I look forward to this podcast every Wednesday because instead of telling me what to do her musing about the things in her own life and the broader world help me think deeper about what is best for finding peace in my own life. Love that she doesn’t pretend to have all the answers or the perfect life like so many others do but acknowledges that sometimes life is hard and messy.

I was listening to your a simple life- richness in presence podcast while on a walk and it really resonates with me. I have hustled my whole life and often my husband has to remind me to be present in the moment. You were talking about buying chopped onions at 4 times the price because it saves me time- I have those chopped onions in my refrigerator and you’re right, I spend a lot of my time scrolling. I needed this podcast today. Thank you and I look forward to hearing your other podcasts.

I was listening to the podcast today with your guest Jesse and you said how the media steers watchers and listeners to think a certain way politically. I’m Indepedent, I went in my YouTube and got rid of all the political messages. I just want to hear and see Homesteading, gardening, Vanlife, Hometours, and Travel. I feel a weight lifted already.

Listening to Jess truly fills my heart with hope and joy in Jesus. She is the salt and light of which she speaks, and inspires others to be the same.

Love your passion Jess! I could listen to you speak all the time. So good! So much love!

The most encouraging podcast. I enjoy each & every episode. By the end of each episode I am energized & think to myself…I CAN DO THIS! Thank you Jess & Miah for all you do. Your Faith is a light to so many!

Absolutely Fabulous!!!

Glaring indifference to genocide. Entitled Americans

Jess, this podcast is such a joy. Thank you for providing biblical and practical encouragement. I absolutely love how you share the significance of “turning your waiting room into a classroom”. Just what I needed to be reminded of today.

Jess, I don’t even know what to say. This episode has changed my life and perspective in such a positive way. I laughed, I cried, and I reflected, really taking in the message. This message came not just on the exact day, but the exact minute of when I needed to hear this. It is applicable to a large scale dream we are working on, but I found myself thinking of different scenarios or “smaller” goals this applied to. I need to re-listen again and note some key quotes and put them on wall to see everyday. To remind myself that though maybe not right now, that doesn’t mean not ever and to maximize this time to learn. To learn everything I can so that when the day comes I am ready and prepared to embrace the achievement at its fullest. I cannot thank you enough for sharing this message. I am so thankful that I found your platforms. You are such a positive impact on the world. Thank you.

Happy Father’s Day!!!

I operate on 1/10th of an acre in a city proper that doesn’t even allow chickens, however Jess makes me feel like I can accomplish all my dreams. She breathes life into this wholistic lifestyle and calls all people in all walks of life.

Have greatly enjoyed this podcast and always love the content and pace. It is easy to follow while still being knowledgeable on many different topics. Happy to have found it.!

I have been watching Jess on YouTube for quite a while. She has given me inspiration to garden, confidence that I can start my own business and be successful and seems to put into words feelings I have in my soul that I could not begin to describe otherwise. Thanks Jess!

As someone who absorbs a lot of cooking/gardening content, I find Jess to be among the most relatable. I appreciate her perspective on life and gardening. I also love that she isn’t pushing crazy political narratives like a lot of popular food media. She’s a breath of fresh air.

April 25, 2024 (Edit: favorite episode for this year so far is “Mine your elders”- GOLD!! I love it!) August 16, 2023 Jessica Sowards, I am SO GLAD you have this podcast now!! “Navigating seasons of overwhelm” is one I’ve listened to multiple times. I’m a painter and it was always hard to follow what was going on as I listened to your YouTube episodes…. (Also distracting because who doesn’t want to stop working to look at tiny baby quail right after hatching??) Anyways, hands down, i don’t want to miss an episode! Thank you for your treasury of knowledge and encouragement!! And Praise God for the truth that is in you! Love from Ohio!

I have been listening to you for a while and love what you have to say. I just listened to episode 57 and you have lit a fire in my soul to do more, to learn more skills and I am excited! Thank you for that much needed gut punch!! I’m giving it another listen and am ready to get to work on adding skills to my pile!

Love this analogy!! It will sweeten my gardening season. Love your vulnerability too, Jess!

I’ve been following Jess for three years now. She’s very down to earth and relatable- even if you’re not a homesteader or gardener! But come on and sip a cup of coffee and take a listen! You’ll be blessed!

Anytime I skip a video or podcast of Jess because I think it doesn’t apply or I’m not an yet experienced gardener, a title entices me and I fall in love all over again. So much encouragement to start where you are, it’s never too late ❤️❤️

I came to this podcast to learn about homesteading, but I can genuinely say that the topics that have been shared have completely changed the way I view life and the things I do. So much of God’s character has been revealed to me as well, through it. My absolute favorite podcast to listen to, hands down.

Jess’s words are a comfort in my busy world, reminding me to slow down and be grateful for the small steps I make each day towards my homestead goals. She and her guests provide tangible inspiration for next steps or “what could be”, and emphasize grace and acceptance in the day to day work towards that goal.

This podcast is the perfect combination combination of information, inspiration and Chicken noodle soup for the soul.

I haven’t listened very often but the episodes I have listened to bring so much knowledge with a level of peace I can’t even explain. So perfect!

Hello Jess, I’ve just recently discovered your podcast and I feel blessed to hear your words. Your latest podcast on Eyes-No Eyes really rang true for me. I have had open eyes most of my life, and I have known people who do not. I also liked what you had to say about accepting people as they are, and still loving them despite their beliefs or way of expressing themselves. That is truly what Jesus taught us to do. It certainly is not the easy approach, but you were spot on about all people needing love. By explaining that you love people because of who YOU are and not withholding love because of who THEY are, you have released a tension in me that was present. Thank you! Keep on with your good works, in Jesus name! Pamela

I can only say thank you.

This podcast blesses me so much! I learn and grow so much both in my homestead journey and my faith journey. It challenges my faith and stretches me. I love it always but I especially love when Daniel is on. You can definitely see the ministry partnership with y’all.

Love the podcast and YouTube channel! Encouraging, informative, enlightening. Just all of the things. Sending Jess and her family love and positivity ❤️

I only just recently found this channel and her YouTube as I am not on other socials but from someone that is trying to be patient and learn in the waiting, is taking her own chicken way- man this is a great place to be. Learning from her and listening to how far she has come makes me feel better about where I am and what God has to come for our family and the little farm we so dream of having one day! Thank you for what you do and for teaching someone like me that this is all part of the journey! God really does put in your life the people you need! So thank God- he is So Good!

All we do, we should do with purpose and in that we need a dream because that is part of our purpose. Jess helps understand the dream from her learning the lessons. So thanks Jess for sharing your testimony/journey of application will bare fruit

Jess speaks so deeply to us; she connects us by our interests and can relate so well to our dreams and hopes. Jess’s words are like food food for my soul. Her idea of turn your current space into a classroom hits it right. I’ve learned so much from this woman and I believe she was chosen to speak to others so we can feel supported in facilitating a life worth living and working for. Thank you for being here, Jess. You mean so much to so many of us. God bless.

I’m in awe after each episode

I too, have followed RRF on YouTube for awhile now. I love her positivity and constructive content.

I’ve followed roots and refuge on YouTube for years. This podcast has touched me so much more than I can express. Starting from episode one I feel so connected and empowered listening to the intro and following their story from the beginning gives me such a great appreciation for what they stand for and what they are trying to accomplish.

I am so happy you guys decided to do a podcast. I love your channel, but never feel like I can sit down to watch it. I was over the moon when I discovered you started Podcasting. I am hoping to someday start contributing to our community with some of the knowledge that I have, and to learn from those that have more knowledge than I. I tend to be a bit of a hermit now that my kids are grown. Lol

I have really enjoyed this podcast - very peaceful with lots of good information. I live in utah - so very different growing seasons 😬! But I like the peace that Jessica tries to instill in what she does. Thank you!

I’m so thankful for this podcast! I’ve followed you for years on YouTube and now I can listen while doing things! Jessica you are a godsend! ❤️

Just found this podcast and 2nd episode I started to listen to is just the audio from one of your YouTube videos!?! That isn’t what I expected from this or any podcast.

I’m really enjoying this podcast! I’ve been watching Roots and Refuge on YouTube for awhile and this has all the insight, information and charm of their channel and yet it still feels like it’s own thing. Thanks for all you do!

Jessica has absolutely changed my life with her unending love and light. Endlessly grateful to have found her. Thank you Roots and Refuge 🤍

Love Jess and Roots and Refuge! I have learned so very much from her! Yet, after watching for years, I have had my first concern…. From the heart Jess, don’t cast out or look down on preppers. Bug out bags are just that… last resort grab bags to help us get to where we are going. We don’t want to leave our homes, but if we have to, we will. We are preppers, therefore we have no desire to go take someone else’s land. We have a plan, and we know where we are going because we are prepared. And where we are heading is also prepared… We are majority a very level headed group, who can bug-in or out and be just fine. Lots of love ❤️, while I listen and garden.

I’ve always loved Jess’s YouTube channel and have recently started listening to the podcast. I’ve been listening to the episodes in order but felt called to listen to her most recent ‘day in the life’ episode today. This was highly encouraging and relatable, I so appreciate her authenticity, outlook, faith and realistic optimism. I’m not a homesteader, but an adhd dreamer trying to keep it together and sow seeds along the way. This podcast is a gem, like getting so much more of something you already love deeply.

Well good grief. You two about made me cry on that latest episode. I have followed your YouTube channel for a while, but just discovered your podcast. It is absolutely wonderful. It has me in awe how you make your audience feel like family. God is definitely moving through you two. Thank you for doing the work to make your dream (and God’s!) come true and inspiring the rest of us to take those steps too.

Jess has very beautiful heart and soul. I love her raw passion for God, life and gardening. One can learn a lot from Jess on many levels. “ turn your waiting room in to a classroom. “

I’ve been quietly binging the YouTube channel for awhile now and absolutely LOVE Jess’s approach to all things homesteading. Excited to be able to soak up her wisdom and empowerment via the podcast while in the garden 💜

Not new to this lifestyle- but I always get something good from Jess’s podcasts! Always worth a listen!!

I have been following their journey for a few years now and she has such a passion that makes a podcast so enjoyable to listen to. If you want to fall in love with so many things we are created to love, your in the right place.

I binge listed to every video, and I am very much looking forward to future episodes! I have a lot of the same history, same health, same situation (their earlier years), and same big dreams. I am blessed to have followed the R&R page in FB and IG and now this Podcast. Y’all keep on being amazing and thank you for sharing your dreams and lessons with us!

Jess has been the source of so much inspiration in my life. I went from causally interested in gardening (bored during 2020 and looking for a homeschool activity) to full on homesteading (garden and livestock included). Not everyone who listens in will chose to homestead, but everyone can learn something from Jess. She such a great teacher and well spoken person, and I love listening to just her or her conversations. I always learn something and I can’t recommend this podcast highly enough.

Jess and Jeremiah alongside their band of youngsters have poured their heart and soul into education of new homesteaders ready to get their hands dirty. They have been immensely helpful in my journey and I’ve become a content consumer on 3 different platforms now: YouTube IG and podcasts alike. I can’t get enough of what Jess has to say. I especially enjoy her devotional sections on YouTube. “Make your waiting room a classroom” - Jess Sowards. Thank you.