Dr. Berry has been asking me question after question about Bitcoin recently by text but the help you can give someone by text is limited. I was going to ask him to call me and do it that way, but then I got a thought, why not have him ask me on air. Flip the interview process for fun.
What will happen, will I get frustrated and call Ken a Boomer? Will I have to tell him to stay away from shit coins? You won’t know unless you tune in today.
Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon.
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Today we lead off with a bit on the Trump Assassination Attempt and some really bizarre things we have learned since yesterday. We then move on to our main topic. When you get to a major decision, about moving, a job, retirement, etc. how exactly do you make the best decision you can for where you are and where you want to go?
Join Me Today to Discuss…
On the second Trump assassination attempt
The suspect was a convicted felon on the FBIs radar since 2019
He donated to democrats at least 19 times and had a Harris Walz sticker on his truck
Joi Reid says he is a “white male Trump supporter”
He’s in pictures with a Biden staffer
He is dead broke with 400 dollars in the bank but flew to Ukraine, DC and Florida
He activity recruited mercs for the Ukraine war
Very few people knew about Trump’s golf trip but he was in the woods by 1AM
The leftist media blame Trump for what happened and continue to use violent rhetoric
What does this have to do with today’s main topic? More than you’d think!
A new study says “adulthood now begins are 27”, gee why can’t people make decisions
How to make a big decision based on logic and fact without ignoring what is important to you
Make a pro and con list, the good on one side the bad on the other
Then score each item in its importance to you with a 1, 2 or a 3
Add up the scores and just look at the results
More to consider
What is the best result possible
What is the worst result possible
If it is financial do the numbers work at a 75% success rate
What to know about decisions like this
It will never be easier than it is now to do most things
Life is short, those who risk tend to get more out of it if the risks are not stupid
Often when people ask a lot of people for advice they are looking to off load responsibility
in the end you must OWN your decisions good, bad or neutral
As always what you do matters, but what you don’t do also matters
`
Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon.
Join the MSB Today
Want all the Early TSP Episodes?
Remember in addition to discounts to over 80 vendors who supply stuff you are likely buying anyway, tons of free ebooks and video content, MSB Members also get every edition of The Survival Podcast ever produced in convenient zip files in blocks of 24. More info on the MSB can be found here.
Today’s Item of the day is the VEVOR Rechargeable Headlamp and it is a sweet deal, because it is a two pack for only 16 bucks.
(Remember to use code VVPROMO to get 5% off anything you buy from Vevor with my links). And check the video at the end of this write up too.
Yes, you read that right, 2 headlamps, LED and rechargeable for well, 8 bucks each. Out of the gate let me say I think every person, prepper or not should own a headlamp, they are just too useful not to have them. Every put a flashlight in your mouth to free a hand, under an arm pit, etc. Yell at your kids for holding a light wrong, when we all know that no kid is capable of holding a flashlight right for his dad.
You know though do that at least once with your sons, it is a dying right of passage after all.
Seriously there is a real advantage to being able to have two free hands and see what you are doing. Working on a car, getting into a hunting blind, rigging up a boat or trailer before first light, digging through storage in the back of a shed, tying a hook in the dark or even at dawn/dusk and it can just keep going on.
But why this light? Well there is a lot to love especially at this price point but here are some of my favorite things about it. First yes the price point, 8 bucks, you just can’t do better than that in 2024 for a device that absolutely just works. Next it is super light weight. I have owned many lights that are like a small miners light, this thing is so light and simple you can forget you even have it.
Next it is IPX4 water proof that means rain and sweat are not a problem. Don’t go jumping in a swimming pool with it mind you but other than that water is not an issue. The lighting modes are great too. The primary light is a 350 Lumen and 230 degree view LED. To save battery you can drop it to a lower setting and you still have plenty of ability to see with that. If you do want more of a “spot light” you also have that option. Again in two settings, very bright or a bit less and more energy efficient.
Finally the fact that it is rechargeable is awesome. No buying batteries and hell at 8 bucks if it eventually conks out not buying batteries has more than covered the cost of many replacements. Recharging is simple. Each pack comes with two charging cords, but you will need to provide your own brick if you wall charge it. Of course any USB charging device including a lap top port will git er done.
One more thing though before I sign off for today and this little but still a nice feature. Due to the design there really isn’t a top or bottom. Why does this matter? Which hand do you prefer to keep free and which do you want to operate your light with? The choice is yours, flip it around so the controls are on the side of your head that you prefer.
There is also a setting for signaling (strobe) and a motion detector setting, that setting has limited use in my view but check the video out below for my thoughts on it.
So check out VEVOR Rechargeable LED Headlamp 2 Pack. At the price it is just one of those great little items to have around because in our world there is no such thing as too many back up light sources. And in this case a measly 16 bucks gets you TWO OF THEM.
Well folks we are going to do it again, get a bunch or really cool people together for 3.5 days at Nine Mile Farm (our location is near Azle Texas and about 30 minutes drive from DFW Airport).
As always the food, fun and learning will all be off the hook. TSP-Fall-24 will run this year from Nov. 13th – Nov. 17th. On the dates the 14th-16th are the actual workshop days. Students that camp usually set up that Wednesday after 2PM and we have beers and grilled brats and sausages that night and get to know one another.
Non campers are also encouraged to come Wednesday afternoon/evening if they are in town by then. Sunday we ask everyone to be off our property by 10:30 AM so we can rest and put our lives back together.
This Year we Have an Amazing Line up Planned for your Education While you are Here, Here is the Official Schedule
Thursday – 11-14-23
Breakfast/Briefing – 09:00 – 10:00
Matt Powers – Fixing Your Soil FAST – 10:00 – 11:00
Nick Ferguson – Dead Simple Soil Solutions – 11:15 – 12:15
Lunch – 12:30 – 13:30
Joel Ryals – Adapting and Overcoming Life’s Shifts – 13:45 – 14:45
Nicole Sauce – Future Proof Your Homestead 15:00 – 16:00
Panel – Matt, Nick, Nicole & Jack – 16:15 – 17:30
Open Time – 17:30 – 19:00
Dinner – 19:00 – 20:00 `
Friday – 11-15-23
Breakfast – 09:00 – 10:00
Ken Daniels – This is the Whey (Using Whey in Food and Bev – 10:00 – 11:00
Andy McCann – 5 Pillars of Health & Longevity – 11:15 – 12:15
Lunch – 12:30 – 13:30
Anton van Vuuran – Biltong! Preserving Meat the Old Way – 13:45 – 14:45
Jack Spirko – The Art of Sausage Making – 15:00 – 16:00
Nicole Sauce – My Three Things to GSD – 16:15 – 17:15
Open Time – 17:30 – 19:00
Dinner – 19:00 – 20:00 `
Saturday – 11-16-23
Breakfast – 09:00 – 10:00
John Pugliano – The Post Election Economy – 10:00 – 11:00
Patrick Roehrman – Forging Mental Toughness – 11:15 – 12:15
Lunch – 12:30 – 13:30
Jesse Markowitz – Start9 Set Up and Use 13:45 – 14:30
Shawn Mills – Self Hosted AI in Your Business – 14:45 – 15:30
Tech and Engineering Panel – Jesse, Tim and Shawn – 15:45 – 17:00
Open Time – 17:00 – 19:00
Dinner – 19:00 – 20:00 `
But Wait Theres More!
There is a reason that every year 60% or more of our guests are returning to their 2nd, 3rd hell some their 10th or even more TSPC Workshops. Unlike a typical workshop where all you do is have classes TSPC is an experience, one that changes lives and entertains the hell out of you at the same time. Let’s start with the food!
Here’s is the Planned Menu this Year…
Thursday
Breakfast – Light continental with fruit, coffee, protein bars, etc. Also, this year we are doing a build your own bagel bar. Run by Expert Council Member Chef Ken Daniels, with lots of toppings and salmon lox and cream cheese.
Lunch – Sage Salt Rubbed Center Cut Boneless Sous Vide Pork Chops, Celery & Sage Stuffing, Gravy and Green Beans.
Breakfast – Bacon & Egg Breakfast Tacos with all the toppings.
Lunch – Build Your Own Burger Bar with ALL the Fixings
Dinner – Cooked on Site and Catered by Lupe Tortillas. Steak and Chicken Fajitas, Queso, Guac, Salsa and Chips with freshly made tortillas. Margarita Machine will be running with “Virgin Margaritas”. We will provide tequila for adding it yourself to your own preferred level and keep it usable for non alcohol drinkers. `
Join Jack for Morning Walks – Thursday and Friday 8-9 AM – Everyone wants property walks but many attendees have done it many times. Also with a group of 50-70 people it is very hard to make sure everyone hears me. More, this property in many ways has beat me. There are some things even I can’t do. `
Losses of trees were heavy the last few years, we will be completely over hauling some things. I will be explaining our failures and successes both mornings. Hoping for two much smaller groups rather then the one big one we have done so many times. We will begin on the Southeast corner of the property and walk back to the main garden and aquatic areas. `
I am calling this walk a mix of “what I would do if I were starting from scratch” + “how this property kicked my ass”.
If I had to sum up the value of a TSPC Workshop I could do it with four words, education, food, fun, networking. So let’s talk about the last two now. Some of the extras we throw in that really add fun and the ability to get to know others include…
Friday nights amazing barter blanket experience around the fire (see this video for more)
Karoke in the giant shop building Thursday & Saturday nights (even if you don’t sing this is a blast)
Saturday Night Booze Circle Tasting (always themed, this year 4 very special whiskeys and hosted by Expert Council member Ken Daniels)
Pick up games like darts & pool (my pool table kind of sucks but we still have fun)
Amazing coffee is provided by Nicole Sauce & Holler Roast
Everyone is invited to bring items to sell (we don’t set up tables for that but we have “the selling of the things” so you can promote what you have)
This year we will have a variety of door prizes, some really great ones too. Some of these will be a bit bulky for those who fly in, so we will do the drawing Thursday so if you don’t want your item if you win, you can barter it on Friday night to someone who does want it. As an example of what I mean we are giving away our demo units from Vevor like our Electric Flat Top Griddle and our Chamber Vac Machine. `
Shut up Jack and just tell me when I can sign up already and what will it cost me
Soon! I plan to open it for registration on Saturday Sept. 21st at 9:00 AM CST. I am going to drop the link at 9:00 AM in our Telegram Channel, then if it lasts more than about 10 minutes I will post it live on the site, send out emails, etc. You know what that means right?
Then set a reminder. I can only imagine how fast this one will go. Last year it was well under 5 minutes and GONE.
Translation sells out in minutes not hours, certainly not days!
As to cost I am sticking with the new price introduced last year of 600 dollars. Given the state of inflation I think we have done well keep the cost as fair as we can. Keep in mind when we started doing these all the way back in 2013 we were charging 500 dollars. And today we do far more, provide more and better food than we started with, etc. Reread that menu to see what I mean and we always do extras here and there on top of it all.
On sign up day I require a 200 dollar deposit by credit or debit card. The 400 dollar balance is due in cash or crypto when you show up. If you reserve and have to cancel in the first two weeks as long as I can still sell your spot I give you a refund.
After that the deposit is not refundable (except for true emergencies) and I ask that you simply sell your spot to someone else. There are almost always willing buyers in the TG group.
Yes Couples can Order 2 Tickets
As couples often want to come I have set things up so you can order a quantity of 2 tickets. Anyone abusing this will be refunded and have your reservation canceled. By that I mean any quantity greater than 2. PayPal will let me set the buy button to multiple or one but for some reason not a limit per customer. If you do order two tickets, fill out the registration form for one person, select two tickets when you pay. After paying and getting confimation, please fill out a second form for the second party and simply do not make a payment since you have already done so. This is simply so my attendee list is complete.
Don’t Sleep In! It is Gonna Sell Out!
Otherwise, again mark your calendar, set an alarm, set two (two is one, one is none) and be ready on Saturday Sept 21st at 9:00 AM CST. If you are late you won’t make it. And I will say it again, if you want a shot at this, download the telegram app NOW and join our Telegram Channel.
Also we have a secret Telegram Group you will get after you sign up that ties you into our alumni and gets you important updates before and during the workshop. This one is really a secret insiders club in and of itself.
P.S. – If you have made some sort of prior arrangements with me (say barter blanked deal or something like that) and have a guaranteed seat this year you wish to use. Please email me in the next week, I will need to get your signed up before the 16th. This way I know what I am dealing with as far as ticket inventory. Email me with TSPC Workshop in the Subject Line.
Today we look at the most recent attempt on Trump’s life, the latest on the housing market is insane, Putin issued a chilling warning but did anyone even hear it and more today.
Join Me Today to Discuss…
What we know so far about Sunday’s assassination attempt
What Putin just said that every American needs to hear and understand – link
Almost 40% of Americans own their homes mortgage free, is this good or bad, it depends link 1 & link 2
25% of Younger Americans plan to have no children – link
The median income in China is now 46-49K depending on source, the US median income is about 45K
Home schooling continues to grow with no slowing down in site – link
Why I believe we are closer to civil war or state’s seceding then any time since the 1860s `
`Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon.
Join the MSB Today
Want all the Early TSP Episodes?
Remember in addition to discounts to over 80 vendors who supply stuff you are likely buying anyway, tons of free ebooks and video content, MSB Members also get every edition of The Survival Podcast ever produced in convenient zip files in blocks of 24. More info on the MSB can be found here.
Today we are officially launching The Back Yard Cover Crops and Soil Secrets Course at Home Food Systems. When I first began creating this course I expected it to be 3-4 chapters but as I began creating the syllabus and constantly considering the “buy why” question to everything I was building into it, it quickly grew to 9 chapters.
At this point I can confidently say, this is a PhD level course at the knowledge level, but it is absolutely 100% approachable for anyone. It empower you to determine exactly what to do based on your climate, context and goals and when exactly to do it.
Here is just some of what you will learn in this course….
The six functions of soil and how we ignore 4 of them to our own detriment
The 5 spheres of the soil and how to identify them
The composition of “ideal soil” and how to build it
What no one ever told you about the carbon and water cycles
Why you really can’t build soil with out help from plants
Why we can never fix run off and erosion with riparian areas
Why we can’t even have a complete water cycle without soil biology
How to get off the “cocktail of the cides” and grow the most healthy and nutrient dense food possible
How to increase soil fertility annually with low to even no inputs
How to adapt the six core principles of Regenerative Agriculture to your own backyard
The 17 best cover crops for fall/winter
The 15 best cover crops for spring/summer
The Sweet Sixteen of flowers for summer interplanting
How to convert seeding specifications to your gardens square footage
Exactly how to formulate your own seed mixes that match your context, goals, climate and timing ,
This Course Covers Everything You Need to Know
When I started building this course I realized very quickly why experts asked questions like “what mix should I use in climate xyz for fall cover” are always quite long and never end with use these 5 plants. The key is context and how it relates to strategy, tactics and techniques.
The truth is every situation is different which always leads to what? The favorite answer among Permaculture and RegenAg teachers, “it depends”. Of course if you have direct access to an expert and they have the time together you can figure out all the things “it depends” on together. But you know what I call that?
Dependency! So I built in an entire chapter on context that gives you the critical 7 questions to ask. Once you have those and an understanding of the differences between….
Strategy
Tactics &
Techniques
Along with the other information in this course you won’t ever need to ask anyone again, “what seed mix should I use”. You will be able to determine plant timing, species, method and seed volume that will exactly match your needs.
Get Started Now
You can sign up for the course and start taking it right away. Every chapter is outlined in video complete with power point slides. We provide a copy of the deck along with other course materials. At the end of every chapter is a quiz to help you reinforce your leaning before moving on.
After the last chapter there is a comprehensive final exam, once completed you will receive a printable certification of completion of the course. Long term this course will also contribute to what we are calling for now a PPDC (Practical Permaculture Design Course) and in fact will be one of the required courses for completion of this larger certification.
We have seen far too many people spend a lot of money to obtain a PDC, give up two weeks of time for the intensive 80 hour course or perhaps complete it online. While a PDC has tremendous value it is more of a macro over view of design rather than a practical curriculum of actual doing and food production. What we are building is a far more hands on approach to things. One that can be taken al-la-carte if you only want to learn specific things or combined for a very intensive PDC that focus 100% on what is actually practical and doable in the back yard of most people in society today.
Special Note – The Black Stainless model is on sale for only 87 bucks today which is a great value.
Every day, I bring you an item on Amazon that I personally use, or that has been purchased by many members of the audience and which I have researched enough to recommend.
Today’s TSP Amazon Item of the day is the Frigidaire Portable Ice Maker. This compact device offers incredible value, capable of producing up to 26 pounds of ice daily. From the moment you fill it, you can expect the first drop of ice (on the large setting) in about 12-13 minutes. Once the cycle begins, my testing shows that you’ll receive another drop approximately every 9 minutes and 20 seconds, like clockwork.
This serves both as a lifestyle convenience item and a prepper tool. For everyday use, consider this: priced around 100 dollars, if you’re currently buying bagged ice at roughly 2 dollars a bag, after 50 bags, this machine essentially pays for itself. If you consume a lot of ice, your refrigerator’s ice maker might not keep up. With this device, you can always have ice available. Check out the video below to understand its operation, as there are some limitations to be aware of.
From a prepper’s perspective, it’s outstanding. If you have extra freezer space, fill the gaps with bags of ice. As you use them, simply replace them. It’s quick, simple, and cost-effective. If there’s a power outage, you’ll have a significant ice reserve. With any backup power source, you can also continue ice production.
Here’s the kicker: it’s energy-efficient, much more so than a fridge/freezer combo. My tests showed an initial surge of about 430 watts, but during cycles, it fluctuates between a mere 4 watts to about 110-120 watts. This means you can easily run it off a modest 800-watt power inverter connected to your car battery while idling.
Most of you know I advocate for having a generator, ideally two (since “2 is 1 & 1 is none”) for backup power. With one, you can power this alongside your other essentials, and any decent generator will hardly notice the load. This allows you to keep many items cold, and you might even assist your neighbors.
I’m so fond of this product that I’m contemplating purchasing a second one. While I don’t need two for daily use, having one in the workshop would be a game-changer, reducing the number of trips staff make for “ice runs”. Plus, if one fails, the backup is ready to go.
The best part? It’s portable and lightweight, making it convenient for occasional users to store away. You might want to switch it off at night (see the video for reasons). If you’ve visited my place, you’d know about my impressive outdoor kitchen and its large ice maker. So, why this one? The large one malfunctioned, freezing up with unresolved issues. Replacing it was prohibitively expensive, reminiscent of a “I’m coming, Ethel” heart attack moment from the “Sanford and Son” show.
I secured mine for a mere 88 dollars. I could purchase ten of these, and if each lasts four years, I might outlive their combined lifespan, reaching 91 years old. Remember my frequent discussions about the price-to-value ratio? That’s how I made this decision. The outdoor unit lasted about 3 years before problems arose. A combination of Texas summers and hard water eventually did it in. I won’t repeat that mistake, especially at a price higher than my first car!
So, check out the Frigidaire Portable Ice Maker today. I believe you’ll appreciate its presence in your home. And remember, it’s portable! Whether you’re planning a fishing weekend at an Air BnB or a hunting trip with friends, just throw it in your truck, plug it in, and watch the ice accumulate.
For a detailed overview of its functionality, power consumption, and limitations, refer to the video below.
* Remember you can always find all of our reviews at TspAz.com
P.S. – There were some comments from people who owned and powered used (non stop daily use) these types of ice makers for 3 or more years before they slowed down and or died. Any electronic device has something called “MTBF” or mean time between failures. That said the key to long life for an ice machine is cleaning.
So it made me realize I should have included a link to this stuff in the original review. Use it about every 60 days as directed and your machine will make it to old age vs. middle aged. Also things like only running it when you need it, turning it off at night as per the video will drastically lengthen life.
Check Out the Video to See How it Works, Its Limits and Power Demands
In this episode from 2011 I was joined by Jason Fields from The Urban Farming Guys to discuss transforming neighborhoods, sustainable agriculture and living well on smaller incomes. Their activity seems to have fizzled a bit in the past few years but there is still a huge wealth of knowledge on their YouTube Channel.
The show notes for the original episode with all relevant resources can be found here.
Welcome to Friday Flashbacks, after 16 years and hundreds of interview shows we decided to run them as flash backs every Friday, beginning with the oldest of them going forward.There is a tremendous library of wisdom in all the great interviews we have done over the years.
So sit back and enjoy, whether this is your first or second time around with today’s episode I am sure you will enjoy today’s episode and learn a lot from it.
Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon.
Join the MSB Today
Want all the Early TSP Episodes?
Remember in addition to discounts to over 80 vendors who supply stuff you are likely buying anyway, tons of free ebooks and video content, MSB Members also get every edition of The Survival Podcast ever produced in convenient zip files in blocks of 24. More info on the MSB can be found here.
If you don’t make time to head to Camden, TN for the Self-Reliance Festival, October 5-6, 2024, you’re wrong. Nicole Sauce and John Willis do a great job gathering speakers and organizing interesting demonstrations, but the best part of the festival is that you leave with tangible steps to “End Of Empire-Proof” your life.
This week, I talked about what is happening to our country and how you build resilience and tap into the opportunities that come with chance, and the Self Reliance Festival is a great place to accelerate this process. There are GREAT speakers and sessions where you learn skills, mindset and methods. There are GREAT people, the kind of people you can rely on. And it is just plain fun – something that is so easy to forget to have when times are turbulent.
Plus, I will be there so we can meet in person. I don’t just show up and throw up. I spend time getting to know the people who come to events like the Self Reliance Festival.
Expert Council Member Kerry Brown will be doing two foraging walks, and Backwoods butcher is going to demonstrate how to process rabbits.
Ticket Options
The festival offers several ticket options. You can choose a general admission pass or the VIP pass. VIPs get a special farm-to-table dinner and access to the green room, housed in John Willis’s museum. The conversations that happen there are epic.
* General admission prices are only $95 and that includes parking and camping for this two-day event.
Today on The Survival Podcast the expert council answers your questions on politics, pistol caliber carbines, food storage, guerrilla gardening, radios, inheritance, inflation and more.
Make sure if you submit content for an expert council show you do the following….
Email it to me at jack @ thesurvivalpodcast.com
Put TSPC Expert in the subject line
Ask you question and state the expert you have the question for in one coherent sentence
Hit the return key a few times and then give all the details you think are necessary `
Following that procedure makes it about 100X more likely your question will get though screening and sent on to one of our experts. All expert council members can be found on the Meet the Expert Council Page.
Join Me Today to Discuss…
No one should be surprised that Dick Cheney endorsed Kamala Harris – Chris Rossini & Dr. Paul
Choosing a load for both a handgun and a pistol caliber carbine – Michael Milito
Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon.
Join the MSB Today
Want all the Early TSP Episodes?
Remember in addition to discounts to over 80 vendors who supply stuff you are likely buying anyway, tons of free ebooks and video content, MSB Members also get every edition of The Survival Podcast ever produced in convenient zip files in blocks of 24. More info on the MSB can be found here.
