The Self-Initiative Project

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.

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.

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.

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:

Podcast 33 - It Will Never Happen to Me

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

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.

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.

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 30, Safety for the Elderly and Aging

Join us for this episode where we talk about safety and security for the elderly and aging.

It is not pleasant to think about those we know and love getting old and likely becoming dependent again on others; but it is something we all likely will deal with at some point in our lives.

We talk about safety concerns for the aging adults in our lives and things to be on the lookout for. We give practical tips and advice based on experiences we have had and some closest to us.

We talk about the prevalence of falls and what we can do to mitigate those hazards and many other relevant topics. We learn the importance of being present and involved, the place for empathy, and practical tips to help make those in our lives who are getting older more safe and secure.

Thanks for listening.

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.

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.