James Burnette, Author at Survivalpunk

5 Nonfiction Survival Books | episode 257

October 10, 2024October 10, 2024 James Burnette

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5 Nonfiction Survival Books | episode 257

Join me today as I discuss 5 Nonfiction Survival books to check out. I give a definitive one for some of the books; others are a category you need to fill.

When it comes to a straight Survival Book I don’t have an end-all-be-all pick. To be honest it doesn’t even matter which one you buy and you will most likely get more than one anyway. I talk about a few of my favorites. Cody Lunden’s books, Emergency by Neil Strauss, and a few others. All old books can probably be found in a used bookstore.

My number one most recommended nonfiction survival books is Back to Basics. This one book has so much information in it. If you wanted one book to rebuild society after a collapse I would recommend this one. It has everything you need from building a house to farming to canning and much more.

I talk about the great wild edibles book The Foragers Harvest by Samuel Thayer. This is an absolute must-have in my opinion.

Next is The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide for When Help is NOT on the Way by Doc Bones and Nurse Amy. If you’re going to have only one medical book this should be it.

Prepping For Events | episode 256

October 9, 2024October 9, 2024 James Burnette

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Prepping For Events | episode 256

Join me today as I discuss prepping for events and why I don’t think you should. I do not think it is a good idea to focus on a specific event when you are prepping.

If you put all your effort into an event it is usually done in fear, and fear leads to dumb decisions. Events are usually always time based. So they have a deadline and come and go. If you focus on an event and it doesn’t happen you are likely to quit prepping when it doesn’t happen.

After Y2k there was a lot of survival gear up for sale. So it works out well for us. If you prepare to improve your quality of life regardless of events then you are better off whether something bad happens or not.

So do not prepare for any giant event prepare for life nad you won’t be disappointed.

My Thoughts On The Self Reliance Festival | episode 255

October 8, 2024October 8, 2024 James Burnette

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My Thoughts On The Self Reliance Festival | episode 255

Join me today as I talk about my thoughts on the self reliance festival. My family and I just returned from this year’s self-reliance festival in Camden Tennessee at the SOE compound. We loved it. It was our first time going but definitely not our last.

There were so many great speakers and demos going on there. There’s no way you could have left there without a lot more knowledge and being hyped to go out there and do things.

I was very excited to see some old faces and meet some new ones. I have met Jack Spirko and John Willis before but it has been more than 10 years. I was still drinking when I went to Jack’s place so that’s at least more than 11 years ago.

Camping was fun as always. This was my daughter’s second time camping and she loved it. There were so many kids for her to play with while we were there she had an absolute blast.

The real hero of the festival was Toolman Tim’s wife who put on the Self Reliance Kids program. She did an amazing job.

Scavenging vs Looting | episode 254

October 7, 2024October 7, 2024 James Burnette

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Scavenging vs Looting | Episode 254

Join me today as I talk all about scavenging vs looting. I recently saw this post on Facebook that said when is it ok to start looting. The poster was speaking about after the SHTF. But the post definitely went over like a lead balloon. There is never a time and place for looting. There is a place for scavenging though. And there is absolutely a difference.

The definition of looting is: To steal goods from a place, typically during a war or riot. Scavaging is defined as searching for and collecting (anything usable) from discarded waste.

Breaking the windows out and taking something that is clearly not discarded waste is not scavenging. Some of it is grey. I talk about abandoned houses in this episode. I’ve seen videos and seen them in person. Houses in the middle of the woods that look like people just got up and left and never came back.

Time is another factor. If something has been abandoned for 20 years I feel that is scavenging and not looting. The poor people in the affected flood areas right now want to return to their homes and would be looting.

My Thoughts On Being Sober 11 Years | episode 253

October 4, 2024October 3, 2024 James Burnette

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My Thoughts On Being Sober 11 Years | Episode 253

Today’s episode is going to be special. I’m going to share my thoughts about being sober for 11 years. This episode might not be for everyone. And that’s ok. I think there are some things in here for everyone but I’m not a puritant. Everyone doesn’t have to be sober. For me, this is the best choice.

I share something in today’s episode I have never talked about in previous episodes or on the blog. The beginning of my sobriety began with my arrest for DUI, which pointed out how off-track I had gotten.

I was pretty mad and embarrassed at first, but I grew to see being arrested as a blessing. Without becoming sober I would have never got with my wife and never had my kids. Hell, I might not even be here.

There are a lot of health benefits to becoming sober as well. Weight loss is a lot easier when you aren’t drinking a case of beer every day. I only briefly touch on the health issues today and focus on my journey.

So in the end this isn’t for everyone but maybe it is for you.