Prep Like a Bear: Survive and Thrive When the World Gets Wild!(8 When the World Stops)

I wasn't raised in a bunker. I didn't grow up with stockpiles of MREs in the basement or a HAM radio buzzing in the background. I was raised in a working-class neighborhood in Missoula, Montana, where people looked out for each other, hunted in the fall, and knew how to change a tire in a snowstorm. We weren't "preppers," we were just folks who knew life could throw curveballs, and it was better to be ready than sorry. When I say "prep like a bear," I'm not talking about going feral or vanishing into the woods. Bears are smart. They conserve energy, adapt to their environment, and prepare for lean times with instinct and strategy. A bear doesn't hoard for fun. It prepares to survive. It doesn't panic when winter hits because it's been getting ready all year long. And that's how I think we should approach disaster preparedness-calm, steady, and grounded in reality. The word prepper has gotten a bad rap. For too long, it's been portrayed as the domain of conspiracy theorists, bunker-builders, and guys who think a 200-pound bag of rice and a wall of ammo is a personality. That's not me. I'm a dad, a husband, and a lifelong Montanan. I love my country, believe in public lands, trust science, and vote for people who protect working families and the wilderness. I'm a Montana Democrat, which means I think JFK had the right idea-ask what you can do for your country, and then get to work doing it. I prep because I love my family. I prep because I've seen blizzards knock out power for days, wildfires shut down highways, and supply chains dry up like creek beds in August. I prep because there's no cavalry coming. If something goes wrong, it's going to be me, Regina, Logan, Smith, and Harper sitting around the kitchen table asking one question: What do we do now? That question is why this book exists. It's not about fear. It's about readiness. And not the kind of readiness where you burn yourself out trying to control every possible future. I'm talking about practical, thoughtful, human-scale readiness. The kind where you can look your kids in the eye and say, "We're going to be fine," and actually mean it. This isn't a book about doomsday. This is a book about Tuesday. When the power's out, the roads are closed, and the water isn't running-what do you eat? How do you stay warm? What do you tell your kids? How do you help your neighbors without putting your own family at risk? Those are the questions that matter. We'll talk gear, skills, mindset, and mistakes. I'll share what's worked for us, what hasn't, and what we're still figuring out. I'll be honest with you. Sometimes prepping feels overwhelming. Sometimes it feels expensive. But more often, it feels empowering. Because every step you take, no matter how small, puts your family in a better position than the day before. You don't need to live in the woods or have a tactical vest to be ready. You just need to think ahead, stay grounded, and make a plan. This book will help you do that, one real-life step at a time. Let's get started.