The Grant Cunningham Blogcast: Recent Episodes
Grant Cunningham
Grant Cunningham, noted Author, Teacher and Consultant, brings you weekly information on personal security, home and family defense, and defensive training — along with his own personal and sometimes controversial opinions on the personal security business!
Whether you're new to preparedness or an expert, you may feel inadequate because you don't have the bugout retreat people say you should have. But how realistic is it?
The coronavirus is an international problem — but it's not the only one, and probably not the worst one. Here's what's coming and how to prepare for it.
Everyone is talking about the novel coronavirus and COVID-19. Should you be concerned? What should you do? I'll try to answer these and many more questions in this extra-long episode!
When things are ambiguous, correctly processing all relevant information becomes critical.
In Part 2 of this series, I tackle the Ambiguity Zone with tripwires. What are they and why do you need them? Listen and find out!
Every event has a moment when things aren't clear, when it's not obvious what's happening (or even that anything is happening). How do we make decisions when we're not sure we need to?
Lots of people like to go shooting out in the woods or desert. Dangers lurk in those places, though, and I have some thoughts on keeping safe.
One of the things I teach is the idea that the rifle is the gun we are most unlikely to have on our person when we need it. It’s the firearm that needs to be retrieved in order to use, and that affects how we train and practice.
Everyone says you should write your Congressional representative. How, exactly, do you go about doing so to ensure that your voice is heard?
How can visualization help you in a self-defense incident? I look at a recent attack and how to use visualization to test possible defensive responses before they're actually needed.
Some people can't accept that not everyone is as interested in their hobby as they are. When that affects someone's preparedness, however, it's time to say "stop!"
What is a "lifestyle", and does concealed carry qualify? If not, what does — and how does concealed carry fit in?
The age old debate: what value does competition shooting have to defensive shooting?
I've been on both sides of this debate, and come to a surprising conclusion.
Last week I talked about the knife and the flashlight as primary tools. Today I explain why they're important, and why carrying them every day is a key to long-term preparedness.
The longest journey starts with the first step. Or, in this case, the first three steps.
Someone asked me a question about buying ammunition, and the answer might not have been quite what he expected.
Lots of people call themselves "experts" in self defense with a firearm. But just how honest are they being?
What should you do with your gun if you catch a petty thief? I'd suggest you not follow this example.
Where have I been lately? Well, I've been working on a new book — a very important new book. And today, I'm announcing it to the world!
Resetting the double action trigger trips some people up. Find out who, why, and what to do about it!
There is a defensive preparedness skill that's more valuable than all the others put together - the ability to properly assess risk. If it's so important, why doesn't anyone talk about it?
The word "should" is often just a way to avoid reality. Here's why, and what to do instead.
For some reason, people don't pay attention to the little signs the universe gives them. This makes them less safe, and in this episode I explain why.
The NRA would have you believe that storing your firearms responsibly makes you a victim. I disagree, and here's why.
What can Ferris Bueller teach us about self defense and preparedness? It's not what you might think!
What do fishooks have to do with preparedness and self defense? It's more about what they DON'T have to do with preparedness and self defense. It's all about asking the right questions.
A woman in Tennessee recently learned — the hard way — a lesson about trusting her child's friends, and her experience is a caution for the rest of us.
Some of the worst questions start with "but what if..." Find out why I avoid answering those questions.
What's important in self defense and preparedness? One way to measure is the likelihood of something happening, but it's not easy to ascertain that without a tool, a standard.
Today's blog introduces that standard: The Plausibility Line.
Another no-nonsense look at defensive gun use; this time, it's all about rifle capacity and the "short duration gunfight".
Why do we focus so much on marketing defensive shooting, and very little on how to stay safe? Because there's no money in the latter, and almost anything can be spun to make it a shooting problem. Here's one example.
What happens when your desire for protection conflicts with the life you lead? Here's one example.
(Notice the change in labeling? Readers requested that I swap the title and subtitle, so they could see the actual topics in their podcast player. I'm happy to oblige!)
What happens when you take self defense and preparedness too far? Believe it or not, chef and inveterate traveler Anthony Bourdain has the answer.
I've come to the conclusion that the defensive training world is doing something wrong, something which leads their students in the wrong direction regarding responsible self-defense.
Because of this, I've made an evolution in what I teach. Listen to learn more.
The goal of self defense isn't to get to your gun, or to use your gun — it's to get out of danger.
Listen to what happens when instructors forget that.
Here I go again...this time, I'm tearing into the notion of "winning a fight" and some people are going to be awfully mad at me!
Ever heard of "defensive gun use porn"? Ever read any of it? Here's why I don't like it, don't promote it, and suggest that you avoid it.
You may have been taught to move off the line of attack as part of drawing your defensive firearm. Why, though, is that important? It's not what you think, and probably not what your instructor thinks either!
Should you avoid carrying the gun you like just because it might be taken as evidence in a self defense incident? I think not, and today I explain why.
What does the term "worst case scenario" bring to mind? I'll bet I have a different way of looking at it than you do!
Understanding your tripwires, what they are and where they're set, is key to living a prepared yet relaxed life. Here's why.
What did I do in 2017 - and what plans do I have for 2018? Listen to find out, and how YOU can be a part of them!
Can you take care of the safety and security preparations you've made — or plan to make? It's an important question too few consider!
I was recently asked why I don't have logo apparel for sale on my website. The answer may surprise you.
Does the Las Vegas attack have you rethinking going to concerts or other public events? I think that's the wrong attitude, and in this episode I explain why.
58 people dead and over 500 wounded — what can we learn from this attack to keep ourselves safer?
Is bugging out always a good idea? In this episode, I look at the idea a little differently and give you actionable ways to do it properly!
Avoiding a fight is always preferable to being in one, but not many people think of it in the way I'm going to describe.
I have a new book coming out in a couple of months, this time dealing with a new approach to integrating all aspects of your personal safety and preparedness. This excerpt is from the chapter on practicing and maintaining your preparations.
A good defensive flashlight isn't cheap — here's how to keep it running perfectly for a long time to come!
What is it about the pistol caliber carbine that brings out the haters? I'm not sure, but I have a few ideas!
I recently read an article which suggested keeping your gun, unsecured, on a nightstand for "quick access". I think that's reckless, and here's why.
Personal Defense Network has a new online course on how to interact with the police when you have a firearm. Is it worth the money?
There are lots of mistaken teaching ideas out there, especially when it comes to training in bad conditions. Is it really valuable, or just more in-group macho posturing?
You might be surprised to learn the defensive pistol you're carrying wasn't designed by self defense experts. Why is that, and is change on the horizon?
Today I'm featuring an excerpt from my new book, Protect Yourself With Your Snubnose Revolver. It's about the most important thing you need if you're truly going to protect yourself: a protective mindset.
Airports can be dangerous places. Can you reduce your risk — or is what you're doing now actually increasing it?
Regardless of your stance on firearm ownership, the Fort Lauderdale Airport attack wasn't about guns.
Unfortunately the people involved didn't know that, and it affected their ability to defend themselves. Listen for the reason.
That's right — no matter how "realistic" your training is, it's never "real". That has implications for how your teacher teaches, and why most don't do it very well!
Have you ever given any thought to dealing with safety while in the drive-through lane of your favorite fast food restaurant? Here are some tips for making your trip safer!
Are you preparing for the wrong thing? In this episode I relate the story of one guy who, as the saying goes, was "unclear on the concept".
How do you know if your defensive shooting standards have integrity and therefore value? Here's one way of looking at the issue.
Do you really need those special "go fast" parts for your carry gun? I don't think so, and here's why.
During an emergency isn't the time for your kids to scatter or fail to heed your directions. How can you teach your children when it's time to listen and follow your instructions? "Emergency words" can help you do that!
Has anyone ever said "I want to buy a gun to keep myself safe; what should I buy?" How did you answer it?
In this episode I consider how best to answer that question — and I'll bet it's not the way you expect!
Lots of feedback from Friday's show, much of it coming from the wrong perspective: that of the shooting hobbyist. Learn why becoming a better shooter is irrelevant to becoming a better defender.
Just because it can be measured, doesn't mean that it needs to be measured — or that your measuring it appropriately. In this episode Grant looks at what is and isn't meaningful to measure in a self-defense context.
If you live in a very restrictive state or municipality, your choices in defensive firearms may be very limited. How to you pick when none of them meet all the "ideal" criteria?
A revolution is brewing in the way defensive skills are being taught. The old, irrelevant methods are being replaced by things that are more in line with what we really need to defend ourselves. Here's an inside look at the struggle to become more relevant.
You may have heard that "we face the same criminals the police do!" Is it true? Well, yes...but there's a lot more to self defense than doing what the police do. In fact, it might even be counter-productive!
Lots of people think that taking lots of shooting classes will make them safer. What about the people who don't believe that, or don't have the time to become "expert" shooters — who speaks for them?
Lots of people go through a CCW class and come out convinced they know everything they need to know about defensive shooting. There's a lot that they don't learn, however, and that's why the smart person will take training beyond that state-mandated licensing course.
A lot of people think that those of us who prepare to face adversity are paranoid and fearful. Some certainly are, but not all — and if you approach preparedness with the right attitude, it can make you more hopeful and thankful than they'd believe. Here's why.
Most attackers aren't strangers. This fact will come as a surprise to a lot of people, but what's more of a surprise is that they won't see the attack coming. Here's a look at a very uncomfortable subject, and why your defensive training needs to take this into account.
It's time to take a new look at defensive shooting fundamentals. Instead of the traditional approach of teaching a lot of irrelevant material, how about being more task-focused?
Everyone tells you to have situational awareness, but no one tells you what you should do with it — until now! Learn why you need to be able to put your awareness to work in order to truly stay safe.
I've been playing with the Steyr AUG bullpup rifle for over a year now, but I'm still discovering new things about it. This time, how much easier it is to handle than even the short, light AR-15 carbine!
What if you're having trouble deciding what to do first (or next) in your security plan? That's a common problem, and in this episode I'll tell you how to break that "analysis paralysis" and make progress!
You can't prepare for everything at once, so some sort of prioritization is needed. But how do you decide what needs attention first? This episode details some of the things you should do to help you make those choices!
The first step in your security planning needs to be figuring out the threats you face. Without some idea of the things that can harm you, you can't equip and prepare to deal with them. I outline a simple process that will help you determine what threats you face and what to do about them.
Most people spend far more time planning a trip to the beach than they do their own personal security! Here's how to start planning to keep yourself and your family safer — in your own home and at the beach!
Those safety tips you see on websites or in the newspaper may not actually make you any safer. Listen to find out why, and what you should do instead to enhance your personal security.
Why should you take notes during your self defense classes? I'll give you four really good reasons!