Surviving Collapse: VSP, the Benedict Option, Going Galt, and Localism

By Cade Shadowlight

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I want to make folks aware of a video from 2017 by Joe Fox (aka Viking Preparedness) that I highly recommend, entitled Withdraw and Prepare (Youtube link). Even though Joe Fox is a pastor, this is NOT the typical church sermon. It is about surviving the coming collapse of America and Western Civilization by making local communities that are islands of refuge. Pastor Fox talks about various ideas for doing so, including the Virtue Solutions Project, the Benedict Option, and Going Galt. At their core, all these have the concept of local communities outside "the system." This fits well with my ideas of building self-reliant families, tribes, and communities (localism), summed up in my line "a return to the old paths of self-reliance and local economies built around agrarian communities." For more on Localism, see Introducing Localism (my article link).

Please watch the video on his YouTube channel. Then think about what YOU and your family and group can do to build your own island of refuge. 

 

Withdraw and Prepare. Direct link = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuEorynRiCU

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Real Steps To Break Free From The Elite's System

By Cade Shadowlight

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Last time, we exposed the elite’s system and how to start breaking free (read it here). Now, let’s get real with actionable steps to cut the cords. This isn’t easy, but it’s your life—take it back.

How To Unplug from the Matrix

1. Ditch Mainstream Media
   The media is the elite’s propaganda machine. Skip the lies and find raw, independent sources:
   • The Epoch Times (Website Link): Real journalism, no corporate leash.
   • NTD News (Website Link): Epoch’s sister, same vibe.
   • Whatfinger News (Website Link): A conservative Drudge, curating unfiltered takes.
   • Normal American (Website Link): RSS feeds for alt-news, survival, and homesteading.
   • X (Website Link): Real-time, unpolished truth from citizen journalists and banned voices. Search smart—use hashtags or follow trusted accounts.
2. Reject Pop Culture
   Hollywood, music, and sports push consumerism and woke nonsense. Replace them:
   • Host game nights with friends or family.
   • Get outside: hike, fish, garden, or play sports.
   • Learn an instrument or read real books.
   • Seek untainted music and movies—think classics or indie creators..
3. Escape the Education Trap
   • Homeschool: Take control of your kids’ minds. Teach critical thinking, not state propaganda. Use online resources like Khan Academy or local co-ops.
   • Private/Parochial Schools: Better than public, but vet them. Some are just as woke. Check curricula and talk to teachers.
   • Public Schools: Last resort. Monitor everything—textbooks, clubs, teachers. Some schools hide agendas (e.g., relabeled LGBT clubs), even telling students to not share certain things with their parents. Be loud, be involved.
   • Skip College: Studies have proved degrees are overrated; attitude, work ethic and actual skills are what really matter for success. Trade schools or self-taught skills (coding, welding, etc.) beat debt and indoctrination. Libraries are free; Marxist profs aren’t.
4. Build Self-Sufficiency
   Learn to grow food (start with a small garden), generate power (solar panels, generators), or fix your own stuff (YouTube tutorials are gold). Every skill reduces their hold on you.
5. Simplify Your Life
   Declutter. Sell junk. Cut subscriptions. Pay off debt fast — start with high-interest cards. Live below your means and save aggressively. Focus on relationships, faith, and experiences, not shiny toys.
6. Build a Better Life
   • Deepen your faith through small, Bible-based groups. Avoid megachurch fluff.
   • Strengthen ties with your spouse or close friends. Drop toxic people.
   • Reconnect with nature—hike, camp, or just sit outside.
   • Rethink your location, job, or church. Small towns beat urban traps. Be ready for tough talks or bold moves to align your life with your values.

Every step you take weakens their grip. Start small, but start now.

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