Old Fashioned On Purpose

For several years, I’ve been asking myself… how can we close our chicken loop? And by that, I mean how can I reduce the outside inputs in our home food production. It's easier said than done when it comes to livestock, BUT I've hatched a new plan for our chicken operation and I'm excited to share it with you.  Listen in to hear me answer the question: "What is the BEST dual-pur...

Looking for a bit of redemption after a less-than-stellar growing season? Want to reduce the pressure to preserve ALL the food right NOW? A fall garden can offer all of this and more and it's one of my secret weapons for growing more food with less stress.  The time to start your fall crops is NOW-- join me to talk about what plants are best, some of my biggest mistakes, and how you can start...

I never get tired of talking about sourdough, ESPECIALLY when it comes to ways to bake it more efficiently!  Today I'm joined by Mike from Rosehill Sourdough to dive into some of the common pitfalls in the sourdough world that are costing you time and flour. I love Mike's engineer perspective and he gave me a lot of new ideas to chew on including sifting whole wheat flour, his rule-break...

Cooking for larger groups used to stress me out SO much, but over the years, I've honed my skills in putting food on the table for big groups WITHOUT spending all day in the kitchen.  In today's episode I'm sharing a few of my favorite old-fashioned strategies for cultivating community with food. Podcast Episode Highlights How cooking for large crowds is an old-fashioned idea Goal #...

I get the question constantly... "Where's the BEST place to homestead?"  Listen in as I share my (probably surprising) answer, as well as the lessons I've been learning lately about community, flexibility, and leaning in. Podcast Episode Highlights Why this question seems to come up a lot lately (for others and myself) My first casual response to this question... My official an...

I love to share the mental health benefits of gardening, but what do you do when your garden makes you feel STRESSED, not serene? I've been there (more than once). Today I'm sharing my 3 non-negotiable garden strategies that I use every single year to ensure my garden is a place of joy and not overwhelm. A must-listen if you're trying to grow food in the midst of a busy life! Podcas...

This episode blew my mind! I've been around plenty of working dogs, but they've always been used for working large numbers of livestock on huge pieces of land.  However, this conversation with Jordyn Kelly of Working Aussies Homestead completely changed my mind. Listen as she shares the creative, time-saving ways she uses dogs around her homestead (even for handling chickens!), plus trai...

Ever wondered what happens when a social media influencer with a million followers swaps the digital spotlight for a tech-minimal lifestyle? This episode features Erin Lochner, the inspiring powerhouse behind "The Opt-Out Family." Erin takes us on a journey from her high-profile career in social media to her decision to embrace a technology-minimal lifestyle. We delve into her new book,...

With gardening scaled back due to some timing issues with the milk cows, the spotlight is on the lifesaving benefits of mulch, especially as we brace for an impending drought. Learn how mulch can transform your garden by saving time, reducing weeds, and conserving precious water. Get ready for a treasure trove of practical gardening advice as we explore the world of mulch. From grass clippings to...

I love to cook... I love to plan... but I've never been able to stick with a consistent meal planning system. And it bugged me for YEARS. However, when I realized our unconventional life requires an unconventional meal plan, everything changed. In today's episode, I'm sharing my best tips for getting from-scratch food on the table without rigid recipes or confining plans. If you pre...

Herbs have been used to doctor animals for millennia, but sadly it's tough to find information on how to use them in our modern age.  Today I'm so thrilled to be joined by Dr. Patrick Jones-- a veterinarian, naturopath, and herbalist who knows this topic inside and out. Dr. Jones sheds light on the complexities of herbal dosages, species-specific risks, and the profound impact these trea...

Sometimes growing vegetables in a wintery climate can feel like an extreme sport... So when I received an email from Nate of the Manti Homestead sharing how he built an off-grid greenhouse that's growing bananas, passionfruit, and more in the Utah snow, I was intrigued.  Nate shares a wealth of knowledge in this value-packed episode. Prepare to have your gardening paradigm challenged in the b...

Does a garden really require blood, sweat, and tears to grow well? It's easy to think that, but what if we found a way to work *with* nature instead of against it?  In today's episode, I'm sharing the most underrated garden hack and how it has forever transformed my growing spaces. Podcast Episode Highlights My garden challenges My tree growing story Underrated Principle: grow what...

We talk a lot about returning to our roots and reclaiming heritage skills... but what role does your family heritage REALLY play in your homesteading efforts? How can you lean on it for motivation during the stressful times? And what do you do if you DON'T have a rich heritage to draw from?  Today's guest, Dolores Taranto, speaks more beautifully to these topics than anyone else I'v...

Sourdough bread made with freshly-milled flour. It's many a homesteader's dream, but those whole wheat loaves can easily turn into a nightmare if you're not prepared.  I am so excited to be joined by Mary of The Rose Homestead in today's episode. She's mastered the art of baking light, fluffy loaves with freshly-milled whole wheat flour and she's sharing her secrets w...

Ever been accused of being a "fun hater?" If so, you're not alone. In fact, it seems to be a common trait in those of us drawn towards old-fashioned things.  Find out the difference between fun vs. flow and why your fun-hating ways may actually be a superpower. Podcast Episode Highlights Perceptions of 'fun' How an interview made me think about 'fun' Modern defin...

Note: Due to privacy reasons, Reesa has deleted her website. Even though I live ON-grid with electricity and running water, sometimes I day-dream about what it'd be like to live completely off-grid in a tiny cabin. And today's guest does exactly that!  This conversation with Reesa of Morning Star Mama is packed-full of creative strategies and tactics for DIY-ing a small home and living o...

It's no secret-- I am an unfit sourdough parent. I often forget to feed it and I regularly leave it in my fridge for 8 months at a time. Yet-- even through my sourdough faux paus, I'm able to maintain a starter that creates delicious bread and more.  In today's episode I'm confessing my sourdough sins and sharing my sourdough CPR method for bringing neglected starters back from...

There's a lot of fear floating around the homestead community lately.  In today's episode I'll share my history with paranoia, how it ultimately will hurt your homestead, and why I no longer subscribe to fear-based homesteading. Podcast Episode Highlights Thoughts about the term' homestead' Concerns about current shifts in what 'homestead' means Why I think fear...

The world of whole wheat can be ridiculously overwhelming: Hard, soft, winter, spring, red, white... and that doesn't even take into account all the different varieties out there.  In today's episode I'm sharing my helpful whole wheat framework that will not only cut through the noise, but also empower you to finally tackle that whole wheat baking (without making bread bricks in the...

Last year we decided to stop watching TV for 6 months. In the process we learned a lot of new skills and made the internet very angry.  Today I'm breaking down our decision in detail and sharing my best tips for doing your own tech fast. Podcast Episode Highlights Backstory on our TV fast Details on what was involved in our TV fast Our kids reaction to this fast What we were doing instead of...

A homestead that funds itself... that's the dream, isn't it? We've covered a number of income-producing ideas on the show over the years, and I have another one for you today.  I'm joined by the brilliant Marjory Wildcraft as she outlines how you can turn seed-saving into a viable and profitable income stream to add to your homestead this year. Podcast Episode Highlights Marjor...

How do you know when to PERSEVERE and when to PRUNE?? We recently listed the soda fountain for sale, which has (understandably) caused a stir.  Today I'm sharing the decision making process that got us to this point and how you can use several old-fashioned principles to help you focus on what matters around your life and homestead. Podcast Episode Highlights Why we bought the soda fountain i...

"How do you find a community of like-minded people who share your beliefs?" I get this question a lot and my answer might surprise you.  It also prompted some interesting discussion on social media, so I'm diving into all the nuance and messy, community-building truth in this podcast episode. Podcast Episode Highlights Why community is a pillar of the old-fashioned on purpose lifest...

Most homesteaders are frustrated with the modern healthcare system, but disentangling ourselves from it is easier said than done.  I’m thrilled to be joined by Dr. Amber Belt today as we discuss how to safely and effectively take charge of your health. Dr. Belt offers an empowering (and balanced) approach to dealing with homestead first aid, acute issues, colds and fevers, and lots more. Grab your...