My Self Reliance Podcast

Jan 29 2024 33
My Self Reliance Podcast artwork

Welcome to the Cabin.  I’m Shawn James, the host of the My Self Reliance podcast and YouTube channel. 

This is the story of how I am withdrawing from modern society to pursue a free, natural, healthy, meaningful and satisfying life and how you can too. Join me as I build an off grid homestead in the wilderness complete with log cabins, an outdoor kitchen, a wood-fired sauna, lumber mill, vegetable garden, fruit orchard, food forest and haven for wildlife.

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19. Finding Meaning in Life: Family and Outdoor Adventures with Jim Baird

Jan 29 2024 72 mins  
In this captivating episode, we sit down with adventurer Jim Baird to delve into his extraordinary journey of self-reliance and outdoor adventures. Jim shares his gripping survival experience on the renowned show "Alone," where he faced the ultimate test of endurance and resilience in the unforgiving wilderness. Listen in as Jim recounts a harrowing day battling gale forc

18. Guide to Buying Cheap Land for Financial Freedom

Jan 22 2024 35 mins  
Having weathered the trials of drinking from a stream that gifted me giardiasis and tamed the stubborn infertile land of my homestead, I'm here to share the raw truths of off-grid living. Discover how to stockpile the essentials and select the perfect patch of land for self-reliance, while weaving through tales from Ontario's historical homesteads. As your guide, I'l

17. Preparedness: Affordable First Steps for Beginner Preppers

Jan 19 2024 19 mins  
This episode isn't just about chopping wood and battling fevers; it's a journey through the wilds of my youth, the cabins I crafted with my own hands, and the financial turbulence that eventually steered me back to the homestead dream. With tales that traverse from the tangible—like constructing our abode from the forest's bounty—to the philosophical, pondering o

16. How to Start Gardening for Self-Sufficiency with Huw Richards

Jan 16 2024 82 mins  
Imagine stepping into your backyard to be greeted by a thriving garden, bursting with the fruits of your own labor – a dream Hugh, a young permaculture enthusiast, turned into reality. Join me, Shawn James, as I engage with Hugh about his transformation from a family plot in Wales to a seven-acre canvas of biodiversity. We'll share stories of community-driven farming, and I&

15. Turning Passion into Business and Living Nomadically

Jan 09 2024 67 mins  
When Dan and Candice's paths crossed at a yoga studio market, little did they know that their shared love for the earth would sprout into Live Edge, a beacon of sustainability in the world of woodworking. Their story, a tapestry of environmental stewardship and artistic craftsmanship, unfolds as they recount the growth of their business, from repurposing fallen trees into stun

14. Preparedness: Thriving in a World of Uncertainty, with Canadian Prepper

Jan 03 2024 102 mins  
Prepare to have your perspective on preparedness reshaped as we sit down with Nate from Canadian Prepper, a voice of reason and guidance in the world of survivalism and self-reliance. Amid the chaos of a global pandemic, Nate's insights on the surge in demand for trustworthy information over basic survival skills and gear reviews underscore the complexities that content creato

13. Materialism to Minimalism: The Road to a Nomadic Life

Nov 28 2023 77 mins  
Ever dreamed of trading your daily grind for a life on the road? Imagine swapping your morning commute for a breathtaking sunrise over the Grand Canyon, or your cubicle for a secluded beach. This week, we're joined by Kellie and Cody, a couple who've done just that. They've taken the leap into a nomadic lifestyle, transforming a truck camper into their cozy mobile ho

12. How to Achieve Financial Independence: Real Estate Investments and Debt Management

Nov 22 2023 27 mins  
In today's episode, Shawn takes us through a typical day at the cabin, dealing with firewood and preparing for the impending snow. As he works, he reflects on the challenges of off-grid living and the many questions he receives about finding affordable property for a self-reliant lifestyle.Shawn shares his own experiences, recounting how he purchased a 20-acre property in an u

11. Cabin Life Updates: Preparing the Homestead for Winter, Sourdough and Current Projects

Nov 21 2023 16 mins  
Join Shawn James in this week's episode as he shares insights into his journey of self-reliance, and navigating the challenges of living off the grid in the Canadian wilderness. From leaving the corporate world to crafting an off-grid homestead, Shawn provides a glimpse into the rugged beauty of his lifestyle. Despite setbacks, like a recent podcast footage loss, he perseveres

10. Deer Bow Hunting and Wild Game Processing

Nov 17 2023 11 mins  
This episode is your invitation to join me in the deer woods as I alter my hunting strategy in response to the weather conditions. Prepare to traverse the snow-cloaked grounds in search of fresh tracks, while learning about the intricacies of deer behavior during the breeding season. Back at the cabin, have a buck to process and a succulent moose steak dinner to prepare.Adventure a