You’re probably more of a doomsday prepper than you realize — and the roots of the practice in America run much deeper than emergency kits and fallout shelters.

Political scientist Robert Kirsch, co-author of Be Prepared: Doomsday Prepping in the United States, joins the show to explore how American history shaped our individualistic approach to preparedness. He explains “bunkerization,” why preparing for disaster has become a personal responsibility, and what that means for government policy, our connections to our neighbors and how we envision tomorrow.

Further reading:

• Be Prepared: Doomsday Prepping in the United States by Robert Kirsch and Emily Ray
• Shopping Our Way to Safety by Andrew Szasz
• We Are All Preppers Now by Tom Doig
• Hot Mess by Sarah Wiebe
• Bunker by Jenny Perlin

Learn more about the College of Integrative Sciences and Arts at ASU and the Käte Hamburger Centre for Apocalyptic and Post-Apocalyptic Studies at Heidelberg University.

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Episode credits

Special thanks to Rick Pretzman and the Central Plant staff

Executive produced by Kate Howells

Produced by Alexander Chapin and Pete Zrioka

Hosted and reported by Pete Zrioka

Shot by Alexander Chapin

Edited by Christian Van Bebber

Original music from Patrick Cheung

Motion graphics by Andy Ramos

Art by Andy Keena and Sophia Franz

Editorial support from Diane Boudreau

Social media management by Lauren Hebing and Kyler Litson

Disclosure:

Opinions expressed on this show reflect the views of the individuals only, not the policy or opinion of Arizona State University.