The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow
Welcome to the Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow, chronicles and lessons from a life tied to family, community and the land. I'm Shannon Hayes, and I own and operate Sap Bush Hollow Farm with three generations of my family in the Northern Catskills of Upstate New York. I'm the chef owner of Sap Bush Cafe, and I'm the author of a few books, including Radical Homemakers and The Grassfed Gourmet. This podcast features my weekly essays, where I explore the adventures of keeping life, business, family, community and fun in the balance.
Episodes
124 episodes
Step Away from the Crowd
For three years, I’ve been gently encouraging folks, even farmers and small business owners, to consider abandoning their social media accounts. But today, I’m not going to beat around the bush. I’m going to come out and ask
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Season 6
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Episode 3
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20:15
Hands Off The Farmers
It’s hard to ignore the news these days, even though I think a lot of farmers prefer to. We’re keenly aware that agrarian political views vary widely, and rural neighbors can’t afford too many political battles. I try to keep my mou...
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Season 6
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Episode 2
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17:15
My Emotionally Avoidant Dog
Winter is loosening her grip slowly this year, matching our emotions as we move into our first season without Mom here on Sap Bush Hollow Farm. We’re doing as well as can be expected…in spite of my dog’s utter failure to offer emotional s...
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Season 6
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Episode 1
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14:54
Don't Let Go!
It's the final episode of the season, and we're going to explore what it takes to make it in this agrarian way of life when aptitude isn't in the cards. For a written copy of this piece, visit The Radical Homemaker Blog. You can lea...
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Season 5
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Episode 20
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34:50
Always Something
Family farm life is rife with daily disasters. If we measure our happiness based on our ability to avert them, we’ll never be content. The trick is to enjoy the life in spite of them.I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re lis...
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Season 5
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Episode 19
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18:31
The Joy of Catching a Ride
Living rural has typically necessitated car ownership. Our family tries to minimize that expense for ecological, financial and quality of life reasons. But now both our daughters are driving….What will this mean? You’re listen...
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Season 5
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Episode 18
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11:56
Who gets the land?
The real estate market is booming. What does that mean for our farmers? I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 5, Episode 17 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow. Find the written copy of this story over on
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Season 5
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Episode 17
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18:11
Replenishing My Nice Juice
What does it take to savor every moment of every day? I’ve been taking lessons from a two-year-old. I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 5, Episode 16 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow. Find the transcript on TheR...
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Season 5
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Episode 16
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14:36
Inner Piece of My Mind
I believe my meditation practice has improved my life immeasurably, making me less volatile and more full of loving kindness. But does that mean there is never a place for a splash of volatility? I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listen...
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Season 5
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Episode 15
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22:11
Failures Fit for a Castle
Life throws all kinds of challenges at us. But if we’re living the life we want, even the challenges can be valuable experiences. I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 5, Episode 14 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow, and today ...
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Season 5
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Episode 14
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14:37
Friend Medicine
“We are all in the gutter. But some of us are looking at the stars.” - Oscar WildeI’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 5, Episode 13 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow, where we’re going to talk about the power of hope a...
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Season 5
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Episode 13
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16:01
House vs. Barn
Mom has been gone from the farm house for about a month. And she’d been sick for some time before that. It’s a wonder the barn didn’t eat the house in her absence. I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 5, Episode 12 of T...
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Season 5
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Episode 12
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18:00
Finding The New Normal
It’s been a crazy couple of weeks. My family has been shaken up, and we’re madly trying to swim to the shores of a new normal. Thankfully, we’re not the first to make the journey. I’m going to try to bring you up to speed this...
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Season 5
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Episode 11
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15:19
That Ol' Cloak of Shame Again
A lot of small business owners and farmers had to raise their prices this year. And sometimes, we take heat for it. It’s time to have another talk about that cloak of shame. To read the transcript and review the sources, visit the <...
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Season 5
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Episode 10
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14:21
The Long Way
There’s short cuts, then there’s cutting corners. One way saves time, the other usually winds up wasting it. But sometimes, time needs to be suspended all together, and the longest way is the only way. I’m Shannon Hayes...
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Season 5
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Episode 9
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18:28
Stop scrolling & listen up! Let's talk about farming & vaccination.
I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 5, Episode 8 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow, where we’re going to talk about farming, vaccines, social media, and getting the most out of life. Prefer to read the story with all the cita...
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Season 5
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Episode 8
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19:54
The Banana Peanut Butter Coffee Smoothie
If granted three wishes, most of us who run farms and have families could easily name the first two: one for the well-being of the farm, the other for the well-being of the family. What about the third wish? I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re...
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Season 5
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Episode 7
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16:20
In My Expert Opinion
What does it take to become an expert? Who has the right to use that title? Does it even matter anymore? I'm Shannon Hayes and you're listening to Season 5, Episode 6 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow. If you'd like to read the...
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19:38
Worth Remembering.
How many moments of your life do you get to remember? I just picked one. I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 5, Episode 5 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow. The transcript of this piece can be found on the blog a...
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Season 5
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Episode 5
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15:25
Eclipse Chicken
Breaking up with friends and lovers is never easy. But chickens help. I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 5, Episode 4 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow. You can find the transcript for this story on the blog at
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Season 5
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Episode 4
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16:38
(Trying not to be) An Angry Farmer
The New York Times is reporting that angry farmers are shaping the political landscape of Europe….but maybe not for the best. But that anger is valid. And it’s on this continent, too. It’s just harder for our culture to listen...
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Season 5
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Episode 3
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14:56
Feed
The weight loss industry is now valued at over $70 billion dollars. And it’s making a lot of us unnecessarily hungry, farmers included. We need to talk about feed. I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 5, Episode 2 of Th...
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Season 5
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Episode 2
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15:08
Windows
When you’re open to the public for business, you can choose what to sell. But you don’t always get to choose what issues you’ll have to tackle. I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 5, Episode 1 of The Hearth of S...
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Season 5
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Episode 1
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16:10
