The Survival Punk Podcast

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.

Good morning, it’s James from SurvivalPunk.com, and — surprise, surprise — it’s another 36-degree morning. Today we’re continuing the Christmas prepper gift series with Part 2, diving deeper into practical gifts you can give to preppers or use to sneak-prep your non-prepper friends and family without freaking them out. "Prepper Christmas Gifts (Part 2) | Episode 561" The post Prepper Christmas Gifts (Part 2) | Episode 561 appeared first on Survivalpunk.

Good morning, it’s James from SurvivalPunk.com, and today we’re talking about something fun, useful, and extremely relevant this time of year:
Christmas gifts for the preppers in your life — all under $100, all practical, all survival-ready. You walked through a solid list in your recording — from Leathermans to cheap knives to power banks — so this episode breaks down those ideas into a clean Survival Punk gift guide. "Prepper Christmas Gifts Under $100 | Episode 560" The post Prepper Christmas Gifts Under $100 | Episode 560 appeared first on Survivalpunk.

Good morning, it’s James from SurvivalPunk.com, and today we’re continuing the series on ridiculous restrictions, overregulation, and government “solutions” that make preparedness harder instead of easier.
Part 1 hit Berkeys, rainwater, kratom, and general self-reliance.
Part 2 is all about the banned, the restricted, the neutered, and the over-regulated gear every prepper deals with. "How to Prep Around Dumb Laws (Part 2) | Episode 559" The post How to Prep Around Dumb Laws (Part 2) | Episode 559 appeared first on Survivalpunk.

Good morning, it’s James from SurvivalPunk.com, and today we’re kicking off a brand-new series about something every prepper eventually runs face-first into:
dumb laws that make preparedness harder — and how to prep anyway. "How to Prep Around Dumb Laws (Part 1) | Episode 558" The post How to Prep Around Dumb Laws (Part 1) | Episode 558 appeared first on Survivalpunk.

Good morning, it’s James from SurvivalPunk.com, and today we’re talking about a part of preparedness that almost everyone forgets until it’s too late:
your pets. "Prepping for Your Pets | Episode 557" The post Prepping for Your Pets | Episode 557 appeared first on Survivalpunk.

Good morning, it’s James from SurvivalPunk.com, and it’s a cold 42-degree start to the day. Today we’re talking about something every man deals with, but almost nobody thinks about as a prepper:
shaving — specifically why new shaving tech sucks, what actually works, and what you should use when SHTF. "Shaving for the Apocalypse | Episode 556" The post Shaving for the Apocalypse | Episode 556 appeared first on Survivalpunk.

"TRT After Two Months — My Honest Thoughts So Far | Episode 555" The post TRT After Two Months — My Honest Thoughts So Far | Episode 555 appeared first on Survivalpunk.

It’s James from SurvivalPunk.com, and this morning the fog is thick enough to feel like Silent Hill. One of my headlights is probably pointing toward the sky like a drunk lighthouse, but that’s a problem for later. Right now, we’re diving into a topic I’m uniquely qualified to talk about because I’ve done it myself:
building your ultimate survival shed. "Building Your Ultimate Survival Shed | Episode 554" The post Building Your Ultimate Survival Shed | Episode 554 appeared first on Survivalpunk.

Good morning, it’s James from SurvivalPunk.com, and it’s a chilly 47-degree start to the day. Today we’re hitting a topic that’s part reality check, part rant, part parenting manual, and part prepper manifesto:
kids today would absolutely crumble in a real collapse — unless we teach them otherwise. "Why Kids Today Won’t Survive SHTF | Episode 553" The post Why Kids Today Won’t Survive SHTF | Episode 553 appeared first on Survivalpunk.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone — it’s James from SurvivalPunk.com, and today’s episode is a little different. This is our Thanksgiving Rerun Special, not a repeat of recipes or turkey tips, but a deep look at how Americans held onto Thanksgiving through one of the hardest eras in our history: The Great Depression. "Thanksgiving Special: The Great Depression & the Spirit of Survival | Episode 552" The post Thanksgiving Special: The Great Depression & the Spirit of Survival | Episode 552 appeared first on Survivalpunk.

Good morning, it’s James from SurvivalPunk.com, and it’s a warm-ish 60 degrees today. We’re heading into Thanksgiving week, and if you’re a prepper who pays attention, this is one of the best times of the entire year to restock your pantry, fill your freezer, and score ridiculous deals the grocery industry practically throws at you. "Thanksgiving Prepper Deals You Shouldn’t Miss | Episode 551" The post Thanksgiving Prepper Deals You Shouldn’t Miss | Episode 551 appeared first on Survivalpunk.

Hey, it’s James from SurvivalPunk.com, and it’s a cool 55-degree morning here as I cruise at metaphorical 40,000 feet thinking about one of the biggest, nastiest, most rigged disasters in America today: the housing market. "How I Would Fix the Housing Market | Episode 550" The post How I Would Fix the Housing Market | Episode 550 appeared first on Survivalpunk.

Hey, it’s James from SurvivalPunk.com, and it’s a humid 63-degree Tennessee morning — perfect weather to dig into something fun, creative, and surprisingly practical:
your apocalypse uniform. Now, we don’t go full doomsday fantasy here on Survival Punk, but sometimes it is fun to wander into Crazylandia — as long as we bring back something useful. "Choosing Your Apocalypse Uniform | Episode 549" The post Choosing Your Apocalypse Uniform | Episode 549 appeared first on Survivalpunk.

Hey, it’s James from SurvivalPunk.com, and this morning it’s a mild 56 degrees. Today we’re diving into something fun, messy, occasionally questionable, and very Survival Punk: DIY hacks — which ones actually work, which ones probably don’t, and which ones might just save your butt in an emergency. "DIY Hacks That Actually Work (and the Ones That Don’t) | Episode 548" The post DIY Hacks That Actually Work (and the Ones That Don’t) | Episode 548 appeared first on Survivalpunk.

Good morning, it’s James from SurvivalPunk.com, and it’s a brisk 36 degrees out there. We’re diving straight into something every one of you is feeling — the economy is getting rough, layoffs are climbing, hiring freezes are everywhere, and companies are cutting corners so hard the sparks could start a brush fire. "Surviving a Broken Economy: The Rise of Side Hustles | Episode 547" The post Surviving a Broken Economy: The Rise of Side Hustles | Episode 547 appeared first on Survivalpunk.

Hey, it’s James from SurvivalPunk.com, and it’s a crisp 56-degree morning — perfect weather to tackle a topic every prepper thinks they understand… until life humbles them:
Discipline fails. Automation doesn’t. Systems work. "Discipline Fails, Automation Wins | Episode 546" The post Discipline Fails, Automation Wins | Episode 546 appeared first on Survivalpunk.

Hey, it’s James from SurvivalPunk.com, and it’s a chilly 45-degree morning out here — perfect weather to talk about one of my favorite survival topics that applies to everyone, every day: saving money like a prepper. Because the cold truth is this: everything costs more, wages haven’t kept up, and if you aren’t intentional, your money will evaporate faster than a Taco Bell taco in the hands of a 90s kid. Today we’re hitting three big money-saving pillars straight from my own life:
cutting your own hair, eating at home, and never paying retail.
These...

Hey, it’s James from SurvivalPunk.com, and this morning it’s a cool 40 degrees — perfect weather to rant about something spicy: a YouTube commenter who proudly declared that “prepping is stupid.” Yeah.
He said that on a prepping podcast video.
Bold move, Cotton. But this episode isn’t just me roasting one random dude with a strong opinion and weak logic — it’s a deep dive into why prepping isn’t stupid, why skills matter, and why it’s not an either/or choice. "Why Prepping Isn’t Stupid (Skills and Stuff) | Episode 544" The post Why Prepping Isn’t Stupid (Skills a...

Hey, it’s James from SurvivalPunk.com. It’s a crisp 47-degree morning — not too bad, especially after the 29-degree ones I’ve been talking through lately. Today’s show comes straight from a listener story that could’ve ended badly but turned into a great learning moment for every prepper out there. We’re talking about what to do when your car dies in the middle of nowhere, how to avoid being caught unprepared, and how a simple breakdown can expose the holes in your prepping game. "Lost on a Back Road — Lessons from a Breakdown | Episode 543" The post Lost on a Back R...

Hey, it’s James from SurvivalPunk.com, and this morning we’re cranking out Part 2 of the Pantry Sauce series. Last time we hit the classics — brown gravy, white gravy, and curry — the stuff that keeps morale high when the pantry’s looking rough. Today, we’re going international and versatile — diving into mustard, tomato, teriyaki, satay, and cheese sauces, all made from long-term storage ingredients. You don’t need fresh milk or fancy condiments — just shelf-stable pantry goods and a little DIY grit. Because bland rice and beans should never break your spirit. "Pantry Sauces That Save the Day (Part 2) | Episode...

Hey, it’s James from SurvivalPunk.com, and this morning it’s a frosty 29 degrees out — perfect weather for a hot meal. Today’s episode is all about something that might not sound “tactical,” but will absolutely matter when food fatigue sets in: sauces and gravies from your prepper pantry. If you’re living on beans, rice, and shelf-stable staples, flavor fatigue will crush morale faster than hunger. But the good news? With a few ingredients and basic know-how, you can turn bland into brilliant. Let’s dive in. "Pantry Sauces That Save the Day (Part 1) | Episode 541" The post Pantry Sauces That Save...

Hey, it’s James from SurvivalPunk.com, and today we’re talking about one of the most hyped and misunderstood topics in the prepping world — EMPs: Myth vs. Reality. We’ve all seen it — the bright flash in every apocalypse movie, every car dying on the highway, planes falling from the sky, and people suddenly living in the stone age. But how real is that? How much of what we think we know about EMPs is just Hollywood drama? Let’s dig in and separate the facts from the fearmongering. "EMP Myths vs. Reality | Episode 540" The post EMP Myths vs. Reality | Ep...

Hey, it’s James from SurvivalPunk.com, and this morning we’re diving into one of my favorite prepper topics: food that lasts for decades. Not the trendy freeze-dried stuff or overpriced buckets — I’m talking about the staples you can buy cheap, store easily, and forget about until you need them. These are the real long-haul preps — the ones that’ll outlast your pantry, your house, and maybe even you. "Shelf Life Secrets — Food That Lasts Decades | Episode 539" The post Shelf Life Secrets — Food That Lasts Decades | Episode 539 appeared first on Survivalpunk.

Hey, it’s James from SurvivalPunk.com — back with another cold morning episode at 51 degrees, talking about something every prepper should care about but too many ignore: strength. Not the motivational poster kind — I’m talking real, measurable, physical strength. The ability to pick up heavy things, carry them, and keep doing it. Because when the world goes sideways, that’s not optional — that’s survival. "Build Real Strength | Episode 538" The post Build Real Strength | Episode 538 appeared first on Survivalpunk.

Hey, it’s James from SurvivalPunk.com. It’s a crisp 51-degree November morning — and yes, I’m still coughing up half a gallon of crud — but the show must go on. Today’s topic? One every prepper wrestles with sooner or later: When to build it yourself, and when to just buy the damn thing. There’s a fine line between DIY ingenuity and wasting months of your life reinventing something that’s already perfect. Let’s talk about how to know the difference — and why the smartest preppers use both approaches. "DIY or Buy? The Prepper’s Dilemma | Episode 537" The pos...

Hey, it’s James from SurvivalPunk.com. It’s another chilly 41-degree morning, and today we’re tackling one of the least glamorous but most practical topics in prepping — laundry. It’s one of those things we all take for granted until the grid goes down and suddenly you’re staring at a pile of filthy clothes wondering how to keep your hygiene in check. I’ve never done a full episode on laundry before, and that’s a shame — because clean clothes are critical to morale, health, and long-term survival. "Off-Grid Laundry | Episode 536" The post Off-Grid Laundry | Episode 536 appeared first on Survivalp

Hey, it’s James from SurvivalPunk.com. It’s a chilly 41-degree morning, and we’re talking about something I’ve never dedicated a full show to — gloves. You’ve probably heard me mention them in passing, but today we’re breaking it down: why you need them, what kinds to keep in your prepping supplies, and how the wrong glove (or no glove) can turn a simple cut into a disaster. "Protect Your Hands, Save Your Hide | Episode 535" The post Protect Your Hands, Save Your Hide | Episode 535 appeared first on Survivalpunk.

Hey, it’s James from SurvivalPunk.com, and today we’re talking about something a little fun — and a little dark. Halloween might be over by the time you hear this, but the lessons from horror movies never expire. This episode dives into some of my favorite (and not-so-favorite) horror flicks and what they can actually teach us about survival, mindset, and staying alive when things go bad. "Survival Lessons from Horror Movies | Episode 534" The post Survival Lessons from Horror Movies | Episode 534 appeared first on Survivalpunk.

Hey, it’s James from SurvivalPunk.com, and today we’re going to talk about something that every prepper, homesteader, and human deals with — fear and anxiety. But instead of letting it crush you, I’m going to show you how to turn that nervous energy into jet fuel for preparedness. "Why Fear Is Fuel — Channeling Anxiety Into Action | Episode 533" The post Why Fear Is Fuel — Channeling Anxiety Into Action | Episode 533 appeared first on Survivalpunk.

Hey, it’s James from SurvivalPunk.com — back again with another dose of practical self-reliance. This week we’re getting into something most folks don’t even think about until it’s too late: navigation. "Find Your Way When GPS Fails | Episode 532" The post Find Your Way When GPS Fails | Episode 532 appeared first on Survivalpunk.

Hey, it’s James from SurvivalPunk.com — and today we’re tackling something real scary: what happens when the system that feeds millions grinds to a halt. In this episode we break down how the current federal shutdown is putting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) at risk, how many families are walking the tightrope right now, and what you as a prepper can do to stay ahead of the chaos. "The Government Shutdown & The Looming SNAP Cut-Off | Episode 531" The post The Government Shutdown & The Looming SNAP Cut-Off | Episode 531 appeared first on Survivalpunk.

"Where Have All the Antivirals Gone? | Episode 530" The post Where Have All the Antivirals Gone? | Episode 530 appeared first on Survivalpunk.

Hey, it’s James from SurvivalPunk.com, and after a few recording hiccups, we’re finally diving into one of the oldest survival skills in the book—bartering. In this episode, I break down how to make trades that actually work, why taxes make bartering awesome, and why every prepper should start practicing the art of the deal now, not after the collapse. "Barter Like a Pro | Episode 529" The post Barter Like a Pro | Episode 529 appeared first on Survivalpunk.

Every fall, I drop a “Winter Is Coming” episode, but this one hits different. After five failed recording attempts and a cursed mic, I finally got it done — and I’m diving deeper than just telling you to “buy extra blankets.” This one’s about seasonal strategy, prepping for power loss, and fine-tuning your pantry before the freeze hits. "Winter Is Coming (2025 Edition) | Episode 528" The post Winter Is Coming (2025 Edition) | Episode 528 appeared first on Survivalpunk.