Podcast · Learning

This Prepared Life

by Allison Michael · English · Learning

Welcome to This Prepared Life, a podcast for women where preparedness feels peaceful, practical, and possible. Hosted by Allison Michael, this show is about creating a calmer, more resilient life through everyday preparedness and intentional living. Inside the episodes, you’ll find realistic food st

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 14 min
Latest: 11 Aug 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

11 Aug 2026 · 18 min

5 Things That Can Ruin Your Food Storage

What if the food you've carefully stored isn't lasting as long as you think it will? We all have different challenges when it comes to where we store our food. Maybe your basement is humid, your pantry gets too warm, or you're dealing with light, insects, or even mice. You don't need a perfect food storage space, but understanding how your environment affects your food can help you protect what you've worked so hard to build. In this episode, we're talking about five factors that can impact...

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

E39 · 4 Aug 2026 · 9 min
What to Buy for Your Pantry This Month: August Stock-Up Guide
What should you stock up on in August? One of my favorite ways to build a home food supply is by paying attention to grocery store sales cycles. Every month, different foods and household items go on sale, making it the perfect time to stock your pantry while saving money. In this episode, we're talking about what to watch for during the month of August, including food, household items, and seasonal produce that's perfect for preserving. In this episode we discuss: • Why grocery store sale...
E38 · 28 Jul 2026 · 20 min
Your Preparedness Questions Answered: Food Storage, Consistency & Overwhelm
In this episode, I'm answering your preparedness questions! These are real questions submitted by women in our community about food storage, water storage, meal planning, limited space, staying consistent, and overcoming overwhelm. We cover topics like: • How much food and water you should store • Commercially canned vs. home canned foods • How I rotate my long-term food storage • What foods are best for long-term storage • What to do when you have very little storage space • Staying consist...
E37 · 21 Jul 2026 · 10 min
5 Food Storage Mistakes Beginners Make (And How to Avoid Them)
Building a home food supply doesn't have to be complicated—but there are a few common mistakes that can make the process more expensive, frustrating, and overwhelming than it needs to be. In this episode, I'm sharing the five biggest mistakes beginners make when starting their food storage journey and, more importantly, how to avoid them. These simple shifts can save you money, reduce waste, and help you build a food supply that actually works for your family. If you're just getting started...
E36 · 14 Jul 2026 · 15 min
Preparedness on a Budget: 10 Ways to Prepare Without Spending a Fortune
Do you ever feel like preparedness is something you'll get to someday... when you have more money? You're not alone. In this episode, I'm sharing 10 practical ways to become more prepared even when money is tight. From shopping store sales and learning new skills to building your food storage one step at a time, preparedness doesn't have to happen all at once—and it doesn't have to cost a fortune. Whether you have $5 a month or $50 a month to spend, you can make meaningful progress. Preparedn...
E35 · 7 Jul 2026 · 19 min
Building a Prepper Pantry That Works with NO Waste
When you hear the words "prepper pantry," what comes to mind? For many people, it's buckets of rice and beans collecting dust in a basement. But long-term food storage doesn't have to look like that. In this episode, we're talking about layer three of my three-layer food storage system: your long-term food storage. I'll walk you through what belongs in this layer, how I package and rotate my food, and why I believe your prepper pantry should be built around the foods your family actually eats...
E34 · 30 Jun 2026 · 6 min
Wish List VS To-Do List: A Simpler Way to Plan Your Week
After years of trying to get everything done, I realized something important: overwhelm is not a badge of honor. In this episode, I'm sharing one simple mindset shift that has completely changed the way I plan my week. Instead of making a never-ending to-do list, I create what I call a wish list. It's a small change, but it's helped me feel less overwhelmed, more intentional, and a whole lot more at peace. We talk about: Why busy doesn't always mean better The difference betw...
E33 · 23 Jun 2026 · 13 min
How to Build Your Home Grocery Store
What if your food storage pantry functioned like a grocery store? In this episode, we're talking about layer two of my three-layer food storage system: your home grocery store. This short-term storage layer is made up of the foods your family already eats and uses on a regular basis. The goal isn't to buy a year's worth of random food. It's to intentionally build a working pantry that saves money, reduces waste, and makes everyday life easier. We talk about: • What layer two food storage actu...
E32 · 16 Jun 2026 · 11 min
Why Your Kitchen Pantry Matters Most in an Emergency
When we think about food storage, our minds often jump straight to buckets of long-term food and catastrophic emergencies. But in reality, most of the situations we are likely to face will have us reaching for the food already in our kitchen. In this episode, we're talking about layer one of my three-layer food storage system: your kitchen pantry. This often-overlooked layer is actually your first line of defense in everyday emergencies, from power outages to unexpected life disruptions. We t...
E31 · 9 Jun 2026 · 14 min
My Kids Ate My Food Storage: What I Learned
My kids ate my food storage. Well, not all of it, but after several of my adult children moved back home, our household went from three people to seven almost overnight. What happened next gave me a real-life test of my food storage system that I never planned for. In this episode, I'm sharing what foods disappeared first, what I had too much of, what surprised me, and what changes I'm making as a result. This unexpected pantry experiment taught me a lot about what our family actually uses. W...
E30 · 9 Jun 2026 · 5 min
5 Simple Preparedness Tasks You Can Do This Week
Preparedness doesn't have to be complicated, expensive, or take hours of your time. In this episode, I'm sharing five simple preparedness tasks you can do this week to help your family become more prepared for everyday emergencies and unexpected disruptions. These are practical, affordable steps that can make a big difference over time. We talk about: • Water storage and simple ways to get started • Keeping ready-to-eat meals in your freezer • Buying one extra item each grocery trip • Creatin...
E29 · 9 Jun 2026 · 8 min
Let Go of the Pressure to Do It All
After a long pause from the podcast, I'm sharing some of the lessons I've learned through one of the hardest seasons of my life. Life can change in ways we never expected. Sometimes the season we are in requires us to let go of the pressure to do it all and focus on what matters most. In this episode, I share a simple analogy that has helped me think differently about capacity, expectations, and grace. We talk about why it is okay to say no to good things, how our ability to carry responsibil...
E28 · 8 Feb 2023 · 14 min
Over 150 Non Food Preps
I talk a lot about food storage, but nonfood preps are just as important. Here are over 150 nonfood prep items from a recent post on my Instagram titled If You Use It, Prep It. So get a pen and paper and get ready to take some notes. Preparedness is nothing more than planning for the things to come, and we each get to decide what that looks like for our families. Maybe that's one extra of the items you use regularly, or maybe that's several months or years worth. The only wrong answer is not ...
E27 · 5 Oct 2022 · 57 min
Community is Important - Guest Patrice Lewis of Rural Revolution - Ep27
Today, we are having a conversation with Patrice Lewis of Rural Revolution. Join us as we discuss the importance of community in preparedness and the process of moving a homestead. We covered so many topics in episode 27. You can find Patrice on her blog http://www.rural-revolution.com/ Subscribe for Food Storage, Everyday Preparedness, and Homesteading. Jump in with my free Preparedness Planner. This 25-page PDF will guide you in core areas of preparedness and how to get sta...
E26 · 31 Aug 2022 · 52 min
Food Preservation Guest Crystal from Whole Fed Homestead - Ep26
Today's episode is a conversation with Crystal from Whole Fed Homestead. Join us as we talk about food preservation, long-term power outages, using a car as a solar dehydrator, her new book Freeze Fresh, and so much more. You can find Crystal: https://wholefedhomestead.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@wholefedhomestead https://www.instagram.com/wholefedhomestead/ Her book Freeze Fresh can be found in bookstores and online wherever books are sold. Subscribe for Food Storage, Ever...
E25 · 6 Jul 2022 · 55 min
Budget Prepping & More with Author Millie Copper - Ep25
Today's guest is an episode not to miss. I talked with author, mother, and prepper for over fifteen years, Millie Copper. Millie Copper writes fiction and non-fiction and is the author of the series Havoc in Wyoming. We talked about creative storage in small spaces, being off-grid, budget prepping, finding community as a prepper, her books, and so much more! You can find more about Millie's books at https://milliecopper.com/ You can connect on her blog which is full of preparedness ...
E24 · 27 Apr 2022 · 10 min
Prepared Not Scared - Proverbs 31 Woman - Ep24
Not my typical content; skip it if this isn't for you. Today, we are talking all about being Prepared, not scared, and how it relates to the Proverbs 31 Woman. Join the discussion on what fear is, how to move from a place of fear to a place of focus, and what it might look like in our preparedness journey. Episode 2 is mentioned https://www.thispreparedlife.com/podcasts/this-prepared-life Proverbs 31 is mentioned https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2031&...
E23 · 13 Apr 2022 · 41 min
Homesteading and Preparedness with Guest Jen Serenity Hill Farmstead - Ep23
Homesteading and preparedness when you don't live on your farm. Today's guest is Jen from Serenity Hill Farmstead. Jen is a mom to four living in Illinois. Join us today as we talk about her life homeschooling four children, homesteading when you don't live at your homestead, their shed-to-house conversion, living with an autoimmune disease, and so much more. This episode is packed full and not one to miss. You can find Jen at https://serenityhillfarmstead.com/ https://www.inst...
E22 · 16 Mar 2022 · 40 min
Carving a Farm out of the Woods with Guest Rylee - Ep22
Carving a farm out of the woods with passion and energy. Join this discussion with guest Rylee Faust. She is a 20-something homesteader, wife, & mom living in Northern MN. Today as we talk homesteading, prepping, making it work on one income, tips for new homesteaders, living this life with small children, and so much more! Rylee can be found here: https://www.instagram.com/rylee_faust/ Find episode 1 and 4 mentioned in the show here: https://www.thispreparedlife...
E21 · 9 Mar 2022 · 14 min
Bulk Buying with Azure Standard - Ep21
Azure Standard is my go-to resource for bulk buying and stocking my food storage and prepper pantry. In this episode, I walk you through everything from placing an order to picking it up at a drop site. I also share some of the items I buy and what I like about Azure. I wanted to clarify something regarding the shipping fees that were discussed in the episode. Please note that while using drops, there are no shipping charges. Some drops in certain areas do have a transportation fee....
E20 · 2 Mar 2022 · 12 min
Garden 101 - Garden Planning - Ep20
This is part three of the Garden 101 Series. Today, we are talking about one of the most exciting parts of gardening. Join me for a discussion about how I plan my garden, how I handle garden notes, what I plant, how much I plant, and figuring out where and when to plant for your growing zone. Subscribe for Food Storage, Everyday Preparedness, and Homesteading. Jump in with my free Preparedness Planner. This 25-page PDF will guide you in core areas of preparedness and how ...
E19 · 23 Feb 2022 · 1 hr 11 min
Women Who Prep Guest Roundtable Discussion - Ep19
Today is a special guest episode to end #womenwhoprep month over on Instagram. Join today's roundtable discussion with five guests. We answered some listener questions, shared our thoughts on women who prep, and so much more! Joining me today are: Miranda from https://www.instagram.com/ourbusyacres/ Des from https://www.instagram.com/muthaprepper/ Kim from https://www.instagram.com/the_preppyredhead/ Morgan from https://www.youtube.com/@roguepreparedness Adr...
E18 · 16 Feb 2022 · 10 min
Garden 101 - Getting Started - Ep18
Let's talk gardening! This is part two of the Garden 101 series. Today let's talk about starting a garden. Where to put your garden, different things to consider as you pick a space, from sunlight to accessibility, and so much more. I also touch on how to garden if you don't have space at all. You do not have to have land to garden! Subscribe for Food Storage, Everyday Preparedness, and Homesteading. Jump in with my free Preparedness Planner. This 25-page PDF will guide you i...
E17 · 9 Feb 2022 · 19 min
Garden 101 - Terms & Definitions - Ep17
Let's talk gardening! Spring is right around the corner, and gardeners are getting out their seed packets in anticipation. If you are a new or beginning gardener, this episode is for you. From annual to hybrid to days to harvest, in this episode, I define common gardening terms. I share examples and give you the knowledge you need to understand what you are reading in your garden books and on the backs of seed packets. The growing zone map I mentioned can be found at https://planth...
E16 · 2 Feb 2022 · 41 min
Practical Preparedness with Small Children - Guest JaNae Preparedlikeamother - Ep16
What is practical preparedness and what does it look like as a mom of young kids? Join the discussion in this episode with JaNae from PreparedLikeAMother. Janea lives in Utah with her husband and small children. You can find JaNae at: https://www.instagram.com/preparedlikeamother/ Subscribe for Food Storage, Everyday Preparedness, and Homesteading. Jump in with my free Preparedness Planner. This 25-page PDF will guide you in core areas of preparedness and how to get started. https...
E15 · 26 Jan 2022 · 10 min
3 Ways to Focus Your Preparedness - Ep15
Prparedness is about your mindset. Join me today for three ways that you can focus your preparedness. We talk about skills, failure, and more. The video mentioned can be found herehttps://www.instagram.com/p/CUvcgHWB2G3/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Subscribe for Food Storage, Everyday Preparedness, and Homesteading. Jump in with my free Preparedness Planner. This 25-page PDF will guide you in core areas of preparedness and how to get started. https://www.thispreparedlife.com/prep-...
E14 · 19 Jan 2022 · 46 min
Journey to Self-Sufficiency with Chelsea of Little Mountain Ranch - Ep14
Join me today for another guest episode. This one with Chelsea of Little Mountain Ranch. Today we talked about her journey to self-sufficiency, her family's experience with a 47-day evacuation, and so much more. Chelsea lives in the mountains of northern BC with her husband and their children. Chelsea is a homestead prepper with years of experience in all things, from gardening to animals to food storage. You can find Chelsea at: https://www.littlemountainranch.com/...
E13 · 15 Jan 2022 · 10 min
5 Tips to Get Started in Preparedness - Ep13
Prepping is nothing more than planning for the things to come. You get to decide what that looks like. Here are five things you can do to get started in preparedness. We also discuss some questions you can ask yourself to define gaps in your preparedness and take prepping one step further. Subscribe for Food Storage, Everyday Preparedness, and Homesteading. Jump in with my free Preparedness Planner. This 25-page PDF will guide you in core areas of preparedness and how to get ...
E12 · 13 Oct 2021 · 1 hr 2 min
Tips for New Preppers with Guest Des MuthaPrepper - Ep12
Urban and Suburban prepping with Des from MuthaPrepper. Des works full-time as a mom and full-time outside of the house as well. She lives in CA with her family and gardens in the suburbs. Join us for this guest conversation about her journey to preparedness, tips for new preppers, and more. You can find Des at: https://www.instagram.com/muthaprepper/ https://www.muthaprepper.com/ https://www.youtube.com/c/MuthaPrepper Subscribe for Food Storage, Everyday Preparedness, and Homestea...
E11 · 6 Oct 2021 · 12 min
Root Cellaring - Food Preservation - Ep11
You don't need a root cellar or a basement to store vegetables for months. Join me for this podcast episode on root cellaring. This form of food preservation is the least amount of work, and there are alternatives for those of us who don't actually have a root cellar in our homes! The book mentioned was Putting Food By by Hertzberg. https://amzn.to/42rJ0Yq Another great root cellar book is Root Cellaring By Bubel https://amzn.to/495vtYY Subscribe for Food Storage, E...

About This Prepared Life

This Prepared Life is a English learning podcast from Allison Michael. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Allison Michael
Language: English
Category: Learning
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 14 min
Latest episode: 11 Aug 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1580607361

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