Homesteading and Permaculture by Paul Wheaton artwork

Homesteading and Permaculture by Paul Wheaton

309 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago - ★★★★ - 155 ratings

Natural Sciences Science permaculture farming homesteading
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Episodes

Podcast 665 – Molly Mac’s Consultation

March 16, 2024 10:51 - 14.8 MB

Paul’s latest victim is Molly Mac and her 1.5 acre peninsula in Massachusetts. It’s a windy place but has plenty of various trees and an overall shape that’s not good for berms, so hugelkultur it is! There’s even a convenient space for a Rocket Mass Heater. Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes and discussion […]

Podcast 664 – Red Cabin RMH Mk.5 – Part 2

March 13, 2024 21:22 - 10.4 MB

Paul and Uncle Mud continue to discuss the red cabin’s new Rocket Mass Heater and what they want from future modifications and designs, such as a cob hat, a simple instruction set for dealing with cold plugs and such, and maybe a way, or at least a warning, for dealing with the outside of the […]

Podcast 663 – Red Cabin RMH Mk.5 – Part 1

March 11, 2024 21:58 - 10.7 MB

Paul sits down with Uncle Mud (Chris McClellan) to talk about the new Rocket Mass Heater in the Red Cabin, some history of the prior 4, and what they want from future designs, such as a riser made of firebricks, and bickering on how efficient the mass should be. Support the podcast on Patreon Show […]

Podcast 662 – Bonnie Bassan’s Consultation – Part 2

March 09, 2024 14:14 - 10.5 MB

Bonnie’s consultation on her half acre plot of clay-full soil in New Mexico continues into topics of apple tree seeding, drip irrigation, hugelkultur, chicken management, the Ruth Stout method of composting, and just how Paul manages to stay optimistic (hint: it involves gardens). Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes and discussion More information and […]

Podcast 661 – Bonnie Bassan’s Consultation – Part 1

March 06, 2024 18:57 - 8.41 MB

Paul has a new victim in the form of Bonnie Bassan and her roughly half acre New Mexico property. The place has a lot of clay, 10″ of precipitation, and a lot of wind. Sounds like a perfect place for Hugelkultur, just needs a bit of irrigation for a while to build the soil. Support […]

Podcast 660 – Orchard Gertitude

February 21, 2024 22:40 - 2.82 MB

Paul was talking apple orchards and commodity markets with Samantha when she managed to sum it up so well that he had to make a podlet out of it while also touching on the overall state of farmers, their pay, and how they’re getting screwed over by the markets. Support the podcast on Patreon Show […]

Podcast 659 – Tim Kostamo’s Consultation

February 19, 2024 21:01 - 15.1 MB

Another poor fool has parted with cash and gotten a consultation from Paul! Tim Kostamo has a 10-acre property in British Colombia with plenty of trees, water, and poor soil. Paul’s advice includes hugelkultur, conifer removal, taking it slow, and building wavy deer fences. Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes and discussion More information […]

Podcast 658 – Heatpumps v Rocket Mass Heaters – Part 2

February 17, 2024 22:18 - 10.2 MB

Paul and Uncle Mud continue the discussion of the home heating infographic (permies.com/heat), with this episode talking more about how Rocket Mass Heaters compare in terms of market volatility, automation, maintenance, and durability with other heating methods. Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes and discussion More information and discussion of this podcast on this […]

Podcast 657 – Heatpumps v Rocket Mass Heaters – Part 1

February 15, 2024 19:10 - 10.6 MB

Paul and Uncle Mud discuss the home heating infographic which they published on permies.com/heat, although since it was made, the price of electricity has gone up by 30%, and how Rocket Mass Heaters compare to other heating methods in terms of installation, operation, carbon footprint, and a bunch more. Support the podcast on Patreon Show […]

Podcast 656 – Janelle’s Consultation – Part 2

February 05, 2024 20:04 - 8.6 MB

Janelle’s consultation with Paul continues into (surprise, surprise) hugelkultur. Along with using swales and stones to create cold pockets and thermal inertia for microclimate adjustment, soil building, and water acquisition via taprooted trees. Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes and discussion More information and discussion of this podcast on this thread at Permies.

Podcast 655 – Janelle’s Consultation – Part 1

February 03, 2024 18:26 - 8.6 MB

One Janelle Quint was foolish enough to give Paul money for a consultation, so he recorded it. She has a property in California with a wide temperature range, wind, poor soil, predators, and a creek. Paul’s suggestions include berms, ponds, goldfish, and livestock guardian dogs, amongst others. Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes and […]

Podcast 654 – Free Heat for Every Home – Part 2

January 27, 2024 17:08 - 14 MB

Paul continues his discussion with a collection of people he’s gathered on the subject of the library’s Rocket Mass Heater modifications, while also taking questions from chat, and comparing Batch Box and J-Tube style heaters from the perspective of newbie builders. Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes and discussion More information and discussion of […]

Podcast 653 – Free Heat for Every Home – Part 1

January 25, 2024 22:06 - 11.1 MB

Paul rounds up a bunch of people to discuss Rocket Mass Heaters, specifically the one in the library and what they’ve done to modify it this time, including removing the bypass and guillotine, adding a stratification chamber, and trying out a passive plug that should keep heat in when not in use. Support the podcast […]

Podcast 652 – 18-Year Thought Experiment

January 13, 2024 18:33 - 13.6 MB

Paul’s got himself a new toy and is giving it a trial run on YouTube by answering a fairly large question: if someone from the future came and told him that working 80 hours a week for 3 years would make a big positive change, would he? What about if stopping would result in 10 […]

Podcast 651 – Normie to Permie – Part 3

January 04, 2024 21:35 - 9.39 MB

Paul finishes up the pod with Dez, Samantha, and Steven, talking about the bootcamp program, why boots aren’t paid with cash, comparing new boots to farmhands in terms of experience and ability, and pointing out that bootcamp is kinda unique in all of America. Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes and discussion More information […]

Podcast 650 – Normie to Permie – Part 2

January 02, 2024 23:28 - 9.55 MB

Paul, Dez, Samantha, and Steven keep on talking about how they each transitioned from normies to their new permie selves, to such a degree that some find it hard to even approach their old lives and find what some consider laborious demands to be met almost casually. Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes and […]

Podcast 649 – Normie to Permie – Part 1

December 31, 2023 17:24 - 9.69 MB

It’s Christmas eve, and Paul is up with Steven, Dez, and Samantha to talk about their transition from normies with worky jobs to permies, their experiences with other communities, and why they decided to stick around Wheaton Labs instead of any of the prior ones. Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes and discussion More […]

Podcast 648 – Wheaton Biography – Part 2

November 20, 2023 19:46 - 9.84 MB

Paul and Cat 2 continue from part 1, discussing how Paul got into permaculture, his experience with permaculture communities, how good of a boot he’d be, if Paul would have gotten into permaculture if modern courses and materials were available when he were a lad, and finishing off with relationships. Support the podcast on Patreon […]

Podcast 647 – Wheaton Biography – Part 1

November 18, 2023 20:11 - 9.66 MB

Paul is talking with Cat 2, who came up with the idea that he should do a more biographical kind of podcast. She has a list of questions for Paul and his history, including his inspirations, how he went from a software engineer to the Duke of Permaculture, and how he got into gardening. Support […]

Podcast 646 – Struggling with big spend – Part 3

October 02, 2023 22:43 - 12.3 MB

Paul continues to brainstorm (with Katie, Cindy, and Jay) on the subject of how to spend $500,000 so that it effects a positive change and also earns back the money, going over ideas such as GAMCOD, wofati construction videos, affiliate marketing, TED talks, and a bunch more. Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes and […]

Podcast 645 – Struggling with big spend – Part 2

September 30, 2023 22:22 - 14.4 MB

Paul, Jay and Katie continue brainstorming on the subject of how to spend a hypothetical donation of $500,000 so that it effects a positive change in the world and also repays the investment, including ideas such as investments, advertising, documentary making, and a whole bunch more. Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes and discussion […]

Podcast 644 – Struggling with big spend – Part 1

September 28, 2023 19:08 - 13.1 MB

Paul sits down with a few of his patreons about a hypothetical investment into Wheaton Labs, namely how he could make the money back so it could become self-perpetuating. Ideas include Rocket Mass Heater installers, Wofati builders, social media presence, and a bunch more. Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes and discussion More information […]

Podcast 643 – Carbon Footprint – Part 3

September 08, 2023 18:40 - 12.5 MB

Paul and Alan Booker continue their discussion on carbon footprints and how to reduce them, covering topics such as electric vehicles, rocket mass heaters, LEED certification and it’s flaws, refurbishment vs building anew, and food’s impact on a footprint. Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes and discussion More information and discussion of this podcast […]

Podcast 642 – Carbon Footprint – Part 2

September 06, 2023 19:33 - 11.2 MB

Paul and Alan Booker continue their discussion about carbon footprint, along with some others who are watching by zoom. Booker brings up that heat management is the largest contributor to most people’s carbon footprint, so Paul suggests Rocket mass heaters. Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes and discussion More information and discussion of this […]

Podcast 641 – Carbon Footprint – Part 1

September 04, 2023 18:58 - 10.9 MB

Paul sits down with Alan Booker to discuss climate change, and what we can do about it. Booker tends to avoid the subject due to it’s politicization, but believes the best way to affect it is to demonstrate how permaculture can improve lifestyles and make this knowledge go viral. Support the podcast on Patreon Show […]

Podcast 640 – Samantha’s Consultation – Part 2

August 16, 2023 20:00 - 7.62 MB

Paul continues Samantha’s consultation on her land and, perhaps rather predictably, talks at length about hugelkultur. Along with his disdain for pine trees, how to avoid frost pockets, a potential berm shed, and Mark Shepard’s book on Restoration Agriculture. Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes and discussion More information and discussion of this podcast […]

Podcast 639 – Samantha’s Consultation – Part 1

August 14, 2023 21:13 - 6.11 MB

Samantha got herself a consultation with Paul on from backing his kickstarter, so Paul is at Samantha’s place for the promised consultation, and naturally the discussion turns to Hugelkultur, along with her progress with a BB and inspiration from GAMCOD. Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes and discussion More information and discussion of this […]

Podcast 638 – De- and Re-skilling

August 04, 2023 22:04 - 10.4 MB

Paul is at lunch at the SKIP event and talks to Jay Gruenke (and a bit from Mike Haasl and Opalyn Rose) about the loss of skills brought on by the modern age, and how SKIP can help with bringing such skills back, even when ignoring how they can be used to inherit properties. Support […]

Podcast 637 – Cat’s SKIP Diet podlet

August 02, 2023 16:26 - 4.43 MB

Paul manages to get Cat to sit down over lunch for long enough to get a mini-podcast out of her, along with (much to her chagrin) her daughter and Dez, while they discuss her weight loss since coming to Bootcamp along with other food and health related topics. Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes […]

Podcast 636 – 2023 Permaculture Design Course Session 3

July 09, 2023 15:13 - 9.74 MB

Paul, Alan Booker, and others meet at lunch on day 11 of Alan Booker’s PDC. Today’s topic is “whether or not to go to college” and what’s changed in the last 12 years since Paul’s last talked about this. They also discuss SKIP and the effects of Artificial Intelligence on worky jobs. Support the podcast […]

Podcast 635 – 2023 Permaculture Design Course Session 2

July 04, 2023 21:51 - 9.31 MB

Paul and others are back at lunch at the PDC with JR Magee and Dez Choi, with his big theme being the 2023 Permaculture Technology Jamboree and his plans to extend it, along with some on the planned Freezer Wofati, new possibilities from the well, and a surprise turnip harvest. Support the podcast on Patreon […]

Podcast 634 – 2023 Permaculture Design Course

June 26, 2023 18:04 - 8.04 MB

Paul has Brandt come back for another round of of his Permaculture Design Course because last year just wasn’t enough for him, so he came back for more. They also discuss Hugelkultur and how to get started with your permaculture build, either on your own land, or how to inherit via SKIP. Support the podcast […]

Podcast 633 – Office Cleanup and Updates – Part 2

April 24, 2023 17:34 - 8.12 MB

Samantha still can’t persuade Paul to get his office cleaned up, so it looks like they’re going to keep discussing communities, how to keep people from playing rule sillybuggers, how he runs successful Kickstarters, and anything and everything else they can to stave off the dreaded cleaning. Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes and […]

Podcast 632 – Office Cleanup and Updates – Part 1

April 22, 2023 17:19 - 10.6 MB

Samantha pops in to Paul’s office offering to help him clean the place up, and instead finds herself recording a podcast with him on Allerton Abbey’s round door, Permaculture Technology Jamboree compensation plans, well digging, and anything and everything else in the place instead of getting it sorted. Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes […]

Podcast 631 – 2022 PTJ Recap Session 3 – Part 2

March 14, 2023 17:50 - 7.56 MB

Paul finishes up his recap of the 2022 Permaculture Technology Jamboree with his last remaining instructor, Lisa Orr, along with Chris McClellan, aka Uncle Mud, on subjects including rocket stove tech, wild clay and alternate fuel sources. Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes and discussion More information and discussion of this podcast on this […]

Podcast 630 – 2022 PTJ Recap Session 3 – Part 1

March 12, 2023 17:46 - 6.31 MB

Paul sits back down and gets last remaining instructor, Lisa Orr, along with Chris McClellan, aka Uncle Mud, to go more into their Rocket Kiln stuff. They also bring up Pyrometers, J-tubes, firing cones, and a delicate blue glaze. Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes and discussion More information and discussion of this podcast […]

Podcast 629 – 2022 PTJ Recap Session 2 – Part 3

March 10, 2023 17:13 - 9.81 MB

Session 2 of 2022’s Permaculture Technology Jamboree roundup finishes up with its batch of instructors, mostly on Jacob Wustner’s topics of bees, bee genetics, how to get bees with good genetics and how to improve poorer ones, swarm traps, and treatment free keeping of bees. Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes and discussion More […]

Podcast 628 – 2022 PTJ Recap Session 2 – Part 2

March 08, 2023 18:23 - 9.57 MB

The recap of last year’s Permaculture Technology Jamboree continues with the second batch of instructors (Samantha Lewis, Michael Otten, Jim Juczak, and Austin Durant) and what they taught. Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes and discussion More information and discussion of this podcast on this thread at Permies.

Podcast 627 – 2022 PTJ Recap Session 2 – Part 1

March 06, 2023 17:57 - 9.47 MB

Paul gets another batch of instructors from last year’s Permaculture Technology Jamboree in to discuss what they did for the event, namely getting a Mongolian yurt in, the earthworks necessary for building it on a steep slope, an offer for paid videography, and roundwood picnic tables. Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes and discussion […]

Podcast 626 – 2022 PTJ Recap – Part 3

March 04, 2023 17:03 - 12.1 MB

The first session of last year’s Permaculture Technology Jamboree comes to a close after discussing more on the rocket kiln and it’s potential as a rocket forge, rocket stoves, the new solar dehydrator with rocket assist, and spinning wheels made from bicycle parts. Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes and discussion More information and […]

Podcast 625 – 2022 PTJ Recap – Part 2

March 02, 2023 18:37 - 10.4 MB

The recap of last year’s Permaculture Technology Jamboree continues with about a third of his instructors, discussing Uncle Mud’s breakthrough in rocket kilns that allows much faster and cheaper pottery firing. Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes and discussion More information and discussion of this podcast on this thread at Permies.

Podcast 624 – 2022 PTJ Recap – Part 1

February 28, 2023 17:52 - 11 MB

Paul calls up about a third of his instructors (Alan Booker, Chris McClellan aka Uncle Mud, Opalyn Rose, Samantha Lewis, and Beau Davidson) from last year’s Permaculture Technology Jamboree to just go over what was taught there and some on the plans for this year’s PTJ. Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes and discussion […]

Podcast 623 – Catchup with Alan Booker – Part 3

December 19, 2022 17:16 - 11.4 MB

The catchup call between Paul and Alan Booker continues for another hour (mostly on Rocket Mass Heaters and upcoming events) before they decide to wind down for next time, along with a bit on Alan’s PDC and possible redefinition of the SEPPers program. Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes and discussion More information and […]

Podcast 622 – Catchup with Alan Booker – Part 2

December 17, 2022 17:15 - 10.5 MB

Paul continues his call with Alan Booker with the goal of catching up on the past 6 months of pod-silence, covering topics such as the Living Building Challenge, how energy prices vary over time and depending on source, and backup/emergency energy sources. Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes and discussion More information and discussion […]

Podcast 621 – Catchup with Alan Booker – Part 1

December 15, 2022 17:12 - 10.7 MB

Paul once again calls up Alan Booker after the long hiatus to catch up on what’s been happening at Paul’s in that time along with some future plans, covering the upcoming 2023 Garden Master course with Helen Atthowe and progress with the GM 2022, free heat, and greenhouse movies. Support the podcast on Patreon Show […]

Podcast 620 – Biophilic Design and BBB session 5 – Part 3

November 29, 2022 16:53 - 9.93 MB

Paul finishes up his call with Alan booker, but not before remembering that they’re supposed to be discussing section 2.4 of Permaculture a Designer’s Manual by Bill Mollison and actually managed to get and stay on topic, though still keeping Biophilia in mind. Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes and discussion More information and […]

Podcast 619 – Biophilic Design and BBB session 5 – Part 2

November 27, 2022 16:59 - 8.51 MB

The call between Paul and Alan Booker continues, and they still don’t get around to discussing section 2.4 of Permaculture a Designer’s Manual by Bill Mollison, AKA the Big Black Book, instead continuing to talk about Biophilic Design, bio-digesters, and Rocket Mass Heaters. Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes and discussion More information and […]

Podcast 618 – Biophilic Design and BBB session 5 – Part 1

November 25, 2022 17:05 - 8.64 MB

Paul calls up Alan Booker to continue their read-through of Permaculture a Designer’s Manual by Bill Mollison, AKA the Big Black Book, section 2.4. But got distracted by Biophilic Design, Rocket Mass Heaters, and how not to get people to be more efficient. Support the podcast on Patreon Show notes and discussion More information and […]

Podcast 617 – Oil and Water of the Mind – Part 2

November 20, 2022 16:55 - 9.83 MB

Paul continues discussing “Oil and Water of the Mind” and his second piece “If you live in an apartment, what good is a Rocket Mass Heater?” with Samantha. They stay on topic this time, but do bring up comparisons to the cost of heating via electricity, natural gas, Mini Splits, and old/modern wood stoves. Support […]

Podcast 616 – Oil and Water of the Mind – Part 1

November 18, 2022 16:35 - 8.76 MB

Paul sits down with Samantha after a 6-month hiatus to discuss a thing what he wrote called “Oil and Water of the Mind”, a thing about how politics is (probably) being shaped by people to make them more money, along with Rocket Mass Heaters, Kickstarter progress, and a bit on the SKIP book. Support the […]