Today we delve into the story of a listener turned tiny home owner, Maegan Bell. Maegan is an active duty Army logistics officer who's going to share with us how she exchanged the blueprints of a traditional house for the compact efficiency of a custom-built tiny home in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. We'll explore the challenges of setting up utilities, the joys of bringing family closer together, and how tiny homes can offer a unique solution for military families on the move. Maegan's journey is filled with insights and practical advice for anyone considering this lifestyle. So if you're curious about the tiny house movement or looking for tips on how to make it work for your family, stay tuned for this fascinating conversation.

In This Episode:

• 🏡 Embracing Tiny House Living: Maegan and her husband discovered the comfort and functionality of a tiny house.
• 💵 Military Financial Strategy: How living in an RV or a tiny house can be a clever financial decision for military families due to housing allowances.
• 🏞️ Wildlife and Remote Habitats: Maegan shares stories of wildlife encounters and her expertise in making remote locations livable from her military logistics background.
• 🔨 Smart Contractor Selection: The need to carefully vet contractors by checking credentials and reviews for building or developing a tiny house.
• 🕒 Land Development Patience: She advises taking time to understand the land before rushing into development.
• 🌄 Vacation Home to Tiny House: Faced with high building costs, Maegan chose to build a custom tiny house on her Virginia property as a nature-connected family retreat.
• 🛠️ Design Choices and Regrets: Maegan discusses aspects that worked out really well, but also shared certain regrets.
• 🛖 Multi-Use Property Planning: With the flexibility tiny houses offer, her family enjoys a stable vacation home that could also be rented out or moved if needed.
• 🌞 Off-Grid Living Exploration: Due to the high cost of setting up grid electricity, she considered off-grid solutions, such as solar panels, for their tiny house.

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

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Today we're exploring the cozy nooks of park model tiny homes with Cindy Ballaro. Cindy is not only a resident of a charming tiny home, but also a multipreneur who wears many hats including that of a publisher and marketer. Living in the picturesque mountains of North Carolina, Cindy has turned her sunflower-themed tiny house into a haven for both living and Airbnb guests. She's going to share with us the unique benefits and challenges of choosing a park model over a traditional towable tiny house, and how this lifestyle complements her entrepreneurial endeavors. So if you're intrigued by the community living aspect of tiny houses or are considering a park model for your own downsized life, this episode is for you.

In This Episode:

• 🏡 Park Model Tiny Homes: The differentiation between park models and towable tiny homes, including key factors that were important to Cindy when selecting her park model home.
• 🌐 Tiny House Communities: Cindy shares what it’s like to live in her tiny home community
• 🛠 Customization and Choice: Insight into the process of customization when purchasing a new build.
• 💲 Financial Aspects: Conversation on costs, value appreciation, and the advantage of selling property to finance the tiny house without needing a loan.
• 🌦️ Climate Management: The unexpected challenge of moisture control in a tiny house.
• 🛏️ Airbnb Hosting: Benefits of renting out the tiny home, managing personal space, and creating an additional income stream.
• 💵 Cost of Living: Sharing the expense of renting a lot in the tiny house community and how it supports her entrepreneurial lifestyle.

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I am thrilled to introduce our guest, Mike Crowhurst, a seasoned tiny house dweller and the creative mind behind one of the most unique tiny homes I’ve seen in a while! Mike and his wife Heidi spent three years crafting a 45-foot ex-refrigerated semi-trailer into a gorgeous tiny home. Throughout this episode, we'll dive into Mike's journey of tiny house living, exploring not just the practical aspects like custom cabinetry and space-saving features like an innovative elevator bed, but also the sustainable lifestyle that drives him. We'll also get into the nitty-gritty of converting a semi-trailer into a comfortable and functional living space, addressing the challenges and rewards such a project brings. So buckle up as we get a tour of Mike’s impressive tiny house and learn how he has optimized every inch of his home for maximum living.

In This Episode:

• 🚚 Tiny House Towing Challenges: The intricacies involved in transporting a tiny house safely, including the type of vehicle required and the importance of professional trucking expertise to avoid potential hazards.
• 🏠 Semi-Trailer Conversion Journey: Mike's personal adventure of converting a 45-foot refrigerated semi-trailer into a sustainable and innovative tiny home.
• ❄️☀️ Insulation and Climate Adaptation: The insulation options used in the semi-trailer, Mike's additional insulation efforts, and adaptation to the Adelaide climate.
• 💡 Procuring a Trailer: Insight into the process of acquiring a semi-trailer, highlighting considerations like checking for rust, maintenance history, and tips on where to find decommissioned trailers.
• 🗄️ Tiny House Storage Solutions: Mike outlines the storage enhancements in his tiny home, describing various built-in options that maximize space without creating a cramped feeling.
• 🛏️ Elevator Bed Innovation: The unique design and functionality of the elevator bed in the tiny house are explained, showcasing how space-saving features contribute to the minimalist lifestyle.
• 🤝 Online and Real-Life Communities: Encouragement for listeners to seek advice and share experiences within the tiny house community, both in-person and online, to foster collective wisdom and support.

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Judy comes to us with 36 years of experience as a custom builder and remodeler, with a passion for well-appointed, smaller living spaces. We'll dive into her expert advice on maximizing functionality without sacrificing style and comfort, and explore her journey from a 4,000 square foot dwelling to her favorite 1,100 square foot home. From Murphy beds to curated maximalism, Judy is here to share her wealth of knowledge on living intentionally within our means. So get ready to learn from Judy's inspiring experiences and practical tips on downsizing your space, but not your life.

In This Episode:

• 🏡 Judy shares her journey of downsizing and creating a simplified lifestyle by decluttering and being intentional about possessions.
• 📏 Designing small living spaces that are functional without sacrificing style or comfort.
• 🗑️ The negative effects of clutter on well-being and relationships, providing strategies for effective decluttering.
• 🤏 The distinction between minimalism and living small, stressing on the value of personal preference in arranging living spaces.
•  🛋️ Judy highlights the importance and benefits of furniture that serves multiple purposes in tiny homes.
• 💌 Advice on managing sentimental items, encouraging repurposing, donating, or letting go rather than keeping out of obligation.
• 📊 Tackling one space at a time and organizing one zone at a time instead of trying to do it all at once.
• 🚀 Judy introduces "resizing" as a way to reassess and clear out home spaces, making room for what truly matters.
• ⛓️ The common mistake of buying organizing tools before actually decluttering.
•  📚 Judy recommends books for design inspiration and discusses her own book, "Bigger Living, Smaller Space."

Full show notes, photos, links and resources available at www.thetinyhouse.net/judy-granlee-gates 

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Today, I'll be talking with Elizabeth, one of the team members behind a new and innovative entry into the world of compost toilets, the Throne Composting Toilet. Throne offers both a ready made AND DIY solution to the traditional compost toilet that promises ease and simplicity. We'll delve into the nuts and bolts of building your own compost toilet using Throne’s DIY kit, tackle common problems with existing designs, and explore the benefits and drawbacks of different styles of compost toilet. Our guest Elizabeth lived full time with her family in their self-built skoolie, and went through three different compost toilet designs before finally settling on the Throne. Whether or not you’re currently in the market for a compost toilet, Stay tuned as Elizabeth shares wisdom from life on the road, and the do’s and don’ts for successful compost toilet in your home.

In This Episode:

• 🚽 Maintaining the right level of contents in the compost toilet is crucial to prevent overflow and the need to interrupt a good night's sleep.
• 💚 Elizabeth's innovative approach for urine showcases a creative way to recycle waste products sustainably.
• 🌾 Her personal trial and error with using hay and eventually sawdust in her compost pile, highlighting the necessity of finding the right balance.
• 🏡 Elizabeth's experience designing a timber frame home that included a creatively signed compost toilet offers insights on how to incorporate eco-friendly practices into residential architecture.
• 🎨 The exciting launch of Throne compost toilets, their pre-order specials, and how customers can personalize their purchases with special color options.
• ✂️ Elizabeth addresses common compost toilet complications through simplicity with a straightforward, cleanable design.

For full show notes, photos, links and resources visit https://www.thetinyhouse.net/elizabeth

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I'm thrilled to have you join us for another adventure into the fascinating world of compact and conscious living. Today we're venturing off the beaten path and into the realm of off-grid living with our inspiring guest, Reesa, who has carved out her own piece of paradise on a multi-generational homestead. Throughout our conversation, we'll uncover the nuts and bolts of Reesa's journey, from the inspirations that sparked her transition to a scaled-down, sustainable lifestyle, to the practicalities of building an affordable tiny home from an Amish-built shed shell. We'll dive into her low-tech solutions for heating, water storage, and even delve into the world of humanure composting. Get ready to be enlightened and maybe even a bit envious of the simplicity and beauty that off-grid living can offer, as we explore how Reesa and her son make the most out of their tiny house and the land they call home.

In This Episode:

• 🌞 Innovative Lighting Solutions: Reesa describes the practicality of solar lights in an off-grid setting and offers insight into her personal lighting setup with multiple charging methods.
• 💧 Water Collection and Usage: An important aspect of self-sufficient living, Reesa shares future plans for a 250-gallon water tank to aid in watering her garden and livestock, demonstrating resourceful strategies for managing water resources in an off-grid lifestyle.
• 🔥 Wood Heating and Lifestyle: She speaks to the benefits of traditional heat sources and how they support her simpler off-grid lifestyle.
• 🐝 Self-Sustainable Food Sources: Reesa highlights beekeeping and gardening as integral parts of their food source, emphasizing the benefits of self-sustainability.
• 🏡 Home Design Inspiration: Reesa shares where she finds inspiration for her home's aesthetic and functionality for off-grid living
• .🛠️ Affordable and Resourceful Construction: Reesa discusses the costs associated with installing her off-grid system, while also highlighting her thriftiness when it comes to home furnishings.
• 🚿 Innovative Water Systems: Discussing water collection and usage methods, Reesa gives a perspective on managing necessities without modern plumbing.
• 🍂 Natural Waste Management: She provides a detailed insight into her humanure composting system, reflecting an eco-friendly approach to sanitation.

For full show notes, photos, links and resources visit https://www.thetinyhouse.net/reesa

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Over the past five years, Kim DeLaney has made strides in transforming the traditional housing model by utilizing her business savvy and passion for sustainability to champion tiny home communities. Kim DeLaney is the Co-Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of HaZi Enterprises and the Executive Director of Tiny House Big Movement. 

From changing municipal ordinances to negotiating real estate development deals, she's on the forefront of creating affordable equitable housing solutions. We're going to dive into her journey exploring how a crisis during the pandemic turned into an innovative approach to housing and her ambitious plans for the future, including her work with sustainable materials like hemp and bamboo, and the upcoming Carolina Tiny House Festival, which is April 12 through 14th that Kim is organizing. 

In This Episode:

• 🏘️ Affordable Housing Solutions: Kim’s inspiration and efforts to create equitable tiny home communities aim to address the high cost of traditional housing models.
• 📜 Policy Change Triumphs: Successful ordinance amendment in Concord, NC, spotlighting the potential for reform in local housing policies.
• 🏡 Tiny Home Community Impact: Discussion on how these communities benefit various demographics and the local housing market, enhancing diversity and inclusivity in living options.
• 🎉 Festive Funding: Preview of the Carolina Tiny House Festival as a means to promote, educate, and fundraise for the tiny house movement.
• 🌱 Sustainable Building Practices: Emphasis on environmental consciousness in these innovative tiny home communities and exploring alternative building materials such as hemp and bamboo.
• 👩‍💼 Women in Development: Kim's proactive stance and advice for women, especially women of color in real estate development and entrepreneurship.
• 🛠️ Home Building Affordability: A focus on cost-efficient home building through wholesale purchasing knowledge and partnerships.
• 💼 Community Networking: The importance of local connections, events, and programs to propel the initiative.
• 📣 Calling All Participants: An invitation for dwellers, builders, and volunteers to contribute to the festival and movement, showcasing a collaborative community ethos.
• 📚 Education and Outreach: Kim discusses the need for educating officials and the public about tiny house livability and sustainability, aiming to mainstream tiny living.

Visit the website for the full show notes, photos, links and resources www.thetinyhouse.net/289 

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Sophia and Henry self-designed and built their 28′ THOW in Northern Minnesota, where they experience a full range of seasons, including a very cold and long winter. We start with an in-depth discussion of how they are staying warm in their tiny house and preventing their water from freezing on the way in and the way out. If you're thinking of living in a cold climate, this is not to be missed. From there, we turn to rethinking the American dream and a discussion about values, lifestyles, and where a tiny house fits in for a young couple. Don't miss this interview with Sophia and Henry Jungbauer!

In This Episode:

• The first winter in the Jungbauer tiny house
• How to keep water from freezing in the Minnesota winter
• Legality in MN
• How the Jungbauers decided to live tiny and their goals for the future
• The Jungbauers' response to criticism of the tiny house movemen
• Tips for examining cultural influences
• Plans vs Reality: working on the tiny house in the winter and the dark

Get the full show notes, photos, links and resources on the website.

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Erin Maile O'Keefe is a talented designer who designed and built the Paper Boat tiny house for herself and her husband, where they live in the backyard of a house that they own. In this conversation we'll break down the Paper Boat design and share some of the ways that Erin thinks about designing tiny spaces so that they work for the occupants in the process.

In This Episode:

• A brief history of Yestermorrow and teaching the class
• The Paper Boat house: how it got its name and the way that function inspired design.
• Erin’s design approach that allowed her to fit everything she needs into her space
• How custom cabinetry stores things with beauty and function
• Erin’s journey into the tiny house movement
• What’s Tiny House Fest Vermont all about and how is it unique?
• Erin discusses Creative Placemaking and how she uses her Master Certificate

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

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Get inspired to build with repurposed materials and introduce yourself to the world of food freedom. Rob Greenfield is not a conventional kind of guy. He’s currently living in a tiny house that he built with 99% repurposed materials. He doesn’t have running water in the house and his current project is called food freedom. He’s growing and foraging for 100% of his food for an entire year.

Even if you don’t plan on living off grid or foraging for your own food, this is a really unique and interesting interview. Rob’s mindset, enthusiasm, and positivity is much needed and will inspire you on whatever tiny house journey you are planning to embark on. 

In This Episode:

• What is the story of your first tiny house?
• What it was like living in a 50sf tiny house? 📦
• What’s the connection between bicycle travel and tiny houses 🚴🏼‍♂️ ➡️ 🏡
• How Rob found a place to “park” his tiny house in the city of Orlando 🌴
• How and WHY to build a nearly 100% repurposed tiny house 💯
• How to bust through the excuses so that you can make REAL change in your life. 
• About Rob’s food freedom project 🍽️
• What are the utilities like (water, power, etc.) at Rob’s off grid tiny house? 🚰🔌
• About Rob’s sawdust/bucket composting toilet system 🚽

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

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