Hey y'all, welcome back to episode 73 of the Roots and Refuge Podcast. In today’s episode, I’m joined by my friend Morgan Gold from Gold Shaw Farm in Vermont. Morgan’s YouTube channel captures the beauty and reality of life on his homestead, and over the years, we’ve built a friendship through our weekly meetings, which have become a cornerstone for both of us. Together, we dive into the realities of homesteading, including the less-glamorous side that often gets overlooked. Morgan and I...

Hey y'all, welcome back to episode 72 of the Roots and Refuge Podcast. After a much-needed break, I'm excited to reconnect. This summer, which I’ve come to call "The Crushing Summer," was both deeply challenging and transformative for our family and the homestead. With my eldest son graduating and heading off to college, I found myself grieving the end of his childhood and reflecting on how fast time goes by, especially as I realized my youngest will be in the same position in just nine...

Hey, y'all! Welcome to episode 71 of the Roots and Refuge Podcast. This podcast episode is a bit different than my usual episodes. I find the podcast is a space where I can process my thoughts more intimately than on some of my other platforms, so today's episode is my first preaching podcast (similar to my devotional youtube videos). As a Christian, I believe in spreading love and empowering others to take responsibility for themselves, even if they hold different viewpoints. I value...

Hey, y'all! Welcome to episode 70 of the Roots and Refuge Podcast. It's been a busy season, and I've missed sharing with y'all. Thanks for your patience as I got the podcast back up and running for y'all to enjoy. Today’s episode is for the husbands out there, focusing on supporting our spouses’ dreams. Joining me is my friend Mark from Covington, GA. His wife Destiny and their four kids just recently moved onto their first homestead, and we talk all about our journey's as husbands in this...

Hey, y'all! Welcome to episode 69 of the Roots and Refuge Podcast. Today, I’m tackling the big question: Is it actually possible to live off the land? When I first dreamed of having a farm, the idea of living off the land was incredibly appealing. But reality is much more complex and demanding. The truth is, growing food and sustaining a farm involves an immense amount of work, time, and energy. It’s not to discourage anyone, but to offer a realistic view of what farm life entails. While...

Hey, y'all! Welcome to episode 68 of the Roots and Refuge Podcast. Today, I'm talking about the challenges of waiting for dreams to come true and how we can use these periods of waiting to grow. It’s a topic close to my heart, and I hope it resonates with you. Waiting can feel frustrating, but it's also an opportunity to learn and grow. Instead of seeing waiting as a setback, think of it as a classroom where you can gain valuable lessons. As I often say, "Turn your waiting room into your...

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 look to for inspiration? How do we juggle the roles of father, provider, and individual? We...

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. Homesteading can be isolating and often goes against the mainstream, but the naysayers can fuel your...

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 seasoning powders. While not suitable for all produce, it's perfect for herbs, jerky, and cherry...

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." We'll discuss the journey of gaining knowledge and everything that goes along with improved...

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 when it comes to facing change. Are you a "frying pan personality" or a "crockpot personality"?...

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 women. We explore the value of fostering connections with individuals who possess diverse...

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 just starting out or you just need a bit of a reminder after years of gardening, these tips are...

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 complexities of blended family dynamics to instilling a culture of intentionality and respect, we...

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 honing our kitchen skills like cooking from scratch and preserving food to mastering the art...

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 conversations and I felt like she'd be a great person to have share her homesteading wisdom and...

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 the seasons after 10 years on the farm. Homesteading has evolved over the years, from being...

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 shares her own journey with goats, which began five years ago when her family decided to add them...

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 life with awareness and purpose. Join me as we explore the importance of setting balanced and...

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 importance of creating intentional spaces in your garden and share practical tips for bringing your...

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 are countless "right" ways to garden, emphasizing the value of learning and growing as a...

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 how we make decisions as a team.  Dive into the conversation about the significance of dreaming...

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 practically? In today's podcast, we delve into the resources it can take to become self-sufficient...

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 along to hear my thought process and to talk about why it's so important to deeply understand WHY...