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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.

Why Survival Gatherings Are Great | episode 252

October 3, 2024October 1, 2024 James Burnette

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Why Survival Gatherings Are Great | episode 252

Join me today as I discuss Survival Gatherings. I struggled with exactly what to call today’s episode. You can refer to these events by many names, but I like to call them survival gatherings.

They are events that include camping for multiple days, lectures, demonstrations, and workshops. This week my family and I are going to the Self Reliance Festival for the first time. In the past, I have attended Zombie Con, The Pathfinder Gathering, and Rivercan Rendevous. I learned so much from these events

On top of the knowledge you gain from Survival Gatherings, you will meet a lot of like-minded people. I talked about this a lot in my episode on Finding your tribe. If you want to meet people that are into a thing go do that thing. If you want to meet more survivalists go to a survival gathering.

Do not try to say there is not one near you. I’m sure there is one near you no matter where you live. Even communist California has them. I could swear they had one called Dirt Time but I can’t find it anymore. In any case, look around and ask and I’m sure you can find one near you.

Two Drugs To Store For SHTF | episode 251

October 2, 2024October 1, 2024 James Burnette

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Two Drugs To Store For SHTF | episode 251

Join me today as I discuss two drugs to store for SHTF. They are Modafinil and Kratom. One is by prescription only and massively over-regulated. You can find the other at just about every gas station now.

For me, they both fit in similar niches. And That is wakefulness. My job has me getting up very early and coffee just isn’t enough. Modafinil is a anti narcalepy drug. It does a fantastic job of waking you up and making you alert.

Kratom is a plant with opioid-like properties. I first found out about Kratom for its concentration and focus benefits. Later we learned about its ability to treat chronic pain. Only recently did I discover that it’s great for wakefulness and mental alertness. Taking it to wake up or staying up late in the morning does the trick.

Both of these I feel do a better job at waking you up and keeping you up than caffeine alone. During the SHTF you’ll need to have a guard duty going all the time. Which means someone is going to get the late shift. Either of these two drugs will help out greatly.