An Ounce - For Your Consideration

Remember Pluto? That celestial mass on the distant outskirts of our solar system with 5 moons. The one named after the shadowy Roman God of the underworld. The one we used to call the 9th planet. Turns out it was too small and lumpy to be called a planet. So, the truth we thought we knew has changed. But, that's nothing new, somebody is always coming up with some new bit of truth the challeng...

The heavy price of pride and intolerance of new ideas is examined in this case history from the Civil War. James Wolfe Ripley was cantankerous and just didn't like new things. As a Union Army supply officer he refused to issue a newer, proven, and much better weapon to the troops because he hated change. A Youtube version of this podcast can be found at https://youtu.be/GBlVM5wkU1c

**This first Bonus Episode of 2020 is in 3 parts or segments. This is the first recorded segment.** Great interview with Michael Faith, of Faith Firearms and Preparedness Training. We discuss actions you can take to increase personal security and preparedness from simple actions around your home and business, to purchasing and training yourself to carry a firearm. Mike has expert insights on the c...

**This first Bonus Episode of 2020 is in 3 parts or segments. This is the Second recorded segment.** Great interview with Michael Faith, of Faith Firearms and Preparedness Training. We discuss actions you can take to increase personal security and preparedness from simple actions around your home and business, to purchasing and training yourself to carry a firearm. Mike has expert insights on the...

**This first Bonus Episode of 2020 is in 3 parts or segments. This is the first recorded segment.** Great interview with Michael Faith, of Faith Firearms and Preparedness Training. We discuss actions you can take to increase personal security and preparedness from simple actions around your home and business, to purchasing and training yourself to carry a firearm. Mike has expert insights on the c...

Comparison is a, sometimes useful, and always compelling, tool our brains use to help us perceive the differences in things.  Our brains will rapidly discern differences, most especially when we choose the criteria to look for, and even when we don’t. The problem is that we often don’t see, can’t see, or can’t understand what useful criteria are. And, when that happens the information our brain gi...

Small and Simple, not much bigger than a house key, but so versatile. And, **An Ounce is Giving Away one of each of them!** Just listen to the episode to find out how to be eligible to win one for yourself. The key chain multi-tool can be a quick solution to many of today’s common tasks. Everything from cutting the tape on the amazon box and trimming a developing hangnail, to tightening a screw an...

Leonardo da Vinci said, “I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do.” (see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqECLqBOkXM&feature=youtu.be ) What does that have to do with igniting a fire with no matches? Keep listening and we’ll see if we can make the connection. What do you need to create a fire? In answer to t...

The principle is well illustrated in a parable about three sisters. One is always sad, one is forever mad, and the third is constantly glad. The analysis of these sisters and the impact of their attitudes are brilliantly illuminated for us to examine and understand. This Message might seem a little disconnected from the kinds of preparation you might normally think of when you consider ‘preparedne...

Suppose things have gone a bit up-side-down because of a disaster in your life, and you’re trying to get by after the water has been shut off, the power is out, and you don’t know when it’s coming back on. What can you do? There are a few resources you should know about in your home that might make such a situation a bit better. They are there, even if you don’t know it. 

Is Looking Out for Number 1 Selfish? Maybe not? Many bemoan the apparent ongoing cultural trend of people who are only interested in themselves. This approach to life can easily be condemned as thoughtless, self-absorbed, foolish, un-kind, and all kinds of much-less-than-wise, thoughtful, or good. But is there something else there? Is it always bad to put yourself first? Is there a chance that the...

This cautionary tale is told with my wife’s permission. Back in 1983, when we first got together, she was going to surprise me with our first really nice meal ... oven-baked pork chops and the trimmings – yum! Things didn't go so well - but we laugh about it now.

Sometimes you’ll be the beetle struggling with life – and sometimes you can be the bird who provides hope, kindness, and a new perspective. When facing disasters and challenges in our lives it is important to remember that light will follow the darkness. It is the eternal nature of things, the sun always rises. One of the great lies that we are often tempted to believe when we are in crisis is tha...

My sweet wife has always loved shoes. For whatever reason shoes make her very happy. Being the guy I am I have never really understood it. I can appreciate of good pair of boots, a nice looking pair of dress shoes, or a comfortable and durable pair of athletic shoes. For her, it goes to another level. Maybe it’s a genetic thing. Who knows? Why does this matter? I guess it doesn’t really ... Except...

This is a bonus episode. It differs from our other episodes in that we step outside the weekly schedule, and the regular format of the podcast, and drill down on things like interviews with experts and product reviews This bonus episode is all about blades.  So whether you need a great set of kitchen knives, a good tool for camping and hunting, or you’re a prepper and looking for a great survival...

The older generation can be very precious to us because of the wisdom they can provide if we are willing to listen. Today, we’ll learn lessons from a couple of sweet ladies in their 80s. Unfortunately, it’s a lesson they would probably be happy to have not learned for themselves about placing an emergency kit placed in your vehicle.  (This version of the episode was rewritten and re-recorded in Ap...

What can the observations of sheep by a seven-year-old boy help us to learn about ourselves? The words of my Grandfather to my seven-year-old self can teach us a lot about how we choose to respond to a challenge.

Sometimes the simplest actions can have powerful consequences.  It is easier than you might realize to prevent a thief from choosing your home as a target. Hear my simple story and learn from my mistakes, so you don't have to learn from your own. Episode re-engineered in 2023 to improve sound, content, and formatting.

"What Do You Do When Godzilla Steps On The Fire Truck?" When I was working as a firefighter, this was an idiom/question used around the firehouse. Interpreted, it means," sometimes the unexpected happens, so what are you gonna' do when all heck breaks loose, and your plans fail?" This episode explores some of the answers to this question. This episode includes most of the...

Fun and kinda' scary story about a trip on a dark and stormy night, and the lessons that can be learned from the experience. In a fun and light-hearted way, this story illustrates the importance of taking responsibility to prepare for the unexpected events that will happen in everyone's life. YouTube version found at https://youtu.be/HVCYx99eQvY This recording was re-engineered in March...