Prepping Academy

September is National Preparedness Month, but despite years of warnings about hurricanes, power outages, winter storms, cyberattacks, supply chain disruptions, and other emergencies, millions of Americans are still unprepared.

In this episode of The Prepping Academy Podcast, Forrest Garvin looks at why so many people put off emergency preparedness and, more importantly, how you can start preparing without spending thousands of dollars or becoming overwhelmed.

Preparedness isn't just about stockpiling food. It's about water, emergency communications, medical preparedness, financial preparedness, home security, transportation, practical survival skills, and community.

You'll also learn five practical things you can do during National Preparedness Month to make yourself and your family more resilient — including building a two-week water supply, strengthening your emergency food storage, creating a family communication plan, keeping emergency cash available, and connecting with other preparedness-minded people.

Whether you're brand new to prepping or have been preparing for years, the goal isn't perfection. It's progress.

Preparedness is a lifestyle built one step at a time. The best time to prepare was yesterday. The second-best time is today.

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Building a MAG: Finding Good People Before You Need Them

Building a Mutual Assistance Group (MAG) is one of the most important—and often overlooked—parts of preparedness. Food, water, gear, and supplies are important, but no one can do everything alone. In this episode, Forrest Garvin explains why building relationships before a disaster is far more valuable than trying to find help afterward.

You'll learn what a MAG is, how to identify trustworthy people, where to find like-minded individuals, and the common mistakes that can weaken a preparedness group. Forrest also shares practical advice on growing your local network, building trust over time, and creating a community of people with different skills who can help one another during emergencies or everyday challenges.

Whether you're just getting started in preparedness or you've been prepping for years, this episode will help you understand why your greatest preparedness asset isn't something you can buy—it's the people you know. If you're serious about self-reliance, emergency preparedness, homesteading, or building a stronger local community, this episode is for you.

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https://preppershowsusa.com/

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Is your personal information already on the dark web? In this episode, Forrest Garvin explains what the dark web is, how stolen email addresses, passwords, phone numbers, and personal information end up there, and what you can do to protect yourself. You'll learn how data breaches happen, warning signs that your information may have been exposed, and practical steps to improve your privacy and security.

Forrest also shares how to check your own exposure using YourDigitalExposure.com. Use coupon code PRIVACYCK to receive your dark web exposure report and take the first step toward protecting your identity before criminals can take advantage of your information.

Whether you're concerned about identity theft, online privacy, or cybersecurity, this episode will help you better understand your digital footprint and how to reduce your risk.

FREE DARK WEB SEARCH:  YourDigitalExposure.com. Use coupon code PRIVACYCK

FREE WEBINAR:   https://garvinacademy.com/webinar

https://forrestgarvin.com/

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What Threats to Communications Systems Should We Prep For?

On this episode of the Prepping Academy Podcast, Grid Down Comms Up takes on a listener question. A PrepperNet member asked me, "What communications threats should we prep for?" I realized this was a great topic for a podcast. All of us like new gear. New prepping toys provide excitement and inspiration. New toys also bring a requirement for commitment to training and skills if they are going to be useful. 

New threats appear every day targeting our communications and utility infrastructure. We can spend thousands of dollars and years of time preparing for the black swan event that never comes. Meanwhile, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, cyber attacks, and physical attacks happen every day all over the world. Are you prepared to communicate with your loved ones, community, and team when the grid goes down? Do you have connections and a network to figure out what happens when the lights go out and the power goes off, or are you just another guy sitting in the dark wondering what just happened? 

https://www.youtube.com/@griddowncommsup

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The world is changing faster than ever, and the biggest risks aren't always the ones making headlines. In this episode, Forrest Garvin shares the five threats he's watching most closely right now and explains why every family should be paying attention. From economic uncertainty and cyber attacks to power grid vulnerabilities, natural disasters, and growing geopolitical tensions, you'll learn how these events could affect your daily life and what practical steps you can take to prepare.

This isn't about fear—it's about becoming more prepared, more self-reliant, and more resilient. Forrest breaks down each threat in simple terms, discusses the warning signs to watch for, and shares realistic preparedness strategies that anyone can begin implementing today. Whether you're new to preparedness or have been prepping for years, this episode will help you prioritize your time, money, and resources so you're ready for whatever comes next.

If you're interested in preparedness, emergency preparedness, survival, self-reliance, homesteading, food storage, emergency planning, and protecting your family, this episode is for you.

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https://garvinacademy.com/

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PrepperNet is an organization of like-minded individuals who believe in personal responsibility, individual freedoms and preparing for disasters of all origins.

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Choosing Land for Preparedness in 2026: The Biggest Mistakes Most People Make

Thinking about buying rural land for preparedness? Don’t sign the paperwork until you hear this.

In this episode of The Prepping Academy Podcast, Forrest Garvin explains how choosing survival property has changed in 2026 and why many of the old rules no longer apply. From water availability and soil quality to community, security, access, and long-term sustainability, you’ll learn the critical factors that separate a smart preparedness investment from an expensive mistake.

You’ll discover why buying the most remote property isn’t always the best choice, how population shifts are changing rural areas, and the simple framework Forrest uses to evaluate whether land can truly support your family during uncertain times.

Whether you’re searching for a bug-out location, a future homestead, or land for your preparedness group, this episode will help you avoid costly mistakes and make informed decisions with confidence.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why is preparedness land different in 2026
• The #1 mistake buyers make when evaluating property
• How to assess water, access, and sustainability
• Why can community be more valuable than isolation
• A simple four-question framework for evaluating any property
• The differences between family retreats and group preparedness land

If you’re serious about preparedness, survival planning, homesteading, or building a resilient future, this episode is packed with practical advice you can use before purchasing your next piece of land.

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https://preppersconsulting.com/

https://forrestgarvin.com/books

https://preppingacademy.com/

Podcast Tags:

preparedness, prepper, survival, homesteading, bug out location, survival retreat, preparedness land, rural property, off grid, self-reliance, land buying, emergency preparedness, water security, homestead planning, sustainable living, community preparedness, survival property, prepper land, defensive property, The Prepping Academy Podcast

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Bug In vs. Bug Out: Which Survival Strategy Actually Works?

Should you stay home during a crisis or grab your bug-out bag and leave? The answer isn’t as simple as most people think.

In this episode of The Prepping Academy Podcast, Forrest Garvin cuts through the myths surrounding bugging in and bugging out. You’ll learn why Hollywood and social media have given many people unrealistic expectations and how to develop a practical preparedness plan that works in the real world.

Discover the advantages and disadvantages of both strategies, the biggest mistakes preppers make when planning to bug out, and a simple decision framework that helps you know when it’s safer to stay and when it’s time to leave.Whether you’re preparing for natural disasters, civil unrest, long-term power outages, or other emergencies, having both a bug-in plan and a bug-out plan can make all the difference.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The truth about bugging in vs. bugging out
• Why do most bug-out plans fail before they begin
• When staying home is the smartest survival strategy
• What every bug-out plan must include
• How to evaluate threats before making a decision
• Why planning ahead beats reacting under pressure
• The hybrid preparedness approach that offers the greatest flexibility

If you’re serious about emergency preparedness, self-reliance, survival planning, and protecting your family during uncertain times, this episode provides practical, real-world guidance you can put into action today.

https://preppersconsulting.com/

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https://forrestgarvin.com/books

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWQ_hKLL7io&list=WL&index=21&t=4s

Podcast Tags:

bug in, bug out, bugging out, emergency preparedness, prepper, prepping, survival, survival planning, self-reliance, bug out bag, disaster preparedness, SHTF, grid down, emergency planning, homesteading, civil unrest, natural disasters, family preparedness, preparedness strategy, The Prepping Academy Podcast

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Area Study Map Training | The Prepping Academy Podcast

Most people know almost nothing about the area they live in.

In this episode of The Prepping Academy, Forrest Garvin explains how Area Study Map Training helps preppers, homesteaders, and families understand their local area, identify threats, locate resources, and build real preparedness plans using modern mapping and intelligence tools.

In this episode, Forrest Garvin breaks down the importance of Area Study and why understanding your local area may become one of the most valuable preparedness skills in the modern world.

This episode explores how the Area Study Map app and training can help individuals, families, groups, and communities better understand infrastructure, threats, terrain, resources, communication systems, population density, evacuation routes, and much more.

Topics include:
 • What an Area Study really is
 • Why location intelligence matters
 • Understanding threats around you
 • Identifying resources and weak points
 • Mapping hospitals, shelters, power grids, weather, and infrastructure
 • Using modern technology for preparedness
 • Building a realistic emergency plan
 • Why knowledge of your local area can save lives
 • How civilians can use Area Study concepts without military complexity

Whether you are new to preparedness or an experienced prepper, this episode will change how you look at the place you live.

Tags:
 area study, preparedness, prepper map, osint, survival intelligence, emergency preparedness, prepping, homesteading, grid down, shtf, survival planning, area study map, prepper tools, mapping, preparedness training, ham radio, local intelligence, survival podcast, prepper podcast, prepping academy

Suggested SEO Keywords:
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From Overwhelmed to Prepared | The Prepping Academy Podcast

Millions of people know they should prepare… but most never start because they feel overwhelmed.

Feeling overwhelmed by the state of the world? In this episode of The Prepping Academy, Forrest Garvin breaks down how to move from fear and confusion to confidence and preparedness using practical steps, mindset shifts, faith, and real-world planning. Learn how to simplify preparedness, avoid burnout, and build a solid foundation for your family’s future.

In this episode, Forrest Garvin talks about how to go from panic and information overload to a calm, focused, preparedness plan that actually works. Whether you are brand new to prepping or have been stuck in “research mode” for years, this episode will help you simplify the process and focus on what truly matters.

Topics include:
 • Why most people freeze and never prepare
 • The dangers of fear-based prepping
 • Building a preparedness mindset
 • Starting small without going broke
 • Food, water, security, communications, and community
 • Faith, family, and mental preparedness
 • Why action beats perfection
 • Creating a realistic preparedness roadmap

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by world events, inflation, grid concerns, AI, surveillance, disasters, or uncertainty… this episode is for you.

https://forrestgarvin.com/

https://preppingacademy.com/

https://forrestgarvin.com/books

Tags:
 prepping, preparedness, survival, homesteading, emergency preparedness, shtf, grid down, self reliance, prepper podcast, preparedness mindset, survival skills, prepping for beginners, preparedness planning, christian preparedness, faith and preparedness, off grid, food storage, preparedness community, emergency planning, prepping academy

Suggested SEO Keywords:
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Join Grid Down Comms Up for another episode of The Prepping Academy. Today, JJS, founder of AmRRON (American Redoubt Radio Operators Network), joins us for an update on AmRRON's annual grid-down exercise, T-REX. A national exercise where radio operators take to the airwaves for a three-day event tracking a fictional scenario, moving welfare traffic, and pressure-testing our communications systems. We also discuss JJS's new book, Partisan Operators Volume 2, the second of his multipart series chronicling events after an attack on US soil that spirals the country into a complete grid-down. 

Partisan Operators Volume 2

https://www.amazon.com/Partisan-Operator-Journals-Back-Zero/dp/B0GXPRN8B7/ref=sr_1_1?sr=8-1

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