Mama Bear Survival

Welcome back, Mama Bears! In this episode, I sit down with Amber Elle—a dedicated homesteader, homeschooling mom, preparedness coach, and content creator. Amber embodies self-reliance and resilience in motherhood, and today she's sharing practical advice to help you build a safer, more prepared home for your family. Amber's wisdom is the perfect guide for any mom looking to strengthen her family through intentional living and preparedness. In a world where unexpected events like natural disasters and societal instability are becoming more common, learning how to protect and prepare your family is more important than ever. Amber offers practical and empowering insights that every mom can use to foster resilience and confidence at home. ALSO... Exciting news! The Mama Bear Survival Book is going to print and pre-orders launch later this month! Stay tuned for updates. Topics Covered Why developing skills before stocking supplies is the foundation of family preparedness. As Amber puts it, "You can have a garage full of gear, but if you don't know how to use it, it won't save you." How to start homeschooling and homesteading—even if you didn't grow up that way. Amber shares, "We didn't grow up doing this, but step by step, we built a life that feels more secure and fulfilling." Practical steps for mothers to build resilience and confidence in uncertain times. "Preparedness isn't about fear; it's about empowerment." Simple ways to involve your kids in self-reliance and home defense skills, making it a family lifestyle rather than a chore. "Let your kids get their hands dirty—it builds confidence and capability." How to prioritize preparedness without feeling overwhelmed. Amber advises, "Start with what you have. Master the basics before moving on to the big stuff." Why This Episode Matters Natural disasters, rising crime rates, and economic instability make preparedness no longer optional—it's essential. Amber Elle breaks down how moms can lead their families with strength, teaching critical survival skills while building a lifestyle rooted in self-reliance. This conversation will inspire you to take the next step, no matter where you are in your preparedness journey. Top Quotes "Skills before supplies. You can't buy your way into being prepared." "Preparedness isn't about fear; it's about empowerment." "Homesteading and homeschooling weren't part of my childhood, but we built this life step by step." "Let your kids get their hands dirty—it builds confidence and capability." "Start small. Master the basics before moving on to the big stuff." Episode Highlights [0:04:25] Amber's Journey: Her upbringing and how she transitioned to motherhood and incorporating preparedness into everyday. [0:15:40] Simple Steps to Start: How busy moms can begin preparing their families without feeling overwhelmed. [0:23:15] Teaching Kids Preparedness: Fun and engaging ways to involve your children without causing fear. [0:35:00] Building Mental Resilience: Why mindset matters and how to cultivate it. [0:48:30] Managing Motherhood & Homesteading: Amber's strategies for balancing family, preparedness, and a homestead. Action Steps Choose One Task: Pick one small preparedness task to complete this week—whether it's building a first aid kit or learning a new skill. Connect with Amber: Follow Amber on Instagram @ms.amber.elle and checkout her courses and other offerings and ways to connect. Checkout today's sponsor: the USCCA and listen to this episode on everything personal protection with Rob Chadwick of the USCCA. Join the Mama Bear Community: If this episode inspired you to take steps toward a more prepared and resilient life, share it with another mama! Don't forget to leave a review—it helps us reach more women committed to protecting and providing for their families. LOVE THIS TOPIC? Want to hear more about women in self-reliance? Check out Part 1 of the Women Hunt series here. Expecting or new parent? Checkout Episode 5: Pregnancy Prep in Uncertain Times with Brittany Baker of Refuge Medical P.S. Loved this episode? Screenshot and share it on Instagram, and tag me @emilyrichett and Amber @ms.amber.elle so we can cheer you on! As always, stay safe out there, Mama Bear!

In today's episode, we're kicking off a special series featuring the Women Hunt program and Emily's journey venturing into hunting and conservation. This is the very first episode in a special series with Renée Thornton, founder of Women Hunt© a program under the Wild Sheep Foundation dedicated to guiding women into the hunting and conservation space. In these episodes, Emily Richett will share behind-the-scenes as she embarks on the journey of becoming a hunter, from the initial application process to her personal motivations for this transformative experience. Renée shares her story, the mission behind Women Hunt, and what participants can expect as they prepare for intensive training at FTW Ranch in Texas. Emily and Renée dive into their own motivations and stories. Renée recounts her own journey to becoming a hunter later in life, after realizing the importance of ethically sourced protein and a more direct connection to nature. Inspired by her experience, she established Women Hunt to provide women with the resources, knowledge, and community to confidently enter hunting. Emily, formerly a vegan, shares how her approach to food sources evolved, inspiring her to become more self-reliant and connected to what she consumes. Stay tuned for the next episode, where Renée and Emily get back together after the training to detail the experience, lessons learned, and memories gained. Key Takeaways The Path to Hunting: Renée's late-in-life interest in hunting arose from a desire to ethically source protein and reconnect with the outdoors, despite lacking any prior experience or mentors. She highlights the mindset shift and determination it took to build her knowledge from the ground up. Creating a Path for Women Hunters: Inspired by her own challenges as a beginner, Renée created Women Hunt as a platform to support women who may feel overwhelmed by the barriers to entering hunting. Her aim was to offer guidance, community, and accelerated learning, compressing what could take years into a supportive, intensive experience. Emily's Story of Transformation: Emily shares her shift from being a former vegan focused on animal rights to her renewed approach to food sources, self-reliance, and ethics in meat consumption. She opens up about the application process, the surprise of being selected, and her biggest anticipations and nerves around attending the FTW Ranch training. Hunting as Conservation: Renée and Emily discuss how hunting plays a crucial role in wildlife conservation and the misconceptions many have about hunters. Renée explains the ethical dimensions of hunting and how it connects participants to the natural world in a way that respects and sustains wildlife populations. Episode Highlights [00:05:01] - Renée Thornton shares her story and the foundational purpose behind Women Hunt. [00:14:30] - Details of Women Hunt's programming, including partnerships with expert instructors at FTW Ranch. [00:26:20] - Emily's reflections on her application journey, personal motivations, and hopes for the experience. [00:32:50] - Renée discusses the two main fears for new hunters: handling firearms and ethical harvesting. [00:43:45] - The importance of conservation and responsible hunting practices, as taught in the program. [00:51:08] - Renée's advice for Emily, fellow Women Hunt classmates and any woman interested in hunting Action Items & Next Steps Women Hunt Program Details: For those interested in applying, applications for the 2025 Women Hunt class open May 1st and run through May 31st. Check the Women Hunt website for application details. Women Hunt on Social: Follow Women Hunt on Instagram and Facebook to see updates, stories, and insights from women hunters nationwide at @women_hunt Mama Bear Survival: Follow Emily's journey into hunting and conservation at mamabearsurvival.com and on Instagram: @mamabearsurvival. Don't forget to order the book (launching soon!).

In today's episode, we learn practical steps to getting started with food storage, budget-friendly tips, small spaces & faith-based preparedness. In this episode of the Mama Bear Survival podcast, Emily talks to Jessica Cardwell, founder of The Faithful Preppers. Jessica shares her journey from being a newlywed with an empty pantry to becoming a thoughtful, faith-based prepper. We discuss everything from building a sustainable food storage plan to maintaining a preparedness mindset without fear. Key Takeaways: Getting Started: Begin with a three-day plan for both food and water. This simple step can help you feel more confident and less overwhelmed. Budget-Friendly Preparedness: Jessica shares her tips for building a pantry without breaking the bank, including how to save money by rethinking everyday purchases. Faith-Based Approach: Learn how Jessica integrates her faith into her prepping journey, promoting a mindset of peace and service rather than fear. Family Focus: How to involve your family in preparedness activities and make it a fun, educational experience for your kids. Episode Highlights: [00:05:04] Emily and Jessica start the conversation, discussing the initial overwhelm of starting a preparedness journey and how Jessica got into it during the early days of COVID-19. [00:18:48] Jessica shares her backstory of returning to an empty home after her husband's internship and how that became a turning point in her life as a prepper. [00:30:15] The significance of faith in Jessica's preparedness journey and how her church community encourages a mindset of preparedness without fear. [00:38:22] Emily and Jessica discuss practical first steps for food storage, starting with simple, shelf-stable foods and the importance of rotating your stock. [00:47:50] Tips on budgeting for preparedness, including how to use current spending habits to fund your preparedness efforts. [00:55:15] The importance of mindset: approaching preparedness as a long-term, incremental process rather than a sprint. Action Items: Start Your Three-Day Plan: Make a checklist of food and water for three days for each member of your family. Start with what you already eat and build from there. Set a Preparedness Budget: Allocate a small portion of your grocery budget to extra items each week—whether it's an extra can of soup or a gallon of water. Check Out Jessica's eBook: Everyday Food Storage is a comprehensive guide to creating a food storage plan that fits your family's needs and lifestyle. Connect with Jessica: Follow her on Instagram @thefaithfulpreppers for more tips and resources and checkout her site at The Faithful Preppers. Partner: This episode is sponsored by Refuge Medical: Learn more about the USA-Made First Aid & Emergency kits at refugemedical.com - save with the code: MamaBear

In today's episode, we're talking about how to protect our kids in a tech-driven world and from all the dangers of social media, with Nicki Reisberg of Scrolling to Death Podcast. In this episode of the Mama Bear Survival podcast, Emily Richett sits down with Nicki Reisberg, host of the Scrolling to Death podcast, to dive into the complex world of digital safety for children. They discuss the real dangers children face online, from social media's effects on mental health to the rising concerns around platforms like Snapchat and Tiktok. Nicki shares her journey from owning a social media management company to becoming a fierce advocate for protecting kids in the digital age. Key points: (00:05:45) - Social Media's Impact on Mental Health: Nicki explains the correlation between excessive social media use and mental health struggles, including depression and suicidal ideation. (00:12:10) - Social Media & Drugs: Nicki discusses the alarming trend of drugs, such as Fentanyl, being sold to teens via Snapchat. (00:20:25) - Sextortion Threats: Organized groups exploit social media platforms to manipulate and extort young boys, causing severe consequences. (00:30:10) - Protecting Children from Online Predators: Nicki highlights how innocent posts of children can be exploited by predators and emphasizes the need for parents to rethink what they share online. Action Items & Next Steps: Stay updated on the latest digital safety news by subscribing to Nicki's podcast, Scrolling to Death. Visit house.gov to find your state representative and make your voice heard about online child safety. Delay is the way! Join the movement over at Wait Until 8th to join forces with parents at your school to delay smart phones and social media until 8th grade. Join us over on Instagram @mamabearsurvival and please, share the show with a likeminded mama bear! As always- stay safe out there, mama bear.

In today's episode, we tackle the question: How do we raise critical thinkers and children who can think for themselves and ask questions, in a world that doesn't want them to? (add embed podcast here!) In this interview, we talk with Katie Kimball of Kitchen Stewardship about how we can raise our children in a world that doesn't share our values and doesn't encourage free thinking. We specifically discuss the concepts of nutrition and food, navigating technology and social media, how to parent when your kids feel different from their peers, and more. Key points: Raising critical thinkers starts at a young age. How to navigate being "the only one" when it comes to technology rules and parenting decisions within a friend/school group. How to best prepare our children for the world ahead, starting with some basics like kitchen skills. Action Items & Next Steps: Checkout Katie's free Life Skills Now summer camp It's a free virtual camp over the summer where kids will learn those real life skills they aren't being taught in school! There is also an option to buy a recording if you can't attend live and take them at your own pace. Join us over on Instagram @mamabearsurvival and please, share the show with a likeminded mama bear! As always- stay safe out there, mama bear.

Water is the most important resource for any survival situation. Today we continue this two-part series, picking up from episode 8 to share water prepping tips and resources. Key points: Travis from American Reserves talks about gravity filters and why they're one of the best resources for water prepping The history of prepping and why it often gets a bad reputation today Simple steps to creating more self-reliance with your water and food preparedness Action Items & Next Steps: Do the math on how many galloons of water you need for a 2-week supply as well as how many backup meals Checkout the water and food options and you can use code "mamabear" to save at American Reserves Join us over on Instagram @mamabearsurvival and please, share the show with a likeminded mama bear! As always- stay safe out there, mama bear.

In this episode of Mama Bear Survival we talk to Aaron Zar of SLNT about all things tech safety and going "silent" to safeguard your data, your privacy, your family and your well-being. Key points: Hacking threats to everyday technology Why you should put your car keys in a Faraday bag Benefits of disconnecting for well-being & motherhood The real dangers of EMF exposure and real-life uses for Faraday technology Preparing for a potential EMP or solar flare Action items & next steps: Take an inventory of your tech vulnerabilities - I was surprised to learn that my locked car was at risk even if I have the key safely inside my home. Consider backing up your personal photos to a hard drive instead of the cloud Checkout the Faraday bags over a SLNT - save with the code "mamabear" at checkout You'll probably want to grab this key fob guard after listening. Join us over on Instagram @mamabearsurvival and please, share the show with a likeminded mama bear! As always, stay safe out there, mama bear.

Hey there, mama bear! Today we're talking all things prepping for pregnancy, birth and beyond. Brittany Baker from Refuge Medical joins us with great stories (like the time she had an off-grid birth!) and must-have tips for expecting mama bears. Some of the topics we cover: Our unique birthing experiences and how we prepare Brittany's off-grid birth How to advocate for yourself with a hospital birth From birth plans to prayer - our biggest tools in childbirth Prepared for the unexpected (or a home birth) with birth + postpartum buckets Action Items + Next Steps Checkout Refuge Medical - especially the pregnancy and postpartum buckets! You can use code "mamabearsurvival" for 10% off! Share this episode with a pregnant mama bear friend! Help us grow! Could you please rate the show? It will really help us to reach more likeminded moms and to grow our mama bear community! Connect with us on Instagram: @mamabearsurvival

Welcome to episode 3 where we talk personal protection and firearms education with Lena Miculek, 9x world shooting champion behind the revolutionary Rose by SIG SAUER program. It's an eye-opening talk on women's firearm education, self-reliance, fears, and finding strength in the booming echo of the shooting range. Arming Mama Bears: Empowerment through Firearm Skills In this episode, Emily and Lena discuss: Lena's upbringing and rise to shooting champion Facing fears and personal growth Practical tips before heading to the range Personal protection vs. competitive shooting The growth and future of the Rose program Next Steps + Mentioned on the Show Checkout the free Rose by SIG Sauer training videos on Youtube Watch the first few videos and train with Lena anytime, anywhere (in the kitchen if you're like me)! Find a friend and head to the range. Either take a class if you're a beginner or get practice rounds in together. Can't make it to the range? Dry fire is a great way to practice. Just keep watching those videos... small steps! Head over to Mama Bear Survival & join our tribe of likeminded moms. Until next time, Stay safe out there, Mama Bear!

Pack Your Go-Bag, It's Time for the Mama Bear Survival Journey "Because Mama Bear survival isn't just a passive feel-good podcast. This show is really going to take listeners on a journey this year and I hope that you'll join me for it." Are you ready to adventure together this year? Here are some of the topics Emily discusses in this first episode. Emily's journey from a career in media to entrepreneurship 2020 - the year that changed everything (for the better) Waking up to freedom & family Planning for your family's secure future Self-reliance and survival skills for modern mothers Cultivating a self-sufficient lifestyle and community Upcoming Expert Guests and Topics Some of the upcoming episodes include expert guests and topics in personal protection, defense, firearms, situational awareness, prepping, food and water storage, emergency medical and first aid, preparing for pregnancy and postpartum, fighting the war on children, parenting in a digital age and more! Guests include: Lena Miculek, Tim Larkin, Landon Starbuck, 1000 Hours Outside, Brittany Baker, Refuge Medical, SIG Sauer, American Reserves and more. Join the Den Be sure to get on the list and get notified when new episodes and survival resources launch! Go to mamabearsurvival.com and hop on the email list! Until next time, Stay safe out there, Mama Bear!