Pioneering Today

Melissa K Norris
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About

Pioneering Today is all about getting back to basics, simple living, and self-sufficiency with old-fashioned skills and wisdom in a modern world. With heirloom gardening, canning, preserving the harvest, from scratch cooking, raising your own food, including livestock (backyard chickens, pigs, and cattle), natural medicine, herbs, DIY like soap making along with living a simple self-sufficient life, no matter where you live. Hosted by 5th generation homesteader, Melissa K. Norris, author of The Made-from-Scratch Life. This podcast brings you the conversation from MelissaKNorris.com and The Pioneering Today Academy, with Q&A's, teaching, tutorials, and always giving you practical ways and tips to live the simple and self-sufficient life.

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463 episodes

EP #465 - Mennonite Traditions for Simple Meals & Stronger Families w/ Ruthanne

We’re continuing the conversation of from-scratch cooking today with RuthAnn Zimmerman. Both of us agree that cooking from scratch does not mean you’re slaving away in the kitchen all day long, nor does it mean everything you eat has to be made from scratch. Listen to today’s podcast on implementing Mennonite traditions to create simple meals and stronger families. For more information and any links mentioned in today’s podcast, visit https://melissaknorris.com/465 This podcast is sponsored by Azure Standard. For first-time Azure customers, you can get 15% off your first order of $100 or more by using coupon code "MELISSA15" at checkout: https://melissaknorris.com/azure-standard

1h 8m
Apr 18
How to Get Homemade Meals on the Table When You're Busy - EP #464

Struggling to make healthy, from-scratch meals during a busy week? In this episode of the , Melissa is joined by Rachel, Michelle, and Sophia to share real-food batch cooking tips, time-saving kitchen strategies, and practical meal-planning ideas for busy families—whether you’re cooking for two or ten. Say goodbye to last-minute processed meals and hello to nourishing food made simple. 🔗 https://melissaknorris.com/464 This podcast is sponsored by Azure Standard. For first-time Azure customers, you can get 15% off your first order of $100 or more by using coupon code "MELISSA15" at checkout: https://melissaknorris.com/azure-standard 

25m
Apr 11
EP:463 Timing is Everything: The Secret to More Powerful Herbal Remedies

Enjoy this podcast interview with Bevin Cohen as we discuss many medicinal herbs, their uses and the best time to harvest various herbs for the most medicinal properties. Though this post isn't an extensive look at each herb, if you'd like to learn more, be sure to grab a copy of Bevin's book, Herbs in Every Season to learn more! In his book, he shares 48 various herbs you can focus on throughout the seasons to deepen your understanding and usage of herbs for culinary, cosmetic and medicinal purposes. For more information and any links mentioned in today’s podcast, visit https://melissaknorris.com/463 Also, grab your tickets to the Modern Homesteading Conference… Bevin and I hope to see you there!

41m
Mar 28
EP: 462 Foraging Freedom: Find Wild Mushrooms & Cut Your Grocery Bill

From a preparedness standpoint, knowing how to identify and properly harvest and prepare wild edibles means you'll be able to feed yourself (and your family) if ever the need arises. In this podcast interview, Whitney (The Appalachian Forager) and I are discussing some common foraging basics to keep you safe, as well as some basic mushroom identification tips you'll want to study before you go out foraging. __ __ For more information and any links mentioned in today’s podcast, visit https://melissaknorris.com/462    

49m
Mar 21
Herbal Wisdom Roundtable: Our Best Remedies & Why They Work

Join me for another Roundtable podcast with my guests Michelle, Rachel and Sophia as we discuss all things herbalism. From growing new varieties of medicinal herbs to how to get our resistant family members to use herbal remedies. For more information and any links mentioned in today’s podcast, visit https://melissaknorris.com/461

30m
Mar 14
EP: 460 Mastering Money on the Homestead: Budgeting & Debt-Free Living with

Join me for this podcast interview with Chris Browning of Popcorn Finance as we discuss the importance of budgeting, saving and planning for the future. He’s sharing his best tips for how to get out of debt and create a life that will sustain your homesteading dreams for the future. For more information and any links mentioned in today’s podcast, visit https://melissaknorris.com/460 This podcast is sponsored by Azure Standard. For first-time Azure customers, you can get 15% off your first order of $100 or more by using coupon code "MELISSA15" at checkout: https://melissaknorris.com/azure-standard

41m
Mar 06
EP: 459 Why Organizing Won’t Fix Your Clutter (Do This Instead) with Dana K White

Join me for this podcast interview with Dana K White from A Slob Comes Clean! We’re talking about the multiple reasons why your home may continue to get cluttered and how to change your mindset to finally stay on top of it all. For more information and any links mentioned in today’s podcast, visit https://melissaknorris.com/459

44m
Feb 28
EP: 458 - Hand Crank Grain Mills: Worth It or Hype?

This week’s podcast episode is all about hand-crank grain mills. Are they worth the hype or not? My guest, Bonnie Jones from GrainMaker, is a wealth of knowledge and sharing who hand-crank grain mills are right for. Plus, you’ll definitely want to hear about GrainMaker’s Heirloom Lifetime Guarantee on their 100% made in the USA grain mills! For more information and any links mentioned in today’s podcast, visit https://melissaknorris.com/458 Grab your Modern Homesteading Conference tickets here: https://modernhomesteading.com/ Check out my post on grain grinding tips: https://melissaknorris.com/podcast/grinding-flour-6-fresh-flour-baking-tips/

44m
Feb 14
#1 Time-Saving Kitchen Hacks - Homestead Kitchen Roundtable

Welcome to the first-ever Homestead Kitchen Roundtable podcast episode! This is a free-form podcast chat with me, Melissa Norris and my guests Michelle Hedgcock, Rachel Costenbader and Sophia Eng. In this episode (which is #457 of the Pioneering Today Podcast), we're discussing time-saving kitchen tips and tricks we wished we knew as younger cooks. From our favorite go-to recipe when we need dinner on the table in 30 minutes or less to our must-do time-saving tips in the kitchen for busy schedules.  For more information and any links mentioned in today’s podcast, visit https://melissaknorris.com/457

38m
Feb 07
EP: 456 Hand Pump Water Pumps - Everything You Need to Know

Many of us desire to have backup and emergency systems in place to know our family will be well taken care of in times of emergency or power outages. That's why my family has been looking into a hand water well pump as a backup water solution for our generator. Join me in this podcast episode with Jonathan and Cody from Flojak, a made in the USA hand well pump company to learn more about these pumps and whether they’re a good option for your homestead.  For more information and any links mentioned in today’s podcast, visit HTTPS://MELISSAKNORRIS.COM/456

31m
Jan 31
EP: 455 Tips EVERYONE Should Know BEFORE Baking with Sourdough

If you're listening to this podcast, you're probably thinking that sourdough baking is something you'd like to try. Hesitate no more, and let me assure you that baking with sourdough is 100% worth the effort to learn and implement into your daily life. Snag some of my best tips in today’s podcast, then sign up for my upcoming FREE webinar where I'm sharing nine easy tips for sourdough to bake like a pro at home. For more information and any links mentioned in today’s podcast, visit https://melissaknorris.com/455. To sign up for my FREE sourdough webinar, visit: https://melissaknorris.com/sourdoughclass.   This podcast is sponsored by Azure Standard. For first-time Azure customers, you can get 15% off your first order of $100 or more by using coupon code "MELISSA15" at checkout: https://melissaknorris.com/azure-standard  

38m
Jan 24
EP: 454 Forgotten Plants That Practically Preserve Themselves – Grow Like Our Ancestors

Imagine being able to grow crops that basically preserve themselves! Would you believe me if I told you there are storage varieties of tomatoes that can last upwards of six months when stored correctly? You know I’ve purchased my storage tomato seeds already! If you want to learn more, join me for today’s podcast episode with Don Tipping of Siskiyou Seeds. For more information and any links mentioned in today’s podcast, visit https://melissaknorris.com/454.  This podcast is sponsored by Azure Standard. For first-time Azure customers, you can get 15% off your first order of $100 or more by using coupon code "MELISSA15" at checkout: https://melissaknorris.com/azure-standard

1h 0m
Jan 10
EP:453 Homesteading Ethics: Provide for Yourself or Others?

In this podcast episode I’m recapping my experience at the Homestead movie premiere in Salt Lake City, UT. Being at the premiere brought up some important questions and I found myself having deep thought-provoking conversations with friends and family afterward. If you have yet to checkout the Homestead movie, or want to learn more, visit https://melissaknorris.com/angel. For more information and any links mentioned in this episode, visit https://melissaknorris.com/453 This podcast is sponsored by Azure Standard. For first-time Azure customers, you can get 15% off your first order of $100 or more by using coupon code "MELISSA15" at checkout: https://melissaknorris.com/azure-standard  

39m
Dec 20, 2024
EP:452 What Most Gardeners Get Wrong About Fruit Tree Care (And How to Fix It) w/ Susan Poizner

Join me with my guest, Susan Poizner, as we discuss fruit tree care and management. I’m excited for today’s episode because I learned something new that I’m excited to implement in our orchard next year. Susan is a wealth of knowledge about all things fruit trees and I know you’ll find today’s podcast filled with wisdom and tips.  For more information and any links mentioned in this episode, visit https://melissaknorris.com/452. This podcast is sponsored by Azure Standard. For first-time Azure customers, you can get 15% off your first order of $100 or more by using coupon code "MELISSA15" at checkout: https://melissaknorris.com/azure-standard

58m
Dec 13, 2024
EP:451 Homesteading for Hope & Community (Homestead Movie w/ Jason Ross)

Join me with my guest, Jason Ross, co-author of the Black Autumn book series which has been turned into a movie and TV series called Homestead. In this episode, we’re discussing how homesteading can bring communities together for good and to learn skills that provide hope for the future unknowns. For more information and any links mentioned in this episode (including where you can grab David’s books), visit https://melissaknorris.com/451. To enter the Homestead giveaway, visit the link and purchase tickets to see Homestead (releasing on December 20, 2024) in a theatre near you. https://www.angel.com/pre-sales/homestead/giveaway To learn more about the Homestead movie or watch the trailor, go here: https://www.homestead.tv/ 

49m
Dec 06, 2024
EP: 450 Ancestral Cheesemaking for Better Gut Health: The Benefits of Traditional Methods with David Asher

It’s incredible the difference between commercial and ancestral methods of cheesemaking. Join me for today’s podcast with author David Asher as we talk about what you need to know for natural cheesemaking at home. Plus, you won’t want to miss his tip on using sourdough starter to make a homemade cheese culture. You read that right, a sourdough starter! I can’t wait to give it a try.    For more information and any links mentioned in this episode (including where you can grab David’s books), visit https://melissaknorris.com/450. This podcast is sponsored by AZURE STANDARD. For first-time Azure customers, you can get 15% off your first order of $100 or more by using coupon code "MELISSA15" at checkout: https://melissaknorris.com/azure-standard  

52m
Nov 15, 2024
EP: 449 - THIS is the Long-Lost Secret to Your Best Skincare

You may not think of regenerative farming practices and skincare as topics that go hand-in-hand, but after this podcast you might! Not only can regenerative agriculture save the planet, but it can save your skin! Join me in this podcast interview with Charles Mayfield from Farrow Skincare to learn the long-lost secret to your best skincare.   For more information and any links mentioned in this episode (including where you can find out more about Farrow Skincare), visit https://melissaknorris.com/449. This podcast is sponsored by AZURE STANDARD. For first-time Azure customers, you can get 15% off your first order of $100 or more by using coupon code "MELISSA15" at checkout: HTTPS://MELISSAKNORRIS.COM/AZURE-STANDARD

1h 9m
Nov 08, 2024
EP: 448 - Taming Anxiety: Turning Worry into Purpose on Your Homestead

Most of us will experience times of uncertainty at some point in our lives. This uncertainty can turn into worry and/or anxiety if not properly processed. However, there are ways to control our emotions and let them work for us instead of against us.  Join me with today's podcast guest, Britnay Nelson for this episode of the Pioneering Today Podcast (episode #448) as we discuss how to turn worry into purpose. For more information and any links mentioned in this episode, visit https://melissaknorris.com/448. This podcast is sponsored by Pioneering Today Academy, a monthly membership to help you make your homesteading dreams a reality. Join over 1,600 members that are growing, canning, and building their way to healthier, more self-sufficient lives.

49m
Nov 01, 2024
EP 447: From My Homestead to Yours: My Fall Checklist for a Stress-Free Winter

As summer rolls into fall it’s important for any homestead to walk through the checklist of things to do to be prepared for winter. The bonus of doing these tasks is that it sets you up for a great spring the following year. Join me as I walk you through everything we’ve been doing on our homestead. For more information and any links mentioned in this episode, visit https://melissaknorris.com/447. This podcast is sponsored by AZURE STANDARD. For first-time Azure customers, you can get 15% off your first order of $100 or more by using coupon code "MELISSA15" at checkout: https://melissaknorris.com/azure-standard

38m
Oct 25, 2024
EP: 446 - Digestive Remedies from our Great Grandmothers

Our diets are more important than Western civilization gives them credit for. Everything from what we put into our bodies and how our digestive system handles that food to the effects of that food is often overlooked (or ignored). Join me with my guest, Heather Woodruff, as we discuss how to heal our guts based on what we put in our bodies. For more information and any links mentioned in this episode, visit https://melissaknorris.com/446. This podcast is sponsored by Azure Standard. For first-time Azure customers, you can get 15% off your first order of $100 or more by using coupon code "MELISSA15" at checkout: https://melissaknorris.com/azure-standard

54m
Oct 18, 2024
EP: 445 - What Our Ancestors Had Right & Hybrid Home Butchery Model

Sometimes more modern doesn’t mean better. For years, our ancestors raised, slaughtered and butchered animals for their families without the help of butchers. In this episode, my guest Andrea and I are discussing ways to get back to the old ways of butchering with a hybrid model that allows you more control of the cuts and costs less in the long run. For more information and any links mentioned in this episode, visit https://melissaknorris.com/445. This podcast is sponsored by Azure Standard. For first-time Azure customers, you can get 15% off your first order of $100 or more by using coupon code "MELISSA15" at checkout: https://melissaknorris.com/azure-standard 

1h 7m
Oct 11, 2024
EP: 444 - The Real Truth About Nutrition & Nutrient Dense Foods

When it comes to eating the whole animal, our modern-day culture has fallen away from eating nose to tail. Sadly, some of the most nutrient-dense parts of the animal are in the cuts many people don't eat. If you've been wanting to give offal a try, this video interview is a must-watch. For more information, visit the blog post here: https://melissaknorris.com/444 Grab your Pluck Seasoning and be sure to use coupon code "MELISSAKNORRIS" at checkout for 15% off your order: https://melissaknorris.com/pluck-seasoning This podcast is sponsored by Azure Standard. For first-time Azure customers, you can get 15% off your first order of $100 or more by using coupon code "MELISSA15" at checkout: https://melissaknorris.com/azure-standard

46m
Sep 27, 2024
EP 443: Pasture Rehabilitation with Expert Karson Rippstein from Redmond Agriculture

When raising cattle, the feed is the most expensive part! If you can grow your own feed in a pasture, you’ll be drastically cutting the cost of raising those cattle. For us, we purchased 40 acres of farmland two years ago and have been trying to rehabilitate the pasture grasses to help offset our feed bill. We knew we were battling thistle, but it turns out, the thistle wasn’t the problem, it was the only a symptom of a larger issue. Listen to this podcast episode with Karson Rippstein from Redmond Agriculture as he helps uncover the problems we’re facing in our pastures. For more information and any links mentioned in this episode, visit HTTPS://MELISSAKNORRIS.COM/443.

15m
Sep 20, 2024
EP 442: What You Must Know About Freeze-Drying BEFORE You Get One

If you've been curious about getting a freeze-dryer, then this podcast is a must-listen because we're diving deep into everything you'd want to know about freeze-drying before bringing one home! Today's podcast (episode #442) is special for me because it's with my best friend, Carolyn Thomas of Homesteading Family. In this episode, we share the behind-the-scenes of our freeze-drying journies and share some of the mistakes we made along the way. Plus, Carolyn shares her seven must-do steps when freeze-drying for the best success every time. For more information and any links mentioned in this episode, visit https://melissaknorris.com/442. Grab Carolyn's book, . 

59m
Sep 13, 2024
EP 440: Maximize Garden Yield Now: Food Forest Principles (Syntropic Agroforestry)

Today we’re learning how we can grow MORE food with LESS work by using food forests with my guest Takota Coen. This podcast includes information about what a food forest is, how they're restorative to nature, and how you can grow one no matter what climate or growing zone you're in. For more information and any links mentioned in this episode, visit HTTPS://MELISSAKNORRIS.COM/440.

1h 8m
Aug 30, 2024
EP 439: What Actually Detox's Your Body & What To Do Now

Join me with my guest Dr. Torrie Thompson. This is the functional doctor I’ve been working with to eliminate toxins for the past 9 months now. In today’s episode we’re diving into all things toxins. From where we get exposed to them, how to eliminate them and avoid them, to how to detox from toxins. I’m even asking her all the questions I’ve been gathering from you, my listeners. This is one jam-packed episode you won’t want to miss. For more information and any links mentioned in this episode, visit https://melissaknorris.com/439. This podcast is sponsored by AZURE STANDARD. For FIRST-TIME AZURE CUSTOMERS, you can use code “Melissa15” to get 15% off your first order of $100 or more delivered to a drop location.  

45m
Aug 16, 2024
EP 438: Mistakes I Made Using Woodchips in the Garden (And How I FIXED Them)

Join me with Back to Eden master Paul Gautschi as we discuss basic methods for using woodchips in the garden. He walks me through some of the common mistakes I made and how to fix them. I’m happy to report that just a couple of months after implementing these strategies, I’ve already seen massive improvements in my garden. For more information and any links mentioned in this episode, visit https://melissaknorris.com/438. Be sure to grab your copy of Homestead Living Magazine to see Paul's cover story in October's issue: https://homesteadliving.com

22m
Aug 09, 2024
EP 437: Fast & Easy Ways to Preserve Food

This week I’m sharing my favorite easy and FAST preservation methods. When the harvest comes on, it’s not always convenient timing. But we don’t want all our efforts to go to waste. Learn about my top four go-to preservation methods when I need to preserve food fast. Some of them can buy you time until you’re ready for a larger preservation session! Learn more and find any links mentioned in this episode at https://melissaknorris.com/437. This podcast is sponsored by AZURE STANDARD. FOR FIRST-TIME AZURE CUSTOMERS, you can use code “Melissa15” to get 15% off your first order of $100 or more delivered to a drop location.

17m
Aug 02, 2024
EP 436: Herbal Elixers, Mocktails, and Shrubs with Laura Gilmore

This week I’m excited to have Laura Gilmour on the podcast talking about herbal elixirs, shrubs, cocktails and mocktails. She’s given me plenty of inspiration to start using my herb garden to create incredible drinks with health benefits! Laura also shared her favorite drink recipe using a blueberry and spruce shrub that sounds incredible. You can find that recipe and any other links mentioned in this episode at https://melissaknorris.com/436.

45m
Jul 26, 2024
EP: EP 435: Hidden Toxins in Foods & My 6 Month Detox

This week I’m sharing part two of my health journey and updating you on my six-month toxin results. Though I’m not going to disclose my exact detox protocol (because it’s so individualized based on my numbers and labs), I will be sharing some basic changes you can make in your life to immediately reduce your toxin exposure. For more information and any links mentioned in this episode, visit https://melissaknorris.com/435. This podcast is sponsored by AZURE STANDARD. For first-time Azure customers, you can use code “Melissa15” to get 15% off your first order of $100 or more delivered to a drop location.

29m
Jul 19, 2024