Podcast
Simple Farmhouse Life
Hosted by Lisa Bass · EN
With over ten years experience making a home, author and mom of eight, Lisa Bass, shares her love for from scratch cooking, natural living and all things handmade. As a full-time blogger and homeschooler, Lisa also mixes in a little mom life and business tips.
83episodes
Episodes
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The Farmhouse Edit: Real Food, Real Life: Homesteading & Motherhood with Meg of Hollar Homestead
3d ago01:00:47Summary readyIn this episode, I’m joined by Meg of Hollar Homestead to talk about what it really looks like to raise a large family on a homestead. From cooking from scratch and homeschooling rhythms to livestock management and letting go of perfection, Meg offers a refreshingly honest take on simple, intentional living. We are diving into: Starting a homestead with pigs and raised beds Stepping away from dairy cows (for now) Nourishing meals for large families Letting kids cook and carry the load Emergency prep after Hurricane Helene Encouragement for moms in busy seasons 📝 Full show notes + links to everything mentioned in this episode 📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube 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. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible!
SummaryThe Farmhouse Edit: Designing our forever farmhouse, prioritizing outdoor time as a family, getting out of the house with littles, and more Q&A!
1w ago00:45:17Summary readyIn today’s Q&A episode, I’m sharing exciting updates on our farmhouse build, including the unique pantry design I’ve been working on and how we’re planning for long-term living in our new home. I also dive into how I manage those pesky ticks and mosquito bites while prioritizing plenty of free-range outdoor time for my kids. Plus, I answer your questions about managing daily chores with littles in tow and how to stay motivated to decorate when you know your living situation is temporary. If you're looking for inspiration in homemaking, family life, and parenting, this episode is packed with practical tips and relatable insights. In this episode, we cover: Progress on our new farmhouse build, with the basement completed and framing expected soon Answering your questions about the pantry design with lots of windows and a plan for climate-controlled food storage Planning to ensure the new farmhouse is fully functional for long-term living Tick and mosquito prevention tips for families who prioritize outdoor time year-round Tips for balancing daily chores with raising young kids and prioritizing outdoor time Finding the right balance between social opportunities and creating a calm, stress-free home Addressing myths about big families: does having a lot of kids rob them of enough parental attention? How I approach making our temporary home cozy without investing in major projects 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 Abbie of M is for Mama on her podcast and follow on Instagram Check out Abbie Halberstadt’s two books: M is for Mama and Hard is Not the Same Thing as Bad The Lila Rose Show, Episode 166: The Truth About Babies, Big Families, and Happiness with Catherine Pakaluk Check out Jennifer Pepito’s two appearances on my podcast here and here Join my FREE masterclass to learn my 4-step framework for making money on YouTube 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 Turn your content creation dreams into a profitable business with my YouTube Success Academy Keep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbook CONNECT 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.
SummaryThe Farmhouse Edit: Mortgage-Free Homestead Living: DIY Cottage of Your Dreams! | Natalie of Home of Hollands
2w ago01:06:41Summary readyI hear from many of you who have a dream of living a homestead lifestyle on your own property out in the country. Natalie and her family had a similar dream, and they were determined to do it without taking on a mortgage. Rather than opting for an RV or tiny home, they turned a shed into the cottage of their dreams. Natalie joins me in this episode to share about the process, answer frequently asked questions, and talk through their long-term vision. I hope Natalie’s story inspires your creativity and resourcefulness as you work toward your own dreams! In this episode, we cover: What led Natalie and her family to sell their property in Texas and build a 750 sq. ft. shed home in South Carolina Making a small house work for a large family is easier than you may think Why a shed house is the perfect solution for families who dream of living on land What costs should you factor into a shed home build? These long-term options make a shed home worth the investment What it’s really like living with four young boys in a tiny house Answering the most common questions about Natalie’s shed home Logistics of moving a large family with farm animals View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible! ABOUT NATALIE Natalie Holland is a believer, wife, mama to four boys, and stylist turned homemaker. Together with her husband they built a little cottage out of a shed. They work as a team with Natalie taking care of design and Jordan executing her vision. Natalie is passionate about sharing ways to create beauty in everyday life through homemaking. RESOURCES See the tour of Natalie’s shed home here! Get your copy of Natalie’s cottage build and design guide Join my FREE masterclass to learn my 4-step framework for making money on YouTube Sit in my FREE masterclass to learn the secrets to becoming a full-time blogger 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 Learn how you can earn a full-time income from home with my Create Your Blog Dream course Turn your content creation dreams into a profitable business with my YouTube Success Academy Keep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbook CONNECT Natalie Holland of Home of Hollands | Website | Instagram | YouTube 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.
Summary334. Goodbye, Simple Farmhouse Life | Why I’m Ending the Podcast and What’s Next…
3w ago00:44:33Summary readyAfter six years of podcasting, I’m sharing why this will be the final episode of the Simple Farmhouse Life podcast. I’m also giving a personal life update, what’s next for my business, and answering a few of your questions on sourdough, from-scratch cooking, and motherhood! In this episode, we cover: - The decision to sunset the podcast after six years and the thought process behind finally letting it go - A look at the natural course of business: years of building, a season of maintaining, and now intentionally pruning - An exciting home building update: nearing the end of our long build and preparing to move within weeks - Q&A on cooking from scratch and fermenting foods even in a very small space like an RV - Practical ideas for making sourdough work in a colder home and how to adjust timing based on temperature - Encouragement around speech development and the wide range of “normal” seen across my nine children - A look back at cloth diapering in earlier years versus choosing convenience in a different season - Thinking through room sharing in a large family and why personality and season matter more than exact age - How to handle sick kids, competing needs of small children, and getting through hard moments when you don’t have extra help - One final goodbye and what’s next for us 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 Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest
Summary333. Teaching Kids About God Through Nature + Finding Biblical Rest in Everyday Life | Eryn Lynum
Apr 700:44:16Summary readyThere’s something powerful about slowing down and helping our kids see God’s hand in the world around them. In this conversation, Eryn shares how nature and Scripture work together, along with simple ways to bring that into your everyday family life. We also explore God’s design for rest, looking at how rhythms in creation reflect His intention for work and rest to go hand in hand. This episode will leave you with a fresh perspective on both your own daily rhythms and the world right outside your door. Join us for this encouraging conversation! In this episode, we cover: - Erin’s journey into nature study and why she began teaching the Bible through creation - The idea that God gave us both Scripture and nature to reveal who He is - How small shifts in our everyday language can help kids naturally see God in the world around them - Creative ways to connect things in nature (like animals and plants) back to the gospel message - The difference between true nature study and modern science, and why slowing down to observe matters - Why outdoor time doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing and how even a few minutes can be meaningful - What actually happens when kids push past that initial “I’m bored” phase outside - A completely different way to think about rest, and why God designed us to start from it - How building in rhythms like Sabbath can lead to more peace, focus, and even productivity - Real-life examples from creation that mirror God’s design for work and rest working together - Letting go of rigid plans and embracing everyday opportunities for nature and learning - Favorite books, apps, and resources for teaching kids faith and science side by side 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 Identify birds by sight or sound with the free Merlin Bird ID app Make plant and insect identification easy with the free iNaturalist app Check out these biblically grounded nature books for kids by Kayla White: - Lucy the Ladybug - Melody, a Monarch Miracle - Hazel, a Hardworking Bee Explore the Marvels of Creation series from Master Books: - Sensational Sea Creatures - Magnificent Mammals - Breathtaking Birds For a full, biblically grounded science curriculum, check out Apologia Science, including their popular zoology series Listen to Nat Theo: Nature Lessons Rooted in the Bible, a podcast that brings science and theology together for kids and families Dive deeper with the Nat Theo Club, featuring full curriculum and unit studies Shop Eryn’s current books and preview her upcoming releases 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 Eryn Lynum | Website | Instagram | YouTube | Podcast Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest
Summary332. What Modern Culture Gets Wrong About Boys: How to Raise Strong, Capable Sons | Rebekah Lovell, Author of Boyhood Resurrected
Mar 2400:49:14Summary readyThere’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
Summary331. Should Kids Have Smartphones? Rethinking Screens, Social Media, and Teens | Clare Morell, Author of The Tech Exit
Mar 1000:58:16Summary readySmartphones, 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
Summary330. What Older Moms Want Young Moms to Know | Large Family Life, Homeschooling, and Letting Go of Pressure | Jennifer of A Country Life
Feb 2401:05:51Summary readyWhen 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
Summary329. Rest for the Overwhelmed Mom: Creating Peace in a Full Life | Carolyn of Homesteading Family
Feb 1700:55:15Summary readyRest 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
Summary328. House Build Reflections: What Worked, What Didn’t, and What We’d Change | Ash of Turner Farm
Feb 1001:18:36Summary readyBuilding 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
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