My Self Reliance Podcast

“Produce more than you consume” is five words, but they’re a compass. I start most mornings with one quiet question: What am I going to make today? Not what I’m going to buy, watch, scroll, or order to the door but what I’ll bring into the world with my own two hands. That simple shift has become the backbone of my self-reliance mindset, and it’s the most practical productivity habit I know for building competence, confidence, and a calmer mood. I talk through how easy it is to become a cons...

Your plans, your gear, and your hard-won skills only work if the body running them actually holds up. From the cabin, we zoom out on “health” and make it brutally practical: your body is the most important tool you own, and everything else depends on how well you maintain it. We start with sleep as the master variable. When sleep slips, everything slips with it: mood, patience, cravings, immunity, and decision making. We break down a few simple sleep hygiene levers that punch above their wei...

When something breaks, do you reach for your phone before you even look at the problem? That reflex feels normal, but it can quietly turn us into consumers of our own lives, dependent on systems we don’t understand and can’t control. We sit with a more honest definition of self-reliance: not total independence, but building enough capability that you have options, time, and a calmer mind when life gets messy. We walk through the three layers that make self-reliance real. First is the mindset...

A lot of people talk about self-reliance like it is an aesthetic. We talk about it like it is what you do when life punches you in the mouth and you still have to protect your family, pay your bills, and keep moving. We take you through the full backstory, starting with growing up lower middle class around frequent layoffs, then working early jobs, buying land as a teenager, and learning fast how fragile money can be. The story gets heavier when a successful construction business grows, gets...

Having weathered the trials of drinking from a stream that gifted me giardiasis and tamed the stubborn infertile land of my homestead, I'm here to share the raw truths of off-grid living. Discover how to stockpile the essentials and select the perfect patch of land for self-reliance, while weaving through tales from Ontario's historical homesteads. As your guide, I'll recount the saga of reclaiming soil, the dance with local wildlife, and the art of cultivating a sustainable life from the gro...

Imagine stepping into your backyard to be greeted by a thriving garden, bursting with the fruits of your own labor – a dream Hugh, a young permaculture enthusiast, turned into reality. Join me, Shawn James, as I engage with Hugh about his transformation from a family plot in Wales to a seven-acre canvas of biodiversity. We'll share stories of community-driven farming, and I'll reveal how my new book marries the art of gardening with the science of cooking, thanks to insights from Chef Sam Bla...

Prepare to have your perspective on preparedness reshaped as we sit down with Nate from Canadian Prepper, a voice of reason and guidance in the world of survivalism and self-reliance. Amid the chaos of a global pandemic, Nate's insights on the surge in demand for trustworthy information over basic survival skills and gear reviews underscore the complexities that content creators face, especially when navigating the realms of censorship and demonetization. His dedication to providing authentic...

In today's episode, Shawn takes us through a typical day at the cabin, dealing with firewood and preparing for the impending snow. As he works, he reflects on the challenges of off-grid living and the many questions he receives about finding affordable property for a self-reliant lifestyle. Shawn shares his own experiences, recounting how he purchased a 20-acre property in an unorganized township for $50,000 in 2017, only to sell it for a significant profit later on. He emphasizes the importa...

This episode is your invitation to join me in the deer woods as I alter my hunting strategy in response to the weather conditions. Prepare to traverse the snow-cloaked grounds in search of fresh tracks, while learning about the intricacies of deer behavior during the breeding season. Back at the cabin, have a buck to process and a succulent moose steak dinner to prepare. Adventure awaits as we trek through the oak groves heavily grazed by deer, all the while discussing strategies to effectiv...

Ever had that one rookie mistake that completely changed the course of your day? That's what I experienced while bow hunting - a single error cost me a buck. Trust me, you're going to want to hear this story and learn from my blunders. In the same vein, we'll also explore some key pointers about hunting, like understanding the rut season, deer behavior, and why staying scent-free is crucial. Moving away from the great outdoors to the cozy indoors, I'll walk you through my latest project of r...

Ever dreamt of surrendering city life to dwell in serene landscapes, live off the land, and cultivate a more profound connection with nature? Allow us to take you on a journey through the verdant trails of self-sustainability as we chat with Chris Gilmore, an inspiring modern homesteader based in central Ontario, Canada. Together with his wife, Chris has ingeniously intertwined a life of self-reliance with an eco-conscious business model, enriching his lifestyle while being a good steward of ...

Join us for a thought-provoking conversation with Laura Gilmour, the owner of Wild Muskoka Botanicals. Laura's journey, from the fields of her grandparents' farm to the landscape of Muskoka, has been a lifelong exploration of nature's bounty. Guided by an Italian mentor and her innate curiosity, Laura's love for wild plants blossomed into a fascination with their culinary and medicinal potential. With a foundation in Environmental Technology and years of hands-on experience in sustainable agr...

Shawn shares his personal story, telling his evolution from a construction worker to a self-sufficient, off-the-grid homesteader. His remarkable journey showcases the transformative power of embracing nature, forging your own path, and living a life guided by self-reliance. Shawn delves into his childhood, growing up in rural Canada, where his deep-rooted connection with nature began. He shares the experiences that fueled his passion for the outdoors and a desire to live a more self-reliant l...