Podcast Summary – Prepping Academy Podcast: “Data Breaches & Hacks Update – Protecting Your Digital Life”

In this week’s episode of The Prepping Academy Podcast, we dive deep into the world of data breaches, cyberattacks, and online privacy — and what you can do right now to protect yourself. From the latest major corporate hacks to the quiet data leaks that expose your personal information on the dark web, we break down the biggest threats of 2025 and how they impact preppers, patriots, and everyday Americans.

Host Forrest Garvin, founder of PrepperNet and cybersecurity expert, shares real-world updates on the most recent U.S. data breaches, the tactics hackers are using today, and why even “secure” companies are falling victim. You’ll learn the top five steps to safeguard your identity, prevent tracking, and lock down your devices before it’s too late.

If you value your privacy, your freedom, and your digital security, this episode is a must-listen. Don’t miss the essential tools and strategies every prepper should have in place to stay anonymous, secure, and one step ahead of the next cyber threat.

Keywords: data breaches 2025, cybersecurity, online privacy, hacking updates, PrepperNet, Prepping Academy Podcast, digital security, identity protection, personal data leaks, Forrest Garvin.

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Dissappear On the Internet

Crypto Digital Assets Course

Gain Freedom with a Home-Based Business

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Today, Grid Down Comms Up takes the microphone again for another great episode of the Prepping Academy. We do a short after-action report on the Eastern Tennessee Homestead Alliance festival, revisit a few items as we approach the one-year anniversary of the historic disaster caused by Hurricane Helene, and talk about radio and communications interference. We look at the common types of manmade interference and what you can do to ensure you aren't the cause, because making lots of people look for you isn't very gray man. We also discuss what you may want to consider adding to your plans if you experience intentional interference during an emergency. We also listened to an example of interference during my time in Eastern Tennessee with GSM and a much more entertaining example of some amateur operators trolling someone who is causing intentional interference to keep him talking until they locate him. I'll see you on the next episode. 

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Prepping Academy Podcast: PrepperNet Leaders Needed, PrepperFinds.Com Launch, Preparedness Month, Hurricane Readiness, and Building a Nonprofit for Disaster Relief 

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In this episode of the Prepping Academy Podcast, host Forrest Garvin shares important updates and opportunities for the prepping community as we move deeper into preparedness month and hurricane season.

We begin with a call for action: PrepperNet is seeking new local and city leaders to step up and guide area groups. These leaders help build training, communication networks, and community support, strengthening local preparedness nationwide.

Forrest also announces the launch of PrepperFinds.com, a new website providing daily emails with prepping deals, gear, and resources to help preppers stay stocked and ready. Listeners are encouraged to sign up and take advantage of these exclusive finds.

Since September is National Preparedness Month, Forrest emphasizes the importance of hurricane readiness. With storms forming and disaster risks increasing, now is the time to review your emergency kits, food storage, and evacuation plans.

The episode also highlights Forrest’s growing free prepping webinars, which continue to attract students interested in survival skills, self-reliance, and emergency planning. These online trainings are an easy way to learn new strategies and connect with like-minded individuals.

Looking ahead, Forrest shares his vision for creating a PrepperNet nonprofit organization. By transitioning to nonprofit status, PrepperNet can take direct donations and channel funds more effectively to disaster relief efforts. During Hurricane Helena, PrepperNet raised over $25,000 for victims, and Forrest hopes future fundraising will have an even greater impact.

This episode of the Prepping Academy Podcast blends community updates, practical preparedness tips, and a vision for long-term survival support. Join PrepperNet, sign up at PrepperFinds.com, and take steps now to strengthen your readiness and your community.

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The Prepping Academy welcomes Forrest Garvin, founder of PrepperNet, Garvin Academy, and other entrepreneurial ventures that are countable. In today's episode, Forrest updates us on what he has been up to over the last year.  We also discuss the current happenings in  PrepperNet, where PrepperNet is heading in the future, and a general update on the status of Prepping 2025. 

Grid Down Comms Up http://www.youtube.com/@griddowncommsup

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Grid Down Comms Up dives into the top ten prepping items for a natural disaster. According to NOAA, there were twenty-seven major natural disasters last year. They did 182 billion dollars in damage and caused 568 deaths. Of all the emergencies we prepare for, we are most likely to be caught up in a large-scale natural disaster. Will you be ready if one strikes your area? In today's episode, we look at the last five items on our list: defense, fuel, electricity, mental health, and building materials. We also toss in a bonus item for number eleven. Heavy equipment, while far from essential, is a game-changer if you can access it. If you are lucky enough to own some, keep them in working order and be able to help out. 

Remember, mental condition is a huge part of survival. If you or someone you know is at risk or experiencing a mental health crisis, reach out for help at the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline dial 988 or visit https://988lifeline.org/. 

Stay ready and prep on. 
Patrick"

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Grid Down Comms Up dives into the top ten prepping items for a natural disaster. According to NOAA, there were twenty-seven major natural disasters last year. They did 182 billion dollars in damage and caused 568 deaths. Of all the emergencies we prepare for, we are most likely to be caught up in a large-scale natural disaster. Will you be ready if one strikes your area? In today's episode, we look at the first five items on our list. potable water, food, communications, medical, and chainsaws to meet our potential immediate needs and self-rescue when help isn't coming. In our next part two, we will continue with the final five items essential for natural disaster preparedness. 

Stay ready and prep on. 

Patrick"

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On this week's episode of The Prepping Academy, we welcome a special guest, John Jacob Schmidt, founder of AmRRON, for a discussion on the history of AmRRON and what the future holds. We also discuss his new project, AmRRON Reloaded, and efforts to grow the ranks of individuals capable of effectively communicating in any emergency situation. Remember, the annual AmRRON national grid down communications exercise takes place later in July. It is your opportunity to test your skills and see what information you can receive during the exercise. Remember, if you do not have communications when the balloon goes up, you are just another refugee staring at your dead cell phone, wondering what just happened. 

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previewsPodcast Summary: Prepper Camp 2025 Preview with James Walton & Forrest Garvin

In this energetic episode of ⁠The Prepper Broadcasting Network⁠, host ⁠James Walton⁠ sits down with preparedness leader Forrest Garvin to deliver an insider’s look at Prepper Camp 2025, happening September 26–28, 2025, in Saluda, North Carolina. Over roughly thirty minutes, the conversation highlights why Prepper Camp has become the premier “family reunion” for America’s self-reliance community and what new skills, speakers, and experiences await attendees this year.

Garvin—founder of ⁠PrepperNet⁠ and a former airman turned Bank of America webmaster—explains how his unique journey from Y2K concerns to modern cyber-threats fuels the two classes he’ll teach on-site:

1. “⁠Privacy & Security: How to Disappear on the Internet⁠” – step-by-step methods to shield your address, phone number, and financial data from data-breach fallout.
2. “⁠The Case for Cryptocurrency⁠” – a courtroom-style defense of Bitcoin and digital assets as part of every prepper’s PACE financial plan.

The pair also previews Prepper Camp’s 60+ daily workshops, from ham radio mesh networks to hands-on fire-starting, plus evening concerts, vendor lanes stocked with freeze-dried food and survival gear, and the famous Tent City campfires where lifelong friendships form. Garvin shares memorable moments—such as late-night chats with fellow instructor Dave Wolf—and reminds listeners that 150–200 ⁠PrepperNet members⁠ typically gather for Friday-night dinners, making the event the best networking opportunity in preparedness.

Walton closes with a timely call-to-action: tickets are currently discounted at ⁠PrepperCamp.com⁠, but prices rise fast. If you want expert survival training, actionable privacy tactics, and real-world crypto insights—all in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains—mark your calendar for ⁠Prepper Camp 2025 in Saluda, NC⁠ , and secure your spot today.

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In this episode of Grid Down Comms Up on the Prepping Academy, Patrick looks at tactical and team communications and strategic communications in a disaster. Team communications are a simple concept, but become surprisingly complex when users enter the equation. Frequency coordination and interference are a reality of a large-scale disaster scene. We discuss how that impacts operations and how we can avoid some of those issues. Strategic communication is frequently overlooked by the prepping and survival community, usually due to the lone wolf mentality. In a disaster, you aren't going to be the lone wolf; you may even be the voice of your community. Having the skills and tools to quickly and effectively relay the needs of those around you is critical to helping those who are trying to help you. In this episode, we look at some details and facts of communications to support the logistical log train to keep your community going in a disaster.  

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In this episode of Grid Down Comms Up on the Prepping Academy, Patrick looks at some of the technical communications failures during the hurricane, from radio programming disasters, broken equipment, and poor engineering practice. We look at them all. If you want to be the person who learns from others' mistakes, get out a pen and paper to take notes now, so you don't mess it up when others did

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