Episodes

Wednesday Jun 29, 2022
A Briefing With The Grayman
Wednesday Jun 29, 2022
Wednesday Jun 29, 2022
The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 51, A Briefing With The Grayman
Wesley, of Grayman Briefing and Superesse Straps, joins us to talk about being better prepared and your personal safety.
Wesley is former U.S. Army and law enforcement and now spends his time sharing intel to the public to help folks stay better informed and selling gear that can help them be better prepared should a life altering event occur (or SHTF).
We talk a lot about home security measures you can take as well as a few about vehicles as well.
Do you know the purpose of purple paint or a flashing blue light on your mailbox? Listen to learn about these unusual items.
Have you ever thought leaving your car in your driveway might be a good thing? Listen to Wesley explain why it may be the better option.
There is definitely a lot here to consider and determine if they are right for for you and your family.
Sit back. Relax. And listen.
Other related podcasts:
Podcast 6: How to Make Your Home More Secure
Podcast 11: Safety In and Around Your Vehicle
Podcast 26: What if... ? The Importance of Thinking Through Scenarios

Wednesday Mar 30, 2022
Carjacking
Wednesday Mar 30, 2022
Wednesday Mar 30, 2022
The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 48, Carjacking
What's the difference between car theft and carjacking? We discuss it.
We also talk about some legal concepts that may come into play with either car theft or carjacking, though we give no legal advise.
We talk about some things you can do to help make you less likely to be a victim of a carjacking. Ultimately, we have to take responsibility for our own personal safety.
And lastly, we chat through what you may consider doing should you ever find yourself a victim of a carjacking and some scenarios you will want to consider and think through.
Thanks for listening.
Other podcasts:
Podcast 11 - Safety In and Around Your Vehicle
Podcast 26 - What if.. ? The Importance of Thinking Through Scenarios

Saturday Oct 30, 2021
Safety Considerations For Vendors of All Types
Saturday Oct 30, 2021
Saturday Oct 30, 2021
The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 43, Safety Considerations For Vendors of All Types
Whether you have garage or yard sales, work at a flea market or an arts & crafts fair, you sale at a farmers' market, or you are a street vendor, this podcast is for you.
We cover the 3 main areas of keeping things locked down, the importance of a heightened sense of situational awareness, and some tips on how to better handle cash when in public.
Sit back. Relax. And listen.

Wednesday Sep 29, 2021
A Chat With Tony Blauer
Wednesday Sep 29, 2021
Wednesday Sep 29, 2021
The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 42, A Chat With Tony Blauer
NOTE: I apologize for the sound quality through parts of this podcast. Unfortunately, we had a bad connection during the call. I have worked to clean it up as best I can. Stick with it though as we had a good conversation; and things do clear up.
We welcome Tony Blauer to this episode. Tony was gracious enough to take time out of his busy schedule to sit down and have a chat with me. We had it scheduled for nearly 2 months out. Thanks, Tony.
As I previously mentioned, our cellular connection crapped out on us at several points during our conversation. He was breaking up on my end. My voice was garbled on his end; and the cable fell out of my phone twice during the call. I wound up holding my phone over my head for the majority of our conversation in attempt to maintain signal strength. For whatever reason, the cell signal was not good that day. WTH? And if you listen closely at times, you also will likely hear the birds and ducks on Tony's end, as he was sitting outside in his yard.
If you do not know who Tony is, you should take some time and get to know him. The programs he has created include the Spear System, Know Fear, and Blauer Tactical Systems; and he is a very accomplished martial artist. He also figured out how to weaponize the startle-flinch response we all have inside us.
We talk about the startle-flinch response, the importance of thinking through scenarios, and much, much more.
Thanks for listening.

Wednesday Aug 25, 2021
A Chat With John Correia of Active Self Protection
Wednesday Aug 25, 2021
Wednesday Aug 25, 2021
The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 41, A Chat With John Correia of Active Self Protection
John Correia, Founder and Owner of Active Self Protection, joins us for a chat on self-defense and the benefits of watching videos of bad things.
We talk about the importance of attitude (mindset) and how the analogy of a blender comes into play.
I ask John about Christians concerned about self defense, its ramifications and morality, especially in the context of the use of deadly force. John provides a unique perspective and some scriptures for reference.
And of course, we talk about how it is John got into doing his video reviews in the first place; and the benefits for those who watch. And much, much more...
You will want to listen to this one. So...
Sit back. Relax. And listen.

Wednesday Jul 28, 2021
De-Escalation: A Key to Conflict Management
Wednesday Jul 28, 2021
Wednesday Jul 28, 2021
The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 40, De-Escalation: A Key to Conflict Management
Randy King from 80:20 Conflict Management Strategies and Randy King Live joins us again. This time we talk about de-escalation. Arguably, de-escalation is one of the most important pieces to your self-defense and personal safety strategies.
De-escalation skills not only have a place in the context of personal safety; but they can be very important in our personal relationships as well. Additionally, we talk about how being able to de-escalate oneself is the first step in being able to successfully de-escalate any situation at hand.
We talk about what a great movie Road House (think: Patrick Swayze) is, how our monkey brains can adversely affect our decision making abilities and therefore our ability to de-escalate, and how the art of de-escalation is similar to delivering good customer service.
There is so much fantastic content in this episode, we cannot possibly lay it all out here. You will just have to listen. I promise you will have a lot of takeaways from our chat here with Randy.
While you are at it, go back and listen to our Podcast 29 where Randy and I discuss his Realities of Violence content too.
Thanks for listening.

Wednesday May 26, 2021
A Chat With Tammy Yard-McCracken.
Wednesday May 26, 2021
Wednesday May 26, 2021
The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 38, A Chat With Tammy Yard-McCraken, PsyD, LPC
Tammy Yard-McCraken of Kore Self Defense and Krav Maga and 500Rising takes time out to chat with us about all things self defense and more. Tammy's a psycho-therapist turned self defense badass and instructor.
We talk about the effectiveness of Krav as a self defense system overall, the need to disseminate more information in addition to all the physical aspects of self defense, and much, much more.
Hear what Tammy's takeaways were from this podcast too.
Apologize for the few cell phone connection issues experienced in this episode.
Thanks for listening.

Friday Mar 26, 2021
Personal Safety For The Disabled
Friday Mar 26, 2021
Friday Mar 26, 2021
The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 36, Personal Safety For The Disabled
This episode Denis Haynes returns again to chat about personal safety for the disabled and what it may be like for those that find themselves in a more vulnerable state.
Having a disability may be permanent for some, temporary for others, and may even vary from day-to-day for yet others. However, having a disability or handicap does not mean you have to be less safe than anyone else.
What can you do to better ensure your personal safety when you have a disability or handicap?
We talk about several things anyone with a disability (AND their caretakers) can do.
Thanks for listening.

Sunday Feb 28, 2021
Guns Are Not The Answer To Your Personal Safety
Sunday Feb 28, 2021
Sunday Feb 28, 2021
The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 35, Guns Are Not The Answer To Your Personal Safety
Think a gun or some tool is going to make you safe?
We take a few minutes to discuss these honest facts and more:
- If guns went away tomorrow, you would still have the right and the ability to defend yourself.
- If you have a gun, you are not just magically safe, even if you feel safer with it.
- And owning a gun does not absolve your of all your other personal safety responsibilities.
Join us as we talk about some of the fallacies out there about owning guns; and how to be better prepared with or without a tool, like a firearm.
Sit back. Relax. And listen.

Wednesday Jan 27, 2021
How to Better Avoid, Respond, and Recover If It Does Happen
Wednesday Jan 27, 2021
Wednesday Jan 27, 2021
The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 34, How to Better Avoid, Respond, and Recover If It Does Happen
If you go back and listen to Podcast 33, It Will Never Happen to Me, you will be better prepared for this episode.
We revisit to stories told in 33 and talk about somethings that could have helped the individuals better avoid, respond, and recover from the events we talked about
We cover a lot of tips and pointers in this episode and leave you with 3 main pieces of advise.
Thanks for listening.
Originating podcast: