Old Fashioned On Purpose
Self-Improvement
About
Have you felt it? Something is rippling through humanity at this moment. It's a stirring... a longing... a remembering. A sense that we are more capable than we’ve been led to believe. We want to feel alive, not sedated.. but we've lost our way. We've traded a life intertwined with nature for asphalt and artificial lights. We've swapped natural movement for a sedentary existence. We've given up food from the earth in favor of food from the factory. We've sacrificed our traditional skillsets for apps and gadgets. But while our overdose on modernity may have made us sick, there is an antidote. Join best-selling author and mentor, Jill Winger, each week as she digs into a different facet of the old-fashioned on purpose lifestyle.
Episodes
- S18: E16: When Good Identities Become Cages (and how to break free)
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 outgro…
- S18: E15: Embarrassment is the Cost of Entry
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 phra…
- S18: E14: If I Were Starting a Business in 2026, This is How I'd Do It
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…
- S18: E13: How I'm Cooking These Days
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 princip…
- S18: E12: These are the Books I Can't Stop Thinking About
In this podcast episode, I'm going to share the books that have been most impactful on my life. I’ve read a lot of books over the years, but these are the ones that truly changed me. They influenced how I see the world, how I make decision…
- S18: E11: What I've Learned from Running a Business in a Town of 175
After reviving the oldest operating soda fountain in the state of Wyoming, I can tell you firsthand that there is something deeply meaningful about bringing an old place back to life. Yet, like most things we romanticize from a distance, i…
- S18: E10: Competence, Not Cosplay: How to Keep What Works, Drop the Rest
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about what old-fashioned living might look like for me in the coming year and beyond. I’ve been considering which skills and rhythms I want to embrace, and which ones I need to release. In this podcast epis…
- S18: E9: I'm Not Planting a Garden This Year. Here's Why.
For the first time in almost 20 years, I'm not planting a garden. In this podcast episode, I'm sharing what happened in my garden last year and why I'm taking a break. I'll also share some deep thoughts about obligation and what I'm going…
- S18: E8: What the Hell Happened to Homesteading?
I’ve been wanting to talk about this for a while…but the risk of sounding like a crotchety old gatekeeper, I haven’t… In this podcast episode, I'm sharing my thoughts on what happened to the modern homesteading movement and why I've been f…
- S18: E7: My Horse Journey (aka Finally Coming Home to Myself)
If you’ve been listening or following me for a while, then you already know that horses have been a love of mine since childhood. In this podcast episode, listen in as I talk about my horse journey, from childhood to present times. Along t…
- S18: E6: The Magic of Not Belonging
I’ve never really belonged. Not in the dramatic, “nobody understands me” way. More in the quiet, lifelong way—like I’ve always been standing half a step outside of whatever circle I’m supposed to slide into. But I’ve finally realized somet…
- S18: E5: Why I Stopped Homeschooling
As some of you know by now, I am no longer homeschooling my kids. In this podcast episode, I'm talking all about our homeschool experiences, our journey from homeschool to public school, how I'm handling the change, and some of my deep tho…
- E18: E4: Unfiltered Confessions of a Small-Town Restaurant Owner
I'm now going on five years of owning a restaurant in one of the smallest towns in Wyoming. It’s one of the most gratifying things I’ve ever done. It’s also one of the most exhausting. I’m proud of what we’re building in our little corner…
- S18: E3: A Reintroduction, of Sorts
In the past, I've shared about mainly the homestead part of myself on this podcast. Not because I was hiding the rest of me—but because the rest didn’t really fit the homestead narrative. But lately… it’s been shifting. The homestead part…
- S18: E2: How I Don't Balance My Life (And What I Do Instead)
Folks always ask me how I "do it all" but the truth is, that I don't. Listen in as I talk about I do NOT have a balanced life and what I do instead. Podcast Episode Highlights My thoughts on 'balance' in life My summer as an example Dealin…
- S18 E1: I’m Back! (Sorta) Why I’ve Been Quiet Lately...
Hey friends, I’m Back! (Sorta). I thought I'd share some of my deep thoughts on why I've been quiet lately and what you can expect from me in the future. Listen in as I share updates on my life as well as my shifting perspectives on homest…
- S17: E13: When Homesteading Takes a Backseat
Homesteading has seasons—sometimes it's front and center, and other times it takes a backseat. In this episode, I’m sharing how our life looks different right now, why that’s okay, and how I’ve made peace with the inevitable FOMO. We’ll ch…
- S17: E12: The Underground Reason Your Garden isn't Thriving (and What You Can Do About It)
When we start gardening, it’s easy to focus on the plants—but what if we’re missing the bigger picture? Today, I’m chatting with Gregg Forster of Wisconsin Mineral Solutions about why soil health is the key to nutrient-dense food and thriv…
- S17: E11: Raised Beds: Worth It or Overrated? A Deep Dive with Gardener Scott
Ever wondered if raised beds are really worth the hype? In this episode, I sit down with Scott Wilson from Gardening with Scott to dig into the good, the bad, and the surprising when it comes to raised bed gardening. We chat about how to b…
- S17: E10: Freshly Milled Flour: Myths vs. Facts
In this episode, I welcome back Mike Vaona, the engineer-turned-baker behind Rosehill Sourdough, to chat about his recent deep dive into fresh-milled flours. We cover a range of topics, from tweaking hydration levels and the surprising eff…
- S17: E9: Too Many Eggs and Not Enough Ideas? We’ve Got You Covered
In this episode, I chat with Mimi Smith-Dvorak, author of Too Many Eggs, a cookbook packed with over 800 ways to use eggs. We dive into the history of eggs, the current egg drama, creative ways to use up a surplus (including flavoring them…
- S17: E8: Yes, You Can Grow Fruit & Nuts in Cold Climates! Here's How.
If you live in a cold northern area, you may have assumed growing fruit and nuts was out of the question, but I'm happy to tell you that it's not! In this episode, I chat with St. Lawrence Nurseries about the best cold hardy fruit and nut…
- S17: E7: How to Sync Your Body with Nature: Using Light & Temperature for an Old-Fashioned Health Boost
What if the light around you is messing with your health more than you realize? In this episode, the amazing Johnna Sutton of Sutton Nutrition is back to talk about how artificial light, blue light exposure, and circadian rhythms impact ou…
- S17: E6: How to Create a Water Smart Garden
In this episode, I sit down with Noelle Johnson, aka the AZ Plant Lady and author of Water Smart Gardens, to uncover practical tips for making your garden more water-efficient without sacrificing beauty or productivity. We dive into time-s…
- S17: E5: Mushroom Foraging for Beginners: Everything You Need to Know
Curious about foraging but not sure where to begin? In this episode, I chat with Whitney of Appalachian Forager about the essentials of starting your foraging journey, including how to get started foraging, how to safely identify wild mush…
- S17: E4: From Chaos to Calm: Decluttering Secrets for Homesteaders
In this episode, I chat with Dana K. White, author and creator of A Slob Comes Clean, about the surprising connections between decluttering and homesteading. We dive into Dana’s practical strategies, including the Container Concept and her…
- S17: E3: Yes, Home Cooking Matters. Here's Why.
Why bother? It's a question I've certainly asked myself, and perhaps you have too. In an age where cheap, convenient food is everywhere, why take the time to cook from-scratch? Is it worth it? Are we wasting our time and fooling ourselves?…
- S17: E2: The Missing Piece: Mastering Nutrition for the Homesteader
As homesteaders, we often focus on sourcing high-quality, real food—but what about understanding how to truly fuel our bodies? In this episode, I sit down with Johnna Sutton, a functional nutritionist and seasoned homesteader, to discuss t…
- S17: E1: My Different Sort of Goals for 2025
2025 is already shaping up to be full of surprises. In this episode, I’m sharing some unexpected goals I’ve set for the year ahead. From new adventures to shifting priorities, these plans might just inspire you to rethink what’s possible f…
- S16: E10: My Hard Won Lessons of 2024
2024 was nothing like I expected—but somehow, it turned out even better than I could have hoped. It was a rollercoaster of a year, filled with some of the hardest lessons I’ve faced so far. While it wasn’t always easy, looking back, I woul…
- S16: E9: Ancient Wheat as Medicine: A Conversation with the Brilliant Bob Quinn
In this episode, I sit down with Bob Quinn, a Montana farmer and the driving force behind Kamut wheat, to chat about his journey from conventional farming to becoming a pioneer in regenerative agriculture. We dive into the story of how he…
- S16: E8: How to Break Up with Sugar (and Not Lose Your Mind)
In this episode I'm joined by Melissa Dowbiggin, the Sugar-Free Coach and founder of Be Free and Eat. I learned so much from this conversation! Listen in to learn how to tell if you are dealing with a sugar addiction (it's more prevalent t…
- S16: E7: The Truth About Glyphosate, GMOs, and Clean Eating with David Stelzer of Azure Standard
In this episode, I’m sitting down with David Stelzer, the founder of Azure Standard, to get real about what’s in our food. We dive into the hot topics of glyphosate, GMOs, and other hidden ingredients that many of us unknowingly consume. D…
- S16: E6: How to Prepare Your Homestead for Wildfire
Wyoming has been on fire lately... and while our homestead hasn't been in danger, we've had plenty of grassfires in our surrounding area. As such, I've been thinking a lot about how we can better prepare our property, our animals, and ours…
- S16: E5: How I Use a Planner to Keep Our Homestead on Track
A homestead is full of moving parts and when you combine that with the complexity of typical modern life, well... things get complicated fast. As our life has become more full over the years, I've learned to lean heavily on my planner to k…
- S16: E4: How to Break Out of the Modern Echo Chamber with Will Reusch
Curiosity is an underrated skill, especially when it comes to exploring topics that challenge our comfort zones. Today, I'm joined by one of my favorite content creators, Will Reusch—a brilliant educator who brings nuance to tough conversa…
- S16: E3: Plan Your Garden with the Moon: How to Use History to Sync with Nature
What can history teach us about planting our gardens TODAY in 2024? In this episode, we sit down with Carol, the editor in chief of The Old Farmer’s Almanac, to explore the ancient practice of gardening by the moon. We dive into the best c…
- S16: E2: Fit for the Farm: Practical Fitness Tips for Homesteaders
We homesteaders often joke about our farms being our gym, but what do you do when homestead chores are causing you pain? And how can we ensure that we stay physically fit as long as possible to keep pursuing this lifestyle we love so much?…
- S16: E1: To Everything There is a Season: A Personal Update
Our life is.... weird and different. We're entering a season that I never saw coming, yet it's wonderful in it's own way. However, it's taken me a while to come to terms with it. In today's personal episode, I'm sharing what I've been wres…
- S15 E14: The Ultimate Tomato Episode: Preserving, Canning, Controversary, & More!
If your kitchen counters are currently covered in garden veggies like mine, this is the episode for you! We're talking all things tomatoes today: from how to make fresh sauce, to making tomato powder, to the controversary surrounding canni…
- S15: E13: How to Buy Homestead Land in a Challenging Real Estate Market
"I'll never be able to afford a homestead!" It's one of the most common pain points I'm hearing right now and for good reason: the real estate market is tricky. I'm happy to be joined by Anna Young today. She's a loan officer with Rural 1s…
- S15 E12: Homesteader, Entrepreneur, Homeschooler: How I Keep All the Balls in the Air
How do you keep all the balls in the air when you're a multi-faceted homesteader? In this episode I'm sharing my most-used strategies for managing life as a homeschool mom, content creator, rancher, business owner, restaurant owner, and mo…
- S15 E11: A Different Way to Home Dairy: Could SHEEP Be in Your Future?
We've talked about goats... we've talked about cattle... but we've NEVER talked about dairy SHEEP. That's changing today with this enlightening conversation with Rachel Hester of Whoopsy Daisy Farm. If you love being a pioneer in new indus…
- S15: E10: What I'm Using for Homeschool Curriculum this Year (and a Plea)
"What are you using for homeschool curriculum this year??" I don't consider myself a homeschool content creator, but I'm always happy to share my favorite books and studies. Find out what I'm using for this coming year, plus an important p…
- S15: E9: My Half-Baked Plan to Never Buy Chickens Again
For several years, I’ve been asking myself… how can we close our chicken loop? And by that, I mean how can I reduce the outside inputs in our home food production. It's easier said than done when it comes to livestock, BUT I've hatched a n…
- S15: E8: NOW is the Time to Start Your Fall Garden. Here's How.
Looking for a bit of redemption after a less-than-stellar growing season? Want to reduce the pressure to preserve ALL the food right NOW? A fall garden can offer all of this and more and it's one of my secret weapons for growing more food…
- S15: E7: A More Efficient Way to Sourdough
I never get tired of talking about sourdough, ESPECIALLY when it comes to ways to bake it more efficiently! Today I'm joined by Mike from Rosehill Sourdough to dive into some of the common pitfalls in the sourdough world that are costing y…
- S15: E6: The Art of Cooking for a Crowd
Cooking for larger groups used to stress me out SO much, but over the years, I've honed my skills in putting food on the table for big groups WITHOUT spending all day in the kitchen. In today's episode I'm sharing a few of my favorite old-…
- S15: E5: The PERFECT Place to Homestead
I get the question constantly... "Where's the BEST place to homestead?" Listen in as I share my (probably surprising) answer, as well as the lessons I've been learning lately about community, flexibility, and leaning in. Podcast Episode Hi…
- S15: E4: STOP Stressing Over Your Garden: My 3 Non-Negotiable Strategies
I love to share the mental health benefits of gardening, but what do you do when your garden makes you feel STRESSED, not serene? I've been there (more than once). Today I'm sharing my 3 non-negotiable garden strategies that I use every si…