#53 Learning Again, with Zane Fischer, That Life is Too Short For Fear

Most people look at a parking lot and cringe. Our guest this week, Zane Fischer from Extra Ordinary Structures, looks at them and thinks to himself “how cozy!” He has perfected a construction method consisting of forcing dirt and sand and a bit of concrete into a very wide exterior wall form, aka “rammed earth”. And this has led him to appreciate modern and minimalistic aesthetics, even parking lots. But in direct contrast, it was his high tech of way of building a tiny house on the TV show “Tiny House, Big Living” that caught our eye. We were truly fascinated during this week’s chat where we had the opportunity to hear about how he uses a CNC machine to cut prefab walls for small structures that you can then “fill” with the insulation of your choice. They’re like ice cream sandwiches, and the ice cream flavor is your choice! We like ice cream. And, we like Zane. So, we think you’ll enjoy hearing about this revolutionary way of building tiny houses from the Creator himself.

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#52 Alex Eaves Isn’t Just Pro-Reuse, He’s a Reuse Pro!

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#51 Freedom from the Matrix with Brad Kittel

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#50 Running Away and Finding Supernatural Courage with Bryan and Jen Danger

There's a man (and woman) who leads a life of danger
To everyone he meets he stays a stranger
With every move he makes
Another chance he takes
Odds are he won't live to see tomorrow

Secret Agent Man
Secret Agent Man
They've given you a number and taken away your name
(Johnny Rivers)

Inspired by the simplicity and mobility of the tiny house movement, Jen and Bryan ditched their high life and great jobs for a life on the road in a van. Like so many of us, they were less than enamored with the idea of spending 60 hours a week at a desk. So they decided to “Run Away”. And, what started as a short term excursion turned into their now nomadic lifestyle. This active and funny couple now spend their time building their business, Zenbox Design, managing their garage-to-ADU conversion on AirBnB, and spending time with their friends living their NEW version of “the high life”. If you’re looking for inspiration to go tiny that doesn’t involve living in a tiny house on wheels; this episode is for you!

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#49 From Film School to Love and Back Again with Alexis & Christian

Not so long ago, two people met, fell in love, and decided to travel around the country filming a documentary about tiny houses. (Isn’t that how ALL road trips start?) If you’re a sucker for a romantic story, intrigued by unique people, are interested in learning more about how to find successful avenues for legal tiny house living, wonder what Tony Hsieh of Zappos is like in real life, can relate to a story about a self described “pack rat”, and love unexpected stories about amazing and creative people; you should buy your ticket to this documentary-in-the-making, RIGHT NOW!

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#48 Living Always Tiny, Always Minimal With Vina Lustado

So many of us have many fond memories of a “simpler time” and Vina is no exception. She remembers her Grandparent’s coconut farm in the Philippines and those memories have shaped the simple way of life she now embodies. Dissatisfied with her job, and in an attempt to capture her philosophy around sustainability in her everyday life, she threw caution to the wind and started her own business, Sol Haus Design. Driven by a desire to maximize functionality with limited space she designed and then built her tiny house in 2013, married shortly thereafter, and now lives her version of a dream life on acreage in California. In this episode, listen in while we talk about her unconventional “neighbor”, their differences, their similarities, and their future. Regardless of the window, every one of hers features a lovely and woodsy outdoor view, and we can’t think of a more perfect setting in which to build an amazing life.

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#46 Jay Schafer - Truth, Love & Beauty & the Flying Spaghetti Monster

In what is no doubt his most revealing interview to date, Jay Shafer reminds us once again that the tiny house movement is ”not just about the house”. Listen in as Jay waxes poetic about attending art school, civil disobedience, truth, depression, nature, homelessness, money, love, beauty, business and how he fit his entire life into 120 square feet. Like so many of us, his life didn’t follow his expected path. Now, this self-taught icon in the tiny house movement finds himself challenged by his own limitations and facing the dichotomy of his driving desire to promote his newest designs. So, what’s in those mysterious zip lock bags? We’re not telling….

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#45 Walkin’ on Sunshine with Light Harvest Solar

It doesn’t take a sunny day, or even a solar array, to light up Mile’s face. Just ask him about solar technology! This week the podcast crew ventures out to join Miles Heiner in the shadow of the beautiful St Johns Bridge, in a converted shipping container, to learn about solar technology. He doesn’t care if you need him for your tiny house solar system design, if you’re powering a cannabis farm security system, if you want more flexibility in your RV, need an off-grid-system designed for your South African mansion, or just want to pick his brain about what’s next in the wild world of sunny day power. He is ready, equipped, available, knowledgeable, energetic, and creative; and we just plain like him. And when you find your way to his shop you’ll get the added bonus of being able to peek in the windows of his neighbors; almost a dozen tiny houses under construction! Yay!


Show notes:
www.lightharvestsoloar.com

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#44 Talking Sh#t With Joe Jenkins Author of the Humanure Handbook

No one can say that Joe doesn’t know his shit because this guy literally wrote the book on it. And, for as much as we thought we knew about composting and composting toilets, as it turns out; we don’t know crap about it. Joe originally had only 600 copies printed of his first edition, and they sold out faster than his pile out back could compost his beloved pet. Poop or pee, urine or feces, he doesn’t care what you call it; just don’t call your “dry toilet” a composting one. Yes, composting humanure is perfectly legal. No, you can’t just pile it in the corner of your garden and HOPE it decomposes. And, yes, you’ll learn more about this very uncomfortable subject listening to this one conversation than you’ll ever want to know. We promise.

Joe literally knows more about shit than almost anybody else on the planet. He didn’t set out to be the authority on all things poop related, but now that he’s sold almost 60,000 copies of his book, we’re thinking that maybe now he’ll reluctantly accept the title of The King Of Crap. This guy’s been using composting as sanitation for over 37 years in the same location. His pile includes everything from humanure to dead animals, layered carefully with organic materials. These efforts then create the perfect cooking temperature which transforms his potentially smelly mess into valuable fertilizer. Surprisingly, he does not separate urine from solid wastes and made us question everything we know about this scientifically heady subject. We were tempted to drop way more poop euphemisms into this show than we did, but rest assured, we wrote them all down. So, grab a cup of Joe, and be prepared to hear nothing but shit for the next 45 minutes.

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#43 Riding the Roller Coaster to a Simpler Life with Rene Hardee

In the middle of a typical day in a typical family, Rene’s “Ah Ha!” moment led to her becoming a not-so-typical-one-woman whirlwind of tiny house change and advocacy. She started out with one goal in mind, to live a simple life. Nowadays, however, her days are anything but; divided between her family, her job, and her tireless work with planning and promoting the new Rockledge Tiny House Community. If you’ve ever thought you cannot advocate for tiny houses alone, that finding exceptions to the tiny house zoning rules in your tiny corner of the world is too daunting, we know you’ll be impressed and inspired by Rene and her progress.

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#42 Anita - Yo Momma & an Overweight Tiny House

Anita’s life has literally gone to the dogs. And cats! As a pet therapist, she spends her entire day offering furry friends therapies such as reiki, massage and more. Why are we featuring her on the show? Anita also lives in a tiny house. And a famous one. The Lilypad is one of the most beautifully appointed tiny houses we've seen. With east Indian inspired flair, Anita has created a true tiny oasis that she calls home. Anita recently, moved her tiny house from Portland, Oregon to Boulder, Colorado. It was a move packed (pun intended) with lessons learned. We check in with her on this move, what she's doing now that she's in her new location and what's next in her life.

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#41 Kai’s Pies, Tiny House Porn, Funding, and Perry’s Cat

Like Madonna, Cher, or Bono (or any other rock star who needs no last name) Kai really NEEDS no introduction. But, since we have to write an intro, write one we shall. Kai Rostcheck is a fun guy to chat with because he knows everyone, and everything, about the tiny house movement. He’s the creative genius behind TinyHouseDating.com and more than a few love struck tiny house enthusiasts have him to thank! He’s also a true tiny-house-data gold mine and knows the tiny house movement inside and out as a result of this tireless efforts spent in creating TinyHouseLending.com. After spending only 45 minutes comparing notes with this marketing genius we were left thinking “Already? That time went by FAST!” and we know you will to. And, yes, Perry’s cat is OK….

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#40 Six Great Danes in a Tiny Happy Tennessee Home

There is nothing tiny about the monumental family effort that is takes to keep Tennessee Tiny Homes and Tiny Happy Homes up and running. This week we interview Joe, another tiny house pioneer, and the leader of the crew which includes his mom, wife, brother, and his beloved rescue dogs. Joe waxes poetic about the struggles of managing a business with a creative mind, keeping his tiny house prices low and the quality high, and maneuvering the mind-numbingly complicated RVIA standards. We loved Joe before, and have admired his made-famous-by-TV houses from afar, but we have a whole new appreciation for him now.

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#39 Kevin Cavenaugh King of Sandy: Hookers and Cocaine

Kevin Cavenaugh is a locally famous builder. He’s soon going to be even more famous. His developments, which have become more unique, more successful and more innovative, have caught attention of other developers, the media and investors. Kevin’s latest development ideas are taking aim at solving the housing crisis in America. He’s not alone, as previous Tiny House Guests are doing the same. But Kevin’s approach is one of the most interesting ideas we’ve seen in awhile. And he has millions behind him. Will it work? We think so. Take a listen.

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#38 A Not-Quite-Normal and Not-Exactly-Tiny Adventure with Sarah Carter

There is simply nothing tiny about Sarah Carter’s adventurous life. After backpacking around the world this 23 year old downsizing junkie moved onto a tiny small sailboat in the San Francisco Bay harbor. She’d never slept or cooked on a boat but that certainly didn’t stop her from taking a risky dive into boat living. At a dinner party for her nearby boat neighbors, she met the love of her life, quit her job, and now they’re planning to sail around the world together. What could be better than taking your tiny house, and your newfound love, with you to Japan?

Sarah Carter’s story is so fascinating and we came away from this interview aghast at her bravery and adventurous nature. Her conservative parents would really prefer that their 23 year old daughter live in a house next to them and let’s hope they don’t suddenly take an interest in podcasts. They just might also be aghast to learn what she’s up to now! After backpacking alone around the world, getting arrested in Japan, riding in shady taxi’s in Cambodia, and enjoying the West Coast’s scenery, she decided to settle down in San Francisco. But, not willing to shell out $2000 a month for rent, she bought and moved onto a tiny sailboat in the harbor. She then met Mister Perfect, sold her boat, moved in with him, and now they’re planning a sailing trip around the world. Her abject bravery is certainly admirable, but her throw-caution-to-the-wind life plan makes even us a bit nervous. And we’re not even her parents. If you enjoy a risky story in the making, you’ll love this admittedly not-quite-normal interview.

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#37 Downsizing Our Lives and Upscaling Our Adventures with Zack Giffin

Fresh off of Steve Harvey’s stage, still bouncing from his party with Lil’ John, and waiting for his next flight to somewhere; Zack Giffin finds time in his jetset schedule to chat with the podcast crew. Somewhat reluctant to talk much about tiny house type, but really enthusiastic to talk about the environment, Zack puts the passion in passionate. He tells us about his early days spent ski bumming with friends near his hometown of Gold Hill Colorado, and what led him to carpentry, minimalism, and then finally building his own tiny house. His ski sponsor then made a movie about his tiny, ski, adventures and that led him to where he is now; the most well known tiny house carpenter in the world. When you’re done hearing this week’s episode, you might be a bigger Zack fan than Michelle is!

On this week’s podcast we chat with Zack Giffin, the KING of one liners like these:
“Downsize your life upscale your adventure”
“Tiny houses, A return to sanity”
“There is long rooted stigma that drives our population to not understand tiny houses at all”
“Ski bumming, the gateway drug to carpentry”
(So, if you’re looking for your next bumper sticker idea, you’re welcome.)

Originally from Gold Hill Colorado, Zack built his first tiny house with his girlfriend and the help of a sponsor. Hooked on skiing, loving nature, and already living the minimal lifestyle, going tiny made sense for Zack. After the release of the 20 minute movie featuring his tiny ski bum lifestyle, called “Living Tiny”, he was thrust into the media spotlight and invited to audition for Tiny House Nation; a role he seemed destined to fill. Comparing tiny house to tetris puzzles, he admits that the funnest part of his job is building unique and artistic pieces. And, we thank him for that. Just when we think he can’t be any more original, he impresses us all! Admittedly, he says, moving into such a small space looks crazy, but when you consider the environment of non-accessible housing, tiny houses are a great solution. But that’s not all. What’s up with that whole Steve Harvey interview? And what is the famous rapper, Lil’ John REALLY like? This interview is enlightening, fun, and will no doubt leave you setting your DVR to record Tiny House Nation. He says this new season is really worth watching. But, we think they all are!

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#36 - Cutting Boards and Making Something Ugly with Alek Lisefski

Alek Lisefski might be surprised at his fame but if you’ve ever seen his tiny house, “The Tiny Project”, you certainly won’t be. This week we got the chance to lasso him between projects and chat with him about his design, his present and past relationships (Oo La La!) and how they have been impacted by his decision to go tiny, his new collaborative project, and his brand new life and space in Texas. Looking for a space to park your tiny in Texas? He might end up being your neighbor! If you think you’re excited about your tiny house, just wait till you hear Alek. This guy puts the “passion” in passionate; and then some...

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S135 No Shoes, No Shirt, No Sh#t, No Service with Tiny Idahomes Jesse Collinsworth

In this episode, we talk with RVIA Certified Tiny House builder Tiny Idahomes owner, the venerable Jesse Collinsworth. In this episode, our roughest ever we chat with Jesse about poop and pee (of course), living off grid, RVIA certification, customer service and what it takes to be a premier Tiny House builder. Jesse takes his job seriously. You can tell his heart and soul are in the business by the sound of his voice. He says there’s nothing that scares him when it comes to pushing the limits of what a Tiny House can be. His builds demonstrate that. Listen in as we cover the gamut...including someone dying in their Tiny House.

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S134 Exploring, Building Small And Going Smaller with Builder Eli Spevak

Sustainable Builder Eli Spevak is a man on a mission. His projects are almost always about small living spaces, affordability, community, and twisting around or creatively using land use regulations to create interesting living communities. Everything from large shared housing projects to tiny houses, Eli is making his mark in the Tiny House Movement. While Eli seems low key, he’s actually a mover and shaker, interacting with land use planning officials, community leaders and other people focused on the increasing housing crisis.

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S1E33 Full Tilt Boogie with Roger Lehet from Unforgettable Fire

Roger is on a mission literally from God. He’s going to heat every Tiny House with what he believes is the best heating source possible: wood. But he’s not stopping there. Roger dreams of Tiny House systems - heating, hot water, electricity and cooking - all centered around his invention The Kimberly wood stove. This week it’s hot in here, and it’s not menopause!

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S1E32 The Harriet Tubman of Tiny Houses Jewel Pearson

When Jewel Pearson designed her tiny house, she was committed to getting everything she wanted. The result is one of the most unique tiny houses you’re going to find. Not only does it have a walk-in closet, screened porch and Juliet Terrace, Jewel’s tiny house stands as a cultural icon of the movement. As one of the few African Americans living in a tiny house, Jewel continues her living her life on her terms, while doing what she can to give back to the community.

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S1E31 Autotuning with Kim Kasl And Bless This Tiny House

Tiny House Podcast hosts visit with Kim Kasl and her “family of four”. They live in a 267 square foot Tiny House in Minnesota. Rare in this world, Kim met her Husband Ryan in high school and has been with him ever since. Over their 10-year relationship, they lived in a variety of housing arrangements before focusing on being parents. Homeschooling, jobs, college debt and desires to spend more time living instead of “doing” lead to a wonderful solution: living in a tiny house. Today they lead lives of freedom, choice, adventure and experience. Be sure to check out the Tiny House website for show notes pics and more.

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S1E30 Dumpster Epiphanies With Jeff Wilson, Professor Dumpster

This week we visit with Jeff Wilson, aka Professor Dumpster. It all began when Jeff Wilson, a legit university professor in Texas, decided to simplify his life. Some may think he went too far, ending up living in a typical garbage dumpster. Not homeless, not jobless. By choice. That experience made Jeff a star of sorts. It also may wind up making him rich. For his experienced spawned what may be the first truly disruptive innovation in US housing.

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S1E29 Leather, Boneyards And Awkwardness With Lee Pera

We visit this week with Lee Pera, co-founder of one of the most famous tiny house communities, Boneyard Studios. The community was an iconic representation of building community with Tiny Houses right up until its transformation into something different than what it originally ways. In this episode, Lee waxes poetically on her own journey, the genesis of Boneyard, Leather and her latest joint endeavor the new Tiny House Collaborative.

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