Homegrown Show with Ben Cummings

Ben Cummings

Thought provoking conversations and videos with people in Canada. Highlighting underrepresented voices in Carleton County, New Brunswick to spark meaningful conversations about food, farming, politics and more.

  1. 12/07/2025

    Autism Acceptance and the Reality of Growing up with Autism with Aaron Bouma

    Military historian, museum founder, and autism advocate Aaron Bouma shares his experiences growing up autistic, the challenges he faced in school, how his special interests shaped his career, and why society still misunderstands autism. Aaron discusses Canada’s lack of adult supports, sensory overwhelm, ABA, nonverbal communication, mental health struggles, the “telepathy tapes,” military intelligence units, and the dangers of misinformation around autism—including the recent Tylenol and cure-claim controversies. We also talk about homeschooling autistic children, employment barriers, stigma, navigating daily life as an autistic adult, and how families can better support neurodivergent loved ones. This conversation is essential for parents of autistic kids, teachers, neurodivergent adults, mental-health advocates, and anyone interested in autism acceptance, military history, or unique neurodivergent abilities. Leave a Like and Subscribe if you enjoyed! Subscribe! - https://bit.ly/SubscribeToHomegrownWatch Homegrown Season 1 on Patreon now! https://patreon.com/homegrownshowJoin our group chat!https://t.me/+HmK47zvGCNsxODlh↓↓ See more ↓↓https://instagram.com/cummingsbenjhttps://www.tiktok.com/@cummingsbenjhttps://www.facebook.com/cummingsbenjSupport Us At: http://homegrownshow.ca/

    58 min

  2. 11/30/2025

    Ozempic, Obesity & The Real Cause of Chronic Illness with Neil Burchill

    In this in-depth conversation, Ben sits down with nutrition counselor and former firefighter/navy veteran Neil Burchill to uncover what’s really driving today’s health crisis. With over 20 years of experience and more than 10,000 clients, Neil breaks down why weight loss culture is broken, why muscle mass is the true predictor of long-term health, and why modern diets are leaving people malnourished despite eating more than ever. Together, they dive into macronutrients, inflammation, GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, the collapse of food quality, the rise of chronic illness, gut health, natural medicine, stress physiology, and the disconnect between healthcare and nutrition. Neil also shares his personal experience with vaccine-induced myocarditis, and the metabolic strategy he used to recover. Whether you’re interested in nutrition, homesteading, health policy, natural remedies, or understanding the root causes of modern disease, this episode delivers hard truths, practical insights, and a perspective you won’t hear anywhere else. 00:00 – Introduction01:00 – Neil’s Background in Nutrition02:00 – Why Weight Loss Culture Is Broken05:00 – Muscle vs. Fat: The Real Health Metric09:00 – Why People Don’t Know How to Feed Themselves12:00 – Macros That Matter16:00 – Understanding “Toxins”19:00 – Gut Health, Microbiome & Prebiotics24:00 – Common Complaints Neil Sees in Clients28:00 – Metabolism, Fuel, and Muscle Loss34:00 – Cultural Detachment From Food38:00 – Food Quality Collapse42:00 – Hunger as an Emotion45:00 – GLP-1, Ozempic & the Weight Loss Craze50:00 – What GLP-1 Actually Does to the Body54:00 – Muscle Atrophy & Long-Term Consequences59:00 – The Healthcare vs. Sick-Care Debate1:05:00 – Systemic Problems in Modern Medicine1:12:00 – Neil’s COVID Vaccine Injury1:20:00 – Using Nutrition to Reverse Damage1:27:00 – Rise in Chronic & Neurological Disease1:33:00 – Stress, Environment & Systemic Breakdown1:40:00 – Food Variety, Seasonality & Digestion1:47:00 – Why Cooking Skills Are Disappearing1:52:00 – The Cost of Healthy Food & DIY Solutions1:57:00 – Empowerment Through Community & Knowledge2:00:00 – Closing Thoughts

    2h 20m

  3. 11/24/2025

    Cannabis Myths, Medicine, and Misuse with Medicinal Horticulturalist Zack Drost

    Ben sits down with medicinal horticulturalist Zack Drost, a grower with more than 20 years of hands-on experience in cannabis cultivation, genetics, and plant-based medicine. Zack breaks down stigma, science, cannabinoids, terpenes, cultivation methods, natural medicine, and why cannabis is far more complex than THC percentages. This interview is ideal for growers, medical patients, homesteaders, and anyone curious about cannabis as both a medicine and a plant. CHAPTERS 00:00 – Introductions & Zack’s Background Zack explains his role as a medicinal horticulturalist and his two decades of cannabis experience. 04:00 – Cannabis Stigma & Changing Generational Attitudes Understanding cultural resistance, misconceptions, and why public perception is shifting. 12:00 – Hemp vs. Cannabis: Laws, Licensing & History THC thresholds, historical agriculture, and why hemp licensing remains complicated in Canada. 19:00 – Medicinal Uses: Topicals, RSO, Tinctures & Full-Spectrum Extracts How cannabis is used medically without psychoactive effects. 28:00 – Cannabinoids, Terpenes & the Endocannabinoid System THC, CBD, CBN, CBG, terpenes, and how they work together to create different effects. 38:00 – CHS (Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome) & Overuse Risks What causes it, who it affects, and how moderation matters. 47:00 – Diet, Farming & Cannabis as Part of Holistic Health Nutrition, meat quality, allergies, and natural wellness. 56:00 – Livestock Feed Regulations & Hemp for Animals Why hemp feeding is restricted and what regulators are concerned about. 1:05:00 – Psychedelic Experience & Plant-Medicine Philosophy Zack shares a transformative personal experience that shaped his connection to plant medicine. 1:13:00 – Ornamental Cannabis & Flower Showcas eExploring cannabis as a visually stunning, diverse ornamental plant. 1:23:00 – Aroma Profiles, Terpenes & Cultivar Differences Skunk, fruit, gas, sweetness—what smells reveal about the plant. 1:34:00 – Growing Philosophy: Soil, Microbes, Compost & Molasses Organic growing, soil biology, and how to “listen” to your plants. 1:46:00 – Hydro vs. Soil & Reading Plant Signals Growing styles, feeding strategies, and advice for new growers. 1:58:00 – Future of Cannabis & Closing Thoughts Zack’s final reflections on natural medicine and where cannabis is headed. ABOUT THE GUEST: ZACK DROST Zack is a medicinal horticulturalist specializing in cannabis cultivation, genetics, and full-spectrum plant medicine. His 20+ years of hands-on experience make him one of the most knowledgeable growers in the region. Leave a Like and Subscribe if you enjoyed! Subscribe! - https://bit.ly/SubscribeToHomegrownWatch Homegrown Season 1 on Patreon now! https://patreon.com/homegrownshowJoin our group chat!https://t.me/+HmK47zvGCNsxODlh↓↓ See more ↓↓https://instagram.com/cummingsbenjhttps://www.tiktok.com/@cummingsbenjhttps://www.facebook.com/cummingsbenjSupport Us At: http://homegrownshow.ca/

    2h 4m

  4. 11/14/2025

    Immigration issues and the failing Canadian Economy with Juan Londoño

    In this in-depth conversation, we sit down with a Colombian economist and Canadian immigrant who explains—candidly—what’s happening to Canada’s economy, political culture, immigration system, and national identity. Drawing from personal experience with socialism, geopolitical instability, and economic collapse, he outlines the warning signs he sees repeating here at home. A challenging discussion that connects economics, culture, history, and Canada’s future. Chapters 00:00 – Introduction 00:00:00 – Canada’s immigration system: “It was working… then they broke it.” 00:01:12 – Culture vs. race and what Canada is getting wrong 00:02:56 – “No nation can stand divided” 00:04:03 – Citizenship, Western philosophy & assimilation 00:05:57 – Culture clashes in Canada today 00:06:53 – Propaganda, censorship & the broken status quo 00:09:03 – Colombian culture & New Brunswick similarities 00:10:17 – Racism, ignorance & economic incentive s00:10:49 – “First duty is to Canadians” 00:11:17 – Crime, racism & economic decline 00:12:05 – Erasing history and repeating it 00:13:01 – “Immigrants don’t make the law” 00:14:00 – Media bias, opposition, and political accountability 00:15:14 – Dangerous political rhetoric and division 00:16:10 – Socialism, Venezuela & Cuba: lessons from collapse 00:20:01 – Elite privilege under communist regimes 00:21:34 – “Rules for thee, not for me” 00:22:29 – Geopolitics & Canada’s vulnerability 00:23:11 – New economic era: AI, carbon, EVs 00:24:12 – “We’re consuming more than we produce” 00:25:00 – The budget warning: “Canada is in trouble” 00:26:02 – “This has no mathematical model—except the French Revolution” 00:26:49 – Private sector collapse & nationalization risks 00:27:54 – Healthcare breakdown: nurses without doctors 00:29:08 – Social programs, debt & economic strain 00:30:43 – Is mass immigration being used to boost tax revenue? 00:31:20 – Government-created jobs vs real economic growth 00:32:01 – EV monopolies & China’s strategic advantage 00:33:14 – Canada’s resources & the mining debate 00:34:33 – Monopolies vs. capitalism 00:36:01 – Food waste, supermarket power & local agriculture 00:37:00 – “If the nation collapses, so do we" 00:37:24 – Final thoughts on unity, dialogue & Canada’s future Leave a Like and Subscribe if you enjoyed! Subscribe! - https://bit.ly/SubscribeToHomegrownWatch Homegrown Season 1 on Patreon now! https://patreon.com/homegrownshowJoin our group chat!https://t.me/+HmK47zvGCNsxODlh↓↓ See more ↓↓https://instagram.com/cummingsbenjhttps://www.tiktok.com/@cummingsbenjhttps://www.facebook.com/cummingsbenjSupport Us At: http://homegrownshow.ca/

    1h 13m

  5. 11/12/2025

    Taking Back Control With A Victory Garden.

    In 1944, ordinary families grew 40% of America’s vegetables through backyard “Victory Gardens.”Today, that spirit of independence has been replaced by total reliance on grocery stores, corporate farms, and global supply chains — and it’s time to take it back. In this episode, Ben breaks down: How small gardens once fed nations Why modern “efficiency” is actually fragility How Bayer, Monsanto, Cargill, and grocery monopolies profit from dependence The staggering data showing 750% ROI and 5× more nutrients from homegrown produce Why self-sufficiency is the greatest threat to control And how a new, quiet revolution can start with one seed packet This is not about prepping or panic — it’s about freedom, resilience, and community. Grow food, trade with neighbors, and rebuild real independence. Because a population that can feed itself is a population that can’t be controlled. 00:00 – The Original Victory Gardens How ordinary Americans once grew 40% of the nation’s vegetables in backyard and community plots. 00:30 – What Changed After the War The loss of self-reliance and rise of dependence on centralized food systems. 01:10 – The Myth of Efficiency Why today’s industrial agriculture and grocery chains are fragile, not efficient. 02:00 – The Profit Motive How corporate food systems and seed monopolies profit from your dependence. 03:00 – Control and Compliance Why self-sufficient citizens threaten centralized control and corporate profits. 03:40 – The Data That Proves Gardening Pays Study results: 750% financial return and five-times-higher nutrients in homegrown food. 04:20 – The Closed-Loop SystemHow processed food, poor health, and pharmaceuticals form a profit cycle. 05:00 – A New Victory Garden Movement What happens if millions plant even a 10×10-foot plot. 05:50 – Rebuilding Real Community Trading produce, sharing skills, and restoring local connection. 06:30 – Freedom Over Convenience Growing food as an act of independence, not survivalism .07:00 – The Modern Call to Action How to start: buy seeds, use any space, involve neighbors or community gardens. 07:50 – Freedom, Food, and Tyranny Self-sufficiency as the ultimate rebellion against dependence and control. #VictoryGarden #GrowYourOwnFood #FoodIndependence #Homesteading #SelfSufficiency #FreedomThroughFarming #GardeningRevolution #FoodSecurity #HomesteadLife #FarmToTable #GardenEconomyLeave a Like and Subscribe if you enjoyed! Subscribe! - https://bit.ly/SubscribeToHomegrownWatch Homegrown Season 1 on Patreon now! https://patreon.com/homegrownshowJoin our group chat!https://t.me/+HmK47zvGCNsxODlh↓↓ See more ↓↓https://instagram.com/cummingsbenjhttps://www.tiktok.com/@cummingsbenjhttps://www.facebook.com/cummingsbenjSupport Us At: http://homegrownshow.ca/

    14 min

  6. 11/08/2025

    Why Farmers in NB are Losing Money with National Farmers Union NB Suzanne Fournier

    In this in-depth conversation, Ben sits down with Suzanne Fournier, Executive Director of the National Farmers Union in New Brunswick, to unpack the state of farming in Canada today — from corporate control and export dependency to food sovereignty, small farm challenges, and climate resilience. Fournier shares candid insights on how government policy, market concentration, and bureaucracy impact small farmers, and why buying local and supporting primary producers is essential for the future of food security. This discussion covers everything from farmland loss and supply management to garlic imports and farm profitability — and why farmers in New Brunswick paid to farm last year. 🎥 Full interview topics include: Agroecology and the NFU’s mission Corporate concentration and policy failures Self-sufficiency, export focus, and farmland protection The state of supply management in Canada Climate resilience and government inaction Bureaucracy, communication failures, and red tape Cultural loss of food knowledge and waste Farm income crisis and the need for systemic reform 📍 Chapters00:00 – Intro: Who is Suzanne Fournier and what is the NFU?02:00 – How the NFU stays independent from government and corporate control 04:00 – What “corporate control” really means in agriculture 06:00 – Why New Brunswick’s food self-sufficiency is only ~7% 10:00 – Government export focus and farmland loss 14:00 – Local procurement: what it means and why it matters 17:00 – Lessons from Europe on food sovereignty and local systems 21:00 – The decline in food quality and the monoculture problem 25:00 – Consolidation, factory farming, and pricing control 30:00 – Fixing monopolies: Competition Bureau and collective marketing 35:00 – How supply management works (and its limits) 40:00 – Climate change and small farm adaptability 45:00 – Bureaucracy, regulation, and communication breakdowns55:00 – Why young farmers give up — red tape and fear of penalties 01:00:00 – Political will, food insecurity, and public action 01:05:00 – The NFU’s role and how to get involved 01:10:00 – The farm income crisis: farmers paid to farm 01:15:00 – Garlic imports, food waste, and lost food culture 01:25:00 – Gleaning, preservation, and community solutions 01:35:00 – How to move toward true food sovereignty in New Brunswick 01:45:00 – Closing thoughts: why small farms are the future 🔗 Learn more:National Farmers Union New Brunswick — https://www.nfunb.org NFU Canada — https://www.nfu.ca#FarmingInCanada #FoodSovereignty #NationalFarmersUnion #BuyLocal #SmallFarms #FoodSecurity #NewBrunswick #Agroecology #FarmersVoice Leave a Like and Subscribe if you enjoyed! Subscribe! - https://bit.ly/SubscribeToHomegrownWatch Homegrown Season 1 on Patreon now! https://patreon.com/homegrownshowJoin our group chat!https://t.me/+HmK47zvGCNsxODlh↓↓ See more ↓↓https://instagram.com/cummingsbenjhttps://www.tiktok.com/@cummingsbenjhttps://www.facebook.com/cummingsbenjSupport Us At: http://homegrownshow.ca/

    1h 22m

  7. 11/07/2025

    The Dark Truth About Grocery Store Meat (They Don’t Want You to Know)

    When you grab that pack of steak or chicken at the grocery store, do you actually know where it came from? How it was raised? How many hands it passed through before it reached your cart? In this episode, Ben pulls back the curtain on the modern meat industry — from industrial feedlots to mega-slaughterhouses — revealing how centralized, opaque, and disconnected our food system has become. She walks through what really happens to your beef and chicken before it ever reaches the shelf, and why local meat from a small farmer or butcher isn’t just a luxury — it’s better in every possible way. This isn’t just a conversation about food. It’s about trust, transparency, and taking back control of what ends up on your plate. 00:00 – Intro: Where Does Your Meat Come From? 00:27 – The Hidden Story Behind Grocery Store Meat 01:00 – What Really Happens to Beef 01:28 – Where Sobeys and Loblaws Get Their Beef 02:45 – The Long Journey from Farm to Store 03:49 – “Freshness” Tricks and Packaging Gimmicks 04:45 – Why Ground Beef Isn’t What You Think 05:04 – Buying Direct from Farmers: The Difference 05:54 – The Chicken Industry Exposed 06:50 – The Truth About “Canadian” Chicken 07:35 – Humane Labels and Marketing Spin 08:17 – Post-Processing Secrets 08:45 – The Illusion of Choice in Big Box Meat 09:30 – How Small Farms Keep It Honest 10:06 – Local Food vs. Corporate Control 10:29 – Health & Nutrition: Grass-Fed vs. Feedlot 10:57 – The Taste Test: Real Food vs. Store Meat 11:27 – The Bottom Line: Take Back Control 12:07 – Ask Your Farmer — Not the Label Leave a Like and Subscribe if you enjoyed! Support Us At: http://homegrownshow.ca/ patreon.com/homegrownshow

    13 min

  8. 10/29/2025

    We're in trouble: New Dangerous Bylaws Proposed for Grand Manan, New Brunswick

    Across North America, small farmers and homesteaders are being regulated out of existence — one bylaw at a time. In this episode, Nicole breaks down the shocking new Grand Manan bylaw proposal in New Brunswick that could limit how many chickens, goats, or livestock you can own — and even force you to register your animals with the local government. What’s being sold as “sustainability” and “planning” looks a lot more like control. And it’s not just happening on Grand Manan — it’s happening across Canada and the United States. Nicole dives deep into the bigger picture: Why small farms are disappearing faster than ever How new “green” policies and zoning rules hurt rural independence What these changes mean for food security and community resilience And why the fight for local food freedom starts right now This isn’t about nostalgia — it’s about survival. 📢 If you believe people should have the right to grow food, raise animals, and live freely on their land — this episode is for you. ⏱️ Timecode Chapters 00:00 – Introduction 01:00 – The Illusion of “Order” and “Sustainability” 01:25 – The Hidden Agenda: Control of Rural Life 02:10 – The Disappearing Small Farm Crisis 03:40 – The Canadian Farming Collapse 04:54 – Grand Manan: A Case Study in Overreach 06:00 – Chicken Regulations and Registration Madness 08:26 – Livestock Laws: Five Acres or Nothing 09:45 – Hobby Farms Under Attack 11:00 – The True Cost of Compliance 12:33 – Bureaucracy by Design: How the Little Guy Loses 13:27 – Greenwashing and “Climate Smart” Agriculture 14:33 – The Corporate Capture of Farming 15:40 – What We Lose: Food Security, Freedom, and Tradition 16:34 – The Battle for Grand Manan 17:17 – “You Will Own Nothing…”: The Bigger Picture 18:03 – A Call to Resist and Reclaim Rural Rights 18:49 – Final Words: Survival, Not Nostalgia Leave a Like and Subscribe if you enjoyed! Support Us At: https://patreon.com/homegrownshow #GrandManan #FarmingInCanada #Homesteading #FarmFreedom #BylawBattle #LocalFood #FoodFreedom #SmallFarms #CanadianFarming #RuralLife #HomesteadRights #NicoleAndBen #Homegrown

    19 min
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Thought provoking conversations and videos with people in Canada. Highlighting underrepresented voices in Carleton County, New Brunswick to spark meaningful conversations about food, farming, politics and more.

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