Prepping: how to stop living in fear of disaster with Professor Lucy Easthope | Special Episode

With frightening headlines, global uncertainty and growing conversations about disaster prepping, more of us are wondering whether we should be stocking up on emergency supplies, putting together survival kits or preparing for the worst. But when does sensible preparation become a source of anxiety? And how do we make sure that prepping for a potential disaster doesn't leave us living in constant fear?

In this special bonus episode of Therapy Works, Julia Samuel is joined by Professor Lucy Easthope, one of the UK's leading experts in disaster preparedness and recovery, who has spent more than 20 years advising governments and supporting communities through crises. Drawing on her experience responding to disasters, and her books When the Dust Settles and Come What May, Lucy explores the psychology of prepping, why uncertainty can feel so overwhelming and how we can prepare for emergencies without allowing fear to take over.
Together, Julia and Lucy discuss everything from prepping emergency survival kits and priming for power cuts to the psychological impact of living through the pandemic and why we often avoid thinking about worst-case scenarios. They explore the difference between practical preparedness and doomsday thinking, how constant exposure to frightening headlines and doomscrolling can fuel anxiety, and why having a simple emergency plan can actually help us feel more in control.

They also reflect on the importance of community and looking out for one another during a crisis, the sudden death of Lucy's father and what it taught her about living in the present, and why true resilience isn't about preparing for every possible disaster, but knowing when to put the survival kit away, stop worrying about what might happen and find joy in everyday life.

Books mentioned:
When the Dust Settles by Professor Lucy Easthope
Come What May by Professor Lucy Easthope

Chapters:
00:00 – Introducing Professor Lucy Easthope
02:20 – Why preparing for disasters can increase anxiety
04:35 – Is the world really becoming more dangerous?
06:15 – Why we avoid thinking about the worst
09:57 – The psychological impact of the pandemic
13:40 – How to prepare without living in fear
16:06 – Practical ways to manage anxiety and doomscrolling
21:51 – What the death of Lucy's father taught her about life
23:28 – Why community and connection build resilience
31:09 – Lucy's top tips for feeling prepared and staying calm

Join Julia, Emily and Sophie for a special live Therapy Works event in London on 7th December, exploring how to navigate the challenges of Christmas. Book your tickets here (thetimes.com/event/therapy-works-live-with-jul…).

Looking for therapy? Julia runs the Samuel Therapy Practice alongside her daughters, Emily and Sophie. If you're looking for support or help finding the right therapist, visitsamueltherapypractice.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com.

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Guest: Lucy Easthope
Producer: Georgie Rutherford
Executive Producer: Emily Leahy
Video Producer: Darren Michael
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