Episodes

When organizations struggle in a crisis, the problem is rarely a lack of effort. More often, teams are working from different versions of reality. That leads to delayed decisions, duplicated work, and conflicting messages. In this episode, host Rob Burton explains situational awareness and why it’s central to crisis management and operational resilience. He traces the idea back to its… Source

In this episode of the PreparedEx Podcast, Rob discusses why the traditional “check-the-box” approach to crisis exercises is no longer enough. As organizations face more complex risks, increased regulatory scrutiny, and higher expectations from boards, customers, and stakeholders, exercises must do more than satisfy a requirement. They need to validate real capabilities, uncover gaps… Source

Planning a crisis simulation exercise? The quality of your exercise depends on the quality of the planning. In Episode 169 of the PreparedEx Podcast, Rob Burton shares the 15 essential questions PreparedEx asks every prospective client before designing a tabletop exercise or simulation. From identifying objectives and selecting the right scenario to understanding participants… Source

In this episode of the PreparedEx Podcast, Rob Burton is joined by Francois Nel, an experienced enterprise resilience advisor who works with regulated organizations and consulting teams to strengthen governance, close capability gaps, and build real-world readiness for disruption. Francois brings a unique perspective shaped by hands-on experience across IT service continuity… Source

If you’re a resilience leader, ICMC 2026 is more than just another conference—it’s an opportunity to stay ahead in an increasingly complex risk landscape. This is where you gain practical insights from real incidents, not just theory—learning directly from those who have navigated crises at the highest levels. It’s also a chance to build meaningful connections with peers facing the same… Source

Canada faces a unique set of regional risks that organizations must understand to effectively prepare for crisis situations. In this episode, Shawna Bruce, emergency management trainer and crisis communications specialist, joins the PreparedEx Podcast to discuss how geography, climate, infrastructure, and industry shape the country’s threat landscape. Drawing from her experience in the… Source

In this conversation, PreparedEx host Rob Burton sits down with Chris Lynch — a Certified FEMA Master Exercise Practitioner and strategist in AI readiness and crisis simulation. Chris breaks down his approach to building exercises that don’t just tick compliance boxes but drive real organizational learning. We explore how well-crafted simulations uncover hidden gaps, how to balance realism with… Source

Join the PreparedEx Podcast as we sit down with Scott Wilcox from the Sicuro Group, a global leader in travel risk, duty-of-care programs, and threat intelligence. We discuss how modern travel risk management evolves beyond compliance, how real-time intelligence informs critical decisions, and why duty of care has become a strategic business capability. In this episode, you’ll learn… Source

In episode 163 of the PreparedEx Podcast, we explore the often-overlooked gap between cybersecurity response and public communications during a cyber incident. While many organizations invest heavily in technical controls and incident response plans, far fewer are prepared to manage the reputational, regulatory, and stakeholder consequences that unfold in parallel. Rob Burton is joined by Ann… Source

In this episode, host Rob Burton is joined by Greg Pass, a retired law enforcement lieutenant and nationally recognized expert in active assailant preparedness, organizational security, and high-risk incident response. Marking ten years since the 2015 San Bernardino terrorist attack, Rob and Greg reflect on the critical lessons learned from that event and examine how the active assailant… Source

In this episode of the PreparedEx Podcast, host Rob Burton sits down with Jack Murphy, one of the world’s leading experts in high-rise safety, fire protection, and all-hazards emergency preparedness. With decades of experience shaping high-rise emergency standards, Jack brings deep insight into how cities, property owners, and first responders must adapt to rapidly evolving threats in today’s… Source

In episode 160 of The PreparedEx Podcast, host Rob Burton explores why human crisis analysts, particularly those with military and intelligence backgrounds, continue to outperform AI in crisis scenario design. As AI becomes more capable, some predict it will replace human analysts, but the real strength lies in combining both. Force shapers understand intent, emotion, friction… Source

In this episode of The PreparedEx Podcast, host Rob Burton sits down with Austin Cruz, Associate Director of Crisis Management and Strategic Innovation at Witt O’Brien’s and newly elected leader of the Business Continuity Institute’s AI Special Interest Group. Together, they explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the world of crisis management, business continuity… Source

Too many organizations treat crisis simulations and tabletop exercises as the finish line, when in reality they’re just the starting point. In this episode, Rob Burton explores why the real value lies in what comes after the exercise: prioritizing findings, assigning ownership, keeping leadership engaged, and measuring improvement. Rob shares common challenges resilience leaders face… Source

As organizations begin planning for 2026, one critical area often overlooked—or left until it’s too late—is budgeting for resilience. In this episode, we explore why resilience should be treated as a strategic investment, not just a line item. Drawing from our latest PreparedEx blog, we’ll discuss how early planning and thoughtful proposals provide more than just numbers: they offer clarity… Source

In this episode, we share a summer recap and update you on upcoming activities and programs. Hear about recent travels, fall and winter exercise plans, and new resiliency initiatives launching soon. We highlight the upcoming International Crisis Management Conference (ICMC) one-day workshop in Vancouver, scheduled for March 2026, the first West Coast event, featuring expert speakers, training… Source

In this episode, we sit down with John Iliffe to explore his first-hand experience managing evacuations from conflict and crisis zones including Afghanistan, Myanmar, and South Sudan. With a background in NGO operations and international crisis response, John shares valuable insights and practical lessons for organizations preparing for or executing a country evacuation. Source

Your cyber incident response will fail if you: Don’t train your team regularly Don’t stress-test your plan with tabletop exercises Don’t remediate weaknesses after real incidents or simulations The good news? These failures are entirely preventable. The organizations that train, test, and improve are the ones that survive—and even thrive—when an attack happens. Source

In this episode of the PreparedEx podcast, we dive into the world of crisis and business continuity exercises with Charlie Maclean-Bristol, founder of PlanB Consulting. With his extensive experience in designing exercises that challenge and prepare organizations for crises, Charlie shares invaluable insights on best practices, overcoming common challenges, and the importance of realism. Source

In this episode (151) of the PreparedEx Podcast, we sit down with Christopher Beard, a leading expert from The Crisis Shop, to discuss the crucial role of reputational risk analysis in today’s business environment. With reputational risks being as impactful—if not more so—than operational or financial risks, organizations can no longer afford to overlook this vital area of risk management. Source

In this milestone 150th episode of the PreparedEx podcast, we’re excited to unveil the 10th Annual International Crisis Management Conference. Discover what’s in store for this year’s event, including key themes, speakers, and networking opportunities that make this conference a must-attend for resilience and crisis management professionals. Tune in to hear how this decade-long tradition continues… Source

In this episode of the PreparedEx podcast, we sit down with Ruben Hoornveld, a seasoned expert in crisis and risk management and regional strategy, to explore the top threats facing businesses in Southeast Asia. From cybersecurity challenges to natural disasters, Ruben shares his deep insights into how organizations can navigate these risks and build resilience in a rapidly evolving landscape. Source

In episode 148 of the PreparedEx Podcast, we continue our exploration of essential crisis leadership lessons with part 2 of our series. Building on the foundational insights from episode 147, this episode delves into lessons 7 through 12, offering deeper perspectives on navigating crises. We discuss advanced strategies for maintaining composure under pressure, the importance of adaptive leadership… Source

In episode 147 of the PreparedEx Podcast, we delve into key lessons learned from countless crisis simulation exercises conducted with executive teams. These sessions, designed to test leadership strategies under intense pressure, reveal invaluable insights into how top leaders make critical decisions, communicate effectively, and guide their organizations through crises. Join us as we explore… Source