Podcast Summary:

Unashamed with the Robertson Family
Ep 1205 | Willie & Jase Did Homesteading Before It Was Cool & Good, Simple Living for Your Family
Release Date: November 10, 2025

Overview

In this heartfelt and humorous episode, the Robertson family welcomes Jeremy and Melissa Souza, creators of the Good Simple Living YouTube channel and hosts of the New World Old Soul podcast. They share their journey from suburban Washington to building a self-sustaining homestead in rural Idaho. The conversation weaves together topics of faith, family bonds, challenges of simple living, the importance of resilience, and leveraging platforms for good—especially in supporting pediatric cancer fighters and promoting contentment. The episode is filled with relatable stories, advice for intentional family living, and moments that showcase the true heart and humor of the Robertsons.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Infamous Chick-fil-A Card Tapping Saga

[00:01-09:00]

• Jase shares a comical and philosophical story about his non-tapping credit card at Chick-fil-A, comparing technology frustrations to deeper spiritual lessons about surrender and battling the flesh.
• Discussion digresses into jiu-jitsu metaphors about "tapping out"—with Jase humorously declaring,

  "I'm anti-tapping, unless you're talking about Jesus. We tap in for that."
  —Jase ([08:49])

• The exchange leads to reflections on reliance on others for certain skills and how everyone has their own role—tying back to both faith and family interdependence.

2. Meet the Guests: Jeremy & Melissa Souza of Good Simple Living

[11:40-15:56]

• The Souzas describe their move from suburban Washington to the “middle of nowhere” Idaho, building their home and homesteading from scratch.
• They recount their first brush with Willie Robertson, including a hilariously awkward podcast interview with him in a bathroom.

3. The Leap to Homesteading and Faith-Driven Change

[16:13-21:46]

• The Souzas outline the radical nature of their move:
  • Town of 220 people, 30 miles from a stoplight.
  • Started with no water, no power, four kids, and a trailer.
  • Used a composting toilet (bucket!) for over two years with four kids and various animals.
• Melissa emphasized,

  "It was not glamorous. But it was a lot of fun. It was a newfound sense of adventure and freedom for us... just powering through."
  —Melissa ([18:56])

• Their lack of agricultural background only fueled their efforts to learn—primarily through YouTube and hands-on experience.

4. Homesteading's Impact on Family & Children

[21:46-24:41]

• Homeschooling already played a role in their lives, easing the children’s transition.
• The kids were deeply involved in every aspect, from pulling rabbit hides to enduring the “no indoor toilet” phase.

5. Living Off the Land: Practicalities & Realities

[24:42-27:30]

• Overview of their 24-acre property: gardens, sheep, rabbits, chickens, some leisure horses, and an abundance of local wildlife (elk, wild turkeys, “Shrek and Fiona” the ducks).
• The Souzas find that hunting is often more sustainable and cost-effective than raising livestock.
• The Robertsons reminisce about their own upbringing and self-reliant childhoods, which paralleled the Souzas’ current experience.

6. Platform with Purpose: Faith, Service, and Influence

[27:30-29:53]

• The Souzas never set out to become influencers but followed what they felt was a calling from God.

  "If we don't go, I feel like we're ignoring God. I just had this voice from God saying, 'Pick up your stuff and go right now.'"
  —Melissa ([27:48])

• As Good Simple Living grew, they used their platform to organize a childhood cancer toy drive as a form of tithing and giving back—a "way of honoring God for what he'd given us" ([29:03]).

7. Coming Out Unashamed: Speaking Faith Boldly

[28:36-29:36]

• Initially the Souzas tried to “show their faith by their fruit,” but realized the importance of vocalizing their beliefs on their podcast, even when it meant risking backlash.

  "We took a lot of arrows for it at first, but that's okay because now we're sitting in our truth."
  —Melissa ([29:36])

• They now openly discuss faith, policy, testimony, and real life on their podcast New World Old Soul.

8. The Message of Contentment: "Made to Be Ludo" Children's Book

[31:54-38:44]

• Melissa authored the children’s book “Made to Be Ludo” with Brave Books; all proceeds benefit the Childhood Cancer Coalition.
• The story teaches contentment and embracing purpose:

  "You're perfect the way you are. The way God made you...you have your gift and your purpose. Embrace that."
  —Melissa ([38:36])

• The Robertsons draw parallels between the book’s message, their own experiences, and the biblical lesson of contentment (Philippians 4).

9. Family, Shelter, and Raising Children in Today’s World

[39:44-52:24]

• Both families discuss embracing “sheltering” their kids in a positive way, focusing on protecting childhood, instilling resilience, and not being numb to negative influences in culture.

  "You should be shocked [by what you see in the world]. You shouldn't be numb and desensitized to it."
  —Robertson ([49:32])

• Teaching appreciation and toughness through experiences—letting kids work through “the struggle” (e.g., walking miles when a car breaks, hauling water buckets).

10. The Robertson Family Approach: Interconnected Family Life

[41:02-44:53]

• The Robertsons elaborate on their multi-generational family “compound,” sharing stories on how independence and togetherness co-exist—from running away 50 yards to the fort, to always coming back for fried chicken.
• Both families express dreams of keeping family close, influencing future generations, and being part of their grandchildren’s lives.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Technology & Surrender:

  "I'm anti-tapping, unless you're talking about Jesus. We tap in for that."
  —Jase, [08:49]

• On Leaving Comfort for Calling:

  "If we don't go, I feel like we're ignoring God. I just had this voice from God saying, 'Pick up your stuff and go right now.'"
  —Melissa Souza, [27:48]

• Homesteading Is Not Always Glamorous:

  "It was not glamorous. But it was a lot of fun. It was a newfound sense of adventure and freedom for us... just powering through."
  —Melissa Souza, [18:56]

• The Purpose of Influence:

  "We never set out to influence anyone... But we knew we were supposed to do something with the platform."
  —Melissa Souza, [27:36]

• Contentment in All Circumstances:

  "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation... I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."
  —Robertson reading Philippians, [37:18]

• Lessons for Kids:

  "The search party's not coming, buddy... This is part of grown up."
  —Robertson, [50:30]

• On Comparison:

  "Comparison is the thief of joy. With the internet, all we do is compare ourselves... these kids don't know life before that."
  —Melissa Souza, [38:00]

Important Timestamps

• 00:01-09:00 — Chick-fil-A, card tapping, jiu-jitsu and spiritual reflections
• 11:40 — Introduction of Jeremy & Melissa Souza
• 16:13 — Their journey from suburbia to homesteading
• 18:56 — First experiences and hardships on the Idaho property
• 21:46 — Homesteading and its impact on their children
• 24:42 — Self-sufficiency, hunting, and wildlife stories
• 27:30 — Using their YouTube influence to give back; faith as motivation
• 28:36 — Embracing visible, vocal faith on their platforms
• 31:54 — “Made to Be Ludo” and the message of contentment; Melissa's unexpected call to write the book
• 38:00 — “Comparison is the thief of joy” — social commentary on raising kids in the internet age
• 41:02 — Intergenerational family living and the Robertson model
• 48:49 — On "sheltering" children and teaching life lessons through challenge

Conclusion

This episode is a rich blend of humor, faith, family storytelling, practical advice, and encouragement for intentional living. The Robertsons and the Souzas echo parallel life lessons learned through vastly different but kindred journeys—making sacrifices for faith and family, valuing simplicity, and choosing to influence the world for the good.
Listeners are left inspired to treasure close family, embrace the challenge of building a good and simple life, and to be bold and open in living out their faith.

Find and Support the Guests:

• YouTube: Good Simple Living
• Podcast: New World Old Soul
• Book: Made to Be Ludo (Brave Books, all proceeds to Childhood Cancer Coalition)

Robertson Family:

• Keep up with “Unashamed” for faith-infused, down-home conversations weekly.