Confidently Called Homemakers

Can you build a thriving village with an 11 acre organic farm and homes ranging in size from 1.200 square feet to 5,600 square feet, and have teachers, firefighters, pilots and business owners all happily living on the same street?  Yes. And this 20 year old agrihood is living proof. My guest is William Johnston, the CEO of Agritopia's development company; Johnston and Co. William is a 3rd generation steward for Agritopia's 160 acres. Purchased in 1960 by William's grandparents, the land was farmed as a monocrop for 30 years. Agritopia was born when his father and uncles decided to preserve the farm and create a community that honors the farming heritage and is a unique place for multi-generational living and everything else that makes this village special. Agritopia is a master planned community that has everything from an assisted living facility, to a pre-k-8 private Christian school, over 450 single family homes, and an 11.3 acre certified organic farm. The commercial side of it is nearing completion and in the end, they'll have close to 100k square feet of retail space and restaurants and 320 multifamily apartment units! "Preserving urban agriculture makes life better,  ...more and more we see the value... This is the way to develop in the future that can really impact people's lives positively.” Don't miss this podcast! It's the one to listen to if you are thinking about devleoping an agrihood or even planning to move to one. Find more episodes and information here:  https://buildingtheagrihood.com/

Agrihoods need land, and a lot of it!  Finding the right piece has been a 6 month or more journey. In this episode I am sharing the updates regarding acquring acreage and some of the ups and downs that go along with it. Have I made an official offer? Do I have a contract?  Listen in and find out! https://buildingtheagrihood.com/

What's is like living in an "award winning biophilic community that connects people to nature and each other," and boasts a 25-acre organic garden?  You'll find out in this episode! My guest is an almost 10-year resident of the well-known Serenbe agrihood. He shares his first-hand knowledge and experience and gives everyone looking or considering moving to an agri-community a lot to think about, and some great suggestions too! Building the Agrihood - Home

7,000 miles + 11 months = 21 agrihood visits across the US for my guest Brett Coleman along his wife, Lena and their young son.  But why? Don't miss this podcast to hear about how agrihoods are more community focused compared to typical neighborhoods. Why they are so popular and so sought after. And for someone who's visited so many, I ask, how do they compare to one another? What are the drawbacks and what is Brett's advice to anyone looking at moving into an agricultural community? For more information on agrihoods, visit us at https://buildingtheagrhiood.com Visit my guest, Brett Coleman at: https://agrihoodliving.com

A journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step. While I'm past the first step stage in building the agrihood, there are still quite a few miles to go!  On a recent episode I talked about a developer I'd met through a mutual friend at a REIA one night.  In this podcast I share with you the update, the conversations that have happened since that first night and how it's okay that things like this don't get built over-night.  

In August 2021 I drove my 5 youngest children down to Chattahoochee Hills, GA to visit Serenbe.  This is easily one of the largest and most established agrihoods in the country.  Did I love it and make plans to model this agrihood? Or are there things I'd change for our own ag-community?  I share it all in this episode. Either way, we enjoyed that Sunday afternoon just walking and driving around Serenbe, recapping not only what I liked, but what I plan to do a little differently in the agrihood we build. http://buildingtheagrihood.com

The idea of building an agrihood can be intimidating. There are offers to be made on properties and with that comes rejections.  In this episode, I'm sharing more of my story with you and sharing about what's happened in the last 6 months on this journey.  Listen in to hear who I met the day before recording this and how this introduction is changing my course some. 

Today I'm interviewing Brett and Lena Coleman.  They traveled 7,000 miles and visited 21 agricultural neighborhoods in less than a year! We're talking about what an agrihood is, why they are quickly becoming so popular and sought after (most have waiting lists), abd who they're for.  (Spoiler:  They aren't just for millenials!)  We talk about which agrihood is their favorite and with so much focus on community, we discuss if an agricultural neighborhood is a commune.  And because they've toured so many and have spoken with so many of the developers, I also ask the Coleman's what the drawbacks are. There is a wealth of information here for anyone wanting to learn more about agri-community living.

In the most basic terms, agrihoods are residential neighborhoods that incorporate agriculture in some way, whether that's with garden plots, farm stands, or an entire working farm. But more than that, agrihoods foster community and connectedness. Listen in today as I answer the question; what is an agrihood?

Welcome to season one, episode one!  I'm your host, Jennifer Ross, and on today's show I'm excited to share with you my story on why I want to develop an agrihood.  You'll hear why I believe the idea of mixing suburb life with country life is not only achievable, but fully worth pursuing, and you'll hear why I'm taking on such a monumental task of building a small village!  If you've ever had any interest in ditching the city life for life on a small farm (without all the work of a farm!), don't miss your chance to peek in on my journey.

My guest this week is Veronica Flores from Nurturing Connections. Veronica once worked a thriving, lucrative full-time business. Yet as her business grew, her marriage, her health, and her children began to suffer. Veronica shares her brave and bold story of giving up her career, her (misplaced) identity, her income, and her status amongst her colleagues. Instead of a generous salary, they now live off of one income. Instead of the fancy clothes, she now has a simpler wardrobe. Instead of airports, flights, and hotels, she now cleans bathrooms, folds laundry, and washes dishes. Listen in as she shares why she left her career and how her obedience to God, has changed her family's life. *Spoiler alert: This is my last podcast.  Listen to the end for my reasons why.

My guest this week is Bethany McDonald, wife and mom of two girls. Bethany recently wrote a post on Facebook that went "viral." She titled her post, "You can pour from an empty cup." This post caused quite the stir amongst fellow mamas. Our culture highly encourages mothers to "pour" into themselves first, so that then they will be able to "pour" into their families. However, when we search God's Word, we find that this mentality is a slippery slope. In fact, self-care can quickly turn into selfishness. As 2 Corinthians 12:9 states, "but He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.' So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me".

My guest this week is Carolyn Thomas from Homesteading Family. Carolyn and her family share about the homestead lifestyle. She shares, teaches, and inspires other homemakers to create a more sustainable home. One of those aspects is the use of herbal medicine. Carolyn reminds us that God has truly provided us everything that we need, including giving us resources to help heal our families. Herbal remedies are one of the resources. Herbs heal cuts and scrapes, as well help fight off an on-coming cold with something as simple as a cup of herbal tea! It may sound intimidating, but for beginners, growing herbs can be as simple as a small pot of basil on your kitchen counter. In this podcast, you will learn the importance of herbal medicine, where to begin, and how to get your kids involved. I think you will be encouraged.

As Christian homemakers, it can be challenging to keep a tidy home while juggling homeschooling, cooking meals three times a day, keeping up with the laundry and running to the grocery store. In today's interview, we chat with blogger, author, speaker and decluttering expert, Dana K. White. You probably know her from her blog A Slob Comes Clean and from her bestsellers  Decluttering at the Speed of Life and How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind. Dana gives us practical advice, tips, and tricks on how and where to even begin decluttering, how to keep your house clean even amongst the chaos, and how to get rid of the clutter without feeling the overwhelm.

My guest this week is Elizabeth Prata and we are discussing whether or not God speaks to us audibly. Elizabeth warns us of false teachers claiming, “God told me…” and teaches us how to listen to the Holy Spirit while being careful not to claim direct revelations from God.

Time management. It's one of the crucial ingredients in Biblical home management.  Guiding our homes well, for the glory of God, is difficult if not impossible to accomplish without learning how to govern our days and hours. On today's show, my guest will share what time management is and why Christian women should even attempt to budget their time.  We talk about how a woman "fits in" all she needs to do and what that looks like practically.  I ask her about different life seasons. What works for my schedule today will likely change when summer comes, or when a new baby comes along.  And she also share some resources for anyone who'd like to dig a little deeper into learning how to manage time. Find all the show notes and more episodes like this at www.confidentlycalled.com

How can stay at home moms can get involved in standing up for our God-given freedoms? Today's guest, Sheri Graham, (homeschooling mom of 5) shares her story of getting involved, how she learned about local and state government, how to contact representatives, and more. Even at home, there are things you can do to learn and understand what the governmental processes are and how to be involved.

As Christian homemakers, we adorn the gospel by caring for our homes and families well.  This is the responsibility we've been given as women. This is the primary place where our ministry takes place.  How can we honor God in these roles that He's placed us in?  One way is by learning practical ways to manage our homes.  And that is just what this podcast is all about today! Are you confident you are managing your home well?  Marci will encourage you to this end.  Take a listen, roll up your sleeves, and jump into practical and Biblical home management. This podcast covers: Why we are called, in the Bible, to be keepers of our homes How sound doctrine is foundational for Godly living An explanation of Titus 2 How homemaking is a ministry and so much more than dishes and laundry Easy ways for homemakers to be more productive at home Why "winging it" is a recipe for our worst days Marci's morning routine How a wife and homemaker can get more done each day without frustration Home management tips if you feel overwhelmed Signs that our schedule is too full Where to start if you're in utter chaos How to find an older Titus 2 woman Why self-discipline is important Marci's best planning tips and helpful resources Cleaning tips Full show notes and resources can be found here: http://confidentlycalled.com Like this podcast?  Please leave a review here - even one sentence helps

Nothing will divide women more than the working moms/stay-at-home mom debate.  So, as a Christian woman, I want to be completely upfront and forthcoming here and say, "I do not desire to cause division within the body of Christ." PLEASE, if you listen to this podcast episode, go into it realizing this is the true-life story of one woman.  This is the story of how her choices affected her children in very negative ways.  This is her whistle call to anyone willing to listen. ***Disclaimer:  This particular podcast episode is a candid conversation, and as such, adult topics are discussed and may be too mature for a younger audience.  Please use discretion, and you may want to listen first by yourself, or with earbuds in. ***

If I could sit with you and talk about life, would you say you feel inadequate in certain areas?  Maybe even admit that you don't feel like you are doing enough?  Those feelings and negative thoughts wear us down.  After a while of hearing "What do you do all day?" and "You're not doing enough," we may actually start to believe it.  But let me encourage you to take every thought captive and reject those lies. My guest on today's podcast is the lovely Karen DeBeus from Simply Living for Him. She reminds us that taking our eyes off the things of this world and living for Jesus is how we combat such thoughts.  She reminds us that, staying home is beyond enough.   And she's right.  Ready to hear more?

We are a culture that seeks out the extraordinary, the big accomplishments in life.  In today's podcast, Kelly Crawford shares the truth that the every day, small, mundane things done for the glory of God have eternal impact. We can be confident that according to God's Word our faithfulness in the little things adds up to living a big life. Christians are often encouraged to "Do something big for Jesus," but it's Jesus Himself that reminds us to be faithful in the little things, and to make it our ambition to lead a quiet life, minding our own business and working with our hands.  This Biblical message is completely counter-cultural, as Biblical truths often are. Today's Podcast Covers: What your purpose on earth is What the glass ceiling is and why breaking through shouldn't be a goal of ours How the "Do more, be more regardless of the cost," mantra is a danger for us as Christians How can we be content, rather than always looking for something more A Biblical response to the question of self-care How our calling where God has placed is rich and rewarding How trying to live a supermom life creates dissatisfaction with normal life and more... Links and Resources: When Motherhood Feels Too Hard by Kelly Crawford Ordinary: Sustainable Faith in a Radical, Restless World by Michael Horton You Who? Why You Matter and How to Deal with It by Rachel Jankovic Where to Find Kelly: Generation Cedar CLICK HERE: ConfidentlyCalled.com CLICK HERE: HomemakersAcademy.com

A husband that works out of town, living with extended family, COVID, home businesses....  2020 was chaotic for many families, for many different reasons. Join me and my guest, Meg Dickey, on this podcast as we have a deep, heart to heart conversation on coming out of the chaos as Christian homemakers. I pray this podcast is edifying for you!

In this episode, Jennifer talks with Jami Balmet, wife, mom of 6 small children, including TWO sets of twins!  Jami also hosts the encouraging Homemaking Foundations Podcast as well as bringing us all the wonderful Online Homemaking Conference each year. Join us today as we discuss how Jami started out, really with no homemaking skills or training at all, and how she got to where she is today over 10 years later.   You will be encouraged if you too started (or are just starting) from scratch as a homemaker and didn't know where to start after getting married and graduating from college. Also, don't forget to grab your ticket for the Online Homemaking Conference that will begin on January 11th!! Looking for other episodes on being confident in your calling from the Lord?  Visit http://confidentlycalled.com/

In this episode, Jennifer talks with mom of 10 and homeschool veteran of 17 years, Amy Roberts. Amy has been an encouragement to other homeschooling moms for many years, and has written 2 books to offer further guidance on the subject. Join us today as we discuss homeschooling during a pandemic, whether you were unexpectedly thrown into teaching your children at home, are just starting out, or have been on this road for years, you'll relate to this episode and be encouraged! Looking for other episodes on being confident in your calling from the Lord?  Visit http://confidentlycalled.com/

In this episode, you'll learn all about backyard gardening as a homemaker.  We discuss building your soil, planting in small areas or containers, growing for yourself and others.  We even get into a little about training children.  If you're at all interested in gardening, homemaking or raising children, you'll love this podcast!  

The Meaning of Home Years before ever getting married, having babies and being a full time homemaker, I *knew* that was all I wanted to do.  Skip college; stay-at-home-mom-life full speed ahead! It was a life-long dream, my heart's desire... a longing. A few years ago I stumbled upon the book, "Keeping Place: Reflections on the Meaning of Home," by Jen Pollock Michel.  After God's Word, I return to her book over and over when my mindset towards home feels "off." Join me and listen in to today's conversation as we talk about: Where your longing for home comes from... What it is that creates dissatisfaction with the modern "husband who works long hours and the isolated-at-home life..." What home life used to be, generations ago... How modern time saving devices actually drain a housewife's satisfaction, rather than adding to it... Learn what is the most satisfying and creative about household tasks... The best place to find and create social connection... and more... Resources mentioned: Keeping Place: Reflections on the Meaning of Home (book) "Just a Housewife" (book) The Measure of Success: Uncovering the Biblical Perspective on Women, Work, and the Home (book) Find Jen here at:  jenpollockmichel.com Have you been encouraged?  Subscribe! If this Confident Conversations with Homemakers podcast has been a blessing to you, I’d love to hear about it! Head over to iTunes to subscribe and leave a rating and a review while you're there, so other we can encourage one another!  

Find more episodes at http://confidentlycalled.com  

Find more episodes at http://confidentlycalled.com

Find more episodes at http://confidentlycalled.com

Find more episodes at http://confidentlycalled.com

Find more episodes at http://confidentlycalled.com

Find more episodes at http://confidentlycalled.com

Find more episodes at http://confidentlycalled.com

Find more episodes at http://confidentlycalled.com

Guest Shannon Hazleton discusses Biblical marriage, and being for your husband.

Ways to put God first in your life as a wife, mother and homemaker.

Listen in on a conversation conversation about a daily routine with 10 children, meal planning, cooking and shopping with a large family, blessing your husband amidst a full and busy household, having a consistent daily quiet time, feeding your family when there is little money for groceries and more.

This podcast covers creating an inviting home, organization, easy how-tos for a company ready home, decorating tips, blessing your husband through homemaking and more.

An inside look at a homemaker's life as a wife and mom of soon to be 5 young children.  Practical, hands-on advice and suggestions. http://confidentlycalled.com/2017/10/23/courtney-dowling/

In this episode my guest, Lori Alexander, and I discuss marriage and homemaking. Specific advice on critical husbands, what to as a homemaker if you have no children, and much much more.

This podcast interview covers daily chores, unexpected guests, decorating to bless your husband, representing Christ well through homemaking, enjoying company, including children when you have guests and more.  

This podcast interview covers the how and why of hospitality, creating an inviting home for family and friends, as well as finding the motivation to keep our homes visually orderly.

This podcast covers the daily routine, of a successful Christian homemaker/homeschooling mom of a large family.