The Chip Monk Family Survival Podcast

While different preppers have different reasons for undertaking their efforts there is one issue that Chip worries everyone needs to keep an eye on.  If anything, it is the one disaster that I feel WILL happen, barring something unforeseen that miraculously "saves" us: The long, drawn-out hyperinflationary depression.  All the trends are lining up in that direction, so I think it's definitely worth discussing in-depth and on today's episode I discuss the threats we face as well as specific strategies you can look to in order to best position yourself and your family for dealing with them if (or when) they come. Please stop by and register at our new forum located at: http://chipmonk.forumotion.com/ Don't forget to check out our blog at http://thechippermonk.blogspot.com

Today I discuss the idea of adapting camping supplies you already own (or purchasing new or used products for the same purposes) in order to fill certain needs you have in your survival planning.  Whether it's a tent for shelter, a small cooking stove for preparing food, or the water filter you use when out in the woods hiking, many of the things you already may have for recreation can serve double duty as backup plans when disaster strikes! Please stop by and register at our new forum located at: http://chipmonk.forumotion.com/ Don't forget to check out our blog at http://thechippermonk.blogspot.com

NOTE: Today's book review is about a book that contains significant adult content and intense situations.  Reader discretion is advised. "Day By Day Armageddon" is a piece of fiction that I came across online in the distant past long before it made it into novel form.  Although it deals with the idea of a "Zombie Apocalypse" (which seems to be a very popular subject at present) it also focuses on the various steps that the main character undertakes to survival a societal collapse.  Throughout the reading of this book I found myself picking up little ideas here and there that seemed to be potentially useful even in lesser disasters than the dead walking the earth, say an economic collapse or pandemic flu outbreak.  As I said in the disclaimer at the top of these show notes this book won't appeal to everyone, but indeed will probably be of interest to some in the audience so I decided to share my thoughts on it. You can find the book at Amazon.com if do decide you would like to read it yourself.  The author also has at least one sample chapter posted at his web site. Please stop by and register at our new forum located at: http://chipmonk.forumotion.com/ Don't forget to check out our blog at http://thechippermonk.blogspot.com

On this episode I talk about a specific survival tool that I have grown to appreciate in my time in the outdoors: the versatile machete.  Basically an oversized heavy knife, the machete is one of the most useful items I've found for those times I'm out in a woods and can also be used around the garden (carefully) and as a weapon if needed.  Listen today as I ramble a bit about these useful and fairly inexpensive survival tool options. Please stop by and register at our new forum located at: http://chipmonk.forumotion.com/ Don't forget to check out our blog at http://thechippermonk.blogspot.com

Thankfully it appears the Hurricane Irene (which was discussed in some detail on this podcast last week) has not turned out to be quite as devastating as feared.  That is not to say it was not impactful and all indications are that it wreaked much damage in its journey up the Eastern Seaboard.  On this episode I spend a few minutes discussing some of the ramifications of what transpired this weekend then move on to talk about various herbal remedies of use to the Survivalist/Prepper. Please stop by and register at our new forum located at: http://chipmonk.forumotion.com/ Don't forget to check out our blog at http://thechippermonk.blogspot.com

For Friday's episode Chip responds to a number of listener questions ranging from discussions of having chickens to storing water to good books for survival medical emergencies.  He also discusses the "once-in-a-century" hurricane barreling down on the Eastern Seaboard and considers what he would do if his home lay in Irene's path. In this episode: * We discuss different aspects of having chickens as livestock * Briefly re-review the book "Patriots" by James Wesley, Rawles * Look at choosing water containers for storing water (mostly for short-term use) * Factors to consider in relocating to another area to escape potential disasters * Good books for basic survival medical knowledge (The following are the ones I recommend on the podcast: Where There Is No Doctor and Where There Is No Dentist) * Which hand tools to select for maximum flexibility in dealing with survival carpentry/reconstruction/building issues. Please stop by and register at our new forum located at: http://chipmonk.forumotion.com/ Don't forget to check out our blog at http://thechippermonk.blogspot.com

On today's episode I discuss the earthquakes that struck Colorado, the East Coast, and the Bay Area in the past 48 hours, the unfolding events in Libya and what they might mean, the possibility of Hurricane Irene becoming a major hurricane and other newsworthy items.  I try to focus on timeless lessons of these events so that if you're listening to this episode six months down the line it will still be informative. Please stop by and register at our new forum located at: http://chipmonk.forumotion.com/ Don't forget to check out our blog at http://thechippermonk.blogspot.com

On today's episode I attempt to answer a number of listener questions about several different topics including: * How do you get people in your family on-board the "Prepper Express"? * How do you plan for "women's needs" and stuff like that? * Is Chip concerned about failed crops and food shortages and how can you prepare for those possibilities? * Is C.E.R.T. training valuable for the Survivalist/Prepper? * Which are the best AK model firearms for survival use? * What does Chip think of some of the apparent "race issues" taking place in Wisconsin/Philadelphia/St. Louis, etc.? * What aspects of Herbal Medicine are worth learning for the survivalist/prepper? BTW... Here is the link to the first episode of the new "Survival Gun Show" podcast: http://gunrightsradio.com/2011/08/19/survival-gun-show-%E2%80%93-episode-1/ Please stop by and register at our new forum located at: http://chipmonk.forumotion.com/ Don't forget to check out our blog at http://thechippermonk.blogspot.com/

Today I discuss the great 1984 movie "Red Dawn" and some of the survivalist/prepper concepts dealt with in the movie.  Despite its focus as an action story there are quite a number of thought-provoking elements presented in this movie and I hope you will enjoy my review. Here is the link to the Wiki article on this movie if you'd like to know more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Dawn Please stop by and register at our new forum located at: http://chipmonk.forumotion.com/ Don't forget to check out our blog at http://thechippermonk.blogspot.com

Today is a somewhat logical followup to yesterday's episode about Survival Archery. Although not the most "cool" survival tool, slingshots are still a useful option for small game hunting and as a last line of defense. They are also good for learning to shoot instinctively and for chasing away animals you don't want hanging around your home. Join me as I talk about them on today's exciting (yeah right) episode! :) Please stop by and register at our new forum located at: http://chipmonk.forumotion.com/ Don't forget to check out our blog at http://thechippermonk.blogspot.com/

On today's episode I discuss some of my background experiences with bows and arrows as well as the survival-related applications of such tools.  This is a basic overview of the topic which means I'll probably at some point delve a little deeper into some of the other aspects of this subject. Please stop by and register at our new forum located at: http://chipmonk.forumotion.com/ Don't forget to check out our blog at http://thechippermonk.blogspot.com

Have you thought of what you would do if your home was suddenly at "ground zero" of something like the London Riots?  Who you could count on if the police were suddenly no longer holding back the lawless elements of society?  What specific steps you could take to fortify your neighborhood and build a network for community defense?  On today's episode I ramble on about that topic with some specific ideas you might consider to deal with this potentially life-impacting issue. Links discussed in today's show: http://news.yahoo.com/mexican-villagers-attack-alleged-crooks-killing-6-232018471.html http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/05/world/europe/05village.html Please stop by and register at our new forum located at: http://chipmonk.forumotion.com/ Don't forget to check out our blog at http://thechippermonk.blogspot.com

Today's podcast finds me sitting out in our bountiful garden enjoying the deep blue of the sky arching over my head and discussing a book I finished reading a few days ago: Neil Strauss's EMERGENCY.  I had heard of this book for a while and when one of the listeners of the show kindly lent it to me I decided to read it to see what it was all about.  Needless to say, I am glad I did (although there is quite a bit of adult language and content so it would not be recommendable for all readers).  The experience of watching (or reading about) the author's journey from being a mild-mannered music critic for the New York Times to a full-fledged "prepper" was eye-opening and thus makes this book a great option to give to people close to you that you're hoping will acquire an interest in Survival/Preparedness issues. You can find the book at Amazon.com: NOTE: As mentioned above this book does contain adult material so be forewarned that some portions of the text may be objectionable to some readers. Please stop by and register at our new forum located at: http://chipmonk.forumotion.com/ Don't forget to check out our blog at http://thechippermonk.blogspot.com

Happy Tuesday, everyone!  After a rollicking ride on the rockin' roller coaster markets over the past few days it's become fairly obvious to most people that there are major economic issues "out there" worth keeping and eye on.  In addition, the rioting in London and the race mobs in Wisconsin are stark reminders of the need to be able to take care of ourselves and our families. So with those things in mind on today's episode we discuss: * Chip's reaction to the Stock Markets (both US and Global) over the past three trading days * Survival in the city * Lessons from what's happening in London * Martial arts training for survival * Goats as survival livestock * Defensive options for "mob areas" Please stop by and register at our new forum located at: http://chipmonk.forumotion.com/ Don't forget to check out our blog at http://thechippermonk.blogspot.com

The title of this episode is meant to imply two things: 1) A response to and analysis of the 512 point plunge of the Dow yesterday and 2) What a full-blown economic collapse could mean from a preparedness viewpoint.  I meander through a number of thoughts relating to what we've been seeing this past week in the world markets and share some of my experiences watching things unfold, then share some basic coping mechanisms that I've come to recognize as useful. (Good review of yesterday's events can be found here: http://dailyreckoning.com/flash-crash-lite/ ) Please stop by and register at our new forum located at: http://chipmonk.forumotion.com/ Don't forget to check out our blog at http://thechippermonk.blogspot.com