The Homestead Challenge Podcast | Suburban Homesteading, Gardening, Food From Scratch, Sustainable Living

Ep 94. Beginners Guide to Indoor Seed Starting with Rachael from Our Handcrafted Home

I had the privilege to chat with Rachael of Our Handcrafted Home all about seed starting on the podcast this week. I made a TON of mistakes last year and I wanted to make sure to get this info out so you don't make all the same mistakes I did. I hope you learn something new and feel inspired to start some seeds indoors this year in order to extend your garden season. Don't forget to check out Rachael's Guide to Seed Starting over on her blog.
 
Check out https://ourhandcraftedhome.com/ for more!

Ep 93. Why I Use Herbs Instead of Essential Oils

There is a major difference between using essential oils and using whole herbs. While they both have their place, there are reasons I use whole herbs 99% of the time. Today I want to explore the differences to help enhance your herbal safety knowledge.
 
Join the Facebook Community -> https://www.facebook.com/groups/thehomesteadchallengecommunity
Grab all my freebies -> https://bit.ly/homesteadfreebies

Ep 92. Herbal Safety Basics: How to Research and Vet Herbs for Your Family

Let's explore herbal safety basics for your family’s natural wellness journey. Learn how to research and vet herbs effectively, avoid AI-written or poorly sourced books, and discover the best places to buy herbs. I’ll also cover child dosage guidelines, highlight essential drug interaction cautions, and share tips on integrating herbal remedies into a non-toxic lifestyle without sacrificing modern medicine. Don’t miss this foundational guide to confident herbalism for beginners and seasoned enthusiasts alike!
 
Links Mentioned:
Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thehomesteadchallengecommunity
#1 Mistake I Made When Starting Herbal Tinctures: https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/alcohol-for-herbal-tinctures/
Herb Buying Guide: https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/wild-harvested-vs-organic-herbs/
Books for Beginner Herbalists: https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/7-best-books-on-herbalism-for-beginners-without-the-overwhelm/
Herbs for Kids: https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/herbs-for-kids/
Herbal Supplies: https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/gifts-for-beginner-herbalists/
 

Ep 91. The First 10 Things I Ever Canned

Canning is on everyone’s mind this year, especially after so many of you scored new canners for Christmas. In this episode, I share my early canning (both water bath canning and pressure canning) experiences and the 10 first things I ever canned—plus some helpful tips to get you started on your own preserving journey. Whether you are an experienced canner or you are adding it to your homestead goals this year, I hope this episode helps!
 
Be sure to listen to Ep 13: 5 Canning Mistakes I Made So You Don’t Have To
 
Join the Facebook Community -> https://www.facebook.com/groups/thehomesteadchallengecommunity
Grab all my freebies -> https://bit.ly/homesteadfreebies
 

Ep 90. How to Make Goals for Your First Year Homesteading

Whether it's your first year or your 50th year homesteading, setting goals can be a helpful way to make sure you DO THE THING! Reflect with me on the goals I made my first year homesteading and learn how I made those goals a reality (for the most part).
 
Goal Planner
Join the Facebook Community -> https://www.facebook.com/groups/thehomesteadchallengecommunity
Grab all my freebies -> https://bit.ly/homesteadfreebies

Ep 89. Top 10 Predictions for Homesteading Trends in 2025

While homesteading is always trending in my book, and also intrinsically about not following trends, I thought it would be fun to explore the top homesteading trends for 2025! Check out my predictions! Let me know your thoughts in the Facebook Community!
 
Join the Facebook Community -> https://www.facebook.com/groups/thehomesteadchallengecommunity
Grab all my freebies -> https://bit.ly/homesteadfreebies
 

Ep 88. Harvesting Lessons and Growing Forward for a BIGGER 2025

In this episode, we’re looking back at 2024 to see what “fruit” we gathered + seeds sown, celebrating the progress—big or small—that shaped our homesteads and our lives. Then, we dive into choosing a Word of the Year to guide us through 2025. 
Listen in and let’s cultivate a “bigger,” more meaningful homestead life this year!
 
Join our Facebook community ->www.facebook.com/groups/thehomesteadchallengecommunity/
Check out the Freebie library-> https://bit.ly/homesteadfreebies

Ep 87. My Sourdough Starter and Other Things I am Leaving Behind in 2024

Welcome to The Homestead Challenge! In this episode, I’m sharing all the things I’m letting go of in 2024—starting with my sourdough starter (yep, it’s time to admit I’m not using it!). 
Links & Resources Mentioned
Freebie Library: https://bit.ly/homesteadfreebies
Connect With Me on Social Media: @brittanylgibson
Thank You for Listening!If you enjoyed this episode, please follow and leave a review. It really helps The Homestead Challenge reach more folks who want to live a simpler, more self-sufficient life.
https://thehomesteadchallenge.com
 

Ep 86. 9 Ways to Prepare Your Home The Weekend Before Christmas

The holidays are magical, but they can also catch us off guard! In this episode, I’m sharing my top tips for stress-free holiday home preparedness, all with a no-pressure homesteading twist. Whether you’re dealing with unexpected guests, last-minute host gifts, or the frenzy of Christmas morning, this episode has you covered.
Get practical, low-stress solutions to handle holiday surprises with confidence, so you can focus on what matters most—making memories.
 
https://thehomesteadchallenge.com
 

Ep 85. 5 Best Herbal Gifts to Give to People Who Aren’t That Crunchy

Sometimes we forget that everyone might not want to live the same non-toxic, crunchy lifestyle we live (and that's okay!). But you might be itching to make some herbal gifts or need something last minute. These 5 ideas are something even the non-crunchy folk will enjoy (at least I think!).
 
LINKS MENTIONED
https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/chamomile-bath-salts/
https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/evergreen-bath-salts/
https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/herbal-infused-lip-balm-without-beeswax/
 
Sign up for my email list to get your Free Herbal Salve E-Book (with the calendula salve recipe): https://thehomesteadchallenge.kit.com/a9dc7c0be5