#42 Why We Don't Prepare

🎙️ Why We Don’t Prepare for Disasters
Episode Summary
Why do we delay emergency prep—even when we know better? In this episode, our host Leigh, Angie, and producer Christy unpack the hidden psychological biases that hold us back, like normalcy bias and short-term thinking.

You’ll learn simple, practical ways to shift your mindset and take action—because thinking is the first step of preparedness.

🎧 Keep the Conversation GoingListen to more episodes of 38% Prepared and make preparedness feel like a normal part of life—not something to dread. Understanding why we don’t prepare is the first step to doing it better.

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#disasterpreparedness #emergencypreparedness #beready #planahead #whywewait #38percentprepared #38pctprepared #decisionlab #preventionweb #ostrichparadox

🧠 What You’ll Learn
1. Normalcy Bias – “It Won’t Happen Here”

• Why about 80% of people underestimate the threat—even when danger is close

• How our brains cling to “business as usual,” even during hurricanes or wildfires

• Real stories of how this bias plays out in emergencies
  ✅ Try this: Watch realistic disaster scenarios or join a local drill to gently challenge your assumptions

2. Optimism Bias – “It Won’t Happen to Me”

• The sneaky belief that bad things happen to others, not us

• Why we often prep for big disasters but overlook everyday emergencies like house fires
  ✅ Try this: Rely on facts, not feelings—and reframe preparedness as a loving investment in your future self

3. Myopia – “I’ll Do It Later”

• Why it’s hard to spend time and money today for a “maybe” tomorrow

• How this bias is hardwired into our brains (hello, marshmallow experiment!)
  ✅ Try this: Break it down! Start small, and find prep steps that benefit you now and later

💬 Notable Quotes

“Thinking is the first step of preparedness.”
“These biases aren’t character flaws—they’re how our brains are wired.”
“Preparedness is about being honest: emergencies will happen. You can handle them better if you're ready.”

📚 Credits and Further Reading
Here are some of the resources we used in this episode:

• The Decision Lab – Normalcy Bias

• PreventionWeb – Why People Don’t Prepare for Disasters

• The Ostrich Paradox by Meyer & Kunreuther (Wharton School Press)