Welcome to The Small Scale Life Podcast! The Small Scale Life Podcast is focused on gardening; homesteading/DIY projects; wellness; financial freedom and minimalism; and connecting to nature. The podcast focuses on providing real-life stories and experiences from the hosts and guests, often encouraging listeners to take small, practical steps toward self-reliance and sustainability. Learn, do, grow, and be a little better everyday! That, my friends, is a good thing (and where the magic is)! ...
…
continue reading
In today’s episode, The Slow Down Season, we explore how nature invites us to pause, reset, and realign our lives as we enter the quieter, colder months. This is the perfect episode for anyone feeling overwhelmed, stretched thin, or craving a more intentional, peaceful pace. In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why slowing down is essential for emotion…
…
continue reading
1
Gathering Around the Hearth: The Gratitude We Grow
48:25
48:25
Nghe Sau
Nghe Sau
Danh sách
Thích
Đã thích
48:25In this special Thanksgiving episode of the Small Scale Life Podcast, we gather around the hearth — the ancient symbol of warmth, nourishment, and connection — to explore gratitude, community, and the lessons we learn from the changing seasons. Whether your “hearth” is a wood stove, kitchen table, fire pit, or simply a calm moment at the end of a l…
…
continue reading
In today's Small Scale Life Live Stream and Podcast, I am going to discuss the Lessons from the Harvest for the 2025 Garden Season. Like the famous novel by Charles Dickens: "It was the best of times and it was the worst of times." Ok, that was pretty dramatic. We had a really great season for some vegetables, ginger and herbs,. At the same time, w…
…
continue reading
Welcome to the first episode of the New and Improved Small Scale Life Podcast. In this episode, I'll talk about some of the things I am letting go and discussing what is coming next on the Small Scale Life Podcast. As we navigate some new waters, we'lll have to watch out for the rocks, branches, sandbars and deadheads...the water isn't always smoot…
…
continue reading
Tommy Cakes returns to restart the Small Scale Life Podcast! Tommy discusses what they have been up to since March: Starting a new business called Tommy Cakes (Bird) Seed LLC Gardening, Improving the shoreline, Feeding the birds, Taking some shorter trips Connecting with neighbors and, Dealing with the Government Shutdown. The government shutdown i…
…
continue reading
1
The Fast Lane: Mastering Speed in Business and Life
1:12:44
1:12:44
Nghe Sau
Nghe Sau
Danh sách
Thích
Đã thích
1:12:44In this 250th Episode of the Small Scale Life Podcast, Adam and I talk about Mastering Speed in Business and Life. Speed....it can help and it can hinder. Act too quickly, and you can make costly mistakes. Act too slowly, and you can miss opportunities. The reality is that we live in a fast-paced world and have a ton of things going on in our lives…
…
continue reading
1
How to Thrive in Slow Business Cycles
1:08:40
1:08:40
Nghe Sau
Nghe Sau
Danh sách
Thích
Đã thích
1:08:40In this 249th Episode of the Small Scale Life Podcast, Adam and I will be talking about “How to Thrive in Slow Business Cycles.” This applies to more than business as well. Our lives are connected cycles of high activity, stress and constant action with cycles of lower activity, quiet, learning and rest. It is true: we need those lower activity cyc…
…
continue reading
In this 248th Episode of the Small Scale Life Podcast, Adam and Tom are talking about the power of "no." "No" is the most powerful and shortest sentence in the English language. Sometimes we need to just say this powerful and short sentence to friends, family, acquaintances, coworkers, bosses, customers, etc. Adam and I are going to talk about sett…
…
continue reading
1
The No-Spend Challenge: Can You Survive 28 Days?
1:07:46
1:07:46
Nghe Sau
Nghe Sau
Danh sách
Thích
Đã thích
1:07:46In this 247th Episode of the Small Scale Life Podcast, Tom and Adam discuss origins, tips and guidelines for the February No-Spend Challenge (or Frugal February Challenge) on Small Scale Life. Can you survive the No-Spend Challenge for 28 days? Unfortunately, this is the season....to pay the piper. December is usually expensive and gets us in troub…
…
continue reading
1
24-Hour Fast Results and Tommy Cakes Suet Update
37:21
37:21
Nghe Sau
Nghe Sau
Danh sách
Thích
Đã thích
37:21In this 245th Episode of the Small Scale Life Podcast, Tom discusses the 24-Hour Fast Results and provides a Tommy Cakes Suet Update. Tom will also show off some of the feathered and furry friends visiting the feeders at The Landing this week including Sam the Squirrel, the Blue Jay Cabal, Elvis the Cardinal and Wanda and Woody (male and female pil…
…
continue reading
1
End of January 2025 Accountability Stream
1:21:37
1:21:37
Nghe Sau
Nghe Sau
Danh sách
Thích
Đã thích
1:21:37By now, most people have let the New Year's goals, initiatives, mantras and plans fall by the wayside. Change is hard, and it is easier to slide back into old programming and old habits, especially when you cannot SEE progress on the scale, in you bank account or in the way you feel. To make progress on goals, it helps to have an accountability par…
…
continue reading
1
Monk Mode: The Path to Productivity or a Road to Burnout?
1:17:39
1:17:39
Nghe Sau
Nghe Sau
Danh sách
Thích
Đã thích
1:17:39Happy MLK Day! It is a day of new starts: it's still early in the New Year, the new Administration has peacefully taken power and there is a new cease fire in the Middle East. So far, so good (but really super cold! Several of us are planning to start new things in 2025. New workout plans, new diets, book clubs, neighborhood gatherings, garden plan…
…
continue reading
1
Just Tommy Cakes: 2025 Garden Plans, Backyard Birds and Your Questions
1:15:02
1:15:02
Nghe Sau
Nghe Sau
Danh sách
Thích
Đã thích
1:15:02In this 243rd Episode of the Small Scale Life Podcast, your host Tommy Cakes takes the helm for a Just Tommy Cakes Show. Adam is sick, so Tom is going to take the time to dive into the following topics: The potential TikTok ban and how it could affect Small Scale Life Changes to the Small Scale Life website to make it more functional and organized …
…
continue reading
1
2024 Wins, Losses, Lessons Learned
1:21:14
1:21:14
Nghe Sau
Nghe Sau
Danh sách
Thích
Đã thích
1:21:14In this 242nd Episode of the Small Scale Life Podcast, Adam and Tom put the icing on the cake by talking about 2024 Wins, Losses and Lessons Learned. It is an interesting blend of small business and gardening. Speaking of interesting blends, Tom shows off a new creation from the kitchen and takes a bite on the air! Catch ANT LIVE on the Small Scale…
…
continue reading
1
Getting Ready for 2025; Setting the Stage for Success
1:21:09
1:21:09
Nghe Sau
Nghe Sau
Danh sách
Thích
Đã thích
1:21:09Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas, friends! Glad Jul! Happy Winter Solstice! In this 241st Episode of the Small Scale Life Podcast, Adam and I are going to be discussing how we are getting ready for 2025 and setting the stage for success. We have 9 days left of 2024, and then this chapter of our lives closes and becomes a memory. It has been an inter…
…
continue reading
1
Watching Drones, Surviving Christmas Gatherings and Closing Out 2024
1:21:11
1:21:11
Nghe Sau
Nghe Sau
Danh sách
Thích
Đã thích
1:21:11In this 240th Episode of the Small Scale Life Podcast, Adam and Tom discuss watching drones, surviving Christmas gatherings and closing out 2024. Besides the conspiracies and parody songs, Adam and Tom discuss 9 Tips for Surviving Christmas Gatherings, which Tom admits he will be putting into play this week! From drones flying around our county to …
…
continue reading
1
2024 Acres USA Eco-Ag Conference: Regenerative Agriculture and Homestead Business Ideas
1:31:00
1:31:00
Nghe Sau
Nghe Sau
Danh sách
Thích
Đã thích
1:31:00In this 239th episode of the Small Scale Life Podcast, Adam and I discuss attending small town tree lighting ceremonies and building new barrel garden planters. We also discuss the 2024 Acres USA Eco-Ag Conference including new trends in Regenerative Agriculture and homestead and small farm business ideas. Adam attended all four days of the confere…
…
continue reading
In this 238th Episode of the Small Scale Life Podcast, my friend Adam and I discuss how to cook a turkey including brining the turkey, spatchcocking the bird vs. cooking it whole and how we serve the turkey to family and guests. We discuss our favorite side dishes and a couple failures in our Thanksgiving dinners (homemade stuffing). This podcast w…
…
continue reading
1
20 Simple Steps for Better Holiday Season
1:13:16
1:13:16
Nghe Sau
Nghe Sau
Danh sách
Thích
Đã thích
1:13:16In this 237th Episode of the Small Scale Life Podcast, Adam and Tom discuss 20 Simple Steps for a Better Holiday Season. By using these 20 Simple Steps, we cannot guarantee that you will have a joyous and calm holiday season, but we can definitely say that you will be lined up for success since you are ready mentally and have prepared for what is c…
…
continue reading
1
How to Find Your First Customer: What Fishing Taught Me About Business
1:19:55
1:19:55
Nghe Sau
Nghe Sau
Danh sách
Thích
Đã thích
1:19:55In this 236th Episode of the Small Scale Life Podcast, Adam Rick leads the way as he discusses how to find your first customer when launching a small business or even a podcast. To do this, Adam relates finding customers to fishing in a northern lake for big walleyes. It wasn't easy, but they ended up catching some massive fish after striking out f…
…
continue reading
1
Dreams and Goals: How to Manifest Your Future
1:09:56
1:09:56
Nghe Sau
Nghe Sau
Danh sách
Thích
Đã thích
1:09:56Can you actually Manifest Your Future? Do your dreams and goals seem to be out of reach? For many of us, we never feel like we are good enough to achieve much of anything. We sometimes feel like it takes all of our energy to get out of bed and drag ourselves to a J-O-B. But we are meant for so much more than that. The world is a big, amazing place …
…
continue reading
1
How to Find Your Passion: From Hobby to Heartbeat
1:15:53
1:15:53
Nghe Sau
Nghe Sau
Danh sách
Thích
Đã thích
1:15:53How do you find your passion? Do you even know what your passion is? If you know what your passion is, are you doing something that taps into that internal fire that lights you up? Many of us have a skill, a talent, knowledge, experience, ability or product that we create or do without thinking about it. We have that secret something or interest th…
…
continue reading
1
Boredom: A Path to Mindfulness and Innovation
1:10:51
1:10:51
Nghe Sau
Nghe Sau
Danh sách
Thích
Đã thích
1:10:51Tonight’s show is titled: "Boredom: A Path to Mindfulness and Innovation.” When you are super busy, you don’t have time to let your mind wander and solve problems. You just don’t have capacity. The same can be said when you are holding on for dear life in Survival Mode. Having REGULAR downtime to dream, think and create is just what the doctor orde…
…
continue reading
1
Hustles and Hurdles: Side Hustles and the Gig Economy
1:13:04
1:13:04
Nghe Sau
Nghe Sau
Danh sách
Thích
Đã thích
1:13:04In this 232nd Episode of the Small Scale Life Podcast, Adam and I are discussing Side Hustles and the Gig Economy. It seems like there is not enough money for the month at times. One way to make resources stretch is through side hustles and the gig economy. It seems like there is not enough money for the month at times. One way to make resources st…
…
continue reading
1
Fading Dreams: Leaving the Farm Behind
24:29
24:29
Nghe Sau
Nghe Sau
Danh sách
Thích
Đã thích
24:29I stopped by Driftless Oaks Farm this week, and as I looked at the property, it hit me that it is a fast fading dream. I realized that I am turning the page and leaving the farm behind, and even though it sounds sad, this epiphany had to happen for me to move forward here at the Landing. In Episode 231, I discuss some observations, memories and epi…
…
continue reading
1
ANT Live 3 - Mindset and Milestones: Prepping for a Life Upgrade
1:16:18
1:16:18
Nghe Sau
Nghe Sau
Danh sách
Thích
Đã thích
1:16:18Our topic this week on the Adam and Tom Live (ANT LIVE) is “Mindset and Milestones: Prepping for a Life Upgrade.” Before you step out on that limb and begin a new venture, there needs to be a shift in your mindset as and your prep for a life upgrade. Starting a new job, new small business, a new project, going in a different direction or starting o…
…
continue reading
1
ANT Live 2 - The Importance of Getting Away
1:10:36
1:10:36
Nghe Sau
Nghe Sau
Danh sách
Thích
Đã thích
1:10:36In Episode 229 of the Small Scale Life Podcast, my friend Adam Rick joins me as we discuss the importance of getting away on a short vacation or short trip. Both Adam and I went away this weekend. One of us had a get-away with his spouse; the other had a get-away with his son and friends (and their sons) on a fishing trip. There are a lot of benefi…
…
continue reading
1
Adam and Tom Live: Catching Up with Adam Rick from Modern Frontier Farms
1:19:26
1:19:26
Nghe Sau
Nghe Sau
Danh sách
Thích
Đã thích
1:19:26In this 228th Episode of the Small Scale Life Podcast, I had a chance to catch up with Adam Rick from Modern Frontier Farms in Dousman, Wisconsin. At the same time, Adam and I are kicking off a new Livestream on the Small Scale Life YoutTube Channel on Monday nights at 7:30 PM Central. This is the audio from that first show. Adam Rick is my brother…
…
continue reading
1
9 Types of Garden Fertilizers and How to Use Them
40:08
40:08
Nghe Sau
Nghe Sau
Danh sách
Thích
Đã thích
40:08In this 227th Episode of the Small Scale Life Podcast, Tom discusses 9 Types of Garden Fertilizers and How to Use Them. Tom has tried different methods to improve plant growth in his gardens over the years, and he shares his experience and "recipes" with you. This is intended to be a high level discussion of different fertilizers including Miracle …
…
continue reading
In this 226th episode of the Small Scale Life Podcast Tom discusses four garden failures in the 2024 Season, why he suspects these plants are failing and how he plans to change things up to make more productive self-watering garden beds. Yes....Tom just built the garden ion June 2024, and yes, he is going to make some changes already! Listen to fin…
…
continue reading
1
Garden Chat: Building a Gardening and Homesteading Advice
28:52
28:52
Nghe Sau
Nghe Sau
Danh sách
Thích
Đã thích
28:52In this 225th Episode of the Small Scale Life Podcast, I recorded a video and audio while I was IN the garden, so this is truly a garden chat with your lovable host Tom. In this episode, I discuss the garden build project including the fencing, the border, mulch, gates, Wicking Bed Planters and Hybrid Rain Gutter Grow System Planters. I talk about …
…
continue reading
1
3 Critical Elements of Vegetable Garden Layout Design and Planning
24:32
24:32
Nghe Sau
Nghe Sau
Danh sách
Thích
Đã thích
24:32In this 224th Episode of the Small Scale Life Podcast, I discuss three critical elements of vegetable garden layout design and planning. I have always said that there are three elements for successfully growing plants: light, water and nutrients. It is time to take these three elements from theory to reality as I show you how these three elements i…
…
continue reading
1
8 Tips for a Successful Whole30 Reintroduction
22:33
22:33
Nghe Sau
Nghe Sau
Danh sách
Thích
Đã thích
22:33In this 223rd Episode of the Small Scale Life Podcast, I discuss the Whole30 Reintroduction Phase. This is a critical part of the process, and I have 8 Tips for a successful Whole30 Reintroduction Phase. Remember: this part of the Challenge is incredibly important, so please take this phase slow and don’t rush through it. We are on Day 30 of our Ap…
…
continue reading
1
5 Lessons Learned from Beek Meet 2024
33:53
33:53
Nghe Sau
Nghe Sau
Danh sách
Thích
Đã thích
33:53Happy Spring, everyone! In this 222nd Episode of the Small Scale Life Podcast, I am going to discuss attending my first Beekeeper Conference called Beek Meet 2024 and 5 Lessons Learned from Beekeepers at the conference. While I am not a beekeeper, I found the conference incredibly interesting, educational and entertaining. I also met some really gr…
…
continue reading
1
Our Experience with the Whole30 Challenge
26:35
26:35
Nghe Sau
Nghe Sau
Danh sách
Thích
Đã thích
26:35In this 221st Episode of the Small Scale Life Podcast, I am going to look back at our experiences with the Whole30 Challenge in 2019, 2020 and 2024. I will discuss some of the lessons learned and “non-scale wins,” and I will finish by talking about Next Steps including a new Whole30 Challenge on April 1, 2024! For show notes and links, head over to…
…
continue reading
1
What is Whole30? Reset Your Body and Relationship with Food
20:20
20:20
Nghe Sau
Nghe Sau
Danh sách
Thích
Đã thích
20:20It's a Leap Year Episode Small Scale Life Podcast! Episode 220 was recorded at 2:22 PM on 2/29/2024 (look at all those 2's), so you know this was a special, foundational show. In this episode, your Host Tom introduces the Whole30 Challenge and summarizes the basic rules of this elimination diet. There are plenty of do's and don'ts, but do not let t…
…
continue reading
1
Happy New Year! A New Cycle Begins....
37:37
37:37
Nghe Sau
Nghe Sau
Danh sách
Thích
Đã thích
37:37Happy New Year, friends! Welcome to 2024! The Small Scale Life Podcast has been silent since April 26, 2023. At that point, we had just announced that we were selling Driftless Oaks Farm, which was our little 10-acre hobby farm in Western Wisconsin. We had a lot of discussions, a lot of soul searching and a lot of work leading up to that point, and…
…
continue reading
1
Are We Really Selling Driftless Oaks Farm?
25:22
25:22
Nghe Sau
Nghe Sau
Danh sách
Thích
Đã thích
25:22Are we really selling Driftless Oaks Farm? Julie and I just bought and moved to the farm almost two years ago and got everything we ever wanted...or did we? Tune in to Episode 218 of the Small Scale Life Podcast to find out who, what, when, where and why!Bởi Tom
…
continue reading
1
Tipping Points and Getting Back to Basics
30:12
30:12
Nghe Sau
Nghe Sau
Danh sách
Thích
Đã thích
30:12In this 217th Episode of the Small Scale Life Podcast, I talk about Tipping Points and Getting Back to Basics. We have seen bank collapses before, and it didn't go well for us in 2008. It is a reminder to get back to Small Scale Living and growing/canning our own food. I have to tell you: the bank closures and bank runs remind me so much of the Leh…
…
continue reading
In this 216th Episode of the Small Scale Life Podcast, I continue the conversation with my friend Adam Rapier from Colorado. We are going to discuss Starting a Beekeeping Business including different small business niches in the Beekeeping world. Now, I know many of you are not beekeepers and will never be beekeepers, but I hope you hold on and sta…
…
continue reading
1
Gardening and Beekeeping with Adam Rapier
40:57
40:57
Nghe Sau
Nghe Sau
Danh sách
Thích
Đã thích
40:57In this 215th Episode of the Small Scale Life Podcast, I continue the conversation with my friend Adam Rapier from Colorado. We are going to dive into gardening and beekeeping in this episode. We discuss some fantastic garden beds they built at Adam's parent's house, and we discuss the start of their beekeeping journey. If you want to find The Rapi…
…
continue reading
1
Starting High Desert Hives and Homestead
34:53
34:53
Nghe Sau
Nghe Sau
Danh sách
Thích
Đã thích
34:53In Small Scale Life Podcast Episode 214, I talk with my friend Adam about his family's journey to starting High Desert Hives and Homestead in Colorado. How does a successful guy decide to walk away from the hustle and bustle of city life and a fast paced corporate job and move to the country to start a garden, grow a thriving beekeeping business an…
…
continue reading
1
How to Set Your 2023 Guiding Words and Mantras
53:31
53:31
Nghe Sau
Nghe Sau
Danh sách
Thích
Đã thích
53:31In this 213th Episode of the Small Scale Life Podcast, I am talking with my friend Maria the Intuitive Energy Healer about How to Set Your 2023 Guiding Words and Mantras. This is building on last week's Small Scale Life Podcast where I discussed 10 Goal Setting and Self Inventory Questions to Start 2023, so if you haven't listened to that one, you …
…
continue reading
1
10 Goal Setting and Self Inventory Questions to Start 2023:
40:15
40:15
Nghe Sau
Nghe Sau
Danh sách
Thích
Đã thích
40:15In this 212th Episode of the Small Scale Life Podcast (and first episode of 2023), I am talking about 10 Goal Setting and Self Inventory Questions to Start 2023. From my own work while on vacation and after my birthday, I am starting the 2023 Project Me Initiative. As part of the New Year self inventory and goal setting exercise, I have 10 question…
…
continue reading
1
Merry Christmas: Time to Shine Like the Sun
18:02
18:02
Nghe Sau
Nghe Sau
Danh sách
Thích
Đã thích
18:02The last Small Scale Life Podcast Episode was posted on September 9, 2022. This was two days before Danny passed away, and after a long road, we are back to say Merry Christmas and begin to shine our light once again. In this episode of the Small Scale Life Podcast, your host Tom talks about the past three months including losing Danny and the long…
…
continue reading
1
MFJ: Garden and Homestead Update - August 2022
23:34
23:34
Nghe Sau
Nghe Sau
Danh sách
Thích
Đã thích
23:34Host Tommy Cakes provides a garden and homestead update here at Driftless Oaks Farm in this 210th Episode of the Small Scale Life Podcast. During the show, Tommy talks about the following topics: Change is in the Air - Fall and Winter are Coming! The Orchard - Criss Cross Apple Sauce The Land Provides - Sweet Corn and Wild Grapes Canning * Four Tip…
…
continue reading
In this 209th Episode of the Small Scale Life Podcast, your Wandering Gardener Host Tom talks with his friend Mr. Tactical Jay about the modern back to the land movement, setting big goals and creating a Jay's massive garden on the side of a mountain. This is Part 2 of an earlier conversation about the Modern Day Back to the Land Movement that has …
…
continue reading
1
My Farm Journal: Building Wicking Beds, Planting Potatoes and Removing Fence
13:35
13:35
Nghe Sau
Nghe Sau
Danh sách
Thích
Đã thích
13:35Bởi Tom
…
continue reading
1
Drifting to Driftless: Cedar Rapids and Decorah Adventure
30:14
30:14
Nghe Sau
Nghe Sau
Danh sách
Thích
Đã thích
30:14In this 207th episode of the Small Scale Life Podcast, I introduce the Drifting to Driftless Series by focusing on my recent Adventure in Cedar Rapids, Mount Vernon and Decorah, IA. The Drifting to Driftless Series is where I share my adventures and wandering. It will be a regular feature on Small Scale Life. For pictures, videos and links from thi…
…
continue reading
1
My Farm Journal: What is Operation WW?
23:11
23:11
Nghe Sau
Nghe Sau
Danh sách
Thích
Đã thích
23:11In this 206th Episode of the Small Scale Life Podcast, I am introducing two new efforts here at our Driftless Oaks Farm and on the Small Scale Life Podcast: My Farm Journal Operation WW My Farm Journal posts, videos and podcast episodes will document our progress and our observations of life at our little Driftless Oaks Farm. Operation WW is focuse…
…
continue reading