The Chip Monk Family Survival Podcast

After several episodes in a row discussing the disaster in Japan I decided to take a quick break and talk about something proactive you can focus on instead of us reacting to world events.  So today after a brief introduction relating to Japan and the "No Fly Zone" in Libya I talk about how to build a simple water procurement system called a solar still.  I will return to some of the lessons of recent disasters and specific ways to prep, but thought we could all use a break from the carnage, even as survivalist/preppers. (NOTE: Although I didn't mention this in the podcast today, why don't we all take a moment and think of the blessings we have and try to name them one-by-one.  In contrast to events in Japan, Libya, Bahrain, I'd say we all have much to be thankful for, and it's good to be reminded of that from time to time.

Today I continue the conversation about what we're seeing take place in the world around us, but with a reminder to not get too focused on the negative and the constant panicky presentation of the media.  Remember to stop and take a deep breath from time to time, restrict yourself to an hour a day "prepping" (if you feel that is safe and sufficient) and focus on the good things in your future, even if it feels like a bit of a stretch at present. I talk in the first part of the episode specifically about things you should make sure you have in your Bug Out/Get Out of Dodge/Go Bag and then spend the rest of the show discussing specific lessons we should learn from what has happened in Japan based on the following blog post: http://www.wakeupforeign.com/?p=77option=com_wordpressItemid=

I had lined up other topics for this week, but due to what is transpiring in Japan and the continually evolving nature of that story I am setting those aside to focus on those events.  In this episode I discuss my approach to following this story, lessons we can take away from what is happening before our eyes and how this is something of a game-changer for all of us

Unfortunately I am fighting a nasty cold so I don't sound the greatest in this episode, but I wanted to take a few minutes and share some initial thoughts I have come to about the events of the past 24 hours relating to the massive earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan.  In addition, I talk about my own experiences with finding out we were under a tsunami watch on the coast of Oregon and other elements connected to Survival/Preparedness issues we can all take away from this tragedy.  I'll plan to do a full-fledged episode on tsunami survival as a followup next week

Today I get to talk about a subject I really enjoy: Paintball!  And I get to do so in a survival context, despite the fact that it is also a hobby to me.  As I describe in the episode, I was an early adopter of paintball as a stand-in for learning survival defense techniques and still enjoy playing on the rare occasions when the opportunity presents itself.  So sit back, let me regale you with some old paintball stories and hopefully you will see the value I place on Paintball as a survival training tool

Hopefully today's sound quality is a bit better than yesterday was... But anyway, today we discuss various methods of saving and storing seeds.  I give some general thoughts and ideas about the subject as well as some specific directions that seem to work well from my own experience and research.  After listening to this, however, I strongly recommend you consider doing additional research on the topic and track down as much info as possible so you'll give yourself the best chance of being successful with your gardening efforts

With all of the downer news out there this week (gas prices, economic problems, trouble in the Middle East), I felt it was time for an episode designed to encourage and lift spirits a bit, as well as remind us of the importance and value of taking the time to prepare for your family. Consider this a "Prep Talk". ;)

On today's episode I discuss my experience watching the 1980s BBC teleplay "Threads" with a specific eye towards the survival and preparedness issues that it brings up.  You'll note that while I consider some of the elements included in this drama to be propaganda there are certainly some salient points that make it worth watching... well, if you have a strong stomach that is.  This is a fairly long episode (50 minutes) as I use this movie to cover a lot of different ideas that are central to modern survivalism, and you are warned that I do discuss some of the details of the program, including both spoilers and some gruesome details. More information on 'Threads' can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thread

If you've been around survival/preparedness circles for long you've probably come across a couple of specific "survival guns" like the AR7 and the M6 Scout.  Today's episode is about the versatile M6 Scout which is an over-under .22 long rifle/.410 gauge shotgun combo.  A unique design for a few reasons, the M6 has some advantages in terms of its survival usefulness as well as some potential tradeoffs, which are discussed by me during the course of today's podcast. More information about this interesting firearm can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Springfield_Armory_M6_Scout (NOTE: There is also a pistol version of the M6 I've come across a few times: http://www.gunshopfinder.com/springfield/M69501.asp I do not know a lot about this design so I did not mention it during today's episode.) (NOTE: #2: It seems the .22 Hornet variant is more common than I believed.  Here is a link to a current listing at Gunbroker on a .22 Hornet version of the M6: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=218543686

This is a topic suggestion I've had more than once, but is such an important topic that I decided to make today's episode about the mental preparation for surviving a disaster.  For the most part I discard a lot of the psychology (although not all of it) and focus on the practical, although you could make a case that various studies do give us some insight into this subject matter.  In general, I just try to bring things back to the simple point of "it doesn't matter what supplies you have if you aren't committed and fully dedicated to getting through whatever disaster you might face.

Recent events in various parts of the world (earthquakes in New Zealand and Arkansas, major snowstorms everywhere, and riots pretty much throughout the entire middle east) has brought to the forefront the importance of being aware of the most likely problems to impact your region.  In this episode I give a casual overview of how to determine what the greatest risks are that you might face where you live and how to "focus" in on those potential problems while still prepping for the unexpected "black swan" events

This is the second or third time I've tried to record a program on this topic, but it looks like it finally worked out.... :)  On today's episode I discuss several aspects of preparing for an EMP (Electro Magnetic Pulse), whether from natural or man-made causes and try to give some specific thoughts about ways to insulate oneself from problems caused by these potential catastrophes. BTW....  Here's the main web page I reference during the episode in case you want to read some of what I talk about for yourself: http://www.onesecondafter.com/pb/wp_194d9c9d/wp_194d9c9d.htm

Today I read the following article from a link at Survivalblog.com : http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.viewpageId=265253 While I'm not always a fan of the way WND presents its material, I thought this was a very interesting and thorough article.  I encourage you to read it before or after listening to this show today.  This is one of those occasional episodes where I try to gently implore listeners to take specific, concrete steps to make themselves and their families a little more secure.  It's pretty simple. Buy...  Food...  Now... (Another story today along the same lines...: http://agriculture.imva.info/food-prices/foodfinancial-crisis-of-2011

Have you given much thought yet to the "New" Economy?  I don't mean the old one where everyone tried to find a job to occupy for 25 years then retire with a pension and health benefits.  I mean the new one where jobs are scarce, benefits are few, and you have to work twice as hard to get by.  My hope is that there may be another way.  On this episode I discuss how to find your own niche so you can carve out a living you enjoy and still thrive in the new reality.  I can't promise it's a deep conversation on the subject but hopefully something to plant a seed that gets you thinking. (NOTE: This was recorded as a mobile podcast so there's some road noise, etc. but I hope you'll be able to still hear and understand everything okay.)

No, Chip has not crossed over into the UFO believer territory (although I did drive by Area 51 last month).  Honestly, this is just an attempt to share something a little different in our first Weekend Edition for some time.  The episode is from the 1950 Old Time Radio program 2000 Plus and is called "The Flying Saucers".  The survival context is the idea of something unexpected happening and how people deal with the unknown.  I also thought it would be nice with all the crazy negative things happening in the world to share a fun and kind of goofy tale from the days of yesteryear.  Hope you like it and have a great weekend! :