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

In today’s episode, I’m sitting down with Jillian from Sprouting Arrows to talk about something at the heart of the Homestead Challenge: remembering your why. Even though our paths look a little different—she homeschools, I don’t; she’s deeply driven by her faith, I have a different approach—we’re both working toward the same goal: creating a life that centers around family, simplicity, and purpose. Jillian shares her family's journey from living on two incomes (and unknowingly overspending) to thriving on less than $50,000 a year—all while growing closer as a family and living more intentionally. We dive deep into real-world tips for living frugally, finding joy at home, breaking free from consumer culture, and overcoming the pressure to "keep up" with others online or in real life. Whether you're dreaming of stepping back from the rush, spending more time with your family, or finding ways to live fully without overextending yourself—this conversation will encourage you and show you what’s possible. What we cover in this episode: Jillian’s journey to frugal living and her mindset shifts along the way How living with less has brought more joy, health, and connection to her family Practical ways to save money without feeling deprived Homesteading on a tight budget: creative ways to build a garden and make from-scratch living affordable Managing technology use and building peaceful, present rhythms at home Handling extracurricular activities in a way that doesn’t overwhelm your family life Tips for battling comparison—both online and in real life Why remembering your why makes all the difference when you're tempted to quit Resources Mentioned: Brittany: The Homestead Challenge Jillian:  Sprouting Arrows Enjoyed this episode? If this conversation encouraged you, take a screenshot and tag us on Instagram! You can find me at @brittanylgibson and Jillian at @sproutingarrows.

Spring has officially arrived, and with it… a whole lot of weeds. But what if I told you that some of those wild plants popping up in your yard right now are actually useful herbs? In this episode of The Homestead Challenge, we’re talking about 8 common backyard “weeds” that show up in early spring—like violets, chickweed, stinging nettle, garlic mustard, and more—and how you can use them safely and simply in your homestead routines. You’ll learn: Which backyard weeds are edible or medicinal (and which are invasive) How to tell them apart from lookalikes without getting overwhelmed Which herbs are helpful for spring allergies, skin soothing, and more Why it’s totally okay not to use every single wild plant you find Whether you’re brand new to foraging or just curious about what’s sprouting near your garden beds, this episode will give you confidence and clarity as you learn what nature is offering right in your own yard. ✨ Mentioned in this episode: Nettle Lemonade Recipe on the Blog Violet Face Serum 👉 Ready to start noticing what’s growing around you? Tune in, take a walk with me, and let’s dig into some springtime inspiration.

Ever feel stuck trying to make your homestead perfect? I've been there! In today's episode, I'm sharing personal stories and practical tips about why embracing progress over perfection can transform your homesteading journey from stressful to joyful. In this episode, you'll hear: Why "done" truly is better than "perfect," and how simple tasks (like assembling shelves!) can illustrate this mindset. How perfectionism often disguises itself as endless research, leading to burnout or inaction. Real-life examples of how imperfect actions, from gardening to cooking, yield meaningful growth and satisfaction. Encouragement to embrace the "homemade-ish" approach and why every step forward counts, no matter how small. Mentioned in this episode: The Homestead Collective – Join our monthly membership for support, resources, and practical ways to incorporate homesteading skills into your busy life. The Homestead Challenge Facebook Group – Share your imperfect (and joyful!) homesteading progress with our supportive community. Remember, your family doesn't need perfection—they just need you to show up. So let's embrace the imperfections and enjoy the journey! Share your imperfect homesteading wins with us! We’d love to see your progress in the Facebook group.

Deciding where to plant things can feel like a total mystery—especially when Instagram says one thing and your neighbor’s doing another. So let’s talk it through, without the pressure to get it “perfect.” In this episode, I’m breaking down the pros and practical uses for containers, raised beds, and in-ground gardening—plus how I decide where to put what in my own small-space garden. We’ll chat: What to plant in containers (and why peppers love my grow bags!) The crops that thrive in raised beds (especially if you’ve got heavy soil) When to give in-ground gardening a go—and how to make it work without fancy gear Why you have to experiment in your space and not just copy what works for someone else How I’m planning my garden this year (hint: it’s a mix of whimsy, practicality, and learning as I go) Whether you’re just getting started or want to make better use of the space you’ve got, this episode will help you feel more confident in choosing what goes where—with plenty of encouragement to try, fail, and try again.   🎧 Listen in and then come share what you’re planting where this year inside our free Homestead Challenge Facebook Group! ✨ Want support, ideas, and encouragement each season? Join The Homestead Collective — our private membership to help you build homesteading rhythms that actually fit your life.

When most people start homesteading, they jump straight to the fun stuff—sourdough, chickens, herbal remedies. But here's the truth: If your kitchen isn’t in rhythm, everything else feels harder. In this episode, I’m sharing why meal planning is the foundation of a sustainable, low-stress homestead—especially if you’re busy, in a season of life with limited time, or balancing a million things at once. 🌱 Whether you’re just getting started or trying to finally feel like you’re doing the thing—this episode will help you reset, simplify, and build a foundation you can grow on. Mentioned in this episode: 👩‍🌾 Join the Meal Plan Momentum challenge (free!) inside our Facebook group 👉 The Homestead Challenge Facebook Group ✨ Want to go deeper and build systems that stick? Check out The Homestead Collective Enjoyed this episode? Please hit subscribe/follow, leave a quick review, and share it with a friend who’s trying to juggle real life and homesteading dreams. You’re not alone—and you don’t have to do it all perfectly to make it work.

Tired of babysitting your garden all summer long? In this episode, we’re digging into the real MVPs of the garden—the plants that practically take care of themselves. I’m sharing a list of weird, wonderful, and wildly easy plants that give you an amazing harvest without demanding much of your time or energy. Whether you're short on bandwidth, just starting out, or simply want to build a more sustainable setup, these low-maintenance picks are for you. Resources & Links Mentioned: Learn more about The Homestead Collective: https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/collective Join our free community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thehomesteadchallengecommunity

In today’s episode, I’m sharing the three biggest mistakes I made when I first started homesteading in the city—and what finally helped me stop burning out and start building a lifestyle that actually felt good. Whether you’re just getting started or you've been at this a while, I hope this episode feels like a big exhale. I’ll also walk you through a super simple five-minute mindset shift that can help you refocus this week and let go of what’s not serving you.   Links + Resources: 🌱 Join our free Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thehomesteadchallengecommunity 🖨️ Free mindset printable: https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/homestead-mindset/ 💛 Learn about The Homestead Collective: https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/collective/ Let’s Connect: Send in your episode requests at https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/podcast/ Or come say hi on Instagram: @brittanylgibson

Let’s be honest — remembering to water the garden can be really hard when life is full of kids, work, laundry piles, and approximately one zillion other things. In today’s episode, we’re talking about realistic, no-pressure strategies to help you keep your garden alive and thriving without needing a perfect routine. I’m sharing my favorite habit stacking tricks, visual cues, and time-saving hacks that have helped me stay consistent — even on the busiest days. Whether you’re a tired parent, a working homesteader, or just someone who forgets to water (same), this episode will give you a breath of fresh air and practical ideas you can try this week. Mentioned in This Episode: Join The Homestead Collective: https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/collective/ Follow along on Instagram: @brittanylgibson Leave a Review & Share! If this episode helped you feel less overwhelmed and more empowered in the garden, it would mean so much if you left a review or shared it with a friend who could use a little garden encouragement.

Do you ever start a season full of homestead goals—sourdough, gardening, preserving—and then lose steam halfway through? You’re not alone. In this episode, I’m sharing the real reason so many of us struggle to follow through on our homesteading plans, and a simple mindset shift that will help you stay consistent (even when life gets busy). We’ll break down what I call the Accountability Triangle—clarity, support, and consistency—and how those three things can transform your homesteading journey. 💻 Links & Resources: 🔗 Join The Homestead Collective: https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/collective/ 💬 Come say hi on Instagram → @brittanylgibson 📍Join our free Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thehomesteadchallengecommunity

Welcome to The Homestead Collective! In this episode, I’m giving you a behind-the-scenes tour of everything waiting for you inside this supportive, no-pressure homesteading community. Whether you’re brand new or just want to get oriented, this episode will help you: 🌿 Understand the heart behind The Homestead Collective 📦 Learn what’s included (monthly themes, private podcast episodes, printable tools + more) ✨ Know exactly where to start so you don’t get overwhelmed 💬 Feel connected, encouraged, and ready to take your next step This isn’t about doing it all. It’s about doing what matters—with the support of a like-minded community beside you. Links Mentioned: 👉 Watch the private video workshop (available for 3 days only): Get on the Email List at https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/podcast 👉 Join the waitlist for The Homestead Collective: https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/collective 👉 Follow me on Instagram: @brittanylgibson