Tag Archives: water

Episode-803- An Interview with The Berkey Guy

Posted on December 14, 2011 by Modern Survival| 8 Comments
Episode-803- An Interview with The Berkey Guy [ 1:07:31 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Jeff Gleason has been a stead fast supporter of the show for more than two years (will be three this March).  He is of course the famous “Berkey Guy” and he joins us today to discuss the role water should play in our prep planning and our daily lives.

Join Us Today to Hear…

  • How water and its availability is often over looked in prepping
  • The value of a well
  • Why better tasting water is good for your health
  • Our thoughts on chlorine, arsenic and fluoride
  • Where the fluoride in your water actually comes from
  • Thoughts on removing at least chlorine from your bathing water
  • Several instances where systems failed to catch contaminated water
  • Biological contaminants like cryptosporidium and giardia

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.

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Episode-730- Permaculture Solutions for Water Needs

Posted on August 23, 2011 by Modern Survival| 21 Comments
Episode-730- Permaculture Solutions for Water Needs [ 1:10:51 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

A Mature Hugelkultur Bed - Photo Credit to RichSoil.com

Today we revisit a topic I covered with the awesome Paul Wheaton on a past episode of TSP.  Paul actually just put out one of the best compilations of photographs and illustrations I have ever seen on hugelkultur which inspired this episode.

We are going to go deeper than that today though.  We are going to talk about multiple concepts with water, I am going to tell those of you in states where they say you can’t capture and store rain water how to do it anyway.

I am going to discuss the water crisis we can’t see and how permaculture provides a solution for it.  I will tell you about millions of acres of lakes that you never see and how they can teach us exactly how to provide water to our plants even in the driest areas with little to no irrigation.

Join me today as we discuss…

  • If water is everywhere how can there be a shortage of it
  • What at the two largest types of lakes that we never see
  • Who waters the forest, who waters the prairies
  • My hugelkultur project so far
  • The rain garden
  • Swales and swale style barriers
  • Self watering gardens – irrigation with maximum efficiency
  • Terracing and how I feel they differ from swales
  • The role of poly culture
  • Selection of hardy varieties
  • Growing from seed, especially trees
  • The Groasis system

 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.

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Episode-727- Tom Spargo on Rain Saucers and Rain Water Harvesting

Posted on August 18, 2011 by Modern Survival| 12 Comments
Episode-727- Tom Spargo on Rain Saucers and Rain Water Harvesting [ 59:27 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Special Note – There is a segment in the beginning of today’s show about Jan Cline, a woman dying of bone cancer who has had her back yard yard sale shut down due to an idiotic city ordnance.  Please listen to it and consider donating a little bit to help Jan Cline out in this tough time. You an do that here, I have verified that this is a legitimate way to donate and the funds will go directly to Jan.

Rain Saucers are Stand Alone Rain Harvesting Systems

On to our man subject, Today our guest is Tom Spargo.  Tom  independent research and business development consultant to
major Japanese companies in the Silicon Vally clean technology industry.

Tom realized several years ago that clean water wasn’t getting any attention and started thinking about solutions.   Tom discovered rainwater harvesting and came up with his own take on the concept which addressed many typical rain harvesting shortcomings.

To address this Tom invented RainSaucers in 2009 and got funding from social venture capital in 2010.  He launched product this year and now has distributors online and in a few cities.

Today Tom joins us to discuss rain harvesting by the traditional method of roof hook up and how they can save on your water bill.  We then discuss rain barrels with RainSaucers and the new things you can do such as having a new source of potable water (they are trialing this in Guatemala) and setting up a completely off-grid tomato crop (Tom is doing this in my backyard).

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.

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Episode-629- Paul Wheaton on the Elimination of Irrigation

Posted on March 22, 2011 by Modern Survival| 42 Comments
Episode-629- Paul Wheaton on the Elimination of Irrigation [ 1:37:25 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
Paul Wheaton - Founder of Permies.com

Paul Wheaton from Permies.com

Yes you read the title correctly, elimination, not alternative, not creative, elimination.    Can irrigation truly be eliminated?  In my view absolutely, at least in many instances and one of our all time most popular guests Paul Wheaton returns to TSP to discuss exactly how to do it.

Join us today as we discuss swales, key line systems, terraces, hugelkultur, and over a dozen other ways plants get water in natural systems.

Irrigation is one of the most costly components of modern agriculture, it is also depleting one of most precious life giving resources, water.  Yet think about it, there are millions of acres of prairie, forest, jungle and savana that produce massive yields of plant matter every year and who irrigates them?  Imagine the impact if these systems could be scaled up to eliminate even 15% of current agricultural irrigation requirements.

The good news is many of them can be done in your own back yard, some are simple and others are complex but just by making a pile of rocks, burying some rotting wood or moving around a bit of soil you can vastly reduce your personal irrigation requirements.

Join Paul and I Today as we discuss…

  • How did ancient earth ever have plants without humans to water them
  • Tomatoes are actually a desert plant so why do they require so much water
  • Why does Paul call watering plants, “the imaginary birth of irrigation”
  • How many ways do plants have to get water in natural settings, many!
    • Polyculture interactions
    • Trees creating transpiration, condensation drip, etc
    • Natural mulching
    • Humidity rise
    • Key line systems
    • Terracing
    • Swales
    • Wind reductions
    • Tap root systems
    • No transplanting
    • Paddock shift livestock grazing
    • Dew ponds
    • Stacked rock systems
    • Edge utilization
    • Shade
  • The simple things you can do to get started on illumination of your need for watering
  • The advantages of letting some crops struggle
  • The work that proves these systems by visionaries like Lawton, Mollison, Holzer and Smits

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.

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Episode-528- Listener Feedback 10-11-10

Posted on October 11, 2010 by Modern Survival| 10 Comments
Episode-528- Listener Feedback 10-11-10 [ 1:10:33 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Today we have a great show with your questions about privatization of water rights, the growing influence of the BRIC and MAVINS nations, converting from grid tied solar to battery back up and more.

Join me today as we discuss…

  • How long does it take for a crop shortage to effect global pricing
  • 10 Signs the US is losing our influence around the world and at home
  • Can you actually be better off in a city during tough times
  • Now the GMO silk worm, what is next for GMOs
  • A story of how prepping for two teachers held a friend in need
  • Ideas for a living fence and producing food with it
  • Thoughts on privatizing water rights and the hidden dangers
  • How to convert from grid tie only to grid tie with battery back up solar
  • China buys up a 1/3rd stake in a major Texas oil field, the hidden meaning

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.

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Episode-497- Call in Friday 8-20-10

Posted on August 20, 2010 by Modern Survival| 28 Comments
Episode-497- Call in Friday 8-20-10 [ 0:01 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

While I am off to Florida (hope the oil ain’t bad for me) to lay my butt on a beach for a few days on a real vacation this time I didn’t want you to be with out a Friday show.  So kick back tune in and listen to some great questions from the audience today.  The last question of the day was difficult to answer and not really a “survival question” in the way we think of but I think many people out there needed to hear it.  I hope it leave you with something special to think of over the weekend.

Join me today as we answer these questions…

  • What are the best ways to store meat
  • How to you store and get surplus medication for emergencies
  • What is Jefferson State and what is it all about
  • A solider tell us how to dechlorinate pool water – Thanks for your service man!
  • Real story about the failure of electric sewers in Florida
  • How you store biltong
  • Lessons from a guy who had his water cut off by a vengeful spouse
  • Why is the inside of my tomatoes white
  • Thoughts on building a storage crawl space
  • Growing cactus fruit
  • Staying mobile with your preps
  • What do I do next with my life

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.

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Episode-409- The Value of Rural Land

Posted on March 30, 2010 by Modern Survival| 10 Comments
Episode-409- The Value of Rural Land [ 1:01:41 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Today we do sort of a two part show.  I start out with a bit of commentary of a few stories, two actually related to land values and dependence on city based economies.  I then move onto todays main subject, the value of rural land.  I will also cover a lot of buying and negociating advice and give you some actual market prices of what is available right now.

Join me today as we discuss…

  • A great post and video on ITS Tactical
  • Marlin Firearms is closing their North Haven, CT plant
  • Detroit is dying and the lesson we learn from it
  • Why rural land has not fallen in value the way most real estate has
  • Really considering the decision to go “off grid”
  • Why rural land offers stability in value (monetary and lifestyle wise as well)
  • Getting quotes and expert advice BEFORE you buy or even make an offer
  • Having “vision” for what a property can become matched to reality of the cost and effort required
  • Seeing solutions where others see problems
  • Some actual prices of land in AR, MO, NM, ME, WA and CO right now
  • Final thoughts on the true wealth of land ownership

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.

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Episode-373- News Events from Listeners

Posted on February 8, 2010 by Modern Survival| 19 Comments
Episode-373- News Events from Listeners [ 0:01 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Rather than a typical listener question show today I decided to bring together 5 news events that were sent in by various listeners.  The first one is not that obvious as to why it applies to the other four but I bring them all together at the end.  We also bring in a recent 5 minute speech from Congressmen Ron Paul today.

Join me today as we discuss…

  • Azle Texas is out of water due to a single line breaking and needs help from 15 cities to fix it. – (Link to the source story)
  • Social Security and Medicare are both currently bankrupt according to Gary North – (Link to the source story)
  • Paying off the National Debt is now “mathematically impossible” – (Link to the source story)
  • In 2009 the Federal Reserve bought 80% of its own securities – (Link to the source story)
  • Video warning from Dr. Ron Paul – (Link to the video) – note the audio is very soft in the video, I boosted it and played the audio in today’s show

Additional Resources for Today’s Show

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Episode-357- Call in Friday 1-15-10

Posted on January 15, 2010 by Modern Survival| 11 Comments
Episode-357- Call in Friday 1-15-10 [ 0:01 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Today we do our second edition of call in Friday where I take listener calls and comments on the air.  To call in an leave your own question for me just dial 866-65-THINK and leave a message and you might hear yourself on the air.

Join me today as we discuss

  • Where to find chickens for your homestead
  • How many eggs does an average hen lay
  • What protection do chickens need in winter
  • What about filtering water during a city water contamination
  • What is a good book for your BOB
  • If you are buying your first two guns, should both be handguns
  • What is the purpose of a handgun
  • What can people in very cold climates do to be able to grow food
  • Is liberty given as a gift not understood and valued the way liberty fought for is
  • What can we learn from the earthquake in Haiti
  • What would Jefferson say if he was around today
  • Why are three Navy Seals in trouble because a terrorist got a bloody lip
  • Is a solar rebate “taking the governments money”
  • How do you store food long term with Mylar, buckets and O2 Absorbers

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.

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Episode-296- Listener Questions for 10-13-09

Posted on October 13, 2009 by Modern Survival| 9 Comments
Episode-296- Listener Questions for 10-13-09 [ 50:20 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Because I have a large backlog of questions and failing voice due to some type of common crud going around (I don’t think it is the swine flu, but who knows) I decided to do back to back listener questions shows this week.

Also please help nominate TSP for the Podcast of the Year Awards, learn more here.

Tune in today as I answer…

  • What is UNA and how can it save you money on prescription drugs
  • What knots should you make part of your basic skill set
  • Buying a first shotgun, Remington 870 or Benneli Vinci -”back problems” are part of the equation
  • Thoughts about a private mortgage among family members
  • How do you find what arms are currently being surplused in the mil surplus market
  • What is a C&R license and why might you want one
  • Should you store vinegar and is it easy to make your own
  • Should you store more fuel then you need for extended range based on things like being fully loaded, stuck in traffic or pulling a trailer
  • What about those cool stainless steel water bottles
  • If I can only afford one gun what should I buy
  • What is that beer bread recipe again

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.

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