Phil stepped up his prepping game after witnessing the deterioration of society after Hurricane Katrina ravened Louisiana. He knew he wanted his family ready for the next disaster.

 

This awareness, along with a couple of other authors, inspired him to write the novel American Insurgent. One of those authors was John Ross. He published a book called Unintended Consequences, a novel about a future where gun control keeps tightening. Another author that inspired him to write this novel was Franklin Horton. Franklin has written a series of books titled Borrowed World. In his stories, Franklin writes to teach. The fictional story tricks you into learning and thinking about prepping concepts. Another author that helped to make Phil's book a reality and designed the cover is guest of The Changing Earth Podcast, L. Douglas Hogan.

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When Phil writes, he does not plan it. The story exists and writes itself through Phil's hands. Often, he does not even know where it will end up.

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The baseline for Phil's story is that history will repeat itself, no matter what. Basic human needs still drive our species. We believe we have evolved because we work on computers and more complicated projects but deep down the requirements are the same.

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Phil's novel is fiction that imagines a society in crisis, where a government takes away a right people consider fundamental, and follows how the people in the story respond.

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Phil bases his characters on people in his life with a twist of fiction and does the same with the Southern Louisiana location.

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American Insurgent is a cautionary tale. Phil hopes the emotional impact of the story will cause readers to pause and think about how far a society can be pushed before it breaks.

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Phil's prepping philosophy is to determine which scenario you are personally preparing for and let that decision drive the skills, gear, and levels of equipment. He reminds us to remember the small stuff like personal finances and basic first aid. Everything in your life is prepping. It is not an activity it is a lifestyle.

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The most essential prepping activity is remembering that your mind is the weapon and it must be maintained continuously. It needs to be focused at all times so you will be ready whenever the need arises. Your mind is what makes the tools work!