The New Homesteaders

Akseli and Liam
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Technology

In a world where everything is connected, tracked, and analyzed, we explore the tools, ideas, and philosophies that help you reclaim your digital autonomy. Join us as we dive into the practical side of privacy with hands‑on discussions about Home Assistant, Nextcloud, GrapheneOS, Linux, and other open‑source technologies that put you back in control. But we don’t stop at the tech. We unpack the deeper “why” behind privacy — the ethics, the culture, and the shifting power dynamics of the digital age. Whether you're a seasoned self‑hoster, a curious newcomer, or someone who simply wants to live a little more freely online, this podcast is your guide to making privacy not just important… but cool.

  1. 6d ago

    Wi-Fi Bulbs, Security Risks & Network Isolation – Smart Home Tips

    Smart homes are supposed to make life easier… but most people screw it up right from the start. In this episode, Liam and Akseli break down the most common (and expensive) mistakes people make when building their first private smart home — including Liam’s own painful beginner errors. Topics Covered: • Why Wi-Fi bulbs are usually a terrible idea • Zigbee vs Wi-Fi vs Matter – which one should you actually use? • The massive security risks of cheap AliExpress devices • Why you must isolate your smart home network • Cloud dependency, firmware updates & devices becoming paperweights • Starting too big, buying the wrong protocols, and more If you're planning to set up Home Assistant or just getting into smart homes, this episode will save you time, money, and headaches. Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro & Liam’s Confession 00:48 - Worst first mistake most people make 02:08 - Kalex/Tuya bulbs & early automations 03:45 - Dangers of cheap AliExpress smart devices 06:20 - Zigbee vs Wi-Fi vs Z-Wave vs Matter 09:55 - Why you need a separate smart home network 13:49 - Home Assistant doesn’t automatically mean private 15:46 - Biggest security mistake in smart homes 21:42 - Smart order to buy devices 23:28 - Golden rule: If it needs internet, don’t buy it 31:31 - Should you remove all physical light switches? Like & subscribe if you're building your own digital homestead! #SmartHome #HomeAssistant #Zigbee #Privacy #SelfHosting #HomeAutomation #IoT Join the homestead rebellion: Twitter: @NewHomesteaders Website: https://the-new-homesteaders.com/ Drop your most unfiltered thoughts below — Akseli & Liam read every comment.

    36 min
  2. Stop Farming for Zuckerberg: Escape Digital Sharecropping

    May 25

    Stop Farming for Zuckerberg: Escape Digital Sharecropping

    Is your digital life just another crop for Zuckerberg's profit farm? Akseli and Liam slice into the age-old analogy of sharecropping to reveal how social media turns us into unpaid laborers feeding AI giants—without even noticing. Spoiler: Facebook isn’t just making you a product, it’s farming your data, family photos, and attention, all while Zuckerberg’s pulling the profit like a royal landowner of the digital age. So, what's the real cost for you and your digital sovereignty? In this episode, we break down the surprisingly old analogy of digital sharecropping from 2006, connecting the dots between traditional landlord-tenant relationships and modern platforms—think Facebook, TikTok, and Google. You'll discover why your social media posts are a form of labor that elevates CEOs, not users, and how open-source tools like Mastodon and Nextcloud could turn the tables in this digital land grab. We explore the moral implications of choosing open source over proprietary ecosystems, and why digital homesteading might be the true way to reclaim personal sovereignty. Tired of the AI feeding frenzy and feeling like a farmhand in your own virtual life? Join us as we discuss how decentralization, federation, and a little DIY tech savvy can make you the landlord. ⏰ Timestamps ⏰ 00:00 - Welcome & wild opener: are you a digital sharecropper? 02:17 - The sharecropping analogy: from 2006 to today 04:27 - Digital homesteading ideas: Mastodon, Nextcloud, and federated clouds 07:44 - Open source vs proprietary ecosystems: moral or practical choice? 10:18 - Simple steps to stop being a digital sharecropper this week 13:10 - The future of fair and decentralized social media models 15:11 - Why community matters and the death of local trust 18:41 - How AI, regulation, and law might shape the sandbox of tomorrow 22:34 - Can social media ever be fair? Breaking down the broken model 27:58 - Hope for engineering solutions: open source projects and grassroots innovation 33:19 - Final thoughts: if most people don’t care, does it matter? 36:36 - The importance of collective action and how to shrug off learned helplessness Join the homestead rebellion: Twitter: @NewHomesteaders Website: https://the-new-homesteaders.com/ Drop your most unfiltered thoughts below — Akseli & Liam read every comment.

    40 min

  3. May 18

    You Should Trust NO ONE With Your Data in 2026 | Zero Knowledge Explained

    Why You Should Trust NO ONE With Your Data in 2026 | Zero Knowledge & Zero Trust Explained In this episode of The New Homesteaders, Liam and Akseli break down Zero-Knowledge architecture — the only real way to protect your privacy when big tech and governments are harvesting everything. From WhatsApp backups and Google reading your old emails to mandatory facial recognition cameras in new cars, this episode shows why “Trust us” is never enough. ### Key Topics: • What Zero-Knowledge really means • Dangers of cloud services, metadata & AI training on your data • Open source vs proprietary software • How to actually secure your files on Google Drive • Why your next car will spy on you ### Timestamps: 00:07 - Welcome & Episode Overview 00:33 - Introducing Zero Knowledge 01:00 - Why OneDrive, Gmail & WhatsApp are NOT private 01:48 - The Bull & Fish Market Analogy 04:24 - Why we need to escape multinational dependency 05:20 - OSINT, metadata & your exposed private life 07:01 - The problem with “Trust Us” policies 09:04 - Open Source vs Proprietary Software 10:12 - WhatsApp cloud backup disaster & fake E2EE claims 13:40 - Google Gemini reading ALL your emails (Class Action Lawsuit) 17:10 - How to use Google Drive with Zero Knowledge (Cryptomator + VeraCrypt) 19:29 - BitLocker & Microsoft holding your encryption keys 23:05 - 2026 mandatory car cameras & facial recognition 30:03 - This affects your whole family 32:20 - Final thoughts ### Resources & Important Links: • Google Gemini Email Scanning Lawsuit (Thele v. Google, Nov 2025): https://www.classaction.org/media/thele-v-google-complaint_2.pdf • Microsoft Services Agreement (OneDrive, Outlook, BitLocker): https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/servicesagreement • EU Mandatory Car Interior Cameras & Surveillance Law (Regulation 2019/2144): https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32019R2144 ### Recommended Privacy Tools: - Signal (private messaging with disappearing messages) - Cryptomator (encrypt files before uploading to any cloud) - VeraCrypt (open-source full disk encryption) If you’re tired of being the product, start taking back control today. 👍 Like | Subscribe | Turn on notifications Also available on Spotify & Apple Podcasts. #ZeroKnowledge #Privacy #DataSecurity #ZeroTrust #Encryption #OpenSource #CyberSecurity #DigitalPrivacy #Cryptomator #VeraCrypt #Signal #BigTech #Homesteading New episodes weekly — practical talk for reclaiming independence in the modern world.

    33 min

  4. May 11

    How Data Brokers Secretly Influence Your Life and Change Whole Populations

    In this episode of The New Homesteaders, Akseli and Liam dive into the hidden world of data brokers and how your personal information is being bought and sold. Discover the impact on your insurance, privacy, and even your daily life. It's a wake-up call for anyone seeking digital independence in a world where 'free' is just a myth.Join the conversation and rethink what “privacy” truly means in the digital age. Join the homestead rebellion: X/Twitter: @NewHomesteaders Website: https://the-new-homesteaders.com/ Drop your thoughts below — Akseli & Liam read every comment.

    42 min
  5. From Graphene OS Blocks to Thread Border Router Wins

    May 4

    From Graphene OS Blocks to Thread Border Router Wins

    In this episode of The New Homesteaders, we continue our painful but rewarding journey into building a privacy-focused smart home. After battling Matter devices in the last episode, we tackle our first Thread device — the Aqara W100 Climate Sensor — along with firmware flashing, Zigbee/Thread multi-pan issues, and a stubborn Thread Border Router.Expect lots of troubleshooting, Graphene OS drama (again), hardware flow control fixes, hidden settings, and plenty of "why won't this just work?!" moments. We also unbox the Cudy WR3000 OpenWRT-friendly router and the SONOFF Zigbee & Thread Dongle as we work toward replacing our spying TP-Link Deco mesh.Despite the chaos, we finally get a working temperature & humidity sensor — small wins matter!Products Used in This Episode: Aqara Smart Climate Sensor W100 (Temperature & Humidity + Matter/Thread) → https://amzn.eu/d/09YA4LUcCudy WR3000 AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Router (OpenWRT supported) → https://amzn.eu/d/00DXppdjSONOFF Zigbee 3.0 & Thread Dongle Lite (EFR32MG21) → https://amzn.eu/d/0cYlCROzIf you're into self-hosted tech, Home Assistant, Proxmox, privacy, or building a smart home without Big Tech spying on you, this series is for you.Keywords: Home Assistant, Matter, Thread, Zigbee, Aqara W100, SONOFF Dongle, Cudy WR3000, OpenWRT, Graphene OS, Proxmox, smart home privacy, homelab, Thread Border Router

    54 min
  6. Liam sets up HomeAssistant: "Wait I already have a Smarthome?!"

    Apr 27

    Liam sets up HomeAssistant: "Wait I already have a Smarthome?!"

    The conversation covers the setup and configuration of various devices and systems, including Proxmox, Home Assistant, and TailScale. It also includes unboxing and discussing smart home devices. The hosts explore topics related to network configuration, security, and privacy. The conversation covers the setup and configuration of Home Assistant, Tailscale, and Proxmox, as well as the challenges and troubleshooting involved in the process. It also delves into the use of Bluetooth and network permissions in different operating systems. The conversation covers troubleshooting issues with network and smart home device setup, including matters related to VPN, Wi-Fi, and device integration. It also delves into the complexities of mesh networks and router configurations. The conversation covers the exploration of smart home devices, their integration with Home Assistant, and the implications of using closed-source routers. It also delves into the potential use of open-source routers and the challenges of setting up a mesh network. Takeaways Proxmox and Home Assistant setupTailScale for VPNSmart home device unboxing Home Assistant setup and configurationTailscale and Proxmox setup challengesBluetooth and network permissions in different OS Troubleshooting network and smart home device setup can be complex and require attention to detail.Understanding VPN, Wi-Fi, mesh networks, and router configurations is essential for successful device integration. Smart home devices can be integrated with Home Assistant for control and automation.The use of open-source routers and mesh networks can provide enhanced security and privacy for smart home setups. Chapters 00:00 Setting Up Proxmox and Home Assistant32:44 Exploring Proxmox Helper and Home Assistant OS45:12 Unboxing Smart Home Devices50:59 Configuring TailScale VPN01:01:18 Home Assistant Setup and Configuration01:26:28 Tailscale and Proxmox Setup Challenges01:49:01 Bluetooth and Network Permissions02:02:39 Setting Up Home Assistant and Tailscale VPN02:09:26 Connecting Matter Devices and Smart Home Integration02:28:15 Configuring Wi-Fi and Mesh Networks02:47:12 Exploring Matter Device Setup and App Integration02:52:45 Navigating Router and Wi-Fi Network Settings02:59:38 Understanding Mesh Networks and Smart Home Capabilities03:06:06 Deciphering Router Model and Smart Home Device Compatibility03:27:19 Implications of Closed-Source Routers03:39:25 Setting Up Open-Source Routers and Mesh Networks

    1h 19m
  7. Why Installing Proxmox on Old Laptops Can Completely Transform Your Home Server Setup

    Apr 20

    Why Installing Proxmox on Old Laptops Can Completely Transform Your Home Server Setup

    The conversation covers the process of setting up a new homestead, using Ventoy for bootable USB, checking hash and security measures, desktop environment preferences, ejecting USB and security concerns, BIOS configuration challenges, benefits of Ventoy for multiple ISOs, hardware specifications, Proxmox installation, selecting hard disk, and IP address configuration, and setting host name and domain. The conversation covers a range of topics, including setting up the hostname, configuring network settings, exploring Matter devices, planning for home automation, and exploring ESP32 devices. It also delves into building a weather station and the capabilities of Home Assistant for controlling infrared devices for TV automation. Takeaways Ventoy allows for multiple ISOs on a single USB stickChecking hash is essential for securityBIOS configuration can be challenging Choosing a memorable domain name makes it easier to remember and access the server.Understanding the role of the DNS server in network configuration is crucial for proper setup.Proxmox does not support WiFi setup out of the box, requiring an Ethernet connection for optimal performance.Matter devices offer a range of benefits and are positioned as a replacement for ZigBee devices.Creating a mesh network with smart lamps and routers enhances the functionality of the ZigBee network.The installation and configuration of Proxmox require attention to detail and may present challenges related to hardware availability.IKEA offers a range of Matter devices, and careful consideration is required when selecting a Matter router.Planning for home automation involves considering a range of devices and creating custom automation modes for specific scenarios.ESP32 devices offer versatility and customization options for a wide range of home automation projects.Home Assistant enables the creation of custom weather stations and the control of infrared devices for TV automation. Chapters 00:00 Setting Up a New Homestead07:10 Checking Hash and Security Measures16:18 BIOS Configuration Challenges28:11 Hardware Specifications and Proxmox Installation33:39 Selecting Hard Disk and IP Address Configuration39:02 Setting Host Name and Domain44:19 WiFi Limitations and Proxmox Support50:39 Setting Up ZigBee Router and Mesh Network59:09 Planning for Home Automation

    34 min

  8. Apr 13

    PSA: Technical Difficulties :(

    Apologies. The New Homesteaders is having technical difficulties. We will be back next week :)

    25 sec
See All (13)

About

In a world where everything is connected, tracked, and analyzed, we explore the tools, ideas, and philosophies that help you reclaim your digital autonomy. Join us as we dive into the practical side of privacy with hands‑on discussions about Home Assistant, Nextcloud, GrapheneOS, Linux, and other open‑source technologies that put you back in control. But we don’t stop at the tech. We unpack the deeper “why” behind privacy — the ethics, the culture, and the shifting power dynamics of the digital age. Whether you're a seasoned self‑hoster, a curious newcomer, or someone who simply wants to live a little more freely online, this podcast is your guide to making privacy not just important… but cool.

Information

  • Creator
    Akseli and Liam
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Akseli and Liam