Simple Farmhouse Life

There’s been a subtle shift in how our culture views boys, and in this conversation, we’re diving into where we’ve gone wrong and how to reclaim the narrative.  From understanding their natural wiring to navigating the tension between safety and risk-taking, we talk through practical ways to raise boys who are both capable and caring.  If you’re raising boys of any age and want encouragement and practical ideas, join us for this conversation! In this episode, we cover: - What sparked the message behind Boyhood Resurrected and the modern cultural shift that has changed how boys are viewed and treated - The difference between “daring and heroic” boyhood and the passive, muted version many boys are being shaped into today - Why a boy’s energy, risk-taking, and drive for adventure are not problems to fix but qualities to steward well - The tension many moms feel between protecting their sons and allowing the kind of risk that actually builds strength and confidence - Practical ways to introduce healthy danger in age-appropriate ways, from climbing trees to using real tools with guidance - Simple daily rhythms that build spiritual and emotional strength without over-structuring family life - How work, responsibility, and even boredom play a key role in shaping boys into capable young men - The connection between modern schooling struggles and the natural way boys are wired to move, learn, and engage - Addressing whining, laziness, and resistance in a way that is clear, consistent, and doesn’t escalate the emotional tone of the home - Finding the balance between raising strong boys and nurturing tender hearts without tipping into fragility - Why limiting screens is essential for boys and how to replace digital stimulation with real-life adventure and creativity - Practical ideas for occupying boys of every age when outdoor options are limited  - Encouraging brotherhood instead of rivalry through shared space, mutual respect, and avoiding comparison View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible! RESOURCES MENTIONED Grab your copy of Boyhood Resurrected: Igniting a Revival of Daring and Heroic Boys and learn more at boyhoodresurrected.com Master the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my Simple Sourdough course Gain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my Simple Sewing series Keep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbook CONNECT Rebekah Lovell | Website | Instagram | X  Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest

Smartphones, social media, and interactive screens are something many parents today are thinking carefully about, especially when it comes to their kids. In this episode, I’m joined by Clare Morrell to talk about what the research shows regarding how these technologies affect developing brains and family life. We discuss practical ways families can approach technology differently, from trying a 30-day tech detox to delaying smartphones and modeling healthier phone habits as parents. If you’re looking for thoughtful perspective and practical ideas for navigating screens in your home, this conversation will be the encouragement you need! In this episode, we cover: - Why smartphones and social media apps are intentionally designed to capture kids’ time, attention, and data - The brain science behind dopamine hits and why interactive screens are uniquely addictive for children - Why even short amounts of screen time can affect kids’ mood, focus, and behavior throughout the day - The surprising limitations of parental controls and why they rarely give parents real oversight - Distinguishing between passive technology (like watching a movie) and highly stimulating interactive media - How excessive screen stimulation can dysregulate a child’s nervous system and mimic ADHD-like symptoms - What families experience during a 30-day digital detox and the behavioral changes many notice within weeks - Ground rules for a family tech reset, including which devices and activities are removed during detox - Why addressing our own phone habits as parents—and modeling healthier technology boundaries—plays a critical role in helping kids succeed - Alternative phone options that allow teens to communicate without introducing smartphone distractions - How some families delay smartphones until late high school or adulthood and what they observe long term - Navigating cultural pressures—from youth groups to employers—that assume every teen has a smartphone - The bigger vision behind a “tech exit”: raising kids who prioritize real-world skills, creativity, and relationships over digital consumption View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible! RESOURCES MENTIONED Get your copy of Clare’s book The Tech Exit at TheTechExit.com Explore free resources to accompany the book, including screen-free activity ideas, a group discussion guide, and a tech-exit checklist Follow along with more resources and updates at ClareMorell.substack.com Interested in the Wisephone mentioned in this episode? Use code CLARE for $20 off Master the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my Simple Sourdough course Gain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my Simple Sewing series Keep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbook CONNECT Clare Morell | Website | Instagram | Substack | X Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest

When you are in the thick of raising children, it can feel overwhelming to sort through expectations, opinions, and the daily logistics of family life. In this conversation, Jennifer shares what nearly three decades of motherhood have taught her about choosing peace in each season, homeschooling at your own pace, navigating special needs with a focus on progress, and letting go of unnecessary pressure. This episode offers perspective and encouragement for building a peaceful family culture that reflects your unique family. In this episode, we cover: - Introducing Jennifer’s family of seven children ranging from 28 to 12 years old, life on a Wisconsin cranberry farm, and decades of homeschooling - What no one tells you about having a wide age range of children and the surprising gift of older kids becoming your “allies” in family life - How perspective shifts as children grow up, get married, and start families of their own, and why the years truly do move faster than you think - Letting go of early motherhood pressures about tidy homes, perfect routines, and outside expectations in order to create a peaceful family culture - Rethinking homeschool success through the lens of progress over grade levels, especially when navigating special needs - Practical rhythms for homeschooling multiple children with different abilities without doing everything at the same time - The freedom that comes with age and experience—why comparison loses its grip and confidence grows over time - Overthinking in modern motherhood, the pressure to “get it right” the first time, and permission to change your mind as you grow - What it’s actually like to become a young grandmother while still raising children at home and how that dynamic reshapes family life - Embracing the evolving nature of family seasons instead of trying to control or predict them View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible! RESOURCES MENTIONED Master the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my Simple Sourdough course Gain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my Simple Sewing series Keep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbook CONNECT Jennifer of A Country Life | Website | YouTube | Instagram | Facebook Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest

Rest doesn’t mean doing nothing, but simply pausing the constant pushing forward. In this conversation with Carolyn of Homesteading Family, we talk about what happened when her family intentionally committed to a “year of rest” on their busy homestead. With older kids, a growing business, animals to tend, and even a wedding thrown into the mix, this wasn’t a year of sitting still. It was a year of redefining peace, rethinking commitments, and learning that true rest often starts in your mindset long before it shows up on your calendar. If you’ve been feeling burned out in homesteading, homemaking, business, or motherhood, this episode will meet you right where you are and give you practical encouragement to find peace in your current season. In this episode, we cover: - The long-term vision behind planning six years of building followed by a seventh year with no major homestead projects - What “rest” actually looked like with 11 kids, animals, gardens, and a full family business still running - The surprising ways time opened up when they stopped adding infrastructure, remodels, and new systems - How an unexpected engagement, homestead wedding, and cabin build reshaped their carefully planned year - Living by rhythm instead of a clock-driven schedule and why everyday chores don’t have to feel burdensome - The myth that life automatically gets easier as kids grow — and how each new season brings its own challenges and freedoms - The difference between removing work and actually experiencing peace - A practical shift that brought immediate calm and clarity to her days and why overwhelm often follows us even into vacation seasons - The hidden cost of overcommitment and how to recognize when it’s stealing your joy in the everyday moments - Telling yourself the truth about your personality and energy instead of striving to meet someone else’s standard - Designing home rhythms that serve your season instead of copying what works for someone else View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible! RESOURCES MENTIONED Get access to the Peaceful Homestead Rhythm Challenge and the full Homestead Kitchen Membership here! Master the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my Simple Sourdough course Gain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my Simple Sewing series Keep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbook CONNECT Carolyn of Homesteading Family | Website | YouTube | Instagram | Facebook Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest

Building a home is an opportunity to slow down and make thoughtful choices that will shape your family’s everyday life for years to come.  In this conversation, I’m joined by Ash of Turner Farm to talk through what it really looks like to build an unconventional home in a world of cookie cutter houses.  We discuss choosing a smaller footprint, sourcing reclaimed materials, navigating healthy home considerations, and making peace with tradeoffs along the way.  This episode offers perspective for anyone building, renovating, or dreaming of a home that feels like YOU. In this episode, we cover: How Ash’s custom house build unfolded slowly over many years and why patience was the key in achieving her ideal vision Choosing a smaller home footprint to prioritize materials, craftsmanship, and long-term livability What sourcing reclaimed and salvaged materials really looks like in terms of time, cost, and flexibility Why self-contracting and hands-on involvement are often necessary for non-traditional builds The realities of building with wood, including movement, drying time, and embracing imperfection Weighing “healthy home” ideals against climate, budget, and everyday comfort Structural choices that support airflow, moisture control, and long-term durability Where antique or vintage-inspired elements work well — and where they create complications How simpler rooflines and layouts can prevent future moisture and maintenance issues Decisions Ash would repeat, and ones she’d rethink, when it comes to spending and saving The importance of trusting your vision and advocating for it throughout the build Accepting the inevitable “later list” and letting the home evolve over time View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible! RESOURCES MENTIONED Explore EMF Solutions products designed to manage electromagnetic frequencies in your home Check out the Sertado Copper Water Filtration System Shop BlockBlueLight for low-blue light bulbs that protect your circadian rhythm  Download Ash's new app, Sourdough School, for Apple and Android Explore Ash’s sourdough classes Master the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my Simple Sourdough course Gain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my Simple Sewing series Keep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbook CONNECT Ash of Turner Farm | Website | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | Pinterest Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest

Hospitality can feel overwhelming when life is already full, but it doesn’t have to be complicated or perfect to be meaningful. In this conversation, we talk about how different seasons of motherhood shape our capacity for hosting, why community grows through small, intentional invitations, and how letting go of perfection makes space for genuine connection. We share practical, low-pressure ideas for opening your home like simple food, flexible spaces, repeatable traditions, and involving the whole family. We hope you’ll find that these strategies make hospitality feel life-giving instead of burdensome! In this episode, we cover: - Navigating different stages of motherhood under one roof and how age gaps gradually change daily rhythms - Why hosting flows best from margin and why you shouldn’t feel guilty if it’s not your season for entertaining - Growing community intentionally instead of waiting for it to happen, even when it feels vulnerable - Letting go of the idea that hosting always means a full dinner– embracing snacks, brunches, playdates, and themed gatherings instead - Pantry-friendly, budget-conscious meal ideas that scale easily and accommodate different dietary needs without added stress - Creative hosting themes and simple twists that make gatherings memorable without requiring elaborate prep - Using your home’s basement, outdoor space, or even a single table to create the right atmosphere for both kids and adults - Regular home systems that support hospitality (even last-minute), including decluttering, minimizing decision fatigue, and spreading prep throughout the week - Why repeating the same meals or annual gatherings isn’t boring and how tradition actually reduces hosting overwhelm - Involving the whole family in hosting to make hospitality sustainable and practical ideas for how kids can contribute - Releasing perfectionism around cleanup and learning to enjoy guests without feeling “on duty” the entire time - Reframing hospitality away from self-focus and toward generosity, presence, and making people feel genuinely welcomed View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible! RESOURCES MENTIONED Check out Megan’s YouTube channel, Megan Fox Unlocked, and her podcast Youtube channel, Honey I’m Homemaker Grab Megan’s undated ​​Block It Off Planner Master the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my Simple Sourdough course Gain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my Simple Sewing series Keep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbook CONNECT Megan Fox Unlocked | Website | YouTube | Instagram | YouTube Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest

Modern nutrition advice often makes gut health feel complicated and discouraging. In this conversation, Heather shares a simple, ancestral approach to digestion that brings the focus back to whole foods, sustainable kitchen rhythms, and listening to the body’s cues. We talk through why the environment we cook in matters, how modern food processing has disrupted digestion, and why adding nourishing, traditionally prepared foods can be more effective than cutting everything out. This episode offers a realistic perspective on healing the gut in a way that supports the whole family and fits your real life! In this episode, we cover: - Heather’s approach to healing chronic digestive issues through ancestral eating and kitchen-centered rhythms - Why the kitchen environment (lighting, clutter, etc.) plays a role in digestion more than we realize - Shifting our mindset from cutting foods out to intentionally adding nourishing, traditional foods back in - A simple ancestral filter for choosing foods without getting overwhelmed by competing nutrition noise - Gentle first steps for gut healing using soups, cooked foods, and simple meals - The most common gut symptoms women experience and how digestion affects hormones and nutrients - Why bloating happens, including microbiome imbalance and poor food breakdown - Thoughts on gluten pauses, sourdough, and traditionally prepared grains - When restrictive protocols like GAPS or carnivore  may be useful and when they’re not necessary - Why animal-based protein is often easier to digest than plant-based sources, especially during gut healing - Observing food rhythms that support digestion while honoring different seasons of life– postpartum, pregnancy, breastfeeding - The difference between meat stock and bone broth and when each is most supportive View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible! RESOURCES MENTIONED Check out Heather’s Workshop: Meat Stock & Soup Making for Deep Digestive Healing Sign up for Heather’s free guide: 5 Morning Rituals for Gut Health & Healing Master the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my Simple Sourdough course Gain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my Simple Sewing series Keep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbook CONNECT Heather Woodruff | Website | Instagram | Facebook Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Do you have a question you’d like me to answer on the podcast?  A guest you’d like me to interview?  Submit your questions and ideas here: bit.ly/SFLquestions.

If you’ve been trying to eat well but feel stuck sorting through conflicting nutrition advice, this episode is for you.  In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Cate Shanahan for a practical conversation about why modern nutrition feels so confusing and how traditional diets offer a simpler framework for long-term health.  We talk through how seed oils quietly replaced more nourishing fats in the modern food supply, why they play such a big role in how processed foods impact our health, and how simple fat swaps can make a real difference without changing everything you eat.  If you’re looking for clarity, common sense, and realistic steps you can apply in your everyday life, I think you’ll really enjoy this conversation! In this episode, we cover: - Why so many people feel overwhelmed and confused by modern nutrition advice and how looking to traditional diets helps cut through the noise - Dr. Cate’s background in genetics and family medicine and how one generation’s food choices can shape the next - The four pillars found across traditional cultures that support long-term health (fresh foods, ferments and sprouting, bone broth, and organ meats) - How modern convenience foods quietly replaced nutrient-dense fats with industrial seed oils - Why seed oils are the true driver behind why junk food makes people feel and look unwell - A breakdown of the “Hateful Eight” seed oils to watch for when reading ingredient labels - The difference between toxic seed oils and neutral refined oils and why not all refined fats are equal - How to identify truly healthy fats by taste, labeling, and how they’re processed - Why simply swapping fats (without changing the rest of the meal) can have a major impact on health - The hidden places seed oils show up (even in organic and “healthy” grocery items) - A realistic, low-stress approach to reducing seed oils without trying to overhaul everything overnight - Why consumer demand is finally shifting the food industry toward better fat choices and what that means for home cooks View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible! RESOURCES MENTIONED Pick up your copies of Dr. Cate’s books:  Deep Nutrition: Why Your Genes Need Traditional Food Dark Calories: How Vegetable Oils Destroy Our Health and How We Can Get It Back Receive Dr. Cate’s email newsletter by signing up here Master the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my Simple Sourdough course Gain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my Simple Sewing series Keep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbook CONNECT Dr. Cate Shanahan | Website | Instagram | Facebook | X Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Do you have a question you’d like me to answer on the podcast?  A guest you’d like me to interview?  Submit your questions and ideas here: bit.ly/SFLquestions.

Roadside farm stands are popping up everywhere, and for good reason!  In this conversation, I’m joined by Rayla to explore why this simple way of selling homemade food has gained so much traction and how it’s becoming a valuable income stream and community touchpoint for so many families.  We talk through what it really looks like to start a farm stand from scratch, the time and profitability behind it, and why simplicity matters more than scale.  From zoning and logistics to packaging, marketing, and creating an experience people want to return to, this episode offers a realistic look at whether a farm stand could be a good fit for your season and goals! In this episode, we cover: - Why roadside farm stands are popping up everywhere and what’s driving the renewed interest - What to consider before starting a farm stand, including zoning, cottage food laws, and location - Simple ways to start small with minimal infrastructure and upgrade over time - How distance from the road, visibility, and signage affect foot traffic - Choosing a focused product menu that’s manageable and profitable - The realistic time investment behind baking and restocking a self-serve stand - How to run a shared farm stand with multiple contributors and clear inventory tracking - Why creating an experience matters just as much as the product itself - Packaging choices that work best for self-serve farm stands - Local marketing strategies that actually drive traffic and repeat customers - Whether farm stand oversaturation is a real concern - Income potential and what determines long-term profitability - Where to find resources, recipes, and community support for getting started View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible! RESOURCES MENTIONED Check out Rayla’s online course: Farmstand Made Simple: Start, Bake & Sell from Home in 30 Days (ALL INCLUSIVE WORKSHOP) Join her LIVE Zoom training every Saturday–teaching people how to start a farmstand or cottage baking business Tune into previous episodes with Flour Barn Bakery: Episode 244: Turn Your Homemaking Skills into a Business: How to Start a Microbakery with Lily and Ellen Episode 302: Building a Profitable Business from Home as a Mom: Lessons from a Micro Bakery with Lily Master the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my Simple Sourdough course Gain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my Simple Sewing series Keep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbook CONNECT Rayla Collins of Farmstand Club | Website | Instagram | TikTok Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Do you have a question you’d like me to answer on the podcast?  A guest you’d like me to interview?  Submit your questions and ideas here: bit.ly/SFLquestions.

As teens near the end of high school, many families feel the sudden pressure of answering the question, what’s next?  In this episode, Hannah and I dive into how the modern college system developed, why it often no longer fits the realities of work and opportunity, and what can be lost when college becomes the default without a clear end goal. Hannah lays out her practical framework for helping teens think through future work based on real-life needs—not just passion—and why slowing the process down matters more than ever. If you’re looking for insight into guiding your teen through this important transition in life, don’t miss this episode! In this episode, we cover: - Navigating the sudden pressure of everyone asking “what’s next?” when teens near the end of high school - How the modern college system developed and why today’s default path no longer matches the realities of work, debt, or opportunity - The surprising data behind how few jobs actually require a college degree and why degree inflation persists anyway - What gets lost when young adults are pushed into college without clarity– time, confidence, flexibility, and momentum - Reframing career conversations away from passion-first thinking and toward identifying real-life needs and long-term goals - A practical framework for helping teens evaluate their desired future work based on income, schedule, location, and work environment - Why exposure and exploration matter more than credentials, and how simply shadowing careers of interest can prevent costly missteps - How student loan debt quietly limits future options like family life, entrepreneurship, and location flexibility - Why parents play a critical role in slowing the process down, asking better questions, and refusing to co-sign unclear decisions - Encouragement for families who feel unsure how to guide teens without a clear roadmap and why building an individualized plan together is worth the effort View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible! RESOURCES MENTIONED Listen to the 1000 Hours Outside interview with Hannah  Grab a copy of Hannah’s book, The Degree Free Way: How to Help Your 16-20 Year Old Build the Life They Want Master the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my Simple Sourdough course Gain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my Simple Sewing series Keep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbook CONNECT Hannah of Degree Free | Website | Instagram | YouTube | X  Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Do you have a question you’d like me to answer on the podcast?  A guest you’d like me to interview?  Submit your questions and ideas here: bit.ly/SFLquestions.