Roots and Refuge Podcast

Hey, y'all! Welcome to episode 67 of the Roots and Refuge Podcast. In honor of Father's Day, Miah is taking over for Jess today. I'm joined by my friend Jesse from  Willowbrook Homestead , and together, we're diving into the heart of fatherhood. We'll explore the crucial questions: How important is it to be a father? What are we doing as fathers, and why? What lessons matter most, and who do we lo...

Hey, y'all! Welcome to episode 66 of the Roots and Refuge Podcast. Today, I'm tackling the hard parts of homesteading, inspired by a post I saw in a wonderful Facebook group . It's easy to romanticize, but the reality is that homesteading is incredibly challenging and requires grit, discipline, and sacrifice. Despite the difficulties, it's worth it, and even the hard moments can be beautiful. Home...

Hey, y'all! Welcome to episode 65 of the Roots and Refuge Podcast. With the garden season really getting underway now, it's the perfect time to start planning how you'll preserve your harvest. Food preservation is a major task on the homestead, and today I'll share my thoughts on various methods to help you make the most of your produce. Drying/Dehydrating: Ideal for fruits, herbs, and creating se...

Hey, y'all! Welcome to episode 64 of the Roots and Refuge Podcast. After a refreshing break, I'm feeling creatively recharged and excited to share my renewed passion for homesteading with you. In this episode I delve into the profound impact the authors Alice Waters and Barbara Kingsolver have had on my journey, particularly through their books, "We Are What We Eat" and "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle...

Hey, everyone! Welcome to episode 63 of the Roots and Refuge Podcast. In today's episode we're diving into a candid discussion about homesteading being a sustainable lifestyle versus a trendy hobby. We'll explore the concept of mindful consumption across all aspects of life, questioning the true value of investing our energy into every homemade endeavor. We'll also chat about 2 personality types w...

Hey, y'all! Welcome to episode 62 of the Roots and Refuge Podcast. In today's episode I had the pleasure of sitting down to chat with my friend Kelly Brotherton to delve into the profound topic of intentional friendship and womanhood. As we reflect on a meaningful weekend spent with cherished girlfriends, Kelly and I share insights into the importance of intentional relationships, particularly for...

Hey, y'all! Welcome to episode 61 of the Roots and Refuge Podcast. In today's episode I'm sharing my best gardening advice for both new and experienced gardeners alike. Since spring has sprung where I live, and I know it's just around the corner for you northern folks, I thought this was the perfect time of year to give a highlight reel of the key lessons I've learned as a gardener. Whether you're...

Hey, y'all! Welcome to episode 60 of the Roots and Refuge Podcast. In today's episode we delve into the unique challenges and joys of raising children in a homesteading environment. Join me as we explore the fundamental principles of parenting that I have chosen to live by in my family. We address the importance of fostering deep, meaningful relationships within the family. From navigating the com...

Hey, y'all! Welcome to episode 59 of the Roots and Refuge Podcast. In today's episode we're delving into the modern resurgence of traditional skills and the invaluable wisdom passed down through generations. Join us as we explore the concept of "Granny Skills", embracing the old ways of doing things that prioritize quality, sustainability, and resourcefulness over convenience and consumerism. From...

Hey, y'all! Welcome to episode 58 of the Roots and Refuge Podcast. That's not a typo in the title. That's right, MINE your elders. We will get to that at the end. I invited a local fellow homesteader on the podcast this week. Her name is JeriLynn and she's been growing food as long as I've been alive. I met her through Facebook and attended a local meet-up she was hosting. We had a few great conve...

Hey, y'all! Welcome to episode 57 of the Roots and Refuge Podcast. As spring starts to bloom here at Roots and Refuge Farm in South Carolina, I'm reminded of the cyclical nature of the homesteading life, particularly the "hungry months" at the end of winter when pantry stores from last season are low and the new harvest hasn't yet begun. Despite the challenges, I find comfort in the familiarity of...

Hey, y'all! Welcome to episode 56 of the Roots and Refuge Podcast. Get ready to geek out about goats with me and my friend Cass from Semojo Homestead in today's exciting episode! We've welcomed goats back to Roots and Refuge Farm, and the excitement is palpable. Together, Cass and I are diving deep into the world of goats to answer a question we often hear: "Are goats for me and my farm?" Cass sha...

Hey, y'all! Welcome to episode 55 of the Roots and Refuge Podcast. As spring approaches and the farm springs back to life, it can feel like we're climbing that first hill on a roller coaster ride, just waiting for that stomach drop and lurching wild ride that is exciting, but also oh so overwhelming. With this looming threat of overwhelm on the horizon, I'm here to share strategies for navigating...

Hey, y'all! Welcome to episode 54 of the Roots and Refuge Podcast. Today, I'm thrilled to have my friend Jeremy from Semojo Homestead joining me to dive into the fascinating world of garden design. With his background in landscape architecture and experience in designing and installing gardens, Jeremy brings a wealth of knowledge and insights to our conversation. Together, we'll explore the import...

Hey, y'all! Welcome to episode 53 of the Roots and Refuge Podcast, and Happy Valentines Day 💗 Today's episode is all about cultivating beauty in your garden and the profound impact it can have on your gardening journey. Join me as we explore the philosophy of growing beautiful things to stay motivated and inspired in your gardening endeavors. We'll discuss the importance of recognizing that there...

Hey, y'all! Welcome to episode 52 of the Roots and Refuge Podcast. In this episode, join me for a life catch-up where I share about the importance to me of transparently sharing our story and being truthful about life. I delve into the early days of my relationship with Jeremiah, sharing some of the challenges we had to overcome together. We explore our dreams, past and present. We also discuss ho...

Hey, y'all! Join me for episode 51 of the Roots and Refuge Podcast. Don't let the title fool you; this isn't a scary talk. I love to challenge myself and grow. I'm always looking for ways to make steps towards better. Today, I'm talking about what it actually looks like to grow your own food sustainably. What does it really look like? Can we honestly assess our dependence and think about it practi...

Hey, y'all! Join me for episode 50 of the Roots and Refuge Podcast.   In today's podcast I'm excited to talk about getting back into the garden for 2024. I talk about my strategy of waiting until after the holidays to begin my garden planning, seed shopping, and general dreaming for my favorite season of all. Planning the garden is easily my favorite part of the dreary winter season, so listen alo...

Hey, y'all! Join me for episode 49 of the Roots and Refuge Podcast.   In todays podcast I'm speaking specifically to the homemakers, stay at home moms, and all of you raising your children and balancing life, who might feel overwhelmed or exhausted. I'm opening up about both the struggles and the joys I've experienced in my own journey of motherhood and homemaking, as well as the experiences and l...

Hey, y'all! Join me for episode 48 of the Roots and Refuge Podcast.   The past few weeks I've talked about creating Hygge, having intentional downtime, and putting off the garden planning for another day.  I'm diving into the conversation around traditions and building legacy in today's podcast. I was blessed to glean so much from my grandmother, who passed away 15 years ago. She was one of those...

Hey, y'all! Join me for episode 46 of the Roots and Refuge Podcast.   In today's episode I'm sharing the importance of the balance of rest. Living on a homestead and living this lifestyle can wear you out, quick! Especially if you're not being conscious of how hard you're working, as well as how intentional you are about rest.  Learn to take care of yourself instead of your body forcing you to do...

Hey, y'all! Join me for episode 45 of the Roots and Refuge Podcast.  It's official, the frost has come, and the summer is finally gone. For many people, this is a time of year that brings with it seasonal depression. In my life, I've experienced deeper levels of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), however, I've found ways to embrace these slower months and cultivate cozy.  There's a concept that co...

Hey, y'all! Join me for episode 43 of the Roots and Refuge Podcast.  Though I generally focus on sharing all things homesteading, food growing, gardening, raising animals, as well as using food (enjoying it, preserving it and sharing it), today's podcast is largely about the mindful relationship with the earth and each other. The theme of anything that I do... at least I hope, is to be mindful. To...