The Mind4Survival Podcast

Road trips can be a lot of fun when you know how to plan a road trip. However, if you don't know how to plan your road trip and you're not prepared, you could wind up spending your trip dealing with problems rather than enjoying new adventures and relaxation. While a road trip is a great way to see the country, it's essential to plan ahead, so you don't run into any problems. Without a plan, you could find yourself stuck at your wit's end in the middle of nowhere. Don't worry, though. If you're unsure about your road trip planning, this article is here to help. This guide will walk you through everything from choosing your route to packing your bags. With our tips and tricks, you'll be ready for anything that comes your way on your next road trip adventure! So what are you waiting for? Let's get going so you can hit the road! What is a Road Trip? First, let's start by defining what a road trip is. The Cambridge dictionary defines a road trip as: "a long trip or vacation taken by car." While that definition should expand to cover trucks, vans, buses, and even motorcycles, it's an excellent summary. With that, road trips are typically taken by friends or family members, often stopping at various tourist traps along the way to an ultimate destination. While unplanned road trips can be great, the safest and often the best road trips are the ones that are carefully planned, with plenty of time left for spontaneity, exploration, and the perfect road trip. 10 Steps on How to Plan a Road Trip Here are my 10 tips on how to plan a road trip. 1. Goal of Your Road Trip Journey The first step of your road trip planning is to decide the who, what, where, and when of your next trip. Determine who is going on your road trip and the number of road trippers joining you. Next, plan where you'll be going. Is it a trip to national parks such as the Grand Canyon or another destination such as Disney World? Finally, consider what kind of trip fun you'll have along the way and once you get to your final destination. Ultimately, the goal of your road trip can be summarized in a mission statement that is similar to this: "On "X" date 10 people (names) will drive to Grand Canyon / Disney World (road trip destination) where we'll relax at the pool, wander through the park, and stuff our faces." 2. General Road Trip Planning Now that you know when and where you're going, who is coming, and what you're doing along the way, you're ready to begin drilling down into your road trip planning. Potential Routes The first step of your general road trip planning is to select a few route options that will get your group to all of the places you intend to spend time visiting on your trip. For example, if you're idea of fun is to travel from Southern California to Savannah, GA, for its monster St. Patricks Day celebration, you may select Interstate 10, 20, 40, or a combination of them and others. Your final decision will come after narrowing down your possible routes to your primary and alternate routes. That filtering down will depend on the goals and constraints of your road trip. Are you pressed for time so want to take the quickest route possible? Are you trying to conserve money, so you'll plan your trip according to gas prices? Maybe there are specific sites you want to see along the way that dictates your travel choices. The point is to start with a general idea of your routes and as you plan your trip, make solid information-based choices to arrive at the best travel option possible. Weather Once you decide on the general outline of your adventure, it's time to begin researching the weather for your trip. If your road trip doesn't take place for a month or more, examine the historical weather trends along yo...

How you ever wondered what you can do about helping non-preppers  to prepare? We are living in unprecedented times. We are watching events unfold, both small and large. We should do anything we can to pick up our attitudes and make sure we feel more confident and safe. Many of us have folks in our lives that we would like to know are prepared for disasters. Even though we have talked to them many times, they blow it off or give excuses for not being prepared. In this episode, Brian talks about the types of preparedness, types of disasters, objections to prepping, and how this all relates to current events. If you are an experienced prepper, this podcast episode may just serve as a reminder of why you prepare. If you’re new to prepping, this episode will give you insight into why you should consider becoming more prepared. What Is Prepping? The first thing we need to understand is prepping itself. The definition of preparedness is: All the efforts taken to minimize unwanted struggle and ensure your survival. The definition of prepping feeds into the goals of prepping. There are three goals of prepping: to survive, minimize unwanted struggle, and live out our best lives. Merely surviving is done naturally. Our bodies do that for us every day. It’s the very base reason for being prepared. Reducing the number of bad things that happen in our lives can sometimes be accomplished by being prepared for them. Wanted vs. Unwanted Struggle There are two types of struggles: wanted struggle and unwanted struggle. Wanted struggle is a struggle we willingly put ourselves through. An example would be a trip to the dentist. We don’t want to go, but it’s a struggle we do of our own accord. Unwanted struggle is something you don’t want to do. An example would be the root canal you found out you needed when you went to that dentist. If we survive, we’re living, and if we minimize the struggle, we add to living our best lives. We prepare so that the struggles don’t lead our lives for us. Prepping for Micro and Macro Disasters There are different types of disasters we may face, and we need to prepare for- micro and macro disasters. Micro disasters are things that an individual family unit can handle. An example may be the transmission going out on your car. It affects only your family unit. Macro disasters are events that exceed the ability of a family unit to handle. These are disasters on a community, state, or federal level. How Can I Know When I’ve Prepared Enough? Who defines how much is enough? You do. Each individual prepper determines when they have prepared enough. Some may only need a CPR and first aid course to feel prepared. Others may need a fully stocked bunker. You may hear various reasons and objections to prepping. However, there are a few that are common. “It’s scary.” Yes, it’s scary. That’s 100% normal. However, it’s not just about the cataclysmic disasters. It’s about having some level of preparedness to bring confidence and security into your life. “Nothing bad will happen.” Maybe not. But bad things happen to a lot of people all the time. And they don’t see them coming. The people in Ukraine didn’t think they would be in a war. We all have the potential for disaster exposure at some point in our lives. “If something does happen, someone will help me.” That’s a great part of being human. And even animals do it. If something bad happens, they help each other. But what if they don’t? There is no guarantee or law stating that anyone has to help you. The good samaritan law exists, but you can’t enforce that until after the fact, if you survive. “It is what it is. I’ll let the cards fall as they may.” A lot of people say that if the end comes,

What is normalcy bias? We all suffer from it. It's part of human nature. Normalcy bias is a psychological state in which we think things will continue to be the way they have always have. They'll stay normal. And it's what makes seeing the impending complex disaster so difficult. What Exactly IS a Complex Disaster? A complex disaster is a group of small, serious events that, when compounded together, turn into one giant, complex disaster. We may not notice all the small events because we're so focused on the big event. An example of this is gas prices. Alone, they aren't great. But we can deal with it. But when you add in food prices, inflation, shortages, and everything else, it becomes a complex disaster. It's a domino effect. Our mindset should be to become aware of these smaller events that may be leading to the big event. If we don't notice them, we won't realize the big one is coming, and we won't be as prepared as we could be. Looking back over history, we can see what's happened. We should learn from our past. Look at the American Revolution and the French Revolution. What was the catalyst? The people of the world were not happy with their government. The Consumer Price Index Game Today, the rate of inflation is 8.3%. The Consumer Price Index, which is used to determine inflation, uses substitutions. For example, if milk prices become too expensive and raise inflation too high, they remove it from their comparisons and use something cheaper and more stable, like Kool-Aid. The Consumer Price Index is a minimized version of what is actually happening. Gas prices have gone up 100-200%. How does that lead to 8.3% inflation? Home prices have gone up 17.4-29%, depending on location. This doesn't add up to 8.3%, either. Consider the food shortages. Biden announced in March of 2022 that we should expect food shortages by the end of the summer. He wasn't lying. It's already happening. And it's going to get worse. The cost of fertilizer has increased astronomically. As a result, our food prices will continue to rise. The truck drivers that deliver that food to the stores have to pay more in gas, so the price to deliver the food goes up. Again, it's a domino effect. This May Be the Tip of the Iceberg How bad does it have to get before it impacts you and your family? Will it take standing in line for food? Will it take $10 per gallon gas prices? India has already stopped all shipments of wheat out of their country. If the potential of our country going into another Depression doesn't faze you then you're not paying attention. It should scare you.  What does all this mean? It means we need to be prepared. If you're not, you need to start right now. If you think you are already prepared, you need to go through your inventory and fill in your preps. Set yourself up to rise above the situation. It Comes Down to Survival, Safety, and Self Survival Your food pantry should be 100% stocked and bulging at the seams. Pay attention to the way you're eating. Start preparing your body for rationing food. Intermittent fasting is a great way to accomplish this. Make sure you have a solid water source. Safety Secure your home. Make sure no one can get in and take your supplies. Self Be the best you that you can be. Know your values. Be someone with solid advice. Try sharing the 20/20/20 rule. (20 cans of meat, 20 cans of vegetables, 20 cans of fruit.) Be Deliberate About How You Prepare For example, what's in your vehicle door that you immediately use? A flashlight, bear spray, a reflective vest, and bug spray to put on before exiting your vehicle....

You never know when emergencies will happen that require you to be prepared with your everyday carry essentials. Daily life can turn from happy and fun to disastrous and deadly in the blink of an eye. When that happens, all you will have to face a possibly fatal situation are your wits and the gear you have with you. This guide will discuss the mindset behind your everyday carry essentials and provide a strategy for how you should consider adding to your everyday carry (EDC). What Is Everyday Carry (EDC)? Everyday carry, also known as EDC, refers to the items you carry daily. This can include everything from your wallet and keys to your phone and sunglasses and personal protection gear. While the specific items that make up your EDC will vary depending on your lifestyle and needs, there are a few essentials that everyone should consider carrying, which I'll cover later. By carefully choosing the items that make up your EDC, you can be prepared for anything life throws your way. Why Should You Practice an Everyday Carry Kit? Most people don't think about what they would do if suddenly faced with an emergency. However, those who take a moment to imagine being in a dangerous situation with no help in sight quickly realize how important it is to be prepared. That's where everyday carry comes in. Everyday carry, or EDC, refers to the items you always have on you, such as your wallet, keys, and phone. But EDC goes beyond just the basics. An EDC lifestyle means being prepared for any situation, whether it's a natural disaster, a power outage, or an attack by a crazed lunatic. By carrying everyday carry gear such as a flashlight, a pocket knife, or a multi-tool, you can be ready for just about anything. And even if you never find yourself in an emergency, there's no harm in being prepared. After all, when it comes to preparedness, as the saying goes, it's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. What is Gear? Before diving into the specifics of EDC gear, we must be all operating off the same definition and understanding of gear. By understanding what gear is and how it's categorized, you'll be able to make a more effective decision regarding your everyday carry. Merriam-Webster defines gear as, among other things, clothing, garments, goods, and equipment. For our purposes, gear is anything we use to help succeed at the goals of preparedness, survival, less unwanted struggle, and living your best life. Types of Gear There are three types of gear within the seven levels of gear. Those types of gear are passive, active, and hybrid. Passive Gear Passive gear consists of things that operate without our direct, active input. For example, passive gear includes the clothes we wear that protect us from the environment. It also consists of the body armor we wear and the alarm systems we install to stop an opponent's attack. Active Gear Active gear includes all the things we have to actively be involved with to operate. The flashlight and firearm you carry are active gear. So too is your GPS, hand-pump water filter, and anything else that requires your time, attention, and proficiency. Hybrid Gear Hybrid gear consists of everything that can be passive and which you can take over control of. For example, some drones can be pre-programmed to fly set routes. However, a drone pilot can take over control and fly the drone on his chosen spur-of-the-moment way. What are the Seven Levels of Gear? The first step in organizing your EDC gear is understanding the seven survival gear categories. The seven levels of survival gear mirror the Survival Pyramid and consist of: Immediate Survival Gear Imminent Survival Gear Emergent Survival Gear

Are you prepared for the solar maximum? The solar maximum is a time during the solar cycle when we see a spike in solar flares. These flares can cause blackouts, communication disruptions, and other forms of chaos. It's essential to be prepared for this event so that you can stay safe and protect your family. As our solar cycle heads into the solar maximum, it's critical to be prepared for what this could mean for you and your family. A solar flare could knock out power grids, disrupt communication systems, and cause other forms of chaos. Here is what you need to know about solar maximum and how to prepare for it. 1. What Is Solar Maximum Solar maximum is the point in the sun's 11-year solar cycle when it is most active. This means there is an increased chance of solar flares – which are bursts of energy and radiation – as well as coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which are vast clouds of plasma particles that can travel through space and disrupt communication systems and power grids. Solar flares are flashes of energy from the sun that travel at the speed of light. With that, it only takes 8 minutes and 20 seconds for a solar flare to travel 93 million miles from the sun to the Earth. On the other hand, Coronal Mass Ejections take one to three days to reach the Earth. That's because CMEs are clouds of slower-than-light speed plasma particles that erupt into space. What is the Solar Minimum? Solar minimum is the opposite of solar maximum. It's the period when the sun is least active at the start of a solar cycle. (Source) What Are the Potential Effects of a Solar Flare or Coronal Mass Ejection? Solar flares and CMEs can have many different effects, depending on their intensity. It can knock out power grids, disrupt communication systems, cause GPS errors, and even damage satellites. A solar flare or CME that results in a power grid failure can have a number of different consequences, depending on the size and scope of the blackout. In a small blackout, people might only lose power for a few hours or a day. But in a large-scale blackout, people could be without power for days, weeks, or even months. A power grid failure can also cause many problems, such as: Disruption of transportation systems Loss of communication Disrupted water and sewage systems Civil unrest Health and safety risks Classifications of Solar Flares Solar scientists have three main classifications of solar flares: C, M, and X. Class C storms are the weakest and pose no threat to Earth. Class M storms are stronger and can cause aurorae, such as the southern lights near the poles. Lastly, Class X storms are the strongest and can disrupt power grids, communications systems, and GPS. 1859 Carrington Event - Historical Solar Flare The most famous solar flare event is known as the Carrington Event. This occurred in 1859 and was so powerful that it caused telegraph lines to spark and catch fire. If a solar flare of this size occurred today, it could cause massive blackouts across the globe and billions of dollars in damages. Northern Lights & the Sun's Magnetic Field Proof of the sun's energy effects on the Earth is observable in the Northern Lights. The northern lights are created when the earth's magnetic field is impacted by the solar wind – a stream of charged particles from the sun. (Source) 2. When is the Next Solar Maximum When it comes to the sun's 11-year solar cycles, we are currently in new solar cycle 25, which began in December 2019. The last solar cycle, solar cycle 24, began in 2008. (Source) According to Forbes, "The latest forecast says that solar maximum—when the number of sunspots peaks and our star is at its most active—will o...

In this week's episode, I speak with Jeremiah Dorph of the "What if They're Wrong" podcast. Join us as we talk about Jeremiah's near-death experience (NDE) and how that led him down the conspiracy and paranormal rabbit hole. Updated show notes coming soon! Stay safe,

In these difficult times, with a deepening financial crisis, worsening supply chain disruptions, escalating tensions between nuclear-armed superpowers, and millions of average citizens feeling upset, disregarded, and taken advantage of, the time is now to double down on your efforts to prepare your home and family for the possibility of bugging in. When it comes to bugging in, preppers have the right idea. By preparing your home and family for the possibility of living in it for an extended period, you can make sure that you are as safe and comfortable as possible in the event regularly leaving your home becomes unsafe, uncertain, and unadvisable. And while bugging in may seem like a simple concept, there are a few things you need to know to do it right, and that's what this guide is all about. In this guide, we'll discuss the Mind4Survival basics of bugging in. This includes preparing your home not only to be able to survive the worst the world can throw at you but also preparing so that you and your family can ride out the mayhem in an as safe, self-reliant, and confident manner as possible. What Is Bugging In? (Mindset of Bugging In) While many preppers focus on evacuating, or bugging out, staying put and bugging in might be the best or only option for others. And due to the fluid nature of large-scale disasters and SHTF events, everyone should have a plan and be prepared to bug in should the situation warrant it. Definition of Bugging In Bugging in is a term that refers to the act of staying in your home during a disaster or emergency instead of evacuating. The idea is to hole up in your home with supplies and wait out the event or wait until it becomes safer to move about. This strategy should be a key consideration of any preparedness-minded person's emergency plan. History of Bugging In The concept and act of bugging in extend back through history past the coronavirus lockdowns, past the Texas ice storms, past the siege of the Battling Bastards of Bastogne during World War II to medieval siege warfare. On that point, when it comes to bugging in, there are some similarities with siege warfare. Both involve protecting a fixed location and preparing for a long-term stay. Both include plans and preparations to safely, survive, in an environment where the external situation is so dire that leaving one's home (or castle) is at best dangerous and at worst deadly. And, in both cases, it is important to have plans, preparations, a strong defensive position, and enough supplies to last for an extended time. The Advantages of Bugging In Bugging in allows you to remain in familiar surroundings. This can help reduce stress and make it easier to cope with the situation. Additionally, bugging in gives you more control over your environment. You can make sure that you have access to food, water, and other supplies, and you can secure your home against looters and intruders. Finally, bugging in allows you to stay close to loved ones who may also be bugging in. In times of crisis, bugging in can be a safer and more comfortable option than bugging out. When and Why to Bug In? When an SHTF event or disaster strikes, the last thing you want to do is expose your family to unnecessary danger. Therefore, the best option in an emergency may be to bug in. Bugging in can, in many cases, be the best way to keep your loved ones safe. Large-scale disasters can lead to cascading effects, such as cutting off access to essential services like water and power. Likewise, needed services such as grocery stores and medical facilities may be inaccessible or non-functioning. By staying put, you can avoid the dangers of being on the road and put all your focus on keeping your family safe and co...

More and more, bad tech and hard times seem to be going hand in hand. In recent weeks, cybersecurity has been headlined in the news. Hackers, especially Russian hackers, have become a concern for America’s critical infrastructure. Our banking system, our electrical grid, our water system… we are a vulnerable country. The government has issued warnings and encouraged businesses to concentrate their efforts on securing their systems. But what can we do ourselves to prepare? Does My Choice of Browser Matter? Last week Google announced on their official Chrome Blog that they were hit by another 2022 zero-day hack. This form of attack is the most dangerous because the vulnerability is known to the hackers before Google can issue a fix for it. This attack exists “in the wild” so every Chrome user is vulnerable. This serves as a reminder to always download the security patches when they become available. Consider using Brave as an alternative browser. It can be downloaded at Brave.com. Brave is privacy-focused, free, and does a lot of the things that Google Chrome can do because it’s based on open-source programming. Open-source simply means that anyone can go in and inspect the programming. Brave has their own search engine. Where Google is driven by ads and trackers, Brave is not. Try searching for something on both and compare the recommendations you get. They will be different. In an article on MakeUseOf.com, they list 10 reasons why the Brave browser is becoming so popular. Allows us to move away from Google tech companies Respects privacy Faster browsing experience Open-source information and programming They are against censorship Blocks trackers for web surfing habits Offers a rewards program that allows users to collect crypto credits to award to Brave users. So check out Brave and see why it’s becoming a popular alternative in a world of bad tech. Is a Drone Really Bad Tech? The drones we currently see are behind in technology compared to what is actually out there. For example, a switchblade drone has the ability to not only watch you, but can also carry a warhead and deliver it. Check out the article at https://mind4survival.com/how-to-spot-a-drone-at-night/. Brian goes over how to spot a drone, what to do if you find one is watching you, and some of the different types of drones. Is My Cellphone Safe? Joe Rogan spoke with Gavin de Becker, owner of his own security firm and author of “The Gift of Fear”, on his podcast episode #1800. They discuss an article published by The Guardian about Jeff Bezos’ phone being hacked by the Saudi crowned prince. Bezos and the crowned prince, Mohammed bin Salman, are acquaintances and have exchanged phone numbers. “MBS” - as the crown prince is known - sent Bezos an encrypted WhatsApp message with a malicious file that infiltrated his phone. Pegasus2 is spyware designed by an Israeli company that allows the government to get into your phone and gain full control of it. They can do anything on your phone from thousands of miles away that you can do with it in your hand. It doesn’t download immediately when it infects your phone. It simply embeds a small executable file that reaches out to the main program. You don’t need to receive a text or email to allow Pegasus2 into your phone. It is a no-click incursion.  All they need to get in is your phone number. There are 2 types of countries in the world - the original developers of the spyware program and the countries that purchase the spyware. Currently, due to the cost, the government is the only organization able to utilize Pegasus2. However, it’s just a matter of time before others are able to use it or use software like it. Pegasus2 is extremely well hidden. You may not know it happened and go on for months and mo...

Are you concerned with how to protect yourself online? If you are, you're not alone! A Pew Research study found that most Americans are concerned about their online safety. But don't worry – there are plenty of things you can do to protect yourself. This article will outline 11 of the best ways to protect yourself online. Following these tips makes it much more difficult for hackers and other cybercriminals to steal your data or invade your privacy. So what are you waiting for? Keep reading to learn more about how to protect yourself online! 11 Tips for Online Safety 1. Use Strong Passwords Passwords are one of the most important ways to protect yourself online. They are your first line of defense against anyone who wants to gain access to your accounts. Make sure to use strong passwords that are difficult to guess. A strong password should be at least ten characters long and include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using easily guessed words like your name, birthday, or favorite sports team. Don't reuse the same password across multiple accounts. While it took me a while to get used to a password manager, I use LastPass and love it. LastPass allows me to manage my online accounts and change default passwords to complex passwords and generate new passwords on the fly. LastPass is an excellent piece of security software and a secure way to manage access to your social media accounts through mobile devices and your own computer. It's also a great way to log into any website address easily and with little effort. 2. Know How to Check if an App is Safe It's essential to be aware of how to check if an app is safe before downloading it to your mobile device or computer. Many malicious apps can steal your personal information or damage your device, so it's crucial to be vigilant. There are a few ways to check if an app is safe before downloading it. Verified.org states that Google and Apple offer "5.7 million apps for users but not all are secure." That same Verified.org article goes on to state the following steps when checking if an app is safe: Learn how to check if an app is safe to download before installing it by looking for the following red flags in the app store: App Name & Developer: Notice the app’s name and its developer. Look carefully at both and notice any abnormalities such as weird spacing or asterisks that don’t match up with other apps from the developer. Version History: Near the bottom of an app listing is its detailed Version History showing what updates were made to the app. If this is missing, or only includes vague information, this could be a warning sign. App Description: Every app comes with a description allowing users to understand its features and how to use it. Beware of any grammatical errors or spelling mistakes within the description, this could be a sign that it is a scam. Or, if the description seems too broad or general, it may be a fake. The Numbers: While it may not always be the case, especially with newly released apps, looking at the numbers of downloads and reviews can be helpful in determining the legitimacy of the app. Popular apps tend to have millions or billions of downloads and reviews. Those with significantly lower numbers may be imposters. Keywords: Developers will sometimes use keywords within the description for search results. However, if the information seems stuffed with keywords that don’t flow naturally, you may be dealing with an unsafe app. In-app purchases: It's helpful to review the in-app purchase options (if any), to read the description.

In this episode, Brian talks with Michael Kurcina, host of the We Fight Monsters Podcast and YouTube channel and founder of Spotterup.com. Mike shares advice from personal stories and experiences that have changed the course and quality of his life. Who is Michael Kurcina? Mike is a former Marine and security specialist and is very active in the veteran's community. While in the Marine Corps, he suffered an injury. He was hurt, and his leg swelled up, but he still pushed through the pain and kept going. He later found out he had a torn ACL. The injury caused him to take a 20-year break from the Marine Corps, but he decided to go back in at the age of 38 ½. We Fight Monsters Mike is the author of "We Fight Monsters," "We Make Ghosts," and "We Wrestle Silently." He received a suggestion to put together a collection of his thoughts. From that suggestion, he wrote his first book, "We Fight Monsters." "We Fight Monsters: Wisdom and Inspiration that Speaks to the Warrior's Soul" is a collection of quotes and thoughts posted on Instagram over a four-year period. His followers stated that his writing "got me through some very hard times". His next book, "We Make Ghosts: Warrior's 365 Devotional," was written for warriors that want to live in the moment and escape the hurts of their pasts. His final book, "We Wrestle Silently: Quotes for the Warrior's Soul," is a book of quotes to help anyone battling something in their life and want to take their life lessons and use them to become a better person. Everyone has different monsters. We are all fighting them. The We Fight Monsters Podcast is about different people fighting different monsters and sharing what they are doing to deal with it. The "Whole" Man Mike's website, Spotterup.com, is more than just a site to purchase really cool gear. It's also a site for learning. When Mike was young, he became very interested in Greek and Roman history and Western Civilizations in school. He learned about the "whole" man. This is the idea that man should be trained in everything and should be well-rounded. Spotterup.com focuses on the five components of health: Heart, Body, Social Circle, Mind, and Spirit. Mike understands that we need all of these to survive, especially in an SHTF situation. His website offers information and training to promote improvement and balance in all of these areas. Take Control Remember that life is about stimulus and response. Our response is the only thing we can be responsible for. We can't control what others do (stimulus), only how we respond to it. Find what you believe to be right, then immediately try to prove yourself wrong. The more you find that you're wrong, the more you will find that you're right. But you have to leave emotion out of the situation. Look at it from all points of view, not just your own. Remove the distractions. Don't just focus on what is immediately in front of you. Focus some of your attention on the other things happening as well. Imagine being in the store with someone screaming in your face. Don't concentrate just on that. Take some notice of the person standing behind him holding the knife. Keep looking around you and be mindful. Live in the moment and live outside the moment at the same time. This will only come from conditioning and experience. Growing up, you may have imagined yourself in bad situations and how you would handle them. Your life is a result of your lived experiences. How big is your horizon of experiences? If you limit your horizon of lived experience, you will only focus your mind in one way, limiting yourself. And believe in your hunches because they are based on your experiences. There are some nasty people out there. Try to find a balance between good and bad. You need to have values and be able to look at ot...

Protective Intelligence is a process of identifying, assessing, and managing risks to a business or individual. This includes both preventative and reactive measures. You may be wondering why you should invest in Protective Intelligence. After all, you're not a business or government institution - you're just a regular person. But there are several reasons why it is important for individuals as well. Here are a few: You never know when bad people or hard times might impact you. Protective Intelligence helps you protect your family, assets, information, and reputation. A good Protective Intelligence mindset can help you achieve the two preparedness goals, minimize your unwanted struggle and survive. So Protective Intelligence is not just for businesses - it's for everyone. If you're interested in protecting yourself, your family, and your assets, then Protective Intelligence is something you should consider. With that, I'm going to cover five points about Protective Intelligence. 1. The Importance of Protective Intelligence Protective Intelligence (PI) is an essential part of any preparedness mindset. It can help people protect themselves from risk that results in harm. 2. What Is Protective Intelligence and Why Do You Need It? Protective Intelligence is the process of identifying, assessing, and managing risks for you and your loved ones and the situations that arise with the people you have some input in and feel some level of responsibility for. 3. How to Get Started With Your Protective Intelligence Program There are a few steps you can take to get started: Identify your risks Assess the risks Put in place preventative measures Create a response plan Train and educate others Always remember this is an ongoing process. You should make sure to review and update your situation and the knowledge of your situation, along with your risks, on an ongoing and regular basis. Over time, this process will, in many aspects, become second nature. As you are all humans with your individual lives experiences, you probably do this on at least a basic level. Now, you just need to hone it a bit. 4. Tips for Making the Most Out of a Protective Intelligence Program Here are a few tips for making the most out of Protective Intelligence: Keep your mindset open, fluid, and adaptable. Use multiple sources of information. Always question and verify your information. Focus on risk reduction 5. What Is the Future of Protective Intelligence? The future is uncertain, and Protective Intelligence is likely to become even more critical in the years to come. Businesses need to be prepared for any threat that comes their way. The Bottom Line of Protective Intelligence Protective Intelligence is an integral part of any preparedness mindset. It can help people protect themselves from risk that results in harm. Protective Intelligence helps you protect your family, assets, information, and reputation. A good Protective Intelligence mindset can help you achieve the two goals of preparedness - minimize your unwanted struggle and survive. If you're interested in protecting yourself, your family, and your assets, then Protective Intelligence is something you should consider, and that's precisely what this podcast episode is going to focus on. Additional Resources: Completing Your Personal Risk Assessment Mind4Survival Podcast on Apple Podcasts The 31 Best Survival Podcasts of 2022 How to Increase Your Everyday Situational Awareness   Stay safe,

There are many reasons you might want to know how to prepare for hyperinflation. Maybe you have a lot of debt to pay off. Perhaps you're worried that the value of money will go down so much that it will be hard to afford basic needs like food and water. No matter your reasons, it's always a good idea to be prepared for the worst-case scenario. Challenges of Preparing for Hyperinflation The immediate challenge most people face when preparing for hyperinflation is knowing what is and how to prepare for it. Another challenge is that some people don't want to admit that there's a problem. They might think that hyperinflation won't happen or that they don't need to worry about it. And if you're not prepared correctly, you might end up losing money instead of saving it. When it comes to hyperinflation, I know how you feel. You're struggling to make ends meet, and it seems like every day, the cost of living goes up a little more. You're not sure how you'll pay your bills this month, let alone next month. The financial futures of your family members are at risk. What do you do? I feel your pain. I've been there before too. And I know that there's no easy answer to your problems. But I also know that you can do things to make things a little bit easier for yourself. That's what I want to talk to you about today - how to prepare for hyperinflation in case it happens. Inflation vs. Hyperinflation First, to understand hyperinflation, it's essential to first understand inflation. Inflation is defined by Dictionary.com as: "a persistent, substantial rise in the general level of prices related to an increase in the volume of money and resulting in the loss of value of currency." In short, inflation is the decline of a currency's purchasing power over time. Therefore, as inflation increases, the value of your money decreases, which diminishes your purchasing power. When it comes to measuring inflation, inflation is measured using the consumer price index, which is "a measure of the average change over time in the prices paid by urban consumers for a market basket of consumer goods and services." (Source) The bottom line on inflation is, because of inflation, the money you have today, will be worth less tomorrow. What Is Hyperinflation? Hyperinflation is an extreme type of inflation. The economy becomes very unstable during hyperinflation, and it destroys the value of paper money resulting in a financial crisis. Investopedia.com defines hyperinflation as: "...a term to describe rapid, excessive, and out-of-control general price increases in an economy. While inflation is a measure of the pace of rising prices for goods and services, hyperinflation is rapidly rising inflation, typically measuring more than 50% per month." In other words, hyperinflation (the devaluation of money) can lead to the costs of goods and services doubling, tripling, and more in a very short period of time. What Causes Hyperinflation? Many different factors can cause hyperinflation. According to CorproateFinanceInstitute.com: "Hyperinflation commonly occurs when there is a significant rise in money supply that is not supported by economic growth. The increase in money supply is often caused by a government printing (money) and injecting more money into the domestic economy or to cover budget deficits. When more money is put into circulation, the real value of the currency decreases, and prices rise." When a country experiences hyperinflation, it can be difficult for the average person to get by. This is because the value of money decreases rapidly, and it becomes difficult to purchase basic necessities.

Everyone needs an SHTF plan (Shit Hits the Fan Plan) because society is much more fragile than many people understand or want to believe. Our stark reality is one in which a single large-scale disaster or series of smaller-scale disasters occurring in the wrong place at the right time can lead to cascading impacts on society. When that happens, those who don't have an SHTF plan ready to go will be much more likely to suffer. Those without an SHTF plan are more likely to struggle and succumb to a lack of planning and preparation. The solution is this step-by-step process to survive any SHTF situation. This four-step guide will help ensure you and your loved ones are safe and sound when the world around you descends into chaos. What Is an SHTF Event? An SHTF event is any event that exceeds the ability of local, state, national, and international aid providers to overcome. SHTF events cause widespread regional, national, and international harm, and the damage they cause is beyond society's capacity to address. When discussing SHTF events, most people think of them as large-scale disasters such as a supervolcano eruption, significant asteroid impact, or a similar cataclysm. While this is true, smaller, compounding disasters can build upon one another to the point they result in an SHTF situation occurring. Here are a few examples of possible SHTF events: SHTF Scenario #1 - Large-Scale Natural Disaster Large-scale natural disasters are both possible and have occurred throughout history. Examples of large-scale natural disasters are the eruption of a supervolcano, widespread infection with a highly deadly virus with a 40% death rate, and the impact of a 3-mile-wide asteroid, all of which have occurred throughout history. SHTF Scenario #2 - Large-Scale Human Disaster Historically, large-scale human disasters were only able to happen due to the actions of a nation-state. For example, nuclear and biological warfare, kinetic activities, etc., were only able to be initiated by the actions of a country. Now, however, technology is continually increasing the potential for individual and non-nation-state actors to initiate large-scale disasters worldwide. Some examples of large-scale human disasters include: A cyberattack that permanently shuts down The Eastern Grid, resulting in loss of power to most of the U.S. east of the Rockies. The manipulation and collapse of national and international financial systems. Rogue nations use nuclear or biological warfare against their enemies. SHTF Scenario #3 - Compounding Small-Scale Disasters Compounding small-scale disasters occur when one small-scale problem leads into or provides the circumstances for another small-scale compounding disaster to happen. In turn, the newly ensuing disaster sets the stage for yet more problems and disasters to occur, eventually resulting in widespread problems and potential SHTF scenarios. Examples of compounding small-scale disasters that may lead to large-scale SHTF scenarios include: A nation suffers from a severe economic collapse. In response to the struggle within the nation, a charismatic local leader comes to power. In a quest to unite and expand his country, that leader vilifies a people within the country and begins looking outward. As a result, millions of people march off to gas chambers, and a world war SHTF event is started. A virus leaks from a lab in one country and begins to spread globally. As a result, governments start making politically expedient decisions that cause global political and financial strife. In turn, the strife leads to social upheaval around the world, eventually resulting in civil wars and the collapse of society as we know it. One nation postures as if it will invade a smaller neighbor.

What comes to mind when you hear the words surveillance and counter-surveillance? It may be images from TV and movies of spies following suspects, or a lurker across the street following the unsuspecting lady, or the guy watching from the booth in the corner of the diner. But what is real surveillance? And how can we, as preppers, use it to keep ourselves, our family, and our friends safe? This week's podcast is a throwback episode from the early days of the Mind4Survival Podcast. Brian talks with his good friend and surveillance expert Tristan Flannery. Tristan was a member of the 2nd Ranger Battalion and spent a decade deployed with the US government running security in the most dangerous places in the world. He has kept some of the most influential people and essential infrastructures safe, and he is a leader in risk management. What Is Surveillance? Surveillance is keeping watch over someone or something. It focuses on and studies the regular pattern of people's lives to gather information. Stalking has become more prevalent in the internet and social media age. Our phones give away our patterns. It's the first thing we touch in the morning, we keep it on us all day, and it's the last thing we touch at night. Be careful what you share. Surveillance Isn't Just for Spies Everyone can use the concepts Tristan shares in our everyday lives. You don't need to be a spy or a special operations guru to use surveillance to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. Protect yourself with situational awareness. Be more deliberate about how you go about your day. Be observant without being observed. Listen to your gut, pay attention to your surroundings, and pay attention to the details. Don't keep your head down on your phone all the time. If you feel that something doesn't belong or look right, don't dismiss it. Trust your instincts and listen to what your subconscious is trying to tell you. If something feels off, chances are it is. This is your natural fight or flight response working to keep you safe. Be the Gray Man Make yourself as unimportant and uninteresting with the most negligible value as possible. Blend in. If you're in a place where everyone is wearing a suit, wear a suit. Don't wear a flannel shirt and torn-up jeans because you will stand out. If everyone is driving a Prius and you're in a jacked-up diesel truck, you will be noticed. If you're meeting someone, make sure you control the situation. Always meet at a public place during the daytime, like a coffee shop or a bank. Make sure you choose the location and consider places with cameras to record the interaction. Arrive at the meeting place 15 minutes early and watch the area. If the person you're meeting arrives and they aren't alone, or you have a bad feeling about them, you have the opportunity to drive away. Don't ever go to someone's house. You have no idea what is waiting for you in there, and it's an environment they control. Talk with your kids about what they should look for and how they should react if they feel uncomfortable. Discuss some possible scenarios. We don't want them to hide. We want them to put distance between themselves and the threat. Tell them to make noise and call attention to themselves. Find a person of authority. Work out a safe place for them to go ahead of time, like a store, and ask for help. What Should I Do if I Think I'm Being Watched? Pay attention to who is paying attention to you. Continue to behave like you do every day, so the person following you doesn't realize you've figured them out. Let them think they have the advantage. Call 911 and tell the police where you are, what kind of car it is, and what the person looks like.

Have you had experiences that put you in a position to use your preps? What if you had to live only on the food and water you have right now? How quickly could you evacuate your home? Have you gone without electricity or heat for an extended period of time? As preppers, most of us have made our plans and stocked up on supplies. We have grand ideas about what we will do if this scenario happens. Or how we'll react if that scenario happens. But the hard truth is that we won't know how we'll react until the time has come when we have to make the choices, use the preps, or bug out to our chosen location. Brian talks with Sara Hathaway, the author of The Changing Earth series of books and host of the Changing Earth podcast. Sara has some great prepper tips and ideas to share, both from her book series and her personal experiences. She has been able to put some of her preps to the test, both with bugging out and bugging in. She has systems that will have her and her family evacuated for wildfires in 5 minutes, or the ability to hunker down for an extended period of time with no electricity during an ice storm. The Changing Earth Sara's focus in her books and podcast is on the changes happening to our planet. Not climate change in particular, but the environmental changes like flooding and wildfires that are occurring naturally as a result of sharing the Earth with humans. Who will screw up the system first? Will it be the humans? Or the Earth? She includes situations in her stories that allow her to share information on how to prepare and how to survive. Each book is a learning experience. She has taken this focus and used it to help her ensure her children are able to survive on their own, as well as sharing it on her website and podcast platforms for everyone free of charge. Why Now? Why are there more outspoken preppers now? People are noticing how fragile our society and our system are. It used to be just conspiracy theories. But people are seeing more and more of those theories coming true. People are paying attention. The Lone Wolf Sara feels that the more we spread the word about being a prepper, the more the people in our communities will be prepared themselves. It's group survival. If you are serious about prepping, you will need to think about your community. Are you really going to just shoot someone that shows up on your doorstep? No, because people will hear about it, and they're going to show up. They will want to take what you are protecting. The lone wolf idea is not a logical or realistic way to survive. Who will be on patrol while you're tending to your garden? While you're sleeping? You need a decent-sized squad. Maybe you have a few people in your squad. Maybe you have 40 people. What will happen when a squad of 250 people show up at your gates and want in? The lone wolf doesn't work. The best idea is to form your squad now. Make friends with your local farmers that may produce too much food. Get more chickens than you need and use the extra to trade for things others have. But Isn't FEMA Going to Save Us? Most folks have heard of FEMA. They know that they show up during disasters, and when asked why they don't prepare, they say that FEMA will save them. As preppers, we have learned that we should not wait on the government (or anyone else) to save us. FEMA's goal is to save as many people as possible. In a national disaster, they will triage the nation. They will decide who is worth saving and who is too far gone. They are not concerned with saving us as individuals. We need to be prepared and save ourselves. Does FEMA Do Anything Good? We may have a negative opinion of FEMA, but FEMA is actually an excellent resource for preparedness information. They publish checklists for different aspects of preparedness and safety. Use the information and the checklists to make ...