How to Survive in America

I have good news and bad news. Since I'm a bad news first kinda guy, I'll start there. Due to scheduling/production conflicts, this will be the final episode of Season 1. This weekend is the first hunting weekend in Michigan. In one of the few instances in my life where I was able to think ahead, I spoke to John Mapes Krohn about hunting and firearms during the conversation that became part of Episode 2. We also cover a few political ideas in this episode. Now for the good news - I have already begun work on Season 2. I don't want to get into too many details, but it will be a lot different than this season - different in concept, format, and tone. I'm very excited to bring it to you - be on the lookout for the first episode in April 2021. I want to thank everyone who took the time to listen. I hope you all enjoyed these episodes half as much as I enjoyed making them. Until next time, take care of yourselves and each other.

On this week's episode, good friend and comedian Mike Stanley stops by to tell us about archery. Mike talks about the benefits of the pursuit of archery. He also tells us what we need to get started and gives us basic tips. We also get into a discussion about woodworking and how to make basic furniture. I had a great time catching up with Mike and I hope y'all enjoy the episode!!!

This week's episode is a special one. My partner in crime (wife) - Ashley Renkes-Jenkins - has agreed to talk about camping with us. We talk about what you should bring on a camping trip, how that list might change if your camping trip became more than just a trip, and where you might go to find these items. I really am thrilled to have her on the show - she's been so supportive of my decision to do this and she knows a lot, so I'm glad she wanted to do it. We had a lot of fun and I hope y'all enjoy this episode.

In the first episode, I told you that this would not be a "prepper podcast." Survival in a failed state isn't about fear and isolation - it's about community building and togetherness. To that end, my good friend Willis Gordon has agreed to come on and talk about community organizing and how to make connections with existing structures to benefit your neighborhood. In addition to being a fabulous musician, Willis is the Chairman of Community Outreach, Political Action, Press & Public Relations, and Veteran Affairs with the Stark County NAACP. I had fun catching up with an old friend and I learned a few things too. I hope y'all enjoy this episode.

This week, comedian and former truck driver Dante Powell stops in and tells us how to drive across the country if you don't have your cellphone or navigation system. He tells us what we should have in our cars, how to use landmarks to retrace our steps, and how truck drivers use the CB radio for good and evil. You can find Dante on Twitter @dantepowell, on Instagram @ mooserattler, and by email @ moose.rattler@gmail.com. You can buy his album "The Squirrels Get Fat" wherever digital albums are sold.

In the year 2020, sitting down at a crowded restaurant could cost you your life. Given our current political situation, we can expect this to be the reality for the foreseeable future. Ordering takeout can be expensive. Fast food isn't fast anymore - there are always crazy long lines at drive thru restaurants. With that, cooking at home is the most practical option. However, a lot of people don't cook meals at home because (1) they don't know what they want to eat and (2) they don't think they have time to cook. Well, my friend Kalvin Camp - a.k.a. Lord Kalvin - has something to say about that. On this episode, Lord Kalvin sits down with us and talks about the benefits of weekly meal prep. He explains how he saves hundreds of dollars and several hours a week by spending a few fun hours with his family every Sunday morning. He's a real insightful and chill dude. I hope y'all enjoy this episode as much as I did. Resources mentioned in this episode: "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck" - Mark Ronson Pinterest You can find Lord Kalvin at: lordkalvin.com, @LordKalvin on Instagram and Twitter, and Cashappdaddy on TikTok.

In the words of Sly from Sly & the Family Stone, "It's a family affair!!!" My cousin Maurice O'Neal stops by to talk with us about fishing. He explains how to get started, what you need to catch certain fish, where you should shop, and how to shake the fish police.

On this week's episode, attorney Nick Leydorf stops in to help us figure out how to deal with police. He explains how to answer their questions, when we should give them statements (hint...NEVER, BITCH), and how to respond to their commands. Resources mentioned during this episode: YouTube Channel: Flex Your Rights ACLU Police Recording App Mobile Justice: https://www.aclu.org/issues/criminal-law-reform/reforming-police/aclu-apps-record-police-conduct

My good friend Matt Wojack agreed to sit down and talk about ethical and compassionate farming. We also talk about how to get started in farming and things consumers can do to try and make more informed choices at the grocery store.  Resources Mentioned During This Episode: MSU Extension - canr.msu.edu  

The Wu-Tang Clan ain't the only folks that teach the children. COVID-19 has essentially broken the already splintered American educational system and many families have terrible anxiety about the upcoming school year. Dr. Roni Dean-Burren stops by and shares some tips with us about how we can supplement our kids' learning, how to keep them on track during the summer months, and what parents of black and brown children should watch out for when dealing with school staff.  You can find Dr. Burren on: Facebook: Roni Burren  Twitter: @DrRoni_ Instagram: @Dr.Roni_ ronideanburren.com The academic support resources mentioned during the episode are Khan Academy and radicalmath.org.

On this week's episode, my friend Sheena Eastman stops by and talks with us about livestock farming. We talk chickens, goats, and pigs, how to get started from scratch, and how undocumented goats are the best goats. We had a great time and I hope you enjoy our conversation.

Don't believe everything you read on the internet. With trust in our institutions at an all time low, a person must be able to use their critical thinking skills to identify biased information and journalism. My friend, Robin Miner-Swartz, is a former reporter for the Lansing State Journal and owner of her own editing and communication company - Miner-Swartz Editing & Consulting. Robin has agreed to share some practical tips to help us (1) become more critical consumers of media and (2) learn how use the internet to find truthful, accurate information. I had a great time catching up with a good friend - I hope that y'all enjoy our conversation.

This episode isn't about my favorite Rolling Stones song. Michigan comedian and co producer at the Independent Comedy Club and Big Time Garbage Podcast Bart Dangus has agreed to come on and talk with us about how to build basic shelter. He tells us what tools and materials you may need, where to look for inspiration and instruction, and how to do some basic home maintenance after the apocalypse. Bart is a funny, easy going dude. I had a great time talking with him and I hope y'all enjoy our conversation. 

THIS IS NOT A PREPPER PODCAST...except for this episode. My good friend Sam Inglot sits down with us and talks about how to be prepared for emergencies without turning into a crazy person who's hoping for societal collapse. We talk water purification, items to have in your pockets, car, workbag, and house, and what type of food you should stock if you can't leave your house for a month. I hope you all enjoy our conversation!

This episode, we chat with my good friend Gwen Sunkel. Gwen is an Indianapolis comic and nurse practitioner. She shares some information from the front lines of the protests against police brutality in Indianapolis for George Floyd, a man murdered in cold blood by four former members of the Minneapolis Police Department - RIP George Floyd. Also, Gwen gives talks about how to treat possible protest injuries and she shares some general wellness tips. We had a great time and I hope you enjoy our conversation. As always, thank you for listening. Robert Jenkins

In this episode, I talk with two of my good friends - Tanner Oliver and Louis Michael - about firearm related issues and how to exercise during quarantine without any equipment. 

On this episode, I get a chance to talk with TWO great guests. The first guest is Antonio Rafael, a political activist, urban farmer, and beekeeper from southwest Detroit. The second guest is John Mapes Krohn. He runs the garden program for the Ingham County Land Bank. In this episode we talk about soil problems, what to do if you want to garden but have no land, and how to overcome other potential barriers to gardening.  

In this episode, I explain why I'm doing this. Also, we learn the basics of gardening from the wonderful Megan Cottington.