Mama Bear Survival

In this episode of the Mama Bear Survival podcast, Emily talks to Jessica Cardwell, founder of The Faithful Preppers. Jessica shares her journey from being a newlywed with an empty pantry to becoming a thoughtful, faith-based prepper.

We discuss everything from building a sustainable food storage plan to maintaining a preparedness mindset without fear.

• Getting Started: Begin with a three-day plan for both food and water. This simple step can help you feel more confident and less overwhelmed.
• Budget-Friendly Preparedness: Jessica shares her tips for building a pantry without breaking the bank, including how to save money by rethinking everyday purchases.
• Faith-Based Approach: Learn how Jessica integrates her faith into her prepping journey, promoting a mindset of peace and service rather than fear.
• Family Focus: How to involve your family in preparedness activities and make it a fun, educational experience for your kids.

• [00:05:04] Emily and Jessica start the conversation, discussing the initial overwhelm of starting a preparedness journey and how Jessica got into it during the early days of COVID-19.
• [00:18:48] Jessica shares her backstory of returning to an empty home after her husband’s internship and how that became a turning point in her life as a prepper.
• [00:30:15] The significance of faith in Jessica's preparedness journey and how her church community encourages a mindset of preparedness without fear.
• [00:38:22] Emily and Jessica discuss practical first steps for food storage, starting with simple, shelf-stable foods and the importance of rotating your stock.
• [00:47:50] Tips on budgeting for preparedness, including how to use current spending habits to fund your preparedness efforts.
• [00:55:15] The importance of mindset: approaching preparedness as a long-term, incremental process rather than a sprint.

1. Start Your Three-Day Plan: Make a checklist of food and water for three days for each member of your family. Start with what you already eat and build from there.
2. Set a Preparedness Budget: Allocate a small portion of your grocery budget to extra items each week—whether it’s an extra can of soup or a gallon of water.
3. Check Out Jessica's eBook: Everyday Food Storage is a comprehensive guide to creating a food storage plan that fits your family's needs and lifestyle.
4. Connect with Jessica: Follow her on Instagram @thefaithfulpreppers for more tips and resources and checkout her site at The Faithful Preppers.

This episode is sponsored by Refuge Medical: Learn more about the USA-Made First Aid & Emergency kits at refugemedical.com - save with the code: MamaBear

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!

If you missed the first episode, listen to the first part over at episode 17 for a full introduction to Women Hunt.

Today we continue the conversation with Renée Thornton, founder of the Women HuntTM program, joined by two other graduates from the 2024 class, Jodie Bland and Jessica Braunstein. In this episode, we dive deeper into the transformative experiences at the FTW Ranch, from rifle training to the emotion of the first hunt, and explore how the program impacts lives far beyond the field.

• [0:02:00] Introduction of guests and a heartfelt recap of the Women HuntTM experience.
• [0:15:30] Emily reflects on the challenges and triumphs during rifle training at FTW Ranch.
• [0:24:15] Renée shares insights into the importance of mentorship and the transformation observed during the program.
• [0:33:40] Jodie recounts the emotional depth of supporting Emily during her first harvest and plans to pass on her knowledge to her children.
• [0:42:10] Jessica discusses the seamless training process that prepared her for a successful first hunt and her mission to bring more awareness to hunting's role in conservation.
• [0:50:25] Renée recommends next steps for all women who want to start or continue their hunting and outdoors journeys.

• Learn More About Women Hunt & Connect! Explore the program at the Wild Sheep Foundation and consider applying if you’re ready to embark on your hunting journey. Also check out the "Women in Hunting" community and share your story!
• Watch the Blood Origins film Lionheart

Introduction In today’s episode of the Mama Bear Survival podcast, Brittany Baker joins us again after her initial episode on pregnancy preparedness. She is the Director of Operations at Refuge Medical, a mom of four and a preparedness advocate. In this episode she shares tips for navigating personal safety as a mom, including situational awareness to the importance of personal protection tools. Join us as we dive into some essential strategies for moms to feel empowered and safe during these uncertain times.

Key Takeaways

• Situational Awareness: Keep your "head on a swivel." It’s critical to know your surroundings when you’re out with kids.
• Code Words: Brittany explains how code words can help kids know when to act quickly and safely without drawing attention.
• Training for Emergencies: Teaching children basic first aid, such as using tourniquets, empowers them to help in emergencies.
• Preparedness Tools: From pepper spray to firearms, Brittany encourages moms to explore personal protection tools they feel comfortable using.
• Meet-Up Plans and Drills: Families should establish emergency meet-up points and practice drills, just like schools do.
• Beware of Over-Sharing: Car decals or other identifying markers can unintentionally reveal personal information, making families easier targets.
• Beware of Over-Sharing: Car decals or other identifying markers can unintentionally reveal personal information, making families easier targets.
• Disaster Relief Efforts: Refuge Medical’s recent disaster relief efforts and the challenges of toxic waste and water contamination after Hurricane Helene. The link to the episode Brittany recommended for an update: https://www.youtube.com/live/yJ5trTWpc_8?si=wYMqblg5hd7M4HdO

Action Items & Next Steps

• Get a Kit from Refuge Medical: Use the code "MamaBear" at refugemedical.com to save on high-quality medical kits made in the USA. Looking for emergency prescription kits? Checkout Jase Medical and use code "mamabear" to save.
• Set a Code Word with Your Kids: Establish a code word your family can use for emergencies.
• Practice Situational Awareness: Teach your kids to stay alert in parking lots, stores, and public spaces.
• Plan a Family Meet-Up Spot: Identify safe spots outside your home or in your community where your family can meet during emergencies.

• 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.