Tiny House Podcast

#133 Into the Great and Tiny Beyond – with Leanne Stephens by Bigfoot Podcast Network

#132 Tiny Houses In The “Other” West – with Renee Randau McLaughlin by Bigfoot Podcast Network

#131 Driving with Style, No CDL Required – with Gregg Shields by Bigfoot Podcast Network

#130 Blue. Beautiful. Tiffany. – with Tim Davidson and Sam by Bigfoot Podcast Network

You’ve heard us talk about downsizing here on the Podcast. Hopefully you’ve learned a bit about organizing, how to get ready to live in a tiny space, and about how to prioritize experiences over life. This week, however, we’re donning the “other shoe” and interviewing someone with experiences in an almost-alternate-world that hopefully you’ll never have to live to see; Hoarding. Our discussion this week with Matt Chan, creator of the famous TV show “Hoarders” gives us a peek into the world of emotional connections to things, how TV shows can actually help people with this addiction-like-connection to their stuff, and a glimpse of the pressure that one has to handle while producing a TV show. Is your pile of stuff in the garage something to be concerned about? Is your Grandma’s obsession with ceramic dolls, an illness worth addressing? We’re not sure. But, maybe Matt’s advice this week can help you assess whether or not a tiny house, or a not-so-tiny dumpster, is your next stop towards living simply. https://w

What’s not to love about a friendship that starts around a propane heater, on a cold Texas evening, fueled by bourbon? This week we’re interviewing the new darlings of the tiny house movement, and recent recipients of the Florida Tiny House Festival “Best Tiny Home” award, Ross Pennington and Sheena Henry. After an unfortunate start to their tiny house journey, they resolved NOT to stop and started over with the tiny house we’ve all grown to know and love! With so many of them, blending into the background, theirs stands front and center stage because, well, they’ve GOT A STAGE!!?? And a hammock, and a HUGE TV, and a well stocked kitchen, and a huge garage door, and the most impressive off-grid setup we’ve quite likely seen yet. So, in case you’re wondering how you might get invited to the tiny house podcast (in addition to having a fun story or award winning tiny house of course) you can always find Michelle at a festival and feed her bacon. And it doesn’t hurt to have easy going pets, beloved “fans”, and an

This week, we have another follow-up guest and although she’s a Portland resident, we hardly get to see her. Ironically, Michelle has seen her MORE in other states than our own! But we didn’t let that stop us from practically stalking Lina Minard for another interview. We knew our listeners would want to know….what ever happened to her and her “new” boyfriend? We hear all the time, “I’m thinking of starting a tiny house community, where do I start?” And Lina knows how! What does she think of the advancement, or lack thereof, towards legalizing tiny houses? And “where” is she now? Some days it’s nice to chat with a friend who we haven’t seen in awhile, and today’s conversation feels just like that. No pretense. Just a fun time spent with a nice person, an undying advocate of tiny house people everywhere. You don’t have to live in Oregon to appreciate Laid-Back-Lina and the Niche she’s made for herself in the ever-changing tiny world. www.nicheconsulting.com

Many people think that one must sacrifice the things they love, to live in a tiny house. Or, sadly, that they must sacrifice DOING the thing they love doing, to live in a tiny house. This is simply not true and as our guest this week can attest to; even a multi-course meal is possible in a tiny kitchen on wheels. Our new-tiny-house-friend-and-guest this week, Carmen Rose Shenk, is a chef and an artist and the author of a recent cookbook devoted to sharing her ideas about how to cook amazing meals in minimal space. It’s true. You don’t really need that Robot Jar Opener gadget to make impressive dishes that everyone will swoon over. Carmen’s creations are PROOF that with a few fresh ingredients, a few utensils, and a lot of imagination; artistic and beautiful desserts are indeed possible! If you’re a foodie like Michelle is, we know you’ll love this week’s interview and maybe even come away with a few new ideas for your own tiny house kitchen! www.tinyhousefoodie.com

The Podcast Crew is lucky. We’re lucky that we get to meet, and interview, and promote people who are re-defining the American Dream. We’re lucky that we get to inspire our listeners with the stories of creative and amazing people who have taken control of their lives, who define success on their own terms, and who shun other’s ideas of what “normal” is. And, our teardrop travelling guest this week is no exception. After a long bout of depression, Many Lea found the motivation to change her life doing a simple thing that you yourself have, no doubt, also done. What was it? What inspired her to change her life from that of a bored retail employee, to a brave and creative adventurer? If you’ve had the opportunity to attend one of the recent tiny house festivals you have likely seen her; leather strapped with two cameras, looking for an opportunity to capture this unique movement in living color. If you’ve spent much time on social media, searching for tiny houses, you have no doubt seen her images. Aside from

There are some who think the television shows that feature tiny houses have “ruined” the tiny house movement, inspiring so many to build bigger than they can afford; or need. In reality, however, the TV shows have done more to mainstream tiny houses than any other medium could. They inspire millions and have given golden opportunities to some of our favorite builders. This week we’re interviewing the man leading the charge on the longest running tiny house TV show, John Weisbarth; Host of Tiny House Nation. If you’re a fan, we know you’ll want to listen in this week to hear him share his story about how he became a child actor, how he developed his passion for sports, when he found his calling, his perspective on tiny houses, and his tear filled appreciation for his wife’s support. We’re glad that he finally got the opportunity to join his fans at the Jamboree in Texas, and we know you’ll be glad to know that this STAR OF THE SHOW is as down to earth as one can possibly get. And if you’re not a fan, you wil

Remember the guy who sat by the side of the road, clipping his nails, during our podcast interview? Remember the guy who lived in a dumpster for a year and is actually proud to call himself “Professor Dumpster”? We certainly do and following our first interview with Jeff Wilson, he invited us to “look him up” if we were ever in Austin, Texas. So, Michelle did. And, following her recent visit, she knew she must invite him back to tell the next chapter of the story that is Kasita. Whatever happened to his vision, to his original ideas? Admittedly, Michelle isn’t a high tech junkie, but after having stayed in a tiny house outfitted with the best technology money can buy, she might just convert. How well did the technology contribute to her comfy home away from home? And, what’s next for Jeff and his company that, by comparison, appears to be all grown up now? Tune in this week to find out! Or, better yet, invest in his vision! (I know he won’t mind the shameless plug.) www.kasita.com

Dominique Moody is iconic as her art. Her art is iconic as her tiny house. That’s because her tiny house IS art. And her Home. With more than a thousand years of family heritage behind her work as an artist and her mobile home The Nomad it was inevitable there would be more stories than we could cover in an hour. From Germany to the US South and beyond Dominique’s life has been - and continues to be - a living artistic expression of family, meaning, deeply-held connections between Home and objects that represent that. Her’s is an outlier among tiny house stories. Listen https://www.kcet.org/shows/artbound/dominique-moody-the-urban-nomad

As the tiny house movement grows, so do the opportunities. Tiny houses are now being embraced not only as affordable housing for the masses, but as rolling platforms for corporate brands, and a very impressive source of short term rental income. This week, however, we’ll be discussing a whole new spin in the tiny house concept. If you live in the Portland area, have a large lot, are considering adding an ADU (accessory dwelling unit) but don’t have the patience for dealing with contractors and building your own, you’ll want to tune in for sure! Our guest, Patrick, will be walking us through the basics of the behind the scenes workings of his start up that is devoted to adding easy and affordable housing options. They’ll build an ADU, deliver it to your backyard, manage your tenants, and provide a new source of income. However, even if you don’t live in Portland, we know you’ll be interested in hearing about the progress that is being made, citywide, towards the acceptance and legality of tiny houses and the i

Last year at the Tiny House Jamboree, Michelle’s introduction of Andrew Morrison to the stage literally brought tears to her eyes. (and yes, it’s on video and quite embarrassing) This week, Andrew’s story of how his dedication to the tiny house movement has spurred true change, may just have that effect on you too! (our words, not his) It is hard to find unique words to describe our affection for his work but in a nutshell, we don’t know of two more hard-working advocates than Andrew and his lovely wife, Gabriella. So, what exactly IS Appendix “Q”? What does it mean for you, a tiny house enthusiast who just wants them to be legal so you can build one, secure in the knowledge that you did it “right”? Should we all strive for an air tight house? And, what about all the nightmare stories of terrible tiny house builders? Grab a pen, this is show worth taking notes from! www.tinyhousebuild.com

If you’re a fan of the TV show “Tree House Masters” or you fondly recall your childhood days hoarding scrap pieces of lumber to build a fort or a tree house, you’ll be almost as enamored with our guest this week as Michelle is. Pete Nelson is the proud and ecstatic patriarch of a treetop dwelling empire of craftsmen and family members who have built over 300 tree houses; and they’re not stopping there! In fact we’re pretty sure that he doesn’t even seem to know the meaning of the word “STOP”. Case in Point: This week he took time off of TWO simultaneous builds to chat with us about his inspiration, his dedication, and lifelong pursuit of design perfection in the tree house industry. No more nailing 2x6’s to trees, his floating tiny houses sit atop pretty impressive pieces of technological genius. If you’ve ever wanted to be inspired by a tiny house that’s 30 feet above ground and welcomes squirrels as neighbors, we dedicate this show to YOU! And, Pete, if you’re reading this. Thank you, again, and a million t

If you’re thinking to yourself “Where are all the How-To-Build-A-Tiny-House videos on YouTube!?” Or, on a grander scale, wondering how you’ll conquer the learning curve of building your own; wonder no more! While this week’s interview won’t fill your dying need of know how to secure your subfloor to your trailer, after hearing our guests story you’ll have a great place to start! You see, Kiva and Jake started right where you are; Square One. And they’re still building, and filming, and teaching us a step at a time so we don’t make the same mistakes they did. Michelle has been their fan from day one, and it’s not just because their tiny house and hers share the same moniker. It’s because this young couple shows us, once again, the meaning of “Let’s DO this!” https://www.tinynestproject.com/

If you’re a fan of small spaces, and YouTube, our guest this week likely requires no introduction. After over 800 videos, her success and advocacy certainly speaks for itself. If you’re a fan of women who do it all, creatively, you’ll want to tune in his week to hear Kirsten Dirksen talk about her favorite pastime of making videos, and the opportunities that her semi-nomadic lifestyle brings. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDsElQQt_gCZ9LgnW-7v-cQ

As I sit, writing this, Dylan Magaster is sitting on a mountainside filming yet another video of a tiny house builder and occupant; documenting their story of why they’ve gone tiny and what’s next for their life. If you love stories about tenacity and optimism fueled by youth, tune in this week to hear how this young YouTube sensation proves once again that there cannot be failure if one only fails to stop trying. We were lucky to catch our guest this week while he was in town for a recent festival and there, even the downpours didn’t stop his fans from clustering under tents to be inspired by his independence and creative vision. What this 24 year old lacks in experience, he more than makes up for in quiet pursuit of a career unencumbered by traditional norms. Watch and listen closely because, no doubt, you’ll be someday thinking that you’ve seen and heard this SUPER STAR somewhere before! https://www.youtube.com/user/Dylanmagaster

Ladies and Gentlemen! This week we are proud to present our first SHOUT OUT podcast interview! (Hey! Maybe we should do this more often?) And, what’s the lesson we’ve learned? You (our audience) should be listening to every episode because you never know if we’re going to invite you to be a part of our podcast DURING a podcast. (Just like we did for this week’s guest) In any case, we’re super proud that we finally captured the time and attention of a long time tiny house traveler, Guillame. After hearing Jenna tell the stories of their travels and building their famous tiny house on wheels, this photographer-turned-tiny-house-enthusiast was happy to share his side of the less-than-salacious story. And, hold your hats….he’s recently purchased a van and is planning his future travels in an even smaller vehicle!? This story is technically Part 2 of 2 of their joint story, but definitely Part 1 of his own journey in pursuit of his passion as a photographer. We’ve said it before, but it bears repeating. Tiny

This week’s episode is, we guarantee, the MOST fun you’ll ever have listening to a conversation about insurance. Seriously! Even we were surprised to learn that our guest this week, Martin Burlingame, not only takes the subject of tiny house insurance VERY seriously but approaches his job with humor and wit that is no-doubt unsurpassed in his predictably-dry industry. Setting aside the less-than-formal format, for this week’s episode Michelle came armed with so…many…questions. How much does it cost to insure a tiny house? Does tiny house insurance include coverage when it’s being moved? How difficult is it to get insurance for a tiny house that was not built by a professional? What states in the US have readily available insurance for the tiny house masses, and more importantly, what states are still lacking? Do build pictures hurt, or help, your chances of getting tiny house insurance? What happened to all of the tiny houses in Texas and Florida that were recently hit by hurricanes? If you don’t know, liste