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The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow

The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow

Hosted by Shannon Hayes

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Episodes

152

Latest episode

Jul 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Welcome to the Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow, chronicles and lessons from a life tied to family, community and the land. I'm Shannon Hayes, and I own and operate Sap Bush Hollow Farm with three generations of my family in the Northern Catskills of Upstate New York. I'm the chef owner of Sap Bush Cafe, and I'm the author of a few books, including Radical Homemakers and The Grassfed Gourmet. This podcast features my weekly essays, where I explore the adventures of keeping life, business, family, community and fun in the balance.

Listen to episodes

60 recent
July 15, 2026Episode 1419 min

Thwarting Abigail

AI is creeping closer and closer to my world.  Like any technology, we must learn to find the balance - to maximize the benefits and minimize the harms.  And to do that, it’s important to know our own thoughts, before a computer starts telling us what to think. I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 7, Episode 14 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow, the last recorded episode of the season. Find the text copy of this on The Radical Homemaker Blog.  Return to the blog for updates throughout the year until next year's podcast season. Support the show

July 8, 2026Episode 1314 min

Vacationing with Axe Murderers

“DEAD FARMERS CAN’T TAKE VACATIONS.”  The ad for temporary farm relief workers appeared in my Dad’s weekly Country Folks paper.  Just a kid, I clipped the lead and pasted it to the bathroom mirror at Sap Bush. I thought it was funny. Mom tore it off and threw it away years ago. But every time I stand in front of the bathroom mirror down at the farm, I still see it.   Lots of farmers believe the only way to protect the family business is to never leave it.  I disagree.I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 7, Episode 13 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow. Please note that this episode contains a few expletives.  So if you’ve got young ears in the vicinity, you might want to use headphones. Find the text version of this episode over on the blog. Support the show

June 30, 2026Episode 1219 min

The To-Do List

How many times have you heard a farmer tell you they’ll rest when they’re dead?   Truth be told, I think they fear that if they do rest, they might die.  I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 7, Episode 12 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow. Please note that this episode contains a few expletives.  So if you’ve got young ears in the vicinity, you might want to use headphones.   Find the full transcript over on the blog. Support the show

June 23, 2026Episode 1114 min

Choosing Children

Have your kids ever asked you what led you to decide to start a family?  Were you able to give them an honest answer?I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 7, Episode 11 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow. Find the text version of this story on The Radical Homemaker blog. Support the show

June 16, 2026Episode 1014 min

Redundant (Not Useless)!

Mom and I once took a class in farm transition planning, where the instructor taught us an important lesson: family farms are ALWAYS in transition.  And that’s definitely true.  But some days, I feel that more keenly than others.  I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 7, Episode 10 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow. Looking for the written version? Find it over on the blog. Support the show

June 9, 2026Episode 919 min

Four Batches of Caramel

Ula is not the only one graduating with her associates degree this spring.  Saoirse earned her degree as well.  But she wasn’t sure if she even wanted it.  It took four batches of caramel to come to a decision. I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 7, Episode 9 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow.  Want a text copy of this story?  Find it over on the blog. Support the show

June 2, 2026Episode 815 min

Irresponsible, or Not Responsible?

I was raised on this farm to view shirking responsibility as a failure of character.  But there’s a difference between being irresponsible, and not being responsible.  I struggle with that distinction.I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 7, Episode 8 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow. Find the full text version of this story over on the blog. Support the show

May 27, 2026Episode 715 min

Croissants & Copulating Toads

If we could, Bob and I would continue operating our cafe together forever.  But we’re realizing, much as we love the work, that if we don’t start transitioning our skills, the cafe will only last as long as our knees and feet will hold up.  If it’s going to last forever, it has to stand without us.  And that brings it’s own travails to our hearts and minds. I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 7, Episode 7 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow.  Find the transcript of this story over on the blog.  Thanks to Thomas Oxford with Unsplash! for the toad image. Support the show

May 20, 2026Episode 717 min

Fearless

Did you ever think about the adjectives we choose to describe a good female student, vs a good male student?  Ula graduated this weekend, and we heard a lot of adjectives being thrown about for the scholars.  But what word should be chosen for a girl like Ula, who wondered if she would ever be able to complete a college degree?I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 7, Episode 6 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow.  Find the text of this story on the https://www.sapbushfarmstore.com/s/stories/fearless.Support the show

May 13, 2026Episode 513 min

The Beautiful B+

The school year is coming to an end for our daughters.  Finishing projects and finals is not just about escaping classes….It’s about weighing the demands of the classes up against the siren call of spring.  Apparently this is a recurring issue in our family. I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 7, Episode 5 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow. Find the text version on the blog. Support the show

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