The Chip Monk Family Survival Podcast

Today I take a look at the massive drought impacting the "Breadbasket of the World", that is my home country of the United States.  We consider some of the ramifications of a return to the "Dust Bowl" days, and then I discuss my experiences with the Savage Model 110 bolt-action rifle. The song for today is "Drought" by Brent Watkins and Brian Sporer

Today I discuss more of the potential fallout from the Aurora shootings and what it may mean as far as firearms restrictions, limitations on ammunition purchases and other attempts by Anti-Second Amendment forces to curtail our rights in this country.  I also predict that we will see more of these sorts of episodes in the near future before this fades from public consciousness.  In addition we look at the massive power grid failures in India and ways to prepare for that potential eventuality in other parts of the world. Song is "The End is Nigh" by Venetian Princess

Happy Friday!  On today's mobile podcast your humble host discusses the idea of maintaining a state of alert at important times along with ways to drastically lower your food storage budget (both for everyday and for long-term needs).

It's been a couple of weeks since our last episode aired as Chip has been traveling to church conventions, slaving away trying to keep the farm going, and caring for a one-month old baby.  However, today we look back at the first two years of this program and discuss a new direction for the CMFSP for the future.  We also look at some of the stories in the news relating to Disaster Preparedness and talk about the worrisome nature of the state of the world today.

Today your favorite guy named "Chip" discusses a book he read recently about not only prepping for societal collapse, but the process of how to rebuild afterwards.   This book called "Rebuilding a Village-Steps For Starting Over In a Collapsed Society" covers a number of aspects of Survivalism/Prepping that are often neglected and on this episode we take a look at some of them. This book can be ordered through Amazon.com and from Barnes and Noble.

Today I discuss a modern classic (at least for my wife and I) that deals with survival and preparedness themes on numerous levels.  As I usually do when talking about survival media I do a plot overview and this look at specific preparedness lessons one can draw from the story as presented.  I'm reviewing this today so that you'll have the chance to watch in on or around Independence Day if this episode peaks your interest (although it's likely most listeners will probably have seen it already, but this might provide a good opportunity for a re-watch).

Today we look at a couple of current news items that have a LOT to tell us about Disaster Readiness and Preparedness.  Specifically I focus on the massive Colorado Wildfires and the brutal "Land Hurricane" (aka "Super Derecho") impacting the eastern US.  This is certain to be an eye opening look at a couple significant disasters we don't usually consider (have you ever heard of a "Super Derecho" before this particular storm system rolled through?) Colorado Wildfires Leave Behind a "Twilight Zone" Landscape Rare 'Derecho' Storm Attacks D.C. The Science Behind a "Super Derecho" 911 System Down for 48 Hours

Today finds your host in his mobile podcasting studio driving the backroads of the Pacific Northwest discussing some recent experimentation in "Survival Nutrition".  Listen in as Chip discusses various aspects of finding and maintaining the right nutritional balance for you as one of the most important components of a survival plan.

Today we dredge up another popular episode from WAAAAY back in the life of this podcast.  On this episode I discuss how you can assemble a flexible and versatile survival firearms battery for around $500...  Yes, that's the total amount!  So listen in to a discussion (from my end at least) about the frugal method of covering all of your Survival Gun needs.

Today I discuss some of the things I've been thinking about as I work these occasional 10-12 hour days around the homestead.  I consider how the simple act of being able to grow your own food makes you independent of at least some of the bad things that are happening in this world and talk about the freedom our family feels because of our ability to take care of one of our most basic needs.  I also offer some advice based on the things I have learned during the past four years of growing food.  As I say on the show, if your humble host can grow food then anyone can! (Song excerpt taken from the following Youtube video: The Garden Song by Tony Reece

Today I drag another "Lost Episode" out of the CMFSP vault, not because I was unable to record a new episode (I did, but will post it tomorrow) but because several listeners have requested I do so.  On this particular show I discuss my experience with playing the sport known as Paintball and why it could be useful as a part of your preparedness efforts.

During my hiatus over the past few weeks I have been doing a lot of reading and research about various survival-related topics and today I discuss one.   On this episode I reflect on some of the things I have been learning about Survival during the Great Depression and a few lessons I have drawn from my study.

After taking a few minutes to share about our beautiful new daughter and our experience with a second home birth we discuss today the idea of the "Survival Bedroll".  Not quite a bug-out bag and not quite a sleeping kit, the bedroll is a Cowboy-inspired idea with a lot of usefulness for today's prepper. A few links that might help better understand "Survival Bedrolls": The Survivalistboards.com link about the "30-30 Survival Bedroll (check out the pictures too!) Seven types of gear you should have in your Bug-out Bag or Survival Bedroll Youtube video about Bedroll/Sleeping System (cool accent!) Youtube video about Cowboy Bedrolls (a little big for carrying by yourself) Youtube video on Wool Blanket Backpack

Still no baby...  But our other kiddos were late too, so I guess it's not a huge surprise!  Anyway, today we go back in the archives and dig up another of the "Lost Episodes", this time Episode 111 about the .357 Magnum as a survival caliber.  Here's what the original post about this episode said (and you'll have to forgive the Christmas music, since that was the season when it originally aired in 2010): On this episode of the Chip Monk Family Survival Podcast I ask the question "If you could only have one caliber for both a handgun and a long gun, what would be a good choice?" Why would someone ever be in a situation where they would need to make such a decision?  Well, perhaps you're one of my listeners on a budget who only wants to stock a single type of ammo to simplify logistics in your preparations.  Maybe you just want a revolver and a carbine in the same caliber so you only need to carry one type of ammo with you in the field.  Who knows?  But I've been asked the question enough that it's worth taking the time to contemplate.  And it's fun to discuss hypotheticals when it comes to firearms. So, kick back...  Grab a cup of hot chocolate and let's talk guns!

We're still waiting for our new baby to arrive in the Chip Monk household, but taking care of my wife and kiddos along with the farm is definitely impacting my schedule for this week.  So, this week I will be re-uploading some of the missing episodes that have mysteriously vanished from the podcast feed in the past.  Today's episode is about "Swiss Army Knives and Multitools" and covers some of the useful, yet very compact options available in one of the key areas of preparedness