owners should evaluate their own business strategies, and identify any potential risks. The information shared here is not a guarantee of success. Your results may vary.Copyright © 2026.Support the showhttps://preparednesslabs.ca/
Send us a textIn these unpredictable times of multipolar tensions, shifting tariffs, AI disruption, and escalating cyber threats, small and medium business owners face more chaos than ever before. If you're an entrepreneur, solo operator, or leading an SMB team, ignoring these dangers could cost you everything—revenue, employees, and your livelihood.In this episode of Mastering Risk, Dr. Jeff Donaldson breaks down the 5 critical risks every small business must address in 2026, and delivers practical, step-by-step, mostly free strategies to mitigate them before it's too late.You'll learn:Why cyber is still the #1 global business risk and the dead-simple habits (no-click links, air-gapped backups, MFA, patch discipline) that protect you without big budgets.The real AI danger isn't job loss, it's employees unknowingly handing your sensitive data to public tools. Discover how to use AI safely and powerfully inside controlled, paid systems.How one supplier failure can shut you down overnight and the "10-contract" redundancy model to keep operations flowing no matter what.Navigating explosive regulatory changes (EU AI rules, tariffs, privacy laws) by building upstream relationships for early warnings and strategic advantage.Why your personal online behaviour is now your business reputation, and the crisis communication playbook to survive public backlash.These aren't theoretical ideas. They're battle-tested tactics from supply chain logistics, cyber defence, and real-world SMB consulting at Preparedness Labs Incorporated.Whether you're on the fence about entrepreneurship or fighting to keep your business thriving, this episode equips you to turn uncertainty into opportunity and seize market share while others scramble.Visit preparednesslabs.ca for your FREE entrepreneur risk download, Fractional Chief Risk Officer services, and more tools to master risk in chaotic times.https://preparednesslabs.caWhy politics and business do not mix:https://youtu.be/6ZHiAnydk0I?si=_JWuFFldozS1VLy_DISCLOSURE Information shared here is for educational purposes only. Individuals and business owners should evaluate their own business strategies, and identify any potential risks. The information shared here is not a guarantee of success. Your results may vary.Copyright © 2026.Support the showhttps://preparednesslabs.ca/
Send us a textIn today's hyper-polarized world, politics isn't just background noise, it's a direct threat (and hidden opportunity) to your small or medium-sized business. One wrong post, one heated opinion, and you could alienate 40%+ of your customers overnight. But what if you could navigate the chaos, protect your brand, and actually turn political turbulence into competitive advantage?In this powerful episode of Mastering Risk, Dr. Jeff Donaldson breaks down the minefield of online and global politics for SMB owners. Drawing from real-world evidence, disaster research, and decades of experience, he shares the four essential strategies that put you ahead of your peers:1.) Map the true power landscape & discover who really holds influence over your business (it's rarely just the mayor or prime minister).2.) Build strategic relationships & cultivate genuine social capital with decision-makers at every level, because people win the day, not plans.3.) Claim the high ground, stay professional, neutral, and principle-driven publicly. Why broadcasting your politics is almost always a negative ROI.4.) Turn politics into leverage, use early warnings, linking relationships, and ethical influence to shape regulations before they hurt you.Whether you're in Canada, the U.S., Europe, or beyond, these free, time-tested tactics help you hold market share, reduce friction, and thrive amid uncertainty, without ever compromising your personal beliefs.If you're a solo entrepreneur, growing team leader, or fractional risk pro ready to master disruption, this episode is your roadmap.Timestamps:00:00 – Intro: Politics as a Business Minefield02:45 – Step 1: Chart the Real Power Landscape08:20 – Step 2: Build Strategic Relationships14:10 – Step 3: The High-Ground Neutral Strategy19:30 – Step 4: Turn Politics into Leverage25:00 – Recap & Final ThoughtsDrop a comment: What's your biggest political risk right now? Like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more no-BS risk mastery for SMBs.https://preparednesslabs.caDISCLOSURE Information shared here is for educational purposes only. Individuals and business owners should evaluate their own business strategies, and identify any potential risks. The information shared here is not a guarantee of success. Your results may vary.Copyright © 2026.Support the showhttps://preparednesslabs.ca/
Send us a textIn a world of fractured systems, economic uncertainty, and cascading disruptions, your family's safety shouldn't depend on money, government help, or expensive gear. In this powerful episode of Mastering Risk, Dr. Jeff Donaldson (PhD in Disaster & Emergency Management) reveals how to prepare your family for 2026: completely free, using evidence-based strategies proven in real disasters from hurricanes to mega-earthquakes.Forget the myth that preparedness requires a budget. The data shows zero economic barrier to real resilience. Discover the Trifecta of Preparedness Plans every family needs: Shelter-in-place for up to 14 days (backed by hard stats: 94% of critical infrastructure restores in 14 days) Smart, no-cost evacuation with predetermined destinations and grab lists Your "when I get fired" career pivot plan for the precarious job market aheadLearn battle-tested secrets to: Reunite your family without phones or internet Build unbreakable social capital in your community (the #1 predictor of post-disaster success) Master essential skills like first aid using only free resources Whether you're an entrepreneur, small business owner, or just a concerned parent, this episode proves one thing: if your home base is strong, everything else follows. Preparedness isn't a stockpile — it's a lifestyle.Download the FREE 4-page Family Preparedness Primer: https://preparednesslabs.ca/products/4-step-guide-to-beginning-your-preparedness-journeyWatch the full Roadmap to Resilience video series on our YouTube channel, no email required: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7b7or5anKA&t=114sThe only barrier to preparedness is you, it's your choice, choose wiselySupport the showhttps://preparednesslabs.ca/
Send us a textAs we kick off 2026, the world feels more unpredictable than ever, political shifts, economic pressures, tariffs, cyber threats, and global chaos are hitting small businesses hard. If you're a solo entrepreneur, side hustler, or thinking about scaling (or even launching) your independent business, ignoring these forces could be costly.In this episode of Mastering Risk, Dr. D breaks down the four critical risks every lean business owner must address right now, risks you can actually control in a world where almost everything else is out of your hands. You'll discover:-Why cybersecurity is no longer optional. Simple, affordable steps (password managers, patches, 2FA, off-site backups) that prevent disaster (plus why managed service providers are a game-changer for small ops)-How inflation, tariffs, and regulatory changes (like the new EU AI rules starting June 2026) are silently squeezing margins, and the KISS principle to stay compliant without overwhelm-The hidden danger of overload, burnout, and scaling limits — how to automate ethically with AI (saving 12–16 hours/week), keep systems dead simple, and always leave white space in your calendar-The surprising #4: You win in collectives, why solo grinding is a myth, and how building real human relationships, joining entrepreneur networks, and leveraging social capital will exponentially boost your successThis isn't theory, it's battle-tested advice from recent expert immersions, real-world experience, and years of studying risk as a professor and entrepreneur.Whether you're questioning "Is now the time to launch?" or ready to take your business to the next level, watch this episode to gain clarity and confidence in turbulent times.https://preparednesslabs.caDISCLOSURE Information shared here is for educational purposes only. Individuals and business owners should evaluate their own business strategies, and identify any potential risks. The information shared here is not a guarantee of success. Your results may vary.Copyright © 2026.Support the showhttps://preparednesslabs.ca/
Send us a textTired of watching economic uncertainty chip away at your financial security while you sit on the sidelines? 2026 is shaping up to be even more unpredictable, but here's the truth: you don't have to be a victim of it.In this episode of Mastering Risk, I break down exactly why NOW is the best time to launch a profitable side hustle, and the proven 6-step roadmap I personally used to build Preparedness Labs into a healthy five-figure business, starting with just a few hundred dollars and zero prior experience.You'll discover:• How to spot a real, burning pain people are already begging to solve (skip this and you'll waste years)• The “pill vs. gym” secret that makes customers choose YOUR solution over everyone else's• How to pick a bulletproof name and secure it everywhere – without legal headaches• My near-free logistics setup: federal incorporation, separate bank account, BuyMeACoffee + Stripe storefront – all done in days for under $300• Where your ideal customers actually hang out online• The “aggressive patience” advertising system that finally gets eyes on your offer (including the Rule of 100)This isn't theory. This is the exact playbook that took me from zero to consistent revenue, and it works whether you're in Canada or anywhere else (just adapt the incorporation step to your country).If you've ever thought “I should start something on the side” but felt overwhelmed, this episode removes every excuse. Watch now, take notes, and start building the income stream that protects your family no matter what 2026 throws at us.Drop a comment: What pain are YOU thinking of solving with a side hustle?Like + subscribe for weekly no-nonsense strategies on risk, preparedness, and wealth-building.https://preparednesslabs.caLinks:Corporations Canada: https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/corporations-canada/enBuyMeACoffee: https://buymeacoffee.comAlex Hormozi – https://www.acquisition.comJust do it. Your future self will thank you.Support the showhttps://preparednesslabs.ca/
Send us a textWhat happens to your small business when the power goes out… and stays out for days or even weeks?Most small business owners assume it'll only be a minor inconvenience. But prolonged grid-down events cost the U.S. alone $90–150 billion every year, and small businesses get hit the hardest. With thin financial runways and total reliance on electricity, internet, and cell networks, many simply can't survive extended outages.In this episode of Mastering Risk, Dr. D breaks down the realistic, no-nonsense preparedness strategy he uses for his own fully digital small-to-medium business. You'll discover the exact 5 things you can implement right now, most at zero cost, that will keep your revenue flowing even when the grid fails.You'll learn:How to identify your true minimum viable operations (hint: for most digital businesses, it's just your phone + power)Simple, proven backup power solutions that don't require storing barrels of fuelWhy community agreements and pre-planned mobility beat expensive generators every timeThe critical training step 99% of owners skip (and why it's the difference between surviving and collapsing)Real-world case studies from Hurricane Sandy, Maria, and more that show what actually worksNo apocalyptic fear-mongering, no “two years of food in the basement” nonsense, just practical, actionable steps tailored for urban entrepreneurs running real small businesses in 2026.Whether you're a solopreneur, Etsy seller, consultant, or home-based service provider, this episode gives you the roadmap to stay operational when everyone else is shut down.Watch now and build the resilience your business deserves. Timestamps:0:00 – Why small businesses are most vulnerable3:15 – The critical infrastructure cascade7:40 – Minimum viable power profile12:20 – Backup power solutions that actually work18:30 – Mobility & community redundancy23:45 – The training step you can't skip If you found this valuable, buy me a coffee (link below) to support ad-free, no-BS risk education for entrepreneurs.https://preparednesslabs.caSupport the Show:https://buymeacoffee.com/masteringriskDISCLOSURE Information shared here is for educational purposes only. Individuals and business owners should evaluate their own business strategies, and identify any potential risks. The information shared here is not a guarantee of success. Your results may vary.Copyright © 2026Support the showhttps://preparednesslabs.ca/
Send us a textTired of setting ambitious goals every January… only to feel stressed, overwhelmed, or like a failure by March?In this episode, I explain why traditional goal-setting often backfires for entrepreneurs and side-hustlers and why a repeatable system is the real secret to sustainable growth.You'll discover:The critical difference between goals (stressful finish lines) and systems (daily actions that compound)Why “aggressive patience” beats instant gratification every timeMy exact 3-hour daily system (Monday–Friday) that generates 400+ pieces of social content per week—with almost zero decision fatigue.How I create 2 long-form YouTube videos weekly, turn them into 280+ shorts automatically, plus daily handheld videos, AI-generated ads, LinkedIn posts, and targeted outreach.Tools I actually use (Opus Pro, Holo.ai, Grok + ChatGPT + Perplexity) and budget-friendly alternatives.How this system drives consistent growth without arbitrary subscriber targets or burnout.Whether you're building a side hustle, selling digital courses, coaching, or running a small business, this system is designed for real people with limited time; not multi-million-dollar influencers.Stop chasing unreachable targets in 2026. Start building a calm, repeatable process that grows your reach, impact, and income over time. Timestamps:00:00 – Why goals create unnecessary stress02:15 – What a “system” really means for entrepreneurs05:40 – My mission & why growth has no finish line09:20 – The Rule of 100 + my 400-piece weekly target13:45 – Step-by-step YouTube & shorts strategy20:10 – LinkedIn system for B2B reach25:30 – Aggressive patience explained29:00 – How to build your own systemDrop a comment: Are you team Goals or team Systems in 2026? Let's talk!Subscribe for proven, no-BS systems to thrive in chaos. https://preparednesslabs.caDISCLOSURE Information shared here is for educational purposes only. Individuals and business owners should evaluate their own business strategies, and identify any potential risks. The information shared here is not a guarantee of success. Your results may vary.Copyright © 2025 / 2026.Support the showhttps://preparednesslabs.ca/
Send us a textWhy do 92% of New Year's resolutions fail? Because most people never pause long enough to ask the real question: “Am I even on the right track?”In this raw, no-BS 2025 year-in-review video, I walk you through the exact three-step process I've used to rebuild my health, turn my company profitable, and protect my sanity while the world went completely insane around me.I'll show you:* Why I threw out resolutions years ago and replaced them with one big, unbreakable annual goal * The “pause and ponder” method that forces brutal honesty about your actions, integrity, and reactions to chaos * How to build a crystal-clear life strategy across the only five areas that actually matter (personal, professional, leisure, family, community) * The visualization technique I use on a whiteboard to erase excuses and face the truth * Why I now set goals in complete silence (and why telling people actually hurts your progress) * My realistic, no-nonsense 2026 plan that splits the year in two for maximum focus and resultsThis isn't fluffy motivation. It's a self-confessional from a 55-year-old entrepreneur, former smoker, heavy drinker, who finally got serious about getting healthy.If you're tired of spinning your wheels, beating yourself up, or letting external chaos derail your life, this video will give you a simple, repeatable framework to reflect, reset, and actually move forward.Watch it all the way through, grab a notebook, and try the process yourself. I promise it will hit differently when you're brutally honest with yourself.Free strategy guides & more resources: https://www.preparednesslabs.caPodcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1046719Let's make 2026 the year you stop wishing and start winning.Support the showhttps://preparednesslabs.ca/
Send us a textIn this eye-opening episode of Mastering Risk, Dr. D(Jeff) reveals the brutal truth most new entrepreneurs never hear: trust isn't assumed, it's earned, and without it, no one buys from you.After losing $28,000 and failing twice, Jeff rebuilt his business into a profitable 5-figure company using just four powerful trust-building principles. These are the same steps that turn skeptical strangers into loyal customers online, even if you're brand new on the internet.You'll learn:Why being “predictably reliable” beats flashy marketing every time How to show your work (and your failures) to instantly build credibility The simple way to borrow trust while you earn it through beta testing Why speaking directly to your ideal customer in their language is non-negotiableJeff breaks down real-world examples from his own journey, from wasting tens of thousands to finally hitting consistent revenue, and shares the evidence-based strategies that actually work in 2025's noisy online world.Whether you're launching a side hustle, an Etsy store, a digital product, or just trying to get noticed on YouTube/TikTok/X, these four steps are the difference between being ignored and being trusted.Ready to stop struggling and start building real trust that converts?Watch the full episode now. Then head to www.preparednesslabs.ca for free tools, resources, and the exact digital products Jeff uses to run his business.Drop a comment: What's the biggest trust hurdle you're facing online right now? I read every single one.Website → www.preparednesslabs.caThanks for watching — let's build businesses people actually trust. Support the showhttps://preparednesslabs.ca/
Send us a textAre you unknowingly setting your business up for failure?In this eye-opening episode, Dr. D reveals the Top 6 Preparedness Mistakes that most entrepreneurs make—and exactly how to fix them before disaster strikes.You'll discover why 91% of small and medium businesses face major disruptions every single quarter (U.S. Small Business Administration stat), yet most owners are still “winging it” when crisis hits.Here are the 6 critical mistakes covered:No formal business continuity planInadequate cybersecurity measures and trainingPoor cash flow management with zero runwayOver-reliance on a single supplier or logistics sourceZero data backups or redundancyBuying the wrong (or no) insuranceThe best part? The first five fixes are completely free—they just require a little education and effort. Dr. D shares the exact strategies he uses at Preparedness Labs Incorporated (a proud five-figure business) to stay protected, including simple password rules, update habits, supplier backup systems, air-gapped data storage, and more.Stop treating insurance as an expense, learn why it's your ultimate investment and how to get the coverage you actually need. Whether you're a solo entrepreneur, startup founder, or running a growing small business, this episode could save you from financial ruin. Free Resource Mentioned: Download the 7-8 page Risk Management Strategy Guide at https://preparednesslabs.ca (completely free under “Free Strategy Guides”).Don't wait for the bad day to hit—watch now and start protecting what you've built. Subscribe for weekly insights on risk management, business resilience, and real-world preparedness for entrepreneurs.Hit the bell so you never miss an episode.Comment below: Which of these 6 mistakes are you guilty of?Visit us: https://www.preparednesslabs.caDISCLOSURE Information shared here is for educational purposes only. Individuals and business owners should evaluate their own business strategies, and identify any potential risks. The information shared here is not a guarantee of success. Your results may vary.Copyright © 2025.Support the showhttps://preparednesslabs.ca/
Send us a textIs your small business ready for the chaos of 2026?Political upheaval, economic swings, supply-chain disruptions, and natural disasters are coming and most side hustles won't survive them. But you can. In this episode of Mastering Risk, Dr. D shares the exact 4-step entrepreneurial survival guide that's 100% free, requires zero fancy tools, and puts you in control, no matter what the world throws at you.Here's what you'll discover:How to bulletproof your physical, mental, and financial health (the foundation every entrepreneur ignores until it's too late).Why mapping your entire business structure reveals hidden “single points of failure” that could collapse everything overnight — and how to fix them.The game-changing shift from chasing goals to building unbreakable systems that grow your revenue without burning you out.Why “embracing the suck” and never committing 100% is the secret to seizing massive opportunities when everyone else is panicking.This isn't apocalyptic fear-mongering or expensive software pitches. It's practical, evidence-based advice from a disaster management professor and real small business owner who's been exactly where you are, grinding for five-figure revenue in a chaotic world.2026 will punish the unprepared and reward the resilient. These four steps are what worked for us in 2025, and they'll work for your Etsy shop, print-on-demand store, local service, or any side hustle in 2026.Don't wait for the next disruption to force change. Watch now, take control, and position yourself to not just survive, but thrive. Free small business risk downloads: https://www.preparednesslabs.ca Subscribe for real-world strategies that actually workDISCLOSURE Information shared here is for educational purposes only. Individuals and business owners should evaluate their own business strategies, and identify any potential risks. The information shared here is not a guarantee of success. Your results may vary.Copyright © 2025.Support the showhttps://preparednesslabs.ca/
Send us a textIs AI secretly putting your small business at risk?You're using ChatGPT, Grok, or Claude to save time, writing proposals, summarizing data, generating ideas and it feels like a superpower. But there's one massive danger almost every side hustler and small business owner is completely overlooking… and it's not coming from hackers sneaking in the back door.It's walking right through your front door.Every time you or your employees upload customer lists, pricing strategies, financial reports, or proprietary processes to public AI tools, you're handing over your most sensitive business intelligence, permanently. Those terms of service you clicked “agree” on? They often grant the AI company an unrestricted license to use your data. And if that platform gets breached (and they all do eventually), your secrets could end up public, triggering lawsuits, ruined reputation, and lost trust.One company watched their confidential client bids leak online after an employee fed them into an AI tool. The fallout? Lawsuits and a destroyed reputation.In this episode of Mastering Risk, Dr. D, disaster management professor and small business owner, reveals the unspoken AI risk threatening the 70-75% of North American businesses earning under $100K. You'll learn:* Why AI is the first risk that enters through the front door* How to keep enjoying AI's massive benefits without exposing your business* Simple safeguards solo entrepreneurs and small teams can implement todayAI isn't evil, but using it without boundaries can be catastrophic. Protect your side hustle, your profits, and your peace of mind.Watch now before your next ChatGPT prompt becomes your biggest regretFree risk management downloads for small businesses: https://www.preparednesslabs.caDISCLOSURE Information shared here is for educational purposes only. Individuals and business owners should evaluate their own business strategies, and identify any potential risks. The information shared here is not a guarantee of success. Your results may vary.Copyright © 2025.Support the showhttps://preparednesslabs.ca/
Send us a textYour entire business can vanish tomorrow morning One ransomeware email, one fake invoice, one missed update and poof:Shopify gone, Stripe locked, courses deleted, customer list encrypted.90% of SMB face a significant disruption every quarter, some never recover.But here is the truth:There are near-free strategies to survive and thrive in 2026We offer the exact five dead-simple ideas followed in our company -Change passwords monthly, or more frequent - yes, we still need to talk about this-Update software and hardware patches, automatically-and more...Zero theoryZero expensive tools and programsBattle tested and simple strategies to mitigate risk to near zero, for creators, e-com, side hustles, SMB and YouTube personalitiesSupport the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/masteringriskhttps://preparednesslabs.caDISCLOSURE Information shared here is for educational purposes only. Individuals and business owners should evaluate their own business strategies, and identify any potential risks. The information shared here is not a guarantee of success. Your results may vary.Copyright © 2025.Support the showhttps://preparednesslabs.ca/
Send us a textAre you ready for what's really coming in 2026? Most business owners aren't—and that's exactly why so many solopreneurs, micro-businesses, and small companies get blindsided. In this episode of Mastering Risk, Dr. D breaks down the global turbulence ahead and gives you a real-world framework to hedge against the threats you can't see coming—but absolutely should.Forget the clickbait gurus promising million-dollar success “in 30 days with AI.” The truth is more sobering—and far more empowering. With over a decade of research in risk, resilience, and preparedness, Dr. D shows you how the actual evidence points toward five major risk escalators highlighted in the 2025 World Economic Forum outlook:✔ Inflation & the cost-of-living squeeze✔ Extreme weather and skyrocketing disaster costs✔ Global economic downturn✔ Geopolitical conflicts✔ Social polarizationBut here's the good news: you don't need a massive budget, a consultant army, or a million-dollar runway to protect your business. You just need a strategy. Inside this episode, you'll learn:
Send us a textIn a world overflowing with hype, half-truths, and “million-dollar-in-90-days” promises, Mastering Risk cuts through the noise with something radical: honesty.In this powerful episode, Dr. D takes you inside the real engine of sustainable business success—trust. Whether you're a solo entrepreneur, a side-hustler, or the owner of a small but mighty business, this conversation delivers a refreshing, evidence-based look at why integrity isn't just admirable… it's profitable.You'll learn why most consumers need 11 touchpoints before they buy—and how honesty dramatically reduces that hesitation. Dr. D breaks down the traps of an oversaturated market, from deceptive tactics to manipulative ads, and shows you how authenticity becomes your strongest differentiator. He also exposes the long-term costs of exaggeration, inflated promises, and “get rich” schemes—and why they quietly destroy customer lifetime value.He shares candid stories from his own entrepreneurial path: scaling a realistic five-figure business, navigating reputational risk, and building a loyal client base through transparency, value, and no-BS guidance. You'll hear exactly how honesty shapes stronger customer relationships, protects your legal flank, amplifies word-of-mouth growth, and positions you as a trusted authority—not a digital carnival barker.If you're ready for raw truth, practical insights, and a blueprint for building trust in a marketplace full of noise, this episode is your competitive advantage.If you want steady growth, loyal customers, and a business built to last—this is the episode you cannot skip.https://preparednesslabs.ca/DISCLOSURE Information shared here is for educational purposes only. Individuals and business owners should evaluate their own business strategies, and identify any potential risks. The information shared here is not a guarantee of success. Your results may vary.Copyright © 2025.Support the showhttps://preparednesslabs.ca/
Send us a textTired of gurus promising you'll be a millionaire in 12 months? Let's talk reality.According to official stats, only 5% of businesses ever hit 7 figures… and 75% stay under six figures. The good news? A profitable five-figure business ($10K–$99K) is 100% achievable in 2026 — and it can add $2,000–$7,000+ per month to your family's income without quitting your job.In this no-BS episode, 28-year army veteran and university professor Dr. D reveals the exact 5-step framework he uses to run his own five-figure company, Preparedness Labs:1. Solve a painful problem the easy way (the “pill vs gym” secret) 2. Go brutally niche so you stand out 3. Keep overhead stupidly low ($72/year is possible) 4. Master “aggressive patience” and consistent content 5. Accept the world as it is — and stop torching your reputation with politics onlineZero fluff. Real numbers. Real experience (including the $20K mistake he made so you don't have to).If you're ready to build something sustainable in 2026 instead of chasing unicorn fantasies, hit play now and smash that Subscribe button — new evidence-based episodes drop every week to help you master risk and win. www.preparednesslabs.caBusiness Can Cost as Little as $72 per year:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKn446XWUmQ&t=6sDISCLOSURE Information shared here is for educational purposes only. Individuals and business owners should evaluate their own business strategies, and identify any potential risks. The information shared here is not a guarantee of success. Your results may vary.Copyright © 2025.Support the showhttps://preparednesslabs.ca/
Send us a textWhat if your business was gone tomorrow – fire, flood, ransomware, or a simple power outage? 60% of SMBs that suffer a major disruption without a tested plan close forever within 12 months. In 2025, one bad day can erase everything you've built.I'm Dr. D – risk management advisor to entrepreneurs and SMB owners. In this episode I'm pulling back the curtain on the exact 5-part continuity system I use to prepare my business for when disaster hits. You'll walk away with:• The 3-hour recovery rule • The unbreakable 3-2-1-airgap backup method• Business ready evacuation plan• Pre-approved emergency cash or credit• The literal “one-button failover”, replication of critical systemsWatch now – because preparation is profit.https://preparednesslabs.caDISCLOSURE Information shared here is for educational purposes only. Individuals and business owners should evaluate their own business strategies, and identify any potential risks. The information shared here is not a guarantee of success. Your results may vary.Copyright © 2025.Support the showhttps://preparednesslabs.ca/
Send us a textEvery quarter, 90% of small businesses get blindsided by a major disruption—cyberattack, supply-chain meltdown, reputational firestorm, or a strategic curveball they never saw coming.Of those that get hit hard, 40% never reopen their doors. Another 25% limp along for a few months and then quietly fold.That's the brutal reality of going it alone in today's chaotic economy. But here's what the most resilient entrepreneurs have already figured out: you don't have to monitor every threat, regulatory change, or emerging risk by yourself. You don't need $12,000 consultants on retainer or endless hours prompting AI just to stay in the game.What you need is the one thing that multiplies your time, your knowledge, and your survival odds almost instantly—other sharp, battle-tested entrepreneurs watching your back (and you watching theirs). In this episode of Mastering Risk, Dr. D reveals why social capital is the ultimate unfair advantage for solo and micro entrepreneurs right now. You'll discover: Why lone-wolf entrepreneurs miss threats that a simple community would catch in minutes. How fractional access to cyber, supply-chain, continuity, and strategy experts costs pennies compared to hiring them solo.The exact community model that delivers bespoke risk intel, monthly expert Q&As, and zero extra apps or fixed meeting times—so it actually fits your crazy schedule Real numbers on how fast a single disruption can kill a business (and how to make sure it's never yours)If you're a solopreneur, side-hustler, Etsy seller, podcaster, or small business owner who's tired of feeling one ransomware note away from disaster—this episode is your wake-up call and your lifeline.Hit play now, then grab the free Small Business Risk Guide mentioned in the episode at preparednesslabs.ca. Don't wait for the next crisis to prove you needed this yesterday.Your business deserves to be antifragile. Let's build it—together.https://preparednesslabs.caDISCLOSURE Information shared here is for educational purposes only. Individuals and business owners should evaluate their own business strategies, and identify any potential risks. The information shared here is not a guarantee of success. Your results may vary.Copyright © 2025.Support the showhttps://preparednesslabs.ca/
Send us a textIn this no-fluff episode, Dr. D reveals the exact 4-step framework he uses to keep his fully digital small business running when the world goes sideways, whether it's a week-long blackout, a nationwide internet outage, a cyber attack, or any other disruption to the systems we all take for granted.Most entrepreneurs blindly assume the power will stay on, the internet will work, and money will keep flowing into their accounts. The reality? Your business is only as strong as the 10 sectors of critical infrastructure you depend on every single day, and you don't control a single one of them.Inside this episode you'll discover:The simple “10-Legged Table” mental model that instantly shows you exactly where your business (and family) are dangerously exposed How to quickly rate each of the 10 critical infrastructure sectors as Low, Medium, or High risk for YOUR specific operation (takes 20-30 minutes, costs $0) Why “prevention” is a fantasy and the only thing that actually works is mitigation through intelligent replication Real-world examples: how Dr. D keeps creating videos, uploading content, running Zoom calls, and getting paid even when the grid power, cell networks, or primary internet providers completely fail The “prepper mindset” applied to business, why replicating the 1-2 sectors you rated as HIGH risk is the highest-ROI insurance policy you'll ever buy Why you must run this same exercise on your family's dependencies (hint: losing public transit or ride-sharing apps can bankrupt some households faster than a power outage) The data almost no one talks about: 94% of critical infrastructure failures in North America are restored within 14 days… and what smart owners do to bridge those 14 days without losing everythingIf you're a solopreneur, small-business owner, side-hustler, or even an employee who wants unbreakable job security in chaotic times, this episode gives you a proven, step-by-step playbook you can implement this weekend, for free.Stop gambling with systems you don't control. Start building the resilience that turns crises into minor inconveniences while your competitors are panicking.Watch or listen now, then head to preparednesslabs.ca for free resources and the Mastering Risk course that takes this framework even deeper.Timestamps, free downloads, and all links in the show notes.Don't wait for the next blackout to wish you'd done this.DISCLOSURE Information shared here is for educational purposes only. Individuals and business owners should evaluate their own business strategies, and identify any potential risks. The information shared here is not a guarantee of success. Your results may vary.Copyright © 2025.Support the showhttps://preparednesslabs.ca/
Send us a textIf you're considering starting, or just have started an entrepreneurial adventure, listen to these ten reasons why new businesses fail.Time tested, taken from the graves of over 1000 ventures, this list will provide in depth insight to avoid the pitfalls, leverage risk and embrace the uncertainty of being your own boss.From no-market products, poor avatar marketing to #10 which will blow your mind, this has much of what you need to consider, to give you a fighting chance to turn positive cash flow and earn from your hustle.https://preparednesslabs.caDISCLOSURE Information shared here is for educational purposes only. Individuals and business owners should evaluate their own business strategies, and identify any potential risks. The information shared here is not a guarantee of success. Your results may vary.Copyright © 2025.Support the showhttps://preparednesslabs.ca/
Send us a textImagine the coming year, more economic, political and natural disasters, interfering with your business and personal plans.From evacuation to mental health, building reflection muscle and becoming prepared to be fired tomorrow.Are you ready, is your business insulated?Free - no money required, just commitment, time and effort. So you have no excuse not to be ready. Will you invest the time in you and your business, to help your family thrive?We believe you are worth it.https://preparednesslabs.caDISCLOSURE Information shared here is for educational purposes only. Individuals and business owners should evaluate their own business strategies, and identify any potential risks. The information shared here is not a guarantee of success. Your results may vary.Copyright © 2025.Support the showhttps://preparednesslabs.ca/
Send us a text2026 will see incredible disruption. How can the solo-entrepreneur or SMB be ready?These top 3 risks reflect what is likely to occur, from a tariff tsunami, to AI phishing / spoofing to a race to tax corporations, chasing them across the globe.Are you ready to exploit the opportunities, are you prepared to have your reputation challenged by an AI bot pretending to be you?https://preparednesslabs.caDISCLOSURE Information shared here is for educational purposes only. Individuals and business owners should evaluate their own business strategies, and identify any potential risks. The information shared here is not a guarantee of success. Your results may vary.Copyright © 2025.Support the showhttps://preparednesslabs.ca/
Send us a textIs your position, field or employer ready for the coming AI onslaught?We breakdown the stages of AI adoption rollout, across which markets are primed for penetration and what role cultural preference plays in acceptance of AI automation.What can you do, what steps are available to you to mitigate this risk? We layout a roadmap for your to consider, to be ready as you can, for the coming tsunami.DISCLOSURE Information shared here is for educational purposes only. Individuals and business owners should evaluate their own business strategies, and identify any potential risks. The information shared here is not a guarantee of success. Your results may vary.Copyright © 2025.Support the showhttps://preparednesslabs.ca/
Send us a textThe why - because we exist in a time of increased political, economic and natural disasters, all of which are out of our control. They influence and impact our lives, yet we have such little say in their why.Chaos loves uncertainty - that's why we created Mastering Risk, the preparedness, risk, resilience, business continuity, cyber protocol and a series of educational oppritnities.Listen, it's free and you might just figure out the "how".https://preparednesslabs.caDISCLOSURE Information shared here is for educational purposes only. Individuals and business owners should evaluate their own business strategies, and identify any potential risks. The information shared here is not a guarantee of success. Your results may vary.Copyright © 2025.Support the showhttps://preparednesslabs.ca/
Send us a textSeize the Day, choose to be responsible for your outcomes and dominate this world.We hear that all the time, but how?Three free ways:First, own your life - your physical, mental and financial health are all your responsibility, no one is coming to save you and it is your responsibility to pay your bills.Second, know the rules - the political and economic overlords / owners will establish he regulations yo must follow, to build a business that is successful and brilliant. Know them inside and out, leverage the risk and rules to find success.Third, exposure to and dependancy on CI - this modern, technologically enabled world depends on critical infrastructure to operate. Understanding how and where your business is dependant on access to CI will improve your odds of success, mitigate risk and set you up for success. https://preparednesslabs.caDISCLOSURE Information shared here is for educational purposes only. Individuals and business owners should evaluate their own business strategies, and identify any potential risks. The information shared here is not a guarantee of success. Your results may vary.Copyright © 2025.Support the showhttps://preparednesslabs.ca/
Send us a textThe pressure is relentless, to adopt even the most unique offerings of AI, under the symbolic - or real - threat of corporate irrelevancy. Whether presented in the form of the latest influencer YouTube video, an offering to learn AI in 28 days, or the advocacy for the firing of the entire white collar workforce, we are inundated with the threat of being at the precipice of a revolution. As the creator of the moniker, “non-apocalyptic, evidence based risk, resilience and preparedness education”, I thought a bit of reflection was in order, to both quell the hysteria, but to highlight the real threats. AI is considered to be the final chapter of the fourth Industrial Revolution, not in a doomsday sense, but the evolution of the Internet of Things (IOT) - i.e. connected devices, cloud storage and automated manufacturing. The brain if you will, that will run all the previous elements of the 4th revolution, which in an ideal sense provides for the continuous operation and connectivity of whatever portions of society we wish to “upload” to the cloud / AI management. The perceived threat from AI is replacement. While the UAE government has stated that they'll embrace AI in all public sector operations, but with the clear intention of improving services offered to citizens and guests, not to replace the workforce. However, what we see in most places is a race to automate human activities, to reduce the largest line item on most balance sheets - labour. AI is framed as not a tool to improve, but an opportunity to increase productivity - which is generally globally stalled, to maintain occupation of current market share. The easy button is through layoffs, as AI does not require holidays, sick pay, etc…Let's Go Explore how to really leverage AISupport the showhttps://preparednesslabs.ca/
Send us a textCreating your own business and generating income is your get to be resilient in a world of AI business and employment disruptions.There are only three ways to earn an income. First, a profession with its rules, regulations, training standards and membership requirements. Second, is an entrepreneurial venture where you solve a problem people hav in exchange for money. If you do not choose one of those, your only other option is to exchange your skills and time for money - salaried work, by the hour, day, week, month or year.AI's initial disruptions are likely to be squarely within the salary workforce, entrepreneurs will adapt as necessary, professions are slow to adopt new technologies and thus, the time-based employee will be quickly sidelined if their position can be completed by AI.Set up a company now, for a nominal one time fee and $72 per year, then tell the world you exist on social media.Support the showwww.insidemycanoehead.ca
Send us a textEntrepreneurs are great dreamers, pouring exceptional time and resources into their dream, often without understanding the risks they chose to accept, willingly or not, when they jumped in.Strategic, Operational, Cyber and Reputational Risk.That's it.Embrace, understand, mitigate and launch your dream.https://preparednesslabs.caSupport the showwww.insidemycanoehead.ca
Send us a textHow do we ready our entrepreneurial ventures to succeed and excel in these times of increased political, economic and natural disasters?Understanding your risk profile across strategic, operational, cyber and reputational areas is key. Knowledge is power, learn about how to identify risk and be aware of what risks exist because of how you choose to do business.Embrace risk, build market share and join a community of fellow entrepreneurs. Together we thrive.Support the showwww.insidemycanoehead.ca
Send us a textFrom the A1 to C3, the newspaper is drowning in chaos, disturbances and the growing call for significant change in our world. For those who never had the pleasure of reading a full newspaper over morning coffee, that's the meat, before the comics and entertainment sections, though they might just be a better, more sane bet these days.Volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity (VUCA) has grown in popularity, resonating with many who are looking for an anchor term to describe today's business environment. While it likely extends to many others arenas, it is most valuable in understanding the challenges small and medium businesses (SMB) encounter in daily operations.Enter risk, the calculation of a future event, its probability and severity, on your current or future operations. Decisions, strategic and important, rely on the ability of entrepreneurs to understand the potential risk in the markets, find reasonable clarity in the VUCA reality, while relying on the elements of PCSC to stop gap any significant issues. Risk tolerance is personal, different in each of us and not equal across all decisions. Most entrepreneurs prefer clarity, though some excel in VUCA situations, where bold moves, aggressive decisions may lead to exceptional payoffs. Some embrace game theory and some are just unrestrained.Risk is understood to be a perception, as previous iterations predict the future, we gain a reasonable level of confidence as to the future outcome. Never certain, but with time, education, social capital and great advisors, VUCA becomes less a problem set and more an advantage. PCSC is reasonably easy to navigate, and a preferred environment for those with large capital-intensive projects that have longer time horizons. Hence the heavy interventionist governance present in certain sectors of the economy, where a company intends to invest billions, they have a reasonable expectation of predictability. But what if PCSC becomes less available and the world moves more towards VUCA?Support the showwww.insidemycanoehead.ca
Send us a textLife evolves, as the world changes around us, we need to periodically verify that we remain a value added to the population. Inside My Canoehead has been on the air for over 5 years, throughout the pandemic and will continue to live on, but under a new name, similar concept, but retaining the values of integrity and keeping our mission:Non-apocalyptic, evidence-based, risk, resilience and preparedness education.We've completed a six month beta test, chatted with many entrepreneurs and we've developed the Mastering Risk ecosystem.A podcast, course and community.We'll navigate the economic, political and natural disasters together.More on our website: preparednesslabs.ca Stay tuned.Support the showwww.insidemycanoehead.ca
Send us a textWhen we consider financial resiliency in this modern era, we first need to accept resiliency means to you. There are no shortages of definitions of resiliency, in my humble opinion, it is the most abused term in the discipline. As a social scientist, I often lean to our natural scientist colleagues to seek clarity, for their world is far more binary and straightforward, at least in terms of definitions. I've quoted this one in the past, resiliency is the “ability to absorb energy and return to stasis”. Translated to social science that means you or your business' ability to get hit, take the hit and recover to the place you were before you got hit. Even that foray into terminology is fraught with challenges. What is “absorb”, how far can I fall, how much time do I have to “return to stasis”, what about the “new normal”? The What If Game is alive and well in the field, as with other social sciences tackling the issues of the day. I've written in the past, in my books and in our free guide to preparedness, that every entity needs three plans - their trifecta of preparedness plans, to be best positioned to navigate crisis - the absorb energy portion of the definition. This article deals with the financial plan; for individuals, this is labelled “when you get fired” and for businesses, this is labelled, “when your operations are summarily ceased”. The cause is irrelevant, your sources of income cease. Framing financial resiliency in these terms eliminates the endless debate about hazard impact, threats from political and economic decisions at all three levels of government and the overall industry. It simplifies the discussion into a single, “what if I stop getting paid scenario”, not the why. The research tells us there is sufficient commonality between hazard induced losses, economic strife and significant political decisions to steer away from attempting to create event-specific plans or strategies. One overarching, well thought out and socialized plan is enough to at least provide a fighting chance.Support the showwww.insidemycanoehead.ca
Send us a textConspiracy Theorist? Crazy Trucker dude in Ottawa? Anti-Government Mafia, Antifa?Or maybe just a normal person, living in suburbia who accepts responsibility for their outcomes, understands there is a possibility that one or more sectors of critical infrastructure main fail for an extended period and that the government is not coming to save their family.We begin with a rant on trust and honest sources of information, then a fun discussion on who is a prepper, their goals and why your wonderful BMW driving neighbour with three kids in soccer might just be ready for a mini-apocalypse.Support the showwww.insidemycanoehead.ca
Send us a textForests are an incredible creation of nature, a magical blend of species - sustainable, resilient and awe-inspiring beauty. Only humans would have the audacity to harm such a brilliant resource.The intentional destruction of the boreal forest in Canada has been a sustained effort of governments for decades. The wildfires of 2023 and 2025 are the foreseeable result of policy failures by provincial and territorial governments.The conversation across legacy and independent media is generally classified into two streams. First, is the expected and predicted assignment of blame to the 21st century's convenient boogyman, climate change. Easy to fault a concept, one where no accountability is claimed, than to do the hard work on actual contributing factors. Second, are the investigations into challenges to coordinate firefighting, interagency cooperation and championing the call for greater governmental intervention.The policy failure in this area was three fold. First, allowing the use of chemicals to hack biodiversity and damage the environment. Second, minimal investment in forest management practices to mitigate future losses due to wildfire and third, nominal building of response capability.If the desired outcome is a sustainable and safe forestry sector, then addressing each of these contributing factors will significantly contribute to less wildfires,Political debates aside, if a province is clearly overwhelmed and underprepared, the first indication will be a call for federal assistance, likely using language such as “unprecenteted, driest conditions in “X” decades” and other descriptors carefully chosen to seed the doubt as to responsbility. Next, will be the blame on climate change and human activities, reinforcing that the government is handcuffed in their ability to manage, as it remains the result of nefarious actors - the climate and the outdoorsy types. Last comes the clarion call for greater cooperation and a national agency, blaming coordination as a rationale for delayed response or limited asset availability.These are the predictable cards played by a government who made the policy decision not to invest sufficient resources in wildfire management, got caught unprepared and are scrambling to find someone or something to blame. Hilarious if not sad, especially for the losses that did not have to occur.Support the showwww.insidemycanoehead.ca
Send us a textEtsy Store, Shopify or 1 Mil per year service business, they're all exposed to risk - cyber, reputational and operational. What strategies help in mitigating exposure to nefarious actors.How, as a solo entrepreneur, can you protect your online store and business from harm, when you don't have a high priced consultant, nor response teams embedded in your operation.You don't have thousands to spend on something that may never happen, so what can you do?This is an outline of what is to come in our Fall offering of Mastering Risk, an educational program in collaboration with @thelogisticsinstitute7047 . Available later in 2025, a complete series of lessons and Risk Webinars on staying abreast of the latest risk, resilience and preparedness advice for micro, small and medium businesses. https://preparednesslabs.caDISCLOSURE Information shared here is for educational purposes only. Individuals and business owners should evaluate their own business strategies, and identify any potential risks. The information shared here is not a guarantee of success. Your results may vary.Copyright 2025 ©Preparedness Labs IncorporatedSupport the showwww.insidemycanoehead.ca
Send us a textEvery anniversary deserves celebration, we have so much to be thankful for: friends, family, accomplishments and reaching goals. We should never lose the childish joy of horns, goofy hats, paper plates and cake. Today, July 28th, marks the five year anniversary of my company, Preparedness Labs Incorporated (PLI). It was born from the realization that Canadians were abjectly unprepared for even the most minor of disruption, let alone a global pandemic. The speed at which millions became dependent on the government for cash, guidance, information, skills and future strategies was terrifying. PLI was created as a Canadian Controlled Private Corporation (CCPC), the beaver-loving equivalent to the US LLC. CCPC was chosen over a not for profit as the regulatory environment in Canada requires significant additional investment to assert a not for profit status. Few were resolute in their preparation, pivoted to their planned strategies and for some, found new economic opportunities and grew their family wealth and health throughout the pandemic. Those people remained a focus of our research here at PLI, what did they know, skills they possessed, or access to capital that others did not. How were they able to navigate such a disruption, to emerge in a better state than before, with little to no effect on their health or wealth? The journey began a few months earlier in April 2020, when I started a preparedness podcast, Inside My Canoehead. The name was a gift from my daughter-in-law, who settled the ongoing debate of how do I name something about my passion - backcountry paddling - when the topic is preparedness. The first episode had 4 downloads, three were family and someone in the USA. To this date that human remains a mystery, but on April 29th, 2020, they made my day - a follower. From there, it has grown to over 360 episodes, downloaded in 111+ nations, on six continents. It remains at the core of my passion for communicating advice to the population - for if all else fails, it will survive, it is now my life project.Support the showwww.insidemycanoehead.ca
Send us a textPugilism was an art, the settling of disputes with honour and integrity. We didn't kick somewhen when they fell, we asked if they had enough and if so, we helped them up, dusted them off and headed to the bar to resume our drinks. Simple life, we all understood the rules and the rationale, an almost egalitarian time.The human animal was designed for physical combat, to strike and absorb blows, as we repeatedly return to the physics definition of resilience - absorb shock, return to stasis. Resilience is our ability to navigate that which we do not control and return to whatever normalcy becomes, simple really - though, there are as many resilience definitions in the social sciences as there are fields, hilarious if not sad. We've spoke about the need to accept responsibility for our outcomes as the primary step in adopting preparedness, on the road to a more resilient life. That entails assessing and addressing any personal shortfalls in our physical, mental and financial health. All three are within our control, require no financial investment to improve and are the important for successful outcomes. Sociological and psychological research asserts that physically fit individuals with low stress and healthy finances are better suited leaders in stressful events, whether that be internal to the family or a natural disaster. All 100% within our control, the choice to accept shortcomings and begin the process to fix those is our decision. This is not a call to arms, but the realization that in our world there are nefarious actors, those who wish to either use physical force to access our resources, harm us or to use perceived strength as intimidation. Whether or not we believe this is appropriate in a modern society, those on the extremes believe it to be a viable choice. They will use violence or the threat of bodily harm to achieve aims. The probability that you will personally be the target of a threat is not significant, but not zero. As we see more and more economic issues, we see more acts of violence and disorder, countering accepted norms of behaviour, that may lead to you experiencing a rapid onset violent act.Support the showwww.insidemycanoehead.ca
Send us a textWe're comfortable, enjoy being coddled and taken care of, whether that is by family or the government. We exist in a period of time with access to the entire knowledge of the species in the palm of our hand, yet we choose to remain stuck in place. Feel free to disagree, maybe you're the outlier, but statistically speaking, you prefer to be in stasis of certainty and low risk. Anthropologically we're designed to solve problems, to overcome challenges. For hundreds of thousands of years, we survived, working together to meet the basic needs. Until the Industrial Revolution, there were two classes, the nobles (by title, business wealth, land ownership, etc.) and peasants (daily survival). The middle class was an invention of industrialists to create comfort and reasonable certainty, in exchange for indentured servitude of the hourly wage.While that has morphed over multiple generations, the truth remains that as a species, we're now less resilient than our peasant ancestors, dependent on a benevolent government to protect, serve and when necessary, rescue us. The discarding of adventure is a recent anomaly, probably in the later 20th century, where the sense of wonder and exploration was finally, at the collective level, pounded out of us. Be comfortable and when disruption hits, the government will take care of the nasty stuff and coddle us with monetary tokens and rules to keep society safe. You would think this diatribe to be an opening to a dystopian novel, but this is today, in 2025. As a species, we grow with new experiences, new relationships, jumping with two feet into the puddle of opportunity. We're designed for adventure, to see what is over the next hill. We learn about things through problem solving, when we travel to visit other cultures, we learn perspectives and values. All this cannot happen in your box of comfort, in your living room watching videos about the world.Support the showwww.insidemycanoehead.ca
Send us a textA bit cheeky, yes. The point is that many roads lead to resilience, I've written a five part series on Substack about this, drawing a clear route to creating a more resilient and less susceptible life. However, many recent tragedies, like the flooding in Texas, reminds us of the fragility of life, how quickly it can all change and what really does matter. Modern day minimalism has many founders, historically its origins are in an artistic movement from New York in the 1960s, or from philosophical teachings in early Japan and the Roman Empire. Prior to the industrial revolution, humanity held onto useful things, devices and accoutrements that lead to the production or sustainment of shelter, food and water. Literal survival. Frivolous items, luxury items in economic speak, were only found in the Lords of the feudal style systems. Simplicity has many modern flavours, from voluntary simplicity - akin to shedding life of commitments, possessions and all that doesn't support a narrow path, to calendar management strategies by Greg McKeweon in his book, Essentialism. It is the intentional design of a life that pursues that which brings joy and essentials - shelter, food, and water. A modern version of returning to the reality of pre-modernism life for the 99% who did not live in castles. I return to these ideas when I reflect on my life's adventures. With 28 years in the Army, I've lost count of the exercises, where for weeks I would live out of a backpack and be fine. Well, cold wet and hungry, but there is a weird romantic ideology of carrying everything you'll need on your back. Several international deployments in different climates and under less permissive environments provides a similar story - the idea that when we break life down to its most basic requirements, not much is necessary. When I consider that I had to physically carry everything I needed, choice becomes a necessity. An 80 pound rucksack sounds cool and makes you look like a warrior and beast, then you turn fifty and can barely climb stairs. Intelligence taught us that you police your gear ruthlessly, to only possess what is absolutely essential to support your ability to complete the task ahead, and nothing else. So if that was successful in the Army across the world, why wouldn't it be for life?Support the showwww.insidemycanoehead.ca
Send us a textAs many bemoan the chaos of this decade, Dr. Steven Pinker reminds us that this is, by a significant margin, the safest and most productive age of the human species. The calamities we face are minor irritants in comparison to those surmounted by our fore fathers; we have difficulty overcoming a few degrees of warmth, let alone a host of real and impactful calamities that used to kill millions. As individuals, we possess the human instincts and physiology to live in nature, with nothing but what it provides, and thrive. However, eons ahead and with all the technological advances, as a species we express little in drive or personal constitution, continuously seek external assistance and bewilderingly, cannot thrive with the accoutrements of the 21st century. We see it in the literature on disasters and emergency management, this existential threat from nature, requiring behemoth levels of governmental intervention in individual lives to stave off the apocalypse. Where we've lost the narrative is at the individual level, the human animal, designed by nature to thrive in the environment. Our species is different, from the sociological viewpoint, we are the only animal that knows it is here and that life is finite. What we have done with that is the subject of a generational research body of knowledge, from behavioural economics, to psychology, sociology, anthropology - all of which are the feeding social sciences that established the paradigm of disaster and emergency management. Resilience is often the word used, but arguable one of the most abused terms in the discipline. No less that dozens of factually or theoretically different constructions of this terms exist in the published literature. This is not a new problem, this is a reasonably common standard in social sciences, where terms are bent to help frame an idea the researcher wishes to advance, or to correlate to their findings. Amusing to some, somewhat a challenge to those of us who lecture in the field - whose definition is correct and if there is a correct one, why are we not calling out the others?In natural sciences, they are far more rigid in the use of terminology, hence my inclination to lean towards their definition of resilience, “the ability of an elastic material (such as rubber or animal tissue) to absorb energy (such as from a blow) and release that energy as it springs back to its original shape”. (physics 101). Some of the social science definitions trace, at least reasonably, to this concept. If we accept that frame, how does this relate to the natural human animal?I've written at length about what is within the power of us to actually do, using the stoic philosophical lens that argues everything falls into one of two buckets - things we can control and that which we cannot. Now, depending on societal positions or locations, there is some ability to influence what we cannot control, but that is often limited to single events or policies. In reality, all that you or I can do is change what we can control. In simple terms, that is what we say and do. Full stop. That's it, we can change what we say - to ourselves, in-person or online. Further, we have agency and can conduct physical actions - voter, fight, run, work, build, etc. So if all that we can do is what is within our control, how do we leverage that to achieve resilience, which by definition will enable us to absorb energy (exogenous shock from events we cannot control), to spring back to our original shape? Often the events are rapid onset or no-notice, we are flung into a chaotic situation without the time to prepare - akin to going to war with the arSupport the showwww.insidemycanoehead.ca
Send us a textHow long can you survive if the power fails? A few hours, days, weeks, months? Are you self reliant or self sufficient, maybe a combination of both? We outline the strategies for navigating an extended power loss, speak to the types of prepared individuals and the difference between the concepts of self reliance and self sufficiency. Sit back, grab your favourite beverage - We believe you and your family are worth it.https://preparednesslabs.cahttps://www.buzzsprout.com/1046719DISCLOSURE Information shared here is for educational purposes only. Individuals and business owners should evaluate their own business strategies, and identify any potential risks. The information shared here is not a guarantee of success.Copyright © 2025.Support the showwww.insidemycanoehead.ca
Send us a textYou'll only be successful when you choose to try.A life strategy is the operationalization of choosing to improve your fitness, mental health, financial condition, personal relationships, professional life, community relations and overall, your role on this planet.Full stop, no one is coming to help. It is not someone else's responsibility to pay your bills or create an easy road for your future. So if you want it, you need to get after it. The choice is yours, choose wiselySupport the showwww.insidemycanoehead.ca
Send us a textBusiness Continuity is disaster preparedness for business, often misunderstood and ignored by SMB. Most businesses dont survive one year after a disaster, and many are utterly unprepared for a significant event.Look how many needed immediate intervention from govnement to survive even the first few months of the pandemic. Learn about strategic, cyber, operations and reputational risk. Whether you own a business, have an Etsy store or are someone's employee, knowing what to do when the bad day happens is just as important for businesses as it is for your family.Support the showwww.insidemycanoehead.ca
Send us a textChaos and disorder are what we normally correlate with an evacuation. Wildfire on the doorstep, screaming family members, driving from the scene through fire and haze. Let's not forget the hours long bumper to bumper traffic going somewhere, for who knows how long.Uncertainty reigns.But it is a choice, executing a well rehearsed and understood evacuation plan means order in chaos, calm, low stress and little anxiety. This is how you do that, step by step. The choice is yours, choose wisely. Support the showwww.insidemycanoehead.ca
Send us a textI've written at length about the need to incorporate all sectors of society in disaster response and recovery operations. For each significant event, there are four unique and often uncoordinated responses: the not for profit (NFP) industry ramping up services for their clients, the private sector enacting continuity operations and extending support to their network, the residents helping each other and finally, the formal public sector incident response and management operations. One is not in command and control, each have stakeholders and they are working diligently to mitigate the harm and return to pre-event operations with the shortest delay. There are a myriad of publications in academia and grey literature that speak to the need for coordination, formal training on how to execute a whole of community effort, but little cooperation across the government to population power divide. This is why my profound reaction when my students presented the following idea, an economic recovery task force (ERTF).An ERTF is not a recovery mechanism at heart, it is a permanent round table where the sectors of society contemplate, coordinate and cooperate on how the economic engine of a city would respond to an event, recover and return to normalcy. This is an effort that brings together the private sector, NFP and municipal government to map out what recovery would look like, specific, focussed - with the intent to create an environment where business resumed at the earliest opportunity. We know that economic activity provides income, allows society to return to normalcy and the loss of access to normal resources is an impediment for residents. If a strategy existed that demonstrated the preparedness of the economic engine for disasters, then confidence rises, investment gains traction and a sense of security and prosperity is maintained.Support the showwww.insidemycanoehead.ca
Send us a textAccording to Global Velocity, in the USA there are 59 million workers in the freelance or gig economy, earning over 500 million, with an estimated 50% of American workers completing at least one external independent contracting assignment this year. While grounded in the transportation industry, the emergence of consultants, IT, AI curators and a host of independent contractors in professional industries - trades, healthcare expanding, there is a significant shift underway in the global workforce. Most entrepreneurs, 70% in recent surveys, do so by choice, not socio-economic need, mainly grounded in a desire to reap the full rewards of their work, to set their own work-life balance and to carve an independent piece from the global pie. In essence, the model of working for a company, generating wealth for the stock holders is now a short term learning evolution, vice a formative career. Individuals are entering the corporate workforce to learn the industry and quickly departing on collective or independent ventures, leading to a host of online offerings that once were the purview of corporations. This is the emerging economic model.You can hire an MBA graduate, equivalent to western schools, for $10 per hour from India, or a marketing expert with a masters degree from Thailand for $15 a day. Why would you hire a recent graduate from Harvard or Yale on a full time salary with expensive benefits when you can outsource a specific niche requirement to an expert with equivalent skills for a fraction of the cost? Additional risk, potentially, but is that risk equivalent to the savings of contract work?These chaotic times, the levels of uncertainty in the markets and fears of recessions, are pushing the workforce to embrace responsibility for their outcomes. While there remains calls for action to counter this movement to the gig economy, often in posts from individuals who are following a 1999 idea of sending in resumes and expecting to land interviews, eventually they understand that the system is not failing them, they're just pursuing a strategy for a different economy. While in some industries there remains growth in salaried employment, that is becoming an exception outside public sector positions. In some western locations, precarious work is the fastest growing part of the economy. Support the showwww.insidemycanoehead.ca
Send us a textResilience is intentional and requires commitment. We often pursue ideas and strategies that are one and done. I'll put in the effort, achieve the standard and we're all good, nothing else to do. Being ready for the unknown, embracing uncertainty and navigating the unexpected is a skill set, one that requires regular maintenance and sharpening. Resilience is likely one of the most influential skills you can adopt, it encompasses your ability to maintain order in chaos, to lead those for whom you're responsible, to thrive when others are flailing in the dark. We've outlined your four steps to resilience over the course of this series, on this written medium, as well as on the audio versions on the podcast, Inside My Canoehead, and finally on a video feed on our YouTube channel. Free, because equipping society with the skills to be more resilient in the face of current and future harm is a public good. To expand on resilience, to move skills to the collective, requires additional effort. There are four research based strategies to build your resilience through embracing the world around you, and taking a deeper dive into some of the concepts introduced over the past four steps. The roadmap to resilience doesn't have an end, it is a pathway you choose to follow, one that mirrors your life. So embrace the opportunities offered, dive into the deep end and believe in yourself, for there is a myriad of opportunities for health, wealth and happiness in the chaos, throughout these uncertain times. The choice is yours, choose wisely.Support the showwww.insidemycanoehead.ca
Send us a textAnthropological and sociological research has reasonably defined the spheres of influence in your world, a concept design, sometimes referred to as spatial. In simplest terms, it is a division of interests, those that motivate us and classify arenas in which we operate. While never homogenous, the literature reasonably agrees that political, economic, cultural, familial and natural describe the portions of a human existence in this cosmos. Everything that happens does so within one of these spheres, often occupying one or more, but we can trace events to origins within these five. We posit that everything in this world is a function of someone else's actions within one or more of the spheres, and to echo step two, your decision is how you choose to respond. You, nor I, can make someone say, believe or act upon something, but we have absolute control over both the reaction and the surveillance. In military parlance, reconnaissance is the function of trying to ascertain the intent of someone before they undertake a decision, so as to counter that before they begin or to ready for the coming events. Risk analysis is reconnaissance for your life, simply put, understanding the things that may happen, by examining the world around you, enables you to create an accurate assessment of the threat profile where you operate - for you, the family, community, business and your social networks.Zero risk is illogical and not possible, the probability of many events occurring rapidly approaches nil, but never reaches it. The goal of a risk assessment is to first identify all that could occur, classify it and select those that present the highest threat. Create a plan to counter and you'll have situated the estimate as the military would say, doing what is possible within a world of chaotic uncertainty. There is no perfect solution, risks will be misidentified, classified incorrectly, leading to unintended outcomes. The intent is to mitigate, to limit the extent to which you and those for whom you're responsible are exposed to uncomfortable stress and potential harm.As each individual, family, community or business will have differentiating considerations, this guide is created as a series of signposts, some will be bright and important to you, others will be dim and distant. Examining each of the five spheres of influence and asking the simple question, “what threats exist in this arena that if realized could cause harm to my interests”, then “when that is realized, does it create low, moderate or extreme levels of risk?”. Support the showwww.insidemycanoehead.ca
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