icon for podpress  Episode-358- Listener Feedback 1-18-10 [65:25m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Join me today for another round of listener questions on a Monday.  We discuss the importance of a positive atude when prepping, controlling fire ants, the Haitian earthquake, the recent California earthquake and more.

Tune in today as we discuss…

  • How do you stay positive when prepping for disaster
  • How do you convey the positive aspects of prepping to a no on board spouse
  • Were we really told by the media to prepare for an ice age in the past
  • A TSP listener heads to Haiti to help with the relief effort
  • Where and how do you store extra propane tanks
  • Ways to keep extra gasoline on hand that are simple and require little effort
  • Conversion units to run generators on propane and natural gas
  • What the forum has mean to one listener
  • How to deal with fire ants
  • Is organic food worth the cost, is there another answer
  • Should we take a break from news and politics at times
  • How can we make prepping have only positive impact our lives

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.

 
icon for podpress  Episode-319- Ten Principles of Modern Survivalism [55:10m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

I decided to pause for a step back today to go over the 10 primay concepts that drive The Survival Podcast and all that we try to do as a community.  These are the founational principls that I built TSP around from day one, tune in to hear not just the what but the why behind them.

Tune in today as we discuss…

  • Everything we do must improve our lives even if nothing goes wrong
  • Debt is cancer
  • Become a producer of some portion of your own food
  • Tax is theft in more ways then one
  • Stored food is an investment
  • Disaster probability and commonality
  • Produce energy and own the means of production
  • Owning land is true wealth
  • Include pragmatic preps as well like life insurance and asset protection
  • Write and own you plan for you life, I provide information not commandments

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.

 
icon for podpress  Episode-317- 18 More Overlooked Items or Skills for Preppers: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Today we discuss 18 items that I think should eventually be in the home of every modern survivalist.  Some are common items that we talk about often, others are items that are often over looked or not considered “prepper items”.  The key is this is NOT a complete list or even a punch list, just a group of items we should all be aware of and think about.  Today’s show is a follow up to Episode 306 and we will continue to do new shows as your suggestions create new lists for this topic.

If you have items that are not on the list (other then food or guns because no one leaves those out ever) please chime in with your suggestions in the comments area.

Tune in today as we discuss the following 18 items, with few bonus items you have to tune in to hear about…

  • Baking/Cooking Skills
  • Yeast Cultivation Skills
  • Pruners/Loppers
  • Chain Saw
  • Scythe
  • First Aid Gear and a Blow Out Kit (blow out NOT bug out)
  • Cast Iron Cookware
  • Tarps
  • Nails, Screws and Lumber
  • Wheel Barrow or a Good Garden Cart
  • Manual Air Pump
  • Insect Repellent
  • Baking Soda
  • Medications (tune in to see exactly what was meant by that suggestion)
  • Traps and Trap Making Material
  • Spices and Seasonings
  • Sets of Spark Plugs and Wires for all Motors
  • A Wired Phone and Phone Book

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

 
icon for podpress  Episode-314- Planning to Bug In [53:58m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

So if the SHTF in most instances you plan to bug in, you have your generator, you have your food, you have a means of defense and you are prepared for whatever may come, or are you.  Today we step back a bit from the obvious and from some common thinking that isn’t very realistic to examine how prepared we are for bugging in.  Please note even if you “bug out” you are going to another location and once you get there, guess what you are going to be doing, bugging in of course.

Join in today as we discuss…

  • Two new eBooks free for Support Brigade Members
  • Storing food for everyone possibly even some for neighbors and definitely for your pets and stock
  • The need for personal hygiene products, bigger then you might think it is
  • Back up power sources both short and long term
  • The advantages and failings of generators
  • Why you need to plan to keep the garden growing
  • The need for and functionality of “security protocols” including during increased threat periods
  • Why you need to quickly contact all family/close friends at the beginning of a SHTF especially if you are bugging in
  • The importance of taking an inventory and sorting into needs, good to have and don’t need it at all
  • How inventory and sorting will help you in barter situations
  • Keeping communications up as long as possible including radio, TV, Ham, MURS, etc.
  • The importance of maintaining a sense of normalcy during a bug in
  • How drills are about more then finding weaknesses, they are also about acclamation

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

 
icon for podpress  Episode-298- Starting the Journey from Grasshopper to Ant [72:06m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

As we approach the 300th episode I realized it has been a long time since we did a show dedicated to the brand new person.  Today will will lay out 20 steps to take as a person who has just decided that it is time “to do something” but isn’t quite sure what that “something” is.    Even though today is done with the new person in mind I think it will help everyone sort of recenter on the core of what is the most important things to make sure you have accomplished.

I have also created a special commercial free version of today’s show for sharing with others who you want to get thinking about preparedness.  That version can be found on our forum here.

Tune in today as we discuss

  1. Start with the old fable of the grasshopper and the ant
  2. The first thing you do is assess the situation and stay calm
  3. Journal your spending and your eating
  4. Write a plan for debt elimination and begin creating an emergency fund
  5. Put together a basic documentation package
  6. Assemble a BOB for each family member (cheap and fast the first time around)
  7. Inventory your pantry over a week or two (how much food do you have at your low point)
  8. Begin storing up a 30 day supply of food you will eat anyway
  9. Begin assembling a low cost 30 day long term storage supply
  10. Determine where you would go if you had to leave and go at least 50 miles from home
  11. Make plans for how you would help elderly parents or other family members
  12. Update your resume and be prepared to loose your job on any given day
  13. Avoid focusing on any individual coming event or scenario
  14. Plan a garden and start getting ready to plant (depending on the season)
  15. Learn about disaster commonality (it is not about the disaster it is about loss of support systems)
  16. Learn about disaster probability (Personal-Localized-Regional-State-National-Global)
  17. Determine your most probable “personal”, “local” and “regional”
  18. Start window shopping for “country land” or an “urban homestead”
  19. Think of the children, won’t someone please think of the children (seriously think of your children)
  20. Assess your “normal preparations”
  21. Take ownership of your plan and your life

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.

 
icon for podpress  Episode-289- Bug In or Bug Out - 12 Questions to Ask [46:51m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In the event of a disaster should you bug in or bug out (shelter in place or evacuate) is a big topic in many forums, email lists and among modern survivalists in general.  There are times when the question is easy to answer and times when it can be difficult.  The key is your life and the lives of those you love can hang in the balance of this decision so today we discuss 12 question to ask before you have to make the decision.

Tune in today as we consider the following questions…

  • Which choice gives you the best chance of survival for the scenario at hand? (this is not always clear)
  • How well prepared are you to bug in?
  • What exactly are you prepared for? (a forest fire is far different from local rioting)
  • Have evacuation orders been given?
  • What is the nature and probable duration of the threat?
  • Well staying put change anything as far as “saving your home”?
  • Where will you go and how will you get there?
  • Do you own a bug out location or have double up plans or no place to go at all?
  • Will you be able to help your community if you stay?
  • What will the impact of staying or going be on your family, can they handle what you can?
  • What can you take with you and what must you leave behind?
  • If you leave what exactly is waiting for you at your destination?

The time to answer these questions is not in the middle of a disaster but right now.  At this point you can plan, form contingencies and be prepared for a variety of outcomes. That way if the day comes your mind is ready to act and you can make the best use of the resources you have.  As always how you act and how you think is more important then your resources.

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.

 
icon for podpress  Episode-288- Preparing for Civil Unrest: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Today’s show is based on a great article written by Clare Wolfe of Backwoods Home Magazine called, “Preparing for Civil Unrest“.  I thought this article was so timely and though provoking that I last minute preempted today’s planned show and quickly put together an outline for today based on this article.  In addition to listening today make sure to read Claire’s article.

Tune in today to hear…

  • Are we sitting on a civil unrest powder keg
  • Could events like NAIS, Swine Flu, Currency Collapse, Invasive Census and Government arrogance cause civil unrest on a large scale
  • Levels One, Two, Three and Four of civil unrest and what they mean
  • Civil unrest can happen anywhere even in rural areas
  • Steps to prepare for civil unrest
    • Stay prepped
    • Don’t be complacent
    • Stay healthy
    • Build your local community
    • Be ready to protect your resources
    • Get advanced warning when traveling
    • Increase situational awareness
    • Don’t resist arrest if you get caught up as a bystander
    • Have a good lawyer and carry his card
    • Try to avoid road blocks

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.

 
icon for podpress  Episode-283- Emergency Vehicle Preperations [52:34m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

oday we take a look at emergency vehicle preparations.  As I discuss these please note that item one is your bug out bag, (BOB) hence something in your BOB such as a first aid kit or pair of gloves, etc won’t be mentioned today.  We will be doing another show on BOBs soon.  Today we are focused on turing your daily drive in to a proper bug out vehicle (BOV) and making sure you can deal with day to day inconviences as well.

I do welcome your input and comments though so if you have additional items you want to suggest please do so in the comments section below.

Also I want to remind you again to consider going by the Freedom Watch website and posting a comment thanking Judge Napolitano for allowing me to appear on freedom watch, you can do that here.  Jack on the Judge.

Tune in today to hear…

  • Why parts and tools should be part of your vehicle preps
  • Why you need to have preps in your vehicle beyond your BOB
  • The importance of maps, navigation aids and basic map reading skills
  • The rules of three for evac, three destinations, three routes to each destination and three rally points on each route
  • Having proper documentation
  • Having back up methods of communications
  • Reserve fuel - think in range not gallons
  • Day to day uses for items that can also help in an emergency
  • Plan on using your vehicle during a disaster, going on foot is last resort
  • What is the purpose of a BOB, what is not the purpose of a BOB
  • A winch is your friend, so are tow straps
  • If you own two vehicles one should be a truck or a jeep
  • Carrying firearms and less than lethal options
  • Common sense for dealing with check points, government over reaction, etc.
  • Properly stocking a BOL so you have a place to go, you can’t carry everything
  • Using a modular approach for items you don’t carry day to day but would need to load fast during an evac

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.