Every episode.

May 12, 2026

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we dive deep into the world of solar cooking with the new My Solar Oven — a family-owned, veteran-owned, Made in the USA solar oven designed for preparedness, off-grid living, homesteading, emergency cooking, camping, and self-reliance. If you have ever wondered how solar ovens work, what foods you can cook with solar power, or why thousands of preparedness-minded families are turning to solar cooking, this episode is for you. We discuss the history of solar ovens, the benefits of cooking without electricity or fuel, and why solar cooking has become increasingly important amid rising energy costs, natural disasters, power grid concerns, and supply chain uncertainty. Learn how a solar oven can help you prepare meals with only the power of the sun, reducing your dependence on propane, charcoal, wood, or electricity. In this podcast, we also discuss practical preparedness, emergency cooking, off-grid cooking solutions, and sustainable living. You’ll hear real-world examples of what can be cooked in a solar oven, including bread, meats, vegetables, soups, desserts, and freeze-dried meals. Whether you are a prepper, homesteader, RV traveler, camper, or someone looking for alternative cooking methods, this episode will open your eyes to the possibilities of solar cooking technology. My Solar Oven is proudly family-owned, veteran-owned, and manufactured in the USA. Built with durability and long-term preparedness in mind, the My Solar Oven is designed to help families become more resilient and self-reliant during emergencies and everyday life. Topics covered include: Solar cooking for beginners Emergency preparedness cooking Off-grid cooking solutions Homesteading and self-reliance Sustainable cooking methods Cooking during power outages Solar oven meal ideas Preparedness gear and survival cooking Why solar ovens matter in 2026 and beyond If you are interested in preparedness, survival skills, emergency cooking, renewable energy, homesteading, or living more independently, this is an episode you do not want to miss. Join PrepperNet.Net - https://www.preppernet.net PrepperNet is an organization of like-minded individuals who believe in personal responsibility, individual freedoms and preparing for disasters of all origins. PrepperNet Support the show Please give us 5 Stars! www.preppingacademy.com Daily deals for preppers, survivalists, off-gridders, homesteaders https://prepperfinds.com www.preppernet.com

May 7, 2026

Send us Fan Mail Our critical infrastructure faces multiple threats from physical security, cyber security, rust, and corporate profit over resilience. In this episode of Grid Down Comms Up, we discuss some of the threats our communications systems face to better understand how they might fail and how we can plan for those failures. Grid Down Comms Up takes listeners for a brief peek behind the fragile veil of our communications systems. Preview: The systems we built during the Cold War are being rapidly replaced by less resilient, more profitable systems every day. Area Study Map Discount code: griddowncommsup Join PrepperNet.Net - https://www.preppernet.net PrepperNet is an organization of like-minded individuals who believe in personal responsibility, individual freedoms and preparing for disasters of all origins. PrepperNet Support the show Please give us 5 Stars! www.preppingacademy.com Daily deals for preppers, survivalists, off-gridders, homesteaders https://prepperfinds.com www.preppernet.com

May 5, 2026

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Prepping Academy Podcast, Forrest Garvin breaks down one of the most important—and overlooked—steps you can take to protect your digital life: Two-Factor Authentication (2FA). Most people rely solely on passwords, but they get stolen every day through data breaches, phishing, and simple attacks. This episode explains how 2FA works, why it’s so effective, and how it can stop the vast majority of account takeovers. You’ll learn the different types of 2FA, which ones are secure, and which ones to avoid. From authenticator apps to hardware keys, Forrest walks through what you should be using right now to protect your email, banking, crypto, and more. Topics covered: What 2FA is and how it works Why passwords alone are no longer enough The difference between SMS, apps, and hardware keys Common attacks like phishing and SIM swapping How to properly secure your accounts From a preparedness standpoint, this is about access control—protecting your digital life the same way you protect your home and resources. Most people get hacked because they’re easy targets. Don’t be one of them. Garvin Academy Free Webinars: https://prepperfinds.com/free-webinars Join PrepperNet.Net - https://www.preppernet.net PrepperNet is an organization of like-minded individuals who believe in personal responsibility, individual freedoms and preparing for disasters of all origins. PrepperNet Support the show Please give us 5 Stars! www.preppingacademy.com Daily deals for preppers, survivalists, off-gridders, homesteaders https://prepperfinds.com www.preppernet.com

April 28, 2026

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Prepping Academy Podcast, Forrest Garvin discusses one of the biggest problems in the preparedness community: people stop preparing when things feel normal. When shelves are full and life feels stable, most people drift away from preparedness. But that’s exactly when you should be building skills, strengthening your plan, and staying connected. This episode breaks down the cycle of prepping, why complacency is dangerous, and how to stay consistent even when there’s no immediate threat. Topics covered: Why do people stop preparing when times are good The cycle of fear, action, and complacency Why preparedness must become a lifestyle How to stay consistent without burnout The importance of community and staying connected Preparedness isn’t something you start during a crisis—it’s something you build over time. Stay ready. Stay consistent. Stay the course. PrepperNet.com PrepperFinds.com Join PrepperNet.Net - https://www.preppernet.net PrepperNet is an organization of like-minded individuals who believe in personal responsibility, individual freedoms and preparing for disasters of all origins. PrepperNet Support the show Please give us 5 Stars! www.preppingacademy.com Daily deals for preppers, survivalists, off-gridders, homesteaders https://prepperfinds.com www.preppernet.com

April 21, 2026

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Prepping Academy Podcast, Forrest Garvin breaks down 7 simple steps you can take right now to regain control of your online privacy. Most people don’t realize how much of their life is being tracked, stored, and sold—from emails and searches to phones and smart devices. This episode walks you through practical, real-world actions to reduce your digital footprint and protect your personal information. This isn’t complicated tech talk. These are straightforward steps anyone can follow to stop being the product and start taking control. Topics covered: Why your data is constantly being tracked and sold How email providers monitor your communications Safer browser and search alternatives The truth about smartphones and tracking Why smart devices may be listening in your home How to clean your system and reduce tracking Adding a layer of protection with VPNs and secure messaging From a preparedness standpoint, privacy is not optional—it’s part of protecting yourself, your family, and your future. If you want to stop being tracked and start taking control, this episode will show you how. Free Webinar: https://prepperfinds.com/free-webinars PrepperFinds.com Join PrepperNet.Net - https://www.preppernet.net PrepperNet is an organization of like-minded individuals who believe in personal responsibility, individual freedoms and preparing for disasters of all origins. PrepperNet Support the show Please give us 5 Stars! www.preppingacademy.com Daily deals for preppers, survivalists, off-gridders, homesteaders https://prepperfinds.com www.preppernet.com

April 14, 2026

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Prepping Academy Podcast, Forrest Garvin introduces The Last Scenario —a preparedness game he created to train decision-making when everything goes wrong. This isn’t entertainment. It’s a real-world simulation designed to expose the gaps in your planning before a crisis happens. Most people focus on gear, food, and supplies—but when pressure hits, they freeze. Why? Because they’ve never been forced to think through real scenarios, make hard decisions, or face uncomfortable outcomes. The Last Scenario changes that. In this episode, Forrest walks through why he created the game, how it works, and how you can use it with your family, group, or community to sharpen your mindset and prepare for situations most people avoid thinking about. You’ll hear examples of real scenarios that challenge your judgment, test your priorities, and force you to answer the question: What would you do? Topics covered: Why most preppers fail under pressure The difference between gear and mindset How The Last Scenario was created Using scenario-based training to prepare for real life Examples of difficult survival decisions Because when things collapse, you won’t rise to the occasion… You’ll fall back on your training. The question is—have you trained your mind? https://lastscenario.com/ Join PrepperNet.Net - https://www.preppernet.net PrepperNet is an organization of like-minded individuals who believe in personal responsibility, individual freedoms and preparing for disasters of all origins. PrepperNet Support the show Please give us 5 Stars! www.preppingacademy.com Daily deals for preppers, survivalists, off-gridders, homesteaders https://prepperfinds.com www.preppernet.com

March 24, 2026

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, we discuss the impacts of food production caused by the war in Iran. Natural gas from the Middle East is a key component in chemical fertilizers. What would a world without chemical fertilizers look like? How long would it take us to convert to regenerative farming practices? Are you prepared for the disruptions in toxic agriculture? What are some practical steps you can take to start building healthy soil and building topsoil to grow some part of your own food? Join PrepperNet.Net - https://www.preppernet.net PrepperNet is an organization of like-minded individuals who believe in personal responsibility, individual freedoms and preparing for disasters of all origins. PrepperNet Support the show Please give us 5 Stars! www.preppingacademy.com Daily deals for preppers, survivalists, off-gridders, homesteaders https://prepperfinds.com www.preppernet.com

February 28, 2026

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Patrick from Grid Down Comms UP looks at an awesome new software to move your Area Study into the 21st century. No more kindergarten crayons and construction paper, a real solution to your Areas Study mapping needs. Area Study Map is a personal reconnaissance tool that runs entirely in your browser — no accounts, no cloud, no data leaving your machine. Map population density, mark water sources, log supply caches, and build layered intelligence overlays for the terrain that matters most: yours. When cell towers go dark and roads close, the people who already know their ground are the ones who stay ahead. This isn't paranoia — it's the most practical thing you can do before you need to. Get $50 OFF with our coupon: GRIDDOWNCOMMSUP or just use this link: https://areastudymap.com/?coupon=GRIDDOWNCOMMSUP Join PrepperNet.Net - https://www.preppernet.net PrepperNet is an organization of like-minded individuals who believe in personal responsibility, individual freedoms and preparing for disasters of all origins. PrepperNet Support the show Please give us 5 Stars! www.preppingacademy.com Daily deals for preppers, survivalists, off-gridders, homesteaders https://prepperfinds.com www.preppernet.com

February 12, 2026

Send us Fan Mail Selco Begovic - Survivor of the Balkan War - SHTF Expert! PART 2 Interview Selco Begovic, a survivor of the tumultuous Balkan war in the 1990s, endured the daunting challenges of living in a besieged city without access to necessities like electricity, running water, and food distribution. Today, he shares his firsthand experiences through physical courses, offering invaluable insights for those eager to learn from his real-life ordeal. Through his online writings, Selco offers an unfiltered view of the brutal realities of survival in extreme conditions. With candid assessments of effective strategies and lessons learned from his trials, he also discusses contemporary preparations for uncertain times. Continuing his relentless pursuit of survival knowledge since the war, Selco provides a unique opportunity for others to glean from his experiences, even if they may never face such extreme circumstances. Explore Selco's articles, purchase his PDF books, including the highly acclaimed "The Dark Secrets of Survival," or dive deep into his expertise through his online course, the SHTF Survival Boot Camp. Enroll in his course, "One Year in Hell," to gain an insider perspective on life during a crisis. Selco's message is clear: Real survival lacks romance or idealism; it's a brutal, arduous, and often unfair journey. Let Selco guide you through this uncompromising world and prepare you for the realities that may lie ahead. https://www.shtfschool.com/ Join PrepperNet.Net - https://www.preppernet.net PrepperNet is an organization of like-minded individuals who believe in personal responsibility, individual freedoms and preparing for disasters of all origins. PrepperNet Support the show Please give us 5 Stars! www.preppingacademy.com Daily deals for preppers, survivalists, off-gridders, homesteaders https://prepperfinds.com www.preppernet.com

February 5, 2026

Send us Fan Mail Patrick with @griddowncomms - Winter Storm Fern Patrick with @griddowncomms takes the microphone again for an after-action report on winter storm Fern and a few rants along the way. In the communications portion of today's show, we discuss shortcomings of some popular but perhaps misguided online communications advice. Next up, we discuss the political impact of disasters. In this case, Winter Storm Fern. The leadership in your area has a massive impact on recovery, and political parties and the urban vs. rural mindset determine your outcome. Last, we discussed tips and lessons learned for power, heat, and staying warm in a prolonged grid down. Many of us prep for a few days to a week in winter storms, but an ice storm combined with terrible leadership could leave you in the cold and dark for weeks at a time. How will you prepare for a winter weather disaster? Links mentioned in the show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yTAw5E_xSU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdEtJnVY4qE Next week: Encore Episode - Selco Begovic PART 2 - Survivor of the Balkan War - SHTF Expert! Join PrepperNet.Net - https://www.preppernet.net PrepperNet is an organization of like-minded individuals who believe in personal responsibility, individual freedoms and preparing for disasters of all origins. PrepperNet Support the show Please give us 5 Stars! www.preppingacademy.com Daily deals for preppers, survivalists, off-gridders, homesteaders https://prepperfinds.com www.preppernet.com

January 29, 2026

Send us Fan Mail Selco Begovic - Survivor of the Balkan War - SHTF Expert! PART 1 Interview Selco Begovic, a survivor of the tumultuous Balkan war in the 1990s, endured the daunting challenges of living in a besieged city without access to necessities like electricity, running water, and food distribution. Today, he shares his firsthand experiences through physical courses, offering invaluable insights for those eager to learn from his real-life ordeal. Through his online writings, Selco offers an unfiltered view of the brutal realities of survival in extreme conditions. With candid assessments of effective strategies and lessons learned from his trials, he also discusses contemporary preparations for uncertain times. Continuing his relentless pursuit of survival knowledge since the war, Selco provides a unique opportunity for others to glean from his experiences, even if they may never face such extreme circumstances. Explore Selco's articles, purchase his PDF books, including the highly acclaimed "The Dark Secrets of Survival," or dive deep into his expertise through his online course, the SHTF Survival Boot Camp. Enroll in his course, "One Year in Hell," to gain an insider perspective on life during a crisis. Selco's message is clear: Real survival lacks romance or idealism; it's a brutal, arduous, and often unfair journey. Let Selco guide you through this uncompromising world and prepare you for the realities that may lie ahead. https://www.shtfschool.com/ Join PrepperNet.Net - https://www.preppernet.net PrepperNet is an organization of like-minded individuals who believe in personal responsibility, individual freedoms and preparing for disasters of all origins. PrepperNet Support the show Please give us 5 Stars! www.preppingacademy.com Daily deals for preppers, survivalists, off-gridders, homesteaders https://prepperfinds.com www.preppernet.com

January 22, 2026

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, Patrick with Grid Down Comms Up discusses winter preps and observations from last week's Verizon Wireless outage. With a massive winter storm on the horizon, determining how much heat and fuel you need is critical to being prepared. Electricity for critical power needs from batteries and generators can keep us operational and provide a bit of normalcy. Are you ready? Observations from the recent Verizon outage include second- and third-order impacts of a fragile telecommunications system, and considerations as our systems become more fragile and have lower uptime than the historical norm. Do you have a plan for conducting business and coordinating with loved ones when a surprise software glitch disrupts your day? Join PrepperNet.Net - https://www.preppernet.net PrepperNet is an organization of like-minded individuals who believe in personal responsibility, individual freedoms and preparing for disasters of all origins. PrepperNet Support the show Please give us 5 Stars! www.preppingacademy.com Daily deals for preppers, survivalists, off-gridders, homesteaders https://prepperfinds.com www.preppernet.com