← The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast
The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast
1KHO 678: The World is Hungry for Authentic Experiences | Isaac French, Live Oak Lake
01:00:39
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- [00:00]
Narrator/Song Performer
Oh, it's a beautiful world Ain't nothing on screen that's ever gonna be this view oh, it's a beautiful world and I just want to share with I just want to share with you this beautiful world. Such a beautiful.
- [00:35]
Jenny Ur (Host)
Friends thank you for pressing play today. I'm so glad you're here because today's guest is someone who left a mark on me in real life before he ever came on the podcast. Isaac French grew up without tv, also without a smartphone, and with a whole lot of responsibility, creativity, strong community and time outside. And you can see that upbringing in everything he's built. You might know Isaac from Live Oak Lake, the micro resort in Texas that went viral for its cabins with expansive glass windows, kayaking, a shipping container pool, and a nature first design. He's also known for turning forgotten places with forgotten stories into meaningful stays. Cabins in the woods, creative studios, orchards.
- [01:17]
Jenny Ur (Host, continued or co-host)
Train cars transformed into places that you.
- [01:19]
Jenny Ur (Host)
Can stay and space is designed so that nature is the main attraction. This conversation is about what happens when childhood is built around real work, real.
- [01:28]
Jenny Ur (Host, continued or co-host)
Real beauty, real people and real places, and what that kind of life produces in adulthood.
- [01:33]
Jenny Ur (Host)
Isaac's story is unusual in this day and age, but it's also deeply inspiring. It reminds you that another way of living is still possible. Before we jump in, just a quick note about a few ways you can.
- [01:43]
Jenny Ur (Host, continued or co-host)
Join us in this 1000 hours outside life. Our free 2026 tracker sheets are available now at 1000hoursoutside.com trackers. They're simple but powerful, helping you notice time outside, build rhythm and make real life visible again. They help facilitate considerably less screen time throughout childh time outside doesn't just happen anymore, you kind of have to choose it. Our free tracker sheets help you do exactly that and in turn you'll enhance child development, build rhythm, and make lifelong memories. Our free trackers turn good intentions into something you can see, track and celebrate. We also have some bonus trackers for reading, movement and analog time. So think hobbies, card games, baking and more. In a world where screens slowly eat up our time, these simple sheets of paper are an effective way to push back if paper trackers feel like too much. Our top ranked app also makes it easy to prioritize real life. The 1000 hours outside app is on iOS and Android and that's on sale for just $25 for the entire year through January 1st for $2.08 a month. Real life can stay front and center. And if you're new here, you can find my books, including until the Street Lights Come on and homeschooling wherever you buy your books, but mainly on Amazon because I think they should be in stores.
- [02:54]
Narrator/Song Performer
But.
- [02:54]
Jenny Ur (Host, continued or co-host)
But usually they aren't in stores and I'm a little salty about it. But my books have phenomenal reviews. They are full of stories, humor, research, and real life ideas for building slower, healthier family rhythms. They're also beautifully designed and make great gifts for your friends. All right, this is one of those conversations that will fascinate you and stick with you. It was one of my very favorites to edit. Here is my time with Isaac French.
- [03:18]
Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
Welcome to the 1000 Hours Outside podcast. My name is Jenny Ur. I'm the founder of 1000 Hours Outside and I am so excited about today's guest. I'm going to give the background story in just a moment, but Isaac French, who created this Airbnb basically hotel and sold it in his twenties and is this rap sheet of success. I got to meet you and your lovely family. Isaac, welcome.
- [03:42]
Isaac French (Guest)
Jenny, what an honor. Thank you so much.
- [03:44]
Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
So the story is, is that this past I speak sometimes about homeschooling. And it's kind of a lot like it doesn't really work super well with family life. And so I'm really limited on what I speak, where I when and where I speak. And I got invited this past summer to spe week at this Homestead festival in Tennessee with Rory and Rebecca Feek. And you know, I'm trying to like limit where I go, but I'd not been asked to speak at a Homestead festival before. So I was really intrigued and I loved it.
- [04:10]
Jenny Ur (Host)
Isaac.
- [04:10]
Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
So I went, I had a phenomenal time, really like Rory and Rebecca and what they're doing. And then they reached out and asked me to speak at this homemakers conference. And I didn't really know much about it. And we're kind of, you know, we've got some kids and we're homeschooling. And so it just kind of like a couple days before the event's coming, I'm like, where am I going and where am I going to be? And anyway, I get off the plane in Texas and I got this two and a half hour drive and end up staying with you with your family, in your office nook on your property. And it was life changing for me, Isaac. It was life changing for me to be around your family. It was life changing for me to be around your community. It was life changing for me to be in your nook. And there were like doors that opened in my mind because of this experience of things that I'd never considered before. So first of all, I want to thank you for your incredible hospitality.
- [05:02]
Isaac French (Guest)
Well, my goodness, I should take you with me everywhere I go. You're like the most incredible welcome I've ever had. And. And all the credit goes to my wife for the hospitality or especially like, for the. The details and the logistics. She's so good at that. And honestly, it was. I. I love those cuz they're so serendipitous. Like, we didn't know who you were. We just were trying to help. And we knew there were a bunch of folks from out and we told Rebecca if there's anybody that needs a place to stay, we'd love to help host. And you were like the perfect guest. It felt like a God thing. Like, it was just a perfect weekend together and our. Our boys fell in love with you. We loved it. So we can't wait for you to come back.
- [05:36]
Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
I can't wait to come back. I already have plans. Like, I'm coming with my mom, I'm coming with my friend Nelly. And for. Even for me, like, so we're gonna be talking about hospitality and all of these things that you built. And in fact, I ended up buying some of the books that you have in. In your office nook there in the library park because I was like, wow, I hadn't read any of these. I. I got there and I was, you know, you're kind of nervous. You're traveling across the country. I'm in Michigan speaking at this event. I've never been there before. I don't know who the people are going to be, and you're a little on edge and you're tired and you're, you know, you're leaving your other. Your kids behind and making sure everything's all set. And it was just so welcoming. It was beyond what I could have expected. So I want to kick it off by talking about two things where these doors opened in my mind. I have never, never Isaac. Been in a home that does not have a television. Wow, that's shocking. Is that shocking?
- [06:28]
Jenny Ur (Host)
Never?
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Isaac French (Guest)
It is. Wow.
- [06:30]
Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
It's shocking. And it was shocking to me to be in a home without a television and many homes without television because I got to visit a couple people while I was there, and it just blew my mind. And the only other person. I only know of one other person who doesn't have a television, and that's my favorite farmer, Joel Salatin. He doesn't have a television. And you just can see in him.
- [06:53]
Jenny Ur (Host)
Now, he's a little older at this.
- [06:54]
Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
Point, like in his 60s, but you can just see how that time accumulates.
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Jenny Ur (Host)
And he's so wise and he's got such a depth to him.
- [07:03]
Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
So it just. We have televisions, but it definitely, like, it gave me a little bit more resolve to be like, we probably shouldn't be. Hardly ever using these. You don't know the other end of it. And I don't really relate to your end of it, but can you talk to the parents, listening about what you think that does for you as a person growing up without tb?
- [07:26]
Isaac French (Guest)
Yeah. And do you mind if I sort of paint the picture a little bit of what my childhood was like? Yeah, because that's a great part of it.
- [07:32]
Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
I mean, my answer is no, I don't mind. Go for it.
- [07:34]
Isaac French (Guest)
That's. That's such a. A good observation, because it's something I. I always took for granted. So, as you now know, because you've been here, we are part of a traditional values Christian community that's sort of rooted in the land. We have a shared farm, and then there's private home, and everybody, you know, tries to grow as much of their own food as they can, have some animals. And this is how I was raised. So I'm one of 10. And I grew up a quarter mile from where I'm sitting today. My wife grew up 200 yards from where we live today. And so we had this incredible culture of, like, layers of relationships. My grandparents were five minutes down the road. Our friends and family were all right here. And we were very involved in one another's lives. And so very early on, my parents and their friends, other members of the community, kind of made that shared decision that we want to really limit technology because. And give, you know, give way and give priority to face to face. And not just in, you know, people relationships, but also animals and, you know, living on a farm. We had every kind of farm animal you can imagine. And, you know, we had acres of sort of wilderness behind our home. And so growing up, I would be outside. I'm preaching to the choir, I know, but I'd be outside building trails and building tree forts and just having the time of my life. And that was my childhood. And so not only did we not have tv, we didn't have cell phones, and we still don't sort of. As a community, we've made it a general pattern where we try not to let kids have devices until they're, like, at least 17 or 18, and where they've really built the maturity. And there's exceptions, of course, but where they've built the maturity of, you know, how to best use that technology versus the technology using them. So it's been interesting now because I do. I do do a lot with media and, you know, video production and whatnot. But that's part of the reason I built the Nook, which is this little, you know, office studio space out in my backyard, so I could kind of keep all of that there. And when I'm home, I can just be with my family, be with my friends. But, yeah, it was an amazing childhood and maybe just a tiny bit more. My mom homeschooled all of us, and my grandparents were also very involved. And so my grandfather was a home builder and my dad was a plumber. So construction was sort of always in the cards for us. But then my grandmother on the other side is an artist. She's very creative. And so we just had this rich mixture of influences. And my parents just had this incredible wisdom, I guess, to allow their kids not to shelter their kids, but to launch them into even their future callings. And. And. And, you know, businesses that we were starting growing up, and again, like the farm animals, they gave us real responsibilities and real projects when we were very young, that tied into our education. And it's so interesting now, looking back and now as a parent of two very young kids, how those experiences shaped me and shaped my siblings, where we're still working together in these incredible generational businesses. We're very entrepreneurial. And now, of course, I'm looking at my own kids and, you know, my siblings are looking at their kids and wanting to impart that same ethos, that same culture, that same lifestyle to them. And having. Yeah. Having the freedom from technology, I would put it like that, where we weren't sheltered. We saw things. We, you know, we knew about things, but it was very much like home was a safe space where we could be together as a family and, you know, just really be real with one another. And then, of course, you know, kind of incubate all these other activities and projects and whatnot. Was an incredible launching pad for my life and what I'm doing today. And now, of course, what I want to pass on to my kids, you can see it.
- [11:26]
Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
It was a remarkable thing to see.
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Jenny Ur (Host)
It just.
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Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
It changed me. It changed me, Isaac, because I think if people are listening and, you know, some. Some families listening in have not. Do not have screens in their home and think that's a way to go. It is a way to go. But if you had a whole community.
- [11:41]
Jenny Ur (Host)
If your whole city that you lived.
- [11:42]
Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
In your whole district, wherever you're at, if the people had no television, no screens for kids, you can imagine, like, what might that be like? And it's jaw dropping. And what it is, is there's like, this depth, and everything is craftsmen, and, like, people are reading. And so what you have is. You just have a whole different type of a person. It's vibrant, it's palpable. And it was just a really cool experience for me to have. I'm so thankful that I came. Like, even if it was just for that, to be in these homes that are just beautiful and you're, you know, in so many homes, the. The TV is the center point, and this is not how it was. It was like, art is the center point.
- [12:21]
Jenny Ur (Host)
Relationships and food.
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Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
And so, you know, I don't.
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Isaac French (Guest)
It was.
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Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
It was really moving, Was very moving.
- [12:29]
Isaac French (Guest)
I appreciate that. And I think that it really does reframe the whole, you know, so many things we take for granted. Just as, I don't know, a progressive Western civilization in terms of entertainment per se. Like, I think the literal definition of entertainment is to suspend between two points. And look, I'm all for, like, great, wholesome entertainment at times. And again, it's like a broad meaning. There's all kinds of ways to. Sometimes you need to be suspended, sometimes you need to take a break. Sometimes you need to experience new things and. And recreate and all of that. But the whole definition of that was changed again, where it was like our lives were so focused, full of meaning through the things we were doing and the place we lived. We didn't need this, you know, kind of IV 24. 7 of entertainment. And you. You mentioned TV. It's. It's almost worse today with social media and, like, phones, because it, like all of the. The stuff that comes through TV is now funneled through this little device that's this big, that's in everybody's pocket. So I am really grateful. It was definitely a sacrifice, but I think it's. It's not just a sacrifice because, again, when you frame it in the context of a community where everybody has the same values and a family where everybody loves each other, look, our lives were not lacking any meaning, that's for sure.
- [13:44]
Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
I talked to this woman who lives in your community named K. Tombs, and she says that, you know, people will say, what do you even do if.
- [13:51]
Jenny Ur (Host)
You don't have tv?
- [13:51]
Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
And she says the kids in the community are like, how do you even have time for tv? Because everyone's doing choir and everyone's Doing hands on, real life engagement, engaging things. And I was talking to people at some of the different meals and they were saying the seniors in high school, they'll get up and they'll present a project that they've been working on. And it's like this kid took a big log and made a cello out of it, you know, and they're like, these are good things to do with your time. And that's what you get. You, you just see it. I recommend going. It's called Homestead Heritage. And people can go, you can go visit, you can make things. I learned how to crochet while I was there. It's near Waco, Texas. And I'm like, I want to come back with my mom and I'm come back with my friend Nelly. You just see that there's so many incredible things that you can do with your life. So that just, I mean, changed me. Totally changed me. Second thing is you and I had a quick conversation. We were like, I mean, I mostly spent the time with your wife Helen, who is wildly talented and you're incredible cool boys. And Helen's doing all the music and she's playing the accordion. And so, I mean, it was like some brushes here and there. But even that, like there was a very brief conversation where you talked about how that your focus is on the nature. So you have made these incredible properties.
- [15:06]
Jenny Ur (Host, continued or co-host)
And I made a list of them.
- [15:07]
Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
It's like you did. Oh, where'd my list go? There's like a train cars. You've done it with your family. Train cars and cabins. And this live oak lake, that's the one that I think a lot of people may know about. But there's other ones where you, you've just renovated all of these places. A hundred year old cabin at Palouse just. And then there's another place where people are doing their weddings and it's just remarkable. Then you put in your orchard and there's Morning Glory Farm. So what you said was, and, and I would never have considered this. You're like, the main attraction is nature. And if you make the main attraction be nature, that's when you're going to do the best because that's where people feel the best.
- [15:52]
Isaac French (Guest)
So. Well said. Yes. So I have been an artist since I was 4 or 5 years old. My grandma would give us art lessons. I was always sketching stuff when I wasn't building stuff. And I kind of nurtured this love for architecture growing up, then getting into construction and learning those skills. And then I had an epiphany again. It was one of those things I kind of took for granted growing up because we lived on a farm, we've always lived in the country, we. We've never lived in the city. And I realized as I started sort of beginning to design some of my own spaces, that nature is the place that people feel the most alive. Like, I think about some of the most moving experiences I've had, some of the most like, you know, what's the right word? Like, juicy effervescent moments in my life and my memory, whether it was backpacking on the Pacific Crest Trail, you know, in the middle of the wilderness in Washington state, or as an eight year old building tree forts in our backyard, or as a 25 year old raking leaves in our yard in the fall with my 2 year old. Like, whatever it was, it happens outside, it happens in nature. And so as an artist and also as a, as a believer, I see nature as like the ultimate piece of arts, the ultimate masterpiece. And everything that we can do as humans is, you know, in my worldview, the most we can do is try to echo that beauty and complement and harmonize with it instead of trying to impose or improve upon it. And so, yeah, with all these projects, the mission has been create spaces in nature where we can sort of like get people. And I geek out about this part. Like, take them, take guests on a journey. So they're having to leave the city, they're having to drive kind of like you said, like you drove two hours from the airport. I like that. I like getting out. Like, there's, there's something even about that space of like, we're going on a journey here. We're leaving behind certain luxuries, we're leaving behind certain mindsets. And then you're getting to this place where it's still, where it's quiet, where it's beautiful. And it also happens to be that the land is a whole lot cheaper and there's a lot less regulation. So if you're trying to do these projects, it actually makes a lot of, of sense. And the business model has worked out very, very well. But it has never been about chasing the money or chasing the following or any of that. It's been about how do we create these rich experiences in nature, where nature is the star of the show, where nature is the amenity. People are coming for today in the hotel and Airbnb space, which is kind of the space I'm most identified with from like a business perspective. Wellness. Wellness is like this big buzzword everybody talks About. Well, another one is sustainability and ecotourism, agritourism. Like, these are the hottest, kind of like sexiest words in the whole hospitality space. And you know, there's all different approaches to that. There's people that go and spend hundreds of dollars or thousands of dollars to go experience all these super high fluent technologies and cryotherapy and all these beds and, and look, there's probably some benefit for some people. What I see is like the obvious, again, like most valuable amenity to wellness is being in nature. It's restorative, it's regenerative in not only to the body, but to the soul and to the mind and to the spirit. So I'm incredibly passionate about this because I think everyone can create these kind of moments. Even if it's just your backyard. You don't need to start with a micro resort like, like I did with Live Oak Lake. You can just work on having that one spot in your backyard and bringing in the elements of trees and plants and water and, you know, stones and the natural elements and putting it together as art that reflects again, the ultimate art and the design of nature. And that's why my favorite job description when people ask me what I do today is I make art in nature. And it's always a great conversation starter, but I really believe it. It's powerful. I've lived it, I've seen it and I've seen it transform. Transform other people that have experienced it.
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Jenny Ur (Host)
Yeah.
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Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
And I got to be immersed in it because it's the indoor and even it's indoor and the outdoor. The indoor highlights the outdoor because you have these expansive windows and you have this, you know, stone walls and different natural elements. And then, you know, then it, you're drawn outdoors because there's the deck and.
- [20:18]
Jenny Ur (Host)
It overlooks the creek and there's places.
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Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
To sit and there's a pathway that goes up and. And then I was really cool, Isaac, actually, I looked at a bunch of the different projects to see that they're all similar in a way that they are, I don't want to say exalting that they are emphasizing. That's not even the right word. The masterpiece of nature is the focal point. And in Alive Oak Lake, you know, we've got the, the whole front of the thing is the big old window and then there's this hot tub and then there's this shipping container pool and people are out kayaking and there's just pass through the woods. But it was, it was really, you said that to me that nature is the is the magnificent part of all of it.
- [20:59]
Isaac French (Guest)
And the star of the show.
- [21:01]
Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
Absolutely the star of the show. And I would have never thought of that or considered that. So once again, just by rubbing shoulders and being there for a very short period of time, there were these things that changed me on the inside. I'm gonna throw out one more and then I want to talk specifically about all these incredible things that you've done.
- [21:18]
Jenny Ur (Host)
The new year always feels like a reset for me. Not just for schedules and routines, but for our home too. I want our space to feel calm, functional and ready for the season ahead. Essentially the opposite of what it feels like over the holidays, with a stream of parties and gatherings, family visits that are fun and meaningful but also add to the craziness. And honestly, Wayfair makes that so easy. If you're refreshing bedding, upgrading towels, organizing kids rooms, or finally tackling storage, Wayfair really does have everything in one place space. I love being able to shop for practical things like mattresses, bathroom storage and kitchen essentials and add in those finishing touches that make a home feel cared for. This season I'm focusing on simple, cozy updates. We are refreshing bedding and adding a few accent pillows and mirrors to our living space. Nothing over the top, just pieces that feel warm, lived in and inviting. I was honestly surprised by how many styles and price points there were. It made it easy to stay on budget without sacrificing quality or style. And I love how convenient it is to find everything from kids room updates to work, from home setup to storage solutions for all the outdoor GE somehow always piles up, get organized, refreshed and back on track this new year. For way less, head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home. That's W-A-Y-F-A-I-R.com Wayfair Every style, every Home January always feels like a fresh start in our homeschool. It's that reset moment after the holidays where you're refining what worked, letting go of what didn't, and finding your rhythm again. Oh, and also you actually know what day it is again, as opposed to being in that holiday induced fog where time and space seem to just meld into nothing and everything all at once. One thing we've learned over the years is how important it is to meet each child exactly where they are. That's why IXL fits so naturally into our homeschool life. It adapts to each learner so one child can review last year's skills while another jumps ahead without pressure comparison or busy work. I love how effortless it is as a parent. Everything is organized by grade and by topic, so I'm not digging through resources or reinventing the wheel. And the real time feedback is huge. Kids learn from mistakes immediately and the progress reports give clarity and confidence. As a guide, IXL covers math, language arts, science and social studies from Pre K all the way through 12th grade and it grows right along with your child. It is flexible, proven and trusted by millions of families. Make an impact in your child's learning. Get IXL now and 1000 Hours Outside listeners can get an exclusive 20 off their IXL membership when they sign up today at www.ixl.com 1000hours Visit ixl.com 10001000hours to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price as we step into a new year. And yes, take those first steps outside to kick it off. I always feel this pull to simplify, to reach for pieces that feel good, layer well and actually last. And that's why I've been loving Quince. Quince makes those wardrobe staples you reach for again and again. I'm talking about their Mongolian cashmere sweaters that feel like designer pieces without the designer price, 100% silk tops and skirts that instantly dress things up, prep and denim that's cut just right for everyday life. Their Italian wool coats are a standout too. Beautifully tailored, soft and made to last for years, not just one season. You can feel the quality in the details, the stitching, the fit, the fabric. Everything is thoughtfully designed to become a true wardrobe essential. I can't tell you how much I'm loving my new cashmere sweater. It's getting so much wear already and it's holding up beautifully. I've even picked up a few Quince pieces for home and travel and the quality has been just as impressive. And the best part? Quince uses premium materials from ethical, trusted factories and prices everything far below traditional luxury brands. Quince is a big hit around here and I know you'll love what they have to offer as well. So refresh your wardrobe with Quince. Don't wait. Go to quince.com outside for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns. Now available in Canada too. That's Q-U-I-N-C-E.com outside to get free shipping and 365 day returns. Quince.com outside the third one is this.
- [25:06]
Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
There is a man named Tim Elmore who talks about working with Gen Z and that they're having a really hard time as a whole. Gen Z is having a really hard time assimilating into the workplace. And he writes books about, you know, how can we be more empathetic and how can we be better trainers and coaches and things like that. And he says that people consider 26.
- [25:26]
Jenny Ur (Host)
To be the new 18 and that.
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Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
When you ask people what age is an adult, that a lot of times they're saying when you first have a kid, which has gotten a lot older, or they're saying 26, 27, 28. And so it was incredible for me to see that at that age when people are saying that's when you first become an adult, you're already an accomplished entrepreneur with a family. Can you talk about the struggles that Gen Z's having and how you are able to launch into the adult world successfully at such a young age?
- [25:58]
Isaac French (Guest)
Yeah, again, I owe every bit of credit to my parents and the lifestyle which they raised me in. None of my siblings went to college. We were all homeschooled K through 12. We're all, you know, successful, if you want to use that word, by the world standards in terms of good jobs, good businesses and, and good families, which is the ultimate, you know, healthy relationships. I think the ultimate success metrics. I think it goes back to, again, the very intentional choices my parents made for us, some of which we've talked about. Limiting technology, prioritizing our character over our gifts was another big thing. So, like, I'll tell you a little story. You know, I was an ambitious kid and interested in a lot of different things you mentioned crafts. We were exposed to all of these different things we could do with our hands and expressions of art. Music is another huge part of our culture you mentioned. And when I was probably, I don't know, 12 to 15 years old, very, very formative age for a young person, but it started before them. But I'm just going to focus on that. I had a very budding. I had a lot of gifts, I guess, were coming to the surface and budding and all these different interests. I'm not special. Again, it's all credit to the place I was raised and how I was raised. But I remember specific moments that sort of crushed me in the moment where my parents took away something from me. So I remember them taking away piano lessons about a year into that journey. And I was doing really, really well and loving it and sort of like, I'm an all in kind of person. Like, if I'm going to do it, I'm going to do it. But I remember there was some pretty substantial character flaws when I was 13 years old. And I knew like they weren't being unfair or anything. It just, it hurt. Like that was the ultimate punishment is they took that away for a season and then they gave it back after a period of time. And now like the, the gratitude that I have has compounded so greatly because I see what they were doing at the time and the lessons that it was teaching and I see unfortunately in other people and other young people, kind of the result of, not of kind of, you know, a totally permissive approach to all of that. And I'm not here to prescribe different parenting styles. What do I know? I mean, I'm 28 years old and I only have two little kids. But I do have a lot of, of gratitude because I think the, the constraints, as we all know the cliche, create creativity and, or breed creativity. And there were constraints in our lives and it was not in any way kind of a principal thing. It was a very relational thing. Our parents understood each one of us and could raise us appropriately according to, you know, where we were at in the journey, what our tendencies were, the thing. And again, it wasn't at all stifling. It was actually just like now that I've learned through having an orchard, you have to prune trees. If there's ever hope of them bearing fruit, you gotta prune them. And especially the first two years, it is brutal pruning trees. I mean, I don't know if you've ever done it, but it feels like the worst thing because it's like they grow this incredible growth and then you come in there when they're dormant and cut like 50% of it off. And I remember the first time I did that as an adult and it was like heartbreaking to me. And then sure enough, like six months later, when the spring came, the nutrients came, that tree tripled in size. It was a healthy tree, it was a balanced tree, and then you had to do it again. But there's a lot of principles there that I think we as humans could learn from again, from nature, for taking lessons from nature. So I think that again, just like having character and relationships and family at the center of our lives and then the incredible opportunities and craft and businesses as you mentioned. I mean, when I was seven years old, my sister and I opened the proverbial lemonade stand and that quickly expanded into like a full blown snack shack on the side of the road. We were running up charge accounts with the local grocery store and we were learning about bookkeeping. And we were learning about paying our bills on time when we were 7, 8 years old. In a practical example, when I was 9, I got this weird infatuation with antique typewriters. Probably because we didn't have a tv, we didn't have that much technology. We had a home computer, but we had very limited time on it. And I remember going to, begging my parents to take me to antique stores and search for these old like hundred year old typewriters. And I remember finding them and then bringing them home and like learning about the mechanics of a typewriter and fixing things and then reselling them on ebay through my dad's ebay account and making money when I was like nine years old. I remember, you know, starting a beef jerky business and I remember starting a soda company. This one's funny. This is the last story I'll tell you. I don't want to bore you, but when I was 13, I had this dream to create home brewed craft soda. And so, you know, I didn't know anything about it, of course. Bought a book and then went down to the local like craft brewery supply and bought all kinds of yeast and bottling stuff. And then sort of became the mad scientist for about three months and was just concocting these, these brews, most of which exploded. And we finally got to the place where we could trust it enough to take them to the farmer's market. So we got a booth, we set it up, and people, they were selling like hotcakes. It was sort of like before kombucha became a thing. And there was kind of that kind of, you know, really good yeasty flavor. People loved it. I was selling out in like 30 minutes this one time I was. You had to open it with a bottle opener. It wasn't a twist off. And there was this, this college dude came along one time, like shaggy hair, a tie, dye shirt, I still remember him. And he insisted that he opened the bottle himself. And I was like, no, man, you, you gotta trust me, let me open. And I would take like 15 seconds and make small talk while I was letting the pressure off, knowing I had this grenade in my hands. Well, he was insistent. So he, he took the bottle and he went down the side alley. And I just had this sickening feeling in my stomach for about 20 minutes. And he comes back. It's this busy day at the farmer's market. And I could see him from like a ways away. His hair is like seaweed just plastered to his head, his shirt is clinging to him and just Dripping. And I'm like, oh, God, this is worse than I even thought. And when he's about 30ft away, he just shout. Shouts out in the whole crowd of people, dude, that was some serious Riz.
- [32:26]
Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
That was sick.
- [32:28]
Isaac French (Guest)
And like, he was pumped about it. He was like, I. I opened it and I shoved it to my mouth and there were three puddles. There were three gushers, one from my mouth and one from each nostril. Anyways, my parents had to get intervened in the family, in the. In the soda company, and we had to shut it down shortly thereafter for liability reasons. But that's just to give you a little picture of like the kind of businesses we were starting and all that has certain served my siblings and I very well in our careers, if you will. And starting and running businesses.
- [33:00]
Jenny Ur (Host)
Yeah.
- [33:00]
Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
A picture of what you can do.
- [33:01]
Jenny Ur (Host)
When you don't have a television and.
- [33:03]
Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
You have more time. A picture of what you can do when you're resourced with different things and your parents give you permission to do all sorts of different things and then they'd partner with you.
- [33:12]
Jenny Ur (Host)
Talked about.
- [33:12]
Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
I mean, you went through so many businesses. You also have a cheese making business at starting at age 14 that's on your YouTube. So I watched that video. You know, you started that at 14, and this is giving you the foundation then and the love. I think what I see through the videos and through the properties is that you see the world with opportunity. You see opportunity within the world. You see a piece of property and a cabin it that's 100 years old and falling down. And you're like, oh, what could we do with this? Or your dad sees a train car that most people would think is total garbage, and he's like, I'm going to offer some money, even if it takes me several years to move it to where I need to move it.
- [33:50]
Jenny Ur (Host)
It.
- [33:51]
Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
I see opportunity there. And that started young.
- [33:55]
Isaac French (Guest)
Yes.
- [33:56]
Jenny Ur (Host)
Yeah.
- [33:56]
Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
I could sell at the farmer's market.
- [33:57]
Jenny Ur (Host)
I could do a lemonade stand.
- [33:59]
Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
All right, let's talk about these properties. Isaac. This is just an incredible sheet of accomplishments. And they started so the nook in the office that you're in right now, which I had the wonderful opportunity of staying in, is.
- [34:12]
Jenny Ur (Host)
Is relatively new.
- [34:13]
Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
Just 20, 23. Everything is actually relatively new. The orchard is new. But before you did Live Oak Lake, there were a couple projects before then, and you're doing those with your family. So can you talk about some of the first ones like you're talking about? And I. I don't have the total timeline Down. But there's the cabin in Palouse. There is the train car. The train stays where. Now there's a ton of trains. People can go stay.
- [34:36]
Jenny Ur (Host)
I'll make sure.
- [34:36]
Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
I'll put all the links in the show notes. And then there was the farm. The farmer. People do their weddings.
- [34:43]
Isaac French (Guest)
Yeah.
- [34:43]
Jenny Ur (Host)
Morning glory. Firm.
- [34:45]
Isaac French (Guest)
Yes. Wow. You did your homework.
- [34:47]
Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
And now the orchard. There's so many.
- [34:49]
Jenny Ur (Host, continued or co-host)
So what.
- [34:50]
Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
Talk to us about a couple of the first projects.
- [34:53]
Isaac French (Guest)
Yes. I think in that timeline. And the. The cabin was the first. That was 2018. My dad found a small in holding in the national forest. This is up in Idaho. So when I was 12, our whole family picked up and moved across the country to help plant a new church in North Idaho, middle of nowhere. And I lived there for 10 years. My whole family still lives there. It's a thriving community. Now. I moved back to Texas a few years ago and married my wife. And we're based here in Texas. So a little context. But when I was. I guess, yeah, early 20s, in 2018, my dad discovered this little listing. He's. He's always a great visionary and he loves to, like, hunt for deals on. On Zillow. We bought this little in holding for about $2,000 per acre. And then another message I want to get across through these projects is like, you don't need a lot of money to start. You just need the creativity and the grit and the hard work. And we found on this little in holding the remains of an old cabin. We looked through the history and discovered it was a homesteader's cabin from the early 1900s, when there was actually a zinc mine in that same valley. And this is in the middle of nowhere. This is like an hour down a dirt road. And so my brothers and I dismantled the whole barn on Labor Day, on Monday, Labor Day of 2018. And on Tuesday or Wednesday morning, we poured a new foundation. And by the end of the week, we had re erected the walls. You can look this up on my. On my stuff. And then six weeks later, the whole thing was rebuilt. It's totally off grid. There's an outhouse. We planted the trees. It's this fully restored pioneers cabin in this little valley in the middle of nowhere. So that was a lot of fun. We did that whole project for about $38,000. And we don't rent that one out commercially, though we have a ton of requests. It's just a little too hard to service it because it's so far away.
- [36:53]
Jenny Ur (Host)
Yeah.
- [36:53]
Isaac French (Guest)
But it definitely kind of got our wheels spinning. So then the next one was the train car, and this one was cool. So we actually. My dad actually found it around the same time in 2018. He. One day he got a call from our neighbor who is 90 years old, he's a wheat farmer, and he needed help shoveling snow off of the roof of his barn. So we always want to be good neighbors. My dad gets over there, shovels the roof, and then happens to peek inside the barn when he's done and sees this 61 foot long behemoth like most people probably wouldn't even identified as a train cart. My dad, however, is this ultimate train nerd and history enthusiast. He knew exactly what it was. He had read the history books about this car. They all thought it was. Had been burned when it was decommissioned 50 years ago. Anyways, it was this light bulb moment. So he asked the farmer, hey, how much will you sell that thing to me for? And the guy thought he was crazy. He's like, what do you want that thing for? It's raw. And. And 20 cats were living inside of it. It stunk horrendously. And it looked fully rotten, too. You can look up pictures. And my. And so the guy's like, oh, all right. Well, I mean, I don't know. 2,000 bucks. My dad was like, let's make it three. I want to make it fair. So he writes a check on the spot, becomes the proud owner of this car. Well, guess what? The car weighs 120,000 pounds and it's 61ft long. And it's at the end of this little winding road again in the middle of nowhere.
- [38:22]
Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
Yeah.
- [38:22]
Isaac French (Guest)
And it's the middle of winter, so it takes us two years. We find a mover who's willing to take it on with a dozer with 18 wheelers. They. They figure it out. We move it about 10 miles to a little property that we own that my brother lived on. And this is two hours from an interstate or a major city or a major airport. So, like, it wasn't necessarily a destination. And. But I'm. But I'm a big believer in Field of Dreams, saying, you build it and they'll come.
- [38:51]
Jenny Ur (Host)
Yeah.
- [38:52]
Isaac French (Guest)
So once the car was on that property, my brothers and I, who had sort of been putting our feet on the brakes, like, don't get that thing over. This is a piece of junk. We don't want to deal with it. We're like, okay, we have to deal with it because it's not on the property. So this was in February of 2020. So you know what was happening Then the entire world shuts down like the week we move it and we decide, okay, this is the perfect kind of shelter in place project while everything else is shut down. And so two or three of my brothers and I did, I don't know, 90% of the work. We had a couple subcontractors for like the mechanical whatnot and in six months fully transformed that. Now if the cabin was a full restoration, then I don't know what this was. But I mean literally we got it down to the details, the light fixtures, the original painting, hand painted, you know, letters on the outside. We brought in utilities so you actually have all the comforts of like a luxury stay. But we turned this 61 foot train car into this ultimate train experience. And we opened it in August of 2020 and on Airbnb. And within about a month it was booked out a year in advance, like $600 a night. Night. So our timing was obviously super lucky because people were desperate to experience places. But the hard work paid off. So a three thousand dollar train car paid for itself and you know, of course we spent around $140,000 to actually do the restoration, but the whole thing paid for itself in about nine months. And then since then, that was now what, five years ago? It's paid, it's paid for itself about five times now. People absolutely love it. They come from all over the world. We've had people come from Europe, all other other continents just to stay there. So that one was the official jump off point for me where I'm like, I'm going all in on what I call experiential hospitality. And then, yeah, just fast forward about six months. I moved to Texas in early, in late 20, early 21, got married and was actually self employed as a bookkeeper at the time.
- [41:02]
Narrator/Song Performer
Huh.
- [41:03]
Isaac French (Guest)
I learned bookkeeping and tax prep in school is because I was always creative and I was like, I want to push myself in the opposite direction, especially if I'm entrepreneurial, to really understand, even though I've always kind of like abhorred numbers. But I, I learned to love it. But then I was like, I don't want to build a career on this. So again, like, how do I get back to my roots and, and really express my creativity? Found five acres on Zillow. This was the probably the craziest story of all, was 24 at the time. I had $19,000 of savings within moments of walking on that property. Literally had chills head to toe and just knew this is the property that I'm supposed to build. My dream on my dream was this village of cabins in nature. It didn't exist as far as I knew. And then we were under contract that day. Thirty days later we closed on the land. It was $130,000. I felt found friends and family to help cover those costs. And then of course started talking to banks. Immediately got laughed out of the room. You know, it took us three months, but we got a construction loan from a local bank. And in a total from the day we closed to the day we opened our doors was nine and a half months. So designed, built, furnished and opened. This seven cabin micro resort is what I'd call it. These beautiful Scandinavian styled cabins with the glass centered around this lake, incredible trees like the container pool, kayaking and every detail. I mean, I just completely nerded out on like again, trying to create this total masterpiece in nature. No architect, just, you know, like making all those decisions on the fly, working a hundred hours a week. It was crazy. Fell from a ladder about three quarters of the way through the project and broke my pelvis one day, which was a much bigger thing than I ever expected. So I went, you know, from working 100 hours a week to, with obviously a ton of stress to get this thing done. We had borrowed $2 million. It was a lot of people thought I was crazy because we were spending way more than we probably should have. As you know, logic would have said to lying on my back in a hospital bed two days before Thanksgiving. Needed multiple surgeries. Like, I've got tons of stainless steel in me. It was quite an experience. And thankfully, again, to the credit of the community and the family around me, just was able to bring the project toward the finish line. Personally healed within three months. It was on crutches for the final few months of the project, but was fully healed three months later. So great. So we open our doors. I can finally breathe. It's January of 2022 and we have amazing bookings and reviews coming in. We have a $20,000 loan payment. We made our first payment. Thank God. It's wonderful. And one day, 14 days into the whole thing, I open my phone to the Airbnb app and the entire account is suspended. No warning and no explanation. Get on the phone with them. They say, I'm sorry, sir, there's nothing we can do. That's a different department. You cannot affect that. Tough luck. I was obviously like desperate for days, just thinking, praying, trying every resource that I could. And one night around midnight, I wasn't on social media but to speak of, but I had Posted like five photos along the way. Just kind of happenstance. And maybe 150 people followed me. And I think one of those people was a travel influencer. I didn't know what that was, but she had sent me a dm. She's like, I like this project and I'd like to come stay there when it's done. And I remembered that. So I sent her a message at, like, midnight. I was like, amanda, I am so sorry to bother you, but, you know, we're in the middle of a total crisis here. We're two weeks away from a foreclosure almost. You know, is there any way we can get around this and, like, market these stays? Because when they shut you down, like, there's nothing you can do and your income is just like. Like zero.
- [45:02]
Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
Yeah.
- [45:03]
Isaac French (Guest)
And she was like, well, I'm sorry, I can't. I've never heard of that happening, and I can't come for six months. But there's this other influencer. Anyways, she put me in touch.
- [45:11]
Jenny Ur (Host)
Some weeks I just don't have the time or the brain space for real meal planning. I want to eat healthier. I care about what we're putting in our bodies. But by dinner time, I am tired and overwhelmed. And that's where Hungry Root has been such a gift. Hungry Root is basically like having a personal nutrition coach and grocery shopper rolled into one. I told them what we like, what we don't like, and what my health goals are. And they planned everything for me. The recipes, of which there are over 50,000. The groceries, all of it. And the more we use it, the smarter it gets, tailoring things even better to our tastes. I love that it makes healthy eating simple without overthinking it. Whether you're trying to eat cleaner, get more protein, or reduce inflammation, Hungry Root does the work for you without junk ingredients and with high quality meats and seafood. And if you're trying to stick with healthier habits past January, which aren't we all, this really helps make it doable right now. Take advantage of this exclusive offer for a limited time, get 40 off your first box, plus get a free item in every box for life. Go to hungryroot.com 1000hours and use code 1000hours. That's hungryroot.com 1000hours. Code 1000hours to get 40 off your first box and a free item of your choice for life.
- [46:20]
Isaac French (Guest)
I messaged that other person. She was like, sure, send me photos and Venmo me 950. So I was like, all right, this probably is never going to work, but sure, it's a Hail Mary. Sent her the money, sent the photos overnight, kind of like threw together a bookings website so we could accept our own reservations. Kind of cleaned up the Instagram and the giveaway went live I think two days later. And within seven days we had $40,000 of direct bookings through our own website and thousands of followers. The post went viral. People were like, this is amazing. And they didn't even know this whole story as far as being shut down. They were just like, this is the most incredible stay. This doesn't exist. And Jenny, it was like, it was totally providential, I believe, because like two days after that, Airbnb restored the whole account. So. And there was really no explanation. There was like it was a glitch and you know, we don't really understand. And they were trying to save face. If it hadn't have been for that, that little window where I almost lost everything, we never would have taken that risk and, and, and thought outside the box and really discovered this new channel. So of course we're like, sorry, Airbnb, you can take a backseat. We go all in on the direct partnering with these influencers, starting to post our own stuff, telling our story. And within a few months we were like 80% of all bookings were direct. And then, you know, it's. The numbers aren't the whole story, but just to paint the picture, you know, within a year, the first year, we had about a hundred thousand followers, 94 occupancy of every day of every. Of the whole year, for every cabin. And we grossed a million dollars in that first year. So then at that point, it was like everything had been so exceeded beyond our imagination of what it could be. We were so, you know, dumbfounded by, by it that I remember my dad one time told me, he was like, you know, if everything has gone so well, maybe that and of itself is a reason you should consider selling. And this was late 2022, early 23. And it was like everything was going well. Interest rates hadn't yet started their climb up and we were still kind of on that post Covid high. So it was so wise of him to say that. So we ended up listing it. We ended up selling the property for about three times what it cost in about 18 months time. And it was just perfect thing because then interest rates went up and you know, the property kind of equalized a little bit. But because of that project and now me sharing that story, it's opened the doors to so many Other things. So just a super quick highlight. Since then, I took some of the profits from that and built this orchard that you're talking about. So it's this five acres, 200 trees, and it's supposed to be an orchard that's actually as beautiful as it is fruitful. So we went all out, like winding pathways, a pergola, a botanical garden, a water feature, this incredible, like the details down to the fence and the gates. And I'm like, we'll, we'll fly that plane and then we'll build it financially as we go. I just wanted to create this kind of generational kind of project for my own kids to come up in. So that's, you know, two years old now. Next year, God willing, we'll have our first major harvest. And the trees are exactly the same age as my, our first son. And so it's really fun watching them grow up and now bringing him into it a little bit. And then I built the nook sort of to showcase a bunch of architectural things that I, I like. It's my studio here in Texas. And then, yeah, we've done Morning Glory Farm, which is this old historic barn and farmhouse that we totally restored, took down, reassembled, hand hewn. It's a wedding venue in Idaho. We have the train depot. We have like a whole town actually in Idaho that we're sort of buying up old buildings, restoring them and redeeming an ecosystem, a local economy and creating a tourism hub. And then through my consulting business, I have like a whole master class and education platform and consulting. And so now I'm working with a couple hundred folks around the country and around the world. World. I got back from New Zealand two days ago on one of these projects, creating micro resorts, unique stays and redeeming rural America. And you know, again, like promoting family businesses and local economy and designing experiences for folks to run and operate. That was, that was a, an earful, Isaac.
- [50:46]
Jenny Ur (Host)
Wow.
- [50:47]
Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
Wow. And you know, so much of it goes back to the nature where you say nature is the center stage and then it's getting people outdoors. You wrote, you say, and I got.
- [50:57]
Jenny Ur (Host)
Notes from all over the place.
- [50:58]
Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
I'm not sure where I grabbed this from, but the world is hungry for.
- [51:01]
Jenny Ur (Host)
Authentic experiences, for spaces with soul that tell a story.
- [51:04]
Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
And here's the truth.
- [51:06]
Jenny Ur (Host)
Anyone with a dream and some good.
- [51:07]
Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
Old fashioned work can create these kind of places. You say that the, this venture into hospitality, the trains and the cabins, you say they showed me how rewarding restoration can be, how many other unloved train cars Grain silos, barns, homes and storefronts.
- [51:24]
Jenny Ur (Host)
Are out there waiting to be discovered and loved. Far too many to count.
- [51:27]
Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
But each one holds the potential for something extraordinary.
- [51:31]
Jenny Ur (Host)
Most of rural America is sitting on a gold mine.
- [51:33]
Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
Untapped land, untold stories, and unpolished beauty. If people go to your YouTube, they.
- [51:38]
Jenny Ur (Host)
Can see the stories.
- [51:39]
Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
You're such a good storyteller and the video work is phenomenal. And you go through and you talk about the stories, you're like, this was a mining town, this cabin. These people had eight kids. You know, you're thinking, you're coming in snowmobiles and you're thinking, how in the world did they have eight kids in that cabin? And the stories they draw you in and they get your wheel spinning. You said that earlier. That was the phraseology. I guess that's what my experience coming.
- [52:04]
Jenny Ur (Host)
To Homestead Heritage did for me.
- [52:05]
Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
It got my wheel spinning. It got my wheel spinning about what could a. What could our kids accomplish by the time they're in their 20s? What would our life look like if there was no tv? You know, what books. What books could I read? I. I actually bought several books. I got Unreasonable. If people look in the. I got Unreasonable by Will Goadera. I got Real Artists Don't Starve. And then a couple, because I've never read books like these, just different ones about architecture and how to design your home. So that opened the door for me even to different types of books than I would have read otherwise.
- [52:37]
Jenny Ur (Host)
And it does.
- [52:38]
Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
It just gets your wheel spinning. People can connect with you in a lot of ways. And I'll put all the links in the show notes. First of all, they can connect with you@isaacjfrench.com I highly recommend signing up for your newsletter, your field, field notes. There's over 40, 000 other people that are reading those. Your YouTube has got phenomenally done videos and storytelling about all of these projects. You can see the befores and the afters and the durings and you can go stay in the train cars@stayanddear.com you can go to the experiential hospitality. You sell your plans for the nook. You know all. There's so many. I was like, wow. And then there's another thing. And then there's another thing thing. You can go to Live Oak Lake. It's still there. Obviously it was bought, but you can go. And there's commons areas and there's swings and kayaks and paddle boards and places to swim. You can stay in the rail cars and then There's a community place there like you. I mean, it's just wonderful. It's wonderful. And what you said, landscaping. Landscaping is the highest return on investment you can make on a property. The structure is going to depreciate starting day one. But the landscape, the landscape will appreciate and value. The day you plant is when it's the least valuable. Can you talk to us a little bit about experiential hospitality?
- [53:48]
Jenny Ur (Host, continued or co-host)
The book.
- [53:49]
Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
I read this unreasonable hospitality book, which.
- [53:51]
Jenny Ur (Host, continued or co-host)
Was one of the ones that was.
- [53:51]
Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
In the nook, and I was like, I'm going to read a couple of these books. He says this will. He says, the human desire to be taken care of never goes away. Whatever you do for a living, you.
- [54:02]
Jenny Ur (Host)
Can choose to be in the hospitality business.
- [54:05]
Isaac French (Guest)
Yeah, it's such a fantastic book. Everyone, no matter what your business or your occupation is, should read that book because the lessons apply wherever you are. Experiential hospitality to me is about a generational shift that has happened in the economy where. And it's really been brewing for decades, but where especially the younger generations, but really everyone is craving meaning in a world that is again, distracted. In a world, world that is overly digital, in a world that is fragmented and disconnected. They want meaning and they want experiences. And the funny irony is that if you think about it theoretically, the things, the, you know, the things you can touch and feel and that you can buy, materialism, the material things, you think those are the things that are going to last, right? Because it's the thing you can pick up like, like my phone versus the experiences that you have, which just become memories. Those don't last, but in lived reality, it's actually the exact opposite. Like all the things you buy, the new car syndrome, it fades away the appeal, the luster, and you don't care about it, especially the older that you get. And the experiences, on the other hand, that you have become more and more valuable because they're memories, you cherish those things, you hold on to them. And so I think this applies really across again, the entire economy, whatever business you're in. But, but I. I want to. My mission is from a business point of view, to create real experiences for people. Not just serving them, but again, like giving them, putting the platform, setting the stage for them to have a transformative experience that will become that kind of, you know, cherished memory. And it also transforms you as a person, as a creator, as all these projects sort of allude to. Like, like we've. We've become such a stronger family. I've become Just such a different person through all these projects. And so experiential hospitality is an experience for everyone. And yes, borrowing so much of the wonderful content in Will's book, at the end of the day, that human desire to feel cared for, to. To feel a sense of belonging and welcome is as old as time. And it's never going away, especially in the age of AI. It's if. If you think your job is at risk, find a job where you can give that feeling to someone else. Because we all crave it, we all love it, and you're going to be in a. In a great position.
- [56:36]
Jenny Ur (Host)
Yeah, it's like what's changing so much.
- [56:38]
Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
Is changing, but focus on what's not changing. The human desire to be taken care.
- [56:42]
Jenny Ur (Host)
Of never goes away.
- [56:43]
Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
Really.
- [56:43]
Jenny Ur (Host)
This kind of comes full circle because.
- [56:45]
Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
What your parents did was they set.
- [56:47]
Jenny Ur (Host)
The stage for you.
- [56:48]
Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
They set the stage for you and for your siblings. Lots of brothers look like lots of brothers and a sister, lots of siblings. They set the stage for experiences. And those experiences grew and they flourished. Like the orchard is going to like things in nature. Do that the way that God made it. And I think we can look at God's creation and see all of these spiritual truths that can help us, to.
- [57:07]
Jenny Ur (Host)
Guide us in our lives.
- [57:08]
Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
And so it has grown beyond what you could have asked or imagined. The Lord has blessed the work of your hands and it has just been. It's so happenstance for me, Isaac. Like, you know, we were hemming and hawing about, do I go to Texas to go to this homemakers conference? And then I got there and I was like, like, I don't know where I'm staying. People are like, where are you staying? With someone else and they've got kids. And I'm like, well, that's fine. But, you know, I'm like, you know, hopefully I'm not intruding. And then I end up at your nook. And it was just like, I mean, it was jaw dropping, jaw dropping. And then I just walked away. I wasn't even there for all that long. Walked away. Really changed, really changed through my interactions with your family and how wonderful your kids. So smart, so bright. Helen, so welcoming. She had like little mandarin oranges in there and all these snacks and a little handwritten note with a little flower. And I mean, it was just truly. I felt cared for. I felt cared for. And you know, in a time where I was like a little nervous and didn't know what to expect and those things are life changing. So I just truly an Honor for me to get a chance to talk with you about it, to get a chance to have rub shoulders with your family in that way. I got to meet your mom. I got to meet Helen's mom. I met everyone there was. Everyone was a relative. He was like, that's my aunt. You know, I met a lot of just incredible people. It was a gift. We always end our show with the same question.
- [58:21]
Jenny Ur (Host)
What's a favorite memory from your childhood that was outside?
- [58:26]
Isaac French (Guest)
Great question. I think it was sailing on the lake in a sailboat that my brothers built, a wooden sailboat, which was another one of those projects. My grandfather helped us. He was always had a passion for boat building, but never had done much of it and was, you know, a carpenter. And so we built this incredible racing sailboat called a Lightning. And we would take it out pretty much every week as a family, and especially my brothers and I and sail when I was, I don't know, eight, eight years old to nine years old. I don't know why that one came to me, but I still cherish those memories very dearly.
- [59:03]
Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
Yeah, your life reminds me of that verse that says, I have come that.
- [59:06]
Jenny Ur (Host)
You may have life and have it to the full.
- [59:08]
Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
There's a such an abundance there. And it just goes to show that remarkable beauty in God's creation. I read a book earlier this week when they were talking about how if you can design your indoor spaces to emulate nature, like the fractals and the curves, you know, like it's going to help you feel better. And it's just like God's design is the right design 100%. And your life and your work showcases that. Isaac, thank you so much for your time.
- [59:33]
Isaac French (Guest)
Jenny, thank you so much for having me. And by the way, I'm a huge fan of your work. Keep shining a light brightly because the world needs it.
- [59:40]
Jenny Ur (Host)
Thank you. As we wrap up today, I want.
- [59:43]
Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
To say thank you. I'm really glad you listened to this one.
- [59:46]
Jenny Ur (Host)
If this episode stuck with you and gave you something to ponder, there's probably someone in your life who needs it too. Send it to them. Send it to lots of people. Let's inspire each other to create childhoods that have less TV and more handcrafting cellos. These types of conversations need to spread because they give vision to parents in a culture that is oppressive with technology use. We need more than single families who are pushing back on childhoods that are steeped in screens. We need communities. Pass this one along to yours. And if you've never left a review for the podcast I want you to know that I read every single one. They encourage me considerably and they help more families find this show. Here's a review that came in last week. Jeannie is an amazing interviewer, incredibly engaging and helpful. I started listening regularly this summer and it has been one of the most.
- [60:30]
Jenny Ur (Host, continued or co-host)
Influential inputs in my life.
- [60:32]
Jenny Ur (Host)
The topics and guest Ginny interviews have provided opportunities to challenge my thinking in the most engaging way. I'm compelled to think deeply and evaluate.
- [60:40]
Jenny Ur (Host, continued or co-host)
All the layers of my family's life.
- [60:42]
Jenny Ur (Host)
I've been most challenged to think about the unstated cultural messages I've been influenced.
- [60:46]
Jenny Ur (Host, continued or co-host)
By or believed were the way things.
- [60:48]
Jenny Ur (Host)
Have always been or should be. Our family has made slow, steady and big changes which I'm convinced will have an impact on generations to follow in our family. Thank you Jenny and to your family for the sacrifices you have made over.
- [60:59]
Jenny Ur (Host, continued or co-host)
The years to keep this podcast going.
- [61:01]
Jenny Ur (Host)
Do not grow weary in doing good. You'll be left wanting more and looking.
- [61:04]
Jenny Ur (Host, continued or co-host)
For someone in your circles to discuss this with.
- [61:07]
Jenny Ur (Host)
Thank you for that review.
- [61:08]
Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
Goodness is that encouraging and it does.
- [61:10]
Jenny Ur (Host)
Help other families to choose this podcast. If you want a small, practical next step, go grab your tracker sheet.
- [61:16]
Jenny Ur (Host, continued or co-host)
Grab the bonus ones as well. They are free.
- [61:18]
Jenny Ur (Host)
Check out all the options@1000hoursoutside.com trackers. Join us in the 1000 Hours Outside Excellent app on sale for $25 for.
- [61:25]
Jenny Ur (Host, interviewer)
The entire year through January 31st, or.
- [61:27]
Jenny Ur (Host)
Explore my books on Amazon. Maybe if enough people buy them they will someday be in stores. I am overjoyed that you are part of this community. I'm honored you spent your time with me today. Until next time. May you find extraordinary moments on ordinary paths.
- [61:43]
Narrator/Song Performer
Get outside, open your eyes Feel that sunshine kissing your skin Throw your worries.
- [61:50]
Isaac French (Guest)
Out to the wind.
- [61:55]
Narrator/Song Performer
Climb some trees Skin your knees Feel that grass on your feet again get out there and.
- [62:02]
Jenny Ur (Host)
Take it in.
- [62:05]
Narrator/Song Performer
Oh, it's a beautiful world Ain't nothing on the screen that's ever going to be this this view oh, it's a beautiful world and I just want to share with I just want to share with you this beautiful world Such a beautiful world.