OwnGuard Solutions

Navigating the Digital World: A Parent's Guide with Cyber Savvy, Part 1

Welcome to another episode of the Self-Initiative Project Podcast! In this episode, host Jim O'Brien engages in a compelling conversation with Kathy Loomis of Cyber Savvy. Cyber Savvy's mission is to equip parents with the essential tools and resources needed to safely guide their children through the digital landscape. This is part one of a two-part series.

Kathy shares her journey from a technology professional to founding Cyber Savvy, driven by her own experiences as a parent. They discuss the rapid evolution of technology, the increasing screen time among children, and the challenges parents face in keeping up.

The episode covers the importance of parental engagement in children's online activities, the risks of cyberbullying, and the alarming statistics of online predators. Kathy emphasizes the need for education and proactive communication between parents and children to navigate the digital world safely.

Listeners will also learn about the classes and services offered by Cyber Savvy, including tips on securing devices, setting privacy settings, and preparing children before giving them their first smartphone. This episode is a must-listen for parents looking to protect their children in the digital age.

Inaugural Episode: Mastering Gun Safety with Expert Insights

Welcome to the first episode of the Self-Initiative Project podcast, hosted by Jim O'Brien. In this episode, we dive into the essentials of personal safety, self-defense, firearms, first aid, and more. Our goal is to provide valuable information to help you stay safe and prepared.

Our special guest, Dennis Haynes, a 15-year Marine veteran and NRA-certified instructor, joins us to discuss the critical aspects of gun safety. We cover the foundational rules laid out by Colonel Jeff Cooper, emphasizing the importance of treating every gun as if it's loaded, keeping the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, maintaining trigger discipline, and being aware of your target and its surroundings.

Dennis shares his experiences and insights, highlighting the significance of safety in various scenarios, from hunting to self-defense. Whether you're a seasoned gun owner or new to firearms, this episode provides essential knowledge to ensure safe handling practices.

Stay tuned for part two, where we'll delve into range safety, hunting safety, gun shop etiquette, and more. If you find this episode valuable, please share it with your friends and family. Thanks for listening!

Celebrating 5 Years, A Retrospective

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 60, Celebrating 5 Years, A Retrospective

Here we are at 5 years and 60 episodes!

Have a listen as we go back over our first 59 episodes in this retrospective episode. We briefly talk about the subject matter of each; and in some cases we talk about the inspiration that caused a podcast. In may cases, we talk about behind-the-scenes details, including a few mishaps along the way.

If you have been looking for a summary overview to help you find something you might would be interested in, this is it.

Thanks for following and listening.

The Place for Improvised Weapons

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 59, The Place for Improvised Weapons

This episode we talk about improvised weapons. You cannot get away or leave an area, what are your options if your find yourself needing to fight or even distract?

When I asked a few of my friends and neighbors to think about what they might would look to use, things like a pen, a rock, a broken bottle, a fork, a screwdriver all got mentioned. I usually think about pens, a stapler, or a can of beans. What can you think of you might use as an improvised weapon?

What do you normally carry on your person you might could use? Where are you and what might be available nearby? If you had the time, what could you possibly make?

Improvised weapons should be a consideration when thinking about our personal safety plan and what we might would do if things went sideways.

What are some things you can think of that you could use as a weapon if you had to???

Sit back. Relax. And listen.

 

Other related podcasts:

Podcast 26: What If...? The Importance of Thinking Through Scenarios

 

Tag! You’re It! What You Need to Know About Trackers

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 58, Tag! You're It! What You Need to Know About Trackers

A buddy of mine had a recent run in with one of these tracking devices while traveling on business. Who's was it; and what were they trying to do?

Bluetooth and/or GPS tags and trackers are supposed to be used to help us find our keys, our wallet, our luggage, etc. But like anything else, the bad guys have figured out how to use them for the purposes of stalking and even stealing property, like our vehicles.

Chris talks with us about his experience; and we talk about how these devices operate and what you might can do to avoid becoming a victim.

Thanks for listening.

More on De-Escalation with Randy King

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 57, More on De-Escalation with Randy King

Randy King, of 80:20 Conflict Management Strategies and Randy King Live, joins us once again to continue chatting about all things related to de-escalation.

De-escalation may not be the sexiest topic to cover; but it definitely has its place in everyone's personal safety plan.

Randy and I talk about how de-escalation fits into bouncing (bars), the workplace, and most importantly, personal relationships, to illustrate how de-escalation has a place most everywhere.

Sit back. Relax. And listen.

 

Other related podcasts:

Podcast 29: Realities of Violence with Randy King

Podcast 40: De-Escalation: A Key to Conflict Management

 

Neighorhood Safety and Community

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 56, Neighborhood Safety and Community

My neighbor, Max, and I sit down to talk about safety in the 'hood and what each of us can be doing to make for a safer community.

We talk about paying attention to things that seem out of place, the use of lighting, the impact that taking care of our property can have, social media safety tips, having a fire plan in place, what we can do for one another in our communities, and much more.

Thanks for listening.

 

Other related podcasts:

Podcast 26: What if… ? The Importance of Thinking Through Scenarios

Podcast 6: How to Make Your Home More Secure

Being Prepared with Rogue Preparedness

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 55, Being Prepared with Rogue Preparedness

Morgan, of Rogue Preparedness, joins us to discuss the merits of being better prepared and how you can get started.

It is not what you might think it is. It is not what Hollywood or even maybe the media has portrayed it as being in some cases. It is not about being paranoid or hoarding. It is simply about thinking through scenarios, having plans in place, and obtaining supplies ahead of time, BEFORE bad things happen.

Morgan and I talk about what prepping really is about and how you can easily get started.

Sit back. Relax. And listen.

Why???

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 54, Why?

I talk about my purpose in operating The Self-Initiative Project, and why it is I do what I do.

It is my hope that my cause resonates with you.

Thanks for listening.

 

Other related podcasts:

Podcast 23: Why be Invested in Your Personal Safety

Podcast 33: It Will Never Happen to Me

Podcast 46: Who is This Guy? More About Me And My Personal Safety Journey

Road Rage

The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 53, Road Rage

This might be our shortest podcast yet. Nonetheless, the subject of road rage is an important topic to cover.

We talk about what road rage is, its causes, and what constitutes road rage. And most importantly, we work to give you some pointers on what to do if you find yourself on the receiving end of road rage, including always paying attention, getting away, and not engaging.

Sit back. Relax. And listen.

 

Other related podcasts:

Podcast 11: Safety In and Around Your Vehicle