Home Podcasts Pioneering Today Podcast - Homesteading in a Modern World
Pioneering Today Podcast - Homesteading in a Modern World

Pioneering Today Podcast - Homesteading in a Modern World

Melissa K Norris 300 Episodes Sep 18, 2026

Pioneering Today explores simple living, self-sufficiency, and modern homesteading. The show covers heirloom gardening, canning, preserving the harvest, from-scratch cooking, raising livestock, natural medicine, herbs, and DIY projects like soap making. Host Melissa K. Norris is a fifth-generation homesteader and author of The Made-from-Scratch Life. Each episode features teachings, tutorials, and Q&As with practical tips for living a self-sufficient life anywhere.

Episodes

Stop Asking "What's the Herbal Aspirin? | Episode 519
Stop Asking "What's the Herbal Aspirin? | Episode 519 Sep 18, 2026 31:01 What's the herbal equivalent of aspirin, Tylenol, or ibuprofen? It's one of the most common questions people ask when they first start learning about medicinal herbs, and it makes sense. Most of us have been taught to identify a symptom and then reach for something designed to make that symptom go away. But herbalism works differently. In this episode, I'm sharing why simply swapping a pharmaceuti
The Truth About Aging Skin: What Actually Works After 40 | Episode 518
The Truth About Aging Skin: What Actually Works After 40 | Episode 518 Aug 28, 2026 49:06 Is your skincare routine actually helping your skin, or are you just chasing the next quick fix? In this episode, I'm joined by Emilie Toups, founder of Toups & Co., to talk about natural skincare for aging skin and what really changes as we move through our late 30s, 40s, and beyond. We're digging into why skin can become drier and thinner as we age, how hormones and lifestyle may play a role, an
Biblical Stewardship vs. Ownership: Who Does It All Belong To? | Episode 517
Biblical Stewardship vs. Ownership: Who Does It All Belong To? | Episode 517 Aug 7, 2026 51:36 Have you ever stopped to ask yourself, Who does it all belong to? Most of us naturally think of our homes, businesses, gardens, and finances as our own. But what if the Bible paints a different picture? What if we're not owners at all, but stewards of everything God has entrusted to us? In this episode, I'm joined by David Stelzer, president of Azure Standard and author of Seeds of Hope. Together,
When God Changes the Plan: Lessons from Our Hardest Year | Episode 516
When God Changes the Plan: Lessons from Our Hardest Year | Episode 516 Jul 10, 2026 50:00 The 2026 Modern Homesteading Conference is officially in the books, and in this episode I'm sharing some of my favorite moments from an unforgettable weekend. From incredible testimonies of lives changed through homesteading to behind-the-scenes stories of organizing the event, I'm reflecting on the power of learning, serving, and gathering together in person. I also share why our first-ever Cowbo
How to Feed Your Family From the Garden All Summer (Without Heating Up the Kitchen) | Episode 515
How to Feed Your Family From the Garden All Summer (Without Heating Up the Kitchen) | Episode 515 Jun 18, 2026 26:24 Summer meals don't have to mean heating up the kitchen or staring into the fridge wondering what to make. In this episode, I'm sharing my favorite strategies for Summer Meal Planning, including how to let your garden write the menu, batch-cook proteins for multiple meals, use simple meal templates instead of complicated recipes, and make the most of seasonal produce before it goes to waste. Whethe
16 Plants Mentioned in the Bible (And Why They Mattered) |514
16 Plants Mentioned in the Bible (And Why They Mattered) |514 Jun 11, 2026 31:00 Have you ever wondered which plants are actually mentioned in the Bible and what significance they held in biblical times? In this episode, we're taking a closer look at 16 healing plants of the Bible, including familiar names like frankincense, myrrh, hyssop, aloe, mustard, and cinnamon. We'll explore where these plants appear in Scripture, what they symbolized, and the traditional ways they were
The Real Reason People Are Turning to Homesteading | Episode 513
The Real Reason People Are Turning to Homesteading | Episode 513 Jun 5, 2026 38:26 Why are so many people being drawn to homesteading right now? In today's episode, I'm sharing a more personal reflection on what I've witnessed during my 15+ years teaching homesteading and traditional skills. While many people initially come to homesteading for healthier food, self-sufficiency, or preparedness, I've noticed something deeper happening beneath the surface. Again and again, people t
The Crops I Stopped Growing After 25 Years of Gardening | Episode 512
The Crops I Stopped Growing After 25 Years of Gardening | Episode 512 May 29, 2026 43:22 What are the best crops for a Pacific Northwest vegetable garden? In today's episode, I'm sharing the crops and varieties that have truly earned their place in my Pacific Northwest vegetable garden after 26 years of gardening in a cool, short-season climate. Over the years, I've become much more intentional about what I grow. I want crops that reliably produce, preserve well, and are foods we actu
How I Plan a Year's Worth of Preserving Without Getting Overwhelmed | Episode 511
How I Plan a Year's Worth of Preserving Without Getting Overwhelmed | Episode 511 May 22, 2026 44:31 Every spring, I sit down and plan out our entire food preservation year so harvest season doesn't completely take over my life. After more than 25 years of preserving food, I've learned that the key isn't preserving everything… It's preserving the foods we actually eat in ways that work for our schedule and lifestyle. In this episode, I'm walking you through exactly how I plan our preserving seaso
Herbs Every Family Should Have Stocked Before Summer Hits | Episode 510
Herbs Every Family Should Have Stocked Before Summer Hits | Episode 510 May 15, 2026 33:37 Summer means more time outside… and more sunburns, bug bites, bee stings, scrapes, and itchy skin. In today's episode, I'm sharing the herbal remedies for summer that I always keep stocked in our home apothecary before we need them. These are the natural remedies I personally reach for first when it comes to: 🌿 Sunburn relief 🦟 Mosquito bites & itchy skin 🐝 Bee stings & wasp stings 🩹 Cuts, scrapes
What Most People Get Wrong About Building a From-Scratch Pantry | Episode 509
What Most People Get Wrong About Building a From-Scratch Pantry | Episode 509 May 8, 2026 50:06 Are you building a pantry that actually feeds your family, or just collecting random jars and bulk foods? In this episode, I'm sharing how to build a well-stocked pantry that supports everyday meals, long-term food storage, and from-scratch cooking without overwhelm. We're talking about the foundational pantry staples I prioritize first, how to stock foods your family actually eats, and why a prac
If I Were Starting a Medicinal Herb Garden Today, I'd Do This First | Episode 508
If I Were Starting a Medicinal Herb Garden Today, I'd Do This First | Episode 508 Apr 24, 2026 45:17 If you've ever wanted to start a medicinal herb garden but felt overwhelmed by where to begin, this episode is for you. In today's podcast, I'm walking you through exactly how I plan a medicinal herb garden in a simple, practical way. We're talking about which herbs to grow first, how to choose ones your family will actually use, and how to begin building a home apothecary without needing a ton of

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