Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadHere comes Thanksgiving travel preparedness time. Thanksgiving is two days away, and you know what that means—awesome Thanksgiving leftovers, and the busiest travel day of the year is tomorrow, the day before Thanksgiving. 82 million people will be hitting the roads and skies this weekend, leading to packed airports, traffic jams, and inevitable delays. It’s a recipe for stress and frustration. As a preparedness-minded person, you already know the basics of travel safety. You’ve packed your bags, checked your routes and times, and added a few prepping extras—just in case. But holiday travel throws…

This article was originally published by Murray N. Rothbard at The Mises Institute.  With the beginning of the American Revolutionary War at the outbreak of Lexington and Concord, two truths about the Revolution already stand out clearly. One is that the Revolution was genuinely and enthusiastically supported by the great majority of the American population. It was a true people’s war against British rule. The American rebels could certainly not have concluded the first successful war of national liberation in history, a war against the world’s greatest naval and military power, unless they had commanded the support of the American…

A few months ago, I decided to try buying a nonstick pan to make eggs. I thought I’d give it a try for convenience. I chose a well-rated, mid-priced pan. Today, after using it for a few months, I noticed pits on the surface, even though I had been careful to use only safe utensils while cooking in the pan. Having scratches and pits means the pan is already unsafe to use, as the coating can spread unwanted chemicals into your food.  I ended up throwing away the pan and have decided to go back to my trusty cast-iron skillet.…

Sign up for the On The Gun Newsletter The latest for gun hunters and competitive shooters. This story was originally published in the June 1948 issue of Outdoor Life under the title “Fabulous Firearm: The Kentucky Rifle.” The text been minimally edited to meet contemporary standards. THE FIRST, and perhaps the most important, truly American firearm was the Kentucky rifle, a weapon which for more than a century was considered the world’s best and chalked up records that still command respect. It was a picturesque arm-long, graceful, and accurate in both hunting and warfare — and its importance in opening…

A lot of people who live in apartments take one look at their space and immediately conclude, “There is no way I can ever grow food here.” I’m here to tell you that you absolutely can. Preparedness isn’t about having a massive off-grid farm right away. It’s about building systems where you are. Apartment gardening is all about working with the space you have: vertical areas, containers, available lighting, and smart strategies to grow real food in small square footage. Whether you have a shelf under a bright window, a balcony, or a porch, you can build a mini food-growing…

Medical emergencies can happen when you least expect them. One morning, I was making breakfast for the family and was slicing a bagel. Next thing you know, the bagel knife slipped and sliced through a huge part of my left thumb. There was blood everywhere, so the first thing I did was to find gauze and apply pressure to control the bleeding. The bleeding lessened, but would not stop. I ended up driving myself to the hospital Emergency Department, where the ER doc stitched up the wound. I was glad I had that first aid kit to at least help…

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Sign up for the Outdoor Life Newsletter Get the hottest outdoor news—plus a free month of onX Hunt Elite. If you’re looking for a verdict on the English vs American Lab debate, I’ll tell you right now: American Labradors are the clear winner. They’ve got good looks, athleticism, and hunting drive in spades. But that matchup is like pitting a dressage pony against a cowboy’s quarter horse — it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense because they have two very different jobs. A more apt comparison is between British and American Labs. Because we Americans are notoriously bad at geography,…

I spent years overseeing the guard force security contract at the embassy in Baghdad. I know this 100+ acre compound well, and I know exactly what it means to rely on its defensive systems. There has been a recent shift in the security landscape that every preparedness-minded person needs to pay attention to. Recently, Iranian proxies launched a drone and rocket attack on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. One of this world’s most critical and heavily fortified diplomatic facilities isn’t just another localized target. It signals a major change in how warfare and terrorism are conducted—and it has direct ripple…

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When you practice tornado drills, you account for every member of your family. You know the safest room, you have your emergency kit, and you have a plan. But does that plan include the four-legged members of your household? For many, pets are family. Ensuring their safety during a tornado requires the same level of practical, proactive planning you apply to everyone else. Animals can sense changes in weather and often become anxious long before the sirens blare. A scared pet is an unpredictable one. Without a clear plan, chaos can take over, and in those critical moments, a pet…

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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadLife has a way of drifting off course in small steps. One day, everything feels normal. The next day, you’re thinking about current events, wondering why the world feels like it’s out of alignment. It’s rarely one big event. It’s the accumulation of little disruptions that stack up until things feel off. This is where routine can become not only a force multiplier, but in the right (or wrong) circumstances, a quiet lifesaver. I’m talking about the kind of personal routine, a simple rhythm that helps keep you on track when the rest of…

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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadA couple of weeks ago, I asked the Mind4Survival Facebook group a simple question: “If you could pressure-test one part of your plan this weekend, what would it be?” The answers came from several members of the Mind4Survival Facebook group—people just like you. They were all honest and thoughtful responses about the gaps they wanted to close. Four of their responses stood out, and they inspired a list of simple, effective tests you can run this weekend to strengthen your own plans. TL;DR: Test your preparedness plan by running a simple drill this weekend…

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Watch full video on YouTube

Watch full video on YouTube

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadImagine you’re relaxing at home when the sounds outside shift—from the quiet hum of your street to chaos. Tires screeching. People yelling. Cars are driving into yards and doing donuts on front lawns. Within minutes, the quiet safety of your neighborhood vanishes. In its place, a dangerous, violent mob, with total disregard for you and your family, has invaded and overrun your neighborhood like a horde of Mongol raiders. Although it should be, this isn’t the start of a Jason Statham action movie. It’s a reality that happened this past weekend in Queens, New…

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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadWhen we think about prepping, we often focus on food, water, and shelter. These are critical, but there’s one element we can’t survive without for more than a few minutes: clean air. You can go three weeks without food, three days without water, and three hours without shelter in harsh conditions. But you only have about three minutes without oxygen before your brain starts to suffer. Air quality isn’t just a concern for extreme survival scenarios. Events like chemical spills, gas leaks, and wildfire smoke can turn the air you breathe into a serious…

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