We Celebrated Buying Cheese: My Story of Humble Beginnings (And Why I’m Grateful for Them) (Ep.5)

Monthly Life Update: Church Fire, Farm Prep, and Finding Better Work Rhythms (Ep.6)

Samantha “Sam” Welch shares a February life update from her family’s 40-acre farm in north central Arkansas, describing the month as difficult and busy. The biggest event was their church building burning down, which also destroyed her friends’ wedding-venue business, prompting the church to meet in a member’s home and leaving Sam navigating support, PTSD from a past house fire, and a work transition away from photographing weddings at the venue toward farm sessions and growing her podcasts. On the farm, they began using a high tunnel, prepped beds, and planted cold-hardy crops (carrots, peas, radishes, kale, turnips, collards), did orchard pruning, sprayed with lime sulfur, lime-washed trunks, and planted new apple and plum trees. She reflects on using AI and daily notes to identify “good tired” day elements: early meaningful work, outdoor movement, unstructured family time, and adult community. She also notes listening to more music—Appalachian and Ozark folk—alongside homeschool orchestra studies. Follow me here https://www.tiktok.com/@woc_samanthawelch [https://www.tiktok.com/@woc_samanthawelch] https://www.youtube.com/@woc_samanthawelch [https://www.youtube.com/@woc_samanthawelch] https://www.instagram.com/woc_samanthawelch/ [https://www.instagram.com/woc_samanthawelch/] 00:00 February Life Update 01:34 Church Fire Fallout 03:30 Work Transition Plans 04:27 High Tunnel Spring Prep 05:52 Orchard Pruning and Care 07:46 Building Better Work Rhythms 11:44 Music and Homeschool Co Op 13:11 Wrap Up and Support This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thewomanofcourage.substack.com [https://thewomanofcourage.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

We Celebrated Buying Cheese: My Story of Humble Beginnings (And Why I’m Grateful for Them) (Ep.5)

In this episode, I’m sharing a part of my story that still humbles me every time I think about it. I left my dad’s house with almost nothing — maybe an eighth-grade education, no work experience, no driver’s license, and no real idea of how the world worked. I got my GED and took my first job in a commercial chicken laying house, where I learned what it meant to work hard and earn my own money. Later, Justin and I were married with two babies in two years, living in a two-room cabin on an unpredictable sawmill income — and I remember the day we celebrated being able to afford cheese. That season shaped me. I share how I got my first camera through a half-and-half deal, taught myself photography through YouTube, and started “Welch Photographic Art” with thrift store frames and big dreams. I talk honestly about postpartum depression, imposter syndrome, standing at an art walk without selling a single piece, and praying through my first $200 wedding because I barely knew what I was doing. The heart of this episode is simple: humble beginnings and slow growth are not punishment — they are preparation. I wrestled with God in the slow seasons. I obsessed over growth. I questioned whether I should even keep going. But looking back, I can see clearly that if I had grown fast, I would not have been able to handle it. God grew my capacity before He grew my business. Today my work looks very different. I shoot weddings at one venue owned by close friends. I only take sessions on my farm. I control my schedule. I make a steady income. And every bit of it feels different because I remember where I started. If you’re in a beginning season right now — building a business, homeschooling while running a small business, managing time as a stay-at-home mom, or just trying to build a life from home that feels meaningful — I want this episode to steady you. In this episode, I talk about: * Leaving home with nothing and learning independence the hard way * What working in a chicken house taught me about gratitude * Early marriage, tight finances, and celebrating small wins * Starting a photography business with almost no skill or confidence * Battling imposter syndrome and postpartum depression * Why slow growth builds deep roots * How stewarding what you have prepares you for more * Building a sustainable business that supports family and land This conversation is about gentle productivity for real life. It’s about faith-based rhythms for home and work. It’s about building a legacy through daily faithfulness instead of chasing fast results. If this episode encouraged you, the best way you can support the podcast is to follow the show and leave a review. And if you know someone in her small beginnings right now, share it with her. Slow growth is good growth. 00:00 Humble Beginnings: Why Starting With Nothing Is a Gift 00:39 First Job Reality Check: Working in a Chicken Laying House 02:38 New Marriage, Two Kids, and Bare-Bones Finances (Yes, Celebrating Cheese) 03:45 Getting a Camera on a Shoestring & Learning on YouTube 05:02 Welch Photographic Art: First ‘Business’ Attempts and Imposter Syndrome 07:20 First People Shoots: Engagement Session to a $200 Wedding 08:18 The Lesson: Humble Beginnings Are Preparation, Not Punishment 10:01 Slow Seasons & Stewardship: Serving Well Before You Grow 11:52 What Growth Looks Like Now: Selective Clients, One Venue, and Balance 14:03 Final Encouragement: Don’t Despise Slow Growth + Closing & Where to Follow Follow along for more: * TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@woc_samanthawelch] www.tiktok.com/@woc_samanthawelch [http://www.tiktok.com/@woc_samanthawelch] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/woc_samanthawelch/] www.instagram.com/woc_samanthawelch [http://www.instagram.com/woc_samanthawelch] * YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@woc_samanthawelch] www.youtube.com/@woc_samanthawelch [http://www.youtube.com/@woc_samanthawelch] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thewomanofcourage.substack.com [https://thewomanofcourage.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

How We Cultivate Creativity and Teach Our Kids How To Do Things Themselves (Ep.4)

How do we cultivate creativity in our kids in a world full of screens and constant input? In this episode of The Woman of Courage, Samantha Welch shares a real-life story from her daughter’s 13th birthday that sparked deeper reflection on homeschooling, stewardship, and teaching children how to teach themselves. This conversation explores the balance between providing resources and giving space, why failure matters, and how creativity grows through confidence and patience. A grounded, faith-rooted look at raising capable kids in everyday life. Practical Takeaways: * Why teaching kids how to learn matters more than constant instruction * How homeschooling rhythms can create space for creativity * The role of limited, intentional screen time in cultivating original thinking * Why allowing kids to fail builds long-term confidence * How stewardship and creativity are connected in family life https://www.tiktok.com/@woc_samanthawelch www.samanthawelch.net 00:00 Introduction and Purpose 00:25 Meet Samantha Welch 01:23 Birthday Choices and Creativity 04:02 Homeschooling and Creativity 05:42 Teaching Self-Reliance 10:09 Balancing Screen Time and Creativity 11:20 Encouraging Failure and Independence 13:56 Final Thoughts and Invitation homeschooling while running a small business, managing time as a stay-at-home mom, building a legacy through daily faithfulness, gentle productivity for real life, faith-based rhythms for home and work This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thewomanofcourage.substack.com [https://thewomanofcourage.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

A Monthly Farm Life Recap: Lambs, Snowstorms, Simple AI Systems, and What’s Working Right Now (Ep.3)

In this episode of The Woman of Courage Podcast, Samantha shares a candid monthly recap of real farm life — from winter lambing and snowstorms to practical systems that are making everyday life feel lighter. She walks through what’s been working on the farm, how she’s simplifying food storage, and why certain tools (including AI) have helped reduce her mental load. This is an honest, behind-the-scenes look at stewarding home, land, and time with intention. Practical Takeaways: * Why winter lambing can actually be a smart choice for small-scale homesteads * How simple preparedness brings peace during snowstorms and power outages * Using a freeze dryer to save freezer space and simplify weeknight meals * How AI tools can reduce mental load for busy, overwhelmed moms * Why focusing on one content platform can lead to more sustainable growth Resources Mentioned: * Harvest Right [https://affiliates.harvestright.com/3746.html] Freeze Dryer (my code) * ChatGPT (coupon code searches) * Google Gemini + Google Calendar 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 01:41 Farm Life Updates: New Lambs and Winter Challenges 05:20 Tree Trimming and Neighborly Help 07:09 Electric Fencing and Freezer Organization 11:09 AI Tools and Productivity Hacks 15:42 Social Media Shift and Content Strategy 18:53 Conclusion and Final Thoughts This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thewomanofcourage.substack.com [https://thewomanofcourage.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Why I Stopped Wearing a Smartwatch (and How It Changed My Focus as a Mom) (Ep.2)

If you’re an overwhelmed mom trying to manage time, attention, and energy while raising children, working from home, or running a small business, this episode is for you. In this episode of The Woman of Courage Podcast, Samantha Welch explains why she stopped wearing a smartwatch and how that small decision helped her reduce distraction, protect her mental energy, and become more present with her kids and the people around her. What started as a simple lifestyle change became a powerful lesson in stewardship, boundaries, and faith-based rhythms for home and work. Samantha shares real-life examples from motherhood, homeschooling, and daily life on the farm, explaining how constant notifications and digital accessibility can quietly increase mental load and pull us away from what matters most. She also shares what she does instead—simple systems that support focus without adding pressure or overwhelm. This episode speaks directly to stay-at-home moms, homeschool moms, and women building a legacy through daily faithfulness who want productivity, simple systems for everyday life, and work that supports family and home rather than competing with them. Practical Takeaways * Why constant notifications quietly drain mental energy and attention * How small systems can reduce the mental load for moms at home * A simple way to be more present with your children and conversations * Rethinking productivity through faith-based rhythms instead of metrics * Choosing gentle productivity that supports family and real life Follow me on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@woc_samanthawelch?_r=1&_t=ZP-93G0NGUemKc [https://www.tiktok.com/@woc_samanthawelch?_r=1&_t=ZP-93G0NGUemKc] Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Frequency 00:40 The Moment of Realization 01:47 Deciding to Ditch the Smartwatch 04:05 The Cost of Distraction 07:02 The Importance of Meaningful Conversations 08:13 Accessibility and Personal Boundaries 10:06 Finding Balance with Technology 12:54 Looking Ahead: Future Topics and Insights This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thewomanofcourage.substack.com [https://thewomanofcourage.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]