The Homestead Challenge Podcast | Suburban Homesteading, Gardening, Food From Scratch, Sustainable Living
Health & Wellness Podcasts
Do you feel like you want to cook from scratch, grow more of your own food, or live intentionally—but never have the time or energy to do it all? Tried diving headfirst into homesteading only to end up overwhelmed, burnt out, or wondering where to...
Location:
United States
Genres:
Health & Wellness Podcasts
Description:
Do you feel like you want to cook from scratch, grow more of your own food, or live intentionally—but never have the time or energy to do it all? Tried diving headfirst into homesteading only to end up overwhelmed, burnt out, or wondering where to even begin? You’re not alone. If you’re ready to build a homestead life that actually works with your modern, busy schedule—this podcast is for you. Inside The Homestead Challenge, you’ll find time-saving routines, realistic strategies, and practical tips to help you simplify home systems, grow what you can, and start living from scratch—without the pressure to do it all perfectly. Hey friend. I’m Brittany—crunchy mom, city homesteader, and your go-to for making slow living possible in real life. I tried the all-at-once approach to homesteading… and crashed hard into burnout. Turns out, trying to master everything at once just wastes time, money, and a whole lot of mental energy. But here’s the good news: homesteading doesn’t have to be all or nothing. You can do this in small steps that make a big impact. If you’re ready to create a from-scratch lifestyle with more rhythm and less chaos—grab that sourdough starter from the back of the fridge... it’s time to rise. https://thehomesteadchallenge.com
Language:
English
Episodes
Ep 200. Is Homesteading Worth It? My Honest Experience After 200 Epsiodes
4/30/2026
We’re celebrating 200 episodes of The Homestead Challenge podcast by reflecting on what homesteading has really brought into my life. In this episode, I’m answering a few candid questions about how I got started, how my definition of homesteading has changed, and why I still choose this lifestyle—even in busy seasons. If you’ve ever felt like you’re not doing enough, this is your reminder that homesteading can be simple, flexible, and rooted in what brings you peace.
https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/thehomesteadchallengecommunity
Duration:00:29:16
Ep 199. Start These Herbal Products Now Before Summer
4/28/2026
In this episode, we’re talking about the simple herbal products we should start now before summer hits—because things like bug spray, salves, and infused sprays take time to steep. We walk through what we’re making right now (like herbal bug spray, dried mint for tea, and calendula salve) and how to think ahead so summer feels easier and more prepared.
https://thehomesteadchallenge.com
Duration:00:13:48
Ep 198. The Weird Garden Lull: How to Reset Your Systems Before Harvest Season
4/24/2026
We’re talking about the spring-to-summer transition in the garden and that weird lull where everything is planted but harvest hasn’t fully begun. We walk through simple systems we’re resetting now—like herb drying stations, freezer clean-outs, harvest flow, and kitchen organization—to make summer easier and less overwhelming. If you want to stay ahead of the chaos and actually enjoy your garden this season, this episode will help you set up rhythms that work in real life.
https://thehomesteadchallenge.com
Duration:00:25:32
Ep 197. 3 Things to Do with Spring Herbs (Before You Get Overwhelmed)
4/21/2026
We’re talking about what to do with the spring herbs you can harvest right now—whether you’re foraging things like dandelion and chickweed or clipping herbs from your garden like chives and mint. If you’ve ever picked herbs and then felt stuck, this episode walks you through three simple ways to use them, plus how to harvest without ruining the plant. It’s a practical, no-pressure way to start actually using what’s growing around you this season.
https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/
Duration:00:19:37
Ep 196. Vertical Tower Gardens for Real Life Homesteaders
4/17/2026
We’re talking all about vertical tower gardens (like GreenStalks)—why we love them, who they’re actually good for, and how they can fit into real life no matter your space. We’re sharing what we’re planting in ours this year, the honest differences between budget vs. higher-end options, and how you can even create a full herbal tea garden in one simple setup.
https://thehomesteadchallenge.com
Duration:00:23:36
Ep 195. Spring Foraging for Beginners from What's Already Growing in Your Backyard
4/14/2026
We’re talking about spring foraging for beginners and the easiest way to start—right in your own backyard. In this episode, we cover how to identify and use common edible weeds and wild herbs like henbit, dead nettle, stinging nettle, dandelion, wild violets, chickweed, plantain, garlic mustard, and wild chives, plus when to harvest different parts for the best flavor and benefits. If you’ve been curious about foraging but feel overwhelmed, this is your simple, no-pressure guide to finding edible plants growing around you this spring.
https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/violet-face-serum/
Duration:00:21:53
Ep 194. The Truth About Organic Pest Control for Your Garden
4/7/2026
We’re talking about organic pest control for your garden—what it really means, when to step in, and when to let things go. After dealing with an unexpected aphid issue on my seedlings, I’m sharing the products I actually use, how I think about health and exposure, and how to make these decisions without overthinking every little thing.
https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/companion-planting/
Duration:00:21:18
Ep 193. Don't Get Fooled at the Plant Nursery (and What to Watch For)
4/3/2026
We’re talking about how to avoid common plant nursery mistakes—from “healthy” looking plants that struggle after transplanting to soil deals that aren’t actually deals. We’ll walk through what to look for so we can shop smarter, save money, and grow a more successful garden this season.
https://thehomesteadchallenge.com
Duration:00:20:51
Ep 192. I Tried to Make Spring Easier... Here's What Actually Happened
3/31/2026
We thought prepping in March would make spring feel calm and manageable—but real life had other plans. In this episode, we’re talking about what’s actually helping right now, what we’re letting go of, and how we’re redefining “enough” during a busy, chaotic season.
15 Minute Routine: https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/routine/
Duration:00:16:40
Ep 191. The Summer Cooking System that Keeps Us Eating Real Food
3/27/2026
In this episode, we’re sharing the simple summer cooking system that helps us keep feeding our families real food without spending all evening in the kitchen. We’re talking about using the crockpot, making a few basics ahead of time, and creating an easy rhythm that works with our busy summer days.
https://thehomesteadchallenge.com
Duration:00:12:01
Ep 190. Dry Goods to Prep Now for an Easier Garden Season
3/24/2026
In this episode, we’re talking about simple dry goods and convenience mixes we can prep now to make busy garden season so much easier. We walk through easy ideas like brownie mix, cornbread mix, and seasoning blends that help us cook from scratch without the extra time and mess. This is all about reducing mental load and setting ourselves up for a more peaceful, doable summer.
https://thehomesteadchallenge.com https://www.facebook.com/groups/thehomesteadchallengecommunity
Duration:00:15:31
Ep 189. How to Decide What Foods are Worth Growing vs. Buying
3/20/2026
We’re heading into spring and taking a realistic look at what foods are actually worth growing versus just buying, using our own pantry habits as the guide. In this episode, we walk through simple filters to help us decide what makes sense for our space, budget, and goals—so we can grow with intention and skip the overwhelm.
https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/pantry/
Duration:00:30:41
Ep 188. Let Your Pantry Tell You What to Grow this Year
3/13/2026
In this episode of The Homestead Challenge, we kick off the Make It March series by looking at our pantries to help decide what we should grow in our gardens this year. Instead of planting randomly, we talk about how noticing what we actually eat, run out of, and keep buying can guide smarter garden planning and help us waste less food. This simple pantry inventory helps us connect our grocery habits, pantry staples, and garden goals before the busy growing season begins.
https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/thehomesteadchallengecommunity
Duration:00:17:10
Ep 187. The Only Cleaning Ingredients You Really Need at Home
3/10/2026
In this episode, we’re talking about the simple natural cleaning ingredients to keep on hand so you can clean almost anything without buying a cabinet full of products. I’ll walk you through what vinegar, baking soda, washing soda, castile soap, peroxide, and alcohol actually do — plus which ones truly disinfect and when it’s really necessary. If you want a practical, low-pressure approach to non-toxic cleaning, this episode will help you stock your home with confidence.
https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/all-natural-cleaning-supplies/
Duration:00:14:30
Ep 186. Hidden Toxic Items in Your Home (That You Can Remove Today for FREE!)
3/6/2026
In this episode, we’re talking about free ways to reduce toxins in our homes without buying new cleaning products or supplies. We’ll walk through simple changes like removing plug-in air fresheners, skipping dryer sheets, cleaning our cleaning tools, and tackling hidden dust zones that hold onto pollutants. If you want a healthier home this spring without spending money, these small changes can make a surprisingly big impact.
https://thehomesteadchallenge.com
Duration:00:16:42
Ep 185. Where to Start with Non-Toxic Cleaning (Without Throwing Everything Away)
3/3/2026
In this episode, we’re diving into non-toxic spring cleaning and how to switch to natural cleaning products without throwing everything away. We’ll walk through a simple, low-pressure plan for replacing conventional cleaners — starting with laundry detergent, dish soap, and everyday household products — plus what I actually use in my own home. If you’ve been wanting a healthier home without the overwhelm, this episode will help you start non-toxic cleaning one realistic swap at a time.
https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/category/sustainable-living/home/
Duration:00:22:30
Ep 184. Apothecary February Herbal Q&A
2/27/2026
In today’s episode, we’re wrapping up Apothecary February with a relaxed herbal Q&A. I’m answering your questions about overwintering herbs, how I store dried medicinal herbs, and how long they really last.
We also talk about the five herbs I’d grow if I could only choose a few, natural herbs for seasonal allergies like nettle and mullein, and why homemade herbal skincare is one of the biggest “bang for your buck” projects. It’s a cozy, honest close to a month of building a simple, no-pressure home apothecary.
https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/
Duration:00:21:40
Ep 183. Tea Talk: Herbs I Love and Brewing Wisdom
2/24/2026
In this episode of The Homestead Challenge Podcast, we’re having a cozy tea talk all about herbal tea for beginners. I’m sharing the herbs I actually use most often (like chamomile, lemon balm, nettle, hibiscus, and marshmallow root), how I brew herbal infusions and decoctions at home, and simple tips for blending loose leaf tea.
We’ll also talk about rosemary tea benefits, how to make herbal tea stronger for medicinal support, and when tea might not be the best herbal preparation (like when you need something fast or more concentrated). If you’re learning how to brew herbal tea for stress, digestion, hydration, or seasonal immune support, this episode will help you feel more confident using herbs at home — without overwhelm.
Plus, I’ll share how I make tea a simple daily ritual in real life as a busy mom and home herbalist. 🌿☕
Spring Garden Summit: https://thehomesteadchallenge--audreyslittlefarm.thrivecart.com/gsk26-fast-action/679740ca1cb5c/
https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/how-to-brew-herbal-tea-infusions-and-decoctions/
Duration:00:21:35
Ep 182. The Backyard First Aid Garden: Herbs to Grow for Real Life Emergencies
2/20/2026
In this episode, we’re talking about building a simple backyard first aid kit using herbs you can grow or forage. From calendula salve for scrapes and dry skin to plantain for bee stings, yarrow for minor bleeding support, lavender for soothing burns, and even cayenne for emergency clotting response — these are practical, real-life herbs for everyday situations. If you’re planning your garden, this episode will give you ideas for herbs that are both beautiful and useful. 🌿
Spring Gardening Summit: https://springgardeningsummit.com/sign-up/?affiliate=thehomesteadchallenge
Duration:00:19:11
Ep 181. Herbs for Gut Health
2/17/2026
In this episode of The Homestead Challenge Podcast, we’re talking all about gut health — from mouth to intestines and everything in between. Brittany shares how the digestive system connects to the nervous system and immune system, and why so many modern health struggles may begin in the gut.
You’ll learn practical herbs for common digestive issues, including chamomile, peppermint, and ginger for upset stomachs, marshmallow root and flax for constipation, blackberry leaf and slippery elm for diarrhea support, and how digestive bitters like dandelion root can strengthen digestion over time. She also explains where turmeric fits into daily gut support and briefly touches on parasite-cleansing herbs in a balanced, realistic way.
This episode focuses on gentle, daily herbal support — not extreme cleanses — and how small, consistent habits can help you build a healthier digestive system over time.
https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/what-are-herbal-bitters/
Duration:00:20:25