Old Fashioned On Purpose

What does progress cost us and how do we decide when the price is too high? In this episode, I’m thinking about the great Wendell Berry, my recent garden and soil struggles, the rise of data centers, and the way we’ve learned to value land. I’m exploring the tension between exploitation and stewardship, progress and preservation, and the important difference between asking whether we can do something and whether we should . Podcast Episode Highlights: Pondering progress these days Thinking about Wendell Berry and his influence What my recent garden woes has made me think more about Thinking about the value of land Exploitation vs. nurture Cycle of life vs. straight line Thinking about contradictions, criticisms, and either/or Asking questions matters CAN we do something vs. SHOULD we do something What does progress cost us? Final thoughts Resources Mentioned in This Podcast Episode: Learn more about Azure Standard and their non-GMO, wholesome food options (especially bulk food) here: https://www.azurestandard.com/?a_aid=ANnu0O8ySU –> Join Azure Standard for FREE and enjoy 15% off your first order of $100 or more. Simply use promo code OLDFASHIONED15 at checkout. Check out my Substack essays here: https://jillwinger.substack.com/ Previous Podcast Episodes & Blog Articles on Deep Thoughts on the Land: When the Problem Becomes the Solution (podcast episode) When the Ground Can No Longer Feed Us (blog article) What I’m Doing Differently on Homestead #2 (podcast episode) Breaking Out of the Ag Echo Chamber (podcast episode) OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR HOMESTEAD: Sign up for weekly musings from my homestead: https://jillwinger.substack.com/ Get my free homesteading tutorials & recipes here: www.theprairiehomestead.com Jill on Instagram: @jill.winger Jill on Facebook: http://facebook.com/theprairiehomestead Apply to be a guest on the Old-Fashioned on Purpose podcast: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/podcast-guest-application Did you enjoy listening to this episode? Please drop a comment below or leave a review to let us know. This can help other folks learn about this podcast and we also really appreciate the feedback!

When I started my first homestead in 2008, I had plenty of enthusiasm and absolutely no patience. Nearly two decades later, I’m beginning again on a new piece of ground, but this time I’m not starting from scratch; I’m starting from experience. In this episode, I’m sharing the biggest lessons shaping how I approach my new home and 20 acres, from making slower decisions and resisting the urge to do more , to building for real life instead of the fantasy version of homesteading. We’ll also talk about comparison, asking better questions, and why starting over can look very different when you know yourself better. Podcast Episode Highlights: What I've learned about my life lately Starting over vs. starting from experience Point #1: Making slower decisions Point #2: More isn't always better Point #3: Real life and not fantasy homestead Point #4: Don't compare Point #5: Asking different questions Final thoughts Resources Mentioned in This Podcast Episode: Learn more about Azure Standard and their non-GMO, wholesome food options (especially bulk food) here: https://www.azurestandard.com/?a_aid=ANnu0O8ySU –> Join Azure Standard for FREE and enjoy 15% off your first order of $100 or more. Simply use promo code OLDFASHIONED15 at checkout. Check out my Substack essays here: https://jillwinger.substack.com/ Previous Podcast Episodes & Blog Articles on Life Knowledge: Embarrassment is the Cost of Entry (podcast episode) The Incredible Gift of Failure (podcast episode) It Takes Guts to be Bad at Something (podcast episode) When Everything Feels Out of Control, I Do This (blog article) OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR HOMESTEAD: Sign up for weekly musings from my homestead: https://jillwinger.substack.com/ Get my free homesteading tutorials & recipes here: www.theprairiehomestead.com Jill on Instagram: @jill.winger Jill on Facebook: http://facebook.com/theprairiehomestead Apply to be a guest on the Old-Fashioned on Purpose podcast: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/podcast-guest-application Did you enjoy listening to this episode? Please drop a comment below or leave a review to let us know. This can help other folks learn about this podcast and we also really appreciate the feedback!

If you’ve ever wondered how a book goes from a half-formed idea in your head to something sitting on a bookstore shelf, I’m pulling back the curtain on exactly how it happened for me. In this episode, I’m walking through my experience with agents, book proposals, pitching publishers, advances and royalties, writing, photography, and the surprisingly long road to publication. I’ll also explain the different publishing paths available and what authors actually need to know about marketing once the book is finished. This isn’t an exhaustive guide to publishing—it’s the real story of how my books came together and what I’ve learned along the way. Podcast Episode Highlights: Why I'm talking about my experience on writing and selling books Most common types of ways to publish your book How you get paid from publishing companies The process of turning a book idea into a book Details on having an agent Details on writing a book proposal Pitching to publishers The long process to actually getting the book published How I do my writing process and photography for the book What you need to know about marketing your book Final Thoughts Resources Mentioned in This Podcast Episode: Learn more about Toups and Co. here: https://toupsandco.com/pages/prairie25 First time buyers can use the code Prairie25 to get you 25% off your first Toups order. Find my cookbook here: http://homesteadcookbook.com/ Find my Old-Fashioned on Purpose book here: http://oldfashionedbook.com/ If you're interested in joining my small group business coach/mentorship program, email me at: Jill@theprairiehomestead.com OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR HOMESTEAD: Sign up for weekly musings from my homestead: https://jillwinger.substack.com/ Get my free homesteading tutorials & recipes here: www.theprairiehomestead.com Jill on Instagram: @jill.winger Jill on Facebook: http://facebook.com/theprairiehomestead Apply to be a guest on the Old-Fashioned on Purpose podcast: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/podcast-guest-application Did you enjoy listening to this episode? Please drop a comment below or leave a review to let us know. This can help other folks learn about this podcast and we also really appreciate the feedback!

Grocery prices keep climbing, but most of the advice I’ve heard for spending less still seems to boil down to “use coupons” and “don’t grocery shop while you’re hungry.” After years of running a restaurant, I’ve started thinking about my household food economy very differently. In this episode, I’m sharing the practical strategies I’ve picked up from the restaurant world and how they’ve changed the way I shop, cook, stock my pantry and freezer, and even think about the garden. Because spending less on groceries isn’t about doing everything perfectly. It’s about building a food system that actually works for your life. Podcast Episode Highlights: High grocery prices, lame advice, food economy thoughts, etc. Strategy: focus on price per meal Strategy: don't forget the waste-adjusted price Strategy: buy ingredients, not intentions Strategy: build an anti-takeout pantry Frugality doesn't need to mean purity Strategy: buy in bulk BUT keep these things in mind Strategy: be careful about how much you shop Learn the 'clean out the fridge' formats Stop making everything from scratch Careful about using your freezer Thinking about the garden for your grocery bill Let's talk about protein Final thoughts Resources Mentioned in This Podcast Episode: Learn more about Toups and Co. here: https://toupsandco.com/pages/prairie25 First time buyers can use the code Prairie25 to get you 25% off your first Toups order. Find my cookbook here: http://homesteadcookbook.com/ Check out Azure Standard here: https://www.azurestandard.com/?a_aid=ANnu0O8ySU Learn more about Meal Craft here: https://mealcraftmethod.com/ Previous Podcast Episodes & Blog Articles on Food: How I’m Cooking These Days (podcast episode): https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/tph_podcasts/season-18-episode-13-how-im-cooking-these-days Why Meal Planning Doesn’t Work for You (and what to do instead!) (podcast episode): https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/tph_podcasts/season-14-episode-21-why-meal-planning-doesnt-work-for-you-and-what-to-do-instead How to Find Nourishing Food WITHOUT a Farm (podcast episode): https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/tph_podcasts/season-11-episode-11-how-to-find-nourishing-food-without-a-farm-with-liz-haselmayer How to Store a Year’s Worth of Food for Your Family (Without Waste and Overwhelm) (blog article): https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2021/09/how-to-store-a-years-worth-of-food-for-your-family-without-waste-and-overwhelm.html How to Store and Use Bulk Pantry Goods (blog article): https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2021/10/how-to-store-and-use-bulk-pantry-goods.html OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR HOMESTEAD: Sign up for weekly musings from my homestead: https://jillwinger.substack.com/ Get my free homesteading tutorials & recipes here: www.theprairiehomestead.com Jill on Instagram: @jill.winger Jill on Facebook: http://facebook.com/theprairiehomestead Apply to be a guest on the Old-Fashioned on Purpose podcast: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/podcast-guest-application Did you enjoy listening to this episode? Please drop a comment below or leave a review to let us know. This can help other folks learn about this podcast and we also really appreciate the feedback!

In this episode, I’m talking with Emilie Toups of Toups & Co. about what actually happens to our skin as we age and why so many mainstream skincare products may not be helping. We dig into a simple, natural skincare routine that anyone can start doing at home plus how these options compare to mainstream ingredients like retinol. Emilie also shares how to make the switch to natural skincare without getting overwhelmed and what we can do beyond topical products to nourish our skin from the inside out. And of course, we get into the bigger question underneath it all: how do we care for aging skin without making aging itself the enemy? Podcast Episode Highlights: How and why our skin changes over time Why aren't mainstream skincare products working? What actually works for our skin Step #1: Oil cleansing Step #2: Gentle serums Step #3: Tallow Oil cleansing issues to keep in mind Natural products vs. retinol Addressing the critics of tallow Facial toner details How to switch from mainstream skincare to natural products without overwhelm What to do (besides skincare) to nourish your skin Deep thoughts on aging Resources Mentioned in This Podcast Episode: Learn more about Toups and Co. here: https://toupsandco.com/pages/prairie25 First time buyers can use the code Prairie25 to get you 25% off your first Toups order. Previous Podcast Episodes & Blog Articles on Natural Skincare: How to Opt-Out of Toxic Mainstream Skincare with Emilie Toups (podcast episode): https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/tph_podcasts/season-7-episode-10-how-to-opt-out-of-toxic-mainstream-skincare When the Old Ways Make More Sense (blog article on using tallow on your skin): https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2023/03/when-the-old-ways-make-more-sense.html How to Make Tallow Body Butter (blog recipe for making your own tallow skincare): https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2022/04/how-to-make-tallow-body-butter.html OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR HOMESTEAD: Sign up for weekly musings from my homestead: https://jillwinger.substack.com/ Get my free homesteading tutorials & recipes here: www.theprairiehomestead.com Jill on Instagram: @jill.winger Jill on Facebook: http://facebook.com/theprairiehomestead Apply to be a guest on the Old-Fashioned on Purpose podcast: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/podcast-guest-application Did you enjoy listening to this episode? Please drop a comment below or leave a review to let us know. This can help other folks learn about this podcast and we also really appreciate the feedback!

I’ve had some epic garden failures over the years, but nothing quite like this one. And judging by what I’m hearing, I know I’m not the only person whose garden has struggled this year. In this episode, I’m sharing the three main problems that seem to have created the worst garden of my life and also what I’m learning as I try to unravel them. No polished success story here, just real-time troubleshooting in hopes it helps someone else who is currently wallowing in their own gardening woes. Podcast Episode Highlights: A quick glance at my gardening history What I noticed about my new place before I started planting What happened in my garden so far this year Problem #1: Herbicide contamination Problem #2: Soil Fertility issues Problem #3: Critters Final thoughts Resources Mentioned in This Podcast Episode: Learn more about Toups and Co. here: https://toupsandco.com/pages/prairie25 First time buyers can use the code Prairie25 to get you 25% off your first Toups order. Find Redmond's Soil Test Kit here: http://theprairiehomestead.com/soiltest Previous Podcast Episodes & Blog Articles on Soil: The Worst Garden of My Entire Life (recent blog article with garden/house pictures about my current garden problems): https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2026/08/the-worst-garden-of-my-entire-life.html I Think I Poisoned My Garden (blog article about my previous hay mulch problem): https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2016/08/curled-tomato-leaves.html The Mystery of the Poisonous Potting Soil (podcast episode about my previous potting soil problem): https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/tph_podcasts/season-10-episode-12-the-mystery-of-the-poisonous-potting-soil How Fall in Love with Your Soil (podcast episode about soil problems): https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/tph_podcasts/season-12-episode-10-how-fall-in-love-with-your-soil How to Feed Your Soil a Whole Food Diet (podcast episode for healing bad soil): https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/tph_podcasts/season-12-episode-12-how-to-feed-your-soil-a-whole-food-diet Weeds, Pests, & Herbicides: Overcoming Your Worst Organic Gardening Woes (podcast episode with tips for bad garden years): https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/tph_podcasts/season-13-episode-4-weeds-pests-herbicides-overcoming-your-worst-organic-gardening-woes OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR HOMESTEAD: Sign up for weekly musings from my homestead: https://jillwinger.substack.com/ Get my free homesteading tutorials & recipes here: www.theprairiehomestead.com Jill on Instagram: @jill.winger Jill on Facebook: http://facebook.com/theprairiehomestead Apply to be a guest on the Old-Fashioned on Purpose podcast: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/podcast-guest-application Did you enjoy listening to this episode? Please drop a comment below or leave a review to let us know. This can help other folks learn about this podcast and we also really appreciate the feedback!

As food prices continue to rise, buying the cheapest option isn’t always the same as spending wisely. In this episode, I'm chatting with Diana Strayer from Azure Standard. Together, we explore how Azure Standard helps folks access nutrient-dense food, how you can really save money through bulk buying, and also how to shop their sales pages strategically. Our conversation offers a great practical look at purchasing food more economically without sacrificing quality. Podcast Episode Highlights: Prices are rising and what we can do about it What Azure Standard is all about How Azure can be helpful for both rural and urban areas The importance of nutrient-dense food The difference between buying cheap and buying economically Saving money with bulk food Examples of food you can buy at Azure Saving with Azure's various sales pages How Azure Cash works How to make money with Azure Final thoughts Resources Mentioned in This Podcast Episode: Learn more about Azure Standard and their non-GMO, wholesome food options (especially bulk food) here: https://www.azurestandard.com/?a_aid=ANnu0O8ySU --> Join Azure Standard for FREE and enjoy 15% off your first order of $100 or more. Simply use promo code OLDFASHIONED15 at checkout. OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR HOMESTEAD: Sign up for weekly musings from my homestead: https://jillwinger.substack.com/ Get my free homesteading tutorials & recipes here: www.theprairiehomestead.com Jill on Instagram: @jill.winger Jill on Facebook: http://facebook.com/theprairiehomestead Apply to be a guest on the Old-Fashioned on Purpose podcast: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/podcast-guest-application Did you enjoy listening to this episode? Please drop a comment below or leave a review to let us know. This can help other folks learn about this podcast and we also really appreciate the feedback!

Being a beginner as an adult is humbling, awkward, and sometimes downright embarrassing—but it also takes a surprising amount of courage. In this episode, I’m sharing a few recent experiences that reminded me just how vulnerable it feels to learn something new, why other people can be so quick to criticize, and the emotional rollercoaster that comes with not being good at something yet. I'll share some tips and encouragement and also explain why your beginner status may actually be one of your greatest advantages. Podcast Episode Highlights: Why I'm passionate about adults trying new things My real life examples Why some people are critical when others are newbies Why we are afraid to try new things Don't forget to stay humble The rollercoaster of emotions when learning something new How to change your perspective How being a beginner can actual be a bonus when learning a new skill Final thoughts Resources Mentioned in This Podcast Episode: Learn more about Azure Standard and their non-GMO, wholesome food options (especially bulk food) here: https://www.azurestandard.com/?a_aid=ANnu0O8ySU --> Join Azure Standard for FREE and enjoy 15% off your first order of $100 or more. Simply use promo code OLDFASHIONED15 at checkout. Learn more about Meal Craft here: https://mealcraftmethod.com/ OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR HOMESTEAD: Sign up for weekly musings from my homestead: https://jillwinger.substack.com/ Get my free homesteading tutorials & recipes here: www.theprairiehomestead.com Jill on Instagram: @jill.winger Jill on Facebook: http://facebook.com/theprairiehomestead Apply to be a guest on the Old-Fashioned on Purpose podcast: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/podcast-guest-application Did you enjoy listening to this episode? Please drop a comment below or leave a review to let us know. This can help other folks learn about this podcast and we also really appreciate the feedback!

My house is hot this summer—and after more than a decade of central air, I’m realizing just how accustomed I’ve become to comfort. In this episode, I’m sharing how the heat has made me more aware of my surroundings, more appreciative of certain things, and more thoughtful about what “old-fashioned on purpose” really means in everyday life. I’m also talking about what we’re eating during these sweltering days, including the simple meals and low-heat cooking strategies that are keeping us fed without turning the kitchen into an oven. Podcast Episode Highlights: My house is hot this year and I'm not used to it Becoming more aware Becoming more appreciative What Old-Fashioned on Purpose really means What (and how) we're eating during the summer Resources Mentioned in This Podcast Episode: Learn more about Azure Standard and their non-GMO, wholesome food options (especially bulk food) here: https://www.azurestandard.com/?a_aid=ANnu0O8ySU --> Join Azure Standard for FREE and enjoy 15% off your first order of $100 or more. Simply use promo code OLDFASHIONED15 at checkout. Learn more about Meal Craft here: https://mealcraftmethod.com/ OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR HOMESTEAD: Sign up for weekly musings from my homestead: https://jillwinger.substack.com/ Get my free homesteading tutorials & recipes here: www.theprairiehomestead.com Jill on Instagram: @jill.winger Jill on Facebook: http://facebook.com/theprairiehomestead Apply to be a guest on the Old-Fashioned on Purpose podcast: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/podcast-guest-application Did you enjoy listening to this episode? Please drop a comment below or leave a review to let us know. This can help other folks learn about this podcast and we also really appreciate the feedback!

As you all probably know by now, my life has been a tad bit crazy lately. So I did the ultimate unplug from reality recently by participating in a horsemanship clinic for 10 days. Of course, that means that when I got back to 'normal', things were a tad overwhelming. In this episode, I’m sharing what happens when worries turn into a negativity spiral, why our brains aren’t built to juggle everything at once, and the simple action steps that I take to conquer fear and overwhelm. Podcast Episode Highlights: How I unplug when life is crazy What happened after I returned to normal life The negativity spiral problem We aren't supposed to multi-task Get rid of the vague with mapping My real life examples Action cures fear Final thoughts Resources Mentioned in This Podcast Episode: Learn more about Azure Standard and their non-GMO, wholesome food options (especially bulk food) here: https://www.azurestandard.com/?a_aid=ANnu0O8ySU --> Join Azure Standard for FREE and enjoy 15% off your first order of $100 or more. Simply use promo code OLDFASHIONED15 at checkout. Find my Old-Fashioned on Purpose planner here: https://www.prairieplanner.com/ OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR HOMESTEAD: Sign up for weekly musings from my homestead: https://jillwinger.substack.com/ Get my free homesteading tutorials & recipes here: www.theprairiehomestead.com Jill on Instagram: @jill.winger Jill on Facebook: http://facebook.com/theprairiehomestead Apply to be a guest on the Old-Fashioned on Purpose podcast: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/podcast-guest-application Did you enjoy listening to this episode? Please drop a comment below or leave a review to let us know. This can help other folks learn about this podcast and we also really appreciate the feedback!

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about identity and how we lose pieces of ourselves over time, and what it looks like to slowly come back to who we’ve always been. In this episode, I’m sharing what I’ve been rediscovering about myself, why old things have been speaking to me so deeply, and how I'm creating a home with secondhand pieces. I’ll also share practical tips for finding the best vintage pieces, defining your own style, working with limitations, using what you already have, and why paint might just be the most underrated tool in your home. This is part reflection, part practical guide, and a little love letter to old things, imperfect homes, and becoming more yourself. Podcast Episode Highlights: Thinking about our identities and coming back to ourselves What I've rediscovered about myself recently What I've been finding lately My thoughts on old things Tip #1: where I'm buying the best pieces Tip #2: figuring out a style Tip #3: Limitations as a guide and not a roadblock Tip #4: Look around your home Tip #5: Paint is the best Tip #6: Ask around Final thoughts Resources Mentioned in This Podcast Episode: Stay tuned for my new cookbook: The Old-Fashioned on Purpose Cookbook: Timeless Recipes That Fit Your Modern Life, coming SOON in October 2026!! Find photos of some of my recent old finds in this post: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2026/06/the-girl-who-saw-treasure-in-junk.html OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR HOMESTEAD: Sign up for weekly musings from my homestead: https://jillwinger.substack.com/ Get my free homesteading tutorials & recipes here: www.theprairiehomestead.com Jill on Instagram: @jill.winger Jill on Facebook: http://facebook.com/theprairiehomestead Apply to be a guest on the Old-Fashioned on Purpose podcast: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/podcast-guest-application Did you enjoy listening to this episode? Please drop a comment below or leave a review to let us know. This can help other folks learn about this podcast and we also really appreciate the feedback!

In this episode, I’m giving you a virtual tour of my new old house: the big-picture pieces, the quirky challenges, the garden and yard details, and the interior spaces I’m slowly bringing back to life. I'm sharing the details on how my new old house isn’t polished or perfect, but there’s so much I already love about it, and how I’m learning a ton about how to focus on layers instead of going 'all in' on projects. Whether you're moving to a new place or simply feeling overwhelmed with your current one, I think this episode has some great tips to help you learn to love what you have. Podcast Episode Highlights: Giving you a virtual tour of my new old house Recent criticisms and my response Big picture stuff on my new place The challenges of a new home What I love about my new place My garden and yard details The interior of my new old house Focusing on layers Why growth isn't always good Final thoughts Resources Mentioned in This Podcast Episode: The Substack article on My New Old House: https://jillwinger.substack.com/p/the-new-old-house The blog article on My New Old House: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2026/05/the-new-old-house.html OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR HOMESTEAD: Sign up for weekly musings from my homestead: https://jillwinger.substack.com/ Get my free homesteading tutorials & recipes here: www.theprairiehomestead.com Jill on Instagram: @jill.winger Jill on Facebook: http://facebook.com/theprairiehomestead Apply to be a guest on the Old-Fashioned on Purpose podcast: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/podcast-guest-application Did you enjoy listening to this episode? Please drop a comment below or leave a review to let us know. This can help other folks learn about this podcast and we also really appreciate the feedback!

In this episode, I’m sharing the lessons I learned from one of my greatest teachers: my most difficult horse, Tag. We’ll talk about the specific lessons that I learned through lots of training and mentorships as well as why this tough training matters just as much for the human as it does for the horse. More than anything, Tag taught me that progress comes from hard work, paying attention, and learning to lead with clarity. Even if you don't own horses, I think there's lots of good thought-provoking parts that you'll still find interesting. Podcast Episode Highlights: Imposter syndrome issues with horse training Why mentorship is important Why it's your fault History about my horse Tag Unlocking the hindquarters Don't bend too much Self-regulation is key Not trapping him Splitting his attention Final thoughts Resources Mentioned in This Podcast Episode: Find your garden seeds and supplies at True Leaf Market and use the code: homestead15 for 15% off your order. Learn more about my book here: http://oldfashionedbook.com/ OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR HOMESTEAD: Sign up for weekly musings from my homestead: https://jillwinger.substack.com/ Get my free homesteading tutorials & recipes here: www.theprairiehomestead.com Jill on Instagram: @jill.winger Jill on Facebook: http://facebook.com/theprairiehomestead Apply to be a guest on the Old-Fashioned on Purpose podcast: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/podcast-guest-application Did you enjoy listening to this episode? Please drop a comment below or leave a review to let us know. This can help other folks learn about this podcast and we also really appreciate the feedback!

I thought the homesteading part of me had gone quiet—maybe even fizzled out. For a while, I blamed burnout, but I’m beginning to see there was something deeper happening beneath the surface: a reckoning with identity, purpose, and what naturally happens when the things you love become the things you do for a living. In this episode, I’m sharing my backstory with homesteading, my burnout, and the pivotal moment that brought me full circle. Join me as I share how I’m learning to keep the skills and interests that still feel alive while leaving behind the identity traps that no longer fit. Podcast Episode Highlights: My backstory When the things you love becomes a business Dealing with burnout Pivotal point that brought me full circle Keeping the skills and interests and not the identity traps What I'm leaving behind Final thoughts Resources Mentioned in This Podcast Episode: Find your garden seeds and supplies at True Leaf Market and use the code: homestead15 for 15% off your order. Learn about Meal Craft here: https://mealcraftmethod.com/ My podcast episode on identities: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/tph_podcasts/season-18-episode-16-when-good-identities-become-cages-and-how-to-break-free My podcast episode on current homesteading: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/tph_podcasts/season-18-episode-8-what-the-hell-happened-to-homesteading OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR HOMESTEAD: Sign up for weekly musings from my homestead: https://jillwinger.substack.com/ Get my free homesteading tutorials & recipes here: www.theprairiehomestead.com Jill on Instagram: @jill.winger Jill on Facebook: http://facebook.com/theprairiehomestead Apply to be a guest on the Old-Fashioned on Purpose podcast: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/podcast-guest-application Did you enjoy listening to this episode? Please drop a comment below or leave a review to let us know. This can help other folks learn about this podcast and we also really appreciate the feedback!

No matter how much my life shifts, I suppose I will always be the woman who starts seeds in late winter. Even in the midst of deep uncertainty. In this episode, I’m sharing what starting over looks like in my new garden. I’ll walk you through the new space, the first steps I’m taking to build a garden from scratch, and the goals I have for it both now and for the future. I’m sure these plans will shift and evolve over the coming months, but for now, this is where I’m beginning. Podcast Episode Highlights: Why I planted seeds this year My current garden burnout Why I decided to garden anyway Describing my new garden My new garden goals Growing microgreens Final thoughts Resources Mentioned in This Podcast Episode: Find your garden seeds and supplies at True Leaf Market and use the code: homestead15 for 15% off your order. Find Redmond's Soil Test Kit here: http://theprairiehomestead.com/soiltest Check out the pictures of my new garden in this post: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2026/05/starting-seeds-starting-over.html Here's my previous podcast episode on my garden plans that I refer to in today's episode: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/tph_podcasts/season-18-episode-9-im-not-planting-a-garden-this-year-heres-why OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR HOMESTEAD: Sign up for weekly musings from my homestead: https://jillwinger.substack.com/ Get my free homesteading tutorials & recipes here: www.theprairiehomestead.com Jill on Instagram: @jill.winger Jill on Facebook: http://facebook.com/theprairiehomestead Apply to be a guest on the Old-Fashioned on Purpose podcast: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/podcast-guest-application Did you enjoy listening to this episode? Please drop a comment below or leave a review to let us know. This can help other folks learn about this podcast and we also really appreciate the feedback!

In this deeply personal podcast episode, I’m sharing about walking through the biggest life transition I’ve ever faced. I reflect on how I got here, the vulnerability of being cracked open, and the strange mix of grief, relief, fear, and hope that can all exist at once. I also explore what not to say to someone in a tender season, how we often project our own stories & expectations onto other people’s lives, and why big transitions rarely fit neatly with cultural desires. This is my open & honest conversation about change, humanness, and learning to hold contradictory feelings with grace. Podcast Episode Highlights: My biggest life transition right now A slow unraveling The vulnerability & struggles What not to say to someone dealing with a big life transition How we project our stories on other people Contradictory feelings The cultural implications in society Being cracked open Final Thoughts Resources Mentioned in This Podcast Episode: Find your garden seeds and supplies at True Leaf Market and use the code: homestead15 for 15% off your order. OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR HOMESTEAD: Sign up for weekly musings from my homestead: https://jillwinger.substack.com/ Get my free homesteading tutorials & recipes here: www.theprairiehomestead.com Jill on Instagram: @jill.winger Jill on Facebook: http://facebook.com/theprairiehomestead Apply to be a guest on the Old-Fashioned on Purpose podcast: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/podcast-guest-application Did you enjoy listening to this episode? Please drop a comment below or leave a review to let us know. This can help other folks learn about this podcast and we also really appreciate the feedback!

Today, I’m exploring the power of identity and how it shapes us, anchors us, and sometimes quietly begins to confine us. Even the identities that are good and meaningful can become cages when we cling to them too tightly or start to outgrow the version of ourselves they were built around. In this episode, I unpack how to recognize when an identity is supporting you versus trapping you, the questions worth asking when everything starts to feel different, and the very real grief that can come with letting an old version of yourself go. Podcast Episode Highlights: Everything feels different My huge identity shifts over time Identities can be good AND bad (aka in the grey) Identities can become cages BECAUSE they are good Questions to ask yourself to see if your identity is helping you or not How to know when your identity is trapping you The grief connected to losing your identity Final thoughts on releasing identities Resources Mentioned in This Podcast Episode: Learn more about Aquatru here: www.aquatru.com Use the code HOMESTEAD to save 20% on your order Learn more about Meal Craft here: https://mealcraftmethod.com/ --> Use the code PODCAST for a $15 off discount on Meal Craft Earlier podcast episode I mentioned today: Season 18: Episode 6: The Magic of Not Belonging OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR HOMESTEAD: Sign up for weekly musings from my homestead: https://jillwinger.substack.com/ Get my free homesteading tutorials & recipes here: www.theprairiehomestead.com Jill on Instagram: @jill.winger Jill on Facebook: http://facebook.com/theprairiehomestead Apply to be a guest on the Old-Fashioned on Purpose podcast: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/podcast-guest-application Did you enjoy listening to this episode? Please drop a comment below or leave a review to let us know. This can help other folks learn about this podcast and we also really appreciate the feedback!

Learning to rope at 40 has humbled me in all the best and worst ways, because nothing exposes your ego faster than being a beginner in front of people who’ve been doing something their whole lives. In this episode, I’m talking about a phrase I’ve been repeating to myself in the branding pen: embarrassment is the cost of entry. We’ll explore what this phrase means, why so many of us feel threatened by embarrassment, our addictions to competence, the messy stage of growth, and the wonderful rewards that come from stepping out of our comfort zones. Podcast Episode Highlights: Thoughts on stepping out of our comfort zone Branding season is coming Embarrassment is the cost of entry (what this means) Why does embarrassment seem so threatening to us? Addiction to competence Growth is so important The reward... Final thoughts Resources Mentioned in This Podcast Episode: Learn more about Air Doctor here: airdoctorpro.com Use code HOMESTEAD to save up to $300 on your air doctor system Follow me on substack here: https://jillwinger.substack.com/ Learn more about Meal Craft here: https://mealcraftmethod.com/ --> Use the code PODCAST for a $15 off discount on Meal Craft OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR HOMESTEAD: Sign up for weekly musings from my homestead: https://jillwinger.substack.com/ Get my free homesteading tutorials & recipes here: www.theprairiehomestead.com Jill on Instagram: @jill.winger Jill on Facebook: http://facebook.com/theprairiehomestead Apply to be a guest on the Old-Fashioned on Purpose podcast: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/podcast-guest-application Did you enjoy listening to this episode? Please drop a comment below or leave a review to let us know. This can help other folks learn about this podcast and we also really appreciate the feedback!

In this podcast episode, I’m sharing what I’d do if I were starting an online business from scratch in 2026. I'll chat about my own business story, what’s changed in the online world, and the core principles I believe still matter most. If you’ve been dreaming about starting an online business of your own, this episode should give you some tips and encouragement as you start your own business adventure. Podcast Episode Highlights: Thoughts on making online businesses (and my own) My personal online business story Principle #1: Find a problem to solve or a person to help Principle #2: Show up as yourself Principle #3: Let's talk about AI... Principle #4: You have to commit Principle #5: Less sophisticated than you think Final thoughts Resources Mentioned in This Podcast Episode: Learn more about Meal Craft here: https://mealcraftmethod.com/ --> Use the code PODCAST for a $15 off discount on Meal Craft Interested in having some personalized coaching from me? Email me at: hello@theprairiehomestead.com and we'll talk details Get the 5 Minute Dinner Decision (free download) OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR HOMESTEAD: Sign up for weekly musings from my homestead: https://jillwinger.substack.com/ Get my free homesteading tutorials & recipes here: www.theprairiehomestead.com Jill on Instagram: @jill.winger Jill on Facebook: http://facebook.com/theprairiehomestead Apply to be a guest on the Old-Fashioned on Purpose podcast: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/podcast-guest-application Did you enjoy listening to this episode? Please drop a comment below or leave a review to let us know. This can help other folks learn about this podcast and we also really appreciate the feedback!

In this podcast episode, I’m sharing details on how I’m cooking these days. I'll explain why rigid recipes and traditional meal plans just don’t work well for our full, ever-changing family life. We’ll talk about the strategies and principles I lean on instead, including how to make peace with a more flexible approach to food, and why giving yourself permission to experiment can be so freeing. I’m also diving into the art of using leftovers creatively, wasting less, and building meals from what you already have on hand. Let's chat about how to start cooking with more confidence, less stress, and a whole lot more real life in mind. Podcast Episode Highlights: Life changes but I'm still passionate about food (it's just different now) The meal planning problem Strategy #1: Ingredient baseline Strategy #2: Not a recipe, but a category Strategy #3: Flexibility and leftovers Strategy #4: Figure out what needs to be used ASAP Principle #1: How to use frameworks Principle #2: Keep the building blocks on hand Principle #3: You can repeat things Principle #4: Make room for imperfect meals Practical example that I recently did Give yourself permission to play and experiment Resources Mentioned in This Podcast Episode: Learn more about Aquatru here: www.aquatru.com --> Use the code HOMESTEAD to save 20% on your order Learn more about Meal Craft here: https://mealcraftmethod.com/ --> Use the code PODCAST for a $15 off discount on Meal Craft Learn more about Azure Standard here: https://www.azurestandard.com/?a_aid=ANnu0O8ySU Helpful blog posts on building up your pantry: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2021/10/how-to-store-and-use-bulk-pantry-goods.html and https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2021/09/how-to-store-a-years-worth-of-food-for-your-family-without-waste-and-overwhelm.html OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR HOMESTEAD: Sign up for weekly musings from my homestead: https://jillwinger.substack.com/ Get my free homesteading tutorials & recipes here: www.theprairiehomestead.com Jill on Instagram: @jill.winger Jill on Facebook: http://facebook.com/theprairiehomestead Apply to be a guest on the Old-Fashioned on Purpose podcast: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/podcast-guest-application Did you enjoy listening to this episode? Please drop a comment below or leave a review to let us know. This can help other folks learn about this podcast and we also really appreciate the feedback!