Homestead-ish

Kristin & Devon
  • 5.0 (4)
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Welcome to the Homestead-ish Podcast! Join us - Kristin and Devon - as we reconnect with nature and each other through the homesteading movement. In every episode, we share our journey of rediscovering the skills of our great-grandparents, uncovering sustainable practices, and learning how to heal our planet one step at a time. Perfect for non-traditional enthusiasts eager to cultivate traditional skills and meaningful connections, this podcast offers a space for everyone to engage. Tune in and become a part of our community dedicated to preserving our natural resources for generations to come. Don't miss out—subscribe now and start your homestead-ish adventure with us!

  1. 5d ago

    Sourdough Science: What Dr. Margaret Wallen's Research Reveals About Your Starter

    Send us Fan Mail What exactly is happening inside a sourdough starter? Why do some starters seem to have their own personality? Does a 100-year-old starter really make better bread? And what role do billions of invisible microbes play in creating the flavors, aromas, and rise we love in sourdough? In this episode of Homestead-ish, we sit down with Dr. Margaret Wallen, Assistant Professor of Biology at Indiana University Southeast, to explore the fascinating science behind sourdough fermentation. What began with her family's century-old sourdough starter, affectionately named "Baby," has evolved into a multi-year research project investigating the microbial communities that make each sourdough culture unique.  Together, we explore the relationship between wild yeast and bacteria, why no two starters are exactly alike, and what Dr. Wallen's research reveals about how sourdough cultures establish themselves and maintain stability over time. We also discuss practical tips for home bakers, including how to revive sluggish starters, the role of whole wheat flour, and common misconceptions about fermentation.  Beyond bread, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on our relationship with the microbial world and why understanding bacteria may be one of the keys to building healthier people, healthier food systems, and a healthier planet.  Connect With Dr. Margaret Wallen Learn more about Dr. Wallen's research and how to connect HERE.  Connect with Homestead-ish Follow Homestead-ish on IG @homesteadish_pod Connect with Kristin @growingpaines_ Connect with Devon @devonballardhudson 🌱 As always, stay curious and a little bit wild!

    1 hr

  2. Jun 4

    Seed Saving, Joy, and the Stories Hidden in Every Seed with Noel of Homestead Culture

    Send us Fan Mail If you're looking for a quick list of seed-saving hacks, this probably isn't that episode. In a world that encourages us to consume information as quickly as possible, today's conversation invites you to slow down. Noel of Homestead Culture joins us for a thoughtful discussion about seed saving, homesteading, and what it means to develop a deeper relationship with the plants that feed us. While you'll definitely walk away with practical tips for saving seeds in your own garden, we hope you'll leave with something even more valuable: a glimpse into the joy, wonder, and reverence that Noel and his family bring to this timeless practice. Together we explore: 🌱 How Noel's family transitioned from suburban California to a homesteading life in Southern Oregon 🌱 The story behind Homestead Culture and how a simple fascination with seeds grew into a seed-saving business 🌱 Beginner-friendly crops for new seed savers 🌱 The differences between heirloom, hybrid, and open-pollinated seeds 🌱 Common seed-saving mistakes and how to avoid them 🌱 Finding joy, abundance, and connection through homesteading This episode is a reminder that some knowledge can't be rushed. Like a good meal, a thriving garden, or a season spent tending plants, some conversations are meant to be savored. Whether you're an experienced gardener or have never saved a seed in your life, we think you'll enjoy spending an hour in Noel's world. Homestead Culture Resources Connect with Homestead Culture on IG @homesteadculture Free Crash Course into Seed Saving "Everything you need to know to start saving seeds"  https://homesteadculture.com/saveseeds/ Seed Resources Lots of articles & stories about seeds in one place. For definitions of Heirlooms, Hybrid, Open Pollinated, scroll to the section titled "Seeds and Diversity" https://homesteadculture.com/seed-resources/ Our Seed Offerings Perennial vegetables, flowers, herbs, & diverse mixes.  https://homesteadculture.com/shop/   Connect with Homestead-ish Follow Homestead-ish on IG @homesteadish_pod Connect with Kristin @growingpaines_ Connect with Devon @devonballardhudson 🌱 As always, stay curious and a little bit wild!

    1h 20m

  3. May 21

    S2, E7: From Suburbia to Farm School: Raising Meat Rabbits with Shelly Tyler of Fiddlewood Farm & School

    Send us Fan Mail This week on Homestead-ish, we’re joined by our friend Shelly Tyler of Fiddlewood Farm & Forest School in Owensboro, Kentucky for a conversation that goes far beyond meat rabbits. Content Note: In this episode, we have a candid conversation about raising meat rabbits for food, including some detailed discussion of the harvesting and processing process. We know this topic may not be for everyone, so we wanted to give sensitive listeners a heads up.  Shelly shares her unexpected journey from physical therapist and functional medicine practitioner to homesteader, forest school founder, and rabbit raiser. Together, we explore how slowing down, reconnecting with nature, and learning forgotten skills can transform not only our health, but the way we live and raise our families. We also dive deep into the realities of raising meat rabbits — from setup and care to harvesting, processing, and the emotional complexity of raising your own food. This episode contains honest discussion about animal processing and homestead meat production. Follow Shelly and Fiddlewood Farm & Forest School for more from her homestead journey! Connect With Us Follow Shelly Tyler of Fiddlewood Farm & School @fiddlewood.farm Connect with Kristin @growingpaines_ Connect with Devon @devonballardhudson Follow Homestead-ish @homesteadish_pod

    47 min

  4. May 11 ·  Bonus

    S2, E6: Backyard Climate Activist, 7 Ways to Heal the Planet from Home (a mini-episode)

    Send us Fan Mail This week’s episode is a little different. After missing our first Thursday release in two full seasons (life happens!), Devon hops on solo for a brief in-between episode to share a personal update and an exciting glimpse into her forthcoming book, Backyard Climate Activist: Healing the Planet from Home. Drawing from a recent Substack essay, Devon explores the heart behind the Backyard Climate Activist framework and shares the seven “R’s” that shape the book’s philosophy:  Rewild  Reconnect  Refuse  Reduce  Reuse  Recycle  Rot In a world where the climate crisis can feel overwhelming and impossible to solve alone, this episode is a reminder that meaningful change often begins much closer to home than we think.  We’ll be back next week with a full episode and guest interview, but in the meantime, we hope this conversation leaves you feeling inspired, grounded, and hopeful. Mentioned in this episode: Backyard Climate Activist: Healing the Planet from Home (forthcoming)! Stay-tuned to be the first to get your hands on a copy!  Devon’s Substack essay: “How to Be a Backyard Climate Activist: 7 Ways to Heal the Planet from Home”  Clarissa Pinkola Estés' Letter to a Young ActivistKiss the Ground by Josh TickellConnect with us: Follow along for more conversations about homesteading, sustainability, reconnecting with nature, and creating a more hopeful future from right where we are. Follow the Homestead-ish IG pageConnect with Devon on IGConnect with Kristin on IG

    13 min

  5. Apr 23

    When Western Medicine Isn’t Enough: Blending Cannabis, Aromatherapy, and Western Medicine with Michele Finn of Jubilee of Wellness

    Send us Fan Mail What happens when modern medicine isn’t enough, and you’re willing to explore everything to help someone you love? In this episode of Homestead-ish, we sit down with Jubilee of Wellness founder Michele Finn—aromatherapist, CBD wellness guide, caregiver, and now Devon’s neighbor at The District—to talk about what it really looks like to blend holistic healing with Western healthcare. Michele shares the deeply personal story of caring for her mother through an 11-year battle with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and how that journey led her into the world of aromatherapy and cannabis-based wellness. Together, we explore how essential oils, CBD, THC, and CBG can support the body, the importance of proper education and safety, and why healing doesn’t have to be an either/or conversation. One of the most powerful moments in this episode is Michele’s story of a critical turning point in her mother’s illness when traditional treatments had reached their limits, and cannabis helped restore comfort, function, and dignity in a moment that felt nearly hopeless. This conversation is a reminder that healing isn’t always linear and sometimes the most meaningful care comes from combining tools, not choosing sides. Connect With Us Visit Michele locally at Jubilee of Wellness at The District Artisan Market & Patio and at the New Albany Farmers Market Shop online: JubileeofWellness.com About Dr. Ethan Russo  Connect with Kristin @growingpaines_ Connect with Devon @devonballardhudson Follow Homestead-ish @homesteadish_pod This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your health or wellness routine.

    54 min

  6. Apr 9

    S2, E4: We Built This Life…But Can We Ever Leave It? Homestead updates, kombucha brewing, chickens & the reality of finding a farm sitter

    Send us Fan Mail There’s a version of homesteading we all dream about...slow mornings, fresh food, a life rooted in intention. And then there’s the part no one really talks about: What happens when you need to leave? In this catch-up episode, we’re sharing what life looks like on our homesteads right now, from scaling up kombucha production and experimenting with no-dig potatoes, to navigating loss in the flock and the very real challenge of finding someone to care for your animals when you’re away. It’s part life update, part honest conversation, and part figuring-it-out-as-we-go. 🐓 In This Episode:  Scaling small-batch kombucha into larger production  No-dig / no-till potato planting with straw  Losing a beloved chicken and caring for a sick flock  The realities of farm sitting and leaving your homestead  Upcoming guests + events 🌿 Connect & Resources Connect with Kristin @growingpaines_ Connect with Devon @devonballardhudson Follow Homestead-ish @homesteadish_pod Purchase the Homesteading as Resistance Tee on Etsy Attend the Land, Love, & Self-Reliance Festival

    52 min

  7. Mar 26

    S2, E3: Gardening When You Have No Time (But Still Want to Grow Food) with Jess Robison

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Homestead-ish, we’re joined again by Jess Robison of Acton Food Forest, who returns to share how her approach to gardening has evolved in a new season of life, now as a mom of three! Instead of trying to “do it all,” Jess has leaned into a more time-efficient, realistic, and sustainable way to grow food, one that works with her life, not against it. We talk about what it looks like to let go of perfection in the garden and embrace practices that are not only easier, but often more aligned with nature. Time-efficient gardening isn’t just about convenience, it’s about accessibility. When we remove the pressure to do gardening “perfectly,” we open the door for more people to participate in growing food, reconnecting with nature, and becoming part of the solution! 🌿 Connect & Resources Follow Jess on Instagram @actonfoodforest or TikTok @actonfoodforest Weeds and What They Tell Us by Ehrenfried E. Pfeiffer Connect with Kristin @growingpaines_ Connect with Devon @devonballardhudson Follow Homestead-ish @homesteadish_pod Share this episode with a friend who “doesn’t have time” to garden!

    52 min

  8. Mar 11

    S2, E2: Seed Starting & Soil Blocking Tips & Tricks!

    Send us Fan Mail Spring is waking up on the homestead, and in this episode Devon and Kristin share what’s happening in their backyards, from goat breeding updates to welcoming new baby chicks. Then they dig into one of the most exciting parts of the gardening season: starting seeds indoors. The conversation focuses on soil blocking, a method of seed starting that eliminates plastic waste and encourages strong root development. Devon and Kristin share their different approaches to soil blocking, the equipment they use, and how beginners can get started without investing in expensive tools. They also discuss lighting setups, heat mats, watering techniques, seed depth, and when to start seeds in their Zone 7A climate. Along the way, they share practical lessons learned from years of trial and error...including why starting seeds too early can sometimes cause more problems than it solves. Whether you’re a first-time gardener or a seasoned grower looking to refine your system, this episode offers simple, practical tips to help your seedlings thrive! 🌿 Connect with Us Devon on IG @devonballardhudson Kristin on IG @growingpaines_ ⭐If You Loved This Episode Please follow, rate, and share with a like-minded friend. It helps this small but mighty podcast grow.

    1h 3m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Homestead-ish Podcast! Join us - Kristin and Devon - as we reconnect with nature and each other through the homesteading movement. In every episode, we share our journey of rediscovering the skills of our great-grandparents, uncovering sustainable practices, and learning how to heal our planet one step at a time. Perfect for non-traditional enthusiasts eager to cultivate traditional skills and meaningful connections, this podcast offers a space for everyone to engage. Tune in and become a part of our community dedicated to preserving our natural resources for generations to come. Don't miss out—subscribe now and start your homestead-ish adventure with us!

Information

  • Creator
    Kristin & Devon
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Homestead-ish
  • Show Website
    Homestead-ish

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