Living a Simple Life with a Back Porch View

In this episode, we’re opening the door to our 2026 theme, Be Someone’s Hero , and talking about how a simple life naturally shapes everyday heroes. When we slow down and live with intention, we begin to notice the quiet needs around us — and that’s where small deeds and steady kindness make the biggest difference. Join me on the back porch as we explore how faith, presence, and the rhythms of sim...

As the year draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to pause, breathe, and take a gentle look back. In this episode, we’re reflecting on the past year — the blessings, the lessons, and even the challenges — and discovering how each one can help guide us into the new year with peace, gratitude, and purpose. Join me for a simple, heartfelt conversation about slowing down, finding meaning in the mome...

It’s Christmas — a time to pause, reflect, and remember what matters most. In this special holiday episode, I’m sharing a heartfelt message from my back porch to yours — one that celebrates the beauty of simplicity, the warmth of home, and the peace that comes from faith. Amid the bustle of the season, let’s take a few moments to breathe, give thanks, and focus on the quiet joy that Christmas brin...

Are you looking for a way to turn a predictable Christmas meal into something fun and unique? Listen in for some creative ideas to add a fun touch to your Christmas meal — ways that invite laughter, creativity, and connection around your table. And no, you don’t have to be a professional party planner or an artist to pull these off. The beauty of these ideas is that they’re easy, inexpensive, and...

Feeling a little lost in the holiday hustle? You’re not alone! In this light-hearted episode of Living a Simple Life with a Back Porch View, we head straight into the Christmas aisle — glitter, chaos, and all — with a tongue-in-cheek survival guide to help you laugh your way through the season. You’ll learn how to dodge the glitter traps, outwit the frenzy, and rediscover the joy tucked between th...

The Holiday Hustle starts earlier every year. Before the last of the Halloween candy has been eaten, stores are piping in Christmas music and flashing “limited time only” sales. The commercials tell us that the magic of Christmas comes in a gift bag or a decorated box. We scroll through picture-perfect tablescapes on social media, and somewhere deep down we start to feel like maybe we’re not doing...

In this Thanksgiving episode, it’s time to slow down, breathe deeply, and reflect on the true meaning of gratitude. Through faith-filled encouragement and gentle reminders, you’ll rediscover how a thankful heart can transform your home, your table, and your daily life. Pour a warm cup of tea, pull up a chair, and let’s celebrate the beauty of a faith-filled, grateful, and simple life. Send us Fan...

One of the hardest things we can be asked to do is to believe in ourselves. For a lot of us, it’s easy to believe that God is good. We can believe He’s powerful, loving, and able to work miracles. We can believe that He answers prayer and that He guides people’s lives. But when it comes to believing that He can do something through us — well, that’s where we start to hesitate.    Send us Fan Mail...

Finding time for devotion is one of those things that sounds easy in theory. We imagine ourselves sitting at a sunny table with our Bible open and a gentle breeze floating through the window. But in reality, we might be snatching a few minutes in the middle of the grocery store parking lot before running inside or reading a verse on our phone while waiting in line at the bank. If you struggle to f...

Sometimes, the more complicated life gets, the easier it is for faith to be tucked into the corners instead of standing front and center. It’s not that we ever mean for that to happen. It just seems like the busyness of schedules, chores, unexpected events, and the little emergencies that pop up, all have a way of crowding in. Before we realize it, our days are running us instead of us running our...

As the year winds down, it’s time to reflect on what the New Year will bring. Discover how to start your preparations with small, manageable steps that bring peace and intention—not pressure. Learn how to cultivate gratitude, set gentle goals, and embrace kindness toward yourself as you prepare for a simpler, more meaningful year ahead. Send us Fan Mail Support the show Be Someone's Hero The...

In a world that pushes us to do more, Julie reminds us of the beauty and power in going deeper where we are. This episode encourages embracing the quiet, rooted growth that happens in everyday life—nurturing relationships, traditions, and faith—and shows why sometimes staying small is exactly the next level we need. Send us Fan Mail Support the show Be Someone's Hero The Farm Wife (website) L...

Discover how your everyday hobbies—whether baking, gardening, crafting, or more—can blossom into meaningful heart work that blesses others. Julie shares gentle encouragement and faith-filled insights to inspire you to share your simple joys in ways that bring connection, service, and purpose to your life and community.   Send us Fan Mail Support the show Be Someone's Hero The Farm Wife (websi...

Turn your love for simple living into something bigger, better, and stronger. It’s time to step gently beyond your comfort zone and consider how you might take your own simple life passion to the next level—whether through writing, teaching, creating, or simply living more intentionally. Send us Fan Mail Support the show Be Someone's Hero The Farm Wife (website) Let's Visit! (email) Amaz...

There is one area of gratitude we don’t talk about very often, and that’s the kind we need to extend to ourselves . Just saying that out loud might make some of us a little uncomfortable, and dare I say it, feel as if it’s ‘self-centered’. But – are you ready for this? Brace yourself, because I’m here to tell you—it’s not. It’s not selfish, prideful, or self-serving. Not in the least. Join me on t...

Gratitude is a lot like a seed. You can hold it in your hand, admire its potential, and even carry it around with you - but until you plant it and tend to it, it doesn’t really grow. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s this: if we want to grow grateful hearts in our children, we have to do more than tell them to say “thank you.” We have to show them what it means to live a t...

When we think about gratitude, we usually picture quiet moments - those still, peaceful pauses where we reflect and give thanks. But that’s just one facet of the glittering gem we call ‘gratitude’. In this podcast, we’ll take a look at gratitude from another angle. Not the kind that stays tucked neatly in your heart or scribbled in a journal, but the kind that moves . The kind that rolls up its sl...

Gratitude isn’t just about being polite—it’s a way of seeing the world. In this episode, we explore how to live with a thankful heart even when life isn’t picture-perfect. Whether it’s finding peace in the middle of a storm or recognizing the beauty in small blessings, you’ll discover how true gratitude transforms your perspective—and your pace. Send us Fan Mail Support the show Be Someone's...

In this special Labor Day episode, let’s pause to reflect on the quiet blessings of freedom—and the people who make that freedom possible. From those who serve in uniform to the everyday folks who keep our communities running through their labor, this episode is a heartfelt reminder that gratitude often begins with simply noticing . Join me for a slower look at how our freedom is built, sustained,...

There’s a quiet crisis happening—some of the world’s oldest and most meaningful crafts are slipping away. In this thoughtful episode, we’ll talk about what endangered crafts are, why they matter, and how even one curious soul can help keep a tradition alive. You’ll hear about fascinating old-world skills like scissor making, flax processing, rush seating, and the ancient yarn art of nalbinding. If...

If you love to make things, chances are you’ve given most of your creations away. Gifts, holidays, little tokens of love. But when was the last time you made something just for you ? In this episode, we’re giving ourselves permission to create with joy, curiosity, and a little bit of playfulness—without needing a reason or a recipient. Whether it’s a cozy blanket, a garden marker, or a batch of sp...

We often think of handmade as something tucked away in the craft room—yarn, fabric, glitter, glue. But the truth is, a handmade life stretches far beyond those four walls. In this episode, we explore the beauty of everyday handmade living—from garden projects to homemade bread, mended shirts, and homegrown herbs. This isn’t about being crafty; it’s about being intentional. Join me for a warm conve...

Let’s pull back the curtain on a topic that doesn’t get talked about nearly enough—the stigma of homemade. Somewhere along the way, store-bought became the gold standard, and handmade got tucked into the corner with a polite smile and a “Well, bless your heart.” But homemade isn’t second-best—it’s soulful, intentional, and brimming with meaning. Join me on the porch as we chat about how homemade g...

In this episode, we’re going to pay homage to the one day of the week that just begs us to be unplugged, to reconnect with others (and ourselves), and to just enjoy life. That day is Sunday. Are you ready to re-establish this day of rest? Listen in and find out how to do just that! Send us Fan Mail Support the show Be Someone's Hero The Farm Wife (website) Let's Visit! (email) Amazon Sho...

I know it might sound just a little odd coming from someone who talks about living a simple life, but I’m a big fan of boredom. Not the kind where you're stuck in traffic or trapped in a waiting room without a magazine in sight - although those count, too. I mean the good kind. And there are some good things in the middle of boredom. Just listen in and find out what they are!   Send us Fan Ma...