Mama Bear Survival

In this interview, we talk with Katie Kimball of Kitchen Stewardship about how we can raise our children in a world that doesn't share our values and doesn't encourage free thinking. We specifically discuss the concepts of nutrition and food, navigating technology and social media, how to parent when your kids feel different from their peers, and more.

• Raising critical thinkers starts at a young age.
• How to navigate being "the only one" when it comes to technology rules and parenting decisions within a friend/school group.
• How to best prepare our children for the world ahead, starting with some basics like kitchen skills.

• Checkout Katie's free Life Skills Now summer camp
• It's a free virtual camp over the summer where kids will learn those real life skills they aren't being taught in school! There is also an option to buy a recording if you can't attend live and take them at your own pace.
• Join us over on Instagram @mamabearsurvival and please, share the show with a likeminded mama bear!

This is the very first episode in a special series with Renée Thornton, founder of Women Hunt© a program under the Wild Sheep Foundation dedicated to guiding women into the hunting and conservation space.

In these episodes, Emily Richett will share behind-the-scenes as she embarks on the journey of becoming a hunter, from the initial application process to her personal motivations for this transformative experience.

Renée shares her story, the mission behind Women Hunt, and what participants can expect as they prepare for intensive training at FTW Ranch in Texas.

Emily and Renée dive into their own motivations and stories. Renée recounts her own journey to becoming a hunter later in life, after realizing the importance of ethically sourced protein and a more direct connection to nature.

Inspired by her experience, she established Women Hunt to provide women with the resources, knowledge, and community to confidently enter hunting. Emily, formerly a vegan, shares how her approach to food sources evolved, inspiring her to become more self-reliant and connected to what she consumes.

Stay tuned for the next episode, where Renée and Emily get back together after the training to detail the experience, lessons learned, and memories gained.

Key Takeaways

• The Path to Hunting: Renée’s late-in-life interest in hunting arose from a desire to ethically source protein and reconnect with the outdoors, despite lacking any prior experience or mentors. She highlights the mindset shift and determination it took to build her knowledge from the ground up.
• Creating a Path for Women Hunters: Inspired by her own challenges as a beginner, Renée created Women Hunt as a platform to support women who may feel overwhelmed by the barriers to entering hunting. Her aim was to offer guidance, community, and accelerated learning, compressing what could take years into a supportive, intensive experience.
• Emily’s Story of Transformation: Emily shares her shift from being a former vegan focused on animal rights to her renewed approach to food sources, self-reliance, and ethics in meat consumption. She opens up about the application process, the surprise of being selected, and her biggest anticipations and nerves around attending the FTW Ranch training.
• Hunting as Conservation: Renée and Emily discuss how hunting plays a crucial role in wildlife conservation and the misconceptions many have about hunters. Renée explains the ethical dimensions of hunting and how it connects participants to the natural world in a way that respects and sustains wildlife populations.

Episode Highlights

1. [00:05:01] - Renée Thornton shares her story and the foundational purpose behind Women Hunt.
2. [00:14:30] - Details of Women Hunt’s programming, including partnerships with expert instructors at FTW Ranch.
3. [00:26:20] - Emily’s reflections on her application journey, personal motivations, and hopes for the experience.
4. [00:32:50] - Renée discusses the two main fears for new hunters: handling firearms and ethical harvesting.
5. [00:43:45] - The importance of conservation and responsible hunting practices, as taught in the program.
6. [00:51:08] - Renée’s advice for Emily, fellow Women Hunt classmates and any woman interested in hunting

Action Items & Next Steps

• Women Hunt Program Details: For those interested in applying, applications for the 2025 Women Hunt class open May 1st and run through May 31st. Check the Women Hunt website for application details.
• Women Hunt on Social: Follow Women Hunt on Instagram and Facebook to see updates, stories, and insights from women hunters nationwide at @women_hunt
• Mama Bear Survival: Follow Emily's journey into hunting and conservation at mamabearsurvival.com and on Instagram: @mamabearsurvival. Don't forget to order the book (launching soon!).

In this interview, we talk with Alex Stewart, President of Premier Body Armor, about the growing need for everyday moms and civilians like us, to have practical, personal protection. Our conversation centers around situational awareness, self-reliance, and being more proactive protectors!

Premier Body Armor is a family-owned business with a legacy rooted in armored vehicle manufacturing, where their products saved countless American warfighters' lives. Today, they offer high-quality, USA-made personal protection solutions for everyday life—from backpack inserts and armored laptop cases for school protection to inserts for various bags and home shields. Their bulletproof products provide discreet yet powerful protection for you and your loved ones.

• An update on the Mama Bear Survival book- get ready for pre-orders opening soon!
• Some background from military and vehicle manufacturing to law enforcement and civilian products
• Who can benefit from body armor
• Practical uses in schools, at college, or the workplace
• Emily shares a situation when she felt vulnerable and without protection while shielding her children
• Different ways moms and everyday people utilize body armor

• Checkout Premier Body Armor and see if they have an insert for your everyda bag or kids' backpacks
• If you conceal carry in a fanny pack, you'll definitely want to checkout their fanny inserts!
• Join us over on Instagram @mamabearsurvival and please, share the show with a likeminded mama bear!

In this episode of the Mama Bear Survival podcast, Emily Richett sits down with Nicki Reisberg, host of the Scrolling to Death podcast, to dive into the complex world of digital safety for children.

They discuss the real dangers children face online, from social media's effects on mental health to the rising concerns around platforms like Snapchat and Tiktok.

Nicki shares her journey from owning a social media management company to becoming a fierce advocate for protecting kids in the digital age.

• (00:05:45) - Social Media’s Impact on Mental Health: Nicki explains the correlation between excessive social media use and mental health struggles, including depression and suicidal ideation.
• (00:12:10) - Social Media & Drugs: Nicki discusses the alarming trend of drugs, such as Fentanyl, being sold to teens via Snapchat.
• (00:20:25) - Sextortion Threats: Organized groups exploit social media platforms to manipulate and extort young boys, causing severe consequences.
• (00:30:10) - Protecting Children from Online Predators: Nicki highlights how innocent posts of children can be exploited by predators and emphasizes the need for parents to rethink what they share online.

• Stay updated on the latest digital safety news by subscribing to Nicki's podcast, Scrolling to Death.
• Visit house.gov to find your state representative and make your voice heard about online child safety.
• Delay is the way! Join the movement over at Wait Until 8th to join forces with parents at your school to delay smart phones and social media until 8th grade.
• Join us over on Instagram @mamabearsurvival and please, share the show with a likeminded mama bear!

• Mary shares details of the day a man broke into her house and attacked her
• What she has learned from the experience and how it shapes her motherhood
• The role of gun ownership in protection and the importance of situational training
• Simple steps you can take to protect your family today
• Her transition into law enforcement and the work she does for mental health and self-defense advocacy

• Run through the suggested tips Emily & Mary discuss like the home walk through and practicing the phone emergency dialing with your children
• Connect with Mary on Instagram @everything.aboutmary
• Checkout the programs offered at WOFT for family training
• As always, join us over on Instagram @mamabearsurvival and please, share the show with a likeminded mama bear!

As always, stay safe out there, mama bear.