Jenna, a popular YouTuber known for her channel Tiny House Giant Journey, shares her fascinating journey exploring the world of tiny homes. She discusses the practical challenges of maintenance, especially in vacation rentals, and the complexities of transportation. Jenna highlights the joy of discovering unique living spaces, such as a Vardo wagon, and shares stories of remarkable tiny houses, including one in an animal sanctuary. She also touches on balancing minimalism with family life and the rising trends in the tiny house movement.

Candace, a declutter coach, life coach, retreat leader, and yoga teacher, shares her inspiring journey of building a tiny house while living in South Africa. She discusses the profound personal growth from minimalism and the emotional lightness that comes with decluttering. Candace shares her experiences of transitioning to a tiny home, the joys of traveling with it across the U.S., and insights on living intentionally. Her enthusiasm for holistic wellness and embracing new challenges offers a fresh perspective on creating a fulfilling life.

Emily Gerde and her husband Justin, son Wyatt, three cats and one dog live in a 325 square foot tiny house on wheels. Emily is the author of Minimalist Living for a Maximum Life, which provides insight on their tiny house journey and how a minimalist, organic, holistic, mindful lifestyle led to a life of their dreams. What's it like raising a minimalist family with plans to grow in tiny house? How do you keep the intake of stuff to a minimum while creating an enriching experience for your children? I'll ask Emily those questions and more. In this episode:Why did Emily settle on relatively large (325sf) tiny house on wheels?What’s it like to move a 20,000lb tiny house?Why Emily and her family started living in a camper but have decided to abandon that project?How to deal with the judgement you receive from choosing to live in a tiny house as a family?Emily’s efforts to legalize tiny house communities in ColoradoWhat will you do when your young children approach teen age?Do you have to live in a tiny house to be a minimalist?How do you control the space (toys, play area, etc.) associated with kids in your tiny house?How do you deal with receiving gifts when most people tend to give children toys?How have you dealt with the need for an address to enroll your son in school?Find the full show notes, transcript, links and resources on the website.Send us a textSupport the showListen. Subscribe. Rate. Review. Apple Podcasts Spotify More... Follow Ethan. Mastodon Instagram Pinterest Facebook Want to say 'thank you' for the show? Buy me a coffee!

Lil Wing is a metal triangle on wheels with a putting green grass landing, and it was the most unique tiny house I saw at Big Mass Festival. The builder, Chris Schapdick of Tiny Industrial, specializes in smaller tiny homes that are easy to tow. In addition, he is the author of two books about tiny house living. In this conversation, we’ll cover the ins and outs of building towable tiny houses, why Chris decided to share his process on Instructables, and what we can look forward to in his book release.In This Episode:From NYC suburbia to living tiny in upstate New York: Chris’s tiny house journeyHow Chris started building other tiny housesThe challenge of sealing plywoodTiny House Industrial has offerings for every budget levelLil Wing design inspirationWhy are the smaller tiny houses so appealing?The Oculus North tiny houseWhy Chris wrote The Joy of Tiny House LivingVisit the show notes page for more photos, links, and resources.Send us a textSupport the showListen. Subscribe. Rate. Review. Apple Podcasts Spotify More... Follow Ethan. Mastodon Instagram Pinterest Facebook Want to say 'thank you' for the show? Buy me a coffee!

Kaylee, a dedicated biology teacher and tiny house advocate, shares her inspiring journey of building a tiny home amidst legal and financial challenges. She discusses the hurdles of zoning laws and her passionate drive to push for tiny house legalization. Kaylee emphasizes the integration of sustainable living with her teaching, while also navigating personal dynamics and community support. Her story showcases resilience and a commitment to a minimalist lifestyle, reflecting her belief that living small can lead to a greater purpose.

MJ Boyle is a mastermind in the tiny house community and the founder of several successful tiny house businesses, including My Tiny House Village and Oregon Teardrop Rentals. MJ has not only built and rented out nine unique tiny homes but has just embarked on transforming a construction trailer into an alluring tiny home called “My Tiny Bunkhouse.” In today's episode, MJ will share her innovative approach to waterless and odorless toilet systems that enhance both guest and staff experiences. We'll also delve into the art of rehabilitating and renovating tiny structures, a skill MJ has honed over years of experience, turning dilapidated shells into dream homes with sustainable practices. Join us for a comprehensive discussion on maintaining high occupancy rates, exceptional guest satisfaction, and the strategic intricacies of managing multiple tiny house locations efficiently. It’s a packed interview you won't want to miss!In This Episode:Pet-Friendly Policies 🐾: MJ allows pets but requires a deposit and adherence to specific rules to grant a free stay, addressing the challenge of finding pet-friendly rentals.Flooring Choices 🏡: Luxury vinyl flooring is highlighted due to its scratch and water resistance, plus its ability to make spaces appear larger.Built-In Furniture 🔨: Stability and practicality are achieved through built-ins instead of traditional furniture, tailored to renter needs.Profitable Rentals 💸: MJ shares a success story where investing in tiny homes yielded substantial profit and emphasizes the importance of long-term planning.Laundry Logistics 🧺: Discusses the high costs and logistical challenges of laundry management across multiple rental properties in different states.DIY Composting Toilet 🚽: MJ designed a cost-effective, odorless composting toilet system using buckets, wood pellets, and cedar shavings, enhancing guest experience.Property Rehabilitation 🛠️: MJ transformed a dilapidated trailer into a functional and inviting tiny home, showcasing her talent in renovation.Business Growth During COVID 📈: The pandemic brought high demand, with rentals fully booked for an extended period, demonstrating business resilience.Infrastructure Challenges 🔌: MJ recounts the technical and regulatory hurdles in establishing a new site for her tiny house village.Visit the show notes page for more photos, links and resources.Send us a textSupport the showListen. Subscribe. Rate. Review. Apple Podcasts Spotify More... Follow Ethan. Mastodon Instagram Pinterest Facebook Want to say 'thank you' for the show? Buy me a coffee!

Today, we have a very special guest, Lucy Lich, joining us from the South Coast of New South Wales Australia. Lucy is not only a dedicated tiny house dweller, but also a teacher, wellness enthusiast, and the host of the Tiny House Conversations podcast. Over the next hour, we'll dive into how living tiny has profoundly integrated with her values of minimalism, health and environmental consciousness. Lucy will share her personal journey into tiny living, her insights on designing for health and minimizing environmental impacts, and how her experiences have shaped her podcast. Join us as we explore the unique challenges and joys of tiny living with an expert who lives and breathes this lifestyle every day.In This Episode:🏡 Tiny House Customization: Lucy hired builders open to unique material customization, accommodating her health-centric needs in tiny house construction.💡 Health-Oriented Lighting: The story behind trading standard bulbs with amber and red to mimic natural sunlight, promoting better sleep and relaxation.🌿 Electromagnetic Sensitivity: Extra measures like non-wireless tech and special electrical wiring incorporated into the design to reduce electromagnetic fields.💧 Natural Living Approach: Features like a composting toilet, rainwater tank, and solar setup installed to enhance sustainable living.🤍 Mindfulness and Intentionality: Lucy's philosophy of intentionality and mindfulness permeates her tiny house living approach, focusing on eco-friendliness and connection with nature.Visit the full show notes for additional photos, links and resources.Send us a textSupport the showListen. Subscribe. Rate. Review. Apple Podcasts Spotify More... Follow Ethan. Mastodon Instagram Pinterest Facebook Want to say 'thank you' for the show? Buy me a coffee!

Janet Thome is deeply involved in the tiny house movement, leading the Tiny House Alliance USA and serving as the membership secretary of the ASTM International Tiny House Subcommittee. In this episode, Janet will share insights into the current state of the tiny house market, the impact of recent economic shifts, and the ongoing efforts to develop standards that ensure safety, affordability, and compliance in the industry. She’ll also discuss the importance of certification for owner-builders and the essential role of inclusive regulations. Join us as we dive deep into these topics and explore the future potential of tiny house living with Janet Thome.In This Episode:🌍 Global Standardization: Janet discusses efforts with ASTM International to create a worldwide tiny house standard, streamlining safety, affordability, and compliance across different countries.👷 Safety and Compliance: Emphasis on the importance of adopting ASTM standards to ensure that tiny houses are built safely and adhere to recognized industry benchmarks.🏠 Affordable Housing: Keeping the tiny house industry affordable is a primary concern, facilitating support for small manufacturers and DIY builders.🚚 Local vs. Transport Costs: The cost benefits of selecting local builders to prevent high transportation costs of materials and completed homes.📋 Certification Needs: Highlighting the importance of certification to streamline and ensure consistency in the building and approval processes across states.🛑 Fraud Alert: Warnings about the prevalence of scams within the tiny house industry, urging potential buyers to thoroughly research and verify builders' credentials.🤝 Industry Collaboration: Collaboration with various stakeholders like manufacturers, engineers, and architects to create comprehensive and inclusive standards.🔍 Future Trends: Emerging trends, including a push towards creating new classifications of housing to keep up with societal and economic changes.Visit the show notes for links, resources and transcript.Send us a textSupport the showListen. Subscribe. Rate. Review. Apple Podcasts Spotify More... Follow Ethan. Mastodon Instagram Pinterest Facebook Want to say 'thank you' for the show? Buy me a coffee!

Today we delve into the story of a listener turned tiny home owner, Maegan Bell. Maegan is an active duty Army logistics officer who's going to share with us how she exchanged the blueprints of a traditional house for the compact efficiency of a custom-built tiny home in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. We'll explore the challenges of setting up utilities, the joys of bringing family closer together, and how tiny homes can offer a unique solution for military families on the move. Maegan's journey is filled with insights and practical advice for anyone considering this lifestyle. So if you're curious about the tiny house movement or looking for tips on how to make it work for your family, stay tuned for this fascinating conversation.In This Episode:🏡 Embracing Tiny House Living: Maegan and her husband discovered the comfort and functionality of a tiny house.💵 Military Financial Strategy: How living in an RV or a tiny house can be a clever financial decision for military families due to housing allowances.🏞️ Wildlife and Remote Habitats: Maegan shares stories of wildlife encounters and her expertise in making remote locations livable from her military logistics background.🔨 Smart Contractor Selection: The need to carefully vet contractors by checking credentials and reviews for building or developing a tiny house.🕒 Land Development Patience: She advises taking time to understand the land before rushing into development.🌄 Vacation Home to Tiny House: Faced with high building costs, Maegan chose to build a custom tiny house on her Virginia property as a nature-connected family retreat.🛠️ Design Choices and Regrets: Maegan discusses aspects that worked out really well, but also shared certain regrets.🛖 Multi-Use Property Planning: With the flexibility tiny houses offer, her family enjoys a stable vacation home that could also be rented out or moved if needed.🌞 Off-Grid Living Exploration: Due to the high cost of setting up grid electricity, she considered off-grid solutions, such as solar panels, for their tiny house.Visit the show notes page for more photos, links, and resources.Send us a textSupport the showListen. Subscribe. Rate. Review. Apple Podcasts Spotify More... Follow Ethan. Mastodon Instagram Pinterest Facebook Want to say 'thank you' for the show? Buy me a coffee!

Cindy Ballaro, a multipreneur living in a park model tiny home in NC, shares insights on park models vs. towable tiny homes, community living, customization, financial aspects, Airbnb hosting, and the challenges of climate management in a tiny house. She also discusses the benefits of downsizing and the advantages of selling property to finance a tiny house without a loan.