The Prepping Academy
The Prepping Academy
Forrest Garvin — host of The Prepping Academy and founder of PrepperNet
Founder · Host · Author

Forrest Garvin

Meet the Host

Forrest Garvin.

For over a decade, Forrest Garvin has been one of the most recognized and trusted voices in the preparedness community. As host of The Prepping Academy, he's interviewed authors, ex-military operators, homesteaders, and survival experts — pulling out the practical, no-nonsense answers his audience came for.

Beyond the microphone, Forrest is the founder of a network of brands serving preppers, homesteaders, and communities preparing for what comes next.

Founder of

PrepperNetPrepperFindsPrepperShowsUSAGarvin AcademyArea Study MapThe Last Scenario GameMy Solar OvenPrepare The ChurchForrestGarvin.com
Pitch Forrest Your Story forrestgarvin.com
Co-Host · Communications

Patrick.

Patrick has been fascinated with electronics since he was old enough to hold a soldering iron, building his first gear in elementary school. His passion for preparedness and the outdoors took shape during high school and the Y2K era.

With over 20 years of experience as a communications engineer, Patrick has managed complex audio, IT, telecommunications, emergency power, and high-power radio transmission systems. He is a licensed amateur radio operator of 19 years and holds both an Amateur Extra and GMRS license.

Through firsthand experience with wildfires, floods, ice storms, and hurricanes, Patrick has developed a strong belief that true preparedness depends on the ability to adapt, improvise, and solve problems when help isn't available.

He shares this knowledge through his YouTube channel, Grid Down Comms Up, where he teaches practical, real-world communications skills from both professional and amateur radio perspectives.

Grid Down Comms Up
Patrick — co-host of The Prepping Academy and creator of Grid Down Comms Up
Co-Host · Comms Engineer

Patrick

247+

Episodes Recorded

4.7M

Downloads & Counting

9+

Seasons

The Legacy

Former hosts who helped build this thing.

Every show stands on the shoulders of the people who came before. We're proud of the voices that shaped The Prepping Academy.

Travis Currin — Former Co-Host of The Prepping Academy
Former Co-Host

Travis Currin“Tender Foot”

Founder of Reel Slice with 20+ years in digital media, film, and live streaming. A pastor and veteran, Travis brought the everyman perspective and the questions every new prepper was afraid to ask.

Uncle Buck — Former Co-Host of The Prepping Academy
Former Co-Host

Uncle Buck

Decades of homestead experience and a no-nonsense delivery that made complicated topics feel doable.

Kyle — first co-host of The Prepping Academy
The First Co-Host

Kyle

Where it started

Forrest's original co-host.

Kyle was the first voice next to Forrest behind the mic — helping shape the tone, format, and direction of The Prepping Academy in its earliest days. The show wouldn't be what it is today without him.