Are Americans Losing Food Freedom? How to Reclaim Control from the System
In this episode, Kody tackles one of the most complex and often misunderstood topics in America: the food stamp system and its impact on personal responsibility, nutrition, and self-sufficiency. She traces its origins from FDR’s 1939 program to today’s SNAP, uncovering how a system designed to feed the hungry gradually created a culture of dependency. Drawing from her own experience as a single mother who once relied on food assistance, Kody offers a compassionate yet challenging perspective on how modern policies, education gaps, and processed food industries have eroded our connection to real food and the skills to provide it.
She reminds listeners that if those in power control the food, they control the people. Through history, statistics, and personal reflection, Kody urges families to reclaim their independence by learning to cook, grow, and nourish themselves. She calls for a return of home economics and small-scale agriculture to schools, stronger nutrition education, and support for farmers—the very people who sustain our nation. This thought-provoking conversation challenges the idea that aid alone can solve hunger and points toward a future where resilience, knowledge, and self-reliance take the lead.
Episode Links
Brand new student planner: https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/product/homestead-student-planner/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/160411704
Porthill Printing website: www.porthillprinting.com
Porthill Printing social media: @porthillprinting
Book Links:
The Jungle by Upton Sinclair
Omnivores Dilemma
Kody Links
Website: https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/
Shop Curriculum: https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/shop
Speaking Events: https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/events
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehomesteadeducation
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homestead_education
Watch episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@homesteadeducation
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From Farm to Neighbor: Strengthening Local Food Systems with Steader
In this episode, Kody sits down with Greg and Kristen Leininger, founders of Steader, to share how their own homesteading challenges sparked the idea for a faith-led, community-driven app built to reconnect local food systems. They open up about turning that vision into a working platform that helps neighbors buy, sell, and trade. From their family’s journey toward a simpler, purpose-filled life to their mission of helping others live closer to God’s design for food, land, and fellowship, Greg and Kristen show how technology can actually bring homesteaders back together—one trade, seed, or story at a time.
Episode Links
Website: https://www.steader.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steaderapp
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steaderapp/
Kody Links
Website: https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/
Shop Curriculum: https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/shop
Speaking Events: https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/events
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehomesteadeducation
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homestead_education
Watch episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@homesteadeducation
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When Family Stories Become A Mission: The Making Of The Homestead Kids With Brian Combs
In this episode, Kody sits down with author Brian Combs of The Homestead Kids to share how a dad’s bedtime stories, written to help his newly adopted daughters navigate a big move, grew into a faith-led adventure series that’s turning reluctant readers into eager book finishers. Brian opens up about weaving Scripture naturally into wholesome homestead tales, why he designed the books with full-color chapter illustrations, 14-point type, and a dyslexia-friendly edition, and the reader feedback that keeps him writing.
Episode Links
Website: https://thehomesteadkidsbooks.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095518380679
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehomesteadkidsbooks/
Kody Links
Website: https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/
Shop Curriculum: https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/shop
Speaking Events: https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/events
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehomesteadeducation
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homestead_education
Watch episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@homesteadeducation
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The Truth About Tallow: Real Benefits of Grass-Fed Skincare with Jennifer Wheeler
In this episode, Kody sits down with Jennifer Wheeler, co-founder of Grass Fed Skin, to share the inspiring story of how she and her husband, Eric, followed God’s calling to leave their established healthcare careers and build a family-run, faith-led skincare business. Jennifer opens up about the moment she felt led to start something new, the early days of crafting tallow balm at home, and how their simple, natural product has transformed lives by helping people heal their skin and reduce toxins in their homes.
Episode Links
Use code "WelcomeGFS" at checkout to get 10% off!
Website- https://mygrassfedskin.com/
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/grassfedskin
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550030956702
Kody Links
Website: https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/
Shop Curriculum: https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/shop
Speaking Events: https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/events
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehomesteadeducation
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homestead_education
Watch episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@homesteadeducation
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How to Build Community in Rural Life: Real Connections for Modern Homesteaders
In this episode, Kody Hanner opens up about one of the most important (and overlooked) parts of homesteading life — building real, lasting community in rural areas. From her own experiences moving before COVID to discovering how neighbors rallied in times of crisis, Kody dives deep into the why and how behind connection, support, and mental wellness on the homestead.
Whether you’re new to country life, raising your kids off-grid, or transitioning from city living, this episode offers inspiration and tangible ways to find your people — in person, not just online.
Episode Links
Ladies Homestead Gathering: https://www.nlhg.org/
Kody Links
Website: https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/
Shop Curriculum: https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/shop
Speaking Events: https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/events
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehomesteadeducation
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homestead_education
Watch episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@homesteadeducation
Homesteading. Homeschooling. Hard truths — made simple.
I’m Kody Hanner — animal scientist, educator, and homesteader raising my family on forty acres in North Idaho. After years of teaching families across the country how to grow their own food and grow as people, I’m here to bring real-world education back home.
Each week, we’ll talk about how to build a functional homestead, teach practical life skills, and raise kids who can think, work, and thrive — without relying on broken systems. From livestock and gardens to homeschooling and personal growth, you’ll get expert guidance, honest stories, and no-fluff advice you can actually use.
Whether you’re brand-new to self-sufficiency or deep into the lifestyle, this podcast will help you build confidence, purpose, and common sense — one project, one habit, and one conversation at a time.
Follow now to learn how to homestead smarter, educate better, and live free.
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