In this podcast, Greg interviews Elizabeth Bruckner, the accidental suburban homesteader and author of 'The Homesteader Mindset.' Elizabeth shares her journey of cultivating resilience through intentional living, influenced by her family's World War II experiences and her education in acupuncture and oriental medicine. She discusses the concept of homesteading, debunking myths about time, complexity, and cost, and emphasizes the importance of habit creation and community. Elizabeth also touches on the significance of self-care and shares insights into her personal struggles and triumphs, including overcoming a chronic illness. The episode is filled with practical advice on starting small, finding joy in routine tasks, and being open to receiving help from others. Elizabeth’s story is both inspirational and educational, making a strong case for the benefits of adopting a homesteader mindset in modern life.

00:00 Introduction to Elizabeth Bruckner

01:24 Elizabeth's Family History and Early Influences

04:36 Journey into Acupuncture and Holistic Medicine

08:08 The Accidental Homesteader

12:20 Defining Modern Homesteading

18:30 Practical Tips for Homesteading

25:28 Habit Stacking and Habit Chaining

26:09 Building Community Through Local Markets

27:27 The Importance of Self-Care in Homesteading

28:19 Understanding Stacking Functions in Permaculture

33:08 Embracing Failures and Learning from Them

36:22 The Healing Power of the Body and Self-Care

41:18 The Joy of Curiosity and Community

43:04 Final Thoughts and Advice.

Our Guest:  Elizabeth is the author of the Homesteader Mindset, a book that will transform the way you view self-sufficiency and give you the tools and practical tips needed. For a more meaningful life, Elizabeth's book has quickly become a must read for every person who dreams of creating sustainable, living through traditional skills and common sense. Elizabeth holds an MS degree in acupuncture and oriental medicine and empowers her patients utilizing the five element. Theory of traditional Chinese medicine and the power of habit creation. Elizabeth's groundbreaking methods in self-development for the mind and the body have been incorporated by a wide spectrum of budding homesteaders and wellness seekers.

Elizabeth's Free Gift - CreateWellnessProject.com/gift/

Contact Elizabeth - CreateWellnessProject.com

Elizabeth's Book - The Homesteader Mindset

Elizabeth's Book Recommendations

Folk's This Ain't Normal by Joel Salatin

One Straw Revolutionary by Larry Korn

Grow a Little Fruit Tree by Ann Ralph

Visit UrbanFarm.org/HomesteaderMindset for the show notes and links on this episode!

In This Podcast: We chat with Melissa Booth, a microbiologist and creator of the course 'The Hidden Powers of Microbes.' Melissa speaks about her journey from Oklahoma's semi-arid deserts to her passion for research. Initially interested in becoming a physician, her path changed after engaging in research on HIV/AIDS. She eventually pursued a master's in microbiology, leading her to study marine microbes and their responses to environmental cues. Melissa discusses the vital role microbes play in ecosystems, particularly in soil health, and how human actions impact these microbial systems. She also highlights the symbiotic relationships between microbes and plants, their influence on plant health, and the benefits of composting for soil. Melissa shares insights on her course through The Great Courses, which covers the significance of microbes in various aspects of life. Finally, she emphasizes the importance of curiosity, resilience in the face of scientific failure, and reconnecting with nature.

Our Guest:  Melissa is a microbiologist, science communicator and creator of the course, the Hidden Powers of Microbes. She helps audiences uncover the surprising roles microbes play in everything from food and health to sustainability and climate resilience, bridging science and society with clarity, curiosity, and inspiration.

Melissa's Book - I Contain Multitudes, by Ed Yong

Contact Melissa and get her course -  TheScienceCommunicator.com

Visit UrbanFarm.org/Microbes for the show notes and links on this episode!

Become an Urban Farm Patron and listen to more than 900 episodes of the Urban Farm Podcast without ads. Click HERE to learn more.

*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

In This Podcast: Host Greg Peterson chats with Sam Cooke, founder and CEO of CC Cattle Company, a nonprofit cattle farm aimed at combating food insecurity in Wisconsin. Sam shares his journey from a small dairy farm in northern Wisconsin to his roles in the US Navy and as a firefighter, which led him to start the farm. He discusses the challenges and successes in building the nonprofit, emphasizing its dual focus on raising pasture-fed beef cattle for food banks and offering equine therapy for veterans and first responders. Sam also talks about future plans to expand the farm and incorporate a food truck to distribute meals more regularly. Throughout the conversation, Sam underscores the importance of community support, mental health, and sustainable farming practices..

Our Guest:  Sam Cooke is the founder and CEO of CC Cattle Company, a military veteran and a 15 year firefighter with the Madison Fire Department. After years of public service, he saw an opportunity to give back in a new, unique way by using his experience in farming to help address hunger in Wisconsin. Despite initial challenges, Sam built CC Cattle Company into a successful nonprofit that has fed thousands while advocating for sustainable and ethical farming solutions. Under his leadership vision and dedication, they continue to drive the mission forward, proving that small farms can have a big impact.

Sam's Book Recommendation - No One is Self Made by Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon

Contact Sam - https://www.cccattleco.org/

Visit UrbanFarm.org/CCCattle for the show notes and links on this episode!

Become an Urban Farm Patron and listen to more than 900 episodes of the Urban Farm Podcast without ads. Click HERE to learn more.

*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.