The Prepper Podcast

This week there will be no podcast.  I barely got one out to you last week.  I had to work crazy hours for a week (through the weekend as well) at work for maintenance that we had to do on our emergency power system, then the very next week I was at training all week, and still trying to recover from the extra hours.  I am now on vacation… for at least a few days and obviously will not be putting out a podcast this week.  What I will ask you to do is to leave a comment in the show notes and give me some suggestions on topics you would like to cover starting my next podcast.

In this episode, I go through an introduction to Honeybees and explain many facts about bees and keeping bees that you may want to know before you start. Show Notes: theprepperpodcast.com/040, or theprepperpodcast.com/whykeepbees News: Heat from the surrounding area in Yellowstone has caused some of the roads to begin melting. A park spokesman said that the liquefying of pavement that is now occurring is extreme and unusual. http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-yellowstone-melted-road-20140711-story.html Housekeeping: The Honey and The Bee: Purchase on Amazon (http://theprepperpodcast.com/beebook) Feedback at 978-KNOWS IT (566-9748) or visit my website and click the green banner Feedback: feedback@theprepperpodcast.com Discussion: Why Beekeeping is a Great thing to do, Bees and Colonies Beekeeping is the perfect thing for the organic farmer use as key pollinator responsible for $15 billion in added crop value Create honey that people pay good money for with your bees Local honey Raw, unprocessed Great for people with allergies Almost indefinite shelf life hardens Very Little work involved with beekeeping They work to make honey and pollen Free labor for you Independent animals you could be involved as little as twice a year You can get Beeswax from keeping bees Candles Lipbalm Bees Can Sting You so be careful If you keep and are allergic, be extremely careful Carry an epi pen and/or benedryl Beekeeping is Cheap to do Initial Cost 3-400 dollars This is an investment in sustainability self reliance money generating workers Most of the cost here is equipment, not the bees if you kill them, they can be replaced The first Year of Beekeeping and what you should know about it: It will suck Learn the ins, outs, ups, downs Very little profit kill off your hive Patience is key for the beginner after a couple years, everything will fall into sync You will coexist with them You will ultimately get Wax Honey Pollen Lots of veggies and fruit Learn from a local keeper even commercial keepers they may not be doing things sustainable but you WILL learn useful techniques

Todays Discussion: I explain many realistic ways for you to take the advantages of alternative energy such as solar energy, and use it to your advantage, both economic and reliability. What we have discussed: Lower Power Consumption or Energy Use of your home Consider which alternative power option works for you Different alternative energy sources, viable and non-viable What you need to know about batteries and battery banks Everything you need to know about inverters Many other items that we need to create a great battery bank Show Notes: theprepperpodcast.com/039, or theprepperpodcast.com/smallbatterybankuses News: 33% of Americans have RFID chips (most unknown) by a new study done by the whyoming Institute of Technology: http://witscience.org/analysis-of-radio-frequency-identification-rfid-chip-prevalence-in-3-discrete-united-states-populations/ Housekeeping: guests: GO TO http://theprepperpodcast.com/guests and fill out the form Feedback at 978-KNOWS IT (566-9748) or visit my website and click the green banner Discussion: Realistic ideas for your alternative energy sources Backup Power on your Home The whole point for all of these was for your home backup pow Using Alternative Energy on an RV Solar propane methane Eco Power on Hunting Cabin Charge Cell-phones and such when camping Solar and Wind Chicken Coop Storm Shelter Powered by Solar Shed or Outbuilding using Alternative Power Sources Portable Power in Home Automobile Battery Bank Four-wheelers with Power Sump Pumps Well Pumps Solar Electro-Fencing Walkway or Path and SpotLight lamps bugzapper lamps Solar lantern / Lamp Air Conditioning Powered by Alternative Energy??? icemaker 5-gallon bucket fan smaller bucket… if possible WiFi Extenders

Todays Discussion: Learn all about different examples of renewable resources to use in your power needs and the different types of energy sources that are available for you. Different alternative energy sources, viable and non-viable What we have discussed: Lower Power Consumption or Energy Use of your home Consider which alternative power option works for you What you need to know about batteries and battery banks Everything you need to know about inverters Many other items that we need to create a great battery bank Show Notes: theprepperpodcast.com/038, or theprepperpodcast.com/alternativeenergy Housekeeping: No news segment today, or for the next month guests: GO TO http://theprepperpodcast.com/guests and fill out the form Feedback at 978-KNOWS IT (566-9748) or visit my website and click the green banner Feedback: Julian: Should I hunker down in my home and and protect my family, How do I prepare? How do I fortify?  Do I bury some supplies in the yard? Burying your caches: http://cleversurvivalist.com/2013/11/06/how-to-make-pvc-or-5-gallon-survival-caches-for-your-necessities/ For Home Security: http://theprepperpodcast.com/023 or http://theprepperpodcast.com/nonlethalweapons Home Security System Have sign out front Real Cameras False Cameras Looks just like the real thing.  Can deter some people. Medium to large dog LED “false” TV Light switch automation Good door locks Buddy Bar Door Jams 3M window film Tack strips at every entrance Defense weaponry Firearms (Shotgun and Sidearm) Discussion: Different Types of Alternative Energy Solar Types Voltaic Thermal Light Another that I get to later Instantly think solar panels (solar voltaics) Visualize home with tons of panels Keep high consumption, low carbon footprint Pros Resiliency Simple construction Awesome technology for small scale applications Almost Maintenance Free Cons Where did the sun go? Expensive Not truly sustainable Lacks Sufficient Production as you reach the two Poles Efficiency: 21.5% is best, Typical is 12-18%

For this 4th of July, I explain why the Declaration of Independence is important, the author of, and who signed the Declaration of Independence. We are discussing today: 4th of july meaning today declaration of independence revolutionary war sons of liberty liberty bell Housekeeping: guests: GO TO http://theprepperpodcast.com/guests and fill out the form Feedback at 978-KNOWS IT (566-9748) or visit my website and click the green banner   News Segment by J.Bradbury of PreparePDX.com: Iraq News: Oil Refinery http://www.cbsnews.com/news/isis-militants-attack-iraq-oil-refinery-in-baiji-north-of-baghdad/ Economic: Greg Hunter, Weekly News Wrap up https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MA-ftplJao&feature=em-uploademail New Batteries http://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=131828&WT.mc_id=USNSF_1 Discussion: What 4th of July Means to People today Summer BBQ Beer Parades Fireworks We have let our family gatherings and cookouts get in the way of our Independence Day knowledge. How Schools have taught Independence Day Revolution was declared against the British On July 4th, 1776 the Declaration of Independence was signed There was a celebration where the Liberty Bell got cracked from getting his so hard What is the Declaration of Independence It is a document signed by our local governing body that was done so to explain to the British King that we were tired of the British government overstepping its bounds and consistently overtaxing the people. The first rough draft was written in the Green Dragon Tavern over a mug of ale. This was the same as the Boston Tea Party The Men / Signers of the Declaration of Independence Men were revolters Not considered stand up people They were felons, traitors Men of power and courage Signed the DOI April 1775, war declared on Great Britain The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere April 18th 1775 Part of a planned early warning system One by land and Two by sea – north church steeple To Ride to Lexington to warn John Hancock and Samuel Adams Revere was caught off-guard Then he rode, stopping at houses on his way to Lexington Got to Adams and Hancock Joined by rider William Dawes

Working on the art of “going off the grid”, I teach you what is an AGM batter, all the battery types possible, batter sizes, such as group sizes, and MUCH MORE! This is part of a series that should include. Lower Power Consumption or Energy Use of your home Consider which alternative power option works for you What you need to know about batteries and battery banks Everything you need to know about inverters Many other items that we need to create a great battery bank But what about Generators? Housekeeping: zello itunes tomorrow is Father’s Day News Segment by J.Bradbury of PreparePDX.com: A Child Falls from a Building and Dies http://www.katu.com/news/local/4-year-old-boy-dies-after-falling-out-of-North-Portland-apartment-window-261925531.html A New Barter Site http://www.earthineer.com/ Signs of Change, by Hawkkeydavis http://youtu.be/yqKcbDIyKdw Discussion: I was trying to decide how I would present this information to all of you, and I realized that Steven Harris of Solar1234.com and of Battery1234.com did a terrific job on the audio presented on his websites, so I decided to use his information (and hopefully he doesn’t mind) on most of this topic, with some more detail added by me to unnecessarily expound on the wonderful information that he has provided.  If you decide to purchase ANYTHING that I have discussed today, please go to Steven’s websites and purchase from him through HIS affiliate links, to thank him for all of his hard work. What is the basic concept for a great use of a battery bank with a generator? What do you need to know about batteries?  How to choose the best battery for your battery bank. We can’t use “special batteries”, we have to use what works today. Battery Types Flooded Lead-Acid (FLA) Batteries Uses Car Lawn Mower Marine Golf Cart 400lb Telcom Batteries (2v) Normal vs. Maint Free…caps 65% Sulfuric Acid, 35% Water Lead (-) and Lead Dioxide (+) Plates 12v battery is 6 little 2v batteries, and a 6v is 3 chambers These are spillable! Gel Cell Batteries or Now called Sealed Lead Acid Batteries (SLA) Uses power wheels car jump box UPS alarm system emergency exit lights Electrolyte is a Gel Work in any position or configuration Batteries are old before you get them Size is smaller than FLA 2.5-3x price of FLA Being replaced by AGM Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) Batteries Liquid Batteries, but “non-spillable” Don’t confuse with Gel Cell

Today I give the first of a series about going off the grid. I discuss energy conversion and power efficiency and why you should look at it BEFORE going off grid. * Housekeeping: * zello * First Aid Kit and Trauma Kit Webinar coming soon * News Segment by J.Bradbury of PreparePDX.com (Let me know if you like this segment and maybe we can make it a regular thing): * GMO Video: Josephine County Measure 17-58 Leadership Recap * http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UK9bACCPI4A&feature=share * Two Oregon Counties Vote to Ban Genetically Engineered Crops Despite Massive Contributions by Monsanto and Corporate Agribusiness * http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_30081.cfm * Boil alert… Is Portland ready for a disaster? Experts say no (J.Bradbury * http://www.katu.com/news/local/Is-Portland-ready-for-a-major-disaster-260608591.html * Financial: The Size Of The Derivatives Bubble Hanging Over The Global Economy Hits A Record High * http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/archives/the-size-of-the-derivatives-bubble-hanging-over-the-global-economy-hits-a-record-high * Mudslide: Colorado 4 MILE LONG Landslide * http://youtu.be/1o9cvLE66ps * 3 missing in Mesa County mudslide * http://www.9news.com/story/news/local/2014/05/25/large-mudslide-mesa-county/9584285/ * Different Parts to Going Off-Grid * Lower Power Consumption or Energy Use of your home * Consider which alternative power option works for you * What you need to know about batteries and battery banks * Everything you need to know about inverters * Many other items that we need to create a great battery bank * But what about Generators? * Lower Power Consumption and Energy Use of Your Home * Real Cost of off-grid solar system * Panels: $20,000 * Batteries: $20,000 * 30 years cost recovery * Benefit of off-grid system * Grid-Down Scenario * Regional Disaster * If grid-energy costs go up * You save more on raising efficiency over purchasing power generation. * $40k vs $30k (25k + 5k) * Get real efficiency expert for consulting * Work on effeciency * Seal up cracks in home * windows * doors * attics * basements * fireplaces * Attic insulation * roof pitch * attic vent fan * Seal ductwork * 1/5 of energy costs * our ducts disconnected * duct cleaning * Programmable thermostat * cell phone control * constantly turning it on and off * Energy Efficient windows * over $10k * Wood insulates better than aluminum * Storm Windows is cheaper * Add Blinds or Curtains * winter=black * summer=silver * black curtain=air flow * Efficient doors

We all need the preppers emergency FAMILY survival guide, because we want to make learning fun for our family. We want to include them and to foster enjoyment in prepping. * My issue with Preppers: * the do it yourself attitude (sort of) * TEOTWAWKI will happen TODAY * Traps that Preppers fall into: * Acquisition of stuff *  Stuff runs us * Improper attitude (bulk storage vs good food) * Financial ruin (stuff is expensive) * It isn’t all about hurry up and get stuff for preps * It is about skill * It is about family * How to Make Prepping a Family Activity * Food * Gardening * Plant * Weed * Teach them about the wild edibles in the yard, and what it means if you eat the wrong thing. * Livestock * Feed * Collect Eggs * Assisting in herding or paddock shifting * Water * * Teach them to conserve water * You can teach the no-nonsense water acquisition techniques * * Bathtub * Hotwater heater * Rain catchment * Wilderness Procurement * Stills * Ground Filtration * Life pens * Boiling and filtration * Shelter * Teach them to set up a tent * When you make repairs, include them in it * Teach them to build shelters in the wilderness * Security * Run drills * 911 * They should know where to go * Escape scenarios * Health/Sanitation * Teaching them first aid techniques * Wilderness sanitary etiquette * Go through contents of first aid kits * Teach about essential oils * Energy * Teach to build fires when camping * Let them in on your solar projects * Self-regulated rechargeable batteries (their own) * Projects * It may take longer (a lot) but if you include them in it * You build knowledge, skill, and IQ * You are doubling up your time and spending it with them * You teach them proactivity * Fun * Wrestle * Game night * Always strive to improve as a parent or spouse. Related Blog Posts: * prepping-how-to-charity-neighbours-friends-families * fun-family-survival-how-to-be-prepared-survivalist-forum * guidance-for-raising-healthy-families-children-kids-or-babies-in-survival * proactively-living-your-best-life-vs-the-ill-prepared * resilience: raising-strong-kids-teach-your-children-well

I interview J. Bradbury on the subject of Starting a small backyard Garden.  In this gardening 101 episode, we give small backyard ideas for growing your own food and how to start a vegetable garden in simple terms! Guests: theprepperpodcast.com/guests/ Updates: Loving the feedback on itunes, you can also check stitcher radio, zune, digital podcast, and podfeed.  Youtube coming soon. Be sure to connect with me on facebook and twitter Subject: Starting Small Backyard Garden 101, Ideas, Growing Your Own Food with J. Bradbury of PreparePDX.com Interviewee: * J Bradbury Introduction: Background: Life long interest in disasters. B.S. in Psychology with minor in Civic Leadership Vet. in Coast Guard 2000-2004 Volunteered for two Emergency Managers past CERT member Numerous FEMA certificates (ICS 100-400) plus 20 more Questions: PDX? What have you done to improve your gardening skills? I don’t have the room to garden, what can i do? Neighbor/friend/family contract What plants have you had success with, which have been a struggle? what plants when planted What do you think you should do differently going forward? What do see as the future for gardening? Permaculture Local Farming Farmers Market Community Garden What would you say is the easiest, most actionable way for people to get started? easy plants: herbs, lettuce, or what grows easy in your area space at work volunteer at local farm Is it too late for people to start? If it is, what would you recommend for them to do until they can start? Additional Resources: What are some sources on Youtube you turn to? Larry Hall: Small Garden Techniques: https://www.youtube.com/user/larrylhall/playlists John from Growing your Greens: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnBuE20QUirU2qWzBRKCCx_gmpt3xXOj5 To meet people: www.meetup.com discuss my local group I started. How can people connect with you? www.preparepdx.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/ppreparepdx Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/PreparePDX/228271267208887

I am your Travel Checklist or Packing List Advisor today.  Allow me to explain some road trip tips and how to prepare yourself for ANYTHING that comes along!  So just listen up and I will give you tons of great advice to prepare yourselves prior to venturing out. You are Vulnerable When Traveling * Travel, Far from Home * Less Supplies at our Disposal * Unknown Future Weather Conditions * The Intentions of Other People are Unknown * We Don’t Know What “Areas” to stay away from Auto Maintenance for a Safe Trip * Perform General Preventative Maintenance * Before Trips Prepare your Vehicle * Have fluids changed * Have good balanced tires * Plenty of tread left * You better have a spare tire * Air Compressor * Fill that tank up * Just be sure your wipers aren’t too old * Things to Have in your vehicle (not all inclusive.  For that go to my podcast about bug out vehicles) * First Aid Kit * Blanket * Spare Fuses * Flashlight with Extra batteries * Flares/Reflective Devices * Tool Kit * Good even if you can’t do maintenance * A good set with sockets (incl spark plug), wrenches, and screwdrivers minimum * Luck is made! * Extra Fan Belt (serpentine) * Water * Jumper Cables * Duct or Electrical Tape * Jack/Lug nut Wrench * Sand, Kitty Litter (winter) * Tow Strap * Maps of trip * Low Tech option * Fuel Stops Marked * Have your “Get Home Bag” in your car * Just use your appropriately stocked Bug Out Bag for this * One for each person * Items to have on you during your trip, even when not in vehicle * Cash * Payed for dinner * Gun and Knife * Know the laws * Situational Awareness * Sketchy Areas * Don’t be Dumb when traveling * Don’t Go to Stupid Place with Stupid People and do Stupid Stuff * Social Media announcements * Talking to strangers * Don’t let your gas tank go below half full * Have an exit strategy * something happens, the main roads may be blocked * alternate routes are key Related Posts: Trip Survivalist: What to Take Traveling- Packing List Winter Storm Names, Warnings, A Prepper List of Things Learned from Snow

I interview Vaughn Cassidy, survival combat expert from the Jackson, TN area, about Stress Inoculation training and its role in hand to hand combat and real world scenarios fighting. To be a guest: http://theprepperpodcast.com/guests/ Local Prepper Group Update Updated the Survivalist Blog with a video of our Anniversary, you can see all my videos at: cleversurvivalist.com/video/ Subject: Drills For Stress Inoculation as it relates to combative scenarios Interviewee: Milton Vaughn Cassidy Introduction: Been involved in Survival Arts for almost Twenty Years. Avid Crossfit trainer and martial art instructor. He is currently writing a fiction novel about Vampires. He is a professional environmental consultant and waste reduction specialist. Where do you train? Notes: What is stress inoculation training? What is the point to SIT? “real life” stressors in controlled environment typical training scenario. benefits of using stress inoculation training staying safe during stress inoculation advantage of full-force and full-speed offensive and defensive techniques situational awareness, perception or analysis of dangerous situations Effects of SIT on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Positive Pain Reinforcement difference between SIT for martial arts and combat scenarios taking a traditional martial art to real world effectiveness Additional Resources: SPEAR system by Tony Blauer the Dog Brothers Die Less Often series

I discuss raising chickens. This includes how to butcher a chicken, what do chickens eat, chicken predators and pests, chicken health problems and diseases, and even more. Housekeeping: Name for the “survival budget” has been renamed. How to Be a Prepper: One Year Emergency Preparedness List for Survival is an all-inclusive plan to build self-reliance that will outlast greater than a one year disaster, while helping you become debt free and build a resilient investment portfolio and resilient life. remember to give me an itunes review at theprepperpodcast/itunes Last weekend in Nashville   Discussion:   Benefits of Chickens Funny Lots of eggs Meat What Chickens Eat Foods for Chickens Free-range birds Paddock Shift Parts of the Grass first 50% next 20% last 30% Chicken Tractors Chicken Run (not great idea) Chicken Treats Meal Worms Water Needs Needs of your Chickens Chicks Heat Lamp know how Not in the house Check on them often Shelter Roosts Cleaning Open and Closing Door (idea?) Dust Baths Move them around so they don’t get smelly Chicken Problems Predators Raccoon, Dog, Hawks, Coyote, Foxes, Predator Cats Egg Predators Minks, Skunks, Snakes, Rats Pests Worms Lice Mites Ticks Sicknesses Infectious Bronchitis, Avian Pox, Botulism, Cholera, Mareks, Thrush Paddock Shifting your Chickens 4 and 5 Paddock setups stationary coops Mobile Coops Tractors and shifting Butchering Chickens for Poultry Roosters Older hens How to: Humanely Butchering Don’t feed the day before Hang Neck Decapitate Scald Turkey Fryer on a propane burner 165 degrees F 30 seconds Can Ice and scald again Feathers pluck easily when done Hang and pluck Small hairs propane torch to quickly remove stray hairs

Housekeeping: I have everyone, and have for some time, that I needed for the beta testing remember to give me an itunes review at theprepperpodcast/itunes Discussion: Urban survival skills are needed for the modern day prepper with little land.  If you must be bugging in your apartment, listen up. Urban Agriculture is just one example of the skills you need. Related Post: Apartment Prepper Survival: How to survive, food stores, etc Many survival people overlook Apartment dwellers No home or land to work with Don’t live in an Apartment too many close neighbors they won’t be prepared they will ALL be asking for help limited space too many regulation this included suburban lots I experienced this Preparing the Apartment First, Have a great bug-out plan have a BOL friends, family, land have a BOV http//theprepperpodcast.com/018 have a Bug Out Notebook Have a great BOB http://theprepperpodcast.com/004 If you MUST bug-in in an apartment Water 2-2liter bottles per person per day Keep a couple in the freezer Use them in coolers bathtub is 50 gallons, fill before storms sinks are all 2-5 gallons Food copy canning freeze-dried foods both last a long time both are edible with little to no cooking Use window sills for planting Plant on balconies hugel planters, compost and topsoil Utility Electronics lots of flashlights or headlamps Emergency radios with multiple power sources one handcrank option 200W inverter 800W inverter Really long extension cord Inverter Generators quiet fuel in 15 gallon drums Documents Copies of important documents in a binder keep originals in fireproof safe Examples: Licenses Ownership papers deeds titles Investment documentation Bank Info Birth Certificates First Aid Good All-inclusive first aid kit Preferably kept in a backpack keeps it accessible at home or on the go Consider keeping 6 months to a year of maintenance meds depending upon expirati...

Housekeeping: I have made my calendar available for consulting: http://theprepperpodcast/calendar Tweaking my budget based survival goals before beta release Discussion: I discuss Hugelkultur, what it is, and how to use it when starting a garden bed. I give Ideas for the use of hugelkultur mounds, or hugel mounds in your raised garden bed. Hugelkultur: German, means “mound culture” Mimics what happens in the forest Helps retain moisture Builds fertility better drainage getting rid of “wooden trash” Creates a fungal culture in the ground, working with plants more surface area to plant in easier to reach plants So what is a hugel bed? A big mound. Hugel Mounds usually 5-6 feet tall at about a 60%-70% incline to make picking easier How to build one: Dig a ditch 5-20ft long 3-4ft wide on or off contour? Fill with wood hardwoods last longer gets rid of debris don’t use: cedar black locust black walnut black cherry Do use: Alders Apple Cottonwood oak, poplar, willow, birch Wood is carbon… but it doesn’t rob nitrogen? Fill with nitrogen rich material. Beans the first year (legume) urine green matter (grass, straw, compost) Cover with compost add a couple inches of straw then a couple inches of compost adds organisms to break wood down and adds nitrogen Optional Fungal inoculant spray on bed for quick start white stuff good organic matter will do fine this matter is a key component in plant health Add a layer of dirt all the dirt from digging is put back on top and probably a little more from another location. more green matter mixed in build to 5-6ft, but the height is optional Mulch the top wood, straw, grass for weeds and water the beds will absorb water more decomposition holds more water decomposition creates heat in bed