Simple Farmhouse Life

As teens near the end of high school, many families feel the sudden pressure of answering the question, what’s next?  In this episode, Hannah and I dive into how the modern college system developed, why it often no longer fits the realities of work and opportunity, and what can be lost when college becomes the default without a clear end goal. Hannah lays out her practical framework for helping te...

So many of the questions we carry as mothers aren’t about doing more, but about knowing what actually matters. In this Q&A-style episode, I’m answering a wide range of listener questions on motherhood, homemaking, sourdough, sleep, budgeting, and family culture. We talk through pursuing big dreams later in life, simplifying from-scratch cooking without burnout, navigating intense toddler phase...

Clutter often adds to the mental load of motherhood in ways we don’t always notice. In this episode, we talk about why women tend to feel the weight of clutter more deeply, how “just in case” thinking fills our homes, and what true preparedness looks like. We walk through unfinished projects, kids’ toys, digital clutter, and paperwork, offering simple, realistic ways to let go without guilt. If yo...

The family table has always been about more than food, yet it’s common to let this rhythm of family connection fall to the wayside in the midst of busy family life.  In this conversation, we explore why shared meals have slowly faded from many homes, the real obstacles that make dinnertime feel difficult, and how simple, nourishing food can still anchor our families in busy seasons.  We talk about...

So much of motherhood and homemaking lies in learning to hold both the big-picture vision and the everyday realities with open hands.  In this episode, I’m sharing our current farmhouse building update, the excitement of turning my attention to interior design choices, and reflections on raising babies in two very different eras of motherhood.  I’m chatting through toxin anxiety, health decisions,...

A medical crisis eight years ago pushed Kody’s family into a complete lifestyle overhaul that ultimately transformed her husband’s health, reshaped their home life, and sparked the creation of Homestead Science.  In this conversation, we chat about moving from overwhelm and trial-and-error to raising capable kids, building a hands-on homeschool, and developing a curriculum that serves families whe...

Getting your kids involved in preparing dinner doesn’t have to feel chaotic or complicated.  Madison shares how simple, flexible meals transformed her family’s evenings and helped her kids become more adventurous eaters.  We talk about handling toddler pickiness, the family rule that ends short-order cooking, and what kitchen help looks like at every age.  Madison also walks us through her weekly...

How do you know if you’re ready to have kids? Is buying a grain mill really worth it? Do you need a mixer to experiment with sourdough? These are just a few of the questions we’re tackling in this week’s 40th birthday Q&A. I’m sharing a quick update on our farmhouse build, what newborn life looks like right now, and how my older kids have naturally discovered their interests. We also chat abou...

Homemaking doesn’t pause when major life changes take place; it simply looks different.  In this conversation, K shares how her family is learning to build stability and peace in the midst of transition, moving off-grid to a 1,300-square-foot cabin in Alaska.  We dive into the practical side of daily life without modern conveniences: hauling water, using solar power, and finding new rhythms for co...

What if the best way to raise capable kids is to let them work and create beside you?  Casey and Jason Cashell share how restoring their 1859 Virginia estate has shaped their family through hands-on learning, hard work, and entrepreneurship.  They talk about giving kids real responsibility, letting them learn through mistakes, and helping them turn their skills into small businesses.  Their story...

Building a new home that feels like it’s been here for a hundred years has been a labor of love (and a learning curve!).  In this solo episode, I’m sharing the latest updates from our farmhouse build, what’s been harder (and more rewarding) than expected, and the details that are truly making our home look historic.  From kitchen plans and farm goals to my favorite baby wrap, birth method, and tho...

Parenting doesn’t necessarily get easier as the years go on, but the demands change. In this conversation, Sarah of Our Tribe of Many shares what life looks like as a mom of 11, from toddlers to young adults, and how her perspective on motherhood has transformed along the way. She shares their process of designing a home with future generations in mind, finding confidence in the homeschooling jour...

What if the path to a peaceful home isn’t found in having more and doing more, but in less ? In this episode, I’m chatting with Sarah Therese, a young mom of five who shares her journey of creating a peaceful, intentional home in the midst of real family life. We talk about how living with less first shaped her perspective, the simple systems that keep her family of seven running smoothly every da...

I’m back behind the mic with baby Miriam in my arms, sharing her birth story and what life has looked like in this new season. She was my earliest and smallest baby yet, and my first experience with breast milk jaundice. I’m chatting about postpartum rhythms, how my perspective has shifted after years of motherhood, and a few listener questions on everything from diet and mold prevention to couche...

Homeschooling six kids while running a thriving food blog is no small feat, but Laura of Joy Food Sunshine shares how she’s made it work without losing sight of her priorities.  From the postpartum depression that first pushed her to start blogging, to the viral chocolate chip cookie recipe that still ranks #1 on Google, Laura opens up about building a business alongside motherhood.  We talk about...

Boyhood today looks very different than it did a generation ago, and many moms are wondering how to raise sons who thrive in a culture that often works against them.  In this conversation with Molly, we talk about why so many boys are struggling and how we as moms can ground them in faith, family, and belonging.  We dive into practical ways to recognize your son’s unique wiring, reframe weaknesses...

While waiting on baby #9, I’m sharing one last solo chat before stepping into the newborn season!  From why I’m hoping for a daytime labor and how mindset shapes birth pain, to what the Christmas season really looks like in a big family, this episode is a mix of my personal reflections and practical advice.  I dive into my approach to teething, first foods, picky eaters, sourdough routines, and ev...

Homesteading isn’t just about raising your own food— it’s about building a life where relationships, rhythms, and real community come first.  In this conversation with RuthAnn, we dig into everything from screen-free parenting to the myth of “not enough time,” the health wake-up call that reshaped her family’s lifestyle, and the true meaning of the village for moms today.  If you’ve ever wondered...

Creating a sense of history and place on raw land takes vision and patience, and garden designer Tessa Pinner shares how to make it both practical and beautiful.  We chat about designing outdoor “rooms,” why smaller spaces can sometimes be easier than wide-open acreage, and how trees, fences, and timeless materials add history and charm.  Tessa offers simple, long-term strategies to beat overwhelm...

Life in this season feels full of change– new babies, teenagers gaining independence, and the daily rhythms that keep our large family moving forward.  In this episode, I share my real experiences with co-sleeping, freshly milled wheat, toys and clutter, pregnancy challenges, car seats, and the everyday questions you’ve asked about homemaking and homesteading.  I also talk about the farmhouse buil...

Homeschooling isn’t just about academics.  It’s about shaping character, habits, and family culture in the everyday moments.  In this conversation with Erin from Gentle + Classical Press, we talk about what the early years can look like without the pressure of early academics, how to raise children who know how to use their free time well, and why consistency matters more than perfection.  You’ll...

Juggling motherhood and entrepreneurship comes with unique challenges and unique rewards. In this episode with Lily of The Flour Barn, we talk about running a thriving micro bakery while managing a blog, YouTube channel, and teaching schedule. From setting boundaries and avoiding burnout to slowing down and auditing systems for smarter growth, Lily shares the rhythms that keep her business sustain...

At 34 weeks pregnant, I’m sharing all the latest on our home build, pregnancy with baby #9, and what life is like in this full season. Even though progress on the house feels slow, I’m finding peace in the extra time to make intentional decisions, and we are loving how our unique vision is coming to life. I talk about chimney brick, roofing surprises, and the proportions that make it feel like an...

Birth doesn’t have to be something to fear. I sat down with Lana from Girl, Teach Me to talk about seeing labor as a God-designed process, not an emergency. We covered choosing the right midwife, why changing your mindset around pain is so powerful, and how to respond to people who think you are choosing home birth to get a “trophy”.  Whether it’s your first baby or your fifth, this episode is ful...

If you are feeling tired, foggy, reactive to everything you eat, and you’re not sure where to even begin, this episode is for you!  I’m joined by Christa from Less Stressed Life to unpack some of the most confusing and overwhelming health topics moms face: sluggish thyroid, hidden stress, food sensitivities, and nervous system overload. Christa shares her holistic, systems-based approach to healin...