Everyday Homesteading

Latest Episodes:

STOP trying to be Self-Sufficient (Do This Instead) Feb 28, 2026

Show notes

For many homesteaders, the dream is complete self-sufficiency. Producing all your own food. Depending on no one. Living independently.

But is that really possible? And more importantly, is it even the right goal?

In this episode of Everyday Homesteading, we’re sharing why complete self-sufficiency is actually a myth and what matters far more: building practical skills and strengthening community.

We discuss how focusing on skills rather than trying to do everything yourself leads to more resilience, less overwhelm, and greater freedom in your homesteading journey.

You’ll learn how to shift your mindset, avoid burnout, and build real, lasting resilience for your family.

Read the full blog post here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/self-sufficiency-is-a-myth/

Thanks to Azure Standard for sponsoring this episode! Azure has been our trusted source for bulk foods and pantry staples for years. When we can’t grow or produce something ourselves, Azure Standard is often our first choice. Get 15% off your first order of $100 or more using coupon code "HOMESTEADINGFAMILY15" at checkout: https://homesteadingfamily.com/main-azure-standard-b

Time Stamps:
0:00 - Introduction
- Azure Standard
- Main Topic

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MORE ABOUT US!
WELCOME! We're so glad you're here! We are Josh and Carolyn Thomas. Together with our eleven children, we are The Homesteading Family where we’re living a self-sustainable life in beautiful North Idaho. Let us welcome you and show you a bit about us here: http://bit.ly/HFWelcomeVideo
Grow, Preserve & Thrive with us!
Visit us on our blog: https://www.homesteadingfamily.com
Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/homesteadingfamily
Instagram: https://instagram.com/homesteadingfamily
Rumble: https://rumble.com/HomesteadingFamily
A few highlights you don't want to miss are our FREEBIES!!
Healthy Healing at Home – Learn how to confidently use herbal medicine in your home with this FREE 4 video workshop: https://homesteadingfamily.com/HHHyt
Your Best Loaf – A Free 4 video workshop teaching you how to make great bread at home, every time, regardless of the recipe you are using: https://homesteadingfamily.com/free-bread-workshop

Become a master canner in just a few days with my FREE video series where together we are going to stock your shelves with amazing food the whole family will love.

What You Need to Know BEFORE Calling the Vet Feb 21, 2026

Show notes

Even with healthy, well-selected animals, there comes a day when you have to call the vet.

And when that moment comes, most of us aren’t nearly as prepared as we could be.

In this episode, I sit down with my longtime friend and veterinarian, Dr. Patrick Jones of The Homegrown Herbalist, to talk through what every homesteader should know before picking up the phone.

We discuss:

The importance of signalment (age, breed, sex, pregnancy status)
Why taking a temperature can immediately narrow down a diagnosis
The questions your vet is likely to ask
What details matter most in an emergency
How good observation can improve care and reduce stress

This is one of those practical, real-life conversations that helps you feel equipped instead of overwhelmed.

If you raise livestock or have animals on your homestead, this episode will give you simple, actionable steps to be ready when something goes wrong.

For more information (or to watch my interview with Doc Jones), visit the blog post here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/things-to-know-before-calling-the-vet/

For more from Dr. Jones, visit: https://homegrownherbalist.net

Thanks to the sponsor of this podcast, Farmhouse Teas! Check out the Plumb Tuckered Out tea (and all the rest of our favorites), and be sure to use the coupon code "HSPodcast" for 10% off your order (one time use per customer): https://homesteadingfamily.com/FHTeas-Favorites

Time Stamps:

0:00 - Introduction
2:57 - Farmhouse Teas
5:57 - Main Topic

Become a master canner in just a few days with my FREE video series where together we are going to stock your shelves with amazing food the whole family will love.

Why Bread Still Belongs in Your Busy Modern Kitchen Feb 14, 2026

Show notes

Making bread isn’t about talent, and it’s not about finding the perfect recipe either.

In this episode, I’m sharing why bread is one of the most foundational skills in the homesteading kitchen and how learning to read your dough instead of following formulas changes everything. From flour amounts to kneading to rise times, we’re breaking down the simple techniques that lead to consistent, reliable bread no matter where you live or what recipe you use.

If you’ve ever felt frustrated, inconsistent, or convinced that bread “just isn’t your thing,” this episode will help you see bread making in a completely new way.

👉 Read the accompanying blog post here:
https://homesteadingfamily.com/the-secret-to-reliable-bread/

🎥 Free Bread Training
If you want to see these techniques in action, I’m hosting a free bread training where I walk through each step on video and show you exactly what to look for.
👉 Sign up here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/podcast-bread

🛏 Today’s Sponsor: American Blossom Linens
Most sheets are made with toxic chemicals like formaldehyde, PFAS, and flame retardants. American Blossom Linens makes toxin-free sheets right here in the USA, and they’re built to last. Use code HOMESTEADINGFAMILY2026 to get 15% off your order (one use per customer). They also offer a 2-year money-back guarantee, so you can try them risk-free: https://homesteadingfamily.com/s-american-blossom-linens

Time Stamps:
0:00 - Introduction
2:15 - American Blossom Linens
5:53 - Main Topic

Become a master canner in just a few days with my FREE video series where together we are going to stock your shelves with amazing food the whole family will love.

Things that Surprised Us about Keeping Chickens Feb 07, 2026

Show notes

Thinking about keeping backyard egg-laying chickens, but not sure where to begin? In today’s episode, we walk through the essential checklist every new chicken keeper should know.

We cover:
• What to think about before bringing chickens home
• Coop setup and space requirements
• Feeding, water, and daily care routines
• How to successfully raise chicks in their first few weeks
• Biosecurity basics and avoiding common pitfalls
• Planning for seasonal egg production

Whether this is your first flock or you’re brushing up on best practices, this episode gives you a clear, practical foundation so you can raise healthy, happy chickens.

- Read more on the blog and get your free printable checklist:
https://homesteadingfamily.com/raising-backyard-egg-laying-chickens/

- Printable Quick-Start Chicken Keeping Checklist: https://classes.homesteadingfamily.com/pl/2148743214

- Check out the monthly chicken articles inside the Homestead Kitchen Magazine: https://homesteadingfamily.com/podcast-hkm
- Thanks to Grubbly Farms, the sponsor of this podcast episode. If you'd like to give Grubbly a try, use coupon code "HOMESTEADING30" for 30% off your order! https://homesteadingfamily.com/grubbly-farms-fb

Time Stamps:

0:00 - Introduction
1:38 - Chit Chat
5:38 - Grubbly Farms
7:18 - Main Topic

Become a master canner in just a few days with my FREE video series where together we are going to stock your shelves with amazing food the whole family will love.

From Overwhelmed to Peaceful: Minimums, Mental Load, and Command Central Part 2 Jan 31, 2026

Show notes

Feeling overwhelmed while trying to add homesteading skills to an already full life? You’re not alone. In this episode of Everyday Homesteading, I’m continuing our conversation about going from overwhelmed to peaceful and sharing what I’ve learned about building a homestead life that’s sustainable for the long haul.

This is Part 2 of our series on creating peaceful household rhythms instead of rigid schedules. If you haven’t listened to Part 1 yet, I recommend starting there and then coming back to this episode so these ideas can really come together.

👉 Listen to Part 1 and Part 2 here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/3-things-that-keep-our-homestead-running/

In this episode, we talk about:

Why you don’t have the same energy every day or every season
How rhythms work better than strict schedules
Assigning focus days to reduce overwhelm
Creating household minimums that support your family instead of exhausting you
Letting go of unrealistic expectations and finding peace in everyday life

If this conversation resonates with you and you’d like help putting it into practice, you’re invited to join me inside the Find Your Peaceful Homestead Rhythm Challenge, where I walk you through creating a custom system for your own home.

👉 Join the challenge here:
https://classes.homesteadingfamily.com/homestead-kitchen-membership-evergreen

You can also find ongoing encouragement, seasonal inspiration, and practical homesteading skills inside the Homestead Kitchen Magazine.

👉 Subscribe here:
https://homesteadingfamily.com/podcast-magazine

Links Mentioned:

👉Homemade Sandwich Bread Recipe: https://homesteadingfamily.com/basic-homemade-sandwich-bread-recipe/
👉Homemade Make-Ahead Breakfast Casseroles: https://homesteadingfamily.com/MABC_YT

Thanks for spending this time with me. My hope is that this episode helps you release some pressure, find more peace in your day, and move toward a rhythm that truly works for your home.

Time Stamps:

0:00 - Introduction
3:45 - Homestead Living Magazine
6:00 - Main Topic

Become a master canner in just a few days with my FREE video series where together we are going to stock your shelves with amazing food the whole family will love.

From Overwhelmed to Peaceful: Why Rhythm Changes Everything - Part 1 Jan 24, 2026

Show notes

If you love the idea of homesteading but constantly feel behind, overwhelmed, or emotionally exhausted, I recorded this episode for you.

In Part 1 of this new series, I’m sharing the household system that helped me move from constant pressure and burnout to a calmer, more sustainable rhythm of life. I talk about why overwhelm usually isn’t a discipline problem and why trying to “work harder” often makes things worse, especially for busy moms caring for families while adding homesteading skills.

I share why stacking homesteading on top of an already full life doesn’t bring peace, how historical households managed full workloads without living by the clock, and the simple mindset shift that helped me stop feeling like I was always behind.

This episode lays the foundation for creating a homestead life that fits real seasons, real energy levels, and real families, without guilt or burnout.

Learn more about the Homestead Kitchen Membership and the Peaceful Homestead Rhythm Challenge here: homesteadingfamily.com/podcast-hkm

Thanks to American Blossom Linens for sponsoring this podcast. Use code "HOMESTEADINGFAMILY2026" for 15% off your next order. Only ONE use per customer. Enjoy! https://homesteadingfamily.com/s-american-blossom-linens

Become a master canner in just a few days with my FREE video series where together we are going to stock your shelves with amazing food the whole family will love.

Nurturing a "People First" Homestead with RuthAnn Zimmerman Jan 17, 2026

Show notes

Homesteading is about so much more than chores, food, and checklists. In this episode, I’m joined by RuthAnn Zimmerman from Homesteading With the Zimmermans for a conversation that goes straight to the heart of what this lifestyle is really about: people.
We talk about balancing hospitality with busy homestead life, raising children with a strong work ethic and character, and learning to trust God’s economy when it comes to time, energy, and priorities. RuthAnn shares how she keeps emotional needs first in her family and why that simple shift brings so much peace to the home.
If you’ve been feeling stretched thin, overwhelmed by the busyness, or wondering how to keep relationships from getting lost in the work, this episode is for you.
📚 RuthAnn's book, The Heart of the Homestead, here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/heart-of-the-homestead-book
🎥 Find her on YouTube: @Ruthannzimm
Thanks for being here and for walking this journey of everyday homesteading with us.
Thanks to Azure Standard for sponsoring this episode of Everyday Homesteading. For first-time customers, use coupon code "HOMESTEADINGFAMILY15" at checkout for 15% off your order of $100 or more: https://homesteadingfamily.com/main-azure-standard-b
Time Stamps:
0:00 - Introduction
2:59 - Azure Standard
5:10 - Main Topic

Become a master canner in just a few days with my FREE video series where together we are going to stock your shelves with amazing food the whole family will love.

The Biggest Grid We Escaped (It Wasn’t Power) Jan 10, 2026

Show notes

A lot of people talk about going off-grid. But what if off-grid living isn’t just about power and water, but about freedom from systems that quietly run your life?
In this episode, I sit down with Jeff Burkinshaw from the Gridlessness YouTube channel to talk about what gridlessness really means. Jeff shares how his family moved from suburban life to a remote homestead in the Canadian wilderness, not out of fear, but out of a deep desire to live with intention.
We talk about
• redefining what it means to be “off-grid”
• breaking free from debt and financial pressure
• raising kids with responsibility, resilience, and confidence
• the real challenges of independent living
• and why freedom is worth the work it takes to build it
If you’ve ever felt the pull toward a simpler, more meaningful way of living, this conversation will challenge and encourage you.
👉 Links mentioned in this episode
• Jeff’s book: Gridlessness: Finding Freedom Off Grid: https://homesteadingfamily.com/gridlessness-book
• Gridlessness YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Gridlessness
• Everyday Homesteading podcast: https://homesteadingfamily.com/podcasts/

Become a master canner in just a few days with my FREE video series where together we are going to stock your shelves with amazing food the whole family will love.

What We Wish We Could Tell Our Younger Selves About Starting to Homestead Jan 03, 2026

Show notes

After more than 20 years of homesteading, we are looking back and sharing what we wish we had known when we first started.
In this episode of Everyday Homesteading, we talk honestly about the mistakes we made, the pressure to do everything at once, and the lessons that helped us find a more peaceful, sustainable rhythm. From gardening and kitchen skills to land size, infrastructure, and people-first priorities, this conversation is full of perspective for anyone feeling overwhelmed on their homesteading journey.
Whether you’re just getting started or you’ve been at this for years, we hope this episode helps you slow down, focus on what matters most, and remember that homesteading is a lifelong journey, not a destination.
🎓 Join the How to Homestead Anywhere Crash Course - Learn how to homestead wherever you live and build rhythms that actually work for your season of life. 👉 https://classes.homesteadingfamily.com/crash-course

🍞 Grab my free bread workshop here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/free-bread-workshop
🌿 Thank you to today’s sponsor, Farmhouse Teas - If you love a cozy, nourishing drink but want to skip the excess sugar, check out Farmhouse Teas’ Hushroom Cocoa Blend. It’s an adaptogenic mushroom cocoa that’s calming, customizable, and perfect for cold days. Use code "HSPODCAST" for 10% off. 👉 https://homesteadingfamily.com/hushroom-cocoa
📌 In this episode, we discuss:
• Why doing everything at once leads to burnout
• The foundational skills we wish we had focused on first
• Why bigger homesteads are not always better
• Letting go of the idea that you ever “arrive” at homesteading
• Keeping people at the center of homestead life
Thanks for spending time with us. We’re glad you’re here.

Become a master canner in just a few days with my FREE video series where together we are going to stock your shelves with amazing food the whole family will love.

Our Year of Rest on the Homestead Dec 27, 2025

Show notes

What does a “Year of Rest” actually look like on a working homestead?

In this episode, we’re reflecting on our decision to slow down over the past year, what changed, what stayed the same, and what surprised us along the way. We share how cutting big projects brought more margin into our days, why rest doesn’t mean the work disappears, and how an unplanned cabin build for the next generation fit into our bigger vision.

This is an honest, end-of-year conversation about pace, sustainability, and having the courage to adjust before burnout forces it.

If you’re feeling tired, scattered, or unsure how to move into the next season, we hope this episode encourages you to slow down and have an honest conversation about what really matters.

Thanks to Azure Standard for sponsoring this week's podcast. First-time customers can get 15% off their first order of $100 or more with the coupon code “HOMESTEADINGFAMILY15” at checkout: https://homesteadingfamily.com/main-azure-standard-b

Time Stamps:
0:00 - Introduction
1:19 - Chit Chat
9:57 - Azure Standard
11:34 - Main Topic

Become a master canner in just a few days with my FREE video series where together we are going to stock your shelves with amazing food the whole family will love.

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