This week, is a broadcast of my talk at Polyface Farm for the Exit and Build Land Summit.
Featured Event
Webinar on AI by Shawn Mills! – August 7 at 6pm Central
Sponsors of the Day
Make it a great week.
GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce.
Community
- Follow me on Nostr: npub1u2vu695j5wfnxsxpwpth2jnzwxx5fat7vc63eth07dez9arnrezsdeafsv
- Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn
- Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup
- Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@livingfree:b
Resources
This week, we’re digging into something that’s helped a lot of folks — including me — actually make progress: #my3things. Around here, it started as a simple habit. Write down three things. Do them. Rinse and repeat. Turns out, that’s enough to change your whole trajectory.
I’ll share how it’s helped me stay focused while we expand the Holler Homestead, plus read some thoughts from listeners who’ve made it part of their daily rhythm.
Also on deck: a green bean canning marathon, why my kitchen looks like a tornado hit it, the story behind my new (super cheap) workstation, and how Basecamp is turning into a legit lodge.
Featured Event
Canning Class – July 26, 10am–2pm at the Holler Homestead
Only 2 seats left!
https://www.livingfreeintennessee.com/product/canning-101/
Sponsors of the Day
Tales from the Prepper Pantry
- Reorganizing canned goods and deep cleaning the shelves
- 49.5 quarts of green beans canned — 12 more quarts will finish our yearly goal
- Kitchen chaos in full swing
- Some thoughts on overabundance and what happens when more people grow gardens
Frugality Tip
How I built a new workstation without spending hundreds of dollars
Operation Independence
- Behind-the-scenes of the canning class prep
- Basecamp is becoming a lodge with a rentable room on Airbnb
Main Topic of the Day: My3Things in the Community
- What is #my3things and how it started (Telegram group)
- How it’s helped me stay focused while building the next phase of the Holler Homestead
- How it’s helped community members — listener testimonials - foreshadow joining the show
Testimonials
Janet: What I like most about #my3things is that it gives me permission, mentally, to set aside the thousand other things I have on my to-do list. Why I need that permission is beyond me, but it's a hack that works for me. And instead of moving on to another thing on my to-do list when I've done the three things, I usually reward myself with something fun. The something fun might still be productive work, but it is work I want to do, not work I have to do.
Joe: Being retired, #MyThreeThings helps me stay active, even if many of the Things are now minor; sort of a more goal-directed puttering. I'm certainly glad the drain issue is resolved.
Scott: #mythreethings gives me focus on things that need done for that day. Keeps non important stuff for fill-in work.
Ann: Most days my #mythreethings looks like just a to do list but it gives me 3 of the most important things to get done that day. They might not be things that are moving me forward, but they are things that keep me from falling behind. There are days those ADHD butterflies would get the best of me without 3 things to focus on.
The world, and we, are messy. Do three things anyway and see how far you can go in a month, then 2 months, then a year!
Make it a great week.
GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce.
Community
- Follow me on Nostr: npub1u2vu695j5wfnxsxpwpth2jnzwxx5fat7vc63eth07dez9arnrezsdeafsv
- Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn
- Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup
- Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@livingfree:b
Resources
Today, I am joined by The Tactical Redneck to discuss updates from the Holler Homestead: Sketchy Redneck SHHHi..., Homestead Kitchen Chaos and more.
Featured Event: Canning 101: Water Bath & Pressure Canning – July 26, 10am–2pm https://www.livingfreeintennessee.com... Sponsor 1:
DiscountMylarBags.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
- Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn
- Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup
- Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@livingfree:b
Advisory Board
- The Booze Whisperer
- The Tactical Redneck
- Chef Brett
- Samantha the Savings Ninja
Resources
Today, I share additional thoughts on the Victor/Victim topic as well as dive deeper into the homestead buying club concept.
Heads up! Self-Reliance Festival ticket prices go up tomorrow at midnight — if you’ve been on the fence, now’s the time: https://selfreliancefestival.com
Featured Event
Paul Wheaton has a pretty cool Kickstarter that’s in early bird mode through today. The project? A movie about how they developed the “Willow Feeder,” their hands-off human waste composting system at Wheaton Labs. They’ve spent years refining this setup, and now they’re ready to share it with the world.
If you toss in just $1 today, you get early supporter perks — including extra stuff they won’t offer later.
Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/paulwheaton/willow-feeders?ref=9xygxe
Sponsors
Sponsor 1: AgoristTaxAdvice.com/LFTN
Sponsor 2: The Wealthsteading Podcast, InvestableWealth.com
Tales from the Prepper Pantry
- Canning a bushel of green beans
- Adding a Freezer so we can better organize frozen stores for the household
- Busting with eggs and need to fix the freeze dryer
Frugality Tip
Meal planning keeps you from eating out and is healthier
Operation Independence
Moving the shed today so that we can put the glamper where the shed was and start renting that out. The shed will be turned into a camping cabin (with AC). Who wants to come to a workday to help us get the areas looking nice?
Main Topic of the Day: Homestead Buying Club and Victorhood
Homestead Buying Club and Empowering Homesteaders
First off, I listened to the interview with Tactical and so very much appreciated him sharing his story and I found it really impactful and also inspiring in continuing on my own healing journey and personal growth, hopefully with some new ideas.
Second, last week’s podcast about being a victor or victim was also helpful. It’s the midst of burnout season for a lot of farmers (especially production based).
It’s all got my wheels turning again about an idea I had exactly a year ago after talking with another market vendor friend and being sick of all the sundresses and floppy hats and picturesque unrealistic homestead Instagram crap. I don’t really know the exact vision but just craving a support group of people in similar situations. See the image I made below:
But at the same time, the stress of farming for men is insane too. I know because I see it in Adam. He needs a community of like minded people. He’s more isolated these days because he always feels behind on the farm.
We are in a crucial make or break time with our expansion so it’s been particularly stressful especially with cash flow management. I know it’ll all work out but it can be tough. Adam left his full time job.
I love the idea you had of a farm to table meal.
Also, I’ve had ideas before of a “homestead Home Depot” salvage (like super cheap consignment or free scraps) where people can look to get spare items others don’t need anymore to build things on their homestead. The bad thing is I know everybody likes to keep their own personal junk piles cause “they might need it” but used lumber and scrap metal, animal feeders, heat lamps, waterers, fencing etc can all help people get started or attain something on a budget.
A network of people in the community willing to help people farm sit so that if ever there was a chance to travel you could pay someone familiar with handling livestock etc.
Also, on a personal level for our business, if you get a pma in place, I’m *guessing* you could custom butcher a hog and still sell the individual cuts to holler hub members. There’s some gray area there that I don’t know about. If it was legal that way that would save people a good bit of money for super high quality pork. In any case, I’ve got 23 pigs ready in another month or two that I need to displace. We don’t have freezer space for all 23 so I’m hoping to get some customs sold too
These are all things that go on inside my brain and since you’d been discussing the holler hub, I thought I’d spill my ideas because I’m honestly overwhelmed with incubating and improving our current business model and not trying to start new ones at this time!
I would still like for us to get out and about and adventure to your place for the next gathering so we’ll bring your requested meats then unless you need otherwise.
VICTORHOOD
After listening to Episode 1060, I had some thoughts on the content. I’ll try not to be too
long winded but having lived a life full of adversity and still navigating the fall out from
some things, I have quite a bit of thoughts. While I don’t hope to magically cure anyone,
I do hope to plant some seeds for thought.
Towards the end of the episode there was a hypothetical posed. I just want to say, as
someone who has personally experienced abuse, I wanted to reiterate that any victim of
a crime is never responsible for what their abuser does. They are ONLY responsible for
their own healing. It’s not fair, but it is our responsibility in how we move forward.
As life is, we sometimes trust the wrong people, sometimes we are born to them,
sometimes we are the person in the wrong place at the wrong time. Your singular
responsibility, your role is not becoming a hurt person who hurts people. This is how we
break cycles. This is how we become better people despite our adverse experiences.
This is true when we get terminal diagnosis, we grew up in familial dysfunction, war,
flooding, natural disaster and plagues. We lose people through death and
abandonment. There are tons of adverse experiences we might not have placed
ourselves in, however, we have choices, sometimes all of them are shit. Other times
you must call yourself on your own shit.
But remember, even manure can grow flowers and mushrooms.
On Forgiveness, there are 4 steps.
- Tell the story
- Name the hurt
- Grant Forgiveness
- Renew or Release the Relationship
While that sounds much simpler than it is, these are the steps one must take. Once you
have granted forgiveness, you are not allowed to continue to punish someone for the
hurt they caused, that however, does not mean you stop talking about it. It means being
able to talk to the transgressor in a way that opens a door for continued forgiveness.
Telling the story doesn’t mean you stand on stage and out the person. It means you
speak directly to the person who caused the hurt. It means you reach out to trusted
allies for perspective and support. When we are emotionally escalated, our thoughts
can get carried away. Practice pausing when your emotions are heightened.
Nothing big will ever be able to be solved overnight. That means you do not have to
have an answer today, tonight or even tomorrow. It only means you have a willingness
to come together on the subject.
Forgiveness is a practice. This means that sometimes you will have to choose to forgive
over and over again. Every time that hurt or betrayal surfaces, you will have a decision
to make. This makes repair work exceptionally important.
If you are willing to forgive and the other person does not want to do repair work, you
are entering a cycle of continued harm. Please know when to walk away.
Sometimes the person you have to forgive is yourself. This is imperative for any repair
and healing work.
And finally steps to changing negative thought cycles:
- Pause and Notice -What am I thinking right now?
- Become aware of the loop, what is the thought or repeating pattern.
- Name the Pattern- What kind of thought is this?
- Am I catastrophizing, black and white thinking, mind reading (assuming I
know what someone is thinking or judging me) or criticism?
- Feel and Validate- What feeling is driving this thought?
- Most negative thoughts are a reflection of an unmet need
- Acknowledge and name it with kindness instead of judgment or
suppression
- Reframe the thought- What is a kinder, truer, and more empowering
thought?
- Don’t sugarcoat just shift towards something more balanced and
compassionate. Ex: I’ve made mistakes, but I am learning, and mistakes
do not define my character or value system. That was a good learning
moment for me because I can be more aware of that moving forward.
- Look for evidence to prove yourself wrong. Think of this, if I am feeling
unlovable, perhaps it’s helpful to think of moments or people who make
me feel genuinely cared for and loved. If I think I always have bad luck, try
to remember a time when something worked out for me. Proving negative
thoughts wrong can help disrupt the negative thoughts train.
- Shift and Choose- What supportive action can I take now?
- Do something that helps you reset. This can be journaling, breath work or
moving your body. Do something that is for yourself, just YOU. Pouring
yourself into something (like work) instead can be emotional bypassing.
You want to be in your body and body aware, not avoiding it.
Anyway, I hope all of this is helpful. I hope it gives some actionable steps to those who
aren’t certain where to start. And I hope this makes you all feel more free. Freedom is
often found in the work we are avoiding.
I want to add that you are worth your own 20 minutes for journaling, for a cup of quite
coffee, for moving your body in a way that feels good to you. You have not received all
the goodness you’ll ever have in your life YET. But all of that begins and ends with you.
Make it a great week.
GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce.
Community
- Follow me on Nostr: npub1u2vu695j5wfnxsxpwpth2jnzwxx5fat7vc63eth07dez9arnrezsdeafsv
- Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn
- Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup
- Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@livingfree:b
Resources
Today, I am joined by The Tactical Redneck to discuss updates from the Holler Homestead: second cucumber flush, sheep hijinks, running things alone and more. Featured Event: Canning 101: Water Bath & Pressure Canning – July 26, 10am–2pm https://www.livingfreeintennessee.com... Sponsor 1: DiscountMylarBags.com Sponsor 2: The Wealthsteading Podcast, InvestableWealth.com
Home alone
Still haven't harvested the tea mints!
Cucumber wave 2 this week
Tomatoes are a bit slower than other years but we've also had a bunch of cloud cover
2 pet bunnies
3 new ducks - HAVENT FOUND THE pond yet
Sheep escape
Adjusting the house rock wall to keep unwanted weeds away
Basecamp roof
2 minute meatloaf
Generater at the pasture - and weedeater help for neighbors
Meetup July 27
Potato chard recipe - start by overlooking potatoes for potato salad
Kamikaze mouse - also all my mousers are gone
Wheelbarrows still suck
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
- Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn
- Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup
- Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@livingfree:b
Advisory Board
- The Booze Whisperer
- The Tactical Redneck
- Chef Brett
- Samantha the Savings Ninja
Resources
Before we dive in today: Prayers up for everyone dealing with the aftermath of the Texas floods. The loss of life has been heartbreaking. As always, we’ll work to connect you with ways to help — but only through channels where your time, money, and energy won’t be wasted. Stay tuned.
Today, we talk about being a victim vs being a victor in the same situations leading to the question: How important is your perspective? We also cover our usual Monday Segments.
Featured Event:
July 26 Canning Class in the Holler
https://www.livingfreeintennessee.com/product/canning-101/
Sponsor 1:
LiveFree.Academy – July 12 Encore of this Year's Exit and Build Land Summit
Probably the BEST presentation I've ever given.
https://www.exitandbuildlandsummit.com/?aff=bf5c1cb3991a4fdad92049d73c0b50c7d86f0f7314313a50298a11efa1565b71
Sponsor 2:
AgoristTaxAdvice.com/LFTN
Helping entrepreneurs, homesteaders, and freedom-minded folks handle taxes the smart way.
Tales from the Prepper Pantry
- Tried a new method for preserving Swiss chard
- Second wave of cucumbers is coming in this week
- Ate a frog: cleared out the storage shed (creating more space for power pantry storage instead of just piles of stuff)
- Time to double down on drying herbs for tea and cooking
Operation Independence
- Really excited about the upcoming canning class
- Hosted a Hipcamper this weekend — boom! $25 earned
Main Topic of the Show: Victim or Victor
First let's look at what a victim is - or rather signs that you are acting like a victim and therefore bringing more negative upon yourself:
- Overusing the term "I can't"
- Explaining to friends all the things that went wrong or worked against you EVERY time you get together.
- Obsessing on what other people think about you, say about you, did to you - or are doing to you to undermine you
- Telling yourself you'll never get X because Y happened - over and over - this is a message that will come true when you say it - you are the story you tell yourself
- Focus on the causes of your current troubles rather than the things that can solve problems.
And what does the victor look like?
- Takes rabid responsibility for their part in their own troubles (John Bush on self reflection, Buying things with a credit card to satisfy the instant gratification monkey, Friend with a violent husband removing herself from access, etc.)
- Controls their reaction to bad things to make the best of it - but not in a fake toxic positivity way. (Macchu Picchu)
- Focuses on what they CAN control (this one hurts for a reforming political junkie)
- Sees obstacles as challenges rather than insurmountable roadblocks
- Gains self worth internally, not from the feedback of others (and therefore cares not what people say about them or if people are trying to undermine them)
A victor will ask - how can I? A victim will say I can't. That is the biggest difference between the two.
So how do you become a victor when you are stuck as a victim?
- Recognize where you are - that is the first step to owning your future
- Shift your mindset from being helpless to proactive, rabid responsibility
- Know what you cannot control, and embrace that you can control your reaction to it
- Kill the negative thoughts and paranoia and ask yourself - How can i?
- Forgive - forgive yourself, forgive those around you - but it is ok to NOT forget
6. Set boundaries to keep yourself building your future rather than getting stuck in past, unhealthy cycles.
That choice — to build forward instead of staying broken — is what changes everything.
Make it a great week.
GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce.
Community
- Follow me on Nostr: npub1u2vu695j5wfnxsxpwpth2jnzwxx5fat7vc63eth07dez9arnrezsdeafsv
- Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn
- Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup
- Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@livingfree:b
Resources
Join me for a group discussion with John Willis of Special Operations Equipment and Jack Spirko of The Survival Podcast.
Featured Event: Tomato Wall Open House June 8: https://www.livingfreeintennessee.com/event/june-8-homestead-open-house-tomato-wall-build-at-the-holler/
Sponsors:x
- Above Phone, Coupon code livefreetn, https://abovephone.com/?above=104
- Holler Roast Coffee
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
- FreeSteading Group: https://freesteading.com/groups/living-free-in-tennessee/
- Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn
- Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup
- Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@livingfree:b
- Twitter: @nicolesauce
- IG: @nicolesauce
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LivingFreeInTN
Resources
Join me for a group discussion with John Willis of Special Operations Equipment and Jack Spirko of The Survival Podcast.
Featured Event: Tomato Wall Open House June 8: https://www.livingfreeintennessee.com/event/june-8-homestead-open-house-tomato-wall-build-at-the-holler/
Sponsors:x
- Above Phone, Coupon code livefreetn, https://abovephone.com/?above=104
- Holler Roast Coffee
Show Resources
Main content of the show
Make it a great week!
GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce.
Community
- FreeSteading Group: https://freesteading.com/groups/living-free-in-tennessee/
- Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn
- Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup
- Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@livingfree:b
- Twitter: @nicolesauce
- IG: @nicolesauce
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LivingFreeInTN
Resources
Today, I am joined by The Tactical Redneck to discuss updates from the Holler Homestead: visitors, meatups, blackberries, canning, and also Happy Independence Day!
Featured Event: CANNING! Join me July 26 at The Holler Homestead for a hands-on, no-nonsense class on waterbath and pressure canning. We’ll make salsa, some beans, and talk about the history of canning! You'll go home with a jar of salsa, a cheat sheet, and maybe even a canning kit (we're giving one away). Lancaster, TN.
Sponsor 1: DiscountMylarBags.com
Sponsor 2: The Wealthsteading Podcast: InvestableWealth.com
ock Garden Update - done for now
Rabbit Processing
Trippy Acres Visit
Hip Camp Rental this weekend
Hosted a few visitors this week
Tomato wall update - compost tea in place
Operation Ram Relocation
Where should be put the shed?
Blackberries are popping
Red clover everywhere
Chocolate and creek mint this weekend
Northern spice bush is putting on berries
Eggs and the new feed
Mushroom failure - new batch - I waited too long
Canning Class at Basecamp! July 26 20am-2pm
Finance: Coffee sales and lamb sales were great this week
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
- Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn
- Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup
- Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@livingfree:b
Advisory Board
- The Booze Whisperer
- The Tactical Redneck
- Chef Brett
- Samantha the Savings Ninja
Resources