On the one-year anniversary of the Los Angeles fires, Oh Gross! host Kara Kurcz and Molly revisits a conversation that feels just as urgent today as it did when it first aired.

For Kara, interviewing Kerry Sanders was a full-circle moment. The conversation offered rare insight into how the world’s most experienced crisis journalists prepare long before disaster strikes, and how the public can take simple, practical steps to be more prepared in everyday life.

Kerry Sanders, a veteran NBC News correspondent with more than 32 years in the field, has reported from 65 countries, all 7 continents, and every U.S. state, covering hundreds of natural disasters. In this Webby-nominated episode, Kara and Kerry move beyond headlines to talk about what real crisis preparedness looks like when the cameras are off.

They discuss evacuation planning, what actually belongs in a go-bag, and how families can assess risk based on where they live. Kerry also reflects on his coverage of Hurricane Andrew and Hurricane Katrina, sharing lessons that remain relevant long after a crisis ends.

The episode also examines the challenge of misinformation during emergencies, including how crises can be reported without causing panic and how audiences can identify trustworthy information in an age of instant, unverified updates.

This re-release is intentional. As a new year begins, the episode serves as a reminder that crisis preparedness should be part of an annual routine, not something we only think about during a disaster. Whether you are listening for the first time or returning to this conversation, the takeaway is clear: preparedness starts long before the emergency begins.

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