The Rustic Spirits Podcast

We've definitely all been here before - when the news cycle feels like a constant punch in the head. So while the situation in Iran and the impending worsening fuel and food crisis feels like it's taken a back-seat, we take a breather. Sometimes it's important to stay informed, keep up to date, formulate your opinions and responses - but then shut the screen off, go outside and make sure you're putting first things first.In this episode we cover a lot of ground. We talk honestly about audience fatigue - ours included - and why we've been covering geopolitical topics on a homesteading channel. We get into the $20 million government fuel economy ad campaign and why a farmer on X said it better in a single post than any bureaucrat has managed in months. We talk about the Ben Roberts-Smith case, subjudice law, and why we won't be commenting on it - and why mainstream media probably should have taken the same approach. We discuss the under-16 social media ban, the $82 million spent on it, and the 70% of kids who still have their accounts anyway. We touch on hate speech laws, free speech absolutism, and the uncomfortable tension between protecting people and controlling them. And we talk about the creeping pattern of government energy going into managing public perception rather than solving actual problems.But we also talk about what to do with all of that. Because the goal of most news media is to leave you anxious and clicking, not informed and empowered. So we finish where we always want to finish - with a redirect. Preppers panic early, but then they get to work. Identify what's out of your control, then turn your energy toward what isn't. Grow something. Build Something. Take your shoes off and go outside.The situation hasn't gone away. But you're still here, and so are we.

Last Week the Australian Prime Minister told citizens to Keep Calm and Carry On, the government has everything under control... but please don't fill up your jerry cans... even though we have plenty of fuel. This week we've seen leaders across the globe flip-flop and mix their messages across the board as they desperately try to maintain control of their questioning populations.In this episode we give an update to the situation facing farmers in Australia with news that supermarkets are attempting to bully farmers into bearing the brunt of this crisis. And we examine why leaders like Trump and Albo have resorted to name-calling and telling the public who they should and shouldn't listen to.RESOURCES & LINKS:Albo’s appeal to only watch the MSM:https://x.com/ausvstheagenda/status/2039569893566414854?s=42Two great Fuel / Oil Dashboards:FuelAustralia.orghttps://nzoilwatch.com/auSome Voices we’re listening to:Brandon Weichert https://x.com/WeTheBrandonAmerican geopolitical analyst, national security commentator, author of books like Winning Space, Biohacked, and The Shadow War, former congressional staffer, and host of The National Security Hour.Professor Robert Pape https://x.com/ProfessorPapeAmerican political scientist, Professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago, and founder and director of the Chicago Project on Security and Threats (CPOST), specializing in international security, air power, terrorism, suicide bombing, and political violence.Canadian PrepperNate Polson, a Canadian YouTuber with over 1.35 million subscribers known for emergency preparedness, survival gear reviews, current events analysis, and discussions on societal collapse type eventshttps://www.youtube.com/@CanadianPrepper andhttps://www.youtube.com/@preppernewsflashBret Weinstein https://www.youtube.com/@DarkHorsePodEvolutionary biologist, author, and podcaster—former professor at Evergreen State College who resigned in 2017 after campus protests, now known as “Professor in Exile,” co-host (with his wife Heather Heying) of the DarkHorse Podcast, and co-author of A Hunter-Gatherer’s Guide to the 21st Century.Karl Stefanovichttps://www.youtube.com/@TheKarlStefanovicShowAustralian TV presenter (long-time Today co-host and 60 Minutes reporter) who now hosts The Karl Stefanovic Show, his unfiltered 2026 podcast/YouTube series on politics and current events, with no spin

The fuel situation is not only getting worse with no real solutions in sight, but farmers are making decisions right now about whether or not they can even plant next season's crops. And some farmers aren't even going to be able to harvest what's in the ground right now.Get extra 6% off BLUETTI Elite Range:Use code【RSH6%】http://bit.ly/rustic_elite_bundlehttp://bit.ly/rustic_elite400

The world feels like it's spinning faster than ever — wars, fuel shortages, food security fears, and a media landscape that seems designed to confuse, divide, and overwhelm you. In this episode, we cut through the chaos and get real about why it's so hard to know who to trust anymore, how social media and mainstream news can pull you in completely opposite directions, and why that feeling of information overload isn't an accident. More importantly, we share the mental frameworks and practical habits we use to stay grounded, think critically, and form our own opinions, so you can too. If you've ever felt manipulated, exhausted, or just completely lost in the noise, this one's for you.Link to: https://nzoilwatch.com/#/---------------------Podcast Sponsor: BluettiLooking for a backup power solution for Chaotic Times?Get extra 6% off BLUETTI Elite Range:Use code【RSH6%】http://bit.ly/rustic_elite_bundle orhttp://bit.ly/rustic_elite400

It's been nearly 3 weeks since the energy minister Chris Bowen reassured Australians telling us we have plenty of fuel to run the country. But surprise surprise, they fudged the numbers. And the ones who will feel it, will be everyday Aussies when the farmers can't produce the food, the truckies can't move the food, and the price at the bowser means.. who can even afford to go pick it up?—Check out our Patreon and join the Rustic Spirits Community:https://patreon.com/c/rusticspiritsco—Get extra 6% off BLUETTI Elite Range:Use code【RSH6%】http://bit.ly/rustic_elite400 —Articles Referenced: 10–18 Days Until Australia Runs Dryhttps://substack.com/home/post/p-190912396 30 Days of Fuel Doesn't Mean What You Think It Meanshttps://substack.com/home/post/p-191092581Contradictions Between Albanese’s Press Announcement and The Concerned Observer’s Recent Articles https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/qnvtwlp1kty38c7bldp3t/Albo_Lies.pdfhttps://www.youtube.com/@UC_96GBRGuojIDAn3FaOyNvA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CK43LnrlJ58

Following along from our conversation last week, we talk about how war in the Middle East can have such a huge impact on us here in Australia. Why are fuel supplies disrupted, what does it mean for us right now and for the months ahead... and why should we even care? We need to pay attention because that's how we can be prepared.CONNECT WITH US Rustic Spirits Email List:https://bit.ly/rustic_spirits_email_list Check out our Patreon and join the Rustic Spirits Community:  / rusticspiritsco  

Fuel prices have already started going up. So what can everyday Australians do to prepare for the flow-on effects of crude oil prices rising as the events in Iran look set to become full scale war, which may last much longer than we were first led to believe. CONNECT WITH US Rustic Spirits Email List:https://bit.ly/rustic_spirits_email_list Check out our Patreon and join the Rustic Spirits Community:https://patreon.com/c/rusticspiritsco

Following on from our deep dive last week into beef feed additives, we take a look at the meat processing industry and how the small-scale farmer is being intentionally squeezed out of business.SHOW NOTES & RESEARCH:Karl Stefanovic on ‘The Good Old Days’:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRixVTIOz1U&t=4371sHow Much Power does AI Use?2 minutes in a microwave (1000w)equals roughly:8 AI images generated, or50 ChatGPT queriesCompare that to 200 Google searchesRules about Home-kill(Home butcher services for hire are not subject to accreditation according to:)https://www.safefood.qld.gov.au/home-kill-legislation-in-queensland/Dr Tammi Jonas (not Sonia or Fiona, not even close, Regan!) On the Abattoir Access Crisishttps://afsa.org.au/media-release-small-scale-farmers-call-out-amics-denial-of-abattoir-access-crisis/?utm_source=chatgpt.com Central Victorian abattoir Hardwicks stops small-scale processing(After being bought out by Chinese owned Kilcoy Global Foods)https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2024-12-02/kilcoy-global-foods-hardwicks-abattoir-stop-small-scale-process/104664962Happy Pig, a small free-range pork business, shut out of Local Abattoirhttps://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/rural/2024/11/09/meat-processing-threat-farmers?utm_source=chatgpt.com

On this episode of the Rustic Spirits Podcast we discuss the Climate Agenda - is man-made climate change both real and disastrous? What is the individual obligation when it comes to protecting the plant, and how do we reconcile it with mining, manufacturing and other industries who seem to not give a crap about the tonnes of waste and pollution they're creating. Let alone our neighbouring countries who share the same atmosphere as us!SHOW NOTES AND RESEARCHLuddites (textile machinery protestors) and William Lee (mechanical knitting)The anecdote about Queen Elizabeth I refusing a patent for William Lee’s mechanical knitting frame (1589) is widely cited in later historical accounts. The quotation attributed to Elizabeth, expressing concern that the invention would “bring to hand-knitters ruin,” comes from secondary sources written centuries later and is generally treated by historians as apocryphal or loosely paraphrased rather than a verbatim record. The refusal itself is historically attested, but the precise wording and motivations remain debated.Similarly, the Luddites were not broadly opposed to technology, but to specific uses of mechanized production that undermined skilled labor, wages, and community stability. Modern scholarship emphasizes that Luddite actions were targeted, political, and economic in nature rather than expressions of generalized fear of progress.The term “Luddite” derives from Ned Ludd, a likely mythical English figure said to have destroyed a textile machine in the late 18th century. The name was adopted by organized textile workers opposing specific forms of mechanization between 1811–1816.Suggested sources for further reading: • Adrian Randall, Before the Luddites (Cambridge University Press) • Kevin Binfield (ed.), Writings of the Luddites (Johns Hopkins University Press) • Maxine Berg, The Age of Manufactures • E.P. Thompson, The Making of the English Working ClassChat GPT Latest Version Developed (in part) by A.I“GPT-5.3-Codex is our first model that was instrumental in creating itself.” — referring to the fact that early versions of the model were used to help debug its own training pipeline, manage deployment, and diagnose test results and evaluationshttps://openai.com/index/introducing-gpt-5-3-codex/?utm_source=chatgpt.comUS Deployments to the Middle EastThe United States has deployed approximately 40,000 to 50,000 troops to the Middle East as of early 2026, an increase from around 34,000 before 2023, amid escalating tensions with Iran. This represents one of the largest non-combat military buildups in the region in recent history, surpassing pre-2023 levels and comparable to deployments during the June 2025 strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities.https://www.rferl.org/a/us-military-deployment-gulf-iran-strikes/33675133.htmlBovaer Bovaer is a feed additive made by DSM-Firmenich, containing 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP). It’s designed to cut methane emissions from cattle by 30–45% by blocking a key enzyme in the rumen during digestion. Regulators (FDA, EFSA, APVMA, FSA) have approved it as “safe, with no detectable residues in milk or meat”. Concerns include handler safety warnings (irritant, potential fertility risk), high-dose lab effects on reproduction, and questions about long-term rumen microbiome impacts or subtle health effects in real-world use.https://undark.org/2026/01/05/denmark-cows-bovaer/

In this week's episode on the Rustic Spirits Podcast, Regan and Kirsty are talking Solar Power - does it really give you control and greater freedom (as well as saving some dollars in the long run)? Or have the government been sneaking in rules, regulations and technology that makes that brand new solar and battery system you just put on your house.. essentially half theirs. At least that's how it might feel if you don't read the fine print.

Regan & Kirsty discuss a homesteader's perspective on being prepared, given the uncertain times we're living in.Get extra 5% off sidewide through our BLUETTI partnership. Use code【RSH5%】https://bit.ly/rustic_spirits_bluettiUse code【RSH10%】 to get an extra 10% off on Apex 300 series.Stay Connected - Rustic Spirits Email List:https://bit.ly/rustic_spirits_email_list Check out our Patreon and join the Rustic Community:https://patreon.com/c/rusticspiritscoSHOW NOTES: Channels/Videos MentionedCanadian Prepper - https://www.youtube.com/@CanadianPrepperElon Musk at WEF 2026 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgifEgm1-e0An anaesthetist and an anesthesiologist are the same type of medical specialist, just different country terms. In Australia, the UK, and New Zealand, an anaesthetist is a fully trained doctor who gives anaesthesia, manages airways, controls pain, and handles emergencies during surgery. In the United States, this doctor is called an anesthesiologist. The confusion comes from the US also using “nurse anesthetist” for an advanced nurse role, which is not a medical doctor.

It’s fair to say we’re living in some of the most unsettling times this nation has ever experienced and so it should come as no surprise that new speech laws being proposed by the current government are equally as unsettling. In this episode, Regan & Kirsty talk through the new hate speech laws and gun reforms being proposed by the Albanese government and how they might affect everyday ordinary Australians who simply dare to exercise a little free thinking. Resources mentioned in this episode:2 Worlds Collide PodcastAustralians vs the Agenda: Anthony Khallouf Breaks Down the Extremism Billhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pD9_A4CSQ0Punters PoliticsWhat Happens IF I Get Sued? "Free Speech" In Australiahttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAOtx5Ki_D0Topher Project Ep 305Senator Malcolm Roberts in an extended, honest interview. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Egq7tS8JwQYouTube Transcription Tool: https://tactiq.io/tools/youtube-transcript

In this episode of the Rustic Spirits Podcast, our kids have joined us for the first time to talk about their experiences of moving from city life to country living, what it's like to grow up on a farm, homeschooling and a little bit of everything in between.There's a lot of backstory in this episode, and some context about how we navigated this journey. Our hope is that you will gain insights from our children's experience (and our own) that will help you in your own homesteading journey, especially making decisions for your own kids.Watch our previous episode on homeschooling: https://youtu.be/PajqX11wrb4

Welcome to a very special Rustic Spirits podcast episode, recorded live from Hayes Homestead with Tobias and Dani. We're chatting about their homesteading journey, what inspired them to buy property and some behind the scenes realities of putting your life and homestead on YouTube. Homesteading in Australia is different to anywhere else in the world, so it's always an awesome opportunity when you get to talk with likeminded people and build community with others who are experiencing similar things. We are definitely better together!We hope the episode feels like you can pull up a comfy chair, grab a drink of choice and get to know the Hayes's a little better, all while offering insights for anyone starting or wanting to start a homestead or interested in self sufficient living, particularly with a young family.

It's been a hell of a week for Australians and we need to talk about it. Not just because the Bondi terrorist attack is going to have direct effect on homesteaders and rural landowners, but because we actually need to talk about this. The popular idea being forced by the media and government that conversation needs to be curtailed is exactly what's hurting this country and we feel that it's time we lend our voices to it. No matter how you feel about firearms and their legitimacy, we can at least all acknowledge that this is another Port Arthur type moment and how we the public allow ourselves to be governed (manipulated?) in the aftermath will have lasting consequences. Good or bad? Well, that's exactly the conversation we need to have.

Welcome back to the Rustic Spirits Podcast Season 2! We are well back into the swing of things with a livestream last week (you can watch the replay here on the youTube channel) and an all new podcast 'studio' space. In this episode we're talking bureaucracy, red tape, government over-reach and all the things that are set against you when you try to live any kind of different or alternative lifestyle.Half the workforce relies on Government?"more than 30% of the work force is now employed either in the public sector or in activities heavily dependent on government payments.When we add public and quasi-public employment to the substantial part of the population that relies heavily on government welfare payments for their income, it is likely that more than half of voters rely on government for most of their income."- The Centre for Independent StudiesCommentary on the City of Casey Council who banned doing oil changes in your driveway: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBuywOLjHpM Fields & Flocks guide to Red Tape for UK Smallholders: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWL0UsA6Yt4&t=77s

We nearly had to go three episodes for this season wrap up Q&A - there were just SO many good questions sent through. In this episode we answer your pressing homesteading questions like; How to set up Off-Grid Solar when you're on the grid, What gear would you buy to start a homesteading Youtube channel, Would we ever host people on our property, How would you homestead if you had little kids.... and so many more.

Well folks, as we wind down closer to the end of the first season of the Rustic Spirits Homestead Podcast, as promised, we've left the last two episodes for your questions to be answered. We asked, and you delivered, and you did not disappoint. We answer some of the toughest questions we've had on this podcast, everything from what solar system we would recommend now, to how to manage your money on a homestead, what do we think of digital ID, and are we just a shill for AI companies since we like to talk about it so much (Spoiler alert, no, but we do have a few things to say about them). This one's going to be a bit of a longer one, and we definitely did not have time to get through all of your questions, so don't forget to hit us in the comments section with the burning questions you want answered about anything to do with homesteading in Australia - we've got one episode left before we take a short 'Spring Break'.Show Notes: Considering Buying Bluetti? Support our Channel by Using our Affiliate Link:https://bit.ly/rustic_spirits_bluettiWant to Support our work AND get Bonus content? Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/rusticspiritsco30+ Australian Homesteading Channelshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvUv5PnPBDE

In this episode, Regan & Kirsty talk about the "why" behind their Homestead - their goals and aspirations, and how the world we live in today is shaping (or reshaping) some of those motivations. We talk about what it really means to go into homesteading with a true picture of your finances and how you'll fund this dream as well as what it means to stay connected in meaningful ways to the people that matter most in your world.

It feels like all anyone is talking about at the moment is the dawn of the A.I era - but what does it really mean for most of us? In this episode we reflect on some key talks that have inspired us to think about resilience in new ways as we head into what may be a tumultuous few years ahead. Homesteaders have a unique perspective on preparedness - it's not quite "prepper" but it certainly stands us in better stead than most when systems let us down. Mo Gawdat on Diary of a CEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9a1nLw70p0We're Not Ready for Superintelligence:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KVDDfAkRgcBook - The Fourth Turning, William Strauss & Neil Howe: https://www.amazon.com.au/Fourth-Turning-American-Prophecy/dp/0767900464

In this episode we tell the story of how we found out that our eldest child was being severely bullied in school and how that led our family to consider other forms of schooling, and eventually homeschooling all three of them through to the end of high-school. The challenges and the rewards and how it taught us to view the world of education through a relationship-first approach to education.TED TalksHackschooling makes me happy | Logan LaPlante | TEDxUniversityofNevadahttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h11u3vtcpaYDo schools kill creativity? | Sir Ken Robinson | TEDhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG9CE55wbtYHow to escape education's death valley | Sir Ken Robinson | TEDhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wX78iKhInsc

In this episode, we dive headfirst into some recent revelations we've had about microplastics, why we thought we were actually doing ok with it all, and why it's important to pay attention when you get complacent about this. As a generation who have grown up not question the products we use or how we use them, this was another layer peeled back for us as to why we need to pay attention to what products we use in our everyday life and how it affects our health and wellbeing. Of course, we can't just have a conversation like this without quoting our sources: https://bit.ly/4fhGASw

In this episode, we’re chatting with our long-time friend and fascinating character, Tim Schloss of Schloss Toys.Tim is a wood-worker, toy maker, furniture maker and learner architect who is a champion of lost trades, artisan culture and passing along skills to the next generation.He travels Australia visiting medieval festivals and lost-trades fairs, meeting other like minded artisans who are keeping lost trades alive.Tim has personally impacted us in how we view products, how to purchase items more mindfully and how to appreciate the importance of skills that are often times overlooked by technological advances and mass production.We hope you enjoy this episode.—You can find out more about Tim and Schloss Toys here:https://www.facebook.com/schlosstoyshttps://www.schloss.com.au/More information about the fairs and festivals that celebrate lost trades and artisans:Lost Trades Fair: https://www.losttradesfair.com.au/Off Grid Living Festival: https://www.offgridevent.com.au/Abbey Medieval Festival: https://www.abbeymedievalfestival.com/Winterfest: https://winterfest.com.au/

In this episode we talk about the intricacies of relationships while Homesteading - with your partner, your children and others in your world. If you've already started your Homestead, or are thinking of jumping into the homestead world in the future, this episode is recorded with you in mind!StrengthsFinderhttps://high5test.com/cliftonstrengths-free/Enneagramhttps://www.eclecticenergies.com/enneagram/test

This week we’re talking Urban Homesteading and why it doesn’t have to be the case that you own or live on acreage before you start homesteading. In fact you may never occupy a large block and land, and that shouldn’t stop you from pursuing a life of meaning and fulfilment through simplicity and self-sufficiency.Links: https://www.ourcow.com.au/https://www.farmerbutcher.com.au/https://www.goodness.com.au/https://www.tiktok.com/@claudia.bryant/video/7519443646828055815

In this conversation we are talking about what it means to be ready (or as ready as you can be) for crises that come your way. We talk about the different kinds of crises we’ve encountered, our experiences making emergency plans and what it’s taught us about how to face potential threats in the future.

In our latest episode we unpack the essential skills we think every homesteader needs to get started, and why curiosity keeps our homestead exciting for the future! 🌱 We share practical insights, stories from our own experience of learning in the deep end, and the skills we’re curious to learn next. Perfect for both newbies and seasoned homesteaders!

In this episode of the Rustic Spirits Podcast, we dive into the trending topic of A.I.—not because it’s trending, but because it’s here. We explore what this massive acceleration in technological developments means for those of us striving for a simpler life through sustainability and self-sufficiency, without dismissing new technology outright. Where do you draw the line? And how can the homesteading community best support an increasingly displaced society around them?

In this episode of The Rustic Spirits Podcast Regan & Kirsty re-live their experiences from the first few weeks and months after arriving on their 150 acre off-grid property ready to embark on their homesteading adventure. But it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows! From stressing out every time the generator ran out of fuel to learning how to detox from conveniences it was dive into the deep-end, that's for sure! The Outpost Homestead: Check out Peter’s inspiring YouTube channel, where he documents his off-grid homesteading journey in Sudan’s hill country. https://www.youtube.com/@TheOutpostHomestead -------------------- Australian Homesteaders Facebook Group: a vibrant community of like-minded Australians sharing tips, stories, and advice on homesteading and off-grid living. Search for “Australian Homesteaders” on Facebook to connect with others on the same journey. Australian Homesteaders Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/australianhomesteaders/ -------------------- “Burn the Boats” Origin: The phrase is often attributed to Hernán Cortés, who reportedly destroyed his ships in 1519 to commit his men to the conquest of the Aztec Empire, symbolizing no turning back. Earlier references exist, such as in Virgil’s Aeneid, where Trojan women burn their boats to force settlement. For more, explore histories of the Spanish conquest or classical literature. -------------------- Gourmet Farmer Series: This Australian TV series, featuring Matthew Evans, inspired our move toward a sustainable, land-based lifestyle. It showcases life on a Tasmanian farm and the joys of growing and cooking your own food. Available on 'Freeview' app. -------------------- Soil by Matthew Evans: Matthew’s book Soil: The Incredible Story of What Keeps the Earth, and Us, Healthy explores the importance of soil health for farming and sustainability. A must-read for homesteaders! Find it at Booktopia, Amazon, or your local bookstore. --------------------

Another sit down with Regan & Kirsty as we dive into all things 'homestead gardening & food security' - a topic that's becoming more and more relevant, even outside of homesteading, as the world's systems of food, health and personal freedoms feel less and less reliable every day.We're only one year into our Homesteading journey, but we've brought nearly 15 years of gardening experience into it. We knew growing our own food was going to be a key ingredient to what we built and what we teach, but we probably didn't realise just how important this message would become. As families and communities suffer under a burdening cost of living crisis and the rising prices of food and nutrition wreack havoc on everyday budgets, we want to share some genuine insights into our own food security plans and just how realistic they are. Show Notes:(not sponsored, just great resources) Dirt to Soil - Gabe Brownhttps://www.amazon.com.au/Dirt-Soil-Gabe-Brown/dp/1603587632Kiss The Ground - Josh Tickellhttps://www.amazon.com.au/Kiss-Ground-Reverse-Climate-Ultimately/dp/1501170252The In-Garden Compost system Kirsty was thinking of: https://subpod.com/collections/subpod-storeOr, Search "in garden compost bin" or "in garden worm farm" for alternatives.Will Harris on Joe Rogan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozNK2sgJmcgJoel Salatin on Jordan Peterson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMjqphoMy0k

this week we're having a chat about handling the wild side of homesteading with good ol’ common sense! We share funny tales of dodging curious bulls and teaching our kids to swing an axe without chopping their toes off. We talk about building guts and smarts through real-life adventures. For homesteaders or dreamers, we dish out tips like grabbing a first aid course, knowing your bushfire plan, and keeping snake bite kits handy. We’re all about raising kids who can climb trees, think fast, and not panic when a pig chases them and their groceries. Tune in, laugh with us, and let’s chat in the comments—how do you tackle homestead risks?

It's probably the question we get most often.. how much does it cost? To start a homestead, to buy machinery, to keep a homestead running, to start with animals and livestock. In this week's episode we share some of our own experiences and takes on what you need to know to make homesteading make sense financially.

We take a look into the journey that prepared us for life in a tiny home and some of the major mindset shifts that had to happen first. From how we went from desiring every new home decor item to learning how to be more like the bower bird. We discuss what it took to design and build our tiny home and how the flexibility of a moveable home allowed us to respond to changing life circumstances quickly. And yes, we even explore the topic of regulations and red tape and ask just how much government oversight into projects like this is enough and have we gone too far?

In this episode we dive into our backstory and take a look at some of the moments in our lives that reoriented us from career-driven, fast-paced, unhealthy and broken towards this life of becoming the 'Rustic Spirits' we are today - a life of Simplicity, Authenticity, Sustainability and Meaning.

Well, we did it - we launched a podcast! After too much good content kept getting left on the cutting room floor we finally decided that the best place to share those deep-dive thoughts and explorations was in a weekly podcast...so here it is. In this, our very first episode, we tackle a strange comment that we've had on more than one occasion now and answer the question, 'Are we Homesteaders, or Hobby Farmers?'.