Meet the preppers

Sometimes the world can seem a scary and dangerous place. So how prepared are you for when things go wrong?

We’ve lived through the Covid pandemic, and you don’t have to doomscroll for long to find other threats ranging from natural disasters and cyber-attacks to nuclear conflict or the existential threat of climate change.

But a growing number of people are preparing for almost any kind of emergency and are ready to protect their loved ones. They are known as ‘preppers’ and, in our conversation, we bring together four of them.

“A lot of people talk about preparedness like it’s stockpiling fear but it’s actually stockpiling peace,” Kellene tells host James Reynolds. “It’s a way of life, not a destination.”

The prepper – or survivalist – movement was once quite niche, today it’s much more mainstream. Our guests share their plans, offer advice and discuss the stereotypes.

“Most people do think we’re a little bonkers till an event happens that impacts their life,” Krystal says.

Presenter: James Reynolds
BBC producers: Isabella Bull and Lindsay Brown
Boffin Media producer: Richard Hollingham
Editors: Harriet Oliver and Arja Haikonen

A Boffin Media production in partnership with the BBC World Service Outside Source team.

(Photo: Derrick James)