Advertise on podcast: The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow

Did you ever notice what makes a community feel inviting?  It’s not the big box stores.  It’s not the chain restaurants.  It’s the small businesses that create a true sense of place, that let a traveler know that a given corner of the world is cared-for and cherished.  But how much burden and responsibility can a small business shoulder for a community’s well-being before they are unable to exist? I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 7, Episode 2 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow.   Prefer the written version?  Find it here.  Special thanks to Tanya Barrow at Unsplash for this week's image! Support the show

Healing isn’t really possible unless we’re willing to look at the wounds we’ve been hiding.  For most of my life, I haven’t been willing to look.  That’s changing. I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 7, Episode 1 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow.  Find the text version on this story over on Shannon's blog.  Support the show

I was always an A student.  Actually, I couldn’t NOT be an A student.  After writing this week’s post, I think I could fairly say I was TRAPPED into being an A student.  I’m beginning to see how that has been working against me.  It’s time to turn things around and make life more sane.   I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 6, Episode 17 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow.  For a full transcript, check out The Radical Homemaker Blog at SapBushFarmStore.com.  Support the show

If your doctor advised you to cut back and do less, could you do it? I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 6, Episode 16 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow.  For the transcript of this story, visit The Radical Homemaker blog at https://www.sapbushfarmstore.com.  Support the show

It never occurred to me that cleaning my mother’s house would shed light on her fears.  But as we continue to work to revitalize the Sap Bush Farm House, more mysteries about her are solved…and revealed…   I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 6, Episode 15 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow.  Find the printed version of this story over on The Radical Homemaker Blog at SapBushFarmStore.com. Support the show

We got a day off this week! Bob and I took off for a paddling trip to the Adirondacks, where I used to dream of buying a cabin with a fantasy $500,000 book advance.  On this day off, I got a chance to reflect on where that dream got us. I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 6, Episode 14 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow.   You can read this story on The Radical Homemaker Blog, which is now located on the Sap Bush Hollow website: SapBushFarmStore.com. Support the show

I’m 51 years old. I’ve spent nearly all those years living and working at Sap Bush Hollow Farm.  How is it that I still don’t know how to be a farmer? I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 6, Episode 13 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow. If you'd like a written version of this story, find it on The Radical Homemaker blog at SapBushFarmStore.com.  Support the show

I received a letter a few weeks back from a woman who found an old copy of one of my most popular books, Radical Homemakers, in her public library.  “I want to become someone I believe in,” she wrote to me.  And she wanted to know how my beliefs and research have framed my life, and how my views may have changed since writing that book. It’s taken me a while to think of how to respond. On any given day, I found that I had a different answer.  How would any of us tackle that question: Have I lived my life as someone I can believe in? I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 6, Episode 12 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow.  For a text copy of this essay, visit The Radical Homemaker Blog at SapBushFarmStore.com Support the show

What will it take to get this farm to run smoothly and efficiently? I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 6, Episode 11 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow.  For a written version of this story, check out The Radical Homemaker Blog, which can be found at SapBushFarmStore.com. Support the show

s it possible to lose a beloved parent without an existential life crisis?  Oh if only… I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 6, Episode 10 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow. For the written transcript of this story, visit The Radical Homemaker blog at SapBushFarmStore.com.  Support the show

https://www.sapbushfarmstore.com/s/stories/the-all-girls-tractor-schoolFarming requires everyone to work hard, and to take pride and joy in doing so.  But there’s a long tradition of dividing the labor along gender lines.  That can be a problem if you’re trying to make sure a business can continue when the entire next generation is one gender.  I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 6, Episode 9 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow. If you'd like to read the full transcript of this story, find it on the Radical Homemaker blog here.  Support the show

My mother’s callous attitude about death could come across as shocking to those who didn’t know her.  But her views were hard-won, and they’re getting me through the tough work we face here at Sap Bush Hollow.  Those of you who’ve known mom and me personally are aware that she raised me to swear like a sailor. To be true to her parenting voice, I’ve employed our natural language here.  If you’ve got tender ears within listening range, you might want to slip on some headphones for this episode.  I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 6, Episode 8 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow.  Find the transcript for this story on The Radical Homemaker Blog, which is now located at SapBushFarmStore.com. Support the show

Efficiency.  That’s key to profitability on a farm.  Everything must contribute to the well-being of the whole. If it doesn’t contribute, it must go.  But what, exactly, counts as a valid contribution? I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 6, Episode 7 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow. For the transcript of this story, visit The Radical Homemaker Blog at www.sapbushfarmstore.com.  Support the show

This year marked my first Mothers’ Day without a Mom.  I didn’t think it mattered much, in light of the fact that I abhor the day and refuse to mark it.  But that doesn’t make me celebrate my mother any less. I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 6, Episode 6 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow. For the written transcript of this story, visit the Radical Homemaker blog at SapBushFarmStore.com. Support the show

I normally like to write alone, but this week’s essay was written in collaboration with Kit, my emotionally avoidant dog.  It’s about the importance of a time-out.  I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 6, Episode 5 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow. Find the written version of this story over on The Radical Homemaker Blog at SapBushFarmStore.com. Support the show