Tiny House Lifestyle Podcast

Today, we have a thought-provoking episode featuring Nate Murphy. Nate is an advocate for minimalism, environmental consciousness, and co-living, and he's here to share his insights on how these concepts intersect with van life and tiny house living. We’ll also explore his book "The Ideas That Rule Us," which dives deep into the ideologies shaping our lives and how embracing minimalism can lead to more fulfilling choices. Nate's personal journey and the practical steps he offers for aligning your life with your values are truly inspiring. So, if you've ever felt weighed down by consumerism or are curious about making radical lifestyle changes, this episode is a must-listen. Stay tuned as we uncover the benefits of eco-villages, the freedom of van life, and pathways to a more self-aware and community-focused existence.

In This Episode:

• 🚐 Van Life Simplicity: Highlighting the affordability, simplicity, and freedom compared to traditional city living.
• 🏞️ Digital Nomadism: The shift towards remote work, allowing people to live and work in rural areas with access to high-speed internet.
• 🏡 Property Appreciation: Unlike vans that depreciate, tiny houses can appreciate over time with proper care and maintenance.
• 💸 Unsustainable Property Prices: A critique on the excessive property prices and the notion that houses should serve as living tools, not just financial investments.
• 🌳 Sustainable Living: Nate’s approach to buying a house in Catalonia focuses on long-term sustainable living rather than financial profit.
• 🌐 Contributionism vs. Consumerism: Community and contribution are valued more over ownership and consumerism, promoting a richer sense of worth.
• 🏘️ Eco Villages/Co-Living: Eco villages and co-living spaces enhance the sense of community and mutual dependency, fostering tangible value exchange and improved living environments.
• 💡 Self-Awareness: Nate advises evaluating one’s behavior and time use to align actions with true values, thereby increasing self-awareness and openness.
• 🌍 Capitalism and Sustainability: A call for a shift towards a sustainable version of capitalism that includes fairness and care.

This Week's Sponsor:
This Tiny House Lifestyle Podcast is sponsored by PrecisionTemp hot water heaters. Right now, PrecisionTemp is offering $50 off their amazing hot water heaters if you use the code THLP at checkout. Head over to PrecisionTemp at precisiontemp.com and use the coupon code THLP for $50 off. Thank you so much to PrecisionTemp for sponsoring our show.

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Today's episode is a special one, several years ago, I had the privilege of interviewing John Wells, a true pioneer in the tiny house movement. John first caught my attention through his insightful comments on my Facebook posts about building my own tiny house. As I dug deeper into his profile, I realized he was the real deal - someone who had fully embraced the off-grid, minimalist lifestyle.

While we initially decided not to release our conversation, recent events have changed my perspective. Sadly, I learned of John's passing through this month's Tiny House Magazine, where he was mentioned as an early influence for Andrew and Laura Lavoie. This news prompted me to revisit our interview, and I was struck by how valuable and inspiring our discussion truly was.

In this episode, we'll explore John's remarkable journey from living in a 2800 square foot house to embracing life in a 128 square foot tiny home on the remote Terlingua Ranch in Southwest Texas. John shares practical steps he took to make this dramatic transformation, offering a wealth of tips for anyone interested in off-grid living. 

Throughout our conversation, John's unique approach to simple living and his authentic personality shine through, providing invaluable insights for those considering a similar lifestyle change. Though recorded a while ago, John's wisdom remains as relevant and thought-provoking as ever.

In This Episode:

• 🏠 The specifics of John's off-grid home, including portable AC, propane cooking, and preference for solar power over wind energy.
• 🌞 Details of John's solar power system, with 1200 watts providing electricity and the benefits it brings to his off-grid living.
• 🚑  A recount of his compound fracture, hospital stay, and long recovery period in a wheelchair that interrupted his off-grid activities.
• 💡 Tips for living off-grid, such as experimenting with modular systems and the importance of self-sufficiency.
• 🐕 John's preference for animal interactions over human companionship and his hermit lifestyle, despite being active online.
• ✉️ Various income sources like odd jobs, selling merchandise, and custom silver items; his grassland and minimal cost living.
• 🏚️ John's process in building a tiny house for himself and for a friend, utilizing his carpentry skills and past experiences.
• 🍽️ Using a solar oven, shopping at remote grocery stores, and experimenting with food delivery during recovery.
• 💰 Monthly expenses, property taxes, and how moving to Texas drastically reduced his living costs.
• 🎥 Insights into his blog, YouTube channel, and why he shares his off-grid lifestyle online, turning his experiences into engaging content.

Visit the website for full show notes, photos, links and resources.

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Over the past decade, Jenna has expanded her influence through her amazingly popular YouTube channel, Tiny House Giant Journey, which showcases unique tiny house tours and stories. We'll discuss the challenges of maintaining and repairing a tiny house, especially when it's used primarily as a vacation rental, but it wasn't built as one initially. Jenna will also share the incredible stories behind some of the most remarkable tiny houses she has encountered, including one nestled in an animal sanctuary. Whether you're a tiny house veteran or just curious, you'll find plenty of inspiration and practical insights in today's episode.

In This Episode:

• 🏡 Tiny House Maintenance: Jenna shares challenges, including moving and flooring issues.
• 🚗 Tiny House Transportation: Costs and difficulties of moving and parking tiny homes.
• 👪 Minimalism with Family: Struggling to accommodate a growing family and maintain minimalism.
• 🚚 Trends in Tiny Homes: Larger homes and rise of tiny house villages.
• 🎥 Tiny House Stories: Jenna's YouTube content and focus on personal stories.
• ✨ Unique Living Spaces: Her interest in unique tiny homes like Vardo wagon.
• 📈 Popularity of Tiny Houses: Increased acceptance and legal parking options.

This Week's Sponsor:
This Tiny House Lifestyle Podcast is sponsored by PrecisionTemp hot water heaters. Right now, PrecisionTemp is offering $50 off their amazing hot water heaters if you use the code THLP at checkout. Head over to PrecisionTemp at precisiontemp.com and use the coupon code THLP for $50 off. Thank you so much to PrecisionTemp for sponsoring our show.

Visit the website for full transcript, photos, links and resources from this episode.

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Candace and her husband have a unique story, having coordinated their tiny house build in the United States while still living in South Africa entirely via WhatsApp video calls. With a background as a declutter coach, life coach, retreat leader, and yoga teacher, Candace brings us insights on how to create a life filled with intentionality and joy. We'll dive into her journey from South Africa to the United States, explore the impact of decluttering on mental and emotional well-being, and get inspired by her advice for those considering the tiny house lifestyle. Stay tuned as we learn from Candace's experience and enthusiasm for creating a life you'll love.

In This Episode:

• 🌱 Minimalism and Decluttering: Candace emphasizes the personal growth she experienced from shedding material possessions.
• 🏡 Tiny House Living: She shares about transitioning to a tiny home and its benefits.
• 🌍 Traveling Lifestyle: Traveling with their tiny house across the US and finding parking.
• 💪 Personal Growth: Candace talks about the challenges and mindset shifts that came along with the move from South Africa to the US.
• ✨ Intentional Living: She discusses how embracing new experiences lead to a fulfilling life.
• 🔄 Simplification Process: The feeling of lightness she achieved through decluttering.
• 🛠️ Building Challenges: How she managed to coordinate their entire tiny house build remotely via WhatsApp.
• 🧘 Holistic Wellness: Focusing on mental, physical, and spiritual well-being.

Visit the website for full transcript, photos, links and resources from this episode.

This Week's Sponsor:
This Tiny House Lifestyle Podcast is sponsored by PrecisionTemp hot water heaters. Right now, PrecisionTemp is offering $50 off their amazing hot water heaters if you use the code THLP at checkout. Head over to PrecisionTemp, that's precisiontemp.com, and use the coupon code THLP for $50 off. Thank you so much to PrecisionTemp for sponsoring our show.

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Emily Gerde and her husband Justin, son Wyatt, three cats and one dog live in a 325 square foot tiny house on wheels. Emily is the author of Minimalist Living for a Maximum Life, which provides insight on their tiny house journey and how a minimalist, organic, holistic, mindful lifestyle led to a life of their dreams.

What's it like raising a minimalist family with plans to grow in tiny house? How do you keep the intake of stuff to a minimum while creating an enriching experience for your children? I'll ask Emily those questions and more.

In this episode:

• Why did Emily settle on relatively large (325sf) tiny house on wheels?
• What’s it like to move a 20,000lb tiny house?
• Why Emily and her family started living in a camper but have decided to abandon that project?
• How to deal with the judgement you receive from choosing to live in a tiny house as a family?
• Emily’s efforts to legalize tiny house communities in Colorado
• What will you do when your young children approach teen age?
• Do you have to live in a tiny house to be a minimalist?
• How do you control the space (toys, play area, etc.) associated with kids in your tiny house?
• How do you deal with receiving gifts when most people tend to give children toys?
• How have you dealt with the need for an address to enroll your son in school?

Find the full show notes, transcript, links and resources on the website.

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Lil Wing is a metal triangle on wheels with a putting green grass landing, and it was the most unique tiny house I saw at Big Mass Festival. The builder, Chris Schapdick of Tiny Industrial, specializes in smaller tiny homes that are easy to tow. In addition, he is the author of two books about tiny house living. In this conversation, we’ll cover the ins and outs of building towable tiny houses, why Chris decided to share his process on Instructables, and what we can look forward to in his book release.

In This Episode:

• From NYC suburbia to living tiny in upstate New York: Chris’s tiny house journey
• How Chris started building other tiny houses
• The challenge of sealing plywood
• Tiny House Industrial has offerings for every budget level
• Lil Wing design inspiration
• Why are the smaller tiny houses so appealing?
• The Oculus North tiny house
• Why Chris wrote The Joy of Tiny House Living

Visit the show notes page for more photos, links, and resources.

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I am excited to introduce you to Kaylee, a passionate advocate for the tiny house movement and a biology teacher with a deep interest in sustainable living. Kaylee will share the inspiring saga of her journey building her own tiny house and how it reshaped her perspective on simple, ecological living. We'll dig into the challenges she faced from zoning laws to financial hurdles and how these experiences fueled her advocacy for tiny house legalization. Kaylee's story is not just about building a small home, but about building a life aligned with values of minimalism and sustainability. Join us as we explore the highs and lows of tiny house living and learn from Kaylee’s relentless pursuit of her dreams against all odds.

In This Episode:

• 🏡 Tiny House Lifestyle Challenges: Kaylee shares the immense difficulties in transitioning to tiny home living, including legal hurdles.
• 🌿 Environmental Passion: As a biology teacher, she highlights her commitment to eco-friendly living and how it integrates with her tiny house journey.
• 📜 Advocating for Legal Change: Her involvement in pushing for legislative changes to accommodate tiny house living, reflecting on her work with bill S 897.
• 🧰 Building Struggles: Kaylee narrates the practical challenges faced while building her tiny home, including weather setbacks and zoning conflicts.
• 💑 Relationship Dynamics: Kaylee's relationship plays a crucial role in her tiny house adventure, providing both support and a backup housing option.
• 📚 Education Evaluation: How her personal experiences have changed the way she views education and priorities.
• 🚀 Movie Inspiration: "Gattaca" acts as a motivational tool for her, symbolizing overcoming imposed limitations, similar to her struggles with tiny house living.
• 💸 Financial Struggles: Discusses the financial stress of building and maintaining a tiny house, including renting out spaces to fund her project.
• ⚖️ Navigating Local Politics: Kaylee describes contrasting interactions at state and local levels, highlighting more receptive planning board meetings.
• 🤔 Reflection on Life Choices: Despite challenges, Kaylee wouldn't change her journey, embracing her natural tendency to challenge authority and societal norms.

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MJ Boyle is a mastermind in the tiny house community and the founder of several successful tiny house businesses, including My Tiny House Village and Oregon Teardrop Rentals. MJ has not only built and rented out nine unique tiny homes but has just embarked on transforming a construction trailer into an alluring tiny home called “My Tiny Bunkhouse.”

In today's episode, MJ will share her innovative approach to waterless and odorless toilet systems that enhance both guest and staff experiences. We'll also delve into the art of rehabilitating and renovating tiny structures, a skill MJ has honed over years of experience, turning dilapidated shells into dream homes with sustainable practices. Join us for a comprehensive discussion on maintaining high occupancy rates, exceptional guest satisfaction, and the strategic intricacies of managing multiple tiny house locations efficiently. It’s a packed interview you won't want to miss!

In This Episode:

• Pet-Friendly Policies 🐾: MJ allows pets but requires a deposit and adherence to specific rules to grant a free stay, addressing the challenge of finding pet-friendly rentals.
• Flooring Choices 🏡: Luxury vinyl flooring is highlighted due to its scratch and water resistance, plus its ability to make spaces appear larger.
• Built-In Furniture 🔨: Stability and practicality are achieved through built-ins instead of traditional furniture, tailored to renter needs.
• Profitable Rentals 💸: MJ shares a success story where investing in tiny homes yielded substantial profit and emphasizes the importance of long-term planning.
• Laundry Logistics 🧺: Discusses the high costs and logistical challenges of laundry management across multiple rental properties in different states.
• DIY Composting Toilet 🚽: MJ designed a cost-effective, odorless composting toilet system using buckets, wood pellets, and cedar shavings, enhancing guest experience.
• Property Rehabilitation 🛠️: MJ transformed a dilapidated trailer into a functional and inviting tiny home, showcasing her talent in renovation.
• Business Growth During COVID 📈: The pandemic brought high demand, with rentals fully booked for an extended period, demonstrating business resilience.
• Infrastructure Challenges 🔌: MJ recounts the technical and regulatory hurdles in establishing a new site for her tiny house village.

Visit the show notes page for more photos, links and resources.

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Today, we have a very special guest, Lucy Lich, joining us from the South Coast of New South Wales Australia. Lucy is not only a dedicated tiny house dweller, but also a teacher, wellness enthusiast, and the host of the Tiny House Conversations podcast. Over the next hour, we'll dive into how living tiny has profoundly integrated with her values of minimalism, health and environmental consciousness. Lucy will share her personal journey into tiny living, her insights on designing for health and minimizing environmental impacts, and how her experiences have shaped her podcast. Join us as we explore the unique challenges and joys of tiny living with an expert who lives and breathes this lifestyle every day.

In This Episode:

• 🏡 Tiny House Customization: Lucy hired builders open to unique material customization, accommodating her health-centric needs in tiny house construction.
• 💡 Health-Oriented Lighting: The story behind trading standard bulbs with amber and red to mimic natural sunlight, promoting better sleep and relaxation.
• 🌿 Electromagnetic Sensitivity: Extra measures like non-wireless tech and special electrical wiring incorporated into the design to reduce electromagnetic fields.
• 💧 Natural Living Approach: Features like a composting toilet, rainwater tank, and solar setup installed to enhance sustainable living.
• 🤍 Mindfulness and Intentionality: Lucy's philosophy of intentionality and mindfulness permeates her tiny house living approach, focusing on eco-friendliness and connection with nature.

Visit the full show notes for additional photos, links and resources.

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Janet Thome is deeply involved in the tiny house movement, leading the Tiny House Alliance USA and serving as the membership secretary of the ASTM International Tiny House Subcommittee. In this episode, Janet will share insights into the current state of the tiny house market, the impact of recent economic shifts, and the ongoing efforts to develop standards that ensure safety, affordability, and compliance in the industry. She’ll also discuss the importance of certification for owner-builders and the essential role of inclusive regulations. Join us as we dive deep into these topics and explore the future potential of tiny house living with Janet Thome.

In This Episode:

• 🌍 Global Standardization: Janet discusses efforts with ASTM International to create a worldwide tiny house standard, streamlining safety, affordability, and compliance across different countries.
• 👷 Safety and Compliance: Emphasis on the importance of adopting ASTM standards to ensure that tiny houses are built safely and adhere to recognized industry benchmarks.
• 🏠 Affordable Housing: Keeping the tiny house industry affordable is a primary concern, facilitating support for small manufacturers and DIY builders.
• 🚚 Local vs. Transport Costs: The cost benefits of selecting local builders to prevent high transportation costs of materials and completed homes.
• 📋 Certification Needs: Highlighting the importance of certification to streamline and ensure consistency in the building and approval processes across states.
• 🛑 Fraud Alert: Warnings about the prevalence of scams within the tiny house industry, urging potential buyers to thoroughly research and verify builders' credentials.
• 🤝 Industry Collaboration: Collaboration with various stakeholders like manufacturers, engineers, and architects to create comprehensive and inclusive standards.
• 🔍 Future Trends: Emerging trends, including a push towards creating new classifications of housing to keep up with societal and economic changes.

Visit the show notes for links, resources and transcript.

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