The Rustic Spirits Podcast

Following on from our deep dive last week into beef feed additives, we take a look at the meat processing industry and how the small-scale farmer is being intentionally squeezed out of business.SHOW NOTES & RESEARCH:Karl Stefanovic on ‘The Good Old Days’:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRixVTIOz1U&t=4371sHow Much Power does AI Use?2 minutes in a microwave (1000w)equals roughly:8 AI images generated, or50 ChatGPT queriesCompare that to 200 Google searchesRules about Home-kill(Home butcher services for hire are not subject to accreditation according to:)https://www.safefood.qld.gov.au/home-kill-legislation-in-queensland/Dr Tammi Jonas (not Sonia or Fiona, not even close, Regan!) On the Abattoir Access Crisishttps://afsa.org.au/media-release-small-scale-farmers-call-out-amics-denial-of-abattoir-access-crisis/?utm_source=chatgpt.com Central Victorian abattoir Hardwicks stops small-scale processing(After being bought out by Chinese owned Kilcoy Global Foods)https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2024-12-02/kilcoy-global-foods-hardwicks-abattoir-stop-small-scale-process/104664962Happy Pig, a small free-range pork business, shut out of Local Abattoirhttps://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/rural/2024/11/09/meat-processing-threat-farmers?utm_source=chatgpt.com

In this week's episode on the Rustic Spirits Podcast, Regan and Kirsty are talking Solar Power - does it really give you control and greater freedom (as well as saving some dollars in the long run)? Or have the government been sneaking in rules, regulations and technology that makes that brand new solar and battery system you just put on your house.. essentially half theirs. At least that's how it might feel if you don't read the fine print.

It’s fair to say we’re living in some of the most unsettling times this nation has ever experienced and so it should come as no surprise that new speech laws being proposed by the current government are equally as unsettling. In this episode, Regan & Kirsty talk through the new hate speech laws and gun reforms being proposed by the Albanese government and how they might affect everyday ordinary Australians who simply dare to exercise a little free thinking. Resources mentioned in this episode:2 Worlds Collide PodcastAustralians vs the Agenda: Anthony Khallouf Breaks Down the Extremism Billhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pD9_A4CSQ0Punters PoliticsWhat Happens IF I Get Sued? "Free Speech" In Australiahttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAOtx5Ki_D0Topher Project Ep 305Senator Malcolm Roberts in an extended, honest interview. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Egq7tS8JwQYouTube Transcription Tool: https://tactiq.io/tools/youtube-transcript

It's been a hell of a week for Australians and we need to talk about it. Not just because the Bondi terrorist attack is going to have direct effect on homesteaders and rural landowners, but because we actually need to talk about this. The popular idea being forced by the media and government that conversation needs to be curtailed is exactly what's hurting this country and we feel that it's time we lend our voices to it. No matter how you feel about firearms and their legitimacy, we can at least all acknowledge that this is another Port Arthur type moment and how we the public allow ourselves to be governed (manipulated?) in the aftermath will have lasting consequences. Good or bad? Well, that's exactly the conversation we need to have.

Welcome back to the Rustic Spirits Podcast Season 2! We are well back into the swing of things with a livestream last week (you can watch the replay here on the youTube channel) and an all new podcast 'studio' space. In this episode we're talking bureaucracy, red tape, government over-reach and all the things that are set against you when you try to live any kind of different or alternative lifestyle.Half the workforce relies on Government?"more than 30% of the work force is now employed either in the public sector or in activities heavily dependent on government payments.When we add public and quasi-public employment to the substantial part of the population that relies heavily on government welfare payments for their income, it is likely that more than half of voters rely on government for most of their income."- The Centre for Independent StudiesCommentary on the City of Casey Council who banned doing oil changes in your driveway: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBuywOLjHpM Fields & Flocks guide to Red Tape for UK Smallholders: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWL0UsA6Yt4&t=77s

We nearly had to go three episodes for this season wrap up Q&A - there were just SO many good questions sent through. In this episode we answer your pressing homesteading questions like; How to set up Off-Grid Solar when you're on the grid, What gear would you buy to start a homesteading Youtube channel, Would we ever host people on our property, How would you homestead if you had little kids.... and so many more.

In this episode we tell the story of how we found out that our eldest child was being severely bullied in school and how that led our family to consider other forms of schooling, and eventually homeschooling all three of them through to the end of high-school. The challenges and the rewards and how it taught us to view the world of education through a relationship-first approach to education.TED TalksHackschooling makes me happy | Logan LaPlante | TEDxUniversityofNevadahttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h11u3vtcpaYDo schools kill creativity? | Sir Ken Robinson | TEDhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG9CE55wbtYHow to escape education's death valley | Sir Ken Robinson | TEDhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wX78iKhInsc

In this episode we talk about the intricacies of relationships while Homesteading - with your partner, your children and others in your world. If you've already started your Homestead, or are thinking of jumping into the homestead world in the future, this episode is recorded with you in mind!StrengthsFinderhttps://high5test.com/cliftonstrengths-free/Enneagramhttps://www.eclecticenergies.com/enneagram/test

This week we’re talking Urban Homesteading and why it doesn’t have to be the case that you own or live on acreage before you start homesteading. In fact you may never occupy a large block and land, and that shouldn’t stop you from pursuing a life of meaning and fulfilment through simplicity and self-sufficiency.Links: https://www.ourcow.com.au/https://www.farmerbutcher.com.au/https://www.goodness.com.au/https://www.tiktok.com/@claudia.bryant/video/7519443646828055815

In this conversation we are talking about what it means to be ready (or as ready as you can be) for crises that come your way. We talk about the different kinds of crises we’ve encountered, our experiences making emergency plans and what it’s taught us about how to face potential threats in the future.

In our latest episode we unpack the essential skills we think every homesteader needs to get started, and why curiosity keeps our homestead exciting for the future! 🌱 We share practical insights, stories from our own experience of learning in the deep end, and the skills we’re curious to learn next. Perfect for both newbies and seasoned homesteaders!

In this episode of the Rustic Spirits Podcast, we dive into the trending topic of A.I.—not because it’s trending, but because it’s here. We explore what this massive acceleration in technological developments means for those of us striving for a simpler life through sustainability and self-sufficiency, without dismissing new technology outright. Where do you draw the line? And how can the homesteading community best support an increasingly displaced society around them?

In this episode of The Rustic Spirits Podcast Regan & Kirsty re-live their experiences from the first few weeks and months after arriving on their 150 acre off-grid property ready to embark on their homesteading adventure. But it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows! From stressing out every time the generator ran out of fuel to learning how to detox from conveniences it was dive into the deep-end, that's for sure! The Outpost Homestead: Check out Peter’s inspiring YouTube channel, where he documents his off-grid homesteading journey in Sudan’s hill country. https://www.youtube.com/@TheOutpostHomestead -------------------- Australian Homesteaders Facebook Group: a vibrant community of like-minded Australians sharing tips, stories, and advice on homesteading and off-grid living. Search for “Australian Homesteaders” on Facebook to connect with others on the same journey. Australian Homesteaders Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/australianhomesteaders/ -------------------- “Burn the Boats” Origin: The phrase is often attributed to Hernán Cortés, who reportedly destroyed his ships in 1519 to commit his men to the conquest of the Aztec Empire, symbolizing no turning back. Earlier references exist, such as in Virgil’s Aeneid, where Trojan women burn their boats to force settlement. For more, explore histories of the Spanish conquest or classical literature. -------------------- Gourmet Farmer Series: This Australian TV series, featuring Matthew Evans, inspired our move toward a sustainable, land-based lifestyle. It showcases life on a Tasmanian farm and the joys of growing and cooking your own food. Available on 'Freeview' app. -------------------- Soil by Matthew Evans: Matthew’s book Soil: The Incredible Story of What Keeps the Earth, and Us, Healthy explores the importance of soil health for farming and sustainability. A must-read for homesteaders! Find it at Booktopia, Amazon, or your local bookstore. --------------------

Another sit down with Regan & Kirsty as we dive into all things 'homestead gardening & food security' - a topic that's becoming more and more relevant, even outside of homesteading, as the world's systems of food, health and personal freedoms feel less and less reliable every day.We're only one year into our Homesteading journey, but we've brought nearly 15 years of gardening experience into it. We knew growing our own food was going to be a key ingredient to what we built and what we teach, but we probably didn't realise just how important this message would become. As families and communities suffer under a burdening cost of living crisis and the rising prices of food and nutrition wreack havoc on everyday budgets, we want to share some genuine insights into our own food security plans and just how realistic they are. Show Notes:(not sponsored, just great resources) Dirt to Soil - Gabe Brownhttps://www.amazon.com.au/Dirt-Soil-Gabe-Brown/dp/1603587632Kiss The Ground - Josh Tickellhttps://www.amazon.com.au/Kiss-Ground-Reverse-Climate-Ultimately/dp/1501170252The In-Garden Compost system Kirsty was thinking of: https://subpod.com/collections/subpod-storeOr, Search "in garden compost bin" or "in garden worm farm" for alternatives.Will Harris on Joe Rogan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozNK2sgJmcgJoel Salatin on Jordan Peterson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMjqphoMy0k

this week we're having a chat about handling the wild side of homesteading with good ol’ common sense! We share funny tales of dodging curious bulls and teaching our kids to swing an axe without chopping their toes off. We talk about building guts and smarts through real-life adventures. For homesteaders or dreamers, we dish out tips like grabbing a first aid course, knowing your bushfire plan, and keeping snake bite kits handy. We’re all about raising kids who can climb trees, think fast, and not panic when a pig chases them and their groceries. Tune in, laugh with us, and let’s chat in the comments—how do you tackle homestead risks?

It's probably the question we get most often.. how much does it cost? To start a homestead, to buy machinery, to keep a homestead running, to start with animals and livestock. In this week's episode we share some of our own experiences and takes on what you need to know to make homesteading make sense financially.

We take a look into the journey that prepared us for life in a tiny home and some of the major mindset shifts that had to happen first. From how we went from desiring every new home decor item to learning how to be more like the bower bird. We discuss what it took to design and build our tiny home and how the flexibility of a moveable home allowed us to respond to changing life circumstances quickly. And yes, we even explore the topic of regulations and red tape and ask just how much government oversight into projects like this is enough and have we gone too far?

In this episode we dive into our backstory and take a look at some of the moments in our lives that reoriented us from career-driven, fast-paced, unhealthy and broken towards this life of becoming the 'Rustic Spirits' we are today - a life of Simplicity, Authenticity, Sustainability and Meaning.

Well, we did it - we launched a podcast! After too much good content kept getting left on the cutting room floor we finally decided that the best place to share those deep-dive thoughts and explorations was in a weekly podcast...so here it is. In this, our very first episode, we tackle a strange comment that we've had on more than one occasion now and answer the question, 'Are we Homesteaders, or Hobby Farmers?'.

On this episode of the Rustic Spirits Podcast we discuss the Climate Agenda - is man-made climate change both real and disastrous? What is the individual obligation when it comes to protecting the plant, and how do we reconcile it with mining, manufacturing and other industries who seem to not give a crap about the tonnes of waste and pollution they're creating. Let alone our neighbouring countries who share the same atmosphere as us!SHOW NOTES AND RESEARCHLuddites (textile machinery protestors) and William Lee (mechanical knitting)The anecdote about Queen Elizabeth I refusing a patent for William Lee’s mechanical knitting frame (1589) is widely cited in later historical accounts. The quotation attributed to Elizabeth, expressing concern that the invention would “bring to hand-knitters ruin,” comes from secondary sources written centuries later and is generally treated by historians as apocryphal or loosely paraphrased rather than a verbatim record. The refusal itself is historically attested, but the precise wording and motivations remain debated.Similarly, the Luddites were not broadly opposed to technology, but to specific uses of mechanized production that undermined skilled labor, wages, and community stability. Modern scholarship emphasizes that Luddite actions were targeted, political, and economic in nature rather than expressions of generalized fear of progress.The term “Luddite” derives from Ned Ludd, a likely mythical English figure said to have destroyed a textile machine in the late 18th century. The name was adopted by organized textile workers opposing specific forms of mechanization between 1811–1816.Suggested sources for further reading: • Adrian Randall, Before the Luddites (Cambridge University Press) • Kevin Binfield (ed.), Writings of the Luddites (Johns Hopkins University Press) • Maxine Berg, The Age of Manufactures • E.P. Thompson, The Making of the English Working ClassChat GPT Latest Version Developed (in part) by A.I“GPT-5.3-Codex is our first model that was instrumental in creating itself.” — referring to the fact that early versions of the model were used to help debug its own training pipeline, manage deployment, and diagnose test results and evaluationshttps://openai.com/index/introducing-gpt-5-3-codex/?utm_source=chatgpt.comUS Deployments to the Middle EastThe United States has deployed approximately 40,000 to 50,000 troops to the Middle East as of early 2026, an increase from around 34,000 before 2023, amid escalating tensions with Iran. This represents one of the largest non-combat military buildups in the region in recent history, surpassing pre-2023 levels and comparable to deployments during the June 2025 strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities.https://www.rferl.org/a/us-military-deployment-gulf-iran-strikes/33675133.htmlBovaer Bovaer is a feed additive made by DSM-Firmenich, containing 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP). It’s designed to cut methane emissions from cattle by 30–45% by blocking a key enzyme in the rumen during digestion. Regulators (FDA, EFSA, APVMA, FSA) have approved it as “safe, with no detectable residues in milk or meat”. Concerns include handler safety warnings (irritant, potential fertility risk), high-dose lab effects on reproduction, and questions about long-term rumen microbiome impacts or subtle health effects in real-world use.https://undark.org/2026/01/05/denmark-cows-bovaer/