What happens when government surveillance targets ordinary Americans? The shadowy world of fusion centers represents one of the most concerning yet least understood aspects of our national security apparatus.

Built in the aftermath of 9/11 to improve intelligence sharing between agencies, these data hubs have morphed into something far more sinister. With minimal oversight and alarming financial incentives, fusion centers now collect vast amounts of information on millions of Americans – many with no connection to terrorism or criminal activity.

My own experience with fusion center targeting began after I declined a White House invitation and made political decisions that apparently landed me on their radar. What followed was textbook psychological warfare: subtle technology interference escalated to home break-ins where nothing was stolen but personal items were disturbed. Police surveillance became constant. Most devastatingly, people I trusted – even family members – were apparently recruited and compensated to participate in my monitoring and harassment.

This isn't conspiracy theory – it's documented reality. Government reports, lawsuits, and whistleblower testimony confirm that fusion centers have systematically expanded beyond their original mission. They've monitored environmental activists, journalists, and those who simply express dissenting political views. Their tactics, sometimes called "gang stalking," employ sophisticated psychological pressure designed to isolate, discredit, and destabilize targets.

The implications for democracy are profound. When government agencies can secretly target citizens without accountability, the impact extends beyond individual victims to threaten our collective freedom. Join me as we expose this hidden system and demand the transparency that true national security requires. Subscribe to Surviving Changes Podcast as we continue investigating the institutions operating behind the curtain of American power.

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Have you ever realized your harshest critic is staring back at you in the mirror? This raw, unfiltered episode explores my unexpected journey to self-love after facing betrayal, false accusations, and twelve years of wandering the world with nothing but a backpack and faith.

The turning point came from the most unlikely source - the very person trying to destroy me. While working on Roster Runner, a project I poured myself into, I apologized profusely to Chris (my brother's friend who later filed false charges against me) for not accomplishing enough. His response changed everything: "Don't worry, no one can beat you up more than you beat yourself." This brutal truth forced me to confront my self-destructive patterns. Why was I continuing to harm myself when others had already caused enough damage?

My transformation didn't come from expensive skincare or filters (though my iPhone settings help!). The real change happened during eighteen months away from social media, dedicated entirely to healing. Now when people comment that I look better than I did twelve years ago despite everything I've endured, I know it's because I've broken the cycle of self-criticism. I wake up loving myself each morning, acknowledging my journey, and refusing to be my own enemy anymore. I recognize past mistakes but focus on fixing what I can in the present.

If you take one thing from this episode, let it be this: love yourself today and every day. You've been with yourself through everything - you deserve your own kindness more than anyone else's. What might change if you decided to become your own strongest ally instead of your worst critic?

PS this was actually a TikTok post that I thought fit here too.

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My journey from the United States to Australia in 2013 unexpectedly revealed a disturbing global pattern—China's methodical influence extending far beyond what most people realize. Standing beneath unfamiliar southern hemisphere stars, I began noticing concerning signs that have only grown more relevant in today's geopolitical landscape.

During my time in Perth, I witnessed firsthand how China had strategically positioned itself within Australian society. From the government-controlled media landscape to the normalized surveillance in homes that nobody questioned, I observed a population unaware of their gradually eroding sovereignty. China's systematic purchase of Australian resources through million-dollar citizenship programs created dependencies so severe that when COVID disrupted supply chains, Australians couldn't even access basic necessities without Chinese imports.

The most alarming aspects of China's global strategy became evident when I observed their actions in the South China Sea—constructing artificial islands to expand territorial claims, then simply laughing off international court rulings against them. This blatant disregard for global norms continues today, alongside other concerning activities: purchasing farmland near US military installations, flooding countries with fentanyl, and developing surveillance technologies that extend their reach worldwide. These aren't random events but calculated moves in a long-term strategy that doesn't require traditional warfare to achieve dominance.

As we navigate increasingly complex global tensions, understanding China's playbook becomes essential. Their alternative approach to global influence—buying rather than invading, monitoring rather than confronting—creates vulnerabilities that most citizens never see until it's too late. Subscribe to the Surviving Changes podcast for more insights on these critical issues, and download the Backyard Gardener app to take one small step toward greater self-sufficiency in an uncertain world.

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