The Homestead Journey

We are facing a season of change here on the homestead.  Bonnie was recently diagnosed as pre-diabetic and thus prescribe the Mediterranean Diet.   And we are also facing the prospect of an empty nest.  On this episode I share with you how these changes have been impacting me and how they are going to impact this podcast.  Homesteading and Hungry YouTube Channel Enjoy!! Brian http://www.thehomeste...

Back on Episode 133, we talked about the 3 ways we were growing potatoes here on our homestead.  So, how did things work out?  On today's episode we talk about what worked well, what didn't work well and what we'll be doing differently next year.  Also, this is the last episode of season 3. Enjoy. Brian http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/blog http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/newsl...

On this episode we talk about the importance of avoiding the trap of doing things you don't like just because people expect it of you.  Don't do what you hate! Enjoy!! Brian http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/blog http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/newsletter http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/support http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net https://www.facebook.com/TheHomesteadJourneyPodcast...

This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend the first annual fall gathering of Homesteaders of New England in Greenfield, NH.  On this episode I share my thoughts on the event and how it has impacted my homesteading journey. Enjoy!! Brian http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/blog http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/newsletter http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/support http://www.thehomesteadjou...

On this week's episode I share some of the things I'll be doing this fall and things I've been thinking I need to do in the spring to set myself up for success for next year's garden. Enjoy!! Brian http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/blog http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/newsletter http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/support http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net https://www.facebo...

It seems like nothing has gone right on the homestead this year.  But, we soldier on. https://www.facebook.com/afarmishkindoflife/posts/pfbid0yqWUPBy4XDePPL1Bn5cE1TAe6L6WaYmwyARdqY61n5WGYFbr6mUcbv32eHHFSbUvl Enjoy!! Brian http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/blog http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/newsletter http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/support http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net https://www.fa...

It's the time of the year when homesteaders are busy preserving the harvest.  On this episode, we talk about the 5 major methods of food preservation  and how you decide on what method to use.  Enjoy!!! Brian http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/blog http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/newsletter http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/support http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net https://www.facebook.c...

A few months ago, I ran across this quote by Ann Lamott, "Expectations Are Resentments Under Construction" and knew it would make for a great topic on the podcast.  Enjoy!! Brian http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/blog http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/newsletter http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/support http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net https://www.facebook.com/TheHomesteadJourneyPod...

We arrived home yesterday from our vacation.  And I found a very weedy garden waiting for me.  At first I was very frustrated and upset over that.  I felt inept as a gardener, a failure as a homesteader, a fraud as a homesteading content creator.  But, then I remembered WHY the garden has weeds.  And that change in perspective caused me to see the weeds in a way I never have. Enjoy!! Brian http://...

It's been awhile since I've done a product review.  Today we talk EDC's and whether or not a Leatherman Super-Tool 300 meets that need. Enjoy!!! Brian http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/shop http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/blog http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/newsletter http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/support http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net https://www.facebook.com/TheHo...

On this episode I share with you an exciting announcement !! Enjoy! Brian http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/shop http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/blog http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/newsletter http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/support http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net https://www.facebook.com/TheHomesteadJourneyPodcast https://www.youtube.com/c/TheHomesteadJourney https://www.facebook.com...

This week I almost screwed up, big time!  I almost let the homestead get in the way of something far more important..... my relationship with my son. Enjoy! Brian http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/shop http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/blog http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/newsletter http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/support http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net https://www.facebook.com/TheHomes...

On this episode I am excited to be joined by Clare from Start Small Homestead on Instagram.  Her bio says, "I have an eight by 10 patio and can't plant in the ground. There are big obstacles in my teeny space, but I'm homesteading anyway.  Some dreams start small." Enjoy, Brian http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/shop http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/blog http://www.thehomeste...

 Because I primarily garden in raised beds that are about 10 to 12 inches deep until a couple of years ago, I had only tried growing potatoes once.  A big part of the reason why I didn't try growing potatoes is because I thought you need a depth and a quality of soil that I don't have.  Another part of the reason why I didn't grow potatoes is because I had only seen them grown in th...

I was recently interviewed for a magazine.  As part of that interview, they asked that I also submit a video about 5 things I think someone needs to know in order to start a successful vegetable garden.  While I don't want to spoil the entire thing, I did think it would be appropriate to offer up my introduction as kind of a teaser.  So, enjoy.  And stay tuned for the publication of the inter...

On Memorial Day, our tradition is to go visit my grandparents grave up in Monkton, Vermont.  It's a really pretty ride.  But, it's also a great time for me to reflect on the memories of my grandparents.  And, today I reflect on 3 things that I learned from my Papa. Enjoy!! Brian http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/shop http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/blog http://www.thehomesteadjourney...

Today we are revisiting the topic of meat chickens.  And in particular we are focusing on the sustainability aspect of raising the Cornish X.  The fact is that as homesteaders we cannot hatch out our own Cornish X.  We are dependant on others to do this for us.  Is there a better way?  On this episode we talk about the other options and why we continue to raise the Cornish X on our homestead.   En...

Somewhere I ran across this quote; "100% of the Seeds You Never Plant Will Never Sprout" and when I did, I thought, "Boy, that will make a great podcast episode."  Today is that day.  Today we talk about 4 things that keep us from ever getting started and what we can do to overcome our fear. Enjoy!! Brian http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/shop http://www.thehomesteadjourney.ne...

 Time, Money and Space.  The lack of these are the biggest barriers to taking the next right step on our homesteading journey.  But, maybe our issue isn't a lack of resources.  Maybe it's because we're looking at things the wrong way.  Today's episode is all about reframing our minds to get us to think about things differently. Enjoy!! Brian PS:  Here is the link to the LOTs pr...

Lately I've been struggling with feelings of inadequacy.  That what I'm doing isn't enough.  It's not good enough.  I look at what others are doing and I feel like it doesn't measure up.  On today's episode I remind myself that we all have unique constraints.  And that I can only be the best version of me that I can be.  And think you should do the same. Enjoy!! Brian...

"Go Big or Go Home"..... We use that phrase a lot (at least in the USA) as  a means of encouraging people to dive headlong into things, with gusto and 100% commitment.  On this episode we talk about 3 different posts I recently saw on FB homesteading groups that were indicative of that mentality and why I think it is a REALLY bad approach to homesteading. I also reference my interview on...

On today's episode I am joined once again by my son, Brian Jr.  He shares his perspective of what growing up on a homestead has meant to him.  We talk about the lessons he's learned, the positive aspects as well as the negative aspects.  And we talk about whether or not he plans on homesteading in the future. Enjoy, Brian http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/shop http://www.thehomesteadjou...

On today's episode we talk about how kids growing up on a homestead gain valuable lessons in the value of hard work and the value of food. Enjoy, Brian http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/shop http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/blog http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/newsletter http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/support http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net https://www.facebook.com/TheHomesteadJo...

On today's episode we are talking about how growing up on a homestead gives up opportunities to teach our kids responsibility.  This is an episode that probably is more about what we've done wrong than what we've done right.  But, I hope you find it helpful as you navigate the tricky waters of giving your kids the right levels of responsibility. Enjoy, Brian http://www.thehomesteadj...

This is week's episode is a difficult one.  As a society, I think we have a tendency to avoid dealing with death and loss.  And so I fully expect that this will end up being the least downloaded episode ever on this podcast.  But, I think it is so important that we talk about death.  And I think that if we do it right, kids raised on a homestead will have a much better perspective on death an...