290 episodes

Conversations on how to plan, build, and live the tiny life. Ethan Waldman from thetinyhouse.net gives you the chance to get inside the heads of tiny house luminaries and every day tiny house dwellers so you can plan, build and live the tiny house life you’ve been dreaming of. Discover how you can create a tiny lifestyle that includes owning your own home, whether it’s a tiny house on wheels, van, or camper that you can take with you, or just a sweet tiny cabin in the mountains. Ethan built his own tiny house on wheels in 2012 and has been educating other tiny house hopefuls ever since. His flagship resource, Tiny House Decisions has been widely recommended by tiny house experts as a must-read how to guide to planning a successful tiny house. From tiny house heating, plumbing, and composting toilets, to building a tiny house for cheap, DIY techniques and more. Subscribe if you are ready to start YOUR tiny house journey.

Tiny House Lifestyle Podcast Ethan Waldman

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.9 • 153 Ratings

Conversations on how to plan, build, and live the tiny life. Ethan Waldman from thetinyhouse.net gives you the chance to get inside the heads of tiny house luminaries and every day tiny house dwellers so you can plan, build and live the tiny house life you’ve been dreaming of. Discover how you can create a tiny lifestyle that includes owning your own home, whether it’s a tiny house on wheels, van, or camper that you can take with you, or just a sweet tiny cabin in the mountains. Ethan built his own tiny house on wheels in 2012 and has been educating other tiny house hopefuls ever since. His flagship resource, Tiny House Decisions has been widely recommended by tiny house experts as a must-read how to guide to planning a successful tiny house. From tiny house heating, plumbing, and composting toilets, to building a tiny house for cheap, DIY techniques and more. Subscribe if you are ready to start YOUR tiny house journey.

    There’s A Mouse in the [Tiny] House!

    There’s A Mouse in the [Tiny] House!

    Welcome to the Tiny House Lifestyle Podcast, where we delve into the world of tiny living. In this episode, I’m sharing my own captivating [and slightly humorous] tale of dealing with unexpected visitors in my tiny house. It all starting with light scratching sounds, which led to the shocking discovery of these unexpected guests. In this episode, I am walking you through the entire process of diagnosing, cleaning, and ultimately sealing off the entry points for these tiny intruders. With valuable lessons and practical advice for both builders and current tiny house dwellers, let’s explore the importance of preemptive measures and the necessity of addressing pest issues promptly. Stay tuned for helpful insights and a real-life tale of tiny house pest control adventure.

    In This Episode:
    House maintenance: 🏠 Ethan's experience emphasizes the importance of inspecting and maintaining tiny houses to prevent critters from entering and causing issues.DIY building tips: 🔨 For DIY builders, it's essential to prioritize properly constructing soffits and fascia to ensure they are effective barriers against critters.Early pest control: ⏱️ Being proactive when signs of critters are noticed can prevent a minor issue from escalating into a major infestation.Infestation aftermath: 🐭 Even after addressing the initial infestation, hidden traps are an additional precaution.Prevention as a priority: 🚪 Highlighting the need for immediate action and the importance of not delaying pest control measures.Links and Resources
    Pneumatic Staple GunVictor Mouse TrapBuilding Construction IllustratedVisit www.thetinyhouse.net/286 for full show notes, links and resources.
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    • 17 min
    The Effort to Legalize Tiny Homes and Create a National Standard

    The Effort to Legalize Tiny Homes and Create a National Standard

    As the president of THIA and the director of Government relations for the American Tiny House Association, Dan Fitzpatrick is at the forefront of the movement to legalize tiny homes as a viable housing option in the United States. In this episode, we'll dive into the progress being made in legalizing tiny homes, the collaboration between Tiny Home Industry Association and the International Code Council, and the challenges faced in navigating zoning constraints for placing tiny houses. We'll also discuss the importance of working with local leaders to bring about change, as well as Dan's work with Vera Struck and the introduction of a bill to legalize tiny homes in Massachusetts. Whether you're a tiny house enthusiast or simply curious about the movement, this episode will provide valuable insights into the future of legal tiny homes.
    In This Episode:
    🏠 Legalizing Tiny Homes: Dan has been working with state and municipalities to legalize tiny homes
    💡 Collaboration and Advocacy: The episode highlights the importance of working with local organizations and leaders to drive change in building and zoning laws. 📈 Scaling Up: Scaling up in the tiny home industry is crucial to meet the growing demand and drive down costs.🏢 Building Codes: Dan discusses the collaboration between the Tiny Home Industry Association and the ICC, including the creation of a handbook called "The Tiny House Building It Right".🏘️ Zoning Constraints: Zoning regulations are currently a major constraint for the tiny home industry. 💼 Government Relations: Dan highlights the importance of connecting with officials as peers and actively engaging with elected officials at the local level.🌍 National Impact: The significance of a national standard for tiny homes in driving industry growth and helping municipalities legalize tiny homes.This Week's Sponsor:
    PrecisionTemp:
    We spoke with John and Fin Kernohan from the United Tiny House Association, they have a total of three PrecisionTemp On Demand hot water heaters. PrecisionTemp professionally installed all three of the Kernohan’s water heaters and now they have an on demand supply of endless hot water. These units are suitable for any tiny lifestyle and are available for propane or natural gas.
    PrecisionTemp is offering $100 off any unit plus free shipping when use the coupon code THLP. So head over to precisiontemp.com and use the coupon code THLP at checkout for $100 off any unit.  Thank you so much to PrecisionTemp for sponsoring our show.

    Visit www.thetinyhouse.net/285 for full show notes, links and resources.
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    • 35 min
    Investing in Your DIY Skills: Turning Van Life into a Profitable Venture

    Investing in Your DIY Skills: Turning Van Life into a Profitable Venture

    Nate Murphy is an adventurous builder and filmmaker who has taken on not just one, but countless incredible projects, converting several vans into cozy living spaces and renovating a centuries old house in the beautiful Pyrenees Mountains. In our conversation, Nate shares his experience of building a van from scratch, documenting every step of the process with over 100 hours of footage. Nate also opens up about the intense filming process, and the unique aspects of van conversion that make it both intimidating and incredibly cool. But that's not all, Nate goes beyond the van, sharing the captivating story of renovating a 250 year old house in the scenic Pyrenees, we'll hear about the demanding and rewarding journey of bringing new life to this historical gem. Whether you're curious about van conversions, tiny house living, or the challenges of renovating an old house, this episode has something for everyone.

    In This Episode:
    🏡 Customization and enjoyment: The value of a van conversion lies in the personalization and satisfaction of the build.🌍 Van life vs. tiny houses: Younger people prefer the flexibility of van life, while older individuals are drawn to tiny houses for retirement and cost-cutting.🏢 Housing affordability crisis: Limited options in the UK and high prices in areas with economic opportunity.⚖️ Laws and restrictions: Living in a van is tolerated in many countries, but regulations vary.🛠️ DIY resources: How Nate unexpectedly turned into a van conversion educator.🕑 Time commitment: Building a van or a house takes time and dedication.🔌 Learning new skills: DIYing a van conversion involves mastering electrical, plumbing, gas line hookups, carpentry, and more.🏠 Renovating old houses: Nate Murphy shares his experience and challenges of renovating a 250-year-old house in Spain.This Week's Sponsor:
    PrecisionTemp:
    We spoke with John and Fin Kernohan from the United Tiny House Association, they have a total of three PrecisionTemp On Demand hot water heaters. PrecisionTemp professionally installed all three of the Kernohan’s water heaters and now they have an on demand supply of endless hot water. These units are suitable for any tiny lifestyle and are available for propane or natural gas.
    PrecisionTemp is offering $100 off any unit plus free shipping when use the coupon code THLP. So head over to precisiontemp.com and use the coupon code THLP at checkout for $100 off any unit.  Thank you so much to PrecisionTemp for sponsoring our show.

    Visit www.thetinyhouse.net/nate-murphy for full show notes, links and resources.


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    • 50 min
    Tiny House Dweller Reluctantly Becomes Lobbyist to Legalize Movable Tiny Houses

    Tiny House Dweller Reluctantly Becomes Lobbyist to Legalize Movable Tiny Houses

    I met Vera a decade ago and we were both invited to speak at Deek Diedrickson's Tiny House workshop in Connecticut. She explained that my first pictures of my tiny house that I built in 2012 with rain screen inspired her to deep dive into everything from thermal bridging to mold mitigation for the build of her silver bullet tiny house.

    When Vera takes on a project or issue you can bet she's thorough, persistent, and resilient. Vera has been on our podcast twice before, last time she discussed pandemic tiny house living at the very beginning of 2020. Today, she will help us learn about her process of becoming an active participant in democracy to legalize the very housing product she's lived in for over a decade in Massachusetts.

    In This Episode:
    🔎 Advocacy in the democratic process: Vera shares her her process of becoming a lobbyist, advocating for tiny houses and engaging with legislators.📋 Forming a task force: It takes a time and a team to advocate for and develop tiny house building code.💰 Affordable housing solutions: The important role of tiny houses as a response to the growing housing crisis.🌍 Sustainability and environmental advocacy: Vera’s commitment to a sustainable lifestyle through her tiny house lifestyle.📰 Media engagement: Vera explains her strategy for making progress now and handling press later.🧩 Standards and certifications: The debate within the tiny house community and the benefits of the Massachusetts bill.🏡 Tiny house maintenance: How does a tiny house hold up a decade after going tiny? Vera discusses her silver bullet tiny house and the maintenance requirements she has encountered over the years.This Week's Sponsor:
    PrecisionTemp:
    We spoke with John and Fin Kernohan from the United Tiny House Association, they have a total of three PrecisionTemp On Demand hot water heaters. PrecisionTemp professionally installed all three of the Kernohan’s water heaters and now they have an on demand supply of endless hot water. These units are suitable for any tiny lifestyle and are available for propane or natural gas.
    PrecisionTemp is offering $100 off any unit plus free shipping when use the coupon code THLP. So head over to precisiontemp.com and use the coupon code THLP at checkout for $100 off any unit.  Thank you so much to PrecisionTemp for sponsoring our show.

    Visit www.thetinyhouse.net/verastruck for full show notes, links and resources.
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    • 35 min
    Discovering the Joys and Challenges of Living on a Tugboat

    Discovering the Joys and Challenges of Living on a Tugboat

    Pamela has a fascinating story to share about her life aboard a 100 year old tugboat called the Zenia Sophia. From the day before she got married, Pamela and her husband Ulrich have made this boat their home, raising their two daughters on board, creating a unique and adventurous lifestyle. We'll dive into their journey from the challenges of finding moorage for their 65 foot long boat, to the exhilaration of a rocky crossing. We'll also learn about the importance of supervising children around bodies of water and get a glimpse into the vibrant liveaboard community on the Pacific Northwest Coast.

    In This Episode:
    Living on a boat ⛵️: Pamela and her family have lived a unique and vibrant liveaboard lifestyle for more than 30 years.Challenges of finding moorage 🚢: The difficulties of finding a place to dock their 65-foot long boat.Raising children around water 🚸: Pamela reflects on the responsibility of supervising kids on a liveaboard.Community and support 🤝: The liveaboard community is close-knit, looking out for one another.Challenges of boat maintenance and repairs 🛠️: Pamela discusses the work involved in maintaining a 100-year-old boat, including unexpected repairs and highlighting the complexities of working on a wooden vessel.Unique experiences and interests 🌍: Pamela shares the unique experiences that living on a boat brings, including a rocky crossing.Importance of air circulation and temperature control 🌬️: Pamela shares how they maintain comfortable temperatures and humidity levels onboard.Port Townsend as a hub for wooden boats 🌲: The speaker discusses Port Townsend's reputation as a dreamland for wooden boat owners.Visit thetinyhouse.net/282 for full show notes and additional photos.
    This Week's Sponsor:
    You might be looking for more support, more information, and more interaction on your tiny house journey. My online community called Tiny House Engage is going to be opening for registration for the first time since June. That is coming Tuesday, October 10. Inside of the community, I am there answering questions, there are people living in tiny houses answering questions, people who are currently building or buying tiny houses, and tiny dreamers who are just starting their journeys. All getting together, supporting each other, talking tiny and hanging out at some really cool weekly live events that we host inside the community. If you think this might be of interest to you, you can head over to thetinyhouse.net/engage to get on the waitlist and I will send you an email as soon as everything opens up again. I'm looking forward to meeting you inside of the community. 


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    • 46 min
    Toilet Types for Tiny Houses

    Toilet Types for Tiny Houses

    The type of toilet you choose to install in your tiny home will definitely affect things like your budget, your other systems, and your ability to travel. It's a question that I get from time to time, so I thought I would share this short and informational session with you. I am talking through what I chose for my tiny house, the different types of toilets that exist, how they work, and the pros and cons of each.

    In This Episode:
    Water usage and flush toilets in a tiny home environmentWaste water tanks and weight impactsAlternative solutions to flush and compost toiletsBreaking down the pros and cons of commercial compost toiletsAll about bucket-style compost toiletsLinks and Resources
    Tiny House SummitAll Access PassHumanure Handbook by Joseph JenkinsThere’s No Such Thing as a Composting Toilet with Humanure Handbook Author Joe Jenkins on the Tiny House Lifestyle Podcast
    Full show notes, links and resources can be found at https://www.thetinyhouse.net/toilet-types

    This Week's Sponsor:
    Tiny House Engage brings together tiny house hopefuls and DIYers to share plans and resources, learn from each other’s challenges and mistakes, and celebrate our successes so that we can feel less alone while we build faster, safer, smarter, cheaper homes and embrace the tiny house lifestyle. Whether you’re a tiny house dreamer who is still figuring out all the systems, plans, and everything you need to go into your tiny house, or if you’re actively building, Tiny House Engage has the resources for you. There are professional contractors in the community here to answer your questions about plumbing, electricity, and ventilation, and there’s also plenty of interaction between members. If you need some encouragement or just need to know how someone else solved a problem, you’ll get those answers in Tiny House Engage. I’m also very active in the community, answering questions and keeping an eye on things, so if you want to interact with me, this is a great way to do it. To learn more and register for Tiny House Engage, go to thetinyhouse.net/engage.
    Support the showListen. Subscribe. Rate. Review.
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    • 20 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
153 Ratings

153 Ratings

Hdank1986 ,

My favorite podcast

I found this podcast a couple months ago, and I LOVE it! I look forward to Fridays for your new episodes. As someone looking to get into the tiny life, your podcasts have been so helpful! I’m learning so much, and I appreciate all the different guests and topics.

Tiny Off-Grid House Research ,

Episode 252 “Want A Safe Tiny House Foundation”

Ethan, I appreciate that during the discussion you initiated the topic of Tiny House trailer insulation; an important topic that’s often over looked.
Thermal bridging, which can cause condensation and progress to the growth of mold, is a concern with some bumper-pull trailer models that have the subfloor between the wheel wells creating an uninsulated corner where the subfloor and walls meet.
Thank you

Bonehead1932 ,

I appreciate your information.

I really enjoy your information and how to go about beginning and all the way to the end. I’m disabled but am going to start my own small house in my back yard.so I’ll be able to move it to my daughters house so she can look over me because of my health but I need my own space for me and my medical dogs!!!!!! I’m trying to save up for your book but on a fixed income it’s hard to get extra money for such things. I was a General contractor so I have lots of building supplies left over and I believe with everything I got I may be able to do the house completely if not I can probably purchase the rest!!!!!!!! I live at 10672 E. Oasis Dr. Mesa, Arizona 85208 so it doesn’t get very cold here but I did Air Conditioning & Heating and electrical for 30 years then I became a general contractor. I appreciate all your help in this building of my small house!!!!!!!!

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