Small Scale Life Podcast

As we say goodbye and good riddance to 2020 and usher in the New Year, I am excited to kick off 2021 and set the tone. Relax and Meditate to Water Sounds from Quarderer Creek in Barron, Wisconsin. This is a Small Scale Life Podcast and YouTube video. Quaderer Creek is a stream that flows from just north of a small town named Hillsdale towards Barron, Wisconsin. It connects to the Yellow River in downtown Barron. Before it connects to the Yellow River, Quarderer Creek flows through a Waterfowl Management Project. This is a pond created by a earth and boulder dam near the intersections of 12th Avenue and 13th Street (JUST southwest of Barron, Wisconsin). The water flows through the dam, and it created an interesting sound. As I always say, each body of water (creek, stream, river and even a lake) has its own song and its own voice, and sometimes that changes depending on the season, flow and part of the body of water you record. As we step firmly into 2021, take a few minutes to relax and think where you want to go this year and in the future. We have a clean slate, an open book, a clear canvas and open waters ahead. We choose our path forward. Think about it, and move forward with confidence in 2021. Of course, you can think deeply about these subjects with one of our Water Sounds Meditation episodes on the Small Scale Life Podcast or Water Sounds Meditation Videos on the Small Scale Life YouTube Channel. And now, Relax and Meditate to Water Sounds from Quaderer Creek in Barron, Wisconsin here is the first Small Scale Life Podcast and YouTube Video. Happy New Year!

In this Small Scale Life YouTube video and Podcast Episode, I am having Tea Time with Red Dragon Herbs and Teas. We are going to be talking about backyard homesteading and starting a small business from home. Who knows? Maybe Ryan’s story will motivate you to try that small side hustle that brings in extra income for you and your family. You never know! Red Dragon Herbs and Teas is a small tea business from Des Moines, Iowa. Ryan and Mary Lewellin started Red Dragon Herb and Teas in 2015, and they have grown the business through word of mouth and at local (and sometimes not so local) farmer’s markets. This is their story of international travel and tea tasting, humble beginnings, government regulations and overcoming. It’s tea time! Grab your favorite cup of tea, put on your headphones and enjoy the show! For more information, links and a special DISCOUNT CODE for Red Dragon Herbs and Teas, go to Small Scale Life and find the article titled "Tea Time with Red Dragon Herbs and Teas" (or just click this text to take you there directly). (https://www.smallscalelife.com/tea-time-with-red-dragon-herbs-and-teas/)

In our historic 180th Episode of the Small Scale Life Podcast, Julie and I talk about Discovering our Homestead that we have named Eagle's Ridge! We tell the story and walk you through the following topics: Hall of Heroes - Gratitude Chaos in the Time of COVID Consolidation and Remote Working Homeschooling Our Crazy 2020 Discovering Star Prairie, Wisconsin "I blame Jules" Each river has its own tune and song Finding and Buying Eagle's Ridge The Universe is Talking to Us and.... "I blame Jules" Our Vision for Eagle's Ridge "Let the River take Ya where it takes Ya!" Ending with Gratitude How about You? Julie asked a question at the end of the show: if you have built a home or homestead from scratch like we are, we would love to hear from your and hear your story! We would love to hear your Lessons Learned, tips, tricks and advice as we begin this journey and build Eagle's Ridge Homestead! For more links and information, head over to Small Scale Life and click on the "Eagles Ridge: Discovering Our Homestead" post or the Eagles Ridge Homestead Tab! (https://www.smallscalelife.com/eagles-ridge-homestead/)

In this Small Scale Life YouTube video and Podcast Episode, I publishing Meditation: Tree of Life. My hope is that this will help you during the chaotic holidays. With new restrictions and rules stressing families at the holidays, I thought this was the right time to say “thank you” to our great audience and give you something that will soothe nerves and allow you to relax. What is the Tree of Life? For those of you unfamiliar with the Tree of Life concept and icon, it is a symbol in many world religions. For a quick definition: • The Tree of Life, connects all forms of creation • The Tree of Knowledge connects heaven and the underworld Both forms of the world tree or cosmic tree and are portrayed in various religions and philosophies as the same tree. The Tree of Life is a symbol in many world religions including: Germanic, Norse and Slavic Religions Native American Religions Central and South American Religions Christianity Judaism Islam Hinduism Buddhism Church of Latter Day Saints Other Ancient Middle Eastern Religions in Iraq and Turkey While we all might have different beliefs and deities, we all seem to agree on one thing: the Tree of Life is incredibly important. As I explored Northwestern Wisconsin this fall, I discovered a little island in the middle of the St. Croix River. A tree was growing on the island, and this place seemed really special. The sight of this tree gracefully swaying in the wind and the sound of the clear St. Croix River that surrounded it just spoke to me. As I think about the Tree of Life, its meaning and its significance, I know some have examples from around the globe. I have seen massive trees in Hawaii, and I know there are huge redwoods in the Pacific Northwest, massive banyan trees in the tropics, towering trees in the rainforest and even sacred trees on the African Plain. For me, this tree on the island had a lot of meaning. It wasn’t the biggest tree in the woods; it wasn’t the tallest. It has many trunks that split off in many different directions. However, the birds are attracted to it, and if a person or animal wanted to get to this tree on the island, they would have to make a sacrifice to get there. They would have to wade into the cold waters, step over the stones and sand, and climb the bank to get to the tree. Much like Odin, Christ and other gods, a sacrifice must be made to reach that Tree of Life: it does not come easy or free. At some point, we hope to get what we put into our efforts and relationships, and hopefully you will feel some of that love come back to you for your efforts, hard work and sacrifices this holiday season. I hope you enjoy this Meditation Podcast Episode and Video titled “Tree of Life,” and I hope you have a great Thanksgiving holiday.

Helping people: that's what drives so many entrepreneurs. These brave folks have talents, skills, ideas and most importantly the gumption to get up and address needs in their communities. Hey, everyone, this is Tom your host of the Small Scale Life Podcast. I am glad you are here! In this Escape Velocity Series Podcast and Video on Small Scale Life, I have the honor of interviewing Kris Geissler. Kris saw a need to provide driver’s education in her community, and she started the Northfield Area School of Driving to help teach students how to drive safely. Who is Kris Geissler? Kris is a single mom and has a background in special education. She went from the St. Peter Security Hospital to teaching. She wanted to help students who were struggling in school in an effort to prevent them from going down a dark path. Kris has a passion to help these students succeed in school and life. Northfield is a community south of the Twin Cities and home to St. Olaf College, Carleton Collage and Malt-O-Meal. It is far enough from the Twin Cities that it is beautiful bedroom community with small town charm, but it is big enough that there are needs for students and people that go unfulfilled. One of those needs was driver’s education. There were no driver’s education classes available to local students. Kris saw that need and started her school to address that need in the Northfield area, especially when Community Education said "no." Do You See a Need? Do you see a need for a product or service? Maybe this podcast episode is just what you need to hear to make you START. That is the most difficult thing: overcoming your fear and starting. It is my goal to inspire you to take that step forward and begin. Escape Velocity is achieved after you get some momentum and small successes. The key, however, is to start! What's holding you back? Think about it as you listen to Kris Geissler’s story about her Amazing Driver’s Education in Northfield, Minnesota!

Have you ever wondered how to start and build a podcast? This is Tom from the Small Scale Life Podcast, and even though I have been podcasting for five years, I am naturally curious how people start their online podcast business. My friend Mr. Tactical Jay and I had a chance to pick the brain of author and podcaster Glen Tate, and in this podcast episode, we are going to discuss How to Start and Build a Podcast Business with Glen Tate. In case you don’t know who these esteemed guests are, let me introduce them to you. • Glen Tate is a lawyer, the author of the 299 Days book series and co-host of the Prepping 2.0 Podcast and syndicated radio show. • Mr. Tactical Jay is my good friend and frequent guest on the Small Scale Life Podcast. He hails from somewhere on the East Coast where he is involved in healthcare and a firefighter. We recorded this podcast live on the Small Scale Life YouTube Channel on the day after the election. While this is part of a longer hour and a half Live Stream on the Small Scale Life YouTube Channel, I ran into some file size limitations with Fireside, which is my podcast hosting service. This was an interesting discussion, and given the interest that some folks that I have been talking to lately, I figured this would be a timely discussion. You can find the first part of our conversation with Glen Tate and Shelby Gallagher titled “How to Become a Gray Man or Woman” on smallscalelife.com (https://www.smallscalelife.com/how-to-become-the-gray-man-or-woman), the Small Scale Life YouTube Channel and podcast apps everywhere! You can find the links for this show and the 6 (plus one bonus) Key Points to consider when starting a business on smallscalelife.com, so head over there to get more information including notes and links.

In this 176th Episode of the Small Scale Life Podcast, we discuss Becoming the Gray Man or Woman with Glen Tate, Shelby Gallagher and Mr. Tactical Jay. In case you don’t know who these guests are, let me introduce them to you. Glen Tate is a lawyer, the author of the 299 Days book series and co-host of the Prepping 2.0 Podcast and syndicated radio show. Shelby Gallagher is author of the Great State book series and co-host of the Prepping 2.0 Podcast and syndicated radio show. Mr. Tactical Jay is my good friend and frequent guest on the Small Scale Life Podcast. He hails from somewhere on the East Coast where he is involved in healthcare and a firefighter. Becoming the Gray Man or Woman We live in incredibly uncertain times, and there are threats all around us: in our community, online and on the road. As we look at the current events and what has happened in 2020 to date, it is quite clear that we are entering a new era in the United States. It isn’t getting easier for people. I define “Being Resilient” as being able to withstand incredible challenges and adversity while we keep moving towards our goals. Being cancelled or erased clearly is a catastrophic event for many people, so the question is: How do you become a gray man or woman in uncertain times and in this increasingly technocratic and surveillance-heavy world? For links and show notes, please see the article titled Becoming a Gray Man or Woman with Glen Tate and Shelby Gallagher on smallscalelife.com.

In this 175th Episode of the Small Scale Life Podcast, I am going to be talking about Escape Velocity: Blogging is Art with Atlantis Gazette. What is Atlantis Gazette? The Atlantis Gazette is an art, business and lifestyle blogging and podcast project started by my friend Cal Massey from California. As he describes in this episode, Atlantis is a mythical and fictional city that disappeared under the ocean. The Atlantis Gazette, however, is a newspaper dedicated to people doing cool things in the world. Cal Massey is just starting out and outlining his plans for this platform. What is Escape Velocity? This is part of a new project here on Small Scale Life called “Escape Velocity.” Many people have ideas, dreams or even goals for starting a side hustle or business; however, they never act and never start. Some launch and fail. Others launch and get enough momentum to escape the gravitational pull of an ordinary life, job or career and start a new side hustle and business. Through the Escape Velocity Podcasts, I am hoping to document lessons learned as people push forward on their side hustles or small businesses. For more information and links, please see the article and podcast episode posted on the article titled Escape Velocity: Blogging is Art with Atlantis Gazette on smallscalelife.com.

In this Small Scale Life Podcast episode, I am going to be talking about Gardening Tips and Advice with the Texas Tornadoes Drew Demler and Michael Bell. In case you don’t know who Drew Demler and Michael Bell are, here is a quick introduction: • Drew Demler is the Director of Horticulture at Big Tex Urban Farms at the State Fair of Texas. While Big Tex is a big hydroponic operation, Drew also grows vegetables at his house along his driveway. • Michael Bell is the owner and operator of Dallas Half Acre Farms. When not planting thousands of salad greens plugs at 5:00 in the morning, he enjoys scooping rabbit poop in his backyard. Both gentlemen give some great Gardening Tips and Advice that we can all use to improve our gardens and quality of our plants. To find out more, check out the post titled "Gardening Tips and Advice with Demler and Bell" on Small Scale Life by clicking on this text for a direct link. (https://www.smallscalelife.com/gardening-tips-and-advice-with-demler-and-bell/)

In this 5 Year Anniversary of Small Scale Life Podcast episode, I am going to be talking about Practicing Gratitude for the Good, Bad and the Ugly. There is so much to be thankful for after starting this project 5 years ago. I recently posted the following quote on the Small Scale Life Instagram feed: “It’s hard to have a bad day when you START your day with gratitude.” Truth be told, I didn’t just develop this quote out of thin air. Julie says it around the house (now around the apartment) a lot, and it is true. Practicing gratitude and being thankful really does change our outlook on life and results in helping us lead happier lives. In this episode, I will be discussing 9 steps for practing gratitude in your own life. I am not an expert in this yet, but I am trying these steps out in my own life. For more information, please see the article titled "Practicing Gratitude for the Good, Bad and the Ugly" on smallscalelife.com! (https://www.smallscalelife.com/practicing-gratitude/)