
Living Free in Tennessee - Nicole Sauce
Helping you live the live you life you choose on your terms. Living Free in Tennessee chronicles how we build our homestead, develop independence, plan and manage time and grow and preserve food sustainably - from a woman's point of view.
Latest episodes

May 19, 2025 • 53min
Stop Lying To Yourself About Being Late - EP 1038
Today, we talk about building success into your life through taking control of your schedule. Are you one of those people who is late all the time? Then this show is for you. We will also cover all of our usual Monday segments. Featured Event: Exit and Build Land Summit: https://courses.livefree.academy/land-summit-5-polyface-farms Sponsor 1: AgoristTaxAdvice.com/LFTNSponsor 2: DiscountMylarBags.com Tales from the Prepper Pantry Big Changes Coming to the HH and their impact on the pantry process One more big trip from the pantry - was glad there was a ham in the freezer! Operation Manufacture Meatloaf We put up more food than needed last year, lessons from that Saturday Salad Prep Frugality Tip: Theme Park Savings From Margo Visiting a theme park or the like can end up costing an arm and a leg. You are allowed to bring snacks and one sealed bottle of water per person just about everywhere. I carry a backpack and snacks and bring a cold bottle of water. I also bring an empty thermal water bottle to transfer the cold water to, so it stays cold. Also carrying a reusable water containment device allows you to refill it at any water machine. In parks that have the freestyle machines that only works with a specific cup, the water will always come out even if you do not have the special expensive cup. So to save quite a few dollars, grab a backpack and some snacks and hit the parks. Happy Savings y'all Operation Independence What collections do you have of value that you no longer actually care about? Old Magic The Gathering Cards on Ebay are offsetting the $800 vet bill for Mortimer. $180 in, $620 to go! Main topic of the Show: Stop Lying To Yourself About Being Late Laws of Life Book: https://www.amazon.com/Laws-Life-Ditch-System-Design/dp/B0F54NNNTP/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8 Confession - I am TERRIBLE with time awareness. Even though I am known as a time Nazi who keeps events on schedule. How can these two things happen together Why then, am I usually not only on time to things but a little early? Because I have been time hurt. It’s that simple. Are you chronically behind? In the habit of sending texts to people that you are going to need another five minutes? Or fifteen? Do you constantly explain to people why you didn't make it on time? If so, then today is for you. Today might be hard to hear. But do you want to build success in your life? Then bear with me as we break this down. Eric’s Meeting Story But the core issue is bigger. It is the GREAT LIE. “I’m late because my sheep got out and I had to chase them back in.” is MAYBE a reason, MAYBE true, but is not the whole picture is it? When you are willing to step back and see the whole picture, we often find that the reason something caused us to “be late” is less to do about the thing that happened and more to do with us. One of the most powerful words in the English language is NO. One of the things business owners need to learn to say most often is NO. In fact, if you are running your family schedule, or even still at a JOB, the word NO is how you start being on time more often. Why? Because NO is the way that you build time into your schedule to properly handle things, build in a travel buffer, have mostly interruption free meetings, and, generally, start being on time. Being on time to something means you have while heartedly said YES to it. You are aware it exists. You have made the time. And you have said NO to many other things to make it happen. So how do we change as a chronically late person? Why do you think I said no to every speaking engagement for dang near 8 months? Because I was going to disappoint people by saying yes then not showing up the way I needed to. In fact, I was already disappointing people when I realized what was happening last year. So I got good at NO. No is your number one relationship protection tool. And are you a people pleaser? You are? Yah I know that - it takes one to know one. We say yes to everything and think that no will hurt feelings. Know what hurts feelings more destructively over time? Being late. But if you are always late? That my friend is a symptom. It can be a sympton of great things, like growth. But it is also a sympton that warrents attention. Because if you are growing and you are always late, your next phase is complete burn out if you dont learn no. So go out there and show us you can do it. You can do the most important things and say no to the nonsense. Make it a great week! GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce. Community Follow me on Nostr: npub1u2vu695j5wfnxsxpwpth2jnzwxx5fat7vc63eth07dez9arnrezsdeafsv Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@livingfree:b Resources Membership Sign Up Holler Roast Coffee Harvest Right Affiliate Link

May 16, 2025 • 45min
Orange Ewe, Bunny Ears and More, Homestead Happenings EP 1037
We just got back from an overnight hike which really brought us some perspective. Featured Event: Exit and Build Land Summit (ExitndBuildLandSummit.com) Sponsor 1: AgoristTaxAdvice.com Sponsor 2: The Wealthsteading Podcast (Investableealth.com) Make it a great week! GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce. It makes a great Christmas Gift! Community Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@livingfree:b Advisory Board The Booze Whisperer The Tactical Redneck Chef Brett Samantha the Savings Ninja Resources Membership Sign Up Holler Roast Coffee Harvest Right Affiliate Link

May 14, 2025 • 49min
Building Your Family Business With Em Roehrman - EP 1036
Today, I am joined by Em Roehrman to talk about how their family is building resilience and freedom through, well, building it together. we all know about MTKnives, but have you ever tried their luscious handmade soap? Featured event: E&B Land Summit Sponsor 1: HollerRoast.com Sponsor 2: Above Phone, Coupon code livefreetn, https://abovephone.com/?above=104 Connect with the Roehrmans! mtknives.net https://www.instagram.com/roehrtribe/ https://www.instagram.com/mtknivesnet/ https://www.facebook.com/Roehrtribe/ https://www.facebook.com/mtknivesnet/ Make it a great week GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce. Community Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@livingfree:b Advisory Board The Booze Whisperer The Tactical Redneck Chef Brett Samantha the Savings Ninja Resources Membership Sign Up Holler Roast Coffee Harvest Right Affiliate Link

May 12, 2025 • 51min
Episode 1035: Filter of Firehose - The First Date Dilemma
Today we will address a question that came up in the context of building community: How much of your true self should you share with a new community, particularly if you are an intense person? I realized this goes for courting as well so we will discuss it along with all our usual Monday Segments: Tales From The Prepper Pantry, Operation Independence and MORE... Featured Event: Self Reliance Festival Sponsor 1: DiscountMylarBags.com Sponsor 2: Jack Spirko, The Survival Podcast, Laws of Life Launch Feedback to: nicole@livingfreeintennessee.com Tales from the Prepper Pantry Pantry Road Food - check (We still ate out along the way) Getting more swiss chard than we can eat at the moment Final Freezer Re-organization and recipe of the week Prepper Pantry Redo Update: WAAAAY Easier to share resources Frugality Tip From Margo I do grow some plants from seed, but I buy plants too. This year Walmart has a store brand of plant starts that are $2.48, which is more than half the price of the other name brand. The selection isn't large, but if you want to grow something without having to spend too much this is a great option. Walmart also marks plants down on Tuesday and Friday, I go in on Wednesdays. This week I got a pot with two jalapeno plants that are over 2' tall with flowers and some peppers on them for $4, marked down from $12, and a few weeks ago I found some tomato starts for $1. Operation Independence Gutter Magic Filter or Firehose Set: Bear’s presentation on layers of community and the question (I’m weird) Dating these days 5 elements of building community Create Contribute Connect Clarity Compassion Purpose of dating Partnership or hookup - which person are you? Courting Filter or Firehose? Why not both? (The honesty issue) The weird factor Learn Social Cues - but be willing to directly communicate You are the story you tell yourself Eyore Syndrome Doers, neutral, takers Journey versus destination Digital impact on relationship and community development, in-person communication Sussing out shared values, priorities, long term vision Filter or firehose? Why not both? Make it a great week! GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce. Community Follow me on Nostr: npub1u2vu695j5wfnxsxpwpth2jnzwxx5fat7vc63eth07dez9arnrezsdeafsv Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@livingfree:b Resources Membership Sign Up Holler Roast Coffee Harvest Right Affiliate Link

May 12, 2025 • 40min
Hijacked By A Redneck & Escaping Sheep Homestead Happenings
I was hijacked by a Redneck! Tactical is HOME ALONE and experiencing lots of mid spring things on the homestead from the latest forage, to escaping sheep. Featured Event: Midwest Preparedness Project Spring Event with Joel Salatin, Bear, and more. https://www.midwestpreparednessproject.com/ Sponsor 1: TheWealthsteading Podcast: InvestableWealth.com Sponsor 2: AgoristTaxAdvice.com Make it a great week! GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce. It makes a great Christmas Gift! Community Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@livingfree:b Advisory Board The Booze Whisperer The Tactical Redneck Chef Brett Samantha the Savings Ninja Resources Membership Sign Up Holler Roast Coffee Harvest Right Affiliate Link

May 6, 2025 • 1h 48min
Tuesday Coffee With John Willis, Nicole Sauce and Jack Spirko - EP 1033
Join me for a group discussion with John Willis of Special Operations Equipment and Jack Spirko of The Survival Podcast. Featured Event: Midwest Preparedness Festival: https://www.midwestpreparednessproject.com/ Sponsors:x The Self Reliance Festival: SelfRelianceFestival.com https://selfreliancefestival.com/ Tickets: https://selfreliancefestival.com/tickets/ Holler Roast Coffee Show Resources Special Operations Equipment TheSurvivalPodcast.com Living Free in Tennessee NicoleSauce.com HollerRoast.com Main content of the show Make it a great week! GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce. Community FreeSteading Group: https://freesteading.com/groups/living-free-in-tennessee/ Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@livingfree:b Twitter: @nicolesauce IG: @nicolesauce Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LivingFreeInTN Resources Membership Sign Up Holler Roast Coffee Harvest Right Affiliate Link

May 5, 2025 • 53min
Why Not Take Your Shot? Spring Workshop Recap - EP 1032
Today I’m fired up from the Spring Workshop and a pretty fantastic concert we had yesterday with my choir in Cookeville, tn. We will share the stories, the people, the late-night brainstorms, the amazing food, and yes... the sea sponges. If you’ve never been to one, this episode will be a fun listen and if you have - I hope you enjoy the journey through LFTN25. Featured Event: Wild Foraging Walk with Strong Roots Resources – May 10, strongrootsresources.com Sponsor 1: EMP Shield – Protect your home, car, and gear from lightning strikes and power surges. empshield.com — Use coupon code LFTN for a $50 discount.
Sponsor 2: Discount Mylar Bags – Long-term food storage doesn’t have to break the bank. Quality mylar bags, oxygen absorbers, and more. discountmylarbags.com Tales from the Prepper Pantry - The prepper pantry is finally usable and mostly organized—still clearing out the last of the Spring Workshop aftermath
- Pulling road food from the freezers: steaks travel well, plus premade chili, soup, scotch eggs, and dried salami
- May is audit month for leftover canned goods
- Planting a much smaller garden this year since we moved it—but still planting
- Also, I GOT BROCCOLI. Weekly Shopping Report I made a trip on Tuesday to Food City for a couple of bags of flour and a 22 lb. bag of Meow Mix (that our cats ask for by name); and Walgreens for the goop I put in my eye at night (“Stye”) so it doesn’t dry out. Only the first Tuesday in the month is Walgreens’ “senior day,” when Grumpy Old Men (and women) get a discount.
For our usual trip, the weather gave us a clear stretch amidst the bands of heavy rain on Thursday. Most people must have decided to wait, as there was little traffic.
Dollar Tree was first. They’re finally out of the big non-carbonated Monsters I was getting, but there were plenty of other choices. Stock levels throughout the store looked good. Sonia has been able to find some craft items in there lately.
We also went to Hobby Lobby for some acrylic paint. We didn’t walk around the whole store looking at other stock, but I didn’t see empty sections or anything else odd. Things may change with the tariffs on Dragon Country, but not yet. They were “normal-busy” with a short wait to check out.
The online price of a 2x4x8 stud at Home Depot is still $3.85.
Aldi was last. We found everything we wanted. Staple prices were: bread (20 oz. white): $1.39; eggs: $4.97; whole milk: $2.92; heavy cream: $5.29; OJ: $4.09; butter: $3.49 (-); bacon: $3.99; potatoes: $4.39; sugar: $2.99; flour: $2.35; and 80% ground beef: $4.59.
Untainted regular gasoline at Weigels is still $3.59/gallon. Operation Independence I had a great conversation with John Pugliano this week that's helping bring clarity to the next big project here at the Holler. I'm still sorting out the details, but it's one of those moments where a few things click into place, and you realize what really needs to happen next. Hint: It starts with some RV spots. Main Topic: Behind the Scenes at the LFTN Spring Workshop Today I want to pull back the curtain on what really makes the Spring Workshop special—not the agenda, not the official sessions, but the stuff that makes it unforgettable.
Glenn’s Rum – He always shows up with something we’ve never tried. This year? It was memorable. Let’s just leave it at that. Carnivore Scotch Duck Eggs – Y’all, the food. This isn’t your standard workshop fare. It’s duck eggs. It’s bacon. It’s food that fuels you for real work. Alan Booker measuring brix – Alan showed me how to measure brix in my plants, gave me a compliment, then called my leaves "aphid food." And you know what? He was right. Patrick Roehrman’s precision strike – My one-of-a-kind MT Knives kitchen knife got used to slice a carpenter bee out of the air. No, really. While it was flying. Emily Zanotti Skyles and the plantain spit war – She left fired up about wild edibles. Her kids? They took that knowledge and turned it into backyard ammo. The greenhouse swim spa debate – We planned to function-stack a greenhouse over the swim spa… and ended up realizing Nicole just needs to bury her electrical lines already. Ian’s moment – On his way home, Ian stopped by his family land and decided: it’s time. That’s the kind of clarity these weekends bring. John Pugliano and Meshtastic – He helped all of us finally understand how Meshtastic works—and why it matters. Leos' pop-up blacksmithing – Did I mention we had a surprise forge session? Because of course we did. Glenn’s hamburgers – Day one. Fire. Flavor. No notes. Gavin and the birds – Gavin wandered through the holler like a nature monk with binoculars, pointing out the birds we miss every day. Jack Spirko's bioreactor breakthrough – Sometimes the right fencing and weed cloth are all it takes to spark a better compost design. Community eggs – Between scotch eggs, scrambles, and three separate egg suppliers, we fed the holler crew with ease—and had leftovers. Late-night wrestling matches – You know who you are. I won’t name names… this time. Pocket door rescues – Multiple saves were made, but one prepper decided to handle it solo. Mad respect. The sea sponges – If you know, you know. And finally—YOU – The participants. Every single person showed up not just to learn, but to help each other figure out their next chapter. So why haven’t you taken your shot? Is it the money? The time? The fear of people? Or do you just think you’re not good enough? If it is that last one, take a good hard look at that because you are. You are good enough. You deserve to build your dream. And you can do it - it may look different when you get there than you thought it would, but you can go further - but it takes hard work, strong community and it takes being a DOER. Make it a great week, GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce. Community Follow me on Nostr: npub1u2vu695j5wfnxsxpwpth2jnzwxx5fat7vc63eth07dez9arnrezsdeafsv Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@livingfree:b Resources Membership Sign Up Holler Roast Coffee Harvest Right Affiliate Link

May 2, 2025 • 47min
Baby Rabbits, Broken Four Wheeler, Brix Report and more: Homestead Happenings - EP 1031
Today I am joined by the Tactical Redneck for an update from the Holler Homestead at 12:30PM CT. Spring is springing here and we just had the LFTN Spring Workshop which was a resounding success! I also got tested for my vegetable quality and have some work to do on that. Featured Event: Midwest Preparedness Project Spring Event with Joel Salatin, Bear, and more. https://www.midwestpreparednessproject.com/ Sponsor 1: TheWealthsteading Podcast: InvestableWealth.com Sponsor 2: AgoristTaxAdvice.com Isolation Fencing on new pasture Yarrow is up Baby rabbits 4 wheeler broke Plant brix Wood chip mecca Red clover Poison Hemlock Rose petal Stormy's swelling back down Hoof trimming in the future and youtibe vs reality Voice problem Rams on second rotation Herr Egyptian walking onion Broccoli success Restart the sunflower system in the carport Make it a great week! GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce. It makes a great Christmas Gift! Community Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@livingfree:b Advisory Board The Booze Whisperer The Tactical Redneck Chef Brett Samantha the Savings Ninja Resources Membership Sign Up Holler Roast Coffee Harvest Right Affiliate Link

10 snips
Apr 30, 2025 • 58min
Building a Life Without Limits With Joel Salatin - EP 1030
Join Joel Salatin, The Lunatic Farmer from Polyface Farms, as he champions sustainable agriculture and food freedom. He shares his journey towards personal and food independence, advocating for local food systems and a 'Food Emancipation Proclamation.' Discover how multi-generational farming fosters trust and entrepreneurship, and get practical advice for novice homesteaders prioritizing function over form. Joel also challenges common misconceptions about food safety and highlights the empowerment of cooking with quality ingredients.

Apr 20, 2025 • 53min
Homestead Happenings for April 20, 2025 - EP 1029
Today, I am joined by the Tactical Redneck to talk about lamb births, getting ready for the Spring Workshop and more. LFTN Spring Workshop - 1 open ticket - deposit paid: https://www.livingfreeintennessee.com/product/2025-lftn-spring-workshop/ Sponsor 1: TheWealthSteadingPodcast - InvestableWealth.com Sponsor 2: EMPShield.com, Coupon Code LFTN Grafting the baby to its Mom Update on the pulled baby Infection? Rabbits due next week Workshop Set Up Transplanting tomatoes Assessing dead plants Morrels Wild Mustard Watercress Update Yarrow Ducks are in jail All the people are stopping by to help us get set up this weekend, despite Easter being in the offing Wood boring bees Make it a great week! GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce. It makes a great Christmas Gift! Community Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@livingfree:b Advisory Board The Booze Whisperer The Tactical Redneck Chef Brett Samantha the Savings Ninja Resources Membership Sign Up Holler Roast Coffee Harvest Right Affiliate Link