Tag Archives: alternative energy

Episode-657- Creating the Low Cost BOL

Posted on May 4, 2011 by Modern Survival| 35 Comments
Episode-657- Creating the Low Cost BOL [ 1:15:19 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The Dirt Cheap Survival RetreatToday we are going to take a look at setting up a BOL on the cheap or at least inexpensively.  There are a ton of ways to accomplish this and land is still one of the best investments a person can make.

I also do a brief review today of a great resource for setting up that low cost retreat, it is called, The Dirt Cheap Survival Retreat by M.D. Creekmore, author of The Survivalist Blog.

If you have never read M.D. Blog take a look at it today because he has some great information and insights on modern survival living.

Join me today as I discuss…

  • New Prospective Guest Survey Form
  • Awesome money saving show on the way
  • My thoughts on M.D. Creekmore’s new book
  • Thoughts on land, what you need, what you don’t
  • Solar vs. wind vs. grid
  • Propane is your friend
  • Small generators
  • Creative battery charging
  • Travel trailer vs. shed/shack vs. shipping container
  • Distance desirable vs. distance tolerable
  • Security when off site
  • Internet access
  • Identify the area, then hunt

Additional Resources for Today’s Show

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK and you might hear yourself on the air.

→ 35 Comments

Posted in Podcasts

Tagged , , , , ,

Episode-626- Prepping from Starting Out to Advanced Tactics

Posted on March 17, 2011 by Modern Survival| 25 Comments
Episode-626- Prepping from Starting Out to Advanced Tactics [ 54:58 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
Food Storage is One Major Component of Survival

Food Storage is One Major Component of Survival. - Photo Credit to Linda & Clark via flickr

With the disaster in Japan I am getting a lot of emails from brand new people and long time listeners, the basic question is “what should we do”?  Well this may be hard for you to believe given the non stop media coverage of the burning reactor but the answer is, unless you are in Japan you should probably not do anything.  That said getting out of Japan unless you are part of the relief efforts probably isn’t a bad idea.

You certainly shouldn’t go spend 100 dollars for a bottle of potassium iodine on eBay because you will be able to get all you want for about 15 bucks a bottle in about a month, there is really nothing for you to do, perhaps other than make a contribution to the relief efforts in Japan.

What we all should be doing right now personally is using this current disaster as a gut check of sorts.  Rather than worry about some fictitious cloud of death, that just isn’t going to happen you should be asking the following.  What would it have meant to me had this disaster occurred in California or New York?  What if it had just been a tsunami, just a nuclear accident or just an earth quake but had happened much closer to me, would I have been prepared enough to shelter in place or get out of dodge?

With that in mind I think it is time we take a show to go back and just talk about prepping in general, the tenets of preparedness and self evaluation of how we would handle a disaster that wasn’t thousands of miles away.

Join me today as we discuss…

  • Why now is not the time to panic but to plan
  • Why 30 days is the absolute minimum amount of food you should have on hand
  • Why having a means of water purification is more important than water storage
  • Why you need both lethal and non lethal methods of self defense
  • Getting started with personal energy independence
  • Understanding how most people are enslaved by the systems
  • Realizing the link between liberty and prepping

Additional Resources for Today’s Show

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK and you might hear yourself on the air.

→ 25 Comments

Posted in Podcasts

Tagged , , , , , , ,

Episode-566- Cam Mather on Off Grid Living

Posted on December 8, 2010 by Modern Survival| 9 Comments
Episode-566- Cam Mather on Off Grid Living [ 1:22:43 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Cam Mather who originally appeared in Episode 364 is back to share another round of wisdom about living off grid.

Cam and his family unplugged from the grid about 14 years ago, today they are continuing their journey by expanding agricultural production, expanding their solar arrays and more.

His first book “Thriving During Challenging Times, The Energy, Food and Financial Independence Handbook” provides a road map for readers to deal with the converging challenges of climate change, peak oil and resource depletion and the economic crisis.

His second book “The All You Can Eat Gardening Handbook” shows how to turn your back yard into your own “One-Hundred-Foot-Diet Produce Department” with minimal fossil inputs.

Join us today to learn…

  • The real joy of living the “unplugged life”
  • Why unplugged doesn’t mean dark ages or low tech
  • How you can begin your own journey to energy independence
  • Why efficiency is the cheapest form of alternative energy
  • Growing your own food
  • Storing your surplus production
  • Surviving ice storms in style
  • Inexpensive ways to build your soil with things others throw away
  • Staying in touch with satellite internet and TV options

Resources for Today’s Show

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK and you might hear yourself on the air.

→ 9 Comments

Posted in Podcasts

Tagged , , , , ,

Episode-467- If the World Doesn’t End Won’t You Feel Stupid?

Posted on July 1, 2010 by Modern Survival| 1 Comment
Episode-467- If the World Doesn't End Won't You Feel Stupid? No! [ 1:07:28 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

I see and hear versions of this admittedly extreme version of why survivalists are nuts all the time. I just talked to a guy that pointed out how “we were all gonna die from swine flu” and it turned out to be nothing but “a bunch of bullshit”. I guess he hadn’t listened to my show called, “Lessons From the Non Event of Swine Flu“.

It is really common though for the average person to look at a “prepper” or “survivalist” and wonder why we in their minds waste money and resources. The reality is we actually save money and maximize resources it all depends on how you look at things. As I said from day one, modern survivalism is about “living a better life if times get tough, or even if they don’t”. Is it really possible though, you bet.

Join me today as we discuss…

  • The myth, the world must end as we know it for preparedness to pay off
  • The well it won’t happen to me bias, the why and dangers behind it
  • Why debt elimination must be part of the plan or the naysayers may be right about you
  • Why you never lose money storing food if you do it with sanity
  • The value of “alternative energy” even just at the property value level
  • Gun ownership is like voting, exercise the right or you may very well lose it
  • Having some gold and silver is something every rich guy I know does, so why not you too
  • A garden improves physical health, improves mental health and can increase property values
  • Only the ignorant would say being informed is a bad idea
  • Help me out, what is the “down side” in this survivalist thing

Resources for Today’s Show

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show.

You also now can call in questions or comments for the host at 866-65-THINK, (866-658-4465) please read the suggestions for calling in before you do for the best chance of getting your comments on the air.

→ 1 Comment

Posted in Podcasts

Tagged , , , ,

Episode-437- The Road to Individual Energy Independence

Posted on May 18, 2010 by Modern Survival| 16 Comments
Episode-437- The Road to Individual Energy Independence [ 0:01 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Today we discuss “alternative energy”, not always “green energy” as a path to energy independence.  Like many topics that involve “independence” it is not an all or nothing concept, unlike death, independence does come in degrees.  So what we cover today ranges from initial baby steps to full tilt off grid life.

Join me today as we discuss…

  • The why’s behind the quest energy independence
    • Alternative vs. green energy
    • Polar bears vs. practicality
    • Peak oil?   May be.  Peak expense?  Inevitable.
    • Taxation
    • Disaster
    • Liberty
  • Steps on the route to independence
    • Start with efficiency
    • Identify reality (lights aren’t that big a deal)
    • Building a back up system
    • Adding a small generator
    • Adding solar/wind to your back up system
    • Adding a large generator
    • Building a passive solar heater
    • Building a solar hot water heater
    • Going full tilt with solar and wind

Resources for today’s show…

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK and you might hear yourself on the air.

→ 16 Comments

Posted in Podcasts

Tagged , , , , ,

Episode-365- An Interview with Cam Mather

Posted on January 27, 2010 by Modern Survival| 8 Comments
Episode-365- An Interview with Cam Mather [ 1:04:12 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Today on the Survival Podcast I interview Cam Mather.  Cam is a great guy and a wealth of knowledge. Living on 150 acres of forests and ponds, north of Napanee and northwest of Kingston, Ontario Canada and being as independent as he can. He has channeled his real world knowledge into a book called, “Thriving During Challenging Times: The Energy, Food and Financial Independence Handbook”

Join Cam and I today as we discuss…

  • The reasons we need to focus on energy independence today
  • What you can do to become more financially independent even on a less then median wage
  • The problems with how so many of us get our food today
  • Advice for growers in northern climates
  • The advantages of country living
  • The challenges and rewards of living off grid
  • The potential effects of peak oil and peak water
  • Some of the biggest pending threats including pandemic and food shortages
  • Advice on freedom and making it happen for yourself

Resources for today’s show…

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK and you might hear yourself on the air.

→ 8 Comments

Posted in Podcasts

Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

Episode-345- An Interview with Christopher Nyerges

Posted on December 28, 2009 by Modern Survival| 6 Comments
Episode-345- An Interview with Christopher Nyerges [ 1:04:13 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Join me today as I interview Christopher Nyerges from the editorial staff of Wilderness Way Magazine.  Christopher is also the author of quite a few books and a wealth of knowledge on gardening, permaculture, botany, alternative energy, wilderness survival skills and more.

Note of Correction – In today’s show I mention a 5000 year old food forest, that was an error it was a 2000 year old forest.  I apologize for the misstatement and a link to the Youtube video is in today’s show notes.

Join me today as we discuss…

  • Christopher’s new book, The Self Sufficient Home
  • How to be cost effective with solar, wind and other energy projects
  • Why being part of the effort is key to success with alternative energy projects
  • The parallels between surviving urban/suburban disasters and wilderness survival
  • The importance of caring for others in a survival situation
  • Why political awareness is important for modern survivalism
  • The three illusions of money
  • Why Christopher choose the format for his new book of showing multiple families and communities with real world projects
  • The importance of growing your own food
  • Methods of harvesting water and why it is key to your success
  • Why “resource shortage” is more important that political concepts like global warming

Resources for today’s show…

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show.  Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK and you might hear yourself on the air.

→ 6 Comments

Posted in Podcasts

Tagged , , , , , ,

Episode-321- Personal Energy Independence and Gun Rights

Posted on November 19, 2009 by Modern Survival| 24 Comments
Episode-321- Personal Energy Independence and Gun Rights [ 44:51 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

I am doing a bit of a change up today, first I am going to read an email from a listener about how his family’s life has changed due to TSP, then an article I wrote many years ago about a gun I have carried for almost three decades and then move on to today’s main topic energy independence.

PLEASE REMEMBER to vote for us in the General Category of the Podcast Awards, you can vote once a day until Nov. 31st.

Tune in Today to Hear…

  • What TSP has meant to one family
  • My story of an old Marlin 22 and what it can teach us
  • Taking slow steady steps to individual energy independence
  • Why the politics of “climate change” do matter
  • How energy dependence creates an infinite tax web
  • Why we must resist cap and trade
  • Why windmills and solar panels owned by the utility companies won’t ever fix our issues
  • How you can build a back up batter box and use it to move forward
  • What a battery back up and one solar panel can teach you
  • The reason you should own two generators not just one
  • How to think about your own energy needs in a way that will create action
  • Why achieving even 10% independence for yourself changes everything

Resources for today’s show…

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show.  Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK and you might hear yourself on the air.

→ 24 Comments

Posted in Podcasts

Tagged , , , , ,

Episode-229- Do You Have a Home or a Homestead

Posted on June 26, 2009 by Modern Survival| 12 Comments
Episode-229- Do You Have a Home or a Homestead [ 44:17 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Today we cover a bit of everything today with some users questions and comments address, some news going on with Jim Rodgers and dig deep into the concept of turning a home into a homestead today.

Tune in today to hear…

  • Should you buy Rubles or Canadian Dollars, what does Jim Rogers think
  • If you live in London Jim Rogers says “If you’re in London you’re in the wrong place at the wrong time… You gotta move east.”  what does that mean for you and me?
  • China’s government might block the purchase of Hummer, what is up with that?
  • Vote to get me on Freedom Watch (vote here)
  • What was the original homestead creation like
  • Does your grass produce anything for you
  • How many hours a day do you work to cool/heat your home
  • What does the BRIC alliance have to do with your need for a homestead
  • Is there enough room for 2-3 million new small farms?  Yes!
  • How can small farms benefit the whole nation not just the homesteaders
  • My last word on the term sheeple and why I use it and will continue to
  • Does the economy need to always grow, is that even reasonable
  • What does your home provide back to you, how much input is required
  • How do you plant with out digging, simple don’t dig, seriously
  • Who is today’s modern survivalist are people beginning to realize who he/she is
  • Why you have your own answers already, just ask the right questions

Resources for Today’s Show

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show.

You also now can call in questions or comments for the host at 866-65-THINK, (866-658-4465) please read the suggestions for calling in before you do for the best chance of getting your comments on the air.

→ 12 Comments

Posted in Podcasts

Tagged , , , ,

Episode-212- My Thoughts on Earth 2100

Posted on June 3, 2009 by Modern Survival| 15 Comments
Episode-212- My Thoughts on Earth 2100 [ 46:47 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

We take a break today from the listener call in shows to do a review of a T.V. show that ran on ABC last night called “Earth 2100″.  This was an interesting look at what was called a “worse case scenario” over the next 91 Years.

Tune in Today to Hear…

  • Wast Earth 2100 a global warming propaganda piece?  Yes and no.
  • Would Lake Mead really run dry is that the real threat to our water supply
  • Can we actually build “self sufficient” sky scrapers?  Yes but it doesn’t mean we will.
  • The left out real potential energy sources (geothermal and tidal)
  • How environmentalism is actually preventing the giant solar farms depicted in 2012
  • What all large scale power generation has in common mechanically
  • A positive outlook about being an armed citizen, will someone at ABC get fired for that?
  • Why New York really could end up “underwater” and what was accurate about that depiction.
  • Could a global pandemic really kill billions?
  • Why global warming is a problem even though I don’t think carbon is the trigger.
  • How the “worse case scenario” may actually be far to optimistic.
  • The fallacy that New York and San Diego will be the “safe places” during the initial breakdown.
  • Why individual action not the fascist cooperation of government and industry.

Resources for Today’s Show

tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show.

You also now can call in questions or comments for the host at 866-65-THINK, (866-658-4465) please read the suggestions for calling in before you do for the best chance of getting your comments on the air.

→ 15 Comments

Posted in Podcasts

Tagged , , , , , ,