Episodes
Monday Aug 10, 2020
Your Personal Safety During a Pandemic
Monday Aug 10, 2020
Monday Aug 10, 2020
The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 28, Your Personal Safety During a Pandemic
Your personal safety AND your health are your responsibility, now more than ever.
In this episode we talk about:
- The importance of knowing basic first-aid and trauma care
- The changes with 911 and what you need to be prepared for
- Scams through text, email, and phone calls
- Your children potentially being targeted through video chats
- Basics on how to deal with rioting and civil unrest
- The overall importance of avoidance, getting away, keeping those egos in check, and listening to your intuition
COVID-19 (coronavirus) and this pandemic has brought some new challenges. Are you ready? We aim to give you some information to help you through these times.
Thanks for listening.
Tuesday Jun 30, 2020
What is Asphalt Anthropology?
Tuesday Jun 30, 2020
Tuesday Jun 30, 2020
The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 27, What is Asphalt Anthropology?
This episode we talk to Beverly Baker of Metropolitan Finishing School to talk about her program, Asphalt Anthropology. One thing is for sure, Beverly's finishing school has nothing to do with holding your tea cup...
We talk about there being more to personal safety and self-defense than just the physical aspects. We talk about the importance of understanding how criminals think and what they look for. We mention the importance of de-escalation and setting boundaries as well as where de-escalation may not be appropriate; and we also talk about how it is OK to be rude when you need to be.
It is mentioned again how important listening to your intuition is and how carrying yourself in the right way can help you avoid many potentially bad situations. Beverly makes the point that paying attention to your surroundings has nothing to do with being paranoid or being fearful. It has to do with improving one's situational awareness; and you can do that by simply engaging with your environment and being more curious.
We talk about how compassion can have a place the self-defense world. Discerning between the need to defend yourself or getting away and potentially listening to your gut when you see someone that may need help in a difficult situation.
We learn it is important to recognize that in self-defense there is not one solution that works for everyone and that you need to find the classes and the training you feel solves the issues you believe are relevant to you. Beverly also reminds us it is pretty easy to avoid becoming a victim just by taking some really easy steps, i.e. avoiding that argument someone was trying to start with you or locking your doors.
Sit back. Relax. And listen.
Friday May 22, 2020
What if... ? The Importance of Thinking Through Scenarios
Friday May 22, 2020
Friday May 22, 2020
The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 26, What if... ? The Importance of Thinking Through Scenarios
How can you start considering your personal safety or taking it more seriously? How can you be better prepared for disaster and things when they go sideways? Think through scenarios.
One of the best things you can do is think through scenarios in order to become better prepared. Thinking through possible situations, their outcomes, and what you would do can put you into a position of being better able to handle those situations. Because you have thought through things ahead of time, you are better able to formulate a plan, putting you in a position of advantage.
Thinking through things ahead of times allows us to see where we may have shortcomings, so we can address them; and most importantly, it allows us to put a plan in place ahead of time.
Don't have the time to think about your personal safety? You can think through scenarios at any time, including in the car or even in the shower.
Be better prepared. Learn areas where you may need some training. Think through scenarios and what you would do. Get a plan in place ahead of time, before you need one.
What would you do if... ?
Thanks for listening.
Friday May 01, 2020
Situational Awareness and More
Friday May 01, 2020
Friday May 01, 2020
The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 25, Situational Awareness and More
I sit down with Kelly Sayre, of The Diamond Arrow Group, to talk about situational awareness.
We talk about what situational awareness is and what it takes to notice things that may be out of place or may just be not quite right. Kelly and I discuss the importance listening to your intuition, your gut, your sixth sense, so you can better be able to respond if something bad is happening. And we talk about your willingness to set AND enforce boundaries.
We discuss the main reason why some folks feel they cannot dedicate more energies to their personal safety and some really easy ways to get started.
Women and men alike will want to listen to this episode.
Sit back. Relax. And listen.
Saturday Mar 28, 2020
How to Buy a Gun and What to Expect
Saturday Mar 28, 2020
Saturday Mar 28, 2020
The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 24, How to Buy a Gun and What to Expect
Ben Powell, of Bullseye Indoor Range and Gun Shop in Lawrenceville, GA, joins us to talk about how to buy guns and what you can expect.
Ben and I talk about what is involved in purchasing a firearm including Class III, how to go about finding the right gun for you, and safety in the gun shop. We even manage to dispell some myths like the infamous "gun show loophole."
Ever consider purchasing a gun but did not really know what to expect or are you on the fence because you are not sure what you are getting yourself into? Well wonder no more as Ben and I cover the basics and then some here in Episode 24.
On a sidebar note... We have now been doing The Self-Initiative Project Podcast for 2 years officially. Twenty four episodes down with more to come. Thanks to all of you for your support, and be sure to tell all your family and friends about us.
Thank you for listening.
Wednesday Feb 26, 2020
Why be Invested in Your Personal Safety
Wednesday Feb 26, 2020
Wednesday Feb 26, 2020
The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 23, Why be Invested in Your Personal Safety
It is more like: Why are you not invested in your own personal safety?
The Secure Dad joins us as we talk about how to get people interested in their own personal safety. Andy and I discuss the things that caused us to first become more invested in our personal safety and how that changed our thinking overall.
We indirectly talk on the subject of why folks should be invested in their own personal safety and that of their loved ones. We even discuss why some feel it is unnecessary to be concerned with it. Most importantly, we talk about ways to begin thinking about it and incorporating ideas and practices into your life.
No one is there to save you; and 911 may or may not get to you on time. What are you going to do? Do you at least have a plan?
Ultimately, we are all responsible for our own personal safety and preparedness.
Sit back. Relax. And listen.
Wednesday Jan 29, 2020
How to Build Your Get Home Bag (GHB)
Wednesday Jan 29, 2020
Wednesday Jan 29, 2020
The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 22, How to Build Your Get Home Bag (GHB)
Do you have the gear to help you make it home should a catastrophe of some type occur?
This episode we talk about what you need in order to build an effective Get Home Bag or "GHB."
First-aid/trauma gear, clothing, food, shelter, and water are all the basics needed in such a bag. We discuss specifically what is in my bag and what the intentions are behind having those items, plus more. And you will want to be sure to have one, or at least food and water, for anyone with you should something go sideways.
If you have never thought through scenarios that may force you to get home on your own, within 24 hours, you will want to listen to this episode.
Thanks for listening.
Sunday Dec 22, 2019
It Depends, If You're Ryan Hoover
Sunday Dec 22, 2019
Sunday Dec 22, 2019
The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 21, It Depends, If You're Ryan Hoover
Ryan Hoover, of Fit to Fight, and I talk about ideologies that go beyond simple slogans and taglines and discuss aspects of self-defense generally in context of Krav Maga.
We talk about the realities of learning self-defense and that it is really about learning how to fight. Hear what is generally wrong with a lot of self-defense training today, and why "it depends..." might be one of the most hated responses from a self-defense or fighting coach. And we talk about why you have got to get uncomfortable to really make any progress.
Ryan and I talk about some of the fallacies of learning self-defense including why it's usually not a stranger women have to contend with or how gun and knife defense may not be accurately portrayed and what's right and wrong with teaching those topics today.
This is one, if you are taking responsibility for your own personal safety, you need to listen to, especially if you want an honest look at what you should expect.
Sit back. Relax. And listen.
Tuesday Oct 29, 2019
On Being a Range Safety Officer (RSO)
Tuesday Oct 29, 2019
Tuesday Oct 29, 2019
The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 19, On Being a Range Safety Officer
I welcome back my brother-from-another-mother, Denis Haynes, to the podcast to talk about what it is like to be a Range Safety Officer. We covered gun safety in our very first podcast and again when we did Part 2. Now, Denis and I are back together again to discuss what an RSO is, their responsibilities, how gun safety fits in, a couple of stories from the trenches, and several of our take-aways after having worked as volunteer RSOs.
When we are at the range shooting, we can all be an RSO with an eye towards keeping ourselves and others around us as safe as possible.
Be sure to tell your friends and family about us!
Sit back. Relax. And listen.
Saturday Aug 31, 2019
Meditations on Learning to Fight and Self-Defense
Saturday Aug 31, 2019
Saturday Aug 31, 2019
The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 17, Meditations on Learning to Fight and Self-Defense
Jesse Walker of Rough Hands, in Louisville, KY and I talk about approaches to learning to fight and self-defense both in terms of finding a school that works for you and trying to be a better coach. We talk about fighting in the context of self-defense and fighting for your life in this episode.
We discuss the very things you think that may keep you from starting to take classes are the exact reasons why you should start; and we talk about honesty in training as well as teaching, and the importance of a school's culture.
Lots of points are made during this podcast including the fact that in order to be really be good at self-defense you have to be a student of violence; and hopefully, through your training, you are better prepared to deal with any violence that may happen out on the streets. Jesse stresses the importance of principles over techniques; and he talks about how learning to fight can be actually be just like swimming...
Get used to being uncomfortable and go train!
Sit back. Relax. And listen.