The Self-Initiative Project

We are joined this time by Van Sealy, a retired Marine, seasoned firearms instructor, and manager at a local gun store and range. With over 20 years of experience, Van shares his insights on the critical debate of training versus gear. Should you invest more in training or gear? Listen in as they explore the balance needed between acquiring new equipment and honing your skills through consistent practice. Van delves into his extensive background, from his time in the Marine Corps to his role as a firearms instructor, highlighting the importance of foundational training over relying solely on gear. The discussion covers various aspects of the firearms industry, including the misconceptions around equipment and the significance of regular practice to enhance shooting proficiency. Don't miss this engaging conversation that emphasizes the core principle: training and gear should complement each other, but training is the foundation that cannot be overlooked.

Welcome to the Self-Initiative Project Podcast with your host, Jim O'Brien. In this episode, we discuss the Stop the Bleed program with Gina Solomon, Trauma Program Manager at Gwinnett Medical Center in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Gina shares her extensive experience in trauma care and the importance of the Stop the Bleed initiative. Learn how Stop the Bleed, a program born out of tragic events like the Sandy Hook shooting, is designed to teach laypeople how to control bleeding in emergency situations. Gina explains the ABCs of bleeding control: Alert, Bleeding, and Compression, and emphasizes the significance of quick, decisive action to save lives. Discover practical advice on the use of tourniquets, wound packing, and other life-saving techniques that can be applied in various scenarios, from active shooter incidents to everyday accidents. Join us as we delve into the essentials of trauma care and how you can get involved in this crucial program.

Welcome to another episode of the Self-Initiative Project Podcast, hosted by Jim O'Brien. In this episode, we dive into part two of our conversation with Kathy Loomis from Cyber Savvy. Cyber Savvy is dedicated to equipping parents with the necessary tools and resources to guide their children safely through the digital landscape. Kathy provides valuable insights on various topics, including the best choice of smartphones for children, the importance of parental controls, and the necessity of having ongoing conversations about cyber safety. She explains why iPhones might be a better option for parents due to their user-friendly features and built-in parental controls. The episode also covers critical aspects such as setting expectations and consequences, addressing cyberbullying, and ensuring children understand the importance of responsible technology use. Kathy emphasizes the significance of communication between parents and children and the use of technology usage contracts to establish clear guidelines and expectations. Don't miss this informative discussion that highlights the importance of being engaged and proactive in your child's digital life. For more resources and information, visit CyberSavvy.com.

Welcome to another episode of the Self-Initiative Project Podcast! In this episode, host Jim O'Brien engages in a compelling conversation with Kathy Loomis of Cyber Savvy. Cyber Savvy's mission is to equip parents with the essential tools and resources needed to safely guide their children through the digital landscape. This is part one of a two-part series. Kathy shares her journey from a technology professional to founding Cyber Savvy, driven by her own experiences as a parent. They discuss the rapid evolution of technology, the increasing screen time among children, and the challenges parents face in keeping up. The episode covers the importance of parental engagement in children's online activities, the risks of cyberbullying, and the alarming statistics of online predators. Kathy emphasizes the need for education and proactive communication between parents and children to navigate the digital world safely. Listeners will also learn about the classes and services offered by Cyber Savvy, including tips on securing devices, setting privacy settings, and preparing children before giving them their first smartphone. This episode is a must-listen for parents looking to protect their children in the digital age.

Welcome to the first episode of the Self-Initiative Project podcast, hosted by Jim O'Brien. In this episode, we dive into the essentials of personal safety, self-defense, firearms, first aid, and more. Our goal is to provide valuable information to help you stay safe and prepared. Our special guest, Dennis Haynes, a 15-year Marine veteran and NRA-certified instructor, joins us to discuss the critical aspects of gun safety. We cover the foundational rules laid out by Colonel Jeff Cooper, emphasizing the importance of treating every gun as if it's loaded, keeping the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, maintaining trigger discipline, and being aware of your target and its surroundings. Dennis shares his experiences and insights, highlighting the significance of safety in various scenarios, from hunting to self-defense. Whether you're a seasoned gun owner or new to firearms, this episode provides essential knowledge to ensure safe handling practices. Stay tuned for part two, where we'll delve into range safety, hunting safety, gun shop etiquette, and more. If you find this episode valuable, please share it with your friends and family. Thanks for listening!

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 60, Celebrating 5 Years, A Retrospective Here we are at 5 years and 60 episodes! Have a listen as we go back over our first 59 episodes in this retrospective episode. We briefly talk about the subject matter of each; and in some cases we talk about the inspiration that caused a podcast. In may cases, we talk about behind-the-scenes details, including a few mishaps along the way. If you have been looking for a summary overview to help you find something you might would be interested in, this is it. Thanks for following and listening.

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 59, The Place for Improvised Weapons This episode we talk about improvised weapons. You cannot get away or leave an area, what are your options if your find yourself needing to fight or even distract? When I asked a few of my friends and neighbors to think about what they might would look to use, things like a pen, a rock, a broken bottle, a fork, a screwdriver all got mentioned. I usually think about pens, a stapler, or a can of beans. What can you think of you might use as an improvised weapon? What do you normally carry on your person you might could use? Where are you and what might be available nearby? If you had the time, what could you possibly make? Improvised weapons should be a consideration when thinking about our personal safety plan and what we might would do if things went sideways. What are some things you can think of that you could use as a weapon if you had to??? Sit back. Relax. And listen.   Other related podcasts: Podcast 26: What If...? The Importance of Thinking Through Scenarios  

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 58, Tag! You're It! What You Need to Know About Trackers A buddy of mine had a recent run in with one of these tracking devices while traveling on business. Who's was it; and what were they trying to do? Bluetooth and/or GPS tags and trackers are supposed to be used to help us find our keys, our wallet, our luggage, etc. But like anything else, the bad guys have figured out how to use them for the purposes of stalking and even stealing property, like our vehicles. Chris talks with us about his experience; and we talk about how these devices operate and what you might can do to avoid becoming a victim. Thanks for listening.

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 57, More on De-Escalation with Randy King Randy King, of 80:20 Conflict Management Strategies and Randy King Live, joins us once again to continue chatting about all things related to de-escalation. De-escalation may not be the sexiest topic to cover; but it definitely has its place in everyone's personal safety plan. Randy and I talk about how de-escalation fits into bouncing (bars), the workplace, and most importantly, personal relationships, to illustrate how de-escalation has a place most everywhere. Sit back. Relax. And listen.   Other related podcasts: Podcast 29: Realities of Violence with Randy King Podcast 40: De-Escalation: A Key to Conflict Management  

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 56, Neighborhood Safety and Community My neighbor, Max, and I sit down to talk about safety in the 'hood and what each of us can be doing to make for a safer community. We talk about paying attention to things that seem out of place, the use of lighting, the impact that taking care of our property can have, social media safety tips, having a fire plan in place, what we can do for one another in our communities, and much more. Thanks for listening.   Other related podcasts: Podcast 26: What if… ? The Importance of Thinking Through Scenarios Podcast 6: How to Make Your Home More Secure

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 55, Being Prepared with Rogue Preparedness Morgan, of Rogue Preparedness, joins us to discuss the merits of being better prepared and how you can get started. It is not what you might think it is. It is not what Hollywood or even maybe the media has portrayed it as being in some cases. It is not about being paranoid or hoarding. It is simply about thinking through scenarios, having plans in place, and obtaining supplies ahead of time, BEFORE bad things happen. Morgan and I talk about what prepping really is about and how you can easily get started. Sit back. Relax. And listen.

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 54, Why? I talk about my purpose in operating The Self-Initiative Project, and why it is I do what I do. It is my hope that my cause resonates with you. Thanks for listening.   Other related podcasts: Podcast 23: Why be Invested in Your Personal Safety Podcast 33: It Will Never Happen to Me Podcast 46: Who is This Guy? More About Me And My Personal Safety Journey

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 53, Road Rage This might be our shortest podcast yet. Nonetheless, the subject of road rage is an important topic to cover. We talk about what road rage is, its causes, and what constitutes road rage. And most importantly, we work to give you some pointers on what to do if you find yourself on the receiving end of road rage, including always paying attention, getting away, and not engaging. Sit back. Relax. And listen.   Other related podcasts: Podcast 11: Safety In and Around Your Vehicle

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 52, Weather Safety In this episode, we talk about safety for: Heat Thunderstorms Tornadoes Hurricanes Snow storms Specifically, we walk through some of the commonalities shared across some of these weather situations and related safety considerations, including: High winds Lightening Flooding In addition to safety tips and general advise, we talk about the differences between a watch and a warning, things you can do to help reduce stress and anxiety in emergency situations, as well as the importance of prepping ahead of time, planning, an some ideas for gear. Thanks for listening.   Other related podcasts: Podcast 7: How to Make Your Trauma Kit(s) Podcast 11: Safety In and Around Your Vehicle Podcast 22: How to Build Your Get Home Bag (GHB)

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

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 50, When Do I Know I Might Be Attacked; and When Should I Consider Responding? My buddy from high school inspired this episode when he asked, "How do you know when it is time to go?" What he means is how do you know when you should engage and maybe throw that first punch or kick? Knowing some of the signs to look for in a potential aggressor, whether social or predatory, is fairly straight-forward, if you know what to look for and you are actually paying attention. What I argue is more important are the things that come before that point and the aftermath. We spend most of our time in this episode talking about the things we should doing leading up to a potential physical encounter, and some things you may want to consider in the aftermath. Of course, we also cover some of the body language and signs that may be telling you something may be about to happen too. NOTE: Like all of our podcasts, this episode is for informational purposes only. We are not trying to tell you what to do, nor are we providing any legal advice. We are only trying to give you things to work on, think about, and consider in determining what is right for you. Thanks for listening.   Other related podcasts: Podcast 25: Situational Awareness and More Podcast 40: De-escalation: A Key to Conflict Management Podcast 26: What if… ? The Importance of Thinking Through Scenarios

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 49, Be a Sharp(er) Woman with Kelly Sayre Kelly, from The Diamond Arrow Group, joins us again. This time to talk through her new book, Sharp Women, a book women (and men, alike) can take something away from. We talk about the importance of listening to our intuition, paying attention to our surroundings, how our upbringing impacts the way we view and respond to the world around us, and how hard it is to uphold boundaries with those we know. All of this and much, much more. While mostly written for women, this book is a great read for men as well as it helps us maybe better understand their perspectives, especially when it comes to their safety and security. It is a long listen but well worth it. Sit back. Relax. And listen.   Other related podcast: Podcast 25 - Situational Awareness and More (w/ Kelly) Podcast 26 - What if... ? The Importance of Thinking Through Scenarios  

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

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 47, Cyber Security We cover the topic of cyber security and some things you need to know to better protect yourself. Ever wondered what the difference was between phishing, smishing, and vishing? Do you know how to recognize them and when you do, what you should do? We cover some terminology, some action items relative to the use of our personal devices and home networks, as well as what to do to better avoid being scammed, hacked, or taken advantage of via emails or texts. While it is not a new subject, it is still worth understanding the threats and the part we play in better ensuring our cyber safety and security, especially for our aging population and kids. Sit back. Relax. And listen.   Resources: https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/cyber  

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 46, Who is This Guy? More About Me and My Personal Safety Journey After nearly 4 years of doing this podcast, I figured I owed it to you to tell you a little more about me. I do not like talking about myself; but I wanted to give you some idea of my background and experience. I talk about my martial arts and Krav Maga journey as well as many of the other training courses and certifications I have earned over time. And I plan to do more... The real take-away is I am just an average guy taking responsibility for my own personal safety and preparedness. Thanks for listening.

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 45, Active Shooter / Killer And What You Need to Know In this episode, I talk about active shooters and some statistics around them and what we (read: the FBI) know to-date. We examine some events throughout history, including more recent events, some with and some without the use of firearms. And we move the conversation from just active shooters to active killers and why that is important. I talk about consideration needing to be given more to the heart, intent, and mental health of the individual wielding a tool, regardless of what it is. And I talk about some things we all can be doing to help prevent and prepare for such events. Sit back. Relax. And listen.   For more information: Active Shooter Preparedness Active Killer Defense - Fit to Fight A.V.E.R.T. - HSI

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 44, How Physical Fitness Fits Into Your Personal Safety and Preparedness Plan How important is physical fitness during a self-defense encounter? Very. This episode we talk about the differences between aerobic and anaerobic exercise and how anaerobic is key in self-defense scenarios. We discuss the benefits of exercise and go well beyond the usual points of losing weight and building muscle; and we give some tips and points on how you can get started or re-started if it has been a while for you. Additionally, we try to make this episode a little interactive by giving you homework assignments including an exercise challenge to help jump things off for you. If you take the initiative, you will also learn more about things like: Organs for managing glucose VO2 Max EPOC ATP energy Where endorphins come from What the Autonomic Nervous System is responsible for And much, much more If you have any interest in your own personal safety, this is an episode you will not want to miss. And remember, push to progress... Thanks for listening.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 39, Lock Up Your Guns Tom Kubiniec, CEO of SecureIt Tactical Inc., joins us to talk about the importance of locking up your firearms. Tom and I talk about all aspects of gun safes and why the industry could be stuck in the old ways of selling them. Consumers may have been given a story to believe in when it comes to traditional safes; and Tom believes his product is superior. Tom definitely makes some interesting points about why you might want to consider his SecureIt product(s). Plus, we cover the key selling points of traditional safes and the hype and concerns around them. Whatever you decide, you need a solid way to keep your firearms secure and then you need to keep them locked up. Sit back. Relax. And listen.

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 37, Up in Arms With Rob Pincus Rob and I chat again; and this time we discuss what I talked about in Podcast 35, and the fact that guns are not the answer to your personal safety. And can you believe it? Rob does not think you really need a lot of training to use a gun. Shocker! We wound up agreeing on a lot more than disagreeing; and I appreciated being affirmed by an industry expert as well. If you are new to guns, thinking about guns, or already have a gun, you are going to want to listen to this one. Sit back. Relax. And listen.

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 29, Realities of Violence with Randy King Randy King, of KPC Self Defense and Randy King Live, joins us from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada where we talk about all things self-defense, including many of the fallacies students face. We talk about the reality of knife attacks, the fact that 70% of what women will actually face is with a known assailant, and that most folks may not even be capable of dialing 911 under duress. Additionally, Randy talks about the importance of meeting people where they are in their journey to learn more about self-defense and keeping themselves and their loved-ones safer. We also talk about his program, Realities of Violence, that everyone is likely to benefit from with information and data to make them think and potentially keep them much safer. Randy and I discover we might actually be kindred spirits in that he also believes education and information is as, if not more, important than physical skills when it comes to self-defense and personal safety. And we have both sold electronics in our former lives! Sit back. Relax. And listen.

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.  

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 20, The Best Tool, Mindset II Having the right mindset, a positive mindset, a never-quit mindset is so important in the context of personal safety that we circled around to do a 2nd podcast on the topic. We talk about the things that can help us adopt the right mindset as well as the importance of having a positive, never-quit mindset. We discuss approaches and thoughts needed to develop the right mindset relative to personal safety and self-defense. We also chat about some realizations you need to come to for yourself as well as some exercises you can do to help train yourself to have a better mindset and be more prepared overall. Remember, we are all responsible for our personal safety, preparedness, and our own mindset. Thanks for listening.

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.

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 18, The Best Self-Defense Tools to Carry Guns, knives, OC (pepper) spray, personal alarms, finger grips for house keys, hard plastic shaped like cat heads with pointy ears, rape whistles, kubatons, brass 'paper weights,' and others... Whatever it is, we have likely heard of or seen many of these self-defense tools. It seems they will try to sell anything as a viable self-defense option to be your go-to choice for protecting yourself. They may even try, directly or indirectly, to convince you their product is the best to have for self-defense purposes. Maybe you will not get to that firearm in time. Maybe that sharp-eared cat object will get you in more legal trouble than you realized if you use it. Maybe that alarm noise is just going to agitate an attacker while everyone else ignores it. Maybe that pepper spray does not work so well because you spray yourself by mistake or miss your target entirely. I am going to suggest and try to convince you of something different. Awareness (situational) and avoidance...  We have all heard about them before, so this will not be the first time these topics have been discussed. However, I am here to tell you there are a lot of things that have gone wrong before having to use any one of the tools listed above becomes an option. Knowing where the exits are, noticing persons out of place, not walking down that dark alleyway even though it is a short-cut, listening to your intuition, or not vacationing in questionable areas are all examples of things that can keep or get you out of trouble before trouble even gets started. Situational awareness and avoidance are probably 2 of if not the best 2 'tools' you have or should put into your self-defense arsenal. With a little practice and effort, you can easily incorporate them into your plan. The best things about practicing situational awareness and avoidance is that while they both take some effort, they cost nothing; and both can save you a lot of hassle by keeping you out of situations where the other tools may need to come into play. While they cannot solve or prevent every issue, situational awareness and avoidance should always be your primary, carry 'tools.' Stay frosty. Thanks for listening.

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.

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 16, Rob Pincus: I.C.E. Training and Mental Health Rob Pincus joins us to discuss his I.C.E. Training; and we also talk about mental health and its impact in the firearms community. See how the principles of efficiency, consistency, and integrity fit in to Rob's I.C.E. Training and the application of each. Listen to see why Rob says, "... maybe you needed to have your guns taken away..." It makes total sense if you understand the context in which he said it. Understand how slowing down the impulse to use a firearm could save a lot of bad things from happening and how that might could be done, as we talk about the importance of having conversations around dealing with mental health issues in the gun community. Hear what Rob says when asked if there are other arguments for gun right advocates to be using besides always falling back to the 2nd Amendment (2A). A lot of good discussion here... Thanks for listening.

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 15, Knife Use in Self-Defense Nathan TwoEagles-Downing, from Silverline Knife Designs, talks about the use of knives in self-defense and some points to consider before you opt to incorporate a knife into your self-defense toolset. We talk about Nathan's journey into knife making, his training preferences, the times he has been on the receiving end of a blade, the mindset of someone intent on using a knife, and some commonalities between carrying knives and carrying firearms for self-defense. You should listen whether you are already carrying knives or are considering carrying a knife for self-defense purposes. Sit back. Relax. And listen.