Survival Punk | Ep402: The Prepper’s Toolbelt: Top 10 Items You Actually Use

Most gear lists are filled with flashy gadgets and overpriced gimmicks that look great on Instagram but never leave your shelf. In Episode 402, we’re cutting the fluff and breaking down the real tools preppers actually use—day in, day out. This isn’t your wish list. This is your toolbelt.

Survival Punk | Ep401: Living Without a Fridge: The Forgotten Art of Preservation

Relearning What We Forgot
In a world where almost every meal depends on electricity, the idea of living without a fridge sounds crazy to most people. But for thousands of years, humans kept food safe, nutritious, and edible without a compressor humming in the kitchen. And if you’re serious about preparedness—or just want to cut dependence on the grid—it’s time to relearn the forgotten art of preservation.
In Episode 401, we’re diving into old-school food storage skills that still matter today: curing, canning, fermenting, root cellars, and low-tech hacks that help you stay fed when the power’s out for good.
Curing: Salt, Smoke, and Time
Curing is one of the oldest preservation methods out there. Salt draws moisture out of meat, making it harder for bacteria to grow. Smoking adds flavor and antimicrobial compounds. You don’t need a fancy setup—just a cool, dry spot and some practice.
Salt curing works great for pork, fish, and even homemade jerky.
Cold smoking adds flavor and shelf life, especially for hams, sausages, and fish.
Learn the basics of salting ratios, air drying, and proper storage.
If you’ve got meat and no freezer, curing might save your protein.
Canning: Shelf-Stable and Strong
Canning is the MVP of long-term food preservation. Done right, you can store soups, meats, stews, vegetables, and even full meals—no refrigeration needed.
Water bath canning is perfect for high-acid foods like tomatoes, fruit, and pickles.
Pressure canning is a must for meats, beans, and low-acid vegetables.
Build your supply slowly, label everything, and always check seals. A full pantry of home-canned goods beats empty shelves any day.
Fermenting: Let Bacteria Do the Work
Fermentation doesn’t just preserve food—it improves it. It boosts nutrition, adds probiotics, and tastes amazing. Sauerkraut, kimchi, yogurt, sourdough, and even pickles can all be made with just salt, time, and a clean jar.
Fermentation is:
Simple
Low-tech
Self-sustaining
It’s one of the easiest ways to keep food fresh and flavorful without needing a fridge—or a ton of gear.
Root Cellars: Nature’s Refrigerator
A well-built root cellar can keep produce fresh for months with no electricity. It works by using the earth’s stable temperature and humidity.
Ideal for storing:
Potatoes
Carrots
Beets
Cabbage
Apples
Onions
If you’ve got land, dig one. If not, even a basement corner or buried trash can with ventilation can mimic the same effect on a smaller scale.
Off-Grid Hacks and Tips
No fridge? No problem. These low-tech tricks extend food life without modern appliances:
Zeer pots (clay pot refrigeration using evaporation)
Cooler in a stream (nature’s cold water cooler)
Pickling and brining
Using animal fat to seal cooked meat in jars (confit-style)
Drying and dehydrating herbs, fruits, and jerky
These techniques buy you time, add options, and reduce dependency on fragile systems.
Final Thoughts
Modern fridges are great—until they’re not. In a blackout, a storm, or a collapse, knowing how to preserve food the old-fashioned way gives you independence, flexibility, and power.
The fridge may die. But your skills don’t have to.
So fire up the water bath, pack that salt, and build a shelf for your jars.
Because when the power goes out, the pantry stays on. And the people who know how to keep food safe without a plug? Those are the ones who eat.

The Kershner Files | Ep75: EDC Collection is Now Live, Possible Triggers to Transition from a Soft to an Actual CW

In Episode 75 of The Kershner Files, Dave provides updates for PMs, Survival Realty, and Gun Shows. Prior to that, Dave updates listeners regarding changes and feedback for the Two Rivers Outfitter website. WE NOW HAVE 22 COLLECTIONS!! After all of these updates, Dave continues the roundtable discussion by taking a look at the possible triggers or tipping points that would push us from a ‘soft’ to an ‘actual’ Civil War. Articles/topics discussed:
Two Rivers Outfitter - The Premiere Online Preparedness Store
DesignsbyDandTStore - Dave’s Etsy Shop for fun clothing options
Spot Prices for Gold (Au) and Silver (Ag) - from the davidjkershner.com website
Survival Realty - featured properties and new listings
State-by-State Gun Shows - from the davidjkershner.com website
Support Dave by visiting his new website at Two Rivers Outfitter for all of your preparedness needs and you can also visit his Etsy shop at DesignsbyDandTStore for fun clothing options.
Available for Purchase - Fiction:
When Rome Stumbles | Hannibal is at the Gates | By the Dawn’s Early Light | Colder Weather | A Time for Reckoning (paperback versions) | Fiction Series (paperback) | Fiction Series (audio)
Available for Purchase - Non-Fiction:
Preparing to Prepare (electronic/paperback) | Home Remedies (electronic/paperback) | Just a Small Gathering (paperback) | Just a Small Gathering (electronic)

Survival Punk | Ep400: Spring Cleaning for Survival: Organize Your Preps Before the Heat Hits

Time to Clean, Check, and Rotate
It’s easy to forget about that bucket of rice in the back of your closet or the first aid kit you packed three years ago. But if you wait until a disaster hits to find out your gear is expired, broken, or missing—you’ve already lost.
In Episode 400, we’re getting into the nitty-gritty of spring cleaning your preps. This isn’t about dusting shelves. This is about auditing your readiness, fixing weak points, and making space for what actually works.

Prepping 2.0 | Ep337: Producer Madge Revealed & Behind the Scenes (Rebroadcast of Ep 246)

Episode 337 is an encore of #246. We reveal the real identity of “Madge” the original producer of the show, which red state he’s moving to, why, and how you can start a podcast of your own. Yes, it all relates to prepping. He’s a super interesting guy and his story will motivate you. We continue the discussion in the After Show, which is available exclusively to Patreon supporters.  Check out our sponsors Survival Garden Seeds, ProOne Water Filters, EMP Shield, Paul Burke - Idaho Realtor, Numanna Foods. Learn more about our podcast at Prepping 2-0.com

Survival Punk | Ep399: Camp Like You Mean It: Why Camping Is a Prepper’s Best Tool

Camping isn’t just a hobby—it’s one of the most useful tools in a prepper’s toolkit. In Episode 399, we’re digging into why camping is more than just roasting marshmallows under the stars. It’s a powerful training ground for survival, self-reliance, and family bonding.

Survival Punk | Ep398: Every Prepper Has a Blind Spot—What’s Yours?

Every prepper has one area they obsess over—guns, food, first aid, comms—but very few have all the bases covered. It’s human nature to focus on what we like or what we’re good at. The problem? Your blind spot is where reality punches you in the face.

The Jeffers Brief S11 Ep12 || Unmasking the "Expert" Illusion: Jeffers' Insightful Rant on Credentials,

Welcome to the latest episode of The Jeffers Brief, exclusively on the Contra Radio Network. Host John Jeffers delves into the world of preparedness, offering listeners an engaging and informative discussion on a variety of topics.
This episode begins with Jeffers' musings on the mysterious title of 'expert' and what truly constitutes expertise. As someone who holds practical knowledge, Jeffers shares his thoughts on how this label is casually yet strategically used in media and professional settings.
Listeners are also guided through a conversation about prepping essentials, where Jeffers emphasizes the importance of maintaining a viable survival food stash. Learn the key signs that indicate when it's time to replace your stored food to ensure safety and preparedness.
In addition to practical advice, Jeffers opens up about navigating personal relationships in the world of prepping, highlighting the importance of communication and understanding, especially when loved ones might not share the same mindset on survival readiness.
Finally, engage with Jeffers' unique perspective on legal and media narratives, as he breaks down how misleading headlines can shape public perception regarding complex immigration stories.
Tune in for a captivating episode filled with candid insights that only The Jeffers Brief can deliver.
L2Survive links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKLGHG2fsGU 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BH1HHI_IOB0 
My business links:
SavingsHighwayGlobal-https://jj26190.savingshighwayglobal.comLive Good- https://www.livegoodtour.com/jj26190Automatic Duplication System- Great For Marketers!!- https://phghub.ai/jj26190
Social Media links:
https://gab.com/contraradio1 
https://x.com/ContraRadio1 
 

Survival Punk | Ep397: The Death of the Middle Class: What It Means for Preppers

The middle class has always been the backbone of stable societies. But in 2025, we’re watching it die in real time. Rising inflation, stagnant wages, skyrocketing housing costs, and mounting debt are squeezing the average family into economic submission. The American dream has become a survival grind.

Survival Punk | Ep396: Stay Sharp: The Power of Being Observant

In a world that feels more chaotic by the day, one skill separates those who adapt and those who get blindsided: observation. In Episode 396, we’re diving into the power of being observant—why it matters, how it keeps you ahead, and how most people walk around blind to the world unraveling around them.