Simple Doesn't Mean Easy

What if holiday gift giving could feel meaningful instead of overwhelming? If you've ever spent hours scrolling for the perfect Christmas gift, only to feel like nothing is quite right, this episode of Simple Doesn't Mean Easy is for you! Michelle Visser shares five simple ways to make holiday gift giving more thoughtful, intentional, and less stressful. You'll learn how to choose gift...

Your grain mill can do more than grind wheat berries. In this episode we explore 2 lesser-known grains that can bring new flavor, variety, and protein to your homemade kitchen: field pea flour and fresh-milled cornmeal. You’ll learn how to turn whole, dried field peas into a protein-rich flour, how to use it to thicken soups and gravies or add protein to your favorite baked goods, and why you shou...

In this episode, herbalist and plant medicine maker, Shannon Mayernik of Mayernik Kitchen, joins Michelle to explore the often-overlooked world of medicinal culinary herbs. Discover the traditional herbal uses of 3 familiar favorites: sage, basil, and oregano. Shannon shares how she works with these plants, discusses the differences between common Italian basil and Tulsi, and explains how everyday...

In this deep dive into glyphosate and atrazine , we discuss why these chemicals are used in modern agriculture, and look at the foods that are deeply affected. But this isn't an episode designed to leave you scared of your food. In fact, the biggest takeaway is the opposite: you have more control than you may think. You'll walk away with practical ways you can begin changing what you bring...

What if you could keep your morning coffee—but make a few simple changes to make it a better choice? If coffee is part of your daily routine, you’ll want to hear this conversation with women’s functional medicine practitioner Dr. Lori. She breaks down what to look for when choosing your coffee, including mycotoxins, oxidation, pesticides, organic certifications, sourcing, freshness, and storage. Y...

If you never thought cover crops were for small backyard gardens, this episode is for you. Dive into the FREE Soil Challenge I created for you: https://soulyrested.com/cover/ Michelle shares what she's learned after experimenting with 3 different ways of using cover crops in her own garden over the past 6 years—including what worked beautifully, what she didn't love, and the method she&#39...

This episode is a little different from the discouraging food-industry news we often hear. This is an encouraging story about what happens in real world examples of replacing ultra-processed food with fresh, whole foods. You’ll hear what several military bases are doing differently, why soldiers are actually lining up to eat the new food, and the surprising numbers showing that feeding people bett...

This episode of Simple Doesn't Mean Easy is for anyone who feels like they're carrying too much, thinking too far ahead, or struggling to find gratitude in a difficult season. Two very different stories uncover a surprisingly simple lesson about gratitude. Sometimes we need to step back and see the bigger picture. Other times, looking too far ahead only makes us feel more overwhelmed, and...

What if milling your own flour is only part of the story? If you're going to the trouble of buying a grain mill and making fresh-milled flour for your family, have you ever stopped to wonder where those wheat berries came from and how they were grown? In this episode, we’re going behind the scenes of a regenerative organic family farm with sixth-generation farmer Jade Koyle of Grand Teton Anci...

How much do you actually know about the coffee you're drinking every day? In this episode, we sit down with Tiffany Gardner, COO of Java Planet Organic Coffee Roasters, to uncover what we should really be looking for when choosing coffee. You'll discover: - how organic certification works, - why shade-grown and bird-friendly coffee matter, - how farming practices can affect the quality of...

What if the solution to America's food problems isn't waiting for the government to fix what's on grocery store shelves? In this episode, we delve into the confusing world of GRAS—“Generally Recognized as Safe”—ingredients and explain what a new FDA proposal could actually mean for the chemicals, additives, preservatives, dyes, sweeteners, and other ingredients making their way into ou...

Feel like you're never doing enough? If you look around at what everyone else is doing and feel overwhelmed by all the things you should be doing—eating better, exercising more, sleeping more, taking care of your family better, improving your home, growing your food, building better habits, deepening your relationships—you may need this reminder: you don't have to do it all. Today we'r...

Starting to mill your own flour is exciting—until you're faced with the overwhelming question of which wheat berries to use. In this episode, Michelle simplifies the process by sharing the exact 3-grain starter kit she recommends for beginners. Dive into misconceptions and incorrect common advice that often falls short, how to confidently choose ancient and heritage grains, and where each grai...

Have you noticed AI showing up everywhere? Are you tired of wondering if the advice you're watching or reading is even coming from a real person? As artificial intelligence becomes woven into nearly every part of our lives, it's getting harder to know who—or what—you can trust. In this episode, we explore both the incredible benefits and the hidden drawbacks of AI, why convenience isn'...

For years it felt like Big Food was winning—but the latest market data tells a different story. If you've ever wondered whether your everyday food choices really matter, this episode offers hope—and proof that they do. In this episode, learn about encouraging research showing that Americans are choosing more minimally processed food options. Find out what may be leading to this trend and why t...

What if the best way to celebrate summer—and even strengthen your family—is by slowing down? As America approaches its 250th anniversary, we explore a different kind of patriotism today—one rooted in family, food, and connection.   We break down 15 practical ways families can spend less time on screens and more time creating meaningful memories together through simple real-food activities all summ...

Thinking about getting backyard chickens? There are 3 problems you really need to know about first. Most people see the fresh eggs, cute chicks, and homestead charm—but few talk about the challenges that catch new chicken owners completely off guard. What happens when your hens suddenly stop laying strong eggs? How do you deal with parasites without spending a fortune? And can you really protect y...

What if the very things you're rushing past today become the things you'd miss most tomorrow? In today's episode, you'll be challenged to see your relationships, struggles, and everyday moments through an entirely new lens. Through powerful stories of loss, grief, gratitude, and resilience, you'll discover why the smallest moments in life often matter the most—and why many of u...

In this eye-opening episode, you'll learn how chronic stress and anxiety sometimes manifest in surprising and even frightening physical ways. You'll discover why understanding these warning signs matters, what to do when a loved one experiences sudden confusion or memory loss, and how knowledge can help bring calm during a medical crisis. You'll also walk away with practical, research-...

Rachel McCord appeared to have everything: successful businesses, national media recognition, celebrity connections, and a thriving career. Then at just 32 years old, she received shocking news—she needed open heart surgery with significant risks. Facing her own mortality forced Rachel to reevaluate everything she believed about success, achievement, motherhood, faith, and purpose. In this powerfu...

It's time to get to the truth about the booming tallow skincare industry. Why did tallow products explode in popularity? How can you spot fake or low-quality tallow balms online? And are many mainstream skincare products doing more harm than good? Lily Wilmoth, founder of Hearth and Homestead, explains the science behind skin health, the importance of fat-soluble vitamins, and why ancestral sk...

In this episode of the Simple Doesn't Mean Easy podcast, Michelle Visser shares two game-changing techniques that can completely transform fresh milled flour bread baking. Michelle explains why fresh flour often produces dense, hard bread when used like commercial flour and breaks down the science behind hydration, bran, and gluten development. She introduces listeners to the powerful techniqu...

Join Michelle today for practical tips on making nutritious, real food breakfast options at home, with recipes and tips to help you incorporate more real food into your daily routines. Key Topics: Nutritional benefits of fresh flaked oats How commercial oats are processed and lose nutrients Simple methods to make your own flaked oats at home Recipes for nutritious oatmeal and granola The impact of...

What does the 2026 Farm Bill mean for you? In this eye-opening episode, Michelle breaks down the shocking prevalence of glyphosate in everyday foods and 4 Things you never knew about glyphosate (spoiler alert: It's even worse than you thought.) This episode explains how glyphosate impacts health, hormones, and nutrient absorption, and explores its links to infertility and chronic disease. The...

In this episode of Simple Doesn’t Mean Easy, Michelle breaks down the truth about cooking fats—and why many commonly used oils may be harming your health. She explains the dangers of hydrogenated seed oils, including their link to inflammation and chronic disease, and shares why switching to traditional fats like lard, butter, and tallow can make a meaningful difference. Michelle walks listeners s...