The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow

What do pig castrations have to do with mourning a spouse?  You’re about to find out!  I’m Shannon Hayes and you’re listening to episode 15 of season 2 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow.  Read the transcript here .  Support the show

What do we remember most about our lives?  Is it the achievements?  Or was it the excitement of the struggles along the way?  I’m Shannon Hayes and you’re listening to episode 14 of season 2 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow.  Read the full 'script here .  Support the show

As a parent, I feel compelled to fight the loneliness my daughter’s face as a result of Bob’s and my choices.  But should I?  You’re listening to Epidsode 13 of Season 2 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow. Find the transcript here.  Support the show

What happens when a farmer, a roaster & a homemaker walk into a cafe? A book gets written! Listen in for a sneak peak into my newest book, Redefining Rich, due out from BenBella Books this August.  Also , learn how you can join the launch team AND earn a summer-long discount at the Sap Bush online farm store (and yes, we ship!). Support the show

Why is it hardest to see the beauty that’s most commonly before us?  I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow.  Find the link to the transcript here .  Support the show

Oh, to love what is lovely, and will not last! What a task to ask Of anything, or anyone, Yet it is ours, and not by the century or the year, but by the hours.  — Mary Oliver, Snow Geese I’m Shannon Hayes and you’re listening to Episode 10 of season 2 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow, a story about loving & losing and loving some more.  Find the transcript on the Sap Bush website .  Support th...

The opinion piece written by the doctor for the NY Times says there are four types of folks who are resisting the Covid vaccine:  the Watchful, the Cost-Anxious, the System Distrusters, and Covid Skeptics.  None of these describes Ula.  I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to season 2, episode 9 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow, a story about vaccines and asses.  Read the full transcript here ....

Think springtime on the farm is all fuzzy chicks and lambs?  Think again.  I’m shannon hayes and you’re listening to Season 2, Ep. 8 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow.  Read the full transcript here .  Support the show

Nothing is going as planned this week.  All the tidy organization is messy.  It’s beautiful.  You’re listening to Season 2, Episode 7 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow. Support the show

Our life is crowded, messy and chaotic.  And a teeny little vacation helps shed light on the fact that, well, I guess we like it like that. You’re listening to episode six of season 2 of the Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow. Find the transcript here .  Support the show

Spring peepers.  They’re both ephemeral and permanent, mystical and down-to-earth.  You’re listening to Episode 5 of Season 2 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow. Read the full transcript over on the blog .  Support the show

Covid took away a lot of choices for my family.  We adapted.  But how will we manage once those choices return?  I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Episode 4 of Season two of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow:  Saoirse’s Choice.  Read the full transcript here .  Support the show

It’s a thing for me.  Maybe more of a fixation.  Or obsession?  I want our cafe to be able to turn out PERFECT homemade croissants every week.  But then there’s reality...Read the transcript and learn more about Sap Bush Hollow Farm here .  Support the show

Life here at Sap Bush Hollow is not without pain - it’s hard work, accidents happen, and we get old and ouchie.  But sometimes pain is the reminder we need to love what we have even more. The text version of this piece can be found at sapbush.com .  Support the show

There’s so much coming and going in life.  This week is a story about a dog teaching me to “STAY.”  If you'd like the full text of this story, you can find it on the blog at www.sapbush.com. Support the show

How does our need to be liked by our teachers, to make them happy, effect our learning and personal growth?  That’s what I’m pondering this week on The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow, episode 36. Folks, this is be my last podcast of the season.  It’s time for me to wind things down, to live a little more privately and begin the process of recharging my batteries for next year.  If all goes as planned,...

Returning to business-as-usual after losing a favorite customer is BRUTAL.  And that has me pondering this place where love, community and commerce coincide.  I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to episode 35 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow. Support the show

I know we are all supposed to believe in ourselves.  But what magic unfolds when someone helps us along by believing in us first?   Today is the story of a great knight-errant, on a quest to help as many people as possible by doing just that. Support the show

Farming is tough.  But how much easier is it for me because of the color of my skin?  I’m Shannon Hayes & that’s what I’ll be talking about today on The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow, episode 33. Support the show

I still remember my first wilderness camping trip from when I was a teenager:  what we ate, what we talked about, how I felt at each moment.  And I remember the adult who was willing to bring me to that place.  The experience was so important to me, Bob and I took our own kids on the exact same trip this past week.  I’m Shannon Hayes, and that’s what I’ll be talking about this week on The Hearth o...

This is the year small farm life is becoming a fast-paced life for many.  We opted out.  Today I’m going to talk about one of the reasons why.  This week’s story is about The Sweet Spot.  You’re listening to The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow with Shannon Hayes. Support the show

My house is  a wreck, my email box is flooded, my to-do list is out of control, my feet are tired….It must be August…And  You’re listening to Episode 30 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow: The Choice. Looking for the back episodes?  You can access all of them over on the Shannon Hayes Patreon page for as little as $1/month.  Thanks for supporting my work! Support the show

“Alice laughed. 'There's no use trying,' she said. 'One can't believe impossible things.' I daresay you haven't had much practice,' said the Queen. 'When I was your age, I always did it for half-an-hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.”   I’ve been reminded this week of the importance of believi...

Does anyone find it interesting that, in the debate about whether to open or close schools, and how that impacts parents trying to work and manage kids…That no one asked the folks who do it every day for insights?  For what it’s worth, I’m going to offer them up today with 7 tips for thriving while your kids school at home.  You’re listening to Episode 27 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow. Support...

If we all  ascribe to the same values, how come we don’t all have to play by the same rules?  I don’t get it.  I’m Shannon Hayes and you’re listening to The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow, and this is a story about a croissant. Support the show