The Biggest Grid We Escaped (It Wasn’t Power)

Jan 10, 2026

Discover what it truly means to live off-grid, beyond just power and water. Jeff Burkinshaw reveals his journey from suburbia to a remote homestead, driven by a desire for intentional living. He discusses breaking free from monetary pressures, raising resilient kids, and embracing community over big systems. Tune in for practical insights on self-sufficiency, personal skills, and the challenging yet rewarding path toward genuine freedom in life. If you're seeking simplicity, this conversation will inspire and motivate you!

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INSIGHT

Debt Is The Largest Hidden Grid

Being debt-free removed the biggest invisible grid for Jeff and opened life choices.
Mortgage obligations constrain options more than people expect.

ANECDOTE

Choosing Life Over The Suburban Program

Jeff left suburban Vancouver life because he wanted to actually live and spend time in nature.
He rejected the 'program' of school-university-job-mortgage to pursue autonomy.

ANECDOTE

From Five Acres To Remote Homestead

Jeff and Rose moved north to a tiny town, bought five acres then later a large off-grid property.
Their fourth property became the long-term homestead with minimal road access and crown land surrounding it.

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A lot of people talk about going off-grid. But what if off-grid living isn’t just about power and water, but about freedom from systems that quietly run your life?

In this episode, I sit down with Jeff Burkinshaw from the Gridlessness YouTube channel to talk about what gridlessness really means. Jeff shares how his family moved from suburban life to a remote homestead in the Canadian wilderness, not out of fear, but out of a deep desire to live with intention.

We talk about
• redefining what it means to be “off-grid”
• breaking free from debt and financial pressure
• raising kids with responsibility, resilience, and confidence
• the real challenges of independent living
• and why freedom is worth the work it takes to build it

If you’ve ever felt the pull toward a simpler, more meaningful way of living, this conversation will challenge and encourage you.

👉 Links mentioned in this episode
• Jeff’s book: Gridlessness: Finding Freedom Off Grid: https://homesteadingfamily.com/gridlessness-book
• Gridlessness YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Gridlessness
• Everyday Homesteading podcast: https://homesteadingfamily.com/podcasts/

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MORE ABOUT US!

WELCOME! We're so glad you're here! We are Josh and Carolyn Thomas. Together with our eleven children, we are The Homesteading Family where we’re living a self-sustainable life in beautiful North Idaho. Let us welcome you and show you a bit about us here: http://bit.ly/HFWelcomeVideo

Grow, Preserve & Thrive with us!
Visit us on our blog: https://www.homesteadingfamily.com
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A few highlights you don't want to miss are our FREEBIES!!

Healthy Healing at Home – Learn how to confidently use herbal medicine in your home with this FREE 4 video workshop: https://homesteadingfamily.com/HHHyt

Your Best Loaf – A Free 4 video workshop teaching you how to make great bread at home, every time, regardless of the recipe you are using: https://homesteadingfamily.com/free-bread-workshop

Every month, I host a free live training on a new homesteading skill. This January, we’re focusing on herbal medicine and how to create an effective family herbal protocol to help stop the cycle of winter sickness. Join the free live training on January 22 and start becoming a confident family herbalist. Register HERE!