The Survival Podcast Expert Panel Q&A – Epi-3807
Feb 26, 2026
Guest
Matthew Sersely
Guest
Ryan Steva
Guest
Antonio Gatto
Guest
Kerry Brown
Guest
Joel Riles
Guest
Mike Melito
Matthew Sersely, tax advisor, on when protection dogs qualify as business expenses. Ryan Steva, homestead consultant, on leasing vs owning large propane tanks. Antonio Gatto, home improvement pro, explains ice dam formation and prevention. Kerry Brown, forager, shares morel hunting and storage tips. Joel Riles, canine trainer, covers choosing and training hiking and protection dogs. Mike Melito, firearms trainer, on PCC optics and mounting choices.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Optics Setup For Pistol Caliber Carbines
- Use a co-witness red dot on PCCs so iron sights remain usable if the optic fails.
- Mike Melito recommends Leupold RDS, Holosun HS512C, or Bushnell TRS-25 depending on budget and includes mounts and solar/battery tradeoffs.
Train Puppies Gradually For Trail Endurance
- Start hiking training with puppies at about 12 weeks and gradually increase distance to build stamina safely.
- Joel Riles advises quarter-mile beginnings, progress to one mile, then four miles before serious trail hikes, plus carry/first-aid planning.
Choose Agile Medium Dogs For Hiking
- Prefer medium to medium-large agile breeds for hiking and ensure obedience for sketchy terrain control.
- Joel favors German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, Dutch Shepherd or smaller agile dogs; Jack prefers 35–65 lb range for longevity and carryability.