The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast

Episode: 1KHO 646 – The Moments That Change Our Lives Are the Little Moments

Host: Jenny Urch
Guest: Rory Feek (Once Upon a Farm)
Date: December 10, 2025

Overview

In this heartwarming episode, host Jenny Urch sits down with acclaimed songwriter, author, and homesteader Rory Feek. Together, they explore the profound impact of embracing small, everyday moments, the intersection of creativity and parenting, and intentional living—especially in childhood. They discuss the importance of outdoor play, the hidden value in ordinary experiences, the evolution of education, and how technology (including AI) can both hinder and help our journey. Rory shares touching stories from his own life, weaving themes of loss, faith, family, and the unexpectedly rich rewards of following your calling.

Key Themes and Discussion Points

1. Discovering and Honoring Gifts

Timestamps: 02:26–04:15

• Rory reframes his public identity: not strictly a musician or a homesteader, but someone led by the journey his talents presented him.
• Music and songwriting were the catalyst that brought him into the life he lives now, but no longer define him exclusively:

  "The gifts themselves and how you're using them for a long period of your life may not actually be what they're for." (03:45, Rory)

• Transitioned from “music business” to a multifaceted life where songwriting is only one element.

2. Childhood, Upbringing, and the Value of Hardship

Timestamps: 04:24–08:08

• Rory reflects on wondering “what if” life had been different, but recognizes the value of the “gift” of poverty.
• Emphasizes grace—forgiving parents and oneself, recognizing that everyone is doing their best:

  "My mother did the best she could with what she had." (07:57, Rory)

3. The Craft and Process of Writing

Timestamps: 08:08–13:29

• Discusses the difference between end product and the process of discovery through writing.
• Warns that outsourcing creativity (to AI, for example) forfeits the essential process of finding out what you truly think or feel:

  "If you had not written the books… you kind of find yourself in process." (08:28, Jenny)
  "To participate in our thoughts ourselves is a good idea." (12:52, Rory)

• Describes being the "first reader" of his own writing and songwriting.

4. Intentionality in Technology and Parenting

Timestamps: 09:40–13:00

• Rory recounts taking a year off the internet to regain perspective, emphasizing the need for intentionality in technology choices as parents and for ourselves.
• The importance of role modeling—not just restricting children’s tech but being self-aware:

  "Most of us are worried about technology for our children. We need to worry about it for ourselves because they are watching us all the time." (11:21, Rory)

5. Creativity and the Importance of 'Doing the Reps'

Timestamps: 13:29–16:39

• Family creativity runs deep: grandmother’s poetry, mother’s writing, father’s music—all combine in Rory’s journey.
• Describes songwriting as discovery, led by inspiration rather than strict outlines.
• Encourages others to strive to "break their own heart" with their work, believing that’s the surest way to touch others:

  "If you strive to break your own heart or touch your own heart… you’re more than likely going to touch someone else." (16:24, Rory)

6. Impact of Simple, Outdoor, and Community-Rooted Childhoods

Timestamps: 16:39–21:34

• Shared stories of children flourishing without television, through movement and creative engagement.
• Observes that investing in real-world experiences (choirs, crafts, instruments) builds confidence and versatility.

7. The Power of Small Moments

Timestamps: 22:15–28:26

• Rory emphasizes life-altering events often come from small, seemingly insignificant moments:

  "The moments that change our lives are the little moments, the things that happen in passing that you don’t think anything happened." (22:16, Rory)

• Shares the story of how a recommendation to read All Over But the Shouting changed his relationship with his mother and inspired his writing voice.
• Tells of a small charity concert that led to transformative, lifelong friendships and opened up new opportunities:

  "We’re just here… by a hair. These little bitty moments that forever change everything." (27:55, Rory)

8. Songwriting, Stories, and Surrogate Wisdom

Timestamps: 28:26–33:12

• Discusses legendary songwriter Harlan Howard’s feedback:

  "I love this guy." (30:23, Harlan Howard in reference to a song character)

• Characters in songs and stories can teach us in the absence of close communities or extended family; creative work fills the wisdom gap left by modern isolation.
• Music and farming, for Rory, led to a "deeper life and more meaning."

9. Unexpected Blessings and Letting Go of Outcome

Timestamps: 40:01–45:26

• Making a hymns album with his late wife Joey, not expecting much, ends up having massive impact:

  "It's more than a record... God is doing quite often much, much more than that." (43:33, Rory)

• The success came not from technical perfection, but from context and honesty—and the openness of sharing their journey with others.

10. Education: From Conventional to ‘Curriculum of Life’

Timestamps: 47:03–56:56

• Influenced by John Taylor Gatto’s Dumbing Us Down, Rory transitioned from default public (and private) school to homeschooling.
• Initially lacked models and struggled, but later, after Joey’s passing, built a one-room schoolhouse on the farm.
• Stresses you don’t need to know how—only why (intent/love matters more than expertise).
• Now living "life schooling," exposing Indy (his daughter) and other children to outside learning, crafts, chores, and communal experiences:

  "You use this phrase curriculum of life… all the things that they learn out in God's creation." (51:47, Jenny)

11. Everyday Lessons: Ownership and Responsibility

Timestamps: 54:31–56:58

• Shares the story of teaching Indy to collect eggs despite her fear—a metaphor for incremental, practical bravery.
• Instills life skills through giving children responsibility (e.g., navigating Hobby Lobby independently).

12. Festivals, Rain, and the Gift of Embracing the Unexpected

Timestamps: 57:04–60:17

• The Homestead/Bib & Buckle Festival marred by rain and “disaster” becomes their most treasured memory.
• Afterward, fear of rain is replaced by a joyful expectation:

  "Now it’s fun... our motto this year is Homestead Festival 2026—pray for rain." (59:47, Rory)

• Lesson: What we fear may in fact be the very thing that makes our lives richer.

13. Closing Reflections

Timestamps: 61:21–End

• Jenny asks Rory for a favorite childhood outdoor memory.

  "When I was a little boy, we used to walk down… and fish in a little creek... one of my favorite memories." (61:21, Rory)

• The conversation concludes with gratitude, encouragement to value small moments, and reminders that the “curriculum of life” is the most important gift we give our children and ourselves.

Notable Quotes

• Rory Feek:

  • "The moments that change our lives are the little moments..." (22:16)
  • "If you strive to break your own heart… you’re more than likely going to touch someone else." (16:24)
  • "Most of us are worried about technology for our children. We need to worry about it for ourselves because they are watching us all the time." (11:21)
  • "It's more than a record... God is doing quite often much, much more than that." (43:33)
  • "[Building the schoolhouse]… I want Indiana's education opportunities to be everything it can be… we decided early on that Joey was going to homeschool Indiana… not because she had Down syndrome, but because she was our child and we loved her." (49:00)

• Jenny Urch:

  • "You can be living in your day to day and maybe be in the doldrums or maybe feel in despair. And maybe your answer is coming today." (28:17)
  • "The curriculum of life." (51:47)

Memorable Moments

• Rory being moved to tears by All Over But the Shouting, instantly recognizing himself and his family in another's story. (22:40)
• A stranger’s encouragement led Rory to read a life-changing book. (23:00)
• The Hymns album: recorded quickly, unexpectedly achieving commercial and emotional resonance. Joey’s faith and passing deepened its meaning. (40:47–43:30)
• The festival where flooding and chaos led to the best memories and erased fear of inclement weather. (58:25–60:17)
• Indy’s pride in accomplishing an “ordinary” task (collecting eggs or shopping alone), learning autonomy and bravery. (54:31–56:58)

Important Timestamps

• 02:26–04:15 – Rory’s journey: music, moving into farming.
• 07:57 – Reflections on upbringing and parental grace.
• 12:44 – On AI, writing, and discovering what you think.
• 16:24 – Making your own art genuine for yourself first.
• 22:16 – “The moments that change our lives are the little moments.”
• 28:17 – Small decisions leading to life-altering opportunities.
• 40:47–43:33 – Hymns album, loss, and unexpected blessing.
• 47:03–51:47 – Education philosophy and life schooling.
• 54:31–56:58 – Teaching life skills through responsibility.
• 58:25–60:17 – Rain transforms festival from disaster to joy.

Overall Tone

The conversation is gentle, reflective, and deeply encouraging—full of gratitude, humility, and hope. Both Rory and Jenny repeatedly turn to themes of faith, community, presence, and the hidden riches to be found in “ordinary” life. The episode gently challenges listeners to value time spent in nature, creativity, real connection, and to welcome both hardship and the unexpected as teachers.

Summary Prepared For:
Listeners wanting an in-depth yet accessible and inspiring roadmap for living intentionally, building meaningful childhoods, and trusting the process—even when life feels small or uncertain.