The Survival Revolution Podcast: Recent Episodes
Joe Prepper
As we head toward self sufficiency we might just stumble through the forest of government entanglement, shadows and obstacles to find ourselves finally reaching the edge, staring into the field that is freedom. Having lived most of our lives in the shelter of the forest, held back, yes, but also hidden from the burden that is total responsibility for self, is there any doubt that we should at the very least be wary of the field?
Sometimes the grip that is holding a struggling person back is temporarily loosed and all of the sudden the struggle that has become the mission is now gone, and in it's place is freedom and a new mission of progress. Will you know where to go if the opportunity comes to be free of someone else's care. Are you willing to risk having nothing for the opportunity to have everything by your own accord. Are we really being held back or are we just using the forest as cover because the field seems so risky?
Is life like permaculture where the "edge" between the government corporate system and self sufficiency is the safest most fertile place to exist? Can we ease ourselves into freedom by building up self reliance using the fertile nature of the edge much the way a forest encroaches into the field? Sometimes such slow movement doesn't create a new and different forest though, it just expands the same old system. Sometimes it might be warranted to just break free of the restraints of self doubt and the repression of servitude to a way of life that allows you to be a freeman.
God willing we all live long enough to figure it out, and have fun and many adventures on the way!
~ Joe Prepper~
Join me today as I talk about one of my favorite homesteading activities, keeping backyard quail. I discuss my venture into keep Japanese Coturnix quail, the Texas A&M variety, and why I think anyone who wants to become more self sufficient by producing their own food should consider keeping the ancient birds.
I give my opinions on everything from incubation to tasty recipes and everything in between. Have you ever wondered how easy it would be to process your own meat? Well I tell you just how easy it is to raise, butcher and cook quail. If you plan on only using the eggs, well, I'm down with that too.
I answer some need-to-know facts about quail keeping such as
What type of feed? how much feed and what are the costs per bird? How do you make cages for baby chicks? What age to quail mature and start laying eggs? What are your feed costs per day for quail?
There is a reason these ancient birds still have a place on the modern homestead. There is also a reason why quail eggs are eaten all over the world from "Kwek Kwek" a street food in the Philippines to your good old standard omelet.
I finish off the podcast giving a few simple southern recipes that are sure to light a fire in your drive to start keep these most awesome, tasty birds.
Yes, it's time for the annual Plantapolooza plant sale. If you listened in to my adventures last year, you know I am passionate about this once a year event. I get mentally and physically prepared for a chance to get my paws on some hard to find trees and shrubs. Listen in as I discuss some of this years finds and talk about how I prepare my soil with seaweed, kelp and mycorrhiza when I relocate them to the homestead.
Many of the trees I picked up were native like the Black cherry, American Persimmon , pawpaw, crabapple, catalpa tree and sassafras. I got a few semi- tropicals as well like: Kahili Ginger, Henry's Garnet and banana shrub.
Yes, I did get a citrus , the Kishu Tangerine. Wish me luck!
Spring is on the way and we have been busy on the homestead. Join me as I discuss the day to day happenings around here the 1st week of March. Repotting heirloom tomato seedlings, and started more pepper plants and support species like moringa. We added a side line from the new muscadine trellis and planted some raspberries, Loganberries and Boysenberries.
With the good weather, we got some highbush blueberry cuttings started and a early spring fertilizer application on the fruit trees. I cleared and added some Arbequina Olive trees. A small project to create container planters from old plastive olive barrels has me exited to start new seeds for these 25 gallon pots. Join me for this beginning of spring chat as we get ready for daylight savings time and gain an extra hour of daylight to get stuff done!
:Today I talk about the Top 10 things to consider when setting up a homestead. There are so many possibilities and personal needs to think about when designing your property layou that it would take a series of books to discuss them all. Here I settle in on what I think should be the first 10 things everyone could benifit by having in place. .
Join me as I go from discussing home libraries and seed storage to equipment and tool sheds. Where does water storage and composting fall into all this? Well, I'm glad you asked. I have my opinion on that and lots more. Like most of what I discuss, this is meant to get your ole think'in cap warmed up and shift into second gear. You may have a different top 10. Leave your comments below if you do, maybe I can add a few to my list.
For now join in and lets talk about: Food, Seed and Info Storage Tool Sheds Compost Bins Water Storage Kitchen Garden Equipment Shed/Workplace Plant Propagation area Animal Grow Out/ Compost Factory Guard dog/Run Outdoor Cooking and Processing Area
Winter is slowin down here in the south and we are getting a few things done on the homestead. Join me as I talk about our winter chores along the Gulf Coast and how we get ready for spring. Vehicle maintenance, tool cleaning and seed planting join the list alng with winter tree planting and pruning. An update on the onions and heirloom garlic as well as adding some structures such as a another scuppernong vine trellis. ~Joe Prepper~
Join me as I talk about choosing a vehicle that you might need to use in adverse conditions. I give my thoughts on the pros and cons of larger vs smaller vehicles. New vs modern and daily driver vs specialized vehicles for the hordes. I discuss the basic things I think should be in every vehicle from duck tape to jumper cables (though I think I forgot the cables in my list). Its the time of year I start to do major maintenance on my vehicles so I figured I would get the juices flowing to help motivate me and you to get stuff done. Till next time: Prep Hard- Play Hard. ~Joe Prepper~
It's has been a while since my last podcast, but I plan to continue recording the happenings around here. In this episode I discuss some of whats been going on around here and how homesteading can be a trial and error affair. I recently invested in some new recording equipment and hope to get better at the podcasting part. Thanks for all those that are still listening, it's a great way for me to process all that goes on around here and it's good to know there are a few folks who enjoy my ranting.
~Joe Prepper~
This is part 2 of a three or four part podcast about credit. I give my thoughts on the benefits and dangers of credit and how debt, when managed improperly, can be enslavement. Join me as I answer some of the most commonly asked questions such as: What is credit? How do I get a credit score? How do I fix bad credit and more. Have you ever wanted to know how creditors decide if you get a loan or how they determine your interest rate? Ever ask yourself why you are a numer and if that is a good thing? How do millionaires build credit fast? Did you know you can do the same thing? Join in and I will tell you how, and so much more. ~Joe Prepper~
I decided to do a 2 part (at least) podcast on my take on debt and credit.In this episode I begin with my belief that, for the purpose of exchange, all debt can and should be converted into hours of life. The measure of exchange should then be directly proportional or equal to the value we place on those hours of our lives and that of others.
I discuss how our credit score can be used to add advantage and could then be considered a form of social capital. The way we view debt is usually a big factor in the perceived value of the goods or services we received. This bias toward a system of buying on credit can create a healthy respect for debt, or it can manifest in an unreasonable fear of it. How is growig a garden an example of debt? Listen in as I discuss that very thing.
In the next episode I will go into detail about the current credit system and how the the three credit bureaus determine your level of social capital in the credit world. I will discuss how to increase your score, and when and where that score matters most. We will get down the the brass tacks that pin those with less than stellar credit to the wall...and tell you how to remove them. This and much more next time....
Join me as I give a play by play of my trip to the local annual plant sale. I discuss the trip from beginning to end and some of the things that I noted along the way. Runaway carts and plant thieves! This is more of a ride-a-long chat than a "how-to" guide to plant buying. While I discuss a few of the species I selected, for the most part it's a generic overview of my attempt to increase our food forest.
It was amazing a the number of people that showed and the excitement that was in the air. Bearing in mind that my region is not a retail mecca for exotic edibles, I was impressed with the assortment of not so common varieties of trees, plant and herbs. I could be wrong, but survival gardening and growing food is, and has been, prolific in the south. To me this has created an environment not driven off retail stores, but more from veteran gardeners passing knowledge generationally and the swapping of cuttings and seeds. The main concern for me is that even in rural America, an increasing number of people are moving away from that network of knowledge and in many instances severing the bridge between the master gardener elders and breaking a long standing tradition of learning and cultivating heritage breed varieties.
So for now, let's seek out these plants that made our ancestors so self sufficient and keep the revolution alive!
~Joe Prepper~
The Survival Revolution Podcast is back, and to kick things off we give a little homestead update. Spring is a good motivator to many to get things accomplished and I am no exception to the rule. Follow along with me and the recorder on a brief walk around the property as I talk about what has been going on this winter and what are some of the plans for 2015. This is more of a rambling chat then anything, but rest assured, there will be more to come. As always, thanks in advance for listening and for any feedback you leave.
Joe Prepper
In this 2 part episode I talk about basic homestead security and ways to increase the risk factor for those who intend to make you a target. I break down the areas most important to me and give ways using common sense and new tech gadgets to swing the safety balance more in your favor.
While security measures might change based on percieved and potential risk, basic security should be a consideration even when the current level of threat is minimal......as most criminals pick unsuspecting targets. A few of the main topic areas are
Preventing Intrusion (while at home and away). Preventing Theft of Property (Diversion, Concealment and Physical Encasement). Recording, Monitoring and Notifying trespass and theft events (Alarms, Video Surveilance, Audible Respose and Communicaiton). Self Protection Bugging Out/Retreating (Weapons Location, EDC, Subduing Intruders) and Finally Bug Out / Retreat Evading (Rural and City plans, Auto or on foot, BOB's and meeting places).
Links: DIY-Dollar Store Window Alert Trip Wire (Video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vB4X2EBykwE DIY-Keychain Trip Wire Alarm http://www.pyrocreations.com/inc/sdetail/11971 (Video) 12 Gauge Trip Wire Perimter Alarm http://www.pyrocreations.com/inc/sdetail/11971 Door Devil http://www.amazon.com/Door-Devil-Exterior-Security-Reinforcement/dp/B00J1XKT3K Night Lock Door Guard http://www.amazon.com/Nightlock-Security-Barricade-Bright-Finish/dp/B00824GSCU/ref=sr_1_2?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1408218976&sr=1-2&keywords=night+lock+door+barricade
Time got away from me so this will be part 1 of 2. I wanted to go back and add to some sections and cover some areas I missed.
If you grow, hunt, harvest and store your own food…you’re going to need to know how to cook it.
If you’ve listened to a few podcasts then you know I have lived up north, out west and down south…and each has it’s own cooking style. I’m not saying any is right for everyone , but southern cookin in hard to beat in my book. We take a lot of heat for frying things in lard and using too much butter…as if there is such a thing. With many people including doctors re-evaluating what is healthy…butter and lard are on a short list of stuff that is not chemically processed from genetically modified, highly processed, non edible plant byproducts.
Sure..there are a lot of fat southerners, but most don’t eat butter and lard anymore…we were all sold on margarine and Crisco or vegetable oil like the rest of the world. So now we eat all of it.
Vegetable oil sounds like it made from vegetables so it must be health..right. Listen in as I discuss how we were sold on that lie by one of the largest food marketing campaigns in history up to that point.
I give several of my favorite southern recipes including: Creamy Chicken and Rice, Southern Cornbread, Fried Okra, Southern Friied Chicken, Black-Eye Peas and Steak and Gravy.
Learn to cook those foods you have stocked away in your pantry now, while the learning curve is cheaper and the stakes are not quite so high...literally.
What started out with a live update form the homestead turned into several different side road thoughts and ponderings. I give my top five garden crop picks and talk about how they did for me this year. I pass on a few tips on the quick and easy way to can veggies by freezing in quart bags. I talk about embracing the chaos of life and how to remain positive by understanding and putting things into perspective. If you can’t do it now in the good time…you might not be as prepared, mentally, as you think you are. I use the example of the serene nature of a forest even though there are many things seemingly out of control and how that relates in particular to how we can view a food forests and the permaculture principle. Dealing with adversity with open eyes but a calm spirit can mean the difference between happiness and ………. not.
Bug out Bag or 72 hour kit, is there a difference? Do you have a bag that you can grab and go? Would you be comfortable with your ability to function away from home for three days with just that gear? Can you carry your bag long distance? Can you AND you family members use the items in your bag in an emergency situation? Do all the members of your family have their own bag?.
We go from a kids sleepover readiness to being able to quickly minimize gear when speed and mobility become life and death. OPSEC is always a factor when moving in adverse or unknown conditions so some thought is given to the tame vs tactical look and when it might matter. I give an overview of my opinion on critical, highly useful, and convenience gear, and how you can label, pack, and ready your gear based on those three stages of need.
I talk about night readiness and the benefits of keeping combat/protection gear separate from your main B.O.B. I also discuss why I think vests can be a better option for grab and go gear at night and the importance of making sure your Bag and vest work together.
I end with a gear review on one of my favorite convenience item, the Jet Boil Flash cooking system and some of the accessories and benefits of this item in a grid down or "on the go" situation. Everyone knows good coffee and hot food make good soldiers and happy wives!
Come join us @ thesurvivalrevolution.com . Check out our homestead facebook page and leave us some feedback on itunes!Today I discuss the Bug Out or "Ready" Bag and the life supporting gear in it. I give my opinion on the style of bag I like and why. I also talk about how to assess you gear and organize it into three smaller bags from critical to convenience. We will talk about some of the hard questions like:
Today I give a live update as I walk around the homestead inspecting the garden, fruit trees, bees, animals and more. It was so nice out, I decided to use my small digital recorder and headset to record the podcast. Natural Audio with real wind, birds chirping and all the rough audio we normally edit out. Walk with me as I check out and taste test the thornless blackberries we planted this year.
I talk about our native and Red Texas Star Mayhaw trees, Apples, Pear, Persimmon and Rabbiteye blueberry varieties among others in Zone 1. Take the live audio tour as I check the growth in the backyard vegi garden and travel out into Zone 2 where we have bees, mullberries, figs and wild plums.
Let me know how you like the live updates....
Today I’ll be talking about the fine art of re-purposing items, and the potential of an ambitious, creative mind. I will also talk about having vs hording and the litmus test to tell where you stand. Cleanup days are coming all too often as I find myself saving everything.
It’s one thing to have useful stuff on hand to complete a task, but it’s quite another to surround yourself with a wall of “never-gunna-use” junk. How do you tell the difference? I dunno exactly. I do know every time I am able to successfully re-purpose something, my ability, or at least my need, to keep and think of new uses for things becomes more and more an obsession. I’ve decided I am not really to blame as it is a positive by-product of trying to be more self-sufficient. That is my story and I’m sticking to it.
Join me as I talk about some of the positives of hanging on to all those once used treasures such as minimizing costs and the "cool factor". I discuss some of the things we are doing here and toss in a few ideas on how to get kids involved using the artistic, creative side of things. I also have to be fair and cover the potential negatives of having such a useful stash of goodies such as potential risks from creating a safe haven for pests, predators and creepy things, fire hazards, nosy neighbors and the possibility of becoming the center of an intervention or star of the TV show Hoarders.
I end the show discussing several cool re-purposing ideas I have gleaned from various sources, or just made up myself. I go from pallet wood garden signs to trampoline chicken tractors and filing cabinet tool stands. Come join me, and let’s get those creative, redneck juices flowing…everybody has at least a few ounces in 'em.
Do soldiers and law enforcement understand the Constitution well enough to know when their pledge to defend it is required? When is allegiance to people and our Constitution enough to betray an institution you belong to, and a brotherhood you love? Should our military and police officers refuse to follow orders that are unconstitutional or unlawful and risk losing their job or worse? Would you? Memorial Day is a day to honor and remember those that died while in service. I have been reflecting on the Constitution and what it’s declarations means to me. I decided to do a show dedicated to those who sacrifice to defend the Constitution, and sometimes pay the price...many times the ultimate price.
I talk about Edward Snowden’s revelation to the world, and the NSA's unconstitutional collection of private data. Was Snowden’s collecting of top secret NSA data a crime, even though it was used to expose a crime against the constitutional rights of the people they are sworn to protect? Is that not the same case they make for justifying data collection on us? Join me as I discuss some personal thoughts about law enforcement using traffic violations to increase revenue, and the officers that refuse to follow the rules they know are wrong. Can citations be another form of taxation? How would your local police officers feel about citation quotas. I talk about an officer and Air Force Veteran who was fired for speaking out publicly after making a formal internal complaint.
Maybe we all need to let those sworn to protect and serve know just how much their oath to the constitution and sacrifice to defend her at all cost means to us. I discuss the benefit of carrying a U.S. Constitution pocket reference guide as well as an idea I am considering that could let the average Joe make a difference.
Nothing about Survival is easy, but it can be simple. Today I discuss the wisdom of starting with the simplest approach possible to homesteading, survival situations, and most importantly, spreading the self sufficiency message. From Occam's Razor to Sling Blade, listen in as I reminisce about some sage, and I think pretty funny words of wisdom I heard years ago. Sorry, no gear review, but you do get a Sling Blade imitation.
Episode 10 is an update of what we have going on here at the homestead during early spring. Chickens hatching, rabbits kitting and rain. I talk about the kudzu beetle invasion and my thoughts on our responsibility as we introducing species and design new landscapes. Gear Review for this episode is Mr Beams MB363 Wireless LED Spotlight.
My take on preparing for extreme weather as a small homestead. I also discuss the basics of severe weather readiness as a family with children and toss in a few tips and tricks we have come up with to deal with the possibility of catastrophic weather. The Gear review for this episode is the Yaesu FT-270R 2 meter hand held radio.
The information Age...maybe. The age of wisdom....not so much. My take on how, with so much raw data and intel available to us, we can continue to fail at achieving even the most basic life skills. You have the ability to discern if it is really valuable or just media fluff. Just a few things to think about as you sit on the porch and de-frag the old noodle. Also, get a quick review on the Opinel ... a cool little knife that will set you back all of 10 bucks.
I discuss 6 major skill sets that I feel are necessary to survival and thrive as a modern day homesteader. Gear Review:
I give a homestead update on a few weekend projects along with a few general thoughts. Garden talk, seedlings, cat problems, hobbies and a gear review on the Smith's pocket pal x2 knife sharpener and survival tool..
I decided to put this episode out there for homesteaders and others who are considering getting their first gun. It can be intimidating to the uninitiated. Hopefully this episode with shed some simplified light on your first gun purchase. I discuss basic training, Appleseed Marksmanship training, basic weapon types and much more. The Survival Gear Review for this Episode: GI Ruger 10/22 aperture sights by Tech Sights.
This is Part two of a two part podcast discussing how we maintain and organize tools on our homestead.
Choosing, Maintaining and Organizing your tools. I talk about the tools we use for land clearing, maintenance and gardening. There are also some tips to help keep your tools organized and in good shape.
How we purchased, cleared and established our homestead. I talk about what edible pants we grow and discuss the different animals we raise. Also listen for a small gear review on the Corona Pruner.
This is the very first podcast of many hopefully, where I talk about both the struggles and successes of our family trying to survive the changing times by becoming more self sufficient.
Come join me while I give you the REAL adventures of life on the front lines here on our 10 acre hill. Listen in as we talk about the gritty details of small farm life. We will be doing reviews on tools, gear, animals and homesteading methods as we try them ourselves. Continue with us as we work to become part of The Survival Revolution.
Also, sorry about the intro and overall audio quality. I purchased a new studio condenser microphone so maybe future sound quality will improve. As for the intro music...maybe I will meet someone who can sing. :)
Blog: thesurvivalrevolution.com