Shows
HearthKeepers Podcast4.6 Housekeeping: The Practical Side of LaundryJoin us as we wrap up this season by picking Cindy Vincent's brain about doing laundry through all the stages of life: Maid, Matron, and Crone. We think you'll find what she has to share encouraging and helpful. Show Notes:She Stoops to Conquer by Oliver GoldsmithThe Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas What It Is Like To Go To War by Karl Marlantes On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society by Dave GrossmanNo Graves as Yet by Anne PerryLife in the In-Between by Samuel Renihan The Perfectly...2025-07-211h 13
HearthKeepers Podcast4.5 Housekeeping: The Heart of Laundry"This might be the nerdiest we've gotten on any episode." Discussing how we should approach laundry turned into a conversation about ironing, mending, and textiles. So, yes, we did get a bit nerdy. Along the way, we talked about how to expand our view of laundry, stick with the basics, and bless our people. And yes, we find it very exciting!Show Notes:The Urban WildlifeGardener: How to attract birds, bees, butterflies, and More by Emma HardyOrder and Honor in The Household by Samuel RenihanWithhold not Correction by Bruce A. RayParenting: 14...2025-07-071h 01HearthKeepers Podcast4.4 Housekeeping: The Practical Side of CleaningToday, we're talking with Melissa Ward about some of the more hands-on elements of cleaning, especially when we're not all A-type personalities. It was especially helpful to compare all the different ways we manage our homes, what works for us, and what doesn't work for us. Join the conversation.Show Notes: The Art of Gothic Living: Dark Decor for the Modern Macabre by Paul GambinoSimplified Organization by Mystie WinklerGreat Expectations by Charles DickensRembrandt is in the Wind: Learning to Love Art through the Eyes of Faith by Russ RamseyZone Cleaning Bonus Episode2025-06-231h 03HearthKeepers PodcastBonus Episode: Litha and Book Club Book ReviewWelcome to our Double Feature! Today we're talking about Litha or the Summer Solstice, and we're reviewing Simplified Organization by Mystie Winckler.Show Notes:Silas Marner by George EliotYour Not Forever Home: Affordable, Elevated, Temporary Decor for Renters by Katherine Ormerod2025-06-201h 03HearthKeepers Podcast4.3 Housekeeping: The Heart of CleaningWe all have to clean, but how should we look at this daily task? What is its value? Can we learn to love to clean? Is cleaning supported by the classic virtues? All this and more is covered in this episode on the Heart of Cleaning.Show Notes:Home Comforts by Cheryl Mendelson Sink Reflections (The Fly Lady) by Maria CilleyHome organization, The Complete Book of Clean: Tips and Techniques for Your Home by Toni Hammersley, A Bowl Full of LemonsThe Complete Book of Home Organization by Toni HammersleyBrenneman2025-06-0942 minHearthKeepers Podcast4.2 Housekeeping: The Practical Side of CookingThis episode is all about meal planning and keeping a kitchen journal. It is a short deep dive into the practical side of cooking and kitchen management.Show Notes:Simplified Organization by Mystie WinklerOrder and Honor in the Household by Samuel RenihanMatterhorn by Karl MarlantesRembrandt is in the Wind: Learning to Love Art through the Eyes of Faith by Russ RamseyGroupMe2.3 Routine and FlexibilityThe next HearthKeeper Drawing is coming soon! Join our GroupMe to enter the drawing for either Home Management Plain and Simple by Kim Brenneman or Rembrandt is in the Wind by...2025-05-2658 minHearthKeepers Podcast4.1 Housekeeping: The Art of CookingSeason 4 is a deeper dive into the Cooking, Cleaning, and Laundry with lots of guests! Our first topic is cooking, and our first guest is the great Deanna Brown. Join us as she encourages us to shift our thinking to view our cooking as an art.Show Notes:Home Management Plain and Simple by Kim BrennemanThe Complete Book of HomeOrganization by Toni HammersleySalt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking by Samin Nosrat Simplified Organization: Learn to Love What Must Be Done by Mystie Winckler (January-June 2025 HK Book Club book.)Rembrandt...2025-05-121h 02HearthKeepers PodcastBonus Episode: BeltaneSorry, not sorry about the amount of giggles that start this episode. We were both having a hard time keeping a straight face. We did eventually get ourselves under control. In this episode, we're going to talk about ways to prepare for summer as we get ready to move into Season 4: HouseKeeping.Show Notes:-Life in the In-Between: Facing Anxiety and Affliction as Christians by Samuel Renihan-Choosing Gratitude: Your Journey to Joy by Nancy Leigh DeMoss-Rembrandt is in the Wind: Learning to Love Art through the Eyes of Faith...2025-05-0136 minHearthKeepers Podcast3.6 Cheering Strength, The Fortified HearthKeeper: Gardening our HearthsSeason 3 wraps up with an episode full of practical advice on how to shore up ourselves when life just keeps on coming. Sometimes, big things knock us down, and sometimes, endless tiny chaos destroys us. It is important to think about ways we can help ourselves in these situations so that we can keep tending our people.Show Notes:Rembrandt is in the Wind: Learning to Love Art through the Eyes of Faith by Russ RamseyLife in the In-Between: Facing Anxiety and Affliction as a Christian by Samuel RenihanThe Urban Wildlife Gardener: How...2025-04-281h 19HearthKeepers Podcast3.5 Cheering Strength, The Fortified HearthKeeper: What Causes a Loss of Cheering Strength in Our Lives?We've discussed things that can cause Boredom, Bitterness, and Burnout in our hearts, but what about things outside of our control? The big things and the "death by a thousand papercuts" things?In this episode, Abby and Sarah will talk about different providences that the homemaker faces that can erode her fortitude. Show Notes:-BBC Merlin-Princess Bride reference-Grieving by James White2025-04-141h 06HearthKeepers Podcast3.4 Cheering Strength, The Fortified HearthKeeper: Gardening our HeartsIn the last episode, we had to do the hard work of discussing all of the ways we fail to guard our hearts and damage our homes. In this episode, we get to discuss Gardening our Hearts so that we bring health and healing to ourselves and our homes. Show Notes:2.1 The Four VirtuesHomemaker Chic PodcastEvidence Not Seen: A Woman's Miraculous Faith in the Jungles of World War II by Darlene Deibler RoseTasha Tudor Books2025-03-311h 06HearthKeepers PodcastBonus Episode: OstaraA bit of a salty episode where we argue about the time change. A bit of a conversational episode where we just chat. Oh, and a bit of homemaking where we talk about using the seasonal changes in our homes. It's a bit of a bit of a bit all over the place.Show Notes:August Osage County by Tracy LettsWatership Down (Graphic Novel) by Richard Adams2025-03-2055 minHearthKeepers Podcast3.3 Cheering Strength, The Fortified HearthKeeper: What Causes a Loss of Cheering Strength in Our Hearts?Join Sarah and Abby as they work through attitudes and issues in our inner gardens and hearths that cause boredom, bitterness, and burnout.This is a convicting episode, so hang tough. The next episode will offer some encouragement and practical help. Show Notes: Zone Cleaning Bonus Episode The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien Egg song provided by one of Abby's chickens Windchimes provided by Sarah2025-03-1753 minHearthKeepers Podcast3.2 Cheering Strength, The Fortified HearthKeeper: A Broader IntroductionCaveats and definitions are the name of the game with this episode. We're going to start by setting some expectations, and then define Bitterness, Boredom, and Burnout. We'll finish by addressing the Maids, Matrons, and Crones. Hang Tough, this isn't going to be an easy season, but we hope it will be profitable.Show Notes: The Night of the Hunter movie The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom2025-03-0353 minHearthKeepers PodcastBonus Episode: HearthKeeper Song and Take a BreakHere are two articles that provide hope and help to round out this difficult topic of the Bitter, Bored, and Burnt-out HearthKeeper. The blog has many more articles that touch on these temptations, offering correction and tHearthKeeper SongTake a Break2025-02-2223 minHearthKeepers Podcast3.1 Cheering Strength, The Fortified HearthKeeper: ImbolcWelcome to Season 3! This season we're going to discuss the temptation of boredom, burn-out, and bitterness faced by homemakers. But first, let's talk about Imbolc, the cross-quarter day that reminds us Spring is coming!
Show Notes:
Seasonal Episode
Seasonal Article
The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
Our Town by Thornton Wilder
The Last Hero by GK Chesterton
HearthKeepers Knitting Circle Links
2025-02-0357 minHearthKeepers PodcastBonus Episode: Holiday ReviewFinishing up Season 2, we're doing a holiday review to help ourselves reflect on how the holidays went so we can be better prepared for the coming Christmas and New Year's. This is practicing Deosil and Widdershins.
Show Notes:
House Rules: How to Decorate for Every Home, Style, and Budget by Myquillyn Smith
Island of Stars by Carrie Brownell
2025-01-3152 minHearthKeepers Podcast2.6 Houses of HealingThis is the last episode of season 2! We made it! Thank you for listening, commenting, and telling us how much you enjoy this podcast. This episode is foundational to our homemaking. If we don't create houses of healing we're skipping some of our most important work.
Show Notes:
Prescription for Nutritional Healing by Phyllis A. Balch
Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine by Andrew Chevallier
Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon Morell
Nourishing Fats by Sally Fallon Morell
Honoring Our Cycles by Kate Singer
Period Repair Manuel by Lara Briden
The Body Keeps the Score by...2025-01-1350 minHearthKeepers PodcastBonus Episode: Zone CleaningBetter a little late than never, here is our promised bonus episode on Zone Cleaning. Do you use this method? How do you have your house zoned?
Show Notes:
- Sink Reflections: Flylady's BabyStep Guide to Overcoming CHAOS by Marla Cilley
- Home Management: Plain and Simple by Kim Brenneman2025-01-0317 minHearthKeepers Podcast2.5 HousekeepingIn this episode, we'll go over some general definitions and lay some basic groundwork for housekeeping. This is an important part of homemaking to get ahold of. If we don't view it correctly we can't handle it well and with good attitudes.
(Our episode on Zone Cleaning isn’t out yet. 😊)
Show Notes:
Gold Star Mother Interview
Home Comforts by Cheryl Mendelson
2024-12-3046 minHearthKeepers Podcast2.4 Winter Solstice/YuleIn this episode we discuss how to use the Winter Solstice in our homes, the blessing of the holidays, and a bunch of beautiful quotes. This is also the episode where we make each other cry.
Show Notes:
•Island of Stars by Carrie Bownell
•Changeling by Roger Zelazny John Henry Newman, •“The Second Spring” sermon (can’t speak to the validity of this sermon, we just appreciated the quote)
•Home Indeed by Douglas Malloch
•Frugal Christmas Episode and Article
•Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield
•Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien2024-12-1651 minHearthKeepers PodcastBonus Episode: Frugal ChristmasSome Christmases demand more frugal spending of our monetary or energy budgets. Listen to this cozy episode to be encouraged to embrace Christmas not for the stuff, but for the spirit. We can do this HearthKeepers!2024-12-0514 minHearthKeepers Podcast2.3 Routine and FlexibilityUnderstanding the underlying truth about our work helps us manage our expectations correctly. The underlying truth about HearthKeeping is that it is both 100% Routine and 100% Flexible.
Suggested Books and Articles:
The Valley of Vision
Home Management by Kim Brenneman
Know Thyself
Routine
Staying Prepared (Being Flexible)2024-12-0245 minHearthKeepers Podcast2.2 Hearth LocationWe are the HearthKeepers, so where are our hearths? Why is important to know where your hearth is tangibly located in the home?
Check out this episode for some cozy encouragement!
And no we're not a book club, but books seem to keep coming up every episode.
Show Notes:
Intended for Pleasure by Ed and Gaye Wheat
The Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling
Sink Reflections by Maria Cilley
Article on Hearth Location2024-11-1842 minHearthKeepers PodcastBonus Guest Episode: Rachel AtterholtJoin us for a discussion with our backup admin, Rachel Atterholt. She's a single homemaker who has only recently chosen to go down the path of homemaking. She's not only a big help in the group, but we think you'll find her story encouraging.
Show Notes:
-Moby Dick by Herman Melville
-In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex by Nathaniel Philbrick
-The Silmarillion by JRR Tolkien2024-11-1340 minHearthKeepers Podcast2.1 The Four VirtuesWelcome to Season 2! We're continuing our exploration of the foundations of homemaking from Season 1. Our starting point is the Virtues: Prudence, Justice, Temperance, and Fortitude. If we wish to excel as homemakers and in our home management, we must utilize the classic Virtues. We’ll provide some definitions, quotes, and practical advice as we move through this episode. Please note that the afterthought is longer than normal, so this episode isn’t as long as it appears.
Show Notes:
Summa Domestica by Leila Lawler (Book 1, Order and Wonder in Family Life, Pg. 238-239)
Prudence Article
Justice Article
Temperance Arti...2024-11-0458 minHearthKeepers Podcast1.6 Cross-Quarter Day: Samhain/HalloweenJoin us as we share happy memories of Halloween celebrations, discuss what the holiday means for us as adults, and make practical suggestions about how to use the day in your homemaking.
Show Notes:
- Intended for Pleasure by Ed and Gaye Wheat
- Jeeves and Wooster series by PG Wodehouse
- Tolkien Dogmatics by Austin Freeman
- The Three Apologies by GK Chesterton
Holiday Menu Prepping:
Create a menu for the feasts you're responsible for.
Create a sub-list of all the ingredients.
...2024-10-2142 minHearthKeepers PodcastBonus Guest Episode: Cindy Vincent and Debbie SmithWe both felt having our moms on as guest speakers was important in our introductory season. This season is all about getting to know us and our goals. We would not be the women we are today without these two women standing behind us and serving alongside us.
We're very thankful they agreed and that we can share their wisdom with all of you. Recording this episode was an absolute delight. Enjoy!
Show Notes: (Lots of books.)
-Don't Waste Your Breath by Brian Borgman
-Living Life Backwards by...2024-10-181h 10HearthKeepers Podcast1.5 AttitudeNothing builds or destroys our homes like our attitudes. In this episode, we'll discuss what we mean by attitude, what a good attitude is, what a bad attitude is, and how it affects our homes. We'll finish by making some practical suggestions on how to keep a good attitude about our homemaking.2024-10-0744 minHearthKeepers PodcastBonus Episode: Postpartum PreparationSarah shares her postpartum preparation, both for her home and herself. We thought it was important for her to share this while it was still fresh in her mind.
She'll talk about cooking and cleaning and then we'll dive into the aspects of identity loss that she's struggled with.
While not every homemaker will have these experiences, there is much to learn about ourselves as women, home management, and how to help one another in this episode.
Show Notes:
Happy as a Homemaker: Peaceful Postpartum Planning2024-10-0534 minHearthKeepers Podcast1.4 SeasonsBecause seasons will be a subject we return to regularly, we thought we should discuss the basics of the agricultural wheel and the value of being mindful of the seasons.
Show Notes:
Yes, Sarah had her baby.
-Perfect English by Ros Byam Shaw
-The Perfectly Imperfect Home: How to Decorate and Live Well by Deborah Needleman
-Tolkien Dogmatics by Austin Freeman
-Living Life Backwards: How Ecclesiastes Teaches Us to Live in Light of the End by David Gibson
-Welcome Home: A Cozy...2024-09-2343 minHearthKeepers PodcastBonus Episode: Autumn EquinoxWelcome to our first bonus episode! Please listen to Episode 1.4 Seasons for context. Here, we expand from the big picture of utilizing the seasons in our homes to the specific uses of the Autumn Equinox.
(Please pardon the dryer in the background. Andy did his best.)
Books Mentioned:
The Redwall Series by Brian Jacques
2024-09-2337 minHearthKeepers Podcast1.3 Tending Your PeopleNow that the introductions are done, we're going to get started by discussing the foundation of our homemaking: Tending our People!
If you don't have this as your beginning and your support, you'll never endure in the work of HearthKeeping.
2024-09-0938 minHearthKeepers Podcast1.2 Podcast GoalsIn this episode, we'll define some terms, set expectations, and set the goals of the podcast.
· Encourage delight in the home and the work of homemaking. (This is sorely lacking in the current culture, and so you can expect us to elevate homemaking.)
· Bring the intangible elements into the light.
· Separate childrearing and homemaking.
· Educate the next generation.
· Grow our Lost Knowledge.
· Encourage homemaking in support of the community.
2024-08-2641 minHearthKeepers Podcast1.1 Introducing....Us!In this episode, you'll get to know a little about your two hosts, Abby Jones and Sarah Gabriel. As this was our first episode, there might be some audio issues with Abby's high ceiling. Andy did his best. There is also some nervous laughter. Bear with us, we get better. And yes, Sarah had her baby.
Show Notes:
-Stoneheart by Abby D. Jones and Alana K. Asby
2024-08-1233 min