Roots & Refuge Podcast

Roots & Refuge Podcast

Welcome to the new Roots and Refuge Podcast. We're so glad you're here, and we hope you'll stick around for a while. If you'd like early access to our podcast episodes, join our Patreon page.
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A woman holding a chicken.

Perceptions and Misperceptions

In today’s episode, I’m dispelling some of the perceptions, or rather misperceptions, of this homesteading life. I reflect on what I thought homesteading was going to look like when I first started researching, to how I view it now. Most importantly, I share about the challenge of valuing the things that transition from romantic to familiar.

Two woman sitting at a table laughing.

Embracing Uncomfortable

Join me and Leah as we discuss embracing the uncomfortable. We both know from current and past experiences that much comfort comes from being uncomfortable.

A coffee mug left in the garden between plants.

Music, Gardening & Creativity

For many people, music, gardening and creativity may not go hand and hand, but for me and my guest on this podcast episode, they absolutely do. Join me and Daniel as we discuss all things creative and their meaning in our lives.

A woman giving a cow pets.

Dreaming Bravely

I am very much a dreamer that is living in extraordinary fulfillment of some of the dreams that, at one point, were completely impossible for me. Because of this fact, that has made me much braver now than I was before.

There's a lot more to watch right here!

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YouTube Video UExTQVdTOTZoZGlUZ0NnQzh2NzZtOFY1aFZRdklaRzBPMy4yQkIyNjJCOEU4N0JCNTQ5

Private video

January 29, 2026 4:40 pm

Farmer's Table Instant Pot beans: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVLXwKDsuQU Come see us LIVE with Gold Shaw Farm in Boston and Charlotte: Tickets available here: https://subscribepage.io/SomethingReal WHERE TO FIND US: - read my writing on substack: https://jesssowards.substack.com -Our Website: https://rootsandrefuge.com -Miah's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@miahsworkshop -My Cooking Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@The_Farmers_Table - Sign up for our newsletter: https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-signup -Order Coffee & Tea from our roaster: https://www.beulahroastingco.com -Our Amazon Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/SFA0IZHZRCOZ?ref_=wl_share -The Roots and Refuge Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/roots-and-refuge-podcast/id1669328823 -Merch sales: Real Food Comes Dirty Shirts: https://roots-and-refuge-farm-shop.fourthwall.com/products/real-food-comfort-color PRODUCTS I LOVE AND SUPPORT: Greenstalk Vertical Gardens: https://rstr.co/greenstalkgarden/roots10 The white beds in my tea garden (Birdies Beds from Epic Gardening): https://shop.epicgardening.com/ROOTSANDREFUGE BootstrapFarmer Site: https://shrsl.com/3w46t The Roots and Refuge Shop: https://roots-refuge.myshopify.com Order our T-Shirts and Sweatshirts https://roots-and-refuge-farm-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all Dramm Watering head: https://amzn.to/3Djs9yF Long neck Dramm watering wand (for more established plants): https://amzn.to/41xxcoH Heat mats: https://amzn.to/3QCyhVX Grow lights: https://amzn.to/41yscAd (Some of these thinks are affiliate links which means I make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Using my affiliate links helps me buy seeds and soil and goats, so thank you.)

46K views

YouTube Video UExTQVdTOTZoZGlUZ0NnQzh2NzZtOFY1aFZRdklaRzBPMy41NTg4RjdGODdDOTQxREE3

Storm's coming (five projects at once) | VLOG

January 21, 2026 3:01 pm

Check out the Greenstalk Sale and stack my coupon code or use this link and it will be automatically applied: https://rstr.co/greenstalkgarden/roots10 Come see us LIVE with Gold Shaw Farm in Boston and Charlotte: Tickets available here: https://subscribepage.io/SomethingReal WHERE TO FIND US: - read my writing on substack: https://jesssowards.substack.com -Our Website: https://rootsandrefuge.com -Miah's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@miahsworkshop -My Cooking Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@The_Farmers_Table - Sign up for our newsletter: https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-signup -Order Coffee & Tea from our roaster: https://www.beulahroastingco.com -Our Amazon Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/SFA0IZHZRCOZ?ref_=wl_share -The Roots and Refuge Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/roots-and-refuge-podcast/id1669328823 -Merch sales: Real Food Comes Dirty Shirts: https://roots-and-refuge-farm-shop.fourthwall.com/products/real-food-comfort-color PRODUCTS I LOVE AND SUPPORT: Greenstalk Vertical Gardens: https://rstr.co/greenstalkgarden/roots10 The white beds in my tea garden (Birdies Beds from Epic Gardening): https://shop.epicgardening.com/ROOTSANDREFUGE BootstrapFarmer Site: https://shrsl.com/3w46t The Roots and Refuge Shop: https://roots-refuge.myshopify.com Order our T-Shirts and Sweatshirts https://roots-and-refuge-farm-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all Dramm Watering head: https://amzn.to/3Djs9yF Long neck Dramm watering wand (for more established plants): https://amzn.to/41xxcoH Heat mats: https://amzn.to/3QCyhVX Grow lights: https://amzn.to/41yscAd (Some of these thinks are affiliate links which means I make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Using my affiliate links helps me buy seeds and soil and goats, so thank you.)

33.2K views

YouTube Video UExTQVdTOTZoZGlUZ0NnQzh2NzZtOFY1aFZRdklaRzBPMy5GRDg4Qzg2RUFCNEVBNzY1

January Me vs Kitchen Me (and a lamb update) | VLOG

January 17, 2026 1:59 pm

The Big Sad on Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/jesssowards/p/the-big-sad?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web Come see us LIVE with Gold Shaw Farm in Boston and Charlotte: Tickets available here: https://subscribepage.io/SomethingReal WHERE TO FIND US: - read my writing on substack: https://jesssowards.substack.com -Our Website: https://rootsandrefuge.com -Miah's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@miahsworkshop -My Cooking Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@The_Farmers_Table - Sign up for our newsletter: https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-signup -Order Coffee & Tea from our roaster: https://www.beulahroastingco.com -Our Amazon Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/SFA0IZHZRCOZ?ref_=wl_share -The Roots and Refuge Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/roots-and-refuge-podcast/id1669328823 -Merch sales: Real Food Comes Dirty Shirts: https://roots-and-refuge-farm-shop.fourthwall.com/products/real-food-comfort-color PRODUCTS I LOVE AND SUPPORT: Greenstalk Vertical Gardens(Use code ROOTS10 for discount): https://greenstalkgarden.com/?rstr=ROOTS10 The white beds in my tea garden (Birdies Beds from Epic Gardening): https://shop.epicgardening.com/ROOTSANDREFUGE BootstrapFarmer Site: https://shrsl.com/3w46t The Roots and Refuge Shop: https://roots-refuge.myshopify.com Order our T-Shirts and Sweatshirts https://roots-and-refuge-farm-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all Dramm Watering head: https://amzn.to/3Djs9yF Long neck Dramm watering wand (for more established plants): https://amzn.to/41xxcoH Heat mats: https://amzn.to/3QCyhVX Grow lights: https://amzn.to/41yscAd (Some of these thinks are affiliate links which means I make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Using my affiliate links helps me buy seeds and soil and goats, so thank you.)

70.2K views

YouTube Video UExTQVdTOTZoZGlUZ0NnQzh2NzZtOFY1aFZRdklaRzBPMy4yMUU0Mzk5MUM3MURCQzEx

Life and Death (Sorry for what I said when I was afraid) | VLOG

January 10, 2026 1:27 pm

Come see us LIVE with Gold Shaw Farm in Boston and Charlotte: Tickets available here: https://subscribepage.io/SomethingReal WHERE TO FIND US: - read my writing on substack: https://jesssowards.substack.com -Our Website: https://rootsandrefuge.com -Miah's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@miahsworkshop -My Cooking Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@The_Farmers_Table - Sign up for our newsletter: https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-signup -Order Coffee & Tea from our roaster: https://www.beulahroastingco.com -Our Amazon Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/SFA0IZHZRCOZ?ref_=wl_share -The Roots and Refuge Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/roots-and-refuge-podcast/id1669328823 -Merch sales: Real Food Comes Dirty Shirts: https://roots-and-refuge-farm-shop.fourthwall.com/products/real-food-comfort-color PRODUCTS I LOVE AND SUPPORT: Greenstalk Vertical Gardens(Use code ROOTS10 for discount): https://greenstalkgarden.com/?rstr=ROOTS10 The white beds in my tea garden (Birdies Beds from Epic Gardening): https://shop.epicgardening.com/ROOTSANDREFUGE BootstrapFarmer Site: https://shrsl.com/3w46t The Roots and Refuge Shop: https://roots-refuge.myshopify.com Order our T-Shirts and Sweatshirts https://roots-and-refuge-farm-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all Dramm Watering head: https://amzn.to/3Djs9yF Long neck Dramm watering wand (for more established plants): https://amzn.to/41xxcoH Heat mats: https://amzn.to/3QCyhVX Grow lights: https://amzn.to/41yscAd (Some of these thinks are affiliate links which means I make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Using my affiliate links helps me buy seeds and soil and goats, so thank you.)

35.9K views

YouTube Video UExTQVdTOTZoZGlUZ0NnQzh2NzZtOFY1aFZRdklaRzBPMy5GQkUyQkM5MDg2RUIwNjhE

Chaos Ensued (The first lamb & a cow bully) | VLOG

January 6, 2026 12:14 pm

Come see us LIVE with Gold Shaw Farm in Boston and Charlotte: Tickets available here: https://subscribepage.io/SomethingReal WHERE TO FIND US: - read my writing on substack: https://jesssowards.substack.com -Our Website: https://rootsandrefuge.com -Miah's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@miahsworkshop -My Cooking Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@The_Farmers_Table - Sign up for our newsletter: https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-signup -Order Coffee & Tea from our roaster: https://www.beulahroastingco.com -Our Amazon Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/SFA0IZHZRCOZ?ref_=wl_share -The Roots and Refuge Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/roots-and-refuge-podcast/id1669328823 -Merch sales: Real Food Comes Dirty Shirts: https://roots-and-refuge-farm-shop.fourthwall.com/products/real-food-comfort-color PRODUCTS I LOVE AND SUPPORT: Greenstalk Vertical Gardens(Use code ROOTS10 for discount): https://greenstalkgarden.com/?rstr=ROOTS10 The white beds in my tea garden (Birdies Beds from Epic Gardening): https://shop.epicgardening.com/ROOTSANDREFUGE BootstrapFarmer Site: https://shrsl.com/3w46t The Roots and Refuge Shop: https://roots-refuge.myshopify.com Order our T-Shirts and Sweatshirts https://roots-and-refuge-farm-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all Dramm Watering head: https://amzn.to/3Djs9yF Long neck Dramm watering wand (for more established plants): https://amzn.to/41xxcoH Heat mats: https://amzn.to/3QCyhVX Grow lights: https://amzn.to/41yscAd (Some of these thinks are affiliate links which means I make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Using my affiliate links helps me buy seeds and soil and goats, so thank you.)

28.9K views

YouTube Video UExTQVdTOTZoZGlUZ0NnQzh2NzZtOFY1aFZRdklaRzBPMy5CRkM3ODAzMUQwNDBGMjFD

Ordinary (Freezing Pants & A New Year) | VLOG

January 3, 2026 5:46 pm

Come see us LIVE with Gold Shaw Farm in Boston and Charlotte: Tickets available here: https://subscribepage.io/SomethingReal WHERE TO FIND US: - read my writing on substack: https://jesssowards.substack.com -Our Website: https://rootsandrefuge.com -Miah's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@miahsworkshop -My Cooking Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@The_Farmers_Table - Sign up for our newsletter: https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-signup -Order Coffee & Tea from our roaster: https://www.beulahroastingco.com -Our Amazon Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/SFA0IZHZRCOZ?ref_=wl_share -The Roots and Refuge Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/roots-and-refuge-podcast/id1669328823 -Merch sales: Real Food Comes Dirty Shirts: https://roots-and-refuge-farm-shop.fourthwall.com/products/real-food-comfort-color PRODUCTS I LOVE AND SUPPORT: Greenstalk Vertical Gardens(Use code ROOTS10 for discount): https://greenstalkgarden.com/?rstr=ROOTS10 The white beds in my tea garden (Birdies Beds from Epic Gardening): https://shop.epicgardening.com/ROOTSANDREFUGE BootstrapFarmer Site: https://shrsl.com/3w46t The Roots and Refuge Shop: https://roots-refuge.myshopify.com Order our T-Shirts and Sweatshirts https://roots-and-refuge-farm-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all Dramm Watering head: https://amzn.to/3Djs9yF Long neck Dramm watering wand (for more established plants): https://amzn.to/41xxcoH Heat mats: https://amzn.to/3QCyhVX Grow lights: https://amzn.to/41yscAd (Some of these thinks are affiliate links which means I make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Using my affiliate links helps me buy seeds and soil and goats, so thank you.)

37.8K views

YouTube Video UExTQVdTOTZoZGlUZ0NnQzh2NzZtOFY1aFZRdklaRzBPMy5CMTBCQjMwRDIyREJBRTUz

Open Hands (See you Next Year)

December 31, 2025 1:40 pm

I traveled to Scotland on a trip my sweet husband gave me for an early 40th birthday gift. Here is the recap. Photos- feel free to save these or print them. Some are very high quality and some are just from my phone. Please do not sell them or create products to sell: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1tqde80y5x1kK0Lo2IqIBeF3DXD7yxIou?usp=share_link Come see us LIVE with Gold Shaw Farm in Boston and Charlotte: Tickers available here: https://subscribepage.io/SomethingReal WHERE TO FIND US: - read my writing on substack: https://jesssowards.substack.com -Our Website: https://rootsandrefuge.com -Miah's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@miahsworkshop -My Cooking Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@The_Farmers_Table - Sign up for our newsletter: https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-signup -Order Coffee & Tea from our roaster: https://www.beulahroastingco.com -Our Amazon Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/SFA0IZHZRCOZ?ref_=wl_share -The Roots and Refuge Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/roots-and-refuge-podcast/id1669328823 -Merch sales: Real Food Comes Dirty Shirts: https://roots-and-refuge-farm-shop.fourthwall.com/products/real-food-comfort-color PRODUCTS I LOVE AND SUPPORT: Greenstalk Vertical Gardens(Use code ROOTS10 for discount): https://greenstalkgarden.com/?rstr=ROOTS10 The white beds in my tea garden (Birdies Beds from Epic Gardening): https://shop.epicgardening.com/ROOTSANDREFUGE BootstrapFarmer Site: https://shrsl.com/3w46t The Roots and Refuge Shop: https://roots-refuge.myshopify.com Order our T-Shirts and Sweatshirts https://roots-and-refuge-farm-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all Dramm Watering head: https://amzn.to/3Djs9yF Long neck Dramm watering wand (for more established plants): https://amzn.to/41xxcoH Heat mats: https://amzn.to/3QCyhVX Grow lights: https://amzn.to/41yscAd (Some of these thinks are affiliate links which means I make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Using my affiliate links helps me buy seeds and soil and goats, so thank you.)

29.4K views

YouTube Video UExTQVdTOTZoZGlUZ0NnQzh2NzZtOFY1aFZRdklaRzBPMy4xMjNBNTA2NDBDODU0QTE1

a journey through Scotland | my 40th birthday gift

December 18, 2025 2:02 pm

Come see us LIVE with Gold Shaw Farm in Boston and Charlotte: Tickers available here: https://subscribepage.io/SomethingReal WHERE TO FIND US: - read my writing on substack: https://jesssowards.substack.com -Our Website: https://rootsandrefuge.com -Miah's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@miahsworkshop -My Cooking Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@The_Farmers_Table - Sign up for our newsletter: https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-signup -Order Coffee & Tea from our roaster: https://www.beulahroastingco.com -Our Amazon Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/SFA0IZHZRCOZ?ref_=wl_share -The Roots and Refuge Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/roots-and-refuge-podcast/id1669328823 -Merch sales: Real Food Comes Dirty Shirts: https://roots-and-refuge-farm-shop.fourthwall.com/products/real-food-comfort-color PRODUCTS I LOVE AND SUPPORT: Greenstalk Vertical Gardens(Use code ROOTS10 for discount): https://greenstalkgarden.com/?rstr=ROOTS10 The white beds in my tea garden (Birdies Beds from Epic Gardening): https://shop.epicgardening.com/ROOTSANDREFUGE BootstrapFarmer Site: https://shrsl.com/3w46t The Roots and Refuge Shop: https://roots-refuge.myshopify.com Order our T-Shirts and Sweatshirts https://roots-and-refuge-farm-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all Dramm Watering head: https://amzn.to/3Djs9yF Long neck Dramm watering wand (for more established plants): https://amzn.to/41xxcoH Heat mats: https://amzn.to/3QCyhVX Grow lights: https://amzn.to/41yscAd (Some of these thinks are affiliate links which means I make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Using my affiliate links helps me buy seeds and soil and goats, so thank you.)

47.5K views

YouTube Video UExTQVdTOTZoZGlUZ0NnQzh2NzZtOFY1aFZRdklaRzBPMy4xMzg4REIxQkQ3QUQ1QTI2

I need more food growing (the cozy living room & Christmastime seed starting) | VLOG

December 14, 2025 4:29 pm

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