Today, I am joined by The Tactical Redneck to discuss updates from the Holler Homestead: Wild edible harvests, the Homesteader Grocery Store, water austerity measures and so much more.
Featured Event: June 8, 2025, 1pm-4pm - Tomato Wall Hydro Build. RSVP LivingFreeinTennessee.com
Sponsor 1: TheWealthsteadingPodcast.com
Sponsor 2: AgoristTaxAdvice.com
Water austerity measures
Sea showers vs dishes... all the showers
Free wood chips for cleanup work
Homesteader grocery store conversations
Black raspberries ripe
Clover gets stuck in the fence
Tomato demo
Rabbit day
Bed 4 is ready to plant
Rain all the time and spring/summer 2010
Trellis?
Preparing the Toyota
Cabin hydro re-set up
Holler Neighbor Dinners, KH Family in Town
Char chat
Kerry's event
Fire ant battle
What were you chipping away at last night?
Basecamp spring
Edible harvest: lemon balm, chamomile, red Clover, yarrow, comfrey, chocolate mint, last rose harvest
Make it a great week!
GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce. It makes a great Christmas Gift!
Community
Advisory Board
Resources
Today I am joined by TJ, AKA Bear Independent, on how he found and followed the path toward light and freedom. This is a deep discussion about falling, faith and freedom.
Connect with Bear!
https://www.bearindependent.com/
Show Sponsors:
Above Phone, Coupon code livefreetn, https://abovephone.com/?above=104
Personal Transformation Journey: Bear shares his profound life transformation from an angry, destructive young man playing in heavy metal bands to a purposeful, faith-driven individual focused on serving others and following a spiritual calling.
Pivotal Life Moments: Several critical events shaped his path, including being diagnosed with colon cancer, meeting his wife Harmony, returning to church, and experiencing multiple near-death experiences that he believes were divinely preserved.
Radical Personal Responsibility: Bear emphasizes the importance of self-examination, actively taking control of one's life, and deliberately choosing to focus on positive intentions rather than dwelling on negativity or past mistakes.
Spiritual Calling and Service: His journey evolved from playing worship music to rescuing children, building restoration facilities, and creating ministries that help people heal from traumatic experiences, driven by a belief in serving a higher purpose.
Freedom Through Obedience: Bear describes freedom not as rebellion, but as willingly following spiritual guidance, even when it's uncomfortable, and using personal experiences of darkness to help others navigate similar challenges.
Entrepreneurial and Ministry Work: He has developed multiple businesses and ministries, including Refuge and Caleb House, focusing on preparedness, rescue operations, and rehabilitation for traumatized children, demonstrating his commitment to practical service.
Empowerment and Potential: A core message is that anyone can transform their life by getting out of their own way, taking radical personal responsibility, and pursuing their true calling with persistence and faith.
Make it a great week
GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce.
Community
Advisory Board
Resources
Today we explore the impact of purpose and passion on the homestead as well as our usual homesteady updates.
Featured Event: Strong Roots Resources Farm Meetup, June 1, 12pm-4pm. StrongRootsResources.com
Sponsor 1: EMPShield.com, Coupon Code LFTN
Sponsor 2: The Wealthsteading Podcast (Investablwealth.com)
Purpose Discussion
Passion - what do you love to do on the homestead? (Enjoy the process, not the destination)
Duck Egg Hiding Game
Time to breed more rabbits
Baby rabbits are getting out of the nesting boxes
How we feed dogs with rabbits and what that means for processing
Rabbit recipe
Succession planting and how you know it is time
Tomato Trade story
Sheep escaping
Grass/ not keeping up
Bed four in the garden is almost ready
Laying Out Bed 5 and 6
Garlic scapes
Make it a great week!
GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce. It makes a great Christmas Gift!
Community
Advisory Board
Resources
Today, I am joined by Chris and Tina Clark, fellow homesteaders in Tennessee who discovered a great resource on their land and are turning it into a way to create prosperity for themselves, their community and their customers.
Connect with Chris and Tina: https://3dbev.com/
Show Sponsors:
Above Phone, Coupon code livefreetn, https://abovephone.com/?above=104
Make it a great week
GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce.
Community
Advisory Board
Resources
Today, we talk about building success into your life through taking control of your schedule. Are you one of those people who is late all the time? Then this show is for you. We will also cover all of our usual Monday segments.
Featured Event: Exit and Build Land Summit: https://courses.livefree.academy/land-summit-5-polyface-farms
Sponsor 1: AgoristTaxAdvice.com/LFTN
Sponsor 2: DiscountMylarBags.com
Tales from the Prepper Pantry
Frugality Tip: Theme Park Savings From Margo
Visiting a theme park or the like can end up costing an arm and a leg. You are allowed to bring snacks and one sealed bottle of water per person just about everywhere. I carry a backpack and snacks and bring a cold bottle of water. I also bring an empty thermal water bottle to transfer the cold water to, so it stays cold. Also carrying a reusable water containment device allows you to refill it at any water machine. In parks that have the freestyle machines that only works with a specific cup, the water will always come out even if you do not have the special expensive cup.
So to save quite a few dollars, grab a backpack and some snacks and hit the parks.
Happy Savings y'all
Operation Independence
What collections do you have of value that you no longer actually care about? Old Magic The Gathering Cards on Ebay are offsetting the $800 vet bill for Mortimer. $180 in, $620 to go!
Main topic of the Show: Stop Lying To Yourself About Being Late
Laws of Life Book: https://www.amazon.com/Laws-Life-Ditch-System-Design/dp/B0F54NNNTP/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
Confession - I am TERRIBLE with time awareness. Even though I am known as a time Nazi who keeps events on schedule. How can these two things happen together
Why then, am I usually not only on time to things but a little early? Because I have been time hurt. It’s that simple.
Are you chronically behind? In the habit of sending texts to people that you are going to need another five minutes? Or fifteen? Do you constantly explain to people why you didn't make it on time?
If so, then today is for you. Today might be hard to hear. But do you want to build success in your life? Then bear with me as we break this down.
Eric’s Meeting Story
But the core issue is bigger. It is the GREAT LIE. “I’m late because my sheep got out and I had to chase them back in.” is MAYBE a reason, MAYBE true, but is not the whole picture is it?
When you are willing to step back and see the whole picture, we often find that the reason something caused us to “be late” is less to do about the thing that happened and more to do with us.
One of the most powerful words in the English language is NO. One of the things business owners need to learn to say most often is NO. In fact, if you are running your family schedule, or even still at a JOB, the word NO is how you start being on time more often.
Why?
Because NO is the way that you build time into your schedule to properly handle things, build in a travel buffer, have mostly interruption free meetings, and, generally, start being on time.
Being on time to something means you have while heartedly said YES to it. You are aware it exists. You have made the time. And you have said NO to many other things to make it happen.
So how do we change as a chronically late person?
Why do you think I said no to every speaking engagement for dang near 8 months? Because I was going to disappoint people by saying yes then not showing up the way I needed to. In fact, I was already disappointing people when I realized what was happening last year. So I got good at NO.
No is your number one relationship protection tool. And are you a people pleaser? You are? Yah I know that - it takes one to know one. We say yes to everything and think that no will hurt feelings. Know what hurts feelings more destructively over time? Being late.
But if you are always late? That my friend is a symptom. It can be a sympton of great things, like growth. But it is also a sympton that warrents attention. Because if you are growing and you are always late, your next phase is complete burn out if you dont learn no.
So go out there and show us you can do it. You can do the most important things and say no to the nonsense.
Make it a great week!
GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce.
Community
Resources
We just got back from an overnight hike which really brought us some perspective.
Featured Event: Exit and Build Land Summit (ExitndBuildLandSummit.com)
Sponsor 1: AgoristTaxAdvice.com
Sponsor 2: The Wealthsteading Podcast (Investableealth.com)
Make it a great week!
GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce. It makes a great Christmas Gift!
Community
Advisory Board
Resources
Today, I am joined by Em Roehrman to talk about how their family is building resilience and freedom through, well, building it together. we all know about MTKnives, but have you ever tried their luscious handmade soap?
Featured event: E&B Land Summit
Sponsor 1: HollerRoast.com
Sponsor 2: Above Phone, Coupon code livefreetn, https://abovephone.com/?above=104
Connect with the Roehrmans!
Make it a great week
GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce.
Community
Advisory Board
Resources
Today we will address a question that came up in the context of building community: How much of your true self should you share with a new community, particularly if you are an intense person? I realized this goes for courting as well so we will discuss it along with all our usual Monday Segments: Tales From The Prepper Pantry, Operation Independence and MORE...
Featured Event: Self Reliance Festival
Sponsor 1: DiscountMylarBags.com
Sponsor 2: Jack Spirko, The Survival Podcast, Laws of Life Launch
Feedback to: nicole@livingfreeintennessee.com
Tales from the Prepper Pantry
Frugality Tip From Margo
I do grow some plants from seed, but I buy plants too. This year Walmart has a store brand of plant starts that are $2.48, which is more than half the price of the other name brand. The selection isn't large, but if you want to grow something without having to spend too much this is a great option.
Walmart also marks plants down on Tuesday and Friday, I go in on Wednesdays. This week I got a pot with two jalapeno plants that are over 2' tall with flowers and some peppers on them for $4, marked down from $12, and a few weeks ago I found some tomato starts for $1.
Operation Independence
Filter or Firehose
Filter or firehose? Why not both?
Make it a great week!
GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce.
Community
Resources
I was hijacked by a Redneck! Tactical is HOME ALONE and experiencing lots of mid spring things on the homestead from the latest forage, to escaping sheep.
Featured Event: Midwest Preparedness Project Spring Event with Joel Salatin, Bear, and more. https://www.midwestpreparednessproject.com/
Sponsor 1: TheWealthsteading Podcast: InvestableWealth.com
Sponsor 2: AgoristTaxAdvice.com
Make it a great week!
GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce. It makes a great Christmas Gift!
Community
Advisory Board
Resources
Join me for a group discussion with John Willis of Special Operations Equipment and Jack Spirko of The Survival Podcast.
Featured Event: Midwest Preparedness Festival: https://www.midwestpreparednessproject.com/
Sponsors:x
Show Resources
Main content of the show
Make it a great week!
GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce.
Community
Resources
Today I’m fired up from the Spring Workshop and a pretty fantastic concert we had yesterday with my choir in Cookeville, tn. We will share the stories, the people, the late-night brainstorms, the amazing food, and yes... the sea sponges. If you’ve never been to one, this episode will be a fun listen and if you have - I hope you enjoy the journey through LFTN25.
Featured Event: Wild Foraging Walk with Strong Roots Resources – May 10, strongrootsresources.com
Sponsor 1: EMP Shield – Protect your home, car, and gear from lightning strikes and power surges. empshield.com — Use coupon code LFTN for a $50 discount.
Sponsor 2: Discount Mylar Bags – Long-term food storage doesn’t have to break the bank. Quality mylar bags, oxygen absorbers, and more. discountmylarbags.com
Tales from the Prepper Pantry
- The prepper pantry is finally usable and mostly organized—still clearing out the last of the Spring Workshop aftermath
- Pulling road food from the freezers: steaks travel well, plus premade chili, soup, scotch eggs, and dried salami
- May is audit month for leftover canned goods
- Planting a much smaller garden this year since we moved it—but still planting
- Also, I GOT BROCCOLI.
Weekly Shopping Report
I made a trip on Tuesday to Food City for a couple of bags of flour and a 22 lb. bag of Meow Mix (that our cats ask for by name); and Walgreens for the goop I put in my eye at night (“Stye”) so it doesn’t dry out. Only the first Tuesday in the month is Walgreens’ “senior day,” when Grumpy Old Men (and women) get a discount. For our usual trip, the weather gave us a clear stretch amidst the bands of heavy rain on Thursday. Most people must have decided to wait, as there was little traffic. Dollar Tree was first. They’re finally out of the big non-carbonated Monsters I was getting, but there were plenty of other choices. Stock levels throughout the store looked good. Sonia has been able to find some craft items in there lately. We also went to Hobby Lobby for some acrylic paint. We didn’t walk around the whole store looking at other stock, but I didn’t see empty sections or anything else odd. Things may change with the tariffs on Dragon Country, but not yet. They were “normal-busy” with a short wait to check out. The online price of a 2x4x8 stud at Home Depot is still $3.85. Aldi was last. We found everything we wanted. Staple prices were: bread (20 oz. white): $1.39; eggs: $4.97; whole milk: $2.92; heavy cream: $5.29; OJ: $4.09; butter: $3.49 (-); bacon: $3.99; potatoes: $4.39; sugar: $2.99; flour: $2.35; and 80% ground beef: $4.59. Untainted regular gasoline at Weigels is still $3.59/gallon.
Operation Independence
I had a great conversation with John Pugliano this week that's helping bring clarity to the next big project here at the Holler. I'm still sorting out the details, but it's one of those moments where a few things click into place, and you realize what really needs to happen next. Hint: It starts with some RV spots.
Main Topic: Behind the Scenes at the LFTN Spring Workshop
Today I want to pull back the curtain on what really makes the Spring Workshop special—not the agenda, not the official sessions, but the stuff that makes it unforgettable.
Glenn’s Rum – He always shows up with something we’ve never tried. This year? It was memorable. Let’s just leave it at that.
Carnivore Scotch Duck Eggs – Y’all, the food. This isn’t your standard workshop fare. It’s duck eggs. It’s bacon. It’s food that fuels you for real work.
Alan Booker measuring brix – Alan showed me how to measure brix in my plants, gave me a compliment, then called my leaves "aphid food." And you know what? He was right.
Patrick Roehrman’s precision strike – My one-of-a-kind MT Knives kitchen knife got used to slice a carpenter bee out of the air. No, really. While it was flying.
Emily Zanotti Skyles and the plantain spit war – She left fired up about wild edibles. Her kids? They took that knowledge and turned it into backyard ammo.
The greenhouse swim spa debate – We planned to function-stack a greenhouse over the swim spa… and ended up realizing Nicole just needs to bury her electrical lines already.
Ian’s moment – On his way home, Ian stopped by his family land and decided: it’s time. That’s the kind of clarity these weekends bring.
John Pugliano and Meshtastic – He helped all of us finally understand how Meshtastic works—and why it matters.
Leos' pop-up blacksmithing – Did I mention we had a surprise forge session? Because of course we did.
Glenn’s hamburgers – Day one. Fire. Flavor. No notes.
Gavin and the birds – Gavin wandered through the holler like a nature monk with binoculars, pointing out the birds we miss every day.
Jack Spirko's bioreactor breakthrough – Sometimes the right fencing and weed cloth are all it takes to spark a better compost design.
Community eggs – Between scotch eggs, scrambles, and three separate egg suppliers, we fed the holler crew with ease—and had leftovers.
Late-night wrestling matches – You know who you are. I won’t name names… this time.
Pocket door rescues – Multiple saves were made, but one prepper decided to handle it solo. Mad respect.
The sea sponges – If you know, you know.
And finally—YOU – The participants. Every single person showed up not just to learn, but to help each other figure out their next chapter.
So why haven’t you taken your shot? Is it the money? The time? The fear of people? Or do you just think you’re not good enough? If it is that last one, take a good hard look at that because you are. You are good enough. You deserve to build your dream. And you can do it - it may look different when you get there than you thought it would, but you can go further - but it takes hard work, strong community and it takes being a DOER.
Make it a great week,
GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce.
Community
Resources
Today I am joined by the Tactical Redneck for an update from the Holler Homestead at 12:30PM CT. Spring is springing here and we just had the LFTN Spring Workshop which was a resounding success! I also got tested for my vegetable quality and have some work to do on that.
Featured Event: Midwest Preparedness Project Spring Event with Joel Salatin, Bear, and more. https://www.midwestpreparednessproject.com/
Sponsor 1: TheWealthsteading Podcast: InvestableWealth.com
Sponsor 2: AgoristTaxAdvice.com
Isolation
Fencing on new pasture
Yarrow is up
Baby rabbits
4 wheeler broke
Plant brix
Wood chip mecca
Red clover
Poison Hemlock
Rose petal
Stormy's swelling back down
Hoof trimming in the future and youtibe vs reality
Voice problem
Rams on second rotation Herr
Egyptian walking onion
Broccoli success
Restart the sunflower system in the carport
Make it a great week!
GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce. It makes a great Christmas Gift!
Community
Advisory Board
Resources