Homesteading Made Simple I Joyfully Prepared

Welcome to the last episode of 2025. Instead of forcing goals or rushing a fresh start, we do something softer and more realistic: a homestead reset. We walk through three simple categories — keep, release, pause — to clear space in your mind, your home, and your heart before the new year begins. In this episode: • why resets feel better than resolutions • how tiny habits and “showing up” actually...

In this episode of The Joyfully Prepared Podcast, I’m sharing what happened when I didn’t hit the goals I set at the beginning of the year and why that didn’t mean the year was a failure. As I looked back, I realized something surprising. My life changed in big, meaningful ways I never planned, and I would have forgotten most of it if I hadn’t written it down. This episode is an invitation to slow...

Inside This Episode Why we’re officially starting the new year on February 1 The magic of treating January as a recovery month Why moms need breathing room before setting goals How to choose one tiny, steady goal for the new year What you want more of in your home and life Wendi’s two-year decluttering story and why slow progress still counts Learning one skill a year versus overwhelming yourself...

Inside This Episode A warm, real talk about unmet goals Why homesteading is more about mindset than land The honest reasons we get stuck: tiredness, overwhelm, fear, perfectionism My personal stories about sourdough and the overwhelming quilt How to recognize your tiny wins and let go of guilt Why starting your “new year” on February 1 might be the most freeing thing ever A nightly practice to tra...

In This Episode • Why gratitude works even when life feels upside down • How gratitude is a skill, not just a personality trait • The difference between reacting and dwelling • Why negativity is the “easy slope” our brains love • How God teaches us through opportunities to grow • Wendi’s “I’ll just be grateful” mantra • Funny but true gratitude list items • How gratitude strengthens resilience and...

In this episode: • Why beans are one of the most budget friendly foods • How beans support digestion, fullness, and steady energy • Why many people avoid beans and how to make them easier • How soaking reduces phytic acid and improves nutrition • The simple steps for preparing dried chickpeas • How to make crispy chickpeas in the air fryer • How to use beans in everyday meals • Why learning small...

🧡 Key Takeaways “Making” is a form of grounding and emotional reset. The kitchen (or any creative space) can become a personal sanctuary. Skill-building strengthens self-reliance: first yourself, then family, then community. Bread baking teaches patience, nourishment, and unseen transformation. Preparedness is not fear—it’s calm readiness. Story Highlights Bartering fire cider for plants with a r...

In this episode, you’ll learn: 🌿 What fire cider is and how it supports your immune system 🔥 The healing properties of each ingredient — from garlic’s germ-fighting power to turmeric’s sunny anti-inflammatory boost 🫙 How to easily make your own batch at home (no measuring perfection required) 💛 Creative ways to use your finished fire cider — in dressings, marinades, or as a daily wellness shot...

In this episode: [00:00] Sponsored by Soup—itself! [00:01] Why soup is magical (and universal) [00:02] Colonial sailors and the potbelly stove story [00:03] Valley Forge, bread ovens, and 24-hour soup for soldiers [00:05] Wendi’s favorite soups (potato, split pea, Pasta Fagioli) [00:06] How soup becomes a meal, a freezer backup, and a comfort food [00:08] Mission in Finland: makkara and potato sou...

In this episode: How compensating blessings reveal God’s love and timing The connection between self-reliance and divine service Two real-life examples of God using small acts to create big blessings Why journaling can help you see God’s hand in your daily life The quote that changed Wendi’s understanding of giving and receiving How to recognize the unique ways God speaks to you Encouragement to u...

In this episode, you’ll hear: 🌻 The simple but powerful truth that we all prioritize what we love —and what that reveals about our choices 🧵 Wendi’s real-life story of learning to quilt (and the frustration of not sewing a straight line!) 🍞 How learning new skills—like breadmaking or canning—can be an act of self-love and growth 🎂 What cake decorating taught her about trying new things… even w...

[00:00] A warm welcome to listeners around the globe (still waiting for Antarctica!) [02:00] The stressful lead-up to moving from New Jersey to Florida [08:00] How their Great Pyrenees, Aphrodite, became the unlikely guide to the right home [15:00] Grief and trust: losing Aphrodite just months after moving [20:00] Recognizing God’s orchestration in life’s chaos [27:00] Why kindness to yourself mat...

In this episode, you’ll hear about: The highlights of the East Tennessee Homestead Alliance Festival Skills demonstrated: soap making, yogurt making, candle making, lockpicking, tomahawk throwing, animal processing, and more Family-run businesses selling soap, skincare, honey, teas, and handmade products Why these events are valuable for inspiration, community, and learning new skills Wendi’s clas...

When your child gets sick, it’s easy to feel helpless. But sometimes the best remedies are the simple, old-fashioned ones already in your kitchen. 🌿 In this episode of the Joyfully Prepared Podcast , Wendi Bergin shares the three herbal preparations every mom needs to know : 🧅 Onion Poultice – a soothing chest remedy that helps ease congestion and promote rest. 🧄 Garlic Honey – nature’s antibio...

New things are happening around here, and I can’t wait to share them with you! In this episode, I’m talking about my upcoming speaking event, the Joyfully Prepared Library, my new focus as the Joyfully Prepared Realtor, and why now is the perfect time to start preparing for the holidays — with peace, not overwhelm. Joyfully Prepared Library - https://www.joyfullypreparedlibrary.com Meal Planning W...

Do you ever keep a running list in your head to prove how tired you are? Wendi calls it the Proof of Exhaustion List , and in this episode she shares what’s on hers and why we do it. But this isn’t just about being tired—it’s about choosing strength. Wendi reflects on her recent workouts, her surprisingly strong wrists, and how everyday chores like gardening and breadmaking build hidden resilience...

Life has a way of drifting toward chaos—whether it’s towels in a heap, laundry piling up, or one too many plates wobbling on sticks. In this episode of the Joyfully Prepared Podcast , Wendi unpacks: The story of the red towel and why her brilliant “mom system” didn’t work out. Why entropy isn’t personal failure—it’s just how the world works. The plate-spinning analogy and how it mirrors our daily...

Packing lunches every morning. Cooking dinner every night. Which is more stressful? Honestly, it’s a tie—except lunches feel like a daily pop quiz, and dinner is more like a final exam. In this episode, I’m sharing: Cushion meal ideas that save your sanity during the first weeks of school How to turn rotisserie chicken into multiple easy meals Freezer night tips that work for both store-bought and...

In this episode, you’ll hear: A poetic reframe: hard things as gifts to your future self The herbalist’s story of “We don’t take away—we give” How journaling helped Wendi rewire her mindset A powerful gym moment and how simple phrases changed everything A sweet story about chickens, wasps, and newfound confidence Practical examples of uplifting self-talk in everyday tasks 7 journal prompts to gent...

Episode 179 – Proof You’re Still Doing Great (Even If You Missed a Week) Hey friend—today’s episode is short, honest, and from the heart. I missed releasing an episode last week. First time in over three years. And guess what? I didn’t panic. I rested. And now I’m here to talk about what that taught me. 💛 In this episode, I share: Why I skipped an episode after 179 weeks straight A reminder that...

✨ What if five minutes at the end of your day could be the most powerful mindset shift you’ll make all week? Today I’m sharing my transformation journal —a simple, four-part daily practice that’s helped me see progress, even on the hardest days. In this episode, you’ll hear: Why I started this journal after a “Rapid Transformation” challenge with Dr. Benjamin Hardy The four prompts I use every ni...

In this heartfelt episode, Wendi Bergin opens up about why she chose the name Joyfully Prepared and what being the Joyful Prepper truly means to her. She shares how preparedness runs deep in her family history—from her grandfather’s 1,800 jars of food in 1938, to her own teenage canning adventures. But she also gets honest about how, as a young mom, her preparedness message was once rooted in fear...

When the power goes out, clean water becomes priceless. Today we’re talking about the one thing you can’t live without during hurricane season: water. We’ll break down: How much water you actually need for your family Smart ways to store water, even in small spaces Why you also need a plan to bring water in when your stash runs out Three simple steps to making questionable water safer: filter the...

What if getting prepared didn’t feel overwhelming? This week, I’m walking you through my free 12-Week Hurricane Preparedness Checklist—designed for real families, real budgets, and real life. Inside this episode: Why a 12-week countdown gives you calm (not chaos) The 4 categories that keep prep simple and focused How to customize the checklist for your family using the “prep profile” What’s on the...

In this episode, we cover: What a 72-hour kit is—and why I call it a Peace of Mind Bag A not-so-hypothetical story about Tic Tacs and no flashlight (you’ll feel seen) What to pack for you, your family, your pets, and even your car Why packing extra underwear can feel like a survival superpower A 5-item challenge to help you take quick action today Where to grab my free printable checklists to make...