In this episode our guest lays out the importance of intelligence gather. With some techniques you can know what's going on before the news. Form intelligence contractor Sam Culper of Forward Observer Magazine lays it all out for us.
If you had to give an elevator pitch for your book, SHTF Intelligence: An Intelligence Analyst's Guide to Community Security, what would it be?
In an SHTF senario, we're all going to run into two problems. Number one, we're going to not have enough information to make well informed time sensitive decisions. Or, number two, we going to have way too much information--we're going to be drowning information. And that's going to slow down our decision making process.
So threw intelligence [...] we essentially solve both of those problems before we encounter them.
To solve the first problem, of not having enough inforation, I talk about intelligence collection and how to get it automated. I talk about human intelligence, and imagery, and open source signals intelligence; all the things we need to set up now so that we can beging getting these threat intelligence streams coming into what we call the A.C.E. (Analysis and Control Element). [...] So setting up those information gathering mechanisms now to solve the first problem.
Now to solve the second problem [...] I talk about analysis and how we separate the wheat from the chaff. How we coordinate potentially massive amounts of information and make it relevant [and] ensure that it's timely. [...]
The last part of the book is about how to set up an intelligence element: The roles, the tasks and the responsibilities--what everyone does so that at zero hour we know [...] this is what everyone does and this is how we fill this giant blind spot when it comes to threat intelligence.
In this ITRH book club episode we sit down with Kermit Jones. He's going to tell us about his book that teaches kids, and many adults, all about firearms safety. Maybe you don't have kids, but you'll still enjoy this episode. Because.... well... guns. And Kermit is a lot of fun.
Now ITRH also about to go on summer break. This season will end May 25th.
Since the ITRH summer shorts were so well received last summer we’re going to do those again. So you won’t be left without any ITRH episodeds during the summer. They’ll just be short 7 to 15 minute episodes probably on the order of every 3 weeks.
For those that are new hear and don’t know what the summer shorts are all about I’ll explain quickly. Hear goes:
ITRH goes on break for a few months every summer. But we don’t go totally off the air. You’ll get short episodes on a less frequent basis of one every two to three weeks. Then we’ll be back August 1st.
In this episode we sit down with Greg Gottfried. He's a strength and conditioning coach, and fitness podcast host, who's going to pump you up for the apocalypse. So put on your 80s sweatband. We're going to lift heavy.
How is Greg Gottfried? [...] I'm a strength and conditioning coach. I'm also a track and field throws coach. [...] I also teach CPR and First Aid. I'm a member of my local CERT. And just recently got my HAM license.
Do you consider yourself a prepper?
Absolutely! And I haven't been my whole life. Hurricane Katrina is what flipped the switch for me. Seeing how helpless people were and the lawlessness... just the devastation really forced me to be honest with what situation my family was in. [...] Since Katrina, I've really gone full bore to make sure my family is safe and prepared.
Did watching the aftermath of Katrina make you think, "my G-d, what if this happen to my family?"
Yeah! Like I said, it was like a light switch for me. [...] It was like a cartoon lightbulb going off. I was sitting in a town house and we two shared walls. And I was thinking we don't have any extra food. We don't have any water. And my shotguns are stored at my parents house. What the hell do we do?
Portland is not a bastion of firearms love and affection. How does that work for you in your area? And is preparedness looked at as being weird in your area?
Guns are a hot topic here. And we're not exactly the most welcoming of firearms. [...] It's not something I talked about a lot before I got into all of this, but believe it or not they were all closet preppers too.
It always surprises me how there are more people into guns and prepping than most people think. It just takes opening up a little bit, often.
Where does preparedness, physical fitness, and nutrition intersect for you?
[...] Like I mentioned before, I'm a member of my local CERT and First Aid. I'm a member at the local gun club also. And I can't help but notice how terrible shape people are in. [...] Or the things they're prepping are horrible foods. And it's the thing I like to do: help people fill in those gaps. So when I'm talking to someone about nutrition... I'll bring up, "Well now that you have all these healthy foods, what if we get snowed in? Do you have acces to more foods like this?" Or when I'm talking to people about compressions, it's like... do you think you can maintain chest compressions for 15 minutes before an ambulance shows up? Or can you get that 300 pound vicim out of harms way?
I just notice a lot of people are not physically fit. And they call themselves preppers. It kind of gets under my skin. If you're not ready for life right now, how are you going to be ready when a catastrophe hits.
Are we going to talk about becoming a gym rat today: making working out like a part time job? How deep are we going to go here?
It can be really simple. What's important is that we can move through a full range of motions... in compound movements, like a squat or hip hinge, or be able to push or pull and be pain free.
A lot of people are just sitting at their desks all day long. [...] And they just can't move around very well. They just don't have that mobility that they once had as kids.
What's important is being about to move through life more efficiently.
How do we get there... How many hours a week are we talking for the average person to get and stay functionally fit.
It doesn't need to take forever. A good well rounded workout done in an hour. And you don't need to do that every single day. But 3 to 5 times a week is fine. So we're looking at 3 to 5 hours a week. Max.
The key is to make sure you're doing the right things. And there it's really important to make sure, especially us guys, and we're finding a trainer or coach get us where we need to go.
What do you see people get wrong?
That's a great questions. The number one thing I see people get wrong is all they do is cardio. Not that there's anything wrong with cardio. [...] As far as being effective in life and getting the most bang for our buck I think the real value is in strength training.
And making sure it's a well rounded strength training routine. So what you're doing is some sort of squat, some sort of hip hinge, a push, a pull, and a waited carry or bridging.
[...] Plus, there's been a lot of studies that have shown heart rate and metallic effect of doing resistant training, or lifting weights, lasts for fare longer post workout than if you were to do cardio.
In the event of a zombie apocalypse, what is this strength training and firmer butt going to do for me?
One, you're going to be able to get over all your obstacles... Jumping walls and climbing trees won't be anything for you.
Let's step back a little bit, and let's take it from just a small weather thing. Let's say a tree falls down in the road way. Cardio isn't going to help you with that. Deadlifting is going to help you move that tree.
The final episode of this season, season 5, will be on May 25. ITRH will return August 1st for Season 6. You will be getting the now traditional summer shorts episodes roughly every 3 weeks while the show is on summer break.
This episode is brought to you by Audible - get a FREE audiobook download and 30 day free trial at Audibletrial.com/itrh. Over 180,000 titles to choose from for your iPhone, Android, Kindle or mp3 player.
The final episode of this season, season 5, will be on May 25. ITRH will return August 1st for Season 6. You will be getting the now traditional summer shorts episodes roughly every 3 weeks while the show is on summer break.
~ Resources from this episode can be found at:
In this episode we sit down with Bob Hill; knife maker, kydex maker, and owner of Bob Hill Blades. He's going to share with us the basics of knife making, how to work with Kydex, and a host of other maker topics.
~ Knife Making and Kydex Making Topics Discussed:
* How does someone start learning to make knives?
* How much tooling up does it take to get into knife making?
* How do you determine what angle to put on a knife and does the metal play any part in it?
* How long does it take to become proficient at knife making?
* Why has Kydex almost replaced leather for holsters and knife sheathes?
* What tools would they need for Kydex sheath and holster making?
* How expensive is it for a hobbyist to get started making things in Kydex?
* Besides holsters and knife sheathes, what else can you make out of Kydex?
~ Quick Takeaways from this Knife Making and Kydex Making Episode:
*// What's the best way for someone to learn knife making?
What I would suggest to a lot of folks... a number of the supply companies... professional companies where they host grind-ins or hammer-ins... there're clubs that hosts those... a buddy of mine Mike Stewart, he owns Bark River Knives... he hosts three grind-ins a year. And you can go in and see the full process of how they make a knife. And you actually go in and you make a knife. You do as little or as much as you want.
*// What's the learning curve on making a knife?
The people I've had come here to my shop to learn how to make a knife [...] to really achieve what they have in their mind, it can take a few blades. But the actual getting something functional, might not be pretty, but it'll get the job done, not that bad. I'd say one weekend. [...] That includes some of the metallurgy as well.
*// How much tooling up does it take to make knives?
You can make a knife with just files. [...] Action filing. You're using files to a fairly high tolerance. Like thousands of an inch. [...] I filed out a small drop point hunter on a Saturday.
[For the beginner] forging, I'm a big fan of the gas air forge. [...] You can build your own for about fifty to sixty dollars. [...] You need to have a good anvil and a good base. Then you're going to buy a ton of hammers. [...] You'll evolve into it. [...] But if someone wants to do hobby where they do stock removal, really you could get away with [...] you need some kind of belt grinder to be able to remove material and be able to shape the knife... grind the bevels. Basically take away all the material that isn't the knife. [...] You'll use that on everything whether you're doing Kydex, or leather sheathes... you'll use that to sharpen the knife if you have a good variable speed one and the appropriate belts. It's the tool that you use the most. [...] I would be looking at the 2 inch by 72 inch belts; they're the standard. They're a bit more expensive, but if you're really really wanting to throw down into it. [...]
*// Where does forging come in?
Forging is nice if you want to be efficient with the materials. [...] It can also be very helpful if you know what you're doing with the heat treating to actually refine the grain structure. [...] They'll anneal out any of the grain structure that they create into it. [...] It ends up being as if it was a homogeneous piece of steel. [...] With forging, you can really go fast getting the material shaped...
*// In layman's terms, why does the grain structure of a knife matter?
They're not even going to see it. That's going to be the polish and the finish. [...] I'll make word carving chisels for people that have to have a degree of spring. The way that I'm doing those, I want the grain structure to be a certain way so they'll be strong when they're flexing. [...] It's like that last 5% of performance they're trying to get out of it.
*// How important is blade geometry?
The overall geometry is probably the most important aspect of it [knives]. [...] The basics of the edges where you have hollow grind or a concave grind [...] it'll have a radius [facing into the blade]. Then you'll have falt grind and your convex [grind - radius facing out]. The strongest edge, of course, is convex. Next is the flat grind. Then the hollow grind. Depending upon what you're cutting, if you'll notice the straight razors and things like that, they'll be hollow grind. It's a very feather edge--it's very light; not very strong. Flat grind kind of in-between can be very very sharp, but a little bit stronger. Then convex, which can also be ridiculously sharp, but stronger still. [...] But grinding, setting your edge, and having it be geared towards the task you want to achieve. [For example] all of my camp knives are going to be convex and fairly tall grinds. They're not going to be a super thin edge, but still convex so that it spreads [...] if you're chopping into something it spreads. It's not going to be a hollow grind where the edges would bite whatever you're chopping into.
Then the other geometry, like point geometry, if you're having to us it to piece into something. Rocker. [...] kitchen knives I'll obsess over the rocker. The angle of the handle depending on how tall the person is... for the ergonomics. [...] The height thing in particular, I'll hand somebody who's like s 5'-5" one knife and they go, "this is terrible!" Then I'll hand them another one and they'll say, "this is fantastic!" Exactly the same blade geometry, but the only difference is the angle of the handle.
*// Why has Kydex taken off in the knife and tactical world?
One is cost. And time. Leather takes a little bit more time. [...] I've lost knives. [...] We were soaking wet and my leather sheath got so soft that the knife just fell out. I don't have to worry about that with Kydex.
The leather costs more than the Kydex by four fold. [...] Kydex is fast; I can make a good sheath in 15 minutes. [...] A good leather one [...] that can take me four hours.
Is it true that leather can hold dirt and debris that damages the gun or knife while Kydex doesn't
Generally with leather, where people let the stuff get a little bit wet and then the salts come out of the leather... cause damage to the material [metal]... I see that more often than any kind of debris or detritus that would have been in the sheath or the holster.
If you take care of it and you don't store it in it, leather is just great. You can get abrasive material in either or. It's maintenance. You have to clean and oil your leather. You have to clean your Kydex sheaths and holsters.
What is the learning curve on working with Kydex?
Kydex is pretty straight forward. [...] Kydex is the trade name; there are a lot of thermally moldable pastics you can get. [...] You get the sheet from the manufacturer and it'll tell you what the working temperature is. Basically you heat it up to it's working temperature. And you do it gradually. And then [...] with a vacum press or a foam press [...] you compress the plastic over whatever it is you want to form it to. Once it cools down it's in that shape. [...] Then cut [...] and put grommets/rivets in it. [...] Grind the edges. Buff it. Then you're done, really. [...] You may have to relax it a little with a heat gun.
What tools do you need for making things with Kydex?
* Something to cut it on.
* A box cutter.
* A hand drill.
* Appropriate size drill bits for the grommets you'll use.
* Grommet set.
* Buffer
* Grinder
* Something to heat it up on.
* A hot gun [digital infrared thermometer]
* Foam and build your on press.
~ Special Note:
The final episode of this season, season 5, will be on May 25. ITRH will return August 1st for Season 6. You will be getting the now traditional summer shorts episodes roughly every 3 weeks while the show is on summer break.
~ Become a supporting member here:
~ Resources from this episode can be found at:
In this episode we sit down with Jason Hanson, found of Spy Escape and Evasion. He's going to share with us some of his CIA training that may just save you're life.
~ Spy Escape and Evasion Topics Discussed:~
* What is the life of the average CIA agent really like?
* How did Jason Hanson's journey start?
* What is the CIA training like?
* Why did he leave the CIA?
* What was the most important thing he learned while working for the CIA?
* What skills did he get out of his time in the CIA?
* What kind of people are signing up for civilian escape and evasion training?
* Is there an increase in people becoming concerned about they're safety?
* Why is learning about Escape and Evasion an important thing for the average person who is not a big corp CEO or political figure?
* What are the main lessons and skills does he teach students for surviving a kidnapping?
* What are the EDC items Jason recommends and carries himself?
* What hand-to-hand selfdefense methods does he teach?
* What weapons does Jason recommend?
* Are tactical pens useful and can they be carried on planes?
* What are some simple things people can do to avoid being a target of a kidnapping or violent encounter?
* How can people protect themselves while traveling?
* Can kids be trained in escape and evasion tactics to survive, or even break free, of a kidnapping?
~ Special Note:~
The final episode of this season, season 5, will be on May 25. ITRH will return August 1st for Season 6. You will be getting the now traditional summer shorts episodes roughly every 3 weeks while the show is on summer break.
~ Become a supporting member here:
~ Resources from this episode can be found at:
http://www.intherabbithole.com/e166
~ Quick Takeaways from this Episode:~
What's the most important skill you learned in the CIA and teach?
The most important thing I learned [...] and it's the foundation of everything I of everything else... that's situational awareness. Because if you're not aware, it doesn't matter if you're a great shot with a gun: You'll never see the threat coming... you'll never draw your gun in time. If you're not aware you'll never see that carjacker and you'll be dead and never have a chance to use your evasive driving moves. So really... remaining in condition yellow, which is Jeff Cooper's color code</a>, having your head up and aware of your surroundings, that's the most important thing. [...] If you're head is down, if you're texting, if you can't see that threat coming nothing else matters.
Why does the average person need this training?
Because it makes you safer in all areas of your life. So the average crime is a crime of opportunity. It's some criminal, for instance, who has a drug addition. And he's standing at your local mall and he's saying "I'm going to watch the entrance and I'm going to target the easiest victim" [...] So if you learn spy skills such as knowing if someone is following you or becoming a human lie detector [...] if you know these skills you'll be able to go home.
How hard is it to learn lie detection?
Lie detection is not as difficult as you think. There are many different signals. [...] It's several hours I spend on it in my course, but I can share one of the tips with you today that's one of the many things you look for: When you ask someone a question, pay attention to the first three to five seconds of their response. So most people are not born to lie. [...] But when you ask questions [...] honest people doen't hesitate. [...] dishonest people, because we're not born to lie, they pause and by time because their brain has to come up with a lie.
How do we tell if we're being followed?
In the spy world we have what's called a surveillance protection route. That's a very fancy way of saying just don't go from point A to point B. [...] Go from A to B to C so you can see if you're being followed. [...] If you see the same person there that's a good clue your being followed. [...] Exactly, you're forcing them into a pattern. Your forcing them to get out of a natural state. [...] Going to three different sections, the chances that that same guy is going to follow you and do that is very very slim. So you're probably being followed.
What skills does someone need to survive a kidnapping?
During the two day spy course we teach people how to: escape duck tape, escape rope, pick handcuffs using a hair barret and bobby pen, lock picking, lie detection, hot-wiring a car, and self defense moves.
We train people, in a way, to become a professional hostage. [...] Leave evidence to make yourself easier to find. [...] So gag yourself so you throw up. That way you're leaving DNA and all this trace evidence. You want to cut yourself, if you can. Not so you bleed to death. [...] just a little blood. [...] wipe it under a table [...] not on top of the table, so it's harder to find [...] go to a corner of the carpet, rip it up, and put blood under the carpet. So you want to leave this trail. That way your family can say to the FBI, "Hey, John was professionally trained as a hostage. He knows to leave clues. Make sure your ripping up the corners of the carpet. Make sure you're checking under tables. That way the FBI doens't just look around walk out. They actually take a lot of time."
If you fought like crazy and ended up in that [kidnapper's] van [...] that's when you switch to looking soft. [...] I'm acting sheepish and wimpish [...] this guys a wimp. He's not causing trouble. Just throw him in the corner. [...] You clearly don't want more security on you. [...] It gives me more of an opportunity to escape, because there less security on me... they're paying less attention to me.
Are there cues people give off that attract criminals?
Absolutely. [...] That bad guys sees [...] He/she is walking around. They've scanned. They've made eye contact with me. [...] A while back [...] There was a study [by researches Betty Grayson and Morris I. Stein], [...] it showed it doesn't matter if your a fourfoot tall women. The guys [criminals] would not attack the person walking tall who's head is up. They would attack the person who was slouching, who's head is down, and didn't look like they were paying attention or knew where they were going.
What can we do to keep ourselves safe while traveling?
There's so much! [...] I'll give you a hotel tip. [...] any time you check into a hotel the hotel representative usually asks you, "Ms Jones, how many keys would you like?" Walks say, "Two keys." [...] criminals will sit there in hotel lobis [...] they'll case it. And if they see a woman go up and ask for one key, they think to themselves well this woman is probably alone, we know we can go attack her, there's probably going to be less people to fight off. So... I travel alone the majority of the time, but no matter what I always ask for two keys. That way, if someone is listening they hopefully think I'm with someone else.
[...] try to stay between the third and sixth floor of a hotel. [...] Lower floors make it easier for a criminal to go break and quickly run out. [...] The reason you don't want to stay on floor 87 incase there was a hotel fire. Obviously 87 floors is a long way to get down to safety. Plus, here in the US, firetruck ladders only go up to the sixth floor.
In this episode we sit down with Sam Coffman, founder of The Human path. We’re going to discuss going beyond first aid, his survival school, and herbal medicine without the nonsense.
Sam is known for running one of the most respected survival, emergency wilderness medicine, and herbal medicine schools in the coutnry. But he's definately not what you'd expect from someone involved with herbal medicine. He's a no nonsense straight shooting kind of guy who lays it all out for us today.
In this episode sit down with Paul Martin. He’s going to share with us lessons in making preparedness a full contact community sport. We'll also discuss practical things preppers often overlook while being distracted by the more exciting yet unlikely scenarios.
~ Topics covered in this episode:
* Who is Paul Martin?
* Mistakes all preppers make
* The impracticality of chemical attack suits
* Preparedness as a community action instead of solely going it alone
* Practical prepper advice for the NON-zombie Apocolypse emergency
* Life insurance as a prep
* Disability insurance as a prep
* Longterm care insurance as a prep
* Why is preparedness good citizenship?
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~ Resources from this episode can be found at:
In this episode we go back in time to hear an ITRH classic: Prepper Spring Cleaning — time to organize and maybe rethinking your prepps. Hard to believe this episode was 99 episodes ago.
As preppers, we are often in procurement mode. And we fail to go back and organize all the gear, food, and other stored preps.
So a long time ago we established we we like to call "Prepper Spring Cleaning". It's an annual practice of reviewing and organizing our piles-of-prepper-shit.
~ Episode Topics:
* Replacing survival gear with survival skills
* Bugout Bags
* EDC Bags
* Emergency Kits
* Getting organized
* Making check lists
* Bugout bag spreadsheets
* ...and more.
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~ Resources from this episode can be found at:
http://www.intherabbithole.com/e163
In this episode we welcome back Marshall of GoingGear. He's going to share with us all the ins, outs, and what-the-hecks about water filters for camping and bugout bags. We're also going to dive into food and stoves for camping. Plus, a special bonus.
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~ Resources from this episode can be found at:
In this episode we sit down the David Merrill. He's a writter for Breach Bang Clear, Recoil Magazine, and a few other tactical rags I'm sure you've heared of.
As a retired Marine and foreign wepaons instructor, he's got to chops to tell us about gear and real world use. So if you've been wanting to kit up, or just love gear, sit back and relax.
~ Topics discussed:
* What do you look for in body armor?
* Is it more comfort or more protection?
* What are the levels of plate carries and bullet proof vests?
* What are the best mag pouches?
* How do you combine the use of HSGI soft magazine pouches and kydex mag holders?
* Why drop-leg holsters suck?
* How useful are battle belts?
* What's the best eye protection?
* What do you do about hearing protection?
* Should people actually invest in tactical helmets?
* The tactical neckerchief.
* Why do shamans suck?
* What are David's gear pet peeves?
~ Become a supporting member here:
http://www.itrh.net
~ Resources from this episode can be found at:
http://www.intherabbithole.com/e161
Spring is nearly upon us. For many that means they're getting ready to venture back out into the woods--or they're wondering out for the first time.
But gear can be expensive and confusing. So in this episode our resident outdoor gear expert, Marshal of GoingGear.com, gives us in insider information on your most important pieces of equipment.
~ Become a supporting member here:
http://www.itrh.net
~ Resources from this episode can be found at:
http://www.intherabbithole.com/e159
It's time for the annual ITRH Super Random Pile-O Preper Shit Gear Show. For 2016 Jonathan and I sit down and review books, gear, tools, and all things "prepper gear" we've played with in the last year.
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~ Resources from this episode can be found at:
It's been a while since we've talked about what's going on on the ITRH farm and Jason's Ranching Adventures. So today we catchup on all the goings on. Some sad news, some crazy news, and some happy news.
We discuss:
* Snakes and ranching
* Animal husbandry
* Is ranching really easier than raising small animals?
* Aaron's run in with a pack of wild dogs with a wild twist
* And a lot more
~ Become a supporting member here:
http://www.itrh.net
~ Resources from this episode can be found at:
http://www.intherabbithole.com/e157
Buggout route planning done correctly occupies the minds of many preppers. Or at least it should.
But it's complicated. And there are many options.
So today we welcome back author Chris Herndez to get his perspective. He's going to share his thoughts based on decades of military leadership and law enforcement experiance.
Plus, we'll dive into some other topics to dimisify things you may have never thought to ask about.
Buggout Route Planning Topics:
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~ Resources from this episode can be found at:
In this episode we discuss one of the most common things preppers wrestle with: How long should you prepare for.
The answer: It depends.
But we can beging to solve this quandry by asking our selves three questions:
1) What do you think is going to happen?
2) How bad do you think it’s really going to be?
3) How long will it last till barter starts up or stores open back up?
Let's discuss together.
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~ Resources from this episode can be found at:
In this episode we sit down with James Price to discuss surviving everything from an active shooter to a typical mugging.
Active shooter situations and crime are on the rise. They may even get much worse. Are you prepared?
Today James will share insight into what students of his Domestic Protector class learn. We'll also cover simple things you can do to survive violent encounters.
~ Surviving active shooter situation topics:
* Jame's prediction about the frequenting of these types of shootings.
* Takeaways from the San Bernardino shooting.
* Takeaways from the Paris terrorist attacks.
* Will this inspire copycat spree-killers?
* How was the Domestic Protector class put together?
* Are armed civilians more safe?
* Why should you start practicing one handed shooting more?
* What is a sheepdog and what is an armed civilian?
* How should you respond to an active shooter?
* Are active shooter situations different from a violent mugging?
* What can be improvised to jam door from an attack?
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~ Resources from this episode can be found at:
AK-47s have a mystic all their own. But they also have a lot of hyperbol. So...
In this episode we sit down with AK-47 legend Jim Fuller of Rifle Dynamics. He's going to set us straight on the truth, myths, and proper perspective in understanding these comblock badasses.
~ AK-47 topics covered in this interview:
* What's Jim Fuller's story?
* How did RIfle Dynamics come to be?
* What makes the AK-47 so special?
* Is the AK-47 durability fact or urban legend?
* Is the AK-47 accuracy deficit fact or urban legend?
* What's the real perspective to take when it comes to the purpose of an AK-47?
* What myths, or overblow facts, exist around the AK?
* What advantages does the AK have over the AR-15?
* What is it about AKs that make them stand up to steel case ammo so well?
* What's the effective range of a standard AK?
* What considerations must be made when looking to put glass on an AK?
* When it comes to shopping the import and budget market, what should be looking for in an AK?
* What are Jim's thoughts on the Kalashnikov USA rifles?
* What's the difference between a Ak-47 and it's perhaps lesser known brother the AK-74?
* What's the difference between AK and the much lesser known VZ58?
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~ Resources from this episode can be found at:
How to choose a survival knife is common quandary. There are so many options. There are so many things to consider. In this episode we sit down with Marshal of GoingGear.com to answer those questions.
This is one of our favorite topics: Knives! They often don't get enough air time here. But they are one of the most important and basic tools of survival. And it doesn't matter if it's for EDC (Every Day Carry) or for treking through the woods. A good knife's value can't be stressed enough.
~ Basic considerations for a knife topics discussed:
* What's the most useful size of pocket knfie?
* What are the best locking mechanizms and why are they important?
* What things does Marshal consider when looking at pocket knives for himself?
* What knife point type makes the most senses to you for pocket knives?
* What are the best handle matterials for pocket knives?
* Are knife super-steels all hype?
* What are the new super-steels these days?
* What's the story on Elmax steel?
* How do A2 and D2 tool steels hold up for knives?
* What are the top brands in pocket knives—excluding the super high end custom stuff?
* What’s the big fuss about Zero Tolerance knives?
* What's the most useful blade length for a fixed blade knife?
* What are things to you consider when looking at a good fixed blade camping knife?
* What are things to you consider when looking at a good fixed blade bushcraft knife?
* Does blade grind type / geometry really matter in a fixed blade knife?
Coated or uncoated knives?
* What are the best handle matterials for fixed blade knives?
* To full tang or not to care about full tang, does it really matter?
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Choosing rifle optics is confusing. They're also can be a big investment. So in this episode we sit down with Marshal, owner of Primary Arms. He's going to help clarify and demystify rifle optics.
Rifle optics topics covered:
* How much should people spend on opitics for a rifle?
* What are the basics of selecting the right opitic for a rifle?
* How does eye relief play into scope selection?
* How would someone decide on magnification?
* How do you select the right reticle?
* What impact does tube size have on a scope’s function?
* What impact does the bell of a scope vs a straight tube have?
* What is parallax and why should people care about it?
* What is first focal plane and why is it important in rifle scopes?
* What would someone look for in a hunting scope?
* So whats the difference between a hunting scope and a sniper scope?
* What's the difference between a hunting or tacitcal sope and a rimfire scope?
* Is there really any difference when deciding on rings and mounts for scopes?
* What advantages does a fixed power scope give?
* What should people know when looking for a red dot?
* What should people use and never use when cleaning their optics?
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It's veteran's day 2015. This year we're doing a special episode with Jeremy Paris, host of the Veteran Resource Podcast. Whether you are a vet or just want to find about about getting involved with organizations, you'll get a lot out of this epsidoe.
Typically folks in the survival podcast genre will talk about what it means to serve. And they may tell stories of their service. But we have something different that could actually help vets.
You see, the Veteran Resource Podcast was created to introduce veterans to Veteran Service Organizations. And as you find out in this episode there are THOUSANDS out there!
We've all heared of the Wounded Warrior project. But there are a lot more out there, it turns out. One is even focused on sustainable farming.
~ Veteran resource topics discussed:
* Jeremy's service in the military
* How the the Veteran Resource Podcast got started?
* What is the mission his podcast?
* What keeps you inspired to do his show?
* How many veteran organizations are there?
* Why are there so many different veteran organziations?
* Why is it important to support veteran organizations?
* What are some of the different organizations out there that people might want to get invovled in?
* Can people who've never served get involved and voluteer?
* If someone wanted help support vets, would supporting one of these organizations be the best way?
* How would people go about evaluating a few organizations to find the one that's right for them?
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~ Resources from this episode can be found at:
Civil Air Patrol is a bit of a red headed step child. In fact, it's probably one of the most interesting voluteer organizations most people have never heared of.
In this episode we sit down with Bobby Allison of Civil Air Patrol. He's going to share with us what C.A.P. is, what they do, and why you should consider getting involved. And, we'll even discuss how you might be able to get some survial training.
~ Civil Air Patrol Topics Discussed:
* What is Civil Air Patrol and what does the organization do?
* How long has it been around<?
* When was CAP formed and for what purpose?
* How does CAP supplement or augment what the US Air Force already does?
* Seems kids can get involved in this too. What role do they play?
* What do volunteers get out of it?
* Does CAP have any role in border security?
* What role does CAP play in disaster relief?
* What kind of training programs does CAP have?
* When it comes to adults, is CAP only open to active or retired Air Force?
* What roles are there for members?
* If someone wanted to get involved in CAP, what would they need to do?
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~ Resources from this episode can be found at:
In this episode we sit down with the the Bee Whisperer, Michael Jordan. He'll share his knowledge of beekeeping, philisophical masterbation, and life lessons.
~ Beekeeping topics covered in this episode include:
* Why do we need more beekeepers in the world
* Why would someone want to get into beekeeping
* How much work are bees to get started
* How much work are bees once they get established
* What is the minimum financial investment an Urban bee keeper would need to make
* Why is it said that bees choose the keeper, and that it's not the other way around
* What would you say are the common downfalls for most people that first get into bees
* Who can people get over the fear of keeping bees
* Is beekeeping a real moneky maker
* Is beeking difficult
* What does a Bee Suit usually run
* How long does it really take to get to a place of being productive with beekeeping
* What are the bee union hours
* Are there alternatives to the typical honey bee
* What is sustainable beekeeping
* What's the latest news on coloney collapse?
* What can people do to help bee populations?
* What can people plant to feed honey bees?
* Why would bees reject a hive and fly off?
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Precision rifles come with a lot of mystic and myth. In this episode we sit down with famed gunsmith Ed Vanden Berg of Vanden Berg Custom.
He's going to set us straight on all the ends and outs of what it takes to make a precision rifle precise. This won't be a buy-this-gun or that conversation. And it won't be a go with this caliber, trigger, barrel, or stock conversation. Instead, this will be a primer that breaks down the basics of what does and does not make a rifle shoot true.
* Are bolt-action rifles inherently more accurate than semi-auto rifles?
* How big of a role does the action play in the accuracy of a rifle?
* How big of a role does the caliber, in the sense of total cartridge package, actually play in accuracy?
* What’s so special about 260 remington and 6.5?
* Match grade or rolling your own: Does it really make a difference?
* What is internal balistics?
* What is external balistics?
* What is terminal balistics?
* How big of a role does the barrel play in the accuracy of a rifle?
* What is barrel harmonics really all about?
* Does barrel length play a part in accuracy or is purely about squeezing out velocity?
* What does free floating both is semi-auto and bolt-action a barrel really do?
* Can a rifle sling impact the accuracy of a rifle?
* Is there really a "Best" precision rifle barrel maker?
* What is barrel religion?
* Does fulting a barrel impact the accuracy of a rifle?
* How big of a role does the rifle stock play in the accuracy of a rifle?
* Does trigger weight impact the accuracy of a rifle?
* What's the best trigger weight?
* What does a custom precision bolt-action rifle cost?
* What does a custom precisoin semi-auto rifle cost?
* What are the biggest myths fo long range shooting?
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