Let's get ready for 2026 with this replay episode!
Today is another #my3things episode with the primary focus being to develop your purpose. We will also include the usual Monday segments.
Let's get ready for 2026!
Today, we talk about what the #my3things method is, why a strategic plan for yourself and your life is a powerful tool, and we cover how to create a vision statement for your life strategic plan. (Or your family strategic plan).
This is the first in a series of episodes explaining how to use the #my3things method to become more successful, productive and to build the life you choose on your terms.
Join me for the December first Tuesday chat with John Willis and Jack Spirko.
Today, we are diving deep into what it truly means to be fearless—whether you're launching a business, standing up to the local government, or just trying to live a sustainable life.
Featured Event: Mark your calendars for the Dec 20 LFTN Christmas Reception—sign up now!
Sponsors:
Wealthsteading Podcast: InvestableWealth.com
DiscountMylarBags.com
Broccoli rip cord
TSP left over saute
Peppers from Rick
Ready for whole cows
Frugality Tip
I was randomly looking at Etsy and saw someone selling something I was interested in that was local to me. I messaged them and asked about local pick up and cash price. They were very interested in cash money with pick up and I saved some money on my purchase. So ask, it will never kill you, and might save you a few dollars.
Operation Independence
3-Month Rental at Basecamp: $800/month, Event Rental Launch
Main Topic: Fearless Living – The Two Sides of "Go For It"
We are talking about two forms of courage today: Professional Courage (to launch and critique) and Personal Courage (to be vulnerable and stand up).
The Farm-to-Table Dinner was a huge "Go For It" moment. The real courage is in the fearless honesty of the After Action Review (AAR): Is this financially viable? $155 - 13/hour
We put the Dinner through our Homestead Revenue Stack to analyze where it sits and what it needs to succeed.
The Dinner sits primarily in the Service Layer (Dinner/Class).
Logistics Check: Reality vs. plan mismatch. Example: "Sunset on paper vs. Sunset in the holler (30 min BUBBLE)."
Venue Needs: The oven/stove at BC needs an upgrade.
Experience Flow: Need better arrival/mingling flow.
Financial Fixes: We need to Price up, increase numbers at the dinner, and rely on Upsells.
Opportunity: There is an opportunity for a premium cherry add-on for the dinner service.
Action: Get the chef on the wild edible walk (to enhance the product layer).
Action: If connected to a Farm-to-Table meal delivery service, that would be amazing.
Sometimes "Go For It" means stepping outside your established comfort zone for a cause greater than your business.
The Event: Giving public testimony in front of county officials.
The Experience: I got nervous! My voice sounded emotional instead of my usual assertive self.
The Takeaway: The vulnerability made the testimony more powerful. Being involved in important local matters is one of the few ways we can truly make a difference for our communities, food freedom, and farmers.
Bringing it Home: Your Challenge to Go For It
Courage is action, not the absence of fear. Don't wait until you're "ready."
1. Fearlessly Audit a Project: Go For It and audit a side hustle or homestead project using a framework like the Revenue Stack. Be honest about where you need to price up, fix it, or drop it.
2. Go For the Hard Conversation: Go For It and speak up about a local issue or personal matter you know you should address. Your passion is more powerful than silence.
3. Take the First Small Step: What is the one small, specific step you can take today to move toward a big goal?
Sometimes, you just need to go for it.
Make it a great week.
Song:
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
Resources
Discount Mylar Bags: DiscountMylarBags.com
Agorist Tax Advice: AgoristTaxAdvice.com/lftn
Sometimes the best thing you can do—whether it’s growing food or running a business—is stop forcing it. This week I share what mushrooms taught me about systems, patience, and letting things grow on their own.
Make it a great week!
GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce.
Today, we talk about how the Airbnb at the Holler Hub became a real revenue stream — what’s working, what isn’t, and what we’ve learned along the way. If you’ve ever thought about turning a space on your property into income, this one’s for you. We’ll also cover our usual Monday segments.
Farm to Table Dinner
Friday, November 15
Basecamp Lodge, Lancaster, TN
Join us for an unforgettable evening featuring a full-course dinner sourced entirely from Tennessee farms. Real, local food, cooked from scratch, and shared in community.
Sponsors
LFTN Stocking Exchange
Time is running out to sign up! We’ll assign your Secret Stocking Santa on November 1, so don’t miss out on this fun community tradition.
Sign Up Here
I like a little lemon juice in my water. Some of those bottles pour out like a waterfall, which is wasteful and makes something I do not want to drink. So this is a hack and a tip in one. The cap from Worcestershire sauce bottles fits on a lot of other things, including every lemon juice bottle I have purchased. So keep the lids that help you regulate the amount of "stuff" coming out of a bottle so you do not end up wasting product.
Happy savings y'all
~Margo
The Airbnb has been renting well since we got back from SRF! It’s great to see the Basecamp space generate steady revenue while serving the broader Holler Hub vision.
Every property should have a purpose, not just be a payment.
Every property should have a purpose, not just a payment.
Make it a great week.
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, we talk about the homestead revenue stack as well as our usual Monday segments.
Featured Event
Sept 12: ETNHA Festival near Knoxville, TN
https://steveandsandy.com/festival
Sponsors
Sponsor 1: DiscountMylarBags.com
Long-term food storage supplies that won’t break the bank.
Sponsor 2: AgoristTaxAdvice.com
Helping entrepreneurs, homesteaders, and freedom-minded folks handle taxes the smart way.
Tales from the Prepper Pantry
Frugality Tip
Join the LFTN Stocking Exchange — because life is about more than just saving money.
Operation Independence
Main Topic: Avoiding Burnout and Hard Work
If you came to hear how to NOT work hard on your homestead and still be successful you have come to the wrong place. We've been talking lately about the need for rest and recovering from burnout --- and then I realized on a walk that hard work is part of homesteading - so burnout is one thing, but hard work another = so where is the line between these two?
Many people hesitant to get out and about lately.
Stories of burnout are common → led to conversations about resets, weekend retreats, and monthly calls for homesteaders.
Giving talks on Build Abundance Not Burnout (like at SRF in October).
Realization: some come to hear “how to make it easy,” but building the life you choose is not easy.
Burnout comes from:
Design makes things flow, but doesn’t remove the work.
Homestead Revenue Stack (Holler Homestead Example)
Each layer still involves hard work.
Smart design + add-ons keep that work from tipping into burnout.
Honest contrast: the grind is real, but structure turns it into momentum.
Hard work is baked into homesteading — there’s no escaping it. Burnout comes when that work isn’t designed well or isn’t supported. The Homestead Revenue Stack shows how to make your effort count: core products require grind, but when you design smart and bolt on add-ons (whether that’s coffee, guides, or community), the same work builds abundance instead of exhaustion.
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
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
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
How does entrepreneurship empower free living - or does it? Today, I am joined by Isaac Morehouse to discuss his journey from founding Praxis, through taking on a project that was NOT his passion (but not NOT his passion) and landing in Florida. He openly shares his struggles and successes.
Featured Event: Cast Iron Webinar, Feb 23 at 6pm
Sponsor 1: https://abovephone.com/?above=104
COUPON CODE FOR $50 off: LiveFreeTN
Sponsor 2: HollerRoast.com
Connect with Isaac Morehouse:
Community
Resources
Join me for a group discussion with members of our community and beyond about building the life you choose, current events, building a durable life, community development, business, getting started, health and more.
Each Tuesday, we welcome a different guest to tell their story, as well as take your questions live.
Featured Event: #my3Things Webinar on January 9, 2024, https://www.livingfreeintennessee.com/2024/11/15/jan-9-my3things-webinar/
Sponsors:
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
Join me for a group discussion with members of our community and beyond about building the life you choose, current events, building a durable life, community development, business, getting started, health and more.
Each Tuesday, we welcome a different guest to tell their story, as well as take your questions live.
Featured Event: #my3Things Webinar on January 9, 2024, https://www.livingfreeintennessee.com/2024/11/15/jan-9-my3things-webinar/
Sponsors:
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
Getting ready for the BIG DAY this week?? Amy Dingmann and I talked a bunch about recipe ideas and other country girl things. I think you'll love listening while you get ready for your fun day!
Show Resources
Main content of the show
Replay of the Tuesday Live on Youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXi3b79U5eo
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 is a livestream of my presentation on #My3Things from this weekend at the TSP 2024 Fall Workshop. It is a slightly different approach than I have typically done. Our usual Monday segments are not part of this podcast.
FREE Webinar, January 9, 2024: https://www.livingfreeintennessee.com/2024/11/15/jan-9-my3things-webinar/
Sponsor 1: EMPShield.com, Code LFTN
Sponsor 2: AgoristTaxAdvice.com
Livestream Schedule
Tuesday, 9:30am: Fix Your Zone -0 with Andy McCann
Friday, 9:30am: Homestead Happenings with the Tactical Redneck
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
Join me for a talk about running a small business, a homestead, and community building as well as our Monday segments about pantry management, operation independence and more.
Livestream Schedule
Tales from the Prepper Pantry
Weekly Shopping Report (Shut out of Mewe)
Frugality Tip (none)
Operation Independence
Main topic of the Show: Do the Work
Murphy is a bitch. Murphy likes to visit right after Self Reliance Festival and other busy times. Murphy came over last week. Or did he?
The funny thing about Murphy is we blame “Murphy” for things going wrong but whose fault is it really.
Roaster
It is all your fault
Do Hard Things because if you don't do them now you will have to do harder things later and this goes for personal health (miking the right small choices every day) and for your business.
As the owner, YOU see things that need addressing and you have to make a big choice: Do it yourself or set it up for someone else to do it.
The answer is not that simple.
That was THE WORK that had to be done so I did it.
Because failure is not an option.
So back to my roasters and Murphy. It wasnt Murphy’s fault. It was mine.
But right after they told me they wanted some extra handling. In a week where I felt tired. In a week with extra emails to answer, supplies to stash, communications to write, and steps to take to set up a great 2025.
What saves the day: My3Things
Doing the Work means identifying which work is most important to do.
Example: The location of the ditch for electrical service
How to use My3Things, steps to take – Business owner: everything is your fault even when it isn't your fault.
Doing the work that was most important first
Doing the work to keep healthy
Doing the work earlier and later than everyone else
Because sometimes doing the work is what needs to be done.
Make it a great week!
Song: The Flood
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
Membership Sign Up
Holler Roast Coffee
Harvest Right Affiliate Link
Join me for a group discussion with Shawn Mills from Hack My Homestead and members of our community and beyond about building the life you choose, current events, building a durable life, community development, business, getting started, health and more.
Each Tuesday, we welcome a different guest to tell their story, as well as take your questions live.
Featured Event: The Self Reliance Festival, SelfRelianceFestival.com
Sponsors:
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
Join me for a group discussion with John Willis of Special Operations Equipment and members of our community and beyond about building the life you choose, current events, building a durable life, community development, business, getting started, health and more.
Each Tuesday, we welcome a different guest to tell their story, as well as take your questions live.
Featured Event: The Self Reliance Festival, SelfRelianceFestival.com
Sponsors:
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 am joined by Aron Wagner of American Cloud to chat about digital matters.
Sponsor 1: The Wealthsteading Podcast
Sponsor 2: EMP Shield, Coupon Code LFTN
Show Resources
Aron Wagner is CEO of American Cloud, a data hosting solution that cares about freedom of speech.
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
Join me for a group discussion with John Willis of Special Operations Equipment and members of our community and beyond about building the life you choose, current events, building a durable life, community development, business, getting started, health and more.
Each Tuesday, we welcome a different guest to tell their story, as well as take your questions live.
Featured Event: The Self Reliance Festival, SelfRelianceFestival.com
Sponsors:
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
Join me for a group discussion with John Willis of Special Operations Equipment and members of our community and beyond about building the life you choose, current events, building a durable life, community development, business, getting started, health and more.
Each Tuesday, we welcome a different guest to tell their story, as well as take your questions live.
Featured Event: The Self Reliance Festival, SelfRelianceFestival.com
Sponsors:
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
Join me for a group discussion with John Willis of Special Operations Equipment and Chuck Peoples of Homestead Medical.
Each Tuesday, we welcome a different guest to tell their story, as well as take your questions live.
Featured Event: The Self Reliance Festival, SelfRelianceFestival.com
Sponsors:
Show Resources
Main content of the sho
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
Join me for a group discussion with John Willis of Special Operations Equipment and members of our community and beyond about building the life you choose, current events, building a durable life, community development, business, getting started, health and more.
Each Tuesday, we welcome a different guest to tell their story, as well as take your questions live.
Featured Event: The Self Reliance Festival, SelfRelianceFestival.com
Get you K-Cups here: https://hollerroast.com/product/freedom-pods/
Sponsors:
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
Join me for a frank discussion with Michael Sparks about network marketing and when it is a scam, and when it is an opportunity.
Featured Event: Exit and Build and Summit: https://livefree.academy/op/land-summit-4/?ref=183
Sponsor 1: John Pugliano and the Wealthsteading Podcast: InvestableWealth.com
Sponsor 2: DiscountMylarBags.com
Show Resources
Find Michael: MichaelSparks.us
A generic (non promotional) show on understanding Network Marketing Business Opportunities. Below are some questions
1. Why do you think so many people are negative on network marketing/home business opportunities?
2. What's the difference between a legitimate business opportunity and a scam?
3. Can you really make money in the the industry?
4. Approximately How many Direct Sales companies are there?
5. What do you see as the biggest hurdle for people being successful in Network Marketing?
6. What are some negatives about joining a network marketing company. What are things to look out for?
7. What are the sales circles 1, 2, and 3...?
8. What kind of training can one expect when joining?
Bonus, how to pick and choose the right company?
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
Join me for a discussion of work life integration with Keith Phillips from Heartland Bunkies.
Sponsor 1: InvestableWealth.com
Sponsor 2: HollerRoast.com
Keith is an ex-army helicopter pilot that cares for 52 acres in Southernmost Illinois with his wife Becky and 6 children. I’m addition to raising livestock and roasting coffee, they run 2 airbnbs and market small cabin kits which other folks can use to affordably start their homesteads or add an additional stream of income.
Keith’s passion is reversing the trend of disintegrating modern families. He believes that people were created to beautify the earth through productive labor. All else being equal, family centered work is the enduring center of family life that is noticeably missing from modern society, and that may serve to draw us together again.
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 lessons learned from the free five day webinar series that was put together by the SRF team and me. We will also go over our usual Monday segments: Tales from the prepper pantry, the weekly shopping report, frugality tip, operation independence
Featured Event: Kentucky Sustainable Living Expo, THIS WEEKEND!
Sponsor 1: Holler Roast Coffee
Sponsor 2: The Wealthsteading Podcast
Livestream Schedule
LFTN YT: https://www.youtube.com/@lftn/streams
🎙️ Monday, 2pm, Lessons Learned from the Webinar Series
🎙️ Tuesday, 12:30pm, Tuesday Live with Alyssa, and John Willis, Special Operations Equipment
🎙️ Wednesday, 2:00pm, Interview with Matt Williams, Knightsbridge
🎙️ Thursday, 7:00pm, SRF Live
🎙️ Friday, 9:30am CT: Homestead Happenings with the Tactical Redneck
Tales from the Prepper Pantry
Weekly Shopping Report, March 11
Saturday's first trip was just by me, primarily to get an oil change for the Santa Fe, but I then went to Hobby Lobby and found a few items I knew Sonia wanted; Saturday was our 17-year Anniversary.
Dollar Tree. Most of the drink coolers are full again, and all of them are now $2.25. I still just grab a drink off a shelf.
Aldi: more crowded than usual. Stock levels were good, and as usual we found everything we wanted. Staple prices were: eggs: $2.64 (-); whole milk: $2.86; heavy cream: $5.19; OJ: $3.29; butter: $3.69; bacon: $4.25; potatoes: $3.99; sugar: $3.09; flour: $2.29; and 80% lean ground beef: $3.99 (-).
Home Depot. A 2x4x8 was $3.38, which I don't think is a change (I only put the staples in my notes).
A gallon of untainted regular gasoline remains at $3.599.
Frugality Tip from Margo
When pricing out new appliances, look at the delivery and set up fees. Those hidden little fees can be another couple of hundred dollars. In the last year we have had to replace a spare refrigerator and a stacked washer/dryer.(Side note don't ever buy a scratch and dent washer, ask me how I know). We ended up using one store (Best Buy), because delivery and setup were included in the price of the washer/dryer and if you are nice to people they will put your fridge in too 😉. A family member just got a new dishwasher, but didn't look at the add on fees. What looked like a savings over other stores prices ,ended up being $180 more than the other store with the extra fees. So even if you are handy and are planning on putting your own appliances in, look at that free delivery and setup and let someone else do the work without paying any more money.
Happy saving y'all.
Operation Independence
Missing Chicken
Main topic of the Show: Lessons From The Webinar Series
Why we are doing it.
Assess Your Assets - just like in homestead design
Tap into your community - Cohosts, content creators, and Rebecca
Lessons Learned
All in all Know Your Why, Know Your Brand, And Be Willing To Take A Chance.
SelfRelianceFestival.com/Webinar
Make it a great week!
GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce.
Community
Resources
Janet Szabo from The Straight Stitch and Kerry Brown from Strong Roots Resources join me today to talk about building your lifestyle business and other things in this member spotlight episode.
Featured Event: https://selfreliancefestival.com/workshops
Sponsor 1: The Wealthsteading Podcast: InvestableWealth.com
Sponsor 2: HollerRoast.com
Opus Clip Affiliate Link: https://www.opus.pro?via=cecb62
GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce.
Community
Follow me on Nostr: npub1u2vu695j5wfnxsxpwpth2jnzwxx5fat7vc63eth07dez9arnrezsdeafsv
Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn
Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup
Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@livingfree:b
Resources
Membership Sign Up
Holler Roast Coffee
Harvest Right Affiliate Link