Tag Archives: community

Episode-1065- Mark Kirkwood on Hybrid Earthships and Building Community

Construction Begins on a New Hybrid Earthship

Construction Begins on a New Hybrid Earthship

Mark Kirkwood is the cofounder of Biotecture Training and a self proclaimed life long survivalist.  He teaches aquaponics, earthship construction, sustainable living and survival through community development.

He is 36 years old and his past careers have included working as a banker, health insurance professional, pest control specialist and as a construction worker.

Mark is currently married with 3 children. He and his business partner have invested a year and a half and several tens of thousands of dollars to build a foundation for people to come and learn how to live free of “the systems of man”.

Mark joins us today to discuss earthships and how they are the perfect survival vehicle. We discuss Biotecture Trainings new hybrid earthship that is mixed with Monolithic dome technology and brings the price down significantly.  We also discuss the training they offer to teach people how to build these new earthships in conjunction with aquaponics and permaculture.

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.

Episode-1035- How I Would Personally Design a Sustainable Community

We just had Brian Newhouse on with a discussion on Permaville.  Since then I have been reading his book and while I like a lot of it, there are some compoenents I don’t agree with.  Such as having land “where no human may step”.

Though my view is if anyone buys land individually or collectively it is their land to do with as they please.  Hell there are definitely some parts of my heavily wooded 5 acres I haven’t stepped on, at least a few square feet of thick brambles or two.  Of course it is by choice, not decree.

This got me thinking that I have often described in pieces and parts what my vision for what we could call my own version of Permaville would be like but I have never described it deeply.   So I am going to do that today.  If you hear anything you think is “totally wrong” remember that anyone could build a community anyway they choose if you can find others to willing do it with you.

Just to be clear my ideas here would be for my community and any rules or ways of things confined to the borders of a privately held piece of land.  It is in no way how I think others should live.  When it comes to my day to day life I am a libertarian, but when it comes to my ideology, I am a voluntarist, please keep that in mind today.

Join Me Today As We Discuss…

  • My community would be started from scratch so all involvement is voluntary
  • There would only be 5 main rules
    • 1st rule would be individuals may use personal property as they choose, period
    • 2′nd rule would be people must attempt to solve problems directly first
    • 3′rd rule seek community arbitration before “contacting authorities”
    • 4th rule no one may harm another or take their property
    • 5th rule common areas have their own rules
  • The concept of private property and collective ownership
    • Each land unit is one “share” of the whole
    • Common areas are managed for community and commercial use
    • Community needs before commercial gain
    • Commercial gain is distributed based on share holdings
    • Expenditures and purchases are voted on by share holders
    • All “community dues” are voluntary
    • Community dues can be sweat, commodity or monetary
  • Functions, Goals and Operations
    • Individual home sites in the 1 acre range
    • Approximately 20% of total land should be common or infrastructure
    • Property should be as off grid as possible (about regulations not polar bears)
    • Lots are privately held and common areas are in a land based trust
    • Common areas are use for community production, education and commercial production

This isn’t a full picture just the basic components but I feel a society run this way would be tight nit, highly resilient and solve almost all of its own problems.   Someday I may formalize this into a book and call it Perma Libertyville.

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.

Episode-1018- The Vision of the TSP DRT

Disasters are Nothing New as this Photo from 1900 Clearly Shows

A week ago I floated the idea of a new group, the TSP-DRT or The Survival Podcast Disaster Response Team.  Due to a large number of both positive and negative responses on Friday I released a blog post explaining it a bit more in depth.  Today I will lay out a true vision for the DRT with far more details and a better explanation of the role I see the DRT playing in the future.

I will also lay out my concepts of a vetting process for DRT Team members along with minimum level training/certifications.  Additionally I will tell you why I feel such a new group is necessary rather then TSP simply joining or partnering with an existing group.

From there I will lay out my concept for on going training, drills, community outreach and “musters” along with how we can ensure that on site responders are aware of the DRT and can understand how to best utilize our assistance.

There are two primary goals with today’s show…

  1. Explain the DRT Concept Fully to the TSP Community
  2. Provide a vision and starting point to the DRT Leadership Team

Join Me Today As We Discuss…

  • Why the DRT and why now
  • Why we really do need to do this as an individual group
  • Why I will only be an adviser to the leadership council
  • Minimum level skills/training/certification required to be part of DRT
  • The operations manual and making it available to other responders
  • How responders/LEOs will be able to vet our team members in seconds
  • How DRT will be different by providing the “most needed” items on demand
  • The need for initial drills, non-disaster deployments and musters
  • The primary concepts I currently have for what the DRT will do
  • Why those that say it can’t be done should get out of the way of those already doing it

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.

Episode-893- Why Being a Lone Wolf Won’t Work for 99% or More of Disasters

Even Wolves Survive in Packs

Even Wolves Survive in Packs

Many preppers seem to think telling anyone, anything about your views on preparedness is a huge mistake.  They point out it might make you a target of everyone who isn’t prepared when doomsday comes.

Others seem to embody the very reasons others are so tight lipped about their preps.  These are the self absorbed jackasses that state nonsense like, “My AR15 and 2,000 round are all the survival kit I will ever need”.  Such people live in a world of Hollywood B movies and fan fiction novels.  In the real world such tactics are seldom effective for a variety of reasons.

This is why I have always taught that while there is a place for basic and common sense opsec it is still highly important to build community for both day to day living and for the eventual reality of a possible or even probable disaster.

Recently I got an email that caused me to do this show, it read as follows…

“Jack I grew way too many potatoes this year and have over 100 pounds more than I can use.  I thought about selling them at the farmer’s market but that might make me a magnet when TSHTF, I thought about the neighbors but that may even be worse in attracting people if there is a disaster and I thought about donating them to a church but again that might make me a magnet if the SHTF, what should I do with all these extra potatoes.

Here is what my wife did when I read this to her

  1. Rolled her eyes
  2. Sighed and laughed
  3. Asked “is he serious?”
  4. Stated, “well if he is that paranoid just donate them anonymously”
  5. Asked, “has he been listening to you at all?”

While her response was great there were two bigger points here,

  1. Unencumbered by paranoia she found a solution in about 30 seconds, donate anomalously
  2. She saw at once the folly in the paranoia

I get a lot of emails that tell me many of the people in the audience are not yet sold on the true community aspects of prepping, so today I present to you 10 reasons why the lone wolf approach will not work in 99% or more disasters.

Join Me Today As I Discuss…

  • What are humans at their core
  • Why is communication considered critical by even the lone wolf
  • 10 reasons you can’t go it alone or in a “tactical squad” successfully
    • 1.  Most disasters will not result in total break down
    • 2.  Most people can’t afford the resources for long term self reliance
    • 3.  You can only prey on others while they have something to take
    • 4.  Rebuilding will take precedence over tearing down
    • 5.  The weakest are strong in an organized group
    • 6.  In all but the most extreme examples LEOs will still be on the job
    • 7.  You don’t have close air support and massive logistics support
    • 8.  What ever you store will run out eventually
    • 9.  You are one serious injury or illness away from being essentially useless
    • 10. You will need, want and desire recovery as much as anyone else
  • What is Proper Prepper OpSec?
    • Discuss basic preparedness not how much you have
    • Create relationships not dependence
    • Encourage action, any positive action, not here is all the stuff I do
    • Stick to the more basic disasters people can relate to
    • When you are pushing a string, stop
    • See your priority as, family, neighborhood, city/town
    • Realize in the worst case scenario, existing makes you a target

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.

Episode-887- How to Talk to Others About Prepping

Today’s show is going to be very cool.  I actually got feedback for it on Zello this morning during my drive in and I am going to play part of that feedback for you in the lead off portion of the show today.  Remember anyone with a Android phone, an iPhone or a Mac or PC with speakers and a mic can join us at Zello.

Join Me Today As I Discuss…

  • Using Zello itself to get people thinking about possible disasters
  • Real feedback on Zello about talking to others about prepping form other TSP members
  • Use existing interests
  • Don’t use language like “when X happen Y will be the result”, use could and might
  • Use low resistance events as examples
  • Ask questions like do you think and what would you do if
  • Use follow up questions like, how long do you think that would work
  • If “non reality TV” comes up explain the truth about it
  • Why informing others is so important at this time in history

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.

Episode-862- The Modern Homesteading Mindset

Some folks wonder why I spend so much effort on homesteading type topics.  Simply put because modern survivalism is about a better quality of life, not just prepping for total systems failure.  In fact I feel in many ways that systems have already failed or are actively failing.

Understand the role of society and government is supposed to be to make sure people have individual rights and the ability to pursue happiness.  While it may be the case that these words are part of our foundational documents I view them as universal natural law.

Join Me Today As I Discuss…

  • How well are “the systems” working for the average person
  • Homesteading as a mindset vs. tasks and stuff
  • What were the goals of the original homesteaders
  • Typical modern homestead lifestyles
    • Urban Homesteading
    • Suburban Homesteading
    • Rural Homesteading
    • Off Grid Homesteading
  • How the six needs of survival relate to homesteading
    • Food
    • Water
    • Shelter
    • Energy
    • Security
    • Sanitation
  • The importance of community for homesteaders
  • The concept of a true “homesteaders community”

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.

Episode-796- The Future of The Survival Podcast

I feel that we have been on sort of a whirl wind tour with awesome guests, interesting topics and world events.  That’s great of course but it also has me thinking more about the show’s roots and our core message, things I very much never want to loose.

Some long time listeners may be wondering if we might drift from those root messages and core values, the answer is a solid no.  Join me today as I discuss what my goals are for the TSP community in 2012 and how I plant to get us there.

Join me today to hear…

  • The core messages that have built TSP
    • You are not alone
    • What you do matters
    • Understand what you are, a human being
    • Preparedness is a virtue
    • Times may or may not get really tough
    • There is much to be optimistic about
  • Why I am going to cap guest shows in 2012 at 2 a week maximum
  • Why I am working hard to do “Five Minutes with Jack” in addition to TSP
  • My personal biggest concerns for our future
    • The economy
    • Downward class migration
    • Long bell curve peak oil
    • Climate shifts (no I haven’t crossed over to the AGW Church)
    • Agriculture failures
    • Water shortages/conflicts
    • Global socialism
    • Pandemic
  • What I believe we can do about the future
    • Preserve skills, knowledge and values
    • Believe in a better future rather then “false nostalgia”
    • Move to a system based purchasing model
    • Speak the truth about liberty daily
    • Be the real “first responders” in a crisis
  • Some of my other plans for 2012
    • More public appearances
    • Developing a educational program for “warrior permaculture”
    • More “regular guy/gal” guests
    • Podcast from “the road” (not mobile studio)
    • Get out and video what you are doing
    • Show you everything we are doing at our homestead
    • Do something totally awesome for episode 1,000

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.

Episode-728- Personal Liberty and Actionable Garden Intelligence

Two we have a two part episode.  In the first part I discuss more about Jan Cline and a progress report on what the TSP audience has done so far.  As of this morning Jan had received over 16,000 and the TSP community by my best count has chipped in over 5,000 of that 16K.

Additionally we discuss personal liberty and why standing up in situations like this is important for everyone’s liberty including our own.  I am also asking you to call the Mayor of Salem Oregon today and tell her what a waiver is!  She stated that they are “looking for a solution to the problem are trying to find some commercial property she can use for her sales”.  Only politicians are stupid enough to see this as a solution.

Apparently this mayor thinks it is okay to expect a woman so riddled with bone cancer to carry her stuff to some “commercial property”.  A woman so riddled with cancer that in her own words, “I could break my leg by walking”.

Personally I feel that at this point that Jan won’t need the sales anymore.  Her real hope though was, “I hope no one else ever has to go through this”.  Well we have come together to help Jan financially now today let us come together to make that wish come true at least in Salem.  Please call the mayor and explain to her that she could and should fix this in 5 minutes with a waiver if she had courage to use her power to do just that.  You can find contact information for Salem’s mayor here.

In part two of the show we discuss the lessons I have learned with my bag and container gardens this year.

Some of the things I  have learned this year…

  • Mason wasps are cool
  • Red wasps patrol your plants looking for prey
  • Cope’s Gray Frogs like dog dishes and blossoms for mini ponds
  • Green anoles are very prolific
  • Swifts and skinks like wood and rock piles
  • Black ants may kill squash vine borers (not sure yet)
  • Bag gardening works great you just have to water often
  • Watermelons grow beautifully in my area

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.

Win a Free AR7 Survival Rifle From Ready Made Resources!

How would you like to win an AR7 Survival Rifle? Silly question isn’t it, of course you want a free gun, well now you can get one for practically nothing. Okay well you do have to be a U.S. resident and you do have to pay the 20 dollar transfer fee to a local FFL so everything is nice and legal like but that is still a pretty sweet deal.

Like the original Henry US Survival Rifle, the latest take on this innovative, semi-automatic rifle is lightweight (just 2.5 lbs) and highly portable. At just 16 ½” long (when all the components are stowed), it fits easily into the cargo area of a plane or boat or in a backpack. And because it’s chambered in .22LR you can carry a large quantity of ammunition, without adding much weight to your gear.

When disassembled, the pieces fit inside the impact-resistant, waterproof stock, which will float should it take a trip overboard. Assembly is as easy as attaching the receiver to the stock, inserting the barrel and screwing on the barrel nut. In just a few seconds, without the need for any tools, the Henry U.S. Survival AR-7 is ready for action.

These rifles retail for 275 dollars and you can find them at the Ready Made Resources website but hey you want yours free right?

All you  have to do then is fill out one simple form and of course Ready Made Resources will never share your information with anyone.  The contest will run from now until midnight June the 17th.

But it Gets Better!

How you ask?  Well how would you like to see me do a full tilt review of this rifle?  To do that I need one of my own and you can help me get one, just share this contest with your friends by giving them a link to this page, post it on facebook, forums, twitter etc.  If 2,500 people or more enter the contest Rob at Ready Made Resources will send me one as well!  How is that for awesome?

Is that Really Better?  What’s in it for You

Well this is a great way to promote The Survival Podcast and build our community.  Yet I admit getting a gun for myself and lots of visitors is kind of self serving so I went out and got a bigger commitment from Rob, if we hit the 2,500 mark not only do I get a gun, in July Robert and RMR will run another contest this time for an awesomely tricked out AR15 Upper valued at over 800 dollars.

So do a favor for yourself and the TSP Community and take the following steps.

1.  Use the form on the Ready Made Resources Site and Enter to win.

2.  Tell your friends to take a shot at winning to, do it on facebook, twitter, by email, whatever NO SPAMMING PLEASE.

3.  Consider “liking” The RMR Fanpage on facebook as a way of saying thanks to them for such an awesome contest.

Episode-345- An Interview with Christopher Nyerges

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.