Off Grid Behaviors

Staying warm off grid during the winter.

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1488421/open_sms] A thousand downloads later, we’re celebrating with hard-won lessons from real winter nights: the kind where a warm sleeping bag meets a 3 a.m. bathroom run and you learn exactly how much planning matters. This is a field guide for staying warm, safe, and sane when the temperature dips and the adventure calls anyway. We dig into what actually keeps you comfortable off-grid—how to taper fluids and set up a bathroom plan so you don’t shiver in the dark, why sleeping bag “comfort” versus “limit” ratings are not the same thing, and how a good pad can matter more than a pricey bag. I share the gear that works without the hype, from outlet steals to thrifted finds, and break down smart layering with modern fabrics and reflective liners that beat bulky “puffer logic.” If you’ve ever tried to sleep at 6'4" in a cramped rig, you’ll hear practical tips for matching sleep systems to your body and your climate. Heat is power, but also risk. We walk through kerosene, propane, diesel heaters, wood stoves, and electric options, with straight talk on ventilation, carbon monoxide alarms, and fire readiness. Then we get into builds: insulating an enclosed trailer with rigid foam, sealing drafts, and designing a modular layout when your space has to pull double duty with an ATV. Along the way, a cross-country Navy road story reminds us why it’s smarter to nap at a rest stop than push through fatigue, and a polar plunge tradition connects cold exposure to resilience, family, and purpose. If you’re heading into colder months with a tent, a trailer, or an overlanding rig, you’ll come away with tactics you can use tonight and choices you can make this weekend. Join me, share your favorite cold-weather hacks, and help this community get better, safer, and more comfortable together. If this helped, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review—it keeps the caravan rolling.

The struggles and satisfaction of living off grid.

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When Mother Nature Strikes: Lessons From A Homesteader's Hurricane Experience

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1488421/open_sms] Welcome back to Off-Grid Behaviors! After a lengthy hiatus where I focused on fully experiencing and documenting my off-grid journey, I'm returning with powerful insights from a life-changing event—Hurricane Helene's devastating sweep through Augusta, Georgia last September. What began as preparations for a family visit to Florida quickly transformed into a disaster recovery operation when Helene tore through my homestead, destroying my pop-up camper and greenhouse. The scene resembled something from a disaster movie—tarps and belongings scattered across the property, trees down everywhere, and destruction that continues to require cleanup nearly a year later. Throughout Augusta and surrounding areas, power outages, water disruptions, and infrastructure damage affected thousands. But here's where my off-grid lifestyle proved invaluable. While many scrambled for basic necessities, I had two generators (2,000W and 4,000W dual-fuel), multiple portable power stations, stored fuel, a portable shower, cooking equipment, and communication tools ready to deploy. This preparation allowed me to maintain refrigeration, communication, and even creature comforts like an ice maker while helping others. The experience wasn't without close calls—I nearly suffered carbon monoxide poisoning when a generator was positioned too close to my house, a mistake that has proven fatal for others during similar emergencies. As hurricane season approaches again, I'm sharing crucial emergency preparedness takeaways: maintain at least a 1,500-2,000W power station, keep generators 20+ feet from structures, store adequate water and non-perishables, establish communication redundancies with devices like long-range walkie-talkies, and always keep "go bags" in your home and vehicles. Join me next week as we dive deeper into the pros and cons of off-grid living based on my year of experiences. Have you updated your emergency preparations lately? Subscribe now and share your own disaster preparedness stories in the comments!

Embracing the Off-Grid Adventure: Self-Sufficiency and Storytelling in Puerto Rico

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1488421/open_sms] Did you know that Puerto Rico was a strategic port during various wars?  My desire for over a decade to visit San Juan overshadowed the history embedded in this Caribbean safe haven.  Perhaps this is an example of how many of us take basic liberties for granted as if they couldn’t be lost or taken away.  Puerto Rico was devastated by hurricane Maria in 2017 and took nearly 11 months to recover, while nearly 200,000 people have left the territory in search of more stability in multiple areas of their lives.  The grid on this tranquil island has been less than efficient  and aging before Maria, but the  nearly 3,000 fatalities and $90 billion in damages was more than enough reasons to seek a better electrical infrastructure.  Prior to delving into this research, I noticed the vast number of houses with solar panels.  I asked the driver about this as he explained with excitement how the government assisted some families with this project.  The geographic location of Puerto Rico creates the ideal position for solar and surpasses four times more of residential needs.   Without more details about climate change and how it is affecting the world, I recommend you continue to review your personal infrastructures at every level.  I didn’t expect to get a history lesson or reminder of how my Off Grid Behaviors are making more sense every day, but I am darn grateful for my daily experiences.

Mastering Homestead Harmony: Budget Cabins, Garden Secrets, and Self-Reliance Solutions

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1488421/open_sms] Ever wondered how to tackle the challenges of creating a self-reliant homestead? I'm Barry Smith, and on this episode of Off Grid Behaviors, you'll gain invaluable insights into everything from erecting a budget-friendly cabin to laying out a thriving garden. Tune in as I unfold my homesteading journey, detailing the highs and lows of cabin construction and the creative solutions I've employed to overcome unexpected hurdles. You'll learn why standard measurements are your best friend and how I turned camouflage tarps into a temporary fix for my unconventional abode. Plus, I'll take you behind the scenes of my podcast setup, revealing what makes this medium so uniquely captivating. Roll up your sleeves for a deep dive into the art of gardening in Augusta, Georgia's unpredictable climate, where I’ll guide you through my color-coded seed planting experiment and the strategic design of garden beds to maximize harvests and prevent crossbreeding. We'll also explore the critical importance of water sources, alternative power options like solar generators, and food preservation techniques essential for a sustainable lifestyle. Whether you're raising livestock or just starting your first vegetable patch, this episode is packed with practical advice and personal tales to fuel your passion for the homesteading life.