Episodes
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.
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:
Monday Dec 21, 2020
It Will Never Happen to Me
Monday Dec 21, 2020
Monday Dec 21, 2020
The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 33, It Will NEVER Happen to Me
Think so? Apathy or optimism bias may have some people under their spells. No matter the cause, here are six stories to the contrary in this episode including:
- An active-duty Marine robbed at gun point
- A 16 year old babysitter dealing with a drunk neighbor with a shotgun
- A personal vehicle broken into and items taken even though parked under street light and with doors locked
- And more...
Learn if they saw it coming, would they have ever expected something like it to have happened to them, what they might have done differently, and how has it effected how they go about their personal safety.
Sit back. Relax. And listen.
Follow up:
Podcast 34 - How to Better Avoid, Respond, and Recover If It Does Happen
Tuesday Nov 24, 2020
Alternative Tools for Non-Permissive Environments
Tuesday Nov 24, 2020
Tuesday Nov 24, 2020
The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 32, Alternative Tools for Non-Permissive Environments (NPE)
What do you usually carry that can be used as a self-defense tool or a force multiplier?
Can you carry what you normally would into non-permissive or non-permissible environments (NPE), i.e. sporting events, concerts, amusement parks, etc.?
NPE tools or tools better suited for non-permissive environments are the subject of this podcast. Join me as I talk with Tony Tran of The Necro Maker. Tony specializes in stabby tools for NPE.
Learn about NPE tools and how they might be an option for you when none of the usual items are allowed. Learn how NPE tools might be a great choice for women; and how the use of these tools is nothing new as they have had their place throughout history by various groups including Ninja.
Thanks for listening.
Wednesday Oct 28, 2020
Safety While Hiking and Camping
Wednesday Oct 28, 2020
Wednesday Oct 28, 2020
The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 31, Safety While Hiking and Camping
The woods and the mountains are the places I find my Zen. Camping is something I have always enjoyed doing, including the occasional hike or backpacking trip. Spending time outdoors can be spiritually relaxing.
There are several aspects to being safer while hiking and camping too; and this episode we talk about several of them. We cover topics from the importance of carrying a basic trauma kit to handling blades of various types to why it is important we stay on the trails to the potential impacts if we do not keep our distance from the wildlife. We also talk about the importance of practicing situational awareness, listening to our intuition, and even proper fire management.
There are even some crazy stories in the mix as well.
Sit back. Relax. And listen.
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.