You’ve probably seen The Survival Podcast Network (TSPN) channel on the Trending list many times. The name and channel picture (shown above) may be somewhat intimidating to newcomers. But as one of Zello’s oldest, best-managed, and popular channels with over 15,000 members, we wanted to find out exactly what goes on in there. As for the BACON…well, that’s their adopted mascot.
What is the Survival Podcast?
The TSPN channel is an offshoot of The Survival Podcast. The audio show has more than 100,000 daily listeners and is hosted by its creator, Jack Spirko. The show themes of the podcast are self-sufficiency, modern survival strategies, liberty, and free-thinking. The TSP podcast can be listened to 5 days a week at www.TheSurvivalPodcast.com.
The TSPN channel was originally suggested to Spirko in April 2012 by a Zello fan who wanted a chat forum where podcast listeners could talk to each other. Since the creation of the TSPN Zello channel by Spirko, many podcast listeners and Zello users with similar interests have joined to build knowledge, share experiences, and create awareness for the podcast.
Topics can be as diverse as the people. Discussions often cover topics such as farming or gardening, hunting, fishing, survival techniques, alternative medicine, politics, pets, cooking, and hobbies, but can be about anything related to improving quality of life. The channel is not about becoming a “doomsday prepper” (preparing for the end of the world from a single catastrophic event). Instead, the TSPN Zello channel focuses on solutions for improving life by taking personal responsibility and making good choices for you and your family.
Listening to the Survival Podcast
The TSPN channel encourages new listeners to participate in conversations and not just “lurk”. As one of the lead mods (paprepper) explains, “the podcast is for listeners, the website is for readers and writers, and Zello is for talkers.” So, if you like to talk to people who are knowledgeable, friendly, and fun, and you are willing to try out the free audio podcast, this is the channel for you. If you like to learn how to do things, whether to save money or just be more self-sufficient, this is the channel for you.
The TSPN channel also has a Zello fan site www.TSPNZello.com where users can keep up-to-date on events inside and outside of Zello. Members are encouraged to meet face-to-face, and dozens of meet-ups have been held over the years. These meetings strengthen friendships that start in the channel. For example, in July 2014, the largest Zello meet-up occurred when about 30 TSPN channel members and their families met up on Elisha’s Spring Farm, a permaculture farm in Walton, WV. From the video, it looks like they worked hard and played hard! PermaEthos/Zello meet-up. If you’d like to join in the fun, try out the The Survival Podcast program at www.TheSurvivalPodcast.com and then visit their TSPN Zello channel at this link.
