The Self-Initiative Project is now OwnGuard Solutions. In this podcast, we talk about all things self-defense, personal safety, first-aid/trauma, safety tips, firearms, and fitness for those wanting to take responsibility the safety and preparedness for themselves and their loved ones. Be safe. Be prepared. Be OwnGuard. Visit https://ownguardsolutions.com for more information.
Episodes
Wednesday Sep 29, 2021
A Chat With Tony Blauer
Wednesday Sep 29, 2021
Wednesday Sep 29, 2021
The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 42, A Chat With Tony Blauer
NOTE: I apologize for the sound quality through parts of this podcast. Unfortunately, we had a bad connection during the call. I have worked to clean it up as best I can. Stick with it though as we had a good conversation; and things do clear up.
We welcome Tony Blauer to this episode. Tony was gracious enough to take time out of his busy schedule to sit down and have a chat with me. We had it scheduled for nearly 2 months out. Thanks, Tony.
As I previously mentioned, our cellular connection crapped out on us at several points during our conversation. He was breaking up on my end. My voice was garbled on his end; and the cable fell out of my phone twice during the call. I wound up holding my phone over my head for the majority of our conversation in attempt to maintain signal strength. For whatever reason, the cell signal was not good that day. WTH? And if you listen closely at times, you also will likely hear the birds and ducks on Tony's end, as he was sitting outside in his yard.
If you do not know who Tony is, you should take some time and get to know him. The programs he has created include the Spear System, Know Fear, and Blauer Tactical Systems; and he is a very accomplished martial artist. He also figured out how to weaponize the startle-flinch response we all have inside us.
We talk about the startle-flinch response, the importance of thinking through scenarios, and much, much more.
Thanks for listening.
Wednesday Aug 25, 2021
A Chat With John Correia of Active Self Protection
Wednesday Aug 25, 2021
Wednesday Aug 25, 2021
The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 41, A Chat With John Correia of Active Self Protection
John Correia, Founder and Owner of Active Self Protection, joins us for a chat on self-defense and the benefits of watching videos of bad things.
We talk about the importance of attitude (mindset) and how the analogy of a blender comes into play.
I ask John about Christians concerned about self defense, its ramifications and morality, especially in the context of the use of deadly force. John provides a unique perspective and some scriptures for reference.
And of course, we talk about how it is John got into doing his video reviews in the first place; and the benefits for those who watch. And much, much more...
You will want to listen to this one. So...
Sit back. Relax. And listen.
Wednesday Jul 28, 2021
De-Escalation: A Key to Conflict Management
Wednesday Jul 28, 2021
Wednesday Jul 28, 2021
The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 40, De-Escalation: A Key to Conflict Management
Randy King from 80:20 Conflict Management Strategies and Randy King Live joins us again. This time we talk about de-escalation. Arguably, de-escalation is one of the most important pieces to your self-defense and personal safety strategies.
De-escalation skills not only have a place in the context of personal safety; but they can be very important in our personal relationships as well. Additionally, we talk about how being able to de-escalate oneself is the first step in being able to successfully de-escalate any situation at hand.
We talk about what a great movie Road House (think: Patrick Swayze) is, how our monkey brains can adversely affect our decision making abilities and therefore our ability to de-escalate, and how the art of de-escalation is similar to delivering good customer service.
There is so much fantastic content in this episode, we cannot possibly lay it all out here. You will just have to listen. I promise you will have a lot of takeaways from our chat here with Randy.
While you are at it, go back and listen to our Podcast 29 where Randy and I discuss his Realities of Violence content too.
Thanks for listening.
Wednesday Jun 30, 2021
Lock Up Your Guns
Wednesday Jun 30, 2021
Wednesday Jun 30, 2021
The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 39, Lock Up Your Guns
Tom Kubiniec, CEO of SecureIt Tactical Inc., joins us to talk about the importance of locking up your firearms.
Tom and I talk about all aspects of gun safes and why the industry could be stuck in the old ways of selling them. Consumers may have been given a story to believe in when it comes to traditional safes; and Tom believes his product is superior.
Tom definitely makes some interesting points about why you might want to consider his SecureIt product(s). Plus, we cover the key selling points of traditional safes and the hype and concerns around them.
Whatever you decide, you need a solid way to keep your firearms secure and then you need to keep them locked up.
Sit back. Relax. And listen.
Wednesday May 26, 2021
A Chat With Tammy Yard-McCracken.
Wednesday May 26, 2021
Wednesday May 26, 2021
The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 38, A Chat With Tammy Yard-McCraken, PsyD, LPC
Tammy Yard-McCraken of Kore Self Defense and Krav Maga and 500Rising takes time out to chat with us about all things self defense and more. Tammy's a psycho-therapist turned self defense badass and instructor.
We talk about the effectiveness of Krav as a self defense system overall, the need to disseminate more information in addition to all the physical aspects of self defense, and much, much more.
Hear what Tammy's takeaways were from this podcast too.
Apologize for the few cell phone connection issues experienced in this episode.
Thanks for listening.
Wednesday Apr 28, 2021
Up in Arms With Rob Pincus
Wednesday Apr 28, 2021
Wednesday Apr 28, 2021
The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 37, Up in Arms With Rob Pincus
Rob and I chat again; and this time we discuss what I talked about in Podcast 35, and the fact that guns are not the answer to your personal safety.
And can you believe it? Rob does not think you really need a lot of training to use a gun. Shocker!
We wound up agreeing on a lot more than disagreeing; and I appreciated being affirmed by an industry expert as well.
If you are new to guns, thinking about guns, or already have a gun, you are going to want to listen to this one.
Sit back. Relax. And listen.
Friday Mar 26, 2021
Personal Safety For The Disabled
Friday Mar 26, 2021
Friday Mar 26, 2021
The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 36, Personal Safety For The Disabled
This episode Denis Haynes returns again to chat about personal safety for the disabled and what it may be like for those that find themselves in a more vulnerable state.
Having a disability may be permanent for some, temporary for others, and may even vary from day-to-day for yet others. However, having a disability or handicap does not mean you have to be less safe than anyone else.
What can you do to better ensure your personal safety when you have a disability or handicap?
We talk about several things anyone with a disability (AND their caretakers) can do.
Thanks for listening.
Sunday Feb 28, 2021
Guns Are Not The Answer To Your Personal Safety
Sunday Feb 28, 2021
Sunday Feb 28, 2021
The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 35, Guns Are Not The Answer To Your Personal Safety
Think a gun or some tool is going to make you safe?
We take a few minutes to discuss these honest facts and more:
- If guns went away tomorrow, you would still have the right and the ability to defend yourself.
- If you have a gun, you are not just magically safe, even if you feel safer with it.
- And owning a gun does not absolve your of all your other personal safety responsibilities.
Join us as we talk about some of the fallacies out there about owning guns; and how to be better prepared with or without a tool, like a firearm.
Sit back. Relax. And listen.
Wednesday Jan 27, 2021
How to Better Avoid, Respond, and Recover If It Does Happen
Wednesday Jan 27, 2021
Wednesday Jan 27, 2021
The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 34, How to Better Avoid, Respond, and Recover If It Does Happen
If you go back and listen to Podcast 33, It Will Never Happen to Me, you will be better prepared for this episode.
We revisit to stories told in 33 and talk about somethings that could have helped the individuals better avoid, respond, and recover from the events we talked about
We cover a lot of tips and pointers in this episode and leave you with 3 main pieces of advise.
Thanks for listening.
Originating podcast:
Monday Dec 21, 2020
It Will Never Happen to Me
Monday Dec 21, 2020
Monday Dec 21, 2020
The Self-Initiative Project, Podcast 33, It Will NEVER Happen to Me
Think so? Apathy or optimism bias may have some people under their spells. No matter the cause, here are six stories to the contrary in this episode including:
- An active-duty Marine robbed at gun point
- A 16 year old babysitter dealing with a drunk neighbor with a shotgun
- A personal vehicle broken into and items taken even though parked under street light and with doors locked
- And more...
Learn if they saw it coming, would they have ever expected something like it to have happened to them, what they might have done differently, and how has it effected how they go about their personal safety.
Sit back. Relax. And listen.
Follow up:
Podcast 34 - How to Better Avoid, Respond, and Recover If It Does Happen