The Survival Punk Podcast

tools part 2   The 10 Tools That Solve 90% of Problems (Part 2) | Episode 603 Picking Up Where We Left Off In the last episode, we talked about the first five tools that handle the majority of repairs around the house. Today, we’re finishing that list with five more tools that, together, will solve about 90% of the problems the average homeowner runs into. Once you go past this list, you start getting into specialty tools. Those are the tools you might only use once every few years. When that happens, you don’t necessarily need to buy them new. One trick is checking places like...

tools part 1   10 Tools That Solve 90% of Your Problems (Part 1) | Episode 602 Most problems around the house aren’t complicated. They’re just annoying. A loose screw, a dripping pipe, a stripped bolt, something that needs tightening or cutting. The real issue usually isn’t the repair itself. It’s not having the right tool when you need it. In this episode I start breaking down the 10 tools that solve about 90% of everyday problems. Whether you're a homeowner or even a renter, having a basic tool kit can save you money, frustration, and a lot of unnecessary trips to the hardware store. This epis...

Perennials Plant Once, Harvest for Life | Episode 601 Growing food is one of the most important survival skills you can develop. A garden can feed your family, give you independence, and reduce your reliance on fragile supply chains. But let’s be honest — gardens can also be a lot of work. Planting every year, maintaining beds, watering, fertilizing, harvesting. It takes time and effort. So what if you could plant something once and harvest from it for years or even decades? Today we’re talking about perennials you plant once and harvest for life. Fruit Trees: Long-Term Food Security Fruit trees are on...

upgrade life   The Upgrade Trap | Episode 600 It’s incredibly easy to fall into what I call the upgrade trap. Phones, laptops, TVs, cars — companies are constantly pushing the newest version of everything. The marketing tells you your current gear is outdated, slow, or missing the latest features. So people upgrade every year or two without really thinking about the long-term cost. Today we’re talking about how this trap works, why it’s so effective, and how you can break free from it. The Phone Upgrade Cycle Smartphones are probably the most obvious example of the upgrade trap. Every year there’s a...

replacement parts   What Happens When Replacement Parts Disappear? | Episode 599 Good morning, this is James from SurvivalPunk.com. Today we’re talking about something that most people don’t think about until it’s too late. What happens when something breaks… and you can’t get the replacement part anymore? Planned obsolescence. And what you can actually do about it. Planned Obsolescence When I first learned about planned obsolescence, it pissed me off. The idea that companies intentionally design products to fail after a few years so you have to buy another one. Your phone getting slower after a couple years. Appliances...

homestead where you are Stuck Where You Are? Homestead Anyway. | Episode 597 Good morning, this is James from SurvivalPunk.com. Today we’re talking about something a lot of you are feeling right now. You want land.
You want a homestead.
You want chickens, a garden, maybe 40 acres and a creek. But you’re in an apartment.
Or suburbia.
Or stuck in a house you overpaid for. Housing is ridiculous. Rent is ridiculous. Land is ridiculous. So what do you do when you’re stuck where you are? You homestead anyway. Stop Wishing You Bought in 2012 There’s always...

Sleep health Sleep Is a Survival Skill | Episode 596 Good morning. It’s not 18 degrees today — but if you’re running on four hours of sleep, you might as well be freezing your brain. This is James from SurvivalPunk.com. Today we’re talking about something most preppers ignore while they stockpile ammo and freeze-dried chili. Sleep. Not comfort. Not laziness. Sleep is a linchpin survival prep — and if you’re neglecting it, you’re actively sabotaging your ability to function when things matter. Let’s break this down. Sleep Deprivation Is Slow Self-Destruction If you’re bragging about surviving on four hours a night...

5 emergencies   The 5 Skills That Eliminate Most Emergencies | Episode 595 Good morning. It’s 18 degrees. Tennessee decided to remind us who’s in charge. This is James from SurvivalPunk.com. Today we’re talking about something that doesn’t get enough credit in prepping circles. Not gear. Not bunker fantasies. Skills. Five specific skills that eliminate most emergencies before they ever become emergencies. Let’s get into it. 1. Preventative Maintenance There are two types of people. The proactive maintenance crowd. And the rest of us. I’ll admit — I’m not perfect at it. But I know better. And knowing better already puts you ahead. B...

Subscription The Subscription Life Trap | Episode 594 Good morning. This is James from SurvivalPunk.com. It’s 23 degrees in Tennessee. The weather jumped from the 60s to the 20s, like it’s trying to kill morale. My body isn’t thrilled about it. And today we’re talking about something just as irritating. The subscription life. How everything is trying to turn into a recurring payment… and how that slowly drags down your freedom. You Don’t Own Anything Anymore Almost everything is trying to become subscription-based. Apps. Software. Entertainment. Editing tools. AI tools. Streaming platforms. Even stuff that absolutely should be a one-tim...

get strong   California Wants to Ban 3D Printers | Episode 593 Good morning. This is James from SurvivalPunk.com. It’s 29 degrees. The coffee didn’t start. The breaker tripped. My headphones weren’t charged. My phone was at 9%. I forgot my medicine and had to turn around in the driveway. So yeah — we’re already off to a strong start. And today we’re talking about something equally annoying: California trying to ban certain 3D printers. Not because they’re dangerous. Not because they’re exploding. But because the government is afraid of what people might do with them. Let’s get into it. The H...

get strong   Get Strong or Get Left Behind | Episode 592 Good morning. It’s about 60 degrees and not chilly for once. And today we’re talking about something that absolutely belongs in the survival category — strength. Not vibes.
Not mindset.
Not theory. Physical strength. If general physical preparedness isn’t a prepping principle, I don’t know what is. Strength Is a Survival Skill We love talking about food storage, water filters, and gear. But if you can’t pull yourself up over something, drag weight, or move your own body under stress — that’s a liability. There are real-world, life...

group buys   Group Buys: The Ultimate Prepper Hack | Episode 591 Good morning. It’s 60 degrees — finally not cold — and today we’re continuing a thought from yesterday’s episode. Group buys. This is something I’ve played with personally. I’ve organized a few. I’ve saved money doing them. But the more I think about it, the more I realize it could be bigger than how I’ve been using it.  If you’re serious about reducing costs, building community, and increasing resilience — this is a weapon. Let’s break it down. What Is a Group Buy? It’s exactly what it sounds like. Buying...

shrinkflation   Shrinkflation Is Robbing You Blind | Episode 590 Good morning. This is James from SurvivalPunk.com. It’s 46 degrees. I’m cold. I don’t like being cold. But that’s not what we’re talking about today. Today we’re talking about something that affects every single one of us every single week. Shrinkflation. And how companies are quietly screwing you over while pretending nothing changed. Listen now. What Shrinkflation Actually Is Shrinkflation is simple. The bag looks the same.
The box looks the same.
The price looks the same. But you’re getting less. Your “pound” bag of chips? Not a pou...

home profit Make Your Home Work Harder (Profit + Remodel Strategy) | Episode 589 Hey, it’s James from SurvivalPunk.com. It’s 39 degrees, and today we’re talking about making your home work harder. This one’s twofold. Part one: remodeling strategically in a broken housing market.
Part two: turning your house from a pure expense into something that actually produces. The housing market sucks right now. That’s just reality. But that doesn’t mean you’re powerless. The Housing Market Is Skewed — Use That Starter homes are struggling. Lower-tier houses are sitting. But higher-end houses? Selling like crazy. Million-dollar homes are moving...

Ai for fun and proffit   Using AI for Fun and Profit | Episode 588 Good morning. It’s 37 degrees on Valentine’s Day. Hopefully you remembered to plan something for your significant other — unlike me, who accidentally requested off the 15th instead of the 14th. Today we’re talking about using AI — ChatGPT, Suno, and others — for fun and profit. You don’t have to use one specific tool. They all have strengths and weaknesses. They’re only getting better. And if you’re not learning how to use them, you’re falling behind. This episode is about how I actually use AI in real life — for...

routine   Routine: The Most Underrated Survival Tool | Episode 587 Hey, it’s James from SurvivalPunk.com. It’s 45 degrees, I can barely see, and today we’re talking about routine — why it’s a great survival tool, how it helps you now, and how it helps you later. Routine is one of those preps that benefits you in the “for now” times and in the “oh crap” times. In a stressful situation, you fall back to your lowest level of training. So the higher you make that floor, the better you perform. And routine is how you raise the floor. You Will Fall to Your R...

c02 The Silent Killers in Your Home | Episode 586 Good morning. It’s 45 degrees, I’m dragging butt, and today we’re talking about something that quietly kills a lot of people every year. Carbon dioxide. Smoke. Ventilation. The invisible stuff. This isn’t sexy prepping. This is boring, basic, “why are we even talking about this?” prepping. Because a $20 device can literally save your life. Carbon Dioxide: The Cheap Life Insurance You’re Ignoring I was scrolling headlines this morning and saw another story about deaths from carbon dioxide poisoning. It happens every single year. A lot. And here’s the stupid part...

health check   Taking Care of Your Health Before It Forces You To | Episode 585 Good morning. It’s 35 degrees, it’s cold, and today we’re talking about something that doesn’t trend on YouTube and doesn’t get clicks like “grid down tomorrow” — your health. There’s a reason I’m covering this now. A guy I’ve known since I was about 11 passed away recently. Football teammate. Same schools. Long history. Early word is it may have been a cardiac event. And before we go any further — I am not saying any advice in this episode would have saved him. Sometimes things jus...

Best States for Survival   Best States for Survival (And Why It’s Complicated) | Episode 584 Every few months, someone puts out a list claiming they’ve found the “best states for survival.” Perfect land. Perfect climate. Perfect collapse conditions. This episode starts with one of those videos and then does what those lists never do — slow down and actually think through the tradeoffs. Because there is no perfect state. There are only compromises you can live with. The Problem With “Top 9” Survival State Lists I watched a video recently that ranked nine states that would supposedly do best in a collapse scenario. The c...

skills that pay     Skills That Pay You Back in 30 Days | Episode 583 Most people think “learning a skill” means years of grinding before you see a payoff. That’s wrong. There are a bunch of skills you can get to a useful level fast—like “top 10% because most people can’t do it at all” fast—and they’ll save you real money immediately. Some of them will be frustrating as hell. Some of them you’ll need to learn when to stop and call a pro. But a few basic skills can save you hundreds… and sometimes thousands… in the next 30 days. The Cheat Co...

Every prepper loves to argue gear. Expensive gear. Fancy gear. Tactical gear.
But when weather hits and shelves start thinning out, a lot of the most useful stuff people grab doesn’t come from boutique survival stores — it comes from places like Dollar Tree. "Dollar Tree Survival: What’s Worth Buying (And What’s Trash) | Episode 582" The post Dollar Tree Survival: What’s Worth Buying (And What’s Trash) | Episode 582 appeared first on Survivalpunk.

It’s been over a week of ice, snow, sleet, freezing rain, and roads that look like a skating rink. Tennessee doesn’t have enough plows, most side roads don’t get touched, and once the snow turned to ice it just sat there — two to three inches thick. "Ice Apocalypse After-Action Report | Episode 581" The post Ice Apocalypse After-Action Report | Episode 581 appeared first on Survivalpunk.

Every time the forecast even whispers the word “snow” down here, the grocery store turns into a zombie movie with shopping carts. Milk vanishes. Bread disappears. People act like they’re about to be trapped in the Andes for six months… when the reality is usually a couple days of icy roads and everyone staying home. "Snow Panic Shopping in the South | Episode 580" The post Snow Panic Shopping in the South | Episode 580 appeared first on Survivalpunk.

Housing is broken. Rent is insane. Mortgages are brutal. And because of that, something old is becoming new again: multi-generational living. In this episode, I talk through why more families are stacking back up under one roof, why this isn’t some fringe prepper idea, and how it’s quietly becoming one of the most practical adaptations people are making right now. This isn’t nostalgia or ideology. It’s math, pressure, and reality. "Multi-Generational Living Is Back (Whether You Planned for It or Not) | Episode 579" The post Multi-Generational Living Is Back (Whether You Planned for It or Not) | Episode 579 appeared...

It’s 14 degrees, I’m on the way to work, my voice is rough, and we’re continuing part two of the gear you don’t use — but probably should. This episode is about expensive preps people treat like insurance policies. You buy them, put them away, and assume they’ll magically work when needed. Generators. Guns. Big-ticket items that absolutely matter — but only if you actually know how to use them. "The Gear You Don’t Use (But Probably Should) – Part 2 | Episode 578" The post The Gear You Don’t Use (But Probably Should) – Part 2 | Episode 578 appeared first on Survivalpunk.

There’s a lot of gear that looks cool, feels cool to buy, and then quietly sits in a closet for years. In this episode, I’m talking about the stuff that rarely gets used — the gear you bought anyway — and how to think about whether it was a smart purchase or just fantasy prepping. Some of this gear is absolutely worth owning even if you never use it. Other gear should probably be getting a lot more reps than it does. "The Gear You’ll Never Use (And Why You Bought It Anyway) | Episode 577" The post The Gear You’ll Never Use...

It’s 20 degrees, my voice is finally back, and today we’re talking about something that keeps coming up more and more — staying out of the crazy cities. This episode isn’t about doom porn or internet outrage. It’s about pattern recognition, personal safety, and why distance matters. Not emotional distance. Physical distance. "Staying Out of the Crazy Cities | Episode 576" The post Staying Out of the Crazy Cities | Episode 576 appeared first on Survivalpunk.

Eating cheap doesn’t mean eating like crap — but a lot of people act like it does. In this episode, I talk through how to eat affordably without wrecking your health, why fast food is a scam now, and how boring, repeatable food choices actually win long term. "Eat Cheap Without Eating Garbage | Episode 575" The post Eat Cheap Without Eating Garbage | Episode 575 appeared first on Survivalpunk.

This episode isn’t about breaking news or hot takes. By the time you hear this, you already know the headlines. What I care about — and what preppers should care about — is what it means when governments suddenly move fast, decisively, and with coordination. "When Governments Move Fast, Preppers Should Pay Attention | Episode 573" The post When Governments Move Fast, Preppers Should Pay Attention | Episode 573 appeared first on Survivalpunk.

Buying a sleek solar generator feels good. It looks clean, it promises plug-and-play power, and it costs about as much as a used car. In this episode, I break down why building your own battery backup system often makes more sense — not for bragging rights, but for cost, repairability, and real-world usefulness. "DIY Beats Store-Bought: Power, Batteries, and Backup Systems | Episode 572" The post DIY Beats Store-Bought: Power, Batteries, and Backup Systems | Episode 572 appeared first on Survivalpunk.

Most people default to buying everything off a shelf because it feels easier. In this episode, I break down why that’s often the wrong move. This is about knowing when DIY actually beats store-bought — not as a hobby, but as a smarter, cheaper, more reliable way to prep. Some things are absolutely worth buying. Others? You’re getting ripped off. "DIY Beats Store-Bought Gear | Episode 571" The post DIY Beats Store-Bought Gear | Episode 571 appeared first on Survivalpunk.

Good morning, this is James from SurvivalPunk.com, and today we’re doing something way less flashy than predictions, doom charts, or crystal-ball nonsense. We’re talking about goals — real ones — and why the new year is actually a useful checkpoint if you don’t screw it up. "New Year, Real Goals | Episode 570" The post New Year, Real Goals | Episode 570 appeared first on Survivalpunk.

Good morning, it’s James from SurvivalPunk.com, and today we’re talking about something that quietly scares the hell out of people once they actually experience it:
how fragile the healthcare system feels when you’re the one stuck dealing with it. "Taking Your Health Into Your Own Hands | Episode 569" The post Taking Your Health Into Your Own Hands | Episode 569 appeared first on Survivalpunk.

Good morning, this is James from SurvivalPunk.com, and today we’re doing something every prepper should do once in a while: a hard look in the rearview mirror. Not nostalgia. Not doom. Just an honest assessment of what actually hit people in 2025 and why so many folks feel worn down even though nothing “collapsed.” Because 2025 wasn’t a disaster year — but it absolutely was a pressure year. "2025: The Year That Squeezed Everyone | Episode 568" The post 2025: The Year That Squeezed Everyone | Episode 568 appeared first on Survivalpunk.

Good morning, it’s James from SurvivalPunk.com, and today’s episode is a little different. This one isn’t about gear, food buckets, or backup power. It’s about something just as important for survival, especially when things feel shaky:
keeping traditions alive. "Keeping Christmas Traditions Alive in Hard Times | Episode 567" The post Keeping Christmas Traditions Alive in Hard Times | Episode 567 appeared first on Survivalpunk.

Good morning, it’s James from SurvivalPunk.com, and it’s one of those cold, gray mornings where power outages feel just a little too plausible. Today’s episode tackles a question a lot of people quietly stress about but don’t get good answers on:
how do you do real backup power when you live in an apartment or rental? "Apartment Backup Power That Actually Works | Episode 566" The post Apartment Backup Power That Actually Works | Episode 566 appeared first on Survivalpunk.

Good morning, it’s James from SurvivalPunk.com, and holy hell — it’s cold. Like ten degrees, why do I live here cold. That makes today’s episode even more fitting, because we’re continuing the DIY Christmas gift series with Part 2, and this time we’re getting into non-edible gifts — the stuff you can make with your hands that people actually use, appreciate, and remember. "DIY Christmas Gifts That Actually Matter (Part 2) | Episode 565" The post DIY Christmas Gifts That Actually Matter (Part 2) | Episode 565 appeared first on Survivalpunk.

Good morning, it’s James from SurvivalPunk.com, and we’re continuing the Christmas run with something that hits harder than anything you can grab off a shelf:
DIY, homemade Christmas gifts. "DIY Christmas Gifts That Actually Matter (Part 1) | Episode 564" The post DIY Christmas Gifts That Actually Matter (Part 1) | Episode 564 appeared first on Survivalpunk.

Good morning, it’s James from SurvivalPunk.com, and today we’re finishing out the Christmas dinner series with Part 2 — the stuff that actually makes the meal feel like Christmas:
side dishes, breads, and desserts, all made from long-term storage and everyday pantry preps. "Cooking Christmas Dinner From Your Preps (Part 2) | Episode 563" The post Cooking Christmas Dinner From Your Preps (Part 2) | Episode 563 appeared first on Survivalpunk.

Good morning — it’s James from SurvivalPunk.com, and it’s a crisp 40-degree December morning. Today we’re kicking off Part 1 of a new holiday series:
how to cook a full Christmas dinner entirely from your preps — no grocery trip required. "Cooking Christmas Dinner From Your Preps (Part 1) | Episode 562" The post Cooking Christmas Dinner From Your Preps (Part 1) | Episode 562 appeared first on Survivalpunk.