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 the romantic idea of homesteading is wonderful, it's important to understand the effort involved. Growing your own food is a life long journey, not a destination.

On our farm, we produce a lot of our food. Yet, we still rely on grocery stores for some needs, and while we strive for self-sufficiency, we’re not fully independent. We depend on external sources, like grain for our animals, and we are part of modern supply chains. Our lifestyle involves balancing self-produced food with necessary outside inputs, doing our best to live in harmony with our land rather than entirely off it.

The concept of living off the land varies widely. Some people do live off-grid, relying solely on their land, but our approach is more moderate. We aim to close the loop where possible, acknowledging that complete self-sufficiency isn’t realistic for us. Instead, we focus on creating a resilient and sustainable way of life.

Community plays a crucial role in modern homesteading. I used to aim for total self-reliance, but I’ve learned the value of community and shared resources. The goal isn't to revert to the past, but to integrate real food and food security into our lives. It’s about doing what we can where we are, striving for resilience over perfection.

Healthy living means nurturing our relationships, our food, our land, and ourselves. Our aim isn’t to live entirely off the land, but to build a balanced, modern life where we create more than we consume.

Thanks for joining me today. Remember, homesteading is a journey towards resilience and balance. 🌻

If you’d like to join our Patreon page, you can get early access to all our podcast episodes and monthly live Q&As with Miah and Jess (including past lives). Visit our Patreon Page to learn more and check out past episodes of the podcast on the website.

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 classroom."

Life often places us in "waiting rooms," whether it’s waiting for a new home, a job, or another important dream of yours. It's crucial to make the most of these times. Use this period to refine your dream, develop new skills, and appreciate the journey. As scripture tells us "Whoever can be trusted with very little can be trusted with very much" (Luke 16:10).

Reflect on this: How can you turn your waiting room into a classroom? Embrace the time you have now to prepare for the future you want. Waiting is not wasted time; it's a chance to grow and get ready for what's next. "If you are willing to work on yourself in the waiting room of your life, you can't lose!"

Thanks for joining me today. Remember, every waiting room is a classroom in disguise. 🌻

If you’d like to join our Patreon page, you can get early access to all our podcast episodes and monthly live Q&As with Miah and Jess (including past lives). Visit our Patreon Page to learn more and check out past episodes of the podcast on the website.

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 emphasize the need to be mindful of how our children experience life and our parenting, acknowledging that memories can differ significantly without that awareness. We'll discuss the balance of effective praise, ensuring we don't over-praise undeservedly or neglect to praise at all.

We'll reflect on learning from our parents' successes and failures and the importance of generational evolution. Plus, we'll talk about the value of apologizing to our children when we fall short of our parenting ideals or make mistakes along the way.

Our goal as fathers is to limit trauma for future generations and foster a nurturing and loving environment. Join us as we delve into the profound journey of fatherhood and share our insights and experiences.

Thanks for tuning in to the Roots and Refuge Podcast. Happy Father's Day to all the amazing dads out there! 🌻

If you’d like to join our Patreon page, you can get early access to all our podcast episodes and monthly live Q&As with Miah and Jess (including past lives). Visit our Patreon Page to learn more and check out past episodes of the podcast on the website.